Thursday 30 April 2015

PTTP Profiles: Exploring Projects Funded by the Professional Theatre Training Program

Eight individuals were chosen as recipients of Theatre Ontario’s Professional Theatre Training Program grants during our Fall 2014 application round.  This month we check in with three of the projects.

Alexis Scott trained in Artistic Producing with David Whiteley at Plosive Productions (Ottawa)


Working with my mentor David Whiteley at The Gladstone Theatre has given me insight and experiences I would have never had the chance to be a part of. Being behind the scenes of the operation at a theatre which supports many of the independent artists in Ottawa has also opened my eyes and changed my perspective on what it takes to produce art in this city, and has redefined for me what I want to bring into my practise as a young producer – and what I can do to engage my audience as my company continues to grow.

First off, I've had some hands-on experience as assistant production manager for Bankrupt! at The Gladstone. While my mentor was away on an acting contract, I had to step in and (through his guidance, and the guidance of others) take over as production manager by myself and really learn what it is like. There is no book or manual or set of instructions that can lead you to the “right way”, just experience and learning to ask the right questions. What are the right questions? How do you begin? These are the questions I began asking myself – but you just do. I also had the opportunity to act as production assistant for Venus in Fur as well. I sat in on rehearsals, production meetings and watched my mentor tackle multi-tasking between being an actor in the production as well as producer – a skill I one day would like to master myself.

David Whiteley and Alexis Scott in
Vacant House Theatre's Frankie and
Johnny in the Clair de Lune
We also worked together extensively on a varying levels of grant requests. From the City of Ottawa grants to Canada Council for the Arts. I have a little bit of grant experience, but it was really insightful to help someone who has been writing grant requests for years.

At the culmination of my mentorship, I want to put a lot of what I've learned into practise. I've thrown myself right into producing Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune for my company Vacant House Theatre. David is still helping me, but now the tables have turned and I've hired him as an actor this time. It is terrifying in the best kind of way because I've never produced a show all on my own. But I have a chance to create the kind of experience that I want Ottawa audiences to see, find my own niche and engage the community in new ways. Once you start working on one of these things, you quickly discover you can’t do everything yourself – who would've thought? So you have to discover ways to find like-minded people and then find a way to hire them. We’re about to start our rehearsals and everything is coming together – I’m really, really for this next big step.

Mariel Marshall trained in Directing with Ross Manson at Volcano Theatre (Toronto)


Infinity opened three weeks ago, it’s got everybody buzzing, and it’s selling out. Now that the long push to opening is in the past, and my caffeine addiction is leveling, I've had a bit of time to reflect on the experience.
Members of the company of Infinity in rehearsal

In so many ways, Infinity was a challenging and rewarding process for me as a theatre creator. Firstly, I've learned that to make great work, you have to surround yourself with people who will push you creatively. It’s a cliché sentiment, I know, but one that’s important to be reminded of. The kind of people I’m talking about are the ones that are so passionate and dedicated to their art form they eat, sleep and breathe it.  This was the case with Infinity, and in so many ways, it was a pleasure to learn from the entire team of artists. Director Ross Manson certainly knows how to put incredible collaborators and talents together for a project and I think this is the reason for so much of Infinity’s success.

Working with Ross Manson, I also learned the importance of detail. Everything is thought of, every detail considered. But within that, finding room to allow the actors and creative team freedom to play and grow.  Also, learning to let go of elements that may seem precious, but don’t serve the overall arch of the piece. Knowing when to let go is a really difficult thing to do as a director, and I think I’m slowly learning how to see the bigger picture within the smaller moments of a play.

All in all, I feel this training has opened up my eyes to the kinds of collaborations I’d like to integrate into my own work. I loved having the chance to work in rehearsals with the playwright, movement choreographer and music composer. I’d like to continue to experiment with the merging of forms and cross-collaborations across disciplines.

I hope that Infinity will continue to have a life and reach more audiences. I especially look forward to the piece going on tour. Here’s to a fantastic project, and a great learning experience. Thanks to Theatre Ontario for making it happen and allowing me the time to train and develop my skills as a theatre maker.

