FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

PLAYWRIGHTS GUILD OF CANADA LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE

May 31, 2011 – Toronto, Ontario… Thanks to project funding received from the Ontario Arts Council, Playwrights Guild of Canada launches a new, user-friendly website to members and the general public – www.playwrightsguild.ca.

Says Executive Director of PGC, Robin Sokoloski: “This is a landmark occasion for PGC. Our new website will enhance the services of PGC; and make PGC more accessible to its members and the public.”

A visitor to the website will be able to purchase plays directly online, book

Canada Council Playwright Readings, obtain amateur production rights and register for events. Additionally, PGC members will have access to their own profile page, making it easier to update their bio, promote their work, list their upcoming productions and connect with other members.

Playwrights Guild of Canada is a registered national arts service association mandated to advance the creative rights and interests of professional Canadian playwrights, promote Canadian plays nationally and internationally, and foster an active, evolving community of writers for the stage.

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Contact 

Kadon Douglas

Communications Coordinator

Playwrights Guild of Canada 

Kadon@playwrightsguild.ca  

416-703-0201

www.playwrightsguild.ca

Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts Announces

32^ND ANNUAL DORA MAVOR MOORE AWARDS

Monday June 27, 2011

Toronto, May 9, 2011 - The Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA) proudly announces that the 32nd annual Dora Mavor Moore Awards, celebrating extraordinary Toronto talent in the performing arts, will take place on Monday, June 27 at 8pm at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts in the Bluma Appel Theatre.

The awards will be co-hosted by Gemini-nominated comedian/writer/actor Craig Lauzon of CBC-TV’s Royal Canadian Air Farce and actress Michaela Washburn, Dora-nominated for her principal role in Theatre Passe Muraille’s Such Creatures. Dora-winning playwright Chris Earle pens the script for the first time while Sandra Lefrançois returns for a second time to direct. Lighting is by nine-time Dora winner Andrea Lundy who returns for the tenth consecutive year.

New this year is a Red Carpet outside the entrance to the theatre where guests will be given star treatment as they arrive for this glamorous night, greeted by the marvelous award-winning stage, screen and radio veteran Elley-Ray Hennessy, and Dora-nominated Colin Doyle (2008 & 2010 NOW Magazine “Artist to Watch”). The Red Carpet runs from 7:15-8pm. The always fabulous After-Party will, for the second year in a row, transform Front Street into a giant street party in front of the theatre. This year, the pre-show VIP reception will be held at the elegant and well appointed Lower Lobby at The Sony Centre for the Performing Arts.

Canadian Comedy Award- and Gemini-nominated Craig Lauzon has written and performed for CBC’s Royal Canadian Air Farce, and co-wrote the 2006 Gemini industry night gala events. He is a member of the all-First Nations comedy troupe Tonto’s Nephews and recently toured with Lorne Cardinal in Thunderstick. A graduate of The Second City’s Conservatory, Michaela Washburn’s theatre credits include Such Creatures (Dora nomination, Theatre Passe Muraille) and Death of a Chief (Native Earth Performing Arts/National Arts Centre). She appears in Soulpepper’s upcoming production of Judith Thompson’s White Biting Dog in August 2011.

Chris Earle is a Canadian Comedy and Dora Award-winning playwright (Radio :30), actor, director and Co-Artistic Director of the night kitchen. He recently wrote and directed Puppetmongers’ Hard Times and directed Second City’s Something Wicked Awesome This Way Comes.

The Doras are named for Dora Mavor Moore (1888 – 1979), a well-loved teacher and director who helped establish Canadian professional theatre in the 1930s and 1940s. Recognizing the outstanding achievements in Toronto’s performing arts industry, the Doras honour the creators of over 200 theatre, dance and opera productions annually in the following Divisions: General Theatre, Independent Theatre, Musical Theatre, Dance, Opera and Theatre for Young Audiences.

