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"Why have you come to the theatre? To feel better? In that case, go home! There’s no point being here if it doesn’t make you uneasy...Here, we learn to face the things that make us anxious...Nothing can be achieved by pandering to the audience’s complacency, nor by encouraging the artists’ narcissism…We must escape the looming threat of general anaesthesia." — Krzsyztof Warlikowski

What's New at TA

ARTSTREK REGISTRATIONS ARE FLOODING IN!

Artstrek registration has officially opened and applications are already pouring in! If you need Artstrek brochures to distribute at your school or theatre company, send us an email and we'll be happy to deliver some to you!

Exploration I (ages 13-15): July 5-11
Exploration II (ages 16-18): July 12-19

Register before May 15, 2009 and receive an Early Bird discount. Artstrek fills quickly every year, so register early to avoid disappointment!

WANTED: ARTSTREK SUPERVISORS FOR 2009!

Theatre Alberta is looking for strong leaders wIth excellent communication skills and a desire to return to Artstrek. Must have previously attended Artstrek, been away from the program for at least one year, and be 19 to 25 years of age.

Apply to be an Artstrek Super by sending Theatre Alberta your theatre/employment resumé, cover letter, and headshot/photo. Deadline April 15, 2009. More >

OPEN THE GATES!

Registration for Dramaworks 2009 is now open! Workshops include bringing sets alive with colour, facilitating group creation, discovering character through the body and through make-up design, pillaging the depths of material that usually requires a warning at the door, releasing the freedom and excitement of Shakespeare, writing scripts that allow other artists to contribute their skills, and singing yourself into the hearts of an audience. This year's special feature professional workshop, Teatr ZAR, comes to us all the way from Poland! You can register online, by phone or fax. Early Bird Deadline is May 29, 2009.

SPRING EMERGES!

Once more it's time for the professional theatre community to welcome recent graduates from post secondary institutions across Alberta. Emerge Edmonton will be held on Monday April 6 in Zeidler Hall at the Citadel Theatre and Emerge Calgary will be on Monday April 20 in the Engineered Air Theatre at the EPCOR Centre for the Performing Arts. Wish them all the best as they take the next step in their professional careers!

LIBRARY LINGO

Library language can be confusing so here are some factoids that will help your borrowing go smoothly!

Bookbags are used when searching online to group items of interest that are not necessarily accessed from the same search. Items are stored in the bookbag until it is emptied. Empty the bookbag when you start a new online session. For more explicit instructions go to Search Tips under the Library heading on Theatre Alberta’s website.

Fines are $0.25 per item per day if an item is overdue. Fines can be paid by cash, credit card, debit or cheque either over the phone or in person. 

Holds or Reserves can be made online, by email, phone or in person. Items reserved by out of town members are automatically sent to the address we have on file. In town members can pick up available items immediately.

Renewals are an extension of the loan period for material that has been previously checked out. Renewals can be made over the phone, email, or in person as long as there are no prior reserves.

THEATRE ALBERTA CASINO

Thank you to everyone who has volunteered for the Theatre Alberta Casino being held on April 21 & 22 at the Baccarat Casino in Edmonton. We still have a few spaces available for alternates if you'd like the opportunity to earn credit towards membership. Please contact Gillian if you'd like to sign up!

LIBRARY HOLIDAY HOURS

April 10 - 13 is Easter Break. The building will be closed so there will be no access to Theatre Alberta's library or drop box.

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Theatre News

AUGUSTO BOAL'S 2009 WORLD THEATRE DAY MESSAGE

All human societies are "spectacular" in their daily life and produce "spectacles" at special moments. They are "spectacular" as a form of social organization and produce "spectacles" like the one you have come to see.

Even if one is unaware of it, human relationships are structured in a theatrical way. The use of space, body language, choice of words and voice modulation, the confrontation of ideas and passions, everything that we demonstrate on the stage, we live in our lives. We are theatre! Click here to read the rest of Augusto Boal's message.

THE TROUTS & FEIST WIN 2009JUNO FOR VIDEO OF THE YEAR

The Old Trout Puppet Workshop collaborated with Feist on her video for Honey Honey (directed by Anthony Seck) and took home Video of the Year at the 2009 Juno Awards! The award was presented on Saturday night at a special JUNO gala and announced on Sunday night during the awards telecast.

