Winter Workshops for Emerging Artists

How does an emerging theatre artist begin to get professional work? What can an emerging actor do to improve when they aren’t working? Is your piece translating the way you want it to?

These are the types of questions we address throughout our season of workshops for emerging theatre artists. Take a look at what we have to offer this winter and spring to see what speaks to you.

Coffee with a Pro

Coffee with Director, Mariam Bernstein

Our informal mentorship series returns with new mentoring Artists!

On Dec. 6th we launch into winter with Coffee with Ann Hodges. Esteemed theatre Director, Ann Hodges will meet with four emerging directors to talk shop over coffee. Emerging artists get to know a professional in their field to discuss professional directing in a relaxed atmosphere.

We will arrange three more Coffee with a Pro sessions this season. One for aspiring Artistic Directors and one for emerging Playwrights. We are open to suggestions for the third one, so let us know if there is a professional artist you’d like to talk shop with!

 

The Actor’s Voice with Tom Soares

Tom Soares

In this workshop, you will be introduced to the basics of voice and text work for the stage.  You will learn how the voice works, what can go wrong and basic voice and text technique.  Participants will practice the basics of alignment, tension release, breath awareness and support, coming gently onto sound, projection (being heard), and work on clarity of thought through textual exercises.  Participants are encouraged to bring in a monologue of their choice to work on.  Monologues or a speech will be provided if participants don’t have one available.

Voice and Speech Coach and Theatre Educator, Tom Soares facilitates this workshop.
Sunday, Feb. 4th from 1-4 pm
Asper Centre for Theatre & Film
$20
Space is limited. Registration is open now!

 

Monologue Intensive

Auditioning 101 with Hope McIntyre

Monologue work is such a crucial component to getting work as a stage actor. This workshop will focus on honing your monologue. Stay tuned for more details on this spring intensive.

At Sarasvati Productions, we are dedicated to supporting the growth of emerging artists. If there is a workshop you’d like to see offered let us know! Contact Angie at associate@sarasvati.ca to inquire or to register.

 

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.

 

 

Jail Baby Biographies: The Creative Team

We may have been a little premature in our previous post, Winnipeggers. It turns out winter is still keeping our hands, cars and roads icy. But, that doesn’t mean that the creative juices aren’t flowing! As you already know, we are just weeks away from the world premiere of Jail Baby, a play that has been close to ours hearts for many years. Based on the true stories of incarcerated women, this play could not have happened without the community interest and input for which we are extremely grateful!  Let’s take a look at the biographies of some of our creative team behind Jail Baby.

We are very lucky to have the incredible talents of Ann Hodges as director. Ann directed a workshop presentation of the play in 2011 and has made huge contributions to the scripts development. She is also one of Winnipeg’s top directors! Ann Hodges is a graduate of the National Theatre School. Ann’s directing credits include Manitoba Theatre Centre, Manitoba Opera, Calgary Opera, Prairie Theatre Exchange, Theatre Projects, Dry Cold, Edmonton Opera, Vancouver Opera, Great Canadian Theatre Company, Blyth, Persephone, Shaw, and Opera Lyra.  Career highlights include a directing workshop with Peter Brook (National Theatre), directing the 2002 North American Indigenous Games Opening Ceremonies, and MTC’s recent production of August: Osage County starring Martha Henry.  Ann has written numerous adaptations of operas for young audiences which have been produced across Canada, including the libretto for Vancouver Opera’s acclaimed production of Naomi’s Road.

Our very own artistic director is also co-writer and had the privilege of working with dozens of inspiring women as part of the creation process. Hope McIntyre has a BFA (University of Saskatchewan) and an MFA in directing (University of Victoria). She also completed an apprenticeship in England. Hope is in her fourteenth year as Artistic Director of Sarasvàti Productions. She is an award-winning playwright. Most recently EDEN premiered in May 2012 and Empty premiered at FemFest 2012. In 2006 Hope was awarded the YWCA Women of Distinction Award. She currently teaches at the University of Winnipeg. She is a former President of the Playwrights Guild of Canada. She is excited that Jail Baby will premiere and be published next month.

