Theatre Ontario Invites Applications For The Talent Bank

Theatre Ontario's Talent Bank matches organizations (primarily community theatres and educational institutions) with professional theatre teachers and trainers for workshops, adjudications, and short-term consulting contracts.  The members of our Talent Bank are proficient practitioners, with a demonstrated ability as a teacher/trainer.

We now invite applications for the Talent Bank, either from prospective new members or from current members who wish to promote their teaching skills in other categories.  Theatre Ontario has made changes in several categories, while also introducing new categories to better reflect the needs of the theatre sector.

For more information, including the guidelines for applications, please visit the Applying to Join the Talent Bank on the Theatre Ontario website.

Looking to hire a member from the Talent Bank?   Visit the directory on the Theatre Ontario website

ONstage Openings for the weeks of December 20 and December 27

In Toronto

Dec. 29, The Misanthrope at Tarragon Theatre

Dec. 30, Parade at Acting Up Stage Theatre

For all the theatre current playing across Ontario, and information for theatres on how to add/update your listing, visit the ONstage show listings on the Theatre Ontario website.

ONstage Openings for the week of December 13

In Toronto

Dec. 13, Les Improbables présentent: une soirée d'improvisation de competition at Bad Dog Theatre Company

Dec. 14, The Firestarter Picnic at Bad Dog Theatre Company

Dec. 18, Tea At The Palace at Puppetmongers Theatre

Dec. 19, A Twisted Christmas Carol at Bad Dog Theatre Company

In South Central Ontario

Dec. 14, Gingerbread Guy at Cow Over Moon Children's Theatre (Mississauga)

In Southwestern Ontario

Dec. 15, The Last Christmas Play at Meaford Hall

For all the theatre current playing across Ontario, and information for theatres on how to add/update your listing, visit the ONstage show listings on the Theatre Ontario website.

7 Days In Ontario Theatre

Conversations

• Don Cherry, who lectures hockey players about how to celebrate their victories, showed up at Rob Ford’s inauguration as Mayor of Toronto and proceed to hot-dog all over the ice; Ruth Madoc-Jones wrote to him as “an avid hockey fan and as an artist”
• The new Barrie theatre is over-budget, under-funded, and unfinished; but the one in Kenora seems to be making some progress
• Francophone theatre in Ontario is outside of our mandate (Théatre Action est ici) but I think Lisa L’Hereux’s “identity crisis” can speak to all of us and our plurality of identities
• Chad Bauman hates comp tickets; Gwydion Suilebhan is very grateful for them  (I think I'm Team Gwydion)
• Why do poets get to have all the fun? Americans wonder if they should have a Playwright Laureate; should we?

From The Bulletin Board

• Two events from CITT Ontario: the Student Job Fair is on January 14 (bring your resume!) and their Corporate Showcase is on January 11 (bring your chequebook!)
• York University is running a free workshop called “Making It With Multimedia” on January 15

Check out these items, and many more on The Bulletin Board on the Theatre Ontario website

Next Emerging Actor and Self-Producing Workshops at Theatre Ontario

Theatre Ontario has scheduled our next "Getting Started For Actors" and "Self Start: The Basics Of Self-Producing" workshops.

"Getting Started" will be on January 26, from 2pm to 4pm; "Self-Start" will be on February 9, from 2pm to 4pm.

Getting Started sessions are for actors beginning their professional careers. In this two-hour workshop, Tim Chapman, Professional Theatre Coordinator answers the most frequently asked questions about the business of acting. Find out about the realities of showbiz, pictures and resumes, Equity and ACTRA, Agents and casting directors, Auditioning do's and don'ts, and maintaining and improving your acting skills.  Getting Started is a free workshop, available to members of Theatre Ontario only. For more information, including how to register, please visit Getting Started For Actors on the Theatre Ontario website.

Self-Start: If you want to do a show but have never produced professionally before, and if you want to know what questions to ask first, this session is for you!  Self-Start is a practical seminar facilitated by Tim Chapman, Professional Theatre Coordinator.  This workshop is designed for individuals thinking of starting a theatre company or producing a show; and gives you the opportunity to ask questions and try out ideas, discover the questions you need to ask and answer, learn to organize your thinking and planning, work on scheduling and budget considerations, and learn about available resources and services.  It's free for Theatre Ontario members, and $25 for non-members.  For more information, including how to register, please visit Self-Start: The Basics Of Producing on the Theatre Ontario website.

ONstage Openings for the week of December 6

In Southwestern Ontario:
Dec. 10, Annie at Ingersoll Theatre of Performing Arts
Dec. 10, Twas The Night Before Christmas at Meaford Hall

In Toronto:
Dec. 6, A Christmas Carol at Soulpepper Theatre

In Eastern Ontario:
Dec. 7, nativity at National Arts Centre, English Theatre (Ottawa)
Dec. 10, Bain and Bernard: Scrooge - A New Year's Carol at St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival (Prescott)
Dec. 11, Beauty And The Beast, Jr. at Seaway Valley Theatre Company (Cornwall)

Touring:
Dec. 9, A Christmas Carol by Humber River Shakespeare

For all the theatre current playing across Ontario, and information for theatres on how to add/update your listing, visit the ONstage show listings on the Theatre Ontario website.

7 Days In Ontario Theatre

What’s Happening?

• The Government of Ontario has passed the Ticket Speculation Act
• Oshawa’s revitalization plan for the downtown looks to arts as an incubator for development
• Kris Joseph wrote a very good critique of “another way theatre schools fail us” and the need for programs to recognize the changing landscape for producers
• Shannon Litzenberger wondered if Canada needs an arts research think tank
• Merit vs Success in the arts by Brian Rosen

On The Bulletin Board

• The Toronto Arts Council is having a grant-writing workshop on January 17 for the 2011 Theatre Projects
• 4th Line Theatre in Millbrook is holding winter workshops with Monica Parker, Ellen-Ray Hennessy, and Theatre Ontario Talent Bank member David Smukler on January 29-30

Check out these items, and many more on The Bulletin Board on the Theatre Ontario website

Theatre Ontario Showcase 2011

Theatre Ontario is pleased to announce our 17th annual Showcase of theatre school graduates from across Ontario, and the National Theatre School in Montreal.  Showcase takes place on January 16, starting at 10:30am, and January 17, starting at 11:00am, at the Jane Mallet Theatre in the St. Lawrence Centre, Toronto.

The participating schools (in alphabetical order) are:

Sunday

• George Brown Theatre School
• Humber College, Theatre Performance Program
• National Theatre School of Canada
• Ryerson Theatre School
• University of Toronto – Mississauga/Sheridan Theatre and Drama Studies
• University of Windsor, School of Dramatic Art
• York University (BFA and MFA)

Monday

• Canadore College
• Centre for Indigenous Theatre
• Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts
• Sheridan Music Theatre - Performance
• St. Clair College, Musical Theatre Performance
• St. Lawrence College Musical Theatre Performance

We invite artistic directors, freelance directors, producers, casting directors, and agents who are signed to the EIC or members of TAMAC.  Please reserve either at info@theatreontario.org or 416.408.4556 x.10 no later than January 11, 2011.

ONstage Openings for the week of November 29

In Eastern Ontario:
Nov. 30, Inspecting Carol at Ottawa Little Theatre
Dec. 2, Maggie's Getting Married at Domino Theatre (Kingston)
Dec. 2, A Child's Christmas In Wales at Belleville Theatre Guild
Dec. 3, Nunsense: The Mega-Musical at Mississippi Mudds of Carleton Place

In Northeastern Ontario:
Dec. 1, Aladdin at Sault Theatre Workshop

In South Central Ontario:
Dec. 2, The Importance Of Being Uncle Roscoe at Mississauga Players

In Southwestern Ontario:
Dec. 2, A Christmas Carol at Elgin Theatre Guild (St. Thomas)
Dec. 2, Charles Dickens Writes A Christmas Carol at Lost & Found Theatre (Kitchener)
Dec. 3, The Odd Couple, Female Version at Theatre Woodstock

In Toronto:
Nov. 30, Little Women: The Musical at Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts
Dec. 1, Munsch Express at George Brown Theatre School
Dec. 2, Ethan Claymore at Scarborough Theatre Guild

In Central Ontario:
Dec. 1, One Step Forward at Talk Is Free Theatre (Barrie)

For all the theatre current playing across Ontario, and information for theatres on how to add/update your listing, visit the ONstage show listings on the Theatre Ontario website.

