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"Theatre is a form of knowledge."   —Augusto Boal

What's New at TA

GOT IDEAS FOR PLAYWORKS INK?

PlayWorks Ink 2008 seems to be a distant speck on the horizon—didn’t we just wrap-up PWI 2007?! But plans for next October are already brewing, as Theatre Alberta and Alberta Playwrights’ Network are busy passing ideas back and forth for compelling workshops and professional development opportunities, visceral themes, fabulous instructors and playwrights, and that once-in-a-lifetime featured guest.

We’d love to hear your opinions! Let us know what excites or irks you in the world of theatre, professional theatre artists you’d love an opportunity to dialogue with, and ultimately, what programming you’d like to attend at PlayWorks Ink in downtown Calgary the weekend of October 23–26, 2008 . Now brainstorming...contact us >

DRAMATIC IMPACT EPISODE 2: CHRISTOPHER HUNT

Episode 2 of Dramatic Impact is now ready to download. In this episode, Calgary-based actor Christopher Hunt talks to Elaine about how he became an actor and what fuels his passion for theatre and his dedication to his craft.

We want to include your viewpoints on the show. Please write us and tell us a short anecdote that illustrates why theatre is important to you.

Dramatic Impact is a podcast by Theatre Alberta, hosted by TA member and volunteer Elaine Elrod. Listen to Dramatic Impact >

RECOGNIZING BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Find the following scripts in our Library:

Harlem Duet By Djanet Sears
Set in contemporary Harlem at the corner of Martin Luther King and Malcolm X boulevards, the play explores the space where race and sex intersect. Winner of the Governor General's Literary Award, the Chalmers Award, and four Dora Mavor Moore Awards.

Testifyin’: Contemporary African Canadian Drama, Volume I  Edited by Djanet Sears
Truly a dramatic first, this remarkable collection of writing for the stage features critical introductions to each of these outstanding dramas and celebrates African Canadain playwrights and their plays. 

Testifyin’: Contemporary African Canadian Drama, Volume II  Edited by Djanet Sears
This long awaited follow up to Volume I is a magnificent tribute to the enduring voices of Black writers for the stage and an extraordinary testament to the vibrancy of African Canadian theatre.

Thank-you to Keith Ewasiuk for his donation of scripts to Theatre Alberta's library.

Searching for a script?  Visit our online library >

Please note: the Theatre Alberta office and library will be closed from February 16–18 for the Family Day weekend.

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Theatre News

AUGUSTO BOAL NOMINATED FOR NOBEL PEACE PRIZE

Theatre was recently recognized on the global stage as Augusto Boal was nominated as a candidate for the 2008 Nobel Peace Prize.

Augusto Boal’s most important artistic creation, Theater of the Oppressed (TO), is now being used in more than seventy countries by hundreds of individuals and organizations, in fields such as education and pedagogy, social work and mental health, political and cultural activism, as well as numerous other areas where people are deprived of their right to exist freely. TO artists have helped thousands of people around the world to demand their rights and have been fully engaged in the ongoing struggles against globalization, racism, sexism, homophobia, economic exploitation, and other forms of oppression.

“Alberta, and especially Calgary, is a vibrant centre of Theatre of the Oppressed practice,” notes Michele Decottignies, Artistic Director of Stage Left Productions. Not only does Alberta boast a Centre for the Theatre of the Oppressed in Stage Left Productions, but a number of companies (e.g. All Nations Theatre) and individuals (e.g. Mariette Sluyter, Diane Conrad, Charlene Hellson) are also using TO methods for all kinds of creative and social applications in the theatre arts.

EDMONTON EXPLORATIONS GRANTS – ROUND TWO RECIPIENTS

The Edmonton Cultural Capital Program (ECCP) awarded $312,964 to sixteen Edmonton artists in the second round of the Explorations grant program.  In this round the ECCP office received 141 applications with total requested support being close to $2.8 million. 

ROUND TWO GRANT RECIPIENTS (THEATRE):

Kristine Nutting will produce a new interdisciplinary twelve person spectacle show called Pig. This new young author, performer, and artistic producer focuses on creating Alberta work which is image-based and provocative.

Jessica Carmichael and a group of Edmonton artists called Theatre Rien – Pantoute, will perform 1984/Untitled. This adaptation for stage of George Orwell's novel 1984 will bring forward the novel’s female voice and incorporate techniques from Theatre of the Oppressed.

