Driftwood Theatre’s biggest fundraising event of the year is tomorrow night, March 8
All the castle’s a stage as Driftwood Theatre kicks off its 25th season with the most unique site-specific theatre event around, TRAFALGAR 24. Over the course of one day, 24 theatre artists from across Ontario will descend upon Trafalgar Castle to write, rehearse and perform six new plays set within the rooms, halls, nooks and crannies of Whitby’s very own 19th century castle.
Bringing together a cast that blends award-winning artists with the finest emerging talent, Driftwood Theatre is thrilled to announce this year’s Trafalgar 24 performers.
It all starts tonight, Thursday March 7 at 10pm as six playwrights get locked into Trafalgar Castle overnight with eight hours to each create a short, site-specific play within the castle. Picking up the finished scripts tomorrow morning and guiding them to performance in only eight hours will be six of Ontario’s most promising and exciting directors.
Heading to the castle tomorrow morning with twelve actors are Trafalgar 24 directors Courtney Ch’ng Lancaster (The Wolves, Howland/Crows; Cannibal, Scrap Paper/Next Stage), Katrina Darychuk (No Clowns Allowed, Blood Pact; Orlando, Soulpepper), Claren Grosz (CHICO, Theatre Passe Murraille/Pencil Kit Productions), Mark McGrinder (Trafalgar 24, The Jedi Doth Return, Driftwood; Oslo, Theatre 180), Leighton Alexander Williams (Judas Noir, Obsidian/BDB Productions; Residue, CBC) and Alison Wong (Trafalgar 24, Driftwood; La fedeltà premiata (Royal Opera House, Mumbai).
TRAFALGAR 24 is Durham Region’s most unforgettable annual theatre event where twenty-four artists receive a scant 24-hours to write, rehearse and perform six site-specific plays in Whitby’s beautiful 19th century castle. At TRAFALGAR 24 the audience is right on top of the action as each of the 10-minute scripts play out around them in locations throughout the castle. TRAFALGAR 24 audience members play a vital role of their own, helping to select on winning playwright to receive a five-week paid summer residency with Driftwood Theatre to develop their work.
Previously announced participating playwrights are Wallis Caldoza, Matt Hertendy, Rebecca Ostroff, Polly Phokeev, Hannah Rittner, and Melissa Taylor.
Previously announced actors are Belinda Corpuz, Sarah Deller, Oliver Dennis, Andre Houssin, Megan Miles, Dan Mousseau, Rose Napoli, Andy Pogson, Anand Rajaram, Jamie Robinson, Neta J. Rose and Hillary Warden.
As Driftwood’s signature gala event of the season, TRAFALGAR 24 raises $20,000 annually in support of theatre for everyone in Ontario – no matter where you live or how much money you have in your pockets. It is a sumptuous affair featuring both a wine & cheese and dessert buffet, and a silent auction with some of the best deals around in entertainment, electronics, services and art.
For the first time, the TRAFALGAR 24 will feature a special pre-event online auction, allowing people everywhere to make bids on a curated selection of ten spectacular auction packages. The TRAFALGAR 24 online auction is now live and runs to March 8.
TRAFALGAR 24 is proudly supported by leading partners RBC Foundation (RBC Emerging Artists Project), Deighton Associates (Castle Sponsor) and HMA The BENEFITS People (Reception Sponsor). Driftwood Theatre is generously supported by the Ontario Arts Council.
Driftwood Theatre Group presents
TRAFALGAR 24
Friday, March 8, 2019
Trafalgar Castle, 401 Reynolds Street, Whitby, ON
Doors/Silent Auction start: 6:30pm.
Performances begin: 7:30pm.
Tickets: $65 (General Admission), $25 (for guests 25 and under).
For tickets and information: www.driftwoodtheatre.com/see/trafalgar24/
Vocalist and Apprentice Musical Director Job Posting
/0 Comments/in Job Postings /by David Jeremy SmithDriftwood Theatre’s 2019 Bard’s Bus Tour is looking for a vocalist and apprentice musical director for its production of William Shakespeare’s A (musical) Midsummer Night’s Dream
The Bard’s Bus Tour is an annual summer Ontario tradition, touring to outdoor venues in communities across the province for 25 years.
The vocalist and apprentice musical director will join their voice to a company of eight actors and one musical director in Driftwood’s A Capella musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s most magical comedy. As a learning work-opportunity, the apprentice musical director will be provided with additional training in musical direction, composition and arrangement under supervision of the musical director.
The successful candidate will: have at least two years of professional experience or training in choral singing; demonstrated vocal percussion skills; and have an ability to communicate effectively and work productively with artists and theatrical staff.
