Auditions: Alice and Love*Fool, Can’t Stand Sitting

Can’t Stand Sitting will be auditioning for its two musical theatre shows; Alice and Love*Fool on December 9th at the Projection Booth.

Alice is a re-telling of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland where our heroine Alice falls into the 80′s. It features big characters, bigger problems and some of the biggest songs of the 80′s like You Spin Me (like a record), Sweet Dreams and Total Eclipse of the Heart.

Love*Fool is a retelling of William Shakespeare’s Midsummer Nights Dream set in the 90′s. Again it is a musical, this time featuring some of the biggest and best songs of the 90′s including Torn, Stop and Lovefool.

• Please note that both shows will be running as a rep season in March/April.
• We are looking for a good mix of male/female talent.
• For the audition please have a short section from an 80′s or 90′s song prepared to sing a Capella. Monologues are welcome but not required.

Please email cantstandsitting@gmail.com to book an audition slot and attach a headshot and resume.
This is a non union/non paying engagement.

Announcement: Does Your Theatre Group Need Assistance?, Margie Rutledge

Does your theatre group need assistance with:

• Grant proposal writing
• Dramaturgical research
• Reading and assessing new scripts

I am a published fiction (children’s novels) writer, journalist and former dramaturge seeking to return to Toronto theatre.  I am a crackerjack researcher with a great eye for sparkling (or potentially sparkling) new work.  And, I wish to develop my skills as a grant proposal writer and arts administrator.

I propose to provide any/all of the above services for a modest fee in exchange for hands-on experience with Toronto’s current theatre community.

After a number of years balancing writing and language instruction, I wish to return to my first love: theatre.  Please see my web site: www.gardencommunication.ca for information on what I’ve been doing.

To discuss what I can do for your theatre group, contact me ~ Margie Rutledge ~ at: infor@gardencommunication.ca.

Job Posting: Development Associate-Individual Giving, Young People’s Theatre

Young People’s Theatre (YPT), now in its 46th season, is Canada’s largest theatre for young audiences and currently produces and presents an 8-play season with an audience of up to 80,000+. Housed at a renovated, historical venue in Toronto, YPT works on a 468-seat Mainstage and a 115-seat Studio stage. Its operating budget is approximately $3.5 million. The work culture at YPT encourages ingenuity, team-work, and an atmosphere of learning. YPT’s artistic policy focuses on arts and education – in fact, learning is at the centre of everything we do.

Reporting to the Director of Development, the Development Associate, Individual Giving, will play an integral role within the three-person Development Department, raising $125,000 annually for the Theatre. Over the next three years, YPT will work towards raising $1.5 million annually for the theatre, creating financial stability to embark on a major capital campaign.

1. Community philanthropy. Develop, plan and implement YPT’s Community Philanthropy portfolio which includes, direct response, face-to-face and third party event fundraising.
2. Budgeting and project management. Create and adhere to project budgets and timelines. Track and collect funds raised. Monitor progress and adjust plans as appropriate. Work with the Director of Development to create revenue projections. Conduct post-campaign follow up and action steps.
3. Donor relations/stewardship. Develop, plan and implement a cultivation and stewardship program for individual donors.
4. Committee relations. Manage and support the Family Gala committee as well as the Community Philanthropy committee by developing goals and objectives, facilitating meetings and responding to all queries in a timely manner.
5. Event fundraising management. Plan and implement YPT’s Family Gala, Hullabaloo including executing all major event logistics. Solicit event donations, sponsorships and gifts-in-kind.
6. Research. Perform prospect research to grow YPT’s donor prospect pipeline.
7. Data maintenance/integrity. Maintain both electronic and hard-copy donor files, update database as appropriate and produce tax receipts in a timely manner.

Other responsibilities:

• Production of monthly revenue reports
• Ongoing contribution to the strategic long-term vision of YPT through suggestions for innovation and efficiencies in fundraising programming.
• Continuous critical evaluation of current programs.
• Investigate new fundraising ideas and concepts.
• Contribute to YPT communications materials as needed.
• Other duties as assigned by the Director of Development.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Exemplary communication skills, both verbal and written
• Ability to pay strong attention to detail
• Computer literacy (e.g. database, word-processing, spreadsheet and internet applications)
• A knowledge and passion for the arts as well as fundraising.

