Ovation Volume 22, Number 6 (April/May 2015)

vol 22 • no 6 apr/may 2015

by JOE DIPIETRO

JOHN HIRSCH MAINSTAGE

To most, it’s open space.

To a dancer, it’s endless possibility.

PROUDLY SUPPORTING THE INNOVATION & IMAGINATION OF WINNIPEG’S ARTS COMMUNITY

Message from the Artistic Director Their battle cry was “tengo I HAVE BEEN THINKING LATELY familia,” which means so ABOUT OUR THEATRE’S DNA, much more than the literal the parental strands that translation of “I have family.” united amateur and profesThe words celebrate the sional theatre artists under responsibility and fulfillment one vision in 1958. One of that comes with nurturing those strands goes back to each successive generation, the Community Players of and DiPietro’s heart draws Winnipeg who risked their him back to the same source “amateur purity” in 1930 by for Clever Little Lies. This hiring their first paid, profesSteven Schipper time, adultery threatens sional artist: director John a family, and a new grandchild’s cradle Craig. An editorial in the Winnipeg Free swings precariously in the storm. Will a Press looked forward to a theatrical series of lies keep the three generations renaissance under the influence of Craig’s together, or will it take the truth to set “kindly ruthlessness,” noting that his rule them free? of conduct was simple: “Good plays, well acted, will attract attention.”

Tengo familia. Not a bad motto, particularly However, his hiring was not without risk.

Craig’s $250 per month fee, modest though it seems now, would increase the theatre’s total annual expenses by 50 per cent. To cover these costs, they would need 1,200 subscribers, and all four plays would have to sell out. And so the theatre set out to convince Winnipeggers that the organization belonged to the community, not just to a small band of volunteers who enjoyed putting on plays.

The important things haven’t changed since the Community Players of Winnipeg became the Winnipeg Little Theatre in the 1931/32 season and then MTC and now Royal MTC. We still strive for great performances in wonderful plays, like Clever Little Lies by Joe DiPietro, the same playwright who made us laugh and cry with Over the River and Through the Woods. You may remember how four Italian-American grandparents joined forces to keep their grandson from moving across the country. april/may 2015

if you extend it beyond the family and into the public sphere. After all, where do our ideas of family end? With blood? Or with bonds of kinship that transcend biology?

The Community Players, in their subscription appeal in 1930, wrote that they needed everyone’s help if they were to achieve their goal: “to represent truly and artistically every strata of mind and every distinction of type in the community.” They needed the larger family, just as we need this generation today. Our artistic and financial success still rests on your commitment, your belief in us.

We need many more subscribers because we now employ hundreds of professionals each year rather than one. And John Craig? Well, he virtually doubled the size of the audience in a single year, thanks to a community made up of people like you.

Ovation

Yours always,

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R O YA L M T C 2 0 1 5 / 1 6 Fate can bring us luck and a helping hand just as fast as it can throw our lives into disarray.

But one thing is certain: fate knows how to create great drama. In 2015/16, the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre is thrilled to present a season of stories that give us hope and show us that regardless of circumstance, we have the power to forge our own destinies.

MAINSTAGE THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING-GLASS BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL CHIMERICA UNNECESSARY FARCE BOOM

WAREHOUSE SEMINAR WIESENTHAL THINGS WE DO FOR LOVE MYTH OF THE OSTRICH

S E A L YO U R FAT E PA C K A G E S S TA R T AT $ 1 2 0 ONLINE RoyalMTC.ca

PHONE 204 942 6537

IN PERSON Royal MTC Box Office 174 Market Avenue

TOLL-FREE 1 877 446 4500

RENEWAL DEADLINE: MAY 16

MAIL Royal MTC Box Office 174 Market Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3B 0P8

Theatre Abbreviation Legend Arts Club Arts Club Theatre Company • Vancouver, BC ATF Atlantic Theatre Festival • Wolfville, NS ATP Alberta Theatre Projects • Calgary, AB BAM Brooklyn Academy of Music • NYC Bard on the Beach Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival • Vancouver, BC Belfry The Belfry Theatre • Victoria, BC Blyth Blyth Theatre Festival • Blyth, ON Broadway Theatre district • New York, NY CBC Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Centaur Centaur Theatre Company • Montreal, QC Citadel The Citadel Theatre • Edmonton, AB COC Canadian Opera Company • Toronto, ON CS Canadian Stage • Toronto, ON Dora Dora Mavor Moore Award • Toronto, ON Drayton Drayton Entertainment • Ontario Dry Cold Dry Cold Productions • Winnipeg, MB Factory Factory Theatre • Toronto, ON GCTC The Great Canadian Theatre Company • Ottawa, ON Grand The Grand Theatre • London, ON Mirvish Mirvish Productions • Toronto, ON Moving Target Moving Target Theatre Company • Winnipeg, MB MTYP Manitoba Theatre for Young People • Winnipeg, MB NAC National Arts Centre • Ottawa, ON Necessary Angel Necessary Angel Theatre Company • Toronto, ON Neptune Neptune Theatre • Halifax, NS NFB National Film Board of Canada NTS National Theatre School of Canada • Montreal, QC Persephone Persephone Theatre • Saskatoon, SK PTAM Popular Theatre Alliance of Manitoba • Winnipeg, MB

PTE Prairie Theatre Exchange • Winnipeg, MB Rainbow Rainbow Stage • Winnipeg, MB RNT Royal National Theatre • London, England Royal Alex The Royal Alexandra Theatre • Toronto, ON RSC Royal Shakespeare Company • Stratford-upon-Avon, England RWB Royal Winnipeg Ballet • Winnipeg, MB Sarasvàti Sarasvàti Productions • Winnipeg, MB Segal The Segal Centre for Performing Arts • Montreal, QC Shaw Shaw Festival • Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON SIR Shakespeare in the Ruins • Winnipeg, MB Soulpepper Soulpepper Theatre Company • Toronto, ON Stratford Stratford Festival • Stratford, ON SummerWorks SummerWorks Theatre Festival • Toronto, ON TA Theatre Aquarius • Hamilton, ON Tarragon Tarragon Theatre • Toronto, ON TBTR Theatre by the River • Winnipeg, MB TC Theatre Calgary • Calgary, AB TNB Theatre New Brunswick • Fredericton, NB Toronto Free Toronto Free Theatre • Toronto, ON TPM Theatre Projects Manitoba • Winnipeg, MB TSO Toronto Symphony Orchestra U of M University of Manitoba U of T University of Toronto U of W University of Winnipeg VP Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company • Vancouver, BC West End Theatre district • London, England WJT Winnipeg Jewish Theatre WSO Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra YPT Young People’s Theatre • Toronto, ON zone41 zone41 theatre • Winnipeg, MB

OVATION VOLUME 22, NUMBER 5 MARCH/APRIL 2015

Ovation is published six times per theatre season and has an approximate yearly circulation of 100,000. printing: Premier Printing Ltd. ADVERTISING INQUIRIES Thomas Urish telephone: 204 954 6413 email: turish@royalmtc.ca

Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre 174 Market Avenue Winnipeg, MB r3b 0p8 Canada RoyalMTC.ca box office: 204 942 6537 administration: 204 956 1340 fax: 204 947 3741

Ushers • Royal MTC’s loyal volunteer ushers are avail-

able at every performance to assist patrons.

Latecomers • Latecomers will be seated at the discre-

tion of the House Manager.

Courtesy to others • Talking, candy wrappers and

coughing are distracting to fellow patrons and actors.

We ask each patron to please keep noise to a minimum during a performance. Thank you for your cooperation.

Scents and Allergies • A number of Royal MTC

patrons have expressed concerns regarding medical reactions caused by scented products, so much so that they can’t enjoy the show. Please consider others before using items such as colognes, perfumes and hairspray.

Your thoughtfulness is appreciated.

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Royal MTC is a member of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres and engages, under the terms of the Canadian Theatre Agreement, professional artists who are members of the Canadian Actors’ Equity Association.

Scenery, Carpentry and Show Running Crew at the John Hirsch Mainstage and the Tom Hendry Warehouse are members of IATSE Local 63.

Hearing enhancement • Sennheiser Infrared Listening

Devices are available free of charge in the lobby at the John Hirsch Mainstage and Tom Hendry Warehouse, supplied by the Royal MTC Volunteer Corps of Ushers Capital Campaign donation. Please see the House Manager for details.

Prohibited • The use of cameras and recording devices

is strictly prohibited. Mobile devices must be turned off.

To be contacted in an emergency, leave your name and seat number with the House Manager.

Warnings • On occasion, Royal MTC’s productions may

contain script-specific smoking of non-tobacco products, special effects and language/content warnings. For more information on specific productions, please visit royalmtc.ca.

Ovation

april/may 2015

Creating value where we live and work. Together.

Applauding the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre.

Setting the Stage

CLEVER LITTLE LIES

High Infidelity

The secret in Joe DiPietro’s Clever Little Lies is out and – spoiler alert! – Billy is cheating on his wife.

A new baby, pressure at work and a marriage that is struggling to stay on course are all reasons Billy gives his father to justify what drove him into the arms of his personal trainer.

Bill Sr.’s shock at the confession is warranted – is there ever really a good reason to cheat on your spouse?

PHOTO BY BRUCE MONK

Billy’s behaviour is likely to evoke the ire of audiences, but we can’t deny his actions set us up for a roller coaster of emotions and opinions. Have we ever kept a secret or lied to protect someone we care about?

Can we sympathize with Billy, and does that make us bad if we do?

PHOTO BY GERRY KOPELOW

PHOTO BY GERRY KOPELOW

Opposite, top left: Jill Dyck as Anna and Ben Carlson as Dan in Closer (Tom Hendry Warehouse, 2000). Opposite, bottom: Michael Ball as Jerry and Leueen Willoughby as Emma in Betrayal (Tom Hendry Warehouse, 1980). Above: Zoe Alexander as Amanda Prynne and David Calderisi as Elyot Chase in Private Lives (John Hirsch Mainstage, 1976).

Theatre has taught us that romantic betrayal has the potential to create great drama. Can you imagine if everyone had just “done the right thing” in Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, or if John Proctor had never taken up with his servant Abigail in The Crucible? If there’s one thing Royal MTC has been faithful to, it’s showcasing the complex nature of love and relationships on our stages.

