Press Release: Fenulla Jiwani’s PAUL AND PRIYA’S WEDDING

On Saturday April 30th a musical and theatrical extravaganza that brings the sights, sounds and celebration of an Indian wedding to the stage will dazzle audiences at the Pearson Convention Centre.

Paul & Priya’s Wedding Inc. presents a live interactive dinner theatre production that has been 6 months in the making. Featuring a cast of over 50 Canadian actors, singers and dancers, this unique event is the first of it’s kind and promises to keep hands clapping, toes tapping and mouths smiling the entire night.

Picture this: a career-oriented fashionista (Priya) born and raised in the suburbs of Toronto falls in love with a quirky young man (Paul) who was born and raised in rural Punjab, India. When the two families finally meet, not only do they stumble over their cultural differences, but also they also soon realize that their visions for the wedding are anything but similar. The bride’s side envisions a lavish country club wedding, and are ready to roll out the red carpet for their only child. The budget-conscious groom’s side, on the other hand are wanting nothing more than a small party at the local community centre. Regardless, once Paul’s parents arrive from India, everyone is ‘all smiles’ for the camera at the wedding ceremony. That is of course, until a deep dark secret is revealed at the reception. Add a charismatic MC, a jealous bridesmaid, partying best men, a scheming grandmother and a rowdy uncle to the mix, and you’ve got the recipe for a series of events that everyone will be capturing on their iPhones!

Paul & Priya’s Wedding stars Fenulla Jiwani (30 Dates), Jazz Mann (Raju’s Blind Date, Bollywood Hollywood) plus 10 principal actors and a supporting cast of 35 actors/ dancers. The sold out premiere show takes place on Saturday, April 30th and the next show is on Friday June 17th at Pearson Convention Centre in Brampton. Tickets are $101 (maximum interaction) and $81 (limited interaction). For further information on the event or to purchase tickets please visit www.paulwedspriya.com or www.ticketweb.ca.

THE LOCOMOTION: Ontario Playwrights Master Class Series (2010/11) presents Judith Thompson

Judith Thompson finishes off the 2010/2011 Ontario Playwrights Master Class Series with “How to Do Exceptional Readings of Your Own Scripts” on May 16, 2011.

Judith Thompson

Source: Playwrights Canada Press

Judith Thompson is one of Canada’s most respected playwrights. Her plays are performed across the country and internationally. She has twice won the Governor General’s Award and the Chalmers Award. She was also awarded the Walter Carsen Prize for Excellence in the Performing Arts and the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize. Judith’s many plays include White Biting Dog, The Other Side of the Dark, I am Yours, Lion in the Streets, Perfect Pie and Such Creatures. Judith lives in Toronto with her husband and five children, and teaches at the University of Guelph.

Workshop Description:

You do readings to promote your work … make those readings work for you!

Learn from one of Canada’s greatest playwrights and most compelling readers how to read your scripts to engage an audience.

To register, contact PGC today!

$25 for members

$35 for non-members

* A fee of $1.50 will be added for payments by credit card

Contact Robin at robin@playwrightsguild.ca or 416-703-0201 to register.

Where: 215 Spadina Ave, Ste 210 (Toronto, ON)

When: May 16, 2011 – 6 p.m. TO 8 p.m.

PLAYWRIGHTS: Getting Down To Business

On June 3, 2011 Playwrights Guild of Canada will hosts a series of workshops on marketing, networking, self-producing, publishing and professional development at its offices on 215 Spadina Ave (Toronto, ON).

This event will include workshops facilitated by some of Canada’s top playwrights, artistic directors and dramaturgs: Maja Ardal, Michael Petrasek, Bruce Barton, Joanna Falck, Stephen Colella, Erica Kopyto, Michael Wheeler and Lisa O’Connell. Also Annie Gibson of Playwrights Canada Press will be available to speak with you one-on-one about publishing during the lunch hour.

Playwrights: Getting Down to Business will be a great opportunity for you to develop your craft and take your career as a playwright to another level.

Where: 215 Spadina Ave, Toronto Ontario

When: June 3, 2011 – 9.30 a.m. TO 5.00 p.m.

RATES:

PGC Members/Students  - Full day & lunch  - $70

PGC Members/Students  - Single Workshop – $25

Non-Members  - Full day & lunch  - $90

Non-Members  - Single Workshop – $35

For full details on workshops and facilitators: http://playwrightsguild.ca/pgc/news_docs/PGDTBdetails.pdf

Registration form: http://playwrightsguild.ca/pgc/news_docs/PGDTBreg.pdf

For more information contact Robin Sokoloski (Executive Director) robin@playwrightsguild.ca / 416-703-0201

PGC Annual General Meeting 2011 – ALL ARE WELCOME

Playwrights Guild of Canada invites you to its annual general meeting on June 5, 2011 at Lower Ossington Theatre (100 Ossington Ave, Toronto, ON), 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

This is a free event, open to the general public. Great networking opportunity!

