With the close of community theatre festivals in central and eastern Ontario over the past weekend, we are thrilled to announce the four plays that will make up this year’s Theatre Ontario Festival in Kingston, opening Wednesday, May 15. Featuring three shows by Canadian playwrights and a new international drama, and with a mix of new and returning theatre companies, this year’s Festival promises to be a great celebration of community theatre in Ontario. Festival tickets are now on sale.
Traditionally, the host region opens the Festival, and representing the Eastern Ontario Drama League will be Theatre Night In Merrickville with their production of Having Hope At Home by long-time Theatre Ontario member David S. Craig. The play is a side-splitting look at a family learning to love again. On a winter night in a drafty farmhouse a baby is about to arrive. But modern medicine meets midwifery head on in a torrent of family feuding. As tensions rise between three dysfunctional generations, so does the laughter. This is Theatre Night In Merrickville’s first show at Theatre Ontario Festival in three decades.
On Thursday, May 16, we welcome Windsor’s Theatre Intrigue to their first Theatre Ontario Festival. Theatre Intrigue will be presenting Dennis Kelly’s Orphans (not to be confused with Lyle Kessler’s Orphans currently playing on Broadway and most memorably presented at Festival in 1999 in Newmarket by Woodstock Little Theatre.) Helen and her husband Danny's night in is interrupted by Helen's brother Liam, who arrives covered in blood claiming to have found a young lad injured on the street. When Liam's recollection of the event begins to change under questioning, suspicions are aroused followed by increasing concern that he may have been more involved than first thought. This play premiered at the 2009 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and is described as a riveting and violent exploration of urban fear and a moral dilemma. Theatre Intrigue represents the Western Ontario Drama League.
Friday, May 17 features Markham Little Theatre’s presentation of Mending Fences by Norm Foster. Harry Sullivan hasn't seen his son Drew in thirteen years. And now Drew is coming to Harry's Saskatchewan ranch for a visit. This poignant comedy tells the story of two men who are too stubborn to give in to feelings of the heart. Markham Little Theatre last represented the Association of Community Theatres—Central Ontario in 2008 in North Bay, with a presentation of another Norm Foster show—Outlaw.
The Festival performances finish on Saturday, May 18 with a second Norm Foster comedy, as Espanola Little Theatre presents Looking. Val’s an OR nurse, Andy’s in the storage business, Nina’s a police officer and Matt’s a radio morning show host. They’re middle-aged, single and looking. Val agrees to meet Andy after answering his personal ad in the newspaper. Nina and Matt are coaxed into joining their friends for support. High romance and contagious laughter are the result. Espanola last appeared at Festival in 2011 in Richmond Hill, presenting David Fennario’s Balconville. They won the Elsie Award for Outstanding Production in 1997 in Cornwall for their presentation of Romulus Linney’s A Woman Without A Name, and are representing QUONTA, the community theatre association of northeastern Ontario.
Theatre Ontario Festival 2013 is co-hosted by Kingston’s Domino Theatre and the Eastern Ontario Drama League. The annual Theatre Ontario Festival is a showcase of outstanding community theatre productions chosen from regional festivals, bringing together theatre lovers from across the province. It’s also an educational experience featuring adjudications, workshops, networking, and play readings by Canadian writers. We celebrate community theatre, with awards recognizing outstanding achievements and lots of parties! Festival tickets are now on sale by telephone at 613-546-3415. Accommodation details are available on the Domino Theatre website.
