Call for Submissions: NoteWorthy, Acting Up Stage Company in association with Morris Berchard

Although theatre companies across the country produce musicals each season, there are few programs dedicated to the development of them. In the Spring of 2011, Acting Up Stage Company, in association with Morris Berchard, inaugurates NoteWorthy, a five stage program unlike any other in Canada dedicated to systematically advancing the development of new Canadian musicals, while offering Canadian composers and playwrights an opportunity to see their work move from Toronto to international presentations.

The first stage, taking place in May 2011, offers four composers and four playwrights the chance to explore musical collaboration. Each participant will create a 10-minute musical with two different writing partners over a two week period. Supported by dramaturg David Oiye, the first stage of NoteWorthy gives writers with an interest in musical theatre creation the chance to hone their craft, and to experiment with prospective collaborators in hopes of finding a composer or playwright partner. At the end of the two weeks, the 10-minute musicals will be performed for the NoteWorthy participants by musical theatre
students.

Two sets of the most promising collaborators from stage 1 of NoteWorthy will receive a two week paid writing intensive in Fall 2011 in order to develop an outline for a full musical concept. One work will be commissioned, then workshopped and ultimately brought to life in an Acting Up Stage season, with a commercial transfer option from Morris Berchard that could see the work realized nationally and internationally.

Location: Toronto
Program Dates: May 16-27, 2011, Monday-Friday
Pay rate: $500/week
Deadlines for Submissions: March 15, 2011

Acting Up Stage Company and Morris Berchard are seeking submissions from established Canadian playwrights and Canadian composers for the inaugural NoteWorthy program. Participants from outside of Toronto are welcome to apply.

We are specifically looking for artists who are interested in creating new musicals and are open to collaborations with others.

Acting Up Stage Company is a company in its seventh year of operation, dedicated to producing, developing and advancing the versatile art of musical theatre by:

1. Interpreting contemporary, thought-provoking work through the lens of our country’s artists;
2. Bringing new musicals to life; and
3. Developing the artists and audiences of tomorrow.

Morris Berchard is a Canadian theatre producer who produces plays and musicals in Toronto and in New York, both on Broadway and off-Broadway.

Submission Guidelines
Submissions MUST include:

• Resume
• A one-page (total) response to the following questions:

1. Why are you interested in creating musical theatre?
2. Describe your musical theatre taste (i.e. who are the musical theatre writers you most admire?).
3. What has been a stand out musical theatre experience for you, and why?

• Work Samples:

1. Playwrights- A five-page excerpt of one play that has been produced at the professional level.
2. Composers- Two samples (mp3, mp4 attached to your emailed submission) of music that you’ve composed (songs with lyrics are preferable over instrumentals).

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: March 15, 2011 (5:00pm)
Please email submissions to: noteworthy@actingupstage.com with “NoteWorthy” in the subject line.

Any further questions can be directed to noteworthy@actingupstage.com

Noteworthy has been supported in part through a generous donation by Curtis Barlow.

Event: Roundtable reading of The Domestic Crusaders, Rasik Arts

Our March Roundtable will be at the Wychwood branch of the Toronto Public Library (1431 Bathurst St.) on Thursday, March 3rd, from 6-8pm. We will be reading The Domestic Crusaders, by Wajahat Ali,  a two-act comedy about three generations of a Muslim family living in America. The Domestic Crusaders has been called “an introduction to a new American Muslim cool — sharp and ironic, funny and deep, running intellectual circles around the idiotic platitudes of bigotry.” The latest edition of American Theatre magazine has an article about the play which you can read by clicking: American Theatre- ‘Short Story Long’ Check out the event on Facebook:  Domestic Crusaders Roundtable

Wychwood Public Library, 1431 Bathurst St. is located on the east side of Bathurst St., one block south of St. Clair Avenue, – and is close to all TTC modes. Admission is Free. Tea/coffee provided as well. All are welcome to join us.

Internships: Festival of Ideas and Creation and Artistic Programs Interns, Canadian Stage

Dates: March 4 – June 4, 2011 (Flexible)

Canadian Stage is now accepting applications for three (3) (volunteer) positions as FESTIVAL OF IDEAS & CREATION AND ARTISTIC INTERNS.

