Tuesday 30 April 2019

Welcome Bloor West Village Players and Domino Theatre to Theatre Ontario Festival 2019


Theatre Ontario is thrilled to welcome the final two productions that will perform at Theatre Ontario Festival 2019 in Richmond Hill. These productions are chosen from Ontario’s regional community theatre festivals, and are a showcase of outstanding community theatre from across the province.

Bloor West Village Players' production of Late Company
(standing) Rob Candy, Lydia Kiselyk
(seated) Andrew Horbatuik, Dylan Mills-Capote, Andrea Lyons
On Wednesday, May 15, Bloor West Village Players from Toronto will present Jordan Tannahill’s Late Company, representing the Association of Community Theatres—Central Ontario. This will be their first time at Theatre Ontario Festival, and they were chosen as the Best Production of a Drama by adjudicator Janet Kish from ACT-CO Festival 2018/2019.

Since 1974, Toronto’s Bloor West Village Players have produced both entertaining and thought-provoking theatre. As a non-profit group it aims to offer professional production quality, at a modest cost. It is an active part of the community and provides opportunities for training and participation in all aspects of theatre. They produce a season of five Mainspace plays in their 162-seat theatre, from September to May. Their Reading Committee spends the year reading, then presents a long-list of recommendations to the Board, which chooses five. The Board of Directors then co-ordinates the team for each show; directors, producers, stage managers, designers, operators, and the balance of the team are all pulled from their large volunteer base.

In Late Company, two families come together in an attempt to reach an understanding a year after the death of the son of one of the couples. Family secrets are revealed, as everyone deals with issues of coping with grief and guilt. This leads to them ask questions about how well we know ourselves, those closest to us, and especially our children. As so often happens, it is a case of “we don’t see things as they are, but as we are.” Late Company was written when Jordan Tannahill was 23 (he’s now 30, twice winner of the Governor General’s Award for English-language drama) and is based on an actual incident.

Domino Theatre's production of Outside Mullingar
David Hurley, Geoff Johnson, Sandie Cond
On Friday, May 17, Domino Theatre from Kingston will represent the Eastern Ontario Drama League with their production of Outside Mullingar by John Patrick Shanley. Domino returns to Festival for the first time since 2011 when they presented Trying by Joanna McClelland Glass and received the Elsie for Outstanding Production in Festival—coincidentally, 2011 was the last time Theatre Ontario Festival was held in Richmond Hill. Domino was chosen as recipient of the Leslie M. Frost Award for Best Production in the EODL Festival by adjudicator Carey Nicholson.

Since its unusual beginning between feature films at the old Odeon Theatre in Kingston in 1952, Domino has grown to a full seven-play winter season. Each season offers an appealing mix of drama, comedy and mystery from the Canadian and world stages. People from all walks of life pool their skills to present productions of a consistently high calibre. As a member of the Eastern Ontario Drama League and Theatre Ontario, Domino is actively involved in the Ontario amateur theatre community and has acted as host to several annual festivals. Many Domino people and productions have been recognized for their excellence at the regional and provincial levels.

With a Board of Directors elected by the membership, and with advertised auditions open to all, Domino welcomes the participation of interested volunteers both on stage and behind the scenes.
In Outside Mullingar, Anthony and Rosemary are two introverted misfits straddling 40. Anthony has spent his entire life on a cattle farm in rural Ireland, a state of affairs that, due to his painful shyness, suits him well. Rosemary lives next door and is determined to have him but is watching the years slip away. With Anthony’s father threatening to disinherit him and a land feud simmering between their families, Rosemary has every reason to fear romantic catastrophe. In this very Irish story with a depth of poetic passion, these yearning, eccentric souls fight their way toward some kind of happiness. Outside Mullingar is a compassionate, delightful work about how it’s never too late to take a chance on love.

As previously announced, Theatre Ontario Festival 2019 will feature detailed adjudications with Carolee Mason, a Playwright-in-Person reading with Keith Barker, workshops, awards and parties celebrating community theatre in Ontario.

The annual Theatre Ontario Festival is a showcase of outstanding community theatre productions; a symposium for passionate, dedicated community theatre artists; a celebration of excellence in community theatre; and a destination bringing together theatre lovers from across the province. Theatre Ontario Festival 2019 runs May 15 to 19, and is hosted by The Curtain Club with performances at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, and the Association of Community Theatres—Central Ontario.

