Western Ontario Drama League |
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- Update from the President of WODL
- Update on COVID Precautions for Theatres
- WODL-Sponsored Workshops
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Stage Management Workshop - Kincardine Theatre Guild - 9 April 2022
- Community Theatre in the WODL Region
- Off the Wall - Summer Workshops
- New Plays from the Playwrights Canada Press
- Playwrights Guild of Canada - Canadian Play Outlet
- If you are producing Canadian Plays this Season - Check This Out
- Is your WODL Membership Information Up-to-date?
- Dates for your Diary
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Update from the President of WODL |
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I am thankful that we are continuing to “return to normal” even though the pandemic is not yet over.
I am enjoying the increasing number of opportunities to see live theatre.
I am impressed with the many, creative ways theatres are ensuring that their audiences are safe and feel safe as live theatre returns.
I am encouraged by the respect we are showing each other as we make individual risk assessments that inform whether or not we wear masks.
I am grateful to be a member of the WODL community – talented, generous and supportive.
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WODL in 2022-2023 and Beyond
We are anticipating that we will have:
- travelling adjudications in 2022-2023 (timing to be determined)
- an in person WODL Festival that will include the long May weekend in 2023 (format, timing to be determined).
Please reach out to your area VPs to contribute to our decision making. The contact information for the area VPs is:
WODL Workshops
Thank you to our Workshop committee (Terri Graham, Ken Menzies, Bev Dietrich) for continuing to present virtual workshops. See Terri’s article about workshops for more information.
I very much enjoyed the very informative Health & Safety workshop on Saturday, March 19. My biggest takeaways were the realization that we already incorporate a lot of health and safety in our process, and there is more that we can do.
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Update on COVID Precautions for Theatres |
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On March 21st, Ontario left the COVID-19 pandemic “Roadmap to Reopen.” The only COVID-19 public health measures still in place impact health care settings, public transit, long term care and retirement homes, home and community care, and congregate care centres like shelters. However, the head of Ontario's COVID-19 Science Advisory Table has also said that it is “very clear” that Ontario is now in the middle of a sixth wave of the pandemic. Theatres are now faced with making their own decisions about what to do.
Theatres can continue to require proof of vaccination and/or mandatory masks and face coverings as they desire. Ultimately, your local public health situation should drive the decisions you make. For example, York Region Public Health “strongly encourages masks to protect yourselves and others, especially for those who may be immunocompromised or vulnerable to COVID-19 infections.” You should probably seek the advice of your local Public Health Unit on what measures remain appropriate in your community.
Similarly, you need to consider your audience expectations. Some theatres have found that subscribers were cancelling if they found that the theatre’s requirements had changed since they purchased their tickets. How restrictive is your cancellation policy? What kind of refunds are you providing—especially for someone who has to isolate and cannot attend a performance?
If you are enforcing policies, do your front-of-house staff and volunteers have the skills and training to manage that enforcement? Do they know how to deescalate confrontations?
These decisions are the new challenges that theatres are facing as they reopen. Making well-informed decisions may feel difficult, but ultimately you know your audience and your community—and that will help you make the best decision for your local community theatre.
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In March we had an informative workshop from Janet Sellery on Health and Safety in the theatre. Click here to see her resource list from the workshop that will also be put onto the WODL website for further perusal. Janet brought many years of experience to the table and walked us through a great presentation.
The next workshop will be for grant writing, something all of our theatre companies will most likely be doing in the near future to help keep us afloat as we soldier on and get back onstage. This will be May 7th and registration has already started for this online workshop. We hope to see you there!!
A number of theatre companies are starting to book smaller in person workshops which is great to see. If you need financial assistance with your workshop please see the information on the website and registration form for assistance.
Free Grant Writing Workshop - Saturday 7 May 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm on Zoom
Presented by Sam Varteniuk
Writing Grants: How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome and (Hopefully) Get the Money
When you sit down to write a grant, do you quickly start to feel like you’re in over your head? Does successful grant-writing feel like something that someone else might do: someone with more experience or connections or intimate knowledge of the granting process?
You’re not alone! In this workshop we’ll try to demystify the process, establish a methodical approach, and humanize those gatekeepers who stand between us and the projects of our dreams.
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Sam Varteniuk has spent over 25 years writing, directing, producing, and starring in stage plays, short films, and sketch comedy. His company Mostly Water Theatre was a staple of the Edmonton International Fringe Festival, and he was a regular contributor to CBC Radio's The Irrelevant Show.
