Open House 2001
Creating Magic Behind the Scenes at the
National Theatre School and the Monument-National
Montreal, September 12, 2001 – The National Theatre School of Canada (NTS) and its theatre, the Monument-National, invite the public to discover a fascinating part of the theatre world that audiences rarely get to see. Creating Magic Behind the Scenes is the theme of this year’s Open House, taking place during the Journées de la culture, on Saturday September 29th, 2001, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This year the School has decided to bring to centre-stage the lesser-known trades of theatre. How do set and costume designers go about their work? What roles do lighting and sound play in a production? What are the responsibilities of technical directors and production managers - these important players essential to a creation, but who rarely get to take to the stage for applause?
At the National Theatre School
Students, staff and graduates of the NTS will be present to take the public backstage into workshops and laboratories to illustrate the demands of these professions. Upon entering by the School’s decorated entrance and front lawn, envisioned and designed by graduating Scenography student Déline Petrone, visitors will be whisked away into the active mind of the artist, observing first-hand the creative processes of NTS students. There will be group improvisation presented by students from the acting, directing, playwriting, technical production and scenography programs, lighting and sound demonstrations, maquette construction, a paper costume workshop, an exhibition by the School’s library, and a roundtable discussion on Theatre management. Activities are also planned for children, who will be able to participate in a painting workshop conducted by painter François Vincent, as well as have the opportunity to dress up in theatre costumes and make-up.
At the Monument-National
Regular tours will take visitors through the theatrical labyrinth that is the School’s theatre. Also the home for most of the School’s workshops, visitors of the Monument-National will witness construction of the sets and costumes of the School’s upcoming graduating class performances. Demonstrations of scenic painting, dying and aging of costumes, and costume draping on mannequins will round out a full day of activity.
This day of exploration is free and open to both the general public and those interested in applying to the School. Activities will be in both English and/or French, and the duration of the stay is left up to the visitor.