SummerWorks 2012 Festival Wrap-Up

SUMMERWORKS PERFORMANCE
FESTIVAL WRAPS

Award-winners Celebrated & 20,000 Attend

Toronto, ON --- SummerWorks Performance Festival concluded its 22nd year with a wrap party at the Great Hall on Queen St. West on August 19th where artists, theatre patrons, volunteers, and musical guests gathered to toast this years artistic achievements. SummerWorks saw another year of outstanding attendance with over 20,000 patrons attending the 11 days and nights of theatre, music and performance art. The closing night party awarded some of Canada’s top theatre talent a variety of awards.

“SummerWorks is one of the most if not the single most relevant theatre festival in the country. This notion has been echoed by many in the community and that’s why I proudly declare it,” says Artistic Producer of SummerWorks Performance Festival, Michael Rubenfeld.

Rubenfeld adds, “I am beyond proud of the accomplishment of the artists, the community and the state of artistic expression and work in Canada. It has been a watershed year and choosing the award winners was extremely challenging amongst such an amazing crop of works.”

All awards are adjudicated by a jury of three theatre professionals with the exception of the NOW Audience Choice Award, which is determined by ballot.

The award winners are as follows:

SummerWorks Prize for Outstanding Production
The prize is a free trip back to the festival next year. All companies presenting work were eligible.

Terminus by Outside the March, Directed by Mitchell Cushman


Contra Guys Award for Outstanding New Performance Text
Generously supported by two SummerWorks founders, Benj Gallander and Ben Stadelmann, the $1000 cash award is presented to a theatre-maker for an outstanding new work (script or performance text).

Nicolas Billon for Iceland


National Theatre School Award for Set or Costume Design

This award offers a $750 cash prize to a designer for an outstanding set or costume design.

When It Rains by 2b Theatre Company.


Buddies in Bad Times Vanguard Award for Risk and Innovation
This $500 cash prize is awarded to an individual or company in recognition of an artistic choice or choices exemplifying innovation and/or artistic risk.

Cliff Cardinal for Huff

Honourable mention: Petrichor


Canadian Stage Award for Direction
Sponsored by The Canadian Stage Company, this $500 cash prize is awarded for an outstanding piece of direction at the Festival.

Tanner Harvey for Big Plans


The Spotlight Award
Awarded to a featured performer in a SummerWorks show. The winner receives a VIP pass to the festival next year.

Ron Pederson for Extinction Song, Tamsin Kelsey for Pietá and Terrence Bryant for Terre Haute


The Theatre Centre Emerging Artist Award
A $500 cash prize awarded to an artist early in their career who made an artistic impression during the festival.

Jeremy Taylor, writer of Big Plans and director of My Pregnant Brother.

RBC Arts Professional Award

This $1000 cash prize recognizes the work, craft and dedication of an emerging arts professional. This award is made possible with the support of RBC.

MotionLive in association with cric crac collective for Aneemah’s Spot

Honourable Mention: Aislinn Rose for Fierce Monsters and France, or the Niqab and Renna Reddie for Iceland

The NOW Magazine Audience Choice Award
Audience members voted by placing their ticket stub in the NOW Audience Choice box before leaving the theatre. The Winner receives $3000 in free advertising with NOW magazine. All shows were eligible for this prize.

Iceland by The Iceland Collective, directed by Ravi Jain

SummerWorks is Here - Don't Miss It

Phew, more theatre and performance art fun is here.  The SummerWorks Festival kicked off last night, with a fantastic party and live music at The Great Hall.  This years festival features 41 productions, plus the new  Live Art series and an exciting expansion to the Music Series.  This year there is definitely something for everyone.  We couldn't possibly cover it all but Now Magazine has committed to covering the entire festival so be sure to check in with reviews and show announcements there.  Here's Now's Starting off SummerWorks article which ran this week.

Though we wont be at every show and concert there are definitely a few that should not be missed.  A number of the festival highlights are in the much expanded Music Series, this year. Up first is the Hawksley Workman and Christina Barry collaboration The Gods That Come on Saturday night at The Theatre Centre, at The Great Hall.

Hawksley, for those who don't know is one of Canada's best indie pop musicians, and I've thought for a while that his style and creativity would be well suited for the stage.  Add to that, powerhouse director Christina Barry of 2b theatre production company and you've got yourself a winning combination.

Also part of the Music Series is Blood Ties - Musical Works in Concert.  Conceived and directed by up-and-comer and EAP friends Anika Johnson and Barbara Johnson.  This show features EAP regular Jusitn Bott and is musically directed by one of our great friends Jeffery Newberry.  Blood Ties  is a darkly funny chamber musical in one act based on the true story of four friends who must clean up after a suicide.   Blood Ties runs at The Theatre Centre, at The Great Hall Tuesday August 14th at 9pm.

