Thursday, February 28, 2013
mother teresa is dead | pay-what-you-can preview
It's almost time to have our first audience ever at the pay-what-you-can preview of MOTHER TERESA IS DEAD tonight at 8pm!
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
mother teresa is dead | bruce horak
We had the pleasure of commissioning some paintings for MOTHER TERESA IS DEAD from talented local artist and actor Bruce Horak! We will be showing some of his art in the lobby throughout the run, and of course you'll see how his paintings fit into the show when you see it.
Bruce Horak is an award-winning performer/creator whose work in Theatre and Visual Art has taken him across Canada. Having lost over 90% of his eyesight to Cancer as a child, Bruce has endeavored to share his unique vision through a series of Portraits entitled, “The Way I See It” which were recently exhibited at the Kelowna Art Gallery as part of an exhibition of art by Blind and Vision Impaired Artists from around the world.
His one-man show, This is CANCER will be presented at the Surrey Arts Centre March 15th and 16th, and at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre March 19th.
Bruce Horak is an award-winning performer/creator whose work in Theatre and Visual Art has taken him across Canada. Having lost over 90% of his eyesight to Cancer as a child, Bruce has endeavored to share his unique vision through a series of Portraits entitled, “The Way I See It” which were recently exhibited at the Kelowna Art Gallery as part of an exhibition of art by Blind and Vision Impaired Artists from around the world.
His one-man show, This is CANCER will be presented at the Surrey Arts Centre March 15th and 16th, and at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre March 19th.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
luci shaw | levertov award
Luci Shaw is a PT favourite. Ever since our inaugural show - First Christmas: An Entertainment, way back in 1984 - Luci's poetry has been part of our Christmas shows. Indeed, sometimes she even comes onstage to read it.
Now the Image Journal announces that Now Luci has been honoured with the prestigious Denise Levertov Award, bestowed by Seattle Pacific University.
Tenth Annual Denise Levertov Award
with Luci Shaw
Thursday, May 16, 7:00 pm
Co-sponsored by the SPU English Department and the SPU MFA Program in Creative Writing
The Levertov Award is presented annually in the spring to an artist or creative writer whose work exemplifies a serious and sustained engagement with the Judeo-Christian tradition. Past recipients include poets Madeline DeFrees and Franz Wright, nonfiction writers Kathleen Norris, Thomas Lynch, and Eugene Peterson, fiction writers Bret Lott and Ron Hansen, and singer-songwriter Sam Phillips.
The Denise Levertov Award is named for one of the twentieth century's greatest poets. Levertov, who spent her last years in Seattle, embraced the landscape and culture of the Pacific Northwest. Her identity as a Christian believer--a pilgrim whose faith was inextricably entwined with doubt--became another important facet of her work, particularly in her later poetry.
Here are links to some of Luci's poetry that we've featured on Oblations...
Act Now To Avoid Prize Entry Forfeiture (Pending)
States of Being
No, I'm Not Hildegarde
The Wind Blows Wherever It Pleases
And a few of the pieces that have been part of Christmas Presence...
Madonna and Child, with Saints
Mary Considers Her Situation
Advent III
December
Presents
Tenth Annual Denise Levertov Award
with Luci Shaw
Thursday, May 16, 7:00 pm
Co-sponsored by the SPU English Department and the SPU MFA Program in Creative Writing
The Levertov Award is presented annually in the spring to an artist or creative writer whose work exemplifies a serious and sustained engagement with the Judeo-Christian tradition. Past recipients include poets Madeline DeFrees and Franz Wright, nonfiction writers Kathleen Norris, Thomas Lynch, and Eugene Peterson, fiction writers Bret Lott and Ron Hansen, and singer-songwriter Sam Phillips.
The Denise Levertov Award is named for one of the twentieth century's greatest poets. Levertov, who spent her last years in Seattle, embraced the landscape and culture of the Pacific Northwest. Her identity as a Christian believer--a pilgrim whose faith was inextricably entwined with doubt--became another important facet of her work, particularly in her later poetry.
*
Here are links to some of Luci's poetry that we've featured on Oblations...
Act Now To Avoid Prize Entry Forfeiture (Pending)
States of Being
No, I'm Not Hildegarde
The Wind Blows Wherever It Pleases
And a few of the pieces that have been part of Christmas Presence...
Madonna and Child, with Saints
Mary Considers Her Situation
Advent III
December
Presents
feb 27-mar 16| Holmes & Watson Save the Empire! | Damon Calderwood
HOLMES & WATSON SAVE THE EMPIRE!
A musical mystery by Jahnna Beecham & Malcolm Hillgartner
Feb 27 ~ Mar 16, Wed through Sat at 8pm
Reserve early to see Holmes and Watson Save the Empire!
This is a family-friendly, hilarious musical mystery by Jahnna Beecham and Malcolm Hillgartner in its Canadian premiere.
The fabulous cast includes Damon Calderwood and Gordon Roberts (the fearless duo from Billy Bishop Goes to War), along with Chris Robson, Renee Bulat and Kelly Avery. Once again the fate of the British Empire lies in the hands of the greatest crime fighting team in literature. Holmes and his faithful friend Watson have until midnight to solve the fiendish Moriarty's deadly puzzle. Where is the QV2? What is Victoria's secret? How on earth did Holmes end up on the stage of the Gaiety Music Hall? Who is the mysterious Nightingale of Nuremburg? And why is Watson wearing her dress…?
"Droll, irreverent and spectacularly silly!" – Medford Mail Tribune.
"An evening of entertainment of a kind not found often enough. Case closed!"-- Milwaukee Shepherd Express.
Holmes and Watson Save the Empire!
