In Eastern Ontario
May 1, Beyond A Joke at Ottawa Little Theatre
May 2, The Curious Savage at Rural Root Theatre Company (Ottawa)
May 2, Country Jukebox at Upper Canada Playhouse (Morrisburg)
May 4, Leading Ladies at Seaway Valley Theatre Company (Cornwall)
In South Central Ontario
May 4, Footloose at Studio PAVAS (Oakville)
In Southwestern Ontario
May 3, Present Laughter at Shaw Festival (Niagara-on-the-Lake) in previews
May 3, Aspirin And Elephants at Theatre Tillsonburg
May 4, Cheaper By The Dozen at Elora Community Theatre (Fergus)
May 4, The Sunshine Boys at Players' Guild of Hamilton
May 5, Spelling 2-5-5 at Carousel Players (St. Catharines)
In Toronto
May 2, The Real World? at Tarragon Theatre (currently in previews)
May 3, Lost Lounge at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
May 4, Man Of La Mancha at Alexander Singers and Players
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.
Monday, 30 April 2012
Browsing The Bulletin Board
Upcoming on The Bulletin Board
- Aluna Theatre’s PANAMERICAN ROUTES/RUTAS PANAMERICANAS: A Festival of Theatre and Human Rights has several Festival Workshops coming up: first up is Dance Puppet Theatre, with Federico Restepo on May 7
Thursday, 26 April 2012
Join Us at Theatre Ontario's AGM
Theatre Ontario invites our members to join us for our Annual Meeting at 1pm on May 26 at the Robert Gill Theatre (University of Toronto), 214 College Street, Toronto, Ontario. For those of you who can’t make it in-person, you can now follow the meeting online through our AGM Live-Blog.
Live-blogs have become a favourite part of our annual Theatre Ontario Festival Awards Brunch. Beginning in 2010 in London, and continuing in 2011 in Richmond Hill, we were able to share the Festival Awards results as they were announced with an audience of eager readers and commenters across the province. The tool we use—CoverItLive—also allows us to keep an archive for readers to catch up with us afterwards. We’re looking forward to having another Theatre Ontario Festival 2012 Awards Live-Blog from Sault Ste. Marie on May 20.
This year, we’re going to use the same tool to live-blog our AGM. It will give members from across the province who can’t make it to the Robert Gill Theatre in-person an opportunity to follow along at home and ask questions. Official voting privileges are still handled through the use of proxy forms (copies of which can be found on the Theatre Ontario website.)
Because this a members’ meeting, the AGM live-blog will be found in the members-only section of our website. We encourage you to verify your login prior to the meeting in case there are any problems with your access. Our organization and group members can share their login access with staff and volunteers if they wish—there is a single login for each organization. Contact Brandon Moore, Communications Coordinator if you have any questions, need more information, or encounter any difficulties.
As technology continues to improve and becomes more accessible and affordable, we at Theatre Ontario will continue to work for you by exploring more opportunities to connect with our members and theatres artists across the province.
Live-blogs have become a favourite part of our annual Theatre Ontario Festival Awards Brunch. Beginning in 2010 in London, and continuing in 2011 in Richmond Hill, we were able to share the Festival Awards results as they were announced with an audience of eager readers and commenters across the province. The tool we use—CoverItLive—also allows us to keep an archive for readers to catch up with us afterwards. We’re looking forward to having another Theatre Ontario Festival 2012 Awards Live-Blog from Sault Ste. Marie on May 20.
This year, we’re going to use the same tool to live-blog our AGM. It will give members from across the province who can’t make it to the Robert Gill Theatre in-person an opportunity to follow along at home and ask questions. Official voting privileges are still handled through the use of proxy forms (copies of which can be found on the Theatre Ontario website.)
Because this a members’ meeting, the AGM live-blog will be found in the members-only section of our website. We encourage you to verify your login prior to the meeting in case there are any problems with your access. Our organization and group members can share their login access with staff and volunteers if they wish—there is a single login for each organization. Contact Brandon Moore, Communications Coordinator if you have any questions, need more information, or encounter any difficulties.
As technology continues to improve and becomes more accessible and affordable, we at Theatre Ontario will continue to work for you by exploring more opportunities to connect with our members and theatres artists across the province.
Wednesday, 25 April 2012
Summer Course Profile: Hot Scenes - Scene Study for the Evolving Actor
Learn, rehearse, and perform exciting short scenes from the repertoire of Canadian and world theatre in an intense, creative, and exciting week with Brenda Kamino.
Class time will be devoted to script and character analysis, acting techniques, and scene breakdown—supported by theatre exercises to help the participants make new discoveries in their approaches to acting.
Scenes will be assigned, rehearsed, presented, critiqued, worked, and presented again. You will work with sense memory, emotional recall, improvisation, monologue work, and audition technique to improve self-awareness, expand physical resources, and investigate character. Come and develop skills for improved performance that will last a lifetime.
