CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

Playwrights' Workshop Montréal is accepting applications for the position of EXECUTIVE AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR until June 4, 2007. Playwrights' Workshop Montréal is a membership-based national play development centre providing dramaturgical resources to playwrights and translators at every stage in the evolution of their work. From dramaturgical consultation through to public readings, PWM offers a critical and vibrant environment for Canadian playwrights of both official languages to further their craft and best prepare new scripts for production.

We are seeking an individual with the following qualifications:
- Approximately ten years experience in the field of new play development;
- An in-depth knowledge of the principles and practices of dramaturgy;
- A proven track-record of developing plays for production;
- Knowledge of the professional Canadian theatre, links with the theatre companies and their directors, links with professional theatre organizations;
- The ability to work with an annual budget of approximately $300,000.

In addition, a facility with the French language would be a definite asset.
The duties of the Artistic and Executive Director include:
- Providing dramaturgical assistance to the membership;
- Programming and supervising the annual schedule of play readings, workshops, residencies, master classes and other public events;
- Building relationships with producers and producing companies;
- Promoting the organization;
- Traveling nationally to meet with playwrights and theatre companies;
- Supervising the budgeting and the expenditures of the organization;
- Coordinating annual fundraising activities, including grant applications to public and private sources, as well as other solicitations for funds;
- Supervising all other employees of the organization;
- Managing the day-to-day affairs of the organization;
- Reporting to the Board of Directors.
The salary will be between $35,000 and $40,000, including benefits, commensurate with experience. The position includes six weeks paid vacation. The successful candidate should be available to start work by August 1, 2007.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: June 4, 2007.
All applications will be held in confidence. Applicants should forward their resume and any accompanying letters, postmarked no later than June 4, 2007, to:

THE SEARCH COMMITTEE
Playwrights' Workshop Montréal
P.O. Box 604, Station Place d’Armes
Montreal, QC H2Y 3H8

Or email to:adsearch (at) playwrights.ca

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR PAULA DANCKERT TO LEAVE LANDMARK CULTURAL INSTITUTION

The Board of Directors of Playwrights’ Workshop Montréal wishes to announce that its Artistic and Executive Director, Paula Danckert, will be resigning at the end of this current season, in order to pursue other artistic ventures. Although the Board deeply regrets Paula’s departure, it wishes to express its sincere gratitude for her dedication and commitment to the organization, and to celebrate her work in advancing the mission of PWM.

During her nine-year tenure at PWM, Paula has elevated the organization’s profile both nationally and internationally. Under Paula’s direction, PWM has fostered new play development by hosting artists from across Canada and by providing dramaturgy for Canadian plays going into production. In addition, plays and operas workshopped at PWM have garnered international acclaim and elicited invitations to participate in events abroad. As a result, artists from around the world have come to Montréal to work with PWM. One of Paula’s major initiatives was to strengthen the relationship between French and English theatre through the Transmissions program, in partnership with the Centre des auteurs dramatiques (CEAD), and the Tadoussac Playwrights’ Residence for translation and adaptation.

PWM is poised to build upon the solid foundation established by Paula Danckert. Funding bodies, such as the Canada Council for the Arts, the Conseil des Arts et des Lettres du Québec, and the Conseil des arts de Montréal have all increased their support to PWM during Ms. Danckert’s tenure. This support is enhanced by our successful community-based fundraising activities, including the Artists for Artists Art Auction.

The Board of Directors of PWM will be putting out a call for applications shortly to fill the position of Artistic and Executive Director. Ms. Danckert will stay on to facilitate the transition of duties to the successful candidate over the coming months, supported by the staff and Board of PWM.

Background: Founded over 43 years ago, Playwrights’ Workshop Montréal is a unique theatre company working to enrich the creative process of theatre professionals in Canada. We are a leading national professional theatre centre dedicated to the development of contemporary work and new writers for the Canadian stage. From dramaturgical consultation through to public readings, PWM offers a critical and vibrant environment for Canadian playwrights of both official languages to further their craft and best prepare new scripts for production.

PWM MAKING A SCENE IN OTTAWA

PWM was one of over eighty-five arts presenters at the Quebec Scene Festival which took place at the National Arts Centre (NAC) in Ottawa, Ontario. PWM presented a public reading of 24 Exposures, a new translation/adaptation by Shelley Tepperman of Serge Boucher’s 24 Poses.

The reading which took place on Friday, May 4, 2007 was directed by Alon Nashman and brought together eight different actors to Ottawa from across the country. Eric Epstein, Dennis Fitzgerald, Neil Napier, Harry Nelken Howard Rosenstein, Alix Sideris, Theresa Tova and Beverly Wolfe brought to life the Freedman family for an appreciative audience. PWM was thrilled to see so many of our Ottawa members in attendance.

