Deadline extended for applications for summer student position

Theatre Ontario has extended the application deadline for our summer student position to May 25, 2010.

This position is funded through the Government of Ontario's summer employment program known as the 2010 Summer Experience Program, and is open to 15 to 24-year-olds (or up to 29 years of age, for persons with disabilities under s.10 of the Ontario Human Rights Code.)

Read about the position on the Theatre Ontario website

ONstage Openings

Theatre Ontario is pleased to share with you some of the exciting theatre opening across our province in the week ahead:

In Ottawa and Eastern Ontario:
May 7, Party at the Plaza at Seaway Valley Theatre Company (Cornwall)
May 8, Texas Blues Legend Andrew Jones at The Regent Theatre (Picton)
May 11, The Underpants at Kanata Theatre
May 13, Anything Goes at Bancroft Village Playhouse
May 13, The 39 Steps at Thousand Islands Playhouse (Gananoque)

In South Central Ontario:
May 7, Festival Of Canadian One-Act Plays at Borelians Community Theatre (Port Perry)

In Southwestern Ontario:
May 7, I Take This Man at Elora Community Thatre (Fergus)
May 7, Strangers On A Train at London Community Players
May 7, The Sisters Rosensweig at The Players Guild of Hamilton
May 7, Cinderella at Theatre Sarnia
May 8, Flanagan's Wake at Theatre Intrigue Society (Windsor)
May 12, The Women at Shaw Festival (Niagara-on-the-Lake)
May 14, Jacques Brel Is Alive And Well And Living In Paris at Stratford Shakespeare Festival in previews

In Toronto:
May 7, Revolver Lounge at Bad Dog Theatre Company
May 10, In This World at Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People

For all the theatre current playing across Ontario, or for information for theatres on how to add/update your listing, visit ONstage on the Theatre Ontario website.

Recognizing outstanding secondary school students

Theatre Ontario's newly renamed "Certificates of Excellence" are a way for secondary schools and teachers to recognize outstanding student commitment to the drama/theatre community.  With commencement season approaching, now is a terrific time to think about that student whose achievement you wish to recognize.

Read more about the Certificate of Excellence on the Theatre Ontario website

Don Fleckser to receive 2010 Maggie Bassett Award

Theatre Ontario is thrilled to announce that the 2010 Maggie Bassett Award shall be presented to Don Fleckser. The award, which recognizes a sustained and significant contribution to the development of theatre in Ontario, is a worthy honour for a man whose work in theatre has had an impact far beyond London and Ontario.

For over sixty years, Don Fleckser has been involved in theatre. As an actor he has appeared in numerous community and professional productions, beginning with his role as Badger in Toad of Toad Hall at London Little Theatre in 1953. Professional acting credits include roles at The Huron Country Playhouse, The Port Stanley Festival Theatre, The Victoria Playhouse Petrolia and appearances on the television series Due South.

Summer Theatre Merry-Go-Round 2010

by Tim Chapman, Professional Theatre Coordinator

Looking at the 2010 season schedules of the twenty-two summer theatres who belong to ASTRO (Association of Summer Theatres ‘Round Ontario), it is not surprising to often discover the same productions, plays and playwrights shared among the member theatres.  It is also not surprising to find successful productions and plays being re-mounted or revived by theatres.  It goes without saying that there are many practical reasons for this in the financially precarious world of live theatre, but it also provides audiences a chance to see hit shows they may have missed, to re-visit their favourite writers, and to see popular plays and shows from elsewhere which have not been performed locally.  I want to give you a peek at what is coming this summer, taking a rather circuitous route of revivals, shared productions and oft-produced plays and playwrights programmed for the 2010 summer season.