Thursday 31 March 2016

Become a Member of Ontario Summer Theatre

Ontario Summer Theatre (OST) champions the support, growth, and cultivation of summer theatre in Ontario by fostering partnerships, developing collaborative marketing strategies, sharing information and networking with a creative, co-operative spirit.

Any theatre company may become a member if it satisfies the following conditions:
  1. Its mandate includes the production of summer theatre in Ontario.
  2. It operates as a “professional” theatre company. [see criteria on the website]
  3. It has satisfied these conditions for at least one summer season.
For more information about OST and what is required of members, please visit www.summertheatre.ca/about

Wednesday 30 March 2016

Browsing Our Bulletin Board

Coming Up from Theatre Ontario

  • Using music in your show? Learn your rights and responsibilities at Music Rights for Theatre webinar with SOCAN and Re:Sound on April 4—free for Theatre Ontario members.
  • Producing a show or starting a company? Join us at our Unleashing Your Inner Entrepreneur workshop with Rebecca Ballarin and Amy Lee on April 27.
  • Learns the secrets of a successful voice acting career: Voice Over Workshop with Elley-Ray on April 30.
  • Theatre Ontario Festival is a province-wide celebration of community theatre featuring performances, adjudications, workshops, and celebrations. Tickets are now available. The Festival opens May 18 in North Bay.
  • Treat yourself to a unique learning adventure at our Theatre Ontario Summer Theatre Intensive, August 7 to 13 in Peterborough, featuring courses for actors, directors, stage managers, and opera performers. Early-bird prices available under May 1.
Check out all of our upcoming Career Stream and Creator Stream workshops.

Upcoming on The Bulletin Board

  • Deadline for applications to direct at The Oakville Players in 2016/17 (non-paying) is today.
  • Deadline for applications to direct at Whitby Courthouse Theatre in 2016/17 (non-paying) is March 31.
  • Deadline for applications to direct/choreograph at Theatre Unlimited in Mississauga in 2016/17 (non-paying) is April 1.
  • Deadline for applications for Ontario Arts Council grants for Arts Education Organizations, Community-Engaged Arts Organizations, Multi and Inter-Arts Organizations, National and International Residency, and Playwright Residency is April 1.
  • Deadline for nominations for the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts Dora Ancillary Awards is April 1.
  • Deadline for applications to direct at Burl-Oak Theatre Group in 2016/17 (non-paying) is April 4.
  • Deadline for applications for Ontario Trillium Foundation grants for Seed Grants and Capital Grants are April 6.

New on The Bulletin Board

  • SPARC invites proposals for their upcoming Symposium for Performing Arts in Rural Communities, October 27 to 30. The deadline for proposals is May 20.

Check out these items, and other postings from our members.

Theatre Ontario individual members can also access Auditions and Job Postings on our Theatre Ontario Individual Member Resources on our website

Tuesday 29 March 2016

ONstage Openings for the week of March 29

ONstage Now Playing in South Central Ontario
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
at Oshawa Little Theatre
This week’s openings on Ontario’s stages

In South Central Ontario

Mar. 31, Jesus Christ Superstar at Brampton Music Theatre
Mar. 31, Lucy at Theatre Aurora
Apr. 1, Wait Until Dark at The Curtain Club (Richmond Hill), with a preview on Mar. 31

In Southwestern Ontario

Mar. 31, Hana Hashimoto, Sixth Violin at Carousel Players (London)

In Toronto

Mar. 29, The Skriker at Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts
Mar. 31, Chimerica at Canadian Stage, with previews from Mar. 29
Mar. 31, Caught at Theatre Passe Muraille, in previews
Mar. 31, The Maltese Bodkin at Scarborough Theatre Guild
Apr. 1, VideoCabaret's The Great War - The History of the Village of the Small Huts, 1914-1918 at Soulpepper Theatre
Apr. 2, Princesses Don't Grow on Trees at Solar Stage Children's Theatre
Apr. 3, Say Grace: The Music of Grace Jones at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre

In Central Ontario

Apr. 1, Mending Fences at Theatre Orangeville
Apr. 1, To Shut the Mouths of Lions at Northumberland Players (Cobourg)

In Eastern Ontario

Mar. 29, Calendar Girls at Ottawa Little Theatre
Mar. 31, Concord Floral at National Arts Centre—English Theatre (Ottawa), with previews from Mar. 29
Mar. 31, Self Help at Studio Theatre Perth

In Northeastern Ontario

Apr. 1, #TheWaterTower at Sudbury Theatre Centre


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

Thursday 24 March 2016

Happy World Theatre Day

Sunday March 27th will mark World Theatre Day.  The Professional Association of Canadian Theatres and Playwrights Guild of Canada commissioned their annual Canadian message—and this year it was written by Sky Gilbert.