Julia Hune-Brown trained in Artistic Directing with Ruth Howard at Jumblies Theatre (Toronto)


In one of Toronto’s newest public housing building, 200 audience members pack into the Community Room that overlooks Canoe Park. Just past the park—past the wall of CityPlace condos and the QEW— you can see a sliver of the slowly melting lake. This ever-evolving area of the city was the inspiration for three new musical compositions, the performance of which is why this audience has gathered here.

This musical showcase is the result of a collaboration between Tapestry New Opera and Jumblies Theatre. Jumblies commissioned three composers to write new musical compositions inspired by and written with community members. The result was three eclectic, exciting, and original compositions—including one that sees two young condo dwellers turning into fish and returning to the lake!

The performance itself brought together professional opera singers, Jumblies’ community choirs, and children from our various programs. A group of young performers from the building that I have been working with were given the special task of dancing with paper fish puppets at the end of one of the pieces.  As a result, a lot of my focus during the performance went to trying to get these first-time performers to resist the urge to jump on stage early with their puppets. However the young performers held out and triumphantly wiggled their fish puppets just at the right moment. After the show, one of these children proudly told me, “I think our part was the best. How else would the audience know the opera lady was going to live under the lake? It would not have worked without us.” I could not agree with her more!

For me, the power of community arts is seeing the cross-section of people from different ages, backgrounds, and walks of life come together to create art and exchange ideas. Over the past twelve weeks, I have learned a tremendous amount from my mentor, and Canadian community arts pioneer, Ruth Howard.  For me, this training really solidified why I want to do this work and reminded me of how impactful it can be. It also provided me with a realistic look at the logistical administrative pressure of doing this work. I was reminded daily of how complicated, exciting and challenging it is to do this work and the importance of finding the fine balance between the importance of process and inclusivity and honouring one’s artistic vision.
Gestures and Stories workshops at Jumblies Theatre

Another fulfilling learning experience I have had has been leading my own workshop series entitled Gestures and Stories. For six weeks, under the guidance of Ruth Howard and dancer artist Lilia Leon, a group of participants from the CityPlace area have been coming together to map life stories—walking, dancing, and embodying the paths of ancestors. We have been playing with echoing back these stories by having the group shadow specific moments from one another’s stories and seeing how some of these stories can come together to intersect on stage.  As we moved through the process, we decided to work with our Grandmothers stories from around the world and weaved them together on stage. We presented our outcome last week for the launch of the Touching Ground Festival to a room full of peers and friends.  For me, as a facilitator, this group of all-women participants was such a joy to work with. Their openness and willingness to jump into the process and explore was so moving and inspiring.

The past three months have been such a rich experience comprised of a whirlwind of activities.  I feel very appreciative to have been given the opportunity to lead my own workshops and support other artists from a variety of disciplines in their work with the community. I have also learned a lot by taking part in the essential organizational and administrative side of the job; including community outreach, grant writing, and tea making! As I finish up my training period with Ruth Howard, I am pleased to have been asked to continue working with Jumblies—supporting the Ground Floor and other offshoot organizations. I have also been invited to take part in Train of Thought; Jumblies’ cross Canadian tour that will be bringing together 40 different community arts organizations across the country.  I will be one of the young artists funded by the InSpirit Foundation, traveling part of the Ontario leg of the tour. I am so excited to be given the opportunity to continuing working with Ruth and to meet and learn from other senior community artist across the country. This training period feels like it has just started and will be an on going process, which is both daunting and tremendously exciting.

The next application deadline for the Professional Theatre Training Program is October 1, 2015.

Read 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.


Wednesday 29 April 2015

Browsing Our Bulletin Board

Coming Up from Theatre Ontario
Check out all of our upcoming Career Stream and Creator Stream workshops, and our Summer Theatre Intensive for actors, directors, and playwrights

