As we reported previously, theatres in Ontario will need to comply with the standard for accessible customer service by 2012.  Brandon Moore attended a forum run by the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario, aimed at the not-for-profit sector on how to implement these requirements.  We've already started discussions with other arts service organizations on how we can train you on these new standards and how they impact your organization.

 

The most important thing for theatres to know: DO NOT PANIC!  This guideline is NOT about requirements for the accessibility of your built environment (your theatre itself) but rather how you interact with audience members who may have a disability.  It's an opportunity for theatres to assess better how you can reach a significant and often neglected audience.

 

But feel free to email Brandon at brandon@theatreontario.org or call 416.408.4556 x.15 if the standard is causing you anxiety.

Theatre Ontario is pleased to be launching a new volume rebate program to help our member theatres with their hardware and other technical production costs.  Read more

Theatre Ontario is pleased to welcome ten new members to our Talent Bank of workshop leaders.  Our Talent Bank matches professional theatre trainers and teachers with organizations that need help.  This year we welcome new members in twelve categories.  Read more

Our student adjudicators, fresh off their Introduction to Adjudication course in London, now need opportunities to practice!  We are looking for community theatre productions willing to have students come in and try out their new skills.  Read more

We're pleased to announce that we still have a few spaces in three of our summer courses, running this year in Peterborough from August 8 to 14.

 

While our "Taking The Rough With The Smooth: Advanced Scene Study" course with Christopher Newton is now full, we still have spaces available in our other three courses: "Make 'Em Laugh: Comedy Performance Skills For Actors" with Heather Dick, "Who's The Boss Here Anyway?: Introduction To Directing" with John P. Kelly, and "The Directors Symposim", our advanced directing seminar featuring Philip Akin, Leah Cherniak, Eric Coates, Susan Ferley and Richard Rose.  Read more

John Goddard, Executive Director, explores the challenges of competitive theatre festivals, awards, the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.

 

Dennis Johnson, Community Theatre Coordinator, looks at the trends in community theatre playwriting, based on the submissions to the anthology of community theatre scripts.

 

And TO Toasts to some of the outstanding achievements by Ontario theatre artists.