Join us at Theatre Ontario Festival 2019

Monday 29 April 2019

ONstage Openings for the week of April 29

ONstage Now Playing in Southwestern Ontario
Getting Sara Married at St. Marys Community Players
Heather Pegg, Charlene Van Veen
This week’s openings on Ontario’s stages

In Southwestern Ontario

May 2, Bat Boy: The Musical at Kitchener-Waterloo Little Theatre
May 2, Honeymoon for Three at Theatre Tillsonburg
May 2, Spreading it Around at Aylmer Community Theatre
May 3, Stag and Doe at London Community Players [with a preview on May 2]
May 3, Shorthanded at Elora Community Theatre (Fergus)
May 5, Brigadoon at Shaw Festival (Niagara-on-the-Lake) [in previews]

In Toronto

May 2, Antigone:方 at Young People's Theatre [with school performances from Apr. 29]
May 2, Office Hours at The NAGs Players
May 3, Mamma Mia! at Scarborough Music Theatre [with a preview on May 2]
May 4, The Brothers Size at Soulpepper Theatre [in previews]
May 4, Lilies; Or, the Revival of a Romantic Drama at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre [in previews]

In Central Ontario

May 2, Hello, Dolly! at South Simcoe Theatre (Cookstown)
May 3, Where You Are at Theatre Orangeville [with a preview on May 2]
May 3, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Huronia Players (Midland)
May 3, Monty Python's Spamalot at Peterborough Theatre Guild
ONstage Now Playing in Central Ontario
The Music Man at VOS Theatre (Cobourg)

In Eastern Ontario

May 2, Lo (or Dear Mr. Wells) at Great Canadian Theatre Company (Ottawa) [with previews from Apr. 30]

In South Central Ontario

May 1, Skin Flick at Markham Little Theatre
May 2, Mamma Mia! at Marquee Theatrical Productions (Newmarket)
May 3, Annie at Beaverton Town Hall Players

ICYMI: Check out last week’s openings

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

Wednesday 24 April 2019

Browsing Our Bulletin Board

Upcoming opportunities from Theatre Ontario, from our members, and from other arts service organizations.

Coming Up from Theatre Ontario

  • Gain experience in the world of video game voiceover to prepare for auditions at our “Video Game Voice Over” workshop with Ellen Dubin on April 27.
  • What does an agent do and why should you have one?  Join us at our “Ask an Agent” workshop with Michael Jackson of Seventh House Talent on April 29 in Toronto.
  • Deadline for early-bird registrations rates for our Summer Theatre Intensive is May 1. Courses for performers, creators, directors, and musical directors run August 4 to 9 in Kingston.
  • One-person show actors and directors: Make clarity, continuity and imagery the main thrust of your performance. Join us at our “The Story’s The Thing!” workshop with Marylyn Peringer on May 4 in Toronto.
  • Theatre Ontario Festival 2019 opens May 15 in Richmond Hill—showcasing outstanding community theatre performances, and bringing together artists from across Ontario to share knowledge and to celebrate.
  • Strengthen your communications skills as an adjudicator—Join us at our “The Adjudicator’s Voice” workshop with Annette G. Procunier on May 18 in Richmond Hill.
Check out all of our upcoming Career Stream and Creator Stream workshops.

Upcoming on The Bulletin Board

Scarborough Theatre Guild's production of The Mousetrap.
Deadline for submissions from directors
for their 19/20 season is April 30.
Photo by Julie Adams
  • The Ottawa School of Theatre is hosting a Meisner Technique Intensive with Chadwick Allen from April 26 to 28.
  • Deadline for submissions from directors for Scarborough Theatre Guild community theatre’s 19/20 season is April 30.
  • Deadline for applications for Ontario Arts Council’s Northern Arts Projects grants is May 2.
  • Deadline for applications for The Wuchien Michael Than Foundation’s Theatre Project Grants for development and production of works by Asian-Canadian playwrights is May 3.
  • Deadline for submissions for 2020 Canadian Stage Shakespeare in High Park is May 3.

New on The Bulletin Board

  • The Oakville Players community theatre invites submissions for directors for their 19/20 season.