As one past participant said, “Brenda did an amazing job—she was very successful at making our group work so well together, and made it safe for us to learn and play.”
Brenda Kamino has been seen as a performer on many of Canada's best known stages for over 30 years as a veteran performer of the Shaw Festival, and for theatres such as Theatre Passe Muraille, Factory Theatre, Cahoots Theatre and Young Peoples' Theatre in Toronto, Prairie Theatre Exchange in Winnipeg, The National Arts Centre, Alberta Theatre Projects in Calgary and The Citadel in Edmonton. Her television and film career includes over 100 performances and many years as host, narrator, radio artist and improvisor. Besides being a popular acting instructor for Theatre Ontario’s Summer Theatre Intensive, she also has been the full-time acting instructor at The Centre for Indigenous Theatre (CIT), run an intensive theatre training program at Young People’s Theatre, taught the young company at Tarragon’s Spring Arts Fair and helped a multitude of actors with her private coaching and workshops both at the professional and community theatre levels. Her twenty year teaching and coaching career has also taken her into the world of Blind actors, Asian Canadian performers and Aboriginal performers. She has been a guest artist, teacher and speaker at many institutions and schools across the country. Presently, she serves on the Advisory of Humber College’s Theatre Performance Program and the jury for this year’s Dora Mavor Moore Awards.
The Theatre Ontario Summer Theatre Intensive runs from August 12 to 18 at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo. Experience a week away from all distractions and immerse yourself in a unique theatrical learning experience. You will learn new skills, meet passionate theatre people, and flex your creative muscle! Read about all of our Summer Courses on the Theatre Ontario website.
Class time will be devoted to script and character analysis, acting techniques, and scene breakdown—supported by theatre exercises to help the participants make new discoveries in their approaches to acting.
Scenes will be assigned, rehearsed, presented, critiqued, worked, and presented again. You will work with sense memory, emotional recall, improvisation, monologue work, and audition technique to improve self-awareness, expand physical resources, and investigate character. Come and develop skills for improved performance that will last a lifetime.
As one past participant said, “Brenda did an amazing job—she was very successful at making our group work so well together, and made it safe for us to learn and play.”
The Theatre Ontario Summer Theatre Intensive runs from August 12 to 18 at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo. Experience a week away from all distractions and immerse yourself in a unique theatrical learning experience. You will learn new skills, meet passionate theatre people, and flex your creative muscle! Read about all of our Summer Courses on the Theatre Ontario website.
Tuesday, 24 April 2012
Honouring Excellence by Secondary School Drama Students
Do you know an outstanding student who has made a commitment to the drama/theatre community in his or her school? Teachers and schools can honour those students with Theatre Ontario’s Certificate of Excellence—and with commencement season approaching, now is a terrific time for recognition.
Theatre Ontario’s Certificates of Excellence are awarded to an individual who has shown diligence, excellence of participation, and/or outstanding commitment. The person receiving the certificate may have worked as a performer, technician, organizer of the drama club, or may simply have been of great support and encouragement to others, during or after school hours.
Read more about the Certificates of Excellence on the Theatre Ontario website
Read about last year’s recipients of Certificates of Excellence
Theatre Ontario’s Certificates of Excellence are awarded to an individual who has shown diligence, excellence of participation, and/or outstanding commitment. The person receiving the certificate may have worked as a performer, technician, organizer of the drama club, or may simply have been of great support and encouragement to others, during or after school hours.
Read more about the Certificates of Excellence on the Theatre Ontario website
Read about last year’s recipients of Certificates of Excellence
Monday, 23 April 2012
ONstage Openings for the week of April 23
In Toronto
Apr. 23, Rapaccini's Daughter (staged reading) at Aluna Theatre
Apr. 24, The Real World? at Tarragon Theatre in previews
Apr. 26, You Can't Take It With You at Soulpepper Theatre (currently in previews)
Apr. 26, Sex, Lies and Quilting at NAGs Players
Apr. 26, How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying at Spotlight Musical Productions
Apr. 27, 42nd Street at Etobicoke Musical Productions
Apr. 27, Crash at Theatre Passe Muraille
Apr. 29, The Way Of Water (staged reading) at Alameda Theatre Company
In Eastern Ontario
Apr. 25, The Girl In The Picture Tries To Hang Up The Phone at Theatre Kingston
Apr. 27, Noises Off at Mississippi Mudds of Carleton Place
In Northeastern Ontario
Apr. 26, The Drowsy Chaperone at Sudbury Theatre Centre
In South Central Ontario
Apr. 26, The 39 Steps at Stage West Theatre (Mississauga)
In Southwestern Ontario
Apr. 26, Red Sails In The Sunset at Goderich Little Theatre
Apr. 27, Steel Magnolias at Elmira Theatre Company
Apr. 27, A Man And Some Women at Shaw Festival (Niagara-on-the-Lake) in previews
On Tour
Apr. 27, Your Lucky Day from Sheatre
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.
