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 "Launching Your Career" workshop

• Preparing an Ontario Arts Council application? Get the inside scoop at our free Grant Writing Information recorded webinar with Pat Bradley, available on September 5.
• What is Intimacy for the Stage? Learn about Creating a Safe Space at our free recorded webinar with Siobhan Richardson, available on September 12.
• Answers to your FAQs about the business of acting—Join us at our “Launching Your Career” workshop with Rachel Kennedy and guest Carly Chamberlain on September 19.
• Professional development and networking for adjudicators of all experience levels—Join us at our Adjudicators Symposium on September 22 in Toronto

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

Upcoming on The Bulletin Board

• Shaw Festival’s next Scene Study Sunday is on August 26.
• York Region Arts Council has extended the deadline for applications to the next Artrepreneur Cohort in Whitchurch-Stouffville to August 26.
• Deadline to apply for Ontario Arts Council’s Indigenous Artists in Communities and Schools Projects is August 29.
• Deadline to register for the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Capital Grants program is August 29.

New on The Bulletin Board

• George F. Walker’s next Acting Workshop series begins September 10—register by September 1.

Check out these items, and other postings from our members.

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

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

Stories from the Summer Theatre Intensive: The Art of Stage Combat

Stage Combat at the 2018 Summer Theatre Intensive
Mahlet is on the far right.

by Mahlet Tesfu

This summer I had the privilege of attending Theatre Ontario’s Stage Combat course, taught by Daniel Levinson. I had originally wanted to take another course geared solely towards studying acting, however the opportunity to take this stage combat course came around and it seemed so interesting, and boy, was I right. This was my first time attending any Theatre Ontario course and I was so impressed by the array of diverse courses offered and really wanted to take them all!

In the stage combat course we covered a multitude of fighting techniques. From sword, where we learned the classical techniques, such as how to parry in positions one through eight, to unarmed where we learned how to kick, slap, punch, choke and defend, just to name a few. What fascinated me the most is how incredibly realistic the fights looked, yet they were completely 200% safe. The number one motto of our instructor Daniel, was “safety first above all else.” He beat it into our heads that no amount of pressure, expectation or level of perfection was worth hurting ourselves over.

Daniel delved into the history behind sword and unarmed fighting which really helped us understand the logic behind the movements and how and why certain techniques are the way they are. What I loved the most was seeing everything come together. It was really lovely to attach singular technical moves to stories. Using short scenes Daniel provided, we were able to create choreographed fighting scenes for both sword and unarmed. This was my favorite part, because all the moves and technique came to life so beautifully with added context and purpose.

It was such a treat to attend the “Playwright-in-Person” play reading by Marie Beath Badian at the Stratford Perth Museum. She graciously read excerpts from two of her plays The Making of St. Jerome and Prairie Nurse, which were both brilliantly written. It was wonderful to hear from an accomplished working playwright about her process, and her experience navigating through the industry. It was yet another treat to get the chance to talk to her personally after the event for any tips, advice, or questions, which she was so happy to do.

We got the opportunity to attend To Kill a Mockingbird at the Festival theatre. I was very excited to attend a Stratford play, as this was only my second one and it did not disappoint. Harper Lee’s novel was skillfully adapted into a play and worked very well for the stage. The cast and crew did an incredible job bringing this timely yet classic story to life.

My week with Theatre Ontario in Stratford far surpassed all of my expectations. I’m grateful for the people I got to meet and work with and for getting the best introduction into the exciting world of stage combat!

I’d like to thank Rachel and Emily for going above and beyond, Daniel for being the most patient and passionate teacher and extending his wealth of knowledge and my classmates for being the best sparring partners!

Mahlet was the recipient of Theatre Ontario’s 2018 New Talent Scholarship for our Summer Theatre Intensive, co-sponsored by ART Agency Inc., AMI Artist Management Inc., and Seventh House Talent.

Playwright-in-Person is made possible by a grant from the Playwrights Guild of Canada's "PlayConnect" program, funded by the Canada Council.

ONstage Openings for the week of August 20

ONstage Now Playing in Eastern Ontario
The Secret Garden at Smiths Falls Community Theatre
Stef Robar, Addison Brown
Photo by Cheryl Colford

This week’s openings on Ontario’s stages

In Eastern Ontario

Aug. 22, Blind Date at Festival Players of Prince Edward County (Picton)

Aug. 23, Carp Capers at Rural Root Theatre Company (Constance Bay)

Aug. 25, Prairie Nurse at Thousand Islands Playhouse (Gananoque) [with a preview on Aug. 24]

In Southwestern Ontario

Aug. 22, Cruisin' Classics at Drayton Entertainment: Drayton Festival Theatre [with a matinee preview]

Aug. 23, Sunshine Express at Port Stanley Festival Theatre [with previews from Aug. 22]

In Toronto

Aug. 23, Sisters 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

Ontario Off Stage

Stage Combat at Summer Theatre Intensive 2018

by Brandon Moore, Community Theatre and Communications Manager

From Theatre Ontario

• The first week of our Summer Theatre Intensive was featured in a Stratford Beacon Herald story by Terry Bridge (including autoplay video from our Stage Combat course.)

Conversation Starters

• In her August enewsletter, Janet Sellery (of Sellery Health & Safety) writes about the hazards of workplace fatigue during strikes and load outs—and includes some worthwhile tips to deal with the next late night call.

Behind the Scenes at Ontario’s Theatres

• Save the date for the Playwrights Guild of Canada’s Tom Hendry Awards—the preeminent celebration of Canadian playwriting will be on October 28. 

In Case You Missed It

• ONstage Openings this week in Port Hope, Orillia, Smiths Falls, Perth, Stratford, Grand Bend, St. Jacobs, and Toronto.
• Browsing Our Bulletin Board, including free recorded webinars, workshops, grant deadlines, and more.

Funding Youth Theatre Training Projects

Does your organization want to undertake an accessible, unique youth training project, led by professional theatre artists?

We are now inviting applications for the October 15, 2018 deadline for our Youth Theatre Training Program (YTTP).

YTTP offers financial support to programs in theatrical skills such as:

• Technical production and design
• Theatre administration and producing
• Performance skills and play creation

Read more about the Youth Theatre Training Program on the Theatre Ontario website

The program is funded by the Ontario Arts Council, an agency of the Government of Ontario.