Western Ontario Drama League |
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Newsletter September 2021 |
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- Update from the President of WODL
- New Life member of WODL - Brandon Moore
- WODL Membership Fees for 2021 - 2022
- WODL Workshops Team
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Free Presentations from Off the Wall for WODL Members- Postponed
- Update on COVID Precautions for Theatres
- Food and Drink at the Theatre - During Covid
- Guelph Little Theatre 85th Anniversary
- Community Theatre in the WODL Region
- Off the Wall - Fall 2021 Weekend 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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Fall has always been my favourite season – a fresh start with a new school year, less humid but still warm sunshine and gardens that are their peak. In recent years, the end of summer comes with a trip to Niagara-on-the-Lake to see all the Shaw plays (a season’s pass is a great deal), shop, tour wineries and visit with friends. The picture is from the Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Club – a favourite lunch spot at the water’s edge.
Our first production was Flush – the “lunch time” play at the Royal George Theatre. I was so happy to be in an audience waiting to see a performance that I forgot to take a picture of the pre-performance stage. And there was an added treat – seeing friends whom we had not seen since before the pandemic. The cancellation of an outdoor performance of The Devil’s Disciple highlighted one of the many challenges of presenting theatre during these times.
Throughout WODL, our members and their audiences are having similar experiences, as one by one our members open their theatres to audiences and experience the joys of performing for an in-person audience.
WODL General Meeting – Sunday, August 8, 2021 - Highlights
Thank you to all who were able to attend our Annual General Meeting via Zoom. It was great to see everyone virtually. Highlights from the meeting include:
- WODL meetings for 2021/2022 are scheduled via Zoom. Before each meeting, the board will consider whether or not it is feasible to meet in person.
- Peter Busby, Treasurer reported that WODL continues to have “liquidity and stability in its financial affairs”.
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Tricia Ward keeps us all informed through the WODL newsletter and WODL social media. Mary Jane Walzak, Webmaster, continues to keep WODL’s new website up to date. Please send updates to communications@wodl.on.ca.
- Terri Graham is leading a group with Ken Menzies and Bev Dietrich to explore options for how we can best support you as you re-open in 2021/2022. Look for Terri’s report in the newsletter.
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Off the Wall Workshops which were scheduled for September have been postponed until later in the fall. As soon as we know the new dates, we will let everyone know. In the next week or so, Mona will contact everyone who has registered by email to let them know about the delay as we transition the management of these workshops to Terri and her team.
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WODL Archives – Bev Dietrich is almost finished collecting WODL archives and preparing them to go to the University of Guelph. This will be an open collection available for WODL to borrow from as needed.
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Brandon Moore was once again our guest speaker. Brandon was formerly Community Theatre and Communications Manager at Theatre Ontario and has served for over fifteen years as a member of the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training, and Skills Development's Advisory Committee for Live Performance. Brandon provided an update on this committee’s work on developing occupational health and safety guidelines for live performance. Even though only some WODL theatres are employers in the legal sense of the word, these guidelines will be helpful for all community theatres.
- At the end of Brandon’s presentation, Sue Perkins, Life Members Chair thanked Brandon and then surprised him with an Honorary Life Membership in recognition of his continuing support of community theatre in WODL and beyond. Look for Sue’s report in the newsletter. It was lovely to watch the surprise on Brandon’s face as it dawned on him that he was the newest Honorary Life member.
- Brian Otto started a lively discussion of how to attract younger people to the theatre. There was a common theme in all the ideas – make sure the newcomers are welcomed and made to feel valued. Thanks Brian!!
If you would like a copy of the draft minutes of this meeting, please contact the WODL Secretary. secretary@wodl.on.ca.
What’s Next For WODL
WODL General Meeting – Save the Date
Our next General Meeting is on Sunday, October 17, 2021 at 11:00 am via Zoom.
Watch for information and minutes from the February 2021 general meeting etc. from our Secretary, Pam Niesiobedzki-Curtis, in late September.
Highlights include:
- Terri Graham will present updates on her team’s program for supporting WODL members as they reopen in 2021-2022.
