CCA BULLETIN / BULLETIN DE LA CCA
World Theatre Day 2004 - Reaching out to youth
Ottawa , March 25, 2004 - Saturday, March 27th, marks the 42nd annual World Theatre Day, as celebrated by UNESCO and the Department of Canadian Heritage. Innaugurated by the International Theatre Institute (ITI) in 1962, it is observed annually in more than 90 countries. See the ITI's World Theatre Day website for more background information: http://iti.unesco.org/pages/wtd/04wtdmes.html .
In his World Theatre Day message for Canada , Governor General's Award-winning playwright Vern Thiessen notes the natural draw of the theatre to young people, and he emphasizes the importance of continuing to engaging youth participation :
“On a recent trip to a playground, I was reminded of how limited a playwright I am. Over the course of an hour, I watched a few children create over two-dozen scenarios, each rich in character, story and detail. If only I could create so deeply and so fearlessly. “
“If we create, for the child, a theatre that is fun, magical, meaningful, risky, and above all, necessary, our future theatre may build a resistance to our addiction to security.”
For more information on Canada 's official participation in World Theatre Day, see the Canadian Heritage website: www.pch.gc.ca/special/arts/theatre/theatre_e.cfm
World Theatre Day activities across Canada
The Professional Association of Canadian Theatres ( PACT ) and the Playwrights' Guild of Canada (PGC) have a full slate of activities planned around World Theatre Day, beginning with a launch party on Friday, March 26th, in Toronto . This event will be held in conjunction with the Shifting Tides: Atlantic Canadian Theatre conference, and will feature theatre artists such as Charlie Rhindress, Andy McKim and the af orementioned Vern Thiessen.
Canada 's World Theatre Day Launch Party
Friday March 26, 2004 at 5 pm
Robert Gill Theatre, 214 College Street , Toronto , ON
PACT , the PGC, and their members across Canada will celebrate World Theatre Day on Saturday, March 27th, with a number of diverse and innovative events. Check the PACT website ( www.pact.ca ) for more detailed information on any of the following events, contact:
Kirsten Kamper ( kirstenk@pact.ca )
PACT Communications Manager,
416-595-6455 x12
Vancouver : Firehall Arts Centre, 280 East Cordova Street , 2:00 PM : A performance of Buz'Gem Blues by Drew Hayden Taylor accompanied by a pre-performance discussion.
Contact: Donna Spencer, 604-689-0691
Calgary : Quest Theatre, 310 - 815 1st Street S.W. , 1:00 - 3:00 PM : Youth Art Show, Performance and Talkback -- Children will submit artwork with World Theatre Day/ I Met a Bully on the Hill themes.
Contact: Rose Brow, 403-264-8575
Regina : Globe Theatre Live, 1801 Scarth Street , 2:00 PM: 200 tickets to The Red Priest will be offered to students in rural Saskatchewan and the inner city schools of Regina for a matinee performance on March 27th. Students will be invited to participate in a talk back session with the actors following the production.
Contact: Marian Donnelly, 306-525-9553
Winnipeg : CanWest Global Performing Arts Centre, 2 Forks Market Road: Manitoba Theatre for Young People will present a performance by Double T (Theatre Team), a public reading by Playwright-in-Residence Ian Ross, and a public reading by young writers from Argyle School.
Contact: Denise Lysak, 204-947-0394
Toronto : Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People, 165 Front Street East , 6:00 PM doors open and 7:00 PM performance on April 1, 2004 : Celebrate World Theatre Day by seeing the World Premiere of Number One and Jamie.
Contact: Nancy Guertin, 416-363-5131, Box Office: 416-862-2222
Hamilton : Theatre Aquarius, 190 King William St. , 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM : Prior to a performance, Theatre Aquarius will be hosting a free Open House highlighting the production of TOAD!
Contact: Carolyn Drost, 905-522-7815
Montreal : Theatre of the Saidye Bronfman Centre for the Arts, 5170 Chemin de la Cote-Ste Catherine, 8:30 PM: Playwright Marie Jones is a voice for building bridges between hostile groups. Following the performance of her play, A Night in November, students from Cegeps and universities will participate in a programme that is sure to shake up stereotypes.
Contact: Bryna Wasserman, (514) 739-2301
Box Office: (514) 739-7944
Montreal : Youtheatre, Theatre Calixa-Lavallee, 3819 rue Calixa-Lavallee, 2:00 PM: Youtheatre is offering discounted tickets to this performance of The Other Side of the Closet. To get your tickets, you must be between the ages of 14 and 18. Tickets are only $5!
Contact and phone number: Janna L. Smith, 514-844-8781
Fredericton : Black Box Theatre, St. Thomas University: Special Presentation of I Met a Bully on the Hill by the Theatre New Brunswick Young Company.
Contact: Sheila Atkinson, 506-460-1380
Halifax : Neptune Theatre, 1593 Argyle Street: 50 tickets will be reserved for each of the March 27th matinee performances of Death of a Salesman and Betrayal for sale to youth up to the age of
16 years for only $5!
Contact: Doreen Malone, 902-429-7300
Corner Brook : Theatre Newfoundland & Labrador, 35 West Street , 2:00 PM : A showcase of the talents of TNL's youth theatre. Audiences will get a glimpse of the plays (Excerpts & Previews) slated for TNL's Festival of Youth April 22 - 25, 2004 .
Contact and phone number: Sarah McDonald Anderson, 709-639-7238
For more information:
Kevin Desjardins
Communications and Public Relations Manager
(613) 238 3561 ext.11
Fax (613) 238 4849
16/04
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