Marty Chan will workshop and present a reading of The Forbidden Phoenix, a fusion of Chinese opera and western musical theatre. A cast of singers, actors, musicians, and acrobats will test production elements within a genre that is new to North American audiences.

Eric Cheng will present Wilkommen in Spreepark, a musical theatre production that will bring together Edmonton musicians, actors, installation artists, and others, to transform a local performance space into an interactive amusement park.

More >

BANFF CENTRE NAMES ROBINSON NEW DIRECTOR

Kelly Robinson, an acclaimed theatre and opera director, has been appointed the Centre’s new director of Theatre Arts.

Robinson began his connection with The Banff Centre as a participant in the dance program, and as his career in theatre grew, his work became integral to the Centre’s performing arts programs, particularly in music theatre and opera. Program director of the Centre’s Opera as Theatre program (a role he will continue), Robinson has directed most of the recent Banff Summer Arts Festival opera productions, including premieres of two original Canadian operas, Filumena and Frobisher.   More >

EPCOR CENTRE APPOINTS GAJIC NEW GENERAL MANAGER

On February 2, Colin Jackson, President and CEO of the EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts, announced the appointment of Aleksandra (Sandra) Gajic as General Manager. Gajic will be responsible for day to day operations, ensuring alignment to the organization's vision, mission, and mandate. Ms. Gajic will also be involved in critical strategic planning and decision-making.

As Operations Manager of the Canadian Opera Company since 1992, Ms. Gajic helped lead the company through the design, commissioning, and building of the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto. Prior to that, she held management roles in England, Libya, and in her native country of Yugoslavia. Ms. Gajic's passion for art in its many forms is demonstrated through her considerable talents as a poet, painter, and piano instructor.

DAVID STORCH RESIGNS FROM POST AT CANADIAN STAGE

January 30 (CBC): After just six months in the gig, actor and director David Storch has resigned as the artistic director of Toronto's Canadian Stage Company.

"It has become clear to me that the demands of artistic director of this company are not ones which I feel are in my creative interests to pursue," Storch said in a statement released by Canadian Stage. "Having discussed it with my colleagues at the company, they understand and have accepted my resignation."

Martin Bragg, artistic producer of Canadian Stage, said that despite Storch's resignation, Storch will still direct the company's upcoming, season-ending production of Misery, a stage adaptation of the Stephen King novel, and remain a player "behind the scenes in 2008-2009 and beyond."   More >

Related story, February 7 (CBC): Layoffs at Toronto's CanStage theatre company >

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Shows Opening

February 6 - March 4

Full Playbill

EDMONTON

While We're Young
Feb 7 – 16, Studio Theatre - University Of Alberta   More >

Crimes Of The Heart
Feb 7 – 15, Walterdale Theatre Associates   More >

Story Cafe: Love 'em And Leave 'em
Feb 7, TALES Edmonton   More >

Something: Mump & Smoot
Feb 7 – 17, Fringe Theatre Adventures   More >

Macbeth
Feb 9 - Mar 2, The Citadel Theatre   More >

New Works Festival 2008
February 12 - 16, Drama Dept - University of Alberta   More >

Famous Puppet Death Scenes
Feb 14 - Mar 2, The Old Trout Puppet Workshop @ Theatre Network   More >

Cette Fille-là,
Feb 14 – 17, L’UniThéâtre   More >

High School Improv Festival
Feb 15 – 23, Rapid Fire Theatre   More >

Love Letters
Feb 17, Shadow Theatre Fundraiser: 780-434-5564.

The Mikado
Feb 21 - Mar 1, Sherard Musical Theatre Association, Sherwood Park   More >

Fly By Night(s)
Feb 22 - Feb 23, Firefly Theatre   More >

ADFA Regional Adult One Act Festival
Feb 22 - 23, Edmonton: 780-439-3058.

3 Different Heavens
Feb 29 - Mar 9, Northern Light Theatre   More >

The December Man (L'homme de décembre)
Mar 4 – 23, The Citadel Theatre   More >

Nami Namersson, The Viking Who Liked To Name Things
Mar 4 – 9, Concrete Theatre   More >

ALBERTA

A Little Quickie - Dinner Theatre
Feb 6 – 23, Kelsey Drama Club: 780-375-2418.

