Be It Resolved!

Happy New Year!! Still can’t decide on your New Year’s resolution? Well we have something to help you pull out of the post-holiday winter blues. It’s great for self-care, you could take home amazing prizes and be treated like a VIP. Here are the top 5 reasons to resolve to attend the All-Star So You Think You Can Act on February 17^th:

1. Last time Al Simmons did the event he invented the table lunge, nearly knocking water glasses and judges to the floor. Who knows what he will do this year?

2. Big Daddy Tazz and Troy Westwood tied when they competed two years ago. They are in it to prove once and for all who deserves the trophy.

3. Self-help gurus, divas and has-beens, a messiah-figure, a dog show and a super star trying to iron a shirt for the first time in her life…we have an amazing selection of scenes from Canada’s top playwrights!

4. You could win two prime subscriptions to Rainbow Stage’s 2016 season! We have a stellar array of prizes streaming in to go with our all-star theme – jewelry, tickets, acting classes…

5. Don’t you want to laugh until your stomach hurts? With emcee Lara Rae; comedic scenes; judges Andrea del Campo, Pablo Felices-Luna and Ari Weinberg – we promise hilarity!

 

If that doesn’t convince you then check out the promo video and stay tuned as we feature video challenges from our stars starting next week! Expect trash talk, training secrets and the announcement of the scenes. Get tickets now so you don’t miss out!

 

 

Many, Many Thanks!

Happy Holidays!! It’s amazing what we have been able to accomplish together in 2015. Over the last year, we have found immense joy in working to fulfill our mandate by supporting emerging artists, engaging with the community to address important issues and promoting a greater human understanding – and we’re so thankful for your help. We worked with amazing youth at Spence Neighbourhood Association in a series of theatre workshops. The women of West Central Women’s Resource Centre inspired us as we worked together on the storytelling project. Super heroines and day to day heroes were featured at our 2015 International Women’s Week Cabaret of Monologues. We brought in artists from around the world and provided a platform for development of our home-grown talent at FemFest 2015. We worked closely with amazing individuals and organizations to challenge mental health stigma and lay the ground work for a new play script in the Mental Health Project. We are definitely ready for a rest so our offices will be closed until January 4th when we look forward to launching in to another great year of art!

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Stay tuned for this year’s International Women’s Week Cabaret and a public showcase of the Mental Health Project script in progress.

So You Think You Can Act 2016 will be our first event of 2016 and it is our opportunity to thrill and delight our supporters with outrageous entertainment, spontaneous humour, great prizes and wine! To celebrate 5 years, we are featuring past champs and crowd-favorites in an all-star edition that you won’t want to miss.  We promise a fun-filled evening! Buy tickets now and check out our VIP 5-Pack for the diva treatment.

And if that weren’t enough, we also have our workshop series for emerging artists!

Thanks for all of your support.

Happy Holidays from the Sarasvàti Productions family to you and your family!

Challenging Domestic Violence in Manitoba

We want to thank the staff and clientele at Willow Place for contributing to our #16Days MB campaign.  There are many individuals and organizations in Manitoba who are working hard to provide support to those who experience domestic violence. When it comes to prevention, their input is crucial, but perhaps none is more crucial than the insight shared by people who have experienced domestic violence personally.

          Poster Created by Willow Place

Krystyn is a former resident of Willow Place. She left an abusive situation and found the support she needed there. She is now pursuing her dream career. She spoke with us about her time in this Manitoba Shelter:

“Willow Place has changed my life and the way I look at domestic violence. Before I was a resident, I was scared. I was a witness to domestic violence as a toddler and I lived it later in my childhood. When I became a teenager my relationships were a lot like the relationships I had seen and lived years prior. Domestic violence became normalized to me. I never understood it, but I thought that it was something that I was doing wrong. It wasn’t. Willow Place welcomed me and my children with open arms and showed me that I do not have to be afraid–that domestic violence is not normal and I don’t have to settle for it. The staff at Willow Place were, and continue to be amazing in the lives that they help. They saved mine. Knowing that I was not the reason that domestic violence was affecting my life, I was able to move forward from it and learn to understand that I do not stand alone. There are many women, children and supports that stand with me in this difficult period in my life. I was able to build stronger and more positive support structures by allowing myself to accept that violence was in my life and that I was not going to live in its presence any longer. I know that for some it is easier said than done, however, one important note for anyone suffering from domestic violence is that you’re not alone! You are better than the abuse you have been given, and there are people to help. Willow Place is just the start of an amazing new adventure for yourself, and for your children.”

Thank you to Krystyn for sharing her experience. Thank you to Willow Place for all the work that you do.

If you are in crisis you can call the Willow Place crisis line: 204-615-0311
or call toll free: 1-877-977-0007
If you’d like to make a donation call: 204-615-0313
Or visit their website to find out more.

