Job (Edmonton): Property Master – University of Alberta Department of Drama

Property Master
Department of Drama – University of Alberta
Competition No. – S110117424
Posting Date – May 10, 2012
Closing Date – Jun 01, 2012

Position Type – Full Time – Operating Funded
Salary Range – $4,207 to $5,766 per month
Grade – 09
Hours – 35

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package which can be viewed at: www.hrs.ualberta.ca.

This recurring term position works annually from approximately mid-August to mid-June.

Since its inception in the 1940s, the University of Alberta’s Department of Drama has been a visionary leader in Canadian theatre, recognized as one of the foremost university theatre programs in Canada. The first university in Canada to have a Playwright-in-Residence, the Department of Drama is home to a roster of expert faculty members with extensive professional credentials. With five undergraduate programs (B.A and B.F.A specializations), five graduate-level programs (M.A and M.F.A specializations) and English Canada’s first PhD in Performance Studies, the Department of Drama continues to develop emerging artists into members of the professional theatre community.

The Property Master forms part of a team of highly experienced theatre production professionals that mentor students as they learn in an apprenticeship-style manner within a busy production environment. The Department produces a season (Studio Theatre) of six public productions within the Timms Centre for the Arts – an outstanding theatre facility which contains a main-stage (proscenium configuration with full fly tower), black box theatre, fully equipped workshops, and large rehearsal hall. Another 20 small scale productions are produced in theatres and studios in the Timms and the adjoining Fine Arts Building.

Reporting to the Production Manager, the Property Master is primarily responsible for the construction and maintenance of the properties for the Department’s public presentations within the Studio Theatre season, and provides assistance to many other productions culminating out of classes within the Department. The Property Master provides direct demonstration to students within the BFA Design, Technical and Stage Management programs.

Duties

  • Works effectively with creative and production team members (students, faculty and professionals) during design development and implementation processes
  • Assists faculty in developing ideas to enable design concept; this may require research, developing prototypes or interpreting sketches into workable drawings or techniques
  • Budgets, sources and fabricates hand props, special effects, furnishings and set dressing as well as expendable prop items
  • Oversees the costing of hand and furniture properties for productions to ensure it stays within the budget
  • Monitors, maintains and repairs the property shop equipment and facilities; develops stock lists as necessary to keep the area fully equipped
  • Maintains and repairs hand and furniture property collection
  • Demonstrates property construction techniques to students; ensures proper safety procedures and protective equipment are properly used
  • Ensures that the running crew for properties is properly trained to fulfill the requirements of each production
  • Manages upkeep of and access to hand and furniture property inventory
  • Acts as consultant to faculty, staff and students in the area of properties
  • Performs other related duties with respect to productions and administration

Qualifications

  • Post-secondary diploma in Theatre Arts including training in technical theatre; undergraduate degree preferred; equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered
  • Five years experience as a head of properties within a theatrical setting including supervision and budgetary control responsibilities
  • Demonstrated mastery of various types of power tools, woodworking tools, rigging equipment, theatrical systems, and computer equipment, and a strong knowledge of risk assessment procedures for each
  • Ability to lift upwards of 50 lbs regularly
  • Demonstrated ability to multitask
  • Ability to consistently meet deadlines, create accurate cost projections as well as monitor progress and supervise students and/or staff
  • First Aid Certificate training; CPR training an asset
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills with attention to detail
  • Experience working within a post-secondary learning environment an asset

How to Apply:
Please visit: http://www.careers.ualberta.ca/Competition/S110117424/

Call for Submissions (Edmonton): 2012 Enbridge Nextfest Emerging Artist Awards

The Enbridge Nextfest Emerging Artist Awards are designed to recognize, encourage and support the initiative and excellence of young independent artists residing in Alberta. For the purpose of these awards an emerging artist is defined as an individual who

  • is under the age of 30
  • has completed an initial phase of training in their artistic field
  • is on the cusp of visibility

The intention of The Awards is to support and encourage artistic activity. Awards are not intended to fund production costs, promotional materials, or post-secondary tuition. Assessment of nominees will be based on the uniqueness, plausibility, and community involvement of the articulated artistic activity.

How To Apply: An individual artist will nominate him/herself for the award. The nomination will articulate the individual’s artistic activity, (past, present, and future). “Artistic activity” may include research, professional development, facilitation, or creation. It is highly recommended that if an artistic activity involves a partnership (e.g. a mentorship with an established artist) that evidence be provided confirming that partner’s participation (i.e. letter of invitation, letter of agreement, receipt of registration, etc). Nextfest will not be responsible for the return of support materials, so please do not send originals.

The total award allocation for 2012 will not exceed $5,000. The quantity of awards will be determined by the jury, but generally each award is a minimum of $1,000. Meeting eligibility requirements does not guarantee an award. Awards will be announced and presented at the Nextfest 2012 Opening Ceremonies on June 7, 2012.