Stuck in Lo-Di
Feb 8 - 9, 15 - 16, 22 - 23, Ovations! Dinner Theatre, Grande Prairie: 780-897-9200.

Into The Woods
Feb 12 – 16, University Of Lethbridge Theatre And Dramatic Arts: 403-329-2616.

The Mousetrap
Feb 14 – 23, Water Works Players/Wetaskiwin Theatre Society: 780-352-8383.

Hay Fever
Feb 14 – 23, Red Deer College   More >

Grease
Feb 14 – 23, Keyano Theatre, Fort McMurray   More >

Sylvia
Feb 15 - Mar 9, Central Alberta Theatre, Red Deer   More >

Oklahoma
Feb 21 - Mar 15, Grande Prairie Live Theatre   More >

Disney's Beauty And The Beast
Feb 22 - Mar 1, Medicine Hat Firehall Theatre Society: 403-502-8777.

Snoopy!
Feb 28 - Apr 12, Oh Canada Eh? Dinner Show, Canmore   More >

Mending Fences
Feb 28 - Mar 8, New West Theatre, Lethbridge   More >

Annie Junior
Feb 29 - Mar 8, About Time Productions, Camrose: 780-672-0893.

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Jobs & Auditions      

JOBS

{ EDMONTON }

Teaching Assistants, Foote Theatre School at The Citadel Theatre

Administration Assistant, Edmonton Arts Council

General Manager, Alberta Opera

Theatre for Young Audiences Showcase Coordinator, Arts Touring Alliance of Alberta

Stage Managers, Foote Theatre School at The Citadel Theatre

Project and Research Administrator, Canadian Centre for Theatre Creation, University of Alberta

{ CALGARY }

Communications Coordinator, EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts

Marketing and Sales Manager, Theatre Junction at the GRAND

Assistant Agent, PM Gigs Inc.

{ ALBERTA }

Actor/Interpreter, Parks Canada, Mountain World Heritage Interpretive Theatre Troupe (Banff)

Summer Arts Workers, Arts Camps Program, Arts Branch (Various locations)

{ CANADA }

Director – Production Program, English Section, National Theatre School of Canada (Montreal)

AUDITIONS

{ EDMONTON }

TEENS @ THE TURN FESTIVAL, The Citadel Theatre

Trading Spaces, Walterdale Theatre Associates

Bilingual hosts for training videos, Business Improvement Solutions Inc. (Sherwood Park)

The Wean, Cowardly Kiss Theatre

Man of La Mancha, Horizon Players

{ CALGARY }

Debbie Does Dallas: The Musical, Broadway West Productions

Food for Thought and Go With the Flow, Evergreen Theatre

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 & Workshops

SUBMISSIONS

TEENS @ THE TURN FESTIVAL

TEENS @ THE TURN is the Citadel’s annual teen theatre festival – running April 17-27, 2008. The festival provides FREE professional mentorship and production opportunities for teen playwrights, actors, dancers, directors, designers, and stage managers. Participants must be 15 to 19 years of age.

ACTORS AND DANCERS: Audition for ICE: beyond cool (Feb 9 & 10)
PLAYWRIGHTS: Apply for the Teens @ The Turn Playwriting Project (Feb 8)
DIRECTORS, STAGE MANAGERS, AND DESIGNERS: Apply for the Teens @ The
Turn Mentorship Program (Feb 8)   More >

NEXTFEST HIGH SCHOOL MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

Calling all high school theatre artists… Work in a professional theatre setting and showcase your talent at Edmonton’s largest emerging artists festival, Nextfest 2008.

• Shadow a professional playwright, actor, director, designer (set/lighting/costume), stage manager, theatre technician, or dramaturg
• Submit your play to be considered for a staged reading or full production
• Work on a production written by a high school student as an actor, director, designer, or stage manager

Nextfest 2008 is part of Theatre Network’s season and takes place June 5 – 15, 2008.  Deadline: March 21, 2008. Contact Jill Connell or Steve Pirot for more information.

MASTER OF ARTS IN DRAMA - UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA

Apply for a 2-year, thesis-based degree. Course-based option can be completed over 3 semesters full time or part time over over 4 years.