7 Days In Ontario Theatre

What’s Happening?

• Attention Must Be Paid: Travis Bedard wrote a very thoughtful piece about the American theatre experience as an artist in Austin, Texas for whom “not a one of my megalomanical inclinations…lands on the Great White Way” and how to have a conversation with the public when only “Broadway” matters; I think this speaks to a lot of Ontario theatre artists who resist the notion that Toronto theatre is the only theatre that matters
• Meet www.offbookmarket.com – a market for playwrights and theatres to connect
• Picasso Pro will have its inaugural audio-described performance as part of the Sun Life Financial Performing Arts Access Program at the world premiere of Ken Gass’s ‘Bethune Imagined’ at Toronto’s Factory Theatre on November 30
• At this week’s meeting of the Live Performance Advisory Committee in Health and Safety, the guidelines for performer flying and aerial stunts was the main topic of discussion; reading about what’s happening on the Broadway production of Spiderman made it seem like a particularly timely discussion

From The Bulletin Board

• As mentioned last week, today is the deadline for Factory Theatre’s OAC Creators Reserve; Theatre Passe Muraille’s deadline is November 29; Great Canadian Theatre Company’s deadline is December 1
• Nightwood Theatre is holding its Master Class: Projections in Theatre with Kim Collier and Jamie Nesbitt on November 28 for directors and theatre creators who have an interest in exploring the relationship between the projected image and live theatrical experience
• The application deadline for Nightwood’s “Write From The Hip” for emerging female playwrights, 18-29, is December 3

Check out these items, and many more on The Bulletin Board on the Theatre Ontario website

Call For 2011 Sandra Tulloch Award For Innovation In Arts And Culture

Theatre Ontario is now inviting nominations for the 2011 Sandra Tulloch Award for Innovation in Arts and Culture.

The Sandra Tulloch Award for Innovation in Arts and Culture is presented annually to an individual or a collective whose initiative, activism, and leadership has contributed to the development and strengthening of arts and culture in Ontario through innovative and practical initiatives.  While Theatre Ontario administers this award, it recognizes achievements in all artistic and cultural disciplines.

The nomination deadline is February 15, 2011.

Full award criteria, history, and nomination information can be found on the Theatre Ontario website.

Congratulations to the Fall 2010 PTTP Recipients

Theatre Ontario is pleased to announce the latest recipients of training grants through Theatre Ontario’s Professional Theatre Training Program (PTTP).  From 25 applications, $39,000 was awarded in total to the following recipients:

• Cole Alvis to train in production management with Doug Morum at Native Earth Performing Arts (Toronto)
• Joanna Barrotta to train in arts administration with Michael Rubenfeld at Summerworks and Camilla Holland at Tarragon Theatre (Toronto)
• Dawn Crysler to train in production management and technical direction with Carrie Costello and Gavin Fearon at Carousel Players (St. Catharines)
• Sarah Conn to train in directing with Nadia Ross at STO Union Theatre (Ottawa)
• Kelli Fox  to train in directing with Gina Wilkinson at Shaw Festival (Niagara-on-the-Lake)
• Ravi Jain to train in artistic direction with Franco Boni at the Theatre Centre (Toronto)
• Julia Lederer to train in directing  with Alisa Palmer for a Theatre Columbus/Tarragon Theatre  co-production (Toronto)
• Aynsley Moorhouse  to train in dramaturgy with Iris Turcott at Factory Theatre (Toronto)
• Megan Paquette  to train in production management with Alistair Hepburn at Canadian Stage (Toronto)
• Emily Pearlman to train in dramaturgy with Brian Quirt at Great Canadian Theatre Company (Ottawa)
• Megan Watson to train in directing with Vikki Anderson at Theatrefront (Toronto)
• Aaron Willis to train in producing with Andy McKim and Kendra Fry at Theatre Passe Muraille (Toronto)

The next application deadline for this program is March 1, 2011.

This program is funded by the Ontario Arts Council, an agency of the Government of Ontario.

Read more about the Professional Theatre Training Program on the Theatre Ontario website.

Training new adjudicators

In 2010, Theatre Ontario ran its first “Introduction to Adjudication” course in over twenty years.  Due to popular demand, we are bringing the course back for 2011.

Lead by Ron Cameron-Lewis, who work as an adjudicator is well-known around the province, the course  combines a mix of theory, personal experience, and practical application.  Held in conjunction with the 2011 Theatre Ontario Festival in Richmond Hill in May 2011, it culminates with the opportunity to practice adjudication skills at one of Ontario’s community theatres.

As one of last year’s participants said, “the course gave a clear indication of what adjudication is, and whether or not it’s something I want to pursue.”

For more information, please visit our “Introduction to Adjudication” page on the Theatre Ontario website.

ONstage Openings for the week of November 22

In Central Ontario:

Nov. 24, A Christmas Carol at Northumberland Players (Cobourg)

Nov. 25, Anne at Theatre Orangeville

In Eastern Ontario:

Nov. 25, A Christmas Carol at Ourtown Theatre (Gananoque)

Nov. 26, Murder By The Book at Dundas County Players Theatre (Winchester)

In Northwestern Ontario:

Nov. 25, Plaid Tidings at Magnus Theatre (Thunder Bay)

In South Central Ontario:

Nov. 25, Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Stage West Theatre (Mississauga)

Nov. 25, Noises Off at OnStage Uxbridge

Nov. 26, Beauty And The Beast at Theatre Burlington

Nov. 26, Our Town at Players' Guild of Hamilton

Nov. 26, The Saloon Keeper's Daughter at Theatre Aurora

In Southwestern Ontario:

Nov. 24, Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Grand Theatre (London)

Nov. 25, Glorious at Galt Little Theatre (Cambridge)

Nov. 25, Romeo And Juliet at Lost & Found Theatre (Kitchener)

Nov. 25, Sleeping Cinder White at Kitchener-Waterloo Little Theatre (Waterloo)

Nov. 26, Anne Of Avonlea at Elora Community Theatre

In Toronto:

Nov. 22, Studies In Motion: The Hauntings Of Eadweard Muybridge at Canadian Stage

Nov. 23, Ryerson Dances at Ryerson Theatre School

Nov. 24, The Laramie Project at ACT II Studio Theatre

Nov. 25, The Silicone Diaries at Buddies in Bad Times

Touring:

Starting Nov. 22, Shakespeare Alive! and Shakespeare Shorts from Toronto’s Shakespeare In Action

For all the theatre current playing across Ontario, and information for theatres on how to add/update your listing, visit the ONstage show listings on the Theatre Ontario website.

7 Days In Ontario Theatre

What’s Happening?