PRIVATE LIVES John Hirsch Mainstage (1963 & 1976) Regional Tour (1964) Tom Hendry Warehouse (2015)

BETRAYAL Tom Hendry Warehouse (1980)

Can you even call it infidelity when you cheat on one husband with another? There must be a special clause in the rulebook april/may 2015

for Amanda Prynne and Elyot Chase who, after a messy divorce years earlier, reconnect while on honeymoon with their new spouses in this Noël Coward comedy.

While Amanda and Elyot are engaging in their clandestine affair in a Paris apartment, their jilted partners are presumably left to stew together at the honeymoon resort.

The four are eventually reunited, resulting in a confrontation filled with emotional, verbal and physical fireworks.

Harold Pinter’s drama looks at different permutations of betrayal spawned by a seven-year affair between a woman and her husband’s best friend. Told in reverse

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Setting the Stage chronology, Betrayal uncovers just as many mysteries as it solves as we find out who lied to whom and who actually knew what. Pinter drew inspiration for the play from his own extramarital affair with BBC reporter Joan Bakewell and friendship with her husband, BBC radio producer Michael Bakewell.

CLEVER LITTLE LIES

CLOSER Tom Hendry Warehouse (2000)

PHOTO BY BRUCE MONK

Patrick Marber’s saga about sexual betrayal among four star-crossed Londoners has been described as “one of the great plays about the human heart.” Two separate couples – Dan and Alice, Anna and Larry – find themselves intertwined after Dan propositions Anna when the two meet at a photo shoot. Though she initially rejects him, Anna eventually succumbs to Dan’s advances – leaving the door open for Alice and Larry to turn to one another, throwing the group into a never-ending circle of duplicity.

THINGS WE DO FOR LOVE Tom Hendry Warehouse (2016)

When Barbara agrees to rent out her top floor to a former school chum and her fiancé, she unwittingly unleashes a firestorm of unexpected and violent passions between the three housemates and their downstairs neighbour. Barbara’s well-ordered world comes undone as she juggles uninvited affections from all angles in Alan Ayckbourn’s comedy, which plays at the Tom Hendry Warehouse next year as Royal MTC’s outing in AyckbournFest 2016.

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Steven Schipper, Artistic Director • Camilla Holland, General Manager PRESENTS

Clever Little Lies

by Joe DiPietro April 23 – May 16, 2015 preview April 22

Director........................................................................................ Steven Schipper Set & Costume Designer............................................................ Snezana Pesic Lighting Designer.............................................................................. Bill Williams Video Creator..................................................................................Deco Dawson Sound Designer................................................................................ John Bent Jr. Apprentice Director......................................................................Kendra Jones* Stage Manager.......................................................................... Margaret Brook Assistant Stage Manager...................................................... Michael Duggan Apprentice Stage Manager...............................Kali Claire Grenier-Prieur THE CAST (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)

Billy............................................................................................................... Eric Blais Bill Sr...............................................................................................John Bourgeois Jane....................................................................................................Daria Puttaert Alice.....................................................................................................Maria Ricossa Clever Little Lies is performed without an intermission.

Premiere Production Presented by George Street Playhouse November 22, 2013 David Saint, Artistic Director Kelly Ryman, Managing Director Special thanks: Joe DiPietro; Dr. Michael Eleff; Chris Hall; Mark Kelly, General Sales Manager, Mercedes-Benz Winnipeg; Heather Russell

*Position funded through the Jean Murray – Moray Sinclair Theatre Apprenticeship Program

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Ovation

april/may 2015

Artists

CLEVER LITTLE LIES

Eric Blais

Daria Puttaert

Billy

Jane

ROYAL MTC The Woman in Black, Private

Lives, Good People, Brief Encounter (with VP), Looking Back – West.

OTHER THEATRE Angels in America: Perestroika (WJT); King’s Park (Moving Target); The Vertical Hour, Munsch Ado About Nothing (PTE); Proud, North Main Gothic, Age of Arousal, Stretching Hide (TPM); The Taming of the Shrew, Romeo and Juliet, The Odyssey (SIR); Kindness, Romeo and Juliet (MTYP); The Winter’s Tale, Troilus and Cressida (Tom-Tom Theatre).

FILM/TV The Pinkertons, Cashing In, Keep Your Head Up, Kid: The Don Cherry Story, Men with Brooms, Zooey & Adam, Falcon Beach, Northern Town, 2030 CE, Wishmaster 4.

TRAINING/TEACHING BA Honours, U of W; MFA, York University. Taught acting at MTYP and York University.

ROYAL MTC The Secret Annex, The Fighting

Days, The Shunning, Top Girls, Pride and Prejudice, Shakespeare’s Dog (with NAC), The Tempest, A Christmas Carol. Assistant Director: August: Osage County.

OTHER THEATRE Proud, The Moonlight Sonata of Beethoven Blatz, Stretching Hide (TPM); Strawberries in January, Unity (1918) (PTE); Honour (PTE/Belfry); Troilus and Cressida, Measure for Measure (Tom-Tom Theatre); To the Country (Winnipegger Ensemble); Stripped-Down Hamlet (SIR).

FILM Zooey & Adam.

TRAINING Graduate of the National Theatre School and the University of Winnipeg.

ET CETERA Love to Jamie and Malcolm.

Maria Ricossa Alice

John Bourgeois Bill Sr. ROYAL MTC Frankie and Johnny in the Claire

ROYAL MTC Actor: The Price, The Goat or,

Who is Sylvia?, Cherry Docs, Frankie & Johnny in the Clair de Lune, The Tempest, Oleanna, Lost in Yonkers. Director: After Miss Julie, Broadway Bound.

OTHER THEATRE God of Carnage, The Normal Heart (Studio 180).

FILM/TV Heartland, The Listener, A Day Late and a Dollar Short, The Interrogation of Michael Crowe, Ginger Snaps, Murder at 1600, The Prince and Me. TEACHING Program Director, Screen Acting, Humber College School for the Creative and Performing Arts.

de Lune, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Sisters Rosensweig, Brighton Beach Memoirs.

OTHER THEATRE King Lear, Twelfth Night, Love’s Labour’s Lost, Henry IV, Part 1 (Stratford); The Misanthrope, Bea’s Niece, The Cryptogram (Tarragon); House of Blue Leaves, Tribes (TA); The Maids (Buddies in Bad Times); The Arab-Israeli Cookbook, Clybourne Park (Studio 180).

FILM/TV The In-Laws (Warner Bros.); The State Within (BBC); To Love, Honor & Betray, And Never Let Her Go (CBS); Love is Dead (NBC); Flashpoint (CTV); The Strain (FX); Riverdale (CBC).

TEACHING Teaches acting at Humber College.

For a complete list of theatre abbreviations, please refer to legend on page 4

april/may 2015

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Artists

CLEVER LITTLE LIES

ET CETERA Maria is thrilled to be working

with her husband John Bourgeois again at Royal MTC.

Joe DiPietro Playwright Joe DiPietro is a Tony Award-winning playwright and lyricist. He received two Tony Awards for writing the book and lyrics for Memphis, which also received the 2010 Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Best Musical. He was nominated for a 2012 Tony Award and won a Drama Desk Award for Nice Work If You Can Get It starring Matthew Broderick. His other plays and musicals include I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (the longest-running musical revue in Off-Broadway history); The Toxic Avenger and The Thing About Men (both winners of the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Musical); the much-produced comedy Over the River and Through the Woods; Fucking Men, his modern take on Schnitzler’s La Ronde, The Art of Murder (Edgar Award winner for Best Mystery Play); and the Broadway musical All Shook Up. His new play, Clever Little Lies, starring Marlo Thomas, debuted at George Street Playhouse, and his new musical, Chasing the Song debuted at LaJolla Playhouse. His work has received thousands of productions around the world.

Snezana Pesic Set & Costume Designer

ROYAL MTC First engagement.

Steven Schipper

OTHER THEATRE Arms and the Man, The

Director

ROYAL MTC Over 35 productions, including:

Proposals and Steve Martin’s Picasso at the Lapin Agile.

OTHER THEATRE Stratford, Shaw, Centaur, Segal, Mirvish, Theatre Plus (Toronto), Toronto Free, YPT, Persephone, TC, VP, Rubicon Theatre (Ventura, CA).

TRAINING McGill, Bishop’s, National Theatre School of Canada.

ET CETERA In 2000, Steven conceived and directed Ross McMillan’s The History of Manitoba from the Beginning of Time to the Present in 45 Minutes, an award-winning play that tours Manitoba high schools. He has directed A Midsummer Night’s Dream with theatre students at the University of Winnipeg, Les Misérables at Balmoral Hall Senior School and Little Red Riding Hood with members of the Aboriginal Arts Mentorship and Training Program in the 2011 Winnipeg Fringe Festival. In 2007, Steven received an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from the University of Winnipeg, and, in 2012, was appointed to the Order of Canada and was awarded the Queen’s Jubilee Medal. At the end of May, he will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from the University of Manitoba.

Late Company, The Glass Menagerie, Gone With the Wind, The Drowsy Chaperone, Fiddler on the Roof, the world premieres of Maureen Hunter’s Atlantis, Mark Stein’s Mating Dance of the Werewolf, Olaf Pyttlik’s The Wave and Bruce McManus’ A Christmas Carol, and the Canadian premieres of Quills,

Game of Love and Chance, The Fan (Odyssey Theatre); One (Ghost River/SummerWorks); Munsched!, Spring Awakening (George Brown); Nightmare Dream (IFT/Obsidian); The Cherry Orchard, Roberto Zucco, Antigone, After the Fall, One Flea Spare (University of Alberta); Three Little Birds, Mighty Carlins (Workshop West).

TRAINING Graduate of the MFA program in Theatre Design at the University of Alberta and the BFA program in Costume Design at the University of Belgrade, Serbia.

For a complete list of theatre abbreviations, please refer to legend on page 4

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Artists

CLEVER LITTLE LIES

ET CETERA Recipient of a Betty Mitchell

Award for Lighting Design, nominee of the Prix Rideau Award for Production Design and Pauline McGibbon Award for emerging artists. Snezana has exhibited her designs across the world, including at the Prague Quadrennial and World Stage Design exhibitions.

Bill Williams Lighting Designer ROYAL MTC Bill is delighted to have designed

the lighting for more than 70 Royal MTC productions (both Mainstage and Warehouse) since 1971.

