7 Days In Ontario Theatre

Conversations

• Marcia Johnson, playwright and a former member of our Board of Directors, was at the Shaw Festival’s “Speed Of Ideas” conference, and blogged about it for Obsidian Theatre
• August Schulenburg, the Artistic Director of Flux Theatre Ensemble in New York, proposed a fascinating new model for new play open submissions
• How has social media been impacting on traditional journalism?  Chad Bauman, Director of Communications at Arena Stage in Washington, wrote a very comprehensive analysis

Migrations

• Erika Rueter has been announced as the new General Manager of Talk Is Free Theatre in Barrie

Highlights From The Bulletin Board

• Theatre Gargantua’s one-day Creation Workshops are on August 1 and August 2

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

And enjoy the long weekend!

Assembled by Brandon Moore, Communications Coordinator

ONstage Openings for the week of July 25

In Southwestern Ontario
Jul. 26, Hosanna at Stratford Shakespeare Festival in previews
Jul. 26, The Homecoming at Stratford Shakespeare Festival in previews
Jul. 27, Italian Funerals And Other Festive Occasions at Drayton Entertainment: Huron County Playhouse (Grand Bend) with a matinee preview on Jul. 27
Jul. 27, How The Other Half Loves at Drayton Entertainment: Drayton Festival Theatre
Jul. 27, Dump Guys at Port Stanley Festival Theatre
Jul. 28, Glorious at Victoria Playhouse Petrolia with previews from Jul. 26
Jul. 28, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying at Drayton Entertainment: Huron County Playhouse (Grand Bend) with previews from Jul. 27
Jul. 28, Back In '59 at Showboat Festival Theatre (Port Colborne)
Jul. 29, Rope's End at Blyth Festival with previews from Jul. 27
Jul. 30, The Power and Passion of Broadway at Starbright Summer Festival (Sarnia)
Jul. 31, The Misanthrope at Stratford Shakespeare Festival in previews

In Toronto
Jul. 26, Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show at Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts
Jul. 27, Fall '11 Mainstage Revue at The Second City in previews

In Central Ontario
Jul. 25, Rhinestone Cowgirl: A Tribute To Dolly Parton at Theatre Collingwood
Jul. 27, The Big Voice: God Or Merman? at Globus Theatre (Bobcaygeon)
Jul. 28, Blood Brothers at Drayton Entertainment: King's Wharf Theatre with previews from Jul. 27 (Penetanguishene)

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

7 Days In Ontario Theatre

Conversations

• I was unexpectedly out of the office at the end of last week, derailing my plans for an “all-SummerWorks” post to coincide with the coast-to-coast fundraisers in support of the Festival on July 15; thankfully (and you may have already seen it) Michael Wheeler at Praxis Theatre published an excellent round-up himself that covered many of the items I planned to share; there is some excellent opinion and debate from Michael Healey, Kelly Nestruck, Jacob Zimmer, and Michael Wheeler himself that's well worth reading
• You can also catch-up on the June 12 episode of Q on CBC Radio where Jian Ghomeshi interviewed Heritage Minister James Moore

From The Wire

• In case you haven’t noticed: it’s hot out there – artists, if you’re working in an outdoor venue, keep yourself safe and healthy with a persusal of the “Outdoor Venues” section in the Safety Guidelines for Live Performance
• Eric Coates, AD of the Blyth Festival; Sarah Phillips, AD of the Festival Players of Prince Edward County; and Kim Blackwell, Artistic Producer of 4th Line Theatre, “compared notes on staging original Canadian productions” at Ontario’s summer theatres on CBC’s Fresh Air on July 9
• Playwright David S. Young is the Fall writer-in-residence at the Toronto Public Library; writers are welcome to submit a play or screenplay for feedback, David S. Young will read your writing and meet with you to discuss what is working and what might need further development and a select number of applicants will be eligible for a seven-week workshop series with the Playwright in Residence

Migrations

• Steve Solski, manager of theatre, arts and culture for the City of Brampton will become the founding Executive Director of the new performing arts centre in St. Catharines

Highlights From The Bulletin Board

• Theatre Gargantua’s Intensive Artist Lab runs next week in Toronto from July 26 to July 29
• Two calls from Buddies In Bad Times Theatre in Toronto: the 33rd Rhubarb Festival deadline is September 2; the Young Creators Unit application deadline is September 23

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

Remember, you can also receive our news every month by email.  Our archives are online and the July issue is now available.