• The Canadian Theatre Critics Association announced a panel on “Non-Traditional Casting and Criticism” on November 21 and Tony Nardi started writing another letter
• The Children’s Activity Tax Credit passed in the Ontario legislature; instruction in the dramatic arts is one of the approved activities
• The Ontario Arts Council announced that English-speaking artists who live on the Quebec side of the border in the National Capital Region are now eligible to apply for OAC grants
• The Seniors Artists Research Project investigated the circumstances, situation, needs and interests of Canadian senior artists; the findings were startling, but perhaps not unexpected
• The people who hand out the Wasserstein Prize in the U.S. decided that this year there were no outstanding plays by emerging female writers; as you might expect, there was some disagreement and a modest proposal

From The Bulletin Board

• Playwrights Canada Press launches A Foster Christmas (an anthology of Norm Foster’s Christmas plays) on November 20 at TheatreBooks, with “holiday treats and a fireside reading”
• And go back TheatreBooks on November 24 to hear Catherine Banks read from her work as part of Playwrights Guild of Canada’s “Meaningful Words” series
• Toronto’s Factory Theatre has its OAC Theatre Creators Reserve grant deadline on November 26
• 4th Line Theatre in Millbrook is inviting OAC Theatre Creators Reserve grant applications; deadline is January 14

Check out these items, and many more on The Bulletin Board on the Theatre Ontario website

TO Toasts

• To John Koensgen, Theatre Ontario Board member, winner of the Audrey Ashley Award for major contribution to Ottawa theatre from the Capital Critics Circle
• To Patricia Fraser, Artistic Director of The School of Toronto Dance Theatre, who was awarded the inaugural Robert Johnston Award by the Cultural Careers Council of Ontario for exemplary practices in human resources in the arts and culture sector (PDF)
• To Playwrights Canada Press, who won two Governor General Literary Awards; Robert Chafe for Drama for Afterimage (where PCP swept the nominations) and Linda Gaboriau for Translation of Wajdi Mouawad’s Forests

And remember you can catch up with all of our news in our monthly e-newsletter Theatre Ontario Presents...  The November issue is now available in the archives.

ONstage Openings for the week of November 15

In Toronto:
Nov. 19, Oliver! at Etobicoke Musical Productions
Nov. 19, Laura at Bloor West Village Players
Nov. 20, Binti's Journey at Theatre Direct Canada

In Central Ontario:
Nov. 18, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever at Wasaga Community Theatre

In Eastern Ontario:
Nov. 18, A Christmas Carol at Upper Canada Playhouse (Morrisburg)
Nov. 18, The Gingerbread Lady at Bay of Quinte Community Players (Quinte West)

In Northeastern Ontario:
Nov. 19, Sex Please, We're Sixty at Theatre Cambrian (Sudbury)
Nov. 19, Shakespeare's R & J at Thorneloe University (Sudbury)

In South Central Ontario:
Nov. 17, Jenny's House Of Joy at Markham Little Theatre
Nov. 18, The Sleeping Beauty at Peel Panto Players (Brampton)
Nov. 18, The King And I at Oshawa Little Theatre
Nov. 18, Twelve Angry Women at The Curtain Club (Richmond Hill)
Nov. 19, Into The Woods at Georgetown Globe Musical Productions

In Southwestern Ontario:
Nov. 17, Peter Pan at Drayton Entertainment—St. Jacobs Country Playhouse
Nov. 19, The Wizard Of Oz at Theatre Ancaster

For all the theatre current playing across Ontario, and information for theatres on how to add/update your listing, visit the ONstage show listings on the Theatre Ontario website.

7 Days In Ontario Theatre

What’s Happening?

• Arts Day at Parliament Hill was on November 4: catch up on perspectives of the day from Shannon Litzenberger and Micheline McKay
• Kim Collier’s Siminovich Prize for Direction acceptance speech is now available for your reading pleasure, and it is indeed a pleasure
• Alumnae Theatre in Toronto is “playing  itself” in the upcoming film If I Were You, and members got to attend a preview screening last weekend

From The Bulletin Board

New!

• OAC Theatre Creators Reserve calls from fu-GEN Asian Canadian Theatre Company (deadline is November 15!) and Tarragon Theatre (deadline is January 31)
• Nightwood Theatre’s “Write From The Hip” program for female playwrights 18 to 29 is inviting applications, deadline is December 3

Coming Up

• November 13: Artists Work-Life Balance workshop at the Artists Health Centre
• November 13-14: Fall 2010 Workshop Series at 4^th Line Theatre in Millbrook: playwriting with Alex Poch-Golden, Adult Acting with Diane Reis, and Youth Acting with Lisa Marie DiLiberto
• November 14: Eating For Optimum Health at the Artists Health Centre
• November 15: Toronto Fringe Festival lottery deadline

Check out these items, and many more on The Bulletin Board on the Theatre Ontario website

Festival 2011 Tickets Available On November 15

Theatre Ontario is pleased to announce that tickets for the 2011 Festival in Richmond Hill will be going on sale Monday, November 15.

The annual Theatre Ontario Festival is a showcase of outstanding community theatre productions chosen from regional festivals across the province.  The Festival brings together theatre lovers from all over Ontario, and is an excellent learning experience, with adjudications, workshops, networking and play readings by Canadian writers.  It's also a celebration of community theatre, with awards recognizing outstanding achievements and lots of parties!

Visit the Theatre Ontario website for more information about Festival 2011

2010 Sandra Tulloch Award for Innovation in the Arts awarded to Winston Morgan

Theatre Ontario is thrilled to announce the 2010 Sandra Tulloch Award for Innovation in the Arts shall be presented to Winston Morgan.

Winston Morgan has stage managed in Canada for twenty-seven years and had the opportunity to work in a variety of situations including small, medium and large theatres across Canada, as well as festival and commercial productions. Winston presently works at the Toronto International Film Festival Group as Venue Manager. He has also been involved with the Rendezvous with Madness Film Festival, Madness and Arts International Festival, Dubai International Film Festival, Workman Theatre Arts and has taught Stage Management sessions at Ryerson University, Humber College, York University, George Brown College and the National Theatre School.

Winston is being recognized for his significant contribution to the growth of stage managers by creating learning materials, and affordable networking and professional development opportunities for stage managers at every stage of their career to upgrade their skills and to learn the necessary technical, organizational and human resource skills to improve their craft.

The award will be presented to Winston on November 22nd.

Read more about the Sandra Tulloch Award for Innovation in the Arts

ONstage Openings for the week of November 8

A variety of theatre opening this week, some marking Remembrance Day, some recognizing the Christmas holidays just around the corner.  Remember that you can now use our website to search for listings wherever you are in Ontario.

In Southwestern Ontario:
Nov. 12, Ho-Ho-Home For The Holidays! At Oh Canada Eh? Productions (Niagara Falls)

In Toronto:
Nov. 9, Routes at Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People
Nov. 9, The Year Of Magical Thinking at Tarragon Theatre
Nov. 10, Kosher Lutherans at TEATRON Toronto Jewish Theatre
Nov. 10, Wide Awake Hearts at Tarragon Theatre
Nov. 10, The Admirable Crichton at George Brown Theatre School
Nov. 12, Equus at Hart House Theatre
Nov. 12, Hedda Gabler at Alumnae Theatre Company
Nov. 13, Bethune Imagined at Factory Theatre

In Central Ontario:
Nov. 10, Hello, Dolly! at Owen Sound Little Theatre
Nov. 11, Lucky Stiff at South Simcoe Theatre (Cookstown)
Nov. 11, Irving Berlin's White Christmas at Victorian Operetta Society (Cobourg)
Nov. 13, Ballet Jorgen's Cinderella at Meaford Hall

In Eastern Ontario:
Nov. 9, Vimy at Great Canadian Theatre Company / National Arts Centre, English Theatre (Ottawa)
Nov. 10, The Attic, The Pearls And Three Fine Girls at Theatre Kingston
Nov. 12, Annie at Orpheus Musical Theatre Society (Ottawa)
Nov. 12, The E.OD.L. One-Act Festival, hosted by Ottawa Little Theatre

For all the theatre current playing across Ontario, or for information for theatres on how to add/update your listing, visit the ONstage show listings on the Theatre Ontario website.

7 Days In Ontario Theatre

TO Toasts

• Congratulations to director Kim Collier who was awarded the $100,000 Siminovich Prize in Theatre; and to Anita Rochon who was chosen by Ms. Collier as protege for the $25,000 prize.  Michael Wheeler wrote some nice thoughts about both of them.
• The Premier's Awards for Excellence in Education recognize outstanding teachers.  Know any superb elementary or secondary school arts educators worth recognizing?  The application deadline is January 31.
  

