Announcement: Toronto Fringe Festival Executive Director Departing

After successfully leading the Fringe of Toronto Theatre Festival for the past nine years, Chuck McEwen has announced that he will be leaving the Toronto Fringe Festival in early December to return to Winnipeg to take over the helm of the Winnipeg Fringe Festival presented by the Manitoba Theatre Centre.

Over the course of Chuck’s tenure, the Toronto Fringe Festival has become an integral part of the Toronto theatre community. Under Chuck’s leadership the festival has established an enviable reputation for accountability and community involvement, increased services offered to both performers and patrons and has risen in public profile as a major contributor to the theatre arts world – not only in Toronto, but in Canada and internationally.

The Toronto Fringe is currently the third largest festival of its kind in Canada with 140 productions and a ticketed attendance of more than 57,000.  Chuck has also helped the organization expand into more year round programming with the launch of the new
Next Stage Theatre Festival to take place in January 2008.

“I’ve enjoyed working with the staff, board, artists, and volunteers of the Toronto Fringe Festival for the past nine years, helping to firmly establish it as one of the premier theatre events in the city and I am confident that its success and growth will continue well into the future.” said Chuck McEwen

Derrick Chua, Board President said “On behalf of the Board of Directors, I’d like to express our appreciation for Chuck’s hard work and dedication to the organization over the past nine festivals.  He has been an enthusiastic supporter of the festival and its goals and leaves the organization in a solid position as we look forward to our 20th anniversary festival.  We wish him all the success at his new position in Winnipeg.”

Details for an Executive Director search will be announced shortly. In the interim, Fringe Producer Bridget MacIntosh will assume Executive Director duties for the Toronto Fringe.

Event: Guinness World Record Attempt, Sony Centre for the Performing Arts

GUINNESS WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT FOR WORLD’S LARGEST CHRISTMAS STOCKING
THURSDAY, NOV. 8, 2007
NOON – 4 p.m.

Sony Centre in partnership with Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse will attempt to break a Guinness World Record by building the World’s Largest Christmas Stocking and filling it with toys for Toronto’s children in need.

The first 1,500 people to donate a large toy will receive a complimentary ticket to a performance of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas and a prize package including $250 in Sony coupons for each big toy donated! Each donor will also take home a photo of themselves helping to break the record by stuffing the stocking! There will be other prizes, special guests, holiday music, hot chocolate and cookies.

Thursday, Nov. 8, 2007 from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
(Guinness World Record Day 2007)

12 p.m. – Stocking event begins; Stocking will be raised 20 feet in the air and stretched out across the Sony Centre lobby in preparation for being stuffed with toys

12:30-3:30 p.m. – Stocking filled with toys

4 p.m. – Guinness adjudicator will decide on success of record attempt – NEW WORLD RECORD ANNOUNCED!

Sony Centre for the Performing Arts – Main Lobby
1 Front Street East, Toronto, Ontario

For more details visit www.sonycentre.ca.

Volunteer: Bar Server, The Canadian Stage Company

The Canadian Stage Company is currently fast tracking its volunteer bar server training!

The volunteer bar server position at The Canadian Stage Company is a fun and fast-paced opportunity as the intermission allows only 15 minutes to serve 200+ patrons at our Berkeley St. Theatre. You also deal with bar set up and clean up, money and provide excellent customer service. As a bar server, you receive orientation, training and a Smart Serve Certificate. Of course, you also receive a pair of preview tickets to any The Canadian Stage Company show for every 25 hours completed as well as other volunteer perks and benefits. You must at least be 18 years of age to become a bar server, as we do serve alcohol.

We ask that volunteer bar servers assist us per season from September to April for two shifts a month. The shifts vary depending on the play length, typically 4 hours per shift. We have 8 performances per week – Monday through Saturday, with Wednesday and Saturday matinees. Evening shifts are from 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm and matinee shifts are from 12:15 pm – 4:15 pm on Wednesdays or from 11:30 am – 3:30 pm on Saturdays.

Interested? Contact Nabila Islam, Interim Manager of Volunteer Resources and Interns by email at nislam@canstage.com or by phone at (416) 367-8243 ext. 252.