The video is a visual telling of a fairytale-like story about an old fisherman and his wife, who paces her lighthouse home when he is late for his supper. Honey Honey is from Feist's third album, The Reminder.

SURVEY ON THE CURRENT ECONOMIC SITUATION OF ARTISTS

A recent survery from Hill Strategies Research Inc., reviews five reports from Canada and the U.S. concerning the number of artists, their earnings, and other characteristics of artists’ working lives.

1. Artists in a Year of Recession: Impact on Jobs in 2008
    (National Endowment for the Arts, March 2009)

2. A Statistical Profile of Artists in Canada Based on the 2006 Census
    (Hill Strategies Research, February 2009)

3. Artists in Canada’s Provinces and Territories Based on the 2006 Census
    (Hill Strategies Research, March 2009)

4. Artists in the Workforce: 1990 to 2005
    (National Endowment for the Arts, May 2008)

5. Women Artists: 1990 to 2005
    (National Endowment for the Arts, December 2008)

More >

DRAMATIC IMPACT, EPISODE 16: THE INVISIBLE PROJECT

This episode of Dramatic Impact features a short audio documentary about The Invisible Project, a play out of Calgary that was part of One Yellow Rabbit Performance Theatre’s annual High Performance Rodeo in January 2009. The Invisible Project is about homelessness and was collectively researched and created at the Drop-In Centre shelter in Calgary.

The audio documentary includes: interviews with the director/facilitator David van Belle, shelter client and volunteer Linda Coleman, actor Richard Lee Hsi, and recordings from performances. Listen to the podcast and view photographs from the show (featuring masks by Douglas R. Witt) at www.acting-and-theatre.com.

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Shows Opening

April 1 - April 28

Full Playbill

CALGARY

Soldier's Heart
Apr 2 – 4, Loudly Whispered Theatre, ph: 1-800-267-7553

Lost Time
Apr 2 - 11, Scorpio Theatre, ph: 403-216-0808

Under the Big Top
Apr 3 – 5, Quest Theatre @ Y Stage Vertigo Theatre Centre, More >

Office Hours
Apr 6 - 11, Toffee Tin Productions at the Motel Theatre, ph: 403-251-6214

Second Year Cabaret
Apr 7 – 9, The Playhouse North School Of Theatre, More >

High School Musical 2
Apr 10 - May 2, StoryBook Theatre, More >

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Apr 14 - May 10, Theatre Calgary, More >

Three Sixty Five
Apr 15 – 18, Wen Wei Dance at Theatre Junction GRAND, More >

Playworks Festival of One-Acts
Apr 20 – 24, Victoria School Of Performing And Visual Arts, ph: 780-426-3010

Studies in Motion: The Hauntings of Eadweard Muybridge
Apr 21 - May 9, Electric Company Theatre @ Alberta Theatre Projects, More >

Tricksters
Apr 22, TALES Calgary, More >

Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story
Apr 23 - June 28, Stage West Dinner Theatre, More >

The Barber of Seville
Apr 25, 29, May 1, Calgary Opera, More >

Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure
Apr 25 - May 17, Vertigo Mystery Theatre, More >

Essay & The Russian Play
Apr 29 - May 9, Urban Curvz, More >

EDMONTON

Deathtrap
Apr 1 – 11, Walterdale Theatre Associates, More >

Hey Ladies
Apr 3, Theatre Network, More >

Teatro Tells All
Apr 4, Teatro la Quindicina, More >

MacEwan Cabarets
Apr 4 – 5, MacEwan College, More >

Love According to John
Apr 9 – 11, Alberta Lyric Theatre, More >

Exit, Pursued by Bard
Apr 9 – 19, Varscona Theatre, ph: 780-420-1757

The Timekeepers
Apr 17 – 19, Ocean of Sugar (Israel) @ Fringe Theatre Adventures, More >

The Wizard of Oz
Apr 18 - May 24, The Citadel Theatre, More >

Stray
Apr 23 - May 3, Workshop West Theatre, More >

La Traviata
Apr 25, 28, 30, Edmonton Opera, More >

ALBERTA

A Midsummer Night's Dream
Apr 2 – 18, Grande Prairie Live Theatre, Grande Prairie, More >

Troy Women
Apr 3 - 25, Rosebud Theatre, Rosebud, More >

Zone 2 West Drama Festival
Apr 23 – 25, Zone 2 West Drama Festival Association, Westlock, ph: 780-349-4454

