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Current News from Nightswimming

Pure Research news...

• Nightswimming’s Pure Research program, in association with the Graduate Centre for Study of Drama, explored three research topics during the 2010 Toronot edition, October 19-24 at the Centre’s Glen Morris Studio Theatre. The lead researchers were David Duclos, Ruth Howard, and Mary Walsh. See Pure Research for more information.

• Nightswimming is proud to announce that in 2011 the PURE RESEARCH program will for the first time hold sessions in Vancouver in association with Contemporary Arts, Simon Fraser University. The sessions will be held June 13-19, 2011, at SFU Contemporary Arts' new Woodward's facility in downtown Vancouver. A call for submissions from BC/Yukon artists was released in November, with a deadline of January 7, 2011. Details here.


Choral Research

As part of Nightswimming's continuing examination of choral and a cappella music, artistic director Brian Quirt, writer/performer Martin Julien and singer/conductor Christine Duncan (Element Choir) conducted research in collaboration with George Brown Theatre School students over two evenings: Tues. November 30 and Wed. December 1 (7-10pm). The session was designed to look at the theatrical potential of singing ensembles such as large community choirs.

Nightswimming Announces Rupal Shah as Company's new Producer
Nightswimming is proud to welcome Toronto's Rupal Shah to her new position, having served our associate producer for the past two years. Rupal will focus her initial months on taking the reigns from departing producer Naomi Campbell, developing an expanded and reimagined website, adding new promotional initiatives to our activities and overseeing a substantial roster of new works in development, including a renewal of Nightswimming's Pure Research program.

Welcome Rupal! Contact her at: rupal@nightswimmingtheatre.com


Oy! Just Beat It!
by Anita Majumdar
Workshop Production Toronto Fringe Festival, July 2-11, 2010
BEST OF FRINGE PRODUCTION!

Anita is Nightswimming's Playwright in Residence this season, and has been writing act two of her play Aisha n' Ben. What has developed are two related one-act plays, the second of which Anita's company (Theatre Ji) produced this summer in a sold out Fringe run as a way of testing it before we assemble the full two act piece for next season.

Oy! Just Beat It! is set in 1989 Bombay and tells the story of Kabira's last chance at a big break as a Bollywood playback singer. Just days before her wedding and move to America, she meets Felipe, a Indo-Filipino singer who sees something new in her. Featuring performers Leon Aureus, Reza Jacobs and Anita Majumdar, with music by Suba Sankaran and direction by Brian Quirt....and the much loved music of Michael Jackson, all with a Bollywood twist!

Oy! Just Beat It! was named one of the BEST OF THE FRINGE and received an extended run at the Canadian Stage Company's Berkleley Street Theatre.


Nightswimming Producer Leaving Position
Nightswimming announced on May 19 that Producer Naomi Cambpell, who has been with the company since it was established in 1994, will leave her position on July 31, 2010. “Naomi has been with Nightswimming since our very first project, Don Druick’s award-winning Through the Eyes, and has been instrumental in defining the nature of the company, and ensuring the successful development of all its artistic projects,” said Artistic Director Brian Quirt.

Naomi has raised Nightswimming’s profile nationally and internationally,” said Nightswimming Board President, Terry Raininger. Nightswimming wishes Naomi every success in her future endeavours. “Naomi has been a full partner in the creation, growth and success of Nightswimming,” said Brian. “Her insight, knowledge of the Canadian theatre world, and her producing acumen will be greatly missed.” Press Release


Such Creatures by Judith Thompson - Dora Award Nominations!
The premiere production of Judith Thompson's Such Creatures at Theatre Passe Muraille - January 14 to February 6, 2010 - was nominated for the Outstanding Play of the Year Award at the 2010 Dora Mavor Moor Awards in Toronto. Aslo receiving a nomination was Michaela Washburn for her performance in the role of Blandy. Opening to excellent reviews in the Globe and Mail and NOW Magazine, Such Creatures had an great run and will be published later this year. For more information or to request a copy, contact Artistic Director Brian Quirt.

