No Strings Theatre
Have we got something to light up your world and warm your hearts this Sunday!

First and foremost, I would like to graciously thank those of you who contributed to our fundraising campaign.  Although, we have not yet met our goal, I cannot begin to tell you how much every cent has meant to us at this time.  It really goes to show that every bit, no matter what the amount, make such a big difference.  More importantly, we really feel the love that is coming from your hearts and we are encourage to keep working to make a difference in the the community's artistic culture. There is still time to make a contribution if you have not already.  Details are below. Thank you so much!

Please find in this newsletter, more information on our upcoming show featuring opera,, jazz steel pan, and much more,, as well as other programming details.

See you around!
Denise
Breaking News...
Added to our line up is Canadian jazz artist,  
Lara Solnicki appearing at the 7pm show this Sunday December 20th!

OUR VENUE
We thank Artscape Toronto and the Artscape Wychwood Barns staff for their venue partnership.  You will be serenaded by steel pan as you are welcomed into the space!

OUR CAST
Yes, it's true that Kurtis Whittle (if you remember in our October issue, came to NST a young lad of 14 years old), is playing the slightly deaf and eccentric King, Kaspar (evening show), in our professional cast of Amahl and the Night Visitors.  Below you will find some of Kurtis' work behind the scenes'.
Erin Armstrong featured with Will-Trigo-Ebere (left) has just wrapped up her own production of this show, last weekend in Windsor. ON. 

Here are Erin's credits:
Erin Dickau (Armstrong) B.Mus, M.Mus., B.Ed. 
Executive Director
Music Moves Kids Abridged Opera
Conductor
Windsor Community Choir










Kurtis  Whittle (left) is a clip of an aria that Kurtis sang for us at his audition.Those of you have have known Kurtis will be pleased to witness his artistic development.






Kurtis and Will rehearse
 "This is my box" (left)














Mikhail Buhkman (below) will join us again in the role of Kaspar (matinee show)  Here is some more info on Mikhail

Mikhail Bukhman is a graduate of the Saratov State Conservatory in Russia, and is currently developing his technique at Ms. Jean McPhail's Vocal Studio.  Since Mr. Bukhman's arrival to Canada, he has performed with Opera in Concert, Summer Opera Lyric Theatre, Opera Luminata, Neapolitan Connection Series and No Strings Theatre. His operatic repertoire includes Ovlur from Borodin's Prince Igor, Aubrey from Marschner's Der Vampyr, Pedrillo from Mozart's Die Entführung aus dem Serail, and Street Vendor from Charpentier's Louise.  He has also been working as a Lead Tenor at the Humber Crest United Church.  Mikhail is delighted to come back to No Strings Theatre's production of Menotti's Amahl and the Night Visitors as Kaspar in December 2015.


Lauren Voorpostel (see alumni feature below)  
Lauren joins our cast once again as a shepherd,  And there is more.....Lauren has recently stepped in to adapt Victoria Slager's choreography of 'The Shepherd's Dance'.  Read more on Lauren below and find out why I feel she has both right and left brain ingenuity.

The whole opera is 45 min in length and perfect for families with young children.

And what else will you hear this Sunday?
Handel, Thiman, John Jacob Niles, Mark Hayes, Steel Pan, Jazz Gospel, special appearances (Lawrence Cotton, Nicole Brooks and Canadian jazz artist,  Lara Solnicki)

CLICK THE POSTER BELOW TO GET MORE INFO AND YOUR TICKETS NOW!
 
Program Updates!
New Work Reading  
 
We are pleased to  announce the reading of the comic opera,
Victoria, by composer Alice Dearden on Saturday January 23rd  2016.  Victoria is about 2 Italian families lost in translation .  This will feature.Alice's choices of emerging artists., Tessa Laengert, Soprano  and Lance Keizer, Tenor, musically directed by Roger Bergs.   We are still in the market for an emerging mezzo-soprano to audition for one of the supporting roles.   Please make submissions to the email address below.   More information on the synopsis and characters will be coming down the pipe!