The Importance of Being Earnest
Apr 23 - May 2, Keyano College, Fort McMurray, More >

Something's Afoot
Apr 30 - May 9, Wetaskiwin Water Works Players, Wetaskiwin, ph: 780-352-8383

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Jobs & Auditions      

JOBS

{ CALGARY }

Artistic Director, Lunchbox Theatre

Costume & Set Builders, Evergreen Theatre

Instructors and Group Leaders, Mount Royal College

Marketing Coordinator, The EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts

Production Team Members, StoryBook Theatre

Summer Program Coordinator, M:ST Performative Art Festival

Technical Director, Theatre Junction

{ EDMONTON }

Associate Volunteer Coordinator, Fringe Theatre Adventures

Costumer, Edmonton Musical Theatre

Show Designer, Fringe show

AUDITIONS

{ CALGARY }

The 2010 Citadel/Banff Centre Professional Theatre Program, Citadel/Banff Centre

General Auditions, Alberta Theatre Projects

General Auditions, Evergreen Theatre

General Auditions, Mob Hit Productions

General Auditions, Serious Theatre

General Auditions, Vertigo Theatre

{ EDMONTON }

The 2010 Citadel/Banff Centre Professional Theatre Program, Citadel/Banff Centre

General Auditions, Shadow Theatre

You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Walterdale Theatre Associates

{ CANADA }

General Auditions, Theatre North West, Vancouver, BC

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

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

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Submissions & Workshops

SUBMISSIONS

2010 CITADEL/BANFF CENTRE PROFESSIONAL THEATRE PROGRAM

The Banff Centre and Edmonton’s Citadel Theatre will provide an opportunity for Canadian actors to improve their skills and perform with one of Canada’s leading theatres. The program includes a curriculum with master classes in acting, singing, voice, movement, dance, stage combat, text, and script analysis by a faculty of some of Canada’s leading theatre artists. The program is focused on equipping emerging professional actors with the necessary tools to pursue and sustain successful acting careers. More >

Deadline: April 17, 2009

BUDDIES IN BAD TIMES IS APPROACHING HYSTERIA: A FESTIVAL OF WOMEN

Hysteria: A Festival of Women, is a vital forum for presentation, dicussion, and exchange; it is the largest multi-disciplinary showcase of its kind in North America. Festival Director Moynan King is seeking submissions for the 5th incarnation of this international showcase of female talent: theatre, dance, film, music, visual, and performance art submissions are all welcome. Click here for the application form and submission guidelines. Inquiries can be emailed to Moynan King.

Deadline: May 1, 2009

FIRST EVER CONFERENCE ON ASIAN CANADIAN THEATRE!

Ric Knowles and Nina Lee Aquino (artistic director of fu-GEN Theatre) announce the first ever conference/festival on Asian Canadian theatre, hosted by fu-GEN in Toronto, from May 4 - 9, 2010. Contributions from any background are welcome (theatre studies, performance studies, dramatic literature, etc.) from all regions of the country. The conference papers will form the basis of the first volume in a new book series from the press, New Essays on Canadian Theatre. More >

Deadline: October 1, 2009

STORYBOOK THEATRE CALL FOR PRODUCTION TEAM MEMBERS

StoryBook Theatre is requesting applications for the following positions for their 2009/2010 season: directors, assistant directors, musical directors, choreographers, stage managers, assistant stage managers, running crew, lighting designers, sound designers, set designers
set construction, lighting and sound board operators, costume designers, and costume assistants. Please submit a letter of interest and resume to Karmen Rodomar. More >

SASKATCHEWAN SHOWCASE OF THE ARTS 2009

Attention all performing artists, agents, and managers! Expand your world by applying to showcase at Saskatchewan Showcase of the Arts 2009. This annual conference features showcases, a contact room, visual arts exhibitions, workshops and discussion forums, and much more. A jury of community presenters and members of the professional arts community will select the showcases. Touring will occur in the 2010/2011 season. More >

Deadline: May 1, 2009

WORKSHOP THEATRE'S 40TH ANNIVERSARY PROGRAM

Workshop Theatre is creating a special edition 40th anniversary season program. They are seeking former volunteers, performers, and members to come forward with stories and memories of Workshop Theatre for this special program, which will be distributed in the 2009/2010 season. More >

ATTENTION PLAYWRIGHTS!

