theatre alberta news · 2011. 9. 1. · theatre alberta news 3 what’s newat theatre alberta...

Theatre Alberta News

Fall 2005What’s New at Theatre Alberta 3What’s New in Alberta Post- 5Secondary Theatre Programs

Report from The Alberta High School 6Drama Festival Association

Tales from the Stacks 7

Albertans Abroad 8

Member Profile 9

Bringing Back the Old, 10Ringing in the New

Mount Royal College 12

An Artstrek Marriage 13

Public Service Announcements 14

The Buzz 15

On the Front Cover:Mount Royal College’s production of Unity (1918) by Kevin Kerr, directed by Susanne Gillies-Smith. Photo by Douglas J. Rathbun. See page 12 for related story.

It’s funny how,in the spring, the summer appears to extend for weeks on end, and

then suddenly – all too soon – it is September. Don’t get me wrong:

fall is good, especially for us theatre folk. Our season begins anew and

if you check out The Playbill: Alberta’s 2005/06 Theatre Season thatyou received with this newsletter you will be staggered by the array of

choices. Wherever you are in the province there is a wealth of theatre

experiences to choose from – so dig in and go crazy. There is definitely

enough sustenance to invigorate your soul through the coming

months of shorter daylight and colder temperatures. May you be

challenged, inspired and provoked by what you see!

Once every few years we have a truly remarkable year for our summer programs. This year was remark-

able for both Artstrek and Dramaworks. I am extremely pleased to tell you that the response to theArtstrek program was phenomenal: we had 296 participants (148 in Exploration I and 148 inExploration II). There was also a significant wait list for both programs. Young people from all over the

province attended and the work was quite incredible. The final sharing on Visitor’s Day sent shivers

down my spine and reminded me yet again of the importance of this program. Parents, friends, and

family leapt to their feet at least twice and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. The feedback at

Dramaworks to the workshops and to the entire program was overwhelmingly positive with many ravereviews from participants. We have already started to think about how to build on this year’s successes

for next year’s programs.

Our fall programming is in high gear. We already have a number of applications from community the-

atres for our Workshops by Request Program. PlayWorks Ink is looking terrific – you should havereceived the brochure with this mailout. We are delighted to have the amazing Daniel Brooks as keynote

speaker along with other excellent workshop instructors. In addition to our workshops, we also have

four showcase readings of compelling new work. Join us in Calgary, November 3 to 6 – register by the

early bird deadline and save a few dollars!

Safe Stages, our new health and safety initiative in technical theatre, is well underway. We are verypleased to have contracted Ivan Siemens to act as Safe Stages Project Coordinator. If you are keen tolearn more about the project contact him at [email protected].

Finally, there seems to be a ray of hope on the horizon for the arts at one of the province’s post sec-

ondaries. I was very encouraged to read comments made by the incoming President of the University of

Alberta, Indira Samarasekera. The woman is an astounding arts supporter and her central vision for

Uof A is to reinvigorate the arts and humanities on campus. It’s about time: budget cuts within arts

faculties have been significant and the decrease in the number of drama courses most unfortunate. My

favourite Samarasekera quote from the article is “What the arts allows us to do is think outside our cur-rent set of boundaries, our current reality and look into the possibilities that one can create in one’simagination” www.engineering.ualberta.ca/civil/news.cfm?story=36720

We hope your fall theatre viewing can do the same for you!

Marie Gynane-Willis, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Theatre AlbertaTheatre Alberta is the Provincial Arts Service Organization (PASO) for theatre in

Alberta, dedicated to the growth and development of the Alberta theatre

community and all its constituencies. Theatre Alberta News is a publication of

Theatre Alberta issued four times a year. Contribution of notices, news and

articles about theatre are welcome, as well as high quality (300 dpi or higher)

photographs. Theatre Alberta News also accepts signed letters to the editor

but reserves the right to refuse any material it considers inappropriate. The

opinions and views expressed are those of the writers and do not necessarily

reflect those of Theatre Alberta.

Theatre Alberta’s Office and Library are Open

Monday to Saturday, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

The library will be closed on Saturdays until September 10.

Holiday Hours to Note

Theatre Alberta Office and Library closed September 3–5 (Labour Day),

October 8-10 (Thanksgiving), and November 11 (Remembrance Day).

For the upcoming year, copy submission and publication dates are as follows

October 21 for November 25, 2005

January 27 for March 3, 2006

April 28 for June 2, 2006

July 14 for August 25, 2006

Advertising rates

Full Page (10” high x 7.75” wide): $160.00

Half Page (5” high x 7.75” wide): $ 85.00

Quarter Page (2.5” high x 7.75” wide): $ 50.00

Please supply high-resolution files (at least 300 dpi at actual size) in greyscale

or black and white. Prices include GST.

Theatre Alberta Board of Directors

If you have questions or concerns regarding Theatre Alberta, you are welcome to contact Theatre Alberta board members.

Officers

President Tanya Ryga, Red Deer

[email protected]

Vice President Karen Towsley, Fort McMurray

[email protected]

Treasurer Wendy Punter, Cochrane

[email protected]

Secretary David Owen, Lethbridge

[email protected]

Directors

Daniel Libman, Calgary [email protected]

Glenda Stirling, Calgary [email protected]

Jane Heather, Edmonton [email protected]

Andrea Martinuk, Edmonton [email protected]

Harold Truckle, Red Deer [email protected]

Steve McHugh, Wetaskiwin [email protected]

Staff

Marie Gynane-Willis, Executive Director [email protected]

Keri Ekberg, Program Coordinator [email protected]

Becky Halliday, Executive Assistant [email protected]

Sam Varteniuk, Programmer [email protected]

Solveig Anderson, Librarian [email protected]

Brenda Sutherland, Library Assistant [email protected]

Zenovia Adams, Financial Administrator

Loretta McLaughlin, Financial Administrator

Change of address information and undeliverable copies can be sent to:

Theatre Alberta Society Phone: (780) 422-8162

11759 Groat Road, 3rd Floor Fax: (780) 422-2663

Edmonton, AB T5M 3K6 Toll Free: 1-888-422-8160

[email protected] www.theatrealberta.com

Check-In

3Theatre Alberta News

What’s New at Theatre AlbertaTheatre Alberta is, as always, buzzing with activity as we strive to offer our membership opportunities for professional, educational, or community theatre development. Here is just a taste of what we’re up to on the 3rdfloor of the Percy Page Centre.

Artstrek Artstrek 2005 has come to a close and we arepleased to report that it was an unmitigated suc-cess! This year the two, week-long residential sum-mer camps for teens focused on the worldrenowned musical Les Misérables: School Edition.Participants studied, designed, analyzed, directed,sang, danced, and performed in a classroom envi-ronment, burying themselves in drama with a groupof enthusiastic peers and professional instructors.Enrollment in the camp nearly doubled from lastyear: in 2004 about 150 teens from around theprovince took part in Artstrek; this year we tippedthe scales at a cool 296!

We encourage all post-secondary teachers, commu-nity theatres, and municipal youth funding bodiesto sponsor an Artstrek student each year. It’s arare opportunity for the dramatically inclined toimmerse themselves in their passion, developingskills and making connections that will serve themfor a lifetime. Make a kid’s dream come true –send them to Artstrek!

WebsiteThe times they are a-changing. Nations rise and fall,babies are born and grandparents die, the moonkeeps her steady course around this little ball wecall home, and websites change and are updated. Inan effort to keep ourselves as shiny and new aspossible we have re-imagined our online identity.Check us out at www.theatrealberta.com (andhere’s a hint for all you Easter Egg lovers – snooparound the top left-hand corner of the home page).

Safe StagesTheatre Alberta’s Safe Stages is now in full swing. IvanSiemens, our new project coordinator, has taken thereins and looks forward to working with the Albertatheatre community on this ambitious initiative.

Ivan grew up in Alberta and was educated in tech-nical theatre at Edmonton’s Grant MacEwan College.He has 10 years experience in the Alberta entertain-ment industry as an artist, technician, and manager.Some highlights include: Assistant Technical Directorat the Edmonton Fringe Festival, Technical Directorfor Edmonton’s Catalyst Theatre, Assistant TechnicalDirector at the Banff Centre, set and lighting designfor Edmonton Musical Theatre, and Assistant ArtDirector on a number of Edmonton film projects.Currently, Ivan works primarily in props and sceniccarpentry and is excited about resuming his role asprops buyer for the Citadel Theatre in the upcomingseason. Ivan recently received project managementcertification from NAIT and hopes to continue tobuild his skills in this area.

The first aim of Safe Stages is to create a compre-hensive document that outlines the best practicesfor Health & Safety in the theatre. Our goal is tomake a user-friendly package that is accessible to alllevels of the theatre community. The informationand presentation will help all theatres implementsound Health & Safety practices and provide a refer-ence that can be used on a daily basis.

The process for developing this documentation is aninteractive one. Theatre Alberta will be workingclosely with a steering committee that is already inplace, as well as with others recognized for theirextensive knowledge on Health & Safety topics.However, we are also eager to hear from all mem-bers of the theatre community regarding what theyneed to know about Health & Safety. What is miss-ing at your theatre? What resource do you wish wasalways close at hand?

We look forward to hearing from you. Please con-tact us at [email protected]

DramaworksDramaworks 2005 was a complete success! 115participants from around the province and beyondcame together to share, learn, and have fun at theCitadel Theatre in Edmonton. In addition to excel-lent teaching, the participants were treated tocatered lunches, panel discussions, Happy Hour PlayReadings at Bravo! Bistro courtesy of AlbertaPlaywrights’ Network, group warm-ups, and trips toproductions at Walterdale Playhouse and the RiverCity Shakespeare Festival. Here’s what some of theparticipants had to say about their experience:

“ I feel more confident – inspired to explore dif-ferent facets of acting.”

“ It gives us a chance to come together from allover the province to meet and share ideas andexplore new techniques.”

“ It gave me confidence to try directing.”

“ I learned things I can take back to my school.”

“ It was a vital learning experience.”

“ It’s a strong program that brings together alarge variety of people joined by theatre.”

“ I love the opportunity to work with profes-sionals in this setting. I learn so much.”

