Daily Archives: October 24, 2011

Event: South Asians in the Arts, University of Toronto Scarborough

The University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) is pleased to host a full day of events exploring the practices of, and connections among, exceptional internationally known artists and cultural workers in the South Asian Diaspora, presented by The Jackman Humanities Institute Fund, WIAprojects and Cultural Pluralism and the Arts, at the Leigha Lee Browne Theatre, UTSC, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto on Thursday November 3rd 2011, 10 a.m. – 4p.m. Admission is free & all are welcome.

10 am – 12 noon
South Asians in the Arts: Diaspora, Alliances and Collaborations across Communities
Four award winning South Asian artists, writers, performers, educators, administrators and practitioners will provide an insider’s view on the connections between community, arts practice and administration, and alliances with Aboriginal and other racialized artists and communities in Toronto and beyond.

Lata Pada, the artistic director of SAMPRADAYA Dance Creations has created one of Canada’s leading and progressive dance organizations. She has initiated unique arts learning, community outreach, cultural leadership and mentorship projects for performing artists. She has trained a generation of dancers who perform professionally on international stages. Lata is an articulate speaker and workshop leader – through her art, she has served youth, new immigrants and marginalized communities. Lata is the recipient of Pravasi Bharatiya Samman by the President of India, the highest civilian honor for non-resident Indians. In addition she was honoured with the Order of Canada in January 2009 and holds the distinction of being the first South Asian artist to receive this award.

Seema Jethalal, the managing director at Regent Park Arts & Cultural Centre has been dedicated to the arts since birth and is committed to cultivating Toronto’s arts and culture scene and inspiring social change in the process. Seema plays a vital role in Arts organizations and is a member of the Civic Action’s Emerging Leaders Network, Artreach Toronto’s Community Advisory Committee and the Neighbourhood Arts Network Advisory Committee. Seema recently transitioned out of her role as Managing Director of Manifesto Community Projects – a non-profit arts organization that was recently presented with the Toronto Arts Foundation’s “Arts for Youth” award and the Toronto Community Foundation’s “Vital Ideas” award.

Noora Sagarwala has been working in the performing, literary and urban arts for the last 12 years and has been involved in the planning and execution of 14 performing arts festivals. Noora has held positions at the Great Canadian Theatre Company, the National Arts Centre, the Canada Dance Festival, the CDF’s urban arts festival (HIP HOP 360) and the Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Noora joined Manifesto Community Projects in June 2011 as its Managing Director, and currently sits on the Board of Directors of the CanAsian International Dance Festival and the National Committee of the Emerging Arts Professional Network.

Nisha Ahuja, an actor and theatre artist writer, and youth workshop designer/facilitator, graduated from York University with a Specialized Honours in Theatre (Creative Ensemble) with a minor in International Development. She has performed and created a range of classical, contemporary, and original work in Canada, the Netherlands, and India. Nisha was an actor with the Resident Acting Company of the National Art Centre for 2009-2010 season. Nisha wrote Cycle of a Sari and developed her one-woman show Yoga Cannibal. As an arts educator, Nisha has had the privilege of working with a diverse range of youth in Canada and India with renowned theatre companies, urban and rural schools, as well as NGOs and grassroots community organizations.

2– 4 pm
In Conversation: Mesma Belsare and Sylvat Aziz Border Crossings: An Erotic Affair?
Two artists, Mesma Belsare and Sylvat Aziz, interweave gender, sexuality, culture and artistic practice in complex ways as they confront dislocation and a longing for relocation.

Mesma S. Belsare is a dancer, choreographer, actor, visual artist and educator based in Boston. Mesma’s work explores concepts of gender, gender-identity and sexuality and the classical tradition of Nayaki Bhava (the voice of the female protagonist) in traditional Bharatanatyam (South Asian Classical dance).

Visual artist, Sylvat Aziz, teaches at Queens University, Department of Art in Kingston, Ontario. She has exhibited her sculpture and painting in Venice (Italy), Bradford (UK), New Delhi (India), and Lahore (Pakistan), and in many major public and university galleries in Canada. Her research focuses on problems of representation and the politics of space in early Islamic art and architecture and the influences, conflicts and compromises addressed therein.

Location: Leigha Lee Browne Theatre, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail (Morningside and 401) Date: Thursday November 3rd 2011 Admission is free. All are welcome

Marketplace: Surplus Seats Available, John Elliott Theatre

The John Elliott Theatre has surplus seating available for sale for $15 a seat.

We would prefer a single buyer and the buyer would be responsible for removal from the concrete and they would require WSIB and insurance by the removal date. As the site is under construction and all the seating is currently wrapped we would not expect a buyer to remove before the late winter, early spring. If you are interested please contact:

Peter Atkinson -Print/Stores Clerk at PeterA@haltonhills.ca

Call for Submissions: Fall/Winter Artist Residencies at Gibraltar Point Toronto Island, Artscape

Find inspiration in the changing of the seasons at Artscape Gibraltar Point, a peaceful artist retreat nestled against the magnificent natural backdrop of Toronto Island.

