MASCblog

MASC Artists at the 2010 Winter Olympics

2010-03-01T12:40:00.000-08:00

Aboriginal Experiences were selected as the exclusive caterer for the Aboriginal Pavilion, exciting and crazy overwhelming, but not related to our artistic work!

Our dance troupe had the exciting opportunity to perform within the following venues and events:

Four shows at Ontario House – Ontario Pavilion

Two shows at Aboriginal Pavilion

Two shows as part of the Cultural Olympiad, Talking Stick Festival.

One show at Russia House

Daniel Richer says ......

"Salutations to everyone et Bonjour...Kwe. I have the great honour to have been selected as Master of Ceremony for the Francophone Stage at Place de la Francophonie on Grandville Island at the Olympics. An incredible line-up: top acts from french Canada and Europe. We have the biggest stage and room for about 4,000 spectators, plus we show all the important moments like the hockey games on a giant screen. I have also done some storytelling on a few occasions... and the response as been superb. The ambiance is overwhelming and the happy memories will be a plenty... Go Canada Go! Meegwetch" Daniel Richer

Project with Youth Services Bureau

2010-01-26T10:29:00.000-08:00

Front row : Audrey Churgin ED MASC, Alex Munter ED YSB
Back row: Bob Wilson, volunteer OTF, Aileen Carrol MPP; Frank Dyson, volunteer OTF; JP Gagnon, Program Manager OTF, Kathy MacLellan, Chair, MASC, Katherine Stauble, Communications Coordinator MASC

Premier rang : Audrey Churgin Directrice général MASC, Alex Munter ED YSB
Rangée arrière : Bob Wilson, bénévole OTF, Madamme la Ministre Aileen Carrol; Frank Dyson, bénévole OTF; JP Gagnon, Chef de programme OTF; Kathy MacLellan, Présidente, MASC; Katherine Stauble, Coordonatrice des communications MASC

Heads were spinning down at the Youth Services Bureau Drop-In Centre on a recent Friday morning. MASC’s favourite B-boy, Crazy Smooth (aka Yvon Soglo), and three of his breakers gave a rousing dance performance to demonstrate the work they plan to do this spring with street-involved youth.

Thanks to a $90,000 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, and a partnership between MASC and the Youth Services Bureau, four artists will offer a series of hands-on workshops at the Besserer Street centre. The centre’s clients have a variety of physical and emotional challenges, and many are homeless or living in shelters. The arts programs are designed to engage them in productive, creative activities in a safe and supportive environment.

Among those present for the announcement, January 15, were Aileen Carroll (Ontario Minister of Culture at the time), MPPs Yasir Naqvi and Jim Watson, and YSB Executive Director Alex Munter. Ms. Carroll offered her congratulations to the organizers for initiating a project that is “about awakening creativity and celebrating all forms of diversity.”

Our own Audrey Churgin spoke of the kind of “transformational experience” that her organization can bring to youth. Stefan Keyes, also on site, was the living proof: he got his start as a MASC Arts Awards winner, and is now a successful actor and TV reporter.

This arts project will afford the Youth Services Bureau an opportunity to reach at-risk clients through its Drop-In Centre, and offer them other supports, such as crisis counseling, medical and mental health services, as well as support for housing and employment.

Once again, the arts can offer hope, joy, and perhaps a bit of healing.

Partenariat entre MASC et le Bureau des services à la jeunesse

Les têtes tournaient, vendredi dernier, au Bureau des services à la jeunesse d’Ottawa. Le B-boy chouchou de MASC, Crazy Smooth (Yvon Soglo), et trois de ses breakers ont donné un spectacle des plus chauds pour démontrer le travail qu’ils comptent faire ce printemps avec des jeunes de la rue.