“ Dramaworks is excellent. This program givesme an opportunity to meet with and learnfrom others who have similar theatre projectsin other communities, both professional and‘amateur’ … We not only learn from our work-shops, but we make new friends and contactsthat help us carry on. The best part of theatrein Alberta is the fact that so many in thisbusiness are willing to share with each other.”

" The single most important thing I've done formy career in a very long time."

Dramaworks may be changing formats next year.Rather than a continuous 10-day workshop series,Dramaworks would run over two weekends, with avariety of 4 day and 2-1/2 day workshops offered.We want to hear from YOU! Please let us knowwhat you think about this change, or any otheraspect of Dramaworks. Thank you to everyone whoparticipated in Dramaworks – we hope to see youall next year!

Students in Darold Roles' The Chorus Line: Creating HOTProduction Numbers sparkle with briefcase props, taking on thesong "Brotherhood of Man" from How to Succeed in BusinessWithout Really Trying.

Students in Wade Staples' Ear Candy: The Art of Sound Design rif-fle through a sound effects library to create their own "sound sce-narios" in the Maclab Theatre.

Instructors Geoffrey Brumlik (The Adventure of Acting) and JamesMacDonald (Destination Acting and Going Solo: Monologues) goofaround during the Dramaworks 2005 Closing Ceremonies.


FORT MCMURRAY: KEYANO COLLEGEGuest Artists: Actor and director JonathonChristenson and Workshop West’s Ron Jenkins will be directing for Keyano Theatre.

Student Show: Student Murray Pruden will bedirecting Tomson Highway’s The Rez Sisters.

Partnership: Keyano’s Drama program is workingon a partnership with the Uof A to offer a 4 yearBachelor of Arts in Drama, featuring the smallclasses and intimate Keyano learning environment.

EDMONTON: GRANT MCEWAN COLLEGEExtra Musical: The partnership between theatreproduction and theatre arts at Grant McEwanmeans constant collaboration to accommodate allthe program goals. This year, the theatre arts stu-dents will be doing three theatre workshops, sevencabarets, and now an extra mainstage musical.Having three musicals ensures that theatre produc-tion students get the experience they need, and theperformance students will get more individual atten-tion, and be able to take on more substantial roles.

EDMONTON: THE KING’S UNIVERSITY COLLEGENew Facility: A new production studio, whichadjoins a new 120-seat proscenium space, will beopening in December 2005. The facility includes acostume shop, small properties/scenery shop, con-trol booths, storage spaces, and greenroom/dress-ing room space.

New Course: Film and commercial producerGilbert Allen will be teaching a course in guerrillamotion picture production.

Guest Artist: In March, Dr. Roald Hoffman, NobelLaureate in Chemistry, will lecture on chemistrytopics, read from his poetry, and workshop hisbrand new play.

EDMONTON: THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTANew Collaboration: Bearing Witness, presented incollaboration with the Faculty of Nursing, is a playwritten by Twilla and Mark Welch about two sur-vivors of torture and sexual abuse. DirectorKathleen Weiss says she was surprised by thebeautiful poetic language of the script, which

“creates a kind of delicacy around thematerial that moved me, and allowedme to take in the human desperationand cruelty.”

Guest Artists: The Uof A is pleased tohost guest director Dean Gilmour anddesigner David Lovett for StudioTheatre’s As You Like It, Vancouver-based director Stephen Heatley, RiverCity Shakespeare Festival artistic direc-tor John Kirkpatrick, playwright and screenwriterConni Massing, and Governor General Award win-ning playwright Vern Thiessen

New MFA in Theatre Voice Pedagogy: This is theyear to find out more about this new program,spearheaded by Professor Betty Moulton – firstintakes will be September 2006.

New Course: Performer Created Theatre, taughtby Jonathon Christenson

CAMROSE: AUGUSTANA UNIVERSITY COLLEGENew 4 year Program: Now it is possible to have aBA majoring in Drama from Augustana! Thismeans big changes!

Expanded number of courses: Now students cantake Theatre Company classes at a senior level, aswell as improvisational workshops (based on ViolaSpolin), Modern Canadian Drama, Vocal Masque,Movement for Theatre, and classes in directingand acting.

New Full Time Faculty: Director and actorMarianne Copithorne, (who recently directed Love’sLabour’s Lost for the River City Shakespeare Festival)will join the drama department to raise the numberof full time permanent faculty to three.

RED DEER: RED DEER COLLEGENew Course: A new movement course has beenadded for acting students. Taught by Lynda Adamsand Thomas Usher, the course will explore personalphysical development, stage combat, charactermovement, physical theatre, and period styles.

New Season: The new season includes a piecebased on poems about theatre life by Red Deer’s

own Kimmy Beech. Opening in October, AlarumWithin: theatre poems follows the intensely per-sonal exploits of a stage manager who is puttingon a production of MacBeth.

Guest Designers: Two guest designers, ColinWinslow and Jessie Johnson, join resident designerCarrie Hamilton for the upcoming season.

CALGARY: MOUNT ROYAL COLLEGENew TYA: For their February Theatre for YoungAudiences tour, Mount Royal will be touring WinnBray’s Alberta Rose, the story of Albertan home-steaders and ranchers from Nanton to FortMcMurray. There’s a prairie schooner journey toDonalda, the first Canadian Chautauqua in Gleichen,and much more about our own Western Heritage.

LETHBRIDGE: UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGENew Professors: Uof L is pleased to welcome twonew instructors. Nicholas Hanson, co-author of TheUltimate Improv Book and Toronto comedy clubperformer, will be teaching a course in Theatre forYoung Audiences and Improvisation. Calgary actorand co-artistic director of Theatre in Exile GailHanrahan will be teaching Acting and Directing.

This is only a glimpse of what is new for 2005-06.Besides, artists and educators are developing newideas all the time. For further information aboutthese initiatives andchanges, contact the collegesand universities directly.

Heather Fitzsimmons-Frey is a freelance writer, director,dramaturge, and teacher. In April of 2003 she graduatedfrom the Maters of Drama program at the University ofAlberta. Heather is looking forward to a collaborativeproject with the Et Cetera Theatre Collective.

What’s New in Alberta’s Post-Secondary Theatre ProgramsBy Heather Fitzsimmons-Frey

Shelia Matson, Richard Grafton, and Vicki Graham in the University of Lethbridge production of Noises Off by Michael Frayn.

From North to South, Alberta is full of good news when it comes to post-secondary theatre anddrama education. Although there are always concerns about adequate funding in this province,colleges and universities are still successfully bringing in guest artists, improving their pro-grammes, upgrading facilities, and making new and exciting changes. Here’s just a sample ofwhat is new for 2005-06.

6

Report from The Alberta HighSchool Drama Festival AssociationBy Ken Agrell-Smith

Again this year a successful Provincial Festival washeld at Red Deer College, May 5, 6, 7. One hundredand sixty-one (161) student participants withteachers, parents and bus drivers in tow brought 16one-act plays from adjudicated Zone Festivals withan additional sixty-five (65) participants from otherschools from across the province for a total of twohundred and twenty-six (226) in attendance as reg-istered participants (actually, with local schools inattendance during the school day Thursday we had345 in the audience). Those twelve Zone Festivalshad witnessed one thousand seven hundred andfifty-nine (1759) participants from seventy-three(73) schools with one hundred and forty-one (141)one-act play productions. In total, two hundredand twenty-one (221) one-act play productions,including in-house festivals prior to the Zones, pre-ceded the Provincial Festival. Staggering, isn’t it?Consider also that most schools had previously pro-duced full-length plays, collectives, musicals, mimeand dance shows, etc., of every possible form, typeand style throughout the school year prior to OneAct Festival time. Let us continue to support theseefforts in enabling our youth to realize their great-est potentials.

The Red Deer College Fine Arts Centre with its mar-vellous theatre, backstage storage areas, convenient

access and parking, its Technicians and Front ofHouse staff and an overall enthusiasm and supportfor the Festival event are enough reasons for ourcontinued usage of this venue. Thank you!

Rigorous workshops were held Friday and Saturdaymornings. Sessions were led by Douglas Abel(Breath and Body, Accentuate the Positive), CathyLakin (Directing), Mathew Grue (Auditioning forStage), Carrie Hamilton (Stage Design), JoanneJacobsen (Amazing Make-Up), Paul Morgan Donald(Writing and Improvised Songs), Michele Brown(Key to Creating a Character), Barb Adams (ContactImprov), Tanya Ryga (Creative Voice Overs), MicheleVance Hehir (Learn Your Lines), Jan Taylor (Singingon Stage), Scott Shpeley (Honest Prep of an Actor),Adrian Young (Stage Combat), and Larry Reese(Auditioning For Movies, Acting For The Camera).Thank you!

The exceptionally able and successful adjudicatorsfor the AHSDFA 2005 were Douglas Abel (Artistic)and Cathy Lakin (Technical). “Theatre celebrates allaspects of our humanity; it allows us to rehearseour humanity; … it enables us to prepare ourselvesbetter, to explore and to imagine ideas; … and (itgives us) real lessons in/for being human” saidAbel, who is Theatre Department Chair of Keyano

College. Cathy Lakin is a recently retired DramaTeacher from Edmonton and producer for CrimeStoppers re-enactments. Thank you both, andthanks also to the adjudicators of the Zones, manyof whom – products of drama education in thisprovince and the Festival event – are currently the-atre practitioners who willingly and lovingly gave oftheir time, their expertise, and of themselves.

Thank you to Keith Ewasiuk for his continuedlabours on our behalf on site as Festival Director.We all shared a smoothly run and celebratory eventdue in no small part to the House Technicians BobFrancis, Sui Fan Wong, Cory Olsen and FOH LindaSando and her Volunteers. While we are into thethank-yous, without the support of Adele Waldo,Ron Woodward and Darold Roles from the College,this event would not happen; The Foundation Forthe Arts ($2,089 Grant for next year’s operations[that is $1.19 for each of the 1759 participants ...wow! We used to regularly receive $12,000 fromthe AFA. It is my considered opinion that themaker(s) of the new AFA formula haven’t got a cluewhat AHSDFA means to this province]); Sponsorsand Donations from McNally Masque, BarryGagliardi, and Magic Media (in excess of $3,000);and in particular, Theatre Alberta for two fullscholarships for Artstreck and travel grants moneyto the sum of $10,000 to the AHSDFA. ThisAssociation was near to its final curtain which,hopefully, will not now occur!

