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" If you want to see your plays performed the way you wrote them, become President." - Vaclav Havel

What's New at TA

PLAYWORKS INK: PROCESS OF ILLUMINATION

A profound thank you goes out to all the participants, artists, theatres, and audience members who supported and attended PlayWorks Ink: Process of Illumination. It wouldn’t be the inspiring community event that it is without your passion, curiosity, and involvement!

DRUM ROLL PLEASE …

The winner of Theatre Alberta’s PlayWorks Ink draw is Shelley Scott from Lethbridge. Our congratulations to Shelley for winning a free workshop registration to PlayWorks Ink 2010!

LIBRARIAN'S PICK

In recognition of the up and coming Loud and Queer Festival taking place next week in Edmonton, we have highlighted two books from our collection that deal with queer theatre.

Queer Theatre in Canada  Edited by Rosalind Kerr

A collection of twenty-one articles selected to give an overview of where Canadian queer theatre is today and how we arrived here.

 “While the material presented in these articles may appear to be too diverse to allow us to come to any conclusion as to where Canadian English queer theatre is today, I hope that I have at least set out a path to follow from those first gay liberation plays to the complex interrogations of the intersections of sexualities and nationalities which seem to inform so much of the work.” — from the Introduction by Rosalind Kerr

Perfectly Abnormal – Seven Gay Plays  Edited by Sky Gilbert
These plays include random musings on gay life, or anachronistic views of gay history, or impossible Utopian fantasies, or hilarious nonsense.  They are art, and they work their magic through their mysterious forms:  the prose that verges on poetry, the inaccurate histories, the bizarre and seemingly fictional detail that nevertheless resonates so strongly with the realities of queer life.

LIBRARY HOURS

Please note that the library will be closed and the book drop unavailable November 11, 2009, for Remembrance Day.  

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Theatre News

ALBERTA-BORN ARTIST WINS SIMINOVITCH PRIZE

BMO Financial Group announced that Calgary-born, Toronto-based theatre artist Ronnie Burkett has been selected as the recipient of the 2009 Elinore & Lou Siminovitch Prize in Theatre, the largest theatre award in the country.

“The selection of Ronnie Burkett as winner of the 2009 Siminovitch Prize goes to recognize his unique contribution to theatre design. Design has remained at the very centre of everything he has created. His work challenges audiences and extends the way we see theatre,” said Maureen Labonté, Jury Chair. “As a designer, he takes risks and experiments while remaining profoundly human in the theatre he creates. He continues to inspire younger, emerging artists whom he has mentored and taught.”  More >

PANDEMIC PLANNING IN THE WORKPLACE

The Government of Alberta has developed the Best Practice Guideline for Workplace Health and Safety During Pandemic Influenza. This document addresses workplace health and safety best practices, options and strategies for preparation and response during pandemic influenza to preserve health and safety in all Alberta workplaces.

CASINO PROCEEDS AND WAIT TIMES UNDER REVIEW

A three-member MLA committee is examining aspects of Alberta’s charitable gaming model. The panel will review and make recommendations about wait times and the pooling of proceeds from licensed casino events to eligible organizations.

Details of the Committee's mandate, and information on Alberta's charitable gaming model, can be found by clicking here. Organizations are encouraged to provide a written submission to the MLA Committee, which will accepted up end of business day on November 20. The Alberta Gaming & Liquor Commission has also posted a table listing the current casino proceeds, wait times and populations of the ten casino regions.

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Shows Opening

November 4 - December 2

Full Playbill

CALGARY

British Invasion
Nov 5 - Dec 24, Stage West Theatre Restaurants More >

Sweeney Todd
Nov 6 - 14, Front Row Centre Players More >

ISIS: A Shadow Opera
Nov 6- 15, Green Fools Theatre More >

Speed the Plow
Nov 7 - 22, Ground Zero Theatre and Hit & Myth Productions More >

Fuel
Nov 10 - 14, Meant 2 Be Productions More >

Fit for Death
Nov 13-14, 25-29, Dec 9-13, Pegasus Performances More >

Warm Stories for Cold Night - Story Theatre
Nov 14 - 24, Calgary Young People's Theatre More >

Murder on the Nile - Vertigo Mystery Series
Nov 14 - Dec 6, Vertigo Theatre Centre More >

The Country
Nov 17 - 28, Theatre Junction GRAND with Crow's Theatre More >

Shakespeare Showcase 2009
Nov 17 - 19, The Playhouse North School Of Theatre More >