In Ottawa, A Company of Fools is hosting their annual Ottawa Theatre Challenge on Saturday, March 26.

What other activities are happening in your community?

Tuesday 22 March 2016

Congratulations to Murray Finn, Recipient of the 2016 Michael Spence Award

Theatre Ontario is thrilled to announce that the 2016 Michael Spence Award for Contribution to Community Theatre will be presented to Murray Finn of Elliot Lake. This award is presented by Theatre Ontario from the nomination by Elliot Lake Amateur Theatre Ensemble (ELATE), and on the recommendation of QUONTA, the northeastern Ontario community theatre association.

The award honours individuals for sustained contribution to community theatre, generosity of spirit, involvement, and commitment to community theatre that is legendary within his/her region, helping community theatre flourish. Murray will receive his award on May 22 at the Theatre Ontario Festival Awards Brunch in North Bay.

Murray Finn has been “Mr. Theatre” in Elliot Lake for over three decades. Beginning with acting in the very first show ever produced by Ptarmigan Players in 1980, Murray has gone on to act, direct, stage manage, produce, design and build sets and props, and much more for over 30 productions. Always the first to volunteer, the first to arrive, and the last to go home (or so it seems), Murray has worked tirelessly to do whatever needs to be done in presenting shows. He’s famous as the go-to guy who willingly pitches in to plug any gaps.

Murray served on the executives of both Ptarmigan Players and ELATE, including terms as presidents of both organizations. He also served for a number of years on the executive of QUONTA.

“I am very flattered to receive this prestigious award and be in the company of so many people I admire,” said Murray. “Community Theatre has always just been a place for me to learn and have fun and I continue to have fun.”

The Michael Spence Award honours legendary contributions to community theatre in Ontario, and is named after Michael Spence, the founding President of Theatre Ontario.  Michael was active in community theatre at Hart House Theatre, London Little Theatre, and the University Alumnae Dramatic Club (now known as Alumnae Theatre.) He was a member of the Board of Governors of the Dominion Drama Festival, a past President of Arts Etobicoke, and he continues to be an enthusiastic supporter of Theatre Ontario.

Past recipients of the Michael Spence Award in the QUONTA region are Sharon Sproule, Harry Houston, Ken Stephen, and Walter Maskel.

Related Reading


Monday 21 March 2016

ONstage Openings for the week of March 21

This week’s openings on Ontario’s stages
ONstage Opening in Eastern Ontario
The Odd Couple at Kanata Theatre

In South Central Ontario

Mar. 24, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at Oshawa Little Theatre

In Southwestern Ontario

Mar. 24, Mamma Mia! at Drayton Entertainment: Dunfield Theatre Cambridge, with previews from Mar. 22

In Toronto

Mar. 26, Old Man and The River at Solar Stage Children's Theatre
Mar. 27, I SPY at Solar Stage Children's Theatre

In Eastern Ontario

Mar. 22, The Odd Couple at Kanata Theatre (Ottawa)


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

Friday 18 March 2016

Ontario Off Stage

by Brandon Moore, Community Theatre and Communications Manager

Conversation Starters


TO Toasts

You can also receive news from Theatre Ontario every month by email.  Our archives are online and the March issue is now available.

Thursday 17 March 2016

Join Us at Our Theatre Ontario Festival Workshops

Michelle Jackett-Webster
We’re excited to announce our Theatre Ontario Festival workshops in North Bay for Festival attendees eager to enhance their skills.

On Thursday May 19, we have “Comedy Scene Study” with Michelle Jackett-Webster. Participants will learn the elements of comedy needed when scenes in a play. We will discuss pacing, comic timing, physical comedy, patterns of three, writer’s intent and the use of contrast within comedic works. Scene partners will work on a short scene to implement these concepts. We will be approaching the work from a "Cold Reading" point of view to simulate the audition and call back settings in a community theatre environment.

