Magnetic North draws theatre professionals from across Canada and around the world, to share work and facilitate dialogue, networking, collaboration and exchange. The Industry Series is a professional symposium dedicated to building networks and sharing the wealth of knowledge amongst festival delegates from all levels of experience, tapping the gathering’s expertise, and adding depth, relevance, value and provocation to the festival experience.
SUNDAY, JUNE 7
5–8PM | INDUSTRY WELCOME
Launch Magnetic North’s 2009 Industry Series in style, in a social setting. Get the lay of the land and finalize your plans; a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and welcome first-timers before we begin in earnest.
MONDAY, JUNE 8
1-2:45PM | NADIA ROSS ON THE WISDOM OF UNCERTAINTY
The Modern Era awoke a dream in which all humankind would someday come together in unity and peace. The desire to tour the world is, at some level, a desire to bring the world ‘together’. At its deepest level, that desire may actually be the desire to alleviate human loneliness, to make sense of our world through one story that would unite us, agree with all of us, make us finally One.
But to unite also means to divide, in the same way that the seed of tragedy can be found in comedy, and vice versa. The United World was first proclaimed almost a century ago, under the majestic title of The First World War. War continues to be a powerful agent that, even as it tears us apart, brings us together; but it has arguably been surpassed in influence by global capitalism, a system that has co-opted the original spirit of the pursuit of happiness, the spirit most closely connected to leisure, arts and culture. Both capitalism and war take time; they take time away from leisure, from culture, from art. And both capitalism and war have brought us collectively to our current perceived global crisis.
For international touring, what has always been very hard to accomplish has now become even harder. There is no question that audiences continue to dwindle around the world: can theatre be identified as a significant growth industry anywhere? And the continued cuts to funding for local, provincial and federal programs are also our common reality. These are uncertain times. But at the heart of uncertainty lies certain wisdom, a wisdom that pertains to the theatrical medium in a way that may well point to a potential future.
Nadia Ross is the Artistic Director and founder of STO Union (Wakefield, Quebec).
Coffee break sponsored by CAPACOA
3-5PM | CHOOSE FROM 3 SESSIONS OR WANDER FROM ROOM TO ROOM
If I Lived Where You Live, I’d Never Leave Home.
Why go anywhere, when you live on the side of the fence where the grass is always green? Bringing international perspectives on touring from far, far away, our guests Diego Fasciati (Rough Magic, Dublin), Ron Berry (Fusebox, Austin), and Rosie Cross (National Rural Touring Forum, UK), speak candidly about why they need to travel, and think you should too; hosted by Gaylene Buckle of internationally experienced Theatre Newfoundland Labrador.
The New Amateur Aesthetic: Should it be Applied to Arts Administration?
What’s the problem with hiring a professional, or is reinventing the administrative wheel actually a legitimate art form? Trained arts administrator Sandra Lefrançois (Cahoots Theatre Projects and the Dora Mavor Moore Awards) leads a company meeting with artists who administrate: Susan Leblanc Crawford, Ben Stone and Alex McLean (Zuppa Theatre Co.), Robert Chafe (Artistic Fraud of Newfoundland) and Ruthie S. Tabata (Theatre Replacement), with colleagues James Long and Maiko Bae Yamamoto skyped in from Vancouver.
Creating Commitment: Making Long-term Relationships That Really Work
Residencies, commissions and commitments to artists and their development over many years - these are some of the ways that presenters and artists can ensure there is always somewhere to show the work, once it is ready. Different models work for different projects, but do we always choose the right one? Judy Harquail (arts consultant) will lure trade secrets from Mimi Beck (executive director, CanDance Network; dance curator, DanceWorks), Paula Danckert (company dramaturg and artistic associate, National Arts Centre English Theatre), trey anthony (writer, actor, comedian, producer, ‘da Kink in my Hair) and Norman Armour (executive director, PuSh International Performing Arts Festival).