Driftwood Theatre is dedicated to reflecting Canada’s rich diversity on and off stage in all of its work. Diverse artists of all backgrounds regardless of age, disability, ethno-cultural identity or gender are encouraged to apply.
Contract dates: June 24 – August 18, 2019.
Salary: $650/week + per diems during overnight touring
A (musical) Midsummer Night’s Dream is an original rocking, rolling, funktastic, jazz-infused a cappella musical, adapted from William Shakespeare’s text by composers Kevin Fox (Swingle Singers, Cadence) and Tom Lillington (Nathaniel Dett Chorale, Hampton Avenue) and director Jeremy Smith.
Vocalists/Apprentice Musical Directors are invited to make application by sending a brief cover letter and resume (as one pdf file) by email to Artistic Director, Jeremy Smith (jsmith@driftwoodtheatre.com).
Application deadline EXTENDED: April 30, 2019
Technical Director Job Posting
/0 Comments/in Job Postings /by David Jeremy SmithDriftwood Theatre’s 2019 Bard’s Bus Tour is looking for a Technical Director for its production of William Shakespeare’s A (musical) Midsummer Night’s Dream
The Bard’s Bus Tour is an annual summer Ontario tradition, touring to outdoor venues in communities across the province for 25 years.
The Technical Director is responsible for coordinating all production resources in an efficient, safe and effective manner within budgetary and schedule parameters, and will travel with the tour to set up and run live sound while providing hands-on support and supervision for the technical aspects of the production. The Technical Director reports to the General Manager and supervises 2-4 daytime crew members.
The successful candidate will: have at least two years of professional experience or training in technical theatre and production; possess a high degree of professionalism and time management skills; a full class G driver’s license with experience driving 16’ cube trucks (or equivalent); and have an ability to communicate effectively and work productively with artists and theatrical staff. Experience in LED lighting mixing/control, live wireless microphone mixing an asset.
Driftwood Theatre is dedicated to reflecting Canada’s rich diversity on and off stage in all of its work. Diverse artists of all backgrounds regardless of age, disability, ethno-cultural identity or gender are encouraged to apply.
Contract dates: June 24 – August 25, 2019.
Salary: $700/week + per diems during overnight touring
Technical Directors are invited to make application by sending a brief cover letter and resume (as one pdf file) by email to General Manager, Lee Bolton (lbolton@driftwoodtheatre.com).
Application deadline EXTENDED: April 30, 2019
Trafalgar 24 raises $20,000 for Driftwood Theatre
/0 Comments/in News /by David Jeremy SmithEmerging creator Hannah Rittner selected as the 2019 Beyond The Bard resident playwright
On Friday, March 8 Driftwood Theatre kicked off its 25th season with yet another extraordinary TRAFALGAR 24, the most unique site-specific theatre event around. Over the course of one day, 24 theatre artists from across Ontario descended upon Trafalgar Castle to write, rehearse and perform six new plays set within the rooms, halls, nooks and crannies of Whitby’s very own 19th century castle.
The 24-hour event was capped off by an evening of public performance featuring Driftwood’s signature Trafalgar 24 Silent Auction and dessert reception. The event raised nearly $20,000 in support of Driftwood Theatre’s upcoming 25th annual Bard’s Bus Tour featuring William Shakespeare’s magical (musical) A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
By jury selection, emerging Toronto playwright Hannah Rittner was selected from among six participating playwrights to receive a five-week paid residency with Driftwood Theatre to develop her short play, I Am Amazed And Know Not What To Say, which was created specifically for the event. Mr. Rittner will work this summer alongside Driftwood’s company of artists to revise and expand her script, with dramaturgical support, rehearsals and public readings.
“When I first heard of this opportunity, I felt like it was unlike anything I had gone after before – all night writing and putting something up on the spot amidst the distinct environment of the Whitby castle,” writes Ms. Rittner. “I look forward to discovering my relationship to this place by looking deeply into the past in order to create a sensuous, beautiful, and emotionally riveting experience for the audience.”
The TRAFALGAR 24 jury consisted of Toronto producer Derrick Chua, Cameco Capitol Arts Centre (Port Hope) Artistic Director Susan Ferley, Living Room Arts Studio Executive Director Mary Krohnert, Driftwood Theatre Artistic Director Jeremy Smith, OnStage theatre critic Joe Szekeres, and special audience guest Sherry MacLeod.
Participating TRAFALGAR 24 artists were remaining playwrights Wallis Caldoza, Matth Hertendy, Rebecca Ostroff, Polly Phokeev, Melissa Taylor; directors Courtney Ch’ng Lancaster, Katrina Darychuk, Claren Grosz, Mark McGrinder, Leighton Alexander Williams, and Alison Wong; and performers Belinda Corpuz, Sarah Deller, Oliver Dennis, Andrea Houssin, Megan Miles, Dan Mousseau, Rose Napoli, Andy Pogson, Anand Rajaram, Jamie Robinson, Neta J. Rose, and Hillary Warden.
