6th Annual inspiraTO Festival

inspiraTOToronto’s

6th annual

Canada’s largest ten-minute play festival at Toronto’s Alumnae Theatre

June 2-12, 2011every minute counts

A fantastic microcosm of theatreAttending an inspiraTO festival show is an evening of lively, challenging and dramatic entertain-ment; a series of 8 ten-minute plays in one seamless performance to keep you interested.

Each year, the festival’s plays revolve around a chosen theme based on the senses. This year the theme is on “sound”. Out of the 327 plays submitted, 16 plays were selected withElephant by Jordan Davis taking first prize.

Elaine Romero, the winner of last year's playwriting contest, commented that what shesaw was much more than eight individual ten-minute plays in one show, “it felt like a full lengthplay - with rising action, turning point and resolution”. The sequence of the plays are important.Each of them is like a song with its own pitch, rhythm and pace. And yet, each is a microcosm of a greater whole.

The plays are grouped into two groups (8 plays in each) and performed on alternateevenings. The blueSound plays deal with sounds that float or drift and the redSound plays addresssounds that disturb or awaken. Compare. See both sets and have a say by voting for your favouriteones. The winners will be showcased at our Finale Performance on June 12.

This year, for the very first time, we have introduced a Learning Series. This is an exciting initiative for you to learn, discover and explore. You can also let your creative soul out byparticipating in our Ten Day Playwriting Contest. Visit our website for details. There will be muchto see, hear and talk about.

Come out, enjoy yourself.Regards,

Dominik LoncarArtistic Director,InspiraTO Festival

Guest Theatre Artistsb current Suitcase In Point Little Black Dress Theatre Cara SpoonerTommy Taylor

Creative / Production Dominik Loncar (Artistic Director & Producer) Lumir Hladik (Associate Artistic Director & Set Designer) Karen Elizabeth McMichael (Production Stage Manager)Juliana Rucchetto (Community Manager) Erika Rueter, STAF (Media Relations) Chris Humphrey (Lighting Designer) Angus Barlow (Sound Designer) Scott Kelly (Technical support, projection)Keith Chang (Video production and support)Volcano Playground (Music Score)

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sounds that disturb or awakenredSound

8 Performances: June 2, 4,10 at 8:00 pm June 11 at 4:30 and 10:30 pm

Slicing the Cherry by Nina MansfieldA comedy in which Charlotte Corday, the historical killer of Marat, resists the advances of her oh-so-sexy executioner. Would you save your virginityknowing with certainty the guillotine's axe awaits your turn?

Life After Life by by Karen HartlineSam and Tesse have lived their entire adult lives together for more than 50 years of marriage. But when Tesse asks Sam for a divorce, it causes themboth to question the life they remember living.

Solitary by Catherine FridThree reviled criminals who meet in solitary confinement form an unexpectedbond through music. The smallest acts of kindness can also create compellingtheatre.

Hush by Robin PondEmily, in her never-ending nightly routine, struggles to keep her secrets hidden,and her past safely buried. But on this particular night, she has a visitor whoalready knows all the gruesome details. A spine chilling tale.

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Of Mice & Men by Dominik LoncarA man reluctantly sets up a trap for the mice that roam his house. Two mice,try one last time, to chase the cheese. A fable about fate, destiny and chasingone's cheese.

Elephants by Jordan Davis (InspiraTO Playwriting Contest Winner) Jeremiah is an imaginative 15-year-old who lives with his crotchety Uncle Eliand has decided to find his father, whom he believes is in Africa studying elephants. An endearing play with a creative narrative and dramatic rhythm.Elephant stomps never sounded so communal.

A Canadian Tuxedo by Nicole Pandolfo Sal, in desperate need for money to marry his pregnant girlfriend, goes on a jobfor his mafioso friend to kill a man. If only The Sopranos were this hilarious.

Rest Assured by George M. JohnsonA harried homeowner opens his door to two strange solicitors with resoundingconsequences. A parody with a tongue-in-cheek dialogue that never lets upand comes crashing down.

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8 ten-minute plays in one show

Directors

Viktorija Kovac Andrew Joseph Richardson Dale Sheldrake Taryn Jorgenson David Suszek Mark Augustine Chris Goodwin Erin O'Hanley

Actors

Emily Stang Carey West Thomas Daly Patricia Garnett-Smith Suzanne Bernier Gregory Cruikshank Pooria Rouhani Fard Mark Nimeroski Richard Guppy Carol McLennan Dylan George MaryClaire Thompson Bruce Williamson Lauren MacKinlay Adrian Rebucas Nick Dipchand Andrew Lawrie Giovanni Spina Adrian ParksAkshay Sharma Kim Sprenger Laura Gooding Lwam Ghebretariat

sounds that float or driftblueSoundP

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8 Performances: June 3, 9, 11 at 8:00 pm June 4 at 10:30 pmJune 11 at 2pm and 8:00 pm

Aural Archives and Personal Soundscapes from the Collection of Claire Porter& Dexter Marshall by Brianne Hogan Claire Porter auctions off the personal sounds of her ex-boyfriend DexterMarshall in an effort to rid herself of the soundtrack of their failed relation-ship. A clever idea that rings true on many levels.

Happy New Trout by Suzanne Courtney A dead fish smothers a cell phone and disrupts a young couple's New Year'sEve plans. You’ll identify with the characters as they come to terms with themiscommunication that entangles them.