Grâce à un don de 90,000$ de la fondation Trillium de l’Ontario, et un partenariat entre MASC et le Bureau, quatre de nos artistes offriront une série d’ateliers à la halte-accueil de la rue Besserer. Les clients du centre ont une variété de difficultés tant physiques qu’émotives, et beaucoup sont sans abri ou vivent dans des abris. Les ateliers artistiques sont conçus afin d’engager ces jeunes dans des activités de création productrices, dans un environnement sur et sécuritaire.

Parmi ceux qui étaient présents lors de la conférence de presse le vendredi 15 janvier, étaient Aileen Carroll (Ministère de la culture de l’Ontario, à l’époque), les MLAs Yasir Naqvi et Jim Watson, et le directeur administratif du BSJ, Alex Munter. Mme Carroll a félicité les organisateurs d’avoir initier un projet qui vise à éveiller la créativité et à célébrer toute forme de diversité.

Notre directrice Audrey Churgin a parlé du genre d’expérience transformative que MASC apporte aux jeunes. Stefan Keyes, aussi sur les lieux, en fait la preuve : il a débuté comme lauréat d’un prix d’art de MASC, et trouve du succès maintenant comme comédien et reporter à la télévision.

Ce programme artistique donnera au Bureau une occasion d’accueillir les jeunes risqués à travers son halte-accueil, et de leur offrir d’autres soutiens, tells le conseil de crise, les services médicaux et mentaux, ainsi que des soutiens d’hébergement et d’emploi.

Encore une fois, les arts peuvent redonner l’espoir, la joie, et peut-être même un peu de guérison.

2009-10-21T10:14:00.000-07:00

Denise Chong's new book 'Egg on Mao'

2009-10-20T09:52:00.000-07:00

The Ottawa launch for Denise Chong's new book:
Egg on Mao:
The Story of an Ordinary Man Who Defaced An Icon and Unmasked a Dictatorship

A reading by the author!

7:30 pm
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Library and Archives Canada
395 Wellington

A free public event
Please come and spread the word!

EN VIN - Lana Morton

2009-09-08T07:57:00.000-07:00

Bonjour à tous. Voici un nouvel extrait de EN VIN sur YouTube de Izabel Barsive

Hello everyone, Here is a new excerpt of EN VIN on YouTube by Izabel Barsive

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIvzzZzInIA

Lana Morton

Production Gestuelle

Alan Cumyn's 'Dear Sylvia' on youtube

2009-09-08T07:47:00.000-07:00

Alan Cumyn thought people might enjoy the Youtube debut of a clip from his book, "Dear Sylvia" by the talented young filmmaker Jasmine Murray-Bergquist:

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mt5o_2Zva7s> .

"Dear Sylvia" is the third and final volume in the epic Owen Skye/Sylvia Tull love story, the first two being "The Secret Life of Owen Skye" and "After Sylvia."

Invitation to the launch of GUERILLA HEART JUICE

2009-09-08T07:43:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, September, 12, 2009, the Ottawa theatre community is going to get JUICED!

Theatre artists Andy Massingham, Peter Ryan, and Alix Sideris have joined forces to create Guerilla Heart Juice, an exciting new physical theatre training company that will operate out of a beautiful studio in the heart of downtown Ottawa.

Workshops in movement, dance, mask and clown will be led on an ongoing basis.

"Brash, daring, innovative...and that's only the beginning!"

Come celebrate with Alix, Peter and Andy as they open an exciting new chapter in the arts and culture scene in Ottawa.

Join us on Saturday, September 12 at Guerilla Heart Juice's new home at 111A Rideau Street, 3rd floor, in the heart of the Byward Market, 7:00-9:30 p.m.

There will be nibblies, libations, sensual sonic selections performed by special guest composer/musician Amir Amiri, official announcements from the Guerillas themselves, and at least a few surprises...show up and get down!

Be a part of Ottawa's theatre future, now!