Upcoming on The Bulletin Board
  • Upcoming Ontario Culture Days information sessions are in Oakville (today), Whitby (May 5), Milton (May 5) and St. Catharines (May 6).
  • The Grand Theatre’s High School Project is holding auditions for backstage positions starting today.
  • Deadline for submissions for the On the Edge Fringe Lottery in North Bay is today.
  • Deadline for submissions for Native Earth Performing Arts’ Weesageechak Begins to Dance of indigenous performing arts is April 30.
  • Deadline for nominations for the Walter Carsen Prize for Excellence in the Performing Arts from the Canada Council is April 30.
  • Deadline for applications for the Humber College Puppetry Intensive is May 1.
  • Deadline for applications for Ontario Arts Council grants for Access and Career Development is May 1.
  • Deadline for applications for Canada Council grants for Theatre Touring and Special Initiatives Program is May 1.
  • Deadline for nominations for the Christopher Plummer Fellowship Award of Excellence from the Shakespeare Globe Centre of Canada is May 1.
  • Buddies In Bad Times Theatre invites nominations for their Queer Emerging Artist Award; nomination deadline is May 1.
    Paprika Festival's Young Artists.
    The Intersection Conference is on May 2.
    Photo by Taku Kumabe
  • Paprika Festival’s Intersection Conference for a new generation of artists is May 2.
  • Kitchener-Waterloo Little Theatre is holding a dance workshop “Shaking it like Shakespeare” with Caroline McLachlan Darling, teaching 15th and 16th century dance, on May 4.
  • Deadline for applications for Culture Days @ The Library in Toronto for artists seeking a venue for a Culture Days activity is May 5.
  • The Mississauga Arts Council’s Arts in the Community Conference is May 7.
New on The Bulletin Board
  • VOS Theatre invites applications for their Ruth Harcort Memorial Scholarship for a graduating secondary school student in Northumberland County who has  shown dedication to the arts and is pursuing a post-secondary education; the application deadline is May 21.
  • Kitchener-Waterloo Little Theatre will be holding a workshop on sewing and costume building for theatre on May 24.
  • The Arts and Letters Club of Toronto Foundation invites submissions for the Robert Beardsley Award for Young Playwrights; the submission deadline is May 29.
  • STAF has announced an encore series of their popular “smART money: Personal Finance, Cash Flow and Debt Management for Arts Workers” series with Natasha Mytnowych, beginning June 3.
  • The Ottawa Fringe Festival invites submissions from Ottawa-based and national independent theatre companies for “undercurrents: Theatre Below the Mainstream”; deadline is July 31.

Check out these items, and other postings from our members of funding opportunities, workshops, calls for submission, awards, and more—on Theatre Ontario’s Bulletin Board on our website

Theatre Ontario individual members can also access auditions and job postings on our Theatre Ontario Individual Member Resources on our website

Tuesday 28 April 2015

Congratulations to the 2015 International Creators Scholarship Recipient

Theatre Ontario and Why Not Theatre congratulate Lisa Cox, who has been chosen as the recipient of the International Creators Scholarship this year.  The Scholarship allows for an emerging artist to train with Anne Bogart and the SITI Company for one month in Suzuki, Viewpoints, and directing and devising new work.  The Scholarship is a partnership between Theatre Ontario and Why Not Theatre, sponsored by SDA Enterprises and funds have been matched by artsVest Toronto.  artsVest Toronto is run by Business For The Arts with the support of Canadian Heritage and the Toronto Arts Council.

A graduate of Concordia University's Interdisciplinary Studies program, Lisa Karen Cox relishes work that combines music, movement and heightened language. Lisa often plays men and other mythical creatures.  Theatre credits include: The Penelopiad (Royal Shakespeare Co/NAC); Friar Laurence in Romeo & (her) Juliet (Headstrong Collective); Elizabeth in The Story, Igora in Weather the Weather (Theatre Columbus); Pompey in Antony and Cleopatra (Shakespeare in the Rough); 2 seasons at the Stratford Festival of Canada; Horatio in Hamlet (Beyond the Cubical Productions); and The Vagina Monologues. Lisa was also the choreographer for Nightwood Theatre's Bear with Me and Comedy of Errors. Lisa is a certified teacher and artist-educator.

"The opportunity to study with Anne Bogart and the SITI Company will deepen my understanding of my theatrical practice," said Lisa.  "The study of composition, dramaturgy, and movement will fulfill a dream of completing formal education in theatre, and develop my ability to articulate my processes and aesthetic. I am beyond excited!"

This Scholarship program is designed to address the need for theatre artists to access more contemporary artistic training opportunities and to encourage artists to set the stage for the future of theatre and performance creation in Ontario, by having the opportunity to experience high caliber international training.  The scholarship includes course training and application fees, accommodation for the training period, and a travel allowance.

SITI was founded in 1992 by Anne Bogart and Tadashi Suzuki to redefine and revitalize contemporary theatre in the United States through an emphasis on international cultural exchange and collaboration. For the past 22 years, their impact can be seen on theatre creators around the world.