Featuring Maria Vacratsis and Michaela Washburn, with production design by Beth Kates and directed by Brian Quirt, Such Creatures is a beautiful and demanding addition to Judith's body of work. Two deeply-linked monologues show us the astonishing courage and resilience of young human beings during earth shattering moments.

Each piece introduces us to a fifteen-year-old girl: the first speaks to us from contemporary Toronto, and the second from Auschwitz, 1945. Thanks to their shared love of Shakespeare, each girl believes in miracles when there is almost no hope and humour when there is nothing but fear.

Nightswimming and Theatre Passe Muraille were excited to welcome Judith back to TPM 30 years after her first work, The Crackwalker, burst onto its Backspace stage. Theatre Passe Muraille

Nightswiming Producer Receives Leadership Award
PACT (Professional Association of Canadian Theatres) and Toronto 's Tarragon Theatre presented the 4th annual Mallory Gilbert Leandership Award to Naomi Campbell at the PACT annual conference in Cow Head, Newfoundland, on May 27, 2010. The Award includes a portion presented to a protege chosen by the Award winner, underlining the importance of skills and knowledge transmission in leadership building. Naomi selected as her protege, Donna-Michelle St. Bernard, a Toronto-based emcee, administrator and award-winning playwright. For more information: www.pact.ca


Artistic Director Brian Quirt honoured with Elliott Hayes Award
Producer Naomi Campbell honoured with Leonard McHardy and John Harvey Award


On July 18, 2009, Brian Quirt was presented with the Literary Managers andDramaturgs of the Americas Prize in Dramaturgy - The Elliott Hayes Award - at the LMDA's conference in Washington, D.C., for his work as dramaturg on Ned Dickens' seven play cycle, City of Wine. The award is presented annually to honour exemplary work by dramaturgs in Canada and the USA. In her presentation LMDA President Shelley Orr said, "Brian was selected because his dramaturgical involvement in the City of Wine project required not only highly skilled artistry, not just longstanding commitment, but consummate advocacy. Innovative thinking about how to bring this huge project to fruition was a major part of the dramaturg's role." Brian is the first two time winner of the Elliott Hayes Award, having previously received it in 2003.

LMDA serves the professions of literary managers and dramaturgs across North America and created this award to honour the memory of the late Stratford Festival Literary Manager Elliott Hayes. It is presented annually to celebrate the contribution of dramaturgs to the conception, development and production of theatre in the Americas. For more information: www.lmda.org.

Producer Naomi Campbell is this year's recipient of the Leonard McHardy and John Harvey Award, presented annually by the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts. TAPA's announcement recognized Naomi as "an enormously talented and resourceful theatre producer who, for over twenty years, has devoted her career to creating, managing, strengthening and leading non-profit arts organizations in Toronto. Her efforts have made a significant and long-standing impact on the health of the arts in Toronto and Canada. The commitment and leadership she demonstrates is unparalleled."

TAPA is an arts service organization that represents nearly 200 professional theatre, dance and opera companies in the City of Toronto. The Leonard McHardy and John Harvey Award honours the important work of theatre, dance and opera dministrators. For more information: www.tapa.ca.

Upcoming Projects:

Nightswimming is working on a large roster of new works, including AISHA 'N BEN by our playwright-in-residence Anita Majumdar, Carmen Aguirre's Blue Box, Don Druick's WILDEST DREAMS and Richard Sanger's WHISPERING PINES, and completing the final phase of evelopment on Judith Thompson's SUCH CREATURES. We have also supported Liza Balkan's OUT THE WINDOW via the Ontario Arts Council's Creators' Reserve fund.

Recent Projects:

• LAKE NORA ARMS, adapted by Jane Miller and Brian Quirt from the book by Michael Redhill, with music composed by Jane Miller, was a hit at the 2009 Summerworks Festival, directed by Liza Balkan.

NNNN review in NOW Magazine. More Info.

• CITY OF WINE Festival – May 5-9, 2009
Nightswimming presented, for the first time ever, the entire seven-play cycle City of Wine by Ned Dickens. The cycle was presented twice in sequence over five wild and wonderful days. For images of the productions and Festival, visit City of Wine on Facebook.