Shout out to everyone who participated in the 16 Days Campaign, and #16DaysMB.

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This one goes out to all the Emerging Theatre Artists

We know you’re out there workin’ hard and trying to make a name for yourself in this big, old world. It’s not easy for an emerging artist like yourself; trying to hold down a 9-5 or finish school while daydreaming of a professional career in the Arts. That’s why we’d like to dedicate this year’s workshop series to all our emerging theatre artists out there. We just wanted to let you know…

The Business of Being an Artist – Sunday February 28, 2016  1-4 pm @ the Rory Runnell’s Studio (Manitoba Playwright’s Association, 100 Arthur St.)

We think this workshop will be especially helpful to emerging artists.
Established director Ann Hodges shares her expertise on self-presentation when auditioning and applying for work in the theatre.
Founding member of Outside Joke Andrea del Campo presents on ‘branding’ and harnessing the power of social media.
Business expert from the Women’s Enterprise Centre shares the business perspective on marketing yourself.
Cost: $30  Registration deadline is Sunday February 14

Coffee with a Pro – Date and time TBD @ Elements Restaurant (599 Portage Avenue)

We’re so excited to be piloting this new and informal approach to mentorship!

Coffee with a Pro will pair a two to three emerging directors with established director Mariam Bernstein to talk shop over coffee and snacks.
Email Angie with your directing resume and cover letter to apply.

Work It Nights @ ACI Manitoba (4th floor of 245 McDermot Avenue) Continue taking place the 3rd Monday of every month. Drop in to share your work-in-progress, come to get inspired, collaborate, or just to socialize. Artists of all mediums are welcome. The next Work It is Monday December 14th.

Strategic Planning for Emerging Artists (January 3rd and 10th) is full at the moment, but you can still register to audit the workshop, and/or sign up for the wait list.

Email Angie at associate@sarasvati.ca to register.

Check out our website or visit us on Facebook

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Thank you to Rainbow Stage, ACI Manitoba, Elements, Women Enterprise Centre and Manitoba Community Services Council for their support.

 

 

It’s the Rage on the Stage!

The fifth annual So You Think You Can Act fundraiser is Wednesday February 17th and it’s bound to be the Fight of the Century. We’ve rallied all of your favourite past celebrity competitors to duke it out for your viewing pleasure. Six! Count ‘em, Six! Local celebrities who are famous for anything but acting will be paired with actors to perform scenes. They’ll cut their chops on theatrical challenges in front of a panel of judges and you! Who will take home the title? There’s only one way to find out.

The wonderful and hilarious Founding Artistic Director of the Winnipeg Comedy Festival, Lara Rae will be emceeing all night, doing her very best to keep competitors on track and in line. But she’ll have her work cut out for her because this year’s theme is all about big breaks, fast fame, and huge divas.

Enough chit-chat! Announcing this year’s celebrities; six fierce competitors in too many corners to count we have….

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• Al Simmons: Juno Award Winning musical comedy wizard. ‘Al has been called the Thomas Edison of Entertainers.’ Well, let’s see if he can invent his way out of this one!
• Troy Westwood: Former professional Canadian football player. Troy played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for 17 years, earning an All-Star selection in 1992. The bigger they are, the harder they fall!
• Big Daddy Tazz: Often described as ‘one of the most talented comics in the business’ he’s used to rave reviews and standing ovations. But can he stay in character?!
• Jenna Khan: Co-Host of ‘Energy Morning’s with Frankie Hollywood’ on Energy 106 FM. Jenna knows how to win over Winnipeggers, but our panel of judges? That’s a whole other story!
• Tracy Koga: Senior Producer and Host of Shaw Television’s “Backstage”. A former dancer with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Tracy has danced all around the world. She can float like a butterfly, can she sting like a bee?
• Kerri Salki: Produces and Hosts a radio show on 101.5 UMFM. She’s a voiceover actor who’s recorded everything from animated series to apps for smartphones. She could be stacked to slay in this competition, but audiences love an underdog.

  There all night to make sure these celebrities put their big piles of money where their mouths are is our cutthroat panel of judges, featuring… Pablo Felices-Luna, Artistic Director of MTYP; Ari Weinberg, Artistic Director of Winnipeg Jewish Theatre; and Andrea Del Campo, actor, singer, producer and founding member of Outside Joke.

  To ring in our 5th year we are offering a VIP package—buy a 5-pack of tickets and reap in some celebrity treatment for yourself. Our High Five All Star Experience entitles your group to wine upon your arrival, reserved seating, and a group photo with the celebrity competitor of your choice!

  You won’t want to miss this battle royale! Get your tickets to SYTYCA 2016 HERE! Stay tuned, we’ll be featuring each celebrity competitor in the weeks to come. Let the trash-talk begin.

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