Friday 27 February 2015

Ontario Off Stage

by Brandon Moore, Communications Coordinator

Conversation Starters
From Studio 180 Theatre: (L to R) Kimwun Perehinec, Mayko Nguyen,
Joel Greenberg, Daniel Krolik, Jonathan Wilson, Byron Abalos,
Jessica Greenberg and Maria Ricossa read from the
latest draft of Love, Dishonor, Marry, Die, Cherish, Perish.
Behind the Scenes at Ontario’s Theatres Migrations
In Case You Missed It
You can also receive news from Theatre Ontario every month by email.  Our archives are online and the February issue is now available.

Thursday 26 February 2015

Funding International Training for Ontario’s Theatre Creators

SITI Company - 2014 Skidmore Intensive
Theatre Ontario is thrilled to announce the return of the International Creators Scholarship, funding emerging artists’ training in theatre creation with the SITI Company.  The Scholarship—which will be offered in 2015 and 2016—was created in partnership with Why Not Theatre and is sponsored by SDA Enterprises with matching funds from artsVest Toronto.

The Scholarship allows an emerging artist to train with Anne Bogart and the SITI Company for one month (June 7 to July 4, 2015) in Saratoga Springs, New York.  They will train in Suzuki, Viewpoints, as well as directing and devising new work.  SITI was founded in 1992 by Anne Bogart and Tadashi Suzuki to redefine and revitalize contemporary theatre in the United States through an emphasis on international cultural exchange and collaboration. For the past 22 years, their impact can be seen on theatre creators around the world.

This program is designed to address the need for theatre artists to access more contemporary artistic training opportunities and to encourage artists to set the stage for the future of theatre and performance creation in Ontario, by having the opportunity to experience high caliber international training.

The 2015 application deadline is March 13.

Find out more about applying for Theatre Ontario and Why Not Theatre’s International Creators Scholarship

Read about the experiences of the 2014 scholarship recipients Colin Bruce Anthes and Miriam Fernandes 

artsVest Toronto is run by Business for the Arts with the support of Canadian Heritage and the Toronto Arts Council.




Wednesday 25 February 2015

Browsing Our Bulletin Board

Coming Up from Theatre Ontario
Check out all of our upcoming Career Stream and Creator Stream workshops

Upcoming on The Bulletin Board
  • Deadline for submissions to Playwrights Canada Press of ten-minute plays for an upcoming anthology is February 27
  • Deadline for Canada Council grants for Theatre Production Projects by Established Artists and by Emerging Artists, Project Grants to Service Organizations, and Artists and Community Collaborations is March 1
  • Deadline for submissions to Buddies in Bad Times Theatre for PrideCab by queer-identified youth is March 2
  • Deadline for Ontario Arts Council grants for Artists in the Community / Workplace, Arts Education Projects, Arts Service Projects, and Compass, is March 3

Check out these items, and other postings from our members of funding opportunities, workshops, calls for submission, awards, and more—on Theatre Ontario’s Bulletin Board on our website

Theatre Ontario individual members can also access auditions and job postings on our Theatre Ontario Individual Member Resources on our website

Monday 23 February 2015

ONstage Openings for the week of February 23

In Southwestern Ontario
ONstage Now Playing in Central Ontario
Letters From Wingfield Farm
at Theatre Orangeville
Rod Beattie
Feb. 27, Queen Milli of Galt at Sun Parlour Players (Leamington)

In Toronto
Feb. 27, The Mouse House at Bloor West Village Players
Feb. 27, This is for You, Anna at Hart House Theatre*
Feb. 27, Winter's on the Wing at Etobicoke Musical Productions
Feb. 27, John and Waleed at Cahoots Theatre
Mar. 1, Harper Regan at Canadian Stage, in previews*

In Central Ontario
Feb. 27, Les Miserables at Northumberland Players (Cobourg)

In Northeastern Ontario
Feb. 24, Brimful of Asha at Sudbury Theatre Centre

ICYMI: Check out last week’s openings

For all the theatre playing across Ontario, visit Theatre Ontario’s ONstage theatre listings on our website

Theatre Ontario individual members can access discount ticket offers for shows marked with an * asterisk
Read more about Theatre Ontario’s Discount Tickets program

Thursday 19 February 2015

Meet Our Youth Advisory Committee

Theatre Ontario’s Youth Advisory Committee is focused on creating greater accessibility to youth interested in a career in theatre, or youth passionate about fostering the next generation of theatre practitioners artists.

