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"We must question the old beauty that is no longer beautiful and the new beauty that is no longer true. We must find new unbeautiful truths, and even if everyone disagrees with us, we must put them on stage."

— Morwyn Brebner quoting Shaw quoting Ibsen, PlayWorks Ink 07

What's New at TA

INTRODUCING DRAMATIC IMPACT: OUR NEW PODCAST!

Dramatic Impact is a podcast by Theatre Alberta that will be available in January 2008, created and hosted by Theatre Alberta member Elaine Elrod.

Over the last several decades, many of the artists, educators, and practitioners who have broken new ground in Canadian theatre have been from Alberta or have done innovative work as visiting artists in Alberta. Subscribe to the Dramatic Impact podcast for free and celebrate the Albertan contribution to Canadian theatre up close. Many of the interviews and recordings on Dramatic Impact will feature theatre artists you have worked with or whose contributions to Albertan theatre you have seen first-hand.

Subscription to Dramatic Impact will be available in January 2008, featuring recordings and interviews made at PlayWorks Ink 2007—Theatre Alberta's annual theatre conference and workshop event in Calgary. Kicking off the series is a recording of Morwyn Brebner's thought-provoking, funny, and inspirational PlayWorks Ink keynote address, "Plays Well With Others."   More about Dramatic Impact >

SEARCHING FOR THE PERFECT GIFT?

Why not buy the theatre lover in your life a Theatre Alberta membership? One year memberships start at $30 for individuals and $15 for students. Or how about a snazzy Theatre Alberta portfolio for looking confident when pitching your next project? Leather, embossed logo, slots for business cards, zippered document pocket, gift boxed, black, goes with everything. $25 including GST.
Order in time for Christmas!

NEW! BACK COVER AD IN TA NEWSLETTER

QUEER SCRIPTS IN THE LIBRARY

In recognition of the inaugural Exposure Queer Arts & Culture Festival—which recently took place in Edmonton from Nov. 23 - Dec. 1—Theatre Alberta’s library is highlighting some Canadian collections that explore queer culture (and are currently available in our stacks!).

Lesbian Plays: Coming of Age in Canada Selected and Edited by Rosalind Kerr (2006)
Featuring plays that chart certain historically-specific moments that represent a range of lesbian experiences over the past twenty years in various parts of Canada.

Making Out: Plays by Gay Men Edited by Robert Wallace (1992)
This bold collection of six short plays captures the vibrant range of styles and concerns that  propels gay male culture to the centre-stage of contemporary Canadian Theatre.

This Unknown Flesh by Sky Gilbert (1995)
These Sky Gilbert plays replace the conventions of realistic theatre with overt theatricality in order to investigate the uncertain landscape of queer sex.

Searching for a script? Visit our online library >

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE STAFF AT THEATRE ALBERTA! Holiday Hours: The Theatre Alberta library and office will be closed from December 22 to January 3. The book depository will be UNAVAILABLE during this time. Please call to renew your books to avoid any fines.

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Theatre News

WORKSHOP WEST ANNOUNCES NEW GM

On November 16, Jennifer Spencer, Chair of Workshop West's Board of Directors, announced that Mary Jane Kreisel has been chosen as the company's new General Manager. She will commence the position on December 10, 2007.

"We are delighted that Mary Jane has joined our team," Spencer said. "In the interview process, we were particularly impressed with M. J.'s background in financial management and marketing as well as her administrative vision for Workshop West."

M. J. brings experience in theatre management from her tenure as General Manager of Alberta Opera and Treasurer of Walterdale Theatre Associates. Prior to working in these positions, she spent several years as a Research Analyst in the field of market research. M. J. has also been a Stage Manager for a number of plays produced at Walterdale Playhouse and the Edmonton International Fringe Festival.

What's On at Workshop West >

$300,000 IN NEW SUPPORT FOR CALGARY FESTIVALS

Calgary Arts Development is pleased to announce that the Calgary City Council recently approved its 2008 budget and $300,000 in new funding will be available to Calgary festivals through a special Calgary Arts Development grant program.

This new support will be available to Calgary’s arts festivals to build public awareness and encourage audience development. Strengthening the overall reputation of Calgary as a home for dynamic year-round arts festivals and building participation in our arts festivals from Calgary’s diverse communities will be key focus areas for the funding.