The AHSDFA has a new slate of officers elected atour AGM during the Provincial Festival: President -Trina Penner; V.P. – Chantal Yardley; Treasurer –Wayne Alsop; Secretary – Barry Gagliardi; FestivalDirector – Keith Ewasiuk; Members at Large: North– Duane Mills; South – Sharon Peat; Central –Darren Fleischhacker.

I have been involved with Educational Theatre forthirty-five years and have retired this June. For 27years, I have been associated with the AHSDFA inits varied masks. Over that time my students havehad the honour of being adjudicated to representEdmonton Zone 8 in 18 of those 27 years, com-pleting 200 in-house, fully-dressed, student-designed and directed one-act plays. All the yearshave been as memorable as this! It has been anhonour and a privilege to witness the very best tal-ents that our students have to offer as they begintheir artistic apprenticeships. They have beenbrought to this celebration by many mentors. Allare better human beings for having had the“Festival Experience”. All the best to all in thefuture. “Break-a-Leg!”

2005 ZONE FESTIVAL PARTICIPANTS AND RESULTSZONE PLAYS SCHOOLS STUDENTS AUDIENCE ZONE REP. AND PLAYWRIGHT SCHOOL ADJUDICATOR

1 15 4 100 125

Look Me In The Eye Sexsmith High School Diane Conrad– Lindsay PriceWashtub Farce St. Joseph (Grande Prairie)– Tony D. Morinelli

2W 12 12 350 250Why do We Laugh Spruce Grove Ted Osbourne– Stephen Gregg

2E 18 5 100 250

The Raven – Edgar Allen Poe Westwood (Ft.McMurray) James MacDonald(adapt. B. Boyd)

Fifteen Minute Hamlet Paul Kane (St. Albert)– Tom Stoppard

3 19 (44) 8 220 1400Wrecked – Chris Craddock Ardrossan

Michele BrownThe Dinner Party – Neil Simon ESBCHS (Beaumont)

4W 20 (8) 6 165 750Check, Please H.J.Cody (Sylvan Lake)

Norma Hoppins– Jonathan RandBabel Rap – John Lazarus Lindsay Thurber (Red Deer)

Scooter Thomas Makes It to 4E 11 3 80 200 the Top of the World W.E. Hay (Stettler) Collin Doyle

– Peter Parnell

5W 8 6 200 300 To Burn A Witch Bert Church (Airdrie) Sharon Stone– James L. Bray

5E 6 3 40 120 The Autograph Hound Morrin Jason Schneider– James Prideau

6 5 2 44 170 Tuesdays and Sundays LCI (Lethbridge) Dave Brown– Daniel Arnold & Medina Hahn

7 NOT HELD

8 15 (28) 10 132 500 Labels – Marisa Jordan(s) Ross Sheppard (Edmonton) Ken BrownDo It Right – Chris Craddock Strathcona (Edmonton)

9 12 12 328 1200 Play – Samuel Beckett John G. Diefenbaker (Calgary)Kate NewbyBrad Leavitt

TOTALS 141 (80) 73 1759 5265

Dinner with Friends – Donald MarguliesExtremities – William MastrosimoneThe Chosen – Chaim PotokHurlyburly – David RabeJeffrey – Paul RudnickNuts – Tom ToporThe White Devil – John WebsterWalking Upright Through Fire

– Allan WilsonMa Rainey’s Black Bottom

– August WilsonThe Piano Lesson – August WilsonI Am My Own Wife – Doug WrightGalileo – Bertolt BrechtFar Away – Caryl ChurchillA Number – Caryl ChurchillWhen Shakespeare’s Ladies Meet

– Charles GeorgeThe Syringa Tree – Pamela GlenThe Mercy Seat – Neil LabuteFully Committed – Becky ModeDoubt – John Patrick ShanleyThe God of Hell – Sam Shepard

Miscellaneous TitlesScrambled Feet (MUS) – John DriverCaroline, or Change (MUS)

– Tony KushnerRunning Theatres (REF)

– Duncan M. WebbThe Complete Talking Heads (SCN)

– Alan Bennet

ONLINE RESOURCESNew and exciting things are happeningon our website! Just click on the‘Library’ guy at the top of the heap onthe home page at www.theatrealberta.com, and you will be redirected to anew library page. Here you will findinformation to make on-line searchingeasier and to demystify the issues withroyalties. You will also find library newsand top-ten lists on this page. For mem-bers who live outside the Edmonton area(our apologies to those who live inSherwood Park and St. Albert), an onlinebooking option is now available. Justclick on the reserves link on the searchtips page for more information. Asalways, if you have questions please giveus a call, we’d be happy to help you.

NEW PLAYS FOR THE STACKS AND TITLES ON ORDER

Canadian Titles and CollectionsSheer Nerve – Linda GriffithsThe Odyssey – Rick ChafeKiss the Moon, Kiss the Sun – Norm FosterSmall Time – Norm FosterMy Darling Judith – Norm Foster

Self-Help – Norm FosterThe Last Resort – Norm FosterTrying – Joanna McClelland GlassAn Acre of Time: the play – Jason ShermanRemnants (a fable) – Jason ShermanThe Buz’Gem Blues – Drew Hayden Taylor400 Kilometres - Drew Hayden TaylorCrime Against Humanity

– Genevieve BilletteWade in the Water – George BoydCul-de-Sac – Daniel MacIvor

General Titles and CollectionsGrace – Michael Lewis MacLennanDe Filippo – Edwardo de FilippoHumana Festival ’95Mere Mortals – David IvesDeath and Taxes – Tony KushnerChicks and other short plays

- Grace McKeaneyTen-Minute Plays Vol. 3

– Actors Theatre of LewisvilleMore Ten-Minute Plays

– Actors Theatre of Lewisville Nineteenth Century American Plays

Haunted Lives – John PielmeierMoonshot Tape and A Poster of the Cosmos

– Lanford WilsonSpider’s Web – Agatha ChristieEat Your Heart Out – Nick HallDuet for One – Tom KempinskiMoon Over Buffalo – Ken Ludwig

Impassioned Embraces (SCN) – John Pielmeier

Avenue Q (VS) – Jeff WhittyAndrew’s Tree (CHO) – Martha BrooksMrs. Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Binge(CHR) – Christopher DurangDanny King of the Basement (CHF)

– David S. Craig

Titles on OrderBigger Than Jesus, Hockey Mom - HockeyDad, Blue Window, Hot Flashes, Bug, Is HeDead, Calm Down Mother, Meshugah,Catholic School Girls, MOJO, Cigarettes andChocolate, My Zinc Bed, Crowns, PassionateWoman, Dinosaur, Pavillion, Dumb Show,Pillowman, Ernestine Shuswap Gets HerTrout, Queen of Queen Street, Faith County,Romance, Festen, Shakespeare’s Will,Forever My Darling, Shifting Point, FreshKills, Sister Jude, Garage Sale, Tamburlaine ,Helen’s Necklace, The Worst High SchoolPlay Ever

Many thank-yous to all who suggested titles for us to purchase! We are working on your list and will welcome yoursuggestions for titles anytime.


Performance AwardsOutstanding Playwright: Marisa Jordan forLABELS from Ross Sheppard H.S.

Outstanding Performance in a Cameo Role(2): Matthew Thiel in CHECK, PLEASE fromH.J. Cody H.S. Sylvan Lake and CourtneyMilford in CHECK, PLEASE from H.J. Cody H.S.Sylvan Lake, Honourable Mention: CrystalHofer in THE FIFTEEN MINUTE HAMLET fromPaul Kane H.S. St. Albert

Outstanding Performance by an Actress ina Supporting Role: none awarded

Outstanding Performance by an Actor in aSupporting Role: none awarded

Outstanding Performance by an Actress(2): Blair Mills in LABELS from RossSheppard H.S., Jenna Becker in TUESDAYSAND SUNDAYS from Lethbridge CollegiateInstitute, Honourable Mention: KellsieKerrigan in THE DINNER PARTY fromBeaumont H.S.

Outstanding Performance by an Actor (2):Ian Hutchings in TUESDAYS AND SUNDAYSfrom Lethbridge Collegiate Institute, AndyWallace in PLAY from John G. Diefenbaker,Calgary, Honourable Mention: Corey Rentonin BABEL RAP from Lindsay ThurberComposite H.S. Red Deer, Honourable

Mention: Bronson Beres in BABEL RAP fromLindsay Thurber Composite H.S. Red Deer

Outstanding Director: Jackie Peat for TUES-DAYS AND SUNDAYS from LethbridgeCollegiate Institute, Honourable Mention:Alex Dul for THE WASHTUB FARCE from St.Joseph H.S. Grande Prairie

Outstanding Ensemble Performance:LOOK ME IN THE EYE from Sexsmith Secondary,Honourable Mention: PLAY from John G.Diefenbaker, Calgary

Artistic AwardsOutstanding Use of Properties: not awarded

Outstanding Costuming: Andrew Kalinchukfor CHECK, PLEASE H.J. Cody H.S. SylvanLake, Honourable Mention: Cast for BABELRAP from Lindsay Thurber Composite H.S.Red Deer

Outstanding Use of Makeup/Hair: TalorePeterson, Lyndsey Tucker and Mitch Sauderfor PLAY from John G. Diefenbaker, Calgary,Honourable Mention: WHY DO WE LAUGHfrom Spruce Grove H.S.

