theatre Archives - Page 4 of 4

Free Family Fun at Ashkenaz Festival

Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre and theatre seem inseparable because TheatreKids was my first foray into arts camps, where I played one of ‘The Women in Blue’, among other roles. I loved doing activities on the waterfront and I daydreamed about larger events happening on their multiple outdoor stages.

Today marks the first day of the ninth biennial Ashkenaz Festival celebrating local talent while engaging Toronto’s Jewish community. The event ultimately caters to anyone open to learning about multiculturalism, especially artsy premiere-hungry folk anxiously counting down to TIFF.

If you’re heading out-of-town for Labour Day weekend, then stop by Indigo Manulife on Bloor to hear and see the North American premiere of OPA! on Thursday. Any event at Indigo is a fabulous way to spend your lunch break, especially one filled with lively music!

I suspect a major Festival highlight will be Sharon and Bram performing such hits as ‘Skinnamarink’. You can catch them at Harbourfront’s Redpath Stage on September 2 in front of a huge nostalgic crowd. And people wonder why I still love elephants…

Also, if hype surrounding snacks at The Ex is making you hungry, you may want to hear about food from award-winning author Michael Wex on September 3. The talk is free, so you can save your cash for a treat at Aroma afterwards.

Check out the Ashkenaz Festival’s full schedule to decide where and when you’ll be playing Jewish geography this weekend.

August 28, 2012 by Sarah Prince

Studies in Motion on the Stage and Screen

The following is a response to Canadian Stage’s production of Studies in Motion, in collaboration with Electric Company. In this thought provoking show, director Kim Collier explores filmmaker extraordinaire Eadward Muybridge’s accomplishments as one of the first people to capture movement with a camera.

Muybridge is known as the father of cinema, so we all have much to learn from him. Google him if you’re interested in learning more about his discoveries.

Here are some tips to take away from the play, which should be of interest to those who were stuck writing exams and couldn’t make it to a theatre recently. Canadian Stage aims to present the best in Canadian contemporary theatre, so they’re definitely worth keeping an eye on.

How to Produce a Memorable Show

Take the time to select a good soundtrack, regardless of what the show’s running time may be. Everything makes a difference and adds to the production value. It also makes hearing about someone’s life story more entertaining.

Create dynamic stage pictures. The entire show’s choreography proves why lessons involving tableau-making are essential for a successful acting career. Kudos to the talented cast.

When producing a play set a century in the past, choreograph chorus members to act as if they are the horses carrying an orphan boy in a buggy. Not just any ordinary boy, but one who has been misled about the differences between a famous photographer and an omniscient religious figure because this makes for great comedic relief.

Assemble a cast of men and women who are willing to disrobe within seconds according to the script’s stage directions and parade across the stage in the nude.

You can maintain audiences’ interest by making them curious about just how much nudity will be in each scene. An audience advisory is one thing, but there’s always room for surprises. There’s a reason The Globe and Mail’s review is entitled ‘The Naked Truth about Eadward Muybridge’, as it’s very telling about what patrons could expect: a revealing tell all that’s not very kid-friendly.

December 19, 2010 by Sarah