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"Every now and then, when you're on stage, you hear the best sound a player can hear. It's a sound you can't get in movies or in television. It is the sound of a wonderful, deep silence that means you've hit them where they live."

~ Shelley Winters (actress)

 

What's New at TA

PLAYBILL POSTER 2011/2012 - SUBMIT YOUR SEASON NOW!

Listing your season on the 2011/2012 Playbill poster is free as a benefit of group membership with Theatre Alberta. The submission pages are now available online, so you can quickly and easily submit your company and season info on our website as well as renew or apply for your group membership. Group Membership must be valid through to the last day of your final season production. The rate for non-members to list productions on Playbill is still only $20/listing. There is no charge to list your theatre company's contact information on the sidebar of the poster. Contact Theatre Alberta for more information on the many benefits of group membership. New groups form every year, so feel free to share this notice with new theatre companies you know of! Remember, submitting your season for the Playbill poster automatically lists you on the searchable online version which receives thousands of hits every month. New online features planned for the coming season include venue mapping, highlighting of Canadian and Albertan works and more!

DON'T WAIT! The deadline for submitting your information is June 30, 2011.
Click Here to submit your company and season info.

ARTSTREK UPDATE

If you're checking your mailbox for your Artstrek acceptance letter, check your email inbox instead!  Acceptance packages are being emailed to students and their families starting May 30.  As we all know, sometimes email messages wind up in spam or trash folders, so check theses folders as well!  Your acceptance package contains your Student Handbook, an information sheet for your family, and a map of Red Deer College.  
Still itching to go to Artstrek?  Selected spots remain in Exploration I for students ages
13 to 15 —contact the Artstrek registrar to confirm availability.

PLAYWORKS INK - SAVE THE DATE!

Theatre Alberta and Alberta Playwrights' Network are busily planning our Calgary theatre conference, PlayWorks Ink. You will not want to miss this year's event so book your imagination playdate with PlayWorks Ink now. PlayWorks Ink runs November 3 - 6, 2011. Stay tuned to our website as PWI programming unfolds in the coming days and months!

LIBRARY NEWS

Thank you to everyone who has recently donated items to the library. For now, our shelves are bursting and we cannot take any more donations at this time.

LIBRARY AND OFFICE HOURS

On June 1, the library starts its summer schedule. The library will be open Monday through Friday from 10am to 3pm. The library will be closed Saturdays for the summer and will resume Saturday openings September 10.

The library and office will be closed and the drop box unavailable for the Canada Day long weekend July 1 - 3. We will re-open on July 4.

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Theatre News

2011 PROVINCIAL ONE ACT FESTIVAL RESULTS ARE IN!

In May theatre from all corners of the province was featured, celebrated, and recognized at two annual provincial one act drama competitions: the Alberta Drama Festival for adult amateur performances took place May 20 - 21 in Lethbridge and the Alberta High School Drama Festival took place May 12 - 14 in Red Deer. More>

APN ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF THE ALBERTA PLAYWRITING COMPETITION

The Alberta Playwrights' Network is pleased to announce the winners of the 2011 Alberta Playwriting Competition, the longest running provincial competition of its kind in Canada, offering the largest cash prize of any provincial playwriting competition. This year 51 entries in total were received from across Alberta. More>

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION FOR ROSEBUD MERCANTILE

Like the pioneers who built the first Rosebud Mercantile 100 years ago, the spirit of rural Alberta is celebrated as Rosebud Centre of the Arts officially opens the newly renovated and expanded Rosebud Mercantile. "The Rosebud Mercantile is a dream come true," remarks Executive Director Bob Davis. "It was a 10-year journey from visioning to planning, fundraising and then construction. But it was worth every minute. We now have a multi-use facility that can help us grow, expand and create new opportunities for decades to come." More>

PLAYWRIGHTS GUILD OF CANADA LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE

Thanks to project funding received from the Ontario Arts Council, Playwrights Guild of Canada launches a new, user-friendly website to members and the general public. A visitor to the website will be able to purchase plays directly online, book Canada Council Playwright Readings, obtain amateur production rights and register for events. Additionally, PGC members will have access to their own profile page, making it easier to update their bio, promote their work, list their upcoming productions and connect with other members. More>