Questions and additional information: Phone (613) 883 0083

Email guerillaheartjuice@gmail.com

Visit our blog: www.guerillaheartjuice.wordpress.com

Comité Art-ère

2009-06-03T10:33:00.001-07:00

Les élèves de la 9e à la 12e des écoles francophones Gisèle Lalonde, De Lasalle, Béatrice Desloges et l’école Alternative ont participé à une activité enrichissante et excitante sous la forme du Théâtre 24 heures. Ce projet fut organisé par le comité ARTère, la direction jeunesse de l’organisme MASC dont la mission est de servir de passerelle entre l’éducation et les arts. Les jeunes du comité ont monté ce projet du début à la fin avec l’aide de la coordonnatrice Magalie Houle. Ils sont allés chercher eux mêmes le financement en faisant avec succès une demande de subvention à l’organisme communautaire Centraide. Le défi : monter une pièce - répéter le texte, faire la mise en scène, trouver les costumes, créer le décor, pratiquer et présenter - en l’espace d’une journée. La pièce a été présentée gratuitement à la communauté à la fin des 24 heures, soit le samedi 25 avril 2009 à 19h30 - à l’école secondaire publique De La Salle. Une nuit et une journée complète passée à l’école à travailler et à créer pour monter la pièce « Les murs de nos Villages ». Participants et participantes ont eu l’occasion de perfectionner plusieurs techniques artistiques en compagnie du metteur en scène Pier Rodier et de l’artiste visuelle Manon Doran de la compagnie Vox théâtre. Les jeunes qui ont participé ont aussi pu mettre ce projet comme ajout à leurs heures de bénévolat requises par leur école. Bravo à l’équipe d’Art-ère pour un projet très réussi!

L'art au Nicaragua - 4 écoles, 4 artistes, un projet

2009-03-03T11:53:00.000-08:00

Un artiste du secteur Aylmer, Michel Martel, s’est impliqué à fond dans ce projet d’art pour le Nicaragua. Une école de métiers est en construction au Nicaragua et un projet d’art fut mis sur pied. Quatre écoles jumelées à des artistes pour mettre sur pied ce projet d’art. Grand projet mais peu de temps pour le réaliser.   C’est l’organisme MASC qui est derrière ce symposium, ce projet. MASC, c’est un réseau de 70 artistes, qui font profiter et découvrir l’art à plus de 150 000 étudiants chaque année. MASC est l’acronyme de Multi culturalisme et art scolaire et communautaire. L’organisme s’engage à donner aux écoles et collectivités l’amélioration de la créativité et l’excellence artistique.   Toutes les sphères de l’art sont représentées que ce soit l’art visuel, la littérature, la danse, les spectacles.   Apprentissage   L’artiste Michel Martel a passé 6 heures avec les étudiants de l’école DeLasalle pour leur apprendre les rudiments du verre.   Six heures où on a dû créer le dessin, les couleurs de la vitre qui est comme les lampes Tiffany, décider ce qui sera inclus dans le mobile de 24 morceaux qui sera acheminé au Nicaragua.   Pour compléter l’œuvre qui fut exposée durant deux jours à la galerie AxeNeo7, 3 écoles ont complété le tableau soit l’école élémentaire de la Vallée des Voyageurs (Luskville), le Collège Catholique Samuel Genest et l’école élémentaire de la Traversée.   Les artistes Marc Walter, Shaun Elie, Luis Abanto et Leo Brooks sont les artistes qui ont travaillé avec les élèves.   Ces élèves ont tra-vaillé sur des projets de type nature, multimédia et musical. Les quatre projets mis ensemble soit les œuvres faites avec le bois, le documentaire, le vitrail et la musique composée par les élèves, ont donné un résultat spectaculaire selon les pa- rents et amis venus voir le résultat final.   Michel Martel   Michel Martel s’implique depuis plusieurs années dans des projets similaires. Nouvellement revenu dans la région depuis un an et demi, il a auparavant fait des projets au Territoire du Nord-Ouest et au Nouveau-Brunswick. Il possède le studio Martel, situé au 68 rue Principale, depuis trois mois. Il fait la vente de matériel, donne des cours, fait des œuvres sur demande. Il pratique depuis plus de 18 ans son art d’artisan-verrier. Il invite les gens à venir le rencontrer, en apprendre plus sur ses projets, en connaître plus sur le verre.   Michel Martel et ses étudiants.  