Young People’s Theatre is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer and strongly supports and values diversity in the workplace.

Applications from all qualified candidates are welcome and individuals from equity-seeking groups are encouraged to apply.

Interested applicants are asked to send a cover letter with salary expectations and resume by Friday, December 9, 2011 to Richard Lefebvre, Director of Development at rlefebvre@youngpeoplestheatre.ca. We thank all candidates in advance; however we will contact only those selected for an interview

Audition: Songbook Series, Theatre Passe Muraille

The Songbook Series is part of After Hours @ TPM, a new late-night cabaret series to compliment the 2011-12 season at Theatre Passe Muraille. Each evening, we’ll be celebrating the work of a single artist, group, era or style that has had a significant impact on our collective musical history. Then we will invite a variety of musicians from all disciplines to re-imagine that music in their own way. The key here is that re-imagining—to showcase that song in an entirely new way. Our last Songbook Series celebrated the work of Elton John, and it was a great time.

The Songbook Series is led by a group of Core Artists who facilitate and host each evening, but it is our hope that the series celebrates the diversity of musicians and music that is present in our city. In other words, it’s much more than a coffeehouse, but rather a theatrical musical event. Our second Songbook Series will take the stage at 10pm on January 6 and celebrate the music of Madonna.

To audition, please fill out our online form: http://www.passemuraille.on.ca/get-involved/artists/

If you have questions please email Rob Kempson at robk@passemuraille.on.ca

Call for Submissions: Pitch Blitz, Theatre Passe Muraille

Theatre Passe Muraille would like to invite artists of all disciplines and backgrounds to come and make a pitch to Artistic Director Andy McKim. Releasing the bounds of a formal audition, the TPM Pitch Blitz is an opportunity for artists to introduce themselves to Theatre Passe Muraille in whatever way best represents them. The TPM Pitch Blitz gives artists five minutes to showcase themselves or present their project.

Pitch an idea, pitch a show, pitch yourself! We’re on the lookout for exciting new artists to work with and remarkable artistic projects to facilitate. Spend five minutes showcasing who you are, what you’ve done in the past, and what your ideas are for the future. This is an opportunity to talk about what it is that brings you to us, and to show us what you might want to bring to TPM.

At Theatre Passe Muraille, we’re committed to enhancing meaningful interactions between our communities, and extending the development life of projects developed both inside and outside our walls. We have a special interest in independent, emerging, collaborative, intercultural and multidisciplinary artists, and seek out all whose voices are marginalized. Our vision is of a theatre space that functions as an arts centre and a town square in one.

We welcome actors, directors, writers, musicians, technicians, administrators, dancers, producers, visual artists, and anyone who blurs the boundaries between these roles. Anything goes. Think of it like a chance to spark a meaningful relationship with Canada’s oldest theatre for new work. We do this a minimum of three times per season. The next TPM Pitch Blitz is on December 13 and 14, 2011.

To apply, simply fill out our online form: http://www.passemuraille.on.ca/get-involved/artists/

If you have questions please email Rob Kempson at robk@passemuraille.on.ca

Job Posting: OAC CADAC Coordinator, Ontario Arts Council

Term position until July 2013
$23 – 26/hr
Full-time (36.25 hrs/week) January through July
Part-time (10 hrs/week) August through December
Toronto Office

The Ontario Arts Council (OAC) requires a financially savvy individual to work with arts organizations receiving operating funding to ensure that complete and accurate financial and statistical information entered into the CADAC (Canadian Arts Data/Données sur les arts au Canada) system meets OAC’s granting program application and reporting requirements. CADAC is a web-based financial and statistical database used by multiple public arts funders.