Reporting to the Artistic Coordinator, this Intern position offers an excellent opportunity to gain knowledge in programming and producing a major artistic festival that engages, excites and is widely accessible to youth, community, emerging voices and established theatre artists from across the country.  This position offers a unique opportunity to gain knowledge about running Professional Development and Creation programs which engage established theatre artists, emerging voices and youth. The successful candidate will also learn about the overall artistic activities of a large theatre organization, including casting and season programming.

Festival of Ideas & Creation Responsibilities Include:

• assisting with scheduling and administration of festival events (including workshops, artist intensives, and readings)
• liaising with guest artists, speakers and participants
• contributing to conceptualization, planning and execution of events and parties within the festival
• assisting with research and dramaturgy for projects within the Festival
• identifying opportunities to increase festival accessibility and to further encourage artistic collaboration
• documenting festival events, compiling feedback, and contributing to overall festival evaluation

Artistic Programs Responsibilities include:

• assisting in the organization of actor and play submissions
• assisting with the coordination of programs for professional artists including the BASH! Artist Development Program
• assisting with the coordination of programs for emerging artists and theatre students such as The Gymnasium Emerging Artist Development Program
• assisting with the coordination of programs for youth and opportunities for young artists
• assisting with the research and organization of projects for current and upcoming seasons
• maintaining and updating departmental resources and archives
• documenting artistic activities, compiling feedback, and contributing to the reporting and evaluation of programs

The Intern will have opportunities to participate in Festival planning and visioning sessions and, where appropriate, to develop leadership skills in the implementation of initiatives.

The Canadian Stage Festival of Ideas & Creation and Artistic Programs Interns must commit to 16-20 hours per week in the months leading up to the Festival.  Schedule can be flexible.  During the Festival (May 9-21, 2011), the Intern must be prepared to increase these hours.

Ideal Personal Qualities:

• Interest in theatre creation and producing, artistic development, and festival cultivation
• Passion for the performing arts and a working knowledge of Toronto’s professional theatre scene
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills
• Exceptional organizational skills
• Full training is provided, but the successful candidate will at times work independently on assigned projects and therefore must be a self-starter
• Ability to work as part of a team
• High level of computer proficiency (MS Word, MS Excel, and internet research experience preferred)
• Experience in leadership roles and desire to improve leadership skills
• Previous office administration experience and previous creation experience are assets
• Fluency in multiple languages is an asset

In addition to the many benefits of Canadian Stage’s Intern Program which include information sessions with staff members of their choice, the successful candidate will also be in contact with some of Canada’s leading theatre artists and have opportunity to take part in festival events. The intern will also receive free tickets to Canadian Stage productions and will be invited to readings, workshops and other artistic development initiatives. We strive to make our intern positions as valuable an experience as possible.

About Canadian Stage:
Founded in 1987 with the merger of CentreStage and Toronto Free Theatre, Canadian Stage is one of Canada’s leading not-for-profit contemporary theatre companies. Led by Artistic & General Director Matthew Jocelyn, Canadian Stage produces and showcases innovative theatre work from Canada and around the world, allowing its audience to encounter daring work guided by a strong directorial vision and a 21st century aesthetic. The company prides itself on presenting trans-disciplinary work and work in translation that pushes the boundaries of form and style. The company reinforces the presence of Canadian art and artists through work that reflects Toronto’s place within the international community. Canadian Stage has a long-standing commitment to education and enhancement programs for the public and investing in the art form by nurturing and developing theatre professionals while producing thought-provoking theatre and quality entertainment in Toronto, one of North America’s largest theatre centres. For more information, refer to canadianstage.com.

About the Festival of Ideas and Creation:
The Festival of Ideas and Creation is an annual artistic festival, offering opportunities for professional artists locally and nationally to develop and present new work and evolve their artistic practice. The festival integrates Canadian Stage’s year-round artistic development initiatives and is programmed in collaboration with a wide array of artists and arts organizations. The festival offers audiences opportunities to increase their understanding and participate in the development of new Canadian work. In 2011 the Festival will explore the theme of cross-disciplinary performance practice: the hybridization of theatre, dance, music, film, visual art and other artistic genres in performance-based work.