OTHER THEATRE Bill has designed more than 500 productions for theatre, opera and dance companies across Canada, Europe, Asia, South America, the UK and the US. ET CETERA Bill is also actively involved as a theatre consultant, architectural lighting designer, teacher, author and photographer.

Deco Dawson Video Creator

ROYAL MTC The Glass Menagerie, Brief

Encounter (with VP), Grumpy Old Men: The Musical.

OTHER THEATRE Video Designer: Rick: The Rick Hansen Story (MTYP/VanOC-Cultural Olympiad, MTYP/Citadel); 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (Weird Prod/Pan Am Games); Tough Case, Rich, Kindness, Silverwing (MTYP); To the Country (The Winnipegger Ensemble). Writer/Director (selected): The Leitmotif Lives of Nero and Samdi (Little Theatre/Northwest Film Forum); The Incidental Tribulations of Wake Me and My (Endstop and Elsewhere/Fringe).

FILM/TV Writer/Director (selected): Keep a Modest Head, Sins of the Father, Help I’m Alive, The Last Moment, Defile in Veil, Dumb

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Artists

CLEVER LITTLE LIES

Angel, FILM(triptych), Lode, FILM(dzama), Elizabeth Short, Sluice Box and a Rocker, www.decodawson.com.

ET CETERA Recipient of 12 international awards, including two TIFF Best Short Film Awards for Keep a Modest Head (2012) and FILM(dzama) (2001). Deco won the Province of Manitoba Filmmaker Award and the City of Winnipeg Mayor’s Award in 2013. Big thank you to Heather, Metro and Miro.

John Bent Jr. Sound Designer

ROYAL MTC More than 50 shows since 1998,

including The Woman in Black, Cabaret (2015), Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Jersey Lily, Good People, The Glass Menagerie, A Christmas Story, Next to Normal, The 39 Steps, The Drowsy Chaperone (with TC), The Boys in the Photograph (with Mirvish), The Syringa Tree, Fiddler on the Roof, The Rocky Horror Show (with CS), Evita (with TC), Camelot (with TC/Citadel), King Lear, Wit. OTHER THEATRE The Shadowy Waters (Eternal Rose Theatre); The Diary of Anne Frank (Segal/Neptune); The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe, Keely and Du, The Heart As It Lived, Grace (ATP); Lion in the Streets (Sage Theatre); Some Assembly Required (Northern Light Theatre).

ET CETERA Two Betty Mitchell Awards (Grace, Lion in the Streets). Member of IATSE Local 63 and the Eclub. Founding member of Eternal Rose Theatre. Clever Little Lies marks John’s last show as the Head of Audio for Royal MTC and he’d like to thank everyone for 17 wonderful years of creativity. John dedicates this show to John Bent Sr.

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Kendra Jones Apprentice Director

ROYAL MTC First engagement.

OTHER THEATRE (Selected) Director: Drunk

Enough to Say I Love You? (Selardi); Shorts!

(Sarasvàti); L’amour la Mort, No More Prayers, Forc’d to Woo (RADA). Performer: Dionysus is Getting Impatient (Theatre Incarnate); Dear Mama (Impel). Playwright: Dear Mama (Impel); Hide Away (Sarasvàti).

TRAINING/TEACHING BA (Hons), University of Winnipeg; MA, Text & Performance, Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Teaches at U of W Department of Theatre and PTE School.

ET CETERA Kendra is a proud company member of Theatre by the River, and writes about theatre at impeltheatre.blogspot. com. She is a four-time recipient of the Jean Murray – Moray Sinclair Scholarship.

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Artists

CLEVER LITTLE LIES

Michael Duggan

Kali Claire Grenier-Prieur

Assistant Stage Manager

Apprentice Stage Manager

ROYAL MTC The Glass Menagerie, Other

People’s Money, Mrs. Warren’s Profession, in the next room or the vibrator play, The Shunning, Brief Encounter, The Seafarer, Steel Magnolias. Props: Gone With the Wind.

OTHER THEATRE Recent credits include: All Your Wants and Needs Fulfilled Forever (Playground Collective, NZ); John & Beatrice (TPM); Annie, Cats (Rainbow); Angels in America: Millennium Approaches (WJT).

TRAINING Michael is a graduate of the U of W, with a BA (Hons.) in stage management and production.

ET CETERA Michael has recently returned from travelling to New Zealand, having worked on several projects there. Enjoy the show!

ROYAL MTC First engagement.

OTHER THEATRE Zed (Cirque du Soleil);

Divertimento #15, Carousel (A Dance), Seventh Symphony (Banff Centre); Freda and Jem’s Best of the Week (Buddies in Bad Times); Le Jardin, Le Destin tragi-comique de Tubby et Nottubby (Cercle Molière).

TV Just for Laughs galas.

TRAINING National Theatre School of Canada.

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Theatre artists give everyone who experiences their work an extraordinary gift.

You are moved to tears or laughter.

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In pursuit of their artistic calling, many artists struggle throughout their lives to make ends meet. The Performing Arts Lodge is a new initiative to give them concrete support.

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If you’ve ever sprung from your seat to applaud an outstanding performance, consider standing up again for Winnipeg artists.

Be a PAL. Become a member for $20 or make a donation.

204.339.9750 palwinnipeg.org

“Someday I will have a movie featured in a panel at San Diego Comic-Con’s Hall H.” – Sonya Ballantyne, 2014 winner RBC Emerging Filmmakers Competition If you’re an emerging filmmaker with aspirations of making it big on the silver screen like Sonya, the RBC Emerging Filmmakers Competition at Gimli Film Festival can be your foot in the door. Apply by June 12, 2015 at gimlifilm.com.

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Why subscribe to Royal MTC? Like concerts, sporting events and stand-up comedy, live theatre thrives on the energy of an audience. Whether you buy a ticket to a single play or subscribe to the entire playbill, we need you in our seats. While we love our single ticket buyers, subscribers are the foundation of our success. Why? Our mission is to celebrate the widest spectrum of theatre art and subscribers participate most fully in this process.

Why should I subscribe?

First of all, there’s the “life is busy” factor. Too often, if activities aren’t scheduled, plans fall by the wayside.

Do you really want to miss out on the performance that lifts your spirits in the dead of winter? In a post-show survey, one patron wrote about The Devil’s Music, “I’m still smiling inside!” You can bet that individual made the right choice to head out to the theatre.

Still, you may wonder, “why can’t I just buy single tickets when I want to see a show?” In theory, there’s nothing wrong with that idea except that hot shows sell out. This past season, several performances at the Mainstage and Warehouse sold out and theatre-goers had to be turned away. Subscribing guarantees your seat to the big shows and the runaway hits.

Most importantly, seeing multiple shows gives us the greatest opportunity to be surprised. In audience surveys, subscribers are often amazed by a show they might not have seen otherwise.

Sometimes these unexpected gems are the plays we remember for a long time.

One patron wrote about Vanya and 20

Sonia and Masha and Spike, “I didn't know what to expect because I hadn’t heard much about the story or play – but I absolutely loved it… BRAVO!” Even familiar shows can thrill us in unanticipated ways. Although Robin Hood is a known commodity, our high-flying production was not. Audiences certainly didn’t expect a 35-foot grass slide and live music! One theatre-goer wrote, “The story of Robin Hood is so familiar but this show has opened up our imaginations to fresh perspectives and unexpected dimensions in all directions.

We were inspired mentally, physically and emotionally.”

Realistically, you may not love every show in a given season. But we encourage you to be open. You never know when a musical may touch your heart (you don’t have to admit it to anyone), a hard-hitting drama might challenge the way you see the world or a zany comedy could cheer you up.

Next season, we’re offering everything from the sublime to the ridiculous. We hope you’ll come along for the ride.

Ovation

april/may 2015

This was my first live theatre show and in a word, it was

amazing.

Funny, charming, challenging, thoughtful, timely in light of recent national events.

I just sat transfixed.

I loved every moment of the production.

Splendid evening! Great music!

Top-notch production!

Daring, cheeky & fun!

AND

VANYA SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE

AMAZING.

It was I have not laughed that hard in a long time.

A good

laugh, with sparkling dialogue.

Very powerful.

I will be thinking about it

for a long time.

It was beautiful and atmospheric!

A great pleasure to see something like this onstage in Winnipeg.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN SHARING YOUR FEEDBACK WITH US? JOIN OUR E-LIST! NOT ONLY WILL YOU RECEIVE POST-SHOW SURVEYS, BUT YOU’LL ALSO GET PRE-SHOW REMINDERS, SPECIAL OFFERS AND MORE. SIGN UP AT ROYALMTC.CA. april/may 2015

Ovation

21

Education & Outreach

Theatre FOR Young Audiences We were thrilled to have our seats filled with young people this season!

• 1,500 students joined us for four studentonly matinees – Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Jersey Lily, Armstrong’s War, Late Company and The Woman in Black.

• 200 students subscribed to the entire six-show John Hirsch Mainstage season.

• 1,900 students and teachers joined us for matinees and evening performances throughout the season.

• 1,300 young people attended evening and weekend performances on their own thanks to discounted individual ticket prices for youth.

Thank you to the educators from all the schools involved, and to Great-West Life for helping us share the amazing experience of live theatre!

With the support of Great-West Life, Royal MTC provides study guides to six plays each season. Available on our website, the guides are intended for any of our audience members to learn more about the production and include pre- and post-show discussion topics, historical context and more.

THEATRE FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES SPONSORED BY

S T R O N G E R C O M M U N I T I E S T O G E T H E R TM

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN WRITING A STUDY GUIDE FOR ROYAL MTC?

We’re looking for teachers, retired teachers, professors, and other experts to create study guides for 2015/16. Contact our Outreach Manager at 204 934 0304 or jcheslock@royalmtc.ca for more information.

The 2014/15 Backstage Pass participants

Backstage Pass AND ITS BENEFACTORS Backstage Pass is a free high school subscription program that takes place over six Wednesdays during the academic year. The program gives students an opportunity to take an in-depth look at theatre. Applications are open to all students in grades 11 and 12 with a keen interest in the performing arts. No experience is necessary – just a love of theatre and willingness to learn and have fun!