On Saturday May 21, we have “Stage Combat 101” with Joshua Bainbridge. This hands-on workshop will focus on unarmed physical theater. Participants will learn stage combat essentials, including falls, slaps, punches, kicks and chokes. Safety skills are given top priority during this workshop.

Joshua Bainbridge
All Theatre Ontario Festival workshops are free on a first-come, first-served basis. Theatre Ontario Festival Theatre Ontario Festival is a showcase of outstanding community theatre productions, a classroom for passionate, dedicated community theatre artists, a celebration of excellence in community theatre, and a destination bringing together theatre lovers from across the province. Festival 2016 runs May 18 to 22 in North Bay.

Join us at Theatre Ontario Festival 2016

Tuesday 15 March 2016

Welcome to Festival Playwright-in-Person Donna-Michelle St. Bernard

Theatre Ontario Festival 2016 is excited to welcome Donna-Michelle St. Bernard as Playwright-in-Person at this year’s Festival in North Bay.  Donna-Michelle will be reading from her work on Friday, May 20 at 1:30pm.

Playwright-in-Person brings a professional playwright to Festival communities for script readings, Q&A, and more.  Playwright-in-Person is made possible by a grant from the Playwrights Guild of Canada, funded by the Canada Council. 

Donna-Michelle St. Bernard is an emcee, playwright, and arts administrator. Notable works for the stage include They Say He Fell, A Man A Fish, Cake, The House You Build, Salome’s Clothes, and Gas Girls. DM’s work has been recognized with a SATA nomination, the Herman Voaden Playwriting Award, the Enbridge PlayRites Award, a Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding New Play, and a nomination for the Governor General’s Literary Award.




Monday 14 March 2016

ONstage Openings for the week of March 14

This week’s openings on Ontario’s stages

In Northeastern Ontario

Mar. 15, QUONTA Festival 2016 in Sudbury

In South Central Ontario

Mar. 17, The Girl with the Golden Locks at Peel Panto Players (Brampton)

In Southwestern Ontario

Mar. 14, WODL Festival 2016 hosted by Theatre Woodstock

ONstage Opening this week in Toronto
Jitters at Soulpepper Theatre
Kevin Bundy, Sarah Wilson, Jordan Pettle, Mike Ross
Photo by Cylla von Tiedemann

In Toronto

Mar. 15, Blood Wedding at Soulpepper Theatre, currently in previews
Mar. 15, A Dream Play at Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts
Mar. 16, Jitters at Soulpepper Theatre, currently in previews
Mar. 16, The Public Servant at Nightwood Theatre, currently in previews
Mar. 17, Célébration de la Francophonie at Canadian Stage
Mar. 17, Leading Ladies at Stage Centre Productions
Mar. 18, No Strings (Attached) at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, with a preview on Mar. 16


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

Friday 11 March 2016

Ontario Off Stage

by Brandon Moore, Community Theatre and Communications Manager

Conversation Starters


Behind the Scenes at Ontario’s Theatres


In Case You Missed It

Thursday 10 March 2016

Join Us at Our Summer Theatre Intensive

Directors giving their presentations at "Directions on Directing"
Theatre Ontario is offering six exciting courses at this year’s Summer Theatre Intensive, running August 7 to 13 in Peterborough at Trent University. Live your passion for theatre and treat yourself to a unique learning adventure!
  • Immerse yourself
  • Enrich your skills
  • Flex your creative muscles
  • Meet friends old and new
“Upon completion of the course I now have a better understanding of all that is expected of a director, and what to expect from various cast and crew members” - Jo-Anne Pulfer
“I am deeply grateful and privileged to have benefitted from Tom's practical skill, talent and insightful experience. If you have a desire to learn everything you always wanted to know about acting, I cannot imagine you could find a better course” – Gregory Carruthers
“I had fantastic conversations each day with other participants, and it is truly reassuring to learn that I am not alone in my experiences or in my quest for self-improvement” – Kate O’Hearn  
For 2016, we are offering the following courses:

For performers
  • Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Acting...and then some! with Tom Diamond
  • Hot Scenes: Building Your Acting Technique, with Brenda Kamino
For directors
  • Directions on Directing: From Page to Stage, with Andrew Lamb
  • Whose text is it, anyway? Adventurous approaches to directing, with John P. Kelly
For stage managers
  • PLACES PLEASE! Stage Management and the Creative Process from Pre-Production to End of Run with Maria Popoff
For opera singers
  • Opera as Theatre with Allison Grant (offered in partnership with the International Resource Centre for Performing Artists)
Your Summer Theatre Intensive course package includes buffet-style meals daily (including vegetarian fare), a single air-conditioned room in Trent’s Gzowski College Residence—just steps away from the banks of the Otonabee River, the option to attend a performance at 4th Line Theatre in Millbrook, and the opportunity to share your enthusiasm, experience, and passion for theatre, while meeting other like-minded, talented, and creative people.