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Shows Opening

June 1 - July 5

Full Playbill

CALGARY

Fix Everything
June 1 - 4, Scorpio Theatre More>

Emerging Director Presentation
June 2 - 4, Lunchbox Theatre More>

Suncor Energy Stage One Festival of New Work
June 10 - 25, Lunchbox Theatre More>

The Queens
June 8 - 18, The Shakespeare Company More>

Ignite! Calgary's Festival for Emerging Artists
June 9 - 11, Sage Theatre More>

Queen Anne's Revenge: The Rise & Fall of Blackbeard the Pirate
June 9 - 18, Mob Hit Productions More>

SHE
June 16 - 25, Trepan Theatre More>

Tweet, Tweet
June 22, TALES Calgary More>

Don't Hug Me
June 23 - Aug 28, Stage West Theatre Restaurant More>

Red Lips: The Musical
June 24 - July 2, Liquid Meld Theatre 403-246-2999

EDMONTON

Nextfest 2011
June 2 - 12, Theatre Network More>

Broadway Rocks 2!
June 9 - 18, Edmonton Musical Theatre More>

Let There Be Height - An Aerial Cabaret
June 10 - 11, Firefly Theatre & Circus More>

Sprouts New Play Festival for Kids
June 11 - 12, Concrete Theatre Society More>

Improvaganza
June 15 - 25, Rapid Fire Theatre More>

Little Shop of Horrors
June 17 - 25, Two ONE-WAY Tickets to Broadway Productions More>

tick, tick, BOOM!
June 22 - 26, Rabid Marmot Productions More>

Freewill Shakespeare Festival
June 28 - July 24, Freewill Shakespeare Festival More>

ALBERTA

Last Known Position
June 2 - 4, Tree House Youth Theatre, Red Deer More>

Meet the Street
June 12, Rendezvous 2011, St. Albert More>

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Jobs & Auditions      

JOBS

{ CALGARY and area }

Head of Sound, Alberta Theatre Projects

Props Person, Vertigo Theatre

Part-time Facility Caretaker, Morpheus Theatre

Grant Writer, Centre Stage Theatre

Voice and Piano Teachers, Summit School of Dance & Music

Corporate Sponsorship Manager, One Yellow Rabbit & High Performance Rodeo

Casual Technical Crew, One Yellow Rabbit

Director, Jasper's Habitat for Humanity (for Calgary production)

{ EDMONTON and area }

Stage Manager, Movements Dance Ensemble

Director, Jasper's Habitat for Humanity (for Edmonton production)

{ ALBERTA }

Stage Hands, City of Fort Saskatchewan

{ CANADA }

No new postings at this time

AUDITIONS

{ CALGARY and area }

Moving On (film), Badactr Productions

Anne of Green Gables, StoryBook Theatre

The Odd Couple, Morpheus Theatre

{ EDMONTON and area }

Voiceovers, Athabasca University

Ouroboros, Apocalypse Productions

Snowflake (short film), Ham Pictures

Simply the Best: Motown Meets Vegas (actors and dancers), Movements Dance Ensemble

Citadel Theatre Young Company, Citadel Theatre

Pinocchio (actors and pianist), Alberta Opera

{ ALBERTA }

General Auditions, Ignition Theatre, Red Deer

{ CANADA }

General Auditions, Persephone Theatre, Saskatoon SK

Only NEW job & audition opportunities (received since the previous Buzz issue) are listed above.

Postings are updated weekly:
Full Jobs Postings  |  Full Auditions Postings

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Submissions & Workshops

SUBMISSIONS

WORKSHOP THEATRE CALL FOR DIRECTORS

Calgary
Workshop Theatre would like to invite submissions from interested parties to direct one of the plays planned for its 2011/2012 season. More>

Deadline: open until positions are filled

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: THE BETTY MITCHELL AWARDS

Calgary
The Betty Mitchell Awards in Calgary is currently accepting nominations for the following awards:
The Greg Bond Memorial Award intended to honour outstanding achievement by an individual — either for this season or for accumulated dedication or achievement — in musical theatre in Calgary
The Duval Lang Theatre for Young Audiences Award which has been created to honor an individual or group of individuals who have made an outstanding contribution or significant achievement in the field of Theatre for Young Audiences in Calgary
The Dean Ott/Debbie Boult Award created to honour a member of Calgary's theatre community who has made a major contribution or significant achievement in the area of technical production. More>

