Job Posting: Special Events Specialist, Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir

Job Status: Full Time, 4-month contract, with the possibility to extend for an additional 8 months.
Start Date: January 15, 2012
Opportunity Details: Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir

The Special Events Specialist, reporting to the Director of Development, provides fundraising support for Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir. The Special Events Specialist is a full-time contract position and areas of responsibility include the coordination of all aspects of fundraising events, Tafelmusik’s annual gala, and providing administrative support for the department. The successful candidate will be dedicated to a career in special events and fundraising in the arts, be an outgoing, self-motivated, active team player; have a passion for the arts, and have a deep interest in contributing to the ongoing success of Tafelmusik.

You will have the opportunity to:

Work as a member of the Development team assisting in the planning, coordination, budgeting and execution of An Artists’ Affair, the annual gala in partnership with the University Health Network and Artists’ Health Centre Foundation, and other Tafelmusik development events in its presenting season.

Key Areas of Responsibilities:

Annual Gala:

• Attend Special Event Committee meetings;
• Responsible for coordination of all aspects of the live and silent auctions;
• Coordinate design of all event-related signage and print materials;
• Support Director of Development and committee members in table sales;
• Liaise with partner organizations in all aspects of the event including décor and logistical planning; and
• Liaise with committee members and provide administrative support.

Individual Campaign:

• Coordinate stewardship activities and special benefits packages for donors of all levels (including pre-concert lectures, open rehearsals, receptions, membership lounge, and other events)
• Coordinate  cultivation activities for targeted patrons (including season launch party, media launch party, and other special events)
• Execute and coordinate donor events with assistance from the Development team and Events Manager.

Skills and Experience:

• College diploma or other post-secondary education;
• Events planned for fundraising purposes and initiatives;
• Knowledge and passion for music and the performing arts
• Performing arts or not-for-profit experience an asset;
• Advanced in MS Office (i.e. Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint);
• Team player, highly flexible;
• High professional standards
• Excellent organizational and time management skills;
• Accuracy and attention to detail;
• Ability to multi-task and manage multiple projects;
• Excellent interpersonal and client service skills;
• Ability to work under time pressure and perform effectively under stress;
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills;
• Ability to work independently; and
• Flexibility to work evening and weekends, and travel to attend on-site meetings when required.

As the successful candidate of this contract, you will have the opportunity to:

• Be part of an industry recognized for its excellence in period performance;
• Be rewarded with a competitive compensation package;
• Be a participant in a wide variety of events and initiatives; and
• Have access to tickets to performances at Tafelmusik and partnering organizations.

Please submit a covering letter and resume, in confidence, to:

Michelle Yeung,Development Associate
Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir
427 Bloor Street West, Box 14
Toronto ON  M5S 1X7
Fax:  416.964.2782
Email: myeung@tafelmusik.org

The application deadline is December 22, 2011.  Interviewing of qualified candidates will begin immediately.

While we thank all applicants, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.

For more information on Tafelmusik, visit www.tafelmusik.org.

Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, led by Music Director Jeanne Lamon and founded in 1979, is one of the world’s leading period performance ensembles.  All members of the Orchestra are specialists in historical performance practice, and their collaboration results in a delightful transparency, vitality and richness of sound.  Tafelmusik performs over 50 concerts a year at home in Toronto, tours extensively around the world, has released over 75 CDs and has received nine JUNO Awards and one Grammy Award nomination. Each year the Tafelmusik Baroque Summer Institute attracts pre-professional and professional musicians from around the world.  The Tafelmusik Chamber Choir, specializing in baroque performance practice and vocal technique, was formed in 1981 to complement the Orchestra. This season, Tafelmusik has embarked on major tours to Europe, Asia, Ontario and Western Canada and was featured in television broadcasts of Sing-Along Messiah on BRAVO!

Workshops: 2012 Winter Skills, 4th Line Theatre

4th Line Theatre continues its series of theatre skills workshops on January 28th and 29th featuring Sky Gilbert, one of Canada’s foremost and celebrated playwrights, Herbie Barnes, who played Trailer  last summer in 4th Line Theatre’s hit production of The Berlin Blues and Marjie Chud, an actor and  teacher with Young People’s Theatre.