Assembled by Brandon Moore, Communications Coordinator

Creating your dream youth theatre training program

Calling high school students: Do you want to be a professional actor?  Theatre Ontario wants to create an intensive theatre training program based on your ideas!  Where do you want the course to take place?  Who do you want to be taught by?  How much are you willing to pay for the course, if anything?  Join us on Friday, July 29 from 2-5pm for a free pizza lunch at Theatre Ontario, 215 Spadina Avenue, Suite 210 for a lively discussion—be prepared to share your ideas.

If you are interested in attending, please email info@theatreontario.com with your name, age, high school name, and the city you live in.  We will select a group of youth from across the province and will let you know by Monday, July 25 if you have been chosen.  If you can’t make this time and if Thursday, July 28 from 5:30-8pm works better, please specify that in the email.

If you are unable to attend but would like to share your ideas so that this course reflects what you want, please also send an email and we will ask you a few questions via email or telephone.  This is your chance to tell us about your dream theatre training program, so hop on board!

ONstage Openings for the week of July 18

In South Central Ontario
Jul. 22, A Chorus Line at The Rose Theatre (Brampton)

In Southwestern Ontario
Jul. 19, Maria Severa at Shaw Festival (Niagara-on-the-Lake) in previews
Jul. 19, Topdog/Underdog at Shaw Festival (Niagara-on-the-Lake) in previews
Jul. 20, Let The Sunshine In at Starbright Summer Festival (Sarnia)
Jul. 21, Murder At The Best Western at Drayton Entertainment: St. Jacobs Country Playhouse with previews from Jul. 20
Jul. 22, The Blonde, The Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead at Starbright Summer Festival (Sarnia)

In Toronto
Jul. 20, Lysistrata – the sex strike at Hart House Theatre

In Central Ontario
Jul. 18, Looking at Highlands Summer Festival (Haliburton)
Jul. 21, The Caramel House at Port Hope Festival Theatre

In Eastern Ontario
Jul. 19, Spider's Web at Ottawa Little Theatre
Jul. 23, Lend Me A Tenor at Thousand Islands Playhouse (Gananoque) with a preview on Jul. 22

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

Theatre Ontario Welcomes Annette G. Procunier As Festival 2012 Adjudicator

Theatre Ontario is pleased to announce that Annette G. Procunier will be the adjudicator for the 2012 Theatre Ontario Festival in Sault Ste. Marie.

“To be asked as an adjudicator to judge and teach about theatre is an honour and privilege for me that I shall always treasure,” said Annette.  “Theatre is a lifelong pursuit of expression that brings together all performance elements and leaves us striving for excellence, truth and community.”

Annette has been involved in amateur and professional theatre for over forty years as a director, adjudicator and teacher.  Her work has taken her to Japan, Europe, the United States and across Canada.  She has adjudicated more than 120 festivals in the past 27 years, including being the only North American to adjudicate the IATA World Theatre Festival in Monaco.  Annette has also adjudicated the National Festival for the American Association of Community Theatre four times.  For her work as an Adjudicator in the United States she was made a Fellow of AACT in 2009 for “single-handedly raising the level of community theatre in America.”  She is the only non-American to hold this lifetime honour.  In 2010, Annette published the only textbook on adjudication Do You See What I See.  Annette was one of the founders of the Lighthouse Festival in Port Dover and is currently Artistic Director of New Actors’ Colony Theatre in Bala, Ontario where professional theatre in Canada started in 1939.

Theatre Ontario Festival 2012 will be held in Sault Ste. Marie from May 16 to 20, 2012 and is co-hosted by Theatre Ontario, Theatre SMC, and the QUONTA Drama Region.  For more information about the Festival, please visit the Theatre Ontario website.

ONstage Openings for the week of July 11

In Eastern Ontario
Jul. 12, The Book Of Esther at Festival Players of Prince Edward County (Picton)
Jul. 13, All's Well That Ends Well at St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival (Prescott) with a preview on Jul. 12

In Southwestern Ontario
Jul. 13, How The Other Half Loves at Drayton Entertainment: Huron County Playhouse (Grand Bend)
Jul. 13, The Little Years at Stratford Shakespeare Festival
Jul. 13, Shakespeare's Will at Stratford Shakespeare Festival
Jul. 14, Titus Andronicus at Stratford Shakespeare Festival
Jul. 15, Twelfth Night at Stratford Shakespeare Festival

In Toronto
Jul. 15, The Kreutzer Sonata at Soulpepper Theatre with previews from Jul. 12

In Central Ontario
Jul. 13, The Love List at Globus Theatre (Bobcaygeon)
Jul. 13, When The Reaper Calls at Meaford Hall
Jul. 17, Wingfield's Folly at Algonquin Theatre (Huntsville)

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

7 Days In Ontario Theatre

(The fourteen-day version: hope you all enjoyed the Canada Day long weekend!)