APPLICATION PROCESS:
Please submit cover letter, résumé and 3 (phone) references by Monday February 28 at 9:00 AM. Please combine cover letter, résumé and 3 (phone) references into one document and attach in Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat.

Attention: FESTIVAL OF IDEAS AND CREATION AND ARTISTIC INTERN
Joanne Williams, Artistic Coordinator
Canadian Stage
E-mail: jwilliams@canadianstage.com

Please note in your cover letter where you saw this posting. We thank everyone who applies for their interest, but only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. All applications are considered confidential.

Canadian Stage is an equal opportunity employer.

Job Posting: Head Scenic Artist, Tarragon Theatre

Tarragon Theatre is seeking a Head Scenic Artist to fill a part time seasonal position in the Production Department. Tarragon produces a season of between seven or eight productions in our Mainspace and Extra Space theatres, with a focus on the production of new Canadian plays. The scenic art for each production varies widely ranging from simple flat colour to large, detailed sets involving full scale trompe l’oeil finishes. The Head Scenic Artist reports to the Technical Director and Production Manager. The position requires a self-motivated, organized individual with the ability to work independently, multi-task and prioritise. The position is called on an as-needed basis per production and hours will vary considerably depending on the need for scenic art with each production.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Interpreting set designs and working with designers to produce samples of each painted finish
• Preparing materials and time estimates to present to the production manager and designer
• Coordinate assistant painters for each production with Production Manager
• Liaise with Technical Director in order to respond to rehearsal and show notes and to keep up with the changing needs of the production
• Liaise with Technical Director and Scenic Carpenter to schedule painting of various set pieces
• Maintain Tarragon’s paint room and stocks of materials and tools

The ideal candidate will have experience as a lead scenic artist on a number of productions, or as a Head Scenic Artist, have the ability to work independently, be comfortable working with and directing assistants, have excellent communication skills and be highly organized. The position requires a high degree of flexibility and the willingness to work with a team to accomplish a goal.  As with most positions in the theatre the hours of work can be extremely variable. The seasonal contract usually runs from mid-August to early-May.

Interested applicants should apply via email to:  Michael Freeman, Production Manager, michael@tarragontheatre.com

Applications should include a cover letter and resume and applicants should be prepared to show portfolio photos or a selection of samples.  Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.  The deadline for applications will be Monday March 7th, 2011 at 6pm.

Tarragon Theatre is one of Canada’s oldest and most respected mid-sized theatres and is a leader in the field of new Canadian plays. Tarragon Theatre is dedicated to discovering and mentoring artists who tell Canadian stories.  Tarragon believes in equal opportunities in the arts for everyone.  We welcome applications from candidates of diverse cultures and backgrounds.

Call for Submissions: Walter Carsen Prize for Excellence in the Performing Arts 2011, Canada Council for the Arts

The Walter Carsen Prize for Excellence in the Performing Arts recognizes the highest level of artistic excellence and distinguished career achievement by a Canadian professional artist in dance, theatre or music. The prize to be awarded in 2011 will be in the field of theatre.

Deadline for nominations:
April 30, 2011

Information / nomination guidelines

Workshop: Increased Freedom of Movement Upper Body Relief for Artists, Artists’ Health Centre Foundation

With Ginette Hamel, Physiotherapist

Monday March 7, 2011

Time: 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Fee: $15 for TAPA members (regular price $18)
Pre-registration is required, as space is limited.

Location: Artists’ Health Centre Foundation
250 The Esplanade, Suite 500

This hands-on clinic combines energizing, stabilizing and stretching exercises to help strengthen the muscles that support the neck, shoulders and the upper body, including back, arms and wrists. Participants are encouraged to explore muscle mobility through stretching and self-massage techniques, with an emphasis on:

• Repetitive strain
• Injury prevention
• Managing ongoing concerns

Ginette Hamel, BSc PT, is trained in sports physiotherapy and is a certified Pilates instructor. She has more than 25 years of experience as a physiotherapist and specializes in the treatment of performing artists. Ginette has worked with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the National Ballet School , with musicals like Dirty Dancing, Aida and Chorus Line, with musicians from the Toronto Symphony, the Canadian Opera Company and the National Ballet Orchestra as well as on the movies Blindness and Billy Bishop Goes to War. She is currently consultant physiotherapist at the National Ballet of Canada and has been working with the Artists’ Health Centre since it opened in 2002.