SPRING FESTIVAL OF NEW PLAYS SEEKS AN ALBERTA PLAYWRIGHT

Each year, the Saskatchewan Playwrights' Centre brings together some of the countries best directors and dramaturges to work with Saskatchewan playwrights and actors on the development of new plays, presented for public reading at the end of the Festival. This year, Alberta Playwrights' Centre is able to send an Albertan playwright to Saskatoon for the Festival. More >

Deadline: Postmarked by April 6, 2009 or emailed by April 8, 2009

SIGNATURE EDITIONS TYA ANTHOLOGY ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS

Kit Brennan will be compiling and editing a new TYA anthology for Signature Editions this year. The volume will feature complete plays of various lengths by Canadian playwrights. The plays will have had a professional or fringe production (possibly a tour), and should not have been previously published in their entirety. Established and emerging writers will be represented. More >

Deadline: June 1, 2009

NOMINATIONS

2009 ROZSA AWARD NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN

Nominations for the 2009 Rozsa Award for Excellence in Arts Management are now being accepted. Unique in Canada, this award recognizes, celebrates, and promotes outstanding business practices in the arts sector. With benefits valued at over $100,000 individuals are encouraged to nominate administrators who have excelled in the business administration of their not-for-profit arts company. More >

Deadline: May 15, 2009

EDMONTONIANS SIZZLING TWENTY UNDER 30 CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

Over the past seven years, Edmontonians has profiled 140 dynamic, young entrepreneurs in its Sizzling Twenty under 30 special editions. The 20 sizzlers are nominated by Edmonton’s business leaders, professional mentors, educators, and interested individuals. A reception is held in their honour at Lexus of Edmonton. More >

Deadline: May 15, 2009

WORKSHOPS

MASK PERFORMANCE WORKSHOP WITH STEVE JARAND

Edmonton

Release your creativity, develop spontaneity, and create powerful and truthful characters! The transformative power of masks allows you to experience a state of awareness and vulnerability that is fundamental in discovering riveting characters. Steve Jarand leads this weekend half-mask workshop intensive. The technique taught in this workshop was developed by Keith Johnstone at the Royal Court Theatre in London. More >

CLOWN THROUGH MASK WORKSHOP WITH MICHAEL KENNARD

Edmonton

This workshop is based on the Pochinko technique. Students begin with a focus on listening. Games and exercises are used to awaken and encourage a sense of pleasure, an awareness of one's immediate environment, and an honest response to internal impulses and external events. Creativity is explored with colour work and bodywork, and eventually the students begin the making and wearing of six masks. These masks mark out the playground for the clown. More >

SOLO CLOWN WORKSHOP WITH MICHAEL KENNARD

Edmonton

This course is designed for students who have completed the Pochinko Baby Clown or Clown through Mask course and wish to further explore their clowns. The course focuses on your clown and its masks, writing for your clown and physically exploring your clown. The course culminates with each student presenting a solo clown turn. More >

BABY CLOWN INTENSIVE WITH SHANTELLE LANDRY

Edmonton

Listen to yourself. Follow the impulse. Be honest. Have fun. This workshop is for people from all walks of life. This is an intensive study based on the teachings of Richard Pochinko. The course begins with a focus on listening, increasing awareness, and allowing honest responses. Through visualization and physicallization, students delve into the creation of seven masks which are further explored to unfold the story and character that lives within each of them. The seventh mask is the smallest mask of all - the red nose. More >

PLAYWRITING MASTER CLASS WITH COLLEEN MURPHY

Edmonton

The Alberta Playwrights' Network is offering a weekend workshop for mid-career and senior playwrights, taught by award-winning Canadian playwright and filmmaker, Colleen Murphy. This master class has two components: a practical discussion of character, conflict, and structure (involving the work and ideas of Edmonton playwrights), and a discussion on how playwrights must work to ensure that drama and dramatists survive into the next century. More >

RAPID FIRE THEATRE SPRING WORKSHOPS!

Rapid Fire Theatre is offering two more sessions of improv workshops before the end of this season. All classes are held at the Rapid Fire Theatre workshop space, 10920-88 Ave. For more information, click here, or stop by any Theatresports or CHIMPROV show and inquire at the box office.