Outstanding Choreography: Jackie Peat forTUESDAYS AND SUNDAYS from LethbridgeCollegiate Institute

Outstanding Use of Live Music: not awarded

Technical AwardsOutstanding Lighting Design andExecution: Jeff Lo for PLAY from John G.Diefenbaker, Calgary, Honourable Mention:Brendan Boyd for THE RAVEN from WestwoodH.S. Fort McMurray

Outstanding Sound Design and Execution:Aimee Dakin for THE RAVEN from WestwoodH.S. Fort McMurray, TUESDAYS AND SUNDAYSfrom Lethbridge Collegiate Institute

Outstanding Set Design and Décor:Matthew Thiel in CHECK, PLEASE from H.J.Cody H.S. Sylvan Lake, Honourable Mention:Cast for BABEL RAP from Lindsay ThurberComposite H.S. Red Deer

Outstanding Crew Member: JaysonBendera for WRECKED from Ardrossan H.S.,Honourable Mention: Matthew Koyata andLexi Boyd for THE RAVEN from WestwoodH.S. Fort McMurray

Outstanding Technical Achievement:TUESDAYS AND SUNDAYS from LethbridgeCollegiate Institute, Honourable Mention:BABEL RAP from Lindsay Thurber CompositeH.S. Red Deer

Outstanding Running Crew: DO IT RIGHTfrom Strathcona H.S. Edmonton,Honourable Mention: THE RAVEN fromWestwood H.S. Fort McMurray

Outstanding Stage Management: HelenaAffleck for TUESDAYS AND SUNDAYS fromLethbridge Collegiate Institute, HonourableMention: Jordyn Marcellus for THE RAVENfrom Westwood H.S. Fort McMurray,Honourable Mention: Morgan Demers forDO IT RIGHT from Strathcona H.S. Edmonton

Golden Wrench Award: Corrie Quinton forTHE FIFTEEN MINUTE HAMLET from Paul KaneH.S. St. Albert

Any interest in participating in the ZoneFestivals and you don’t know who to contact;any questions about your Zone or theProvincial Festival Association, e-mail PresidentTrina Penner at [email protected] andvisit www.provincialfestival.com

PROVINCIAL AWARDS WINNERS LIST 2005

FALL AGMOctober 22, 10am

Lindsay Thurber High School, Red Deer.Any Drama teacher in the

Province is welcome.

PROVINCIAL FESTIVALMay 11–13, 2006

Hosted by Red Deer CollegeCome share the experience as audience

member and take part in the Workshops even if your play is not the

Zone representative.

Tales from the Stacks

u

8

T H E A T R E A R O U N D T H E W O R L D

AN EDMONTON THESPIAN IN LONDON – By Lorenzo Pagnotta

Albertans AbroadAlbertans are cosmopolitan, worldly folk. In speaking with our membership we often hear amazing stories of study and work opportunities in foreign

lands. We are always fascinated to hear how our counterparts practice theatre around the world; we decided to ask some individuals to share some of

their experiences with us. So sit back, relax, pour yourself a cup of something exotic and prepare to dive into the wonderful world of...

theatres on Shaftesbury Avenue (in the heart ofTheatreland) were built around the same time butthis one happens to be one of the oldest on theblock. Most have a main level (orchestra stalls), adress circle, an upper circle, and a balcony. I recallhow no one ever wanted to work up in the balconybecause you have to go up many flights of stairs toget there and it can be a little spooky too. Themain responsibilities of my position were maintain-ing the high standard of customer service in theWest End, being knowledgeable about the theatreas well as the extended area, and taking securityprecautions inside the house and out.

I happen to have written a timeline while I was on theset of Derailed. Of course, with film there are a lot oftakes and a lot of waiting so I figured I would takeadvantage of this. Here’s a shortened version:

5:30am: wake up

5:55am: leave to catch the tube

6:30am: arrive at 10 Gresham St., sign in, sit, eat breakfast, make – up, costume, sit again . . .

8:45am: will bring us up to the fifth floor in groups often for Ad Agency scene; there will be a still shot of all office people

11:08am: I’m on set and I can’t remember how many takes I’ve done, my back is feeling it

11:35am: I’ve done about three more takes, they want to finish filming before the sun goes down which is 4pm at this lovely time of the year

12:06pm: break finally . . .

2:40pm: I am dismissed early!

The Directors Guild of Great Britain and Equityconference was amazing and featured some reallyaccomplished figures like Michael Boyd: artisticdirector of the Royal Shakespeare Company. Heexclaimed that we are “ . . . victims of a cult ofchoice.” Other comments he had in his defense ofensemble theatre were that young actors are led inthe wrong direction by agents, fear, and the lack ofa proper environment to stay put and be able tolearn. As well, he stated how important it is to havea place where there is support for the humility andvulnerability a growing actor faces; searching fortruth can’t be done with strangers; it works bestwith friends. Other speakers included MikhailStronin of Russia and Agata Siwiak of Poland. It isvery interesting to compare theatre practices inEurope versus Great Britain and North Americawhere productions are generally thought of asbeing commercial.

All in all, I had a wonderful experience whileabroad. It was an incredible opportunity to learnabout a different way of life. Even though there area lot of similarities about living in London versusEdmonton, there are many differences like the waysociety operates and how information is processed.What remains evident is how, even in comparisonto a large world-class city like London, Edmonton’stheatre scene also provides a lot of variety and canbe extremely enjoyable to experience, even if it isnot on such a large scale. Many would argue that itdoesn’t need to be.

Check out some of Lorenzo’s hang-outs at:www.thisistheatre.com/londontheatre/apollotheatre.html and www.rutheatres.com

Lorenzo has been a member of Theatre Alberta forseveral years. He plans to continue his drama stud-ies at the U of A this fall. Currently he is rehearsingfor Edmonton Musical Theatre’s June production“The Tony Award Goes to…” Recently he betook apilgrimage to the United Kingdom; we asked him tofurnish us with a perspective on his time there. Hecan be contacted at [email protected]

Last year from September to January, I embarkedon an incredible journey. I decided to work inLondon, England. For many, the hustle and bustleof this vibrant city is too much, but metropoliseshave always intrigued me. Many of the participants(of the Student Work Abroad Program) I encoun-tered along the way ended up working in offices astemps or in pubs – some outside London. Withhard work and dedication I landed a job with ReallyUseful Theatres, as Front of House at the Apollotheatre, in the West End. On occasion I got to workat other theatres such as the Lyric, Palladium, NewLondon, and Palace. While in London, I also seizedthe opportunity to take part in open auditions andan ensemble conference held by the Directors Guildof Great Britain and Equity. All actors in Englandswear by The Stage, a newsletter published once aweek full of auditions and opportunities in a vari-ety of artistic disciplines. Each audition was veryunique and I enjoyed mingling with British actorswho are just as full of energy as all acting buffsare. I was surprised at how generous some of theauditioners were. For one audition I was allowed tosing up to three full songs. Even though I was notsuccessful I still received a letter of notification andthanks. I thought that was really nice and quiteunexpected. I am really proud that two castingagencies accepted me in their books and I was cho-sen as an extra for the film Derailed. It is set forrelease some time this year.

What is so different about working in a theatre inLondon is the amount of history that you arestanding in. For instance, the Apollo opened in1901 with a play called The Belle of Bohemia. Most


2005 marked the 82nd Anniversary year of the

Playgoers of Lethbridge – making it one of the old-est community drama societies in Canada. Ernest

Gaskell Sterndale Bennett, a civil engineer by profes-

sion, but an enthusiastic lover of, and active partici-

pant in, the performing arts, suggested in the winter

of 1923 that Lethbridge should join the Little

Theatre Movement by forming a Playgoers Club that

would train and develop local dramatic and musical

talent, produce shows of quality, and endorse as well

as attract worthy professional productions to the city.

Soon thereafter, with the support of a number of

prominent local citizens, the Playgoers Club of

Lethbridge was organized. Sterndale Bennett, who was

named General Director, decided to direct a hit

Broadway musical, Going Up, for the initial offering.

The tremendous success which the production

achieved helped to establish the Club as a major artis-

tic institution in the city. During his tenure with the

Club (1923-1932), Sterndale Bennett directed six

major musicals, four major plays, and one short play

for the 1932 Alberta Dramatic Festival.

Sterndale Bennett’s wife, Belle, took on the responsibility

of organizing evenings of one-act plays, and as such

directed thirty-eight plays including two festival produc-

tions. Other members of the Club were gradually initiat-

ed into the directorial circle. One of these members,

Maybelle Bryans, became heir to the position of General

Director when the Sterndale Bennetts moved to Toronto.

Three years prior to leaving Lethbridge, Sterndale

Bennett invited Norman Davis (from Medicine Hat),

E.J. Thorlakson (Calgary), and Elizabeth S. Haynes

(Edmonton), to gather together with him to discuss

the possibility of establishing a provincial dramatic

festival. The four of them, together with an associate

of Thorlakson’s, Gwyllim Edwards, met at the Palliser

Hotel in Calgary 4 August 1929 and agreed to for-

mally organize the Alberta Dramatic League.

Sterndale Bennett was named President. The first

Alberta Dramatic Festival was held at the Grand

Theatre in Calgary 15 February 1930.

Playgoers received considerable praise for its effortsin the first few provincial festivals. The Club was

also honoured to host the first Alberta Regional

Festival in the 1933 Dominion Drama Festival com-

petitions. Dominion Drama Festival competitions

were held from 1933 through 1939, after which,

Member Profile: Playgoers of Lethbridge – A Story of Success

By George Mann

Playgoers has staged

100 major plays, operettas, and

musicals; 184 one-act plays; 22 “old

fashioned” melodramas; 15 Reader’s

Theatre productions; and numerous

Children’s Theatre presentations.

The Majestic Theatre

they were suspended because of World War II; they

were reorganized in 1947.

Economic conditions throughout the Depression of

the l930s greatly affected the box office, as did com-

petition from low-priced movies. Nevertheless, the

Club managed to present eleven major productions,

nineteen evenings of one-act plays, and nine festival

offerings during that decade.

With the outbreak of World War II, the War Services

Committee of the YMCA, together with Playgoersand other local and military dramatists and musi-

cians, arranged entertainments at the YMCA and at

various garrisons and air force training schools

throughout southern Alberta. Mrs. C.A. Long, presi-

dent of Playgoers, was named an entertainment con-vener. The Spring Wartime Review of 1942 was the

last of these collaborations. Also, it was the last

major production staged at the Majestic Theatre,

which had been the major performance venue in the

city since 1910. In November of 1942 the Majestic

was sold to the Purity Dairy.

Social upheaval caused by the War also created diffi-

culties for Playgoers. Many of its participants joinedthe armed forces or became highly involved with war

service work. The Club gradually succumbed to a

lack of personnel adequate and competent enough

to stage productions, so it suffered a hiatus for a few

years. The Club was reorganized in January 1951,

and later that year, it staged Arsenic and Old Lace. Bythe following year, the Club became active in the

DDF as well as the Provincial One-Act Festival com-

petitions. In the next 20 years, Playgoers competed

in 12 Alberta Regional Three-Act Festivals and

numerous one-act festivals. The Club was selected to

represent the Alberta Region at the DDF finals in

1962 (The Dark at the Top of the Stairs) and in thefinal DDF competition in 1970 (The Hostage). Duringthese years, the Club usually staged another major

production in the fall.

