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"The play was a great success, but the audience was a disaster."

— Oscar Wilde

What's New at TA

ANNOUNCING PLAYWORKS INK 2007 — THE EVOLUTION OF PLAY

Theatre Alberta and Alberta Playwrights' Network join forces once again to present PlayWorks Ink 2007, the evolution of play - a unique theatre conference and workshop event taking place November 1 - 4, 2007 at the Glenbow Museum in Downtown Calgary.

To ring in our fifth year, we are thrilled to welcome special guests Morwyn Brebner and Kevin Kerr—two engaging writers and creators who will be conducting workshops, taking part in panel discussions, and sharing excerpts of their new works.

Join us in Calgary for PlayWorks Ink 2007: a weekend of workshops, play readings, panel discussions, and socials that will spark new ideas in the evolution of theatre.

Registration is now open! Online registration will be available as of August 27.

Download the PWI 2007 brochure online >

SADLY (FOR US), ANNOUNCING KERI'S DEPARTURE

It is with mixed feelings that we announce the impending departure of our Program Coordinator, Keri Ekberg. Keri has been with Theatre Alberta for four years—she started as Dramaworks Registrar fresh out of University and moved up the ranks to Program Coordinator. Keri has worked on Dramaworks, the Community Theatre Handbook, Emerge, and Safe Stages during her tenure at Theatre Alberta. She will be with us part-time until the end of September 2007. Keri will be missed, and we wish her all the best in her new position at the Citadel Theatre.

So...want to join the Theatre Alberta team?

PROGRAM COORDINATOR REQUIRED

Theatre Alberta is seeking a motivated and organized individual for the position of Program Coordinator. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Program Coordinator is primarily responsible for the programming and coordination of Dramaworks, Emerge, and Safe Stages, and assists as required with the planning and delivery of all other Theatre Alberta programs and services.

Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, as well as a post-secondary degree/diploma in theatre and/or arts administration are required. Preferred qualities include excellent word processing skills, experience with database management, and experience in a Macintosh environment.

We are looking for someone who is knowledgeable and passionate about theatre, enjoys dealing with people, and is able to work both independently and as a team player. This is a full-time, permanent position.

Salary range: Commensurate with experience
Deadline August 27, 2007.

Please forward your resume and cover letter to Marie Gynane-Willis or visit our website for more info >

NEW LIBRARY ACQUISITIONS ARE IN!

Library staff have been busy over the past few months identifying titles for purchase, then buying, labeling, and cataloguing hundreds of new scripts. We hope our members will be pleased with our new acquisitions and we will continue to add new items on an ongoing basis. Our online library has a link to "New Items" both on the top and bottom blue bars. Simply click on the link and you will find listings for nearly 200 new titles. We look forward to lending our fantastic new items to all of you!

Searching for a script? Visit our online library >

Saturday Library Hours Resume: As of September 8th, the Theatre Alberta library will be open Saturdays from 10 AM to 3 PM.

Labour Day Weekend! The TA office and library will be closed September 1 – 3.

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Theatre News

EDMONTON ARTS COUNCIL SURVEY

The Edmonton Arts Council is conducting a survey of the Edmonton arts community and has requested that both individuals and organizations who work in the arts, culture, and heritage sectors in the Edmonton region complete their survey.

The EAC is requesting help in reaching people who are creators, interpreters, curators, archivists, producers, marketers, administrators, teachers, and critics working in arts, culture, and heritage in the Edmonton region—please forward this information to friends and colleagues. Input from those who consider themselves to be marginalized, recluses, or renegades is extremely valuable.

Complete the survey online or contact the Edmonton Arts Council at 780-424-2787 for a hard copy. Deadline September 15, 2007.

VITAL SIGNS OF CALGARY’S ARTS & CULTURE

In October of 2007, The Calgary Foundation will launch Vital Signs—a report that examines and grades key factors that influence the quality of life in the city of Calgary. The report card data is a compilation of numerous research sources, much of it local, that will help the Calgary community make connections between issues and trends in different areas.

Other cities, including Toronto, Vancouver, and Victoria, have already published Vital Signs reports as part of the national Vital Signs campaign coordinated by Community Foundations of Canada. In this time of unprecedented growth, The Calgary Foundation is interested in pooling the knowledge in the Calgary community, taking a comprehensive look at the overall quality of life in the city, and presenting the findings in a reader-friendly format—a format that will help to spark dialogue, debate, and action. In order to do this, they will be reporting on indicators in 10 to 12 different key quality of life areas, including Arts and Culture.   More >

HONOURABLE JOSÉE VERNER THE NEW MINISTER OF CANADIAN HERITAGE

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has appointed the Honourable Josée Verner as the new Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women, and Official Languages, switching places with the Honourable Bev Oda who has gone to replace Ms. Verner at International Cooperation. First elected Member of Parliament in January 2006, Ms. Verner represents the riding of Louis-St. Laurent, in the Québec City area. She became Minister for International Co-operation, la Francophonie and Official Languages in the very first Conservative Cabinet.

