IN THIS ISSUE

What's New at TA
Theatre News
Shows Opening
Jobs & Auditions
Submissions & Workshops
Odds & Ends
About our eNews

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

"The strange power of art is sometimes it can show that what people have in common is more urgent than what differentiates them. It seems to me it's something that theatre can do, but it's rare; it's very rare." -- John Berger

What's New at TA

THREE WEEKS AND COUNTING...

THEATRE ALBERTA AND ALBERTA PLAYWRIGHTS' NETWORK PRESENT...

PlayWorks Ink: Rules of Engagement

If you are a member of Alberta’s theatre community–practitioner or patron–this weekend is not to be missed!  Participants and instructors, from across the province and beyond, are gathering in the downtown core of Calgary from October 23-26 2008.

Award-winning playwright Judith Thompson delivers a keynote address on “Theatre: Burning the Rules” on October 25 and teaches a playwriting workshop Channeling Voice.

Hannah Moscovitch, of recent East of Berlin notoriety, teaches PlayWRIGHT like WheelWRIGHT: Constructing Plays in the Post-Narrative Era and participates in the Sunday Panel discussion “Engaging or Enraging: Strategies and Limitations for Provoking an Audience.”

PlayWorks Ink offers growth opportunities for educators, students, and practitioners.  Don’t miss these fantastic workshop opportunities:

Re-vitalize your vocal tool kit and learn skills for every performance medium, with David Ley, Stratford voice coach of 10 years, in his two-day master class Adapting Your Voice.

Eva Carins, Managing Producer for Catalyst Theatre, shares her strategizing skills with you in Touring: A Producer's Tool Kit. Learn how to budget, finance and market your next tour!

Workshop your party pieces and polish your audition skills with two of Calgary’s prominent directors, Glenda Stirling and Ian Prinsloo, in Pieces that Pop! 

Are you Scared of Slapping? Let Adrian Young and Laryssa Yanchak, two of Canada’s rising Fight Directors, bring you up to speed on simple, safe, and effective techniques for performing stage combat.

Registration for the Full Weekend Package (only $195) includes admission to all PlayWorks Ink Special Events: Judith Thompson's Keynote Address, the PlayWorks Ink Theatre Gala -the hottest theatre party in town!- and Showcase Play Readings by some of Alberta’s hottest emerging and established playwrights!

REGISTER TODAY through Theatre Alberta—space is limited and spots are going quickly!  Bursaries are available to those in need.

More Info & Online Registration

DRAMATIC IMPACT EPISODES 10 AND 11: INTERVIEWS WITH VERN THIESSEN AND MICHELE BROWN

Dramatic Impact Episode 10 features part 2 of Elaine's in-depth interview with Canadian playwright Vern Thiessen.

In Episode 11, Elaine conducts an interview with Michele Brown, recorded for the Secrets of the Actor series.  It is fascinating material that you won't want to miss.  Michele discusses her origins as an actor, her creative process, the satisfaction that she gets from helping students at the University of Alberta discover their own creativity, and how her motivation for being an actor has changed over the years.

You can listen download the episodes, subscribe to the poscast or listen online at
www.acting-and-theatre.com.

LIBRARIAN'S PICK

GET READY FOR PLAYWORKS INK 2008!

Theatre Alberta’s library holds many books penned by this year’s distinguished guests and instructors: Judith Thompson, Hannah Moscovitch, Blake Brooker, Gordon Pengilly and Mieko Ouchi.  We highly recommend Palace of the End; The Russian Play; Ilsa, Queen of the Nazi Love Camp; Metastasis; and The Blue Light.