Apr. 23, Rapaccini's Daughter (staged reading) at Aluna Theatre
Apr. 24, The Real World? at Tarragon Theatre in previews
Apr. 26, You Can't Take It With You at Soulpepper Theatre (currently in previews)
Apr. 26, Sex, Lies and Quilting at NAGs Players
Apr. 26, How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying at Spotlight Musical Productions
Apr. 27, 42nd Street at Etobicoke Musical Productions
Apr. 27, Crash at Theatre Passe Muraille
Apr. 29, The Way Of Water (staged reading) at Alameda Theatre Company
In Eastern Ontario
Apr. 25, The Girl In The Picture Tries To Hang Up The Phone at Theatre Kingston
Apr. 27, Noises Off at Mississippi Mudds of Carleton Place
In Northeastern Ontario
Apr. 26, The Drowsy Chaperone at Sudbury Theatre Centre
In South Central Ontario
Apr. 26, The 39 Steps at Stage West Theatre (Mississauga)
In Southwestern Ontario
Apr. 26, Red Sails In The Sunset at Goderich Little Theatre
Apr. 27, Steel Magnolias at Elmira Theatre Company
Apr. 27, A Man And Some Women at Shaw Festival (Niagara-on-the-Lake) in previews
On Tour
Apr. 27, Your Lucky Day from Sheatre
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
- Deadline for Tarragon Theatre’s Emerging Playwrights Competition is April 27
- Deadline for Playwright’s Guild of Canada’s Post-Secondary Playwriting Competition is April 29
Thursday, 19 April 2012
Theatre Ontario Announces Next Workshops For Actors and Producers
If you’re an actor beginning your professional career, or a producer who has never produced professionally before, Theatre Ontario’s upcoming workshops—with Tim Chapman, our Professional Theatre Coordinator—are for you. The next Getting Started for Actors will be held on Thursday, May 10 at 2pm, the next Self-Start for Producers will be held on Wednesday, May 23 at 2pm. These are the final Getting Started and Self-Start sessions before the summer. The next workshops will be held in Fall 2012.
Theatre Ontario’s Getting Started session is for actors beginning their professional careers. In this two-hour workshop, Tim 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 has no registration fee, and is available to members of Theatre Ontario only. There is a $5 charge per participant for photocopies of the materials distributed at the workshop. For more information, including how to register, please visit Getting Started For Actors on the Theatre Ontario website.
Theatre Ontario’s Self-Start session is a practical seminar, designed for individuals thinking of producing a show or starting a theatre company. It 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 find out about available resources and services, Self-Start has no registration fee for Theatre Ontario members, and is $30 for non-members. There is a $5 charge per participant for photocopies of the materials distributed at the workshop. For more information, including how to register, please visit Self-Start: The Basics Of Producing on the Theatre Ontario website.
Theatre Ontario’s Getting Started session is for actors beginning their professional careers. In this two-hour workshop, Tim 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 has no registration fee, and is available to members of Theatre Ontario only. There is a $5 charge per participant for photocopies of the materials distributed at the workshop. For more information, including how to register, please visit Getting Started For Actors on the Theatre Ontario website.
Theatre Ontario’s Self-Start session is a practical seminar, designed for individuals thinking of producing a show or starting a theatre company. It 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 find out about available resources and services, Self-Start has no registration fee for Theatre Ontario members, and is $30 for non-members. There is a $5 charge per participant for photocopies of the materials distributed at the workshop. For more information, including how to register, please visit Self-Start: The Basics Of Producing on the Theatre Ontario website.
Wednesday, 18 April 2012
Summer Course Profile: Introduction to Directing—Covering All the Bases
For anyone who has always wanted to direct—or has already tried it once or twice—Stewart Arnott will help you dive into this exciting craft by learning and developing important directing skills, such as:
Stewart Arnott has been a theatre artist in Canada for over 30 years, and has acted and directed across the country. His stage appearances include Hallaj, Waiting for Godot and Stories from the Rains of Love and Death for Soheil Parsa and Modern Times Theatre; Elora Gorge (Summerworks 2011); lady in the red dress (fu-GEN) and Gaslight and Sexy Laundry (Festival Antigonish). His recent film and television projects, including the mini-series Bomb Girls; Flashpoint; The Listener; The Murdoch Mysteries; Committed and The Kennedys. As a director, his credits include The Vincent River (Cart/Horse Theatre); the world premiere of Pobby and Dingan by Paula Wing at YPT; Unity (1918) at Ryerson Theatre School, and Amadeus and The Mystery of Irma Vep for Theatre Aquarius. At Prairie Theatre Exchange in Winnipeg he has directed Master Harold and the Boys, Strawberries in January and Kilt; and at The Great Canadian Theatre Company in Ottawa he has directed Patience, Unity (1918), It's All True! and John Murrell's Democracy. Stewart is a respected teacher and coach.