We are reviewing others and will soon announce the full program.  It is still not late to get your submission in but hurry, we wish to make our final cut withing the next little while - remember, you may submit an excerpt. and suggest your own cast.
Submissions and queries should be sent to: nstemergingartists@gmail.com.
March Break Program 2016

Explore the art of Commedia Dell'Arte
The Summer Intensive -July 4- August 7

Stage Director, Patrick Maubert is currently performing a tour of '12 Tenors' in Eastern Europe  (right photo, right singer)  However, Patrick and Denise are face timing plans for the summer.  A special early bird registration for our alumni ($1000) and for our subscribers (10%  off of the early bird rate of $1200) will open shortly but will end January 15th.   Don't miss out!  Stay tuned .......
NST Alumni: Spotlight on Lauren Voorpostel
Lauren Voorpostel as Eponine, Les Miserables
Lauren Voorpostel first came to No Strings Theatre in 2010, taking on the challenging role of Eponine in the Summer Intensive production of Les Miserables.  The following summer, she played Johanna in Sweeney Todd, and then, in 2012, Georgia in the Kander and Ebb musical Curtains.  Lauren's studies have led her to the University of Guelph, where she is working towards a degree in Biological Sciences, but she has not lost her passion for musical theatre. At Guelph she appeared in a production of The Drowsy Chaperone, and she will be in the university's production of Legally Blonde this spring.

"There are so many things that I have learned during my time at No Strings Theatre that made me not only a better performer, but helped me with my studies and who I am as an individual.  I gained confidence, adaptability, leadership skills, and the knowledge that with hard work and focus, it is possible to get things done in a short amount of time.  I will be forever grateful to No Strings Theatre for giving me the opportunity to take part in such an amazing program."
 
An avid supporter of No Strings Theatre, Lauren was one of the people instrumental in creating our Emerging Artists Program.  She will also be back to sing in our Holiday Festival on December 20, in the shepherd chorus of Amahl and the Night Visitors.

If you have been part of the NST family - including performers, intern directors, stage crew - and would like to be featured in this section, please send us information about what you are currently up to, along with a photo. We look forward to hearing from you! 

A Gift That Makes a Difference
Our No Strings Theatre Family is kindly asking for your help in our year-end fundraising campaign.  Only with your support will we be able to continue to build a solid foundation for our talented students and their skills for life.
Theatre Quiz: 2 Chances to Win Tickets to Our Holiday Festival!

No Strings Theatre's Amahl and the Night Visitors on Sunday, December 20, will feature Denise Williams (evening) and Erin Armstrong (matinee) in the role of Mother.

1. What celebrated Canadian soprano sang the part of  Mother in the 1978 television production of Amahl and the Night Visitors?

Amahl and the Night Visitors' King Kaspar is a slightly deaf and very eccentric King.  Inquisitive Amahl is eager to ask him many questions, in particular about his parrot and about his box.  The very enchanting tenor aria 'This is my box' will be sung in our show by Mikhail Buhkman (Matinee) and Kurtis Whittle (Evening).

2. What does King Kaspar keep in his box?
 
 
Do you know the answer to either of these? Be the first to email the answer to 1 or 2  to directors@nostringstheatre.com to win tickets to our Holiday Festival. 
Support us on Yelp!
 
 
As No Strings Theatre continues to weave itself into the social media map, we now have an official  Yelp page! 
 
No Strings Theatre continues to exist thanks to patrons like you, and we'd love to spread the word on your experience with us.  Please leave a review on our No Strings Theatre Yelp page, and let Toronto know how you enjoyed our programs or our shows, and share your or your child's experience with our classes, and any other impressions we left with you. 
High School Volunteers for FOH and Stage Crew with Volunteer Coordinator Bronwen Nicholson and Assistant Sherry Ramdass
Our Supporters
Here is a short list of in kind supporters for the concert 
Voices of Colout Music 
Wordplay Creative Services
Loring Enterprises
Linda Litwack Publicity
The Toronto Onyx Lions Club
Adesh Shah, IT Technician
there are many more......



OUR VENUE PARTNER
No Strings Theatre
directors@nostringstheatre.com
http://www.nostringstheatre.com