Primary Responsibilities Are:

• Establish mechanisms and processes to track and analyze data entered into CADAC in order to follow up with operating organizations to ensure the OAC requirements through CADAC are being met;
• Create and administer written communications to operating organizations;
• Provide training to operating organizations on CADAC requirements and financial management through webinars, instructional videos/podcasts, etc.;
• Liaise with CADAC secretariat on issues requiring resolution, content enhancements, and changes in reports. Is OAC lead on relevant CADAC committees;
• Design and adapt reports from CADAC for use by granting staff, internal committees and other internal stakeholders;
• Facilitate OAC discussion about suggested changes and enhancements to CADAC and summarize and prepare communications to CADAC about such changes.
• Liaise with Research staff on statistical information issues;
• Work with OAC Grants Database Administrator to maintain interface between CADAC and OAC database.

Key Selection Criteria/Qualifications:

• Bilingualism in English and French a requirement. With an advanced level proficiency in verbal French and English, advanced written English and intermediate written French.
• Bachelor degree in finance, accounting or management, or an equivalent combination of education and practical experience;
• Direct experience in financial administration, budgeting procedures, and accounting practices, principles and analysis, preferably in the field of arts administration;
• Experience working with budgets of arts organizations would be an asset;
• Practical experience analyzing financial data;
• Good general knowledge of financial regulations and practices relating to the not-for-profit sector;
• Advanced knowledge of databases, including use of PC applications and Microsoft Office Suite;
• Excellent administrative, organizational, time and priority management skills, backed by the ability to multi-task;
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills and ability to work with a diverse set of individuals internally and externally and provide excellent customer service;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and experience presenting information publicly.
• Qualified candidates are invited to submit a cover letter and resume, by December 9, 2011 using one of the following methods:

Mail: Ontario Arts Council, Human Resources Office, FILE #10-11, 151 Bloor Street West, 5th Floor, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1T6

Online: Online Application Form

Workshop: From the ITA to the Co-op, What’s the Best Agreement for YOU?, TAPA

Please note: This event is almost at capacity!  If you would like to attend you must RSVP by Thursday December 1, 2011.

Spend the afternoon with Arden Ryshpan, Executive Director of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association and learn more about the agreements that exist through the CAEA.

Learn which agreement makes the most business sense for you, your company and your given circumstances! Join us in this opportunity to hear from Arden as she lends her expertise in a detailed explanation of the various CAEA agreements.

Added BONUS: Shelia Sky of Associated Designers of Canada will be introducing the new ADC/Indie Producers contract — of interest to designers and those who hire them.

TAPA Members: Free!
Non-Members: Free!
Date: Monday December 5, 2011
Time: 1:00 to 3:00pm
Location: Backspace, Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson Avenue

Deadline to register for this session is Thursday December 1th, 2011.
Please RSVP to Alexis Da Silva-Powell, Corporate Partnerships and Membership Manager at alexisdsp@tapa.ca

Based on the popularity of the TAPA/CAEA Panel hosted at Summerworks 2011 we anticipate a strong turn out.

Volunteer: Seeking energetic volunteers to work Front of House on The Story an Outdoor Winter Walking Play at the Evergreen Brick Works, Theatre Columbus

When

• December 13 – 30, 2011
• Tuesday to Sunday at 7:30pm & Matinees on Dec 21, 23 & 28 at 4:30pm
• No show on Dec 24, 25, 26
• Running time is 60 minutes
• Scheduling is flexible and is open to those who want to help as often or as little as they like!
• All Volunteers receive 1 complimentary ticket to The Story.

Where

• Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Ave. Toronto
• Shuttle service from Broadview station!

The Positions

• Concessions Supervisor
• Front of House Assistant
• Show Runner

The Show
The Story is a new telling of the Nativity. The audience follows the action through the Evergeen Brick Works and adjacent parkland, where they meet shepherds, ruffians, weird wise men, roman soldiers, the angel Gabriel, King Herod, a choir, a confused young couple and a variety of surprised dog walkers.

Registration for volunteers is open until December 16, 2011, to register or to find out more information, contact Producer Dan Daley via volunteer@theatrecolumbus.ca

Announcement: 2010/2011 RBC Tarragon Emerging Playwrights’ Competition Winner Ordinary Genius by Tracey Power, Tarragon Theatre

Tarragon Theatre and RBC Foundation are pleased to announce the winner of the 2010/2011 RBC Tarragon Emerging Playwrights’ Competition, Ordinary Genius by Tracey Power.  Ordinary Genius traces a young filmmaker’s imagined journey with the subjects of her film, American poet Walt Whitman and Canadian physician William Osler, as she grapples with her mother’s passing. The play was selected as the winner from a shortlist of three plays that also included Lake Laureate by Jordan Tannahill and Pieces by Sarah Illiatovitch-Goldman.