Open year-round, the Artscape Lodge program at Artscape Gibraltar Point provides professional artists and arts administrators with a distraction-free environment and the opportunity to focus exclusively on their work.

Cosy up in a furnished private studio and private bedroom, and enjoy amenities such as a fully-equipped common kitchen, shared bathrooms, laundry facilities and wireless internet access.

Short-term studio and accommodation rentals are now available at weekly and monthly seasonal rates. Custom and group bookings are also available.

Treat yourself to an island escape of the non-tropical variety and book today! Contact us at 416-392-7834 or email bookings@torontoartscape.on.ca for available dates and details.

For more information, download the Artscape Lodge Information Package.

Internship: Design and Production Intern, The New Groundswell Festival

For more information about the Festival and Nightwood please visit www.nightwoodtheatre.net

MENTORS:

  • Camille Koo (Set and Costume Designer) and Sandra Henderson (Production Manager and Lighting Designer)

COMMITTMENT:

  • Approximate Internship Dates: November 14 – December 10, 2011, the rehearsal and run of the Festival.  The intern many also be required for some meetings prior to November 14.
  • Part Time, with more hours required during the tech week and festival run.

REQUIRED SKLLS:

  • Some theatre production experience a necessity, including costuming, lighting, set and/or props construction
  • Education in theatre an asset
  • Organized
  • Quick learner
  • Takes initiative

POTENTIAL TASKS:

  • Assist with paper work where necessary
  • Assist with the build and potentially with the sourcing of props and costumes
  • Attend all conceptual meetings and technical rehearsals
  • Take notes throughout Tech week and in Previews
  • Other production duties as assigned.

BENEFITS:

  • The opportunity to work and learn from two highly skilled Mentors and to work in an IATSE venue
  • The intern will work alongside the Designer and Production Manager towards realizing the vision of a full workshop production
  • Letter of Reference will be provided at the end of the Internship
  • Industry Pass to the New Groundswell Festival

TO APPLY:
Send a cover letter plus an updated C.V/resume and 2 references to:

Laura Pomeroy, Associate Producer
laura@nightwoodtheatre.net

APPLICATION DEADLINE IS NOVEMBER 4, 2011. APPLICATIONS WILL BE PRIORITIZED IN THE ORDERTHEY ARE RECEIVED, SO YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Please put DESIGN AND PRODUCTIONINTERN in the subject line.

For more information on Nightwood Theatre, please visit our website: www.nightwoodtheatre.net

Please note, that while Nightwood recognizes the importance of a diverse workforce our mandate is to train and mentor young women.

Job Posting: Development and Communications Manager, The Toronto Fringe

The Toronto Fringe is at an incredibly exciting moment in its development, having significantly expanded the scope of our operations over the past five years. As we continue to mature into an event of cultural significance, we are seeking a new Development & Communications Manager to join the team.

We are searching for an exceptional individual who is ready to step in to a leadership role at an established, expanding and dynamic arts organization and become one of three core staff. Our small staff works closely together to produce an above-average output, so the ability to work in a team and a certain fearlessness are required.

To be successful, your work ethic must be impeccable, you must be very organized and you must be able to equally appreciate the challenges and joys of working in a very fast-paced, very liberal, very creative, and very demanding environment. We will consider applications from any person who can demonstrate that what they may lack in a particular area of expertise, they more than make up for through a willingness to learn, work hard, and demonstrate their passion.

The Development and Communication departments are closely linked, particularly at the Fringe, but they require different skill sets. The position is structured in an approximately 75/25 split, in favour of Development. Reporting to and working frequently with the Executive Director, and working closely with the Managing Director, the Development & Communications Manager is responsible for managing and executing the following:

In Development:

  • Raising $800,000+ a year for Fringe operations
  • Capital campaign – raising an additional $100,000 over the next 18 months
  • Grant writing – completing existing annual/cyclical grants and researching new ones
  • Foundation letters –increasing this type of funding
  • Individual Giving – increasing this type of funding
  • Sponsorship & sponsor relations – cultivate & strengthen existing sponsors; find others

In Communications:

  • Managing the marketing campaign for all events
  • Community Partnerships
  • Publicity for the Next Stage Theatre Festival
  • Social networking/E-Newsletter
  • Contests/Event Promotion/General Toronto Fringe publicity including lottery & applications
  • 72 page Program book including all ad sales
  • Website maintenance
  • Ad purchases

In this position, you will also be required to supervise a publicist for the Fringe Festival, a shared staff person and to contribute to the planning and management of all departments, especially the Box Office and Front of House Departments.