5-7PM | CINQ À SEPT: NO OBLIGATIONS, ALL POTENTIAL
Between the Industry Series sessions and the evening’s performances, stop by Club SAW to gather with colleagues for drinks, snacks and discussion. Don’t forget your business cards because this is where you may well encounter your newest collaborators, presenters and pals.
TUESDAY, JUNE 9
9-11AM | VISIT YOUR MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT
It’s easy and it’s your right. Imagine 200+ cultural workers taking advantage of the opportunity to speak directly with the government at the same time! We know they heard us during the election; let’s meet in person. Make a 9:30 appointment* to see your Member of Parliament and talk to them about why you are in town. Tell them about your work, your community and the festival. Invite them to a show. We will meet by the Eternal Flame at 9am then head to our respective representatives. The nation’s capital in action - where you set the agenda. * (We’ll help make the arrangements once you’ve registered for the Industry Series.)
1-3PM | PITCH SESSIONS
Eight pitches; eight very different projects. Be the first to book the hits of 2010 and beyond; sneak peeks at what lies ahead at theatres and festivals near you. Highly anticipated by bookers and colleagues alike, the pitches are at the very heart of the Industry Series. Oddville Stage Company, A Swell Chaos, Hampden, Ontario Culture Shark, Blind Date, Toronto, Ontario The Absinthe Collective, A Leave of Absinthe, Ottawa, Ontario Presentation House Theatre, the Edward Curtis Project, North Vancouver, British Columbia Leaky Heaven Circus, The Pan Project, Vancouver, British Columbia Globe Theatre, The Alice Nocturne, Regina, Saskatchewan ¡Mi Casa!, Tales from the Gasoline Coast, Ottawa, Ontario Theatre SKAM, My Three Sisters, Victoria, British Columbia
Pitch Session sponsored by the lead theatre members of CCI - Ontario Presenting Network: Centre for the Arts, St. Catharines; The Grand Theatre, Kingston; Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts; The Rose Theatre, Brampton.
Coffee break sponsored by PACT
3:15-5PM | CHOOSE FROM 3 SESSIONS OR WANDER FROM ROOM TO ROOM
So You Really Liked That Pitch. What Now?
Artists from the pitch sessions will have time and space to take detailed questions, show you some video and send you home with everything you need to strike that deal. Grab a coffee and settle in to talk shop.
Production Management Away from Home
When you’re out on the road money always helps, but ingenuity wins the day. Compromises inspire perfect solutions, and we’ll talk about those, but we’d be missing out if we didn’t share a few tales of spectacular disasters, too. Join Jennifer Swan (freelance stage manager and company manager of Electric Company), in conversation with technical magicians Lisa Cochran (Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia’s touring consultant and advisor), Trevor Schwellnus (designer/production manager), Rick Banville (production manager) and Alex Gazalé (production manager for NAC), as they ponder what always works, what never works and what shouldn’t work, but does.
Following Ancient Paths and Blazing New Trails
Networks and touring circuits have existed for decades, but breaking into them can be so hard that we often have to start from scratch and build our own. Tour guide Jane Wells (writer/performer) will reveal our assumptions about what is and isn’t possible when planning tours big and small, complemented by the experiences of colleagues from francophone theatre, the comedy world, crafts and music; with guests Joël Beddows (director and translator; artistic director, Théâtre la Catapulte; Professor, Dept. of Theatre, University of Ottawa), Becky Johnson (anti-specialist: comedy, crafts, cross-country driver) and Bob Wiseman (filmmaker/musician).
5-7PM | CINQ À SEPT: NO OBLIGATIONS, ALL POTENTIAL
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10
9AM - NOON | SPEED DATING (BY INVITATION ONLY)
Festival artists meet one-on-one with prospective presenters and partners to talk about their work.