Pre-registration is required, as space is limited.

To register please contact us by:

Phone: 416.351.0239
Email: info@ahcf.ca
Fax: 416.595.0009
Printing off a registration form at http://ahcf.ca/upperbody.html and fax or send by mail.

For your comfort, this is a scent-free workshop. Please refrain from wearing any perfume, cologne, aftershave or scented products. Thank you.

The Artists’ Health Centre Foundation gratefully acknowledges the support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation. The Ontario Trillium Foundation is an agency of the Government of Ontario.

Event: Spring Fling 2, Stand Firm Central Network

Have you ever wanted to help set up an art exhibit, or get ground access to a stage production, or feel the pulse of new and exciting trends in the city? All the really fun stuff happens in the arts and Spring Fling is your gateway to getting involved in incredible, culturally diverse arts organizations! If you can’t attend get your friends to come out. There will also be delicious food, great entertainment and raffle prizes!

If you’d like to attend and learn more here is the info:

Event: Spring Fling 2 hosted by the Stand Firm Central Network
Date: Thursday, February 24, 2011
Time: 6:00-9:00pm
Location: The Annex Live, 296 Brunswick Avenue, Toronto
Participating Organizations:

• Alucine
• Reel Asian Film Festival
• COBA
• Diaspora Dialogues
• Six Ah Wi
• Sampradaya Dance Projects
• Cahoots
• b current
• New Harlem Productions
• and many more.

RSVP link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2X6R27K

Workshops: February and March Workshops, Equity Showcase Theatre

The Actor & the Director and The Emerging Directors Observation Forum with Kate Lynch starts March 16th. Deadline for applications is February 28th. Places within this workshop are filling up very quickly!

Equity Showcase Theatre is pleased to welcome Peter Messaline to the EST faculty as part of Kevin McComick’s Actors’ Forum. Peter will present a one-day business empowerment workshop called “Know More, Make More, Keep More” on March 19th. Deadline for applications is February 28th.

“The Classical Lab Winter Session #2″ with Peter Van Wart starts Monday February 28th. Special guests to this Lab include; Soul Peppers’ Joe Ziegler, the fabulous Diana Leblanc and Bruce Pitkin. The January Lab sold out so be sure to get your application in soon. Also, look for some great news to be announced soon regarding a special event being presented by the Classical Lab in honor of EST’s 50th Anniversary! There are a few spots left in this class – deadline is February 23rd.

EST is pleased to welcome Robert Verlaque (from the Terry Schreiber Actors Studio and Theatre in New York) for a one-day event: “Freedom from the Fear of Auditioning for On-Camera Auditions and Cold Reads”. This event takes place on Sunday February 27th, deadline for applications is February 23rd.

The Actors’ Forum Audition Technique and Monologue workshop with Kevin McCormick starts March 8th. Deadline for applications is February 21st.

For more information please go to www.equityshowcase.ca

Event: The 4th Annual Production Managing the Arts (P.M.Arts) Conference, Ryerson University

The 4th annual Production Managing the Arts (P.M.Arts) Conference will take place March 24 to 27 in Toronto.

The 2011 complete course schedule is now posted online at the P.M.Arts’ new website www.pmarts.ca.

P.M.Arts is sponsored by both CITT & PACT.

Enquiries about the 2011 Conference may be directed to Peter Fleming, Director and Janelle Rainville, Administrator at pmartsconference@gmail.com.

P.M.Arts hosts a series of 12 seminars exploring the many aspects of the craft of production management from basic building blocks (managing people, budgeting & scheduling) to more in-depth topics such as Human Resources, Health & Safety and Negotiations. These sessions provide a comfortable environment for new and experienced production managers to hone their skills and network with others in the field.

As in past years, P.M.Arts will be offering a conference pass which allows a participant to attend all of the courses for a reduced rate.

