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What's New at Theatre Alberta
What's On in Alberta
Theatre News
Classifieds
Donors & New Members
Buzz Etiquette

CLASSIFIEDS:
Auditions
Job Postings
Workshops/Classes/Education
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To our Members:

Notes for December:

December is here, which kicks off a time of celebration, reflection, happiness, and also a time to give. Whether it’s giving a present or giving to those in need or simply giving a lift home to co-worker on a snowy afternoon. Here at Theatre Alberta we have already been overwhelmed by the tremendous support we’ve received through our Gift-A-Play campaign. Members from across Alberta have already donated nearly half the books on our Wish List. These donations help to grow and maintain our magnificent Library, ensuring that theatre enthusiasts can access the best plays available.

Gifting a play is a fun way for people to give to Theatre Alberta, but many people don’t realize that we are also a registered charity and our programming has significant costs associated with the top notch and affordable opportunities.

Artstrek brings hundreds of young people to Red Deer to learn from the best instructors this province has to offer. Workshops by Request allows theatre groups from across the province to bring theatre artists to their community and teach them innovative and fun workshops. In each of these programs, and the many others we run, we balance accessibility with the financial costs it uses to bring these to life.

So we kindly ask you, during this time of giving, to consider a financial contribution to Theatre Alberta. A small amount makes a big difference, for instance:

• $25 purchases two Plays-of-Study for Artstrek students.
• $50 houses an Artstrek student for one day during the program.
• $100 sends a Workshops by Request instructor over 200 kms to teach a workshop in rural Alberta.

We ask for whatever is within your means, whatever that amount is. Click here to give.

On behalf of the Board of Theatre Alberta, I extend our sincerest well wishes for a fun and safe holiday season!

Jeremy Mason
President, Board of Directors

“Happy to support Theatre Alberta for all the great programming that you offer! ”

~Tracy Carroll, 2014 Gift-A-Play donor

What's New at Theatre Alberta

Click the headline for more information.

GIFT-A-PLAY 2014 - GIVE A PLAY TO THEATRE ALBERTA FOR XMAS!

On November 19th, we launched our third annual Library donation campaign: Gift A Play to Theatre Alberta’s Library for Christmas. We created a “Wish List” on Amazon.ca of 50 titles that the Library would like to add to our collection. It’s our Christmas list and we are glad that the theatre community is in the gift-giving mood this holiday season! We are pleased to report that 23 titles have been donated so far from our Wish List in only 12 days of Giving!

Thank you to everyone who has donated so far: Doug Mertz & Stefano Muneroni, Craig Colegrave, Tracy Carroll, Kevin T. Mott, and Anonymous. (We want to recognize you! Email your Amazon.ca receipt to [email protected] so we can post your name on our website!)

By donating books to the Theatre Alberta Library, you are giving to the entire Albertan theatre community! Links to book descriptions and more information about how to get involved are available on our Gift A Play webpage. We will provide tax receipts for donations worth more than $20. Thank you so much for your support!

Since there has been a theatre, there have been stagecraft elements—theatre technologies—and over the centuries both have developed and evolved in lockstep, influencing and affecting one another. ~All Stages Editor, Frazer Andrews The Winter 2014 edition of All Stages Magazine will be arriving in Theatre Alberta members' mailboxes during the first week of December. In this issue, we take a look at different theatre technologies, both old and new, that the Alberta theatre community has explored and employed in its work around the province. Featured in this issue:

• A chat with Jennie Esdale in Community Profile about Green Fools Theatre, puppetry, and Calgary’s new West Village Theatre.
• Ann Salmonson outlines new technologies that could change the way costume designers and wardrobe artisans operate in The Cutting Edge?.
• We found some unique examples of older stagecraft elements with the Antique Tech Roadshow.
• In The Process, Jon Lachlan Stewart breaks down the technical elements of Surreal SoReal’s The Genius Code.
• In Foils, we caught up with T. Erin Gruber and Matthew Waddell who tell us how they see the current state of lighting, projection, and sound design.
• All Stages Technical Editor Scott Peters chats with some industry professionals on the use of ubiquitous—everyday—technologies for Q2Q.
• And, in our Opinion feature, University of Lethbridge Props Master Steve Benson tells us how the recent trend of Makerspaces Can Help Theatre.