Approaches to Playwrighting for Adults – Sky Gilbert
In his workshop Gilbert will share some of his expertise.  “What beginning playwrights need to know,” says Gilbert,” is that there is no formula or one way to write a play.” He will help participants choose the approach that is right for them by discussing their ideas for a play, a paragraph, a few pages or just a couple of questions.    Using challenges from his playwrighting Gilbert will also discuss some of the pitfalls and risks faced by playwrights and share tips for stronger dialogue.

Gilbert, the playwright of 4th Line Theatre’s 2012 production St. Francis of Millbrook, co-founded the renowned Buddies in Bad Times Theatre in 1979 and is currently the Artistic Director of The Cabaret Company.  He is also an Associate Professor at the School of English and Theatre Studies at Guelph University.   Gilbert, with over 40 produced plays to his credit, has received many theatre awards including three Dora Mavor Moore Awards, most recently the 2011 award for Outstanding New Play for The Situationalists.

Instant Theatre Comedy for Adults- Herbie Barnes
Barnes’ workshop will be a fun-filled class in instant storytelling and the art of improvisation.  Using exercises and games created by teachers who influenced a generation of comedic actors, Barnes will coach participants to learn how to tell stories and lose the fear of going on stage with nothing prepared.  “This class,” said Barnes, “is ideal for everyone from actors, those who make business presentations to public speakers.  These skills will stay with students for a lifetime.”

During his 20 year career Barnes has worked as a performer, playwright and director for the stage, film and television.  He has also taught in inner city high schools, universities, and theatre companies.

Introductory Drama Workshop for Youth (12 to 16 years of age) – Marjie Chud
In this one day script-less drama workshop, youth participants will be encouraged to trust their instincts, themselves, and others as they play with characters and stories.  Through a variety of co-operative theatre games, movement and voice exercises, storytelling and improvisation, students will learn how to develop characters and create scenes.  This workshop is aimed at fostering self-confidence, trust and co-operation.

Chud teaches drama, improvisation and creative writing at the Young People’s Theatre in Toronto, in after school programs, workshops and camps and she is also a member the Ontario College of Teachers.   Beginning in January 2012, Chud will become a Resident Artist-Educator at Young People’s Theatre where she will be directing the Junior Ensemble and assistant directing their production of Jack and the Giant Beanstalk.

All workshops are open to the general public and space is limited.  Registration fees are $40.00 (+HST) for the Adult Improvisation Workshop, $40.00 (+HST) for the Youth Acting Workshop and $60.00 (+HST) for the Playwrighting Workshop.

There is a $10.00 discount for those registering themselves for two workshops or for two young people from same family registering for the youth workshop.  For more detailed information on these workshops and to register in advance call 4th Line Theatre at 705-932-4448.  Call by noon December 23rd to purchase a Workshop Gift Certificate, the perfect holiday gift.   Gift Certificates for the 2012 season are also available.

Adult Improvisation Workshop
Led by Herbie Barnes
Ages 17 and over
Saturday, January 28, 2012
10 am to 4 pm
Limited enrolment
$40.00 + HST

Youth Acting Workshop
Led by Marjie Chud
Ages 12 to 16
Sunday, January 29, 2012
10 am to 4 pm
Limited enrolment
$40.00 + HST

Playwrighting Workshop
Led by Sky Gilbert
Ages 18 and over
Sunday, January 29, 2012
10 am to 4 pm
Limited enrolment
$60.00 + HST

BIOGRAPHIES

Sky Gilbert – writer, actor, producer, teacher
Sky Gilbert is one of Canada’s most prolific and controversial artistic forces.  He was the co-founder and Artistic Director of Buddies in Bad Times Theatre in Toronto, Ontario for 18 years and he continues to produce plays with his experimental theatre, The Cabaret Company.   Gilbert has received three Dora Mavor Moore Awards, the Pauline McGibbon Award for theatre directing, the Margo Bindhardt Award from the Toronto Arts Foundation and The Silver Ticket Award from the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts.  Dr. Gilbert is also an Associate Professor at the School of English and Theatre Studies at Guelph University where he is also holds the University Research Chair in Creative Writing and Theatre Studies.  His 6th novel ‘Come Back’ is scheduled for publication in May 2012 by ECW Press, and his new poetry collection ‘The Mommiad’ will be published in spring of 2012.

