Call for Submissions: Call for Apprentices 2009-2010, Obsidian Theatre Company

Obsidian Theatre Company is passionately dedicated to the exploration, development and production of the Black voice. Funded by the Department of Canadian Heritage, Obsidian Theatre Company is offering 4 paid apprenticeship positions as part of the 2009-10 season. Placements will occur between Autumn 2009 and Spring 2010. Apprentices will be given the opportunity to work alongside noted members of the Canadian theatre community, including Obsidian Theatre company members. Past partners for this program have included Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People, Factory Theatre, Tarragon Theatre, Mirvish Productions, Nightswimming and Canadian Stage. Depending on the interests and abilities of the applicants, FOUR (4) apprentices will be chosen from the following 7 categories:

• Apprentice Director
• Apprentice Production Manager
• Apprentice Dramaturg
• Apprentice Set Designer
• Apprentice Producer
• Apprentice Lighting Designer
• Apprentice Costume Designer

Requirements

You must be actively pursuing a professional career in the theatre. Having an education in theatre, or equivalent experience at the community or professional level is essential to this program. You are Canadian citizen or landed immigrant and you are, or identify yourself as, a member of the African Diaspora. In addition to a resume, applicants must provide a letter of intent indicating their career goals and how an apprentice position would help in achieving those goals.

Submission Deadline

Friday May 29th, 2009

Submit applications by e-mail or mail to: Rupal Shah Apprenticeship Coordinator,

Obsidian Theatre 943 Queen St. East Toronto, ON M4M 1J6 training@obsidian-theatre.com

For more information about this program or about Obsidian Theatre, visit www.obsidian-theatre.com or call Philip Akin, Artistic Director at 416.463.8444.

Job Posting: Site Supervisor, The Canadian Stage Company/TD Dream In High Park

Dates:     June 18, 2009 to September 9, 2009

POSITION SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Dream Site Manager.  This is a full-time seasonal hourly position.  There are three Site Supervisor positions – the rate of pay for each position is $11/hour with a work week compromised of 36 hours spread over six days.   Given the nature of the responsibilities, this position is an afternoon and evening position.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS:

• Reports directly to the Dream Site Manager.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist in set-up and take-down of the Dream site.
• Enforce rules and policies of the Dream site.
• Participate in daily maintenance of the Dream site and report any maintenance issues.
• Handle large amounts of cash, maintain floats, make change, prepare nightly deposits.
• Participate in nightly briefing and weekly meetings.
• Deliver an exemplary level of customer service to Dream in High Park patrons.
• Ensure customer safety and satisfaction.

IDEAL PERSONAL QUALITIES:

• Superior customer service skills.
• Superior cash management skills.
• Experience working in a front of house environment.
• Experience supervising volunteers.
• Comfortable addressing large groups of people.
• Superb organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills, integrity, high energy, creativity, a collaborative spirit, and the cultural sensitivity needed to work effectively in a diverse environment.
• A passion for the performing arts.
• Willingness and comfort in working evenings, weekends and statutory holidays.
• Up-to-date First Aid/CPR training is preferred.

Preference will be given to applicants under the age of 30 in their second or third year of an applicable post-secondary program.  Applicants must reside full-time and be legally eligible to work in Canada.

APPLICATION:

Apply in confidence by Monday, March 30, 2009 at 5:00PM.

Interested candidates should apply in writing, including a cover letter, CV detailing all relevant experience to:

Rebecca Harrison
Dream Site Manager and Berkeley Street Theatre Front of House Manager
The Canadian Stage Company
26 Berkeley Street
Toronto, ON M5A 2W3
416-367-8243 ext. 273
rebecca@canstage.com

Job Posting: Finance Controller, Fringe of Toronto Theatre Festival

The Fringe of Toronto Theatre Festival (July 1-12, 2009), a non-profit/charitable organization that produces two annual festivals featuring over 150 independent theatre companies, is currently seeking a contract Finance Controller.