Ordinary Genius was highly praised by the Competition’s prestigious panel of jurors – Robert Chafe, Governor General’s Award-winning playwright, Jenny Munday, Artistic Director of Playwrights Atlantic Resource Centre and Bob White, Consulting Director of New Plays at Stratford Shakespeare Festival. Chafe observes Ordinary Genius is “well executed and sharply written”, while White remarked that it is “very ambitious and heart-felt.”

As the winner, Tracey Power will receive a cash prize of $3,000, as well as a year’s worth of dramaturgy at Tarragon Theatre, followed by a presentation as part of Tarragon Theatre’s Play Reading Week in November 2012.

Learning of her RBC Tarragon Emerging Playwrights’ Competition win, Power commented, “Tarragon Theatre is such an important and influential theatre in this country, and I am so honoured to accept this award, and to have this wonderful opportunity.”  She adds, “Ordinary Genius is a play that asks big questions, and challenges me every time I sit down to write. It is these challenges that excite me as a playwright, and I know that Tarragon Theatre will be a great partnership in the development of this play.  I look forward to learning from, and working with, them over the next year to write a script worthy of production.”

Originally from the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, Tracey Power now lives in Vancouver, B.C. As a playwright, her first play, a one-woman show Living Shadows, A Story of Mary Pickford, toured across Canada.  Other writing credits include, Garage Alec a bilingual comedy that tackles the ever challenging language gaps of our country, The Great Mountain presented by Young People’s Theatre this season, Back to You, The Life and Music of Lucille Starr, If Romance is Dead Who Killed it?, The Big Sneeze touring with Axis Theatre and an adaptation of The Jungle Book published by Bakers Plays. Other plays in development include The Cardboard House and Miss Shakespeare for which she is also composing the music, and Better.  Her newest creation CHELSEA HOTEL, The Music and Words of Leonard Cohen will premiere in February 2012 at The Firehall Arts Centre.

As an actor, Power has worked for theatres across Canada as well as internationally. Her upcoming performances include Anne in La Cage Aux Folles for The Vancouver Playhouse and Sarah in UBUNTU for Theatrefront/Western Canada Theatre. She has been the recipient of the Jessie Richardson Award and Elizabeth Sterling Haynes Award for her work.

The RBC Tarragon Emerging Playwrights’ Competition is generously supported by RBC Foundation.  This is the third year RBC has supported the competition through their RBC Emerging Artists Project, which helps emerging artists bridge the gap from the academic to the professional world. In 2011, RBC committed more than $2.4 million in support of 114 arts organizations in 38 cities across Canada through the RBC Emerging Artists Project.

Shari Austin, RBC’s Vice President of Corporate Citizenship said “RBC is proud to partner with the Tarragon Theatre and support the next generation of Canadian playwrights. Tarragon Theatre is recognized as a leader in presenting the best new Canadian works and through this competition, we can identify and nurture these new talented playwrights and help them succeed.”

Tarragon Theatre wishes to acknowledge the ongoing support of RBC Foundation.

The 2011/12 media sponsor is NOW Magazine. Tarragon Theatre gratefully acknowledges annual operating support from the Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, and the Toronto Arts Council.

