New Dates for Getting Started For Actors and Self-Producing Workshops

Theatre Ontario has scheduled our next "Getting Started For Actors" and "Self Start: The Basics Of Self-Producing" workshops. “Getting Started” will be on April 27, from 2pm to 4pm; “Self-Start” will be on May 11, from 2pm to 4:15pm.

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 $30 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 March 28

In Toronto

Mar. 28, New Voices at Ryerson Theatre School

Mar. 29, The Penelopiad at Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts

Mar. 30, After Akhmatova at Tarragon Theatre with previews from Mar. 22

Mar. 31, Much Ado About Nothing at Scarborough Players

In Central Ontario

Mar. 31, Harvest at Theatre Orangeville

In Eastern Ontario

Mar. 31, The Middle Place at Great Canadian Theatre Company (Ottawa) with previews from Mar. 29

Mar. 31, She Stoops To Conquer at Belleville Theatre Guild

In Northeastern Ontario

Apr. 2, The Velveteen Rabbit at Sudbury Theatre Centre

In South Central Ontario

Mar. 31, Out Of Sight, Out Of Murder at Mississauga Players

Apr. 1, Someone Who'll Watch Over Me at The Curtain Club (Richmond Hill) with a preview on Mar. 31

Apr. 1, Noises Off at Theatre Aurora

For all the theatre currently 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

From Us

• We’re grateful for the responses so far to our survey of the Ontario theatre sector; this is a terrific opportunity to work with us as we build a stronger Theatre Ontario—take this opportunity to have your say
• Our second Theatre Ontario Festival production was chosen: Theatre Windsor will represent the Western Ontario Drama League on May 21 with their production of Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? by Edward Albee; the final two productions will be known after the weekend of April 2-3

Conversations

• Last Friday, I was part of a Twitter chat, organized by Praxis Theatre—participants from across Canada (and a few from the United States) came together under the #auddev hash-tag to make connections and have a good conversation about a variety of issues

From The Wire

• Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People announced their 2011-12 season, which includes a significant change to the theatre: beginning July 1st, Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People will return to the name it was given in 1966 by founder Susan Douglas Rubes—Young Peoples Theatre (YPT) [link is a PDF file]
• A memorial for actor Peter Donaldson will be held at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival next month – join in the celebration of the life of this remarkable man.  Date is Sunday, April 17, 2 pm at the Festival Theatre, 55 Queen Street, Stratford.  A tribute page can be found on the Festival’s website – please share your memories of Peter

What’s New On The Bulletin Board

• Nightwood Theatre in Toronto is hosting “Go Ahead! Produce It Yourself: A Masterclass with Julie Tepperman and Jacoba Knaapen” on April 26 and 28
• The Annual Business for the Arts Awards honour and celebrate the contributions of Canada's foremost business leaders and companies to the arts.  Recognize your business partners in grand fashion.  Nominations are now open, and due April 15th

Check out all the latest postings of workshops, classified ads, recognition opportunities and more from Theatre Ontario’s Bulletin Board

Remember, if you can’t always follow us on our blog, we also have a monthly enewsletter with all of our news, discussions, and more.  The March issue is now available in the archives.

Assembled  by Brandon Moore, Communications Coordinator

Toronto Fringe Connection Returns

We're pleased to announce that the Fringe Connection -- our partnership with the Toronto Fringe Festival -- is back online for 2011.  The Fringe Connection is a central source for audition postings, job notices, discussions, and information sharing.


This comprehensive web platform is intended as a place for Toronto's Fringe artists to come together and make the connections that are an essential part of the Fringe experience.  We're coming out of our "hibernation", so now is the time to freshen up your profile, or sign up for the new year.

Follow this link to visit the Toronto Fringe Connection

On The Art Of Adjudication

by Dennis Johnson, Community Theatre Coordinator

Adjudicators are like painters. Each has a unique style.  Some adjudicators are avant-garde. Some have a classic style.  As I travel around to Ontario’s community theatre festivals this month, I am struck not by the adjudications, but by the reaction of the organizers and performers. They have bought a painting without always knowing the style of the painter, and this requires them to adjust and question their concept and expectations of adjudication.

