We’ve been getting some inquiries about our YOUTH DRAMA CLASSES–to be offered in THREE separate sessions this season–and since we’re still working on the new website design we thought we’d let you all know when they’ll be starting up again.

DISCOVERY CLASS (AGES 8-11)

This class is designed to offer students an opportunity to awaken talent within themselves and to gain confidence as well as learn some of the basics of performance. This group meets at 10:00 to 11:30 each Saturday.

DEVELOPMENT CLASS (AGES 12-16)

This class meets from 12:00 to 1:30 each Saturday for ten weeks. The Development Class offers students who have mastered some of the basics the opportunity to develop their performance skills through both theatre exercises and scripted scenes.

At the end of ten weeks, youths perform in a small show for parents and friends.

All classes are taught by the amazingly-fun, wickedly-talented and just plain awesome CHELSEA PAPINEAU!

REGISTRATION COST FOR BOTH DEVELOPMENT AND DISCOVERY CLASSES IS $130 PER STUDENT, OR $110 FOR SUBSCRIBERS.

Take one or all three sessions:  SEPTEMBER 11th, 2010 – JANUARY 8th, 2011 -                                                       MARCH 16th, 2011

As always, call 674-8381 x21 for more information.

Cheers!

We just wanted to let you know that our good friends over at the Greater Sudbury Public Library are hosting some special theatre events this summer.  Check out the poster below for details about a FREE performance of Romeo and Juliet as well as some fun theatre workshops. 

We won’t lie, friends: It’s a bit quiet around the STC building these days. Summer is definitely upon us (although torrential downpours and unseasonably cold temperatures might seem to say otherwise), and that means that DOWNTIME

But that doesn’t mean there aren’t some interesting things going on at the ol’ theatre.

For one thing we’re working hard to make sure that things are lined up for the start of our 39th season of live professional theatre. Scripts are being read, budgets are being finalized, sponsors are being lined-up, and plans are being made to ensure that we can better serve you, our valued supporting cast member! (And we don’t want this to be a one-sided discussion. If you have ideas for how we can make your theatre experience that much more enjoyable, don’t hesitate to let us know! This blog is a platform for expression and conversation. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!)

And just so you don’t think its all boring administrative work being done here at the theatre these days, here are some pictures from a recent 
photo shoot for our Students on Stage program and our Youth Drama Classes. (And it’s not like you won’t be able to tell, but it’s still worth mentioning: This shoot was a lot of fun!!!)

Auditions for Students on Stage will take place in September, and our YDC will start on September 11th. If you know a young person who loves to perform, be creative and just plain have FUN, then keep visiting the STC website for updates on how to become part of these fantastic programs or call the box office at 674-8381 x21 for more information.

Until next time, stay sunny!

What else is there to say?

Wow.

Tickets for The Full Monty are just flying out of the door, and our poor office attendant Janna’s dreams have been haunted by ringing phones for the last two weeks.

Audfiences are simply LOVING the show, and the critics agree! Just check out these great reviews from Northern Life and The Sudbury Star:

If you want in on all the fun, don’t hesitate and call the box office RIGHT NOW! (Janna will forgive you…we think.)

Cheers!

There’s been a lot happening here at the theatre since we ended a successful run of Lindsay Price’s The Flying Bandit, and if you haven’t been keeping up with all things STC over the past month let’s bring you up to speed!

First off, the 37th Annual STC Dinner Auction—the theatre’s largest fundraiser of the year—was held on April 17th at the Radisson Hotel, and true to form, STC supporters were out in full force helping to raise over $40,000 dollars! Special thanks goes out to the fantastic staff at the Radisson for their outstanding service, all the generous item donors who always make such amazing contributions, Q92 and EZ Rock 105.3 for serving as the official sponsors of the event, and Jim Szilva and Gerry Lougheed for providing an incredible injection of energy into the evening’s proceedings by serving as co-auctioneers. (We won’t soon forget Gerry’s stylish spandex body suit and hot dog hat. Confused? Guess you’ll just have to attend next year’s event!)

STC board members Dan Keaney and Alex Campbell were all decked out for a night of red carpet glitz and glamour at the 37th Annual Dinner Auction.

The STC crew was also hard at work preparing for the unveiling of the 2010/2011 season lineup, which took place on April 15th here at the theatre. If you haven’t seen the link on the mainpage (just click on the banner below the current show listings), then read on and take a gander at what’s on tap for the STC’s 40th ANNIVERSARY SEASON! (Incredible, right?)

But first, how about some candids from the launch itself? (Take careful note of a very young STC-er grabbing a few Z’s in a rather unique sleeping arrangement.)

STC General Manager Kathy Heimbecker and a future STC supporter.

Box Office Manager Janna Reid (L) and a crew of STC volunteers prepare food for the launch guests.

Too much excitement to handle!

The fruits of the lovely ladies' labour.

The stage is set for the big announcement.

Artistic Director David Savoy (L) and Education Coordinator Judi Straughan (R) unveil the 10/11 season to an appreciative crowd.

And heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere’s the season!

Like what you see? Then have a peek at this interview conducted by the Sudbury Arts Council’s John Lindsay with 10/11 season mastermind David Savoy:

So, to recap: Successful dinner auction, fantastic launch event, and now relaxation, right? WRONG. Come on now, people: we’ve still got one more show coming up!

And what a show it’ll be! If you haven’t heard yet—and really, how could you not have?—the STC is presenting it’s most spectacular production of the season, THE FULL MONTY, April 30th – May 22nd. Do yourself a favour and DO NOT MISS THIS SHOW! This get-up-and-cheer rock ‘n’ roll musical is just such an utterly joyful experience that you’ll be talking about it long after the curtain has been raised. Infectious musical numbers, stunning set pieces and just plain hilarious dialogue and situational humour combine to make this the HAND-CLAPPING, JAW-DROPPING SHOW OF THE SEASON!

Men and women alike will find something to cheer for in The Full Monty—well, maybe the women will cheer a little louder—and we promise you a night of theatre that you won’t soon forget.

PLEASE TAKE NOTE: SOME SHOWS HAVE ALREADY SOLD OUT! The steady buzz surrounding the show has been growing since it was announced all those months again, and as the 30th approaches the buzz is turning into a steady stream of telephone rings—a sound that thrills the members of the marketing department and haunts the dreams of the box office attendant. In other words, TICKETS ARE GOING FAST! DON’T HESITATE! GET YOURS TODAY!

Phew! That’s enough bolded all-cap typing for one post, don’t you think? (We just get so excited!)

Until next time, friends! Take care.

We just received this nice little interview from our good friend John Lindsay over at the Sudbury Arts Council featuring STC Education Coordinator Judi Straughan, and Flying Bandit director Lindsay Price.

The SAC is very supportive of the STC, and we certainly appreciate all they do to promote not only the theatre, but also the entire Sudbury arts community. When you’re done watching the video, be sure to head on over to www.sudburyartscouncil.org to see what else is going on in and around our fair city.

p. s. Contrary to what is said at the end of the video, The Flying Bandit runs MARCH 18TH – 28TH, not March 8th -18th.

Bet you didn’t see that one coming, right?

While we’re extremely sad to say goodbye to the wonderfully delightful cast of “The Love List”–what a fantastic show that was!–we’re more than pleased to be bringing a wildly energetic and eye-opening slice of Canadiana to the STC stage. Lindsay Price’s “The Flying Bandit” is a one-man-show that tells the unbelievable TRUE story of Canada’s greatest bank robber, the “Flying Bandit” AKA the “Gentleman Bandit” Ken Leishman.

Known for his good looks, outstanding fashion sense and his brazen thefts, Leishman dominated newspaper headlines in the 50’s. Although his bank robberies brought him to the public’s attention, he attained nearly legendary status when he perpetrated the largest gold heist in Canadian history! (With a little help from some unsuspecting Air Canada employees, no less!)

Both Lindsay Price and actor Craig Mason–who plays the entire cast of characters in this production–are extremely excited to be bringing this show to Sudbury audiences. In fact, the’ve created this little video to give you all a bit of insight into the character development process. Check it out:

“The Flying Bandit” is playing from March 18th – 28th ONLY, so call the STC box office and reserve your seat today!

 It’s been a busy month here at the theatre, so let’s catch up a bit, shall we? 

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Congratulations go out to the members of STC’s Students on Stage programme for their incredible work putting together an impressive run of performances of their original production Spin: A Tale of Ultra Modern Ad-Ventures.  This talented group of young theatre enthusiasts spent over 100 hours designing costumes, building sets, learning lines and rehearsing, and the work was well worth it!  Public performances were held on January 30^th and 31^st, and hundreds of students from around the city attended some highly entertaining (and maybe even a little bit educational!) matinees.

Awesome job, team!  You always make us proud!   

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The reviews are in for the amazing production of Celebrities do Sudbury Satire, and there seems to be a consensus amongst all those who laughed themselves silly on the evening of January 23rd:  a man in drag is always funny.  And, more specifically, when the man in question has a certain mayoral-charm about him, well, the laughs come that much quicker and last just that much longer! 

Sudbury celebs serenade an appreciative crowd!

(Recognize any of these passionate Sudbury-Saturday-nighters?  Maybe you should look a bit closer…)

 Many thanks go out to all those who came out and helped raise funds for both the STC as well as Haiti relief, and a special ‘Thank you!’ goes out  all the brave/generous/foolhardy celebs who made the event a complete success.  

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The official start of the second-half of the 09/10 season will be upon us in two-week’s time, and if you haven’t booked your tickets yet for the STC’s production of Norm Foster’s The Love List, you’d better hurry up!   

 Recognized as one of Canada’s most popular and prolific playwright’s, Foster has the almost Midas-like ability to turn everything he touches into pure gold!  The Love List is no exception, as it will have audiences howling from start to finish. 

