7 Days In Ontario Theatre

Conversations

• Diane Ragsdale on Jumper on artists being "tossed off the truck" at theatres, and how we can get them back on

As a year-end wrap-up, I’d like to acknowledge three of my favourite Ontario theatre blogs.  One of the perks of my job is that I get paid to read (and share) good theatre writing.  These are ones that also get read on my own time, the ones that inspire, motivate, provoke envy, whatever:

• Kris Joseph Struts And Frets – an incredibly articulate voice on a career in theatre
• Praxis Theatre – where independent theatre and politics intersect; there is no better example of a theatre organization’s blog that goes beyond being part of the publicity machine, and actually lives the theatre’s mandate in its form and (most importantly) in its content
• Nancy Kenny’s So You Want To Be An Actor (Redux)? – she describes it as “rantings and ravings” but there’s a lot of thoughtful honesty and self-awareness that belies that

And I’ll throw in one from outside Ontario (because borders are increasingly irrelevant)—the 2AM Theatre think tank.  Smart folks who are bring together so many of my favourite qualities of bloggers: intelligence, eloquence, passion, inclusiveness, respect.

Thanks to all of you for another year of good writing.

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

And this is our last post for 2011.  In 2012, this column will switch to a biweekly feature—we’ll see you in the new year.

Assembled by Brandon Moore, Communications Coordinator

Congratulations to Fall 2011 Youth Theatre Training Program Recipients

Theatre Ontario is pleased to announce the latest recipients of training grants through Theatre Ontario’s Youth Theatre Training Program (YTTP).  From 16 applications, $23,000 was awarded in total among the following recipients:

• Aluna Theatre (Etobicoke) – Young Panamerican Voices
• Buddies in Bad Times (Toronto) – Pride Cab Project
• Jumblies Theatre (Scarborough) – Recipe for Theatre
• National Arts Centre (Ottawa) – March Break Program
• Rideau Islands and Lakes Theatre School – Community Workshop Series
• Shadowland Theatre (Norfolk County) – Youth Training
• Tarragon Theatre (Toronto) – Spring Training Project

The next application deadline for this program is March 15, 2012.

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

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

ONstage Openings for the week of December 19 and December 26

In Toronto
Dec. 28, It’s A Wonderful Improvised Life at Bad Dog Theatre Company

In Eastern Ontario
Dec. 27, A Year With Frog And Toad at Kanata Theatre (Ottawa)

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.

Browsing The Bulletin Board

Upcoming on The Bulletin Board

• Jumblies Theatre is inviting applications for their OAC Creators Reserve.  Their funding priority is theatre creation projects that have a community-engaged component; deadline is December 30

New on The Bulletin Board

• ACT II STUDIO is holding an Studio Day on January 5: visit a unique creative drama centre and theatre program at Ryerson University for artists 50+
• The deadline for Blyth Festival’s OAC Creators Reserve applications is January 9

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

ONstage Openings for the week of December 12

In Northeastern Ontario
Dec. 16, Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol at Espanola Little Theatre

In Southwestern Ontario
Dec. 16, A Christmas Carol at KW Children’s Drama Workshop (Kitchener)

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.

Browsing The Bulletin Board

Upcoming on The Bulletin Board

• Audition preparation workshops for youth grade 6 to 10 at Avenue Road Arts School this week
• Theatre Passe Muraille in Toronto is holding their Pitch Blitz on December 13 and 14
• Two deadlines for OAC Theatre Creator’s Reserve applications: Tarragon Theatre and Theatre Direct (both Dec. 15)

New on The Bulletin Board

• 4th Line Theatre in Millbrook unveiled three one-day workshops for the January 28/29 weekend: Playwriting with Sky Gilbert, Adult Improvisation with Herbie Barnes, and Youth Acting with Marjie Chud
• The Stratford Shakespeare Festival also has several workshops, the first is a “Shakespeare Week” performance course with Edward Daranyi beginning on February 6
• Playwright Lucia Frangione is launching a 10-month playwriting workshop in January