At each session, a member of Manitoba’s professional theatre community leads a workshop tailored to the current John Hirsch Mainstage production. Topics include the audition process, stage combat, dialects, playwriting and more. After lunch, students attend the matinee performance april/may 2015

in the John Hirsch Theatre, followed by a Q&A with members of the cast. This season, Deborah Gray and Martha Burns became benefactors of our Backstage Pass program, ensuring the students have a valued and meaningful experience with professional theatre.

Both women were born in Winnipeg, and they share a love of theatre and a history of supporting the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre. Deborah Gray is a long-time subscriber, patron and sponsor of Royal MTC and we have been grateful recipients of her support and generosity. Actress and producer Martha Burns has worked in theatre, television and film, and played the role of Margie in the Mainstage’s 2013/14 season-closing production of Good People.

Martha has pioneered programs for youth in other cities.

We sat down with Deborah and Martha to find out why they felt compelled to support this program.

Ovation

23

Martha Burns: My connection to live

Martha Burns and Deborah Gray

When did you become involved with theatre?

Deborah Gray: I took drama for my last

two years in high school. The second year, we scuttled the play that had been chosen for us (I Remember Mama) and produced our own revue as a fundraiser for grad. Later, I took courses in writing and directing, and worked backstage for a few years in Toronto.

Martha Burns: When I was eight years

old – a long time ago – I attended Saturday morning classes at the Manitoba Theatre Centre theatre school. I remember vividly the games and imaginary worlds we were encouraged to create.

Why did you choose to support the Backstage Pass program?

Deborah Gray: Backstage Pass offers

another way (in addition to production sponsorship) to support Royal MTC. I like the idea of giving students an opportunity to expand their horizons, get exposure to career options and connect with possible mentors and with others their age who share their interest in theatre.

theatre, making friends in theatre classes and learning from adults who had careers in the arts made my childhood and teenage life fun, interesting and [it] opened doors to many ways of thinking. It is a privilege to offer that opportunity to many “next generations.” A great number of students end up apprenticing and working at Royal MTC – that’s a benefit for all. To get inside an arts organization and see how and why it works, to feel you can have conversations with people who make things happen on and off stage, to be encouraged to talk about what you see – these are wonderful, life-altering opportunities for young people.

With your recent visit with the students, what did you find most exciting/surprising?

Deborah Gray: Visiting with the students

was so much fun. I hadn’t realized the prevalence of home-schooling, so that was surprising, but what was exciting was the students’ energy and enthusiasm for exploring what the world has to offer – and what they have to offer. It was great!

Martha Burns: Debbie and I were

delighted to learn that the Backstage Pass students were involved in all aspects of theatre – writing, producing, directing, acting, tech support – in their schools and communities. They are already forces, finding their own unique ways to tell stories. Through social media, young people today are part of our cultural landscape. They’re not waiting to get in. They are in!

Deborah and Martha make a profound difference in the lives of these emerging theatre artists. This year, they helped 26 young people discover the many facets of live theatre through their support of the Backstage Pass program. We are pleased to credit them and our other partners MTS Future First and Subway with the success of this year’s program, and to celebrate their invaluable contributions.

24

Ovation

april/may 2015

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MLAs Celebrating

Before & After

Before & After Warm up to some fantastic food and beverages from Winnipeg’s finest restaurants, all minutes from Royal MTC. Whether you crave steak, sandwiches or soufflé, these culinary delights and luscious libations will complete your night out on the town, before or after the show.

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New Creations

Wordplay For 17 years, Investors Group has generously supported our Wordplay program.

Their visionary leadership has been a critical factor in our development of new plays. Since Steven Schipper took the helm, he has premiered an average of one new play each season, an exciting accomplishment for the company, for the artists who created the work, and for the corporation that funds this artistic exploration.

Wordplay is Royal MTC’s vitally important “R&D” wing, where we foster new work, and invest in the creation and development of plays for our stages, and for the Canadian theatre canon. We commission new plays, provide dramaturgical support, program readings and workshops, and review and analyze script submissions.

Plays like Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Jersey Lily made it to our stage via one of the theatre’s freelance script analysts, another aspect of the Wordplay program sponsored by Investors Group. Artistic staff search endlessly for great plays, and they need help with the hundreds of resulting submissions each year. The playwrights and dramaturgs who work for us as script analysts often read the scripts first, then provide a synopsis and analysis to staff, along with recommendations about which stage, if any, might be a good fit.

One of our analysts recommended Katie Forgette’s Sherlock Holmes adaptation, in part because of Forgette’s clever mash-up of Arthur Conan Doyle’s fictional characters with real-life theatre artists Oscar Wilde and Lillie Langtry.

While plays read by analysts usually take the form of final drafts, the theatre also invests in the creation of new plays. This season was an especially busy one for artistic staff, as we currently have nine projects in development, instead of our usual three. Artistic Director Steven Schipper attributes the increased activity to great playwrights with unique ideas: “Each writer has introduced us to exceptional characters who tackle big challenges, often while navigating a seismic social shift. Each project was irresistible and, thanks to Investors Group, we’re able to support all these playwrights on their creative journeys.”

WORDPLAY SPONSORED BY

Jay Hindle as Sherlock Holmes and Ryan James Miller as Oscar Wilde in Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Jersey Lily. PHOTO BY BRUCE MONK

Because we care about our communities We know there’s more to life than dollars and cents. There’s passion, endurance, commitment and community. As part of the community, Investors Group is proud to share in this and all of life’s special moments.

In Support Of Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre www.investorsgroup.com

™ Trademark owned by IGM Financial Inc. and licensed to its subsidiary corporations. ® Imagine Canada’s logo, “Imagine Canada”, Imagine’s logo and “Imagine” are all trademarks used by Imagine Canada, and are used with permission.

Regional Tour

ARMSTRONG’S WAR

The Armstrong’s War 2015 touring company: Chris Hadley, Tour Technician; Heather Russell, actor; Justin Otto, actor; Kathryn Ball, Stage Manager; Airyn Lancaster, Apprentice Stage Manager; Ian Kirk, Tour Technical Director.

In 2015, the Royal MTC regional tour visited these communities jan. 28 | Snow Lake, MB • Aurora Borealis Arts Council jan. 31 | Churchill, MB • Churchill Arts Council feb. 4 | Thompson, MB • Recreation, Parks and Culture, City of Thompson feb. 6 | Flin Flon, MB • Flin Flon Arts Council

This year’s Regional Tour was marked by our exciting return to Churchill. Touring to the tundra creates some interesting challenges that our superb team met with ingenuity and aplomb. Upon arriving at the Churchill airport, we were greeted with the news that most of our set was still in Thompson and was unlikely to make the rest of the journey. Our crew and community partners got to work pulling together various set elements (we borrowed a mattress from our hotel and repurposed a set left at the venue after our Bad Dates tour). The result was a nearly perfect replica of what we’d left in the Thompson airport and the show was a hit! The kindness and generosity with which we were met in every community reminded us just how wonderful Manitobans can be.

The intrepid company faced over 3,600 kilometres of white outs, frozen sets, and many, many plates of poutine to bring Armstrong’s War to almost 3,000 30

feb. 9 | Binscarth, MB • Vagabond Theatre Company f eb. 10 | Strathclair, MB • Strathclair & District Theatre Committee, Ltd. feb. 11 | Neepawa, MB • Kaleidoscope Concert Series feb. 12 | Minnedosa, MB • Minnedosa Performing Arts Committee feb. 14 | Pinawa, MB • Winnipeg River Arts Council feb. 16 | Gimli, MB • Kiwanis Club of Gimli and District feb. 17 | Steinbach, MB • Steinbach Arts Council feb. 18 | Carman, MB • Golden Prairie Arts Council feb. 19 | Crystal City, MB • Parklane Theatre Committee f eb. 20 | Portage la Prairie, MB • William Glesby Centre f eb. 23 | Atikokan, ON • Atikokan Entertainment Series f eb. 24 | Sioux Lookout, ON • Sioux Hudson Entertainment Series feb. 25 | Dryden, ON • Dryden Entertainment Series f eb. 26 | Red Lake, ON • Wilderness Entertainment Series f eb. 27 | Kenora, ON • Lake of the Woods Concert Group mar. 2 | MacGregor, MB • Heartland Recreation Commission mar. 3 | Brandon, MB • 7 Ages Productions mar. 4 | Souris, MB • Souris District Arts Council mar. 5 | Deloraine, MB • Southwest Showcase Inc. mar. 7 | Virden, MB • Virden Community Arts Council

Ovation

april/may 2015

Regional Tour audience members all over Manitoba and northwestern Ontario. The team spent days off exploring our beautiful province and getting to know as many audience members as they could.

The Regional Tour is important for so many reasons, but one of the biggest reasons is the appreciation of our audience. One audience member in Red Lake, Ontario, sent us a card saying “… we appreciate all the effort put into entertaining us folks in the ‘boonies’ suffering from ‘cabin fever.’”

“Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries is honoured to have been the presenting sponsor of the Royal MTC annual Regional Tour once

ARMSTRONG’S WAR

again” said John Stinson, CEO, Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries. “Theatre plays an important role in the lives of so many Manitobans and for 38 years, Royal MTC has enriched the lives of others by successfully bringing theatre and performing arts across the province. We would like to thank the dedicated artists and volunteers who made the tour possible in 24 different communities this winter.”

This tour would not be possible without the assistance of our sponsors: Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries, Manitoba Hydro, CIBC, Calm Air and MacDon. We would also like to thank all of our presenters and volunteers.

CalmAir

I’M NOT SURE IF THE FRINGE IS FOR ME…

The Fringe offers the chance to discover the next big thing, and get the insider’s perspective on what’s hot in independent theatre right now! Taking a risk can have major rewards – imagine being one of the first audience members to see a Fringe show that turned into a mainstream hit: The Drowsy Chaperone, Kim’s Convenience and Jake’s Gift all fit that category.

What will I see at the Fringe? The quick answer: almost anything. The longer answer: a fascinating mix of independent theatre. This year, the Fringe will host more

than 180 companies from across Canada and around the world who will bring their amazing plays to our enthusiastic and adventurous audiences. We have something for everyone: comedy, drama, musicals, dance, improv… and so many more unique and original productions that don’t fit into any category. Indoor shows take place daily from noon to midnight in more than 30 venues around downtown.

And the best part? Tickets are ridiculously affordable: only $5 to $10, which means that taking a risk on an unknown show isn’t that risky at all!