Deadline for submissions: June 30, 2011

WORKSHOPS

THEATRE WORKSHOPS FOR SENIORS - FEST (Festival of Edmonton Seniors Theatre)

Workshops run June 11 in Edmonton
Workshops run at the University of Alberta's Timms Centre for the Arts from 1:00-3:00pm (Comedy Improv for Seniors or Performance Storytelling) or 3:30-5:30pm (Intro to Acting for Seniors or Rock 'n' Roll for Seniors) with free refreshments at 3:00pm.  More>

ADVANCED PLAYWRITING - University of Alberta

Class runs in the 2011 Fall term in Edmonton
This class is taught by Connie Massing and may be your last opportunity to work with Distinguished Scholar in Residence/Nobel Laureate Derek Walcott.  This class is open to both undergraduate and grad students as well as the general public.  More>

CAMP SHAKESPEARE - Freewill Shakespeare Festival

Various camps run July 4 – 23 in Edmonton
The Freewill Players are dedicated to inspiring young people through the artistry of Shakespeare. Camp Shakespeare's mission is to take the Bard's plays off the page, out of the heads and into the hearts and bodies of its students.  Under the tent at the Heritage Amphitheatre in Hawrelak Park, students will learn the basics of stage fighting, and meet with the designers, directors and actors that make the Festival possible. Students will trod the boards just as Shakespeare intended: outdoors! These are truly unique summer camps for children in Grades 3-12. More>

THEATRE SUMMER CAMP: ACT, SING, DANCE - StoryBook Theatre

Various camps run July and August in Calgary
Students will receive training in choreography, voice and technical theatre during the rehearsal process. Directors will take the students through all the elements of professional show development. Students will emerge with enhanced confidence and tools to help them on their way to becoming a true "triple threat". More>

IMPROV WORKSHOPS - Rapid Fire Theatre

One-day workshops runs June 20 - 22 in Edmonton
Study with Veslemoy Morkid, Sean McCann and Curtis Sim. This is an excellent opportunity to work with some of the world's best improvisors and comedians. No experience required. More>

SUMMER PROGRAM FOR KIDS AND TEENS - The Empress Theatre

Various classes run July 1 - August 27 in Fort MacLeod
These 5-day workshops cover such topics as Stories with Character, Vaudeville, and Creativity in Motion.   Various camps for ages 6 - 18.  More>

The above listings are but a sampling of the submission & workshop opportunities listed on our website.

Postings are updated weekly

Full Submissions Postings  |  Full Workshop Postings

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Odds & Ends

RESOURCES

EDMONTON ARTS COUNCIL PROJECT GRANT FOR INDIVIDUALS - Edmonton

Project Grants for Individual Artists are intended to support the activities of individual, professional, Edmonton artists for a specific time towards a specific project. Projects can be individual or collective and could include creation, development, curation, exhibition or production of work in any art form as well as professional development. Grants cannot be retroactive and cannot be applied to activity undertaken prior to the application deadline. More>

Deadline: July 1

SUSTAINABUILD SELLING THEATRE SEATS - County of Strathcona

Sustainabuild is currently working with the County of Strathcona to sell 330 theatre seats. They are selling the seats for $30 each. Viewing and photos are available. Save some money for your theatre and buy some reclaimed seats. More>

PIANO FOR SALE - Calgary

Short, upright 1970s Hampton piano from Woodward's available. In excellent condition. An ideal piano for performers or for children taking lessons. $1200. 
Contact Myrna Horak at 403-252-0878 for more information. 

VOLUNTEERS

FRONT ROW CENTRE SEEKING VOLUNTEERS TO ADD TO ITS ROSTER - Calgary

As the folks at Front Row Centre start looking forward to another season, they would like let the community know about its volunteer webform. Adding your information through this form is a good way to make sure that FRC knows where your interests lie and improves your chances of being contacted when they're looking for a volunteer - in particular when it comes to their design and production teams, as they look at their internal lists first and only send something out via outside calls if they can't find someone from their own roster. Submit your information to the Front Row Centre volunteer webform at www.frontrowcentre.ca/volunteer.