Book and lyrics by Jahnna Beecham and Malcolm Hillgartner
Music by Malcolm Hillgartner
Director/choreographer: Jahnna Beecham
Music director: Malcolm Hillgartner.
Runs February 27 – March 16, Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8pm.
Tickets available online now at www.firstimpressionstheatre.com or by phone 604-929-9456; or by cash only from Seymour Art Gallery on Gallant, Deep Cove Pharmacy on Gallant and Seymour Stationery at Parkgate Village.
Monday, February 25, 2013
mother teresa is dead | an interview with ron
An interview with Ron about MOTHER TERESA IS DEAD.
Can you give me one sentence on why you are excited about MOTHER TERESA IS DEAD?
It’s not in your face, but the sophistication of the questions it’s asking and its insights into human nature are just extraordinary.
Pacific Theatre is known for questioning faith and spiritual issues – are the questions in Mother Teresa is Dead new ground for the company?
These questions of international aid and philanthropy are new ground for Pacific Theatre, and untouched ground for theatre in general. Philanthropy is a really boring word, and that’s why they don’t make shows about it, but actually, “to give or not to give” is a fundamental question that eats up most of us. We sit in our privileged, wealthy, Vancouver world and we go “yeah, but what do I do about people not getting an education in that country?” Do we impose it on them? No. That said, if they want it and we have the means to help them have it, what do we do?
Helen Edmundson asks these questions in a way that just digs away at our motivations. She takes that impulse to care, to love the person in need, and asks, how do we do it? What happens when we do it? What are the consequences of doing it badly? Can it be done well at all? That situation that you’re helping- how complex is that situation actually that you don’t know?
How does this question of giving fit in with the faith aspect to Pacific Theatre’s mandate?
That famous passage about love in Corinthians 13 – in the King James Bible, it’s the word for charity. Originally charity was just the word for love, the impetus for love that is not erotic. Corinthians 13. Charity. Love. Ask anybody: what’s best about Christianity? It is a religion of love and compassion. What’s worst about Christianity? When does everyone know that it’s an abomination? It’s when it becomes about something else: power, war, dogma. Not many people can argue with that impetus of Jesus to love thy neighour. There’s something profoundly good and true about that. When you put it in those terms it’s obvious how it ties in to Pacific Theatre’s mission.
Director/producer Evan Frayne is a former apprentice of Pacific Theatre’s who won the Sam Payne Award for most promising newcomer in his apprentice year. How has that relationship developed?
Evan Frayne is one of our several all-time great apprentices. He arrived here two years ago with good training behind him, early in his growth in his professional career. During his time here he was on stage in a couple of shows, directed, acted, did all the other things in the apprenticeship program, and since then has stayed close to the theatre. This is a great model for how our apprenticeship program can work: take someone who’s a really talented actor, and give him a step to step on, a stage to stand on, a community to be a part of, and then he grew from there. That perfect match of where he was at in his progress and how that fits with our company, and that fits perfectly now with having him produce and direct this show for our stage.
Can you give me one sentence on why you are excited about MOTHER TERESA IS DEAD?
It’s not in your face, but the sophistication of the questions it’s asking and its insights into human nature are just extraordinary.
Pacific Theatre is known for questioning faith and spiritual issues – are the questions in Mother Teresa is Dead new ground for the company?
These questions of international aid and philanthropy are new ground for Pacific Theatre, and untouched ground for theatre in general. Philanthropy is a really boring word, and that’s why they don’t make shows about it, but actually, “to give or not to give” is a fundamental question that eats up most of us. We sit in our privileged, wealthy, Vancouver world and we go “yeah, but what do I do about people not getting an education in that country?” Do we impose it on them? No. That said, if they want it and we have the means to help them have it, what do we do?
Helen Edmundson asks these questions in a way that just digs away at our motivations. She takes that impulse to care, to love the person in need, and asks, how do we do it? What happens when we do it? What are the consequences of doing it badly? Can it be done well at all? That situation that you’re helping- how complex is that situation actually that you don’t know?
How does this question of giving fit in with the faith aspect to Pacific Theatre’s mandate?
That famous passage about love in Corinthians 13 – in the King James Bible, it’s the word for charity. Originally charity was just the word for love, the impetus for love that is not erotic. Corinthians 13. Charity. Love. Ask anybody: what’s best about Christianity? It is a religion of love and compassion. What’s worst about Christianity? When does everyone know that it’s an abomination? It’s when it becomes about something else: power, war, dogma. Not many people can argue with that impetus of Jesus to love thy neighour. There’s something profoundly good and true about that. When you put it in those terms it’s obvious how it ties in to Pacific Theatre’s mission.
Director/producer Evan Frayne is a former apprentice of Pacific Theatre’s who won the Sam Payne Award for most promising newcomer in his apprentice year. How has that relationship developed?
Evan Frayne is one of our several all-time great apprentices. He arrived here two years ago with good training behind him, early in his growth in his professional career. During his time here he was on stage in a couple of shows, directed, acted, did all the other things in the apprenticeship program, and since then has stayed close to the theatre. This is a great model for how our apprenticeship program can work: take someone who’s a really talented actor, and give him a step to step on, a stage to stand on, a community to be a part of, and then he grew from there. That perfect match of where he was at in his progress and how that fits with our company, and that fits perfectly now with having him produce and direct this show for our stage.
Friday, February 22, 2013
mother teresa is dead | meet the playwright
This isn't the first time we have staged a play by Helen Edmundson, the last being THE CLEARING in the 2001-2002 season. Here's a little background information on this playwright.