With your broad knowledge of non-profit/charitable accounting practices and excellent organizational skills, you will be responsible for tracking and recording all box office, merchandise and bar sale transactions over the course of the festival, manage all bank deposits, and will provide the Executive Director with up to date accurate, clear and concise financial information.

We are looking for someone who is organized, responsible, detail oriented and excellent with numbers.
A sense of humour, the ability to multi-task efficiently and work within a team structure is also an important part of the position and festival environment.

The Fringe is now in its 21st season and is Toronto’s largest theatre festival with a ticketed attendance of over 58,000 patrons last year, with box office revenues totalling more than $414,500. The Festival currently has three full time staff, 70-80 contracted staff and 325 volunteers.

Key Responsibilities & Skill Requirements:

• Thorough knowledge of dual entry bookkeeping accounting practices
• Familiarity with Simply Accounting and Microsoft Excel
• Preparation of all deposits (including all “Tip the Fringe” revenues and credit card batch deposits)
• Cash flow management and reporting
• Festival floats and Petty Cash management
• Issuing artists payout (advance/pass payouts) via cheque at the end of the festival.

This is a contract position within the organization.  The contract will break down as follows:

• Two training days with festival accountants
• 1 week full time prior to festival
• 2 weeks 6 hrs. daily during festival (2 x 7 days weekly)
• 1 week part time after festival

Submission Deadline:  April 17, 2009

No telephone calls please.
We thank all applicants for their interest but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
The Fringe is an equal opportunity employer.

Please submit your resume along with a cover letter.  Two references must be provided and will be contacted prior to engagement.

The Search Committee
Fringe of Toronto Theatre Festival
208-344 Bloor St. W.
Toronto, ON    M5S 3A7
Fax: 416-966-5072
general@fringetoronto.com

Call for Submissions: 2009 Mallory Gilbert Leadership Award, PACT

This Award was initiated in celebration of PACT’s 30th anniversary in 2006-2007 and named in honour of Mallory Gilbert, who was Tarragon Theatre’s General Manager for 34 years and one of the founders and Past President of PACT. Supported by the PACT Communications Centre (PCC) and by Tarragon Theatre, theannual Mallory Gilbert Leadership Award celebrates and recognizes outstanding leadership within the CanadianTheatre community.

Mallory Gilbert, the Award’s namesake, is one of Canada’s most respected arts managers. In addition to hersuccessful 34-year tenure at Toronto’s Tarragon Theatre, she has served on numerous local and nationalboards of directors and advisory boards. Ms. Gilbert served on PACT’s Board for 20 years (as PACT President1989-1993), and she was the recipient of PACT Honourary Life Membership in 2005. By mentoring countlessaspiring arts administrators during the course of her career, she has shaped the careers of many of Canada’s theatre leaders and encouraged the creation of exciting new theatre ventures.

All Mallory Gilbert Leadership Award nominations will be reviewed by a national Selection Panel, and thepresentation of the annual Mallory Gilbert Leadership Award will be made at the 2009 PACT Conference in Montreal.

2009 AWARD TIMELINE

• 17 February, 2009 – Public call for nominations is issued
• 26 March, 2009 – Deadline for submission of nominations
• 28-31 May, 2009 – Award announcement and presentation at PACT Conference in Montreal

THE AWARD

The Mallory Gilbert Leadership Award of $5000 annually celebrates and recognizes an individual who hasdemonstrated outstanding leadership within the Canadian theatre community. The recipient is encouraged to usethis Award for personal or professional development purposes.

It also includes a $1000 portion presented to a protégé chosen by the Award winner, underlining the importance of skills and knowledge transmission in leadership building.

SELECTION COMMITTEE AND PROCESS

The Mallory Gilbert Leadership Award Selection Panel may be composed of PACT Honourary Life Members,respected leaders of Canada’s national theatre community and past recipients of the Mallory Gilbert LeadershipAward. The 2009 Selection Panel is Mallory Gilbert, Jenny Munday, Cherry Karpyshin with further panelists tobe announced.

