IN THIS ISSUE

What's New at TA
Theatre News
Shows Opening
Jobs & Auditions
Odds & Ends

QUICK LINKS

Theatre Alberta
Playscript Library
Auditions
Jobs
Workshops
Space
Submissions
Resources
Miscellaneous
Add your Posting 

AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS

Alberta Playwrights' Network
 
Alberta High School Drama Festival Association

Canadian Institute of Theatre Technology Alberta

Subscribe to eNews
join now

Visit our Archive
TA eNews Online

Become a Theatre Alberta member
apply now

Theatre Alberta regularly receives information that we believe is important and of interest to our members, and TA eNews is a way of communicating this information in a timely manner. We hope this enewsletter will strengthen communication within the provincial theatre community, as north, south, east, and west become more aware of each others’ activities and needs.

What's New at TA

ARTSTREK & DRAMAWORKS OFF TO A RACING START

Registration is now open for both our teen and adult summer programs, and spots are going fast!

The instructor line-up at Dramaworks includes Marty Chan, Brette Gerecke, Heather Inglis, James MacDonald, Sue Morrison, Bradley Moss, David Owen, Jon Price, Meredith Scott, Kathleen Weiss, and Donovan Workun.

Artstrek instructors include Geoffrey Brumlik, Stacy Fysh, Karen Goerzen, Karen Johnson-Diamond, Jane MacFarlane, Kevin McKendrick, Randy Mueller, Eric Rose, Roger Schultz, and Linette Smith.

Artstrek: July 8-14 & 15-22, Red Deer College (Red Deer)
Dramaworks: July 5-8 & 12-15, The Citadel Theatre (Edmonton)
Early bird prices now available!  More info & to register >

EMERGE CALGARY

Our yearly audition event in Calgary on April 16th was a full day of excitement!  63 graduates of post-secondary theatre programs marketed their talent for over 45 Calgary-area artistic directors, freelance directors, casting directors, and talent agents.  Emerge Edmonton will take place on April 23rd at the Citadel Theatre.   More >

CALL FOR GENERAL AUDITION NOTICES

Theatre Alberta is always interested in getting the word out about your company's auditions, so if your generals are coming up soon, please email us your call and we'll post your audition notice on our website! We're happy to post calls for theatre artists of all stripes at any time. Email Theatre Alberta >

NEW LIBRARY ACQUISITIONS

The Adventures of Ali & Ali and the Axes of Evil, by Marcus Youssef, Guillermo Verdecchia and Camyar Chai (2005). Canadian Full Length
An elaborate agitprop theatrical collaboration where the internal contradictions and duplicitous double-speak of the "war on terror" are exposed as propaganda vehicles for the neo-colonialism of the West.

Glorious! by Peter Quilter (2005). General Full Length
The true story of Florence Foster Jenkins, the worst singer in the world.

Bereav’d of Light , by Ian Ross (2005). Canadian One Act
With humour, music, and poetry, Governor-General's Award-winner Ian Ross paints a compelling picture of the complex nature of race relations in 19th-century America.

The Power of the Actor: The Chubbuck Tecknique, by Ivana Chubbuck (2004). Reference
Taking the theories of the traditional masters into a new realm of psychological and behavioral study, industry veteran Ivana Chubbuck has developed a curriculum that guides students to the heart of a character by finding out what the character wants.

Searching for a script?  Visit our online library >

Theatre News

ARTS SPACES STRATEGY GETS THE GREEN LIGHT (CALGARY)

In response to a research study highlighting shortfalls in the City's inventory of arts facilities, Calgary Arts Development is pleased to report that Calgary's City Council has unanimously approved a recommendation to include capital programs for arts spaces worth up to $150 million in the City's Culture, Parks & Recreation Infrastructure Investment Plan (CPRIIP) over the next seven years.

“We're very pleased that Calgary's civic leadership has given the green light to move forward with a plan that will see significant reinvestment in arts facilities over the long term,” said Terry Rock, President & CEO of Calgary Arts Development. “The development of great arts spaces throughout the city will give Calgarians greater access to the arts and boost our city's reputation as a leading cultural centre.”    More >

EDMONTON CULTURAL CAPITAL OFFICIAL LAUNCH

Mayor Mandel will officially proclaim Edmonton as the Cultural Capital for 2007 at City Hall, Thursday April 26 at 10:30 AM.  The Edmonton Cultural Capital team will also unveil details of upcoming projects (complete with fanfare from the Edmonton Youth Orchestra), including “who’s coming to Edmonton” as their first prominent speaker in the Speakers’ Series, and who will be giving keynote addresses at the upcoming symposia.