ABOUT TARRAGON THEATRE
Tarragon Theatre is known for its creation, development and production of new Canadian work. Over our 40 years, more than 190 plays have premiered at Tarragon, including work by Morwyn Brebner, David French, Michael Healey, Wendy Lill, Joan MacLeod, Daniel MacIvor, Morris Panych, James Reaney, Jason Sherman and Judith Thompson, among many others.    Tarragon presents new plays from all parts of the country, revives significant Canadian plays and produces international work, contemporary and classical. Tarragon has also been a pioneer in presenting Quebecois plays in translation notably works by Michel Tremblay, Carole Fréchette, and most recently, Wajdi Mouawad. The theatre offers extensive play development programs and an active outreach and education department. For more information visit www.tarragontheatre.com

ABOUT RBC AND THE ARTS
RBC sponsors a wide-range of grassroots and local initiatives that contribute to the cultural fabric of our communities. Proud to support events and passions that resonate with our clients, RBC provides opportunities for up-and-coming artists through programs such as the RBC Emerging Artists Project, the RBC Canadian Painting Competition; the RBC Emerging Visions Program; and the RBC Emerging Filmmakers Competition, part of our commitment to the world’s top public film festival – the Toronto International Film Festival®.

Workshop: Supportive Connections and Supportive Habits: Managing Stress Round Table, Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts

Presented in Partnership with the Artists’ Health Centre Foundation

• Who do you count on for support?
• What support systems are available to you?

In this roundtable workshop, participants will be given coping strategies to help with stress management covering the many areas that contribute to stress in our industry – over-work, career development, physical pain and discomfort, anxiety and self esteem. Participants will be shown tools and provided with practical resources to help face and handle stress in a healthy fashion.

TAPA Members: $22.60 includes HST and all materials
Non-Members: $56.50 includes HST and all materials
Date: Monday November 28, 2011
Time: 1:00p.m. to 4:00p.m.
Location: The Factory Theatre, 125 Bathurst Street

Deadline to register for this session is Thursday November 24th, 2011.
Please RSVP to Alexis Da Silva-Powell, Corporate Partnerships and Membership Manager at alexisdsp@tapa.ca

Facilitators
Anne Carbert is a career counselor and coach. She emphasizes meaning, creativity, and quality of life as she helps people to craft satisfying careers. Anne has a master’s degree in counseling psychology and specializes in supporting people navigating unconventional and self-directed career paths. She offers personal development workshops as well as individual counseling. Anne is a member of the Ontario Association of Consultants, Counsellors, Psychometrists and Psychotherapists.

Dr. Anita Shack B.F.A., D.C., F.A.T.A.is a chiropractor who uses an integrated approach in her work at the Artists’ Health Centre. She combines chiropractic, craniosacral therapy, and acupuncture, customizing care to the individual artist’s needs and goals. Fascinated with the body/mind/spirit connection he is concerned not only with the relief of symptoms, but also with getting at the cause to facilitate change and healing. She has extensive experience working with artists from many disciplines, including: dance, theatre, film, visual arts, music, and writing. Dr. Shack performed as an independent modern dancer/choreographer from 1974-1986 in Canada and the United States and was a member of the Dance Music Orchestra.

Leisa Bellmore graduated with honors from the Shiatsu Academy of Tokyo’s 2200 hour program and has been practicing shiatsu since 2001. Her first career was in theatre, and she has a great respect and love for the arts and an understanding of the commitment and discipline required to live and work as an artist. Leisa works with a wide range of clients with diverse health conditions, including musicians and other performing artists, focusing on overcoming stress and strain on the body and mind to help achieve peak performance. She has been working regularly with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra since 2002 and is currently working on a book on self-care for musicians.

Passion for her work and the natural healing professions led Leisa to volunteer with the Natural Health Practitioners of Canada (NHPC), of which she is a member. She served on the NHPC Board of Directors from 2004-2008, serving as President from 2007-2008. She also volunteers at Toronto’s Ronald McDonald House where she offers short shiatsu treatments to the families who stay at the house. This has provided her with valuable clinical experience in working with severely stressed individuals and children coping with life-threatening illnesses. Leisa believes that we all must take an active role in our health, and she enjoys helping her clients attain their health goals while increasing health awareness. She regularly presents workshops focusing on self-care.

The Artists’ Health Centre Foundation helped create and continues to work in support of the Al and Malka Green Artists’ Health Centre at Toronto Western Hospital, and in addition, is involved in outreach, education, and prevention services for the over 20,000 professional artists who live in the Toronto area.

Our mandate is to raise the standard of health care, educational resources, and quality of life for artists, and to take those resources out into the community, both locally and nationally.