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"The nervous system of any age or nation is its creative workers, its artists. And if that nervous system is profoundly disturbed by its environment, the work it produces will inescapably reflect the disturbances, sometimes obliquely and sometimes with violent directness."  —Tennessee Williams

What's New at TA

PLAYWORKS INK 2008 - RULES OF ENGAGEMENT Downtown Calgary, October 23 - 26, 2008. Break all the rules. Shatter stale preconceptions. Join us in Calgary for PlayWorks Ink 2008: Rules of Engagement, featuring special guest Judith Thompson! We’ve taken programming to the edge, featuring a weekend of workshops, play readings, panel discussions, and socials guaranteed to engage your body, voice and mind. 14 workshops.  4 New Plays.  3 Socials.  19 Special Guests.  1 Keynote Address. 1 Panel Discussion.  This weekend is jam packed with classes and special events you won’t want to miss including • Touring: A Producer’s Tool Kit with Eva Cairns • Scared of Slapping  with Adrian Young and Laryssa Yanchak • Playwright like Wheelwright with Hannah Moscovitch  • Writing for Radio with Gordon Pengilly. Attend showcase readings of plays from Judith Thompson, R. Jonathan Chapman and Michele Vance Hehir, a Keynote address by Judith Thompson, a panel discussion with Hannah Moscovitch, Blake Brooker & Judith Thompson...and much more! Registration is now open!  More >

Want to get one too? Contact us at 1-888-422-8160.

PLAYBILL NOW AVAILABLE

The Theatre Alberta Playbill poster has been printed and delivered to the Theatre Alberta office.  Members should have already received their copy of the Playbill in the mail. You can get your copy (or additional copies) by visiting the Theatre Alberta office or by sending an e-mail to Julie, the Playbill Coordinator. 

The searchable version of the Playbill online is now available as well.  If your production is missing from the calendar, e-mail details to Julie and we'll be sure to add your show. 

DRAMATIC IMPACT EPISODE 9, AN IN-DEPTH INTERVIEW WITH VERN THIESSEN

In Episode 9 of Dramatic Impact, Elaine conducts an in-depth interview with Canadian playwright Vern Thiessen. Vern’s plays have been performed internationally. He is the author of the Governor General’s Award-winning play Einstein’s Gift. Some of his other plays include Vimy, Shakespeare’s Will, and Blowfish.

Episdoe 9 will be available starting September 12 - you can listen to or download the episode at www.acting-and-theatre.com.  The download links at this new site operate the same way as the links on the former site did.

SEND THEATRE ALBERTA YOUR POSTERS!

Theatre Alberta invites you to drop off or send us your production and festival posters during the 2008/2009 Theatre Season. Posters will be displayed throughout the Theatre Alberta office and library.

The Theatre Alberta office and library receive hundreds of visitors every year from all over the province - a perfect opportunity to promote your shows and to build awareness about the wonderfully diverse work being created by companies across the province.

LIBRARIAN'S PICK

The Drama Teacher's Survival Guide: A complete tool kit for theatre arts by Margaret F. Johnson

A new resource in our reference collection for drama teachers, directing students and community theatre directors to help get the year off to a great start. A complete resource to guide you through everything from choosing a script and creating a game plan to costuming and technical tips. Whether you are a seasoned drama educator and director or an absolute beginner, you will find this book to be an invaluable tool kit of aid and assistance. This resource may also be of interest to those working in community theatre.

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 (drop box will be unavailable) will be closed October 11 - 13 for the Thanksgiving holiday.

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Theatre News

THEATRE ALBERTA: FEDERAL CUTS - A CALL TO ACTION

The Conservative Government has, over the past months, announced the elimination of many Cultural and Heritage Granting Programs that support the arts community in Canada. The programs affected were designed to assist artists, arts institutions and not for profit organizations in the creation, development, promotion and dissemination of Canadian art both nationally and internationally.

The most recent cuts, including a cancellation of the PromArt program and the Trade Routes program, have seriously crippled the ability of Canadian art and artists to travel outside our borders. The export of Canadian culture has a direct, positive effect on our economy - one that is not limited to the cultural sector: it allows international audiences the opportunity to relate with Canada on a more intimate basis by showcasing a taste of what we have to offer. Canada’s cultural economy, a $40 billion annual business, is fueled by talented, hardworking and dedicated taxpaying individuals. Our contribution to the economy of Canada is highly significant and entirely worthy of federal government support.