New On The Bulletin Board

• Directors Lab North is a new initiative for emerging, mid level and established career directors that need a "safe space to explore and connect with like-minded peers."  Based on the leaders' experience as alumni of the Lincoln Centre Theatre Directors Lab in New York City, they are attempting to create their own version of the Lab in Toronto.  Application deadline is February 4.
• Nightwood Theatre in Toronto is holding a master-class on November 28 with Kim Collier and Jamie Nesbitt on "Projections In Theatre" for directors and theatre creators who have an interest in exploring the relationship between the projected image and live theatrical experience.  I know I've heard of Kim Collier somewhere...
• Theatre Passe Muraille in Toronto is inviting applications for their OAC Theatre Creators Reserve.  All applications are welcome, but funding priorities are collaborative creation projects, emerging artists, and multidisciplinary theatre creators; deadline is November 29.
• The NAGs Players of Toronto are seeking a director for their panto Treasure Ireland.
• New workshops at the Artists Health Centre: Work-Life Balance on November 13 and Eating For Optimum Health on November 14.  20% discount for Theatre Ontario members.

Check out these items, and many more on The Bulletin Board on the Theatre Ontario website

ONstage Openings for the week of November 1

We're very excited that our new website features search capability for our ONstage show listings.  With a couple of clicks, you can find all the upcoming theatre in your area.  Here is what's opening this week:

In South Central Ontario:
Nov. 3, You'll Get Used To It--The War Show - Newmarket Stage Company
Nov. 5, Rabbit Hole - Durham Shoestring Performers, Oshawa

In Southwestern Ontario:
Nov. 4, Cabaret - Theatre Tillsonburg

In Toronto:
Nov. 1, 6th Annual Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival - Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival
Nov. 4, Steam Heat: A Fosse Celebration - Curtain Call Players
Nov. 4, Egad, The Woman In White - NAGs Players

In Central Ontario:
Nov. 4, Wingfield's Folly - Meaford Hall
Nov. 4, All Singing, All Dancing - Port Hope Festival Theatre

In Eastern Ontario:
Nov. 4, Office Hours - Seaway Valley Theatre Company, Cornwall
Nov. 5, The Reluctant Resurrection Of Sherlock Holmes - Dundas County Players Theatre, Winchester

For all the theatre current playing across Ontario, or for information for theatres on how to add/update your listing, visit the ONstage show listings on the Theatre Ontario website.

7 Days In Ontario Theatre

What's Happening, Here And Abroad

• Congratulations to Michael Wheeler whose blog post "Why Stephen Harper Will Continue To Attack The Arts" was voted "Best Post" at the 2010 Canadian Blog Awards.  I was away when it was published originally, so I never linked to it then, but it is certainly deserving recognition of a must-read.
• And because no accomplishment must go unrewarded: the architects of the Rose Theatre in Brampton were honoured with one of the 2010 North American Copper in Architecture Awards; presumably they get a shiny trophy for that

New And Upcoming on The Bulletin Board

• Application deadline for Canadian Stage's Artist Educators in Communities and Schools Training Initiative" is November 1
• Toronto Fringe's OAC Creators Reserve deadline is November 5
• 4th Line Theatre in Millbrook has launched their 2010 workshop series: Playwriting with Alex Poch-Golden; Adult Acting with Diana Reis; and Youth Acting with Lisa Marie DiLiberto; running November 13 to 14
• Catherine Banks is the next featured playwright in the Playwrights Guild of Canada "Meaningful Words" series: November 24 at TheatreBooks

Check out these items, and many more on The Bulletin Board on the Theatre Ontario website

Upcoming Emerging Actor and Self-Producing Workshops at Theatre Ontario

Theatre Ontario is pleased to announce that we've scheduled our next "Getting Started For Actors" and "Self Start: The Basics Of Producing" workshops.

"Getting Started" will be on November 17, from 2pm to 4pm; "Self-Start" will be on December 1, from 2pm to 4pm.

Getting Started sessions are for actors beginning their professional careers. In this two-hour workshop, Tim Chapman, Professional Theatre Coordinator answers the most frequently asked questions about the business of acting. Find out about the realities of showbiz, pictures and resumes, Equity and ACTRA, Agents and casting directors, Auditioning do's and don'ts, and maintaining and improving your acting skills.  Getting Started is a free workshop, available to members of Theatre Ontario only. For more information, including how to register, please visit Getting Started For Actors on the Theatre Ontario website.

Self-Start: If you want to do a show but have never produced before, and if you want to know what questions to ask first, this session is for you!  Self-Start is a practical seminar facilitated by Tim Chapman, Professional Theatre Coordinator.  This workshop is designed for individuals thinking of starting a theatre company or producing a show; and gives you the opportunity to ask questions and try out ideas, discover the questions you need to ask and answer, learn to organize your thinking and planning, work on scheduling and budget considerations, and learn about available resources and services.  It's free for Theatre Ontario members, and $25 for non-members.  For more information, including how to register, please visit Self-Start: The Basics Of Producing on the Theatre Ontario website.

ONstage Openings for the week of October 25

Halloween is next weekend; not surprisingly, there's a distinctly scary theme to this week's openings:

In Eastern Ontario:
October 29, Night Of The Living Dead at King's Town Players in Kingston
October 30, Prints Of Darkness at Mississippi Mudds of Carleton Place

In South Central Ontario:
October 29, Willy Wonka at Clearview Community Theatre in Barrie

In Southwestern Ontario:
October 27, Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Picture Show at Oh Canada Eh? Productions in Niagara Falls
October 29, Forbidden Broadway at Theatre Sarnia
October 30, Creepy Cabaret at Theatre Intrigue Society in Windsor

In Toronto:
October 28, The Woman In Black at East Side Players
October 30, Night Of Dread at Clay And Paper Theatre

For all the theatre current playing across Ontario, or for information for theatres on how to add/update your listing, visit the ONstage show listings on the Theatre Ontario website.

7 Days In Ontario Theatre

What's Happening Here

• It is with sadness that we share the news of the passing of David Brewer, a former technical instructor in our youth summer courses, and an active mentor for many years
• The Ontario Arts Council released a survey showing that 81% of Ontarians believe in public funding of the arts
• PraxisTheatre.com has advanced to the final round of the Canadian Blog Awards; it's not too late for you to show your support
• Congratulations to all of the nominees for Ottawa's Capital Critics Circle 2010 Awards, which recognizes both professional and community theatre

And Abroad

• Howard Sherman, Executive Director of The American Theatre Wing writes about play lengths, and the evolution towards "90 minutes, no intermission"
• "Corpsing" on stage: has it ever happened to you?  I did it once; unfortunately (or ironically?) I was supposed to be dead at the time
• Charles Isherwood argued that breaking the fourth wall is a device used to cover a multitude of playwriting sins; playwright Kristoffer Diaz--author of the pro-wrestling-themed comedy The Elaborate Entrance Of Chad Deity that is mentioned in the criticusm--delivers a pile-driver in response

New and Upcoming on The Bulletin Board

• Deadline to apply for Tarragon Theatre's Young Directors Project (for high school student directors looking to help develop new student-written works) is October 29
• The Artists Health Centre in Toronto is running a clinic on November 1: "Coming Into Alignment - Posture, pain, and optimal health" focusing on back pain, TO members get a 20% discount
• OAC Theatre Creators Reserve deadline at Great Canadian Theatre Company in Ottawa is December 1
• Canadian Stage has issued a Call for Submissions for the 2011 Festival of Ideas and Creation for artists who are currently working on new projects of any length and in early phases of development, which incorporate cross-disciplinary practice; deadline is December 1

Check out these items, and many more on The Bulletin Board on the Theatre Ontario website

Migrations

• Derek Ritschel is the new Artistic Director of Lighthouse Festival Theatre in Port Dover
• Stephanie MacMillan is the new General Manager of 4th Line Theatre in Millbrook; Simone Georges is now the theatre's Director of Development
• Sheila Sky is the new Director of Membership Services and Communications of the Associated Designers of Canada

October E-Newsletter Is Now Online

Remember that you can also catch up on your news from Theatre Ontario in our comprehensive monthly e-newsletter Theatre Ontario Presents...