ONstage Openings for the week of March 21

In South Central Ontario
Mar. 25, Zastrozzi at Durham Shoestring Performers (Oshawa)

In Southwestern Ontario
Mar. 25, Shirley Valentine at The Grand Theatre (London) with previews from Mar. 22
Mar. 25, The Beat Goes On—Great Hits Of The 60s at Theatre Ancaster (Hamilton)

In Toronto
Mar. 21, paper SERIES at Cahoots Theatre Projects
Mar. 22, Montparnasse at Theatre Passe Muraille
Mar. 22, After Akhmatova at Tarragon Theatre in previews
Mar. 24, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street at Curtain Call Players

In Central Ontario
Mar. 25, Looking at Northumberland Players (Cobourg)

In Eastern Ontario
Mar. 24, Pajama Game at Ourtown Theatre (Gananoque)

For all the theatre currently 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

From Us

• Last week, we began our survey of the Ontario theatre sector; we’re looking to hear from artists and administrators of all theatre disciplines—professional, community, educational—as part of our analysis of everything we do at Theatre Ontario
• Welcome to Chris Hackett, our new Membership Clerk who joined our staff this week
• The first of our four Theatre Ontario Festival 2011 productions was chosen: Espanola Little Theatre will represent QUONTA (northeastern Ontario) with David Fennario’s Balconville

From The Wire

• Blind River’s Palace Theatre has re-opened its doors
• The St. Francis de Sales Church is undergoing renovation into Ajax’s new cultural centre
• Cambridge’s council approved funding for the new Drayton Entertainment theatre
• Upper Canada Playhouse is Morrisburg is getting a significant face-lift
• Hill Strategies Research released a study of The Arts and The Quality of Life based on a telephone survey of adult Ontarians
• The Government of Ontario released its report on “Working Hand in Hand with Not-for-Profits”

Conversations

• Amy Wratchford, Managing Director of the American Shakespeare Center, adjudicated wrote a lovely ode to “the beautiful community of community theatre”

What’s New On The Bulletin Board

• The Siminovitch Prize in Theatre for 2011 is focused on playwriting; submission deadline is June 10
• Meal Planning On The Go workshop at the Artists Health Centre Foundation on March 21
• Jumblies Theatre is hosting a seminar with Laura Hale to present and discuss her work on March 24

Check out all the latest postings from Theatre Ontario’s Bulletin Board

Learning how to adjudicate

There is just over two weeks left to get in your application for our “Introduction to Adjudication” course.

Adjudication brings together theatre professionals with the community and secondary school theatre sectors with the goal of expanding knowledge and artistic excellence.  Under the leadership of Ron Cameron-Lewis, Theatre Ontario's “Introduction to Adjudication” course combines a mix of theory, personal experience, and practical application.  Held in conjunction with the 2011 Theatre Ontario Festival in Richmond Hill (May 18 to 22), the course also gives participants an opportunity to practice adjudication skills at one of Ontario’s community theatres.

For more information, please visit our “Introduction to Adjudication” page on the Theatre Ontario website.  The deadline for applications is April 4.

ONstage Openings for the week of March 14

In Eastern Ontario
Mar. 15, Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme at Ottawa Little Theatre
Mar. 16, Saint Carmen Of The Main at National Arts Centre, English Theatre (Ottawa)

In Northeastern Ontario
Mar. 18, I Had A Job I Liked. Once at Sudbury Theatre Centre with a preview on March 17

In South Central Ontario
Mar. 17, Waiting For The Parade at Oshawa Little Theatre
Mar. 17, Fantastic Mr. Fox at Peel Panto Players (Brampton)

In Southwestern Ontario
Mar. 14, Western Ontario Drama League Festival at London Community Players
Mar. 17, Shear Madness at Drayton Entertainment (St. Jacobs) with previews on March 16-17
Mar. 17, Frankenstein at Kitchener-Waterloo Little Theatre

In Toronto
Mar. 14, Foolish Tales For Foolish Times at Puppetmongers Theatre
Mar. 15, Spotlight on Italy at Canadian Stage
Mar. 15, Our Town at Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts
Mar. 16, Spin at Buddies in Bad Times with a preview on March 15
Mar. 17, Montparnasse at Theatre Passe Muraille in previews
Mar. 18, paper SERIES at Cahoots Theatre Projects in previews
Mar. 18, The Time Of Your Life at Soulpepper Theatre with a preview on March 16

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.

