Kris Joseph has good reason to praise the wardrobe team of NAC's A Christmas Carol. [Kris Joseph Struts And Frets]
Chris Wilkinson writes about inspiration. [The Guardian - Noises Off]
Michael Wheeler and Simon Ogden give a "theatrospherical State of the Union." [Part 1: The Next Stage and Part 2: Praxis Theatre]
Lindsay Schweitz writes about gender equity and inequity in theatre, with highlights from Nightwood Theatre's Directors Summit. [Praxis Theatre]
Monday, 21 December 2009
Friday, 18 December 2009
Theatre Night In Trenton
by Brandon Moore
Communications Coordinator
(This article first appeared in Theatre Ontario's Summer 2009 newsletter)
When the City of Quinte West sent out a survey to their businesses, looking for input on how to revitalize their downtown, the businesses’ response was loud and clear—more than hockey tournaments or street dances, or any of the other options that were suggested; they wanted live theatre.
On March 26, they got what they wanted with the first performance of The Bay of Quinte Community Players.
Communications Coordinator
(This article first appeared in Theatre Ontario's Summer 2009 newsletter)
When the City of Quinte West sent out a survey to their businesses, looking for input on how to revitalize their downtown, the businesses’ response was loud and clear—more than hockey tournaments or street dances, or any of the other options that were suggested; they wanted live theatre.
On March 26, they got what they wanted with the first performance of The Bay of Quinte Community Players.
Tuesday, 15 December 2009
Showcase Schedule
The schedule for Theatre Ontario's Showcase 2010 is now available.
Location: Jane Mallett Theatre, Lawrence Centre for the Arts, 27 Front St. E., Toronto ON
Dates: January 17 & 18, 2010
As always, we welcome directors, artistic directors, producers, casting directors and agents who are signed to the EIC or members of TAMAC. This will be our 16th year of presenting the graduates of theatre training programs. Join us for two days of talent, with over 215 grads from the following programs:
Location: Jane Mallett Theatre, Lawrence Centre for the Arts, 27 Front St. E., Toronto ON
Dates: January 17 & 18, 2010
As always, we welcome directors, artistic directors, producers, casting directors and agents who are signed to the EIC or members of TAMAC. This will be our 16th year of presenting the graduates of theatre training programs. Join us for two days of talent, with over 215 grads from the following programs:
Monday, 14 December 2009
Recommended Reading
Kris Joseph loves technical rehearsals? Read about the preparations for NAC's A Christmas Carol. [Kris Joseph Struts And Frets]
Writers from The Globe and Mail remember Goldie Semple. [Nestruck On Theatre]
Michael Wheeler wonders if the Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company is going into seclusion. [Praxis Theatre]
Writers from The Globe and Mail remember Goldie Semple. [Nestruck On Theatre]
Michael Wheeler wonders if the Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company is going into seclusion. [Praxis Theatre]
Wednesday, 9 December 2009
A Young Actor's Journey, or all we are is dust on the dashboard
by Tim Chapman
Professional Theatre Coordinator
(This article first appeared in Theatre Ontario's December 2008/January 2009 newsletter)
In my position with Theatre Ontario, I give advice to a lot of actors who are beginning or in the early stages of their professional careers. For this newsletter, I interviewed 31-year-old actor Jenny Young about the first nine years of her professional career. I spoke to her just before a rehearsal of Kindertransport, the latest show produced by the successful new Toronto theatre company, Harold Green Jewish Theatre. I was curious to see if many of the stereotypical preconceptions of a young actor’s career were reflected in Jenny’s thus far.
Professional Theatre Coordinator
(This article first appeared in Theatre Ontario's December 2008/January 2009 newsletter)
In my position with Theatre Ontario, I give advice to a lot of actors who are beginning or in the early stages of their professional careers. For this newsletter, I interviewed 31-year-old actor Jenny Young about the first nine years of her professional career. I spoke to her just before a rehearsal of Kindertransport, the latest show produced by the successful new Toronto theatre company, Harold Green Jewish Theatre. I was curious to see if many of the stereotypical preconceptions of a young actor’s career were reflected in Jenny’s thus far.
Monday, 7 December 2009
Recommended Reading
ED - Yes, this feature deserves a catchier name.