Since 1971, the Club has tended to concentrate on

comedy (with the occasional drama or mystery) for its

major productions. In addition, it has regularly taken

on the responsibility of hosting the regional one-act

festival under the auspices of the Alberta Drama

Festival Association. Also, it frequently produces a vari-

ety of shorter presentations for festivals, charitable

organizations, etc. Throughout its 82 year history,

Playgoers of Lethbridge has staged 100 major plays,operettas, and musicals; 184 one-act plays; 22 “old

fashioned” melodramas; 15 Reader’s Theatre produc-

tions; and numerous Children’s Theatre presentations.

Numerous factors have undoubtedly contributed to

the success of Playgoers over the years, but probablythe most important one has been the fact that the

Club was established as, and has remained, a formal,

constitutionally based social structure founded on

democratic principles which has ensured an extensive

involvement in the decision-making process, unlike

so many similar organizations which depend on the

creative leadership of one or two individuals.

Playgoers' upcoming production will be a DinnerTheatre presentation at Ericksen's FamilyRestaurant, October 19-22. Tickets will be available at the restaurant in September, phone: (403) 328-7756.

Throughout most of his life, George Mann's major avoca-tion has been the theatre. For the past 41 years, he hasacted, directed, worked backstage, and been club histori-an for Playgoers.

10

Theatre Alberta is bursting with excitement

to welcome its newest member. On

February 25, 2005 at approximately

6:34pm, Thomas Riley Sirack bounced

onto the scene at a respectable 6 pounds,

1.5 ounces. Parents Janice Hoover

(on maternity leave from her position as

Administrative Officer at Theatre Alberta)

and Al Sirack couldn’t be happier. Theatre

Alberta looks forward to extending Thomas

full lending privileges from our 14,000-title

script library, access to our quarterly

newsletter, an exciting series of workshop

opportunities, and lots of zerbuts on his

tummy when he comes to visit the office.

Our Newest Member

Bringing Back the Old, Ringing in the NewGood day to you theatrical Albertans. Here’s where we roll out the wel-come mat to all our new and renewed members for the period fromMay 1, 2005 through July 27, 2005. Don’t see your name here? That’sprobably because you initially joined the organization in one of theother nine months, or you bought a 2-year membership and aren’t duefor renewal until next year. Just keep your eyes peeled and you’ll surelysee your name in an upcoming issue of the Theatre Alberta News!

IndividualsAlysia AckermanHayley AdamsCaitlin AltonCliff AndersAukje AppelKyle ArmstrongBrittany AtkinsonJustin AugartSarah BannisterLuke BanvilleHolly BarabanoffEva BarclayErica BarrOlesia BarteskiJeremy BaumungAndrea BecaDanielle BedryCrosby BenyonNaythan BerteottiBrittany BertramAllyssa BlackParker BloomLacey BludaDavid BorsatoLauren BowmanBreighanneBrandfordSarah BraunAshley BrazeauMeghan BridgesElijah BudwillKatrina BuiWesley BurkhartNieva BurnsStacey CabajKimberly CarlinAlix CartwrightGordon CassieTricia CavanaghIan CharltonKevin CharltonMari ChartierChelsey ChaunceyHolly CinnamonDale ClarkKallie ClaytonNatalia ClovechokRachel CodyDominic Collin-DoyleAlyson ConnollyArlene CoxJoel CrichtonFrancineCunninghamRachel CurrieCaitlynne CvetinicJessica CzopVictoria D’AvellaLuc D’IppolitoGilbert da SilvaAmy DaveyEmily de CaenAlison DeregtAlison DeregtDarcie DominiqueBrian DooleyTim DriedgerCecilia DrummondEric DurnfordNicole Eastman

Brandon Eggleston-KowalchukAlden EppMyles FairweatherCurtis FarebrotherKarey FarnhamMyles FedunKrista FenniakKayla FeragenTianna FischerJillian FleckKatelyn FosterKatelyn FournellJasmin FredericksonKiel FredricksonKatherine FurnessLori GagnonBrady GalarneauCassandra GarrettIsabella GarveyAlix GauntGerry GetzJennifer GillVictoria GillJessica GloverKayla GormanDennis GouldenStephen GoyetteAshley GradenJarret GrayJason GreenLogan GreschnerMichelle GuillemaudTom GuniaLauren GustOlivia HalseAidan HanlyNicholas HansfordMargaret Harvey-O’KellyBrittney HegeratKristin HenryBrenna HerbertMelinda HerronGareth Heywood-ButlerEden HildebrandRoss HobbsBailey HooperErin HowardMichael HowesPatrick HowseCharlotte HuntAlix HvidbergBrenda InglisEthan JacksonAlison JamesJoanne JamesTrevor JennerConnie JensenJessika Johnson-RenmanBrittany JonesLisa KadatzZoe KardasAsh KellyGraeme KennedyMeredith KenzieHannah KerbesRosalind KerrChris KingRebecca Kirschner

Dustin KirstienLyndsey KiserJessica KliparchukJulianne KnoppSarah KomadinaRandi KondrukJinessa KowalewskyRachel KozakCheillah KranicMadeline KrentzWinny KrougmanEuen KyleEmily LambTerri LangenKirsten LarsenRayna LarsonDean LauderdaleGlen LauderdaleElizabeth LavenderMegan LawrenceErin LeducJennifer LeeShannon LeeBrett LemaySarah LemmonJocelyne LeszczynskiDesiree LeverenzRyan LinnMonica LittletonKyle LobbErma LuchkowAlexandria LuipascoHannah LunnNathan LustRichard MackAndrea MacLeanSusan MacLeanTeal MacRaeNathen MahoneyJason ManciniMichelle MandyRobert MarkhamKerry MarshallKayla MatteottiCarol Mayer-KoschSally MayneJulie MazurekKayleigh McDermidIan McFarlaneAlannah McGowanSteve McHughKelsey McMahonAmy McNeillJoseph MelansonTenyson MenzeVincent MeseckDrew MichaelTyler MiklaCheryl MillwardKelly MilneTravis MilneAdam MitchellStephanie MoncksRobyn MonroMalorie MontpetitMatthew MoranHayley MorrisonElise MorrowGraham MothersillRhonda MurphyGary MurrayAndre Nedd

Jill NeilsonColin NicholasSandra NichollsChelsea NorgrenJessica NychkaloSharnell O’DonnellKevin O’KellyGail OlmsteadGerald OsbornClaire OttoMatthew PagelsEva PangDanielle PaquetteTaylor PardellDianne PareAnnie ParkinsonClaudia PaymentJeff PeetVivian PhinneySarah PolkinghorneAmanda PotierChris PowerJill PrzybylskiKyle PurvesD.J. RairdanCayley RauwJolene RechMonica ReedLelani ReumCarla RhodesMackenzie RhyasonTehya RichardsRhonda RichardsonAmanda RingJay RitchieMargaret RodgersJenny RogersHolleay RohmDarold RolesMercedesRooyakkersKaylee RudigerKendra RuhlVanessa SabourinRebecca SadowskiKatelyn SamyciaMatthew SandfordNatalie SarchukGraeme ScallionPamela SchmunkBrandon SchwartzSarah ScottLaura SeigfriedCameron ShankJennifer ShawKacie SheffieldSarah SherwoodSarah SimpsonKen SimsStefan SlaterJorinda SmithLinette SmithMargaret SmithVincent SmudaElizabeth SolversonAndrea SproxtonStephen StagmanChristian StannardWade StaplesLauren SteelDaniel StewartSam Stewart

Lorraine StuartMiranda SundstenLauren SurankoMichael SutherlandKevin SutleyDelwyn SuttonLauren TamkeCarrie TappaufBrittney TatarynJennifer TaylorAndrew TedderKacie TellettTerri ThiessenVern ThiessenAlexandra ThomsonLana TremblayMichelle TremblayAlex TruckleLeah TruebloodIleana TschaboldAshley ValbergCaitland ValgardsonJessica van der SlootCara van MarckD’arcy VanderwellSara VickruckNina von InnerebnerRachel VothVlatka VukojevicRae WahlChrissy WalliHelen WallsChantelle WaschukTanya WatersMelissa WatkinsErinn WebbAlistair WeirBryan WeirEmily WickhamHeather WiensKathryn WilliamsonRobyne WilockGrant WilsonAimee WooSerenity WoodBonnie WrightCharlotte Wright-LindlAfton WrzosekBomi YookCarolyn ZahovskisLara ZaluskiNashwa ZamanNichole ZemanekSonia Zimmerman

GroupsBarrhead CommunityTheatre

Catalyst TheatreColdWater Productions

Dewdney Players Group Theatre

Hidden InsanityTheatre

Ignition TheatreMemorial CompositeHigh School

Red Box Productions Shadow ProductionsThe ShakespeareCompany

Welcome New Members! joined May 1– July 27, 2005

A warm and sincere thank you to the following for their generous contributions to Theatre Alberta: Gloria Drummond,

Mary Lou Armstrong, Thomas Peacocke, Sarah Lemmon

IndividualsAaron AdamsLynda AdamsMary Lou ArmstrongPeter BassMarcus BauerDerek BedryLynda BirdKatherine BoulterDanielle BourgonAlynne BrandsKelsey Brill-FunkAgapi BroumasRory BrownGeoffrey BrumlikBracken BurnsDrew ButlerNathaniel CainesDavid CairnsKevin CambridgeCharlotte CameronSara CanningLaura CarrierJanice CarrollJackie ChapmanLinda CornellShelby CoulterTanner D'EsterreRhonda DayBarb DeckJim DeFeliceStephen DelanoBailey DenisSabrina deVereAshlin DingJoyce DoolittleRafal DrozdowskiVeenesh DuboisAmanda EliaShannon EkertAmy ErlandsonDeborah FergusonMolly FloodJean-Pierre FournierLayne FoxStacy FyshCeline Gareau-Brennan