The Canadian Conference of the Arts has compiled a list of all of the programs that have been cut since April 1st, 2008.  >View the list

Theatre Alberta is asking you to write the following people to register your disapproval of the cuts and ask them to reconsider their decision:

• Prime Minister Stephen Harper pm@pm.gc.ca
• Foreign Affairs Minister David Emerson emersd@parl.gc.ca
• Heritage Minister Josee Verner Verner.J@parl.gc.ca
• Your Member of Parliament  - follow this link to find contact information for your MP http://canada.gc.ca/directories-repertoires/direct-eng.html#mp
  

There is also a petition being circulated sponsored by PACT. Click here to sign the Canada Supports the Arts  petition. And lend your name to the nation-wide movement to let the Government of Canada know that arts and culture are important to all Canadians.

Please pass this information on to your friends and colleagues who support the arts and help make sure that this message is received loud and clear!

BETTY MITCHELL AWARD RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED

Recipients of the 11th Annual Betty Mitchell Awards were announced during a sold out gala event at Stage West on Monday, August 25, 2008.   More >

CAT AWARDS ANNOUNCED

The recipients of the 2008 CAT Awards were announced at the gala ceremony on Saturday, August 23, 2008 at the University of Calgary’s Rozsa Centre.   More >

SIMINOVITCH PRIZE NOMINEES ANNOUNCED

Four Alberta playwrights are included among the 26 nominees for the 2008 Siminovitch Prize in Theatre celebrating Playwrights.  Also of note on the list, 2007 PlayWorks Ink special guest Morwyn Brebner (Toronto)  More >

ALBERTA LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

A new website has been launched called Alberta Live Entertainment. This website is meant to help entertainment organizers find quality entertainers. There are categories for actors, story tellers, authors - as well as a variety of other categories. For a person to add his/her promotional information to Alberta Live Entertainment, they need only to contact Theresa J. Wouters and send the information. This is a FREE website for all entertainers across Alberta. You can view the website at: www.albertaliveentertainment.com

URBAN CURVZ THEATRE AND BROAD MINDS PRODUCTIONS JOIN FORCES

Urban Curvz and Broad Minds are thrilled to announce that they will amalgamate into one organization dedicated to telling women's stories and providing engaging opportunities for female artists. Both are recognized as theatre companies of the highest artistic merit bringing vitality and diversity to the Calgary arts community. The fusion of these two outstanding companies will prove beneficial to both organizations as they combine their strengths and resources in order to maintain a Calgary theatre ecology that celebrates the excellence of its female practitioners.  More >

EDMONTON ARTS COUNCIL SEEKS FEEDBACK ON IMPACT OF CUTS

The Edmonton Arts Council would like to get a sense of the impact to area artists and organizaions of the ongoing federal funding cuts of arts related programs.  More >

THE CANADIAN CONFERENCE OF THE ARTS SEEKS FEEDBACK ON CUTS

The Canadian Conference of the Arts (CCA) in Ottawa is compiling a survey with input from artists and organizations across Canada to find out what the overall impact of the recent federal arts funding cuts will be.  The site also has more detailed information and background on the cuts.   More >

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Shows Opening

September 3 - September 30

Full Playbill

EDMONTON

Murder Mystery & Variety Theatre Entertainment
Sept 1 - Apr 30, Outcast Theatre Adventures: 780-910-3257

Mo & Jess Kill Susie
Sept 12 – 21, Northern Light Theatre  More >

Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?
Sept 18 – 27, Studio Theatre , University Of Alberta  More >

Alien Creature
Sept 18 - Oct 4, The Other Theatre: 780-454-0583

Pride and Prejudice
Sept 20 - Oct 12, The Citadel Theatre with the Banff Centre  More >

Alias Godot
Sept 23 - Oct 12, Theatre Network  More >

CALGARY

Funny Money
Sept 5 – 13, Morpheus Theatre  More >

Viagara Falls
Sept 11 - Nov 16, Stage West Dinner Theatre  More >

A Murder of Crowes - Comic Mystery
Sept 12, 19, 26, Pegasus Performances  More >

Stagefright
Sept 17 - Oct 4, Lunchbox Theatre  More >

A Raisin in the Sun
Sept 16 - Oct 5, Theatre Calgary  More >

St. Hiaria's
Sept 17 – 20, Fire Exit Theatre  More >

The Fisherman & His Wife
Sept 19 - Oct 12, StoryBook Theatre  More >

Columbo Takes the Rap
Sept 9 - Oct 12, Vertigo Mystery Theatre  More >

Unity (1918)
Sept 23 - Oct 11, Alberta Theatre Projects  More >

Radio Macbeth
Sept 24 - 27
Theatre Junction GRAND with SITI Company, New York  More >