RSVP by April 24 to the Edmonton Cultural Capital Project: (780) 497-2336 or Christina Tozer

EDMONTON EXPLORATION GRANTS

Introduced as part of Edmonton's designation as the 2007 Cultural Capital of Canada, the Edmonton Explorations grants will encourage connection between Edmonton artists and Edmonton audiences, fostering, in particular, the development of unknown or under-recognized talent as well as allowing established artists an opportunity to address their audience in new and interesting ways.

The first deadline for submission is May 15, 2007 and the second deadline is October 1st, 2007.

Guidelines & Application Form >

Questions?  Contact Alison Turner, Outreach Coordinator at (780) 497-2336.

MIND THE GAP (CALGARY)

The Playwrights Guild of Canada presents their 5th Annual Conference and AGM at the University of Calgary, May 10-13, 2007.

Why does TYA seem to get the short end of the stick?  Does performing for children require you to act childish?  Does there always have to be a moral to the story?  How can we compete with TV, film, and video games?  Join us for a weekend of lively and interactive panels and discussions as we focus our attention on the TYA gap.

Panelists and Speakers include:  Dennis Foon, David S. Craig, Kim Selody, Mieko Ouchi, Chris Craddock, Elyne Quan, Duval Lang, Ken Cameron, Clem Martini, Caroline Russell-King, Marty Chan, and Neil Fleming.

As part of the conference weekend, APN and PGC present a TYA Cabaret and Social! 
Saturday, May 12 – 7:30 PM at the Auburn Saloon.

More info & register online >

KEVIN KERR NEW LEE PLAYWRIGHT-IN-RESIDENCE

The University of Alberta’s Department of Drama announced Kevin Kerr as the incoming Lee Playwright-In-Residence. A Governor General Award winning playwright and co-founding member of Vancouver’s Electric Company Theatre, Kerr will be writing in residency at the U of A from September 2007 until June 2009, spending 50 percent of his time creating his own plays and 50 per cent working with other playwrights.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ARTS AWARDS SHORT LIST

Three writers, two musicians, a theatre director and a theatre ensemble form the short-list of six for this year’s Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Arts Awards. The six have been selected from a list of almost 100 nominations by the extra-provincial adjudication panel. Up to three winners from the short-list will receive a newly-minted medal, a $30,000 cash award and an option to spend time at The Banff Centre.

Listed in alphabetical order, this year’s short list is:

Bob Baker: artistic director of Edmonton’s Citadel Theatre;
Greg Hollingshead: Edmonton author and professor emeritus at the University of Alberta;
Sharon Pollock: Calgary author and playwright;
One Yellow Rabbit Ensemble: an ensemble of Calgary theatre artists (Blake Brooker, Michael Green, Denise Clarke, Andy Curtis, Richard McDowell, Onalea Gilbertson, and David van Belle)
Tom and Isobel Rolston: husband and wife musicians and administrators at The Banff Centre; and
Rudy Wiebe: Edmonton writer and editor.

This year’s awards will be the highlight of a five-day “Arts Without Borders” festival, to be held in Lloydminster at the end of May.   More >

2007 ROZSA AWARD NOMINATIONS

Nominations for the 2007 Rozsa Award for Excellence in Arts Management will open on
May 1.  Unique in Canada, this prestigious award recognizes, celebrates and promotes
outstanding business practices in the arts sector. Valued at $50,000, the Rozsa Award
recipient will receive both monetary and educational benefits thanks to The Haskayne
School of Business, Framework Partners Inc., CKUA and Vital Business Solutions.

Nominees must be full-time executive directors of not-for-profit arts companies in
Alberta.  Deadline June 15.   More >

DR. DASHA GOODY SCHOLARSHIP

Any vocal performing artist may apply for project-specific funding to advance their Musical Theatre Training. The total available for the 2007 grant distribution is $1,000.  Deadline May 15.