Royal MTC’s early bird subscribers receive a free program, an essential tool in planning your own quest to find the perfect show! Open for the adventure? Then join us this summer at the Winnipeg Fringe, July 15–26.

For more details, visit winnipegfringe.com

The Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre is the only regional theatre in the country to produce a Fringe Festival, and Winnipeg hosts the second-largest Fringe in North America! Artistic Director Steven Schipper explains that “Royal MTC fostered the festival to launch new artists and new work, and to encourage audiences to take theatrical risks. It has become a vital component in fulfilling our mission to present the widest spectrum of theatre art. But, perhaps most importantly, the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival reminds us that we don’t always need an artistic director like me to mediate between the art and the audience.” Be your own artistic director – grab a Fringe program and a Frequent Fringer pass and you can create your own unique festival experience!

32

Ovation

april/may 2015

PHOTO BY LEIF NORMAN

Have you ever wondered what the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival is really about? Well if you love theatre, the Fringe presents the perfect opportunity to try something you’re not used to.

Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival

Volunteering with the Fringe

BY HANNAH FOULGER Volunteering at the Fringe can be a great experience to put on your resumé, but also, as volunteer Barbara Knoll says, a lot of fun.

“It’s okay to be silly. It’s okay to not sort of have all the answers to everything.” You do, however, learn what shows to see, by talking to all the funky Fringers.

Knoll has been volunteering with the festival for three years but wasn’t much of a Fringer before that, she says. She and her friend were Royal MTC subscribers who saw advertisements for the festival in the Royal MTC program and wanted to try it out, but they heard “Fringe was weird and the shows were weird.” When they bought tickets

to three shows they learned Fringe shows were, in fact, “fantastic and not weird.”

Knoll and her friend signed up to be volunteers and had such a good time that, when she married her husband Bern Beliski, he joined the party. He notes that you don’t have to be a theatregoer to have a good time.

“These are the kind of important events to grow community and have pride in our community,” Beliski says. “If we don’t do it, who will?”

Reprinted with permission from the July 3, 2014 edition of The Uniter, the student newspaper of the University of Winnipeg.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON VOLUNTEERING WITH THE FRINGE, VISIT WINNIPEGFRINGE.COM

save the date!

WINNIPEGFRINGE.COM | #WPGFRINGE

Photo by Leif Norman

TICKETS & PASSES ON SALE JUNE 17

PHOTO © 2014 JOAN MARCUS

1 2 3

4 5

6 7

Your donation will be matched – and that’s no lie!

• In Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Jersey Lily, Dr. Watson, played by Carson Nattrass, develops a sweet crush on the beautiful Lillie Langtry, as portrayed by Sharon Bajer. In real life, Carson and Sharon are married.

• Armstrong’s War impressed not only Warehouse patrons, but also audiences in 24 communities in Manitoba and

northwestern Ontario as part of the Royal MTC Regional Tour.

• The Heart of Robin Hood received five stars from the Winnipeg Free Press and attracted sold-out audiences night after night. Do you wish you had had a chance to enter Sherwood Forest on the 35-foot slide?

• At the Tom Hendry Warehouse, The Devil’s Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith was nearly sold out before the show even opened. This dazzling musical explored the story of Bessie Smith, played

by Miche Braden, who last appeared at Royal MTC as Mammy in Gone With the Wind.

• The new year kicked off with Cabaret, selected by Steven Schipper as a tribute to the opening of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

• Krista Jackson, director of Private Lives, added her own twist to the end of the play by having Sibyl and Victor lock lips at the last minute.

8 9

PHOTO BY LACEY CREIGHTON

Be prepared to laugh! The season has flown by and we kick off our final production watching Billy and his parents use “clever little lies” to cover their many secrets. Lies and deceit complicate their lives with inadvertent humour. We hope you enjoy the fast and funny look at the lives of a family with abundant surprises.

Your generous donations helped make all the stories come to life on our stages this season. And now, until May 31, your new or increased gift will be matched by an anonymous donor. We hope these clever little truths about the shows this year inspire you to give today!

• Fiona Reid delighted audiences with her unforgettable and hilarious imitation of Maggie Smith in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike.

• Late Company introduced us to Jordan Tannahill, a talented young Canadian playwright who reminded us that theatre can be a powerful vehicle for addressing tough issues.

• In March, Robb Paterson, Associate Artistic Director of Royal MTC, announced his upcoming retirement in 2016.

The Woman in Black, which he directed, was his 81st production at Royal MTC since his first appearance in 1981 with 1837: The Farmers’ Revolt.

Your donations all season long made a difference! And now until May 31, your new or increased gift will have more impact. Your contribution will be matched by an anonymous donor, up to a total of $5,000. If you’re looking for more motivation, the following are clever little truths about your donations.

10

• Every gift over $20 is eligible for a tax receipt, which can benefit you on your tax return.

• Giving is easy when you choose to make monthly gifts.

Just $15 a month equals $180 a year and you receive all the benefits at the $150 donor level. Contact Heidi at 204 954 6412 to set up your monthly giving plan.

• A matching gift from your company can boost you to a higher level of donor benefits. Ask your employer today to match your charitable gift!

• Giving feels good; it’s been proven by brain researchers that donating to a favourite cause releases dopamine in the body!

• Become a Star Patron with a minimum $100 donation and receive free ticket exchanges (some exceptions apply).

You can help us reach our goal of $10,000 in new funds by the end of May. You can make a donation by mail, phone or online at royalmtc.ca. For more information, contact Heidi at 204 954 6412 or email hstruck@royalmtc.ca.

11 (1) The cast of The Heart of Robin Hood. (2) Graham Ashmore as Victor and Tracy Penner as Sibyl in Private Lives. (3) Heather Russell and Justin Otto in Armstrong’s War. (4) Charlene Van Buekenhout in The Woman in Black. (5) Fiona Reid in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. (6) Robb Paterson.

(7) Sharon Bajer as Lillie Langtry and Carson Nattrass as Dr. Watson in Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Jersey Lily. (8) The cast of Late Company. (9) Jordan Tannahill. (10) Miche Braden in The Devil’s Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith. (11) Mike Nadajewski and the cast of Cabaret.

PHOTOS 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10 & 11 BY BRUCE MONK

36

Ovation

april/may 2015

Groups of 10 or more

save!

Making a difference.

CIBC is committed to what matters to our clients, employees and communities. With a focus on kids, cures and community, we are proud to sponsor the Royal MTC Regional Tour and celebrate the role it plays in building stronger and more vibrant communities.

to book group tickets contact: Thomas Urish, Sales Manager P 204 954 6413 e turish@royalmtc.ca

thank you for donating $132,953 in 2014 to the royal mtc endowment fund in honour of artistic director steven schipper’s 25th anniversary. the canada cultural investment fund matched these gifts at 97 cents. a total of $261,925 was added to the endowment fund.

YO U R GE N E ROS I T Y I S A PPR EC I AT E D A N D HEL PS EN SU RE FI NA N CIAL V IABIL I T Y A N D A RT I ST I C I N T EG R I TY FO R ROYAL MTC .

Supporters Many thanks to our donors who gave a gift between January 1, 2014 and March 20, 2015.

DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE HERO • $6,000+ Gail Asper, OC, OM, LLD* & Michael Paterson

BENEFACTOR • $2,000–5,999 Leah Bjarnarson & Robert Malech Morley* & Marjorie Blankstein, CM, OM, LLD J.W. Burns, OC Heather Clarke* Kerry Dangerfield* John F. (Jack) Fraser* James R. Gibbs Sylvia Guertin-Riley Rita Gunn* & Greg Mason Camilla Holland† & Colin Viebrock Investors Group Matching Gift Program Ms. Maureen E. Jay Andrew & Wendy Jensen Derek & Mary Johannson John Kearsey* Terry Klassen Dr. P. Kmet & Mr. B. Roslycky Dr. Douglas MacEwan In memory of Liam Murphy – Leigh Murphy The Michael Nozick Family Foundation Cam & Carole Osler Donna & Bill Parrish Hartley & Heather Richardson Sanford & Deborah Riley Triple A Fund – The Winnipeg Foundation Anonymous

LEADER • $1,500–1,999 Gus* & Diane Campbell David Christianson & Vera Steinberger Dave* & Barb Christie Neil & Carol Duboff Tony* & Jennifer Fletcher Susan Glass & Arni Thorsteinson Elba Haid & Lara Secord-Haid Gary Hannaford* & Cathy Rushton Robert B. & the late S. June Jackson David & Diane Johnston Kevin & Els Kavanagh Laurie Lam† & Larry Desrochers Bill & Shirley Loewen Elizabeth Marr & Nick Slonosky

Jim* & Penny McLandress Mr. & Mrs. Lawrie & Fran Pollard Dr. Bill Pope & Dr. Elizabeth Tippett-Pope Derek Riley Steven Schipper, CM† & Terri Cherniack Maitland & Pat Sundmark Sonya & Scott Wright Richard L. Yaffe* & John A. Statham Darcy & Brenda Zaporzan*

FRIENDS OF ROYAL MTC

MEMBER • $1,000–1,499 Dr. Jerry Baluta & Olga Kandia Jim Blanchard Sheldon & Penny Bowles Doneta* & Harry Brotchie Brenlee Carrington Trepel & Brent Trepel Tom & Louise Carson Dr. Bonnie Cham & Dr. Lorne Bellan Drs. Ernest & Anastasia Cholakis Gerry* & Chris Couture Robert* & Florence Eastwood Paulo Fernandes* Donald Fraser & Judy Little Sandy Gousseau* Mintie & Al Grienke John* & Nicola Guttormson Linda Hamilton & Grange Morrow Shayla Harapiak-Green & Patrick Green* Kevin Hines & Shelly Smith-Hines† Shawn Hughes* & Bruno Koehn Katie Inverarity† Eric & Jenn Johannson April & Diamond Kassum Laurence Katz & Zoe Kogan Gordon Keatch* Ian Kirk† Brenda* & Trevor Kriss Evan* & Susan Kuz Jeff* & Jillian Lamothe Shannon Lawton & Michael Long Rick Lee & Laurie Shapiro Peter & Karen Leipsic Reginald & Judy Low Mark & Gloria Mancini Bob McNamara & Dorothy Hooper Jeffrey* & Mary Morton Drs. Ken & Sharon Mould James Nielsen Dr. & Mrs. Kieran O'Keeffe M. Plett-Lyle K. Heather Power & Harold Klause Lawrence Prout* & Lisa Gardewine Margaret Redmond* & Greg Gillis Mrs. Shirley Richardson Andrea* & Michael Robertson Bill & Laurie Speers* Shelley† & Mark Stroski