When That I Was...
Sept 25 - Oct 11
The Shakespeare Company  More >

Stage West 4 Kids - Alice's Wonderland
Sept 27 - Nov 8
Stage West Dinner Theatre with Shadow Productions  More >

ALBERTA

Damien
Sept 5 - Oct 25, Rosebud Theatre, Rosebud  More >

You Can't Dance to Mozart
Sept 11 - 27, Grande Prairie Live Theatre, Grande Prairie  More >

Theatrextra's Einstein's Gift
Sept 25 - 27, University Of Lethbridge, Lethbridge: 403-329-2616

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Jobs & Auditions      

JOBS

{ CALGARY }

Assistant Production Manager, Sage Theatre's IGNITE!

Marketing Manager, One Yellow Rabbit Performance Theatre

General Manager, One Yellow Rabbit Performance Theatre

{ EDMONTON }

Accounts Payable/Receivable Clerk, The Citadel Theatre

Guest Services Supervisor, The Citadel Theatre

General Manager, Workshop West Theatre

Assistant Professor Intercultural Theatre and Performance Studies, University of Alberta

Fundraiser, Edmonton International Street Performers Festival

Administrative Assistant, Alberta Ballet

AUDITIONS

{ CALGARY }

Performance Creation Piece, The Invisible Project

Narration for Classical Music Concert, Quintessence Winds

Seasons in the West, Scorpio Theatre

A Dragon’s Christmas, StoryBook Theatre Society

{ EDMONTON }

Black Hearts in the Green Room, Walterdale Theatre Associates

Anne of Green Gables, Sherard Musical Theatre Association

Auditions/Interviews for fall and winter adult workshops, Edmonton Musical 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

PLAYERS DE NOVO

Players de novo is seeking a professional theatre company in Edmonton to partner in its annual fundraising event.  Players de novo is a volunteer group from Edmonton’s legal community that organizes the production of an annual play/musical for which the cast is to be made up of local lawyers and judges. The goal is to raise funds, to be shared equally between a non-profit professional theatre company and the Victoria School ’s Foundation for the Arts. DEADLINE: September 19, 2008   More >

SAGE THEATRE'S IGNITE! : CALGARY'S FESTIVAL FOR EMERGING ARTISTS

Call to Emerging Artists (Theatre / Dance / Music / Art)
Sage Theatre is pleased to accept submissions for their fifth annual IGNITE! : Calgary's Festival for Emerging Artists, running June 11-13, 2009 at the Pumphouse Theatres. IGNITE! features brand-new plays, dance, music, visual art and multidisciplinary endeavors, all created by up-and-coming artists. For more information please visit their website. 
DEADLINE: Submissions must be post-marked (or hand-delivered) by December 12th.  More >

FOOTLIGHT FESTIVAL

In celebration of their 50th Anniversary, Walterdale Theatre Associates is seeking submissions for productions to be part of their Footlight Festival.

DEADLINE: September 29th, 2008  More >

CALGARY ARTS DEVELOPMENT

Call For Assessors
Calgary Arts Development is seeking nominations of arts sector peers and community members to serve as volunteer assessors for our community investment programs. We invest in more than 120 arts organizations and dozens of individual artists on behalf of The City of Calgary.
DEADLINE: September 8th  More >

THEATRE METHODS 09

Call for proposals
"Theatre Methods" is the annual professional festival-fair dedicated to the bridge between tradition and contemporaneity in performing arts. The festival is an opportunity to demonstrate methods of training in traditional theatre and to present works as the result of these techniques.
DEADLINE: October 1, 2008  More >

WORKSHOPS

FUND DEVELOPMENT FOR NON-PROFIT SOCIETIES

WEDNESDAY, SEPT 24, 2008      8:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Edmonton - United Way In-Kind Centre 16821 - 113 Avenue

Every board member would love to leave a legacy of sustainable funding at their non-profit organization. The uncertainty lies in where to begin and how to involve your full board in making it happen.  This seminar is designed for board members & executive non-profit leadership, and will give you a tested/proven formula for establishing a steady stream of mission-focused major donors: donors who will give for operations, capital, and endowment. With a strategic plan & a path to financial sustainability within reach, reconnect every board member with their passion for your organization and see how to make the vision a reality!