Visit our online library >

Fall Library Hours! Monday to Saturday, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
Next Library Closure: The Theatre Alberta office and library will be closed October 11-13 for the Thanksgiving holiday.  As the building is closed, the library drop box will be unavailable during this time.

| top|

Theatre News

STRATFORD SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL MOURNS PASSING OF BELOVED ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Richard Monette, the longest-serving artistic director in the history of the Stratford Festival, has died. Mr. Monette, whose tenure lasted for 14 seasons, from 1994 to 2007, died of a pulmonary embolus in hospital in London, Ontario. He was 64 years old. His love for the Festival was the centre of his being.  More >

MINISTER OF CULTURE ANNOUNCES $500,000 TO NEW LUNCHBOX THEATRE

The Honourable Lindsay Blackett, Minister of Culture and Community Spirit, announced the Government of Alberta's generous contribution of $500,000 to the new Lunchbox Theatre– currently under construction at the base of the Calgary Tower.  Immediately following the announcement, Minister Blackett, presented a cheque to Lunchbox Theatre's Artistic Director Martin Fishman, and Lunchbox Theatre president James Bailey. Martin Fishman then officially launched Lunchbox Theatre's 'Push to the Finish Campaign'.  More >

QUEST THEATRE ANNOUNCES THE DUVAL LANG THEATRE FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES AWARD

The award, which has been created to honor Co-Founder Duval Lang’s 25 years of service to Quest Theatre, will be given out annually at the Betty Mitchell Awards; it will be presented to recipients who continue to make theatre accessible and enjoyable to young audiences.  The award will be comprised of a $2,000.00 cash prize, along with a handcrafted award.  Nomination criteria, deadlines, and information about how people can donate to the fund through the Calgary Foundation will be available soon via Quest Theatre’s Website at www.questtheatre.org.  For more information please contact Rose Brow at 403-264-8575 ext 24.

NEW WEST THEATRE ANNOUNCES NEW ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

New West Theatre is pleased to announce the appointment of Nicholas Hanson to the position of Artistic Director for New West Theatre in Lethbridge, Alberta.

Raised in Halifax and Ottawa, Nicholas has Drama and Education degrees from Queen's University; he attended graduate school at the University of Toronto.  In 2003, he accepted a position as a faculty member with the Theatre and Dramatic Arts Department at the University of Lethbridge.   He has acted in numerous shows for New West Theatre and directed productions for the University of Lethbridge and Ammolite Theatre.  Hansen’s immediate duties include further development of the season’s remaining five productions and the fulfillment of the company’s long-term vision.  More >

HEAR YE!  HEAR YE!  TOWN HALL MEETING!

The Professional Arts Coalition of Edmonton (PACE) invites you to a Town Hall Meeting to discuss the recent cuts to the arts, the upcoming election and what action voters can take.  Please join Tommy Banks and our special guest Liberal Parliamentarian Bob Rae to discuss issues within the cultural sector. All are welcome.

Saturday October 4, 4:30 pm.  Old Strathcona Performing Arts Centre (Cosmopolitan Music Society). 8426 Gateway Blvd., Edmonton.  More >

DESIGNER JOHN FARWELL PASSES AWAY

Designer John Farwell, age 40, passed away Tuesday, August 26, 2008.  His talent, unassuming personality and gentle soul are greatly missed by his large loving family in Ontario, the University of Lethbridge, and the broader Canadian theatre community.

John worked as a designer and administrator for theatres across Canada.  More >

THE CCA HITS THE ROAD THIS FALL: JOIN THE CONVERSATION!

The Canadian Conference of the Arts has scheduled a series of fourteen regional forums, to meet with members of the cultural sector and other Canadians who have a stake in arts and culture in society.

The forums will give participants in all ten provinces an opportunity to share their views and strategies with the CCA in advance of a national policy conference to be held in March 2009 in Ottawa.

The forums are open to anyone who cares about the arts and culture sector in Canada, —the more views put forward the better—from the various perspectives of the arts and culture sector itself: educators, municipal and provincial officials or the business community. Canadians will by then have chosen their next government and the CCA wishes to renew its priorities for working with the federal government and the 40th Parliament to advance the shared interests and objectives of the arts and culture sector.

View the forum schedule online >

FEDERAL ELECTION 2008: WHAT TO ASK CANDIDATES SOLICITING YOUR VOTE

In order to assist all those who are preoccupied with the place arts and culture occupy in the current electoral campaign, the Canadian Conference of the Arts (CCA) has identified seven broad areas of prime importance for artists, creators, cultural institutions and industries. The CCA has developed a set of questions for each issue: these questions can be asked to all candidates when they come knocking at the door or participate in an all-party debate.  The CCA's web site now features a web page devoted to the Federal Election.