A story that is both completely authentic and totally unbelievable, The Love List focuses on what happens when lonely statistician Bill is asked by his philandering friend Leon to fill out a dating service questionnaire listing the top qualities he’d want in an ideal mate.  (Did we mention that the dating service is run by a mysterious gypsy woman?)  Bill does as he’s asked (but not without a bit of hesitation) and, lo and behold, his perfect woman magically appears!  After the initial shock wears off, Bill finds himself in absolute heaven…at least until he decides to change a few of the qualities on his list.

 Then things get weird. 

 The Love List is proudly sponsored by Big Daddy 103.9, and we encourage you to tune-in in the coming weeks to try and win some free tickets!  We know they have some fun things planned, and we don’t want to give anything away, but we have a suspicion that you might be well-served to think about just what it is YOU would want in a perfect partner…_________________________________________________________________________________________

 Ok, friends—that’s all for now!  Please check back in the coming days for some great features on The Love List as well as other upcoming STC shows/events.  Until next time, enjoy these stills from Charles Way’s Sleeping Beauty! 

Queen Guinevere (Alexis Koetting) and King Peredur (Jeff Miller ) try and make their way through the dark and dense woods.

Evil Witch Modron (Katherine East) holds the infant Briar Rose.

Good Witch Branwen (Deborah Drakeford) and Gryff (James Wallis) observe the kingdom through a magical mirror.

Modron (Katherine East) asks Briar Rose (Leah Coombs) to take a turn using the spindle.

Cursed by Modron, Briar Rose (Leah Coombs) falls into a deep sleep while her parents (Jeff Miller & Alexis Koetting) can do nothing but hold her.

Gryff (James Wallis) and Prince Owain (Curtis Tweedie) meet the Tylwyth Tegs on their quest to save Briar Rose.

 

Gryff (James Wallis) and Prince Owain (Curtis Tweedie) finds themselves caught in the web of the fearsome Spider King (Jeff Miller)

Gryff (James Wallis) and Branwen (Deborah Drakeford) watch as Prince Owain (Curtis Tweedie) prepares to awaken the "Sleeping Beauty" (Leah Coombs) from her near hundred-year sleep.

We trust that everyone had some safe and very merry holidays!  The stage was dark here at the STC for a two-week period, but we’re back in the swing of things and we’re working hard to ensure that the second half of the 09/120 season is just as good (and maybe even better!) than the first.  We want to wish you the very best in 2010, and we hope that you’ll join us as we continue to celebrate the magic of live professional theatre.

 We’ll be kicking things off here at STC with a very important fundraising event.  Although we’ve decided to give the semi-annual PG Eh? Indoor Golf Tournament a break—it’ll be back in 2011, we promise!—another STC fundraising favourite is making its triumphant return: the hilarious “Celebrities do…” series!  This year it’s all about finding the funny in our local surroundings, as forty-five Sudbury celebs take to the stage to perform sketch comedy routines skewering local news headlines from the past year.  The wonderfully talented Judi Straughan has done it again, as she’s put together a show that gives us permission to laugh at ourselves and this beloved crater we call home.  Recognizable personalities from television, radio, print media and the political scene will all be accounted for, so if your idea of fun is seeing respectable citizens in uniquely humiliating (but always good-naturedly so) situations, we’ve got you covered! 

Check out this partial list of participants:

- Marcus Schwabe & Jason Turnbull (CBC Radio)

- Luke Nugent & Shannon Dowling (KICX Radio)

- Jim Szilva, Rick Wyman & Carrie Tantalo (Big Daddy 103.9)

- Terry Callaghan & Mellaney Dahl (Q92)

- Janet Gasparini, Russ Thompson & Doug Craig (City Councillors) 

- Rich Griffin & Gary Beech (EZ Rock 105.3)

- Michelle Toner (CTV)

- Glenn Thibeault & France Gelinas (Politicans)

- Randy Pascale (Channel 10 News)

- Vicki Gilhula (Editor, Sudbury Living Magazine)

…and many, many more! 

Not too shabby, eh?

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And now, here are some snaps of the Sleeping Beauty cast members and STC staff spreading a little Christmas cheer around 170 Shaughnessy Street. 

Catherine East (Evil Witch Modron), Leah Coombs (Briar Rose) and Anita Ansamaa (Paint & Props) share a laugh while enjoying the festivities.

Anita Ansamaa (Paint & Props), Ben Whiteman (Sound & lighting), Curtis Tweedie (Prince Owain) and James Wallis (Gryff) evaluating a particularly funny entry into the staff colouring contest.

Judi Straughan (Education Coordinator) holds up one of the winning entries--a lovely little picture called "Drag Sleeping Beauty"--while Deborah Drakeford (Good Witch Branwen) and David Savoy (Artistic Director) look on.

 

Roni Clark (P/T Box Office), Sheila Proulx (Seamstress) and Mike Johnson (Head Carpenter) are all smiles.

David Savoy (Artistic Director), Kathy Heimbecker (General manager) and Marie Whitehead (Board President) sample Leah Coombs' prize-winning enrty in the cookie baking contest.