Josiane Hardy ...... Bulletin d'Aylmer

St. Patrick students learn to act out

2009-02-25T11:10:00.000-08:00

Kids gets special arts classes thanks to grant

BY MARGARET SAMBOL February 16, 2009

Students at St. Patrick Catholic School in Barrhaven are learning to find the drama in stories and to project their emotions outward. In just a few days, actor, director and writer Eleanor Crowder and storyteller Katherine Grier have managed to have a big impact on the kids.

Eleanor Crowder/Katherine Grier

“We learned how to use our voices and cool techniques to warm our voices up where you vibrate your face, and your arms and your ribs,” says Grade 6 student Chelsea Atwood.
“We learned how to project our voices,” adds classmate Gabriel Correoso.

“We learned to write music to a song – like a remix – to a story,” says another Grade 6 student Emma Bissonnette. “I loved the games: geometry, gears and spotlight.”

Crowder explains that gears is a game to teach the students how to m

ove a lot of people safely and in a dramatic fashion. Once they learn the skill in the game, they don’t have to think about it and can instead focus on developing their character.

“It was all signals with the eyes,” Chelsea says, explaining how the students had to learn how to move on stage without touching each other and without speaking.

“You can’t bump into people or you’re out,” adds Emma.
The games help Crowder move much quicker into more advanced skills.

“It lets them be successful at something which is difficult,” Crow

der says.

The artists have been working with classes from Grade 1 to 6 at

St. Patrick so each lesson is tailored to the level of the students.

Grier began by telling the children stories that resonate with them because of their use of universal themes and myths that they understand innately.

Then Crowder was able to build on that base as she taught skills to dramatize the story and the characters.

“My job is to get some material into them so the others have stories to work with,” Grier explains. Each class has been entrusted with a story to keep along the theme of stewards of God’s creation. “They’ve taken their story to Eleanor who has been able to take aspects to work with movement and theatre.”

Without much time, Grier works on ensuring the students grasp the shape of the story using imagery and by challenging them to put themselves in the story and look at it from a first person view. The exercise of feeling and seeing what the character does is an excellent preparation f

or drama.

“By the end of the class, they were doing very expressive, full body movement,” Crowder reports.

Grier tells traditional stories that have been handed down over generations.

“Stories are interesting because they are about us; us under

different circumstances,” Grier says.

One story she passed on is the Kindly Ghost, an old folk tale from the Sudan. The main character is abandoned by his brothers in a drought, but through kindness wins the help of animals and a friendly ghost. His goodness is rewarded when he gets a pouch that grants wishes and he uses it well, but his brothers steal it from him and use is wrongly. But those animals he had helped return the favour and help him retrieve the pouch and restore the land after the brothers’ wishes had damaged it and the brothers are justly banished.

“They soak it in,” Grier says, noting that themes such as justice, right and wrong and bullying resonate through the ages.
Crowder’s lessons focus on teaching the children to express themselves, through voice, movement and body language.

“I find theatre to be the most powerful thing you can do – it’s the most effective way of communicating,” Crowder says, explaining her passion. “Acting is a natural as breathing.”

However, if children aren’t exposed to drama, Crowder sees that they stop exploring their capacity and begin to think that they could never do it.

GRANT

Teacher Ann Powers applied to MASC for the grant to have the artists come into the school.

“I love the arts and I wanted to ensure the students have a rounded experience,” Powers says.

And it’s not over yet. Another two artists, dancer and choreographer Maureen Shea and eco-sculptor Marc Walter will be spending a week with the student

s in mid-February.

Marc Walter/MaureenShea

Powers says she applied for the grant hoping the children would develop an interest in the arts and discover their own gifts and talents.

“The arts help children who are less prone to academics find their voice,” Powers says.

As well the teachers are learning new skills that they can use to continue to develop an appreciation of the arts in their students.