The Selection Panel will review all nominations and select one winner, judging nominations against the eligibilityrequirements specified below. At its discretion, the Selection Panel may choose to grant no award or multipleawards in one year. All Selection Panel deliberations are strictly confidential. The 2009 award recipient will benamed at the annual PACT Conference, and should be able to attend the award presentation in person.
NOMINEE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Nominees should be Canadian professional theatre community leaders with direct leadership and decision-making experience. They should:

• Display consistent, significant and valuable administrative or creative leadership
• Be respected by peers for leading, growing, or changing an organization or initiative
• Be recognized for positive contributions to the development of Canadian theatre, such as community involvement, mentorship, artistic excellence, or advocacy
• Exhibit commitment to inspiring and generating passion in others

In addition, Selection Panel deliberations will be guided by the nominee’s overall impact on other individuals and organizations in the theatre community. Nominations may be kept on file for consideration in future years.  Current PACT and PCC Board members, Selection Panel members, PACT and Tarragon Theatre staff are noteligible to be nominated for this award.

NOMINATION SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Nomination packages must be submitted in English and include the following:

• A nomination form (please go to www.pact.ca to download the form)
• A letter of introduction (maximum two pages)
• State your relationship to the nominee
• Identify why the nominee should be considered for this award
• Cite specific examples of the nominee’s leadership in the theatre community
• Nominee’s current curriculum vitae or equivalent
• Maximum of two additional letters of support (maximum one page each)

Please submit complete nomination packages by mail to:
Selection Panel, Mallory Gilbert Leadership Award
c/o PACT Communications Centre
215 Spadina Avenue, Suite 555
Toronto, ON M5T 2C7

The deadline to submit nominations is 26 March, 2009. All materials must be submitted on single-sided 8.5” x 11” white paper suitable for photocopying.  For more information, please contact Executive Director Lucy White, 416.595.6455 x11 / lucyw@pact.ca

Volunteer: Master Builder for Closer, Alumnae Theatre Company

We are seeking an experienced Master Builder to oversee the construction of the set for Patrick Marber’s play “Closer”, directed by Laura Roald (April 17 – May 2). The play is set in the 1990′s and follows the relationships of four young Londoners. Read the director’s blog at www.closertocloser.blogspot.com This is a volunteer position but a great opportunity to work with an established theatre company, a great director, and an accomplished design team. A general understanding of theatre carpentry is required, and like anything else, a little common sense. There is probably a week’s worth of work or approximately 40 hours divided as suits the rehearsal schedule and yours. Daytimes until 6 p.m. are the best for construction. Some evenings and weekends are available for construction should daytimes be a problem. TIMELINES: The set must be substantially completed by April 3rd. Tech weekend is April 4th and 5th. The show opens on April 17th. Submit a letter of interest to: ellenrgreen@gmail.com

Call for Submissions: 2009 Emerging Actor Program, Nightwood Theatre

“Nightwood is a fertile breeding ground for new female talent.” – Michele Landsberg, Toronto Star

Mentorship is a key component at Nightwood Theatre and one that provides a fundamental service to the community of young female artists pursuing careers in professional theatre. We see ourselves as a gateway for women entering theatre, and believe that a passion and commitment to the emerging artist can indeed produce the leaders of tomorrow.

NIGHTWOOD THEATRE IS CURRENTLY ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS FROM BOTH MALE AND FEMALE ACTORS FOR ITS 2009 EMERGING ACTOR PROGRAM

This program provides an opportunity for emerging actors, recent graduates from theatre schools, to network, hone skills in play development and work alongside established theatre professionals while developing new works for the stage.  The Emerging Actor Program works in tandem with Nightwood’s Write from the Hip novice playwriting program. In the past Write From The Hip directors have included Yvette Nolan, Weyni Mengesha, Jennifer Tarver and Nina Lee Aquino.  Emerging Actor Alumni include graduates and students from the National Theatre School, Ryerson Theatre School, Humber College Theatre School, George Brown Theatre School, U of T’s Erindale/Sheridan Theatre Program, and the U of T’s University College Drama Program.