Wednesday 9 March 2016

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


  • Register to apply for Ontario Trillium Foundation Seed Grants and Capital Grants today to ensure review by the grant application deadline. 
  • Deadline for applications for artistic teams at Oshawa Little Theatre in the 2016/17 season (non-paying) has been extended to March 10.
  • Theatre 3x60 is offering a free 10-week creative training and performance experience for Durham youth and young adults (14 to 21.)  Applications are due on March 11.
  • Paprika Festival’s The Intersection is a day of education, professional networking, and debated aimed at serving artists under 30.  The event is on March 13.
    Paprika Festival's The Intersection
  • Deadline for applications for Ontario Arts Council grants for Theatre Organizations and Multi and Inter-Arts Projects is March 15.
  • Deadline for applications for Toronto Arts Council grants for Long-Term Project Grants for Dance and Theatre by mid-career and established artists is March 15.
  • Deadline for applications to direct at Theatre Aurora in the 2016/17 season (non-paying) is March 15.
  • The early-bird discount registration deadline for the Arts Reach Canadian Arts Marketing, Development, and Ticketing Conference is March 15.
  • Crow’s Theatre invites applications for the RBC Rising Star Emerging Director Prize. The application deadline is March 15.

New on The Bulletin Board


  • Drayton Entertainment has launched a new Youth Training program in Musical Theatre in each of their producing communities: Grand Bend, Cambridge, Penetanguishene, St. Jacobs, and Drayton. Week-long courses run this summer.
  • The Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts invites nominations for the Dora Ancillary Awards—the Silver Ticket, the Leonard McHardy and John Harvey Award, and the Barbara Hamilton Memorial Award. Nominations are due on April 1.
  • Georgetown Little Theatre invites submissions for directors for the 2016/17 season (non-paying), the deadline is April 10.

Check out these items, and other postings from our members.


Theatre Ontario individual members can also access Auditions and Job Postings on our Theatre Ontario Individual Member Resources on our website

Tuesday 8 March 2016

Stories from the Professional Theatre Training Program


Our Professional Theatre Training Program (PTTP) offers financial support for unique and flexible training with a chosen mentor in any theatrical discipline (except performance.)

Today we share five stories from recent training projects.
The next application deadline for the Professional Theatre Training Program is October 1, 2016.

Learn 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.

Stories from the Professional Theatre Training Program: Stephanie Jung

Our Professional Theatre Training Program (PTTP) offers financial support for unique and flexible training with a chosen mentor in any theatrical discipline (except performance.)

Stephanie Jung will train in artistic producing with Marjorie Chan and Kate Ann Vandermeer at Cahoots Theatre

(February 28, 2016) I’m excited and nervous. It’s as if it’s the first day of school, but better because I know exactly who my teachers will be. And my teachers are generous and talented female theatre artists/administrators. I cannot wait to explore an aspect of theatre creation that I am not well-versed in: Artistic Producing. I want to expand my skill set with the goal of eventually producing my own work and the work of other diverse artists.

I approached Marjorie Chan (Artistic Director) and Kate Ann Vandermeer (General Manager) at Cahoots Theatre Company, and they agreed to share their vast wealth of knowledge and experience with me. I first worked with Marjorie and Cahoots as an actor in her play, The Madness of the Square. I have always admired Marjorie’s ability to move fluidly between the administration and creative worlds of theatre. Under Kate Ann’s steady guidance, Cahoots has successfully grown its footprint.

My mentorship will centre around two major Cahoots projects this season: Ultrasound, a show that explores the physical diversity of our population and Lift Off!, a series of new play readings. I am especially looking forward to working on Ultrasound, a play featuring a deaf character and will be performed in English and American Sign Language (ASL). I have never worked on a production of this scope before and am looking forward to it.