DEADLINE EXTENDED: February 15, 2008.   More >

NATIONAL THEATRE SCHOOL OF CANADA

Now accepting applications to study in the following disciplines:
Production - Set and Costume Design - Acting - Playwriting - Directing

Deadine: February 15, 2008   More >

WORKSHOPS

ONE-DAY MASTER CLASS FOR PROFESSIONAL PLAYWRIGHTS

On Sunday, February 17th, Alberta Playwrights' Network will host a one-day master class with Alberta Playwright Vern Thiessen. Designed for professional playwrights, Vern will share his knowledge on building relationships, marketing strategies, and career planning. Enrolment is limited and preference will be given to experienced playwrights.

The class will be held at APN’s offices at the Curry Barracks, 2633 Hochwald Ave SW from 10am to 6pm. The enrollment fee is $75.

Deadline: February 8.   More >

THE ART OF THE JOKER

Theatre of the Oppressed Training for Experienced Practitioners: a special joint venture between Stage Left Productions (Canada) and the Mandala Center (U.S.), co-facilitated by Michele Decottignies & Marc Weinblatt.

This is a 5-day advanced training in the art of facilitating Boal-based theatre work. Applicants must have had significant practical (not theoretical) experience in leading Boal-based work in grassroots community contexts, and must have Joked a minimum of 3 different Forum Theatre projects prior to this training and have plans to do others. An application is required and a maximum of 20 practitioners will be accepted.

Dates: July 20 - 24, 2008 in Calgary;
Times: 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM daily.
Cost: $500 CAD / Deadline: April 30, 2008.

For application details contact Michele Decottignies at 403-829-2307.

NEO-BOUFFON STUDY WITH KAREN HINES

NEO-BOUFFON is Karen Hines' Canadian response to Philippe Gaulier's "bouffon": firmly rooted in the lessons of Parisian master Gaulier, but focused on finding new ways to apply the essential elements of bouffon within the context of contemporary North American culture. Through the writing and performing of comedic parodies, the work encourages a comedically-oriented dissection of societal maladies and afflictions. This course aims to wring laughter from unsettling aspects of contemporary culture, in the name of timely, responsible, thoughtful approaches to high performance, great entertainment, and killer content.

No bouffon or clown experience is necessary. Please send resume and/or CV with telephone contact information by email to David van Belle >

Dates: April 1-6, 2008 @ MOTEL in Calgary
Times: Tues - Fri 4-8 PM, Sat and Sun 1-8 PM.
Cost: $420 / Deadline: February 15

VOICE WORKSHOPS WITH RICHARD ARMSTRONG

Two vocal training workshops (Introductory and Advanced) focus on exploring and expanding the voice’s range and character, and emphasize good use of breath, body alignment, and physical grounding. There is a special emphasis on the connection between the voice and the personality of each participant.

Introductory Workshop
Program dates: August 17 - 19, 2008
Deadline:  March 28, 2008

Advanced Workshop
Program dates: August 21 - 30, 2008
Deadline:  March 28, 2008

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

TWO LIBRARY RESOURCES FOR THEATRE

THEATRE IN VIDEO - EDMONTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

Theatre in Video contains more than 275 definitive performances of the world's leading plays, together with more than 100 film documentaries, online in streaming video. Includes the complete works of Shakespeare and represents hundreds of leading playwrights, actors, and directors.

Watch landmark productions such as The Iceman Cometh, Awake and Sing, Long Day's Journey Into Night, and Krapp's Last Tape. Notable actors include Claire Bloom, Laurence Olivier, Colleen Dewhurst, Richard Dreyfuss, Walter Matthau, Meryl Streep, Anthony Hopkins, and Helen Mirren.   Theatre in Video >

SEARCHABLE PLAY INDEX - CALGARY PUBLIC LIBRARY

This searcheable online play index contains over 8,730 play listings from 969 book collections, many of which are not included in standard indexes (such as H.W. Wilson’s Play Index) and is updated frequently as new material arrives in the collection. Individually published plays and plays by Shakespeare are not included, as these are easily located through the Library catalogue by title keyword. Plays of less than one full act are not included.   Search the Play Index >

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

THE NEW WORKS FESTIVAL IS LOOKING FOR TECHNICIANS

The New Works Festival is looking for Sound board and Lighting board operators. Techs will be required for two evenings next week for our Q-to-Q (Feb. 4-8), for our tech weekend (Feb. 9-10), and for the Festival run (Feb. 12-16).

