WODL July 2024 newsletter

Having trouble Viewing this email? Click here to view as a Webpage

Western Ontario Drama League

WODL

Newsletter July 2024

In this Issue:

What the Prez Sez
Adjudications Update
Interested in Participating on the WODL Board of Directors?
Community Theatre in the WODL Region
What's on this Month in the Waterloo-Wellington Region
What's Happening in the Brant-Haldimand-Norfolk-Oxford Region
What's Happening in the Bruce-Grey-Huron Region
Supporting Performing Arts in Rural and Remote Communities (SPARC)
Off the Wall - Summer Courses
Playwrights Canada Press
Unlock Grant Funding for your Theatre - Horizon Solutions
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

Quick Links

Join our mailing list

Share This Email

What the Prez Sez

By Linda Lloyd McKenzie, WODL President, president@wodl.on.ca

The Heartbeat of Community Theatre: Volunteers

Community theatre thrives on the dedication and enthusiasm of volunteers who bring diverse talents and perspectives to the stage. Here’s why volunteers are so essential and how they contribute to the magic of our productions:

Diverse Skills and Contributions

Volunteers bring a wide range of skills that enrich every aspect of theatre production:

Acting and Directing: Many volunteers are passionate performers or directors who bring characters to life and shape the artistic vision.

Behind the Scenes: From set design and construction to lighting, sound, and costume creation, volunteers ensure every detail enhances the production.

Administrative Support: Volunteers help with ticket sales, marketing, fundraising, and front-of-house operations, ensuring smooth performances and a welcoming atmosphere.

Building Community and Connections

Community theatre is more than just performances; it’s about building connections and a sense of belonging:

Networking: Volunteers connect with like-minded individuals who share a passion for theatre, forming friendships and professional relationships.

Community Engagement: By involving volunteers from diverse backgrounds, community theatre reflects and celebrates the community it serves.

Learning and Growth Opportunities

Volunteering in community theatre offers valuable learning experiences and personal growth:

Skill Development: Volunteers gain practical skills in theatre production, from technical expertise to project management and teamwork.

Personal Fulfillment: Contributing to a successful production provides a sense of accomplishment and pride, boosting self-confidence and creativity.

Supporting Accessibility and Inclusivity

Volunteers play a crucial role in making theatre accessible to all members of the community:

Diversity and Inclusion: By involving volunteers of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities, community theatre reflects the diversity of its audience.

Accessibility Initiatives: Volunteers help implement accessibility measures, ensuring everyone can enjoy and participate in theatrical experiences.

Recognition and Appreciation

Recognizing volunteers’ efforts and showing appreciation fosters a supportive and vibrant theatre community:

Celebrating Achievements: Highlighting volunteers’ contributions through awards, acknowledgments, and social media spotlights.

Feedback and Engagement: Regularly seeking volunteers’ input and feedback enhances communication and strengthens community bonds.

Sustaining Community Theatre’s Future

Volunteers are instrumental in ensuring the long-term sustainability and success of community theatre:

Recruitment and Retention: Actively recruiting new volunteers and cultivating a welcoming environment encourages ongoing participation.

Planning for the Future: Engaging volunteers in strategic planning and succession ensures continuity and innovation in theatre programming.

In conclusion, volunteers are the heart and soul of community theatre, embodying creativity, dedication, and community spirit. Their invaluable contributions make each production a collaborative masterpiece and enrich the cultural fabric of our community. Whether you’re considering volunteering yourself or simply want to celebrate those who do, remember that community theatre thrives because of its volunteers.

Join us in celebrating the unsung heroes behind the curtain—our volunteers!

Adjudications Update

By Ken Menzies, WODL Adjudications Chair, adjudications@wodl.on.ca

There are two adjudications periods next dramatic season. The first is September from the Tuesday after Labour day, September 3, 2014, to the end of September, Monday, September 30, 2024. The other period starts after a short black out when there are no adjudications, on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, October 15, 2024, and runs until Sunday April 6, 2025.

There will be a 3-play Festival in Leamington which will be hosted by the Bank Theatre. It is on the Victoria day weekend and runs from Thursday, May 15, 2025, to Saturday, May 17 with an awards brunch on Sunday, May 18.

I sent out requests to all groups to apply in the middle of May with application forms attached. So far, there have been few applications for adjudication (none for the September period and only a few for the October 2024 to April 2025 period). While many groups are holding off applying until closer to the deadline for initial consideration for your choice of adjudication dates - Friday September 20 for the October 2024- April 2025 period, I would welcome applications at any time.