Helen Edmundson (born 1964) is a British playwright particularly well known for her adaptations of various literary classics for the stage such as Leo Tolstoy’s ANNA KARENINA and WAR AND PEACE, and George Eliot’s THE MILL ON THE FLOSS. Because of her well-known adaptations, she has been overlooked at times as a "legitimate" playwright, characterized by the fact another female playwright was credited as the first living female playwright to be produced by The National Theatre in London... years after they produced her adaptation of CORAM BOY.
Despite this she has written many adaptations as well as original plays including FLYING, THE CLEARING, and of course, MOTHER TERESA IS DEAD.
Helen Edmundson (born 1964) is a British playwright particularly well known for her adaptations of various literary classics for the stage such as Leo Tolstoy’s ANNA KARENINA and WAR AND PEACE, and George Eliot’s THE MILL ON THE FLOSS. Because of her well-known adaptations, she has been overlooked at times as a "legitimate" playwright, characterized by the fact another female playwright was credited as the first living female playwright to be produced by The National Theatre in London... years after they produced her adaptation of CORAM BOY.
Despite this she has written many adaptations as well as original plays including FLYING, THE CLEARING, and of course, MOTHER TERESA IS DEAD.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
mother teresa is dead | photos
The media shots for MOTHER TERESA IS DEAD by Helen Edmundson. Opening Friday, March 1st! All photos by Emily Cooper.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
leave of absence | artistic director notes
Ron's notes on LEAVE OF ABSENCE.
Leave of Absence is essential Lucia. Spirituality and sexuality. Devotion and doubt. Very human beings, messy relationships, transcendence. It’s funny, and it’ll break your heart.
Lucia’s opposites don’t blend together into a compromised middle. The dark is right alongside the light, vivid and confronting. There are disturbing things and there are deeply comforting things – and neither cancels out the other.
When this play makes me uneasy, or angry, or what I’m seeing seems too much, I remember words in another of Cia’s plays. “The espresso - she’s life. Quick, black, bitter in the mouth. Don’t expect sweet. Don’t add for the milk to take away the strong.”
Lucia is a fearless playwright, and she challenges us to join her in looking long and hard at some things it would be easier to look away from. I don’t think anybody gets an easy ride with this one. Whichever end of whatever spectrum you might be on, there will be something here that won’t go down easy.
The play won’t boil down to a position statement. She gives us vividly drawn, fully fleshed characters, puts them through the kinds of things that really happen to people, and we see what it’s like to experience what they experience, think what they think, feel what they feel.
I remember talking to a PT audience member about shows he had seen. He named some favourites, but then singled out one that really didn’t sit well with him. “I know,” I responded. “That play makes me so angry!” He was shocked. How could I choose a play for our stage that I didn’t agree with? Or that I wasn’t “on side” with?
Well, of course, plays aren’t sermons, or messages, or position statements. At least, most of the good ones aren’t. Our playwrights are just saying, “That’s something that people live, and it matters” – and we’re just putting it out there so we can all try it on, see for ourselves what it might be like to live that life.
We think that matters.
Ron Reed
Leave of Absence is essential Lucia. Spirituality and sexuality. Devotion and doubt. Very human beings, messy relationships, transcendence. It’s funny, and it’ll break your heart.
Lucia’s opposites don’t blend together into a compromised middle. The dark is right alongside the light, vivid and confronting. There are disturbing things and there are deeply comforting things – and neither cancels out the other.
When this play makes me uneasy, or angry, or what I’m seeing seems too much, I remember words in another of Cia’s plays. “The espresso - she’s life. Quick, black, bitter in the mouth. Don’t expect sweet. Don’t add for the milk to take away the strong.”
Lucia is a fearless playwright, and she challenges us to join her in looking long and hard at some things it would be easier to look away from. I don’t think anybody gets an easy ride with this one. Whichever end of whatever spectrum you might be on, there will be something here that won’t go down easy.
The play won’t boil down to a position statement. She gives us vividly drawn, fully fleshed characters, puts them through the kinds of things that really happen to people, and we see what it’s like to experience what they experience, think what they think, feel what they feel.
I remember talking to a PT audience member about shows he had seen. He named some favourites, but then singled out one that really didn’t sit well with him. “I know,” I responded. “That play makes me so angry!” He was shocked. How could I choose a play for our stage that I didn’t agree with? Or that I wasn’t “on side” with?
Well, of course, plays aren’t sermons, or messages, or position statements. At least, most of the good ones aren’t. Our playwrights are just saying, “That’s something that people live, and it matters” – and we’re just putting it out there so we can all try it on, see for ourselves what it might be like to live that life.
We think that matters.