Tuesday, 9 April 2013
Monday, 8 April 2013
ONstage Openings for the week of April 8
In Central Ontario
Apr. 12, The Trouble With Clifford at Blackhorse Village Players (Tottenham) with a preview on Apr. 10
Apr. 12, Possible Worlds at Talk Is Free Theatre (Barrie) with a preview on Apr. 11
In South Central Ontario
Apr. 11, When The Reaper Calls at Peel Panto Players (Brampton)
Apr. 12, Sylvia at Georgetown Little Theatre
Apr. 12, Tuesdays With Morrie at Theatre Burlington
Apr. 12, Jitters at Theatre Aurora
In Southwestern Ontario
Apr. 11, Proof at Kitchener-Waterloo Little Theatre
Apr. 11, Sarah Girty's War at Crosstown Players (Windsor)
Apr. 12, Made In Canada at Theatre Ancaster (Hamilton)
Apr. 12, Dry Streak at Theatre Woodstock
Apr. 12, Guys And Dolls at Shaw Festival (Niagara-on-the-Lake) in previews
Apr. 12, Guys And Dolls at Theatre Sarnia
In Toronto
Apr. 9, Spring Awakening at George Brown Theatre School
Apr. 9, The Playboy Of The Western World at George Brown Theatre School
Apr. 10, A Brimful Of Asha at Tarragon Theatre
Apr. 11, Race at Canadian Stage (currently in previews)
Apr. 11, Blue Planet at Young People's Theatre (with previews from Apr. 8)
Apr. 11, AlterNatives at ACT II Studio Theatre
Apr. 11, Young Frankenstein at Alexander Showcase Theatre
Apr. 12, The Killdeer at Alumnae Theatre Company
For more information on these shows and other theatre playing across Ontario, visit Theatre Ontario’s ONstage theatre listings on our website
Apr. 12, The Trouble With Clifford at Blackhorse Village Players (Tottenham) with a preview on Apr. 10
Apr. 12, Possible Worlds at Talk Is Free Theatre (Barrie) with a preview on Apr. 11
In South Central Ontario
Apr. 11, When The Reaper Calls at Peel Panto Players (Brampton)
Apr. 12, Sylvia at Georgetown Little Theatre
Apr. 12, Tuesdays With Morrie at Theatre Burlington
Apr. 12, Jitters at Theatre Aurora
In Southwestern Ontario
Apr. 11, Proof at Kitchener-Waterloo Little Theatre
Apr. 11, Sarah Girty's War at Crosstown Players (Windsor)
Apr. 12, Made In Canada at Theatre Ancaster (Hamilton)
Apr. 12, Dry Streak at Theatre Woodstock
Apr. 12, Guys And Dolls at Shaw Festival (Niagara-on-the-Lake) in previews
Apr. 12, Guys And Dolls at Theatre Sarnia
In Toronto
Apr. 9, Spring Awakening at George Brown Theatre School
Apr. 9, The Playboy Of The Western World at George Brown Theatre School
Apr. 10, A Brimful Of Asha at Tarragon Theatre
Apr. 11, Race at Canadian Stage (currently in previews)
Apr. 11, Blue Planet at Young People's Theatre (with previews from Apr. 8)
Apr. 11, AlterNatives at ACT II Studio Theatre
Apr. 11, Young Frankenstein at Alexander Showcase Theatre
Apr. 12, The Killdeer at Alumnae Theatre Company
For more information on these shows and other theatre playing across Ontario, visit Theatre Ontario’s ONstage theatre listings on our website
Thursday, 4 April 2013
Under New Management: Transitioning to the New Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act and Ontario’s Not-For-Profit Corporations Act, 2010
By Sarah Farrell, J.D.
Do you know how the new not-for-profit corporation acts are going to affect your theatre company? With new laws for both provincially-incorporated and federally-incorporated not-for-profits, theatres may find they need new letters patent and by-laws, and may have other significant administrative requirements to meet. Learning about these changes can ease the transition process and help to ensure that your organization is fully compliant with either the new Federal or Ontario Act—while failure to comply could have significant impact on how your organization will operate: its governance, its charitable registration, or its activities.
The Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act (the “Federal Act”) is a new law that came into force in October 2011. The Federal Act is applicable to all Federal not-for-profit corporations previously incorporated under Part II of the Canada Corporations Act (the “Old Federal Act”), and to all Federal not-for-profit organizations looking to incorporate (together, “Federal NFPs.”) All Federal NFPs previously incorporated under the Old Federal Act are required to transition to the new Federal Act by October 17, 2014. Until they have made the transition, the Old Federal Act will continue to apply to such Federal NFPs. Eventually, the Old Federal Act will be repealed and any Federal NFPs that have not transitioned will be dissolved (for registered charities, dissolution could further lead to the revocation of their registration as a charity.)
Ontario’s Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, 2010 (the "Ontario Act"), which is targeted to come into effect on or about January 1, 2014, will set out how Ontario not-for-profit corporations and charities (together, “Ontario NFPs”) are created, governed, and dissolved. The Ontario Act will apply to every corporation without share capital incorporated under an act of the Ontario legislature (as well as some “social nature” share capital organizations), including those incorporated under Ontario’s current Corporations Act. Existing Ontario NFPs will be required to update their incorporation and related documents in order to comply with the new Ontario Act, and will have three years to complete the transition once the Ontario Act comes into effect. At the end of the three year transition period, any provision of an existing NFP’s letters patent, supplementary letters patent, by-law, or special resolution that still does not conform with the Ontario Act will be considered amended to the extent necessary to conform with the Ontario Act, or in some cases may be considered partly or completely ineffective—a state of uncertainty all Ontario NFPs will want to avoid.
The new Federal Act sets out rules that govern the internal affairs of Federal NFPs, simplified administrative processes, more flexibility to make fundamental changes, and a more objective standard for directors in carrying out their duties and responsibilities. Federal NFPs, in order to avoid automatic dissolution, will be required among other things, to obtain a Certificate of Continuance and to create and file new by-laws that comply with the Federal Act, which may include replacement of their letters patent and supplementary letters patent (if any.)
The Ontario Act will make it simpler for Ontario NFPs to incorporate and will provide a framework for greater transparency and accountability in how Ontario NFPs are run. In addition, the Ontario Act will clarify when Ontario NFPs can engage in commercial activities, allow Ontario NFPs to use a review engagement rather than an audit in some situations, enhance members’ rights, and provide members with greater access to financial records. Among other things, Ontario NFPs will need to review, and may need to draft or update their articles of incorporation, by-laws, and/or letters patent and supplementary letters patent in order to comply with the new Ontario Act:
Join us on Tuesday, May 28 at 2pm for Theatre Ontario’s workshop “Under New Management: Transitioning to the New Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act and Ontario’s Not-For-Profit Corporations Act, 2010” to learn more about complying with the new legislation.
Sarah Farrell (www.sarahfarrell-law.com) is a Toronto-based entertainment lawyer who focuses on the law affecting theatre practitioners in Ontario. The contents of this article do not constitute legal advice nor do they create a solicitor/client relationship between Sarah Farrell and the reader. Each individual and organization will have its own specific concerns and circumstances that it will need to address when dealing with the issues set out in this article. It is strongly recommended that the reader seek independent legal advice prior to following any course of action related to this article. This article is not an exhaustive review of the topic set out herein and only provides a snapshot overview of some of the issues surrounding that topic. Sources: http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cd-dgc.nsf/eng/h_cs03925.html and http://www.sse.gov.on.ca/mcs/en/Pages/Not_For_Profit.aspx.
Do you know how the new not-for-profit corporation acts are going to affect your theatre company? With new laws for both provincially-incorporated and federally-incorporated not-for-profits, theatres may find they need new letters patent and by-laws, and may have other significant administrative requirements to meet. Learning about these changes can ease the transition process and help to ensure that your organization is fully compliant with either the new Federal or Ontario Act—while failure to comply could have significant impact on how your organization will operate: its governance, its charitable registration, or its activities.
The Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act (the “Federal Act”) is a new law that came into force in October 2011. The Federal Act is applicable to all Federal not-for-profit corporations previously incorporated under Part II of the Canada Corporations Act (the “Old Federal Act”), and to all Federal not-for-profit organizations looking to incorporate (together, “Federal NFPs.”) All Federal NFPs previously incorporated under the Old Federal Act are required to transition to the new Federal Act by October 17, 2014. Until they have made the transition, the Old Federal Act will continue to apply to such Federal NFPs. Eventually, the Old Federal Act will be repealed and any Federal NFPs that have not transitioned will be dissolved (for registered charities, dissolution could further lead to the revocation of their registration as a charity.)
Ontario’s Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, 2010 (the "Ontario Act"), which is targeted to come into effect on or about January 1, 2014, will set out how Ontario not-for-profit corporations and charities (together, “Ontario NFPs”) are created, governed, and dissolved. The Ontario Act will apply to every corporation without share capital incorporated under an act of the Ontario legislature (as well as some “social nature” share capital organizations), including those incorporated under Ontario’s current Corporations Act. Existing Ontario NFPs will be required to update their incorporation and related documents in order to comply with the new Ontario Act, and will have three years to complete the transition once the Ontario Act comes into effect. At the end of the three year transition period, any provision of an existing NFP’s letters patent, supplementary letters patent, by-law, or special resolution that still does not conform with the Ontario Act will be considered amended to the extent necessary to conform with the Ontario Act, or in some cases may be considered partly or completely ineffective—a state of uncertainty all Ontario NFPs will want to avoid.
The new Federal Act sets out rules that govern the internal affairs of Federal NFPs, simplified administrative processes, more flexibility to make fundamental changes, and a more objective standard for directors in carrying out their duties and responsibilities. Federal NFPs, in order to avoid automatic dissolution, will be required among other things, to obtain a Certificate of Continuance and to create and file new by-laws that comply with the Federal Act, which may include replacement of their letters patent and supplementary letters patent (if any.)
The Ontario Act will make it simpler for Ontario NFPs to incorporate and will provide a framework for greater transparency and accountability in how Ontario NFPs are run. In addition, the Ontario Act will clarify when Ontario NFPs can engage in commercial activities, allow Ontario NFPs to use a review engagement rather than an audit in some situations, enhance members’ rights, and provide members with greater access to financial records. Among other things, Ontario NFPs will need to review, and may need to draft or update their articles of incorporation, by-laws, and/or letters patent and supplementary letters patent in order to comply with the new Ontario Act:
Join us on Tuesday, May 28 at 2pm for Theatre Ontario’s workshop “Under New Management: Transitioning to the New Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act and Ontario’s Not-For-Profit Corporations Act, 2010” to learn more about complying with the new legislation.
Wednesday, 3 April 2013
Browsing The Bulletin Board
Workshops from Theatre Ontario
- PTTP Talkback and Mixer on April 8 in Toronto – Looking to further or change your career? Develop a new skill? Mentoring through Theatre Ontario’s Professional Theatre Training Program—funded by the Ontario Arts Council, an agency of the Government of Ontario—is a valuable way of learning from experienced professionals, benefiting from one-to-one guidance, making valuable connections and expanding your network and enhancing your career opportunities. Come meet with past recipients Laura Nanni, Peter Pasyk, Tanisha Taitt, and Tim Chapman, our Professional Theatre Coordinator (and a past recipient himself.)
- Self-Start: The Basics of Producing on April 10 in Toronto – 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, Professional Theatre Coordinator.
- Directors Intensive on April 20 to 21 in Toronto – This two-day workshop is designed for experienced directors in both the community theatre and professional realms. The intensive will concentrate on the art of making the work as specific as possible; exploring how to get what the playwright intended onto the stage in a simple and detailed fashion.
- Check out all of our upcoming courses and workshops, including accessibility, design, financial literary, our summer courses, and more.