Forms for applying can be downloaded from the WODL website, www.wodl.on.ca.

Interested in Participating on the WODL Board of Directors?

By Mona Brennan-Coles, WODL Nominations Chair, mona@wodl.on.ca

This is an exciting time for WODL.

We’ll see plays presented by member groups at Festival 2025 hosted by The Bank Theatre in Leamington – the first time since Festival 2019.

We have welcomed several new member groups in and there are other community theatre groups considering joining WODL.

We have an opportunity to review what we want and need from WODL considering our activities before, during and after the pandemic as well as “new” activities – trying, refining, continuing, changing direction, etc.

And you have an opportunity to actively contribute to WODL’s future by participating as a board or committee member!

What’s in it for me?

Gain skills and experience that can help you in your personal and professional life. Make new friendships and deepen existing friendships. Have fun. All while guiding the future of WODL. I am a lifelong volunteer who has gained much more personally and professionally than I have contributed.

What can I contribute?

Your experience and expertise in all aspects, not just theatre.

How much time will it take?

As much time as you want to/have available to contribute.

Do I have to travel?

Only if you want to! There are lots of things that can be done remotely.

What will it cost me? Do I get paid?

As we know from participating with our theatre groups, there are costs to volunteer participation. The biggest expense is associated with travel. While WODL does not pay for this travel, WODL issues charitable tax receipts for approved expenses. And remember, there are lots of opportunities to contribute remotely.

How do I find out more?

Look at the Board positions. Contact the incumbent to see what is involved and what you could do. Then contact Mona Brennan-Coles, Chair of the Nominating Committee. Mona and the nominating committee (Bev Dietrich, Sue Garner and Renata Solski) will be working on the slate of prospective board members over the summer.

When would/could I start?

You could start immediately or wait until the 2024-2025 board is elected. Or plan to participate in the future,

Nominating Committee

· Mona Brennan-Coles, Chair

· Bev Dietrich

· Sue Garner

· Renata Solski

Community Theatre in the WODL Region

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 September newsletter, please send the information to communications@wodl.on.ca.

What's on this Month in the Waterloo-Wellington Region

By Bev Dietrich, WODL Area VP Waterloo-Wellington, bev@wodl.on.ca

Guelph Little Theatre

The Ward One Acts Festival takes place July 4-7 at Guelph Little Theatre.

https://guelphlittletheatre.com/

Penny and Pound Theatre

Disney’s Newsies: The Musical. Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Jack Feldman, Book by Harvey Fierstein, Directed by Piper J. Distel & Lori Robinson Distel runs July 25-28 at Guelph Little Theatre.

https://penningandpoundtheatre.com/

What's Happening in the Brant-Haldimand-Norfolk-Oxford Region

By Laurel Gillespie, WODL Area VP Brant-Haldimand-Norfolk-Oxford, laurel@wodl.on.ca

Paris Performers’ Theatre

BRANT THEATRE FESTIVAL 2024

Stay tuned for more exciting news from this group of dedicated theatre volunteers. After a rough start to their 2023-24 season, they have successfully completed several fundraising campaigns, consisting of a GoFundMe page, trivia nights, and garage sales. They had a successful Meet and Mingle night where they welcomed folks to tour their brand new home at St.Paul’s United Church. Several workshops were held in their new home.

They presented the Brant Theatre Festival, a three day celebration of local theatre, playwrights, and creativity.

At their Membership Meeting, plans were discussed for their 2025 season, including the play, Enchanted Christmas, written by Paris Playwight, Heather Ashby which will be performed in December. And finally, they participated, in collaboration with The Glass Slipper Company, in Once Upon a Dream. This is just a few of the many undertakings that this hard working group has accomplished this year. Congratulations.

Theatre Tillsonburg

Drum Roll!

Here are the 2024 themes for Theatre Tillsonburg‘s Summer Camps running from July 8 to August 23. Registration is now open and spots are filling fast. Themes include Timeless Tales (Disney), Mystery at the Theatre (mystery), Genres in Jazz Hands (music), Acting Gold (Olympics), Broadway Bound (Broadway), Once Upon a Time (fairytales), and Summer Spotlights ( summer) with performances every Friday.