Check out these items, and other postings from our members.
Theatre Ontario individual members can also access Auditions, Job Postings and Discount Ticket Offers on our Theatre Ontario Individual Member Resources on our website

Tuesday 23 April 2019

ONstage Openings for the week of April 23

This week’s openings on Ontario’s stages

In South Central Ontario

Apr. 26, Monty Python's Spamalot at Studio PAVAS (Mississauga)
ONstage Now Playing in South Central Ontario
A Bad Year for Tomatoes at Theatre Burlington
Matt Dafoe, Kristen Hickman

In Southwestern Ontario

Apr. 25, Getting Sara Married at St. Marys Community Players
Apr. 26, Mamma Mia! at The Grand Theatre (London) [with previews from Apr. 23]
Apr. 26, The Miracle Worker at Drayton Entertainment: St. Jacobs Country Playhouse [with previews from Apr. 24]
Apr. 26, Freaky Friday at Theatre Aquarius (Hamilton) [with previews from Apr. 24]
Apr. 26, Buying the Moose at Grey Wellington Theatre Guild (Harriston)
Apr. 26, The Ladies Foursome at Elmira Theatre Company

In Toronto

Apr. 24, The Things I Carry at Theatre Passe Muraille [with a preview on Apr. 23]
Apr. 25, Out at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre [with a preview on Apr. 24]
Apr. 26, Next to Normal at The Musical Stage Company
Apr. 26, Unnecessary Farce at The Bloor West Village Players

In Central Ontario

Apr. 25, The Music Man at VOS Theatre (Cobourg)
Apr. 26, A Fox on the Fairway at Northumberland Players (Cobourg)
ONstage Now Playing in Toronto
Impressionism at Alumnae Theatre Company
Liz Pounsett, Ted Powers
Photo by Bruce Peters

In Eastern Ontario

Apr. 23, Bedtime Stories at Rural Root Theatre Company (Constance Bay)
Apr. 24, A Murder Is Announced at Ottawa Little Theatre
Apr. 25, An Ideal Husband at Domino Theatre (Kingston)
Apr. 26, The Pigeon King at National Arts Centre—English Theatre (Ottawa) [with previews from Apr. 24]
Apr. 26, The Faery's Kiss at Smiths Falls Community 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

Wednesday 17 April 2019

Browsing Our Bulletin Board

Upcoming opportunities from Theatre Ontario, from our members, and from other arts service organizations.

Coming Up from Theatre Ontario

Theatre Ontario's Summer Theatre Intensive
Check out all of our upcoming Career Stream and Creator Stream workshops.

Upcoming on The Bulletin Board

  • Deadline for submissions for directors at Alumnae Theatre Company's FireWorks 2019 is April 20.
  • Deadline for applications for Ontario Arts Council’s Théâtre – projets francophones grants is April 24.
  • The Ottawa School of Theatre is hosting a Meisner Technique Intensive with Chadwick Allen from April 26 to 28.

Check out these items, and other postings from our members.
Theatre Ontario individual members can also access Auditions, Job Postings and Discount Ticket Offers on our Theatre Ontario Individual Member Resources on our website

Monday 15 April 2019

ONstage Openings for the week of April 15

ONstage Now Playing in Northeastern Ontario
The Birds and The Bees by Mark Crawford at Sudbury Theatre Centre
William Vickers, Karen Wood, Julia Dyan and Wilex Ly
Directed by John McHenry, Set Design: Samantha Burson
Costume Design: Miranda DiFlorio, Lighting Design: Gavin McDonald
Sound Design: Drew Saunders
Photo by Westmount Photography
This week’s openings on Ontario’s stages (a quiet week with the Easter long weekend)

In South Central Ontario

Apr. 17, Chicago (High School Edition) at Marquee Theatrical Productions (Newmarket)


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

Wednesday 10 April 2019

Browsing Our Bulletin Board

Upcoming opportunities from Theatre Ontario, from our members, and from other arts service organizations.

Coming Up from Theatre Ontario

Theatre Ontario's "Social Media for Actors" workshop
Check out all of our upcoming Career Stream and Creator Stream workshops.