Tara Beagan writes about offenses and apologies - Native Earth and the Toronto Star, SummerWorks' promotion, and Neptune Theatre's Equity call for Peter Pan. [Praxis Theatre]
Marcia Johnson writes about the International Women Playwrights Conference in Mumbai, India. [NSAA: Obsidian Theatre Company]
Tara Beagan writes about offenses and apologies - Native Earth and the Toronto Star, SummerWorks' promotion, and Neptune Theatre's Equity call for Peter Pan. [Praxis Theatre]
Marcia Johnson writes about the International Women Playwrights Conference in Mumbai, India. [NSAA: Obsidian Theatre Company]
Friday, 4 December 2009
Theatre Ontario Seeks Nominations For 2010 Sandra Tulloch Award for Innovation in the Arts
Theatre Ontario is issuing a call for nominations for the 2010 Sandra Tulloch Award for Innovation in the Arts. The award is presented annually to an individual or a collective who has demonstrated leadership over a long career, and a passionate commitment to deepening the scope and broadening the appeal of the arts in Ontario through innovative and practical initiatives.
For more information on award criteria, past recipients, nomination deadline and procedures, please visit the Sandra Tulloch Award for Innovation in the Arts (on the Theatre Ontario website.)
For more information on award criteria, past recipients, nomination deadline and procedures, please visit the Sandra Tulloch Award for Innovation in the Arts (on the Theatre Ontario website.)
Wednesday, 2 December 2009
Yes, We Can
by Dennis Johnson, Community Theatre Coordinator
One fairly basic definition of Community Theatre could include the words “theatre by the community, for the community.” Our directors, actors, technicians, and production staff are local—people who have put down roots in one community and practice their artistic inclinations in that place for an audience who is also rooted there. We are citizen artists. Professional performers are historically people on the road; it is a rare opportunity for them to put down roots in one community.
But can Community Theatre be “theatre of the community” as well? What is the source of the content of our productions? Are the stories we tell a product of our own experience? Do we encourage the work of local playwrights?
One fairly basic definition of Community Theatre could include the words “theatre by the community, for the community.” Our directors, actors, technicians, and production staff are local—people who have put down roots in one community and practice their artistic inclinations in that place for an audience who is also rooted there. We are citizen artists. Professional performers are historically people on the road; it is a rare opportunity for them to put down roots in one community.
But can Community Theatre be “theatre of the community” as well? What is the source of the content of our productions? Are the stories we tell a product of our own experience? Do we encourage the work of local playwrights?
Monday, 30 November 2009
Theatre Ontario Launches New Fringe Connection
Theatre Ontario is excited to announce a new partnership with the Toronto Fringe Festival. Theatre Ontario is now the online home of the Toronto Fringe Connection, a forum to connect Toronto Fringe producers, performers, and audiences.
What began six years ago in our Toronto office as an initiative to connect producers and performers for the Fringe season has had a technological update. Now fully accessible online, the Fringe Connection will be the central source for audition postings, job notices, discussions, and information sharing.
What began six years ago in our Toronto office as an initiative to connect producers and performers for the Fringe season has had a technological update. Now fully accessible online, the Fringe Connection will be the central source for audition postings, job notices, discussions, and information sharing.
Theatre Ontario Announces Showcase 2010
Theatre Ontario is pleased to announce our 15th annual Showcase of theatre school graduates from across Ontario, and the National Theatre School in Montreal, on January 17 and 18, 2010 at the Jane Mallet Theatre in the St. Lawrence Centre, Toronto.
The participating schools (in alphabetical order) are:
The participating schools (in alphabetical order) are:
- Canadore College
- Centre for Indigenous Theatre
- George Brown Theatre School
- Humber College, Theatre Performance Program
- National Theatre School of Canada
- Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts
- Ryerson Theatre School
- Sheridan Institute, Music Theatre - Performance
- Sheridan/UTM Theatre and Drama Studies
- St. Clair College, Musical Theatre Performance
- St. Lawrence College Musical Theatre Performance
- University of Windsor, School of Dramatic Art
- York University
To inquire, contact Tim Chapman, tim@theatreontario.org.
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
Theatre Ontario Announces Marketing Training Course
Theatre Ontario is pleased to announce that we will be holding a Weekend Theatre Intensive in May 2010 on the subject of marketing. "Bums In Seats: How to make the most of a limited advertising budget" offers community theatre administrators the opportunity to immerse themselves in a focused training experience.
Times, they are a changing and how do we survive as resources—both human and financial—shrink? Our instructor, Cheryl Ewing, will guide you through a review of what you are currently doing and help you adapt it to the new reality–a world where we are increasingly crunched for time, bombarded with messages and feeling isolated. Taking a look at recent advances in values-based marketing and relationship building, we will consider how we can encourage people to invest in their mental health and attend your theatre.