For CBC Radio 2 fans Buck 65 may not ring a bell but you'd be sure to know Drive host Rich Terfry.  Rich has been performing as hip hop artist Buck 65 for over 2 decades.  He makes his SummerWorks debut Wednesday the 15 at 10:30.

EAP is also really excited about some of the Theatre events this year.  Most notably Voodoo Theatre Company's award winning Extinction Song. A one man play about a child's retreat from reality into an imaginary world.  A world of wolves who help save him from his real life alcoholic father.  This is a touching portrayal of the childish spirit and hope, which will pull at even the tightest heartstrings.  Extinction Song runs at Theatre Passe Muraille

Friday August 10th at 5:30 pm.
Sunday the 12, at 3:00 pm.
Wednesday the 15th at 8:00 pm.
Friday Aug. 17 at 8:00 pm
Saturday Aug. 18 at 5:30 pm.
and Sunday Aug 19th at 12:30 pm.


Hoping for something a bit more lighthearted?  France, or the Niqab promises to be a funny, sexy romp of physical humor.  Defense Attorney and high-heel devotee Tabatha is about to risk it all and find out what her heels have in common with the Islamic niqab.  France, or the Niqab plays at Theatre Passe Muraille.

Saturday Aug 11th. at 8:00 pm.
Monday Aug. 13th. at 10:30 pm.
Friday Aug. 17th. at 10:30 pm.
Saturday Aug. 18th at 3:00 pm.
and Sunday Aug. 19th at 8:00 pm.

In addition to the Theatre and Music series this years SummerWorks festival also features late night acts at the Performance Bar.  Click the link for information about the Performance Bar line up.

And last but certainly not least, this year the SummerWorks festival introduces the Live Art series.  As part of the Live Art series Toronto icon Nina Arsenault presents 40 Days + 40 Nights. In the first 29 days of this performance (closed to the public) Nina spent 4 days in isolation in total darkness, 5 days fasting and 3 days without sleep. Inside heightened emotional states she rendered drawings in charcoal and began to design an elaborate decadent cloister for 40 Days + 40 Nights.

She also gave up Facebook, sex, and financial support from her “sugar-daddy.”

The sacred space she created is filled with her drawings and artistic collaborations with Bruce LaBruce, Istvan Kantor, and Jordan Tannahill, meditations towards a contemporary language of lived spiritual beliefs. Nina’s sculpture ‘Pure Form with Blood and Silicone’ will also be on display.

During the final 11 days of this experiment, open to the public, Nina will continue her spiritual actions.

However, visitors to the installation/ gallery can also choose to participate in Nina’s recreation of Marina Abramovic’s ‘The Artist is Present’, listen to a story called ‘The Ecstasy of Nina Arsenault’ about
her surgical/spiritual quest for youth… or simply talk to her (in sacred confidence.) Available for viewings and free of charge from 9:00 pm to 5:00 am throughout the festival.  

These are just a few of this year's offerings.  We will continue to update you here about shows that generate buzz, shows we love and shows you might want to skip.  Check out the full schedule and here for buying tickets.  See you at the SummerWorks Festival!

Exculsive Invite for SummerWorks Soiree

The SummerWorks Festival would like to invite you to its second annual VIP fundraising dinner party!
Please join us on Thursday, July 5th for a special evening supporting SummerWorks hosted by award-winning playwright and actor, Michael Healey.

This event, taking place at the historic and beautiful Great Hall, will be an elegant sit-down three-course meal prepared by chefs Mark Cutrara + Alexandra Feswick, who are on the cusp of opening their new Samuel J Moore Restaurant on the main floor of the Great Hall.

Appetizers and cocktails will be served at 6:00pm followed by the meal at 7:00.

The meal will be served with wine, music, and an assortment of short performances and happenings from SummerWorks artists including Bob Wiseman, the Brick Lane Advice Booth and magic from James Alan, whose new one man show, Lies Damn Lies & Magic Tricks, will be featured in the Festival this year.

Tickets are $100.00 and you will receive a $75.00 tax receipt. Please purchase your tickets HERE If you are unable to join us on July 5th, kindly consider making a donation either with Eventbrite or with Canada Helps through our website www.summerworks.ca/donate.

PS: This year's Festival is from August 9-19. Ink it into your calendars. For more details click here!

Listen Up: SummerWorks Launch Party

SummerWorks News: S.L.I.P Applications Available Now

For the fourth year SummerWorks is offering aspiring Arts Managers the opportunity to participate in their Leadership Intensive Program (S.L.I.P.)  This two week intensive is for emerging arts professionals with a specific focus on business and management.  The S.L.I.P program is designed to coincide with the SummerWorks Festival and will take place this summer from August 9-19th.

