In the Buddhist world (among others), honours and achievements are experienced with a grain of salt (or is that rice?) Having said that, I am very proud of a couple of friend/associates today. Teryl Rothery (The Shakespeare Centre's first and possibly finest student) has landed the role of Katherine in "The Taming of the Shrew" and Lois in "Kiss Me Kate" at Jeff Hyslop's festival in Courtenay (what's it Called, anyone?). Congratulations Teryl!! She's also hard at work on an audition for this country's premiere Shakepeare festival at Stratford (what's it called again?). Go Teryl!
Another friend/colleague, Touchstone's Katrina Dunn, has received an outstanding director Jessie nomination for "Prodigal Son" (Touchstone/Pacific). Congratulations Katrina!! While we're at it: congratulations Touchstone (and Katrina) for Two outstanding production nominations ("Prodigal Son"-co-pro with Pacific- and "Little Mercy's First Murder" -also directed by K.D.)!
My heart soars like an eagle (but not Too close to the sun).
love, Donald
More "Proud of Friends"
We got so excited that we neglected to congratulate our former student Jason Emanuel on his Jessie nomination for "Titus Andronicus"! Way to go Jason! Also, belated congratulations to students Christina Schild and Teryl Rothery (see above) who were also a vital part of that bold initiative. There's More! Former student Sarah Lind won a Leo award recently for her performance in "A Simple Curve". You rock Sarah! Sarah was a rockin' part of our one year showcase at Christ Church Cathedral last May. Jolon Dante continues to do well at The American Academy in L.A., as does Nicola Coreia-Damude at Stratford. Obviously, we should start a Shakespeare Centre newsletter! Thank you to this community for continuing interest and support, particularly to Gina Chiarelli, our "bright particular star" who steers so many students in helpful directions. We love you Gina!
It's Birmingham Academy audition time again, also time for the regular Stratford co. auditions, so if you have a time, feel free to contact us at jobates@hotmail.com for help. Our coaching schedule is already starting to fill up.
Donald Adams & Jo Bates
The Shakespeare Centre
ps Other students, current and former, please let us know the exciting things you are doing around town and abroad. We would love to sing your praises!
Posted by the shakespeare...
Playwrighting nominations?
Anybody know what happened to the playwrighting category at the Jessies? Did they axe it, or is it part of significant artistic achievement? If the latter, I guess the committee didn't recognize anything significant in playwrighting this year.
Donald Adams
Posted by the shakespeare...
Playwriting Noms
I was at the nominations party where it was announced that they changed the procedure late this year. All 28 plays in contention will be read by the committee chairs and they will make decisions in the near future.
There is also word that there is now two awards. The Sydney Risk for emerging and Outstanding New Play. Exactly how all this will play out, nomination list or not, I'm not sure.
Posted by immediate theatre
playwright awards
There were over thirty scripts this year to consider. I am glad to hear they are offering more than one award this year and that all the plays are getting read.
I think it is important to acknowledge emerging playwrights and established playwrights. Last year, first time writers were up against Morris Panych for instance and I don't think that's very fair. Not to say a new writer can't be brilliant [or an established writer can't, haha!] but very likely an emerging writer hasn't had the same financial and artistic support for their first production to support their vision on stage and give them adequate time to write.
I'm glad for the support and change in the system. However, it would be idea to have all the plays SEEN, not just read, because I think this puts plays with a strong physical/visual element at a disadvantage. Anyway, I've told them all this and am just blabbing now.
Horray for the Jessie juries and committee for putting in the endless hours to see artists acknowledged in the first place. It's a thankless and huge job.
Posted by Lucia Frangione