His history of community creation and education stretch from academia (graduate degree in Drama from the University of Alberta) to institutions like Edmonton's Citadel Theatre and Kitchener's JM Drama Alumni. He has worked extensively in the world of Drama Therapy/Theatre for Social Change, collaborating with mental health organizations, seniors’ communities, and newcomers to Canada to tell their stories.
He is a founding member of Lightning Banjo Productions, a Theatre for Young Audiences company. For the past 11 years Sam has served as Executive Director of The Registry Theatre, pursuing a mandate to support and develop the arts in Waterloo Region through professional arts presenting, rentals, and community theatre.
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Stage Management Workshop - Kincardine Theatre Guild - 9 April 2022 |
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The past two years have been tough for arts groups and companies, especially theatres. The Kincardine Theatre Guild is excited to be bringing entertainment to the stage this spring, and returning to hosting workshops to enhance the skill set of our volunteers, and maybe attract some new members.
On Saturday, April 9 from 9:15 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., the Kincardine Theatre Guild is proud to host award winning stage manager Bev Dietrich who will be conducting a stage management workshop that day.
“When people hear ‘stage manager,’ they might think of a certain role in a production, but there is no doubt this workshop will be beneficial to everyone involved in community theatre from actors, to directors, producers, lighting crew, absolutely everyone,” said Andy Wasylycia, KTG Workshop Director.
“I’ve worked with Bev in the past and am so excited to bring her to Kincardine where she can share her knowledge and skills to help not just the KTG, but other local theatre groups in Bruce, Grey and Huron counties who may want to participate in the workshop.”
Doors open at 8:45 am, with the morning session running from 9:15 am until noon. There will be an hour break for lunch, then from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm the session continues. Topics covered throughout the day will include:
- Stage Manager’s job description
- Pre-Production tasks
- The Prompt Book
- Rehearsals and how to run them
- Tech week
- It’s Showtime
- It’s a Wrap – Post Production
- Problem Solving
“The workshop is suitable for first time stage managers and will be a refresher for those with experience,” explained Wasylycia.
The workshop is open to all and is free to Kincardine Theatre Guild members who have paid their membership dues for the 2021-22 season. KTG membership is $20 for an individual, or $50 for a family of three or more. If you want to participate in the workshop, but don’t want to join the KTG, the cost of the workshop on its own is $10. Space is limited so email Sarah Foster at [email protected] to reserve your spot.
About Bev Dietrich:
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Bev Dietrich retired as curator of Guelph Museums in 2017 after 35 years in the museum business. She also taught curatorial museum skills with in-person and online classes.
Her theatre experience is second-to-none. She began stage managing in 1989 with Elmira Theatre Company, where she is the current president. She also serves on the board of the Western Ontario Drama League (WODL), where she is the long-time area vice-president Waterloo-Wellington, as well as the organization's archivist.
She has been accoladed for her volunteer work in the theatre with awards for her stage management talents from WODL at its annual theatre festival. In 2014, she was honoured at Theatre Ontario when she received the Michael Spence award for outstanding contribution to community theatre.
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Community Theatre in the WODL Region |
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A good place to find out about what other WODL groups are doing is the WODL Facebook page, WODL | Facebook. Most of the announcements are at fairly short notice, so check in often!
If your group is putting on an event that you would like included in the May newsletter, please send the information to [email protected].
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Off the Wall - Summer Workshops |
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By Michele Boniface, Chair, Off the Wall Stratford Artists Alliance, [email protected]
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Hashtags: #stratfordoffthewall #theatreproduction #backstage
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New Plays from the Playwrights Canada Press |
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New books out this month from Playwrights Canada Press:
An Italian Canadian family dramedy about legacy, expectations, and relationships.
A man searches for absolution while presenting a family memoir.
A doctor struggles to protect the children at his orphanage during the Holocaust.
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Playwrights Guild of Canada - Canadian Play Outlet |
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Every month you can take a look at the newest unpublished and published plays available!
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If you are Producing Canadian Plays this Season - Check This Out |
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The Playwrights Guild of Canada publicises productions of Canadian-written plays through its website, www.playwrightsguild.ca.
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Is your WODL Membership Information Up-to-date? |
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Are you on the board of a theatre group that belongs to WODL? If your group has:
- A new President
- New WODL delegates
- A new Treasurer
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Deadline for submissions for the May newsletter |
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WODL Annual General Meeting |
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13 March to 18 March 2023 |
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11 March to 16 March 2024 |
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WODL Festival 2024, Leamington |
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This newsletter was prepared by:
Tricia Ward
Communications coordinator
WODL
Copyright © Western Ontario Drama League 2022. All Rights Reserved.
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