Volunteer: Volunteer Resources Intern, The Canadian Stage Company

The Canadian Stage Company is accepting applications for the (volunteer) position of Volunteer Resources Intern.

Based in Toronto, The Canadian Stage Company is Canada’s largest contemporary theatre company, committed to developing and producing the best in theatre on a national and international level. As a non-profit company, The Canadian Stage Company relies on volunteers to help it achieve its vision.

Reporting to the Manager of Volunteer Resources, the Volunteer Resources Intern duties will include:
·        Assist with volunteer recruitment
·        Assist with  scheduling volunteers for Canadian Stage – Berkeley
·        Input all volunteer information into Access database and assist in maintaining accurate records on behalf of all Canadian Stage Company volunteers
·        Assist as needed with various administrative work

Minimum requirements:
- Computer proficient
- Ability to meet deadlines
- Detail oriented
- Excellent interpersonal skills and oral and written communication skills
- Ability to work well individually and as part of a team
- An interest in being mentored to manage volunteer and intern programmes with a focus on diversity
- Adaptable to being trained by and working with two supervisors
- Self-starter. Full training will be provided but in some cases successful candidate will be asked to work independently on assigned projects.

Days and Times: Two weekdays, (negotiable), 11am to 4pm
Start Date: Nov 12, 2007
End Date: December 14, 2007

Rewards: Volunteer Interns are considered staff by The Canadian Stage Company. Interns are eligible to attend plays and play readings, workshops, discount tickets to other theatres, and you will be part of a dynamic office environment. In addition, we offer Information Interviews, Goals Planning and Progress Reports during the Intern Term, as well as internal job postings and Intern Alumni events after successful completion of the Internship.

To apply:
We require a CV and cover letter and 3 references to consider applicants for an Intern. First priority will be given to interns who include a cover letter with their CV.
An interview is required, only those candidates chosen for interviews will be contacted.
The Canadian Stage Company is an equal opportunity employer.

Deadline to apply: Monday November 5, 2007
Apply by email only to:
Attention: Nabila Islam
Interim Manager of Volunteer Resources and Interns
nislam@canstage.com

Please note in your cover letter where you saw this INTERN posting. We thank everyone who applies for their interest, but only candidates selected for an interview are contacted. No telephone inquiries please. All applications are considered confidential.

Workshop: The 7 Habits of the Highly Effective Triple Threat, Randolph Academy

The 7 Habits of the Highly Effective Triple Threat
Sunday, October 28, 2007, 10:00am-1:00pm
Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts
736 Bathurst Street, Toronto
Fee:  $45.00

This panel instruction and discussion workshop focuses on the tricks and tools to maintain physical, emotional, and professional well-being while in the rehearsal and performance process.

The expert panel includes:
Lawrence Axmith, Artistic Director, Randolph Young Company
Rosanna Saracino, Director and Randolph Academy College Program Faculty Member
Falconer Abraham, President, Free Your Voice Vocal Instruction
Patricia Zentilli and Ron Pederson, Audrey and Seymour in Canstage’s upcoming “Little Shop of Horrors”

For more information/registration, call 416-924-2243 x400 or email:  ryc@randolphacademy.com

Same day registration at the door is also available.

Workshop: Musical Theatre / Auditions

MUSICAL THEATRE/AUDITION MASTER CLASSES with Deborah Staiman

Musical Theatre/Audition Workshop with Deborah Staiman.  Master class in performance skills, using textual analysis and other interpretive tools for the “sung monologue”.  Principles, concepts and terminology are introduced and each participant’s song is analyzed and the principles applied.  An experienced singing teacher, vocal coach and performance instructor, Miss Staiman was on the vocal faculty of AMDA (The American Musical and Dramatic Academy) in New York City.  The workshops will be held, Sunday, November 4 and Sunday, November 18 from 2pm until 5:30pm.  Each class is limited to 9 participants.  Participants:  $55; auditors: $25.  For more information visit www.singingstudio.ca.  To register call:    416-483-9532.

Audition: General Auditions, Factory Theatre

FACTORY GENERAL AUDITIONS

Factory Theatre will be holding general auditions in Toronto on November 13, Tuesday and November 16, Friday.