The Theatre Ontario Summer Theatre Intensive runs from August 12 to 18 at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo. Experience a week away from all distractions and immerse yourself in a unique theatrical learning experience. You will learn new skills, meet passionate theatre people, and flex your creative muscle! Read about all of our Summer Courses on the Theatre Ontario website.
- Finding the clues in the text to help bring it to life
- Finding the big picture and your vision for the play
- Holding great auditions
- Planning an effective rehearsal schedule
- Blocking a scene
- “Running the room” during rehearsals
- Getting the best from your actors
- Working with your creative team of designers, stage managers, and crew
The Theatre Ontario Summer Theatre Intensive runs from August 12 to 18 at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo. Experience a week away from all distractions and immerse yourself in a unique theatrical learning experience. You will learn new skills, meet passionate theatre people, and flex your creative muscle! Read about all of our Summer Courses on the Theatre Ontario website.
Tuesday, 17 April 2012
Welcome Peterborough Theatre Guild and The Curtain Club to Theatre Ontario Festival 2012
We are pleased to welcome the final two community theatre companies who have been chosen to participate in Theatre Ontario Festival 2012 in Sault Ste. Marie.
From the Eastern Ontario Drama League (EODL), Peterborough Theatre Guild will present The Mouse House written and directed by Robert Ainsworth—a world premiere just one year after we celebrated community theatre playwriting at Festival with the launch of Grassroots: Original Plays from Ontario Community Theatres. Peterborough Theatre Guild last appeared at Theatre Ontario Festival in 2009 when they presented Twelfth Night, and won the Elsie Award for Outstanding Festival Production recently in 2006 (Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me) and 2008 (Proof). They will perform on Thursday, May 17.
Representing the Association of Community Theatres—Central Ontario (ACT-CO) is The Curtain Club from Richmond Hill who will present Colleen Murphy’s The December Man / L’homme de décembre on Saturday, May 19. The Curtain Club represented ACT-CO at Festival for four years in a row from 2003 through 2006, winning the Elsie Award in 2004 (Staff Room) and 2005 (Marvin’s Room); and were the co-hosts of Theatre Ontario Festival 2011.
The annual Theatre Ontario Festival is a showcase of outstanding community theatre productions chosen from regional festivals, bringing together theatre lovers from across the province. It is also an educational experience featuring adjudications, workshops, networking, and play readings by Canadian writers, and a celebration of community theatre, with awards recognizing outstanding achievements, and with lots of parties!
Theatre Ontario Festival 2012 will be held in Sault Ste. Marie from May 16 to May 20, co-hosted with Theatre SMC and QUONTA, the northeastern regional community theatre association. For more information about Theatre Ontario Festival 2012, please visit the Theatre Ontario website.
From the Eastern Ontario Drama League (EODL), Peterborough Theatre Guild will present The Mouse House written and directed by Robert Ainsworth—a world premiere just one year after we celebrated community theatre playwriting at Festival with the launch of Grassroots: Original Plays from Ontario Community Theatres. Peterborough Theatre Guild last appeared at Theatre Ontario Festival in 2009 when they presented Twelfth Night, and won the Elsie Award for Outstanding Festival Production recently in 2006 (Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me) and 2008 (Proof). They will perform on Thursday, May 17.
Representing the Association of Community Theatres—Central Ontario (ACT-CO) is The Curtain Club from Richmond Hill who will present Colleen Murphy’s The December Man / L’homme de décembre on Saturday, May 19. The Curtain Club represented ACT-CO at Festival for four years in a row from 2003 through 2006, winning the Elsie Award in 2004 (Staff Room) and 2005 (Marvin’s Room); and were the co-hosts of Theatre Ontario Festival 2011.
The annual Theatre Ontario Festival is a showcase of outstanding community theatre productions chosen from regional festivals, bringing together theatre lovers from across the province. It is also an educational experience featuring adjudications, workshops, networking, and play readings by Canadian writers, and a celebration of community theatre, with awards recognizing outstanding achievements, and with lots of parties!
Theatre Ontario Festival 2012 will be held in Sault Ste. Marie from May 16 to May 20, co-hosted with Theatre SMC and QUONTA, the northeastern regional community theatre association. For more information about Theatre Ontario Festival 2012, please visit the Theatre Ontario website.