The October issue of our e-newsletter is now available online

The "A" Word

by Dennis Johnson, Community Theatre Coordinator

One day last February while watching the Winter Olympics on television, I happened to tune in to an interview with the Canadian Bobsleigh team.  They were being asked about their financial support and how much time they had to commit to their sport. One of the team pointed out what was to him, obvious: “We’re amateur professionals.”  What does that mean?  Are they part-time athletes?  Is it a reflection on their financial status and the fact that they are self-financed? Are they, like Rodney Dangerfield, not getting no respect?

“Amateur professionals.”  What a great concept!  I wonder if we in community theatre might not say the same thing of ourselves.  ‘Professionalism’ is a word we hear a lot.  Community theatres strive to shed their work of the ‘amateur’ epithet.  And indeed, at its best, the quality of local productions often exceeds some so-called ‘professional’ work.  But we’re unpaid. So maybe we too are amateur professionals.

ONstage Openings for the week of October 18

This is one of those weeks when there's something opening in every region of the province.  What theatre are you going to see this week?

In Toronto:
October 18: Romeo And Juliet at Shakespeare In Action
October 19: A Raisin In The Sun at Soulpepper
October 20: Unity (1918) at Ryerson Theatre School
October 21: The Lion In Winter at Amicus Productions
October 21: The Andersen Project at Canadian Stage
October 21: Death Of A Salesman at Soulpepper
October 21: The Middle Place at Theatre Passe Muraille
October 23: Key Party at Bad Dog Theatre Company

In Central Ontario:
October 22: Having Hope At Home at Northumberland Players (Cobourg)

In Ottawa and Eastern Ontario:
October 19: Romeo And Juliet at the National Arts Centre, English Theatre (Ottawa)
October 19: Honeymoon At Graveside Manor at Ottawa Little Theatre
October 21: Pyreness at Domino Theatre (Kingston)

In Northeastern Ontario:
October 20: All My Sons at Sault Theatre Workshop (Sault Ste. Marie)

In Northwestern Ontario:
October 21: Theatre Newfoundland Labrador's production of Tempting Providence at Magnus Theatre (Thunder Bay)

In South Central Ontario:
October 21: Who's Under Where? at Peel Panto Players (Brampton)

In Southwestern Ontario:
October 19: Side By Side By Sondheim at The Grand Theatre (London)
October 22: I'll Be Back Before Midnight at London Community Players

For all the theatre current playing across Ontario, or for information for theatres on how to add/update your listing, visit the ONstage show listings on the Theatre Ontario website.

7 Days In Ontario Theatre

It's actually been 63 days since we've published "7 Days".  We've been under renovation...apologies for the mess.

What's Happening?

• Tony Adams, Artistic Director of Halcyon Theatre (Chicago) wrote a great piece about theatre institutions failing artists and how it all starts  (he also beat me in our head-to-head match-up last weekend in the 2am Theatre Fantasy Football league, but I don't hold that against him)
• Meanwhile, David Nairn, Artistic Director of Theatre Orangeville wrote about the blessings that come from doing work that you love
• And on the "do" and "don't do" list for artists who have strong feelings about their critics: this is a "don't do"
• Praxis Theatre has been nominated for the 2010 Canadian Blog Awards.  Show your support with three simple clicks

New Postings and Upcoming On The Bulletin Board:

• Today is the deadline for the Ottawa Little Theatre One-Act Playwriting Competition
• Deadline to apply for Acting Up Stage Company's auditions in Toronto for "One Song Glory" is October 20 (this is a YTTP-funded project)
• Toronto's Canadian Stage Company is inviting applications for their "Artist Educators in Communities and School Training Initiative", deadline is November 1

Check out these items, and many more on The Bulletin Board on the Theatre Ontario website

Toasts:

• To Mallory Gilbert, winner of the Toronto Arts Foundation's William Kilbourn Award for the Celebration of Toronto's Cultural Life.  Mallory Gilbert joined Tarragon Theatre in 1972, serving as General Manager from 1978-2006, and is currently an arts consultant for small to mid-size theatre companies.  She served on the board of PACT for over 20 years and was its President from 1989-1993.  One of the founders of Creative Trust in 1998, she is currently the President.  She has received many awards in recognition of her achievements and contributions to Canadian theatre and in 2006, Tarragon Theatre and PACT jointly created an annual award in her honour – The Mallory Gilbert Leadership Award.  She was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 2007.
• To BMO Financial Group, winner of the Toronto Arts Foundation's Arts & Business Award.  BMO Financial Group is one of Canada’s top corporate donors and remains steadfast in the belief that arts and culture enrich all our lives.  BMO was recognized for its long-standing commitment to mid-sized Toronto theatre organizations, as it continues to support companies who take profound artistic risks, forge new producing and presenting models and push ideas of what theatre might be.

ArtsVote Across Ontario

by Brandon Moore, Communications Coordinator

Fall always makes me nostalgic for the time I lived in Ottawa.  No city does the season better—presumably that’s the trade-off for the terrible winters you’ll encounter soon after.

Elections also make me nostalgic for the city.  Besides being the place where I cast my first vote ever (the referendum on the Charlottetown Accord, just to date myself), as a student journalist at Carleton University, I spent a lot of time covering Ottawa municipal politics.  One of my professors, Roger Bird, said that it was important that we understand municipal politics, because municipal politicians have a direct impact on our lives far more than any other level of government.

It was a lesson I took to heart.  I’ve always been a bit of a political geek, but trekking out to those meetings, suffering through the vagaries of procedure and protocol, learning the intricacies of the old Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton—I certainly became more aware with the direct ways that municipal governments shape our lives, especially in the arts sector.  And I continue to find it today across Ontario.  I’ve seen the full range of municipal arts support: from the mayor who personally runs the city’s annual arts fundraiser, to the district councillor who thinks that a theatre receiving $1000 a year needs to “get off the gravy train.”

Municipal elections are being held across Ontario on October 25.  For Ontario arts supporters, the opportunity to make an informed choice in this election is helped by ArtsVote.  In municipalities across the province, artists, arts workers, and arts supporters have come together to evaluate incumbents, survey candidates, and inform voters under the “ArtsVote” brand.  Whether or not these activities will result in actual electoral outcomes is debatable, but the most valuable aspect of it, as Michael Wheeler of Praxis Theatre wrote, it has “brought attention to the cultural community and the issues of arts funding” and put it under “a media spotlight.”  Whatever the outcome of the various elections, only a fool would ignore the repeated refrain of “I am an artist.  And I vote.”

Here are some of the ArtsVote activities across the province:
Barrie: http://barriearts.ca/blog/art-vote-counts/
London: http://artsvotelondon.ca/
Niagara: http://www.artsvoteniagara.ca/home.html
*Oakville: http://www.oakvillearts.com/Default.aspx?pageId=771326
Ottawa: http://www.arts-ottawa.on.ca/
Toronto: http://artsvote.ca/
Windsor: http://acwr.net/arts-vote-2010/

(Please feel free to share any others activities from your community, in the comments or by email to brandon@theatreontario.org; additions since my original post are marked with an asterisk)


Theatre Ontario has no partisan opinion on any candidate for office or their suitability for election.  We provide these links solely to encourage artists, arts workers and arts supporters to inform themselves.

Welcome To Our New Board Members

Theatre Ontario is pleased to welcome the final two appointments to our Board of Directors for 2010-2011.