Grade 6 teacher Tina Dougan says she’s already used some of the games in different ways in her classroom. One game required the students to focus to jump back and forth from solo to group activities and another had the students visualizing the character they are reading about in their novel.

As well, the arts lessons tie in well with the curriculum in developing language, comprehension, visualization and drama.

She says her students have been very receptive to the stories as well as the theatrical games.

“They’re learning to put themselves in a scene and dramatize it effectively,” Dougan says. “It’s opening them up to what being dramatic means. They have a better idea of what that entails and how to bring it out of themselves.”

MASC is a non-profit organization that connects artists with schools to promote the arts.

margaret.sambol@nepeanthisweek.com

Le Droit - samedi 21 février

2009-02-24T10:57:00.000-08:00

Ottawa Citizen - Saturday 21st February

2009-02-24T10:49:00.000-08:00

LiterARTcy

2008-12-02T12:45:00.000-08:00

Chris Jackson

Daniel Richer

Alvaro De Manaya

Marc Walter

More photos of the event

LiterARTcy was a full day of teacher workshops for teachers from both the Ottawa Public and the Ottawa Catholic School Board, held on Tuesday November 18th. There were approximately 80 teachers attending and the four artists participating were: Chris Jackson, Marc Walter, Daniel Richer and Alvaro De Minaya, representing music, visual arts and literary arts.

Each artist offered a morning and afternoon workshop of 2 hours each, and there was a maximum of 20 teachers in each group. The focus was to highlight the connection between Literacy and the Arts. It was held at the beautiful site of Strathmere House in North Gower.

MASCParade

2008-12-02T11:54:00.000-08:00

Colores Andinos

Diane Bouchard

Alan Shain

Mehdi Hamdad

Ian Tamblyn

More pictures from the evening

Library and Archives Canada, 395 Wellington Street, Ottawa Nov. 5th

MASC, celebrating 20 years of artistic excellence for schools and communities, was very proud to stage its new fundraiser, MASCparade, a festive evening featuring performances by MASC artists and an art draw facilitated by members of the energetic theatre group Company of Fools. Hosted by town crier and storyteller Daniel Richer, MASCparade was full of magical moments, good food and entertainment.

Mercredi 5 nov. Bibliotèque et Archives Canada, 395 rue Wellington, Ottawa

Soulignant ses 20 années d'excellence artistique dans les écoles et la communauté, MASC fût très fière de présenter une soirée mettant en vedette les artistes de MASC ainsi qu'un tirage d'œuvres d'art. Le tirage fût dirigé par le dynamique Scott Florence de la troupe théâtrale Company of Fools et la soirée présidée par le conteur et crieur public Daniel Richer.

Participating Artists / en vedette :

Daniel Richer ; Company of Fools; Diane Bouchard; Maureen Shea; Yvon Soglo; Alan Shain; Denise Chong; Ian Tamblyn; Mehdi Hamdad; Colores Andinos

Students enjoy a week full of drama, courstesy of Jacqui Russell

2008-12-02T10:27:00.000-08:00

The students at Clifford Bowey Public School received a unique experience this past week when Chicago theatre artist, Jacqui Russell, taught drama classes from Nov. 10 until Nov. 13.

Each day she had four drama classes where all of the school’s 104 students attended. Clifford Bowey students all have developmental disabilities and many of them are non-verbal or have very limited communications skills.

For the last 12 years Ms. Russell has been working with autistic children in Chicago at the Agassiz Elementary School in Chicago and her work with those children is world-renowned.

“We jumped at the chance even though we weren’t sure what a drama workshop would look like for our students,” said Helen Jarvis, principal at Clifford Bowey. “It has been a wonderful week with lots of participation and enjoyment and imitation and lots of laughter.”

During the 40-minute class Ms. Russell, who is also the founder and artistic director of the Chicago Children’s Theatre, uses song, repetition and team work to build on communication skills.