Ron Reed
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
leave of absence | responses
"This kind of play is the reason we keep coming back to Pacific Theatre. The humour, and the struggle and finally the tears. How do you deliver the line “Of course, I’m built like a God” and have it bring so much laughter and yet seem perfectly natural, and then tear our hearts apart. Thank you." | Maggie Watts Hammond, Facebook
"I am sure you are getting mail, and there have been a wide variety of responses to LEAVE OF ABSENCE. I want to add mine to your file of GOOD letters. Perhaps you saw the note I sent to the cast. I was so impressed with the writing, the staging, the casting, and all aspects of the production...but especially by the idealogical and spirit-led momentum of the play. Several times it occurred to me, “yes, that is what I think” or “wow I wish I had said that”. I was moved to tears, to laughter, to pathos, and to THINK." | Michael Dobbin, Email
"I cannot urge you enough: go see Leave of Absence. It's absolutely hilarious, tragic, horrifying, and affecting. ... I hope we'll see more theatre, art, film, and writing like Leave of Absence." | Meghan Bell, Hush Magazine
"Leave of Absence made a deep impression on me...as a senior, when I was young in the 40s and 50s, I was in a strong Catholic area and no one admitted to being “gay”. To see a young person being bullied/abused because they are different really made me think about what young people are facing nowadays. I keep thinking about the play and am grateful that it has opened my mind to an area I had given not any thought to." | Joan Freeman, Email
"I thought the play was fantastic! In fact it was the best script I have ever heard. It was so well crafted. Apart from Les Miserables no other play has led me through so many emotions. In fact this may have led me through more since it had great humour too! I have recommended it to others to see." | Craig, audience email
"Lucia’s writing made me want to meet her and get inside of her head! The play’s content touched me on a personal level, leaving me with a feeling that I had just had a conversation with a friend that could verbalize thoughts and questions and beliefs in a way that I couldn’t. Lucia has a gift to not force a certain view but to open discussion and to portray raw humanity, getting right to the point." | Hannah, audience email
"Lucia Frangione, one of the most celebrated writers in Vancouver, deservedly so, is very witty - with a touch of absurd - and so empathetic and loving. ... Bravo to Pacific Theatre and artistic director Ron Reed for championing new Canadian works and thank you Ms Frangione for tackling this important subject matter. I hope it affects change." | David C. Jones, The Charlebois Post
"I find it brave for Pacific Theatre to be putting on shows like this, because it does question religion and the church and deals with relatively taboo subjects. Not to mention that they are taking on new and original work, adding to the city's variety of choices and canon of theatre." | Alan Woo, Fun Fun Vancouver
"I’ve not been to the theatre in quite some time, for a number of personal reasons. The end of the piece left me in tears, and restored my faith in the ability of playwrights to tackle complicated subjects in ways that mean something to an audience without either imposing their final message or preaching, respecting the audience sufficiently to come to their own conclusions about the matters." | Ian Martin, I.A.M. Musing About...
"I thought this intersected with my life on so many counts! Thanks for being so thought provoking." | Kim, audience email
"As the young protagonist, Karyn Guenther is convincingly innocent and vulnerable ... Frangione steps onto the stage as Blake’s mother with a natural ease that no doubt comes from her connection to the material as playwright and Tom McBeath is effective in as the conflicted Father Ryan." Mark Robins, GayVancouver.Net
"There are also some persuasive performances in this production. The yearning and intelligence that Tom McBeath brings to Father Ryan help make the character a credibly complex guy. And, in her professional debut, Karyn Guenther impresses as Blake. Like innocence, religious rapture has to be tricky to play, but Guenther humbly brings it. In the evening’s best scene, Blake tells Ryan what grace feels like. It’s exciting to see newcomer Guenther holding her own with McBeath, a seasoned professional.” | Colin Thomas, The Georgia Straight
"It's not often that something sticks with me the way this play did, but I literally couldn't get it out of my mind. Heartbreaking and funny, all rolled into one." | Keltie, audience email
"Be prepared for a thought-provoking experience and come with your guard down. This show is a prime example of using art to further discussions on taboo topics. When the lights come up after an unexpected resolution, limits have been tested, held-off plans have been enacted, and the audience has been led to empathize with several perspectives. Knowing the playwright drew from personal experience in her writing, and then seeing her in the role of the mother, Greta, added an extra touch of life. For some, Leave of Absence will be hard to swallow, and for others it’ll be something to chew on, but everyone will leave with a new and different taste in their mouths." | Nataly Wiarda, MB Herald
FROM THE TWITTER FEED
@jillbarber: Vancouverites! Leave of Absence at the @PacificTheatre is a powerful, difficult, funny and heartbreaking play by @LuciaFrangione. Go see it!
@erikacoustic: Leave of Absense by @LuciaFrangione: Beautiful, bold, honest, raw look at faith and society. This is why I'm in theatre.
@melaniejean42: Beautiful performances & lots to think about in #LeaveofAbsence @PacificTheatre. Congrats to the company & best wishes for a great run!
@kyleridout: Felt privileged to hear the beautiful words of #LeaveofAbsence lots of moments of surprise, wit, depth... @PacificTheatre @LuciaFrangione
@marenw: Definitely left pretty teary eyed after #LeaveofAbsence @PacificTheatre... Pretty excellent, recommend checking it out!
@bethnickel: Went to see my auntie Marie in #leaveofabsence at @PacificTheatre. Very powerful and thought-provoking! Great evening!
@maureengjones: @PacificTheatre #LeaveofAbsence Amazing night of thought provoking theatre. Will ponder a lot of questions in my mind over the next 24.
@trev_stackhouse: Saw the phenomenal play "Leave of Absence" at @PacificTheatre last night. The cast did a terrific job in bringing a great script to life!
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
leave of absence | panel discussion thanks
This past Saturday PT had the great pleasure of hosting a panel discussion on Spirituality, Sexuality and Bullying. We would like to extend a huge thank you to all the members of our panel and to all who joined us for the hour of discussion. We are so thrilled that LEAVE OF ABSENCE is encouraging our audience to have these important conversations.
If you haven't seen LEAVE OF ABSENCE you have one week left!
Ticket info and details can be found here.
leave of absence | no show feb 13
Please note that there will be no performance of LEAVE OF ABSENCE tomorrow, Wednesday, February 13th. Take a night off and come join us Thursday-Saturday for the final week of performances!
Thursday, February 07, 2013
leave of absence | panel discussion | this weekend!
Our panel discussion SEXUALITY, SPIRITUALITY, AND BULLYING is this weekend! Featuring QMUNITY, Dignity Canada, and Lucia Frangione and moderated by Caroline MacGillivray, we are thrilled to deepen the conversation around some of the issues raised in LEAVE OF ABSENCE.