Walter Maskel, of Gore Bay, has been appointed by QUONTA to represent community theatres in northeastern Ontario (roughly the area from Parry Sound to Timmins to Sault Ste. Marie.)  Walter has been actively involved in all aspects of theatre for the past 35 years. He has directed well over 100 productions, including 40 major musicals. A retired educator, he has worked for the Ontario government as a theatre consultant, and has adjudicated student festivals. He has received numerous awards for directing and visual presentation at regional, provincial, and international festivals. He has also received the Thornloe Mitre, an honorary award from Thornloe University, affiliated with Laurentian, for his contribution to the arts in Northern Ontario.  Presently he is Past President of the Quonta Drama Region and is the Artistic Director of Gore Bay Theatre on Manitoulin Island.

Mark Mooney, of London, has been appointed by the Western Ontario Drama League to represent community theatres in southwestern Ontario.

The members of the 2010-2011 Theatre Ontario Board are:
Julianne Snepsts, Toronto (President)
Anne Mooney, London (Vice-President)
Chris Scholey, Toronto (Treasurer)
Sheena Albanese, Thunder Bay (Secretary)
Margit Tauchner, Ottawa (Member-at-Large)
Patrick Gauthier, Ottawa
Michael Grit, Richmond Hill
John Koensgen, Ottawa
Cam Lund, Newmarket
Walter Maskel, Gore Bay
Debra McLauchlan, St. Catharines
Mark Mooney, London
Angela Rebeiro, Toronto
Andy Trasuk, Cornwall
Brian Van Norman, Waterloo

ONstage Openings for the week of October 12

Hope you all enjoyed the Thanksgiving weekend.  Here is some of the theatre opening in your community:

In Southwestern Ontario:
On October 15, Old Love at Ingersoll Theatre of Performing Arts
On October 15, Ten Times Two at Theatre Woodstock

In Toronto:
On October 12, Radiance at b current
On October 12, The Invisible Girl at Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People
On October 13, The Girls Who Saw Everything at Ryerson Theatre School

In Eastern Ontario:
On October 13, The White Sheep Of The Family at Rural Root Theatre (Constance Bay)
On October 14, Staff Room at Belleville Theatre Guild
On October 14, Freedom 85 at Thousand Islands Playhouse
On October 15, Hamlet (solo) at Great Canadian Theatre Company

In South Central Ontario:
On October 14, Educating Rita at W.E.S.T. - West End Studio Theatre (Oakville)

For all the theatre current playing across Ontario, or for information for theatres on how to add/update your listing, visit the ONstage show listings on the Theatre Ontario website.

Congratulations to 2011 Shaw Intern Directors

Congratulations to Craig Hall and Johnna Wright, chosen as the two intern directors for the 2011 Neil Munro Intern Directors Project at the Shaw Festival.  Each year, the Shaw Festival hires two Intern Directors for a period of about six months.  They look for promising professional directors near the beginning of their careers.  Applicants should have a fair bit of professional experience, but probably not in a company as large as the Shaw Festival.  The contracts run approximately from mid-March to September, depending on the production schedule for the particular season.  Since its inception in 1988, the project has been sponsored annually by Sun Life Financial and Theatre Ontario.

Craig Hall has been working as a professional theatre artist since 1997. He is the Artistic Producer of Vancouver’s Rumble Productions and is a member of the critically acclaimed Theatre Melee ensemble. In addition to his work with these companies, he has had the pleasure of directing and designing for a number of other companies including Green Thumb Theatre, nightswimming, Radix Theatre, Section 8 Productions, Studio 58, The Electric Company, The Virtual Stage, Theatre Replacement, The Firehall Arts Centre, Pi Theatre, Douglas College and Theatre Skam. Craig has also worked extensively as a Technical Director, Stage Manager and Dramaturg. He is the recipient of the 2003 Ray Michal award for outstanding body of work by an emerging director and is a graduate of Studio 58.

Johnna Wright spent nine years as Co-Artistic and Managing Director of Vancouver’s Solo Collective Theatre, a company that commissions, develops and premieres work by Western Canadian playwrights.  There she provided dramaturgical support to over 20 new scripts and directed a number of premieres.  Other credits include the premiere of Ian Weir's The Man Who Shot Chance Delaney for Western Canada Theatre, The Leading Ladies for the Gateway Theatre, Little Women for Persephone Theatre, and The Rez Sisters for Theatre @ UBC.  In Vancouver, Johnna received the Jessie Richardson Theatre Award as Outstanding Director for The Triumph of Love (Blackbird Theatre), which was also named Outstanding Production. She is a recipient of the Ray Michal Award for Outstanding Body of Work by an Emerging Director, and was recently nominated for a Saskatoon and Area Theatre Award as Outstanding Director for Little Women.  Johnna holds an MFA in Drama (Directing) from the University of Alberta, where her thesis production, Maureen Hunter's Transit of Venus, was co-produced by Workshop West.  She is also a graduate of UBC Theatre.  Johnna is currently a Literary Manager for Persephone Theatre in Saskatoon, from where she manages a freelance career.

For more information, please visit the Neil Munro Intern Directors Project at the Shaw Festival on the Theatre Ontario website.

ONstage Openings for the week of October 4

What's opening this week across Ontario?

In Southcentral Ontario:
October 7, Into The Woods at OnStage Uxbridge

In Southwestern Ontario:
October 6, Twelve Angry Men at Drayton Entertainment - St Jacobs Country Playhouse

In Toronto:
October 5, Hard Times at Puppetmongers Theatre
October 7, Shakespeare In Hollywood at Scarborough Players
October 11, The List at Nightwood Theatre

For all the theatre current playing across Ontario, or for information for theatres on how to add/update your listing, visit the ONstage show listings on the Theatre Ontario website.

Theatre Ontario Announces Plays In New Anthology To Be Published By Playwrights Canada Press

Theatre Ontario is pleased to announce the contents of the new anthology of Canadian plays to be published by Playwrights Canada Press.  Grassroots: Original Plays from Ontario Community Theatres is a collection of five full-length plays originally premiered by community theatres in Ontario. Playwrights Canada Press has previously published two anthologies of one-act plays selected by Theatre Ontario. This is the first collaboration on an anthology of full-length plays by the two organizations.

ONstage Openings for the week of September 27

The 2010-2011 seasons kick off at Oshawa Little Theatre, Players Guild of Hamilton, Theatre Passe Muraille (Toronto) and Theatre Sarnia.  Shows opening this week include:

In Toronto:
September 28, Ali And Ali: The Deportation Hearings from Cahoots Theatre Company in association with Factory Theatre presenting the Neworld Theatre production
September 30, Hard Times at Theatre Passe Muraille

In South Central Ontario:
September 30, Arsenic And Old Lace at Oshawa Little Theatre

In Southwestern Ontario:
October 1, Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde at Players Guild of Hamilton
October 1, How The Other Half Loves at Theatre Sarnia

For all the theatre current playing across Ontario, or for information for theatres on how to add/update your listing, visit the ONstage show listings on the Theatre Ontario website.

ONstage Openings for the week of September 20

The openings are starting to arrive fast and furious: this week new seasons begin at Alumnae Theatre Company, Buddies In Bad Times, Galt Little Theatre, The Grand Theatre, London Community Players, Tarragon Theatre and Theatre Orangeville.

In Southwestern Ontario:
September 21, Anything Goes at The Grand Theatre in London
September 23, Moon Over Buffalo at Galt Little Theatre in Cambridge
September 24, Footlight Follies at Century Church Theatre in Hillsburgh
September 24, The Three Musketeers at London Community Players

In Toronto:
September 22, Blasted at Buddies In Bad Times Theatres
September 22, The Clockmaker at Tarragon Theatre
September 24, You Are Here at Alumnae Theatre Company
September 24, Third Eye Looming at Workman Arts

In Central Ontario:
September 23, Rhinestown Cowgirl: A Tribute To Dolly Parton at Theatre Orangeville

In South Central Ontario:
September 22, Shirley Valentine at Stage West Theatre in Mississauga
September 24, Having Hope At Home at Theatre Aurora

For all the theatre current playing across Ontario, or for information for theatres on how to add/update your listing, visit the ONstage show listings on the Theatre Ontario website.