The cycle revisits the stories of the ancient Greek city of Thebes, birthplace of wine, and best known as the home of Oedipus. An unprecedented event in Canadian theatre history, City of Wine featured over 150 of Canada's newest theatre artists from seven of Canada's most prestigious theatre training schools, working with some of our finest professionals on seven very distinct productions. Almost 15 years in the making, the City of Wine marathon was an event to remember.

Read about CITY OF WINE:

Toronto Star | National Post | NOW Magazine | Eye Magazine

National Post | Macleans's Magazine | NOW Magazine | Toronto Life

Praxis Theatre Blog | City of Wine blog | Facebook

This massive project is possible in part through substantial grants from the Canada Council, Ontario Arts Council and the George Cedric Metcalf Charitable Foundation.

More information on City of Wine

Recent Projects:

BLUE NOTE by Martin Julien and Brian Quirt
Presented by Nightswimming and Harbourfront Centre, with design by PLANT Architech Inc. (see photos of the installation at PLANT), this innovative new piece received a workshop production September 16-21, 2008. NOW Magazine review.
More information on Blue Note

BOMBAY BLACK nominated for 2007 Governor General’s Award!

Anosh Irani was nominated for the Governor General's Award for The Bombay Plays - The Matka King and BOMBAY BLACK , which were published by Playwrights Canada Press in 2007. Here's what the GG announcement said:

"At once poetic and theatrical, The Bombay Plays pulse with grit, humour and despair. Anosh Irani makes an astonishing debut with these two plays. His voice is fierce, funny and wholly original."

Bombay Black received its Indian premiere in Mumbai in September 2007. "Bombay Black is a searing play.” – THE PIONEER, NEW DELHI. For details, click here

Cahoots Theatre's production of Bombay Black, directed by Brian Quirt, was revived at Mississauga’s Living Arts Centre (February 8-10, 2008) and at Vancouver’s Arts Club Theatre as part of their subscription season (February 21 - March 15). More information on Bombay Black

ROUGH HOUSE by Andy Massingham
Rough House
was featured at two Showcase performances at
IPAY, the International Performing Arts for Youth Conference, Cleveland, January 22, 2009. In 2008, Rough House toured to the Vancouver East Cultural Centre (February 26 – March 2, 2008), Toronto’s Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People (April 8-20), the Yukon Arts Centre in Whitehorse (April 23-24), and the SuperNova Festival in Halifax (May 2-4). More information on Rough House


P
ure Research - Pure Research will take place in Toronto October 18-24 in association with the University of Toronto's Graduate Centre for Study of Drama. Editions are planned for Edmonton and Vancouver in 2011.

See PURE RESEARCH for more information and how to apply to future sessions.


Works in Development

Blue Note by Martin Julien and Brian Quirt
Blue Note is an inter-disciplinary performance piece inspired by our long-standing interest in choirs and their dramatic and visual potential. A character study of a vocal ensemble, Blue Note follows seven singers as they (actually) rehearse a challenging new piece of music. Through the music, an assortment of texts, and reinforced by staging that reflects the realities of rehearsal rather than performance, we slowly gain a picture of the group as well as the individual singers, as they struggle with the fact that they are one member short at this rehearsal. Eventually, it becomes clear that one of the ensemble has died and they are endeavoring to keep going despite their loss.

Nightswimming created Blue Note as an installation rather than a musical or a play, and when it is presented the rehearsal process is accessible to the public along with more formal evening presentations.
More information on BLUE NOTE.

Whispering Pines by Richard Sanger
Three people who came together in East Berlin come to Canada, and come apart when one is revealed as a Stasi infomer. Workshopped by Nightswimming in November 2005, Whispering Pines received a workshop and public reading at Alberta Theatre Projects in February 2006, followed by a Nightswimming workshop in July 2007. A subsequent workshop in July 2008 with Ottawa's Great Canadian Theatre Company examined a pre-production draft.

Tulip by Don Druick
Set in the madness of 17th century Holland’s crazed obsession known as ulipomania, Tulip is a wild new play about greed, beauty, deceit and botany. The latest of Don’s fabulous inventions features some of his best writing ever and will received a workshop at George Brown Theatre School in November 2004 followed by a Nightswimming workshop and public reading in November 2006.