- The Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts has extended the deadline for nominations for the Dora Ancillary Awards (Silver Ticket Award; Barbara Hamilton Memorial Award, honouring excellence and ambassadorship for the arts; George Luscombe Award for Mentorship in Theatre; Leonard McHardy and John Harvey Award for Outstanding Leadership in Administration; and Pauline McGibbon Award for Unique Talents and Potential for Excellence) to April 8
- The next Toronto Fringe Festival “Tent Talk in the Lab” is on April 10 at 11:15am—the topic is The Business of Auditioning, with a panel of Joanne Williams (Canadian Stage), Cara Gee (actor), and Pam Winter (Gary Goddard Agency)
- Magnetic North Theatre Festival is holding a Masterclass in Devising in the Landscape with Wildworks (UK) in Ottawa on June 3 to 7; the application deadline is April 19
- Playwrights Guild of Canada has announced two new workshops for aspiring musical theatre writers: An Introduction to the Craft of Writing for the Musical Theatre (Or - All the Rules You Can Decide to Ignore Later!), with Jim Betts (beginning on May 4) and Lyric Writing for Theatre (beginning on May 21)
- Magnetic North Theatre Festival is inviting artists to participate in the Artists Marketplace, a networking and promotional event as part of the Festival in Ottawa on June 11
Tuesday, 2 April 2013
ONstage Openings for the week of April 2
In Toronto
Apr. 1, New Voices at Ryerson Theatre School
Apr. 2, Legoland at Theatre Passe Muraille
Apr. 2, If We Were Birds at Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts
Apr. 2, Chile Con Carne at Alameda Theatre Company (currently in previews)
Apr. 3, True West at Soulpepper Theatre (currently in previews)
Apr. 4, La Ronde at Soulpepper Theatre (currently in previews)
Apr. 7, Race at Canadian Stage (in previews)
In Central Ontario
Apr. 5, On A First Name Basis at Theatre Orangeville (world premiere) with a preview on Apr. 4
In Eastern Ontario
Apr. 4, The Edward Curtis Project at Great Canadian Theatre Company / National Arts Centre—English Theatre (Ottawa) with previews from Apr. 2
Apr. 4, Art at Belleville Theatre Guild
Apr. 6, Macbeth from Salmander Theatre at St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival (Prescott)
In South Central Ontario
Apr. 4, The Sound Of Music at Marquee Theatrical Productions (Richmond Hill / Newmarket)
In Southwestern Ontario
Apr. 3, Our Betters at Shaw Festival (Niagara-on-the-Lake) in previews
For more information on these shows and other theatre playing across Ontario, visit Theatre Ontario’s ONstage theatre listings on our website.
Apr. 1, New Voices at Ryerson Theatre School
Apr. 2, Legoland at Theatre Passe Muraille
Apr. 2, If We Were Birds at Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts
Apr. 2, Chile Con Carne at Alameda Theatre Company (currently in previews)
Apr. 3, True West at Soulpepper Theatre (currently in previews)
Apr. 4, La Ronde at Soulpepper Theatre (currently in previews)
Apr. 7, Race at Canadian Stage (in previews)
In Central Ontario
Apr. 5, On A First Name Basis at Theatre Orangeville (world premiere) with a preview on Apr. 4
In Eastern Ontario
Apr. 4, The Edward Curtis Project at Great Canadian Theatre Company / National Arts Centre—English Theatre (Ottawa) with previews from Apr. 2
Apr. 4, Art at Belleville Theatre Guild
Apr. 6, Macbeth from Salmander Theatre at St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival (Prescott)
In South Central Ontario
Apr. 4, The Sound Of Music at Marquee Theatrical Productions (Richmond Hill / Newmarket)
In Southwestern Ontario
Apr. 3, Our Betters at Shaw Festival (Niagara-on-the-Lake) in previews
For more information on these shows and other theatre playing across Ontario, visit Theatre Ontario’s ONstage theatre listings on our website.
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