Conversations

• The major topic of conversation for the past two weeks has been SummerWorks: it’s getting its own round-up next week
• We’ve been having a spirited Toronto-London-Sarnia Twitter convo around the value of allowing tweeting during performances; terrific discussion unfolding from Trisha Mead’s “The New Wild West” piece on 2AM Theatre

From The Wire

• ASTRO – the Association of Summer Theatres ‘Round Ontario – made the front page of the Toronto Star Entertainment section with highlights of the upcoming summer season
• A turbulent week in Oshawa for the Durham Shoestring Performers and other arts organizations that use the Arts Resource Centre: city staff recommended converting the Centre into office space, but two City Council committees essentially said thanks for your advice, and then tabled it
• PAL Canada is conducting a needs assessment for the City of Ottawa
• Fanshawe College in London is getting a new learning space for several programs, including the theatre program

Migrations

• Kim Renders is leaving as Artistic Director of Theatre Kingston, and they are now seeking an Artistic Producer
• Brenda Leadlay will be the new Artistic Director of the Magnetic North Theatre Festival

TO Toasts

• Congratulations to all of the recipients of the 2010-2011 Dora Mavor Moore Awards in Toronto

Highlights From The Bulletin Board

• Theatre Gargantua in Toronto is offering two versions of training on their physical theatre creation methods: a four-day intensive starting July 26 and a one-day workshop running twice on August 1 and 2
• One week left before the Off The Wall—Stratford Artist Alliance begin their summer intensive “Introduction to Theatre Production Arts”

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

Assembled by Brandon Moore, Communications Coordinator

A Young Director’s Journey

By Tim Chapman, Professional Theatre Coordinator

A couple of years ago, I did a piece profiling a young actor’s journey with Jenny Young.   Now I want to profile Ashlie Corcoran, a young director, and her journey up to now.

I believe the directing career in professional theatre to be the most difficult in the field—a field in which all careers are at best filled with uncertainty and financial hardship.  Eleven or twelve years ago Paul Thompson asked me how many professional Canadian freelance theatre directors I knew over the age of 60.  He could only name himself and Paul Bettis (who died in 2005.)  I think he made his point, even if the number is inaccurate.  Most freelance theatre directors eventually move on to artistic direction/producing, academia, or film/radio/television.  When I related this to Ashlie, she replied, “Well, there is nothing wrong with any of those possibilities.”

ONstage Openings for the week of July 4

In Central Ontario
Jul. 6, The Melville Boys at Drayton Entertainment: King's Wharf Theatre (Penetanguishene)

In Eastern Ontario
Jul. 4, Antony and Cleopatra at Company of Fools (Ottawa)
Jul. 9, Weekend Comedy at Upper Canada Playhouse (Morrisburg) with previews from Jul. 7
Jul. 9, Bell, Book And Candle at Classic Theatre Festival (Perth) with a preview on Jul. 8
Jul. 9, Twelfth Night at St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival (Prescott) with a preview on Jul. 8

In South Central Ontario
Jul. 7, The Marvelous Wonderettes at Stage West Theatre (Mississauga)
Jul. 8, The 39 Steps at The Rose Theatre (Brampton)

In Southwestern Ontario
Jul. 5, Skin Flick at Victoria Playhouse Petrolia
Jul. 7, Blood Brothers at Drayton Entertainment: Huron County Playhouse (Grand Bend) with a preview on Jul. 6
Jul. 7, I'll Be Back Before Midnight at Showboat Festival Theatre (Port Colborne)
Jul. 8, On The Rocks at The Shaw Festival (Niagara-on-the-Lake)
Jul. 9, The President at Shaw Festival (Niagara-on-the-Lake)
Jul. 9, The Admirable Crichton at Shaw Festival (Niagara-on-the-Lake)
Jul. 10, Italian Funerals And Other Festive Occasions at Drayton Entertainment: Drayton Festival Theatre with previews from Jul. 6

In Toronto
Jul. 6, 23rd Toronto Fringe Festival
Jul. 6, The Glass Menagerie at Soulpepper Theatre
Jul. 7, Jenny's House Of Joy at Scarborough Players

Touring Ontario
Jul. 9, Macbeth from Driftwood Theatre Company with previews from Jul. 7

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