Questions?  Contact Edmonton Musical Theatre at (780) 475-8053.
More Info & Online Application >

PUPPET RIGHTS MANIFESTO (CALGARY)

The W.P. Puppet Theatre Society is putting a call out to all puppets and puppet supporters in the Calgary area to participate in posting the first Puppet Rights Manifesto ever to be brought forth. Often considered to be purely entertaining creatures, the puppets will be lobbying for recognition and fair treatment. “We, the puppets of Calgary and our puppeteer friends and supporters, are seeking acknowledgement of our role and our achievements in this society,” recently commented one particularly fuzzy puppet who goes by the name of Blueberry and seems to be the ringleader of this endeavour. And while the purpose of the manifesto is clear, its specific contents will be held under lock and key until the morning of this history-making day.

Bring your friends - bring extra puppets.

Saturday, April 21, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
West lawn of Olympic Plaza in Downtown Calgary
Contact Wendy Passmore or More info >

The Puppet Rights Manifesto is linked to a bi-annual Puppet Power Conference that is taking place in Calgary from May 25-27.  More > 

CANADIANS CONTINUE TO SUPPORT CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

A Profile of the Cultural and Heritage Activities of Canadians in 2005 shows that in 2005, 41.2% of the population 15 or older (10.8 million Canadians) attended a concert or performance by professional artists of music, dance, theatre, or opera (excluding cultural festivals). This is very close to the performing arts attendance rate in 1992 (42.4%), and a distinct increase from the 1998 rate (37.6%).  A large proportion of those who attended the various types of performing arts events did so between one and four times in 2005.

Full report >

ONTARIO ON THE STATUS OF THE ARTIST

After over a decade of promises by three consecutive governments, the provincial government of Ontario has made some very modest proposals to address status of the artist issues in the province, joining  Québec and Saskatchewan as the third provincial government to address status of the artist issues in  legislation or policy.

Bill 187, An Act respecting budget measures, interim appropriations and other matters, includes a proposal for the Status of Ontario’s  Artists Act, 2007.  The purpose of the Act is to “recognize  that artists make contributions to Ontario’s  economy and quality of life.”  The Ontario  government proposes to designate the first weekend in June as “Celebrate Artists Weekend”, and undertakes to consider other moves to improve the  socio-economic status of professional artists in Ontario such as implement marketing strategies, facilitate training programs, promote health and safety, etc, “as far  as it considers it reasonable and appropriate to do so.”

What the Ontario “initiative” does not address are the substantive issues such as  collective bargaining for self-employed artists, access to social benefits, tax treatment of grants, or other measures that could improve the fundamental socio-economic conditions of professional artists, creators, and arts professionals. Not surprisingly, arts organizations have denounced the proposed status of the artist measures included in Bill 187 as inadequate  and half-hearted.   More >

EMERGING ARTS PROFESSIONAL LAUNCHES WEBSITE

Emerging Arts Professional (EAP) is a new resource for emerging arts professionals working across Canada. EAP launched their website on April 2nd, 2007, comprising an online blog/magazine, forum, podcast, career resources and support network for emerging arts professionals. EAP welcomes submissions from all arts professionals, whether you are a first time or seasoned writer, emerging or established arts professional. For more information on the EAP network visit their website at www.eapforum.com, and contribute to this exceptional new tool for emerging artists across the country! 

| top | 

Shows Opening

APRIL 11 – MAY 8

Full Playbill

EDMONTON

Antony and Cleopatra
April 11 to April 21, Walterdale Playhouse   More >

Fort Mac
April 12 to April 22, L'UniThéâtre   More >

Tattercoats
April 13 to April 22, multistory theatre @ Fringe Theatre Adventures   More >

Closer and Closer Apart
April 17 to May 6, Theatre Network   More >

Moonbound - New Play Reading
April 20 to April 20, Vic School of the Arts   More >

Penelope vs. the Aliens!
April 23 to May 6, The Citadel Theatre   More >

10 Lost Years
April 26 to April 27, Seacoast Studios @ the Victoria School for the Arts: 780-426-3010

Dreamland Saturday Nights
April 26 to May 13, Shadow Theatre   More >

Fat Pig
April 27 to May 6, Northern Light Theatre   More >

Oliver!
April 28 to June 3, The Citadel Theatre in assoc. w/Victoria School of Perf. & Visual Arts   More >

Hello, Dolly!
May 3 to May 12, ELOPE Edmonon   More >

ALBERTA

The Miser
April 12 to April 28, Grande Prairie Live Theatre   More >

The Altos, Like the Sopranos Only Lower
April 12 to April 22, Medicine Hat Firehall Theatre Alberta: (403) 529-2222.

The Antiques Won't Go Away
April 13 to April 14, Two Hills: (780) 557-2722.

