To our Members:
Michael Green - Co-Artistic Director and co-founder of One Yellow Rabbit Performance Theatre, curator of the High Performance Rodeo, Calgary’s International Festival of the Arts, and curator and creative producer of Calgary 2012 - was tragically killed in a car accident north of Regina on Tuesday, February 10th.
Three other artists travelling in the car with Michael were also tragically killed:
Michele Sereda, artistic director of Regina's Curtain Razors theatre, Lacy Morin-Desjarlais, and Elder Narcisse Blood, who worked with Michael on Making Treaty 7.
The impact Michael has had on the art and practice of theatre stretches well beyond Calgary's, and Alberta's, borders.
Our hearts go out to his family and friends, the OYR ensemble, and all who worked with, were inspired by, and were mentored by this remarkable artist. |
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“Don’t Rest In Peace Michael. Don’t you dare. Instead, remain the restless, spirited, living embodiment of pure imagination you always have been. Stay with us and inspire us, for the rest of our days.”
~Ken Cameron
What's New at Theatre Alberta
Click the headline for more information.
Theatre Alberta is pleased to announce the Artstrek 2015 play of study: William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Theatre Alberta selects a different play of study for Artstrek each year and contracts a new team of theatre professionals to develop a curriculum centred on that script.
One of the Bard's most beloved comedies, A Midsummer Night's Dream is a perennial summer favourite. The play features the misadventures of four young wooers, and a group of (mostly) rough and tumble amateur actors, who happen upon the domain of some spiteful sprites and trickster woodland fairies on the eve of midsummer.
With mirthful magic spells that cause madness and the lunacy of eloping lovers (as well as a lofty lead-actor) the script abounds with thrilling challenges and opportunities for young thespians. Paired together, Artstrek and A Midsummer Night’s Dream are the quintessential summer fling... very possibly the #bestmidsummernightever.
Artstrek 2015 will be held at Red Deer College during the following dates:
- Exploration I: July 5 – 10, 2015
- Exploration II: July 12 – 17, 2015
- Exploration III: July 19 – 25, 2015
Theatre Alberta will mail the Artstrek 2015 poster-brochure to Theatre Alberta members and schools in March; but our Artstrek 2015 website is now online and ready to go at theatrealberta.com/artstrek2015!
Most importantly: online application to attend Artstrek 2015 begins April 1st at 10AM.
In the meantime, take a few minutes to share some Artstrek memories by watching our Memories from Artstrek 2014 video, featuring teachers, supers and students from last summer's program. Click here to watch!
See you this summer!
PICKS OF THE EDMONTON FRINGE - 2ND TOUR OF ALBERTA BEGINS
MAA & PAA Theatre and Northern Sabbatical Productions have embarked on their Picks of the Edmonton Fringe Alberta tour with its production of Never Let the Crew See You Cry by Linda Wood Edwards. The production is currently touring to venues in North and Central Alberta, including Daysland, Camrose, Fort McMurray, Edson, and Spruce Grove.
This will be the second Alberta tour from a stimulus project intended to promote Albertan theatre productions and artists to presenters in smaller and rural communities in our province. Never Let the Crew See You Cry is scheduled to tour to five communities over seven days during February 2015. All the venues presenting this production have also booked at least one other show from the Picks of the Edmonton Fringe 2014/2015 lineup.
We would like to thank and profile the presenters that have booked Never Let the Crew See You Cry to present to their communities: DaysArts, Jeanne and Peter Lougheed Performing Arts Centre, Keyano Theatre, Chautauqua Edson Arts Council, and Horizon Stage.
Click here to learn more about the Picks of the Edmonton Fringe theatre touring stimulus project and to find out more about bringing an element of the Fringe to your community!
The Picks of the Edmonton Fringe tour stimulus project is a joint presentation of Theatre Alberta, the Arts Touring Alliance of Alberta (ATAA) and Fringe Theatre Adventures. This project has been supported by a grant from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts.
THEATRE ALBERTA SEEKS ARTSTREK COMMUNITY SPONSORS
Every year, a tradition continues in which the most enthusiastic Artstrek students apply to organizations in their community to sponsor their application fees to attend our summer school for teens. There are a number of champion organizations that provide Artstrek sponsorships annually to youth in their community.
In an effort to help these enterprising students, we are collecting and sharing information from any community organization that provides (or would like to begin providing) sponsorship funding. This is a great way to not only provide assistance to resourceful local teens, but also a great way to support the long-term health of your own theatre community.