Skill Requirements:

  • 2+ years experience in a similar role
  • Superior communication and management skills including problem solving skills
  • Knowledge of the Fringe Festival movement and philosophy of the Fringe, and its place in the performing arts community
  • Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills
  • Experience with grant writing and funding requests in both the public and private sectors
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a fast paced, high pressure environment
  • Strong computer skills – HTML knowledge (Dreamweaver) an asset
  • Familiarity with Maxtix (TYTix) Box Office system an asset, but not required
  • Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite (especially Photoshop & InDesign) an asset, but not required

This is a full time permanent position within the organization. The successful applicant will have a six month probation period and performance review during which time there will be opportunity for on-the-job training.
Please send a cover letter and resume by environmentally friendly email to employment@fringetoronto.com as attached Microsoft Word or PDF files. Applications should include salary expectations and references.

Submission Deadline: November 17, 2011
Start Date: January 23, 2012

The Fringe is an equal opportunity employer. We thank all applicants for their interest but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

About the Toronto Fringe:
The Toronto Fringe provides creative opportunities for artists and audiences by producing two important festivals – the Toronto Fringe Festival and the Next Stage Theatre Festival – and by running outreach activities that benefit youth, artists and the theatre community at large. Our new home, the Fringe Creation Lab, welcomes independent artists year round, encouraging their creative work by offering them affordable space to make art, congregate and innovate.

Our core activities are:

  1. The Fringe Festival – our flagship event that presents 1200 artists from around the world to 90,000+ attendees each summer
  2. The Next Stage Theatre Festival (NSTF) – a smaller winter festival presenting 8 productions by emerging artists ready to move beyond the summer festival structure, whose audiences have grown by 40% in the first 4 years
  3. Outreach Activities – a variety of programs supporting artists and youth, including a program that distributes 1000 passes to the Fringe Festival to priority youth from across the GTA
  4. The Creation Lab – a subsidized space that offers a professional facility to under-represented artists to create, hone and present new work

More information can be found at www.fringetoronto.com

Audition: Projet ACTIF, Mixed Company Theatre

Mixed Company Theatre (MCT) produces innovative, socially relevant drama as a tool for positive change.  Founded as an artist-run collective in 1983, this nationally recognized not-for-profit uses Forum Theatre and interactive arts to educate engage and empower audiences in schools, communities and workplace.

This spring, MCT will be presenting Projet ACTIF - a French language production thanks to generous funding from Ministry of Health Promotion and Sport. Written by Chalmers Award-winning playwright, Rex Deverell, and developed in consultation with youth from Franco-Ontario schools, Projet ACTIF utilizes Forum Theatre techniques to create a powerful performance that presents the worst-case scenarios of health issues (Substance misuse, Healthy Eating, Physical Activity and Stress Management). Projet ACTIF will tour to Ontario’s Northern and Western areas in schools from January 23rd – February 3rd 2012.

ACTORS:

MCT is seeking bilingual (French and English) actors – 2 males and 2 females, for a NON-UNION show. Actors should be able to play adolescent characters. Must be comfortable with dramatic improv and be comfortable working with youth. Singing ability or musicality required. An asset but not required an understanding of forum theatre. Actors must also be available to tour North and West Ontario from January 23rd-February 3rd 2012.

Prepare for Audition: 2 contemporary monologues; one dramatic and one comedic.

Must be available:  January 9th – February 3rd 2012

Auditions: Audition held on November 21st & 22nd 2011 and

Call Back: Held on November 24th 2011

Audition Location: Mixed Company Theatre – 157 Carlton suite 201, Toronto Ontario, M5A 2K3.

Deadline for submission: Wednesday, November 16th 2011

Please email your resume and head shot to actif@mixedcompanytheatre.com

Character Descriptions:

  • HALIE – Teenager, idealistic young woman
  • SHONA – Teenager, slim and stylish
  • RICK – Teenager, good looking, a bit of a clown – an athlete
  • GAVIN – Teenager, a bit “pudgy”, plays a lot of video games, less popular friend of Rick

Workshop: Acting for Camera, 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

ACTING FOR CAMERA CLASS

  • LEVEL 2                     Sundays 6 – 10         Nov 6 – Dec 11    $390. + HST
  • LEVEL 3                    Mondays 6 – 10        Nov 7 – Dec 12    $390. + HST

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 The Story of Luke, Don Cherry Story, The Kennedy’s, and Servitude .

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.  This year he taught at George Brown Theatre School and 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

TO REGISTER PLEASE EMAIL: INFO@CENTREFORTHEARTS.COM

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.
Parking at rear of the building off Gladstone Avenue.

  • If you have to miss a class, you can make it up in another class during your session but make up classes are not held over to future sessions.
  • There are no refunds and money cannot be used towards another class.
  • 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.  Time, date, price subject to change without notice.

Centre for the Arts is a member of TAAS and TAPA.