Monday 27 April 2015

ONstage Openings for the week of April 27

ONstage Opening in Toronto
Of Human Bondage at Soulpepper Theatre
Dan Chameroy, Sarah Wilson, Courtney Ch'ng Lancaster,
Gregory Prest, Oliver Dennis
Photo by Cylla von Tiedemann
In Toronto
Apr. 30, The Madwoman of Chaillot at Amicus Productions
Apr. 30, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at Alexander Showcase Theatre
May 1, Bedroom Farce at Soulpepper Theatre, in previews
May 1, Needles and Opium at Canadian Stage
May 2, VideoCabaret's Trudeau and Levesque: The History of the Village of the Small Huts, 1971-1982 at Soulpepper Theatre, currently in previews
May 2, Beauty and the Geek at Solar Stage Children's Theatre
May 2, God and The Indian at Native Earth Performing Arts, in previews
May 2, Of Human Bondage at Soulpepper Theatre

In Central Ontario
May 1, Cats at Peterborough Theatre Guild

In Eastern Ontario
Apr. 29, Ontario Scene at National Arts Centre—English Theatre (Ottawa)
May 1, Maggie's Getting Married at Seaway Valley Theatre Company (Cornwall)

In South Central Ontario
Apr. 30, Peter and Wendy at Georgetown Little Theatre

In Southwestern Ontario
Apr. 30, Ding Dong Dead at Theatre Tillsonburg
Apr. 30, The Lady From the Sea at Shaw Festival (Niagara-on-the-Lake), in previews*
May 1, Hamlet at Stratford Festival, in previews
May 1, Spring Planting at Elora Community Theatre (Fergus)
May 1, One Actmanship: My Narrator / The Death of Me at London Community Players, with a preview on Apr. 30

ONstage Extended in Thunder Bay
Moose on the Loose at Magnus Theatre
Photo by Barry Wojciechowski

For all the theatre playing across Ontario, visit Theatre Ontario’s ONstage theatre listings on our website

Friday 24 April 2015

Ontario Off Stage

Anne Mooney
by Brandon Moore, Communications Coordinator

News from Theatre Ontario
Conversation Starters
Behind the Scenes at Ontario’s Theatres
TO Toasts
In Case You Missed It

Wednesday 22 April 2015

Browsing Our Bulletin Board

Coming Up from Theatre Ontario
Check out all of our upcoming Career Stream and Creator Stream workshops, and our Summer Theatre Intensive for actors, directors, and playwrights

Upcoming on The Bulletin Board
  • Upcoming Ontario Culture Days information sessions are in Newmarket (today), Burlington (Apr. 24), Thunder Bay (Apr. 27), and Oakville (Apr. 29).
  • Nightwood Theatre’s Audition Techniques Masterclass with Kelly Thornton and Michelle Alexander runs April 25 to 26 in Toronto.
  • Deadline for nominations for the Patrick Conner Award recognizing commitment to theatre and sustainability is April 27.
  • The Equity in Theatre conference is on April 27.
  • The Grand Theatre’s High School Project is holding auditions for backstage positions starting April 29.
  • Deadline for submissions for the On the Edge Fringe Lottery in North Bay is April 29.
  • Native Earth Performing Arts' Weesageechak Begins to Dance
    Deadline for submissions is April 30.
  • Deadline for submissions for Native Earth Performing Arts’ Weesageechak Begins to Dance of indigenous performing arts is April 30.
  • Deadline for nominations for the Walter Carsen Prize for Excellence in the Performing Arts from the Canada Council is April 30.
  • Deadline for applications for the Humber College Puppetry Intensive is May 1.
  • Deadline for applications for Ontario Arts Council grants for Access and Career Development is May 1.
  • Deadline for applications for Canada Council grants for Theatre Touring and Special Initiatives Program is May 1.
  • Deadline for nominations for the Christopher Plummer Fellowship Award of Excellence from the Shakespeare Globe Centre of Canada is May 1.
New on The Bulletin Board
  • The Oakville Players invites applications for the non-paying positions of director, musical director, and choreographer for their production of Miss Shakespeare; application deadline is May 16.
Check out these items, and other postings from our members of funding opportunities, workshops, calls for submission, awards, and more—on Theatre Ontario’s Bulletin Board on our website

Theatre Ontario individual members can also access auditions and job postings on our Theatre Ontario Individual Member Resources on our website

Tuesday 21 April 2015

Welcoming Our Final Two Productions to Theatre Ontario Festival 2015

by Brandon Moore, Communications Coordinator

The final two plays have been chosen for Theatre Ontario Festival 2015, completing our showcase of outstanding community theatre productions opening May 13 in Oshawa.