Workshops by Request are coordinated by Theatre Alberta at your request and targeted to the specific needs of your theatre company. Workshops in both technical and non-technical aspects of theatre bring highly trained professionals to your community for one, one and a half, or two-day workshops. Click here to apply for a Workshop by Request. Workshops by Request scheduled for December 2014 include:

Pasek & Paul Vocal Masterclass in St. Albert
On December 5, Tony-nominated composers Justin Paul and Benj Pasek will work with ten emerging professionals on a musical theatre song. Members of the public are welcome to purchase tickets to audit the Vocal Masterclass - call St. Albert Children's Theatre (SACT) at 780-459-1600 and give them the code 31463. And, don't forget to check out Pasek & Paul's caberet-style concert on December 6 at 2 p.m.!

Shadow Performance in Grande Prairie
Anita Miotti will travel from Calgary to Grande Prairie to teach a workshop on integrating shadows into theatre peformance to Grande Prairie Live Theatre on December 14. Anita is a choreographer/dancer/actor who writes, performs and produces her own work. She is the founding Artistic Director of Theatre of the Living Statue and has created a Balinese style shadow performance at Calgary's Saddledome stadium for His Holiness The Dalai Lama!

There are already a number of Workshops by Request booked for the new year! Here's a list of upcoming workshops:

• Directing in Lethbridge (Playgoers of Lethbridge - January 17)
• Lighting in Ponoka (Klaglahachie Fine Arts Society - February 7)
• Acting in Sundre (Peak Theatre Players - TBD)
• Directing and Make Up in Canmore (Pine Tree Players - TBD)
• Character Development in High River (Windmill Theatre Players -TBD)

Workshops by Request applications are accepted throughout the year. Any theatre organization in Alberta that is a group member of Theatre Alberta may apply for a workshop through the Workshops by Request program, on any topic of their choice. For more information, please email Frazer Andrews, Programmer at [email protected].

Have you visited Theatre Alberta's Library lately? If so, you may have noticed a new shelf of books near the front entrance. We have moved all of our Scene and Monologue collections out from the main shelving units to a more featured position in our Library. These are some of our most popular titles, so it helps to have them out in the open - but also we needed to make room for our new acquisitions. There are 325 books on this shelf! Come on by to our Library on the third floor of the Percy Page Centre (11759 Groat Road) or reserve a title online at www.theatrealberta.com/library.

Interested in borrowing a title from Canada's largest, independent theatre library? Our helpful Librarians and staff are available to help you navigate nearly 20,000 titles in our collection. And, we mail books free-of-charge to our members outside of the Edmonton area. Visit theatrealberta.com/library or call us at 780-422-8162 (or toll-free at 1-888-422-8160 if you live outside of Edmonton) to reserve a title today!

Please note Theatre Alberta's Library will be closed December 22 - January 4 for the Christmas Holiday break. The Drop Box will be available during the holiday only at the following dates and times:
Dec 22-23 (8:15 am to 6 pm)
Jan 2 (8:15 am to 10:30 pm)
Jan 3-4 (8:30 am to 4:30 pm)

The Dropbox will be unavailable December 24 - January 1. Have a joyful holiday season and a happy New Year!

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What's On in Alberta

Opening in December

Click here to search the 2014-2015 Theatre Alberta Playbill.
Click here to explore Theatre Alberta's "What's On" blog with detailed show descriptions.

indicates production was written/collectively created by an Albertan artist/group
indicates production was written/collectively created by a Canadian artist/group

CALGARY

With Bells On
Dec 1 - 24, Lunchbox Theatre/Guys In Disguise

Young Sherlock Holmes... and the Case of Dick Whittington's Cat
Dec 5 - 14, Morpheus Theatre

!DURANGED! featuring Wanda's Visit and 'denity Crisis
Dec 10 - 20, Theatre BSMT

EDMONTON

Six Degrees of Separation
Dec 3 - 13, Walterdale Theatre

Passion Play
Dec 4 - 14, Wild Side Productions

Spring Alibi
Dec 7, Northern Sabbatical Productions/MAA & PAA Theatre

Cinderella - A Christmas Pantomime
Dec 10 - Jan 23, The Capitol Theatre

The Nutcracker Unhinged (and other Stocking Stuffers from Lemoine-land)!
Dec 11 - 13, Teatro la Quindicina

