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

Related Reading:

• Jessica Lee Fleming’s first report

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.

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

Ontario Off Stage

by Brandon Moore, Community Theatre and Communications Manager

Conversation Starters

• BuzzFeed enumerated some of the ways that being a “drama kid” can help you as an adult - even if you're not working in the arts. (h/t to Young People’s Theatre for sharing the post.)

Behind the Scenes at Ontario’s Theatres

Simcoe Little Theatre's production of Whole Lotto Love

• Stephanie Vegh, Executive Director of the Hamilton Arts Council, writes about arts resources advocacy—and the need to “score a hat trick on the advocacy front” at the municipal, provincial, and federal level.
• Simcoe Little Theatre is going to the Western Ontario Drama League Festival for the first time in twenty years, with their production of Whole Lotto Love.

TO Toasts

• ... to Hannah Moscovitch, who won a Windham- Campbell Prize for Drama, a $150,000USD prize.

In Case You Missed It

• Meet our Youth Advisory Committee for 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

Find out more about the members of Theatre Ontario’s Youth Advisory Committee on our website

Browsing Our Bulletin Board

Coming Up from Theatre Ontario

• Learn the principles of adjudication and practice presentation skills in an intensive setting: Introduction to Adjudication intensive course with Ron Cameron-Lewis. The deadline for applications is March 3. 
• Secrets to a successful voice acting career: Voice-Over workshop with Elley-Ray on March 5 in Toronto. To register for the waiting list, please email outreach@theatreontario.org 
• What does an agent do and why should you have one? Ask an Agent! Everything You’ve Always Wanted to Know… with Alicia Jeffery of The Characters Talent Agency on March 7 in Toronto.
• Does your organization want to undertake a unique youth training project, led by professional theatre artists? The deadline for applications for our Youth Theatre Training Program (YTTP) is March 15.
• Get answers to your FAQs about the business of acting: Launching Your Career workshop with Rebecca Ballarin and Paolo Santalucia on March 21 in Toronto.

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.

• Grants
• Calls for Submission
• Volunteer and Non-Paying Positions
• Community Events and Conferences
• Training Opportunities at Ontario Theatres and Other Arts Service Organizations
• Adult Continuing Education Studios
• Youth Training

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