Ottawans were able to dive in to the Magnetic North Theatre Festival’s fifth anniversary season on March 20 as Artistic Director Mary Vingoe announced the full Festival line-up and the season’s Magnetic Encounters, Industry Series and Magnetic Ottawa – emphasizing the local connection. Ottawans were treated to live performances, an audience interactive piece and video presentations. Vingoe invited the speakers ‘poolside’ as she interviewed Marie Fraser (MNTF Board Chair), Judi Pearl (MNTF Associate), Jennifer Brewin (NAC English Theatre Artistic Associate), Janet Irwin (director of Medea), Laura Astwood (director of Beowulf) and performers Kyle Cameron (Cranked) and Darren O’Donnell (Diplomatic Immunities) about their relationship to the Festival.
The ‘poolside’ theme was in celebration of having a production in the 2007 Festival which actually takes place in a swimming pool! The One That Got Away written by Kendra Fanconi and directed by Kim Collier, is the story of a girl with a fish where her heart should be. With surreal underwater choreography, floating set pieces, live music and a shark-like chorus of the grandfather’s ex-wives, The One That Got Away is a play rich in physical and visual imagery that explores the healing power of a story well told. Vingoe is thrilled to welcome back the Electric Company from Vancouver, BC this time with co-producers The Only Animal.
Making their first appearance at the Festival is Green Thumb Theatre from Vancouver, BC with Cranked, written by Michael P. Northey and directed by Patrick McDonald. Kyle Cameron performed a spoken word/hip hop piece from the newly commissioned play which examines the rising epidemic of crystal meth use by teens. Using spoken word and hip-hop, Cranked offers a dramatic exploration of addiction and drug culture. The show’s acclaimed director Patrick McDonald is an Ottawa native and past Artistic Director of the Great Canadian Theatre Company and its star, Kyle Cameron, is a graduate of Immaculata High School and the Ottawa School of Speech and Drama.
Bear With Me by Nightwood Theatre from Toronto, ON features comedy-marvel and performer Diane Flacks. This up-front-and-personal, hilarious and poignant journey is an exploration of the all-consuming rollercoaster that will leave you in stitches (not down there). From pregnancy to queer-parenting and from conception to the real ‘ring of fire’, Bear With Me culminates in the love affair with her child and the search for self amidst the chaos. This stage adaptation of her book by the same name is a comic flight into the secret and insane world of motherhood. Written by Diane Flacks and directed by Kelly Thornton and assistant directed by Beatriz Pizan.
Darren O’Donnell Artistic Director of Mammalian Diving Reflex in Toronto performed a selection from the production of Diplomatic Immunities: The End. Diplomatic Immunities is a multimedia interactive ensemble piece created from the encounters between a company of research artists and the inhabitants of a city, fostering these encounters to build meaningful relationships, and finally presenting the company’s findings to an audience. A team will be deployed in Ottawa to scour the city for meaningful encounters, chat things up, knock on doors, check out the décor, eat some food, take some pictures and make new friends, then create a piece for you to be able to get up close and personal with Ottawa and the people. Conceived and directed by Darren O’Donnell, co-directed by Rebecca Picherack and produced by Naomi Campbell.
Also in the line-up will be Sexual Practices of the Japanese by Theatre Replacement, Copper Thunderbird by National Arts Centre/urban ink, Famous Puppet Death Scenes by The Old Trout Puppet Workshop, The Russian Play by Company Theatre Crisis and Absit Omen Theatre, and God’s Middle Name by In Good Company. Passes are on sale now and single tickets go on sale May 1 through the NAC box office.
Ottawa Producers’ Workshop
A special presentation offered by Magnetic North Theatre Festival with Sherrie Johnson and Menno Plukker
Join Sherrie Johnson (Touring Liaison/Magnetic North Theatre Festival, da da
kamera, PuSh Assembly/Producer) and Menno Plukker (Menno Plukker Theatre
Agent Inc) for this four hour hands-on session aimed at Ottawa area based artists with a keen interest in producing and touring Canadian contemporary theatre. Over the course of the workshop, Sherrie and Menno will demystify budgeting, grant writing, touring networks and arts markets, as well as prepare participants for networking opportunities during Magnetic North Theatre Festival's Industry Series.
Tuesday, May 15th, 2pm-6pm (4 hour session with a small break)
$25 per person
Location: Ottawa, Ontario. Venue TBA.
Download the Producers’ Workshop registration form (PDF 105kb)
New Associate Producer for Vancouver edition
The Magnetic North Theatre Festival is pleased to announce Kris Nelson as the Associate Producer for the June 4-14, 2008 Festival in Vancouver. Kris Nelson is a Vancouver-based producer, dramaturg and director. He was Associate Producer for the PuSh International Performing Arts Festival from 2004-2006 and in 2007 became the festival's Assembly Producer, co-programming and planning PuSh's networking events. He production managed HIVE, the Progress Lab's theatre-installation mega-event in 2006 and was artist in residence at Rumble Productions in 2005/06. Dramaturgy projects include a number of projects with emerging playwrights, BIOBOXES for Theatre Replacement (PuSh/High Performance Rodeo) and being part of the team of dramaturgs at Playwright's Theatre Centre. Kris has also worked in various capacities with Boca del Lupo, The Only Animal, Radix, The Chop, neworldtheatre, the Electric Company, The Solo Collective, Western Theatre Conspiracy, Théâtre la Seizième, Ruby Slippers, Pi Theatre, Leaky Heaven Circus, Felix Culpa, Theatre SKAM, Teesri Duniya (Montreal) and the Vancouver Playhouse. His writing has been featured in Vancouver Review and transmissions. He is a graduate of Studio 58 and Lester B Pearson United World College.
Master Classes
Registration forms for two Master Classes offered by the Magnetic North Theatre Festival are now online. Registration is first-come, first-served, up to a maximum of 12 participants for each class. Only a few spaces remain for each of these classes. Click here for full details and registration forms.
The Dancing Word: Integrated Physical and Vocal Training for Devising Original Theatre with Daniel Mroz
The class will cover physical and vocal preparation and will also introduce participants to the process of creating original performance material based on the composition and montage of physical action. June 4-6 from 10AM-5PM; with presentation on June 7 at 12PM. Fee: $100.
Physical Approaches to the Art of Puppetry with Peter Balkwill
This master class shall introduce certain physical aspects that enhance the animation and clarity of puppets and masks. Explore the possibilities of telling stories without words. Masks and puppets will be provided. This fast paced master class is designed for professionals and students of theatre aged 18 and older. June 11. 10AM-6PM. Fee: $50.
Last Chance to be a Team Player
for Magnetic North
The Art of Bowling:
A Striking Challenge
On April 28th, lace up your shoes, and match your bowling prowess against the best and worst teams from Ottawa’s arts and business communities. Want something to talk about around the water cooler? Become a team captain, team player or arts patron for a tournament where the theatre community is the winner. The Striking Challenge is to raise $20,000 to support Magnetic North Theatre Festival’s superb programs and performances. Come and learn the Art of Bowling and enjoy an evening of great food, drinks, music, fantastic prizes and the joy of knowing that you made a difference!
To register a team, simply click here or contact Gayle Diguer. Thank you for participating and we look forward to seeing you there!
Date: Saturday, April 28
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Location: McArthur Lanes is located at 175 McArthur Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario and features 32 ten-pin lanes, digital scoring, cosmic bowling and a licensed restaurant.
Dates to Remember:
April 28 The Art of Bowling
May 15 Ottawa Producers’ Workshop
June 6-16 Magnetic North Theatre Festival
June 9-13 Presenters Window
June 12-16 Performance Creation Canada