SEXUALITY, SPIRITUALITY, AND BULLYING: A PANEL DISCUSSION
Saturday, Feb. 9th at approx. 4:30pm
(following the matinee performance of LEAVE OF ABSENCE)
FREE admission
All are encouraged to attend, even if you haven't seen the play!
**Please note: The start time really is approximate! We will start after we can get ourselves reset from the matinee performance**
SPEAKERS
Robin Perry: As the Education+Outreach Community Developer at QMUNITY, BC's Queer Resource Centre, Robin works towards the health, wellbeing and inclusion of queer and trans* folk. Robin's roles include facilitation of queer competency trainings and other workshops, co-ordination of a wide range of social and support groups and community events, development of print resources, and much more. Robin comes from a social work background in South Australia.
Denis Benoit: Denis was born, raised, and educated in the Edmonton Catholic school system. He studied for the priesthood with the Franciscans in Santa Barbara, and returned to Edmonton, leaving the Fransciscan Order after two years. In 1982 he joined the Dignity Edmonton chapter, and was president of Dignity Canada from 2007-2011. Presently, Denis is the liturgy co-ordinator for the Vancouver chapter. He is concerned about bullying in general, whether physical or verbal.
Lucia Frangione: Lucia is a playwright and actress based out of Vancouver. Her twenty-five plays include Vancouver premiers: FRESCO (Bellaluna) Paradise Garden (Arts Club), Christmas on the Air, Cariboo Magi, Espresso, Chickens, Holy Mo (Pacific), MMM (Ruby Slippers) and Wobbling Madonna (Solo Collective). Currently in development: Maid for a Musket (St Lawrence Shakespeare) The Forgiveness Project (Horseshoes & Hand Grenades) Dog Park (Fugue) Diamond Willow (Prairie Theatre Exchange) and Frankie Armitage (Arts Club) Other productions include theatres: The Belfry, Solo Collective, Chemainus, Lambs Players San Diego and Teatr Powszechny Warsaw. She has won two Gordon Armstrong awards and the Sydney Risk award. She is published by Talon books and is a member of the Playwrights Guild of Canada.
MODERATOR
Caroline MacGillivray: Caroline is the National Executive Director and founder of Beauty Night Society. MacGillivray, a Gastown Actor’s Studio Graduate, believes that healthy self-esteem can be fostered through entertaining and interactive educational programming. She has been honoured to be a Flare Volunteer Award recipient, Skakti 2012 Community Spirit Award, Spirit of the Crane Gold Community Award, MetoWe Finalist, 2-time Woman of Worth finalist and five-time YWCA Woman of Distinction Nominee. Caroline also hosts the radio show Sexy in Vancity.
SEXUALITY, SPIRITUALITY, AND BULLYING: A PANEL DISCUSSION
Saturday, Feb. 9th at approx. 4:30pm
(following the matinee performance of LEAVE OF ABSENCE)
FREE admission
All are encouraged to attend, even if you haven't seen the play!
**Please note: The start time really is approximate! We will start after we can get ourselves reset from the matinee performance**
SPEAKERS
Robin Perry: As the Education+Outreach Community Developer at QMUNITY, BC's Queer Resource Centre, Robin works towards the health, wellbeing and inclusion of queer and trans* folk. Robin's roles include facilitation of queer competency trainings and other workshops, co-ordination of a wide range of social and support groups and community events, development of print resources, and much more. Robin comes from a social work background in South Australia.
Denis Benoit: Denis was born, raised, and educated in the Edmonton Catholic school system. He studied for the priesthood with the Franciscans in Santa Barbara, and returned to Edmonton, leaving the Fransciscan Order after two years. In 1982 he joined the Dignity Edmonton chapter, and was president of Dignity Canada from 2007-2011. Presently, Denis is the liturgy co-ordinator for the Vancouver chapter. He is concerned about bullying in general, whether physical or verbal.
Lucia Frangione: Lucia is a playwright and actress based out of Vancouver. Her twenty-five plays include Vancouver premiers: FRESCO (Bellaluna) Paradise Garden (Arts Club), Christmas on the Air, Cariboo Magi, Espresso, Chickens, Holy Mo (Pacific), MMM (Ruby Slippers) and Wobbling Madonna (Solo Collective). Currently in development: Maid for a Musket (St Lawrence Shakespeare) The Forgiveness Project (Horseshoes & Hand Grenades) Dog Park (Fugue) Diamond Willow (Prairie Theatre Exchange) and Frankie Armitage (Arts Club) Other productions include theatres: The Belfry, Solo Collective, Chemainus, Lambs Players San Diego and Teatr Powszechny Warsaw. She has won two Gordon Armstrong awards and the Sydney Risk award. She is published by Talon books and is a member of the Playwrights Guild of Canada.
MODERATOR
Caroline MacGillivray: Caroline is the National Executive Director and founder of Beauty Night Society. MacGillivray, a Gastown Actor’s Studio Graduate, believes that healthy self-esteem can be fostered through entertaining and interactive educational programming. She has been honoured to be a Flare Volunteer Award recipient, Skakti 2012 Community Spirit Award, Spirit of the Crane Gold Community Award, MetoWe Finalist, 2-time Woman of Worth finalist and five-time YWCA Woman of Distinction Nominee. Caroline also hosts the radio show Sexy in Vancity.
feb 9 | art fight | John Voth
Here's a fun show PT teddy bear John Voth is involved in this Saturday night called "Art Fight". He would love to see you there...
Here is how it works:
One stage.
One hour.
1 musician
1 painter
1 writer
3 actors (because they equal one artist)
One Winner!
RULES:
- Artists will be given an idea/theme/subject at the beginning of the evening.