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

7 Days In Ontario Theatre

Conversations

• “So…you can make a living as an artist?” – A conversation between Kris Joseph and another patron at an Ottawa show provokes a good discussion about the wrong definition of value
• In NOW magazine, Robert Priest contrasts government “liquidity injections” to banks (which go straight into vaults) and to artists (which get spent)
• Adam Thurman argues on Mission Paradox about how “seeking permission to do art”, getting people to see it, and getting paid for that art are no longer the connected concepts that they used to be
• Finally, Howard Sherman decodes theatrical marketing and publicity euphemisms

From The Wire

• The Ontario Non-Profits Network is advocating for changes to the Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act
• With the opening of a new Performing Arts Centre in Burlington, following openings in Brampton, Richmond Hill and Barrie, and construction underway in Cambridge and St. Catharines, communities around the GTA/GHA are “banking on culture to fight big-box sprawl”
• Claire Hopkinson, Executive Director of the Toronto Arts Council, was the subject of the first in a series on The Grid about how the 2012 City of Toronto budget is going to impact various organizations (Bravo to The Grid for leading with the arts)

TO Toasts

• Congrats to all of the winners of the 2011 Ottawa Capital Critics’ Circle awards

Assembled by Brandon Moore, Communications Coordinator

Theatre Ontario Showcase 2012

Theatre Ontario is pleased to announce our 18th annual Showcase of theatre school graduates from across Ontario, and the National Theatre School in Montreal.  Join us for two days of talent, with over 230 graduates.

Showcase takes place on January 15, starting at 10:30am, and January 16, starting at 11:00am, at the Jane Mallet Theatre in the St. Lawrence Centre, Toronto.  Lobby doors open at 9:45am on Sunday, and 10:00am on Monday.  The participating schools and approximate times are:

Sunday

• 10:30a - University of Windsor, School of Dramatic Art
• 11:25a - Ryerson Theatre School
• 12:30p - University of Toronto – Mississauga/Sheridan Theatre and Drama Studies
• 1:55p - National Theatre School of Canada
• 2:30p - George Brown Theatre School
• 3:30p - York University (BFA)
• 4:15p - Humber College, Theatre Performance Program

Monday

• 11:00a - Centre for Indigenous Theatre
• 11:15a - Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts
• 12:00n - Canadore College
• 12:40p - St. Clair College, Musical Theatre Performance
• 1:55p - St. Lawrence College Musical Theatre Performance
• 2:50p - Sheridan Music Theatre – Performance
• 4:30p - New Faces (graduates from other schools)

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 call 416.408.4556 x.10.  We encourage and appreciate RSVPs as soon as possible to help us plan our days.

Browsing The Bulletin Board

Upcoming on The Bulletin Board

• Today is the deadline for Canadian Stage’s 2012 Festival of Ideas and Creation – seeking performance pieces for which innovative music or sound is integral
• Theatre Passe Muraille has extended the deadline for submissions to the Guerilla Theatre projects as part of its Theatre Beyond Walls program (projects that can be performed outside of TPM) – the deadline is now December 8
• And TPM’s next Pitch Blitz is scheduled for December 13 and December 14
• Deadlines for Ontario Arts Council Theatre Creator’s Reserve in the next month: Tarragon Theatre (Dec. 15), Theatre Direct (Dec. 15), Jumblies Theatre (Dec. 30) and Young People’s Theatre (Jan. 3)

New on The Bulletin Board

• The Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration is now inviting nominations for its Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers – the deadline is January 31

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

ONstage Openings for the week of December 5

In Eastern Ontario
Dec. 9, Hairspray at Suzart Productions (Ottawa)
Dec. 10, Seussical Jr. at Seaway Valley Theatre Company (Cornwall)

In Southwestern Ontario
Dec. 8, Cinderella at Goderich Little Theatre

In Toronto
Dec. 8, Like An Old Tale at Jumblies Theatre
Dec. 8, Parfumerie at Soulpepper Theatre

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.