Theatre Woodstock

Theatre Woodstock completed its official 2023/2024 season with the highly successful run of Something Rotten! on Saturday, June 1, with a SOLD OUT show! This production featured a cast of Senior STAGES Company high school students. This group of aspiring young actors then saw Stratford Festival's version of Something Rotten! on Saturday, June 8, and were able to experience a Meet the Actor Q & A session after the show. You can read all about their experiences in the June 21, 2024, issue of the Woodstock Ingersoll ECHO on page 21.

Theatre Woodstock also hosted two of three performances of Our Little Secret, a play written by Rollin Jewett, on June 22 and 23, 2024. This was a collaboration with the One Act Players, South Gate Centre, and Theatre Woodstock. You can listen to a radio interview on HeartFM or read all about this production on page 27 of the same issue of the ECHO.

During the month of August, STAGES Summer Camp will be working feverishly to get Annie Kids ready for a 4-show run on August 22-24, 2024. This Monday to Friday 3-week day camp is at full capacity and tickets are already selling fast!

Finally, Theatre Woodstock would like our fellow WODL theatres to have a wonder-filled and restful summer and wish everyone a HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL 2024/2025 season!

What's Happening in the Bruce-Grey-Huron Region

By Nadia Comeau, WODL Area VP Bruce-Grey Huron, nadia@wodl.on.ca

Goderich Little Theatre

In July, the second iteration of First Time for Everything, a four-day festival aimed at encouraging new directors, actors, writers etc; and this year, for the first time ever, they have a troupe of improv players participating. It runs from July 24th to the 28th.

Owen Sound Little Theatre

The Roxy Young Company Musical Summer Camp ages 10-12 July 22-26.

Off the Wall - Summer Courses

By Michele Boniface, Chair, Off the Wall Stratford Artists Alliance, mboniface@cyg.net

Website: stratfordoffthewall.com

Facebook: @offthewallstrat

Instagram: @offthewallstratfordartists

Hashtags: #stratfordoffthewall #theatreproduction #backstage

Playwrights Canada Press

By Brandon Crone, Sales & Marketing Coordinator at Playwrights Canada Press, brandon@playwrightscanada.com

Check out these new books from Playwrights Canada Press!

Recently released:

PLAY: Dramaturgies of Participation by Jenn Stephenson & Mariah Horner, illustrated by Jeff McGilton

From escape rooms to TikTok to Tim Hortons’s “Roll Up the Rim to Win” to DIY everything, participatory performance is ingrained in the very fabric of our contemporary society. Written in a series of alphabetical, standalone mini essays that activate the reader as a participant who chooses their own path, PLAY: Dramaturgies of Participation collects, describes, and analyzes live performances in which the audience become participants in the piece itself.

Staging Coyote’s Dream Volume 3 edited by Monique Mojica & Lindsay Lachance

On the twentieth anniversary of its first volume, Staging Coyote’s Dream Volume 3 is a curated collection of new works rooted in Indigenous values, aesthetics, and narrative structures. Inspired by their own dramaturgical practices and current conversations in contemporary theatre creation, co-editors Monique Mojica and Lindsay Lachance identify the invaluable and understudied ways that many Indigenous theatre artists are creating culturally specific dramaturgical processes and shifting the paradigm for what is considered “text.”

Coming soon:

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.

+ 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.

Unlock Grant Funding for your Theatre - Horizon Solutions

By Samadhi Perera, Horizon Solutions, samadhi@horizonsolutions.net

Theatres across the province are tapping into grant funding every year with our help! Horizon Solutions partners with community and professional theatres, offering system design assistance and equipment quotations tailored to meet grant application requirements.

How Can We Help You?

Detailed Planning: We'll help you create a plan with real pricing and product information, enhancing your chances of securing grants. Our support has already helped theatres across Ontario succeed.

Quick Budget Pricing: Have a plan and just need pricing? We provide fast budget quotes to keep your project moving.

Comprehensive Planning: Not sure where to start? We'll help you develop short-term and long-term plans tailored to your needs.

Technology Upgrades: Considering a major upgrade like an audio system overhaul, switching to LED fixtures, or adding a new video projector? We'll guide you through the latest technologies and share examples of successful implementations in other theatres.

Equipment Demos: Need to see a piece of equipment to know it'll be the right fit? We can arrange that too.

Our staff understand the challenges of grant applications and work with theatres every day. Whether your application is approved or not, we're here to help you develop a plan you can be confident in.

info@horizonsolutions.net

519.453.3368 | 800.698.8796