The Marriage of Bette and Boo
Nov 19 - 28, Mount Royal College More >

Scorched
Nov 19 - 28, Sage Theatre More >

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like ... Murder
Nov 19 - 22, Dec 2 - 6, Dec 16 - 20, Pegasus Performances More>

Uprising: A Festival of New Political Work
Nov 19 - 28, Downstage More >

A Christmas Carol
Nov 20 - Dec 27, Theatre Calgary More >

Manon
Nov 21, 25 & 27, Calgary Opera More >

Dream Vacation
Nov 23 - Dec 23, Lunchbox Theatre More >

Toad of Toad Hall
Nov 25 - Dec 27, Alberta Theatre Projects More >

The Mob
Nov 25 - Dec 5, University Of Calgary - Faculty Of Fine Arts More >

Tiny Tim's Christmas
Nov 27 - Dec 20, Storybook Theatre Society More >

The Invisible Girl - Y Stage
Nov 27 - 29, Vertigo Theatre Centre with Quest Theatre More >

EDMONTON

Routes
Nov 5 - 7, Concrete Theatre More >

Harvest
Nov 5 - 22, Shadow Theatre More >

Evasion
Nov 6 - 8, Firefly Theatre More >

Rock 'n' Roll
Nov 7 - 29, Citadel Theatre and Canadian Stage Company More >

The Loud & Queer Cabaret
Nov 13 - 14, Workshop West Theatre with Guys in Disguise More >

Nellie McClung
Nov 13 - 14, Jellinek Society More >

Le périmètre
Nov 19 - 22, L'uniThéâtre, Production du Théâtre la Seizième de Vancouver  More >

The Tall Building
Nov 19 - 29, Azimuth Theatre Association More >

Canadian Contemporary Drama
Nov 19 - 22, Theatre At Concordia More >

King Lear
Nov 20 - 26, Theatre Prospero More >

Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet)
Nov 26 - Dec 5, University Of Alberta, Studio Theatre More >

Project: Whooping Crane
Nov 27 - Dec 6, Fringe Theatre Adventures with Green Fools Theatre More >

A Christmas Carol
Nov 27 - Dec 23, Citadel Theatre More >

ALBERTA

Red Riding Hood
Nov 4 - 8, Heartland Art's Troupe, Stettler 403-742-3777

Life Could Be A Dream - 1960's Doo Wop Musical
Nov 4 - Dec 31, Cornerstone Theatre & Restaurant, Canmore More >

Christmas in Wales
Nov 6 - Dec 23, Rosebud Theatre, Rosebud More >

Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Nov 6 - 21, Lethbridge Musical Theatre, Lethbridge More >

Toronto, Mississippi
Nov 11, Nov 13 - 15, Nov 18 - 21, Pine Tree Players, Canmore More >

The Producers
Nov 12 - 22, Medicine Hat Musical Theatre, Medicine Hat More >

Forget-Me-Knot
Nov 13 - Dec 13, Central Alberta Theatre, Red Deer More >

Billy Bishop Goes to War
Nov 19 - 28, Keyano Theatre, Fort McMurray More >

Bye Bye Birdie
Nov 19 - 28, Windmill Theatre Players, High River More >

They're Playing Our Song
Nov 19 - Dec 12, Grande Prairie Live Theatre, Grande Prairie More >

Festen
Nov 19 - Dec 12, University Of Lethbridge, Lethbridge More >

Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka
Nov 26 - Dec 6, St. Albert Children's Theatre, St. Albert More >

Beauty and the Beast
Nov 26 - Dec 5, Red Deer College, Red Deer More >

The Secret Lives of Girls
Nov 26 - 27, Stageworks Academy Of The Performing Arts, Leduc More >

Steel Magnolias
Nov 26 - 28, Horizon Players, Spruce Grove More >

Annie
Nov 26 - Dec 5, Barrhead Community Theatre, Barrhead, 780-674-2882

Meanwhile Back on the Couch
Nov 27 - Dec 12, Peace Players, Peace River More >

Knight Fever
Nov 27 - 29, Vision Theatre Players, Cochrane More >

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Jobs & Auditions      

JOBS

{ CALGARY }

Business Development Coordinator, Workshop Theatre

Director of Business Development, Theatre Junction GRAND

Event Planner/Administrator, AO Shirley Memorial Foundation

Head Stage Carpenter, EPCOR Centre

Production Crew, Attic Players

Youth Eco Internship, Evergreen Theatre

{ EDMONTON }

General Manager, Northern Light Theatre

Head of Wigs and Makeup , Citadel Theatre

{ ALBERTA }

There are no postings at this time. Visit Theatre Alberta for updates.