Click here to view CCA's the list of questions. >

Additionally, the Canadian Actors Equity Association is also featuring a Federal Election web page, which provides readers with a breakdown of the candidates' platforms, including views on arts and culture, and a list of questiong to ask candidates who are soliciting your vote.   View the web page >

| top | 

Shows Opening

October 2 - October 31

Full Playbill

Jobs & Auditions      

JOBS

{ CALGARY }

Theatre Arts Educator, Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium

Director of Development, Vertigo Theatre

Casual Crew, Vertigo Theatre

Theatre Arts Teacher, The Youth Singers of Calgary

Theatre Technician – Generalist, Mount Royal Conservatory

Inside Sales Position, Christie Lites

{ EDMONTON }

Member Services & Communications Coordinator, FAVA

Assistant Professor Intercultural Theatre and Performance Studies, University of Alberta

Foote Theatre School instructors, The Citadel Theatre's Foote Theatre School

AUDITIONS

{ CALGARY }

The Three Musketeers, The StoryBook Theatre Society

Traveller in the Dark, Reinholdt Productions

Old Trout Puppet Workshop Apprenticeship Program, The Old Trout Puppet Workshop

General Auditions, Velvet at the Grand-Theatre Junction

{ EDMONTON }

Independent Film, Chris Morrison / MCGstudios

The Tragicall Historie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke, Walterdale Theatre Associates

True Pirate Fashion, Kompany Family Theatre

Hosts for Training Videos, Business Improvement Solutions Inc.

Ongoing Generals, Jubilations Dinner Theatre

Call for Year Round Submissions, The Citadel Theatre

{ CANADA }

Little Shop of Horrors, Persephone 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

| top |  

Submissions & Workshops  

SUBMISSIONS

CALL FOR DIRECTORS!

Morpheus Theatre invites directors to make proposals for shows to be produced during our 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 seasons.  For further details, Contact Sean Anderson (ph: 403-246-2999) or visit www.morpheustheatre.ca

Deadline: November 15, 2008

THE RBC TARRAGON UNDER 30 NATIONAL PLAYWRITING COMPETITIONS

Tarragon Theatre, with the generous support of RBC Foundation, is pleased to announce our inaugural RBC Tarragon under 30 National Playwriting Competition.  The winner of this competition will receive a cash award of $3,000 and the opportunity to participate in Tarragon’s annual Play Reading Week in 2009.  For more information please visit the Play Development or Outreach sections of www.tarragontheatre.com.

Deadline: April 30, 2009 at 5:00 pm.

NOMINATIONS NOW ACCEPTED FOR 2009 HARRY AND MARTHA COHEN AWARD

Alberta Theatre Projects is now accepting nominations for the Harry and Martha Cohen Award.  On stage, off stage, and backstage nominees can include actors, administrators, designers, philanthropists, playwrights, teachers, technicians or volunteers.  This award recognizes those members of our community who have demonstrated a significant and sustained contribution to theatre in Calgary.

Deadline: December 15, 2008.  More >

STAGE STRUCK!  2009 ALBERTA DRAMA FESTIVAL ASSOCIATION

Edmonton Region
This is an adjudicated Adult One Act Festival - March 6 & 7, 2009.  Entries must be one act plays between 10 and 60 minutes either published or new works.  The entry fee is $50.00.  This is a great opportunity for a theatrical group to display its talents.  For more information contact mperley@shaw.ca

Deadline: November 30, 2008.

2009 CALGARY FRINGE THEATRE APPLICATIONS NOW ONLINE!

Fill out your form online.  All applications are submitted to a lottery draw, which will take place by the following Friday, December 12, 2008.  All applicants will be notified via e-mail as to the results of the lottery draw. 

Deadline: December 5, 2008 at 5:00pm MST.

WORKSHOPS

THE IMAGINATIVE BODY

SUNDAY OCTOBER 19, 2008: 10:00am to 4:00pm

11135-65 Avenue - Westwood Unitarian Congregation

Instructed by Andrea Boyd, MFA (University of Alberta), this intermediate-level creative process workshop will focus on centering, freeing the body, and the connection between the body, the breath and the imagination. Much of the movement work is inspired by Laban techniques. Come prepared to move – bring water and wear layered movement clothes.

