October 18-20, 2019
This summit was presented in partnership with Calgary-ACTS and Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity.
After the first popular and successful gathering in 2018, Theatre Alberta, Calgary-ACTS, and Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity invite Albertan community theatre producers and artists to join us for the second iteration of the summit.
Gather together with peers from across the province to explore a variety of topics through keynotes, workshops, and panel discussions. If you are involved in community theatre in Alberta, this is a must-attend event!
SESSIONS OFFERED AT THE SUMMIT
KEYNOTES:
TAKING RISKS IN COMMUNITY THEATRE
Speaker: Carole Williams
ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Carole is the National Drama Advisor at Scottish Community Drama Association. She has a degree in Contemporary Theatre Practice and a post-graduate certificate in Arts and Education from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Carole has designed and delivered skills-based workshops to theatre clubs across Scotland and provides assistance with their productions. In addition to her keynote presentation, Carole will lead a workshop on Devised Theatre & Improvisation.
FEEDFORWARD (NOT BACK)
Speaker: Lynda Adams
ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Lynda is a freelance theatre/dance artist, educator, and adjudicator and has taught in theatre departments across Western Canada. Lynda has directed and/or choreographed over 50 professional, community, and school productions. She was the Artistic Associate for Edmonton’s Northern Light Theatre (1996 – 2001). In addition to delivering a keynote presentation, Lynda will be on a panel about The Community Play: making plays with and about your community.
WORKSHOPS:
21st CENTURY PEOPLE ENGAGEMENT
Instructor: Daniela Seiferling – Volunteer Alberta
This session will help you develop a deeper understanding of how volunteerism is changing;
understand the trends that are affecting and influencing volunteerism in your community;
and learn more about tools and resources for effective volunteer engagement.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
Daniela is the Networks & Engagement Senior Coordinator at Volunteer Alberta. She graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Arts (Distinction) in Anthropology and Classical Studies. She has worked in the nonprofit sector over the past eight years and been volunteering since she was a kid. Her last position was with the Government of Alberta as a Program Analyst for the Seniors Financial Assistance Programs
THE BASICS OF QLAB
This workshop is sponsored by CITT-Alberta Section
Instructor: Beth Kates
The workshop will focus on the best practices and basics of sound and video programming with Qlab4, and will provide the participants with an opportunity to do some hands-on learning about the technology. Participants will also have an opportunity to learn about some general approaches to integrating these technologies into productions.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
Beth is an award-winning lighting, set, costume and projection designer, and digital dramaturg for live performance. She is a three-time nominee for the Siminovitch Prize in theatre (2009, 2012, 2018), as well as over 30 other nominations for her design work. Beth is a proud member of the Associated Designers of Canada and Canadian Institute of Theatre Technology.
DON’T BREAK A LEG! SAFETY IN THEATRE
This workshop is sponsored by CITT-Alberta Section
Instructor: Leanne Townsend
Safety has become something we in the theatre community have become used to including in our worksites, but navigating it can be confusing. Have we done all we need to? Are we missing anything? Is our toolbox complete? Leanne Townsend, aka The Safety Coach, will help answer these questions.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
Leanne is a graduate of the Theatre Production course at Grant MacEwan in Edmonton. Having worked over the years in stage and film in a variety of different departments, her focus changed. In 1992 Leanne graduated from the UofA Nursing School as an RN and practiced nursing until 2004. During her latter years of nursing, she worked with the Canadian Red Cross and became a Training Partner and Instructor. Leanne now offers classes in First Aid and CPR as The Safety Coach, and continues to work in the theatre industry.
CONSENT & CREATING A SAFER REHEARSAL ENVIRONMENT
Instructor: Stafford Perry – Calgary Sexual Health
This workshop is based on our work exploring the topic of consent and active bystander intervention in Theatre communities. Participants will explore existing attitudes and beliefs around sexual violence and consent and will discuss tools to create safer spaces for artists. We will explore factors that may prevent people from intervening, strategies to address harassment, and highlight the roles of bystanders in rehearsals and in theatre spaces.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
Stafford Perry is an award winning actor, who works in film and TV and has worked at theatres across Canada. Stafford has also spent the last 6 years working at the Centre for sexuality, as a community Educator and WiseGuyz program facilitator and coordinator. Stafford is now the Men’s Engagement Coordinator, and has been working to facilitate safer spaces for communities to explore human rights, sexual health, gender equity, sexual diversity, consent and positive relationships in their communities. Stafford has a B.F.A. in Theatre from the University of Alberta
DEMYSTIFYING YOUR ORGANIZATIONS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
This workshop is sponsored by ATB’s The Branch for Arts + Culture
Instructor: Derek Stevenson
Increase your confidence in reading your organizations financial statements, understanding your responsibilities of the reports that make up financial statements, review and understand the Statement of Financial Position and Statement of Operations.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
Derek began his career in the arts as a performer, appearing in over twenty-five theatre productions across Southern Alberta, while pursuing a combined degree in Finance and Theatre at the University of Lethbridge. Over the years Derek has worn many hats including working with the Allied Arts Council and the Rozsa Foundation, and serving as the GM of New West Theatre. He recently embarked on a new path as a Culture Banker at ATB Financial, and is looking forward to continuing his career supporting the arts through the ATB Financial Branch for Arts and Culture.
BLANKET EXERCISE
Instructor: KAIROS
The KAIROS Blanket Exercise program is a unique, participatory history lesson – developed in collaboration with Indigenous Elders, knowledge keepers and educators – that fosters truth, understanding, respect and reconciliation among Indigenous and non-indigenous peoples.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
Since its creation in 1997, tens of thousands of KAIROS Blanket Exercises have been conducted in Canada and around the world, including in the United States, Guatemala, and Australia. By engaging participants on both emotional and intellectual levels, the KBE is able to both educate and create understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples … in Canada and throughout the world!
MAKEMUPS (DEVISING)
Instructor: Carole Williams
Improvisation can be a fun and rewarding way to explore characters and situations. It is particularly useful for exploring character aims and subtext. This workshop is suitable for actors and directors.