Program Guidelines

• Emerging Actors will participate in a series of workshops on acting in plays in development
• Weekly sessions will be held from May 20th – July 25th, 2008; The program runs on Tuesday nights until June and Monday nights until the final performance date of Sat July 25th
• All participants will be cast in at least one Write from the Hip reading, working alongside professional actors and directors.
• An honourarium will be provided
• Works will be presented on the final night of the Write from the Hip program

Submission Guidelines

Please submit the following:

• Headshot
• Resume
• Letter of Interest outlining why you’d like to be part of the Program

*Please Note: If selected for an audition, you will be auditioned on Saturday May 2nd.*

Please mail submissions to:

Nightwood Theatre
55 Mill St. The Case Goods Warehouse, Bldg. No 74. Suite 301
Toronto, ON M5A 3C4
ATTN:  EMERGING ACTOR PROGRAM

Application Deadline: Monday, April 27th, 2009.
Submissions will not be accepted via fax or email

For more information please contact Anna Chatterton anna@nightwoodtheatre.net

Write from the Hip
Write From the Hip is Nightwood’s novice playwriting program for young women aged 18-29. The Hip program is a series of weekly workshops, mentoring and hands-on seminars in writing skills and professional play development specifically designed for young writers. Over a 5-month period, each participant completes a new short work that is then workshopped and staged on the final night of the Write from the Hip Program.  www.nightwoodtheatre.net

Call for Submission: 2009 Walter Carsen Prize for Excellence in the Performing Arts (Music), Canada Council for the Arts

2009 Walter Carsen Prize for Excellence in the Performing Arts (Music)

Nomination deadline: 30 April 2009
Prize amount: $50,000

The Canada Council for the Arts announces the opening of nominations for the prestigious Walter Carsen Prize for Excellence in the Performing Arts. In 2009, the prize will be awarded in the field of music.

We invite members of the Canadian professional performing arts community to submit nominations for this prize. We also ask for your help in sharing the call for nominations with others in your community. Visit our website for full information on nomination procedures. Nomination forms and related documentation must be submitted by mail or courier directly to Endowments and Prizes, Canada Council for the Arts, postmarked no later than 30 April 2009.

For other information, please contact Janet Riedel Pigott, Program Officer, at 1-800-263-5588, ext. 4116 or janet.riedel@canadacouncil.ca.

Joanne Larocque-Poirier
Head, Endowments and Prizes

***
Prix Walter-Carsen d’excellence en arts de la scène 2009 (musique)

Date limite : 30 avril 2009
Montant du prix : 50 000 $

Le Conseil des Arts du Canada lance un appel de mises en candidature pour le prestigieux Prix Walter-Carsen d’excellence en arts de la scène. En 2009, le Prix sera décerné dans la discipline de la musique.

Nous invitons les membres de la communauté professionnelle canadienne des arts de la scène à soumettre des candidatures pour ce prix. Nous vous prions de bien vouloir faire circuler cet appel de mises en candidature au sein de votre communauté. En visitant notre site web vous trouverez des renseignements détaillés sur les modalités de mise en candidature. Les formulaires de mise en candidature et les documents connexes doivent être envoyés directement au Service des prix et dotations, Conseil des Arts du Canada, et l’envoi doit être oblitéré par la poste ou par toute autre entreprise de messagerie au plus tard le 30 avril 2009.

Pour plus d’information, n’hésitez pas à communiquer avec Janet Riedel Pigott, agente de programme, au 1-800-263-5588, poste 4116, ou à janet.riedel@conseildesarts.ca.