Experience is good but not necessary; we will teach you how to use the boards. The experience will be lots of fun and you should be able to get a few beers out of the whole deal.   More >

STORYBOOK'S EAST OF THE SUN, WEST OF THE MOON

StoryBook Theatre is searching high and low for volunteers to help them out with their third Adventure Series show East of the Sun, West of the Moon, running from February 14 (preview night) through to March 1.

They require 6 ushers per show, which makes this the perfect opportunity for any families looking to volunteer together! Volunteering for StoryBook gives you free admission to the show on the day you are volunteering for, which is a great way to see the show for free!

Contact Shelby >

THE CITADEL IS SEEKING VOLUNTEER USHERS

The Citadel Theatre is running three shows in the month of February. This means that there are three shows worth of front of house ushering positions to be filled!

There are 152 shifts for the month that need people to volunteer for, some shows more desperately than others. If you have a spare evening or afternoon and are able to help out contact Deb Mayer at 780-428-2143 and she will forward you a list of dates and times for you to choose from.

SPRING BLING

Join over two hundred of Edmonton’s finest personalities for Theatre Network’s favourite annual fundraiser Spring Bling. Bask in the exquisite atmosphere of Edmonton’s Sutton Place Hotel while enjoying the fine dining, first-class entertainment, and vast array of outstanding auction items that this unique event has to offer. All funds raised at this distinct fundraiser go to support Edmonton’s freshest faces.

Thursday, March 20, 2008.  Tickets: $150.
To book your tickets call 780-453-2440.   More >

LUNCHEON OF LOVE

What love can do that dares love attempt.

Share a table and the secrets for lasting love with Romeo and Juliet, as well as other celebrity couples, at the third annual Luncheon of Love. Edmonton’s Free Will Players and the River City Shakespeare Festival host this elegant fundraising luncheon complete with champagne, sonnets, songs of love and a taste of this summer’s fare in the park. The affair also includes a lively auction of lovely items.

Monday, February 11 from 11:45am to 1pm.
Wedgewood Room at the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald (10065 – 100 Street).
Tickets are $60 (with a charitable receipt of $25).
Book your tickets today by contacting Glenda at 780-425-8086.   More >

LOVE LETTERS FOR VALENTINE’S DAY WEEKEND

Shadow Theatre presents Love Letters by A. R. Gurney, a special theatrical valentine with one performance only: Sunday, February 17th at 7:30 pm. Love Letters is a story of a man and a woman’s poignantly funny friendship and romance from second grade through to middle age, told through the letters they write back and forth. This Shadow Theatre fundraiser stars real life couple, John Hudson and Sandy Paddick.

WHERE: Varscona Theatre, Edmonton.
$25 per person includes a glass of wine and cheese.
Call 780-434-5564 for tickets.

FREE WORKSHOP: RELAX WITH TAX

The Edmonton Cultural Capital Program presents Relax with Tax with Peter Messaline. This FREE workshop explores the realities of dealing with your income tax as a freelance artist, and is intended for artists of all disciplines. Friday’s session is full, but there are seats still available for Saturday, Feb 16. Please call 780-497-2336 or email Chrystal to reserve your seat.

WHEN: February 15-16, from 2-5pm.
WHERE: Sutton Place Hotel, 10235 101 Street.

TRIPLE SENSATION ANNOUNCES NATIONAL OPEN CALL AUDITIONS

The popular CBC series Triple Sensation, hailed as “the talent equivalent of a perfect storm” by Liz Nicholls in the Edmonton Journal, showcases a national search for young Canadians aged 16-26 who share a passion for the performing arts and whose combined talent in the acting, singing, and dance disciplines is formidable.

OPEN CALL AUDITIONS - CALGARY
Registration: February 25, 2008 @ 8:00 AM
Location: Centre Court at the EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts
Auditions: February 25 - 27.

OPEN CALL AUDITIONS - EDMONTON
Registration: February 28, 2008 @ 8:00 AM
Location: Mayfield Inn & Suites, 16615 - 109th Avenue
Auditions: February 28 - March 1.

Call Back and Marquee Panel auditions for the final selections will be held in Vancouver from March 18 - 25.

Pre-register for Open Call auditions online >

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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.

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