Tick, Tick... Boom!
April 19 to April 28, Ignition Theatre, Red Deer: (403) 348-9556.

Guys & Dolls
April 19 to April 28, Windmill Theatre Players, High River   More >

Spare the Rod
April 26 to May 5, Keyano Theatre, Fort McMurray: (780) 791-4990.

Lend Me a Tenor
May 1 to May 1, Strathmore Theatre Players Guild: (403) 901-0182.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
May 3 to May 5, Medicine Hat Musical Theatre   More>

Schoolsickle
May 4 to May 5, Stageworks Academy of the Performing Arts. Leduc   More>

| top |  

Jobs & Auditions      

Full Jobs Postings  |  Full Auditions Postings

JOBS

{ EDMONTON }

Office Administrator/Executive Assistant, Theatre Alberta

{ CALGARY }

Administrative Assistant/Intern, Pumphouse Theatres

Stage Manager, Theatre Calgary

General Manager, Theatre Network

{ ALBERTA }

Stilt-Walkers Required, The Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (Athabasca)

Pianist Required, Oh Canada Eh? Productions (Canmore)

Various Crew Positions, Central Alberta Theatre and K.A.S. Productions (Red Deer)

Cultural Facility Manager, Culture Link (Red Deer)

{ CANADA }

General Manager, Caravan Farm Theatre (Armstrong, BC)

Dramaturge, Saskatchewan Playwrights Centre (Saskatoon, SK)

AUDITIONS

{ EDMONTON }

General Auditions, Nextfest 2007

General Auditions, Shadow Theatre

El Muchacho, Sherard Musical Theatre

{ CALGARY }

Zag Reus: Party Island of the Emerald Sea, Big T Theatreclan & Theatre Utopia

{ ALBERTA }

Summer Cast, Oh Canada Eh? Productions (Canmore)

Full Jobs Postings  |  Full Auditions Postings
Postings are updated weekly at www.theatrealberta.com

| top |

Odds & Ends

PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITY: TEENS @ THE TURN CABARET (EDMONTON)

Attention all musicians, singer-songwriters, bands, dancers, poets, cultural performers, theatre artists, etc …

The Citadel Theatre’s Teens @ The Turn Festival is seeking applications from Edmonton and area teens, 13-19 years of age, to perform at the Teens @ The Turn Cabaret—a celebration of teen performance artists in our community—on May 26, 2007. The goal is an evening of eclectic performance with everything from hip-hop to classical music, magic to beat-poetry, showcasing the diverse interests and skills of teenage artists in Edmonton. Selected performers will receive a festival pass and the opportunity to perform for an audience of their peers from across the city.

Saturday, May 26, 2007
7:00pm to 10:00pm, Rice Theatre

The Teens @ The Turn Festival runs May 17-27, 2007 at the Citadel Theatre. Additional performance opportunities during the festival, such as lobby performances before and after shows, may also be available.

Questions? Contact Keri Ekberg or More info >

THE MAYOR’S EVENING FOR THE ARTS (EDMONTON)

Tickets are now on sale for the third annual “Mayor’s Evening for the Arts”. Edmonton is invited to join Mayor Stephen Mandel at the Winspear Centre on Monday June 11, 2007, for an evening of performance and awards, celebrating visual and performing artists and managers, as well as those companies who are tireless in their support of the arts. This evening showcases some of our diversely talented professional Edmonton artists while helping to raise dollars to support the arts.

More info > or Tickets >

CALGARY ARTS MARKET AT THE MAYOR'S LUNCHEON

It's time to book your space at this year's Calgary Arts Market at the Mayor's Luncheon for Business & The Arts, Tuesday April 24 (Arts Market runs 11:15-noon). Be creative! Live performances, large objects d'art, audience interaction - whatever you can create to have an impact for yourself or your organization. Display space at the arts market is free to all CPAA members. Deadline April 19. Submit Requests >
Questions? Contact Phay Wills at (403) 237-3910 or Amy Darling at (403) 530-6040.

FOOTE THEATRE SCHOOL SPRING CLASSES (EDMONTON)

Spaces are available in Spring Adult Classes and the Professional Development series at the Foote Theatre School at the Citadel. The Foote Theatre School is pleased to offer a 10% discount this term only to Theatre Alberta members interested in either Adult Musical Theatre or the Spring Voice Workout. These are both great classes that will inform and inspire!