We’re pleased to welcome the members of our 2015 Youth Advisory Committee:
  • Ray Jacildo, Co-Chair
  • Marilee D’Arceuil, Co-Chair
  • Michelle Blanchard
  • Wayne Burns
  • Biden Hall
  • Jeff Ho
  • Brittany Kay
  • Laura McCallum
  • Luke Reece
  • Kayleigh Robertson
Find out more about the members of Theatre Ontario’s Youth Advisory Committee on our website

Wednesday 18 February 2015

Browsing Our Bulletin Board

Coming Up from Theatre Ontario
Check out all of our upcoming Career Stream and Creator Stream workshops

Upcoming on The Bulletin Board
  • Deadline for applications for Ontario Arts Council grants for Aboriginal Artists in Communities, Aboriginal Arts Projects, National and International Touring, Ontario Arts Presenters, and Ontario Touring is today
  • Ottawa Little Theatre is hosting an Accent Acquisition workshop with Julia Lenardon on February 22
  • Playwrights Canada Press deadline for submissions of ten-minute plays for an upcoming anthology is February 27
Check out these items, and other postings from our members of funding opportunities, workshops, calls for submission, awards, and more—on Theatre Ontario’s Bulletin Board on our website

Theatre Ontario individual members can also access auditions and job postings on our Theatre Ontario Individual Member Resources on our website

Tuesday 17 February 2015

ONstage Openings for the week of February 17

In South Central Ontario
Feb. 20, Plays in Cafes at Shadowpath Theatre Productions (Richmond Hill / Thornhill)

In Southwestern Ontario
Feb. 20, Intimate Apparel at The Grand Theatre (London), with previews from Feb. 17

In Toronto
Feb. 18, The Sound of Cracking Bones / le Bruit des os qui craquent at Theatre Passe Muraille, currently in previews*
Feb. 19, Speaking in Tongues at East Side Players
Feb. 19, Departures and Arrivals at ACT II Studio Theatre
Feb. 19, Elvis's Toenail at Toronto Irish Players
Feb. 21, Memorable Munsch at Solar Stage Children's Theatre

In Central Ontario
ONstage Opening in Eastern Ontario
The Wizard of Oz at Mississippi Mudds of Carleton Place
Feb. 20, Letters From Wingfield Farm at Theatre Orangeville, with previews from Feb. 18
Feb. 20, Born Yesterday at Peterborough Theatre Guild

In Eastern Ontario

Feb. 17, Sabrina Fair at Ottawa Little Theatre
Feb. 20, The Wizard of Oz at Mississippi Mudds of Carleton Place

ICYMI: Check out last week’s openings

For all the theatre playing across Ontario, visit Theatre Ontario’s ONstage theatre listings on our website.

Theatre Ontario individual members can access discount ticket offers for shows marked with an * asterisk
Read more about Theatre Ontario’s Discount Tickets program

Friday 13 February 2015

Ontario Off Stage

by Brandon Moore, Communications Coordinator

Conversation Starters
Behind the Scenes at Ontario’s Theatres
Migrations
Cast, creative teams, and admin staff on the first day of rehearsal
for She Loves Me at the Thousand Islands Playhouse in 2014.
Rob Kempson is in the centre in the green pants.
In Case You Missed It
I’m off next week, so our next issue of Ontario Off Stage will be on February 27

Thursday 12 February 2015

PTTP Profiles: Exploring Projects Funded by the Professional Theatre Training Program

Eight individuals were chosen as recipients of Theatre Ontario’s Professional Theatre Training Program grants during our Fall 2014 application round.  This month we check in with three of the projects: two that are starting, and one that has finished.