Registration is free but space is limited.  More >

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

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2008    9:30 AM - 3:30 PM (lunch included)
Lloydminster - Lakeland College

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2008    9:30 AM - 3:30 PM (lunch included)
Airdrie - The Burt Church Theatre

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?

Presented by the Arts Touring Alliance of Alberta  
Airdrie workshop   More >
Lloydminster workshop  More >

PLAYWRIGHTING CIRCLES: CALGARY & EDMONTON

Are you struggling to complete that next play (or even that first play)? Are you looking for some constructive feedback and criticism? Would you benefit from the support and encouragement of your peers? Perhaps a Playwrights’ Circle, run by The Alberta Playwrights’ Network, is what you’re looking for.

Calgary Fall Circle: September 24th – Nov. 12 (Wednesday nights 7pm – 10pm)
Edmonton Fall Circle: September 29th – Dec. 1 (Monday nights 7pm – 10pm) – no circle Oct. 13 or Nov. 10
Cost: $200 (plus cost of membership for non-members)
Locations: TBA

For further information, or to enroll in one of the fall circles, please email johanne@albertaplaywrights.com or call 1-800-268-8564  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

CASINO VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED

KOMPANY FAMILY THEATRE

Kompany's Casino is scheduled for September 17th and 18th at the Palace Casino. They are still in need of several volunteers for the evening shifts of both days.  If you can help out this new Edmonton family theatre please contact Laura, Kompany administrator, at 780-989-3901

ALL NATIONS THEATRE

It’s Casino time! All Nations Theatre is the volunteer organization chosen to help run the Stampede Casino on September 23 & 24 (Tues/Wed) and we are once again looking to our friends for some much needed help.  If you would like to volunteer or have any questions about the Casino roles or schedule, please e-mail lrhunt.allnationstheatre@shaw.ca or call 403-261-5877.

WANTED!

LIGHTING DESIGNER

Calling for a lighting designer for Walterdale Theatre Associates production of Children of a Lesser God.  The show runs from October 8 – 18, and the production team is looking for a lighting designer to bring the scene to life. If you can volunteer your time to our first show of the 50th season, we would welcome you to our project.
Conctact Marlene Kottke at 780-436-0929 or mkkottke@telusplanet.net

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS

NOTICE OF BROAD MINDS PRODUCTIONS FOUNDATION AGM

Monday September 15th, 2008 - 7:00 pm
The Board Room, Pumphouse Theatre - 2140 Pumphouse Avenue SW, Calgary

Contact Tarra Riley - tarra@broadminds.ca. Visit the website at www.broadminds.ca

NOTICE OF SHERARD MUSICAL THEATRE ASSOCIATION AGM

Thursday, September 11, 2008 @ 7:00 PM
St. Luke's Anglican Church, 8424 - 95 Avenue, Edmonton
please contact us at sherardmusicaltheatre@gmail.com

WALTERDALE THEATRE - FIFTY YEARS OF FOOTLIGHT GALA

Saturday, September 27, 2008 (Anniversary weekend events run Sept 27 - 28)
TransAlta Arts Barns - 10330 84 Avenue, Edmonton

Tickets are $45 per person, available at TIX on the Square - 9930 102 Avenue
There are additional events planned for the weekend.  More >

EVERGREEN COMMUNITY STUDIOS - SPACE AVAILABLE

Rehearsal Space, Performance Space, and Office Space available in Calgary through Evergreen Community Studios.  To book a studio or for more information, email Evergreen at studios@evergreentheatre.com. View the rental information and see photos of the spaces at www.evergreentheatre.com

REGISTERED CHARITY INFORMATION RETURN

June 30 marked the fiscal year end for many Canadian charities. Within six months of fiscal year end, registered charities are required to file a Registered Charity Information Return - the T3010A - with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

Visit The Charities File website at http://thecharitiesfile.ca. To access
Frequently Asked Questions about the T3010A and other valuable information for your registered charity visit http://thecharitiesfile.ca/en/faq.

The Charities File is a joint project of the Canadian Federation of Voluntary
Sector Networks and the Centre for Voluntary Sector Research and Development(CVSRD)

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 >

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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 >

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