After the reading, Artistic Director, Paula Danckert moderated a discussion on the nature of translation. The discourse was so lively that it had to be cut short by the technician who needed the space for the next event.

24 Exposures was one of several translation/adaptations developed at the 2006 Tadoussac Playwrights’ Residence under the patronage of Briony Glassco, Honorary Chair, and the mentorship of Linda Gaboriau.

The 2006 Tadoussac Playwrights’ Residence was made possible with the assistance of the National Arts Centre (Ottawa) and the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Interdepartmental Partnership with the Official-Language Communities (IPOLC), and initiative of the Department of Canadian Heritage. It was also sponsored by BMO Financial Group and friends of Bill Glassco.

2007 ARTISTS FOR ARTISTS ART AUCTION

On a blustery and snowy Thursday, April 12, PWM held its fourth biennial Artists for Artists Art Auction in the Liane & Danny Taran Gallery of the Saidye Bronfman Centre for the Arts. As guests literally came in from the cold they were warmed and delighted by the numerous works of art that were displayed on every inch of the gallery walls.

The Liane and Danny Taran Art Gallery

PWM’s Adya Afanou and auctioneer, Brian Davies

John Sadowy’s musical stylings accompanied the vernissage and cocktail hour that preceded the auction. Guests had a chance to peruse the over fifty works of art by distinguished contemporary Canadian artists and if that wasn’t enough entertainment, Dan Buller (aka DSTRBO) was on site creating a live painting based on a photograph by Ronald S. Diamond, which was to be bid on later in the auction.

Clare Schapiro and Eva Prager, O.C.

Dan Buller creating his live painting

The auction began with a tribute by Clare Schapiro, Artistic Director of Imago Theatre to Eva Prager, O.C. renowned portraitist and activist who charmed the audience with her story of Queen Elizabeth. At this point in the evening, professional auctioneer Brian Davies took over and a blistering pace began. Once the dust had settled, PWM had raised over $27,000 from the auction!

PWM would like to thank all of the sponsors, volunteers, technical crew and of course the artists, without whose generosity the evening could not have been possible.

This year’s participating artists were:

Françoise Barraud • Rita Briansky • Dan Buller • Margaret "Ruriko" Charron • D.R. Cowles • Mel Davis • Robert Dequoy • Rachel Dhawan • Ronald S. Diamond • Peter Flinsch • John Fox • Hannah Franklin • Bernard Gamoy • Juan Geuer
Bernie Kelly Goulem • Géza Hermann • Karen Hibbard • Tom Hopkins • Christina Kee • Trevor Kiernander • Doreen Lindsay • Janet Logan • Billy Mavreas • Rochelle Mayer • Catherine "Cathstile" Miron • Duy Phuc Nguyen • Louisa Nicol • Daniel Oxley
Nancy Petry • Kenneth Peters • Leopold Plotek • Aaron Porter • Eva Prager, O.C. • Georgia "Kalas" Prioniotakis • Brigitte Radecki • Aaron Reaume • Kate Rusko • Joyce Ryckman • Anjulie Saliba • David Sanders • Susan G. Scott • Sheila Segal
David Sorensen • Bernice Lutfie Sorge • Véronique Soucy • Laurel Sprengelmeyer
Gabor Szilasi • Keer Tanchak • Corri-Lynn Tetz • Irene F. Whittome, O.C. • Pei Yang

PWM would like to thank our contributing partners for this event:

APM PHILIPOUCI GESTION IMPRESSION

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Click on one of the above logos to enter our virtual gallery and online bidding for our 2007 Fundraising Art Auction.

Cliquez sur l'un de ces deux logos pour accéder à notre galerie virtuelle et l'encan électronique pour notre Encan Bénéfice 2007.

On January 14th 2007, PWM hosted a group of emerging playwrights, in town from New York City. Youngblood is a collective of emerging professional playwrights operating under the wing of New York’s Ensemble Studio Theatre. Not unlike PWM, their aim is to foster the development of playwrights, to bring artists together and to promote their work within the community.

Greg MacArthur with members of Youngblood	Discussions in the kitchen

A group of about 12 Youngblooders came to Montreal in January for a creative get away – to explore the city, meet some artists, and do some exploratory writing. With that in mind, Playwrights’ brought together a diverse group of Montreal-based writers/creators to meet with them at an informal 5 à 7. It was a fantastic evening of discussion and socializing, sharing ideas, work, and experience. It was a great opportunity for us to meet some like-minded colleagues across the border.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Playwrights’ Workshop Montréal is looking for a group of committed, diverse playwrights to participate in...