On Wednesday, May 13, Festival opens with Oshawa Little Theatre’s presentation of Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple, representing ACT-CO—the Association of Community Theatres of Central Ontario (ACT-CO).  This marks the first time since 2006 that the host theatre company has also been a presenting theatre company.

On Friday, May 15, last year’s Elsie Award recipients for Outstanding Festival Production return to Festival, as Peterborough Theatre Guild will again represent the Eastern Ontario Drama League as they present Born Yesterday by Garson Kanin.

With all four productions in place, we have plays written in the 1940s (Born Yesterday), the 1960s (The Odd Couple), the 1980s (Agnes of God) and the 2000s (The Clean House.)  This will also be the first Festival made up of four American plays since 1997.

We’re pleased to announce that our Festival Awards Live-Blog will return for the sixth year.  Festival celebrates excellence in community theatre, and the live-blog gives an opportunity for theatre-lovers across Ontario who can’t be in Oshawa to follow along with the Festival Awards presentation.  In addition to the Festival Awards, the Brunch will feature the presentation of the Michael Spence Award to John Storey of Markham for his outstanding contribution to community theatre in the ACT-CO region.

We’re also excited to introduce two more educational events at Festival.  On Thursday afternoon, Festival-goers can join us at our workshop with Playwrights Guild of Canada on “Canadian Plays in Community Theatres.”  On Saturday afternoon, immediately following our Annual General Meeting, our Youth Advisory Committee hosts “Cultivating Tomorrow’s Artists”, a conversation about engaging youth in theatre programming.  With detailed adjudications of the previous night’s performances, and our previously announced Playwright-in-Person event with Damien Atkins on Friday afternoon, Theatre Ontario Festival is the go-to educational event for the serious community theatre practitioner.

Monday 20 April 2015

ONstage Openings for the week of April 20

In Southwestern Ontario
Apr. 21, The Sound of Music at Stratford Festival in previews
Apr. 22, The Diary of Anne Frank at Stratford Festival, in previews
Apr. 23, The Odd Couple at The Registry Theatre (Kitchener)
Apr. 24, Harvey at St. Marys Community Players
Apr. 26, You Never Can Tell at Shaw Festival (Niagara-on-the-Lake) in previews*

In Toronto
Apr. 21, HOOKED at Theatre Passe Muraille, currently in previews*
Apr. 21, tagged at Young People's Theatre
Apr. 24, Maggie's Getting Married at Bloor West Village Players
Apr. 25, Elly's Emotions at Solar Stage Children's Theatre
Apr. 25, VideoCabaret's Trudeau and Levesque: The History of the Village of the Small Huts, 1971-1982 at Soulpepper Theatre, in previews

ONstage Opening in Eastern Ontario
Once Upon a Mattress at Mississippi Mudds of Carleton Place
In Eastern Ontario
Apr. 21, Oh, Canada, We Sing For Thee! at Upper Canada Playhouse (Morrisburg)
Apr. 23, The Double at National Arts Centre—English Theatre (Ottawa), with previews on Apr. 21
Apr. 24, Once Upon a Mattress at Mississippi Mudds of Carleton Place

In Northeastern Ontario
Apr. 22, Missing at Sault Theatre Workshop
Apr. 24, In Piazza San Domenico at Sudbury Theatre Centre, with a preview from Apr. 23

In South Central Ontario
Apr. 23, Lost in Yonkers at Theatre Aurora

ICYMI: Check out last week’s openings

For all the theatre playing across Ontario, visit Theatre Ontario’s ONstage theatre listings on our website

Theatre Ontario individual members can access discount ticket offers for shows marked with an * asterisk

Read more about Theatre Ontario’s Discount Tickets program

Friday 17 April 2015

Ontario Off Stage

by Brandon Moore, Communications Coordinator
VOS Theatre members at the EODL Brunch.
We shall not identify them out of respect
for their clear and intense desire for privacy.

