Day 6: Final Day and Thank You

It was our last day in Toronto! We started at Theatre Passe Muraille where we toured the building with Jason Golinsky (Production and Facility Manager). We saw the main space as well as the back space where some of us had seen "Alien Creature" on Friday. It was interesting to see the set and effects up close after seeing them in the show.

We were supposed to head to Buddies in Bad Times, but their preview of "Unholy" was cancelled. We filled the afternoon though, as some people went to see "Sequence" at Tarragon, one person caught the closing of "Silk Bath" (as it, and all other Next Stage shows were sold out), and others paid a visit to the Royal Ontario Museum! After dinner, we all retired to the hostel to get a good nights sleep before returning to normal life at the National Theatre School.

At the time of writing this post, we've all made it safe and sound back in Montreal and work on the next semester's productions has resumed. I'd like to take this time to thank NTS, Andrea Lundy and the Slaight Foundation for giving us this amazing opportunity to see the breathtaking facilities, the large variety of productions, and the slew of interesting theatre artists and professionals we did on this trip. I don't think myself, or any of my classmates, will forget anything about this in a long time. The inspiration gathered and the connections made will follow us as we enter our final semester at NTS, and begin our lives as emerging theatre artists. Again, thank you.

~PP3

Various programs at TPM

TPM Mainspace

Backspace inspiration

PP3 at the ROM

Day 6: Resident Baker

Day 6 started even later than the previous, having a free morning till our first show at Tarragon. We went to the theatre for "Infinity" by Hannah Moscovitch and we all believe it was the best show we've seen so far. We ALL recommend anyone and everyone to check this show out.

After that, we ran over to the Theatre Centre. Tim Lindsay (Technical Director) and Franco Boni (Artistic and General Director) gave us a walk/talk through their unorthodox artistic programming. We got glimpses into the set up for their two shows on right now, "Kittly-Bender" and "Magic Hour" (but didn't spoil anything for "Magic Hour" that we were going to see later). The whole building is a performance space!

We all saw "Magic Hour" which was a very exciting piece of performance art, ending with a dance party! We parted ways for the night before our final day in Toronto!!

Chilling in the Theatre Centre

"Magic Hour" unexpected dance party

PP3 dance moves!!

Day 5: Street Meat!

Today had a slower morning, as we didn't start till 12. After breakfast we all headed to Buddies in Bad Times we received a tour of their space from Charissa Wilcox (Head of Production) and Adrian Whan (Technical Director). Their movable booth in the studio space blew us away! Charissa and Adrian showed us the amazing community they've built in their space and was one of my favourite tours so far.

Some of us went for lunch while others checked out the local shopping options. Our next tour was the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre, a big jump up in price range and scale was evident compared to our previous tour. Dana Johnston (Production Manager) walked us through the Elgin Theatre while they were in their load in. She regaled the detailed history of the famous venue as she pointed out the architectural opulence befitting such a grand Dame of a theatre. There was a tech rehearsal for "A Winter's Tale" going on so the Winter Garden theatre was dark and we couldn't stay long. It was a shame, as the Winter Garden is one of the most beautiful venues in the country.

After the tour, we went for a quick bite to eat, namely a staple of Toronto: street meat. This was a first time for quite a few people! We still had some time before our next tour, so Daniel gave us a walking tour in front of all the Mirvish theatres in the area! We then started our tour of the Canadian Opera Company. This was probably the most exciting tour yet!

Autumn Coppaway (Assistant Technical Director), Jake Gow (Assistant Technical Director) and Michael Freeman (Production Manager) gave us the tour of the breathtaking facility. They had just finished a levels session for "The Magic Flute", which was Jake's show, so we sat down and they walked us through their company and the special features of the building. All of their attempts to lower noise levels were extensive, innovative, and very very effective. As the set for their opera was set up on the stage, we picked the ATD's brain about the specifics and tricks of it. The company, space and people made a lot of us excited to work in a facility like that.