September E-Newsletter Is Now Online

If you're behind on your blog reading, all of our news is also published monthly in our free e-newsletter.  The September issue of Theatre Ontario Presents... is now available online.

You can also find the past year's back issues on the e-newsletter archive page, and sign-up to get new issues in your inbox when they are first distributed.  Whether its this blog, by email, Facebook, or Twitter, choose the communications tool that works best for you.

ONstage Openings for the week of September 13

Lots of season launches this week: The Bay of Quinte Community Players, Bloor West Village Players (Toronto), Canadian Stage (Toronto), The Curtain Club (Richmond Hill), Domino Theatre (Kingston), Great Canadian Theatre Company (Ottawa), Hart House Theatre (Toronto), King's Town Players (Kingston), Markham Little Theatre and Theatre Burlington.

In South Central Ontario:
September 15, If We Are Women at Markham Little Theatre
September 17, The Perfect Rhyme at The Curtain Club in Richmond Hill (with a preview on September 16)
September 17, The Subject Was Roses at Theatre Burlington

In Southwestern Ontario:
September 15, Guys And Dolls at Drayton Entertainment - Drayton Festival Theatre

In Toronto:
September 15, Richard III at Hart House Theatre
September 17, Present Laughter at Bloor West Village Players
September 18, Fernando Krapp Wrote Me This Letter: An Attempt At The Truth at Canadian Stage

In Central Ontario:
September 13, Sleuth at Theatre Collingwood

In Ottawa and Eastern Ontario:
September 14, The List at the Great Canadian Theatre Company in Ottawa
September 14, The Complete Works Of William Shakespeare (Abridged) at King's Town Players in Kingston
September 16, On Golden Pond at the Bay of Quinte Community Players in Quinte West
September 16, Collected Stories at Domino Theatre in Kingston
September 17, Night at Thousand Islands Playhouse in Gananoque

For all the theatre current playing across Ontario, or for information for theatres on how to add/update your listing, visit ONstage on the Theatre Ontario website.

ONstage Openings for the week of September 7

September is upon us, and the fall theatre season with it.  This week Theatre Cambrian in Sudbury, the Mississauga Players, and the Scarborough Theatre Guild all kick-off their 2010-2011 seasons.

In Ottawa and Eastern Ontario:
September 9, Suds, The Rockin' 60s Musical Soap Opera at Stirling Festival Theatre
September 10, Till It Hurts at Thousand Islands Playhouse in Gananoque
September 11, The Odd Couple (Female Version) at Upper Canada Playhouse in Morrisburg

In Northeastern Ontario:
September 10, Eat Your Heart Out at Theatre Cambrian in Sudbury

In South Central Ontario:
September 9, The Importance Of Being Earnest at Mississauga Players

In Southwestern Ontario:
September 8, Separate Beds at Drayton Entertainment - St. Jacobs Schoolhouse Theatre
September 9, Johnny And June at Lighthouse Festival Theatre in Port Dover

In Toronto:
September 9, A Murder Is Announced at Scarborough Theatre Guild

For all the theatre current playing across Ontario, or for information for theatres on how to add/update your listing, visit ONstage on the Theatre Ontario website.

ONstage Openings for the weeks of August 23 and August 30

The next two weeks are quiet for openings as we move from the summer to fall seasons, but this still some interesting theatre opening in Ontario.

In Southwestern Ontario:
August 31, Sweet Dreams: A Tribute To Patsy Cline at Victoria Playhouse Petrolia

In Toronto:
August 25, What The Butler Saw at Soulpepper
August 26, Doc at Soulpepper

In Central Ontario:
August 25, Sunshine Express at Globus Theatre in Bobcaygeon
August 25, Driving Miss Daisy at Meaford Hall

For all the theatre current playing across Ontario, or for information for theatres on how to add/update your listing, visit ONstage on the Theatre Ontario website.

Theatre Ontario Welcomes Jane Carnwath As Festival 2011 Adjudicator

Theatre Ontario is pleased to announce that Jane Carnwath will be the adjudicator for the 2011 Theatre Ontario Festival in Richmond Hill.

"I'm delighted to be adjudicating the 2011 Theatre Ontario Festival," said Jane." I look forward to connecting—and reconnecting—with like-minded people to indulge our passion for theatre."

Director, writer, adjudicator—Jane has worked and taught in all aspects of the theatre. An MFA in theatre from York University, she was Professor of Acting in the Music Theatre Program at Sheridan College for ten years. For several years she was Program Director of the Alumnae Theatre in Toronto.  Her most recent directing credits include After You by Dave Carley, Homeward Bound by Elliot Hayes, and Pride And Prejudice, all for the Alumnae Theatre. She's currently directing a production of Hedda Gabler, adapted by Judith Thompson, also for the Alumnae, opening November 2010.  She works with community theatre groups as production consultant and acting instructor. She taught a directing intensive at Theatre Ontario Summer Courses for a number of years. Jane has adjudicated for WODL, EODL, QUONTA and ACT-CO, as well as the Theatre Saskatchewan Festival. In 2005 she adjudicated the Theatre Ontario Festival in Belleville.

Theatre Ontario Festival 2011 will be held in Richmond Hill from May 18 to 22, 2011.  Co-hosted by Theatre Ontario, The Curtain Club, and the Association of Community Theatres of Central Ontario, the festival will be held at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts.

Call for Applications for the Youth Theatre Training Program

Theatre Ontario is now inviting applications for the October 15, 2010 deadline for the Youth Theatre Training Program (YTTP), funded by the Ontario Arts Council.

The YTTP provides training dollars to fund accessible theatre programs involving youth aged 14 to 21. YTTP assists Ontario organizations that wish to undertake projects providing training to youth in various theatrical skills and disciplines, lead by professional theatre artists.

Read all about the Youth Theatre Training Program on the Theatre Ontario website. After reading the YTTP guidelines, applicants are encouraged to contact Tim Chapman, Professional Theatre Coordinator (tim@theatreontario.org or 416.408.4556 x.12) regarding your application.  You can also read about the most recent mentorships (Spring 2010) funded by this program.

August E-Newsletter Is Now Online

If you find you can't always stay on top of all of your blog updates in your RSS reader, you can also read all of our news on a monthly basis in our e-newsletter. The August issue of Theatre Ontario Presents... is now available online.

You can find the past year's back issues on the e-newsletter archive page, and sign-up to get new issues in your inbox when they are first distributed.

ONstage Openings for the week of August 16

Worried that summer might be coming to an end?  There is still lots of theatre opening across the province:

In In South Central Ontario:
August 20, The Odd Couple at The Rose Theatre in Brampton

In Southwestern Ontario:
August 18, The Decorator at Century Church Theatre in Hillsburgh
August 19, Freedom 85 at Lighthouse Festival Theatre in Port Dover (with previews from August 17)
August 19, The Owl And The Pussycat at Showboast Festival Theatre in Port Colborne

In Toronto:
August 18, The Selkie Wife at Fly By Night Theatre
August 19, Doc in previews at Soulpepper Theatre Company
August 19, What The Butler Saw in previews at Soulpepper Theatre Company

In Central Ontario:
August 16, Sweet Dreams: A Tribute To Patsy Cline at Theatre Collingwood

For all the theatre current playing across Ontario, or for information for theatres on how to add/update your listing, visit ONstage on the Theatre Ontario website.

7 Days In Ontario Theatre

What's Happening?