Please submit cover letter, photo and resume (hard copies only) to:

ATTN:  Nina Lee Aquino
Factory Theatre General Auditions
Factory Theatre
125 Bathurst Street
Toronto, ON   M5V 2R2

Please note the deadline for submissions is November 5, 2007.

Those selected for an audition will be contacted by November 8 and should prepare one contemporary monologue from the Canadian dramatic repertoire, total 2 – 3 min. max.

The purpose of these auditions is to see people whose work is not known to the Factory Theatre artistic staff. We are looking to consider actors coming from all diverse backgrounds for our script readings, development workshops and upcoming festivals (ie. CrossCurrents Festival).

Candidates for audition are selected from the resumes received. General auditions are by invitation only.  We contact by telephone those whom we would like to audition and arrange appointments individually.  If you are granted an audition, you will be notified of an exact date, time and venue when your appointment is made.

Any questions can be directed to Nina Lee Aquino, Associate Artistic Director at 416.738.9661 or nina@factorytheatre.ca.  We will not accept faxed or emailed photos and resumes.

Please clearly indicate on your resume if you are Equity or Non-Equity.  Equity members will be seen first at all open audition calls. Equity members cast in any Factory Theatre production will be engaged under an Equity form of contract. CAEA members: please bring your membership card to the audition.

Job Posting: Box Office Ticket Seller, TAPA/T.O.TIX

TAPA is now hiring for the position of T.O. TIX Box Office staff. T.O. TIX sells a wide inventory to tickets for TAPA member companies, and in addition to selling in person at the T.O. TIX Booth at Yonge-Dundas Square, also sells tickets online. T.O. TIX uses three ticket systems: Ticketweb, Ticketmaster, and TicketKing. For more information about T.O. TIX visit the TAPA website at http://www.tapa.ca

The successful candidate works well in a team environment and enjoys challenges. Preference is given to those individuals who have experience in selling tickets on an automated box office system. TAPA is seeking an enthusiastic and passionate individual who has knowledge of the Toronto theatre, dance and opera industry. The hours for this position are Tuesday – Saturday from 11:00am to 7:30pm.

Position begins immediately.

Please send resume and a cover letter of interest by 5pm on Monday October 22, 2007 directly to Ms. Jacoba Knaapen, Executive Director jacobak@tapa.ca.

We thank all applicants for applying. However, only those applicants receiving an interview will be contacted. TAPA is an equal-opportunity employer.

T.O. TIX Booth Box Office Ticket Seller Job Description

Financial:
• Daily balancing and reconciliation of T.O. TIX cash;
• Assistance of  weekly payment reports to TAPA Business Manager;
• Provide weekly ticketing and inventory reports to Executive Director;
• Managing on line ticketing system;

Membership:
• Liaison with theatrical producers and box office personnel in TAPA member companies in acquisition of daily ticket inventory;
• Daily monitoring of online tickets and at Booth tickets;
• Create and sustain ongoing dialogue with TAPA Box Office managers through regularly facilitated meetings (minimum twice per year);
• Ongoing recruitment and expansion of ticket inventory within TAPA membership;
• Liaison with Executive Director to continue promotion and publicity of established and emerging initiatives with members;
• Working closely with the Director of Communications and Membership on maintaining accurate and clear information on TAPA web services specifically related to T.O. TIX;

Outreach & Public:
• Provide superior customer service to T.O. TIX public buyer
• Ongoing recruitment/relationship building and expansion of ticket inventory outside TAPA membership;
• Ongoing recruitment/relationship building and expansion of ticket inventory with Toronto attractions;
• Participate as required in preparation for the Annual Dora Mavor Moore Awards;
• As required assist in the coordination and participation of off-site TAPA activities;
• Daily T.O. TIX online sales bulletin;
• And Other activities of an administrative nature as may be assigned from time to time by the Executive Director

Event: Artsmash!

The Emerging Arts Professional Network announces the season launch of
ARTSMASH! Where the arts & business collide.

Toronto – The Emerging Arts Professional Network http://www.eapnetwork.ca is a not-for-profit Canada wide community of over 1,500 arts administrators, managers and artists at the start of their careers. The EAP Network is proud to celebrate it’s season launch and first public event while continuing its commitment to the growing arts community with a new series called, ArtSmash – Where the Arts & Business Collide!