- They will have 1 hour to complete a piece of art in their genre that best executes the given suggestions.
- The artists must create the piece onstage in front of the audience, and in front of each other.
- At the end of the hour, they must present what they have. With the help of the artistic advisory panel, the audience will vote which piece wins.
- There will be a few surprises or unexpected twists throughout the evening.
- The WINNER will get $50.00 and a bottle of maple syrup!! (And bragging rights)
HOSTED by Kayvon Kelly and Ryan Beil
Artistic Advisory Panel: TBA
Competitors:
The Musician - Anton Lipovetsky
The Painter - Michael Bock
The Writer - RC Weslowski
The Actors - Emmelia Gordon, John Voth, Kayla Doerkson
Tickets: $5
Bar: $4 beer and wine
Organized and conceived by: Pippa Mackie and Kayvon Kelly
Here is how it works:
One stage.
One hour.
1 musician
1 painter
1 writer
3 actors (because they equal one artist)
One Winner!
RULES:
- Artists will be given an idea/theme/subject at the beginning of the evening.
- They will have 1 hour to complete a piece of art in their genre that best executes the given suggestions.
- The artists must create the piece onstage in front of the audience, and in front of each other.
- At the end of the hour, they must present what they have. With the help of the artistic advisory panel, the audience will vote which piece wins.
- There will be a few surprises or unexpected twists throughout the evening.
- The WINNER will get $50.00 and a bottle of maple syrup!! (And bragging rights)
HOSTED by Kayvon Kelly and Ryan Beil
Artistic Advisory Panel: TBA
Competitors:
The Musician - Anton Lipovetsky
The Painter - Michael Bock
The Writer - RC Weslowski
The Actors - Emmelia Gordon, John Voth, Kayla Doerkson
Tickets: $5
Bar: $4 beer and wine
Organized and conceived by: Pippa Mackie and Kayvon Kelly
Wednesday, February 06, 2013
leave of absence | playwright's notes
Here are the notes Lucia wrote for LEAVE OF ABSENCE...
Most of us would say we have done nothing to cause a child serious harm. We read about Amanda Todd or James Hubley and can’t imagine participating in such horrific persecution. How does this happen in our society? Why are children killing each other or themselves? I have washed my own hands clean all my life until I started asking: what have I not done to protect a child? How have I have been absent?
This play is about a small loving community who all, in their way, help raise a child. It’s full of humor, sensuality and mysticism. It contains some of my experiences as a fourteen-year-old girl, including some of my prayer poetry from that time. It was inspired originally by some of the experiences my friend, Rob Repicky, shared with me: being a teacher and priest in Toronto for over twenty years. But the play also goes to a place I’ve never gone before. It is my own leave: of absence.
When I was in junior high, a girl was bullied for being a “lesbian” (really, I think she was just poor and socially awkward) A gang of boys eventually pulled her clothes off at recess and shoved pencils up her to see if she was built like other girls. I felt sorry for her, but did nothing. We all knew who was involved and the boys got away with it. The girl eventually disappeared from school.
Every year children and young adults find me through Facebook looking for a person to talk to (social media can also do some good). Why me? My God, I don’t know. I’m entirely unqualified. But I am unafraid to ask questions about faith and sexuality in my work. They pour out their anguish over being bullied, excluded or shamed by others and by the voice in their own head. Many of them are from a religious community so the threat isn’t just emotional and physical but spiritual. Some of these kids and adults haven’t even been sexually active yet. Almost all of them confess they have tried to kill themselves or feel they may someday. We have conversations that last for years sometimes. Some of them lose their faith. Some of them become sexually inert, I’ve seen – for decades. Some of them are able to hold onto a faith while living and loving as someone other than straight.
When John Patrick Shanley was asked why he left the question of Father Flynn’s innocence open in his play, Doubt, he wrote:
“What I’m not interested in is writing polemics on one side of an issue or another. Doubt does not have to dismantle passion. It can be a passionate exercise.”
In Leave of Absence, I share with you five people. I share with you five different viewpoints. I share with you five different ways to love. Within this, I ask the question: where is the absence? How does a child slip through our hands? The answer to this question, only you know for your life. And in asking it, I do what I can to catch a child from falling.
Lucia Frangione, December 9, 2012
Most of us would say we have done nothing to cause a child serious harm. We read about Amanda Todd or James Hubley and can’t imagine participating in such horrific persecution. How does this happen in our society? Why are children killing each other or themselves? I have washed my own hands clean all my life until I started asking: what have I not done to protect a child? How have I have been absent?
This play is about a small loving community who all, in their way, help raise a child. It’s full of humor, sensuality and mysticism. It contains some of my experiences as a fourteen-year-old girl, including some of my prayer poetry from that time. It was inspired originally by some of the experiences my friend, Rob Repicky, shared with me: being a teacher and priest in Toronto for over twenty years. But the play also goes to a place I’ve never gone before. It is my own leave: of absence.
When I was in junior high, a girl was bullied for being a “lesbian” (really, I think she was just poor and socially awkward) A gang of boys eventually pulled her clothes off at recess and shoved pencils up her to see if she was built like other girls. I felt sorry for her, but did nothing. We all knew who was involved and the boys got away with it. The girl eventually disappeared from school.
Every year children and young adults find me through Facebook looking for a person to talk to (social media can also do some good). Why me? My God, I don’t know. I’m entirely unqualified. But I am unafraid to ask questions about faith and sexuality in my work. They pour out their anguish over being bullied, excluded or shamed by others and by the voice in their own head. Many of them are from a religious community so the threat isn’t just emotional and physical but spiritual. Some of these kids and adults haven’t even been sexually active yet. Almost all of them confess they have tried to kill themselves or feel they may someday. We have conversations that last for years sometimes. Some of them lose their faith. Some of them become sexually inert, I’ve seen – for decades. Some of them are able to hold onto a faith while living and loving as someone other than straight.