Andy GarlandKara GlabikKaren GoerzenSteven Greenfield

Sarah Eve GriffinGladys HaagJudi HaleDaniel HallCarrie HamiltonMarlane HerklotzAngela HillChris HiltonJanine HodderJanice HooverMathew HulshofDeborah HurfordBecky IrvingNatasha IwashkiwKelsey JenkinsAmy KeatingMichelle KennedyKaren KingBob KlakowichFred KongElizabeth L'HeureuxDorian LangLaura LelondPaul LeszczynskiErin LoewenJames MacDonaldTalia MalagonGaylene ManuelKevin McCannMaggie McCawCayley McConaghyLena McFaulKevin McKendrickKolyn MikalsonRobert MillerRandy MuellerCarol MurrayGilchrist

Nick NostbakkenKenneth NosterSherry ParanScott PateyAmanda PayneThomas PeacockeSharon PeatLara PethybridgeAnne PinderElena PorterJoelle PrefontaineJennifer PrestashMarie PriceSheena Pruden

Rivera ReeseCaitlyn RiegerDavid RileyDonna RingroseToni RizzoliCorey RogersRyan RothChristina RussoTanya RygaKayla SankeyPatti SarrasinRein SastokTerry ScerbakKatie SchoenbergRhea SimpsonJody SloanSusan M. SmithJanel SniderTascha SpeckBeverly StadelmannFay SterneAdrian StevensonJon StewartFaye StolleryAnne Marie SzucsValda TimmonsRobbie TownsendHarold TruckleHeather WhiteSian WilliamsEduard WitzkeSui-Fan WongChrista YoungNicole ZillaChristian Zyp

GroupsAlberta Lyric TheatreAlberta TheatreProjects

Beaumont andDistrict DramaSociety

Castor Little TheatreCentral AlbertaTheatre Society

Centre Stage TheatreCompany

Edmonton MusicalTheatre

Fire Exit TheatreFree Will Players

Gas & LightProductions

GasLight TheatreGhost River TheatreHatterland Children'sTheatre

Heartland ArtsTroupe Society

Hunting Hills HighSchool

Image TheatreKelsey Drama ClubKing's PlayersLeave It To JaneTheatre

Leduc Drama SocietyMedicine HatMusical Theatre

Mob Hit ProductionsNew West TheatreNorthern LightTheatre

One Yellow RabbitPerformance Theatre

Playgoers ofLethbridge

Quest TheatreSociety

Rosebud School ofthe Arts

Shadow TheatreSherard MusicalTheatre Association

St Albert Children'sTheatre

Stage West TheatreRestaurant

Theatre CalgaryVictoria School ofPerforming andVisual Arts

W. P. Puppet TheatreSociety

Walterdale TheatreAssociates

Wetaskiwin TheatreSociety

William D. CutsSchool

Windmill TheatrePlayers

Welcome Back, Renewing Members! renewed May 1– July 27, 2005

Thomas Riley Sirack: Our Newest Member

T he Canadian Theatre Review is the major magazine of record forCanadian theatre. It interests a wide spectrum of the theatrecommunity in Canada – performers, directors, professionals ofall kinds involved in practice, academics, teachers, critics and thetheatre-going public.

The magazine is committed toexcellence in the critical analysisand innovative coverage of currentdevelopments in Canadian theatre.It introduces new artists, publishingat least one significant newplayscript in each issue, and it provides a forum for the nationaldiscussion of new directions andnew projects in theatre.

Upcoming IssueCTR 124, Fall 2005High Performance Rodeo

This issue will focus on One Yellow Rabbit's HighPerformance Rodeo, one of Canada's most important festivals for new performance, which will celebrate itstwentieth anniversary in January 2006. The issue willinclude a complete chronology of the Rodeo, from itsinception in 1987 through to the nineteenth annualRodeo in January 2005. It will also include a feature-length interview with Rodeo founder and curatorMichael Green, who will discuss the evolution of theRodeo from its beginnings, his curatorial premises, theposition of the Rodeo in relation to other Calgary cultur-al events, and venues, funding issues, and so forth.

This encyclopedic dictionaryincludes theoretical, technical,and semiotic terms and con-cepts. Alphabetical entriesrange from ‘absurd’ to ‘wordscenery’ and treat the reader toa vast panoply of theatre andtheory. The extended discus-sions are supported by usefulexamples drawn from the international repertoire ofplays and playwrights, both classic and contemporary.

Yes, I am a Theatre Alberta Member

Name

Address

City Prov. Postal Code

Email

Please process my subscription to Canadian Theatre Review Cheque (payable to University of Toronto Press)Charge my Visa, MasterCard or American Express Amount: $

Card #: Expiry Date: Signature:

To order your subscriptions please complete and mail, fax or e-mail this coupon to us at:University of Toronto Press – Journals Division 5201 Dufferin Street, Toronto, ON M3H 5T8

Tel: (416) 667-7810 Fax: (416) 667-7881 Toll-free fax in North America: 1-800-221-9985 [email protected] www.utpjournals.com

As an individual member of Theatre Alberta, you are entitled to a one-year subscription to Canadian Theatre Review foronly $28 (+$1.96 GST for a total in Canada of $29.96)*.

Theatre Alberta Members SAVE!Theatre Alberta Members SAVE!

Plus you get a free copy of DICTIONARY OF THE THEATRE: Terms, Concepts, and Analysis

ATTENTION: Theatre Alberta Members

take FRONT ROW CENTRE seatswith a 1-year subscription to

Canadian Theatre Review

Subscribe today and receive 4 information-packed issues.

(487

pag

es)

Va

lue:

$39

.95

new design for Spring 2005

TA5

Theatre Alberta News 11

12

a hard-working team of full time faculty and staff;JP Fournier (Performance Coordinator), Robyn Ayles(Technical Coordinator), Stephanie Woods(Costumer), Daniel Mackenzie (Technical Director)and Sandra Martens (Department Secretary).

In the last ten years we have also expanded anddiversified our production seasons and as a result,the production experiences of our students. In1997, we started touring Theatre For YoungAudiences plays to division one and two schoolsbuilding on Lana Skauge’s renowned storytellingwork in the schools. Lana rewrote one her one-woman stories for six actors and directed TheSkywatcher and The Perfect Tree in 1997. Theresponse from the teachers and the students inCalgary schools has been so strong we commis-sioned four more plays from Lana, and added asecond tour in 1998 based on Winn Bray’s historyplays and commissioning the new plays AlbertaRose and Ranchers and Rails from the Calgary play-wright. In total, Theatre MRC has now producedeight Theatre For Young Audiences plays that have

toured to schools in the Calgary and sur-rounding area in the last seven seasons.

Last season, Theatre MRC added a tour ofShakespeare to the local high schools calledShakespeare on Wheels. Written and directedby Susanne Gillies-Smith, students per-formed a one-hour play which containednumbers of scenes from Shakespeare andthen followed the performance with a one-hour acting workshop with high schooldrama students on performing Shakespeare.

Mainstage productions over the last tenyears have not been without ambition either.Since 1995, Theatre MRC has producedmany large musicals (Cabaret, Camelot, TheMusic Man, Tom Jones, Pirates of Penzance)culminating in the 2000 premiere of the new

musical Evangeline by locals Winn Bray (book/lyrics)and Tom Doyle (music).

MOVING FORWARD TO SURVIVE AND FLOURISHThe MRC Theatre Program continues the ambitiouslegacy begun by Lynn duFort almost two decadesago. Since 1991, Mount Royal College has been atthe forefront of the development of college deliv-ered degrees. Today, MRC offers nineteen applieddegrees and is on the brink of becoming a fullfoundation degree granting undergraduate universi-ty. For the last five years, faculty and staff have

Mount Royal College: Theatre MRC EvolvesBy Douglas J. Rathbun

A relationship, I think, is like a shark. You know? It has to constantly move forward or

it dies. And I think what we got on our hands is a dead shark – Woody Allen

Starting this August I will be stepping down after 10 years as Chair of the Department of Theatre,

Speech and Music Performance at Mount Royal College in Calgary. It is an opportune time to look

back and see where the Theatre Program has been and look forward to its exciting future.

“ ”THEATRE MRC HISTORY 101I am fortunate to have inherited a Theatre Programwith a foundation built by my predecessor LynnduFort who was Chair from 1986 to 1995. Lynntook a program with no perceptible profile in theprofession and built connections with Calgary pro-fessional theatres. She brought in professionaldirectors and coaches and mounted ambitious pro-ductions which raised the profile of the programand exposed students to professional practice. Shefelt there was a real need for students to haveopportunities to gain theatre experience duringtheir summer breaks by studying with professionals.With the blessing of the Dean of the Faculty ofArts, Ken Robson, she virtually single-handedlybuilt Shakespeare in the Park, which is nowcelebrating its 18th season in Calgary.

Lynn transformed the curriculum in theTheatre Program so it reflected the needs ofthe profession and turned the MRC TheatreProgram into a conservatory style, hands-onprofessional training school. She believedthat theatre students learn by doing andthey learned best by doing with the supervi-sion of professionals. Not content to build aprofessional acting program, Lynn set hersights on developing a professional technicalproduction program as well. She engagedthe help of professionals like Ray Ackerman,then Production Director of JV Productionsat the Centre For The Performing Arts, todesign a curriculum that would meet thetraining needs of the professional produc-tion industry. In order to support both the perform-ance and the technical programs, Lynn lobbied andraised matching grant money from the AlbertaGovernment and the Nickle Family Foundation forthe building of MRC’s Nickle Theatre.

By collaborating with professionals, Lynn brought aculture of professional connection and professionalstandards to the Theatre Program at MRC that lasts tothis day. In 1995, Lynn left the college to head up theAlberta Performing Arts Stabilization Fund, where shespearheaded a program of support for the Alberta arts

coupled with professional standards and practice thatis now a model for the rest of the country.

SHARK ANATOMY 101I knew that Lynn left large shoes to fill. I also knewin order to keep Lynn’s legacy alive and avoid aWoody Allen “dead shark”, we needed to keep theprogram moving and evolving. The last ten years atTheatre MRC, we have seen the strengthening ofour connections to the profession. We have beenfortunate to have directors like, Kevin McKendrick,Martin Fishman, Lorne Kennedy, Susanne Gillies-Smith, Des Davis, Brian Deedrick, Duval Lang, andMark Bellamy along with designers such as RobertShannon, Linda Leon, Jenifer Darbellay, MartinEvans, Shawn Kerwin, Paul Daigle and Scott Reid

MRC’s production of Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean. Photo by Doug Rathbun.

work with our students on productions. Ourinstructors are also working professionals drawnfrom local professional theatre like Theatre Calgary(Monty Schnieder), Quest Theatre (Rose Brow), TheEPCOR Centre (Tim Koll), The Jubilee Auditorium(Richard Hansen) and local working professionalslike Susanne Gillies-Smith (director), JaneMacFarlane (voice specialist), Rita Bozi (movementspecialist), Maria Kliavkoff (theatre history), and JoeNorman Shaw (film acting).