Nominations are to be sent to:
Enbridge Nextfest Emerging Artist Awards
c/o The Roxy Theatre
10708 124 St
Edmonton, AB
T5M 0H1

Or emailed to:
steve@nextfest.ca
Deadline: May 31, 2012

Event (Edmonton): Varscona Crystal Ball 2012: Raising The Roof – Varscona Theatre

Varscona Crystal Ball 2012: Raising the Roof!!

The grass is green, the lilacs are looming, roadwork is everywhere, and this can only mean that spring is nigh and it’s therefore time for the Varscona Theatre Alliance to present our annual fundraising gala. The 5th Annual Crystal Ball will indeed take place on the evening of Saturday, May 19th and this year’s event returns to the Varscona Theatre itself. It’ll be a fun-filled night featuring great food, door prizes, a fantastic silent auction, and sparkling entertainment provided by a terrific line-up of favorite Varscona performers all in support of Shadow Theatre, Teatro La Quindicina, and the Varscona Theatre.

Hosted by Jeff Haslam, and Davina Stewart, the evening promises to be not only entertaining, but informative too. This year’s Crystal Ball patrons will be among the first to hear details of the Varscona Theatre’s exciting upcoming renovations, as we visit with the project’s architect, Allan Partridge of Group Two Architecture. And there’ll be a very special guest appearance by one of the Varscona’s biggest boosters, Mayor Stephen Mandel!

Also on the program are musical performances by Sheri Somerville, Andrea House, Kristi Hansen, Amber Bissonnette, and Shannon Blanchet, among others, with jazzman Josh Mellott presiding at the keyboard throughout the show. Other Shadow and Teatro luminaries on hand for the evening will be Leona Brausen, Coralie Cairns, Belinda Cornish, John Hudson, Stewart Lemoine, and Dame Judy Unwin.

In addition to the entertainment, there’ll be great food, provided by sponsors Packrat Louie, The Next Act, The New Asian Village, and Upper Crust Catering. The ever-popular Silent Auction will feature an amazing array of offerings including original artworks, wine and scotch tastings, spa sessions, restaurant and travel deals, and much, much more! And because not everyone enjoys spending money discreetly, we’ll be bringing back our always-enjoyable and often hair-raising Live Auction, featuring irresistible auctioneers Andrew MacDonald-Smith and Jana O’Connor.

The Crystal Ball 2012: Raising the Roof is on Saturday, May 19th at The Varscona Theatre (10329 83 Avenue). Doors open at 6:30, with the show commencing at 7:30. Food will be served prior to the show and at intermission, with dessert following the entertainment.

Admission is $85- with a tax receipt issued for a portion of each ticket. For reservations, please call Shadow Theatre at 780 434-5564 or you may book online or on the phone through Tix on the Square (780) 420-1757 or www.tixonthesquare.ca.

Event (Calgary): Report to the Community – Calgary Arts Development

You’re Invited: Calgary Arts Development Report to the Community

Please join us as we present highlights from 2011 and look toward the legacy of Calgary’s year as a Cultural Capital of Canada.

Monday, May 28 
4:30pm – 5:30pm

Theatre Junction GRAND 
608 1st Street SW

Opening Remarks: Calgary Arts Development Board of Directors 
Presentation: Calgary Arts Development Staff 
Panel Discussion, Q&A: Calgary Arts Development Board of Directors 
Questions for the panel are welcome in advance to emiko.muraki@calgaryartsdevelopment.com.

To reserve a seat, please visit CADAReport.Eventbrite.com
Note that the presentation will begin at 4:30pm.

Post-event, Ubu Lounge will have a set menu available (5:30 – 7:00pm).

Then, join us at 7:00pm for PechaKucha Night Calgary #12: Eureka. Seating is limited. To reserve a seat, please visit PKN12.Eventbrite.com.

For more information, visit CalgaryArtsDevelopment.com or call 403.264.5330.

Alberta Play “Sequence” finalist in STAGE International Playwriting Competition

Sequence, by Arun Lakra, an eye surgeon and writer from Calgary, Canada, is a humorous and complicated exploration of the importance of order – in our genetic code, in chronology, and in our lives.   It was the winning full-length script in APN’s 2011 Alberta Playwriting Competition and received a staged reading at PlayWorks Ink 2011.

Arun Lakra

And now, the play has been announced as one of three finalists (the only one from Canada) for the STAGE International Playwriting CompetitionSTAGE Scientists, Technologists and Artists Generating Exploration – will award the winning playwright a $10,000 cash prize and an opportunity to further develop their play. Nearly 200 scripts from a dozen countries were submitted for this competition. 