“I’m an artist in residency, so I’m just here to use drama to enhance communication skills in the children with autism,” said Ms. Russell. “I think drama is very important for children with autism. I’ve been doing this for 12 years in Chicago and I’ve seen great results with enhancing the kids ability to express and read emotions as well as their general sociability.”

Currently drama classes are not a very common practice in schools to aid autistic students, but Ms. Russell hopes that will change over the coming years.

Over the course of the week, both Ms. Russell and Ms. Jarvis noticed that children who didn’t participate during day one became involved later on because the concept was becoming more familiar to them and less intimidating.

“I enjoy working with children with disabilities; I think it’s a puzzle and we are working to unlock them and figure out and it’s very rewarding and very fun to be with these kids,” said Ms. Russell. “I’m just really happy to of have this opportunity to share with them.”

This is the first workshop Ms. Russell has held outside of the Chicago school. This program was funded by the United States Embassy and put on through Chicago Arts Partners in Education (CAPE), an American organization that places teaching artists in schools in connection with its Canadian equivalent, Multicultural Arts for Schools and Communities (MASC).

“I jumped at the chance to come to Ottawa,” she said. “I used to work for the Ontario government Ministry of Culture in New York and I travelled to Toronto a number of times but I had never been to Ottawa. I love the people here, the dedication to the arts is really very special here.”

MASC selected Clifford Bowey as the school to receive these classes as a way to provide an experience the students may otherwise not benefit from.

“It would be very difficult for our students to go to a theatre or concert because they would be moving or making spontaneous noises that would distract others so most of our students would never have a change to go to the NAC or a movie theatre unless we take them and have a special showing,” said Ms. Jarvis. “We really feel like we would like to enrich those experiences at school. MASC has come to see what our school is all about and they are attuned to the need of our students.”

Drama is a new venue at Clifford Bowey and Ms. Jarvis was pleased with how well Ms. Russell worked and communicated with non-verbal children.

“We have done many things with physical activity, we do lots of field trips, the children swim they have a lot of gym activities but we have done little in the field of drama and so I think it’s a whole new avenue for us to explore what our children are able to show us through the dramatic arts,” Ms. Jarvis said.

Ms. Russell was in Ottawa for a week and along with doing the classes at Clifford Bowey she also put on workshops for teachers and artists.

“I’m taking some of the techniques I use in Chicago and sharing them,” said Mr. Russell.

“The long-term goal is to teach [students] a huge vocabulary of emotions. We’ve been doing it over the years in Chicago using photographs, bulletin boards, games and ultimately our kids can identify emotions and that allows them to have more complex communication.”

Chicago theatre artist, Jacqui Russell, assists a Clifford Bowey Public School student during a drama workshop. Ms. Russell spent a week at the school to conduct workshops for the students.

EMC Ottawa South - Friday, November 21, 2008 By Sheena Bolton sbolton@thenewsemc.ca

Jacqueline Russell article

2008-11-10T12:36:00.000-08:00

She spearheaded the campaign that gave Lookingglass one of the most enviable addresses in American theatre, but Jacqueline Russell's newest project may be the most challenging one yet

MORE ..... http://www.performink.com/archives/stagepersonae/2005/RussellJacqueline.htm

Land art - art nature - in situ - art environnementalr

2008-09-30T10:09:00.001-07:00

Marc WALTER and the NCC presents for Fall Rhapsody 2008/
Marc WALTER et la CCN présentent, à l'occasion du lancement de Coloris Automnal 2008

Land art - art nature - in situ - art environnementalr With/avec Marc WALTER
Music/Musique : Dominique Saint-Pierre, Luis Abanto, Bob Libbey and Leo Brooks
Storytelling/Contes : Jacques Falquet, Steve Conty

Not a museum, not a gallery, but in situ art in a natural environment, in Old Chelsea on the Sugarbush Trail. The artworks are under way. The October 3rd and 4th openings happen in the darkness except for the works, which are lit. A dramatic and magical 1-hour walk with live music and storytelling.