My goal for this mentorship is to learn the administration and production process from concept to completion: from budgeting and contracts (show versus festival) , to the finer points of social media marketing, to scheduling. As an actor, I am rarely involved in these areas so I relish the opportunity to learn these skills–to create art with impact in a financially efficient manner.

I hope that towards the end of the internship, I will have a more organizational hand in Lift Off!, applying what I’ve learned from Ultrasound. My goal at the end of this process is to be well-versed enough to take on the role of Artistic Producer on a production and guide the show to success.  

The next application deadline for the Professional Theatre Training Program is October 1, 2016.


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

Stories from the Professional Theatre Training Program: Dan Watson

What Goes on in the Mind of an Arts Administrator
Our Professional Theatre Training Program (PTTP) offers financial support for unique and flexible training with a chosen mentor in any theatrical discipline (except performance.)

Dan Watson of Huntsville is training in artistic direction with Franco Boni at The Theatre Centre.

(February 26, 2016) I think that this graphic sums up where I am in this development period. That is to say, there is a lot on my mind. Some are for now. Some are for later. But it’s so exciting and fulfilling to have this time and brain space to learn, ponder, imagine and scheme. Halfway through, I can see where I’ve come from, and the road ahead feels very long. But I’m happy to be travelling it, and am so grateful to Theatre Ontario for giving me the fuel.

So what have you been doing Dan?

Meetings, Meetings & Meetings. I’ve had a bunch with my mentor Franco Boni who has been a huge resource of knowledge, advice and source of honest and helpful feedback. Franco asks good questions. He supports me and challenges me. We’ve been looking at my activities in Huntsville, really clarifying what I want to achieve, and offering me different resources to help me get there. Staff at The Theatre Centre have also been so helpful, in particular Christine Pellerin, Director of Development and Partnerships. She has offered me her perspective on developing relationships that lead to donations and sponsorships and a bunch of practical resources that can help me do it.

Pitching at the Push Festival
Travelling. I travelled to the Push Festival in Vancouver for a week where I had the opportunity to give a 10 minute pitch to a packed room of national and international presenters and theatre makers. I also got to see a number of incredible shows, projects and pitches. I also participated in panel discussions and round tables on different topics related to my professional development. I came away from the festival having made a number of really important introductions and connections. In particular, I was happy to meet Ron Barry from the Fusebox Festival in Austin Texas. The lessons I’ve learned from him will be so important for the future and the Nuit Blanche North Festival I run in Huntsville.

Ice Follies in North Bay
More Travelling. I also travelled to North Bay for the Ice Follies festival. This is a 2-week festival of theatre and live art that takes place on frozen Lake Nipissing. To the right is the only photo I could take before my phone died due to the -40c temperature! The festival happens through the collaboration of three organizations: Aanmitaagzi, Near North Media Lab, and the White Water Gallery. Not only was the event incredible and totally unique to the area, it was also a great model for how organizations can work together to make an event happen. The connections I made here were so important, and I believe can lead to collaborations between Edge of the Woods in Huntsville and these collectives.

Circles of Influence Analysis with Ruth Howard
Analyzing & Imagining. Through consultation with Franco Boni, and with Ruth Howard of Jumblies Theatre, I’ve been looking at Edge of the Woods Theatre: where we’ve been, where we are and where we want to go. In particular, we’ve been looking at who surrounds the organization, and trying to define what those relationships mean, what we want from them and how to go about it. We also have been looking at who isn’t there, and how we can invite them in. Through this process I’ve realized how important it is to tell your story, the work needed to craft that story and the importance of telling it to lots of people. I’ve started doing it already. Franco helped me prepare a presentation for a meeting with our local MPP Norm Miller to ask for recommendations of possible board members and contacts with different organizations in the region. I’ve also been talking to local artists, friends, colleagues. I’ve realized telling our story is Theatre, and that I need to put as much work into it as I do in the rehearsal room.

And What Have You Learned?

It takes time. Like many artists and organizations, I work project to project. I like it. It gives me flexibility to follow my impulses and interests. I also recognize that it has encouraged me to think in the short term. Developing partnerships has always been about immediate needs of a particular project. Once the project is done, do I keep up the connection? Sometimes yes, but often no. I always knew it was about developing relationships, but I don’t think I ever understood it. I maybe still don’t. Relationships take time to cultivate. Some won’t work out. Some will. So which ones to work on? Which to let go? That takes constant work and reflection. But I feel relieved of the pressure too. It’s okay Dan, it’s going to take time, you don’t have to make it all happen right now. In particular, I’m excited about the connections that I’ve made with presenters, and the process of getting supporters and potential donors/sponsors excited in what I’m doing. By thinking long term, I feel the pressure is off. Just keep finding reasons to engage, and when you get to the table with them, listen.