*Current Royal MTC Board of Trustees/Advisory Board members

38

Glenn Summerton Melinda Tallin† & Glen Mitchell Jim & Jan Tennant Leslie John Taylor Fund – The Winnipeg Foundation Marcel Van Woensel Joan Wright Anonymous

Ovation

ENTHUSIAST • $500–999 Robert & Ina Abra Family Fund – The Winnipeg Foundation Robert & Joy Antenbring Archie & Jo-Anne Arnott Margaret & Jim Astwood Mrs. Phyllis Barich & Mr. Helmut Epp Bruce & Shelley Bertrand-Meadows Ron Blicq Helga & Gerhard Bock Todd Bourcier Cathie & Brian Bowerman James A. Bracken In memory of Pak-Wai Chan – Calvin Kim Saul Cherniack & Myra Wolch J. Davidson Al Dyregrov Don & Elfie Elias Lawrence & Brenda Ellerby Shannon Ernst Gordon Hannon Gregg & Mary Hanson In memory of Kristin Dawn Hanson – Brian & Dawn Hanson Dr. Ted & Gail Hechter Guenter & Crystal Jochum Hon. Justice William Johnston Fern Karlicki Pat & Jim Ludwig Peter & Maureen Macdonald Mr. G. Markham N. Marr Mr. Gerry Matte & Mrs. Lydia Surasky-Matte Irene & the late Claire Miller Vivienne Nickerson Richard & Bonnie Olfert Linda & Wayne Paquin Donna Plant Iris Reimer Charles & Naida Rubin Melanie Sexton† & Ian Walsh Debbie Spracklin James Tepper Linda Thomas Margaret Wikjord Dorothy Y. Young 3 Anonymous †Current Royal MTC staff

april/may 2015

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NOW

Supporters SUPPORTER • $150-499 Pat & Bob Adamson Anthony & Marilyn Alexander Dawn Andersen Judy & Jay Anderson Bernice Antoniuk Ian Backus Ken Ball & Karen Turner Larry Beeston & Anna Sikora Joan Bender Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Bergbusch Mark Bernstein Lino Bettencourt Tyler Birch Arthur & Ken Blankstein-Ure Denise Bonner Dr. Elizabeth Boustcha Morva Bowman & Alan Pollard Don & Cheryl Breakey Susan Brownstone Brock & Thomas Brock Billy Brodovsky & Libby Yager Sheila & David Brodovsky France Adams & Stephen Brodovsky Miriam Bronstein Donna Byrne Kevin Cadloff & Susan Hunt Don & Carolyne Campbell Mary & Allan Cartlidge Rosemary Chapman Lawrie & Bea Cherniack Agnes & John Collins The Colquhoun Family Pamela & Andrew Cooke Joyce Cooper Martin & Gail Corne Ted & Margaret Cuddy Ellen Curtis J. Dale Ms. Linda Daniels J. Dawson Andrea Hector & Kirk Dellebuur John & Heather Diamond Faye Dixon Pam Dixon Dr. Sheila Domke & Stephen Ross Adam Dooley & Lynn Billard Sally R. Dowler David Driedger John & Ada Ducas Helene Dyck Mr. & Mrs. William Easton Dr. Micheal Eleff & Chana Thau Mr. & Mrs. John & Martha Enns Selma Enns Linda Ferguson Robert Filuk Douglas Finkbeiner Mr. & Mrs. D.C. Finnbogason Gayle Fischer Christine Fleetwood

Marcia Fleisher Chris Freeman Arnold Frieman Menno H. & Jolanda Friesen Felicia & Trevor Frost Colleen & Dan Furlan Mr. & Mrs. R. Gallant William S. Gardner Lynne & Lindsay Gauld E. George Dr. & Mrs. Ron & Denise George Rick & Patti Gilhuly Ms. Heather Gillander Dr. & Mrs. Andrew Gomori Jeremy & Maureen Gordon Barbara Goszer Donald Graham Kari Hagness† Gregory & Heather Hammond Sylvia & Doug Hannah Bruce & Judy Harris Sandra & Hans Hasenack Teresa A. Hay Mr. Dennis Hodgkinson Jennie Hogan Gary Hook & Charmine Lyons Frank & Donna Hruska Dan Ilchyna G.C. Irwin-Kilfoyle Rudy & Gail Isaak Marlis & David Jacobson Ian R. Thomson & Leah R. Janzen Rhea & Dave Jenkinson Lynne Jentsch Claire & Gerald Jewers In memory of Sybil Shack for the benefit of Royal MTC – Jewish Foundation of Manitoba Lisa Johnston Katherine Jordan & James Tam Claudette Journe Dr. Leonard Kahane Dr. Arvind & Nancy Kati Dr. & Mrs. Philip Katz In memory of Malcolm Coombs – Beverley & David Kawchuk Donald & Sheila Keatch Judith Kendle Robert Kennedy & Claudette LeClerc M.J. King Paula Klan Soody & Orah Kleiman Myron & Marion Klysh Paul Kochan Madeline Kohut Gloria Koop E. Koop David & Denise Koss Bill & Evelyn Krahn Lorraine Kraichy Carol Campbell & Andy Krentz

*Current Royal MTC Board of Trustees/Advisory Board members

40

Ovation

Katarina Kupca Teena Laird Deanne Lander Dr. Patricia Landolfo Ellen & Stewart Leibl Kathy & Saul Leibl Gloria Lemke Tim & Kate Letkemann Carol & Clifford Levi Wayne Loeppky Dr. Simon Lucy Dr. Sora Ludwig & Dr. Brent Schacter Sofia Lukie Dr. & Mrs. Ted Lyons Burton & Mary Lysecki Mr. & Mrs. E.R. MacDonald John MacDonald Sharon M. Macdonald Dennis MacKay, QC & Annette Stapenhorst Mr. Jim MacNair Wally Mah Phil & Miriam Maltz Family Fund Elaine & Neil Margolis Agatha Massey Nicola Matthews Marjorie & Robert McCamis Julia & Don McInnes Mr. & Mrs. Campbell McIntyre Greg & Gloria McLaren Michael & Debra McMullen Barb Melnychuk Dr. Jonathan Gabor & Tia Metaxas Albert Metcalfe Mel & Pippie Michener Jim & Karren Middagh Mr. David Cheyne & Mrs. Audrey Miller-Cheyne Grant Mitchell & Catherine Lambeth Dr. Catherine Moltzan & Paul Brault Marc Monnin & Donna Miller Ray Montague Vera Moroz Bill Muir Ken & Suzanne Munroe Marika Nerbas Edwin & Pat Nicholls Robert Nickel Helen Norrie Shelagh Linklater Deborah & George Nytepchuk Joanne Olchowecki Truus Oliver Cam Mackie & Doris Mae Oulton Murray Palay & Ivy Kopstein Heather & Harry Panaschuk Terry Panych Dr. Philip Pass Beverly Pavlek Louise Pelletier †Current Royal MTC staff

april/may 2015

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Supporters Ron & Anita Perron B. Peterson & S. Slonosky Wayne Piett Donna Platt Ms. Karen Dawn Power Maureen Prendiville & Paul Jensen Bob & Linda Preston Ms. Judith Putter Vivian Rachlis Rudy & Audrey Ramchandar Angeline Ramkissoon Dr. Martin Reed & Joy Cooper Vance Rehill Mr. & Mrs. William Reynolds Joyce Rich Dr. & Mrs. J. Richtik Ricou-Manfreda Tony Robbins Jane Robinson Mrs. Linda Robinson Mr. Robert Rogers Sheryl Rosenberg Craig Russell & Janet Shaw-Russell Elizabeth Russin Michael T. Ruta Morley & Shirley Rypp Shona Scappaticci Barbara Scheuneman Hans & Gabriele Schneider Dr. Meir Serfaty & Bonnie Talbot Dr. & Mrs. A.M. Shojania Margaret & Paul Shuckett Shayna & Merrill Shulman Henry & Connie Shyka Cheryl Samson-Siemens & Gordon Siemens Meera Sinha Jeff Sisler & Cathy Rippin-Sisler Jennifer Skelly† & Family Chad Smith Mrs. Lorraine Smith Deanne Spiegel Jacqueline St. Hill Yvonne Stier Heidi Struck† Richard Swain Mr. & Mrs. Paul Swart Shayne & Kathryn Taback Ross & Bette-Jayne Taylor Karen Tereck Marilyn Thompson Phyllis A.C. Thomson Mary E. Tibbs Malcolm & Shirley Tinsley Norma Toews W. Tretiak & B. Baydock Dr. Stephen Tritt & Dr. Sharon Goszer-Tritt Terry Tully Susan Turley Eric Turner

Grant Tweed Robert Tyler Suzanne Ullyot Patricia Van Doninck Fran & Bob Vannevel Irv & Toby Vinsky Dr. & Mrs. M.B. Vodrey V. Stirling Walkes Sherry & Bob Ward Peter & Joan Washchyshyn Deanna M Waters Al & Pat Wherrett Florence & Donald Whitmore Murray & Nancy Wiegand Trevor Wiens Peter & Elizabeth Wijtkamp Arthur Williams Dennis & Gustine Wilton Paul & Jackie Winestock Mr. C. Winstone Dr. David Wiseman & Merilyn Kraut Diane Wittmier Harry & Evelyn Wray Ms. Mary Zadorozny Ken & Pat Zealand 14 Anonymous

CORPORATE DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE GUARANTOR • $5,000–9,999 Johnston Group Inc. Qualico

BENEFACTOR • $3,000–4,999 Cambrian Credit Union Gendis Inc. & Associated Corporations Maple Leaf Construction Ltd., Blake Fitzpatrick Melet Plastics Inc., Edward Shinewald Terracon Development Ltd.