Monday, 16 April 2012
Browsing The Bulletin Board
Upcoming on The Bulletin Board
- Deadline for 4th Line Theatre’s New Play Competition is April 20
- PACT’s next professional development day is on April 23: The Ultimate Board Game, with Cheryl Ewing – having a strong Board of Directors is a very necessary element in the equation of a healthy, functioning arts organization. Boards and staff often struggle through their respective roles and responsibilities and too often the relationship becomes more negative than positive. Learn what you can do to mitigate challenges and turn this potentially adversarial relationship into a great alliance
- GCTC-the Great Canadian Theatre Company in Ottawa is now inviting submissions for undercurrents, the Ottawa festival of independent theatre. They are seeking submissions from Ottawa-based and national companies. The festival will consider applications from established and emerging artists who are working in new play creation, as well as from artists touring previously produced original work. They encourage submissions from artists experimenting in form, style, and creation process. Deadline is June 4.
ONstage Openings for the week of April 16
In Southwestern Ontario
Apr. 19, Visiting Mr. Green at Lost & Found Theatre (Kitchener)
Apr. 19, Misalliance at Shaw Festival (Niagara-on-the-Lake) in previews
Apr. 19, The Fall Of The House Of Usher at Galt Little Theatre (Cambridge)
Apr. 20, The Music Of Michael at Theatre Ancaster (Hamilton)
In Toronto
Apr. 18, Oil And Water at Factory Theatre
Apr. 18, Country of the Blind at Humber Theatre
Apr. 19, The Game of Love and Chance at Canadian Stage (with previews from Apr. 16)
Apr. 19, Dancing Queen at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre (with a preview on Apr. 18)
Apr. 19, You Can't Take It With You at Soulpepper Theatre in previews
In Central Ontario
Apr. 20, Urinetown at Peterborough Theatre Guild
Apr. 20, The Dining Room at Northumberland Players (Cobourg)
In South Central Ontario
Apr. 19, Jane Eyre at Whitby Courthouse 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.
Apr. 19, Visiting Mr. Green at Lost & Found Theatre (Kitchener)
Apr. 19, Misalliance at Shaw Festival (Niagara-on-the-Lake) in previews
Apr. 19, The Fall Of The House Of Usher at Galt Little Theatre (Cambridge)
Apr. 20, The Music Of Michael at Theatre Ancaster (Hamilton)
In Toronto
Apr. 18, Oil And Water at Factory Theatre
Apr. 18, Country of the Blind at Humber Theatre
Apr. 19, The Game of Love and Chance at Canadian Stage (with previews from Apr. 16)
Apr. 19, Dancing Queen at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre (with a preview on Apr. 18)
Apr. 19, You Can't Take It With You at Soulpepper Theatre in previews
In Central Ontario
Apr. 20, Urinetown at Peterborough Theatre Guild
Apr. 20, The Dining Room at Northumberland Players (Cobourg)
In South Central Ontario
Apr. 19, Jane Eyre at Whitby Courthouse 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.
Friday, 13 April 2012
Ontario Off Stage
Conversations
- We may mock it—but Wikipedia remains the way that laypeople gather information. Hannah Nicklin makes a persuasive case about how #wikitheatre needs you
- “Emerging” artist is one of those terms that I’ve discovered can cause unintended offense—but is there something better? Sue Edworthy starts a discussion
- Kelly Nestruck reports in the Globe and Mail how Canadian theatre finally takes on the Afghan war
- Now that it’s been published officially, congratulations to our Board President Julianne Snepsts, new General Manager of the Festival Players of Prince Edward County in Picton
Thursday, 12 April 2012
The Ephemeral Lightness of Theatre
Vancouver Playhouse shut down operations after 49 years on March 10, 2012. I was shocked, not knowing any of the story leading up to the sudden closing. In the late 1950’s and 1960’s, supported by the Canada Council, regional theatres were established across Canada—the Manitoba Theatre Centre (1958), Neptune Theatre in Halifax (1963), Vancouver Playhouse (1963), Citadel Theatre in Edmonton (1965), Globe Theatre in Regina (1966), Theatre New Brunswick (1968), Theatre Calgary (1968); Toronto’s St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts first opened in 1970. Of these theatres, Vancouver Playhouse is the first to fall and may it be the last.
I have never seen a show at the Vancouver Playhouse. I have been not been in Vancouver often—and only in the summers when the Playhouse was between seasons. I know Christopher Newton was Artistic Director there in the 1970’s before he came to Shaw. I also know that Tennessee Williams was there for a couple of shows in the early 1980’s: he co-directed a new version of his play The Red Devil Battery Sign and adapted The Seagull in a version entitled The Notebook of Trigorin. At the Tarragon, I got to work with Larry Lillo who was the Playhouse’s Artistic Director for five seasons before his premature death in 1993.
Not much knowledge really for a theatre with 49 years of history. How many shows is that? If you allow six shows per season that is close to 300 shows. I spent many years at the Tarragon Theatre. I would estimate that I was there full-time for approximately 140 to 150 shows—not even half of the Playhouse’s 300. Still, my brain is overflowing with memories of those Tarragon shows. I can’t imagine the countless stories of Vancouver Playhouse’s shows from 1963 to 2012.