Conversation Starters
Behind the Scenes at Ontario’s Theatres
TO Toasts
In Case You Missed It

You can also receive news from Theatre Ontario every month by email.  Our archives are online and the April issue is now available.

Thursday 16 April 2015

Volunteer Week across Canada

by Bruce Pitkin, Executive Director

Thank you to all our volunteers who contribute in every way possible to the success of Theatre Ontario.

We are so very grateful for all the moments of time, energies of thought and action that you graciously extend to us. Your acts of kindness foster the collective spirit of community required in creating theatre and for that we express our profound appreciation.

To our Board of Directors, our Youth Advisory Committee, our juries and committees, our Festival participants, and the countless individuals and groups that gather morning, noon and night to lend a hand, we salute and thank you!



Wednesday 15 April 2015

Browsing Our Bulletin Board

Coming Up from Theatre Ontario
Check out all of our upcoming Career Stream and Creator Stream workshops, and our Summer Theatre Intensive for actors, directors, and playwrights

Upcoming on The Bulletin Board
  • Canada Council grant deadlines for the Theatre International Program and Grants to Theatre Artists (Individual Creation, Playwright-in-Residency, Artist-in-Residency and Professional Development) is today.
  • Upcoming Ontario Culture Days information sessions are in Huntsville (Apr. 15), Brantford (Apr. 16), Newmarket (Apr. 22), and Burlington (Apr. 24).
  • The Shaw Festival’s next Teachers Day of professional development is April 17.
    Teachers Day at the Shaw Festival
  • The Shaw Festival’s first spring workshop for teens: En Garde!, for youth interested in learning stage weapon combat,  is April 18.
  • Canadian Stage's Spotlight South Africa Artist Panels continue this week: The Trajectory of a Production on touring political work (Apr. 18), In Conversation with Luyanda Sidiya (Apr. 20), and Political Art (Apr. 22).
  • Early-bird deadline for registrations for the Canadian Arts Marketing, Development and Ticketing Conference is April 22.
New on The Bulletin Board
  • Deadline for submissions for Native Earth Performing Arts’ Weesageechak Begins to Dance of indigenous performing arts has been extended to April 30.
  • Culture Days @ The Library now invites applications for this program providing free space for Toronto artists and arts organizations seeking a venue for a Culture Days activity; the deadline is May 5.
Check out these items, and other postings from our members of funding opportunities, workshops, calls for submission, awards, and more—on Theatre Ontario’s Bulletin Board on our website

Theatre Ontario individual members can also access auditions and job postings on our Theatre Ontario Individual Member Resources on our website

Monday 13 April 2015

ONstage Openings for the week of April 13

In South Central Ontario
Apr. 16, The 39 Steps at Whitby Courthouse Theatre
Apr. 16, The Fox on the Fairway at Burl-Oak Theatre Group (Oakville)
Apr. 17, Barefoot in the Park at Theatre Burlington
Apr. 17, Sex Please, We're Sixty at Georgetown Little Theatre

ONstage Now Playing in Guelph
Noises Off at Guelph Little Theatre
Jen Barson and Trevor Smith Diggins
In Southwestern Ontario
Apr. 16, The Crazy Time at Drayton Entertainment: St. Jacobs Country Playhouse, with previews from Apr. 15
Apr. 16, Hamlet at Kitchener-Waterloo Little Theatre
Apr. 17, BOOM at The Grand Theatre (London), with previews from Apr. 14
Apr. 17, Monty Python's Spamalot at Theatre Aquarius (Hamilton), with previews from Apr. 15
Apr. 17, 1 Hit Wonders at Theatre Ancaster (Hamilton)
Apr. 17, Same Time, Next Year at Elmira Theatre Company
Apr. 17, Sweet Charity at Shaw Festival (Niagara-on-the-Lake) in previews*

In Toronto
Apr. 16, Tom at the Farm at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, currently in previews
Apr. 16, Emily's Piano at Young People's Theatre, with previews from Apr. 13
Apr. 16, HOOKED at Theatre Passe Muraille, in previews*
Apr. 18, The Spectacular Seas at Solar Stage Children's Theatre

In Central Ontario
Apr. 16, The Portrait at Owen Sound Little Theatre, with a preview on Apr. 15