A lot of us went separate ways for the evening performance. Show that were seen were "Alien Creature" at Theatre Passe Muraille, "Kittly-Bender" at The Theatre Centre, "Sequence" at Tarragon Theatre, and "The Death of Mrs. Gandhi and the Beginning of New Physics (A Political Fantasy)" at Factory Theatre. Some were hits, others were misses, but we all enjoyed ourselves!

We finished off the night at Buddies in Bad Times and their Brittany Spears "Fundraising Night"!!

Elgin Theatre

STREET MEAT

Orchestra Pit COC 

COC Booms

COC Theatre

About to see "Alien Creature"

Day 4: The Opening

Today was our first full day in Toronto, and full it was. We started at the Younge Centre, seeing the venue Soulpepper uses for its season. Andrew Leeke (Technical Director) gave us the grand tour through the spaces. He showed us the Michael Young Theatre, the Baille Theatre (Where they were doing lighting focus for "The Last Wife") and a peek into the Tank House Theatre. We saw their shops and admin offices and were amazed to find how many NTS grads were working for the company.

We went for lunch at the St. Lawerence Market and headed over to the Sony Centre were Allen Ross (Senior Production Manager) gave us a tour of the largest house in the country. Coming in at over 3000 seats, the theatre was absolutely massive. We were drawn through the crazy maze that was the giant facility and really got a sense of what a different kind of theatre the place was. We weren't going to be producing any plays here, but the sheer scale of what they do here really makes one dream.

We quickly made our way down the street to Young People's Theatre (YPT). Rick Banville (Director of Production) greeted us and gave us a quick history of himself, the theatre and the company. Daniel then proceeded to take us on a guided tour, as he had interned there during the school year. We saw their whole building, from their ancient dimmers to their fantastical costume and prop shops, to the classrooms and studio space. What struck me about YPT is that, while their audiences change every 5 years, they don't save shows to do them again. They remake every show they do for the benefit of all the actors, directors and designers involved. They try to keep the art alive and new, and I greatly appreciate that.

We finished the night with the opening of Crow's Theatre's hilarious production of "The Wedding Party" at their brand new venue. The house was packed and the show kept me laughing for the entire duration. After the show, Monica Estevens (Managing Director) took us on a tour and regaled to us the pros and cons of embedding a theatre space in a condo. We saw backstage, the main space and the still under construction studio space. Their facility is state of the art and some amazing work is being produced there.

Day four is over and while we have a later start to tomorrow, it's no less full!

Prop storage at Soul Pepper

Some art in the Distillery District

Sony Centre

Pano of a dark Sony Centre

Cast and Crew of "Hana's Suitcase" at YPT

!!!!!!

Day 3: Adventures in Toronto

We finally made it! Toronto gave us a warm welcome (compared to the chilly weather of Ottawa). We dropped off our luggage at the hostel and began our journey to find lunch! Isn't there a saying about having so many choices you can't make one? That's Toronto.

After FINALLY eating, we headed for the St. Laurence Centre for our tour with Canadian Stage. Lead by Greg Dougherty (Technical Director) and Lee Milliken (Director of Production), we got a glimpse into the load in for "Liv Stein" at the Bulma Appel Theatre. We were guided through the labyrinthine hallways and rooms of the St. Laurence Centre and shown the tips and tricks of the unusual space. Greg, who had only been there one week, did very well answering our questions about a space he was also just getting to know himself.

Our guides then took us to their main headquarters at Berkely street. It was here we saw their Upstairs and Downstairs theatres as well as the prop and costume shops and the wonderful people who worked there. The entirely retrofitted facility has a beautiful mix of old industrial brickwork and modern architecture. You could still imagine the old natural gas machinery in the place of the audience seats and risers.