WEN WEI DANCE CLASS

Calgary

Wen Wei Dance’s artistic director Wen Wei Wang and members of the company will offer an open class, encompassing a variety of different styles and incorporating aspects of Improvisation, Tai Chi, Classical Chinese Dance, and Contemporary Movement. Classes will also offer elements of Ballet, Hip Hop, Jazz, and Modern. The intention is to foster a deeper understanding of the body, breathing and movement, and to discover new ways of moving the body in space. More >

NEHST STUDIOS: ASPIRING FILMAKERS BOOT CAMP

Edmonton

The Filmmakers Boot Camp is taught by Larry Meistrich, NEHST Studios Chairman, Founder, and Hollywood insider. Meistrich will share his knowledge and experience of the filmmaking industry, teaching local and aspiring filmmakers the art of successful filmmaking. Meistrich is the producer of past films such as Sling Blade, and You Can Count on Me. More >

REEL SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL OFFERS FILM WORKSHOPS

Grande Prairie

Along with 72 of the best short films from around the world, the festival features filmmaking workshops for youth (Youth 16-Hour Filmmaking Challenge) and an Acting-for-the-Camera workshop. Participants will receive a short script to memorize and rehearse throughout the workshop. Participants will learn how acting for the camera differs from stage acting receive tips on how break into the film and TV business in Canada. For more information, click here.

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

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

SCORPIO THEATRE SEEKS USHERS

Scorpio Theatre is looking for volunteers to usher at the Joyce Doolittle Theatre (Pumphouse Theatre) for its production of Lost Time, which runs from April 2 - 11, 2009. All ushers are invited to watch the show for free on the night they volunteer. More >

CALGARY INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL IS ACCEPTING VOLUNTEERS

The Calgary International Children's Festival requires a devoted force of approximately one thousand volunteers to make this event fun, safe, and affordable. The festival is held at the EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts and runs from May 19 - 23, 2009. The CICF is looking for volunteers (ages 14 and up) to fill numerous day, evening, and weekend shifts. For applications and a listing of available positions, click here. All questions may be emailed to the CICF Volunteer Coordinator or call 403-294-7414, extension 4.

FRONT ROW CENTRE PLAYERS SEEKS VOLUNTEER CREW MEMBERS

Front Row Centre Players is requesting applications for volunteers to fill the following crew roles in their upcoming production of Grease: Sound Board Operator, Backstage ASM and Follow Spot Operator. The most important volunteer criteria is enthusiasm and a desire to learn. More >

MAYOR’S CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS

Edmonton: April 6 at 7:00 pm, The Winspear Centre for Music

Join PACE for an evening of performances and awards at the 22nd Annual Mayor’s Celebration of the Arts. Showcasing some of Edmonton’s diversely talented professional artists including Ann Vriend, Bomba, Jeremy Spurgeon, Chris Craddock and Nathan Cuckow, the Be Arthurs, the Raving Poets, and the KO Dance Project. For tickets phone (780) 428-1414 or visit www.winspearcentre.com. More >

PAL/ACTORS FUND BENEFIT

Calgary: April 8, 2009

Vertigo Theatre presents Joe DiPietro's Art of Murder, a joint production with Gateway Theatre, Richmond B.C. All proceeds from our director's preview performance (on April 8) will be donated to The Actors Fund and PAL Calgary. Tickets are $15.00 and can be purchased at the door. For show times and ticket information, contact the Vertigo Ticket Office at 403-221-3708. More >

BOB AND DUVE'S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE!

Calgary: April 19, 2009, 7:00 pm to 1:00 am

Victoria Pavilion (The Original Home of Stampede Wrestling) on Stampede Park -- right beside the Saddledome. Tickets are $10 (pay cash at the door). Hot dogs and chips! Cash bar! Dancing! A rocking performance by the Plaid Tongued Devils! RSVP to bob.and.duve.party@gmail.com by April 10. This party is open to all members of the arts community.

CANADIAN CENTRE FOR THEATRE CREATION LAUNCHES FESTIVAL

Edmonton

Working Title is a festival of new play readings that features the works of three playwrights from very different parts of North America. The readings take place at 7:30 pm on May 1, 2, and 3 at the University of Alberta's Fine Arts Building (Corner Stage). This year's festival includes: At Water’s Edge by Elaine Avila of New Mexico (May 1), The Bits and Pieces by Toronto’s Peter Eliot Weiss (May 2), and Hail by Ed Riche of Newfoundland (May 3). Featuring some of Edmonton's finest talent, the plays will be directed and dramaturged by CCTC Director Kim McCaw and Associate Director Kathleen Weiss. More >

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