PATRON • $1,200–2,999 Assiniboine Credit Union Bison Transport, Don Strueber Blüfish Japanese Restaurant Bockstael Construction (1979) Ltd. Canada Safeway Limited Deloitte & Touche Foundation Canada George Wakefield Foods Inc., Judy Wakefield* Maxim Truck & Trailer Ruth & Ted Northam Number TEN Architectural Group, Robert Eastwood* PRA Inc. Ranger Insurance Brokers Ltd. Royal Canadian Properties Limited Sofa Logic, Suzi Bonk* Winmar Property Restoration

*Current Royal MTC Board of Trustees/Advisory Board members

42

Ovation

SPONSOR Air Canada The Asper Foundation BMO Financial Group Martha Burns Calm Air Cardinal Capital Management Inc. Carlyle Printers Service & Supplies Ltd./Canon The Chipman Family Foundation CIBC CN De Luca Fine Wines Dycom Direct Mail Services Esdale Printing Co. Ltd. The Fort Garry Hotel, Spa & Conference Centre Freeman Audio Visual Canada Deborah Gray The Great-West Life Assurance Company Investors Group Lawton Partners MacDon Industries Ltd. Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries National Leasing Planned Perfectly PwC RBC Royal Bank Relish Round Table Steakhouse & Pub Stantec Consulting Ltd. Subway Franchise World Headquarters Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP Wawanesa Insurance Winnipeg Free Press

CORPORATE FRIENDS OF ROYAL MTC CONTRIBUTOR • $900–1,199 The Manitoba Teachers’ Society Mitchell Fabrics Ltd.

SUPPORTER • $600–899 Crosier Kilgour & Partners Ltd. Fillmore Riley LLP Intergroup Consultants Ltd. Manitoba’s Credit Unions NAV CANADA Pollard Banknote Ltd. Fay & Max Reich

ASSOCIATE • $300–599 Cowin Steel Co. Ltd. McKenzie Convenience Store, Hyun Soo Noh Mid West Packaging Limited Mid-West Quilting †Current Royal MTC staff

april/may 2015

K

IN

A

N I G H T

GS & Q

O F

U

E E NS

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7 THE FORT GARRY HOTEL GR A ND BA LLROOM M USIC BY THE DA N N Y K R A MER DA NCE BA ND

For information, ticket reservations and to make donations: 204 954 6410 blackandwhite@royalmtc.ca royalmtc.ca/bw in support of

premier sponsor

Proceeds in support of the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre’s productions and programs.

Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre and the Manitoba Bar Association present the 2015 Lawyers Play Proceeds from this fundraising play benefit Royal MTC.

MUSIC AND LYRICS BY WILLIAM FINN

MAY 5–9, 2015

BOOK BY RACHEL SHEINKIN

CONCEIVED BY REBECCA FELDMAN ADDITIONAL MATERIAL BY JAY REISS ORIGINALLY DIRECTED ON BROADWAY BY JAMES LAPINE ORIGINALLY PRODUCED ON BROADWAY BY DAVID STONE, JAMES L. NEDERLANDER, BARBARA WHITMAN, PATRICK CATULLO, BARRINGTON STAGE COMPANY, SECOND STAGE THEATRE

RIOTOUSLY FUNNY – THE NEW YORK TIMES

T H E 2 5 t h A N N UA L P U T N A M CO U N T Y

PRESENTING SPONSOR

SILVER SPONSOR

WINE SPONSOR

DESIGN SPONSOR

RECEPTION SPONSORS

TICKETS $100 (includes wine, post-show reception & a $70 tax receipt) ON SALE NOW CALL 204 942 6537 ROYALMTC.CA/LAWYERSPLAY

DIRECTED BY HEIDI MALAZDREWICH* • MUSICAL DIRECTION BY JOSEPH TRITT • CHOREOGRAPHED BY SOFIA COSTANTINI* *APPEARS WITH THE PERMISSION OF CANADIAN ACTORS’ EQUITY ASSOCIATION

Supporters Party Stuff/U-Rent-It Premier Printing Ltd. Winfield Developments Canada

DONOR • $150–299 DGH Engineering Ltd. Leon A. Brown Ltd. MCW/AGE Consulting Professional Engineers Noble Locksmith Ltd. Patill/St. James Insurance Reitmans (Canada) Limited

TRIBUTE GIFTS Gifts received between February 14 and March 20, 2015.

In memory of Joyce Graham – The Loves, Gladys & Sharon In memory of Max Kettner – Ruth Kettner In memory of Annice Stephens – John Maguire & Susan Collison

FOUNDERS’ CIRCLE

Leona J. MacDonald Barb Melnychuk Jeffrey Morton* Heather Power & Harold Klause

ENDOWMENT FUND In Honour of Artistic Director Steven Schipper

Many thanks to the generosity of our Endowment Fund donors who gave a gift or fulfilled a pledge payment between January 1, 2014 and March 20, 2015. Amounts are cumulative. $5,000,000+ Government of Canada/ Gouvernement du Canada Canadian Heritage/ Patrimoine canadien

$250,000–499,999 Gail Asper, OC, OM, LLD* & Michael Paterson

$100,000–249,999

John Hirsch and Tom Hendry shared a dream of creating great professional theatre with mass appeal. With the visionary support of Founders’ Circle members – those who have made a planned gift to Royal MTC – their dream will live on for generations to come. Thank you to our Founders’ Circle members.‡ Gail Asper, OC, OM, LLD* Marjorie & Morley Blankstein* Duane & Pauline Braun Terri Cherniack & Steven Schipper, CM† Kerry Dangerfield* Edward Fisher & Lyse Rémillard Laurie Lam† & Larry Desrochers James Gibbs Gary Hannaford & Cathy Rushton Maureen E. Jay Andrew & Wendy Jensen Dr. Leonard & Hope Kahane Gordon C. Keatch*

Morley* & Marjorie Blankstein, CM, OM, LLD Dick Bonnycastle

$25,000–49,999 James R. Gibbs J.K. May Investments Ltd. Johnston Group Inc. The Michael Nozick Family Foundation In memory of Doug Shewfelt Arni Thorsteinson & Susan Glass Anonymous

$10,000–24,999 The Bowles Family Gus* & Diane Campbell John F. (Jack) Fraser* Bryan Klein & Susan Halprin The Honourable Guy J. Kroft & Hester Kroft Virginia & the late Robert Martin Cam & Carole Osler Norma Anne Padilla Lawrie & Fran Pollard Dr. Bill Pope & Dr. Elizabeth Tippett-Pope Steven Schipper, CM† & Terri Cherniack

George Sigurdson Terracon Development Ltd. Darcy & Brenda Zaporzan*

$5,000–9,999 Mr. & Mrs. Kristjan & Shirley Benidickson Margaret Caie Merv & Jan Cavers Dr. & Mrs. Farouk S. Chebib Donald Fraser & Judy Little Susan & Keith Knox Rick Lee & Laurie Shapiro Garry Markham Jim* & Penny McLandress L. Blair Philpott & Tom Kynman Heather Pullan & Tom Frohlinger Wearing Williams Limited, Don & Sheila Katz Joan Wright

$2,500–4,999 Lee & Wayne Anderson Mary Campbell Esther & Hy Dashevsky* Helene Dyck Gregg & Mary Hanson Dr. Ted & Gail Hechter Margaret & Fred Mooibroek In memory of Liam Murphy – Leigh Murphy Cheryl Ogaranko Dr. & Mrs. F.C. Violago Dorothy Y. Young Anonymous

$1,000–2,499 Robert & Ina Abra Family Fund – The Winnipeg Foundation Jack Armstrong & Doris Quinn Philip Ashdown George Baldwin Doris & Burton Bass Arthur & Ken Blankstein-Ure The Bohm Family Sheila & David Brodovsky Paul & Doreen Bromley David* & Lianne Carefoot Dave* & Barb Christie Pamela & Andrew Cooke Kerry Dangerfield* Bob & Alison Darling Dick & Joan Dawson Roberta Dyck Ernest Epp Michael & Lynn Evans Jean* & Dennis Giguere David & Ewhenia Gnutel John & Margaret Graham

*Current Royal MTC Board of Trustees/Advisory Board members †Current Royal MTC staff ‡If you have remembered Royal MTC in your will, please let us know

44

Ovation

april/may 2015

The Property Registry A Service Provider for the Province of Manitoba

proudly sponsoring proudly sponsoring

proudly sponsoring MTC MTCMTC 204-783-9463

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204-783-9463 204-783-9463 942 Portage Ave. • R3G942 0R1Portage Ave. • R3G www.delucafinewines.com www.delucafinewines

ACT LIKE A STAR! Everyone at the theatre is part of the show. Yes, even you.

You want to be a star, don’t you?

These tips will make you a stand-out performer (in a good way)!

Scents and Sensibility

Many theatre lovers experience adverse medical reactions from scented products. Please consider others before using scented products.

Park Your Mobile Device

We know something interesting is happening on social media. It always is. But your neighbours want to watch the play. Please turn off all mobile devices.

The Sound of Silence

Our theatre has great acoustics. So when you’re talking during the show, everyone can hear you. Your neighbours, the ushers and even the actors.

We want you to talk about the show… at intermission or after the final bows.

We’re always happy to see you at the theatre. Thank you for coming!