ONstage Opening in Ottawa
The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon at Algonquin College
In Eastern Ontario
Apr. 15, The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon at Algonquin College (Ottawa)*
Apr. 16, Love From a Stranger at Smiths Falls Community Theatre

ICYMI: Check out last week’s openings

For all the theatre playing across Ontario, visit Theatre Ontario’s ONstage theatre listings on our website

Theatre Ontario individual members can access discount ticket offers for shows marked with an * asterisk

Read more about Theatre Ontario’s Discount Tickets program

Friday 10 April 2015

Ontario Off Stage

by Brandon Moore, Communications Coordinator

Conversation Starters
Behind the Scenes at Ontario’s Theatres
Migrations
In Case You Missed It

Thursday 9 April 2015

Member Profile: Meet Joanne Williams

By Rachel Stableford, Development Coordinator

Joanne Williams
If there is one thing Joanne Williams could tell young theatre artists starting out it would be to “get out there and see as many shows as possible, be an audience member.”  After moving to Toronto from Kingston, Joanne immersed herself in the Toronto theatre scene, and claims it’s one of the best ways to network.  “It’s not about handing out business cards,” Joanne says, “it’s about developing relationships and seizing opportunities.”  It can be hard to break into theatre in Toronto if you don’t already have connections and are new to the city.  So what did Joanne do?  She volunteered.  People starting out in their careers are probably tired of being told to volunteer, but Joanne claims it is not only a great way to gain experience and connections but to also find out where you fit in, and where your passions lie.

Joanne first started volunteering at Nightwood Theatre in Toronto as a production assistant and at other theatres as an usher.  After one year, (the minimum amount of time she feels is enough to feel integrated into the theatre scene) she knew one thing for sure, she would not be pursuing acting as a profession.  Laughing she tells the story of one of her professors telling her class that “if you like anything else (besides acting), do that!”  So what else did Joanne like? Directing.  Joanne tells me that “theatre artists have to decide where they want to put their effort.”  Directing, Joanne knows she’s doing what she’s supposed to do.  It pumps up her adrenaline, lights up her brain and she says that when she’s directing, she “feels the most articulate.”

After working at Canadian Stage as the Artistic and Company Manager, and now at the Toronto Fringe Festival as the Interim General Manager, Joanne is interested in leadership positions and enjoys arts administration.  She says that she would one day (as would most directors) like to direct on the main stage.  For now, she is having a fantastic time in indie theatre with a long list of shows under her belt and will continue working on productions that challenge her.

Wednesday 8 April 2015

Browsing Our Bulletin Board

Coming Up from Theatre Ontario
Check out all of our upcoming Career Stream and Creator Stream workshops, and our Summer Theatre Intensive for actors, directors, and playwrights

Upcoming on The Bulletin Board
Cahoots Theatre is hosting a free technician workshop
on their Creation Studio space and its equipment
  • Auditions for The Grand Theatre’s High School Project in London for actors/vocalists and orchestra begin April 9.
  • Nightwood Theatre Writer’s Ink Masterclass for playwrights with Maja Ardal runs April 11 and 12.
  • Cahoots Theatre is hosting a free workshop on their Creation Studio: learn a variety of practical skills to use the studio and its equipment; offered on April 12 and on April 13.
  • Playwrights Guild of Canada “Adaptations” workshop series with Marcia Johnson starts April 13.
  • Canada Council grant deadlines for the Theatre International Program and Grants to Theatre Artists (Individual Creation, Playwright-in-Residency, Artist-in-Residency and Professional Development) is April 15.
  • Deadline for submissions for Native Earth Performing Arts’ Weesageechak Begins to Dance of indigenous performing arts is April 15.
Check out these items, and other postings from our members of funding opportunities, workshops, calls for submission, awards, and more—on Theatre Ontario’s Bulletin Board on our website

Theatre Ontario individual members can also access auditions and job postings on our Theatre Ontario Individual Member Resources on our website

Tuesday 7 April 2015

ONstage Openings for the week of April 7

ONstage in Stouffville
Readings in Wineries from Shadowpath Theatre Productions
In Northwestern Ontario
Apr. 10, Moose on the Loose at Magnus Theatre (Thunder Bay), with a preview on Apr. 9

