Western Ontario Drama League | |
- What the Prez Sez
- Adjudications Update
- Lindsay Price - Festival Adjudicator 2025
- WODL AGM - Leamington - 1:00 pm Sunday 6 October 2024
- Update Group President and Group Delegates Information
- Minifest is Back!
- Community Theatre in the WODL Region
- What’s Happening in the Waterloo-Wellington Region
- What's Happening in the Brant-Haldimand-Norfolk-Oxford Region
- What's Happening in the Bruce-Grey-Huron Region
- Off the Wall - October Courses
- Playwrights Canada Press
- Looking for Rental Equipment for Your Next Event?
- Playwrights Guild of Canada - Canadian Play Outlet
- Concord Theatricals New Plays
- 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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Community Theatre: Where History Comes Alive (and Sometimes Forgets Its Lines)
I had the great pleasure recently of taking part in a community play. No, I'm not talking about "community theatre" per se, but a play (in its loosest definition) put on by members of a community to reflect on the community's history, its challenges and successes, and funny anecdotes about some of the community's colourful characters.
This year in my small village of Paisley, we celebrated our 150th anniversary, and one of the ways we commemorated it was with a "community play" about our village's history. Even though I am a somewhat recent transplant from "the city" (meaning anywhere that has more people than cows), I felt extremely proud to be part of the experience. My husband was born and raised here, so I found myself enraptured with the stories that were woven into the play as they helped me envision the Paisley of his youth and that of his ancestors as they made this village their home. Sidenote: His family owned and operated the Paisley Advocate newspaper for over 80 years!
In small communities, where everyone knows each other’s business (and what they ate for lunch), community theatre offers something magical. It’s a place where people from all walks of life come together to tell their town’s story—sometimes with more enthusiasm than accuracy.
You’ve got the local "Santa" playing the town founder, the mechanic moonlighting as the sound guy, and the high school student who swore they'd never return to this stage again… but here they are, back for another round of "it’s only two rehearsals a week, right?"
Community theatre is more than just a stage. It’s a gathering spot, a place where friendships form, talents are discovered, and (if we’re being honest) where half the town’s secrets are accidentally revealed. It’s where we remember that our history is as much about the stories we tell as the people who tell them. Whether you’re here for the applause or the snacks at intermission, one thing is certain: you’re part of something bigger, and maybe just a little bit quirkier.
I am immensely proud of our little community play and, by having participated in it, have found myself more fully connected to both the village and its colourful characters... one of which I have now become.
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By Ken Menzies, WODL Adjudications Chair, adjudications@wodl.on.ca | |
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I have let many groups know of their adjudication dates. However, I am missing some applications for adjudication which I know have not arrived for good reasons (e.g. illness of the person who is responsible for sending the application). In consequence, I have not yet produced an adjudication schedule.
At present, there is no adjudication schedule on the WODL website. An adjudication schedule will be on the WODL website soon and will be in the next WODL newsletter. As soon as the schedule is completed, it will be sent as an eblast to all newsletter subscribers.
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Lindsay Price - Festival Adjudicator 2025 | |
By Ken Menzies, WODL Adjudications Chair, adjudications@wodl.on.ca | |
Lindsay Price has agreed to be our Festival adjudicator in 2025. She will be familiar to many as she was the travelling adjudicator in 2016-17. She got rave reviews from everybody. I liked the way she used her knowledge from being a playwright to ask an actor when he or she knew some crucial piece of information and how they conveyed this information to the audience. This not only shed new light on a character for many actors, but also led to interesting discussions. I have inserted her bio and photo below. | |
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Lindsay is the co-founder of Theatrefolk, a publisher of play scripts and resources for schools and student performers, and the co-creator of the Drama Teacher Academy. She has been involved in theatre education for over 30 years as a playwright, adjudicator, workshop instructor, resource writer, curriculum supervisor, professional development creator, and speaker.
As a playwright, Lindsay has over 100 published plays with an average of 1000 productions a year in schools all over the world. She had the pleasure of seeing one of her shows in Japan and has had another translated into Icelandic.
As an adjudicator, Lindsay has been a main stage screener for the Educational Theatre Association, adjudicated at the Florida State Thespian Festival, the Alabama Thespian Festival, the Virginia Theatre Association, and the Indiana Thespian Festival.
Closer to home, she has adjudicated for the former Sears Drama Festival, the Stratford Kiwanis Festival, and has had the pleasure of being a WODL Pre-Festival Traveling Adjudicator.
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WODL AGM - Leamington - 1:00 pm Sunday 6 October 2024 | |
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The Western Ontario Drama League (WODL) will be holding its Annual General meeting at The Bank Theatre in Leamington on Sunday 6 October 2024.
The Bank Theatre will be the home of the 3-day WODL Festival from 15 May to 18 May 2025. The AGM will be followed by a tour of The Bank Theatre.
This is your chance to find out what WODL has planned for the next year and to take a good look at the facilities that await you at Festival 2025.