If you offer or would like to offer teens community sponsorship funding, please email Aaron Talbot at aaron@theatrealberta.com to have your organization and program profiled on our Artstrek Community Sponsorship webpage.
LAST CALL FOR APPLICATIONS TO BE AN ARTSTREK 2015 SUPERVISOR!
Theatre Alberta is seeking supervisor applications from previous Artstrek attendees with excellent interpersonal skills, strong leadership ability, experience working with youth, a remarkable work ethic and a well-cultivated sense of fun. Applicants must have attended Artstrek as a student, been away from the program for at least one year, and be between 19 and 25 years of age.
To apply, send Theatre Alberta: a cover letter outlining your qualifications; what would make you an asset to the Super team; your theatre and employment resume; and your headshot. Email all applications to artstrek@theatrealberta.com.
We thank you in advance for your interest. Please be advised that only those applicants shortlisted for the interview process will be contacted.
Application deadline: March 1, 2015.
WORKSHOPS BY REQUEST - February
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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.
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Workshops by Request scheduled for February 2015 include:
Lighting in Ponoka
On February 7, Edmonton-based technician and production designer Patrick Beagan travelled to Ponoka to instruct a workshop for the Klaglahachie Fine Arts Society. In addition to learning some basics on stage lighting function and design, KFA got some ideas on how to expand their inventory.
Improv in Calgary
On February 15, Morpheus Theatre will host an introduction to Improv workshop with Karen Johnson-Diamond. The workshop will give beginner improvisers a gentle and confident start! Karen is the Co-Artistic Producer of Dirty Laundry, an improvised soap opera, which is now in its 15th season!
Character Development in High River
On February 21-22, Calgary-based actor, director, and instructor Valerie Planche will be in High River to work on Character Development with the Windmill Theatre Players. Valerie has recently completed her Master's degree in Theatre Practice at the University of Alberta and was seen last winter in Theatre Calgary's production of Major Barbara.
Voice in Grande Prairie
On February 28, Shannon Boyle will be heading up to Grande Prairie to do a Voice workshop with Grande Prairie Live Theatre. Shannon has been teaching voice for over 25 years and currently teaches voice and acting for the BFA Acting program at the University of Alberta.
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 frazer@theatrealberta.com.
2015 ALBERTA PLAYWRITING COMPETITION - DEADLINE IS MARCH 1ST!
The Alberta Playwrights' Network (APN) is now accepting submissions for the 2015 Alberta Playwriting Competition, presented in association with Theatre Alberta.
The Alberta Playwriting Competition is the longest running provincial playwriting competition and offers the largest cash prize of any playwriting contest in Canada. The competition is open to all playwrights who reside in Alberta.
For contest rules, visit albertaplaywrights.squarespace.com/apc The deadline to apply is March 1st. |
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BACKSTAGE ACCESS PRODUCTION EXPO AT THE JUBE
Backstage Access 2015 takes place on Wednesday, February 18, 2015 in Edmonton! This one day event is an opportunity to meet with industry professionals and suppliers.
Your $30.00 session pass will allow you to attend as many sessions as you can fit in. Beginner and advanced presenations are available on:
- Lighting
- Stage Management
- Wardrobe
- Audio
- Video
- Design
Click here to register.
CANADA 300: A NATIONAL CONVERSATION COMES TO ALBERTA
Through innovative use of arts and technology, Canadians will be engaged in an evolving dialogue – both in-person and virtual – envisioning our nation’s next 150 years in preparation for the sesquicentennial of the creation of our confederation.
The public is invited to an original theatre performance and dialogue on how Canada will look, feel, and be 150 years from now. The performance will be followed by a facilitated conversation. We want to hear your aspirations for Canada, what you want Canada to work towards over the next 150 years (seven generations).
21 cities across Canada are included in the Tour
Performances in Edmonton Friday, February 27 and Calgary , Tuesday, March 9, 2015
Buy tickets at: http://www.canada300.ca/edmonton-alberta-feb-27-1pm-2.
Click here to learn more about this fascinating national theatre project.
LIBRARY HOURS
Please note Theatre Alberta's Library will be closed February 14 - 16 for the Family Day long weekend. The Drop Box will be unavailable.
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indicates production was written/collectively created by an Albertan artist/group
indicates production was written/collectively created by a Canadian artist/group