Herbie Barnes – writer, actor, producer, teacher
Herbie Barnes has played many roles throughout his 20 year career both on stage and on film.  His best-known stage roles include Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit, or as Norvel Morrisou in Copper Thunderbird, as a Wikershame Brother in Sussical The Musical and Joseph in Dance Me Outside and The Rez.  Directing includes The Remember (MTYP) and Someday (Native Earth), Tales Of An Urban Indian (Public Theatre NYC, Autry theatre LA) and Dinky (Native Earth).  Herbie’s play Russell’s World was honoured to be the first play to be asked to the Magnetic North Festival without having been produced first.  Herbie has also written for television shows Including Buffalo Tracks and Tipi Tales a show that also uses his performing talents as a puppeteer and voice talent. As a teacher he has spent time in inner city high schools, private schools, universities, and many theatre companies.  Since performing in The Berlin Blues for 4th Line Theatre last summer, Barnes directed the J. R. R. Tolkien’s classic The Hobbit for the Manitoba Theatre for Young People where he also played the role of Bilbo Baggins.

Marjie Chud – actor, teacher
Marjie has recently returned from a Canada wide tour of “Russell’s World”, produced by Manitoba Theatre for Young People. Other recent performing credits include the original production of “The State of New York v Peter Pan” at the Hamilton Fringe Festival and its remount in Toronto. Marjie is a founding member of Triptych Lounge Comedy Improv and Four Corners Theatre. She is also a member of the Ontario College of Teachers. She teaches drama, improvisation and creative writing in after school programs as well as drama school, workshops and camps at Young People’s Theatre in Toronto. Beginning in January 2012, Marjie will be a Resident Artist-Educator at Young People’s Theatre where she will be directing the Junior Ensemble and assistant directing Jack and the Giant Beanstalk.

Audition: Chorus-The Trojan Women, Alumnae Theatre

The Trojan Women
By Euripides, adaptation by Gwendolyn MacEwen
Directed by Alexandra Seay

Performance dates: January 20^th to February 4^th, 2012

One of the greatest and most enduring Greek tragedies. MacEwen’s visceral and poetic adaptation is a contemporary look at the devastating effects of war and oppression on women. In the aftermath of the Trojan War the women of Troy, enslaved to the Greeks, wait to be claimed by their new masters. In their search for meaning in the destruction around them, the women of Troy find their voice.

But who is listening?

In the tradition of Greek tragedy the chorus will both sing and play instruments.

Actors of all ages and ethnicities are strongly encouraged to apply.

SEEKING:

• Two non-union female actors, any age/any ethnicity, to be part of the Chorus.
• These women of Troy (5 in total) are on stage for the entire show.
• Must be able to sing and move well.  Training/experience in physical theatre or dance is an asset.

AUDITION DATE:

• Wednesday, December 7, from 1 – 6 pm

PREPARATION:

• Please prepare a short (2-3 min.) classical monologue, and one song to sing a cappella.
• You may also be asked to read from the script.
• Please bring your photo and résumé.

TO BOOK AN AUDITION TIME:

Email ms.keast@gmail.com or leave a message at 416-364-4170 ext 3.
Be sure to include your phone number so we can contact you!

Auditions will be held at the Alumnae Theatre, 70 Berkeley Street (SW corner of Berkeley and Adelaide).

NOTE:  This is a non-paying engagement.

Alumnae Theatre is a non-professional theatre company that encourages diversity in its membership and casting. 

WWW.ALUMNAETHEATRE.COM