Executive Director's Update
By Craig Wrotniak
Happy New Year to all our amazing members! The Regional STAR Fest saw much growth across the country, and that required our attention from mid-November through December. However, we have been working hard in all areas, and have some exciting updates to share below. This includes expanding teacher support, opportunities for individual drama students, and opportunities for your drama program to join us at the National STAR Fest!
DTSS – Drama Teacher Support System
We have already started on our goal to take the support and the sense of community that you get at Teachers’ Conference, and make them last all year long, with an enhanced DTSS (Drama Teacher Support System), including the following programs:
a.) Our Production Resources Program has opened up, with a prop and theatrical equipment rental program on the West coast. We have taken over the legendary Vancouver Playhouse Prop Collection! The Vancouver Playhouse was one of several “regional theatre companies” created across the country in the early 1960s, to give a boost to the beginnings of professional theatre in Canada. Sadly, the company folded in 2012, due to financial difficulties. However, its prop collection is still intact and is over 60 years old, and our acquisition of it takes to the next level the whole matter of theatre props for our schools. All active TAEA STAR troupes can have access to up to $300 worth of free prop rentals per school year! Follow the link above, for fine print and details.
We are also looking at a costume rental program in the Greater Toronto Area and other regions, as we find assets that can benefit our schools. We will post more updates as we find more resources to share.
b.) Our Mentorship Matching Program has now opened up. This program links professionals across the country, who can serve as mentors or mentees to other members. These include drama / theatre instructors (both practising and
retired), university students, teaching artists, and members of the professional theatre community. Again: for more info, click on the link in this paragraph.
c.) We have updated our Vendor Discount Codes. These codes offer our members discounts on such goods and services as theatre tickets, published scripts, licensing fees, theatre equipment, professional development resources, and playwrights’ royalties. One more time: click on the link!
Atlantic STAR Fest: The Experience of a Lifetime! By Aurora Hickey
(Aurora was in Grade 12 at Gonzaga High School, St. John’s, NL,
when she took part in Atlantic STAR Fest last May.
She is now studying education at Memorial University.)
On April 18th, 2024, the Gonzaga High School Drama Club performed Don Zolidis’ play “The Monologue Show (From Hell)” at the St. John’s Drama Festival. Due to our winning an “Outstanding Performance” award, the team was invited to Corner Brook to participate in Atlantic STAR Fest. At the time I didn’t know the weekend ahead of us was going to be one of the best times in my life. I made so many memories, and I am so grateful for TAEA and everything they do to keep the arts community alive. Here’s a little bit about our experience:
On May 2nd, 15 cast members and two teachers piled into two rental vans and headed to Corner Brook. After seven hours on the road, we finally made it to the Arts & Culture Centre on Grenfell Campus. At the opening ceremonies, representatives of the Theatrical Arts Education Association of Canada (TAEA) welcomed us and told us what we could expect over the course of the coming days.
Then, throughout those days, we attended workshops, watched other performances, and even got to attend socials and mingle with the other groups who were participating in STAR Fest. We all made new friends through our shared love of theatre. It really lifted our spirits to see so many people interested and involved in the theatre world. Living in a community where the arts are often outshone by sports, it was new, refreshing and heartwarming to see so many like-minded people truly understand and respect the arts.
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Post-Secondary Theatre Training in Rosebud
Rosebud School of the Arts is a guild school that provides post-secondary theatre training within a community of professional working artists. Students receive personalized guidance, mentoring, and practical training to prepare them for a career in the performing arts. Students participate in annual study trips to the West Coast, Toronto, New York City, and London, where they attend theatre performances and engage in workshops. The complete Professional Theatre Training Programme at RSA is comprised of a 1-year Certificate in Theatre Foundations Programme and a 3-year Mentorship Programme.
ShowTech AVL Sells Everything: Theatrical Audio, Video & Lighting
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Hands-on learning in a state-of-the-art facility with three theatres. Application deadline February 1
Get Creative at Arts Umbrella!
Explore a variety of programs at Arts Umbrella’s School of Theatre, Music & Film. There’s something for everyone – whether it’s a music class for toddlers, an acting class for teens, or an Advanced Theatre Troupe class for inspiring actors.
Bring Your Theatrical Vision To Life
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Two Ways About It: The Inside and Outside of Playwriting
A playwriting master class with John Lazarus
Study technical theatre and acting in beautiful western Newfoundland
Unlock Your Theatrical Dreams!
Newfoundland’s only Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre is now open for applications!
• Stream into acting or technical theatre
• Study abroad at Memorial’s UK campus in Harlow
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• Get a broad liberal arts education, plus dramatic literature expertise
Pursue your theatrical dreams or leverage your degree for another career! Apply by Feb 1!
Find The Perfect Fit For Your Stage At Heuer Publishing
With hundreds of engaging plays and musicals, we’re here to help educators bring incredible stories to the stage.
Discover Your Next Standout Script At Brooklyn Publishers
Specializing in captivating competition winning plays, we provide resources for drama educators and performers at every level.
JOIN, SUBSCRIBE, AND CONTRIBUTE!
Want to see your thoughts printed in “Theatrics Canada”? So do we! We need your expertise, so send us stuff! We welcome news of your school’s theatre work (like Aurora Hickey’s piece in this issue), advice on teaching and theatre, reviews and criticism of current work that might be of interest, essays, photos – we love photos – short plays, cartoons, Letters to the Editor – anything related to theatre and teaching. Send it to John Lazarus at theatricscanada@educationaltheatre.ca. Please make it up to 1,000 words long, and include name and position of author(s), the section of “Theatrics” you’re submitting to, and the name and location of your school. The copyright to all material remains with the author(s).