Sarah Kitz is training in Directing with Amiel Gladstone at Tarragon Theatre in Toronto


The end of January is in sight. I’ve cast a spring production of Antony & Cleopatra in Winnipeg and next week I begin work as assistant director on Daniel MacIvor’s new play CAKE & DIRT at Tarragon Theatre. Amiel Gladstone is directing and mentoring me in all things new-play-direction with a focus on dramaturgy and design. This mentorship comes at a fortuitous time. As I advance my career and clarify my practice it becomes increasingly evident to me what matters: new plays. Working with Amiel and Daniel, two of this country’s best at new play making, cannot be overvalued.

Though my formal training is in acting, I have spent the last couple years focusing on directing. This has evolved from an ongoing conversation with myself and others that goes something like this:
What it is about theatre that’s indispensable? Why make it? Make it how? About what? Why this story? Why these voices? Why here? Why now? Why why why.

I am interested in urgency. I am interested in theatre that is electric and dangerously alive. Theatre that courts ambiguity, that revels in complexity and challenges assumptions. Current voices. Forward ideas. I believe it is our responsibility as artists to respond to the world. And since we can respond to the world at the pace of the world, we can and must be voices that move the conversation forward. Government and social movements are slow. Art is quick. We must lead.

With this in mind, I am focussed on smashing and revisioning classics that have something to say to us NOW, and I am interested in New Plays. This is us now. Who are we? What do we think? What do we want? What is this conglomerate of peoples we call Canada? Can we really see ourselves? And what do we see when we look at the world?

Amiel directs (and creates) predominantly new work. From Amiel I hope to gather directorial process as I watch him in action, leading the room with a seasoned cast and the emerging play from one of our most prolific playwrights. As part of this mentorship he and I will discuss not only what is happening in the room, but how to frame a sustainable directing career in Canada.

What I see in Amiel’s work is elegant and playful; spare, intelligent and evocative. He doesn’t weigh the production down, he opens a clear space for it. I believe we are well matched aesthetically and watching him move through in his intuitive way will be illuminating. I am looking forward to observing him organise and orchestrate the rehearsals, negotiate his way through, and solve the challenges particular to this production. Today we were discussing questions of style and design and the way they interact with the dramaturgy of the play.

I have never had a mentor as a director and I feel fortunate to have access to Amiel at this critical time in my career. I know this experience will feed my professional knowledge, artistic curiosity and working connections in ways I can’t yet apprehend.

Though so much happens leading up to day one, we are also about to begin at the beginning.

Any new play is a mystery to be solved by building a labyrinth to house it.

Here’s to the mystery, and putting the walls in the right place,

Emma Mackenzie Hillier is training in Dramaturgy with Bob White at the Stratford Festival


Emma Mackenzie Hillier and Bob White
I spent a week with Bob White in January up in snowy Stratford learning the basics of his role in the company. This marks the very beginning of my internship, the first week of twelve, and it was a thrilling start.

I’ve worked with many independent theatres over the first six years of my career but have rarely had the opportunity to peek behind the scenes of a larger repertory company. What a different world it is. A dramaturg’s role in a company varies depending on the needs of the company; sometimes it entails writing copy for marketing purposes, occasionally it requires writing blurbs for the education department, it really runs the gamut. The dream for many dramaturges, or at least for myself, would be to work in a company that would allow me the freedom to focus solely on play development, analysis, workshops, research and seeking out emerging voices. Bob does just that.

Throughout my first week Bob brought me up to speed on the many different aspects of his job: the amount of play reading he has to do, the analysis of said reading, discussions with playwrights, searching for emerging playwrights to invite to Stratford’s Playwright’s Retreat every fall, and his general day-to-day activities. I’ve had two dramaturgical internships now (a season with Iris Turcott at Factory Theatre and a year with Brian Quirt at Nightswimming Theatre thanks to the support of the George Cedric Metcalf Family Foundation). I’ve been blessed by the support I received and it this first week of my internship was instrumental in demonstrating to me how much this has paid off. Bob and I found an easy rhythm and vocabulary with which to discuss the five plays I read during that week, all works that had been commissioned by Stratford. This week also came with an important realization for me.