Times, they are a changing and how do we survive as resources—both human and financial—shrink? Our instructor, Cheryl Ewing, will guide you through a review of what you are currently doing and help you adapt it to the new reality–a world where we are increasingly crunched for time, bombarded with messages and feeling isolated. Taking a look at recent advances in values-based marketing and relationship building, we will consider how we can encourage people to invest in their mental health and attend your theatre.
Monday, 23 November 2009
Theatre Ontario Announces PTTP Grant Recipients (Fall 2009)
This program is funded by the Ontario Arts Council.
Theatre Ontario is pleased to announce the latest recipients of training grants through Theatre Ontario's Professional Theatre Training Program (PTTP). $40,030 was awarded in total among the following recipients:
Read more about the Professional Theatre Training Program (PTTP) on the Theatre Ontario website.
Theatre Ontario is pleased to announce the latest recipients of training grants through Theatre Ontario's Professional Theatre Training Program (PTTP). $40,030 was awarded in total among the following recipients:
- David DeGrow to train in general management with Hugh Neilson at Theatre Passe Muraille;
- Linda Garneau to train in directing musical theatre with Adam Brazier at Talk Is Free Theatre in Barrie and Birdland Theatre in Toronto;
- Ramona Gilmour-Darling to train in directing with Kathryn Mackay for Thousand Islands Playhouse in Gananoque, Orangeville and Port Dover;
- Varrick Grimes to train in directing with Sarah Stanley for Theatrefront in Toronto;
- Shawn Henry to train in production management with Aaron Kelly at Factory Theatre;
- Shari Hollett to train in directing with Joel Greenberg for Studio 180;
- Carin Lowerison to train in general management with Richard Lee at fu-GEN Theatre Company;
- Toby Malone to train in dramaturgy with Robert Blacker at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival;
- Anne Meighan to train in directing with Daniel MacIvor at Tarragon Theatre;
- Mayahuel Tecozautla to train in directing, project management and the personal legacy method with Diane Roberts with Urban Ink in Vancouver and the Backforward Collective in Toronto;
- Naomi Tessler to train in producing with David Anderson at Clay and Paper Theatre in Toronto;
- Michael Wheeler to train in directing with Liesl Tommy for Volcano Theatre;
- Alex Wolfson to train in producing/curating with Erika Hennebury at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre.
Read more about the Professional Theatre Training Program (PTTP) on the Theatre Ontario website.
Monday, 5 October 2009
Adjudicator Symposium
Recently, Theatre Ontario developed plans for an “Adjudicators’ Symposium” in Toronto in October. This symposium was developed by a committee made up of Theatre Ontario staff, representation from the community theatre sector, and adjudicator members of our Talent Bank.
Our goal was to provide Professional Development for adjudicators in Ontario. We also wanted to have a discussion regarding training of new adjudicators and a sharing of experiences and “best practices.” Our goals were to help build a network for adjudicators, expand awareness in the community theatre sector, and improve the overall quality of adjudication in Ontario.
We were disappointed that we did not get sufficient attendees to justify the event. However, we have not given up on our desire to achieve those goals.
We’re looking for feedback to understand better the lack of enthusiasm for this particular event. Was it the timing? The cost? Are adjudicators interested in participating in this or some other kind of professional development activity? Are community theatres interested in Theatre Ontario offering this type of program?
Our goal was to provide Professional Development for adjudicators in Ontario. We also wanted to have a discussion regarding training of new adjudicators and a sharing of experiences and “best practices.” Our goals were to help build a network for adjudicators, expand awareness in the community theatre sector, and improve the overall quality of adjudication in Ontario.
We were disappointed that we did not get sufficient attendees to justify the event. However, we have not given up on our desire to achieve those goals.
We’re looking for feedback to understand better the lack of enthusiasm for this particular event. Was it the timing? The cost? Are adjudicators interested in participating in this or some other kind of professional development activity? Are community theatres interested in Theatre Ontario offering this type of program?
Thursday, 6 August 2009
Welcome To Our Blog
Welcome to the Theatre Ontario blog. This is part of our efforts to expand the ways we can communicate with our membership and the public.
It's still an experiment for us, so if you have any feedback, please contact Brandon Moore at news@theatreontario.org
Come join the discussion!
It's still an experiment for us, so if you have any feedback, please contact Brandon Moore at news@theatreontario.org
Come join the discussion!
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