Who’s Asking? I’ve learned a lot about fundraising and partnership development and a huge eye opener is: it’s not just about what you’re asking for, but who’s asking for it. That’s what boards are for Dan! Of course! It’s related to so many things I’m learning. Telling your story can get people excited. That excitement can motivate people into action, to advocating on your behalf and introducing you to people in their world. Relationships grow (but not too fast!). That’s how you build support, really that’s how you build community. It sounds obvious, but it’s not, and damn it’s hard to do!

Look North. I feel like a fool. I’ve been working in my home town of Huntsville, making connections with organizations and artists in Toronto, inviting them up. It’s been wonderful. But then I look one hour up the road to North Bay and discover a bunch of great people, people that I feel a strong connection with not only because of where we live, but the kind of work that we are all making. The connections are very exciting and I want more. In the coming weeks I will make trips to Manitoulin Island, Sudbury, and the North Shore of Lake Huron to visit different artists and organizations. Again, it’s the beginning of a conversation, and if the chemistry is right, it will take work. It will take time. And that’s okay.

Related Reading:

The next application deadline for the Professional Theatre Training Program is October 1, 2016.


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

Stories from the Professional Theatre Training Program: Camila Diaz-Varela

Our Professional Theatre Training Program (PTTP) offers financial support for unique and flexible training with a chosen mentor in any theatrical discipline (except performance.)

Camila Diaz-Varela trained in digital production management, online community engagement, and digital curation with Sarah Garton Stanley at SpiderWebShow

(February 28, 2016) Since I checked in last, the team has shifted their focus from day-to-day projects to visioning for the future. At the moment, we’re setting fundraising goals, writing grants, and planning for the next Volume, which begins in the spring/summer.

The editors hard at work during
Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance's first Edit-a-thon
As Volume 6 was beginning to wind down, I was able to assist with Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance (IPAA)’s first Edit-a-thon, which I mentioned in my previous post. An Edit-a-thon is a knowledge sharing event where folks gather to create and edit articles on the PerformanceWiki, live on their computers. IPAA was looking to populate the Indigenous body of work on the PerformanceWiki and gathered a group of enthusiastic volunteers to do just that. We got together on a Friday afternoon, and I showed them the ropes of the site and facilitated the process as a rep of SWS. The event went better than I could have imagined, with lots of laughter, good talks, and of course new articles for the Wiki. Surprisingly though, I found the event to be really meaningful for me. All of the volunteers at the event happened to be women of colour, and part of the indigenous community (from Canada and farther south). It felt radical and wonderful to be a woman of colour myself, sharing empowering digital tools with other women of colour, so they could share their knowledge with even more people of the web. Using the internet to create equitable online spaces felt right. I can’t wait to continue with this.

We also recently had our Volume 6 Retreat, where all of the Makers from across the country meet for half a day. There was lots of brainstorming and talk of the future, with questions like: what should SpiderWebShow look like next Volume, next year, in 5 years? What should it do for the community, locally and nationally? How do we make our work more accessible, and more like a game? It was a so refreshing to be able to sit with the team for a few hours and focus our energies. There are so many brilliant thinkers in the group, and having the opportunity to watch them think through tough questions is a gift in itself. The retreat was certainly motivating for me.

And now Volume 6 is over! What does that mean? Well, the team takes a 2 month break, and then starts up again in the summer.

Related Reading:



The next application deadline for the Professional Theatre Training Program is October 1, 2016.

Learn 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.



Stories from the Professional Theatre Training Program: Viktor Lukawski

Our Professional Theatre Training Program (PTTP) offers financial support for unique and flexible training with a chosen mentor in any theatrical discipline (except performance.)

Viktor Lukawski of Milton is training in directing with Andrea Donaldson and Joel Greenberg at Tarragon Theatre in Toronto

(February 25, 2016) At the halfway point of my Professional Theatre Training Program in directing at the Tarragon, I am between two projects: the first, where I assisted Andrea Donaldson in directing Within the Glass, has just recently opened; the second, where I will be assisting Joel Greenberg in directing You Will Remember Me, is about to begin.