"Festivals are a very accessible way for Calgarians to experience the arts. With this new funding Council is affirming its support for the important role of arts and culture in Calgary's quality of life," said Terry Rock, President & CEO of Calgary Arts Development.   More >

COLLEEN MURPHY WINS THE GG

On November 27 The Canada Council for the Arts announced Colleen Murphy as the winner of the 2007 Governor General's Literary Award in the English Drama category for her play The December Man (L'homme de décembre)—a play that premiered at Alberta Theatre Projects' 2007 Enbridge playRites Festival for New Canadian Plays.

Ms. Murphy said, "Winning the Governor General's Literary Award for Drama is an honour. The Enbridge playRites Festival is an all too rare opportunity to showcase new plays and to give them an opportunity to begin a journey out into the world."

The December Man is playing at The Citadel Theatre in Edmonton from March 4 - 23, 2008. This co-production with CanStage stars Nicola Lipman and Brian Dooley and is directed by Micheline Chevrier.

Full list of GG winners >

CANMORE DREAMS OF A CULTURAL CENTRE

With a vision of a vibrant and vital “heart for the arts,” a group of dedicated volunteers are pursuing the dream of a community cultural centre in downtown Canmore called the Lamphouse Centre for the Arts.

Currently there is no dedicated cultural facility in the Bow Corridor for the hundreds of community groups, enterprises, and individuals involved in cultural activities in the area. While institutions such as the Canmore High School and The Banff Centre try to accommodate the area’s community cultural groups, their core programs are not community programs, and their institutional needs naturally supercede those of the cultural groups. The result is a large “venue gap” in the Bow Corridor.

The goal is to develop a 17,000 sq. foot facility that will include a 350-seat theatre and supporting rooms, a small outdoor performance area, an art exhibition space, meeting rooms, offices and storage spaces, a community ticket office, and banquet facilities to support a wide range of local and touring activities and events.   More >

VANCOUVER 2010 CULTURAL OLYMPIAD - ALBERTA INFO SESSIONS

The Edmonton Arts Council, Calgary Arts Development, and the Alberta Foundation for the Arts invite you to two open information sessions presented by representatives from the Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad team. The purpose of these sessions is to provide members of Alberta's professional arts community an opportunity to hear directly about the proposed programming for the Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad and to address any questions you may have about potential participation.

Featuring presenter Robert Kerr, the Program Director for the Cultural Olympiad.

EDMONTON

Wednesday, December 12, 2:00 - 4:30 PM
Capital Arts Building  10708 – 105 Avenue
RSVP to Mieke Higham by December 10: 780-424 2787 x.5.

CALGARY

Thursday, December 13, 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM
Jack Singer Concert Hall - Lobby  205 8th Avenue S.E.
RSVP to Erica Mattson by December 10.

Cultural Olympiad Open Call for Proposals:  English | French

CURRENT ISSUES IN CANADIAN CULTURAL DIPLOMACY

MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE MEET IN MONTREAL

On November 22 at the Université du Québec à Montréal, the Canadian Conference of the Arts (CCA) brought together representatives of the political, diplomatic, and cultural sectors for the Symposium on the Role of Arts and Culture in Canadian Public Diplomacy. With many Western democracies turning to cultural diplomacy in order to assert their influence on the world stage, the CCA sought to establish a consensus on the best practices regarding Canada’s goal of maintaining a strong presence internationally.

In the coming weeks, the CCA will publish a report which will be distributed to all federal decision makers in the area of Canadian international and cultural relations.

ARTS ADVOCATES WANT CULTURE BODIES ABROAD

In an effort to fill a gap in Canada's public diplomacy strategy, a group of Canadian cultural leaders asked Heritage Minister Josée Verner on November 28 for $150 million to establish an international institution to project its culture and identity onto the world stage.

There's a British Council and an Alliance Française, but Canada is absent in promoting its arts and culture overseas, something opposition MPs say they would support as part of well-rounded diplomacy.

Antoni Cimolino, general director of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival and the proposal's champion, described the project as a long-term branding exercise that would "attack the notion that is too often held abroad that Canada lacks sophistication."