The Playwrights' Gym

A select group of playwrights will meet on a monthly basis for a period of 6 months from January to June, 2007 with the purpose of sharing and developing their work, their ideas and their resources.

The Playwrights' Gym is open to both emerging and established Montréal-area playwrights and theatre artists who demonstrate an interest and committment to the development of their craft, and a desire to challenge both themselves and their work.

Applications must be received no later than Monday, January 15th 2007.

Selected participants will be contacted by phone and must be available for an initial meet and greet on Monday January 22nd 2007 at 6pm.

For more information or to send an application, click here.

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1st Grand prize: A pair of Montreal-Stratford round-trip tickets from VIA Rail Canada, a pair of tickets to a designated performance during the Stratford Festival’s 2007 season, two-night accommodations at Woodmont Guesthouse Bed & Breakfast

2nd Grand prize: One adult membership to a YMCA community centre

3rd Grand prize: One SUPERPASS to the 2007 St.Ambroise Montreal Fringe Festival

4th Grand prize: One SUPERPASS to the 2007 St.Ambroise Montreal Fringe Festival

5th Grand prize: An acting class at ASM Performing Arts

Other Prizes:
• 2007 Season pass for two to Hudson Village Theatre (two prizes to be won!)
• 2007 Season pass for two to Theatre Lac Brome
• Beginners’ 7-week class for Yoga or Pilates at Studios Lyne St-Roch
• Two tickets to Glorious at Centaur Theatre Company
• Two tickets to I Am my Own Wife at the Leanor and Alvin Segal Theatre
• Deluxe jacquard 7 piece bed set (Queen size) from Safdie Inc.
• A complimentary supporting membership and a sweatshirt from Playwrights’ Workshop
• $50 gift-certificate from Alpenhaus restaurant
• $50 gift-certificate from California Pizza
• Two tickets to Avaler la mer et les poissons at Théâtre La Licorne
• One year subscription to The Canadian Theatre Review
• Table d'hôte dinner for two at La Piazzetta restaurant Ste.-Catherine (two prizes to be won!)
• $30 gift-certificate from Jeanetic clothing store
• Dinner for two at Lester’s Deli
• One Queen size sheets set in flannel from Safdie Inc.
• $25 gift certificate from Cheap Thrills record and book store
• One Queen size sheets set from Safdie Inc. (two prizes to be won!)
• $20 gift-certificate from Cocoa Locale
• One honeycomb classic throw from Safdie Inc.
• One polyester printed blanket (60” x 90”) from Safdie Inc.
• One box of greeting cards designed by Desmond Heeley, from PAL Stratford
• One jacquard tablecloth from Safdie Inc.
• One beach towel from Safdie Inc. (two prizes to be won!)

Draw will take place on Friday, February 9, 2007 at 7 pm
at Playwrights’ Workshop Montréal, 4324 St. Laurent, Montreal
Deadline to claim prizes: March 9, 2007 at 6 pm at Playwrights’ Workshop Montréal

Ticket Price: $5.00 each or $10.00 for 3 tickets

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PWM Holiday Party
December 8, 2006

Playwrights’ Workshop Montréal’s infamous holiday party is back! You’re invited to join us for drinks, food, door prizes, the eagerly awaited Talent Show, and more! Plus take the opportunity to buy raffle tickets. Information about the PWM Annual Fundraising Raffle is below.

Doors open at 8 pm.
Suggested donation: $5
PWM, 4324 St.Laurent Blvd. (corner Marie-Anne)

For information call: 514-843-3685

Sponsors: Elise Moser, Lexa Publishers' Representative

     

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Le Chien Qui Chante presents

A Chair in Love

a new English comic opera
by John Metcalf and Larry Tremblay
directed by Keith Turnbull

A Chair in Love is a fabulous mixture of high romance and absurdism, an opera cliché of unrequited love.
Don't miss this unique opportunity to see this modern comic opera, developed through the assistance of PWM.

Don't forget - PWM members, with proof of membership, can obtain tickets for $20, a $12 discount off the regular $32 ticket price.

June 8 - 18, 2006
Tuesday to Saturday 8 p.m. and Sunday 4 p.m.
Théâtre Espace Go
4890 Saint-Laurent Blvd (near St. Joseph)
Box Office: (514) 845-4890
For tickets and information please contact
Théâtre Espace Go (514) 845-4890 or www.admissions.com
and visit www.achairinlove.com

a chair in love... a jealous dog... a love sick filmmaker... come together in a hilarious love triangle.

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Wondering what's already happened? Check out our past seasons.

Season 2005-2006

Season 2004-2005

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