Contact Meredith Scott at (780) 428-2120 or more info >

SMASHIN' FASHION AT WALTERDALE PLAYHOUSE (EDMONTON)

For two days only, Walterdale is bringing fashion week fun from New York, Paris and London straight to Edmonton with Footlights on Fashion, a fundraiser benefiting Walterdale Playhouse’s 50th Anniversary Fund.

The fashion show will be hosted by celebrity hosts, Judy McFerran, stage actress and Walterdale Board President, and Laurie Blakeman, MLA for Edmonton-Centre. The show will spotlight costumes from Walterdale’s fifty years of productions as well as current trends from local shops Callidas, C’est Sera, Grateful Threads and Head Case. Edmonton Celtic harp sensation Samantha Spurrier sets the stage with music inspired by the fashion of yesterday and today.

Saturday, April 28 at 7:00 pm and Sunday, April 29 at 1:00 pm
Walterdale Playhouse, 10322 83 Avenue
More info > & Tickets Online >

MUNSCHAPALOOZA! KIDS GALA (CALGARY)

Centre Stage Theatre Company invites families to join us for our 5th Anniversary Party & Munschapalooza! Kids Gala.

Celebrate our most successful season yet in an all ages afternoon of crazy fun, games, crafts, music, ice cream and cake. Watch our hit musical Munschapalooza! based on five famous Robert Munsch storie and paired with live rock accompaniment.

Check out our "all-things-kids" silent auction, get a chance to meet Centre Stage artists, and preview our next exciting season which will be launched at the event.

Saturday, April 21, 1:30-3:30pm
The Bearspaw Lifestyle Centre, Bearspaw
More info >

7th ANNUAL FUNNYFEST TALENT SEARCH (CALGARY)

Members of CPAA & Stakeholders are invited to Pay What you Want (Such as: a smile, live chicken, ex-girl friend photos, door from a 1978 Pinto, James Brown tickets, etc.) and attend the 7th Annual FUNNYFEST TALENT SEARCH (up to 4 tickets). Come watch the excitement and have fun as performers compete to be one of the funniest and earn a chance to perform at FUNNYFEST.

Final competitors will battle it out at the FUNNYFEST TALENT SEARCH to try and win a spot in FUNNYFEST Calgary Comedy Festival, May 3 - May 13. PLUS see one of the best & freshest headliners CANADA has to offer: ROB PUE from the TV show PUNK'D w/ Ashton
Kutcher.

Fri, March 30 or Sat, March 31 @ 7 PM

Plush Lounge, 205 9 Avenue SE

RSVP to attend or More info >
*Must show up a MINIMUM of 20 minutes before showtime to receive this special offer.

2007 CALGARY INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL

World Class entertainment for ALL Ages!

Tickets for the Calgary International Children’s Festival (CICF), North America’s 3rd largest festival of its kind, are now on sale. The 21st annual edition of CICF takes place May 22-26, 2007 at the EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts and on Olympic Plaza.

More than 60,000 Calgarians will experience the very best in live theatre, music, dance, and puppetry from around the world. Kate Newby, Festival Artistic Director has hand-picked world-class performances from Germany, Peru, USA, Argentina, Mexico, and Canada highlighting creativity, cultural diversity, and imagination.

More info > or Tickets >

CREATION STORIES OF THE WORLD (EDMONTON)

Great Storybook Productions presents a two-day Great Story Festival of Creation Stories of the World, featuring dancers, singers, musicians, actors, and story tellers representing various cultures through sacred and secular stories, and stories of creation as science sees it. Plus, a mini-market offering ethnic treats and treasures between afternoon and evening shows Sunday.

Saturday, April 28 at 7pm and Sunday, April 29 at 2pm and 7pm
Mini-marketplace 4pm to 7pm Sunday before and between shows
TransAlta Arts Barns, 10330 - 84 Ave., Edmonton
More info >

| top | 

eNEWS ETIQUETTE

All our enewsletters can be found online. If you're looking for past information, or your eNews isn't displaying properly, visit our online archives >

Subscribe: All you require is an email address!  Sign up now >

Forward to a Friend: Please use the “Forward to a Friend” link at the bottom of this email. 

Unsubscribe: Please use the "Manage your subscription" link at the bottom of this email.

Note: Any information shared when subscribing to TA eNews will NOT be shared with other sources, or used for any purpose other than administering TA eNews.

Your Feedback: We appreciate it!!  Send comments, news, and ideas to our Programmer