The many visiting professionals are held together by


Everybodyloves a wed-ding, that

celebration of love where two people promise tosupport and take care of each other through thickand thin. No matter how often it happens it’salways something of a miracle: couples reminisceabout how they met, identifying those crucial firstmoments and wondering might have happenedhad those moments never occurred. Would fatehave conspired to bring them together some otherway? Or was the serendipity of that firstencounter crucial to the relationship, the firststone in what became a foundation built to standthe test of time?

Such was the case for Michelle DeMara and GregStrong, who met 15 years ago during a week-long, residential summer drama camp for teens.Michelle’s last name is now Strong, and the nameof that summer drama camp was ... Artstrek!

We spoke with Michelle recently about her andGreg’s Artstrek romance; we reached her at herhome in Victoria.

TA What year was it that you first attendedArtstrek?

MS It was in 1990 – the show we studied thatyear was West Side Story. I’d heard aboutArtstrek through my father’s receptionist. Imanaged to get three or four other friends ofmine to go as well. I was 14.

TA How did you and Greg meet? Tell me the storyof your Artstrek romance.

MS Greg was from Edmonton; I was from Calgary.I can’t remember the moment we met – Ithink one of his friends was in my class. Weall ate lunch together and would goof around.There was a dance midweek, and a movie –

we sat together. We were just great friends atfirst; we exchanged addresses. Artstrek wasreally good about sharing mailing lists of pastArtstrek participants so we wrote letters backand forth. The next year we both decided to goto Artstrek again (’91, Quiet in the Land); thatwas the year we started dating. After that Gregwould drive to Calgary to visit. I went to Greg’shigh school grad; he came to mine.

TA And the rest is history?

MS Actually, no. Greg went to Grant MacEwanCollege in Edmonton, I went to the AlbertaCollege of Art and Design in Calgary. We brokeup – there were no hard feelings, just toomuch distance. Later on I moved to Vancouver– in ’98 – and Greg was living in Victoria, butboth were with other people at the time. Gregthen went to Italy for two years and I losttrack of him again. Then, two years ago, I justtook it into my mind to get back in touch. Ididn’t even know his address – I wrote a letterto Greg’s parents trying to track him down.Greg did receive it – it turned out he was fin-ishing up a degree in Psychiatry in Victoria.We got back together again, and on June 10 .. . we got married!

TA Do you think Artstrek played any role in that?

MS Theatre gave me confidence, the ability topresent. The skills really are universally appli-cable. It gave me a chance to meet theatrepeople other than the people from my dramaclass. I learned relaxation techniques, how tocollaborate on an effort. As students we gotclose quite quickly; it was a very expressivecamp. You could be who you wanted to be,and your true personality really came through.I think if Greg and I had met at any othercamp all this might not have happened.

Do you have a story of an Artstrek romance? Send usyour stories! Are there any past Artstrek participants outthere who remember Michelle and Greg and would like toget in touch? If so, we’d be happy to connect you – dropus a line at [email protected].

Congratulations Michelle and Greg.

May your trek through life together

be every bit as fruitful as your trek

through the Arts in the serendipitous

summer of ‘90.

advanced stage lighting and sound instructionalclassrooms in western Canada. Another part of theTheatre Program space is being transformed into adesign lab where students will receive classic archi-tectural drafting instruction as well as modernVectorworks CADD, digital audio and WYSIWYGlighting realization software training.

The planned MRC four-year degree in Theatre willhave two specialties; performance and technicalproduction. Part of the degree will be work experi-ence in the form of directed field study. Theseexciting developments are merely the continuationof our philosophy of professional theatre prepara-

been planning the expansion of the Theatre ArtsProgram. With the six-year, $98 million physicalexpansion of the Lincoln Park Campus, the MRCTheatre Arts Program is poised to expand its physi-cal facilities to accommodate the delivery of a fouryear Theatre Arts degree. Renovations are alreadyunderway as I write this article, with the conversionof one of our rehearsal halls into a state of the artautomated moving-light stage lighting and soundlab. This lab will be outfitted with the very lateststage lighting equipment, from computerized mov-ing lights, to computerized lighting consoles withreal-time lighting visualization software and amotorized ceiling truss. It will be one of the most

tion through hands-on, professionally lead experi-ence coupled with strong ties to a vibrant profes-sional theatre community. Our past successes withTheatre MRC, Shakespeare in the Park, HaveTheatre Will Travel, Shakespeare on Wheels, in addi-tion to our many successful graduates working inthe profession, creating their own theatre compa-nies and leading, managing and working with others,are a testament to the success of this philosophy.

Look for more exciting innovation and more excel-lent graduates from Mount Royal College’s TheatreArts Program in the future under the leadership ofMs. Robyn Ayles. There will be no dead sharks here!

An Artstrek Marriageby Sam Varteniuk

n14

Public ServiceAnnouncements

Upcoming Grant DeadlinesFor more information on these grants please contact the funding agencies directly.

Canada Council Grant Deadlines www.canadacouncil.ca

September 15, 2005 Grants to Theatre Artists: Creation/ Residency/ Professional Development

Theatre Production Project Grants: Established Artists’ Development/Production

Theatre Production Project Grants: Artists and Community Collaboration Fund

Theatre Production Project Grants: Emerging Artists’ Development/Production

December 1, 2005 Theatre Touring and Special Initiatives Program (for projects taking place after the following March)

Theatre Presenting Program

Anytime Travel Grants (at least six weeks before departure date)

AFA Grant DeadlinesApplication forms to the following theatre grant programs can bedownloaded at www.cd.gov.ab.ca/all_about_us/commissions/arts/fastforms/index.asp

September 1, 2005 Theatre Projects Grant

The Theatre Projects Grant Program supports the artistic develop-ment of individual Alberta artists, ensemble of artists who propose towork together and not-for-profit organizations in theatre by assistingwith projects in one or any combination of the following categories: a) Art productionb) Training and/or career developmentc) Travel and/or marketingd) Research

February 1, 2006 Commissioning Playwrights Grant Program

The Commissioning Playwrights Grant Program supports the creationand exposure of original new plays by assisting both emerging andestablished Alberta playwrights with commissions.

Edmonton Arts Council Deadlineswww.edmontonarts.ab.ca/grants.html

Community Investment Program Travel Grant Applications will be considered 3 times per year: February 1, 2005; June 1, 2005 and October 1, 2005

Community Investment Program Project Grant: June 15, 2005

Other Grant Deadlines TBA.

NEW MFA IN THEATRE VOICE PEDAGOGY PROGRAM The Department of Drama at the Uof A in Edmontonis excited to announce the launch of a new TheatreVoice Pedagogy specialization in our MFA program.First intake will take place in September of 2006. Forprogram details please contact Professor BettyMoulton at [email protected]

NEW WEBSITE FOR GROUND ZERO THEATREGZT of Calgray is pleased to announce to launch of their new website. Check it out atwww.groundzerotheatre.ca

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS–GATEWAY THEATREGateway Theatre, Richmond's Professional TheatreCompany, is interested in receiving submissions fromestablished and emerging playwrights for SceneFirst,our New Play Development Program. Gateway has amandate for and a history of new play development. Inthe past 20 years we have developed and produced 11new works as well as providing developmental supportfor many other works in progress. Scripts selected forSceneFirst, will receive a staged reading during theweek of January 16-20, 2006 and these scripts will beautomatically short-listed for our upcoming seasons.

Guidelines:

1. Scripts must be original, unproduced and between60 and 120 minutes in length.

2. Political plays are encouraged. This includes thepolitics of government, the workplace, relation-ships, evolving communities etc.

3. Cast size: Plays in our season usually range in castsize from1-5 actors.

4. Gateway Theatre encourages contemporary casting.

5. Plays of ethnic origin are welcome but must besubmitted in an English Translation.

6. Submissions of written material should be in hardcopy only, type written/word processed, singlesided, and minimum 11point font. All pagesshould be numbered with the title of the play oneach page.

7. Please include a title page, with the name of play,author's name and contact information. Pleaseensure a cast list is enclosed.

8. Please DO NOT submit original copies; GatewayTheatre will not be responsible for the return ofmaterials.

Scripts should be sent via regular mail to:Barbara Tomasic, Artistic AssociateGateway Theatre, 6500 Gilbert RoadRichmond, BC V7C 3V4

Deadline for Submissions: September 30, 2005. For moreinformation contact Barbara Tomasic via email: [email protected] or phone at (604) 247-4974.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS–THEATRE IN THE RAW Theatre In the Raw is pleased to announce It'sFourth biannual 2005 Play Writing Contest

The Play must be:

1. An original one-act play (comedy, tragedy ordrama), unpublished and unproduced.

2. No longer than 25 double-spaced typed pagesequal to 30 minutes, with no more than 6 charac-ters, presented in proper stage-play format, andscripts must have page numbers. (Please include aSASE for return of script. Send copies only ofscript. NO original manuscripts.)

3. There is an entry fee of $25.00 cdn for each one-act submitted to Theatre In the Raw. (For twoplays $40.00 cdn)

4. Please make cheques payable to Theatre In theRaw, bearing the submission date and name ofplay entry and author on cheque memo line.

Deadline: December 31, 2005 (Winners will beannounced on March 31, 2006)

First Prize: A $150.00 cdn cash prize, At least one dra-matic reading or staging of the play at a Theatre In theRaw cafe/venue or as part of a mini-tour program forthe One-Act Play Series Nights.

Second Prize: A $ 50.00cdn cash prize.

Third Prize: A $40.00cdn cash prize.

