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 Magnetic
North Theatre Festival
Last June, the 12 NTS first-year Acting students stood in the wings while Sarah Stanley, in her role as Artistic
Associate of Ottawa’s Magnetic North Theatre Festival, greeted the audience gathered at the National Arts Center’s Fourth Stage
to see them perform Laval Goupil’s Dark Owl (Le
Djibou). She then stepped aside, put on her director’s hat, and watched the Acadian
playwright’s piece unfold as it cast its spell on the attentive crowd. The students definitely rose to the challenge and, for three
performances, deftly brought each character to life in this wonderful play, steeped in myth, lore, music, and poetry.
The first-years did it all. They not
only acted but also raised the necessary funds to bring this show
to Ottawa. A round of applause for them and their donors.
The
School in Mexico
The theatre training workshop (Taller de Formación Teatral) in Colima, Mexico, through the auspices of the
Office Québec-Amériques pour la jeunesse, recently called upon the expertise of the NTS. From August 11 to 15, the Assistant
to the Artistic Director of the French Section, Éric Jean, and his longtime colleague, Pascal Brullemans (French Playwriting, 1994)
gave workshops on acting, playwriting, and directing to some 15 students.
Thanks to its on-going training program,
the theatre training workshop in Colima continues to reinforce
the techniques and knowledge acquired by actors in the theatre
community in the State of Colima. It also helps to counter the
effects of the distance between it and the Federal District (Mexico)
thereby ensuring that shows will continue to be produced in this
region.
Brainstorming
Session in Stratford
The National Theatre School of Canada held its annual summer board meeting in Stratford this year, from July 3
to 5. Director General Simon Brault organized a two-hour brainstorming session with the members of the Board of Governors and the newly
formed NTS Alumni Organizing Committee. In presentations made by Alan Bleviss, Raoul Bhaneja, Shawn Campbell, and John Dolan, each member
reiterated the alumni association’s desire to act as a resource to support the School and its students in various ways. The day ended
with a get-together attended by some thirty graduates, NTS board members and senior staff, and the mayor of Stratford, the Honorable Karen
Halsam.
Committee members can be reached at
ntsalumni@hotmail.com
The
School in Prague
The NTS participated in the Prague Quadrennial, a major international exhibition of scenography and theatre architecture,
held last June in Prague, in the Czech Republic. This event was celebrating its 10th anniversary and played host to participants from over
50 countries. A strong Canadian presence was provided by the Canadian Institute for Theatre Technology (CITT) that had gathered a large
group of professionals and training schools. Valérie Rhême, Publications and Special Projects Coordinator, and 11 students
from the Set and Costume Design Program were also present. They attended workshops and conferences given by artists of great renown hailing
from around the globe. Visitors were able to enjoy the students’ works which were on display at the Canadian schools’ kiosk. For
the School, such events represent a unique opportunity to take the pulse of what is happening elsewhere and establish important contacts
with other stage artisans, both Canadian and international.
Visit
our Web Site!
The School’s updated Web Site, designed by Productions Sous le manteau, is now online. Users can find all
they need to know for their applications; texts and information on the institution, its history, and its alumni; a calendar of productions
and events; all editions of the Journal; and practical information regarding the library. The site will be updated over the course of the
school year.
Everything you need to know about what’s happening at the NTS is just a click away: www.ent-nts.qc.ca!
We also welcome your comments. Please send your thoughts and impressions to Valérie Rhême,
Web Site Coordinator, at valerierheme@ent-nts.qc.ca
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