PEI Professional Theatre Network
We’ve got this, PEI! The Harbourfront Theatre in Summerside.
Because we stayed apart today, we’re one day closer to being together again, and we are filled with hope and gratitude!
Let’s keep caring for ALL our neighbours by continuing to follow the directives of our amazing public health office.
Be safe. Be kind. Be compassionate. Be wise.
Thank-you PEI!
PEI Professional Theatre Network
Do you need a little PEI beauty in your life right now? Have a look at this virtual exhibition of recent works by Island painter Maurice Bernard, hosted by Victoria’s Studio Gallery.
PEI Professional Theatre Network
The unbelievably talented singer and actress Brielle Ansems just released her first album titled This New Hurricane. Brielle starred as Josie Hogan in the Watermark Theatre’s 2018 production of A Moon For The Misbegotten. Her album can be purchased here:
https://bansemsmusic.bandcamp.com/releases
Digital Album $7
Compact Disc $15
You can also stream it here:
https://album.link/x9gwgnsvgd6bj
Album cover art by Sarah Eddie
PEI Professional Theatre Network
ENJOY AN AFTERNOON OR EVENING OF PROFESSIONAL THEATRE IN BEAUTIFUL NORTH RUSTICO! HAVE OUR 106 SEAT THEATRE, OUR BAR AND OUR BEAUTIFUL DECK AT YOUR DISPOSAL FOR STAFF PARTIES, CLIENT APPRECIATION EVENTS OR FUNDRAISERS!
PREVIEW PRICING AVAILABLE FOR BOOKINGS BEFORE JULY 11th, 2020 $1,400
PRICING FOR BOOKINGS AFTER JULY 11th, 2020 $1,750
“… a great fundraising and social opportunity and our members really enjoyed the casual and welcoming atmosphere at the Watermark Theatre. The staff were fantastic to work with and managed all of the details for the evening. It was a seamless event that was both easy to coordinate and enjoyable to our members…many rave reviews of both the performance and the location!” Sara Roach-Lewis, Women’s Network
“…have been “buying out the house” for the last number of summers as a unique and engaging client event. The feedback from our clients has been amazing! Any company that is looking to provide a totally unique experience for clients or staff should definitely book an outing at the Watermark.” Eddie Curran, Scotia Wealth Management
PURCHASE BY CONTACTING US AT 902-963-3963 OR EMAILING ADMIN@WATERMARKTHEATRE.COM
PEI Professional Theatre Network
Confederation Centre of the Arts is responding to the unprecedented impact of COVID-19 and joining forces with the #GivingTuesdayNow campaign to muster support for organizations across the province.
#GivingTuesdayNow is a global day of giving and unity, set to take place on May 5, 2020 as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. The day is designed to drive an influx of generosity, citizen engagement, philanthropy, and support for communities and non-profits around the world.
At a time when so many are experiencing the pandemic at once, generosity is what brings people of all races, faiths, and political views together across the globe. Generosity gives everyone power to make a positive change in the lives of others and is a fundamental value anyone can act on.
Confederation Centre of the Arts is a non-profit charity dedicated to celebrating Canada through the arts. The Centre depends on the generosity of Canadians in order to deliver world-class programming and to fulfill its mission as a hub for performing and visual arts, arts education, and heritage. Any support received now will help the charity manage the unprecedented impact of COVID-19.
The Centre and most other Island charities and non-profits have been hard hit by the fallout from COVID-19. The Centre’s live programming, visual arts exhibitions, numerous education platforms, and even The Charlottetown Festival, have all been delayed or suspended until further notice. This has left the organization with no earned revenue streams for the foreseeable future.
“Confederation Centre is deeply grateful for the incredible support we have received from our community and our different levels of government since we first opened our doors,” shares CEO Steve Bellamy. “These unprecedented times have left the Centre and many Island non-profit and charitable organizations in a deep state of uncertainty about the future. Together we can help overcome these extraordinary challenges by choosing to be benevolent in whatever ways we can and expressing our community spirit.”
People can show their generosity in a variety of ways during #GivingTuesdayNow; whether by helping a neighbour, advocating for an issue, sharing a skill, or giving to causes—every act counts. The May 5 global movement emphasizes opportunities to give back to communities and causes in safe ways that allow for social connection even while practicing social and physical distancing.