1 - 3PM | RATIONALIZING THE ROAD
Reflections on the relevance of touring and the residue it leaves. Artists, audiences, and the gal in the hardware store where you bought that missing part are all affected when we take our work around the world. What exactly happens on the road? What do we bring home and what do we leave behind? An open conversation on alchemy, led by Yvette Nolan (playwright and artistic director, Native Earth Performing Arts) with Penny McCann (filmmaker), Ian Tamblyn (musician/traveler), Terrance Houle (artist) and David Ferry (actor/director).
Rationalizing the Road is sponsored by BCTC
Coffee break sponsored by CITT
3:15 - 5PM | ISN’T IT TIME FOR A WALK?
After all the talk let’s head to the Gatineau Hills for a walk in the woods, and maybe even a dip in Meech Lake. Twenty minutes from Arts Court and you are way out of town. Take time to wind down and reflect on it all.
5-7PM | CINQ À SEPT: NO OBLIGATIONS, ALL POTENTIAL
JUNE 4-13, 9 - 10AM YOGA
There is so much to see and do during the festival, so start each day right, with an hour of yoga for theatre professionals and audience members alike. Energizing and relaxing, these yoga sessions are taught by Arjuna J. Alfieri and Kumari Catherine Gillies who have over 50 years combined teaching experience. Weather permitting, we will practice along the beautiful Ottawa River to the west of the Rideau Canal locks from Thursday, June 4th to Sunday, June 7th, as well as Saturday, June 13th. From Monday, June 8th to Friday, June 12th we will practice at Confederation Park. In the event of rain, class will take place at the NAC’s Southam Hall Balcony lobby. $10 for drop-ins, $75 for 10 class pass (cheque or cash).
Playwrights Canada Press, the largest publisher devoted solely to Canadian drama, will be on hand at the Magnetic North Theatre Festival to sell plays. The Press publishes Canadian plays, books of theatre criticism, and theatre history. Their publications include plays that have appeared at Magnetic North, as well as on stages across the country. Look for them outside the NAC Theatre Lounge during the festival, as well as during the Industry Series outside the Arts Court Theatre.
THURSDAY, JUNE 11 &
FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 3 - 5PM
The Last 15 Seconds Workshop | Room 311, University of Ottawa Theatre Department
MT Space invites you to join them for interactive, open rehearsals on June 11 and 12, where you, the observers, can participate in discussions and give actors direction during their improvisations. The Multicultural Theatre Space: the MT Space, founded in 2004 in Kitchener, is a physical theatre company dedicated to promoting and developing the work of artists of many cultural backgrounds, and encouraging them to take part in shaping Canadian culture.
Industry Series is sponsored by:
JUNE 3-13, 11AM - 2AM FESTIVAL HUB
All festival delegates are welcome to regroup in the Festival Hub at Arts Court’s Club SAW / SAW Gallery. With computers, internet access, and space to meet others or work alone, please make yourself at home!
INDUSTRY SERIES and CULTURAL INDUSTRY PASSES are ON SALE NOW!
Early Bird
After May 1
INDUSTRY SERIES PASS*
$65
$75
CULTURAL INDUSTRY PASS*
4 SHOWS + INDUSTRY SERIES
$140
$165
8 SHOWS + INDUSTRY SERIES
$240
$275
*PASSES EXCLUDE RIDEAU PROJECT & DON’T BLAME THE BEDOUINS
Cultural Industry Passes are not available to the general public. Single tickets for Festival performances go on sale May 1, so book early in order to ensure preferred ticket selection and to benefit from early bird pricing. Cultural Industry Passes are only for the use of international presenters and producers and Canadian theatre professionals who work with a professional theatre organization and/or are members of one of the following associations: CAEA; PACT; CAPACOA; PGC; ADC; ACTRA or a provincial presenting organization, such as CCI (one key pass per industry professional).
Cultural Industry Passes are not available through the National Arts Centre box office. Please fill out and mail or fax the following downloadable ticket order form to Gayle Diguer at:
Magnetic North Theatre Festival
53 Elgin St.
P.O. Box 1534, Station B
Ottawa, ON K1P 5W1
Fax: (613) 943-1401