Previously, she had been spokesperson for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Region of Québec in Mr. Harper’s shadow cabinet. This was widened in September 2005 to include the Official Languages portfolio. She also chaired the Québec Caucus for the Conservative Party of Canada.  

Canadian Conference of the Arts (CCA) Bulletin on Appointment >

NEW ARTISTIC AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR PLAYWRIGHTS' WORKSHOP MONTRÉAL

After a comprehensive search, the Board of Playwrights’ Workshop Montréal (PWM) is pleased to announce the appointment of Emma Tibaldo as the new Artistic and Executive Director of PWM. Ms. Tibaldo will succeed outgoing Artistic and Executive Director Paula Danckert.

Search Committee Chair and President of PWM Alexis Diamond said of Ms. Tibaldo’s appointment, "Emma Tibaldo was the unanimous recommendation of the Hiring Committee, and enthusiastically accepted by the Board, based on her thorough understanding of, and commitment to, the organization, as well as her strong ties with English and French artists, companies and institutions in Montreal and beyond. She offers a compelling vision of the role of Playwrights’ Workshop Montréal in Canadian theatre.”   More >

JUDITH THOMPSON WINS WALTER CARSEN PRIZE

The Canada Council for the Arts announced that playwright Judith Thompson is the winner of the 2007 Walter Carsen Prize for Excellence in the Performing Arts. The $50,000 prize, administered and presented by the Canada Council for the Arts, recognizes the highest level of artistic excellence and distinguished career achievement by Canadian artists who have spent the major part of their career in Canada in theatre, dance or music.

In awarding the prize to Ms. Thompson, the committee said: “Possessed of one of the most dynamic and unique theatrical voices anywhere, Judith Thompson has created a corpus of plays of singular power and originality over the past quarter-century. This Canadian visionary, whose often disturbing work never leaves audiences unmoved, continues to break new ground even as her plays are produced, anthologized, and honoured across the nation and the world.”

The prize will be presented to Judith Thompson in the fall of 2007.   More >

CHRC SHINES A LIGHT FOR ENTERTAINMENT RIGGERS

The Cultural Human Resources Council (CHRC) continues to develop its suite of tools and resources for workers in the cultural sector with the release of a Competency Chart and Profile for Entertainment Riggers.

These documents were created by an expert working group of practicing entertainment riggers. They are designed to help riggers and those with an interest in the field to evaluate their own skills and determine whether additional training is required. This material can also be used in developing competency programs, negotiating and customizing training, developing/reviewing career paths, creating recruitment profiles, and writing individual position descriptions.

CHRC, in partnership with the Canadian Institute for Theatre Technology  (CITT), the Banff Centre for the Arts, the Conseil québecois des  ressources humaines en culture (CQHRC) and unions, is coordinating the  strategic development of several occupational analyses for Technical  Workers. Also available on CHRC's website are Competency Charts and Profiles for Automation Technicians and General Stage Technicians (Stage Hands). Information on pursuing a technical career in the Live Performing Arts can be found in  CHRC's on-line interactive Spotlight's On Careers in Live Performing Arts.   More >

For further information please contact Megan Guy at 613-562-1535 x 31.

NEW ITERATION OF CADA WEBSITE

Calgary Arts Development has introduced a new iteration of their website, including a research report on "The Current State of Granting in Calgary," now available for download. Read about areas of growth through a historical trend analysis, commentary on challenges and opportunities from Calgary's arts organizations, and how Calgary fairs when
benchmarked with other Canadian cities.

In addition to their new look, CADA has reintroduced the Creative Calgarian Journals (a blogging zone for artists and audience members) and have set up a system for classified ads (including the categories Call for Submissions, For Hire, Industry Events, Job Listings, Request for Proposals, and Volunteer Opportunities).

Also up and running: www.CalgaryVenues.com—a new initiative for connecting artists and spaces in Calgary. In this growing directory of arts spaces, artists and presenters can
search for a space to create or present work, and facility operators can advertise available space free of charge.

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Shows Opening

August 16 — September 12

Full Playbill

EDMONTON

Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival
August 16 to August 26, Edmonton   More >

Fort Edmonton Park Annual Storytelling Festival
September 2 to September 3, T.A.L.E.S.   More >

ALBERTA

Fort Mac
September 1 to October 31, L’UniThéâtre, Alberta Tour   More >

Tent Meeting
September 7 to October 20, Rosebud Theatre, Rosebud   More >

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Jobs & Auditions      

Full Jobs Postings  |  Full Auditions Postings

JOBS

{ EDMONTON }

Program Coordinator, Theatre Alberta

Front of House Supervisor, The Citadel Theatre

Administrative Assistant and Box Office Coordinator, Shadow Theatre

General Manager, Workshop West Playwrights Theatre

Production Assistant, Mayfield Dinner Theatre

Tour Coordinator, Alberta Opera

Trained and Experience Pianist, Alberta Opera (Edmonton/touring)

Stage/Road Manager, Alberta Opera (Edmonton/touring)