“As a global community, we can mourn this moment of extreme crisis while also finding the opportunity to support one another,” offers Asha Curran, CEO of GivingTuesday. “This effort offers us a chance to stand united. Even as many face financial uncertainty, generosity is not about size. From calling an elderly neighbour to chat, to offering translation help; from showing gratitude to our healthcare workers, to donating to your local food bank; every act of kindness is a beacon of hope in this crisis. We all have something to give, and every act of human consideration and kindness matters right now.”
Those interested in joining Confederation Centre’s efforts can learn more <https://confederationcentre.com/donate/> online<https://confederationcentre.com/giving-tuesday/> and follow @GivingTuesdayNow and #GivingTuesdayNow on social media on Tuesday, May 5. For more visit givingtuesday.ca<http://www.givingtuesday.org>
PEI Professional Theatre Network
For the first time in its 55-year history, The Charlottetown Festival will not entertain audiences from around the world this summer. Confederation Centre of the Arts CEO Steve Bellamy announced today the cancellation of the Festival along with changes to visual arts and heritage programming at the Centre in 2020.
“Our province has responded admirably to this unprecedented challenge, and we are grateful for the leadership they have shown to keep Islanders and visitors safe. Unfortunately, with the necessary restrictions on large gatherings and the need for social distancing remaining in place for some time, our ability is limited, not only to host audiences, but to prepare with rehearsals and construction in the months ahead of our performances”, says Bellamy.
He continues, “We are truly saddened not to be able to share in the joy of live theatre together this season and I want to express to all of our members, partners, patrons, and artists that we cannot wait to celebrate the arts as a community again when the time is right.”
Sponsored by CIBC, the Festival was slated to run from June 3 to September 26, featuring four major productions as well as the long-standing TD Confederation Centre Young Company. This marks the first time since 1965 that the Festival, and its flagship production Anne of Green Gables—The Musical™, will not be staged.
“With respect to the legacy of our crown jewel musical, we recognize the added weight of not being able to present the 56th season of this incredible production,” offers Artistic Director Adam Brazier. “Anne of Green Gables—The Musical™ is a rite of passage for thousands of Islanders and visitors every year. While it is upsetting to put this legacy on hold, this is the right thing to do for the safety of all involved. Anne’s spirit, humour, and optimism are so deeply ingrained in our culture that whether she is on stage or not, her legacy lives on. Our patrons can be assured that Anne will be here in 2021.”
For those currently holding tickets please fill out the online form<https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FestivalRefunds> for ticketing options. The Centre team is dealing with a high volume of bookings and greatly appreciates the patience and support of patrons in this process.
The Confederation Centre Art Gallery (CCAG) summer season is also being impacted, with major exhibitions A Life’s Work: Canadian Artist Robert Harris 1849-1919 and BGL: Two Thumbs Up Arts and Crafts being delayed to 2021 due to the pandemic. A revised schedule will be announced in the weeks ahead, offering alternative programming for when the Gallery reopens.
“We are looking forward to a time when we can once again welcome the community into the Art Gallery,” says Gallery Director Kevin Rice, “and in the meantime, we are continuing to work on future exhibitions and connect to our patrons through virtual projects.”
The CCAG is currently participating in FIELD TRIP<https://www.fieldtrip.art/field-trips/the-gallery-at-rest-a-tour-of-the-temporarily-darkened-confederation-centre-art-gallerynbsp>, an online national visual arts initiative, alongside more than 25 other Canadian galleries and museums, and also offering ‘Art Class from Home’ visual art activities, found here<https://confederationcentre.com/art-class-from-home/> on the Centre’s website.
In the weeks ahead, an announcement will also be made outlining summer presentations of the Confederation Players guided walking tours and the Confederation Chamber replica exhibition. The Centre is exploring options for presenting these celebrated heritage programs.
The Centre team continues to monitor the pandemic situation day-to-day and is accessing the potential for additional programming this summer. Please continue to visit the website<http://www.confederationcentre.com/> and social media for up-to-date information.
The Centre complex itself remains closed to the public based on guidance from Public Health, but many staff are working from home and are available via email and phone.
PEI Professional Theatre Network
The annual high school musical presented at Confederation Centre of the Arts, is brought to you by Charlottetown Rural High School this year!