- Brandon Moore will be our guest and provide further updates from the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training, and Skills Development's Advisory Committee for Live Performance.
- An opportunity for attendees to ask and answer questions.
I look forward to seeing you in October!
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New Life member of WODL - Brandon Moore |
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From the speech given by Sue Perkins to the WODL AGM on Sunday 8 August 2021 on Zoom:
We are appointing one Life Member in 2021…
Someone who has undoubtedly excelled in keeping the spirit of theatre alive in our communities all over Ontario. One of the finest advocates for community theatre we have all had the pleasure to meet and get to know. His door was always open. He was always willing to answer questions with well thought out and accurate answers.
He helped our Adjudications Chair, and through him the WODL board, by organizing the Theatre Ontario training courses for adjudicators and trial adjudications. It is through them that several of our recent adjudicators have come to our attention. He also organized an adjudicators’ forum which has helped adjudicators stay in touch with each other and exchange ideas. He is both knowledgeable and personable.
He provided assistance when needed and created an incredible resource through the Theatre Ontario website which was of great use to members of community theatre. We could always count him on to support us. He attended our WODL Festivals and was always involved with those around him. He also has an incredible talent as an actor and director. So many WODL members -- and those of the other regions -- got to know him as a friend and a mentor.
Brandon Moore, of course -- and WODL is pleased to present him with an Honorary Life Membership in WODL with our heartfelt thanks for “Keeping the Spirit of Theatre Alive” this past year and a half.
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WODL Membership Fees for 2021 - 2022 |
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Most of us have been afflicted with inactivity over the past year, with corresponding reductions of revenue. Considering this, and that WODL will not be conducting a normal sequence of activities this year, the Board has recommended, and the Membership at the AGM has endorsed, reducing the Group Membership Fee for this year to a nominal $15.
Invoices will be sent to the current Treasury contacts that I have for each group. If there has been a change of persons, please let me know at treasurer@wodl.on.ca
All being equitable, we should be fairly back in business before the next AGM. Best wishes to all, and break legs for a lot of tragicomedic productions this year.
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We are gathering materials to present the following workshops, and many more, for all interested members of WODL, in small groups or on Zoom meetings depending on the presenter’s availability and the scope of the workshop.
These are not in specific order; as we finalize presenters, we will be promoting the workshops on social media, via email and in the newsletter:
- Ontario COVID laws and community theatres – how to restart live theatre after a pandemic
- Grant writing – what to look for in a theatre grant and how to get that money flowing!!
- Voice and Movement – after being off for so long; what to do at auditions, how to move onstage and project those pipes again
- Set Design and Costume Design (scheduled with Off the Wall, these will be available once the presenters are available again)
- Gaining Young Members – how to get the younger generations involved in local theatre to have strength and continuity, and to teach the craft we love so much
- How to use social media to “get” your audience
If there is a specific workshop that your group would like to host in person or on zoom, please let us know. You can reach our team at workshops@wodl.on.ca
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Free Presentations from Off the Wall for WODL Members - Postponed |
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The free workshops by Off the Wall which were scheduled for September have been postponed until later in the fall.
Anyone who has registered for these workshops will receive an email notification.
The Workshops Team will reschedule these workshops and let us know when they will take place.
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Update on COVID Precautions for Theatres |
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On August 17, the Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health announced that the move from Step 3 of the Roadmap to Reopen to the Exit Step will be paused based on the evolving data around the transmissibility of the Delta variant and the recent experiences of other jurisdictions.