Please see flyer below or view link.

http://playwrightsguild.ca/pgc/news_docs/AGM2011.pdf

4th Line Theatre’s ARTISTS TALKS Series Continues …

4th Line Theatre’s Artists Talks series continues with Director Kim Blackwell and Playwright Drew Hayden Taylor.

April 17th, 2:00 P.M. at the Peterborough Museum & Archives.  To reserve your seat call the Museum at 705-743-5180.

Kim Blackwell

Drew Hayden Taylor

Admission is free, though seating is limited.  Reservations are recommended.  There is plenty of free parking available and the Museum is fully accessible.  For more information on this free event or to buy tickets to The Berlin Blues or The Cavan Blazers, contact the Museum at 705-743-5180, 4th Line Theatre at 705-932-4448, Kent Books in Lindsay at 705-328-1600 or visit www.4thlinetheatre.on.ca.

The Berlin Blues will run Tuesday to Saturday on the Barnyard Stage from June 28th until July 23rd. Previews are June 28th and 29th and there will be an added performance Monday July 18th.

For more information visit:

4th Line Theatre

Trey Anthony’s ‘DA KINK Returns to the Stage

Canadian playwright, and producer Trey Anthony returns to the stage with her successful play ‘da kink in my hair August 8th 2011.

Tickets go on sale April 7, 2011. Call 416-973-4000 for more details or visit Trey’s Facebook page: http://on.fb.me/eKb4gO

 

‘da kink debuted in 2001 at the Toronto Fringe Festival; it has gone on to show in LA, England and New York. The play has also won 4 NAACP awards and has been named as one of the top ten plays in Canadian theatrical history. ‘da kink is also the first Canadian play to be produced at the prestigious Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto.

In 2007 ‘da kink was adapted as a weekly television series on Canadian television network Global.

“Since Mama Done Got Off the Couch”

For The First Time in Canada!

Black Theatre Workshop’s

“Since Mama Done Got Off The Couch!”

Playwright & Performer Seminar Conference

 

Now Accepting Submissions – Deadline April 18th

Calling all playwrights & performers!

Would you like to work with some of North America’s best artists in a one on one intimate seminar? There are only 30 spots available for the intimate seminars with our honoured panelists on May 28th.

Go to our website www.blacktheatreworkshop.ca and fill out a Seminar Sign-Up Sheet to apply today!

 

* BTW encourages members of the diverse theatre community to apply.

 

** Or if you would like to participate in the Q&A panel discussion on May 27th

 

Call us to purchase tickets!

 

In celebration of its 40 years of service as well as the 50th anniversary of Lorraine Hansberry’s ground breaking work, Since Mama Done Got Off the Couch! offers theatre aficionados and laymen alike the opportunity to explore the evolution of the African voice in North American and Western theatre – from the honoured tradition of the “kitchen sink drama” to the power and passion of “dub-theatre”.

 

May 27th – An interactive discussion with our esteemed panelists and then stay for our opening reception where you will have the opportunity to network & further discuss the topics of the day.

 

May 28th – Writers’ seminars for emerging playwrights offering the possibility of one-on-one sessions with our esteemed panelists. A unique opportunity to receive critiques and guidance from some of North America’s best.

 

To participate in seminar: $50 (incl. entry to panel discussion & reception) Tickets for panel discussion and reception: $40

TEST – a short play on love and LARPing

A short play about love and LARPing

Written by Stephen Near
Directed by Phil Rickaby
Starring Adrianna Prosser and Leeman Kessler
Produced by Monkeyman Productions (as part of the Simian Showcase)
http://monkeymanproductions.com/past-and-future/the-simian-showcase/

Evening shows at 8pm on April 8th, 9th, 15th, and 16th
Matinée at 2pm on April 10th – Late-night show at 11pm on April 16th
Where: The “Back Of Ye Pub” at The Imperial Pub, 54 Dundas St. E., Toronto.
Price: $10 admission – tickets available at the door

2011 Herman Voaden Playwriting Competition

Deadline April 15, 2011

First Prize $3000

Second Prize $2000

and 8 honourable mentions

 

Guidelines

1. Open to any Canadian citizen or Landed Immigrant
2. Only ONE play per playwright can be submitted
3. Only FULL LENGTH plays in English
4. Plays cannot have been produced, published, contracted or commissioned by a professional theatre

 

For more information: http://bit.ly/fHN5Sf

The 2011 Glassco Playwrights’ Residency in Tadoussac (QC)

The Glassco Playwrights’ Residency in Tadoussac, September 14 – 25, 2011,  focuses on translations of contemporary French and English plays from Quebec and Canada (plays in other languages will also be considered).

The 2011 Tadoussac Residency will be hosted by renowned translator Linda Gaboriau, ‘one of the country’s most respected translators and Governor General Award winner’.
Contact Emma Tibaldo (emma@playwrights.ca) or click HERE for more information.
Deadline for sending in submissions: April 15, 2011