Joanne Larocque-Poirier
Chef
Prix et dotations

Call for Submissions: Performance Gallery, SummerWorks Festival

SummerWorks 2009 is a juried theatre and arts festival of approximately 40 one-act plays, 8 concerts and multiple performance pieces, that runs for eleven days from August 6-16, 2009 in Toronto. PERFORMANCE GALLERY INFORMATION Launched in 2008, The Performance Gallery (Inside the Box) was one of SummerWorks many new initiatives and featured an eclectic group of artist offering everything from short plays to dance to performance art to improvised concerts. This year we return to the Gladstone (Aug 6- 9 & Aug 13-16th) and are seeking site-specific but not necessarily site-themed pieces (7-10minutes) in all performance mediums.

• What would you do in a completely empty hotel room or the hallway in between?
• What is the importance of the audience to this piece?
• Does the risk and imagination stretch beyond the physical confinements?

Please visit our website blog for full submissions guidelines The deadline for submissions is Friday April 3rd 2009 by 7:00 p.m. e-mail info@summerworks.ca with any questions.

Job Posting: Artistic Director, Cahoots Theatre Projects

Since 1986, Cahoots Theatre Projects has been dedicated to the creation, development, and production of new Canadian plays that reflect our cultural diversity. Based in one of the most ethnoculturally diverse cities in the world, in a country comprised of a multitude of races, language, histories, and ethnicities, we hold that theatre should reflect the richness, diversity, and complexity that we live daily. Diversity means more than race or nation of origin or ethnicity. It also encompasses gender, sexual orientation, ability, language, and class. We recognize that people are complex creatures who define and invent themselves in multiple, dynamic, and ever-changing ways. Cahoots Theatre Projects is committed to theatrical work that probes the complexities of our individual identities and our social relationships. Our writers and plays get to the heart of what it means to live, work, play, love, and dream in contemporary Canadian culture.

At the end of this season, Jovanni Sy, Artistic Director since 2004, will step down to dedicate more time to his own work. During his time at Cahoots, Jovanni has overseen the substantial growth of the company, both administratively and artistically. This season, Cahoots is producing Marjorie Chan’s The Madness of the Square, and is an associate producer of Artistic Fraud of Newfoundland’s Fear of Fight (both upcoming at Factory Theatre). We have just finished our second artists’ retreat in Niagara-on-the-Lake with the support of the Shaw Festival, and have also recently moved into a small storefront that will allow us our own space for workshops and readings.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Artistic Director:

• Is responsible for formulating and communicating a compelling artistic vision for the company, one that provides direction and focus for all areas of the company’s operations.
• Is responsible for all global artistic decisions including season planning, reviewing and implementing programming, and hiring of artistic staff as required
• Implements, oversees, or directly facilitates all of the company’s artistic activities including production of plays, creation and development of new projects, as well as training and mentoring initiatives
• Reviews, with the General Manager, allocation of resources required to achieve desired artistic outcomes
• Writes, with the General Manager, all applications for funding from public funding agencies and private foundations
• Works with the General Manager and Board to plan for the company’s future growth
• Works with the General Manager to develop materials necessary for fundraising and company development
• Actively seeks out new talent and collaborators who can work with the company
• Represents the company to the larger theatre and artistic communities.

Furthermore, our new Artistic Director should be a dynamic theatre practitioner with:

• A deep commitment to theatre that reflects the country’s diversity
• Diverse theatre experiences • excellent communication skills
• A broad knowledge of the local and national theatre communities
• Experience with new work, grant writing, and working collaboratively.

For more information about Cahoots Theatre Projects, see www.cahoots.ca. Please respond in writing by sending a cover letter and resume, stating salary expectations and availability, March 24, 2009 to the President of the Board: Colette Johnson-Vosberg, e-mail cjohnson-vosberg@s-vox.com, or with a cover sheet addressed to Colette, fax: 416-368-9774.