TRAFALGAR 24 was hosted by performer and award-winning Artistic Director (Bad Hats Theatre) Fiona Sauder.
TRAFALGAR 24 is proudly supported by leading partners RBC Foundation (RBC Emerging Artists Project), Deighton Associates (Castle Sponsor) and HMA The BENEFITS People (Reception Sponsor), and performance sponsors Mason Bennett Johncox, Lloyd’s Pest Control, W.B. White Insurance and Nice Bistro.
Driftwood Theatre is generously supported by the Ontario Arts Council. The Bard’s Bus Tour is grateful for the ongoing support of Tour Sponsor Ontario Power Generation.
Trafalgar 24 Directors Announced
/0 Comments/in News /by David Jeremy SmithDriftwood Theatre’s biggest fundraising event of the year is tomorrow night, March 8
GET TICKETS
All the castle’s a stage as Driftwood Theatre kicks off its 25th season with the most unique site-specific theatre event around, TRAFALGAR 24. Over the course of one day, 24 theatre artists from across Ontario will descend upon Trafalgar Castle to write, rehearse and perform six new plays set within the rooms, halls, nooks and crannies of Whitby’s very own 19th century castle.
Bringing together a cast that blends award-winning artists with the finest emerging talent, Driftwood Theatre is thrilled to announce this year’s Trafalgar 24 performers.
It all starts tonight, Thursday March 7 at 10pm as six playwrights get locked into Trafalgar Castle overnight with eight hours to each create a short, site-specific play within the castle. Picking up the finished scripts tomorrow morning and guiding them to performance in only eight hours will be six of Ontario’s most promising and exciting directors.
Heading to the castle tomorrow morning with twelve actors are Trafalgar 24 directors Courtney Ch’ng Lancaster (The Wolves, Howland/Crows; Cannibal, Scrap Paper/Next Stage), Katrina Darychuk (No Clowns Allowed, Blood Pact; Orlando, Soulpepper), Claren Grosz (CHICO, Theatre Passe Murraille/Pencil Kit Productions), Mark McGrinder (Trafalgar 24, The Jedi Doth Return, Driftwood; Oslo, Theatre 180), Leighton Alexander Williams (Judas Noir, Obsidian/BDB Productions; Residue, CBC) and Alison Wong (Trafalgar 24, Driftwood; La fedeltà premiata (Royal Opera House, Mumbai).
TRAFALGAR 24 is Durham Region’s most unforgettable annual theatre event where twenty-four artists receive a scant 24-hours to write, rehearse and perform six site-specific plays in Whitby’s beautiful 19th century castle. At TRAFALGAR 24 the audience is right on top of the action as each of the 10-minute scripts play out around them in locations throughout the castle. TRAFALGAR 24 audience members play a vital role of their own, helping to select on winning playwright to receive a five-week paid summer residency with Driftwood Theatre to develop their work.
Previously announced participating playwrights are Wallis Caldoza, Matt Hertendy, Rebecca Ostroff, Polly Phokeev, Hannah Rittner, and Melissa Taylor.
Previously announced actors are Belinda Corpuz, Sarah Deller, Oliver Dennis, Andre Houssin, Megan Miles, Dan Mousseau, Rose Napoli, Andy Pogson, Anand Rajaram, Jamie Robinson, Neta J. Rose and Hillary Warden.
As Driftwood’s signature gala event of the season, TRAFALGAR 24 raises $20,000 annually in support of theatre for everyone in Ontario – no matter where you live or how much money you have in your pockets. It is a sumptuous affair featuring both a wine & cheese and dessert buffet, and a silent auction with some of the best deals around in entertainment, electronics, services and art.
For the first time, the TRAFALGAR 24 will feature a special pre-event online auction, allowing people everywhere to make bids on a curated selection of ten spectacular auction packages. The TRAFALGAR 24 online auction is now live and runs to March 8.
TRAFALGAR 24 is proudly supported by leading partners RBC Foundation (RBC Emerging Artists Project), Deighton Associates (Castle Sponsor) and HMA The BENEFITS People (Reception Sponsor). Driftwood Theatre is generously supported by the Ontario Arts Council.
Driftwood Theatre Group presents
TRAFALGAR 24
Friday, March 8, 2019
Trafalgar Castle, 401 Reynolds Street, Whitby, ON
Doors/Silent Auction start: 6:30pm.
Performances begin: 7:30pm.
Tickets: $65 (General Admission), $25 (for guests 25 and under).
For tickets and information: www.driftwoodtheatre.com/see/trafalgar24/