Among those contributing to the proposal were the heads of the National Arts Centre, the Banff Centre for the Performing Arts, the Vancouver Opera, the Museum of Civilization and the Canadian Arts Summit.

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Shows Opening

December 5 - January 8

Full Playbill

EDMONTON

Sinbad The Sailor - A Pantomime
Dec 5 – 15, Walterdale Theatre Associates   More >

Story Cafe: Perfect Gifts
Dec 6, TALES Edmonton   More >

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Dec 6 – 8, Spruce Grove Composite High School: 780-962-0800.

Cinderella
Dec 7 – 9, Alberta Opera @ Fringe Theatre Adventures   More >

The Christmas Carol Project
Dec 18 – 23, Theatre Network   More >

St. Albert Children's Theatre Celebration Concert
Dec 21, St. Albert Children's Theatre   More >

Story Cafe: Cabin Fever
Jan 3, TALES Edmonton   More >

ALBERTA

A Christmas Carol
Dec 5 – 8, Holy Redeemer Catholic Jr/Sr High School, Edson: 780-723-7437.

The Rich Man
Dec 6 – 22, Rosebud School Of The Arts: 1-800-267-7553.

Ho Ho…oh!
Dec 14 - 15, Tree House Youth Theatre @ Scott Block, Red Deer: 403-358-5303.

Razzmatazz - The Best Of New West
Dec 26 - Jan 5, New West Theatre, Lethbridge   More >

Rumplestiltskin
Dec 26 - Jan 5, New West Theatre, Lethbridge   More >

Self Help
Jan 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, 25-26, Ovations! Dinner Theatre, Grande Prairie: 780-897-9200.

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Jobs & Auditions      

JOBS

{ EDMONTON }

House Manager, Citadel Theatre

Box Office Assistant Manager, Citadel Theatre

{ CALGARY }

General Manager, LunchboxTheatre

Facility Supervisor, StoryBook Theatre

Rehearsal Stage Manager, Stage West Calgary

Front of House Assistant, Lunchbox Theatre

{ CANADA }

Sessional Instructor, Visual & Performing Arts, Thompson Rivers University (Kamloops, BC)

Assistant Professor: Movement for Actors, Acting/Voice, University of Victoria

Consultant, Cultural Human Resources Council

Director of Marketing, Stratford Shakespeare Festival (Stratford or Toronto, ON)

Artistic Director, Pi Theatre (Vancouver, BC)

Playwright-in-Residence, University of Regina

Tenure-Track Position, BFA Production Degree Program, Ryerson University Theatre School (Toronto, ON)

AUDITIONS

{ EDMONTON }

25th Anniversary Production – Baby, ELOPE Musical Theatre

The Lion in Winter, Walterdale Theatre

Ongoing Auditions, Jubilations Dinner Theatre

{ CALGARY }

Debut (Rock N’ Roll drama), SAIT Film & Video

Cabaret, Cappuccino Musical Theatre

Dessert Song, Cappuccino Musical Theatre

{ ALBERTA }

Murder Mysteries, Slixer Entertainment (various locations across Alberta)

{ CANADA }

General Auditions, Stratford Shakespeare Festival (Vancouver, Regina, Toronto, and St. John's)

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

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

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Submissions

OPEN CALL FOR DIRECTORS - CALGARY

FRONT ROW CENTRE PLAYERS

Front Row Centre Players invites directors experienced in musical theatre to make proposals for shows to be produced during their 2008/09 season. They are looking for shows that will create an exciting and balanced roster, particularly WELL-KNOWN SHOWS with HIGH AUDIENCE POTENTIAL. Deadline December 31.

Email Joey Sayer, Artistic Director of Front Row Centre Players for proposal guidelines.

MORPHEUS THEATRE

Morpheus Theatre is currently accepting proposals for the 2008/09 season until. Please include information on the show, why you think Morpheus should produce it, ideas about the potential audience and potential challenges, and your directing experience.

Morpheus will also consider shows without directors and directors without shows.

Send proposals to Sean Anderson. Deadline December 15.

DANCEFEST @ NEXTFEST 2008

Submission Call To Emerging Dancers, Choreographers and Dance Artists interested in collaborating on various choreographic projects for Nextfest 2008: June 5 - 15, 2008.