On Friday morning I looked at Bob and said, “Maybe this is silly of me to say, but I think I finally get this,” to which he nodded. No question. Dramaturgy is a difficult and tricky field to break into, nearly anyone can call themselves a dramaturg but few are technically trained. Much of dramaturgy is learnt in practice, but I feel that this also bypasses some of the necessary fundamentals of the practice: learning story structure, understanding what makes for good rhythm and pace in dialogue and plot, and finding the balance in conversation with a playwright of when to lead the conversation and when to keep your thoughts quiet… it’s so much more powerful for a playwright to find a realization on their own than to have you press it on them. I’ve spent the last three and a half years slowly but surely pursuing this kind of training. During Nightswimming Theatre’s 13/14 season I was aware of my development as a dramaturg but still wasn’t sure that I had a proper handle on how to offer assistance. This first week with Bob was a fantastic moment of realization and makes me even more excited to continue my development in the field as I spend the rest of the 2015 season with Bob in workshops, rehearsals, many more hours of analysis and research, and at the Playwright’s Retreat in the fall.

Peter Pasyk trained in Artistic Direction with Chris Abraham at Crow’s Theatre in Toronto


Having only just finished my Artistic Director Internship with Chris Abraham at Crow’s Theatre it is difficult to assess the full impact of the experience. I suspect I will continue to learn from the experience for months or years to come. I can however offer my impressions.

Over the months of working with Chris we developed a relationship of trust and a common vocabulary that made for a productive and creative partnership. We would discuss the direction of his production of The Seagull; together we would dramaturg draft of plays that Crow’s has in development; we would collaborate on the artistic direction of marketing and outreach materials; and we would assess the merits of prospective future projects for the company.

During my residency I also gained access to Crow’s operating grants so I could understand how to prepare my own. I learned how to approach co-production agreements by working with several co-presenting companies that are working with Crow’s. I was also a member of the selection committee to assess Crow’s Theatre Creators Reserve Grants. This was an invaluable exercise in familiarizing myself with the quality and diversity of new work being created in Ontario right now. It also challenged me to scrutinize many worthy projects for highest potential for future development.

I came into this residency with the primary purpose of understanding how a theatre company grows and expands, and what the role of the Artistic Director is in such a transition. Crow’s Theatre is in the middle of a major expansion and this means capital campaign fundraising, building a wider network of audience and community, and programming larger scale seasons of work. As the Artistic Director Intern I was able to maintain a “bird’s-eye view” of all of these simultaneous activities and gain a practical understanding of how the operation is managed by the Artistic Director. By witnessing the activities of Crow’s I now have a concrete vision of a company to model my own theatre company after. Though Crow’s has a 20-year lead on the growth of surface/underground theatre, having a clear vision for the future motivates company decision even today.

From this training opportunity I will now be moving onto a directing internship at the Shaw Festival. My aim is to integrate my multiple apprenticeship experiences by comparing how a mid-sized independent theatre focused on contemporary work differs in organization from a large-scale classical rep company.

Thank you Theatre Ontario for your invaluable support of my career development.

The next application deadline for the Professional Theatre Training Program is March 2, 2015.

Read more about Theatre Ontario's Professional Theatre Training Program

Theatre Ontario’s Professional Theatre Training Program is funded by the Ontario Arts Council, an agency of the Government of Ontario.