Beware: it is free, but registration is required and limited. To register for the opening: 819-827-2020 or directly at the Old Chelsea NCC Visitors Centre.

Pas un musée, pas une galerie, mais de l'art in situ dans un environnement naturel, à Old Chelsea, sur le sentier de la sucrerie. Les oeuvres sont en cours de réalisation. Lee vernissages des 3 et 4 octobre ont lieu dans la noirceur, à part les oeuvres qui sont illuminées; une marche d’une heure dans une atmosphère dramatique et poétique avec musiciens et conteurs.

Attention, c'est gratuit, mais les inscriptions sont nécessaires et limitées; pour s’inscrire au vernissage : 819-827-2020 ou directement au Centre des Visiteurs de la CCN à Old Chelsea.

Alan Cumyn - Hooked by a book

2008-09-24T17:47:00.000-07:00

In celebration of Raise-a-Reader Day, the Citizen invited a dozen celebrated authors to name the titles that made them lifelong readers by james macgowan (Photo: Pat McGrath, The Ottawa Citizen)

Alan Cumyn

Author of the Owen Skye books for kids -- The Secret Life of Owen Skye, After Sylvia and Dear Sylvia

Well, lots of books blew my socks off in the early days, but one that has stayed with me is Kenneth Grahame's brilliant The Wind in the Willows. When I first read it, at a tender age, I was completely engrossed in Mr. Toad's wonderfully improbable addiction to motorcars.

Now when I read it, I am slack-jawed with delight at Grahame's descriptions, as when Mole trots beside the river "as one trots, when very small, by the side of a man who holds one spell-bound by exciting stories; and when tired at last, he sat on the bank, while the river still chattered on to him, a babbling procession of the best stories in the world, sent from the heart of the earth to be told at last to the insatiable sea."

Hooked by a book Citizen Special Published: Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Bringing the Bard to life in Webisodes

2008-09-24T12:15:00.000-07:00

Coming soon to a screen near you: Shakespeare. Sort of. On a very small screen. With a doo-wop trio.

On Monday, Ottawa's A Company of Fools launches Tempest in a Teapot -- its hilarious take on Shakespeare's romantic comedy The Tempest -- at its website (fools.ca) and on Facebook. It will be the first of 12 weekly webisodes, with each show archived for future viewing (a trailer is already online).

In case you missed the original production at the NAC's Fourth Stage last fall, the play, part spoof and part tribute to Shakespeare, includes a show-stopping song about abstinence, ample clowning, and, among its props, paper dolls. The often-ignored racism that colours his plays also gets a full airing. Somehow, the Fools manage to include enough of the original storyline that neither The Tempest nor Shakespeare's brilliance are ever entirely lost.

"We'd been kicking around the idea of shooting for television for a while, but it always seemed like a really big thing to do with a pilot and all the episodes," says the Fools' artistic director Scott Florence, who also directed the show. "And an indie film was out of range for cost."

So when a mutual friend who'd seen the stage play suggested that Florence meet with Ottawa webcaster Kevin Burton, owner of Nat Cap Production, Florence jumped at the chance.

Original cast members Margo MacDonald, Al Connors and Emmanuelle Zeesman appear in the Internet version, which was filmed in one marathon day late last year at the Ottawa School of Speech and Drama.

Florence says the Fools chose the webisode format with its classic cliffhanger appeal because "most Internet users don't want to sit in front of a screen for 11/2 hours. People want short, quick hits on the Internet."

Running the play on the Web will, Florence hopes, give the 18-year-old troupe exposure across the country as well as footage for promotional packages. It's also a chance to test drive a relatively unknown concept -- presenting a play in episodes on the Internet -- for a company that's never eschewed risk-taking including mounting a show in a van.

"We don't have a lot of money or time," says Florence, "and when you're creating shows, you want them to have a longer life than just a couple of weeks."

Patrick Langston, The Ottawa Citizen Published: Saturday, September 20, 2008
© The Ottawa Citizen 2008