All members is good standing with WODL member groups can vote at this meeting.
A formal invitation has been sent to all WODL group delegates and WODL group presidents.
WODL AGM
The Bank Theatre
10 Erie Street South
Leamington, ON, N8H 3W5
For a map, click here
and on Zoom
Meeting at 1:00 pm
Followed by:
Workshop: Small Theatre at Large - Best Practices by Corey Robertson
and a tour of the The Bank Theatre
We look forward to seeing you there!
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If you want to attend this meeting on Zoom and have not received an invitation, contact Tricia Ward at communications@wodl.on.ca.
In your email please include your full name and member group affiliation (no acronyms) and whether you are a group delegate, group member, or other.
You will receive instructions on joining the meeting and copies of the meeting materials, a few days before the AGM.
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Workshop: Small Theatre at Large - Best Practices by Corey Robertson:
This workshop outlines the financial opportunities that The Bank Theatre and the Sun Parlour Players Community Theatre have explored.
Corey Robertson:
A proud father of two, Corey Robertson is the WODL Festival Chair for 2025. He has sat on the board of directors at The Bank Theatre in Leamington Ontario for the past six years, where he has served as Secretary, President, and Chair of Theatre Programming.
Having studied BFA Music Theatre at the University of Windsor, Corey previously worked in radio broadcasting for 18 years as on air personality and program director.
He is a past president of the Leamington District Chamber of Commerce, an active emcee and advocate in his community, having been awarded the Mayor’s Recognition Award for Community Inspiration, the Chamber of Commerce’s Positive Professional Award, and the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Award for Dedication to Community.
His acting highlights include Noises Off, It’s A Wonderful Life, As You Like It, Wait Until Dark & Jesus Christ Superstar.
He has directed The Rimers of Eldritch, A Christmas Story, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and is currently directing Dracula.
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Update Group President and Group Delegates Information | |
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WODL communicates with our member groups through the group presidents and the group WODL delegates--two delegates from each group. These people can then pass the information on to the rest of their group membership. Presidents and delegates also receive personal invitations to the WODL general meetings and to the AGM.
Now is a good time to update this information. Make sure that the formal general meeting invitations are sent to the current holders of these positions.
So, presidents and delegates, if you are hiding out there, we need to hear from you!
So if you are the president, or you have been appointed a delegate for your group, please do the following:
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Contact the WODL Membership Chair, Shirley Steele, at membership@wodl.on.ca with this information:
- Your name
- The name of the theatre that you represent
- Your position: president or delegate.
- Your email address
- Your phone number
- Your postal address
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Your contact information will only be used for official WODL purposes. | |
By Bev Dietrich, WODL Area VP for Waterloo, Wellington, bev@wodl.on.ca | |
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Calling all Playwrights!
Minifest is back!
July 25-26, 2025 in Binbrook!
We need you to write a play for us, as original scripts by local playwrights are actively sought for Minifest.
The play should be written for four to six actors, have a simple set, be one scene and run between 15 and 20 minutes. The play should offer opportunities for varied interpretations.
The selection of the play is based on its suitability for a workshop environment that may involve new directors, technicians and actors.
The play will be selected by a Minifest play reading committee and will be approved by the WODL board.
Please submit to Minifest chair at bev@wodl.on.ca by December 1, 2024.
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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 November newsletter, please send the information to communications@wodl.on.ca.
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What’s Happening in the Waterloo-Wellington Region | |
By Bev Dietrich, WODL Area VP for Waterloo-Wellington, bev@wodl.on.ca | |
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Cambridge Community Players
Auditions for Waiting for the Parade by John Murrell, directed by Rachel Kuipery will be held October 15-16 with callbacks on October 18.
Elmira Theatre Company
Auditions for Marion Bridge by Daniel MacIvor, directed by Robin Bennett will be held October 20-23 at St. James Lutheran Church.
https://elmiratheatre.com .
Guelph Little Theatre
The President’s Under Where? Written and directed by Steve Robinson runs October 24-November 3, 2024.
https://guelphlittletheatre.com
Kitchener Waterloo Little Theatre
Auditions for Pippin, music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, book by Roger O. Hirsch, directed by Rami Finkelshtein & Nadia Novikova are on October 6-8, 2024.
https://kwlt.org
Penny and Pound Theatre Productions
Sweeny Todd Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Book by Hugh Wheeler, directed by Lori Robinson Distel and Duncan Graham will run October 14-15, 2024, at The Tap Room in Cambridge.
Auditions for the world premiere of The Return: A Ghost Story by Piper J. Distel and Lori Robin Distel are on October 19 from 7-9:00 pm, Call back date is Sunday October 20.
https://penningandpoundtheatre.com
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What's Happening in the Brant-Haldimand-Norfolk-Oxford Region | |
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Paris Performers’ Theatre presents Stage Fright -A Halloween Cabaret Fundraiser on October 26 at 7:30 at St. Paul’s United Church in Paris. Arresting, spooky, and dark scenes, monologues and poems, plus music and dance. Costumes are encouraged.