Please forward submissions to:Theatre In the RawArtistic Director/One Act Play Contest3521 Marshall Street, Vancouver, BC V5N 4S2Phone: (604) 708-5448

A NEW HOME FOR TIX ON THE SQUAREAs of June 30 Tix on the Square - a community boxoffice providing opportunities for smaller Arts andCultural groups in Edmonton to sell their tickets anddistribute information about their events to the media– relocated to the Interpretive Centre on Sir WinstonChurchill Square. Their new address: 9930 102Avenue, Edmonton, AB T5J 5H7

The Interpretive Centre is on the west side of theSquare, on the corner of 100th Street and 102ndAvenue across from CBC. All of phone, fax and emailcontacts remain the same.

Phone: (780) 420-1757 or toll-free in Canada 1-877-888-1757Fax: 426-5368 Email: [email protected]: www.tixonthesquare.ca


The Buzz…News and Notes fromAround the Province fTHEATRE CALGARY ANNOUNCESNEW ARTISTIC DIRECTORTheatre Calgary is proud to announceDennis Garnhum as the 10th ArtisticDirector in its 37-year history. Dennis isan extremely versatile director, havingdirected plays and musicals at most ofthe major theatre companies in Canada.Dennis is looking forward to gettingsettled in Calgary and meeting thegreat caliber of talent that live andwork there:"I know from experience thatthe theatrical artists in the Calgarycommunity are passionate, lively, andtalented and I look forward to workingwith them. While I am fueled by explor-ing this glorious planet of ours, I canthink of nothing finer than callingTheatre Calgary home."

CONSUMER SPENDING ON CULTUREIN CANADAA new report in the Statistical Insightson the Arts series by Hill StrategiesResearch shows that Canadian con-sumers spent $22.8 billion on culturalgoods and services in 2003, an amountthat is greater than consumer spendingon tobacco, alcohol and games ofchance combined. The $22.8 billion inconsumer spending is over three timeslarger than the $7.4 billion spent onculture in Canada by all levels of gov-ernment in 2002/03. The report alsoshows that consumer spending on liveperforming arts events ($980 million) isnearly double the spending on livesporting events ($530 million).

SPIRIT OF HELEN AWARDOn Saturday, May 21, 2005, at 6:00PM, EMMEDIA Founding Member,Grant Poier was presented with thefirst Spirit of Helen Award at the

Annual Alberta Media Arts AllianceSociety Conference held this year inBanff, Alberta. The Spirit of HelenAward, established in 2005 by theAlberta Media Arts Alliance Society, isgiven in honour of Helen Folkmann,an artist and arts advocate whose cre-ativity, activist spirit, strength anddetermination inspired colleagues andfriends across Canada. An influentialand longstanding member of AMAAS,Helen Folkmann passed awaySeptember 24, 2004. As a tribute toher remarkable contributions to thearts, AMAAS annually acknowledges amulti-disciplinary artist, cultural work-er or advocate whose contributions toAlberta's media arts communityreflects the spirit of Helen Folkmann.The Spirit of Helen Award includes a$1,000 honorarium.

Grant Poier is an interdisciplinary artistliving and working in Calgary. Hisartistic practice includes installationand performance art, video, photo/textworks and assemblage.

THE HERMAN VOADEN NATIONALPLAYWRITING COMPETITION WINNERSThe Drama Department at Queen’sUniversity is delighted to announce the2005 winners of the biennial HermanVoaden National Playwriting Competition.

First Prize, $3,000Florence J. Gibson for Missing

Second Prize, $2,000Emma C. Roberts for Excellence, Ontario

Besides the cash awards, the First- andSecond-Prize-winning plays willreceive script workshops produced bythe Thousand Islands Playhouse, andwill then be presented as staged read-

ings in Kingston on Sept.30/05 andOct.1/05. The First-Prize-winning playwill also be presented as a stagedreading at the National Arts Centre inOttawa on Oct. 2, 2005.

ROGER GAUDET APPOINTED HEAD OF THE CANADA COUNCIL’STHEATRE SECTION On July 12 Roger Gaudet wasannounced as Head of the CanadaCouncil’s Theatre Section, effectiveAugust 22, 2005. Mr. Gaudet, whoserved as a Canada Council theatreofficer from 1993 to 2001, returns tothe Council after four years as thenational coordinator of the ArtsPresentation Canada Program at theDepartment of Canadian Heritage. Mr.Gaudet is a graduate of the Universityof Victoria theatre program and theNational Theatre School in Montreal.He began his career in the arts as afreelance director and playwrightworking in Montreal and Vancouver.He replaces André Courchesne, whowas appointed Director of the CanadaCouncil’s Arts Division earlier this year.

ALBERTA FARES WELL AT THEMAGNETIC NORTH FESTIVALThe Magnetic North Theatre Festival,which ran from June 8–18 in Ottawa,scored high praise amongst Ottawa the-atre-goers and critics. Among the showspopular with local theatre critics weresuch Alberta offerings as the “lyrical,dream-like” The Blue Orphan (CatalystTheatre) and the “warm-hearted pro-duction” of Mesa (Ghost River Theatre),as well the “chaotic ... moving” 3..2..1(Azimuth Theatre) – who found strongfooting with Ottawa audiences anddrew avid international interestamongst visiting producers. Well done!

The Theatre Alberta News is pleased to provide the latest intelligence on two tremendous opportunities for amateur and young thespians in the province of Alberta: the Alberta Drama Festival Association (ADFA) and the Alberta High School Drama Festival Association (AHSDFA).

UPDATE ON THE ADFA, by Cliff CameronThe ADFA Provincials, held in Lethbridge on May 13–14 and were a hugesuccess. Congratulations to all participants for the excellent productions. Iwould like to thank Rita Peterson and her entire committee for the effortthey made to ensure the Festival was a first class event. I would also liketo extend congratulations to the Festival winner, Jamie Dunsdon, who is

News from Alberta’s Drama Festivals

both the playwright and sole actor in the play Ill. She has won the oppor-tunity to represent Alberta at the third annual Canada West Play Fest inSwift Current on Sept 15–17, 2005. Contact your zone representative toget involved in ADFA’s one-act play festivals: www.adfa.ca

See page 6 for a full report on the Alberta High School Drama Festival.

CANADA COUNCIL WELCOMESTHREE NEW BOARD MEMBERS The Minister of Canadian Heritage hasannounced the appointment of threenew members of the Board of theCanada Council for the Arts: Amir AliAlibhai from Burnaby, BritishColumbia, Manon Blanchette fromMontreal and Esther S. Ondrack fromSpruce Grove, Alberta.

Esther S. Ondrack has extensive manage-ment experience in the Petroleum indus-try, and is currently associated withChieftain Financial Ltd. Ms. Ondrackholds a Bachelor of Arts degree from theUniversity of Alberta and sits on theboards of directors of several organiza-tions, including the Alberta PerformingArts Stabilization Fund and theEdmonton Symphony Society.

GRANDE PRAIRIE LIVE THEATREANNOUNCES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTORThe board of GPLT is pleased toannounce Heather Inglis as their newExecutive Director. Heather is anAlberta-based director, producer, dra-maturge, and theatre instructor withcredits across Canada. She’s worked forthe Shaw Festival, the Citadel,Workshop West, Northern LightTheatre, Theatre Junction, FringeTheatre Adventures, AlbertaPlaywrights’ Network, the Universitiesof Alberta and Calgary to name only afew. In 2000 Heather was the recipientof the Edmonton Arts Council’sCelebration of Women in the ArtsAward. GPLT produces eight to tenplays a season, a film series, as well asa performance series featuring music,dance, and theatre.

Ple

ase

send

the

co

mp

lete

d f

orm

alo

ng w

ith y

our

pay

men

t to

:

The

atre

Alb

erta

Pho

ne: (

780)

422

-816

2 (E

dm

ont

on

Are

a)3r

d F

loo

r, 11

759

Gro

at R

oad

Toll

Fre

e: 1

-888

-422

-816

0E

dm

ont

on,

Alb

erta

T

5M 3

K6

Fax

: (78

0) 4

22-2

663

ww

w.t

heat

real

ber

ta.c

om

emai

l: th

eatr

eab

@th

eatr

ealb

erta

.co

m

membership applicationTheatre Alberta

New Membership Membership Renewal

Last Name or Organization Name__________________________________________________

First Name or Contact Name______________________________________________________

Address__________________________________ City_________________________________

Province__________________________________ Postal Code__________________________

Home Phone # with area code_______________ Business Phone #_____________________

Cell Phone/Pager #_________________________ Email Address________________________

I am paying by: VISA MC Cheque (payable to Theatre Alberta)

Card#_____________________________________Expiry Date__________________________

Cardholder Name_______________________________________________________________

Signature of Cardholder__________________________________________________________

Affiliation: CAEA IATSE ACTRA APN

I am: A professional artist A teacher Involved in Community Theatre

Other (please specify)_________________________________________________________

Membership Classification:

Student 1 year $15 2 year $25

Individual 1 year $30 2 year $50

Group A (annual operation budget under $10 000/yr) 1 year $50 2 year $80

Group B (annual operation budget under $100 000/yr) 1 year $75 2 year $125

Group C (annual operation budget over $100 000/yr) 1 year $100 2 year $175

For Individual/Student memberships only:

Add a general membership with Alberta Playwrights’ Network + $10

Add a donation to Theatre Alberta – thank you! __________________

Total Amount Enclosed:_________________________________________

For Group memberships only:

Theatre Classification: Professional Co-op/Collective

Semi-professional Community

Educational Institution

Second Group Contact (also has Group Membership library privileges):

Last Name_________________________________ First Name__________________________

Address___________________________________ City_______________ Province________

Postal Code________________________________ Email Address_______________________

Home Phone # with area code________________ Business Phone #____________________

Cell Phone/Pager #__________________________

Pub

licat

ions

Mai

l Agr

eem

ent

Num

ber

4005

1164

Ret

urn

unde

liver

able

Can

adia

n ad

dres

ses

to:

Thea

tre

Alb

erta

117

59 G

roat

Roa

d, 3

rd F

loor

, Edm

onto

n A

B T

5M 3

K6

Membership information is collected by Theatre Alberta for communication and marketing purposes only. Membership information is considered confi-dential and is not released to third parties without consent, the exception being contact infomration for Group members that would be readily availableto the public via the Internet, published telephone directories, etc.

theatre alberta news · 2011. 9. 1. · theatre alberta news 3 what’s newat theatre alberta...

Documents