Apply to: christine.lesiak@smallmatters.ca or Ph: 780-660-0103  More >

PLAYWORKS INK

FRIDAY OCTOBER 23rd until SUNDAY OCTOBER 26th, 2008

Downtown Calgary

PlayWorks Ink offers growth opportunities for educators, students, and community theatre, emerging professional, and professional practitioners.  Don’t miss these fantastic workshop opportunities:  Adapting Your Voice with David Ley, Touring: A Producer's Tool Kit, with Eva Carins, Pieces that Pop! with Glenda Stirling and Ian Prinsloo, and  Scared of Slapping? with Adrian Young and Laryssa Yanchak.  Bursaries are available to those in need.  Contact Theatre Alberta for more information.

“DISCOVERING THE PERFORMER'S PHYSICALITY” INTERNATIONAL LABORATORY

NOVEMBER 1 - 7, 2008

International University “Global Theatre Experience”, Sweden

Led by Sergei Ostrenko, this intensive programme offers practical training, lectures and a discussion club.  Meals and accommodation are provided for participants.  Participants may be actors of physical, dramatic, dance and musicaltheatres, circus performers, dancers, choreographers, and directors. For more information or to register, visit IGUTE’s website.

WORKSHOPS ON THE PRAIRIE... MAY THE FUNDS BE WITH YOU!

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8th, 2008    9:30 AM - 3:30 PM (lunch included)
Westlock, AB

Presented by the Arts Touring Alliance of Alberta

Fuel up your fundraising engines with Ellen Green!
WRITING SUCCESSFUL GRANT PROPOSALS
Learn how to make a persuasive case for funding consideration. This session covers all aspects of proposal writing. Each participant receives Ellen’s Guide to Proposal Writing, a 70-page workbook on CD.

NAVIGATING FUNDRAISING TRENDS
What are the prevailing tendencies governing corporate funding, foundation funding, municipal / provincial / federal funding and private donor contributions? Where will you have the most success with a funding proposal and why?  More >

INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP SERIES AT CARAVAN FARM

MAY 2009
Armstrong, BC

Theatre Replacement, The Caravan Farm Theatre and The Leaky Heaven Circus are very excited to announce that Catherine Alexander of Theatre De Complicite and London’s Central School of Speech and Drama will be our guest instructor for the next instalment of our international workshop series.  The workshop will focus on creation and performance techniques and will be useful for both actors and directors. For further information contact info@theatrereplacement.org.

JOHN STRASBERG'S ORGANIC CREATIVE PROCESSY

Available for bookings throughout Alberta

This 4-day intensive workshop offers professional & aspiring actors the opportunity to increase the level of realism and believability in their work.  Through a unique & highly effective organic work process actors will: deepen their connection to the audience and characterization, improve their focus in auditions, rehearsals, on stage or set, and learn how to consistently create and sustain  characters throughout your performances.

For more information or to book a workshop in your community, contact Barbara Ford at jss_in_canada@yahoo.ca or visit their website.

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

| top | 

Odds & Ends

WANTED!

STORYBOOK THEATRE

StoryBook Theatre is seeking a Costumer to assist with A Dragon's  Christmas.  Successful applicants will work with Technical Director James McGowan and Director Dylan Metcalfe to achieve a unified design for the production.  The successful candidate will  have experience in designing and/or creating clothes accessories, creativity, ability to work independently and/or part of a small team.  Sewing skills are an asset, but not a necessity.  To apply forward a resume to Karmen J. Rodomar, Director of Development and Volunteer Coordinator karmen@storybooktheatre.org

THE SHAKESPEARE COMPANY SEEKS FOH VOLUNTEERS

The Shakespeare Company needs 2 volunteers for the production of When That I Was... from September 25th to October 10th.  To volunteer for specific dates contact Stuart James at 403-990-6509 or stuartjames_234@hotmail.com.

GHOST RIVER IS TAKING A ROAD TRIP!