{ CALGARY }

Publicist and Promotions Coordinator, Alberta Theatre Projects

Resource Development Officer, Alberta Theatre Projects

Production Manager, Alberta Theatre Projects

Audience Services Manager, Lunchbox Theatre

General Manager, EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts

Event Services Team, EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts

Arts Learning Registrar and Assistant, EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts

Stage Manager, Puppets for Peace

Puppeteer, Puppets for Peace

Stage Manager, Theatre Calgary

Several Positions, Calgary International Film Festival

Performers and Musicians, G.A.P Adventures Concept Store

Program Coordinator, Urban Youth Worx

Movement Teacher, MoMo Mixed Ability Dance Theatre

Tech/Stage Manager, Tabloid Origami

{ ALBERTA }

Theatre Manager, Grande Prairie Live Theatre

Various Positions, Ignition Theatre (Red Deer)

Administrative Assistant, Central Alberta Theatre (Red Deer)

Technical Manager/Director, Central Alberta Theatre (Red Deer)

{ CANADA }

Theatre Technical Production Manager, Department of Dramatic Arts, Brock University (St. Catharines, ON)

Stage Manager, Persephone Theatre (Saskatoon, SK)

Artistic Director, Persephone Theatre (Saskatoon, SK)

Stage Managers, Green Thumb Theatre (Vancouver, BC)

Program Officer, English Theatre, Arts Division, Canada Council for the Arts

Artistic Director, Theatre North West (Prince George, BC)

Multiple Postions, THEATREONE (Nanaimo, BC)

Business Manager/Producer, Electric Company Theatre Society (Vancouver, BC)

AUDITIONS

{ EDMONTON }

Call for Year Round Submissions, The Citadel Theatre

{ CALGARY }

To Kill a Mockingbird, Workshop Theatre

General Auditions, Velvet at the Grand – Theatre Junction

Surge Company Auditions, Eko Dance Projects / W & M Physical Theatre

The Emperor's New Clothes, StoryBook Theatre

Camelot, Front Row Centre Players

Beginnings - Independent Short Film, Silver Eyes Productions, contact Liz McMullen >

{ ALBERTA }

Broadway in the Bow Valley Season, Oh Canada Eh? Productions

{ CANADA }

General Auditions, TheatreOne (Nanaimo, BC)

General Auditions, Niagara-on-the-Lake Shaw Festival 2008 (Toronto, ON)

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

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Odds & Ends

FOURTH ANNUAL CAT AWARDS

Come Celebrate the Magic We Make!

This Saturday August 18th, 7:30pm at the Rozsa Centre at the University of Calgary. Come join your friends and fellow cast members for an evening celebrating Community Theatre.

As in the past, the dress is formal, with cocktails starting at 6:30pm and followed by the after-party just a few steps away at the Grad Lounge.

General Admission Tickets are $15 each and available by calling StoryBook at 403-216-0808, at the door (cash only), or online >

THEATRE WORKS SCHOOL OF THE ARTS

Acting, singing, and dance training for kids/teens ages 7 – 19. Fall Semester begins September 11th, 2007.

To register call 403-803-1483 or more info >

FREE PERFORMANCE SPACE WITH PERKS!

Velvet and Theatre Junction at The GRAND are looking for adult-based performances and adult performers (18+) in music, dance, magic, circus, burlesque, poetry, improv, etc, to perform in Velvet, The GRAND's sumptuous restaurant and lounge. 

Times:  Fridays from 5 – 7pm and Saturdays from 9 – 11pm in Velvet

Groups will receive:

• 2 free tickets to a Theatre Junction at The GRAND production (up to a $120 value)
• $50 Velvet food/beverage tab per night
• promotion of performance through the Velvet and ATTHEGRAND.CA websites and inclusion in newsletters and listings
• a merchandise table (to be manned by the performer or their rep)

Performers can audition with CD/DVD or in person. Auditions and audition materials must be in by the last Wednesday of every month when auditions are held. 

Contact Nadine at 403-263-4313 to book an audition. 

THEATRE IN THE PARK – CALL FOR PERFORMERS

Do you have a skit, a song, a dance, a comedy routine? Are you an improviser? Out Of Our Heads Productions is looking for all types of performers with prepared pieces to perform in an outdoor theatre in the park variety show. The show is an hour in length so pieces can be as short as 5 minutes or as long as 15. It is a community celebration for the community of Rocky Ridge. The average age of audience members will be 50 plus, so routines should be family oriented.

The show takes place in the evening on Thursday, August 23. An honorarium will be given to each piece. Send a proposal >

ARTS ALIVE! CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

The Second Annual Arts Alive! Festival is coming back to 118 ave. in Edmonton from September 28 – 29, 2007. They are looking for volunteers to run venues, ushers, etc, and would love to have extra hands and feet to see this exciting festival come alive.

Contact Christy at 780-471-3585 or more info >

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TA eNews is an electronic newsletter distributed every 3-4 weeks to subscribers. 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.

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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.