When John Patrick Shanley was asked why he left the question of Father Flynn’s innocence open in his play, Doubt, he wrote:
“What I’m not interested in is writing polemics on one side of an issue or another. Doubt does not have to dismantle passion. It can be a passionate exercise.”
In Leave of Absence, I share with you five people. I share with you five different viewpoints. I share with you five different ways to love. Within this, I ask the question: where is the absence? How does a child slip through our hands? The answer to this question, only you know for your life. And in asking it, I do what I can to catch a child from falling.
Lucia Frangione, December 9, 2012
Tuesday, February 05, 2013
feb 18,25 + mar 11 | Improv Comedy Workshop | Alison Chisholm and Shayna Jones
Come out for an improv workshop hosted by Alison Chisholm! Organized by apprentice, Shayna Jones, come out for a fun, free and feel-good improv workshop that you'll LOVE...
Whether you're a wee beginner...
an energetic intermediate....
or a seasoned pro.....
Come join us for a fun, relaxed (and hilarious!) time of game playing, character work, improvised musical theatre and more! We'll be laughing at ourselves and one another in no time! Plus, come to support season apprentice, Shayna Jones, as she organizes artistic events for the PT community!
Our Host: ALISON CHISHOLM is a wonderfully hilarious, and warm woman with a gift for improv comedy. She has performed on both Canadian coasts and now graces Vancouver stages with her quirky, hearty brand of improv comedy! Check out the Improv groups she works with -- Second Storey Theatre, Fictionals Improv, and Off Key Musical Improv -- to get a better sense of what you're in for!
RSVP sending and email to Shayna Jones (info@pacifictheatre.com) . last day to confirm your spot is Friday, February 15th. So confirm soon! space is limited!
Improv Comedy Workshop Series
hosted by Pacific Theatre's very own Alison Chisholm
Whether you're a wee beginner...
an energetic intermediate....
or a seasoned pro.....
Come join us for a fun, relaxed (and hilarious!) time of game playing, character work, improvised musical theatre and more! We'll be laughing at ourselves and one another in no time! Plus, come to support season apprentice, Shayna Jones, as she organizes artistic events for the PT community!
[the details]
where: Pacific Theatre 1440 W 12th Ave (on 12th and Hemlock)
when: 3 Mondays February 18th, February 25th, March 11th
time: 6pm to 7:30pm
what: wear comfortable clothes that you can move, move, m o v e your body in! Bring a water bottle too!
[perks]
(1) the whole event is FREE!
(2) enjoy tea and treats to snack on while there
(3) participants are eligible to win a pair of tickets to a Pacific Theatre show!
Our Host: ALISON CHISHOLM is a wonderfully hilarious, and warm woman with a gift for improv comedy. She has performed on both Canadian coasts and now graces Vancouver stages with her quirky, hearty brand of improv comedy! Check out the Improv groups she works with -- Second Storey Theatre, Fictionals Improv, and Off Key Musical Improv -- to get a better sense of what you're in for!
RSVP sending and email to Shayna Jones (info@pacifictheatre.com) . last day to confirm your spot is Friday, February 15th. So confirm soon! space is limited!
leave of absence | theatre club success
This past Saturday we hosted another successful in-house Theatre Club. LEAVE OF ABSENCE is definitely a conversation starter - and we had no shortage of topics to discuss during our hour together. Thank you to everyone who stayed and added their voice to our rich discussion. If you would like to start your own theatre club, find out how here. Download the LEAVE OF ABSENCE discussion guide here.
If you missed out on Theatre Club this time around, you're not too late to get in on some good discussion. Join us this Saturday Feb 9th following the matinee performance of LEAVE OF ABSENCE for a special panel discussion on Sexuality, Spirituality and Bullying. More info here.
Saturday, February 02, 2013
feb 17-apr 7 | moved by the spirit | fraserview church
Check out the next artistic event put on by Fraserview Church, home of Christmas Presence performer Garth Bowen and our very own Ron Reed...
February 17- April 7, 2013 at the View Gallery at Fraserview Church in Richmond. http://www.fraserviewchurch.com/view-gallery/ closing reception with the artist in attendance on April 7th at 11:30 - 12:30pm.
Special Evening reception on Thursday, February 21st
SOUL WORKS- an evening of art and music with music by Michael Hart and Garth Bowen on Thursday, February 21, Doors open at 7:30 pm at Fraserview Church 11295 Mellis Drive Richmond BC admission is by donation Refreshments and CDs available.
MOVED BY THE SPIRIT - interpretations of the life of Jesus is a group exhibition curated by Louise Tessier. This show comes to us all the way from Regina. Louise has invited 11 other artists to join her in creating works focused on significant events in the life of Jesus. These artists have created works that each express an event in Jesus' life through their chosen medium and within their own faith experience. The featured piece is called "Garden Way of the Cross" It is 15 clay works depicting the Stations of the Cross. Other mediums include glass, wood, book arts, textiles, stained glass, jewelry, painting & iconography.
February 17- April 7, 2013 at the View Gallery at Fraserview Church in Richmond. http://www.fraserviewchurch.com/view-gallery/ closing reception with the artist in attendance on April 7th at 11:30 - 12:30pm.
Special Evening reception on Thursday, February 21st
SOUL WORKS- an evening of art and music with music by Michael Hart and Garth Bowen on Thursday, February 21, Doors open at 7:30 pm at Fraserview Church 11295 Mellis Drive Richmond BC admission is by donation Refreshments and CDs available.