Wednesday 11 February 2015

Browsing Our Bulletin Board

Coming Up from Theatre Ontario
Check out all of our upcoming Career Stream and Creator Stream workshops

Upcoming on The Bulletin Board
  • Deadline for applications for the 2015 Directors Lab North is February 13
  • Deadline for applications for Canada Council Multi-Year Grants to Professional Organizations is February 15
  • Deadline for applications for the Canadian Stage Masterclass workshop on Table Work—The Pros and Cons with Matthew Jocelyn is February 17
  • Deadline for applications for Ontario Arts Council grants for Aboriginal Artists in Communities, Aboriginal Arts Projects, National and International Touring, Ontario Arts Presenters, and Ontario Touring is February 18
New on The Bulletin Board
  • Humber College is expanding their Puppetry Intensive to include both the 12-day intensive for anyone interested in integrating puppetry into their creative practice (running June 1 to 13) and two 3-day master class series focusing on advanced techniques (June 15 to 17, and 18 to 20)
Check out these items, and other postings from our members of funding opportunities, workshops, calls for submission, awards, and more—on Theatre Ontario’s Bulletin Board on our website

Theatre Ontario individual members can also access auditions and job postings on our Theatre Ontario Individual Member Resources on our website

Monday 9 February 2015

ONstage Openings for the week of February 9

In South Central Ontario
Feb. 12, The Full Monty at Whitby Courthouse Theatre
Feb. 12, Occupy Verona and Alms for O at Theatre Erindale (Mississauga)

In Toronto
Feb. 10, R-E-B-E-C-C-A at Theatre Passe Muraille*, currently in previews
Feb. 10, Snow Angel at Young People's Theatre
Feb. 11, The 36th Rhubarb Festival at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
Feb. 12, The Dining Room at Soulpepper Theatre, currently in previews
Feb. 12, The University of Toronto Drama Festival at Hart House Theatre*
Feb. 14, Anansi the Spider at Solar Stage Children's Theatre
Feb. 14, Big Bad Wolf vs Lord Underwearface von Schtinker at The Second City
Feb. 14, The Sound of Cracking Bones / le Bruit des os qui craquent at Theatre Passe Muraille*, in previews

In Central Ontario
Feb. 13, Hats Off: A Gilbert and Sullivan Revue at VOS Theatre (Cobourg)

In Eastern Ontario
Feb. 11, The School For Lies at Algonquin College (Ottawa)*

ONstage Now Playing in South Central Ontario
The Miracle Worker at Oshawa Little Theatre
ICYMI: Check out last week’s openings

For all the theatre playing across Ontario, visit Theatre Ontario’s ONstage theatre listings on our website.

Theatre Ontario individual members can access discount ticket offers for shows marked with an * asterisk

Read more about Theatre Ontario’s Discount Tickets program

Friday 6 February 2015

Ontario Off Stage

by Brandon Moore, Communications Coordinator

Conversation Starters

Behind the Scenes at Ontario’s Theatres

Thursday 5 February 2015

Artist as Entrepreneur: The Boot Camp

Theatre Ontario is excited to announce that we are partnering with STAF to deliver our next Artist as Entrepreneur Boot Camp on Saturday, March 28 from 10am to 5pm in Toronto.

The Boot Camp consists of four workshops in a one-day session.  This Boot Camp will feature two new workshops from the talented STAF staff:
  • Michael Wheeler will present "Leveraging Your Online Presence as a Theatre Artist"
  • Adriano Sobretodo Jr. will present "Getting a Grip on Grant Writing"
They will be paired with Seb FoxAllen's "Promoting Theatre on Social Media" and Pat Bradley's "Grant Application Mock Jury" for an intensive day of producer training.

Find out more about Theatre Ontario and STAF's Artist as Entrepreneur Boot Camp

Wednesday 4 February 2015

Browsing Our Bulletin Board

Coming Up from Theatre Ontario
Check out all of our upcoming Career Stream and Creator Stream workshops

Upcoming on The Bulletin Board
  • Deadline for applications for volunteer Directors for two shows in Alumnae Theatre’s 2015-2016 season is February 7
    Scene from Blood Relations at Alumnae Theatre in Toronto
    Applications to direct at Alumnae are due on February 7
  • Deadline for applications for the 2015 Directors Lab North is February 13
New on The Bulletin Board
  • Canadian Stage in Toronto is hosting a Masterclass workshop on Table Work—The Pros and Cons with Matthew Jocelyn on March 9; deadline for applications is February 17
  • Ottawa Little Theatre is hosting an Accent Acquisition workshop with Julia Lenardon on February 22
  • Buddies in Bad Times Theatre in Toronto is seeking submissions for PrideCab from artists of queer-identified young people (25 and under) to create an all-original, multi-disciplinary, cabaret-style show; deadline is March 2
Check out these items, and other postings from our members of funding opportunities, workshops, calls for submission, awards, and more—on Theatre Ontario’s Bulletin Board on our website