The Best Little Newfoundland Christmas Pageant Ever
Dec 18 - 21, The Varscona Theatre/Whizzgiggling Productions

It's A Wonderful Life Radio Show
Dec 18 - 23, The Capitol Theatre

The Christmas Carol Project
Dec 19 - 20, Fringe Theatre Adventures/Brass Monkey Productions

ALBERTA

Once Upon A Witch
Dec 4 - 13, Medicine Hat Musical Theatre

Celebration of the Arts
Dec 5 - 8, Rural Notes Music Services, Athabasca

Murder on the Nile
Dec 5 - 13, Peak Theatre Players, Sundre

Big Fish: The Musical
Dec 11 - 19, Medicine Hat High School

JUBILEE: The Best of New West
Dec 15 - Jan 3, New West Theatre, Lethbridge

The Great Munsch Mystery
Dec 22 - Jan 3, New West Theatre, Lethbridge

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Click headline to read the full news story

Stories listed in order of those most recently posted in Theatre NEWS

Submit THEATRE NEWS stories to:

theatrealberta.com/submit

Theatre News

Teatro la Quindicina announces 2015 Season - Edmonton

Teatro la Quindicina has announced its four-play 2015 theatre season. The season includes three Albertan plays, one of which will be world premiere by Stewart Lemoine.

2015 High Performance Rodeo Line-up Announced - Calgary

The line-up has been announced for the 29th annual High Performance Rodeo, Calgary’s International Festival of the Arts, running January 7 to February 1, 2015.

Catalyst Theatre’s Nevermore to play in New York City in 2015 - Edmonton/Beyond

Edmonton’s Catalyst Theatre‘s hit musical about Edgar Allan Poe, Nevermore, will be produced in New York City in January 2015 playing at New World Stages.

Trina Davies wins sixth annual Uprising Playwriting Competition - Calgary/National

Downstage announced the winners of the 2014 Uprising National Playwriting Competition. Congratulations Trina Davies (1st place) and Rafael Antonio Renderos (2nd place).

2014 Governor General’s Literary Award for Drama announced - National

The 2014 GGs for Drama | Théâtre were awarded to Jordan Tannahill for his compilation Age of Minority: Three Solo Plays and Carole Fréchette for her play Small Talk.

Catalyst Theatre to move from C103 to Citadel Theatre - Edmonton

In September 2015, Catalyst Theatre will become the resident company in the Citadel Theatre’s Maclab Theatre space. The fate of the C103 venue is unknown at this time.

New Artistic Director appointed to Edmonton Opera - Edmonton

The Edmonton Opera board of directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Tim Yakimec to combined position of General Manager and Artistic Director.

Theatre Calgary to host world premiere of The Little Prince: The Musical - Calgary

Theatre Calgary will develop and produce the world premiere of The Little Prince: The Musical, co-created by James Reid and Nicholas Lloyd Webber, to open in January 2016.

New West Theatre announces New General Manager - Lethbridge

New West Theatre announced the appointment of Jeff Newman as General Manager to replace outgoing GM Natascha Hainsworth.

Theatre community represented in Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 - Alberta

Congratulations to Paul Welch of Calgary, and Shannon Blanchet and Christine Dewitt of Edmonton, all who made Avenue Magazine's Top 40 Under 40 for their respective cities.

Theatre community mourns loss of Richard McDowell - Calgary

Calgary's theatre community was saddened to learn of the passing of Richard McDowell, sound designer and core ensemble member of One Yellow Rabbit. Our deepest condolences to Richard's family and friends.

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Theatre Alberta does not necessarily endorse the organizations and/or individuals submitting Classified listings on our site. It is the responsibility of each patron using the Theatre Alberta Classifieds to research the integrity of the organizations who submit listings to which he/she is applying/responding and to verify specific information, especially pertaining to the job/audition listings.