The Hole by Erin H. BanksA man tries to run from the mistakes of his past. He quickly finds himselffalling further down the rabbit hole, coming face-to-face with the voices hehoped to escape. Alice in Wonderland never felt more at home.

Labyrinth by Margaret HollingsworthA man listens to his inner voice as he walks the labyrinth. A movement-basedplay that has you hearing and thinking in spirals.

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Delilah by Len Cuthbert A cancer patient asks her best friend to cheer her on one more time, the mostpainful episode yet. A compassionate, witty way to tell a story about one ofthe most difficult choices we will ever have to make in our lives.

Hum of the Arctic by Sarah HammondWhile flipping through a scrapbook, Claire recounts the story of her deaf mother's intriguing meeting with a painter many years ago. A well-crafted playthat brings in the imaginative elements of theatre.

Tango Partner by Angie FarrowA tango partner shows up in a couple's living room to add some spice to theirlives. An absurd romp that pokes fun at our modern lifestyle.

The Seven Lovers Old Bluehat Whistletop by Lauren FeldmanIn the guise of a Bluehat Whistletop, a woman goes on a journey far and wide,discovering many places and many new creatures in her search for her lover. A fairytale for adults.

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8 ten-minute plays in one show

Directors

Valary Cook Kelsey Blair Andreja Kovac Lara Mrkoci Annie MacMillan Leonard Mario Skrablic Dominik Loncar Margaret Thompson Emma Hillier (Stage Manager forSeven Lovers…)

Actors

Conor Hefferon Nicole Bergot Andrew Chapman Natalie Bazar Jillian Welsh Megs Mulkin Bob Legare Marisa Crockett (Voice Over) Yehuda Fisher Jenessa Grant Reinisa MacLeod Natasha Fiorino Farah Farah Jenny Rockman Karen Kwong-Chip

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The following are aseries of workshops,and in some cases performances, thathelp better understandthe ten-minute playand the creativeprocess. Get involved.Be part of it all.

June 4, 4:30 pm (1 hour)

June 7, 7 pm (1 hour)

June 7, 8:00 pm (1 hour)

June 8, 8 pm (50 min performance followed by a 50 minute discussion)

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In the Raw - Lisa O’ConnellA play comes to life when it goes from page to stage. Join Lisa O’Connell, Artistic Director, Pat the Dog Playwright Centre, as she workshops two ten-minute plays from two youngaspiring playwrights. Participants will observe the interaction between actor, playwrightand dramaturg/facilitator. There will be time to ask questions. This is an opportunity todiscover how this can add a greater dimension to the playwriting process.

A Perfect Ten - Dominik LoncarWhat makes a great ten-minute play? Is it character? Is it plot? Find out. The InspiraTOFestival has had over 1,400 ten-minute play submissions to date. Listen to members fromthe Selection Committee as they read from their favourite plays and discuss what they lookfor in selecting plays for the festival. Interesting insights.

Soundscapes: Rousing the Emotions - Lumir HladikParticipate in a workshop where you get a chance to experiment with various sounds andthe effect they have on your emotions. Join Lumir Hladik, Associate Artistic Director andSet Designer for InspiraTO, as he leads an absorbing workshop on how various sounds canbe used in theatre and the effect they have on us.

RapidFire - b current / Suitcase In Point / Little Black Dress Theatre / Cara Spooner / Tommy Taylor. Five theatre companies are given three days to create a ten-minute play on the theme of

“sound”. They can only use the existing set, props, lighting and sound. These five ten-minute plays will be performed and immediately after the performances each theatre com-pany or artist will discuss “how” they came up with their piece. This is an intriguing way tosee various approaches in creating drama in this art form.

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10 Day Playwriting Contest

A chance for individuals towrite a ten-minute play in ten days. The play must be onthe theme of “sound” alongwith two elements that arerevealed once the contestopens. The winning play willreceive $250 prize plus astaged reading of their play at the Finale Performance onJune 12, 2011. Contest opensMay 26 at 12:00 am closesJune 4 at 11:59 pm (see inspiratofestival.ca for details).

Finale Performance on June 12 The top 4 redSound + 4 blueSound plays as voted bythe audience

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8PMredSound plays

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8PMblueSound plays

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10:30PMblueSound plays

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7 8 9 10 11 122PMblueSound plays

ThursdayWednesdayTuesday Friday Saturday Sunday

4:30PMredSound plays

8PMblueSound plays

10:30PMredSound plays

2PMPeople’s Choice Finale Performance!

* June 9 & 10 shows: Talk Back Series. A post show discussion with the Artistic & Associate Artistic Director.

redSound &blueSoundplays winners / stagedreading of the Ten DayPlaywriting Contest winner

8PMblueSound plays

8PMrapidfire

7PMperfect 10

8PMsoundscape

4:30PMin the raw

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Mainstage Auditorium, ground floor

Studio Theatre, 3rd floor

8 blueSound plays per show

8 redSound plays per show

6th Annual InspiraTO FestivalAlumnae Theatre, Mainstage, 70 Berkeley St., Toronto,M5A 2W6June2-12, 2011regular tickets - $17 late night (10:30PM show) - $12 Learning Series Pass - $12(valid for all three learning series workshops plus the RapidFire Performance)

InspiraTO ticket package - $38 (save 17%) (admission for one redSound plays + one blueSound plays + Learning Series pass)

See calendar of shows & workshops on reverse side of this page!

To order tickets visit www.inspiratofestival.caor visit uofttix.ca

All plays are intended for mature audiences

sponsorsfestival partner