New Workshop Sessions on Proposal Writing, Taxes, Playwriting, and Grant Writing

We’re pleased to announce five new Theatre Ontario workshops—including more Grant Writing Information Sessions for Playwrights and Theatre Artists.

Proposal Writing with Wanda Nanibush on Tuesday, February 19—for individuals and organizations applying for funding and sponsorships, learn to write proposals that place the reader in a position where they have an overwhelming desire to fund, promote or collaborate with you.  Bring a current proposal that you are working on for group and one-on-one feedback, and walk out with new skills, ideas, confidence—and possibly a finished proposal.

Taxes For Theatre Artists with Sam Marinucci on Thursday, March 7—What are Revenue Canada’s record-keeping requirements? What expenses can you claim? What deductions are you allowed? How do you report your income? How does HST impact you?  Whether you are employed, self-employed, or registered as a small business this session is an opportunity for you to check your facts, ask questions, and share experiences.

Playwriting: Idea to First Draft with Lindsay Price on Saturday, March 9—Sometimes the hardest step in the playwriting process is the first. Where do I find inspiration? How do I develop an idea? What if my idea fizzles out halfway through? This workshop takes you from the idea stage to confidently writing a first draft.

We also have two more Grant Writing Information Session for Playwrights and Theatre Artists, with Pat Bradley, Theatre Officer of the Ontario Arts Council—These sessions share information, perspective, and tips about project grants, particularly the OAC’s three professional theatre project programs—Theatre Projects, Playwright Residency, and Theatre Creators’ Reserve.  The new Grant Writing Information sessions will be in Thunder Bay on Wednesday, February 27 and in Ottawa on Thursday, March 21.

We’re also still taking registrations for our previously announced workshops—Grant Writing Information Session for Playwrights and Theatre Artists in Burlington on Thursday, January 24; Getting Started For Actors on Wednesday, January 30; and Self-Start: The Basics of Producing on Wednesday, February 6.

Read more about all of the upcoming Theatre Ontario training opportunities

New Professional Theatre Workshop Dates

Our popular “Taxes For Theatre Artists” professional workshop returns to help you sort your way through the 2011 tax season.  What is the difference between "employment" and "self-employment"?  What is a "reasonable expectation of profit"?  What's deductible?  This is one of our free workshops for members of Theatre Ontario, lead by chartered accounted Sam Marinucci, and it will be on March 8 at 3pm.  For more information, including how to register, please visit Taxes For Theatre Artists on the Theatre Ontario website.

We’ve also scheduled our next emerging professional workshops: sign-up now for “Getting Started For Actors” on February 1 at 2pm, or “Self-Start: The Basics Of Self-Producing” on February 15 at 2pm.

Getting Started sessions are for actors beginning their professional careers. In this two-hour workshop, Tim Chapman, Professional Theatre Coordinator 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 is a free workshop, available to members of Theatre Ontario only. For more information, including how to register, please visit Getting Started For Actors on the Theatre Ontario website.

Self-Start: If you want to do a show but have never produced professionally before, and if you want to know what questions to ask first, this session is for you!  Self-Start is a practical seminar facilitated by Tim Chapman.  This workshop is designed for individuals thinking of starting a theatre company or producing a show; and 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 learn about available resources and services.  It's free for Theatre Ontario members, and $30 for non-members.  For more information, including how to register, please visit Self-Start: The Basics Of Producing on the Theatre Ontario website.

Announcing Theatre Ontario's Taxes For Theatre Artists Workshop

Theatre Ontario has scheduled our special "Taxes For Theatre Artists" workshop for March 2 at 2pm.  "Taxes For Theatre Artists" is a free workshop for members of Theatre Ontario, and will help answer questions on:

• Employment versus self-employment
• Employment expense deduction
• Reasonable expectation of profit
• Scholarships and bursaries (study grants) and artists’ project grants
• Workspace in the homeGST/HST for individuals
• Income tax changes for the current year

For more information, including how to register, please visit the Theatre Ontario website.

Space Still Remaining In Tax Workshop on March 3

We still have some spaces available in our March 3 workshop on "Taxes For Theatre Artists."  This workshop is focused on the needs of individual artists during this tax season.  Read about the workshop on the Theatre Ontario website.