Workshop: Acting for Camera with John Boylan, Centre for the Arts

Acting styles change with the times and right now acting for television and film is changing dramatically. What’s required today in episodic drama and feature films is the ability to be utterly and completely natural and truthful in front of the camera and this demands enormous confidence in one’s skills. It’s a great and exciting challenge for both new and experienced actors and it requires a new way of focusing and adapting your skills.

Our acting classes at Centre for the Arts embrace this new acting reality and we are 100% committed to preparing actors for it. We’ll work to strip away artifice and help you find your particular way to being honest and entirely comfortable in front of the camera. We’ll use a variety of teaching tools with an emphasis on scene work, drawn from the television series and films of the moment. You’ll learn to effectively analyze a scene and play truthfully within it. All our class work is experiential; you’ll work in front of the camera and your work will be recorded on a DVD for your review.

LEVEL II – THE COURSE
Using scenes from television series and feature films, you’ll explore what’s required to act effectively and successfully today and you’ll develop your new acting skills in a safe and enthusiastic environment. Every class will give you the opportunity to work in front of the camera and we’ll record your work for your review at home. Improvisation will be used to deepen your connection to the scene you are working on. Step by step we’ll strengthen both your confidence and your ability to be open and truthful under the challenging conditions of a television or film set. We’ll focus as well on what’s unique about you, helping you recognize what you as an actor, and no one else, has to offer.

This course is right for you if: you are committed to being a professional actor; you have some basic actor training under your belt; if you recently graduated from theatre school or an acting program; you have an agent or are now actively seeking one.

February 27  – April 3                                        Sunday 6 -10                                          $395 (incl. HST)

LEVEL III – THE COURSE
In Level III the stakes get higher as we deepen the work. You’ll develop your artistry and your technique while continuing our unwavering focus on being comfortable, simple, natural and truthful in front of the camera. Using scenes from current television and film screenplays, you’ll work in front of the camera every class.  You’ll develop your ability to quickly analyze a scene and what’s required of you and we’ll record your work for your personal review. We’ll explore the realities of being on set and how to consistently access your skills under these challenging conditions.

This is an advanced class and it is right for you if: you are a trained actor with experience; you have an agent and are currently auditioning for film and television roles.

February 28 -  April 4                                        Monday 6 -10                                             $395(incl. HST)

TO REGISTER PLEASE EMAIL: INFO@CENTREFORTHEARTS.COM

THE COACH
A well known Canadian  actor, acting coach and teacher, John Boylan is founder and Director of Toronto’s Centre for the Arts. A graduate of Canada’s National Theatre School, recent film and television credits include Servitude, The Kennedy’s, Witchslayer, and Being Erica.

In addition to his ongoing classes at Centre for the Arts, John teaches at Ryerson Theatre School and is a guest tutor at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, London.  In April, 2011 he will teach at George Brown Theatre School and recently delivered a Master Class to members of the acting company at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival. He has taught at New York University: Graduate Film School, University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theatre, The Gaiety School of Acting, Dublin; Queen Margaret College, Edinburgh, The Actors Centre, London, and in Zimbabwe for FIA (International Actor’s Federation). He taught the the first ever on-camera class at The Yale School of Drama.

Additionally he has taught at York University graduate and under-graduate theatre departments;  the National Screen Institute; Humber College; Workshops in the Performing Arts, Vancouver; Moving Images Group, Halifax; and Queen’s University.  He designed and delivered workshops in the Vancouver, St. John’s and Halifax CBC studios for ACTRAWORKS.

Payment & Registration guidelines:

Payment MUST be received one week prior to the commencement of class. We accept cheque or cash only.
Mail your cheque to: Centre for the Arts
14 Afton Ave.
Toronto, ON
M6J 1R7

Classes are held at 651 Dufferin Street (Dufferin and Dundas) side door, Roseneath Theatre.

If you have to miss a class, you can make it up in an opposite night’s class: Monday for Sunday, Sunday for Monday etc. Make up classes are not held over to future sessions.

There are no refunds and money cannot be used towards another class.

There is a one-time $20 registration fee for 2011 classes.

HST is included in the class fee.

The work is recorded on DVD and finalized DVD’s will be given out at the last class.

If you have any financial issues please discuss them with John Boylan one week prior to class start date.    info@centreforthearts.com