This grant has provided me with a unique training experience, allowing me to train with two separate mentors. This wider range of exploration gives me the opportunity to observe how different directors approach their material, as well as how they work with all the creative individuals in the room, both from the artistic and technical side of the production. To follow one mentor only provides you with one vision, but to have two mentors allows for a broader exploration of the craft. As such, I am able to ask the same questions to both mentors and get two distinct points of view, which in turn shape my own exploration as a director.

The work with Andrea was an incredible experience that has taught me a lot about myself as an artist. Andrea gave me the space to observe for the first week or so. I took notes for myself about Andrea’s process, and it allowed me to take in things that interested me, and to put aside the things that I felt I would do differently.

Once the groundwork of the show was established over the first two weeks, and we started to run through the show as a whole, Andrea informed me that she was ready to start receiving my notes. Sometimes she’d let me know what she was looking for exactly, and other times, I was offering feedback on the show in its entirety.

Slowly, within this process, I felt that Andrea and I merged our two worlds together, and it was great to see how many things were on the same wavelength, as well as the certain notes that she didn’t find useful, or felt that it was too soon in the rehearsals to focus on specific details.

It was incredibly inspiring to see how Andrea had arranged an environment of collaboration, which involved everyone in some capacity. With this show, we had the playwright, Anna Chatterton, in the room with us, and it was great to see how a director and playwright interact, while arranging, cutting, editing the script throughout the process. I was able to observe all the meetings Andrea had with the technical team, such as a brainstorming session about song choices with the sound designer, Michael Rinaldi, as well as all the important debrief meetings with Anna, as they both discussed the script and the show’s evolution.

During previews, I was spending a lot of time watching the run and taking notes from various positions in the room, seeing the show from all angles. I felt I was able to reinforce Andrea’s vision and what she and Anna were trying to achieve with this production.

On the night of opening, I realized that the show was just as much a part of me as it was a part of anyone else on the creative team. It felt like a very personal project, one that I had connected to on a deeper level than I had expected, and I felt incredibly grateful to Andrea that she was so generous and open with me throughout this process. Not only was I learning about the director’s craft, but I was also learning about IVF in great detail. It was incredibly fascinating to research how these scientific advancements work and how the specific laws surrounding IVF are still in development.

In the upcoming second half of my mentorship, while working on You Will Remember Me, I am interested not only in the way two different directors work, but also how two different themes and styles affect the rehearsal process.

There will be an entirely new group of people that I will be working with, but I won’t be completely new to the position of assistant director. I will be able to implement what I learned in the last production and start off my process a bit differently, with a newer set of goals in my research.

I have already met with director Joel Greenberg several times, and feel that this project will be just as collaborative, but in a different way. I am excited to develop this new working relationship and to discover how my training in the last show will be reinforced and challenged during this new production.

Related Reading:


The next application deadline for the Professional Theatre Training Program is October 1, 2016.


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

Stories from the Professional Theatre Training Program: Jessica Lea Fleming

Our Professional Theatre Training Program (PTTP) offers financial support for unique and flexible training with a chosen mentor in any theatrical discipline (except performance.)

Jessica Lea Fleming is training in artistic producing and programming with Tanja Dixon-Warren and Margo Kane at Full Circle First Nations Performance’s Talking Stick Festival on the traditional un-ceded territories of the Coast Salish People.

(February 12, 2016)  I'm off to a blazing start here at Full Circle: First Nations Performance, working with mentors Margo Kane (Cree-Saulteaux) and Tanja Dixon-Warren. As is usually the case with festival work, there are many pieces to pull together for the 16th annual Talking Stick Festival, February 18-28, 2016 here on Coast Salish territory! Luckily, we are on track (phew!) and I look forward to spending 10 days with friends and artists from across Turtle Island.

My primary focus as Associate Artistic Producer and Programmer has been on planning, promoting and executing the Iyá7yulh Industry Series with Margo and a fabulous team of curators and advisors. Iyá7yulh (“Ee-ya-chote-yo-lh”), translates to “get aboard our canoe”, and this year includes galas, shows, workshops, conversations and events. It's an exciting and ambitious program, to say the least, with canoe teachings focused on “pulling together” imbued throughout each day.