In South Central Ontario
Apr. 12, Readings in Wineries at Shadowpath Theatre Productions (Stouffville)

In Southwestern Ontario
Apr. 8, Peter and the Starcatcher at Shaw Festival (Niagara-on-the-Lake) in previews*
Apr. 9, Unnecessary Farce at Goderich Little Theatre
Apr. 10, Harvest at Theatre Woodstock
Apr. 10, Noises Off at Guelph Little Theatre

ONstage Opening in Toronto
I Am Marguerite at Alumnae Theatre (world premiere)
Photo by Bruce Peters
In Toronto
Apr. 7, Peer Gynt at George Brown Theatre School
Apr. 7, Urinetown (Concert Version) at Ryerson Theatre School
Apr. 7, Spring Awakening at Ryerson Theatre School
Apr. 8, Anna Karenina at George Brown Theatre School
Apr. 8, Spotlight South Africa at Canadian Stage
Apr. 9, Les Filles du Roi at ACT II Studio Theatre
Apr. 10, I Am Marguerite at Alumnae Theatre Company
Apr. 10, West Side Story at Curtain Call Players
Apr. 10, Enchanted April at Scarborough Players
Apr. 11, Rocketbaby at Solar Stage Children's Theatre
Apr. 11, Tom at the Farm at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, in previews
Apr. 12, The Schoolyard Carmen at Solar Stage Children's Theatre

In Central Ontario
Apr. 9, Dogfight The Musical at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (Peterborough)
Apr. 10, Norman Bray in the Performance of His Life at Theatre Orangeville
Apr. 10, Rabbit Hole at Northumberland Players (Cobourg)

In Eastern Ontario
Apr. 9, Jake's Women at Belleville Theatre Guild

ICYMI: Check out last week’s openings

For all the theatre playing across Ontario, visit Theatre Ontario’s ONstage theatre listings on our website

Theatre Ontario individual members can access discount ticket offers for shows marked with an * asterisk
Read more about Theatre Ontario’s Discount Tickets program

Thursday 2 April 2015

Join Us at the Theatre Ontario Annual General Meeting

Annual General Meeting 2014
Theatre Ontario invites all members to join us at our Annual General Meeting on May 16 at 1:30pm at the Quality Hotel and Conference Centre, 1011 Bloor Street East, Oshawa.

With the approval of our new By-Law at last year's Annual Meeting, there are several procedural changes this year, including:
  • A membership must be paid one month prior to the Annual Meeting in order to be an eligible voter;
  • Organizations and families need to designate representatives in writing;
  • Proxyholders no longer need to be members of Theatre Ontario.
We also invite nominations for our 2015-2016 Board of Directors.

Find out more about the Theatre Ontario Annual General Meeting.

Wednesday 1 April 2015

Browsing Our Bulletin Board

Coming Up from Theatre Ontario
Check out all of our upcoming Career Stream and Creator Stream workshops, and our Summer Theatre Intensive for actors, directors, and playwrights

Upcoming on The Bulletin Board
The Grand Theatre's High School Project
Photo by Gamila Wasfi
  • Upcoming Ontario Arts Council grant deadline today for Arts Education Organizations, Community-Engaged Arts Organizations, Community Arts Councils, Multi and Inter-Arts Organizations, National and International Residency, and Playwright Residency.
  • Early-bird registration deadline for the Humber College Puppetry Intensive is today
  • Deadline for nominations for the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts’ Dora Ancillary Awards (Silver Ticket, George Luscombe Award for mentorship, Leonard McHardy and John Harvey Award for administrators) is today.
  • Auditions for The Grand Theatre’s High School Project in London for actors/vocalists and orchestra begin April 9.
New on The Bulletin Board
  • Cahoots Theatre is hosting a free workshop on their Creation Studio: learn a variety of practical skills to use the studio and its equipment; offered on April 12 and on April 13.
  • Nominations are now open for the Patrick Conner Award, honouring individuals whose work intersects theatre and sustainability; the nomination deadline is April 27.
  • The Mississauga Arts Council is hosting their inaugural “Arts in Community” conference on May 7.
Check out these items, and other postings from our members of funding opportunities, workshops, calls for submission, awards, and more—on Theatre Ontario’s Bulletin Board on our website

Theatre Ontario individual members can also access auditions and job postings on our Theatre Ontario Individual Member Resources on our website