SCRIPT ASSISTANT VOLUNTEER NEEDED FOR INDEPENDENT FILM - Calgary

Badactr Productions is looking for an energetic individual to act as a script assistant to the director of an Independent film being shot in Calgary. The successful Candidate must be organized; have excellent interpersonal skills; must have a great attention to detail and a love for filmmaking. The main duty includes keeping a consistency within the duration of filming. This includes taking notes and pictures of all actors and maintaining that consistent look throughout the shoot. More>

THE SHAKESPEARE COMPANY SEEKING VOLUNTEER USHERS - Calgary

The Shakespeare Company is currently seeking volunteer ushers for its upcoming production of The Queens running June 8 - 18. They are in need of at least three volunteers per night. As always, volunteers get free admission to the show. Volunteers need to arrive one hour prior to show time for a brief orientation. Positions available for both matinee and evening performances. More>

FREEWILL SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL SEEKING VOLUNTEERS - Edmonton

The Freewill Shakespeare Festival is seeking volunteers for its festival which runs June 30 - July 24.  This years productions are Othello and Twelfth Night.  Positions available in merchandise sales, beer tent, concession stands, raffle ticket sales, set up & strike.  More>

Deadline for applications: June 5

EVENTS

NEXTFEST

June 2 - 12 in Edmonton
Four hundred artists. More than fifty events. Eleven days.  Edmonton's annual rocking and raucous showcase of young emerging artists! NextFest is an eleven-day celebration of the artistic voice of the next generation featuring new theatre, dance, music, visual art, film and multidisciplinary collaboration.  It's a party, and you're invited. More>

ALBERTA ABORIGINAL ARTS PRESENTS THE ROBABOO ARTS FESTIVAL

June 8 - 19 in Edmonton
RUBABOO is a Michif (Métis) word for a stew that's full of life, and food that feeds the spirit. And this year's stew is getting bigger, as Alberta's only Aboriginal arts and theatre festival expands to 11 days.  RUBABOO celebrates National Aboriginal History Month with traditional and contemporary Aboriginal artists from across the country. This multi-disciplinary festival will showcase new Aboriginal plays, music, dance, art, food, family and youth events, artist workshops and even an Aboriginal farmers' market. More>

FEST: FESTIVAL OF EDMONTON SENIORS THEATRE

June 10 - 11 in Edmonton
Whether seniors want to try acting or singing, or simply want to be part of the audience, FEST has something for everyone! Launching the festival is a tea & showcase. Enjoy tea, dainties, and performances by seniors from past theatre workshops. Saturday features afternoon workshops for seniors 55 and over. FEST comes to a close with performances by local senior drama groups including Stage Struck Seniors, CLSA Players, GeriActors & Friends and readings of new plays by Ken Gough. All ages are welcome!  More> 

THE WRITERS GUILD OF ALBERTA ANNUAL CONFERENCE

June 10 - 12 in Calgary REGISTRATION CLOSES JUNE 3!
The Writers Guild of Alberta is pleased to present its 2011 Conference marking the 30th anniversary of the largest provincial writing organization in Canada! They're planning three days full of interactive panels, workshops, and lectures on the theme of Writing the hiStory, Inscribing the Future, plus Blue Pencil Cafés, speed networking and pitch sessions, the WGA Annual General Meeting, and the 2011 Alberta Book Awards Gala on the night of Saturday, June 11, presented with the Book Publishers Association of Alberta. Join in this opportunity for Alberta writers at all stages of their writing life to mingle, learn, discuss, and party! More>

STAGELAB FESTIVAL

June 10 - 29 in Edmonton
The University of Alberta's Department of Drama presents StageLab, sponsored by the Timms Theatre Innovation Fund.  StageLab: from research to performance a festival of new work and innovation.  StageLab includes theatre performances, clown workshop presentations, staged readings as well as the Festival of Edmonton Seniors Theatre and the Canadian Centre for Theatre Creation's Working Title 3.  More>

ST. ALBERT CELEBRATES 150 YEARS WITH MEET THE STREET

June 12 in St. Albert
As part of St. Albert's Rendezvous 2011 celebration, travel by bus to eight streets in St. Albert and witness theatrical vignettes played out by some of the communities young actors. In this fun and engaging peek into St. Albert's history, you will learn about the lives of the historical figures the streets are named after. The day will end with the vignette of Father Albert Lacombe performed at the St. Albert Catholic Parish. There will be a small reception with tea, a nod to the historical cup of tea had between Father Lacombe and Bishop Tache at that very site when St. Albert settlement was first founded. More>