AUDITIONS

{ CALGARY }

Going to Extremes, Evergreen Theatre

Portia Coughlan, Liffey Players Drama Society

The Mikado, Morpheus Theatre

{ EDMONTON }

Blue Window, University of Alberta

The Mail Order Bride, Walterdale Theatre Associates

{ ALBERTA }

Scrooge, Conquest Theatre, Canmore

The Blue Light, Keyano Theatre, Fort McMurray

{ CANADA }

There are no postings at this time. Visit Theatre Alberta for updates.

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

BANFF PLAYWRIGHT'S COLONY 2010

Take your project to the next level, and to new heights, with the Banff Playwright's Colony. This five-week residential program draws on a rich 35-year old history and focuses on text-based theatre. It is open to participants of all levels, from emerging playwrights to seasoned professionals. Participants’ plays may be at various stages of development, from first draft to final polish. More >

Deadline: November 6, 2009

CALL FOR PERFORMERS FOR NEW CREATION WORKSHOP

Ghost River Theatre is seeking performer-creators for its newest work, Reverie, a music-based performance created by co-Artistic Directors Eric Rose and David van Belle and singer/songwriter Kris Demeanor. Reverie will be created in a workshop setting May 9 - 29, 2010 in Calgary. The final production will be part of Ghost River Theatre’s 2010 - 2011 season. Interested performers (whether known to Ghost River or not) should submit a letter of interest, headshot, and current resume. More >

Deadline: November 27, 2009

b current THEATRE CREATORS RESERVE PROGRAM

b current is one of the recommending companies which participates in the Theatre Creators Reserve Program at the Ontario Arts Council. This third party assistance program allows the company to recommend outright grants to artists. Writers/creators of color looking to create, or in the process of creating, playscripts or generating production ideas can submit proposals.  More >

Deadline: December 1, 2009

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS - 2010 HARRY AND MARTHA COHEN AWARD

Alberta Theatre Projects is now accepting nominations for the Harry and Martha Cohen Award, which recognizes individuals that have made a significant and sustained contribution to theatre in Calgary. The award nominations are for on stage, off stage, and backstage nominees, including actors, directors, administrators, designers, philanthropists, playwrights, dramaturgs, stage managers, teachers, technicians or volunteers. More >

Deadline: December 21, 2009

INSPIRATO: TEN MINUTE PLAY FESTIVAL

InspiraTO calls on Canadian playwrights to submit a ten-minute play. 8 to 16 ten minute plays will be selected and performed in Toronto, June 2010. Cash award for first prize. No submission fee. More >

Deadline: January 2, 2010

WORKSHOPS

SWALLOW-A-WORKSHOP #2: VIEWPOINTS

November 7 & 8, 2009 - Calgary

The Swallow-a-Bicycle Performance Co-op is excited to announce the second installment in the 2009-10 Swallow-a-Workshop Series: Viewpoints with Rita Bozi. This workshop is intended for artists with advanced study or practical experience in their fields. It is open to actors, dancers, directors, designers and any other artists who wish to explore new methods of collaborative creation. More >

INTRODUCTION TO STAGE MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP

January 9, 2010 - Lethbridge

January 16, 2010 - Calgary

January 23, 2010 - Medicine Hat

Participants will be led through the ins and outs of stage management through discussion, exercises and practical examples in this workshop. Beginning at the beginning (what is a stage manager?), and running through your role in auditions all the way to closing a show. Get your feet wet with stage management, or reassess and finesse your current skills and style. 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

CELEBRATE 30 YEARS OF ARTS AND CULTURAL MANAGEMENT AT GRANT MACEWAN

November 12, 2009 - Edmonton

Join Grant MacEwan University for an evening celebrating the contributions arts managers make to the creative community. Special guest Max Wyman's lecture - Mobilizing the Converted: How do we Make the Case for Culture in the New Virtual World? - is free of charge and open to all in Edmonton's arts community. More >

ATTIC PLAYERS' ANNUAL HEADSHOT FUNDRAISER

Calgary

Attic Players is hosting its second Headshot Fundraiser this November. Time will be organized in 20 minute slots, $55 per session. Feel free to book back to back sessions if you are interested in getting a little more time with the photographer. Please email Shelby for more information, or to book a time! More >