Applications for S.L.I.P are available on the SummerWorks website here.

If you have ever dreamed of producing or managing in the performing arts this is a unique chance to explore the world of theatre arts business, in a hands-on and dynamic environment.  Past points of focus have included: Professional Etiquette, Marketing, Publicity, Grant Writing, Fundraising, Touring Logistics, Financial Planning, Artistic Directing and How to Do Everything at Once.


There are some requirements for applicants which can be found by downloading the pdf. application at the above link.  There is also a $25.00 application fee.  The deadline for applications is April 6th.

Summerworks Call for Musical Concert Submissions

We have been posting about festival submissions this season to give would-be producers out there a heads up about upcoming deadlines, and we have got another one to report today.  In 2010 the Summerworks festival expanded their submission categories to include musical theatre, through the Musical Works in Concert submission.  Musical theatre submissions to the Summerworks festival should submit their application through the Musical Works in Concert application, which can be found here.

It is not to say that a musical submission to the general application for Summerworks wont be selected but musical works will have a much better chance if they are submitted through the musical category.    We have made the mistake before of submitting a musical for consideration with a general application and we would hate to see someone out there make our mistake, and have their brilliant work over looked for this year's festival.  The deadline for the Musical Works category is March 1st.  Be sure to check out all the requirements on the Summerworks website, or by clicking here.  And be sure to read the categories clearly to decide which application you should use to submit your work.  Good luck!!!!

Call For Submissions

It is that time of year again producers.  Time to get your proposals together for a number of Toronto theatre festivals.  The Habourfront Centre put out a call for submissions for their Fresh Ground new works series.  Prize winners can win up to $20,000 towards creating their work.  Fresh Ground submissions must be, new, collaborative, artistic creations, incorporating more than one discipline or field.  The work will be presented at the Harbourfront Centre between September 2013 and June 2014.  The deadline for submissions is January 30th.  All letters of intent must be received by 5pm on Monday January 30th to be considered.  More information about submissions is available here.

The application for the 2012 SummerWorks festival are also available now.  Check out the website here for applications.  Deadline dates for the SummerWorks festival are also up.  National Series Submissions are due January 3rd 2012.  While Local Series Submissions  are due February 1st 2012.

These are two great opportunities for local arts creators to have their work staged for local audiences.  Both the Harbourfront Centre and SummerWorks are mainstays in the Toronto theatre, dance and live performance scene.  If have have ever considered applying to have your work show here, this is the year!  Don't delay.  And message us here if you would like advice or insight into applying for either of these festival and grant programs.  We have done them a few times.  

Good Luck!

The Torontoist picks 10 SummerWorks shows that work...

The Torontoist has rounded up its 10 best shows this year at the festival. We have to agree with many of their choices and we are REALLY looking forward to seeing ONE tomorrow evening on the last day of the festival!

To check out which productions made their top ten please click here!

Preview: Brothers at SummerWorks

It is your last chance to see many shows at SummerWorks this weekend as the festival comes to a conclusion this weekend. One show that has its last show on Sunday is BROTHERS. The piece was created and is being performed by Jeremy James & Philip McKee

Show Description:

Longstanding member of the internationally renowned Théâtre du Soleil, Jeremy James, joins local artist Philip McKee in a work inspired by Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov.

Final show is Sunday August 14 at 10pm. For tickets please click the header!

The Factory Mainspace
125 Bathurst St.
416.504.7529
$15

SummerWorks Preview: Waterfront/The Blessing

Waterfront/The Blessing is the intimate, but confrontational, story of two brothers as they deal with the death of their father, and an uneven inheritance. The emotional story is written by Leah Jane Esau, and produced by Les Nouvelles Theatre. Directed by Amanda Lockitch, Waterfront/The Blessing stars William MacDonald and Robert Fulton. The smart and simple set and costume design are by Nancy Perrin. This is an emotional roller coaster, and very relatable for anyone with family struggles, or even just family.

Waterfront/The Blessing is on at The Factory Mainspace

Tonight at 5:00 pm

Friday 12th, at 10:00pm

and Saturday 13th, at 2:30pm.

Preview: The Trolley Car at Summerworks

Solo Collective Theatre is presenting a new version of THE TROLLEY CAR at SummerWorks.

Show Description:

In German-occupied Paris, impulsive Florence is drawn into a tempestuous love triangle with her husband’s cousin Inez. A boldly theatrical look at the choices we make during frightening times—and our complicity in the events that follow.