The Frozen Deep by Don Druick
Don takes us to the 1857 home of Charles Dickens and the last rehearsal of a new play by Dickens and his protegé Wilkie Collins. While Dickens and Collins are fighting over the story (about two arctic explorers in love with the same woman), Dickens' wife Catherine and a motley crew of friends and family are held hostage to Dickens' unstoppable creativity. As they furiously rewrite their script, two dangerous love stories play themselves out - on and offstage. A public reading, with live piano accompaniment by David Matheson, was presented to great response at the National Arts Centre (Ottawa) as part of the prestigious 2003 ON THE VERGE Festival.

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OAC Theatre Creators Reserve
Nightswimming is participating in the Theatre Creators Reserve Program funded by the Ontario Arts Council. We are accepting applications until December 1, 2010. Nightswimming is particularly pleased that "creators working in forms other than text" are eligible to apply and we are eager to review applications from creators working in those fields.

If you're interested in challenging dramatic forms and bold visual storytelling, explore our website for more information about our theatrical interests and ideas. Please review our current and past projects to get a sense of our work. Here are the questions we'll be asking when we review the applications:

Does the project intersect with at least two of Nightswimming's artistic interests?

These include: - diversity of storytelling - geographic and/or cultural
- poetic dramatic text
- dance and extreme physicality
- exploration of dramatic forms - stretching dramaturgical boundaries
- integration of music, especially vocal music

Does this application establish a new relationship for Nightswimming, or extend an existing relationship in a new direction?

We will focus on the following:
- the clarity of the applicant's intent regarding the project
- the clarity of the process of creation
- is the project something the artist would be unable to pursue without this funding?

If you have a project that you think would fit with Nightswimming's mandate and interests, please send us your application by December 1. We look forward to reading it.

Please keep applications to three pages; a short script sample is sufficient as we are more interested in the nature of the ideas you want to explore than reading your past work.

Don't forget to include the application form from the Ontario Arts Council.
No email or fax applications please. Send or drop off applications to:

Nightswimming
55 Mill Street
#310 Building 74
Toronto, Ontario, M5A 3C4

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Naomi Campbell, Nightswimming’s long-time Producer,
leaving after 16 years.   
 
        
Toronto, Ontario – Nightswimming announced today that Producer Naomi Campbell, who has been with the company since it was established in 1994, will leave her current position on July 31.

“Naomi has been with Nightswimming since our very first project, Don Druick’s award-winning Through the Eyes, and has been instrumental in defining the nature of the company, and ensuring the successful development of all its artistic projects,” said Artistic Director Brian Quirt. “Naomi has devoted her career to creating, managing, strengthening and leading non-profit performing arts organizations in Toronto. She continues to make an indelible contribution locally, provincially, nationally and internationally. Her list of on-going commitments and freelance engagements – on top of her enormous contribution to Nightswimming – demonstrates the impact one individual can have on a specific field. I have been a beneficiary of Naomi’s great talents, her friendship, and her commitment to this art form. She has made Nightswimming possible and has contributed to every moment of its growth and every part of its success over the past 16 years.”

Highlights of Naomi’s tenure at Nightswimming include producing last year’s unprecedented City of Wine Festival, bringing together seven full productions by seven theatre schools from across Canada to showcase Ned Dickens’ seven play cycle; three Governor General’s Award nominees among the more than twenty new works commissioned by Nightswimming; and two national tours of plays developed by Nightswimming. The company’s works have been showcased in Canada’s leading festivals, including Magnetic North Theatre Festival, Canada Dance Festival, Rhubarb! Festival, Alberta Theatre Projects’ playRites Festival and the National Arts Centre’s On the Verge.

“Naomi has raised Nightswimming’s profile nationally and internationally,” said Nightswimming Board President, Terry Raininger. “She received the 2009 Leonard McHardy and John Harvey Award for Theatre Administration and a 2005 Vital People Award from the Toronto Community Foundation in recognition of her leadership in the Toronto cultural community, and we have no doubt that she will continue to contribute deeply to the Canadian arts world.”