Auditions

CALGARY

Auditions (Calgary): Gilbert & Sullivan’s Spookiest Operetta, Ruddigore – Morpheus Theatre - By appointment: December 10, 11, 14.

EDMONTON

Auditions (Edmonton): Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? – Walterdale Theatre - By appointment: January 10 & 11, 12:00-5:00pm.

ALBERTA

Audition (Red Deer): The Glass Menagerie – Ignition Theatre/Prime Stock Theatre - By appointment: until December 16.

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Job Postings

Please note that jobs with no deadline will only be included in one issue of Theatre Buzz, unless we are instructed otherwise by the posting organization.

CALGARY

Job (Calgary): Education and Outreach Manager, Alberta Theatre Projects - Deadline: December 5

EDMONTON

Job (Edmonton): Operations Director (Facility and Festival) – Fringe Theatre Adventures - Open til filled. Interviewing process begins December 3.

Job (Edmonton): Artistic Director – Rapid Fire Theatre - Deadline: January 14, 2015.

Job (Edmonton): Assistant Stage Manager – Catalyst Theatre - Open til filled; Contract begins January 25.

ALBERTA

Job (Lloydminster): Technical Director – Vic Juba Community Theatre - Deadline: December 8.

Job (Red Deer): Artistic Director – Tree House Youth Theatre - Open till filled.

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Workshops / Classes / Education/ Camps

Please note that classes with no listed dates will be included in three issues of Theatre Buzz, unless we are instructed otherwise by the posting organization.

CALGARY

Workshop (Calgary): Master Class in Commedia dell’Arte – Theatre A Go-Go - with David Langlois, January 11, 10:00am-5:30pm.

Workshops (Calgary): WordShed – Alberta Playwrights’ Network - February 18 & 19, 2015.

Education (Calgary): 2015 Advanced Devised Production Intensive - Ghost River Theatre - May 4-23, 2015 - Early bird pricing deadline: December 31.

Classes (Calgary): Learn Voice Over for Commercials, Narrations, Audio Books, Animation and More! – VoiceSpot WCS - Various time slots available.

EDMONTON

Workshop (Edmonton/Online): Adaptation Workshop – Alberta Playwrights Network - Adaptation: The Word Made Flesh with Vern Thiessen - December 8, 6:00-8:00pm (also broadcast online via LiveStream)

Classes (Edmonton): Foote Theatre School – Winter Term Registration Open - Register now for Winter classes beginning in January 2015.

Workshops (Edmonton): WordShed – Alberta Playwrights’ Network - February 19 & 20, 2015.

Classes (Edmonton): Singing for Actors – Shannon Boyle - Individuals or groups. Various time slots available.

Classes (Edmonton): Introduction to Film Acting – Steve Dhillon - 3-4 week intro program at 1-2 times a week. Location & dates TBD.

Classes (Edmonton): Learn Voice Over for Commercials, Narrations, Audio Books, Animation and More! – VoiceSpot WCS - Various time slots available.

ALBERTA

Workshop (St. Albert): Pasek & Paul Masterclass - Auditors welcome. December 5, 2:00pm

Education (Banff): Theatre Production, Design and Stage Management Practicum Programs – The Banff Centre - Various dates in 2015. Deadline: December 10.

Education: RDC Study Tour New York City – Red Deer College - February 16 – 20, 2015. Deadline: December 12.

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Events / Fundraisers / Deals

Event (Calgary): Theatre Calgary Industry Night – Critics’ Panel - December 2, 6:30pm, Max Bell Theatre.

Event (Banff): Banff Talks: Robert Lepage – The Banff Centre - "Creating Outside of the Frame" with Q&A, December 3, 7:30pm, Max Bell Auditorium.

Event (St. Albert): Pasek & Paul Concert - December 5, 2:00pm, The Arden Theatre.

Event (Edmonton): Playwrights Forum – University of Alberta Department of Drama - December 7, 1:00-3:00pm, U of A Fine Arts Building, Rm. 1-43.

Events (Edmonton): Script Salon Winter lineup of play readings:

• December 7 - MATARA by Conni Massing.
• January 4 - IRMA VOTH by Chris Craddock (based on the novel by Miriam Toews).
• February 1 - The Winners of the 2014 Alberta Playwriting Competition HELMUT’S BIG DAY by James Wade & BEFORE THE NIGHT TAKES US by Ryan Reese.

