World Theatre Day ’09 speech released

It was with great pride that I published last year's World Theatre Day speech by Canadian icon Robert Lepage here on The Next Stage. The International Theatre Institute, a organization comprised of 96 member countries (or centres, of which Canada is not yet one), has celebrated March 27 as a day to honour the devotees… Continue reading World Theatre Day ’09 speech released

Are Vancouver stages too white?

Plank Magazine today posted a letter by local theatre-goer David C. Jones which posits that our local theatre scene doesn't accurately reflect the inherent cultural diversity of the city. Mr. Jones goes further to suggest that the lack of actors from non-white backgrounds could constrain the growth of our theatre industry: Young, diverse high schools… Continue reading Are Vancouver stages too white?

This one goes to eleven: Richard Wolfe

Richard Wolfe is an architect of the Canadian theatre scene in the truest sense, much of the work we are doing now is being built on a foundation of effort that he has been putting in for quite some time. He recently assumed the role of Artistic Director of Pi Theatre after 12 years as… Continue reading This one goes to eleven: Richard Wolfe

Attention theatre makers: SummerWorks Performance Gallery call for submissions

Our good friends at the Toronto SummerWorks Festival are preparing for round 2 of their Performance Gallery (Inside the Box) initiative, opening August 6th at the Gladstone Hotel on Queen Street out in the Smoke. If you're a theatre maker interested in brief, site-specific work, this is something to look at... What would you do… Continue reading Attention theatre makers: SummerWorks Performance Gallery call for submissions

A theatre company starter kit: Zee Zee Theatre’s ‘Whale Riding Weather’

Despite gloomy predictions of the future of indie theatre in these trying economic times (anyone else about done with that phrasing?) it's heartening to see ever more new and driven companies springing up in Vancouver. Companies with something to say, and the desire to say it from the stage. Companies with more passion than money,… Continue reading A theatre company starter kit: Zee Zee Theatre’s ‘Whale Riding Weather’

Come join the World Theatre Day celebrations!

Last year, I did a job for our local Greater Vancouver Professional Theatre Alliance--publicity for their annual World Theatre Day celebrations. World Theatre Day takes place every year on March 27, and is the brainchild of the International Theatre Institute. It's aim is to: ...promote international exchange of knowledge and practice in theatre arts (drama,… Continue reading Come join the World Theatre Day celebrations!

Writers & Readers Festival: More than just reading and writing

What's next, 'rithmatic? Arriving hard on the heels of the PuSh Fest is Vancouver's annual International Writers and Readers Festival, a literary celebration that's been going hard since 1988. And like PuSh, it's been given a bump by the 2010 Cultural Olympiad, so they're juicing things up with some international Spoken Word Artists in performance:… Continue reading Writers & Readers Festival: More than just reading and writing

Department of Culture announces Senate assembly

Your Department of Culture, the Canadian National artistic activist group that "represents the support of Canadians for a broad range of national artistic programs and practices", announced the formation of a 30-seat honorary Senate today on their facebook page... The incoming appointees reflect the multifaceted and widespread opposition that exists to neo-Conservative governance in Canada,… Continue reading Department of Culture announces Senate assembly