Nightswimming wishes Naomi every success in her future endeavours. “Naomi has been a full partner in the creation, growth and success of Nightswimming,” said Brian. “Her insight, knowledge of the Canadian theatre world, and her producing acumen will be greatly missed.”

“It was not an easy decision to leave Nightswimming after so many years and so many excellent projects. The company has provided a through-line for my professional development and I would not be who I am if not for the work and the relationships we have made together. However, I felt that it was time for a change (if not now, then when?) and so I am embarking on a sabbatical of sorts; taking some time to look at the work I have done and to prepare for some new work ahead. While I intend to stay in the theatre, that is not a promise, as I am keen to see what possibilities arise given some time and space to consider my options. I will continue to support Nightswimming however I can, especially in the transitional time ahead, and always as a very interested party. I wish Brian and the company every possible success.”

A multi-talented artist and administrator with experience as a performer, designer and director in addition to her many years as a producer, Naomi is also Industry Series Producer and Touring Liaison for the Magnetic North Theatre Festival. She received Dora Awards for Outstanding Set Design (White Mice, Mammalian Diving Reflex) and Outstanding Production (The Doll House, DVxT Theatre Company), and has been the Festival Director for the Rhubarb! Festival at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, and Producer for DVxT Theatre, Mammalian Diving Reflex and Civilized Theatre.

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Elliott Hayes Award Press Release

July 9, 2003

Artistic Director Brian Quirt honoured with Elliott Hayes Award
Board President Kathy St. John is proud to announce that Nightswimming's Artistic Director Brian Quirt was presented with the Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas Prize in Dramaturgy - The Elliott Hayes Award - at the LMDA's recent conference in Chicago. The award is presented annually honour exemplary work by dramaturgs in the USA and Canada.

Brian was recognized by LMDA Vice President Liz Engelman for his longstanding, istinctive and significant contribution to the field of dramaturgy. In her presentation, Engelman commented:

"As the Director of his dramaturgical company Nightswimming (a 'dramaturgical company' – that alone deserved recognition!) whose declared mission is to be dedicated to advancing the field of dramaturgy and play development in Canada, Brian has, since 1994, invested purely and fully in the development of numerous pieces of work. He has done so much for the initiation, generation and development of new plays, performance works and dance pieces that, in a sense, I feel as if I am presenting a lifetime achievement award.

"Through Nightswimming, Brian has created a system of development that evolves the notion of dramaturgy, that expands the role of the dramaturg, and that has the potential of being the new norm. His artist-based collaborative process opens up not only who is in the rehearsal room, but gives artists a chance to dream, and allows for these dreams to come true."

Nightswimming is delighted that Brian's work has been acknowledged by his peers in the dramaturgical community and would like to extend its congratulations to the long list of artists commissioned by or working with Nightswimming: Julia Sasso, Don Druick, Claudia Dey, Jason Sherman, Michael Redhill, Jane Urquhart, Jane Miller, Ned Dickens, Richard Sanger, Anoshi Irani, and Andy Massingham.

In addition to his work with Nightswimming, Brian is the company dramaturg at actory Theatre and Chair of LMDA Canada. His recent credits include a Dora Award nomination for directing Don Druick's THROUGH THE EYES at Factory Theatre, which is reviving the production in May 2004; dramaturging Julia Sasso's BEAUTY, produced by julia sasso dances at Harbourfront Centre; and directing Jason Sherman's Governor General's Award nominee AN ACRE OF TIME at the Tarragon Theatre. All three projects were commissioned and developed by Nightswimming.

LMDA serves the professions of literary managers and dramaturgs across North merica and created the Elliott Hayes Award to honour the memory of the late Stratford Festival Literary Manager Elliott Hayes. It is awarded annually to celebrate the contribution of dramaturgs to the conception, development and production of theatre in the Americas. New York-based dramaturg Mallory Catlett was also honoured for her work on The First 100 Years Project. For more information, please visit www.lmda.org.

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Links of Interest

Playwrights Guild of Canada

Professional Association of Canadian Theatres