The winner will be selected by a world-class panel of judges, all multiple award-winners in their own right: Tony Kushner, Pulitzer Prize, Tony Award, Olivier Award, Emmy Award, Obie Award, and Steinberg Distinguished Playwright Award winner; David Lindsay-Abaire, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright; Donald Margulies, Pulitzer Prize and Obie Award-winning playwright; Dr. Robert C. Richardson, Nobel Laureate in physics; Dr. Frank Wilczek, Nobel Laureate in physics; and Dr. David Wineland, winner of the National Medal of Science and the Benjamin Franklin Medal. 

Click here for the full press release

 

Call for Photos! Promote through Theatre Alberta’s Facebook page.

Do you have a production photo or workshop image that you would like featured on our Facebook page cover photo? 

Email a jpeg photo to Aaron Talbot, Communications and Marketing Coordinator, and we’ll post it for a week! (Photos uploaded every Wednesday, unless special arrangements are made.) We’re interested in pictures of people, not things – and be sure to let Aaron know if there’s a specific date range during which you’d like the picture posted.

Offer only available to Theatre Alberta members in good standing.

Call for Submissions (National): Students & Emerging Artists – Compass Points/ Magnetic North Theatre Festival

Call for Participants: Compass Points, Magnetic North Theatre Festival
June 16-21, 2012

Compass Points is a gathering of post-secondary students and emerging artists from across the country which helps them navigate the Festival and offers a first-hand introduction to the professional theatre industry. Organized in consultation with students from the University of Calgary and emerging artists from across the nation, the week-long event consists of workshops, panel discussions, and social events, all designed to inspire participants to chart their own course in Canadian theatre.

Compass Points builds on the festival experience – performances, Magnetic Encounters and the Industry Series – with the student and emerging artist perspective in mind. Past topics include touring in Canadian theatre, theatre creation and criticism in the age of blogging, union do’s and don’ts, grant writing for emerging artists, new play development, self-production, and workshops led by some of Canada’s most prominent theatre directors. Topics and events vary from year to year to complement festival programming and address current concerns and questions. This year we are proud to announce Mary Vingoe as our Keynote Speaker. Events include workshops, discussions, and panels featuring Peter Hinton, Brenda Leadlay, and Rebecca Northan.

Compass Points is currently accepting applications from across the country. We welcome university, conservatory, college and independently-taught students, and emerging artists from all aspects of theatre including but not limited to acting, directing, playwriting, design, technical production and arts administration.

Early Bird Special ($89 includes events and tickets to eight shows) available until May 15th, 2012. Space at Compass Points is limited. Applications will be reviewed on a per case basis.

See www.magneticnorthfestival.ca for applications and full schedule of events or contact compasspoints@magneticnorthfestival.ca for more information.

Auditions (Edmonton): Extras – A Christmas Carol – Citadel Theatre

AUDITION NOTICE – 2 MALE AND 1 FEMALE EXTRA – CITADEL THEATRE 

Production name: A Christmas Carol
Date production rehearsal/job starts: 11/13/2012
Deadline to submit: 06/01/2012
Email applications to: Peni Christopher at pchristopher@citadeltheatre.com 

The specific character traits are:

*       Male 1 is a slender, elegant father, above average height who appears to be about 40 years old or older.
*       Male 2 is slender, elegant nephew, above average height who appears to be about 25 years old.
*       The female is average height and weight and will appear in limited song and dance sequences so should have some singing and movement skills; appears to be over 55 years of age.

Note: Extras must be Edmonton-based — travel and/or accommodation will not be offered. Remuneration will be Equity minimum for “A” category Extras.

Audition date and location TBA.

Please forward photo and resume by email to pchristopher@citadeltheatre.com or by surface mail or in person to:

Christmas Carol EXTRA Auditions
Citadel Theatre
9828 101A Avenue
Edmonton, AB  T5J 3C6 

Resumes will be accepted until June 1, 2012. Equity members preferred.

Event (Edmonton): 2012-2013 Season Launch – Walterdale Playhouse

Walterdale Playhouse is delighted to be launching our Retrospective Season and would very much like to share this launch, complete with reading from the season plays, with you.

We hope you will be able to ‘come on down’ to Walterdale, the oldest community theatre in western Canada, and celebrate what we believe will be a tremendous season!

Mark your calendar for May 23 at 4 p.m.!

 

News: Heather Klimchuk named Minister of Culture

Premier Alison Redford has named her new cabinet. Heather Klimchuk will remain Minister of Culture.

Her title has been slightly altered, having lost the “and Community Services” from the Ministry’s name. However, according to the Changes to Government Structure table released today, the ministry’s major responsibilities will continue to be “Culture and Community Services.”

Congratulations Ms. Klimchuk – Theatre Alberta looks forward to continuing to work with you.

Click here to access the provincial government’s news release and backgrounders.