Submissions should include the following:

• Written Proposal: a detailed description of the work, including technical requirements, duration and number of performers, including musicians; and an artist statement identifying the ultimate goal or vision of the work
• Visual Documentation (DVD)
• Curriculum Vitae

Deadline February 29, 2008.
Submit to : Nextfest c/o Theatre Network 10708 124 St Edmonton, AB T5M 0H1

Contact Linda Turnbull (Dance Curator) for more info.

CANADIAN PEACE PLAY COMPETITION 2008

An initiative of the Consortium for Peace Studies at the University of Calgary

The Canadian Peace Play Competition invites stimulating new works that accomplish one or more of the following:
• Promote peace, social justice and human rights
• Offer insight into the part played by war, violence and conflict in human history
• Address the human and environmental cost of violence
• Foster communication, understanding, and/or empathy in situations of conflict
• Explore perspectives of divergent cultural, religious, spiritual, racial, and ethnic issues

Deadline January 15.   More >

OPERA AS THEATRE

The Banff Centre’s Opera as Theatre program offers emerging professional singers a unique opportunity to concentrate on the interpretive dramatic arts while enhancing their musical knowledge and skills. This six-week program (June 23 - August 3, 2008
) offers participants the chance to work with master coaches and mentors from the national and international opera, theatre, and music communities.

Deadline February 1, 2008.   More >

VIOLET THE PILOT CALLING PLAYWRIGHTS

Bettina Bathe is a published children's book author to the series Violet the Pilot and four books were recently adapted into a successful children's play in Toronto. She has an excellent idea for an adult show and is looking to commission someone to write the play. It would be comedic, full-length, modern day setting.

For more info:
email | call 403-284-1418 |visit www.violetthepilot.com

TRIDENT NEW PLAY CONTEST

Neptune Theatre in Halifax, NS is holding a playwriting competition open to all Canadian playwrights. Writers are invited to submit their best full-length stage plays that have never been produced. Three finalists will be selected to receive a reading by a professional cast in front of an audience. Transportation to the theatre to attend the readings will be provided by Neptune. The winning play will receive a workshop and Neptune will hold a six month option for consideration of future production.

Deadline January 28, 2008.   More >

TWO ATP AWARDS...

ENBRIDGE PLAYRITES AWARDS

Under the auspices of the Enbridge playRites Awards, Alberta Theatre Projects provides two cash awards of $3000: one to an established Canadian playwright and one to an emerging Canadian playwright. The purpose of each Award is to contribute to the development of a new Canadian play.

Deadline December 17.   More >

HARRY AND MARTHA COHEN AWARD

The Harry and Martha Cohen Award recognizes those community members who have demonstrated a sustained and significant contribution to theatre in Calgary. Nominees can include actors, administrators, designers, philanthropists, playwrights, teachers, technicians or volunteers.

Deadline December 15.   More >

SAW - SCRIPTS AT WORK

Scripts at Work (S.A.W.) - Central Alberta Playwright Series is looking for script submissions before its deadline of December 13, 2007! SAW is a series of workshops readings and events meant to nurture the existing, emerging or "curious" playwright in Central Alberta.   More >

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

Postings are updated weekly: Full Submissions Postings

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Odds & Ends

CALGARY’S MOST NOTORIOUS FOOLS PRESENT…

A NEW YEAR'S CELESTIAL BODIES COSTUME BALL: December 31, 9PM

Featuring...
• Angelic and magical visitations
• Operatic aerial performances
• Champagne and hors d¹oeuvres at midnight
• DJ Tanya Trimble
• Cash bar

Tickets now on sale: $60 ea. Buy in person with cash!

Green Fools Theatre, 2404 Erlton Road SW
403-237-9010 | info@greenfools.com

CASINO VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

CALGARY INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL

The Calgary International Children's Festival has been granted a casino licence for February 16 and 17, 2008 (Saturday and Sunday) at the STAMPEDE CASINO. They are looking for 30 volunteers and require a Casino Volunteer Worker Application Form no later than December 10. Contact Patti Howlett ASAP if you can help out: 403-294-7414 x9.

WRITERS GUILD OF ALBERTA

The Writers Guild of Alberta is still looking for volunteers to fill their evening shifts!
January 27 & 28, 2008
Palace Casino, West Edmonton Mall
Contact the WGA at 780-422-8174.