Written by Amiel Gladstone
Directed by Ruth Madoc-Jones
Starring Monica Dottor, Rosa Laborde, Matthew Tapscott
Design by Dana Osborne
Lighting by Kimberly Purtell
Sound by Thomas Ryder Payne
Stage Manager Michelle Barker
Production Manager Charissa Wilcox
Props, Design Assistant Alex Vass

Factory Theatre Studio
125 Bathurst Street

Thursday August 4th 8:00pm
Saturday August 6th 5:30pm
Sunday August 7th 10:30pm
Wednesday August 10th 5:30pm
Saturday August 1#th 12:30pm
Sunday August 14th 10:00pm

For tickets see:
www.artsboxoffice.ca
416 504 7529

For more information see:
www.solocollective.ca
www.summerworks.ca

SummerWorks Preview: Pretty Little Instincts

One of three National Series productions, in this year's SummerWorks Festival, is Pretty Little Instincts. Touted as a renegade outdoor dance, and theatre piece, Pretty Little Instincts opens with nine women at high tea. But their high society party quickly unravel to explore the rawest aspect of human emotion, and primal instinct. The show is playing at the Fort York, which is an unfamiliar venue to us here at EAP. But we are really looking forward to the rogue aspect of an outdoor dance piece. Pop up venues, or theatre in temporary spaces, has become increasingly prominent in contemporary theatre, and has made a few inroads here in Toronto. We are planning to check the show out tonight at 8:30, hope the weather holds!

Pretty Little Instincts plays at Fort York, tonight at 8:30

Wednesday at 10 pm

and Saturday the 13th at 9:30 pm.

Click the header for more info and to purchase tickets, for this and any of the SummerWorks shows. And click here for the full schedule.

SummerWorks Preview: You Should Have Stayed Home

You Should Have Stayed Home recounts the harrowing experience of Torontoian Tommy Taylor, after his G20 detention, last summer. The show was inspired by a note he posted to Facebook after his arrest, and is appearing as part of this years SummerWorks Festival.

The tile was inspired by the advice he received from many after posting his 11,000 word note to Facebook. In the fall, Taylor joined with Praxis Theatre, who we've been following for a few years, and the Original Norwegian, to transform the experience into a stage show. While the show is primarily a one man piece, there are up to 40 volunteers who appear on stage during the show.

With the show's local focus and timely run, You Should Have Stayed Home is generating a lot of buzz.

You Should Have Stayed Home plays this Wednesday at 7:30, Friday the 12th at midnight and Saturday August 13th, at 10 pm. All performances are at The Theatre Centre on Queen St west. Click the header for ticket information.

SummerWorks Preview: Still Life

My friend Indrit Kasapi is starring in a new show this year at SummerWorks. It is a piece that was partly inspired by the death of a friend of ours, Christopher Skinner. It is believed that Chris was the subject of a hate crime offense and this piece aims to shed light on those affected by hate, fear and violence because of their sexuality.

Show Information:

lemonTree creations presents

STILL LIFE

A new queer collective creation.

After an attack, four 20-somethings are confronted with their truth. The experience of the night reveals the joys and struggles of being queer in Toronto today.

Through the lens of a gay bashing, STILL LIFE explores how friends and strangers are connected by a night shared at a hospital. Time is fluid in the play with the past existing alongside the present. As Matt and Steven struggle to keep their relationship, Andrew offers Steven an escape from the norm while Sarah, the only witness to the incident, puts the puzzle pieces together. A night out turns into a search for identity as the four characters reveal honest accounts of being queer in a homophobic world.

Created and Performed by Indrit Kasapi, Cole J Alvis, Alisha Stranges and Andrew Aquino.

Created and Directed by Jonathan Seinen

Designed by Michelle Ramsay

Dramaturged and Stage Managed by Spencer Smith

SHOWTIMES
August 5 @ 4.30pm
August 6 @ 7.00pm
August 8 @ 9.30pm
August 9 @ 7.00pm
August 11 @ 4.30pm
August 13 @ 9.30pm
August 14 @ 2.00pm

Theatre Passe Muraille back space
16 Ryerson Ave

TICKETS
$15
By phone: 416.504.7529
To purchase online please click the header!

SummerWorks Theatre Festival on Now

Last night, SummerWorks kicked off their summer theatre festival's 20th season. The opening party was held at this years festival headquarters, Art Bar, on Queen Street. The party started at 4pm and went late into the evening, with local bands, and food provided by The Lakeview, for guests to enjoy.

This year's festival features over 40 plays and 10 nights of music at the Art Bar, Thursdays through Sundays, during the festival run. The festival runs from the 4th to the 14th. Click here for the full schedule. And click here for the program guide and show descriptions. Justin and I are going to stop by the headquarters tonight to get press kits for each of the show. We will be featuring a selection of shows over the next ten days here on the blog. Please join us at this years SummerWorks Festival.

Click the header for the full guide and ticket information. See you at the theatre!

Join us for the SummerWorks Festival Launch

Click the image to enlarge, for details. Or click the header to be taken to the SummerWorks events page.