This got me thinking about the ephemeral nature of theatre. In another ten years there will be a new generation of young people coming of age in Vancouver for whom the Vancouver Playhouse will be all but forgotten. How many people are there right now with first-hand knowledge of the shows at the Playhouse in the 1960’s?
But, really, that is the both the nature and glory of theatre. It only lives in the moment, in the performance, never to be experienced again. Occasionally productions are revived but, more often than not, there are cast changes. I was fortunate to see two revived productions this past November and December: 2 Pianos, 4 Hands again with Ted Dykstra and Richard Greenblatt and Soulpepper’s Parfumerie with the original cast, save for one smaller role. These are, by far, the exceptions. Usually it is the play which is revived, not the production.
Sure there are reproductions caught on film or videotape but they never truly recapture the theatre experience. Even when they are exceptional such as the excellent film version of Stratford’s 1994 production of Long Day’s Journey Into Night with William Hutt, Martha Henry, Peter Donaldson, Tom McCamus and Martha Burns, all you can say is that you saw that film. You cannot say you experienced the legendary production.
It is sad when a theatre dies. Usually they never come back. In 2009, the Red Barn burnt down. There is no sign yet that it will be rebuilt. In 1993, Toronto lost Theatre Plus after 20 years, never to return. Toronto nearly lost Factory Theatre in 1996, saved from closure at the last moment by its current Artistic Director, Ken Gass. So it is very sad that we have lost Vancouver Playhouse. Sad as it is, theatre is an art form which always will be reborn by each generation. We all carry the torch, if you will, and that torch gets passed on to each succeeding generation.
Vancouver Playhouse lives on in the careers of all the artists who have ever worked there, in the memories of the theatre-goers who have seen shows there, and in the care and growth of theatre across this country. New theatres are born every year. Some may not last long and none will take the place of Vancouver Playhouse but, cumulatively, we can say that Canadian professional theatre is stronger than ever.
Wednesday, 11 April 2012
Summer Course Profile: Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Acting
Tom Diamond returns to lead one of our most popular courses, suitable for absolute beginners or more-experienced actors who want to get back to the basics.
Many people have the passion to act, but without the craft to support this desire, they just fly by the seat of their pants. This exhilarating course focuses on learning the underlying principles and techniques of the craft of acting: imagination, observation, concentration, relaxation, intellect, communication, and authenticity.
Beginning with solo work, progressing to improvisation, and into the beginning of scene study and script analysis—the emphasis of this course is the Actor’s Process, and not the performance results.
Director Tom Diamond’s critically acclaimed productions include premieres of Chan Ka Nin’s Iron Road (Dora Award) and Timothy Sullivan’s Florence The Lady With The Lamp (Chalmers Award), six productions for Pacific Opera Victoria and nine for the Canadian Opera Company. His production of Squonk was an off-Broadway hit and transferred to Broadway where it won the American Theatre Wing's Hewes Award. He is the Resident Director/Dramaturg at Tapestry New Opera Works. His first short film, The Perfect Match, premiered at Harbourfront’s World Stage Festival, has been seen at film festivals across North American and was nominated for Best Experimental Film at the Miami Short Film Festival. He is also is one of the most renown and sought after Acting Coaches on the continent. He is currently the Acting Coach for both the Canadian Opera Company Ensemble Studio and the Atelier Lyrique (Opera de Montreal.) He has taught Acting at York University, George Brown College Theatre School, University of Toronto, McGill University, Indiana University, the Eastman School of Music, the New England Conservatory and given dozens of Master Classes at many other institutions. Mr. Diamond is perhaps most often recognized for his participation in both seasons of the Gemini Award-winning television series Bathroom Divas.
"Tom Diamond was an exemplary teacher, committed to helping each of us bring out our best," said one past participant. "He was extremely well-prepared, and has such an impressive range of experience to share. His energy was incredible. I particularly appreciated the fact that he took the time to address each of us individually and knew just exactly how to "meet us where we were at" and help us move forward from there."
The Theatre Ontario Summer Theatre Intensive runs from August 12 to 18 at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo. Experience a week away from all distractions and immerse yourself in a unique theatrical learning experience. You will learn new skills, meet passionate theatre people, and flex your creative muscle! Read about all of our Summer Courses on the Theatre Ontario website.
Many people have the passion to act, but without the craft to support this desire, they just fly by the seat of their pants. This exhilarating course focuses on learning the underlying principles and techniques of the craft of acting: imagination, observation, concentration, relaxation, intellect, communication, and authenticity.
Beginning with solo work, progressing to improvisation, and into the beginning of scene study and script analysis—the emphasis of this course is the Actor’s Process, and not the performance results.
"Tom Diamond was an exemplary teacher, committed to helping each of us bring out our best," said one past participant. "He was extremely well-prepared, and has such an impressive range of experience to share. His energy was incredible. I particularly appreciated the fact that he took the time to address each of us individually and knew just exactly how to "meet us where we were at" and help us move forward from there."