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New & Renewing Members

September 1 - October 31, 2009

NEW MEMBERS

Individuals

Lucas Anders, Alex Armstrong, Joel Aspen, Carmen Belanger, Conrad Belay, Rick Book, Shannon Boyle, Meg Braem, Jeannette Brown, Dennis Cahill, Iris Chomyn, Morgan Churla, Emma Cobb, Peter Cochran, Erika Conway, Karen Craig, Ryan Cunningham, Colyn deGraaff, Lindy Dougherty, Kimberly Giebler, Shane Gramlich, Catherine Grynoch, Melanie Guglielmin, Darrin Hagen, Evan Hall, Cleo Halls, Alex Hart, Mandy Kahlmeier, Jillian Keiley, Eva Knight, Donald Lee, Stewart Lemoine, Charlotte Loeppky, Anne McDonald, Andrew McKechnie, Sherryl Melnyk, Doug Mertz, Laila Moos, Colleen Murphy, Jennifer Nishi, Katie Orsten, Lindsay Phillips, Lennette Randall, Tina Rapke, Janice Salkeld, Mosa Sayyad, Maddison Saver, David Sealy, Christie Sorochuk, Jody Swift, Cindy VandenEnden, Matthew Ward, Cameron Westhead, Brielle Wolfe, Aaron Zeffer

Groups

Conquest Theatre, Lillian Osborne High School, Music Box Productions

RENEWING MEMBERS

Individuals

Kenneth Abernathy, Lynda Adams, Jesse Ajohn, Mary Lou Armstrong, Matthew Beairsto, Natalie Blanchard, Justin Born, Tracey Bowes, Andrea Boyd, Justin Bronson, Charlotte Cameron, Shomee Chakrabartty, Cole Chapelsky, Ethan Cole, Abigail Choma, Ellen Close, Taryn Craig, Daniel Derksen, Anton deGroot, Geri Dittrich, Wendy Doerksen, Elaine Elrod, Amy Erlandson, Sarah Ferguson, Lesley Galbecka, Sarah Gibson, Jenna Goldade, Carrie Hamilton, Herb Haekel, Sienna Holden, Georgette Holyk, Christopher Hunt, Kendra Hutchinson, Joanne Jacobsen, Whitney Juszkiewicz, Kelsey Johnson, Amy Keating, Kari Kinnear, Shannon Klassen, John Knight, Sherry Koehler, Kelsey Krogman, Neil Kuefler, Dale Lee Kwong, Ian Leung, David MacInnis, Matthew MacKenzie, Blake Mayan, Kim McCaw, Darolyn McCrostie, Suzanne McKinstry (McDowell), Caitlin Meachin, Morgan Melnyk, Robert Miller, Sven Miller, Julie Mortensen, Alison Nelner, Laura Nichol, Sandra Nicholls, Kristine Nutting, Mieko Ouchi, Thomas Peacocke, Michael Peng, Mary-Ellen Perley, Anne Pinder, Valerie Planche, Ian Prinsloo, Kat Rainsong, Kelsey Ranshaw, Dana Rayment, Kelly Reay, Sammantha Reinhardt, Bill Roberts, Tammy Roberts, Ayden Ross, Brent Schaus, Cassia Schramm, Sandy Shwaykosky, Nicole Smashnuk, Daniel Stilwell, Vicki Stroich, Niamh Taylor, Theo Thirsk, Carolyn Thomas, Russell Thomas, Ashley Turner, Alysa van Haastert, Lisa van Osch, Catherine Walsh, Natasha Weenk, Heather Zacharias

Groups

Alberta Opera Musical Theatre for Young People, Alberta Theatre Projects, Calgary Opera, Caviar Players Drama Society, Concrete Theatre, Downstage, Father James Whelihan School, Katie’s Playhouse, Keyano College Theatre, Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School, Morpheus Theatre, Northern Light Theatre, Peace Players, Pine Tree Players, Pumpjack Players/Whitecourt Drama Society, Stage Hanna Association, The Bert Church Live Theatre

DONORS

A warm and sincere thank you to Kenneth Abernathy, Mary-Lou Armstrong, Lindy Dougherty, Sarah Gibson, Sven Miller, Thomas Peacocke, and Brielle Wolfe for their generous donations to Theatre Alberta.

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