Let's talk about Theatre Ontario

2011 is an exciting year for us at Theatre Ontario.  It’s our 40th anniversary, and we’re celebrating by having wonderful conversations with people like you—artists and administrators from across the province and beyond—talking about what you need, and analyzing what we do; fearlessly examining every facet of Theatre Ontario so that we continue to be of service to Ontario’s theatre artists.

This is one of those conversations.  This survey will help us measure what we’re doing, evaluate how we’ve been doing it, and identify what we need to change.  Your participation will help us answer a lot of questions.

The survey will probably take you about 15-20 minutes, depending on how long you reflect on your answers.  It’s been a long time since we’ve done this kind of survey and we want to be as comprehensive as we can.

Think of it as an investment—giving us some of your time to help make us a stronger organization that can better serve you.

If this isn’t a good time, come back to us when it is convenient.  We’ll be here.  Our deadline isn’t until March 30.

Thank you in advance for your time.

Go to the survey

If you have any problems with the survey, please contact Brandon Moore, Communications Coordinator at brandon@theatreontario.org

ONstage Openings for the week of March 7

In Toronto
Mar. 9, Choreographic Works at Ryerson Theatre School
Mar. 9, New Ideas Festival at Alumnae Theatre Company
Mar. 10, Tombs Of The Vanishing Indian from Native Earth Performing Arts at Buddies In Bad Times Theatre, with a preview on Mar. 9
Mar. 11, Nuts at Bloor West Village Players

In Eastern Ontario
Mar. 8, The Shadow Cutter at Great Canadian Theatre Company (Ottawa)
Mar. 10, Trying at Domino Theatre (Kingston)

In South Central Ontario
Mar. 10, The Winter's Tale at Theatre Erindale (Mississauga)

In Southwestern Ontario
Mar. 10, The Dining Room - Celebrity Show at The Grand Theatre (London)
Mar. 12, The 39 Steps at Lyndesfarne Theatre Projects (St. Catharines)

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

From The Wire

• Nominations for Ottawa’s Rideau Awards were announced this week – both Patrick Gauthier and John Koensgen from our Board of Directors were nominated, as was Kris Joseph who has been incredibly helpful to me in my communications work for Theatre Ontario
• The Chatham Capitol Theatre Association has gone bankrupt, so the future is murky for the recently restored venue – but the municipal councillor who thinks “theatres don’t do well in small communities concerns me”
• There’s certainly optimism in Barrie where financing for their new downtown theatre looks promising
• Celebrate Ontario funds 230 festival and events for 2011

Let's Talk About... Technical Theatre Training for Community Theatres

One of my goals for this blog was to create a forum where we could talk about our programs at Theatre Ontario.  We’re here to serve the needs of Ontario’s theatre artists, and this gives us a way to listen and to have those conversations.

I was thrilled when Karl Wagner of Ottawa offered a comment, unprompted, to a post about our Weekend Retreats.  (As an old post, the comment required moderating which is why I am moving the conversation here.  Discussions are best held in the open, but there are logistical reasons why our oldest posts have moderated comments.)

Emil Sher Reading at Theatre Ontario Festival 2011

Theatre Ontario is pleased to welcome Emil Sher as our Playwright-In-Person at the 2011 Theatre Ontario Festival in Richmond Hill.

Emil Sher has written for stage and screen.  His stage works include Mourning Dove, Sanctuary, Derailed, and the acclaimed adaptation of Hana’s Suitcase.  Two of Emil’s works are being presented in spring 2011 in Toronto: an adaptation of Edward the ‘Crazy Man’ for Workman Arts, and the story for A World to Shake, a ballet by Ballet Jorgen Canada.

Current works-in-progress include Conviction, a commissioned play about wrongful convictions for Toronto’s Studio 180; Alia and the Book of Ashes for Seattle Children’s Theatre; and Girl in Field, Dusk, a portrait of a medicated psychiatrist.

Emil will be reading from his works on Friday, May 20 at 2pm at The Curtain Club theatre in Richmond Hill.  Admission is free and open to the public.

Playwright-In-Person brings playwrights from across the province for readings at the annual Theatre Ontario Festival.  It is made possible by a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts, administered by the Playwrights Guild of Canada.  Recent playwrights include Maja Ardal, Douglas Bowie, Carl Cashin, David S. Craig, Norm Foster, Florence Gibson, Paul Ledoux, Yvette Nolan, and Keith Roulston.