• Sad to report that longtime Talent Bank member David F.M. Rogers of Guelph passed away
• From Summer Works: "Dear Prime Minister Harper: Please tell us how we are glorifying terrorism so we can stop"
• Travis Bedard of Cambiare Productions (Austin, Texas) talks about "the need to meet audiences halfway"
• The Playwrights Guild of Canada did a nice Q&A with Annie Gibson of Playwrights Canada Press on getting published

New and Upcoming on the Bulletin Board

• Canadian Stage (Toronto) has issued calls for both a Director for the 2011 Dream in High Park, and for the 2011 BASH! Director Development program; deadline for both is September 3
• Clarkson Music Theatre (Mississauga) is looking for a director and a choreographer for their production of Hairspray in November 2011
• Deadline to submit to Buddies In Bad Times (Toronto) 32nd Annual Rhubarb Festival is August 17

Check out all the current items on The Bulletin Board on the Theatre Ontario website

TO Toasts

• Congratulations to Michael Wheeler of Praxis Theatre, one of three finalists for the Toronto Arts Foundation's RBC Emerging Artist Award; and to Mallory Gilbert, one of the finalists for the William Kilbourn Award for the Celebration of Toronto's Cultural Life
• Kudos to Tina Rasmussen of Harbourfront Centre, chosen as one of the jurors for the Total Theatre Awards at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival
• And one more toast to Eric Coates, Artistic Director of Blyth Festival, who received the Bra D'Or from the Playwrights Guild of Canada's Women's Caucus for his work supporting and promoting Canadian women playwrights

RSVP for Theatre Ontario's Adjudicators Symposium on September 18

Theatre Ontario invites adjudicators to attend our Adjudicators Symposium on September 18 in Toronto.  This one-day professional development event will bring together adjudicators from across Ontario to network, and to discuss adjudication techniques and practices.

Read more about Theatre Ontario's Adjudicator Symposium on the Theatre Ontario website

Offering Discount for Toronto and Hamilton Fringe Participants

As part of our partnerships with the Toronto and Hamilton Fringe Festivals, Theatre Ontario is offering participants of those Fringe Festivals a discount on Individual Memberships.  For only $40, you get a one-year Individual Membership (regularly priced at $60.)  This offer provides participants with full access to all the benefits of Individual Membership, including the auditions listing, discounts, workshops and courses, resources and counselling, eligibility in our Non-Union Talent Files, and more!

If you were involved in a Toronto or Hamilton Fringe production, or if you were a volunteer of staff member of the 2010 Toronto or Hamilton Fringe Festival, you can save $20 on a one-year membership! Offer valid until September 1st, 2010.

For more information, please contact Mandy Rumbolt, Membership Coordinator, at membership@theatreontario.org or 416.408.4556 x.16.  Download the membership form as a PDF.

ONstage Openings for the week of August 9

This week's theatre opening across Ontario includes the 2010-2011 season opening at Theatre Aurora:

In Ottawa and Eastern Ontario:
August 10, Inseperable at Arts Court (Ottawa)
August 11, The Last Resort at Stirling Festival Theatre
August 12, Swimming In The Shallows at Arts Court (Ottawa)

In South Central Ontario:
August 10, Murder At The Howard Johnson's at Theatre Aurora

In Southwestern Ontario:
August 10, The Two Gentlemen Of Verona at Stratford Shakespeare Festival
August 10, See How They Run at Victoria Playhouse Petrolia
August 11, Cowgirls at Drayton Enterainment, Drayton Festival Theatre
August 11, Dance Legends at Drayton Entertainment, Huron County Playhouse (Grand Bend)
August 11, For The Pleasure Of Seeing Her Again at Stratford Shakespeare Festival
August 12, Wrong For Each Other at Port Stanley Festival Theatre, with a preview on August 11
August 12, Dangerous Liaisons at Stratford Shakespeare Festival
August 12, King Of Thieves at Stratford Shakespeare Festival
August 13, Age Of Arousal at Shaw Festival (Niagara-on-the-Lake)
August 14, Serious Money at Shaw Festival (Niagara-on-the-Lake)

In Central Ontario:
August 11, The Golden Slipper at Conjurors of County Town (Minden Hills)
August 11, Dein Perry's Tap Dogs at Drayton Entertainment, King's Wharf Theatre (Penetanguishene)
August 11, The Star Spangled Girl at Globus Theatre (Bobcaygeon)

For all the theatre current playing across Ontario, or for information for theatres on how to add/update your listing, visit ONstage on the Theatre Ontario website.

7 Days In Ontario Theatre

What's Happening?

• "Why shouldn’t labour costs for theatre represent the highest portion of your production budget? Like Soylent Green, theatre is made of people." -- Kris Joseph
• (Kris is writing about professional independent theatre, but I think that is an equally important message for community theatres: Shouldn't your volunteer costs be the highest portion of your budget?  How much do you spend on free workshops and training for your members, your social activities...on making your community theatre somewhere people want to belong?)
• "From Slave to Roman in 35 years": If you weren't at the Doras, Philip Akin transcribed his Silver Ticket acceptance speech

New and Upcoming on the Bulletin Board

• Buddies In Bad Times (Toronto) has issued calls for both the 32nd Rhubarb Festival (deadline August 17) and for their Young Creators Unit (deadline September 17)
• Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival submission deadline is August 6 (today!)
• Stratford Shakespeare Festival is running a "how to audition" workshop on August 7 (tomorrow!)
• Applications for Factory Theatre's new Youth Summer Training Program are due by August 13

Check out all the current items on the Theatre Ontario Bulletin Board

Next "Getting Started" Actors Workshop Scheduled For September 29

Theatre Ontario's next "Getting Started" for Actors workshop has been scheduled for September 29, from 2pm to 4pm.

Getting Started sessions are for actors beginning their professional careers. In this two-hour workshop, Tim Chapman, Professional Theatre Coordinator answers the most frequently asked questions about the business of acting. Find out about:

• The realities of showbiz
• Pictures and resumes
• Equity and ACTRA
• Agents and casting directors
• Auditioning do's and don'ts
• Maintaining and improving your acting skills

Getting Started is a free workshop, available to members of Theatre Ontario only. For more information, including how to register, please visit the Getting Started For Actors workshops on the Theatre Ontario website.

Call for Applications for the Professional Theatre Training Program

Theatre Ontario is now inviting applications for the October 1, 2010 deadline for the Professional Theatre Training Program (PTTP), funded by the Ontario Arts Council.

The PTTP offers financial support for unique and flexible training with a chosen mentor in any theatrical discipline (except performance.) One can apply for professional development in his/her own discipline, or a “change of direction" in a career. To apply, applicants must have at least two years of professional experience following their formal education.

Read all about the Professional Theatre Training Program on the Theatre Ontario website.  After reading the PTTP guidelines, applicants are encouraged to contact Tim Chapman, Professional Theatre Coordinator (tim@theatreontario.org or 416.408.4556 x.12) regarding your application.

Read also about the most recent mentorships (Spring 2010) funded by this program.

ONstage Openings

How much theatre have you seen this summer?  More opportunities opening this week across Ontario:

In Central Ontario:

August 2, The Musical Comedy Murders Of 1940 at Highlands Summer Festival in Haliburton

August 4, The Right Road To Pontypool at 4th Line Theatre in Millbrook (with previews from August 2) [pictured at left, Lauren Murphy, Dov Mickelson and Peter Pasyk]

August 5, The Music Man at Port Hope Festival Theatre

In Ottawa and Eastern Ontario:

August 3, Office Hours at Bancroft Village Theatre

August 4, Amelia: The Girl Who Wants To Fly at Festival Players of Prince Edward County in Picton (with a preview on August 3)

August 4, Tuesdays With Morrie at Ottawa Little Theatre

August 5, Up The River at Thousand Islands Playhouse in Gananonque
August 6, Satin Dolls at Arts Courts in Ottawa
August 6, The Voice Of The Turtle at Classic Theatre Festival in Perth
August 7, There Goes The Bride at Upper Canada Playhouse in Morrisburg (with previews from August 5)

In South Central Ontario:
August 6, You'll Get Used To It: The War Show at The Rose Theatre in Brampton

In Southwestern Ontario:
August 3, Separate Beds at Drayton Entertainment--Huron County Playhouse in Grand Bend
August 3, Dangerous Liaisons in previews at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival
August 6, The Book Of Esther at Blyth Festival (with previews from August 4)

For all the theatre current playing across Ontario, or for information for theatres on how to add/update your listing, visit ONstage on the Theatre Ontario website.