Supporters In memory of Irene Karasick-McMurrich Rita Gunn* & Greg Mason Amy Richmond Marilyn & Helios Hernandez Gary & Maureen Hunter John Kearsey* Carol Campbell & Andy Krentz Dr. G.H. Lawler Barbara Main Mark & Gloria Mancini Terri & Jim McKerchar Irene & the late Claire Miller Vera Moroz Lillian Neaman* Jean & Lisa Neron Myron Pawlowsky & Susan Boulter Marina Plett-Lyle Claude & Pat Precourt Joy Cooper & Martin Reed Ruth Simkin Bill & Laurie Speers* Frits & Joan Stevens Melinda Tallin† & Glen Mitchell Suzanne Ullyot Faye Warren Barbara & Ken Webb Richard L. Yaffe* & John A. Statham Dr. James & Mrs. Kim Zacharias 2 Anonymous

$500–999 Joan & Ed Alexander Peggy Bainard Acheson Bruce & Joyce Berry Donald & Edith Besant Suzi Bonk* Ron & Joan Boyd Ruth & Kris Breckman Margaret E. Clarke Katherine Cobor & Gordon Steindel John K. & Agnes Collins Dorothy Davidson Robert* & Florence Eastwood Nelma Fetterman Marcia Fleisher Chris Freeman Brent & Debbie Gilbert Teresa A. Hay Evelyn & Larry Hecht In memory of David Landy – Edith Landy Don Lawrence Dr. Stan & Susan Lipnowski Patrick & Clarice Matthews* Gerry & Corinne McCallum Dr. & Mrs. Donald McInnes Paul & Elaine Neelon E.M.L. Poulter Bill & Norma Rennie Amy Richmond

Patricia & James Richtik Marc & Sherri Rittinger Michael T. Ruta Faye Scott Jim & Susan Shaw Howie & Sue Simpson Elaine Toms Unitarian Church Theatre Group 4 Anonymous

UP TO $499 Jacqueline Anderson Donald Aronovitch Margaret & Charles Avent Armand & Judy Baccus Ms. Jean Bissett Dr. John Bond H.F. Bowen Brenlee Carrington Trepel & Brent Trepel Jeanetta Casselman Betty & Bruce Catchpole Arthur & Donna Chow Ms. Simone I. Cohen Christine H. Coltart Maxine Cristall Sharon Eadie Paulo Fernandes* Dr. & Mrs. D.D. & B.M. Fillis Lee Finch Elizabeth Foster Carole Giesbrecht Sandy Gousseau* L.D. Graham Karen Herd Mrs. Audrey Hilderman Dorothy Hodgson Camilla Holland† & Colin Viebrock Shawn Hughes* & Bruno Koehn Elizabeth E. Jackson Jordan Janisse & Teresa Cooper L. Kampeas Sheila & Ken Katz Mr. & Mrs. Fred Kisil Brenda* & Trevor Kriss Barbara Latocki Ms. Nancy Latocki Vi Leaney Frances Lemieux Marilyn Lindquist Sylvia L. Main Nick Martin & Dr. Evelyn Ferguson Keith Mayoh Peggy Barker Anthony & Joyce McWha Marcel & Louise Mollot Marlene A. Mortimer Pat & Sherry O’Connor Theresa Oye Robb† & Heather Paterson Carolyn Porhownik

*Current Royal MTC Board of Trustees/Advisory Board members

46

Ovation

Myrna Protosavage Bill & Heather Quinn Henry & Sheila Riendeau Andrea* & Michael Robertson Evan & Audra Roitenberg Jack & Regina Schipper Joan Sheps Roslyn Silver Vern & Ann Simonsen Eleanor Suderman Brenda Taylor Peter & Sharon Taylor Marilyn Thompson Mary & Gordon Toombs W. Tretiak & B. Baydock Tim Valgardson* Judy* & Michael Wakefield Veralyn R. Warkentin Walter & Shirley Watts Donna Webb 6 Anonymous

†Current Royal MTC staff

april/may 2015

THANK YOU to the

1,743 volunteers who generously contributed 31,566 hours

of time, expertise and energy to royal mtc in the 2014/15 season

the show goes on because of you!

Step Up for Royal MTC In addition to our wonderful corps of volunteer ushers, Royal MTC benefits from the generosity of volunteers on a number of Board of Trustees and Special Event committees, including the Lawyers Play and the Black & White Ball. If you’re interested in supporting Royal MTC with your leadership volunteer skills, or for more information about our Board of Trustees and Special Event committees, please contact Daphne MacMillan at dmacmillan@royalmtc.ca or 204 954 6400.

If you’re interested in joining a dedicated usher team at the Mainstage or Warehouse, or participating in the Winnipeg Fringe Festival this summer as a volunteer, visit www.royalmtc.ca/volunteer.

Supporting Partners CORE FUNDERS

SEASON PARTNERS

TOM HENDRY WAREHOUSE SEASON SPONSOR

PRODUCTION SUPPORTER

JOHN HIRSCH MAINSTAGE PRODUCTION SPONSOR

TOM HENDRY WAREHOUSE PRODUCTION SPONSOR Chipman Family Foundation

JOHN HIRSCH MAINSTAGE PERFORMANCE SPONSORS

BACKSTAGE PASS

WORDPLAY

BENEFACTORS

Deborah Gray Martha Burns

THEATRE FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES

CORPORATE MATCHING GIFT

S T R O N G E R C O M M U N I T I E S T O G E T H E R TM

REGIONAL TOUR

CalmAir

48

Ovation

april/may 2015

Supporting Partners BLACK & WHITE BALL EXCLUSIVE EVENT SPONSOR

PLATINUM SPONSOR

SILVER SPONSOR

BRONZE SPONSORS Insurance Brokers and Consultants

LAWYERS PLAY

DESIGN SPONSOR

CAPITAL ASSISTANCE

2014 WINNIPEG FRINGE THEATRE FESTIVAL

S T R O N G E R C O M M U N I T I E S T O G E T H E R TM

COWARDFEST 2015

MEDIA SPONSORS

april/may 2015

Ovation

49

Behind the Scenes Board of Trustees

John Hirsch Mainstage Front-of-House

Deborah Gay-de Vries, Front-of-House Manager Assisted by: Sheena Baird Jamie Chapman, Kim Cossette, Hunter Davis, Rylen de Vries, Caroline Graham, Jonny Hall, Elfie Harvey, Talia Kowalchuk, Tia Levine, Graeme Olson, Jessica Olson, Kayla Parke-Wilson, Amariah Peterson, Angela Rajfur, Jennifer Schmidt, Rita Vande Vyvere, Kira Watson

Honorary Members

His Honour, Lt. Governor Philip S. Lee The Honourable Greg Selinger, Premier of Manitoba His Worship, Mayor Brian Bowman Executive Officers

Jim McLandress, Chair Kerry Dangerfield, Past Chair David Carefoot, Treasurer Brenda Zaporzan, Secretary Suzi Bonk, Chair, Community Relations David Christie, Chair, Governance & Strategic Planning Patrick Green, Chair, Organizational Performance Anthony C. Fletcher, Chair, Resource Development Trustees

Heather Clarke Robert Eastwood Paulo Fernandes Sandy Gousseau Rita Gunn John Guttormson Advisory Council

Gary Hannaford, FCA, Chair Gail Asper Morley Blankstein Doneta Brotchie Angus Campbell Gerry Couture Hy Dashevsky Glen Dyrda, FCA John F. Fraser Jean Giguere

Maintenance

Andrew Drinnan, Building Superintendent Chris Fletcher, Assistant Building Superintendent Marketing & Communications

Shawn Hughes John Kearsey Brenda Kriss Evan Kuz Jeff Lamothe Andrea Robertson

Laurie A. Speers Tim J. Valgardson Judy Wakefield Richard L. Yaffe

Charron Hamilton Yude Henteleff Ken Houssin Gordon Keatch Colin R. MacArthur, QC Patrick J. Matthews Jeffrey Morton, FCA Hon. Jack Murta Lillian Neaman Shelley Nimchonok

James Pappas John Petersmeyer Lawrence Prout Jeff Quinton Patricia Rabson Margaret Redmond Susan Skinner Al Snyder Maureen Watchorn

Susan Groff, Head Scenic Artist Lawrence Van Went, Scenic Artist

Randy Zyla Harder, Head Electrician Rick MacPherson, Technical Director Alison Nutt, Head Carpenter Lawrence Van Went, Head Scenic Artist Michael Wright, Head of Sound

Brian Adolph, IT Manager Jennifer Cheslock, Outreach Manager Devan Graham, Director of Human Resources Camilla Holland, General Manager Daphne MacMillan, Administrative Assistant Jennifer Skelly, IT Administrator

Tom Hendry Warehouse Front-of-House

Kim Cossette, Front-of-House Manager Jamie Chapman, Rachael Neal, April Smith, Chelsea Zacharias

Artistic

Jeff Kennedy, Literary Coordinator Laurie Lam, Producer Robb Paterson, Associate Artistic Director Steven Schipper, CM, Artistic Director Casey Shapira, Archives Coordinator Melinda Tallin, Artistic Coordinator

Wardrobe

Thora Lamont, Acting Head of Wardrobe Lorraine O’Leary, Head of Wardrobe Lois Powne, First Hand Jackie Van Winkle, Head Buyer & Accessories Coordinator Wigs

Sheena Baird, Ticketing Services Manager Laurie Fletcher, Box Office Manager Melanie Sexton, Director of Box Office Services Box Office Representatives: Katie Adamson, Laura Bergen, Gwendolyn Collins, Robyn Pooley, Tori Popp, Jessica Ross, Katie Schmidt, Caitlin Turner, Elizabeth Whitbread Louis Gagné, Layout Carpenter Brent Letain, Master Carpenter Chris Seida, Scenic Carpenter Michael Joyal, Development Assistant Stephanie Lambert, Special & Donor Events Coordinator Shelly Smith-Hines, Director of Development Heidi Struck, Individual Giving Manager

Larry Demedash, Senior Properties Builder Kari Hagness, Head of Properties James Sutherland, Properties Builder

Tom Hendry Warehouse

Administration

Carpentry

Properties

Arlo C. Bates, Acting Head of Sound John Bent Jr., Head of Sound Joan Lees-Miller, Head of Wardrobe Claude Robert, Head Electrician Chris Thomson, Head Carpenter John Tomiuk, House Stage Hand

Sharon Burden, Payroll Administrator Yvonne O’Connor, Accounts Payable Administrator Shelley Stroski, Controller

Box Office

Laura Enns, Touring & Production Coordinator Ian Kirk, Assistant Technical Director Paige Lewis, Assistant Production Manager Rick MacPherson, Technical Director, Tom Hendry Warehouse Russell Martin, Director of Production Ben Ross, Technical Director, John Hirsch Mainstage

Stage Crew

Accounting/Finance

50

Paint

Production

Staff

Development

Hayley Brigg, Publicity & Communications Coordinator Sue Caughlin, Marketing & Communications Manager Katie Inverarity, Director of Marketing & Communications Mark Saunders, Marketing & Communications Coordinator Thomas Urish, Sales Manager

Beverly Covert, Wigs & Makeup Supervisor Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival & Master Playwright Festival

Jennifer Cheslock, Festival Manager Chuck McEwen, Executive Producer Tori Popp, Festival Assistant Honorary Staff

Zaz Bajon, General Manager Emeritus

Additional Production Staff Clever Little Lies

Chris Hadley, Carpenter Kim Hamin, Assistant Scenic Artist Van McLean, Carpenter Additional crew provided by IATSE Local 63

Ovation

april/may 2015

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