As co-playwright and facilitator over the last three years for drama workshops with incarcerated women, Cairn Moore has been a huge part of this process. Cairn is a director and playwright. She teaches first year performance at the University of Winnipeg and is Associate Artistic Director of FemFest. In 2012, Cairn placed first in the Jewish Canadian Playwrighting competition, which included a workshop and public reading as part of the Chutzpah! Festival in Vancouver. SHIKSA will be produced with the Winnipeg Jewish Theatre in April, 2014. Jail Baby is her most recent work. Cairn is also editor/writer of Generation NeXXt, a scene book anthology for young female actors (SCIRROCCO).

We also need to give a big shout out to Nan Fewchuk and Marsha Knight who facilitated sessions with women and gave valuable script feedback!

Jail Baby runs from May 16-26, 2013 at the University of Winnipeg Asper Centre for Theatre and Film (400 Colony Street). Tickets are $18 or $12 for students and seniors. To purchase tickets and to see show times, please visit www.sarasvati.ca. Stay tuned in the upcoming weeks to learn more about the educational panels and special cameos as part of this amazing show!

Jail Baby: Biographies

After months of biting our nails in anticipation, Sarasvàti Productions is proud to finally announce our cast for Jail Baby!  We are excited to work with this amazing group of local actors for the world premiere of this new work! This stellar cast will be working with acclaimed director Ann Hodges, who started her involvement with Jail Baby when it was workshopped in 2011 for FemFest. Sarasvàti Productions is also excited to announce their incredible design team who will bring this play to life!

Jail Baby
by Hope McIntyre and Cairn Moore
with Nan Fewchuk and Marsha Knight

Directed by Ann Hodges

Set/Costume Design by Abigail Myers

Lighting Design by Dean Cowieson

Sound Design by Chris Coyne

Starring: Ashley Chartrand, Melanie Dean, Shannon Guile, Daina Leitold, Megan McArton, Tracey Nepinak and Cory Wojcik.

Let’s take a look at the two actresses who will be playing the lead role of Jasmine. These two superb actresses will be playing young and present day Jasmine (respectively), and we couldn’t be more excited to see them take to the stage this May!

Emerging theatre artist Ashley Chartrand made her Sarasvàti debut in 2008 with our school tour of Ripple Effect. In 2009/2010 she performed in No Offense…, the no-holds-barred play about racism in schools created as part of FemFest 2009. She also appeared in our International Women’s Week Cabaret of Monologues a coule years ago. Ashley is currently studying at the University of Winnipeg.

If you have seen some of our previous shows this past season, you will recognize Melanie Dean. Melanie was in FemFest 2012 favourite Empty, as well as in our International Women’s Week Cabaret of Monologues just a few short weeks ago!  Melanie was born in The Pas MB, and is a member of Mathias Colomb Cree Nation (Pukatawagan, MB). Mel attained her BA at the University of Winnipeg (2002) majoring in Performing Arts and English Literature. Nowadays, she can be found dancing on the Powwow trail somewhere on Turtle Island with her two beautiful children Shanley and Jesse. Mel’s other credits include, Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, Doug Nepinak’s The Crisis in Oka Manitoba with Red Roots Theatre Company, Doug Nepinak’sThe Life of Ruth and BBQ, William Inge’s Picnic, Dale Lakevold’s and Darrell Racine’s Stretching Hide at the University of Brandon, Frederico Garcia Lorca’s The House of Bernarda Alba, and MTC’s production of Tracy Letts August Osage County.

Fundraising campaign update: To date, we have raised $2,168.20 for our campaign, which will go directly towards Jail Baby. With just over a week left to donate, we need every one of our readers and friends to show your support! We only require 19 donations of $150 or more to reach our goal! So, phone a friend, and get them to donate as well!  Help us make our target today!