Theatre Tillsonburg is accepting applications for the Academic Scholarship Program to be submitted by November 1. This $500 award will be presented to a student who has played a vital role in the success of Theatre Tillsonburg and who is pursuing studies at a post-secondary institute.
Theatre Woodstock opens its season with My Old Lady from October 17 to 27. Oxford Winds, a community orchestra, will be providing three young musicians to provide French themed music for patrons on Opening Night on October 18. New this year are “Thrifty Thursdays” (October 17 and 24 to begin with) which are only $20 per ticket.
Watch for lots of special events happening at Theatre Woodstock in the early part of November such as Sean McCann (of Great Big Sea fame) on Saturday, November 2 and Let’s Dance Canada on Sunday, November 3.
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What's Happening in the Bruce-Grey-Huron Region | |
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Owen Sound Little Theatre:
Auditions for The Play That Goes Wrong October 6 and October 7.
Directed by John Flynnè
Hanover Community Players
Love, Loss, and What I Wore auditions late September
Directed by Linda McKenzie. This is a joint production with The Kincardine Theatre Guild.
Some rehearsals in Hanover and some rehearsals in Kincardine. Some shows in Hanover and some in Kincardine.
Casting call for Bare Bear Bones October 21 and October 28
Directed by Linda McKenzie.
Kincardine Theatre Guild:
As above, the co-production with Hanover Community Players of Love, Loss and What I Wore.
Goderich Little Theatre:
Ordinary Magic-Young Players Fall 2024 Intake.
Coming soon, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
Directed by Jennifer Cousteils.
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Off the Wall - October Courses | |
By Michele Boniface, Chair, Off the Wall Stratford Artists Alliance, mboniface@cyg.net
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Check out these new books from Playwrights Canada Press!
Recently released:
Fall On Your Knees adapted by Alisa Palmer & Hannah Moscovitch
In an adaptation of the classic Canadian novel, this epic play follows three generations of a Cape Breton Island family in a tale of forbidden love, inescapable bonds, and devastating betrayals, all while harbouring secrets that threaten to shatter the family entirely.
First Métis Man of Odesa by Matthew MacKenzie & Mariya Khomutova
Based on actual events, First Métis Man of Odesa is the extraordinary true story of a whirlwind romance that withstands a global pandemic, a surprise pregnancy, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Transcending the usual tropes of documentary theatre, this heartwarming how-we-got-together tale turns art of the here and now into a catalyst for action and a hopeful ode for a better future.
Coming soon:
Niizh by Joelle Peters
Filled with Indigenous humour, small-town seasoning, and dream-world interludes, this heartwarming love story captures the bittersweet highs and lows of a rural teenage upbringing. A love letter to community, Niizh is a refreshing coming-of-age romcom about two young lovebirds leaving the nest.
+ see what else is coming soon!
Did you know you can browse our plays by subjects and casting?
Want to hear more about sales and upcoming events? Sign up for our newsletter!
You can find more new releases, a blog full of interviews and excerpts, and more on playwrightscanada.com.
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Looking for Rental Equipment for Your Next Event? | |
By Samadhi Perera, Horizon Solutions, samadhi@horizonsolutions.net |  | |
We've Got the Gear You Need! At Horizon Solutions, we understand the unique needs of theatre productions, and we're here to provide top-quality audio, video, and lighting equipment to bring your vision to life.
Whether you're preparing for a small play or a large-scale performance, our rental gear is designed to meet your technical demands. From wireless microphones to complete lighting setups, Horizon Solutions has the equipment you need to make your production shine. Whether you're staging an intimate play or a full-scale performance, our wide range of audio, video, and lighting rentals are tailored to meet the demands of your theatre production.
With our updated website, it's now easier than ever for theatre production companies to browse equipment and request a quote. Simply visit our rental page, choose what you need, and submit a quote request in just a few clicks. Our team is ready to help you find the perfect setup for your next show.
Take your production to the next level with Horizon Solutions' reliable, professional equipment!
Contact our rental department: rentals@horizonsolutions.net
519.453.3368
Visit our website www.horizonsolutions.net/rentals
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Playwrights Guild of Canada - Canadian Play Outlet | |
Concord Theatricals New Plays | |
If you are Producing Canadian Plays this Season - Check This Out | |
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
Please let our membership chair, Shirley Steele, know at membership@wodl.on.ca
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Deadline for submissions for the November newsletter. | |
Victoria Day Long Weekend, 15 - 18 May 2025 | |
WODL Festival 2025, Leamington. | |
Victoria Day Long Weekend, Sunday 18 May 2025 | |
Awards brunch, Leamington. | |
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This newsletter was prepared by:
Tricia Ward
Communications coordinator
WODL
Western Ontario Drama League | communications@wodl.on.ca | www.wodl.on.ca
Copyright © Western Ontario Drama League 2024. All Rights Reserved.
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