The Dora Mavor Moore Awards are administered by the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA). In addition to the Doras, other  programs and services provided by TAPA include: T.O. TIX – Toronto’s Official One Stop Ticket Shop at Yonge-Dundas Square and online at www.totix.ca; 5 STAR EXPERIENCE Theatre & Dining Packages, Toronto’s official Theatre Guide; hipTIX, offering $5 tickets to students between the ages of 15 and 29; citySPECIAL,; the Commercial Theatre Development Fund; and the Travel Retreat Initiatives Program – TRIP. For more information visit www.tapa.ca and www.totix.ca.

32nd ANNUAL DORA MAVOR MOORE AWARDS

Toronto’s Theatre, Dance and Opera Awards

Monday June 27, 2011

Hosted by Craig Lauzon and Michaela Washburn

6pm-7:30pm Pre-Show VIP Reception at The Sony Centre for the Performing Arts

8pm Dora Mavor Moore Awards Show at the Bluma Appel Theatre at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, 27 Front St. E.
10:30pm After-Party Under the Stars outside the St.Lawrence Centre on Front Street

Directed by Sandra Lefrançois
Written by Chris Earle
Lighting Design: Andrea Lundy

Producer: Jacoba Knaapen
Regular Tickets: $65. Call the Box Office at 416-366-7723
VIP Tickets: $165. Call 416-536-6468 ext 27
For information visit www.tapa.ca

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Emil Sher - Hana’s Suitcase (Based on the Book by Karen Levine)
Kaleidoscope Theatre, Metro Studio Theatre
April 29-May 8
 
Norm Foster -  Kiss the Moon, Kiss the Sun
Theatre Northwest 
April 14-May 1st
 
Daniel MacIvor – A Beautiful View
Centaur Theatre Company
A Ruby Slippers Theatre Production
April 19-May 22
 
Linda A. Carson, Jill Daum, Alison Kelly, Robin Nichol, Barbara Pollard
Mom’s the Word – For Crying Out Loud.
Theatre Calgary 
April 26 – May 21
 
Chris Craddock - Public Speaking April 21st- May 8th at Theatre Network.

Jumping Mouse, an adaptation of a traditional story co-written by Columpa C. Bobb and Marion de Vries, is being produced by Centre for Indigenous Theatre (a professional training program in indigenous performance) May 12-14 at 7 pm and May 15 at 2 pm, Helen Gardner Phelan Playhouse, 79A St. George Street, Toronto. $10 or PWYC at the door

Dan Needles - Wingfield Lost and Found  April 21st- May 8th at Prairie Theatre Exchange.
 
Connie Massings - adaptation of W.O. Mitchell’s Jake and the Kid
Globe Theatre 
April 27-May 15 
 
Daniel MacIvor and Daniel Brooks - This Is What Happens Next
Great Canadian Theatre Company
May 24, 2011 – June 12, 2011

Norm Foster and Leslie Arden –  Ned Durango
The Lighthouse Festival Theatre
May 31-June 18

Joan Macleod – The Shape of a Girl
Produced by Greenthumb Theatre 
At Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People (LKTYP) 
May 11-19

Robert Chafe – Emile’s Dream
LSPU Hall – Resource Centre for the Arts
May 3-8
Supernova Festival, Eastern Front Theatre
May 18-22

Jeff Pitcher – Ed & Ed’s B&B
Theatre Newfoundland Labrador, Corner Brook
May 26 – Sept 2

Robert Chafe – Tempting Providence
Theatre Newfoundland Labrador, Corner Brook
Opens May 27 – Sept 4

AMAZING Community Productions in a City Near You

David Copelin’s play The Angel Capone will be done by the Holy Blossom Temple Stagecraft Company in Toronto on May 26, 28 and 29, 2011.

Peter Colley’s I’ll Be Back Before Midnight will be performed at Otter Valley Playhouse, Tillsonburg, ON, from May 5th – May 15th.

Joanna McClelland Glass’ If We Are Women will be performed at North Vancouver Community Players, from April 7th – May 30th.

Laurent Goulet’s Burglaries in Progress will be performed at Lucknow Town Hall, Lucknow, ON, from April 29th – May 7th.