ArtSmash is a Speaker Series that launches Friday November 2 at Gallery TPW, 56 Ossington Ave. at 6:30pm . Over the course of the evening, two speakers from the arts sector and one speaker from a non arts-related industry will each be given 20 minutes to present the inside story behind an innovative project they have helped to create – focusing on creative business techniques and out-of-the-box thinking. ArtSmash is a milestone in the arts management field. It is the first event of its kind to bring together the arts with different industries in an environment that encourages discussion, sharing best practices and original ideas in a fun informal setting.

Speakers for this inaugural event include:

Nuit Blanche – Carole Boughannam, Programming Director & Mike Brown, Sponsorship Manager will share the secrets behind the execution and successful corporate sponsorship of Toronto’s largest public art event.

SAVAC (South Asian Visual Arts Collective) – Haema Sivanesen, Executive Director will discuss Big Stories, Little India a multidisciplinary art and audio project that was created in partnership with [murmur] and Toronto’s Gerrard St. Little India community.

WWF-Canada (World Wildlife Fund) – Tara Wood, Public Relations Manager  & Eli Singer Managing Director, Social Media at Cundari SFP will share the success behind the social media launch for WWF-Canada’s national global warming awareness campaign that has now been copied around the world.

All ArtSmash events will be video taped and posted online. In addition, The EAP Network is also launching the EAP Discussion Forum to provide attendants and users with the opportunity to continue conversations and create a space for shared learning and new ideas.

ArtSmash!

Friday November 2, 2007
Gallery TPW – 56 Ossington Avenue
Doors open 6:30 pm
Event 7 – 9:00
Ends 9:30
Tickets $10
Tickets will be sold online and at the door.

Don’t miss the $2 raffle featuring an array of performing art tickets, music and more!

Drinks & treats will be served.

For more information go to www.eapnetwork.ca or contact info@eapnetwork.ca

Announcement: RUSH Ticket Initiative, Factory Theatre

Factory Theatre launches its RUSH ticket initiative with The Real McCoy

“If you missed Andrew Moodie’s hit play THE REAL MCCOY last year, be sure to see it this year. If you saw the play last year, see it again.” Christopher Hoile, EYE Magazine

On Friday, October 13th Factory Theatre launches its latest discount ticketing initiative, $10 Friday night RUSH tickets, for the 8PM performance of Andrew Moodie’s THE REAL MCCOY in the Factory Mainspace Theatre. For scheduled performances, 50 RUSH tickets (pending availability) will be available at 7:50PM for in-person cash sales only.

“We’re very excited about our new Friday RUSH ticket initiative. The work created and produced at Factory speaks to many ages and demographics and we believe that this new discount program will make Factory an even more economical and accessible destination for great Canadian theatre!”
Colleen Smith, Managing Director, Factory Theatre

Factory will be making Friday night RUSH tickets a regular initiative as they will be available for all regular Friday performances of THE REAL MCCOY (Oct 11 – Nov 4), THE RUSSIAN PLAY/ESSAY – TWO PLAYS BY HANNAH MOSCOVITCH (Jan 19 – Feb 17), BEYOND MOZAMBIQUE (Mar 29 – Apr 7) and SEXUAL PRACTICES OF THE JAPANESE (a part of Factory’s Performance Spring Festival, playing May 7 – 18).

New Friday RUSH tickets joins Factory’s list of discount initiatives including Sunday ‘pay-what-you-can’ matinees, $12 preview performances, discounted weekday student matinees, $5 Hiptix previews for students, and our free matinee ticket program for schools, “Theatre for Everyone!”.

Factory Theatre Mainspace, 125 Bathurst Street, Toronto
THE REAL MCCOY runs until November 4th;
Performances: Tuesday – Saturday 8pm, Sunday PWYC Matinees 2pm, student matinees Wednesdays & Fridays at 12:30pm
Ticket Prices: Previews $12; HIPTIX previews $5, Tuesday-Thursday at 8pm $25; Friday at 8pm: $30 or rush tickets 10 minutes prior to performance for $10; Saturday at 8pm: $36; Sunday Matinee Pay-What-You-Can ($20 if booked in advance)
Discounts for groups, students, seniors and Equity
Box Office: 416-504-9971      www.factorytheatre.ca