This means that theatres planning for Fall re-openings will need to comply with all of the Step 3 requirements, including:
- Indoor seating capacity must not exceed 50 per cent of the usual seating capacity for the venue (or 1000 persons) and must be posted
- Face coverings or masks and physical distancing required indoors (with the exception that face coverings and masks are not required when performing or rehearsing in a theatrical performance)
- Personal protective equipment (such as medical masks or face shields) required indoors for any worker who may come within two meters of a member of the public who is not wearing a face covering or mask
- Performing active screening of workers and passive screening of patrons
- Requiring all attendees to have made reservations
- Ensuring physical distancing for outdoor lineups and physical distancing and face coverings for indoor lineups
- Ensuring performers maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from any spectators or are separated from any spectators by plexiglass or some other impermeable barrier
- Ensuring any washrooms or similar amenities made available to the public and any equipment that is provided for the use of members of the public (such as payment terminals) be cleaned and disinfected as frequently as is necessary to maintain a sanitary condition
- Having a written safety plan that addresses screening, physical distancing, masks or face coverings, cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces and objects, the wearing of personal protective equipment and preventing and controlling crowding
Theatres that plan any activities involving food or drink should also consult the provincial guidelines for restaurants and bars and food service.
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Food and Drink at the Theatre - During Covid |
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We are all itching to get back to live theatre, and the sooner the better!! There will be many precautions that we will all need to consider, as we turn the ghost lights off again to protect our casts, crews and our beloved patrons. Brandon Moore is giving us very important updates for what the government is requiring regarding patron numbers, stage precautions for musicals, etc. One other important aspect we need to consider is the concession stand.
At this time there is not much that the government is saying regarding food and drink in their updates, but from a food industry perspective, there are some firm narratives we must be aware of. For example, at an event hall, if you have a bar or food being served you can have less patrons and the physical distancing is even higher than if it were just a performance without food and drink. If you have a smaller venue you may want to consider just having bottled water available for patrons who need it, as this could mean a huge difference in your maximum attendee numbers.
The type of food is also a concern when opening back up those concession stands. If you serve food that is typically not packaged, you would need to have it packaged in individual portions for cookies, chips, chocolate, etc.
The wait line is also a concern depending on where your concession stand is. At our theatre in Paris, there is a very small area that we would normally have for pre-, and post-, show and intermission gathering. We are looking at the viability of not having it at all and having two stations at the sides of the theatre, or having someone walk the aisles so that patrons can stay in their seats to have snacks for intermission.
We would look at limiting snacks and drinks so there is no open liquids. Coffee would need to have a lid, and we would potentially be not serving alcohol at this time to eliminate that factor as well. Limiting this would definitely hinder our profits at the concession but if it makes the day safer for our patrons, we are doing what it takes to make that happen and keep our theatre open.
For those that operate dinner theatres, this may be a hard decision to make at this time, as they will definitely need major overhauls. Buffet style and self serve stations are allowed in some restaurants but there are strict adherences that must be followed and may not cross over to theatres.
I am looking into the ramifications for theatres specifically and will be hoping to have more definitive answers for the next newsletter.
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Guelph Little Theatre 85th Anniversary |
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85th Anniversary Covid style
A book of memories, historical information, interviews and a poem!
Guelph Little Theatre has a book with all this!
A fundraiser in these trying times and a distanced celebration.
For more information contact GLT at:
519-821-0270 or
Cost is $20.
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Community Theatre in the WODL Region |
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Several WODL member groups are keeping active during this time. A good place to find out about these activities is on 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 June newsletter, please send the information to communications@wodl.on.ca.
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Off the Wall - Fall 2021 Weekend Workshops |
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By Michele Boniface, Chair, Off the Wall Stratford Artists Alliance, mboniface@cyg.net
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Hashtags: #stratfordoffthewall #theatreproduction #backstage
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New Plays from the Playwrights Canada Press |
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Playwrights Canada Press has just released new editions of ebooks of classic Canadian plays! You can now purchase ebooks of plays such as The Drawer Boy, The December Man, East of Berlin, Half Life, and more! Click here for more information.
Check out these new releases from Playwrights Canada Press:
Andy’s Gone by Marie-Claude Verdier, translated by Alexis Diamond
A princess threatens to expose the truth behind her cousin’s death and the storm outside her kingdom’s walls in this contemporary retelling of Antigone for young adults.
The archetypal student-teacher romance is cleverly turned on its head for the post-#MeToo era.
Coming soon:
A Black teen goes on a journey through the afterlife.
A dark comedy about the nature of faith.
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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 October 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 2021. All Rights Reserved.
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