Friday, February 01, 2013
christmas fundraising campaign | SUCCESS!!! $45,310 raised! | 100.7%
WE DID IT!!! Thanks to your contributions we were once again able to meet our Christmas Campaign goal and raise $45,000 to help us through the spring. In fact we made a whopping $45,310. We do not know how to thank you enough. We are truly grateful for all of the support you have shown us these past few months. Thank you all so much for your generosity! We couldn't have done it without you.
The goal: $45,000
Now that's it done, we made 100.7% of what we had hoped! Here's how it breaks down.
The tally: 40 + 100 + 20 + 50 + 100 + 200 + 100 + 25.20 + 50 + 50 + 50 + 100 + 500 + 40 + 200 + 288.30 + 100 + 30.24 + 30.60 + 10 + 40 + 21.97 + 33.04 + 72.76 + 50 + 650 + 100 + 500 + 20 + 250 + 250 + 600 + 100 + 100 + 4000 + 20 + 40 + 20 + 50 + 60 + 100 + 25 + 3.92 + 250 + 25 + 31.34 + 26.60 + 5 + 100 + 25 + 200 + 75 + 100 + 500 + 7.50 + 2000 + 20 + 100 + 75 + 500 + 25 + 1 + 200 + 250 + 30 + 16.79 + 22.39 + 50+ 3000 + 50 + 50 + 125 + 2000 + 200 + 2000 + 100 + 100 + 10 + 12.88 + 700 + 100 + 25 + 75 + 110.30 + 1000 + 49.26 + 30.23 + 25 + 24.63 + 300 + 100 + 1000 + 15 + 500 + 500 + 200 + 350 + 24.63 + 20.15 + 40.30 + 49.26 + 200 + 500 + 200 + 100 + 500 + 400 + 500 + 50 + 48.05 + 2000 + 500 + 1000 + 800 + 96.10 + 115.32 + 192.20 + 144.15 + 5 + 240.59 + 100 + 500 + 250 + 50 + 100 + 30 + 500 + 50 + 40 + 50 + 400 + 250 + 500 + 10.72 + 94 + 25 +20 + 5 + 50 + 8 + 46.21 + 30 + 225 + 25 + 80 + 2.9 + 3 + 40 + 20 + 1000 + 6000 + 500 = $45,309.53
Remaining: $0. In fact we made made $309.53 more than expected!
Thank you!
Do you still want to give? We accept donations all year round. Give your two cents worth online now or call 604.731.5483.
The goal: $45,000
Now that's it done, we made 100.7% of what we had hoped! Here's how it breaks down.
The tally: 40 + 100 + 20 + 50 + 100 + 200 + 100 + 25.20 + 50 + 50 + 50 + 100 + 500 + 40 + 200 + 288.30 + 100 + 30.24 + 30.60 + 10 + 40 + 21.97 + 33.04 + 72.76 + 50 + 650 + 100 + 500 + 20 + 250 + 250 + 600 + 100 + 100 + 4000 + 20 + 40 + 20 + 50 + 60 + 100 + 25 + 3.92 + 250 + 25 + 31.34 + 26.60 + 5 + 100 + 25 + 200 + 75 + 100 + 500 + 7.50 + 2000 + 20 + 100 + 75 + 500 + 25 + 1 + 200 + 250 + 30 + 16.79 + 22.39 + 50+ 3000 + 50 + 50 + 125 + 2000 + 200 + 2000 + 100 + 100 + 10 + 12.88 + 700 + 100 + 25 + 75 + 110.30 + 1000 + 49.26 + 30.23 + 25 + 24.63 + 300 + 100 + 1000 + 15 + 500 + 500 + 200 + 350 + 24.63 + 20.15 + 40.30 + 49.26 + 200 + 500 + 200 + 100 + 500 + 400 + 500 + 50 + 48.05 + 2000 + 500 + 1000 + 800 + 96.10 + 115.32 + 192.20 + 144.15 + 5 + 240.59 + 100 + 500 + 250 + 50 + 100 + 30 + 500 + 50 + 40 + 50 + 400 + 250 + 500 + 10.72 + 94 + 25 +20 + 5 + 50 + 8 + 46.21 + 30 + 225 + 25 + 80 + 2.9 + 3 + 40 + 20 + 1000 + 6000 + 500 = $45,309.53
Remaining: $0. In fact we made made $309.53 more than expected!
Thank you!
Do you still want to give? We accept donations all year round. Give your two cents worth online now or call 604.731.5483.
Ronnie the Snowman
Ronnie the Snowman is a happy jolly fool
He’s not made of snow but the children know
Like a cucumber, he’s cool.
Forty-five thousand dollars? That’s a fairy tale, folks say.
But the PT crew know they’ll make it through
‘Cause their pals will save the day.
“Thumpety thump thump, thumpety thump thump,
Help us through the spring,
Thumpety thump thump, thumpety thump thump,
Send us lots of bling!”
There’s always been some magic in that old silk hat they found
For when they ask folks for some cash and they pass the hat around....
Ronnie the Snowman has that goofy grin for a reason,
As he counts that cash, adds it to their stash,
And dreams up another season!
leave of absence | talkback
Tonight is the artist talkback night for LEAVE OF ABSENCE! Stick around after the show to hear from the actors (including playwright Lucia Frangione) and ask them all your questions about the play!
LEAVE OF ABSENCE
Artist Talkback
Post-Show: Friday, February 1
Get tickets here!
LEAVE OF ABSENCE
Artist Talkback
Post-Show: Friday, February 1
Get tickets here!
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