New on Our Bulletin Board

  • Canadian Stage is calling for proposals from directors for the 2020 Canadian Stage Shakespeare in High Park.
Check out these items, and other postings from our members.
Theatre Ontario individual members can also access Auditions, Job Postings and Discount Ticket Offers on our Theatre Ontario Individual Member Resources on our website

Monday 8 April 2019

ONstage Openings for the week of April 8

ONstage Now Playing in Central Ontario
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
at Owen Sound Little Theatre
This week’s openings on Ontario’s stages

In Northeastern Ontario

Apr. 11, The Birds and The Bees at Sudbury Theatre Centre

In South Central Ontario

Apr. 10, Shrek the Musical at Burl-Oak Theatre Group (Oakville)
Apr. 11, Murder in the First at Whitby Courthouse Theatre
Apr. 12, A Bad Year for Tomatoes at Theatre Burlington

In Southwestern Ontario

Apr. 11, Cabaret at The Grand Theatre (London) [with previews from Apr. 9]
Apr. 12, Rope at Shaw Festival (Niagara-on-the-Lake) [in previews]

ONstage Now Playing in Toronto
A Blow in the Face at Nightwood Theatre
Jordan Pettle and Tess Degenstein
Set and Costume Design by Monica Dottor
Cloud Construction by Taylor Young
Lighting Design by Oz Weaver
Photo by Dahlia Katz

In Toronto

Apr. 9, The Chemical Valley Project at Theatre Passe Muraille [currently in previews]
Apr. 9, The Picture of Dorian Gray at George Brown Theatre School
Apr. 10, Monsieur d'Eon is a Woman at George Brown Theatre School
Apr. 12, Copenhagen at Soulpepper Theatre [currently in previews]
Apr. 12, Impressionism at Alumnae Theatre Company

In Eastern Ontario

Apr. 13, Ghost Light at Tweed and Company

ICYMI: Check out last week’s openings

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

Wednesday 3 April 2019

Browsing Our Bulletin Board

Upcoming opportunities from Theatre Ontario, from our members, and from other arts service organizations.

Coming Up from Theatre Ontario

Check out all of our upcoming Career Stream and Creator Stream workshops.

Upcoming on The Bulletin Board

Theatre Aurora's production of The Drowsy Chaperone.
The deadline for submissions for Nov 2019 musical is Apr. 9
  • The Shaw Festival’s all-ages class “Creating the Horse and His Boy” running prior to each performance in Niagara-on-the-Lake begins April 6.
  • George F. Walker’s next Acting Intensive for performers begins April 8 in Toronto.
  • Deadline for submissions for Theatre Aurora’s call for a community theatre musical production for November 2019 is April 9.

New on The Bulletin Board

  • The Ottawa School of Theatre is hosting a Meisner Technique workshop with Chadwick Allen on April 26 to 28.

Check out these items, and other postings from our members.
Theatre Ontario individual members can also access Auditions, Job Postings and Discount Ticket Offers on our Theatre Ontario Individual Member Resources on our website

Monday 1 April 2019

ONstage Openings for the week of April 1

ONstage Now Playing in Eastern Ontario
A Man for All Seasons at Kanata Theatre
Ian Stauffer, Guy Newsham
This week’s openings on Ontario’s stages

In Eastern Ontario

Apr. 4, Hamish at Studio Theatre Perth
Apr. 4, The Sting at Belleville Theatre Guild [with a preview on Apr. 2]

In South Central Ontario

Apr. 4, Stepping Out at Theatre Aurora
Apr. 5, Curtains at Theatre Unlimited (Mississauga)

In Southwestern Ontario

Apr. 4, Romeo and Juliet at Guelph Little Theatre
Apr. 5, Quartet at Players' Guild of Hamilton
Apr. 5, Songs for a New World at Theatre Woodstock
Apr. 6, The Horse and His Boy at Shaw Festival (Niagara-on-the-Lake) [in previews]
ONstage Now Playing in Southwestern Ontario
August Wilson's Fences at The Grand Theatre (London)
Nigel Shawn Williams
Photo by Dahlia Katz

In Toronto

Apr. 3, Shove It Down My Throat at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre [currently in previews]
Apr. 4, The Chemical Valley Project at Theatre Passe Muraille [in previews]
Apr. 5, Caught in the Net at Scarborough Players
Apr. 6, Under the Stairs at Young People's Theatre [with school performances from Apr. 1]
Apr. 6, Copenhagen at Soulpepper 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