Theatre Ontario individual members can also access auditions and job postings on our Theatre Ontario Individual Member Resources on our website

Tuesday 3 February 2015

Funding Unique Youth Theatre Training Programs

Does your organization want to undertake a unique youth training project, led by professional theatre artists?  The next deadline to apply for our Youth Theatre Training Program (YTTP) is March 16, 2015.

YTTP offers financial support to programs anywhere in Ontario, led by professional theatre artists, which deliver accessible training to young people (age 14 to 21) in theatrical skills such as:
  • Technical production and design
  • Theatre administration and producing
  • Performance skills and play creation
The program is funded by the Ontario Arts Council, an agency of the Government of Ontario.

Read all about the Youth Theatre Training Program on the Theatre Ontario website

Read about the most recent youth training (Fall 2014) funded by Theatre Ontario's Youth Theatre Training Program

Monday 2 February 2015

ONstage Openings for the week of February 2

ONstage Opening in Ottawa
Night Sky at Kanata Theatre
Allan Ross, Tania Carriere, Julia Koppernaes
Photo by Wendy Wagner
In Eastern Ontario
Feb. 3, Night Sky at Kanata Theatre (Ottawa)
Feb. 6, Stuff Happens at National Arts Centre—English Theatre (Ottawa), with previews from Feb. 3
Feb. 6, Monty Python's Spamalot at Seaway Valley Theatre Company (Cornwall)
Feb. 7, The Drawer Boy at Prince Edward Community Theatre (Picton)

In South Central Ontario
Feb. 4, Other Desert Cities at Markham Little Theatre
Feb. 5, Kimberly Akimbo at Theatre Aurora
Feb. 5, The Miracle Worker at Oshawa Little Theatre
Feb. 5, The Mumberley Inheritance at West End Studio Theatre (Oakville)
Feb. 6, The Handyman at Theatre Burlington
Feb. 6, One Slight Hitch at Georgetown Little Theatre

In Southwestern Ontario

Feb. 5, The 39 Steps at Owen Sound Little Theatre
Feb. 5, The Incredible Speediness of Jamie Cavanaugh at The Grand Theatre (London)
Feb. 5, Who's Under Where at Theatre Tillsonburg
Feb. 6, The Dixie Swim Club at Elora Community Theatre (Fergus)
Feb. 6, Medium Rare at Elmira Theatre Company
Feb. 7, Boeing Boeing at Theatre Aquarius (Hamilton), with a preview on Feb. 4
ONstage Opening in Toronto
R-E-B-E-C-C-A at Theatre Passe Muraille
Sara Farb
Photo by Michael Cooper

In Toronto
Feb. 4, Love for Love at George Brown Theatre School
Feb. 4, QueerCab at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
Feb. 5, Twisted at Factory Theatre, currently in previews*
Feb. 5, Accidental Death of an Anarchist at Soulpepper Theatre, currently in previews
Feb. 5, The Dining Room at Soulpepper Theatre, in previews
Feb. 5, R-E-B-E-C-C-A at Theatre Passe Muraille*, in previews
Feb. 5, The World Goes 'Round at Scarborough Music Theatre
Feb. 5, Tales from the Vienna Woods at Ryerson Theatre School
Feb. 7, Brick Bros Circus at Solar Stage Children's Theatre

ICYMI: Check out last week’s openings

For all the theatre playing across Ontario, visit Theatre Ontario’s ONstage theatre listings on our website.

Theatre Ontario individual members can access discount ticket offers for shows marked with an * asterisk

Read more about Theatre Ontario’s Discount Tickets program