The Theatre Ontario Summer Theatre Intensive runs from August 12 to 18 at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo. Experience a week away from all distractions and immerse yourself in a unique theatrical learning experience. You will learn new skills, meet passionate theatre people, and flex your creative muscle! Read about all of our Summer Courses on the Theatre Ontario website.
Theatre Ontario Announces Update for Annual Meeting
Theatre Ontario’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce that the Annual Meeting of Theatre Ontario has been scheduled for Saturday, May 26, 2012 at 1:00pm at the Robert Gill Theatre located at 214 College Street, Toronto (NW corner of College and St. George Streets.)
This is the first time Theatre Ontario’s Annual Meeting has been held separately from the Theatre Ontario Festival. The new format for our Annual Meeting will enable a broader range of Theatre Ontario members from all sectors of the theatre community to network with each other, and to meet and engage with Theatre Ontario’s Board of Directors and Staff. Our annual Theatre Ontario Festival will now focus exclusively on being the premiere showcase and celebration of community theatre in Ontario.
“One of our core strategic goals is strengthening our profile,” said Carol Beauchamp, Executive Director. “It’s important for Theatre Ontario to host a variety of events like our Annual Meeting that provide opportunities for us to engage with our members, but equally important, provide opportunities for our members to network and engage with each other.”
We are excited to announce also that members who are unable to attend in person will be able to participate in the Annual Meeting via a live-blog this year, similar to the Awards Brunch live-blogs from recent Festivals.
Read the Notice of Annual Meeting, including proxy forms and the Report of the Nominating Committee, on the Theatre Ontario website.
This is the first time Theatre Ontario’s Annual Meeting has been held separately from the Theatre Ontario Festival. The new format for our Annual Meeting will enable a broader range of Theatre Ontario members from all sectors of the theatre community to network with each other, and to meet and engage with Theatre Ontario’s Board of Directors and Staff. Our annual Theatre Ontario Festival will now focus exclusively on being the premiere showcase and celebration of community theatre in Ontario.
“One of our core strategic goals is strengthening our profile,” said Carol Beauchamp, Executive Director. “It’s important for Theatre Ontario to host a variety of events like our Annual Meeting that provide opportunities for us to engage with our members, but equally important, provide opportunities for our members to network and engage with each other.”
We are excited to announce also that members who are unable to attend in person will be able to participate in the Annual Meeting via a live-blog this year, similar to the Awards Brunch live-blogs from recent Festivals.
Read the Notice of Annual Meeting, including proxy forms and the Report of the Nominating Committee, on the Theatre Ontario website.
Tuesday, 10 April 2012
ONstage Openings for the week of April 10
In South Central Ontario
Apr. 12, Guys And Dolls at Brampton Music Theatre
Apr. 13, Harvey at Theatre Aurora
Apr. 13, Midnight Madness at Theatre Burlington
In Southwestern Ontario
Apr. 10, Ragtime at The Shaw Festival (Niagara-on-the-Lake) in previews
Apr. 12, Hair at The Grand Theatre (London) with previews from Apr. 10
Apr. 12, Harvey at Drayton Entertainment: St. Jacobs Country Playhouse with previews from Apr. 11
Apr. 12, Steel Magnolias at Elgin Theatre Guild (St. Thomas)
Apr. 13, The Glass Menagerie at Guelph Little Theatre
In Toronto
Apr. 10, Orpheus Descending at George Brown Theatre School
Apr. 11, Happy End at George Brown Theatre School
Apr. 12, Stolen Lives at Scarborough Theatre Guild
Apr. 12, Prelude To A Kiss at Amicus Productions
Apr. 13, Cosi at Alumnae Theatre Company
In Central Ontario
Apr. 12, Cabaret at Owen Sound Little Theatre
Apr. 12, Oklahoma! at VOS Theatre (Cobourg)
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.