Matilda The Musical is a stage musical based on the 1988 children’s novel of the same name by Roald Dahl. It was adapted by Dennis Kelly, with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and directed for the stage by Matthew Warchus.
This Tony Award-winning musical revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and the inspiring story of a girl who dreams of a better life. Matilda The Musical has won 47 international awards and continues to thrill sold-out audiences of all ages around the world.
Packed with high-energy dance numbers, catchy songs and an unforgettable star turn for a young actress, Matilda The Musical is a joyous girl power romp. Children and adults alike will be thrilled and delighted by the story of the special little girl with an extraordinary imagination.
PEI Professional Theatre Network
The Confederation Centre Art Gallery (CCAG) is rolling out a series of online art activities for all ages, as well as an exciting contribution to Canada’s new digital visual arts platform.
FIELD TRIP
The COVID-19 pandemic has inspired a wealth of virtual arts content. FIELD TRIP: Art Across Canada<https://www.fieldtrip.art/> is a new platform that aims to bring the country’s best to people at home.
Everything featured on the site is being curated and promoted by a network of partners: major galleries and museums from every region of the country. This includes more than 20 of Canada’s leading arts organizations, including the CCAG (P.E.I.), the Rooms (Newfoundland), the Vancouver Art Gallery, and Contemporary Calgary.
Each day, a separate Canadian arts organization is posting a new submission on social media and FIELDTRIP.art<https://www.fieldtrip.art/>, presenting digital experiences that highlight the work of Canadian visual artists.
“The galleries are closed, but we still want to connect with our audience, both locally and nationally,” says Pan Wendt, curator at the CCAG. “At this critical moment FIELD TRIP represents a valuable initiative, promoting the visual arts in Canada and building upon our relationships with other art centres.”
The CCAG’s first monthly contribution will be featured online this Thursday, April 23. Wendt and Visual Arts Educator Evan Furness entered the darkened and empty halls of Confederation Centre (while following health and safety precautions) in order to share a virtual tour of exhibitions that would have been available to the public at this time. Through video, the pair explore the ways the Gallery’s permanent art collection is still an important, inspiring resource and a long-term responsibility, preserving the artistic heritage of Canada.
This unique tour video will be available April 23. Patrons can follow the Centre’s social media this week for more this week, or head to FIELDTRIP.art<https://www.fieldtrip.art/> for a full program overview.
Art Class from Home
Visual Arts Educator Evan Furness has also been developing a series of instructional activities. Art Class from Home<https://confederationcentre.com/arts-education/> presents a weekly activity inspired by artworks in the permanent collection. These activities are similar to those taught in the Gallery’s visual arts classes and can be completed with materials that people usually have in their homes.
The first one is entitled ‘Looking out my back door: Drawing with Positive and Negative Space’, inspired by P.E.I. artist Lindee Cilmo’s artwork Door. The work depicts various farm animals seeming to peer through the windows of an old wooden door.
“This effect is created by utilizing the door’s design in the painting’s composition,” explains Furness. “Using this artwork for inspiration, this activity challenges artists at home to create a drawing of the outdoors by looking through a window and playing with positive and negative space.”
The activities are intended for artists of all ages and skill types and are available as a PDF download on the Centre’s homepage.<https://confederationcentre.com/arts-education/> A video demo of this first activity is also <https://confederationcentre.com/art-class-from-home/> available online<https://confederationcentre.com/art-class-from-home/>.
Feedback and questions can be sent to Furness at efurness@confederationcentre.com<mailto:efurness@confederationcentre.com>.
PEI Professional Theatre Network
Guitar, saxophone, ambitious song writing and a voice that won him a 2013 Canadian Folk Music Award—Ian Sherwood brings the light to every stage he stands on. A born storyteller and a constant creator, his music dances the line between folk and pop. His live performances thrive on intimacy; his persona is irresistible and it destroys the fourth wall.
Sherwood’s fifth studio album “Bring the Light”, produced by P.E.I.’s own Daniel Ledwell (Jenn Grant’s long-time producer), is filled with the same hooky cleverness that has endeared Sherwood to his audiences. This time, the deft work of Ledwell’s production brings Sherwood’s songs into a new dimension of beauty and depth.
PEI Professional Theatre Network
Theatre PEI 