One of the most rewarding parts about my work so far at Full Circle is the inclusion of Indigenous traditions and protocol in the everyday. We recently welcomed friends and colleagues from Australia’s ILBIJERRI Theatre (currently touring Jack Charles v. The Crown). As hosts, we invited the Australian delegation for a gathering and blanketing ceremony to celebrate our guests, and ensure their safe journey home. I was honoured to assist Elder Sahplek Bob Baker (Squamish) in the ceremony and have been carrying the teachings with me.

Jessica Lea Fleming and the team at Full Circle
(Counter clockwise top left, Margo Kane, JLF,
Kwasuun Sarah-Veden, Dannielle Piper, Duane Grant)
In just one month I have eaten a delicious array of udon noodles, hiked through X̱wáýx̱way (Stanley Park), and dropped in on some next-level yoga sessions. I have also gained new skills and knowledge I look forward to sharing with my NEPA family. I just hope by the time I get back I haven’t forgotten how to hustle the 4-1-6 like a pro, and that my desk hasn’t been ransacked for post-its, “good” pens, and most importantly, my keyboard (I’m looking at you, Mr. Cunningham).

Big hugs from the West Coast,
Jess

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The next application deadline for the Professional Theatre Training Program is October 1, 2016.

Learn 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.

Monday 7 March 2016

ONstage Openings for the week of March 7

This week’s openings on Ontario’s stages

In South Central Ontario

Mar. 9, Miss Shakespeare at The Oakville Players
Mar. 11, The Seagull at Theatre Erindale (Mississauga), with a preview on Mar. 10
Mar. 11, Jekyll & Hyde The Musical at City Centre Musical Productions (Mississauga)
Mar. 11, Trafalgar 24 at Driftwood Theatre Company (Whitby)

In Southwestern Ontario

Mar. 11, Little Shop of Horrors at Drayton Entertainment: St. Jacobs Country Playhouse, with previews from Mar. 8
Mar. 11, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea at The Grand Theatre (London), with previews from Mar. 8

In Toronto

ONstage Now Playing in Ottawa
Butcher at Great Canadian Theatre Company
Sean Devine, Samantha Madely, Jonathan Koensgen
Photo by Andrew Alexander
Mar. 8, Pyaasa at Theatre Passe Muraille, currently in previews
Mar. 9, New Ideas Festival 2016 at Alumnae Theatre Company
Mar. 9, TORO at Canadian Stage
Mar. 10, Gertrude and Alice at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, currently in previews
Mar. 10, The Just at Soulpepper Theatre, currently in previews
Mar. 13, The Public Servant at Nightwood Theatre, in previews

ICYMI: Check out last week’s openings

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

Friday 4 March 2016

Ontario Off Stage

by Brandon Moore, Community Theatre and Communications Manager

Conversation Starters


Behind the Scenes at Ontario’s Theatres

Simcoe Little Theatre's production of Whole Lotto Love

TO Toasts


In Case You Missed It

Thursday 3 March 2016

Meet Our Youth Advisory Committee

Our Youth Advisory Committee is focused on creating greater accessibility to youth interested in a career in theatre.

The goal is to achieve a greater connection with youth already engaged in theatre across the province, to examine ways to engage more youth in the province in theatre, and to help foster the next generation of theatre practitioners, professionals, and patrons across the province.

We’re pleased to welcome the members of our 2016 Youth Advisory Committee:
  • Annie MacKay
  • Jocelyn MacNeil
  • Alyssa Spear

Wednesday 2 March 2016

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

  • The Council of Ontario Drama and Dance Educators calls for submissions from presenters and workshop leaders for the 2016 CODE Conference in Niagara-on-the-Lake in October. Submission deadline is March 3.
  • Register to apply for Ontario Trillium Foundation Seed Grants and Capital Grants by March 9 to ensure review by the grant application deadline. 
  • Theatre 3x60 is offering a free 10-week creative training and performance experience for Durham youth and young adults (14 to 21.) Applications are due on March 11.

New on The Bulletin Board

  • The Shaw Festival’s spring Education programs are open for registration: Beyond the Stage for Youth (Teen Workshops) start on April 30, Beyond the Stage for Educators (Spring Teacher’s Day) is on May 6, and Beyond the Stage for All (Spring Play by Play) starts May 18.
Check out these items, and other postings from our members.
Theatre Ontario individual members can also access Auditions and Job Postings on our Theatre Ontario Individual Member Resources on our website