Apr. 12, Guys And Dolls at Brampton Music Theatre
Apr. 13, Harvey at Theatre Aurora
Apr. 13, Midnight Madness at Theatre Burlington
In Southwestern Ontario
Apr. 10, Ragtime at The Shaw Festival (Niagara-on-the-Lake) in previews
Apr. 12, Hair at The Grand Theatre (London) with previews from Apr. 10
Apr. 12, Harvey at Drayton Entertainment: St. Jacobs Country Playhouse with previews from Apr. 11
Apr. 12, Steel Magnolias at Elgin Theatre Guild (St. Thomas)
Apr. 13, The Glass Menagerie at Guelph Little Theatre
In Toronto
Apr. 10, Orpheus Descending at George Brown Theatre School
Apr. 11, Happy End at George Brown Theatre School
Apr. 12, Stolen Lives at Scarborough Theatre Guild
Apr. 12, Prelude To A Kiss at Amicus Productions
Apr. 13, Cosi at Alumnae Theatre Company
In Central Ontario
Apr. 12, Cabaret at Owen Sound Little Theatre
Apr. 12, Oklahoma! at VOS Theatre (Cobourg)
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
- Toronto Arts Foundation 2012 Awards deadline is April 12, honouring Arts for Youth, Arts and Business, Emerging Artist, Celebration of Toronto’s Cultural Life
- Deadline for 4th Line Theatre’s New Play Competition is April 20
- PACT’s next professional development day on April 23: The Ultimate Board Game, with Cheryl Ewing – having a strong Board of Directors is a very necessary element in the equation of a healthy, functioning arts organization. Boards and staff often struggle through their respective roles and responsibilities and too often the relationship becomes more negative than positive. Learn what you can do to mitigate challenges and turn this potentially adversarial relationship into a great alliance
- The Government of Ontario is celebrating accomplishments made by seniors to communities across Ontario—deadline for the Senior Achievement Award Program is June 15
Wednesday, 4 April 2012
Theatre Ontario Announces Great Discount Ticket Offers for Individual Members
Theatre Ontario is thrilled to announce that our individual members can get terrific member discounts on tickets at participating Ontario theatres. Members can find specific opportunities on our Tickets Offers page, found in the Members-Only section of the website.
Theatre Ontario individual membership also gives members discounts for our training programs, including our Summer Theatre Intensive, and for many publications. Check out all of the benefits of individual membership on the Theatre Ontario website.
We would like to extend a big Thank You to all of the theatres that are participating in this program. Theatres interested in providing ticket offers for Theatre Ontario individual members should contact Cornelia Persich, Education Coordinator, at cornelia@theatreontario.org or 416.408.4556 x.10 for more information.
Theatre Ontario individual membership also gives members discounts for our training programs, including our Summer Theatre Intensive, and for many publications. Check out all of the benefits of individual membership on the Theatre Ontario website.
We would like to extend a big Thank You to all of the theatres that are participating in this program. Theatres interested in providing ticket offers for Theatre Ontario individual members should contact Cornelia Persich, Education Coordinator, at cornelia@theatreontario.org or 416.408.4556 x.10 for more information.
Tuesday, 3 April 2012
Inviting Applications for the 2013 Neil Munro Intern Directors Project at the Shaw Festival
Theatre Ontario is now inviting applications for the 2013 Neil Munro Intern Directors Project at the Shaw Festival.
Each season, the Shaw Festival hires two Intern Directors. They look for promising professional directors at a point in their career where an extended residency with a company like the Shaw Festival will be of benefit to their professional development. Applicants should have a good amount of professional experience but will not have had an opportunity to work on the scale of production that is characteristic of the Shaw Festival. The contract can start as early as mid-February or as late as mid-March and generally runs through September, depending on the production schedule for the particular season.
The application deadline for the 2013 Neil Munro Intern Directors Project at the Shaw Festival is June 29, 2012 at 5pm.
Read more about applying for the Neil Munro Intern Directors Project at the Shaw Festival on the Theatre Ontario website.
Each season, the Shaw Festival hires two Intern Directors. They look for promising professional directors at a point in their career where an extended residency with a company like the Shaw Festival will be of benefit to their professional development. Applicants should have a good amount of professional experience but will not have had an opportunity to work on the scale of production that is characteristic of the Shaw Festival. The contract can start as early as mid-February or as late as mid-March and generally runs through September, depending on the production schedule for the particular season.
The application deadline for the 2013 Neil Munro Intern Directors Project at the Shaw Festival is June 29, 2012 at 5pm.
Read more about applying for the Neil Munro Intern Directors Project at the Shaw Festival on the Theatre Ontario website.
Monday, 2 April 2012
ONstage Openings for the week of April 2
In Northwestern Ontario
Apr. 5, The Long Weekend at Magnus Theatre (Thunder Bay)
In South Central Ontario
Apr. 5, Arsenic And Old Lace at Peel Panto Players (Brampton)
Apr. 5, Twelve Angry Men at OnStage Uxbridge
In Toronto
Apr. 2, Jack And The Giant Beanstalk at Young People's Theatre
Apr. 4, Was Spring at Tarragon Theatre (currently in previews)
Apr. 5, Clybourne Park at Canadian Stage (with previews from Apr. 2)
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.
Apr. 5, The Long Weekend at Magnus Theatre (Thunder Bay)
In South Central Ontario
Apr. 5, Arsenic And Old Lace at Peel Panto Players (Brampton)
Apr. 5, Twelve Angry Men at OnStage Uxbridge
In Toronto
Apr. 2, Jack And The Giant Beanstalk at Young People's Theatre
Apr. 4, Was Spring at Tarragon Theatre (currently in previews)
Apr. 5, Clybourne Park at Canadian Stage (with previews from Apr. 2)
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.
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