Daniel MacIvor’s Marion Bridge will be performed at Banff Centre - Margaret Greenham Theatre, from May 20th – May 21st.

Daniel MacIvor’s Never Swim Alone will be performed at Hardline Studios, Vancouver, BC, from May 20th – May 29th.

David Belke’s Another Two Hander or Two will be performed at Revelstoke Community Centre, Revelstoke, BC, from May 5th – May 21st.

Lyle Victor Albert’s Cut! will be performed at Regina Performing Arts Centre, from May 6th – May 24th.

Marion de Vries’ Jumping Mouse will be performed at the Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse, from May 12th – May 15th.

Daniel MacIvor’s This Is A Play will be performed at the Rowing Club, Brockville, ON, from May 6th – May 8th.

Robert Dow’s The Dressing Gown will be performed at Melfort Amateur Dramatics, Melfort, SK, from May 12th – May 14th.

David Copelin’s play The Angel Capone will be done by the Holy Blossom Temple Stagecraft Company in Toronto on May 26, 28 and 29, 2011.

Peter Colley’s I’ll Be Back Before Midnight will be performed at Otter Valley Playhouse, Tillsonburg, ON, from May 5th – May 15th.

Joanna McClelland Glass’ If We Are Women will be performed at North Vancouver Community Players, from April 7th – May 30th.

Laurent Goulet’s Burglaries in Progress will be performed at Lucknow Town Hall, Lucknow, ON, from April 29th – May 7th.

Daniel MacIvor’s Marion Bridge will be performed at Banff Centre - Margaret Greenham Theatre, from May 20th – May 21st.

Daniel MacIvor’s Never Swim Alone will be performed at Hardline Studios, Vancouver, BC, from May 20th – May 29th.

David Belke’s Another Two Hander or Two will be performed at Revelstoke Community Centre, Revelstoke, BC, from May 5th – May 21st.

Lyle Victor Albert’s Cut! will be performed at Regina Performing Arts Centre, from May 6th – May 24th.

Marion de Vries’ Jumping Mouse will be performed at the Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse, from May 12th – May 15th.

Daniel MacIvor’s This Is A Play will be performed at the Rowing Club, Brockville, ON, from May 6th – May 8th.

Robert Dow’s The Dressing Gown will be performed at Melfort Amateur Dramatics, Melfort, SK, from May 12th – May 14th.

Robert Chafe May 4th – 7 pm – at Playwrights’ Studio, Montreal, QC.

Peter Anderson May 12th – 6 pm – at Books & Company, Picton, ON.

Beth Graham & Daniela Vlaskalic May 16th – 2:30 pm – at Citadel Theatre, Edmonton, AB.

C.E. Gatchalian May 19th – 7 pm – at Little Sister’s Book and Art
Emporium, Vancouver, BC.

Emil Sher May 20th – 2 pm – at The Curtain Club Theatre, Richmond Hill,
ON.

C.E. Gatchalian May 27th – 6 pm – at University of New Brunswick,
Fredericton, NB.

Celia McBride May 29th – 2 pm – at Intrepid Theatre Club, Victoria, BC.

THEATRE SECTION

Grants to Playwrights Program

Wednesday June 1^st, 2011

5:30-7:00 pm

The Toronto Arts Council and Playwrights Guild of Canada will host a grant writing workshop to assist writers planning to apply to the Toronto Arts Council’s Grants to Playwrights Program. This is an information session for playwrights with very little grant writing experience and/or knowledge of Toronto Arts Council programs.

The Grants to Playwrights Program supports writers in the creation of new works or works-in-progress for stage or radio plays. Emerging, mid-career and senior playwrights can apply. The next deadline for applications is June15th, 2011.

Applications are available on line at: www.torontoartscouncil.org

The workshop is free but all participants must register

Registration is limited.

Location

Playwrights Guild of Canada

210-215 Spadina Ave.

 (near corner of Spadina and Queen)

To register email margo@torontoartscouncil.org  by May 30th

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.

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.

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

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