Ghost River and Invisible Elephant are heading northeast to the Rosebud, for the second creation phase of their upcoming production Something to do With Death. In exchange for sponsorship benefits, and tickets to the show, they are seeking Camper Van's and/or RV's for their excursion. They will be in Rosebud from Sunday, October 12th - Sunday, October 26th. In addition to the vehicle, Ghost River is also looking for Western Wear: chaps, duster jackets, belts, boots and other authentic gear. 
Please contact Jason Rothery at               403-478-0594.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS

NOTICE OF STORYBOOK THEATRE SOCIETY’S AGM

Saturday October 18th, 2008 – 2:00 pm
Community Arts Centre, Building A3, Currie Barracks, 2633 Hochwald Ave. SW., Calgary

Only members in good standing as of September 27, 2008 are entitled to vote. Everyone is welcome to attend.  Contact: www.storybooktheatre.org

NOTICE OF NORTHERN LIGHT THEATRE’S AGM

Monday October 20th, 2008 - 6:30 pm        
The Third Space 11516-103 St. Edmonton

We would love participation from all NLT stakeholders.  Please bring your feedback and ideas.  We are always in need of new board members so if you or someone you know is interested in learning more about the benefits of sitting on NLT’s board, please attend this meeting or contact us.  RSVP by Friday October 17, 2008.

To RSVP please contact Mandelle Mudry at 780.471.1586 or nlt@telusplanet.net

ONE YELLOW RABBIT'S HIGH PERFORMANCE RODEO SEASON LAUNCH!

Wednesday, October 8th at 12:00 noon
Big Secret Theatre, EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts,  Second Floor 225 8 Ave SE, Calgary

One Yellow Rabbit invites you and a guest to the official launch of the 23rd Annual High Performance Rodeo, Calgary’s International Festival of the Arts. His Excellency Jean-Daniel Lafond C.C, Patron of the 2009 Festival, will join Rodeo Curator Michael Green for the announcement of the complete 2009 line-up.  Immediately following the launch, join One Yellow Rabbit and His Excellency Jean-Daniel Lafond for a reception at Centini for refreshments.  RSVP to Tracey Howe at thowe@oyr.org.  Visit www.oyr.org for more information.

THE WRECKING BALL

Monday, October 6th, 2008 – 8:00 pm
EPCOR CENTRE's Jack Singer Lobby, Calgary, PWYC at the door.
Presented by Downstage Theatre and the EPCOR Centre for the Performing Arts

The Wrecking Ball is an evening of political theatre and performance, featuring short works by Ken Cameron, Neil Fleming, and Ellen Close, and a special contribution by Judith Thompson.  Featured directors include Stephen Hair, Simon Mallett and Stacie Harrison. In anticipation of the upcoming election and in response to Prime Minister Harper's recent comments about cuts to arts funding, Calgary's theatre community is coming together for a one-night only cabaret of politically-charged theatre that will be part of a nationwide happening.  There have been six Wrecking Ball cabarets to date in Toronto, and now the event is going nationwide.  For national information visit www.thewreckingball.ca.

For information about the Calgary event, contact Simon Mallett or Stacie Harrison at info@downstage.ca or  ph: 403-294-7459.

CITADEL THEATRE OPEN HOUSE

Saturday, October 4, 2008 – 2:00 pm
101A Avenue, 
Edmonton

Bring your family and friends! Enjoy a variety of free activities: behind the scenes tours, displays, and exhibits. Meet Citadel Theatre Artists or watch rehearsals for The Forbidden Phoenix. Drop by The Forbidden Phoenix activity centre or watch Ronnie Burkett’s film, A Line of Balance, and stay for a Q & A with Ronnie, world famous marionettist and the star of Billy Twinkle Requiem for a Golden Boy. Enter win a fabulous Wizard of Oz prize package including tickets to see the show in April, 2009. For more information, please visit citadeltheatre.com

FUNDRAISER FOR INSIDE OUT THEATRE

Saturday, October 25th, 2008 – 7:00 pm
Montgomery Community Centre, 5003 - 16th Avenue N.W., Calgary

Inside Out Theatre is holding a fundraising variety show event which proves to be a fun filled evening for the whole family!  Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children and seniors.
Contact Artistic Director Ruth Bieber at rbieber@shaw.ca or visit www.insideouttheatre.com for further details.

BUZZ ETIQUETTE

TA Buzz 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 >

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

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

Your Feedback: We appreciate it!  Send comments to our Programmer.

Submit a Posting: Please send any theatre news, shows, and opportunities 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 >

| top |