BROAD MINDS PRODUCTIONS

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Broad Minds Productions is looking for a few good men and women to Usher or perform Box-Office duties for their upcoming Christmas show. See the show for free!

Memories of a Christmas Ornament
Running Weds - Sat, December 12 - 12

Email Broad Minds with "Volunteer" in the subject line.

DATABASE DESTROYED

The Broad Minds database was destroyed due to unforeseen technical circumstances over the summer. If you have supported their company in the past, they are asking that you please email them with your up-to-date contact information: name, address, email, and telephone number.

MORPHEUS THEATRE IS LOOKING FOR...

A COSTUME DESIGNER & ASM

Morpheus Theatre is producing Edward Albee's classic Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? from January 11-26, 2008 and they are in need of a costume designer and an ASM.

Contact Trish Befus at 403-542-5586.

PERIOD FURNITURE

Morpheus Theatre is looking for a few items circa late 1950's early 1960's. Contact Bill Torrie or Trish Befus if you're willing to lend:

• Couch & Chair - Eames Style - wide arms, low back
• Older, swivel "comfy chair"
• Console record player that plays LP's (does not have to work)
• Tubular Doorbell
• Coffee table

More items are required, but the couch & chairs are the most pressing!

HAIR & MAKE-UP ARTIST AVAILABLE – CALGARY

Hair & Make-up artist Keri Gordon is available for theatre-related work. Trained as a make-up artist at Blanche Macdonald in Vancouver (2005) and as a hairstylist at Marvel College (2003). Currently works full time at Dolce salon and spa in Calgary and freelance with the Calgary Fringe Festival and the television show "It's Just Food."

DISPLAY YOUR TYA BROCHURES & POSTERS!

The display area at the Creative Kids Museum is pretty empty and there's lots of stuff going on in Calgary! Please send your brochures, posters, or cards so they can help you
publicize your events for families.

Ensure you are:
a) A family organization & your brochure or poster is appropriate for children to see.
b) An arts organization (including literature, theatre, dance, music, visual arts, film)

Please send no more than 40 brochures, through mail or courier.

701- 11 St SW - PO Box 2100 Stn. M #73. Calgary, AB T2P 2M5
Questions? Contact Wendy Passmore-Godfrey: 403-268-8319.

PACT'S THEATRE LISTING 2007 EDITION: LAST CHANCE!

Get your copy of The Theatre Listing 2007: A Directory of Professional Theatres. Discounts are available for students, booksellers, and PACT Member & Affiliate theatres.
Inside:
• Information about 350 Canadian theatre companies, festivals and rental facilities
• Addresses, phone, and fax numbers, email addresses and websites
• Details about seasons, repertoires, new play development, and festivals
• A guide to arts organizations and government agencies
• Rental information including type of stage, number of seats, technical facilities and costs

More >

THE NAMES ARE IN!

Contestants for the University of Alberta Bookstores’ 10 Days of Madness 24-HR Playwriting Festival are as follows:

DELUSIONAL PLAYWRIGHTS

Andrea Beca, Taylor Chadwick, Yvonne Desjardins, Scott Garland, Len Gierach, Jenna Greig, Michele Vance Hehir, Jesse Henton, David Johnston, Sean McQuillan, Steven Weller

FULLY COMMITTED PLAYWRIGHTS

David Bates, Jill Connell, Lucas Foss, Ryan McKinley, Dana Rayment, Wes Schofield, Mark Stubbings

Join them at the Kick-Off Party to enjoy food and festivities and stick around for a playwriting workshop by Frank Moher.

January 11th @ the TransAlta Bus Barns, 7 - 10 PM   More >

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eNEWS ETIQUETTE

TA eNews is an electronic newsletter distributed to subscribers the first Wednesday (or so) of every month. 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.

Back Issues: All our past enewsletters can be found in our online archives >

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Your Feedback: We appreciate it!  Send comments and ideas to our Programmer, Jill Connell.

Submit a Posting: Please send any theatre news, shows, opportunities, etcetera for inclusion in TA eNews prior to the first Wednesday of each month. All information submitted via our online postings or online playbill will already be considered for inclusion in TA eNews and need not be resubmitted.  Submit >

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.