We checked into the hostel and a few of us went in seperate directions for different dinner options. We were slated to see two shows at Factory Theatre at the Next Stage Theatre Festival. Between the eight of us, we saw all four shows presented in the main and studio spaces. The shows presented that night were "Manicpixiedreamgirls", "Songbuster", "Click-Clack", and "The Big Fat German Puppet Show". We all enjoyed our choices and encourage anyone else to check them out while they can!

We again split up after the shows, some of us going out for a bit and others returning for an early night, but I'd say our first day in Toronto was a great success! Pictures coming soon once I get to a proper computer.

A very unhappy Elmo doll at CanStage

More CanStage props

Day 2: Return to the NAC *Updated with pictures*

Our second and final day in Ottawa was fulled with even more new experiences and perspectives. We started the day with a tour of the Great Canadian Theatre Company, courtesy of Jon Carter (Technical Director, Head of Sound). Jon took us through their facility, showing us the huge lobby, the studio, the main space, and the different shops.

After taking lunch, we all returned to the NAC, where Spike introduced us to Jim Reynolds (Head Carpenter of the Southam Hall). We attempted to grasp what it was like to work in such an amazing space with all the massive shows that come through. We got a LOT of great tips and tricks that I think we will try to do at NTS.

We finished the day with a chat with Alex Gazalé (Director of the Production Renewal Project) who walked us through the renovations happening to the NAC and showed us renderings of what it will look like when completed. We were joined by Mike D'Amato (Production Director) and they both tried to guide us through what it takes to run the Production department while working with every other department towards putting on good shows. We talked about everything from the structure of the NAC (and what makes it different from other companies) to policies and legislation we should be aware of when trying to produce pir own theatre.

We had an amazing time in Ottawa and, as we speak, are on our way to Toronto. 8 sleepy PPs on a four hour train ride, with our destination bringing even more amazing learning experiences.

UPDATE: Here are some photos from our second day!

Shows at GCTC each get a brick

Some amazing booms

Picture of the artistic fishing ling curtain at the NAC

One crazy spotlight

Posters in the Spot Booth

Old style reverberation chamber at the NAC

View from the spot booth, Southam Hall

Old style Program sound

Southam Hall LX Console

PP3 in a elevator

PP3 Ontario Theatre Trip: Day 1

Hi everyone! This blog is, for the next week or so, being used to document the Third year Production class of the National Theatre School and their trips to various theatres in Ottawa and Toronto! Look forward to pictures and blurbs from us over the next few days.

We started the day traveling by train from Montreal to Ottawa. For some of us, this was their first time on a train! It was a smooth and scenic ride, and the shortest one to come over the next few days.

Our first stop was the beautiful National Arts Centre where we met Spike Lynne (Featival Technical Director). He told us to get used to the hexagonal shape of the room, as the whole building was that shape which, while visually interesting, presents its own set of problems.

Map of the NAC

We got a tour from the top to the bottom of that facility. From the rehearsal halls, to the NAC
Studio, to the NAC Theatre, to the breathtaking Southam Hall, to the carpentry and prop shops, and even a peek into the new construction site. Our heads were spinning from all the amazing stories and experiences regaled to us by our tour guide Peter Kealey (Technical Director Fourth Stage). We were also joined by Charles Cotten (Technical Director Dance). Combined with Spike, we had some amazing brains to pick and they did not disappoint.

After a quick dinner at the Rideau Centre, most of us went to Ottawa Little Theatre where Frank gave us a quick tour before we saw a dress rehearsal of their upcoming production "Other Desert Cities" which opens on Wednesday and we all recommend people check it out!

Our first day is closed, and while we have a whole lot ahead of us, I feel like we've already seen so much. Here's a glimpse into what we've seen today!

Patch Bay of the Studio

Studio Booth

Southam Hall

Real pipe organ!

Daniel Driving the Organ

Panorama of the Southam Hall

Southam Hall Dimmers

Pictures of a young Frank Donato at Ottawa Little Theatre