Event (Edmonton): Scene Study – December 8th – Grindstone Theatre - with Louise Lambert. December 8, 6:00-8:00pm, Citadel Theatre Boardroom (3rd floor).

Event/Fundraiser (Edmonton): A Merry Little Cabaret – Impact Malawi - December 12, 6:00pm, First Mennonite Church (3650 - 91 Street NW).

Fundraiser (Alberta): Gift-A-Play to Theatre Alberta for Christmas - Donate a play from Theatre Alberta's Wish List to our Library for Christmas. Gifts worth $20 or more will receive a tax receipt. Until December 25th!.

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Space

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Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer Opportunity (Edmonton): Casino Volunteers – Firefly Theatre & Circus - January 11 & 12 at Century Casino (13103 Fort Road); email [email protected]

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Calls For Submissions

Call for Submissions (Calgary): Aboriginal Artist / Collaborator – Mudfoot Theatre - Submission deadline: December 7, midnight.

Call For Submissions (Edmonton): Director for Fringe Production – Loose Ends Theatre Company - Submission deadline: December 12.

Call for Submissions (Edmonton): Stage Struck! 2015 – Alberta Drama Festival Association (ADFA) - Submission deadline: December 15 (*nine slots available).

Call for Submissions (Calgary): 2015 Calgary Region One-Act Play Festival – Pumphouse Theatres - Registration begins: December 17, noon (*12 slots available).

Call for Submissions (St. Albert): Mayor’s Celebration of the Arts Awards - Submission deadline extended: December 19, 5:00pm.

Call for Submissions (Edmonton): Skirt Design Competition – SkirtsAfire herArts Festival - Submission deadline extended: December 19.

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Other

Misc. (National): Canadian Theatre Wiki Hackathon
Theatre artists across Canada needed to collectively write our own known pieces of Canadian Theatre History into the website www.theatrewiki.ca. This will be on ongoing initiative that needs as much help as possible.

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Donors, New & Renewing Members

Donations and members listed below were processed during November 2014.

ConocoPhillips Canada Resources and Theatre Alberta Library Patrons from the office donation jar!

Click here to view our 2014 Gift A Play donors so far!

NEW MEMBERS

Individuals

Stephanie Gregorwich, Dianne Whitehouse, Kelsey Jones, Steve Dhillon, Nicole Bartosinski, Emily Pole, Molly MacKinnon, Morag Haysom, Elena Stalwick

Groups

Verb Theatre, THUGWork Theatre

RENEWING MEMBERS

Individuals

Marilyn Potts, Roberta Mauer Phillips, Mary Glenfield, Jan Taylor, Janice Hoover, Kevin Mott, Stephen Delano, Marty Chan, Sharon Peat, Tanya Ryga, Phil Kreisel, Delphine Brooker, Laura Raboud, Thomas Usher, Lauren Tamke, Colleen Uhryn, Diane Sinclair, Jolana Nanista, Clinton Carew, Anh Chu, Desiré Poulin, Chelsea Restall, Shannon Joyes, Erika Conway, Sue Quon, Nicole Leal, Mary Elizabeth Archer, Josh Symonds, Hannah Dick, Maxine Bennett, Natalie Davidson, Philip Zyp, David Fettes, Mary Jane Kreisel

Groups

Lunchbox Theatre, Pegasus Performances, Free Will Players, Evergreen Theatre, Red Deer College Theatre Society, Stage West Theatre Restaurant, Innisfail Town Theatre, Downstage, The Rogue Players, Vic Juba Community Theatre, Klaglahachie Fine Arts Society, Theatre BSMT, St Albert Theatre Troupe, Varscona Theatre, Fight Directors Canada, Dewdney Players

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BUZZ ETIQUETTE

Theatre Buzz is an electronic newsletter distributed to subscribers during the first week of every month. Any information shared when subscribing to Theatre Buzz will NOT be shared with other sources, or used for any purpose other than administering Theatre Buzz.

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Theatre Alberta Gratefully Acknowledges the Support of the Following Funders

Thank you for your commitment to the growth of theatre in Alberta!