WALTERDALE THEATRE SELLING THEATRICAL TREASURES AND COSTUMES

June 12 in Edmonton
A sale you do not want to miss. Walterdale is holding a sale of theatrical treasures and unique wearing apparel from its costume department. Treasures include old and new items including several reproduction Tiffany style hanging lamps and much more. More>

LIFFEY PLAYERS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

June 19 in Calgary
The Liffey Players Drama Society is holding its Annual General Meeting on Sunday, June 19 at 2pm at the Irish Cultural Society. The Liffey is in its 25th anniversary year and this is a good opportunity to see what the Liffey Players is about and get involved! Old and new members alike are welcome to partake. More>

WORKS ART & DESIGN FESTIVAL

June 23 - July 5 in Edmonton
Celebrate the Power of Right Brain Thinking.  The Works Festival features a diverse array of talent from across the province, the nation and the world. The Works' exhibits run the gamut from the traditional—carving, printmaking, painting, sculpting, photography, glass-making, and ceramics to the cutting edge—new media installations, interactive electronic art and avant-garde music and dance—all FREE of charge and taking place throughout downtown Edmonton More>

CITT RENDEZVOUS 2011: ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND TRADE SHOW

August 9 - 13 in Victoria, BC
Pre-conference Workshops: August 9 - 10
Annual Conference: August 11 - 13
Trade Show: August 11

The Canadian Institute for Theatre Technology annual conference offers full days of seminars, workshops and social events, with more intense certification programs and Masterclass workshops held 2 days prior to the Conference.  An industry trade show is featured where CITT Corporate members present new products and technologies to the attendees. The Annual Conference is also the occasion for the annual general meeting of the members and of the awards banquet where CITT honours those individuals and companies who have excelled in their field of live performance in Canada. More>

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Donors, New & Renewing Members

May 1 - 31

DONORS: THANK YOU!

Have you ever wanted to see your name in (electronic) print? Donate NOW!

NEW MEMBERS

Individuals
Dustin Allen, Arielle Balance, Sasha Barry, David Brandon, Matthew Brault, Chris Bullough, Jamie Cavanagh, Heidi Collins-McCann, Chelsea Cooksey, Ben Dextraze, Chad Drever, Nicola Elbro, Kelsey Flower, Kristen Gough, Chantelle Han, Jocelyn Haub, Samantha Hill, Derek Holden, Jamie Horne, Brittany Hunter, Robyn Jabusch, Sydney John, Kerry Johnson, Corey Joyce, Madelaine Knight, Lindie Last, Alexis Lerigny, Carly McKee, Andrew McKenzie, Shane McLean, Sylvia Niederberger, Genviève Paré, Zachary Parsons-Lozinski, Heather Pattengale, Spenser Payne, Gina Payzant, Kyall Rakoz, Brittany Richards, Judith Rousseau, Christopher Rowein, Lara Schmitz, Ted Sloan, Mark Spracklin, Kara Sturk, Cody Thompson, Erica Ullyot, Jeremy Verkley, Clayton Weich, Dana Welz, Justine Westby, Amber Whitebone

RENEWING MEMBERS

Individuals
Ian Bamford, Becca Barrington, Leah Beaudry, Mhairi Berg, Lynda Bird, Mikaela Cochrane, Heidi Collins-McCann, Murray Cullen, Alexina Dalgetty, Daisy Daver, Bobbi Goddard,
Chance Heck, Lana Hughes, Kelsey Jacobson, Hannah Kerbes, Zina Lee, Alex Mackie,
Jane MacFarlane, Cole Olson, Lorne Requa, David Sealy, Louise Seidel, Kyla Shinkewski, Chris Stockton, Jillian Tallas, Holly Turner, Gianna Vacirca, Daniel van Heyst, Charlie Wilson

Groups
Acts of God, East of 60 Productions Society, Louis St Laurent School, Peak Theatre Players

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Theatre Alberta Gratefully Acknowledges the Support of the Following Funders

Thank you for your commitment to the growth of theatre in Alberta!