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Theatre BC’s Acting Workshop Leader Rob Mason Brown Theatre BC’s Mainstage 2018 starts on June 29 in Vernon, with a great slate of workshops and performances. Here’s a preview of one of our Acting Workshops coming to Mainstage on July 4, for all levels of actors. Workshop Leader Rob Mason-Brown chats with me, Theatre BC President Peter Wienold, to give you the low-down on what to expect. For more details, and to register for the workshop, visit this link. For complete information about Mainstage 2018, or to watch the video version of this chat, visit Theatre BC’s website: www.theatrebc.org If you like the show, please use the “share” icons above to send a link out to the podcast.

Theatre BC’s Mainstage 2018 is almost upon us in Vernon, BC! Mainstage starts on June 29, with a great series of plays, workshops, networking, discussion panels and much more on offer. For complete information about Mainstage 2018, or to watch the video version, visit Theatre BC’s website: www.theatrebc.org Please enjoy the audio portion of a video we produced to help promote Mainstage. Host Peter Wienold (and Theatre BC President) is joined by Organizing Committee Co-Chairs Adele Kuyek and Richard Kerton. If you like the show, please use the “share” icons above to send a link out to the podcast.

On this solo episode of the podcast, I catch you up on the productions being performed at Theatre BC’s Mainstage 2017 in Vernon, BC – as well as giving an overview of the Workshops being offered. Here are some links for this episode: Theatre BC Home Page Theatre BC Workshops Descriptions Theatre BC Registration Form for Workshops Theatre BC Mainstage 2017 Page Facebook – Mainstage 2017 Page Theatre BC AGM Info I’m very happy to bring another season of the podcast back to listeners – there’s no set schedule of release dates, and there’s no shortage of material, so be sure to subscribe with your favourite podcasting app to find out when the latest episode drops. I hope you enjoy the show, and would love to get your feedback using any of the links you find on this page. If you like the show, please use the “share” icons above to send a link out to the podcast.

On this episode of the podcast, I chat with Penny Bayne and Richard Kerton, all about Theatre BC’s many recognition awards and scholarship opportunities. Deadlines to receive applications: Recognition Awards, April 30 Scholarships, May 31 Graphic Design Competition, June 15 Here are some links for this episode: Theatre BC Home Page Theatre BC Awards and Scholarships Page About Eric Hamber Theatre BC Mainstage 2017 Page Facebook – Mainstage 2017 Page I’m very happy to bring another season of the podcast back to listeners – there’s no set schedule of release dates, and there’s no shortage of material, so be sure to subscribe with your favourite podcasting app to find out when the latest episode drops. I hope you enjoy the show, and would love to get your feedback using any of the links you find on this page. If you like the show, please use the “share” icons above to send a link out to the podcast.

“In The Theatre” returns for a third season of podcast episodes, as we gear up for Mainstage 2017 this summer in Vernon BC. Mainstage dates are June 30 to July 8, 2017. Peter Wienold, ITT Host & TBC President On this episode, I’m pleased to bring on guests Adele Kuyek and Richard Kerton who are leading the charge in organizing the event on the Mainstage committee. We give an overview of the venues and some of the work that goes into putting on a week-long provincial event such as this, and then we get into the nitty gritty of the workshops being offered this year. It’s a big year for anniversaries, with Theatre BC celebrating its 85th year, the City of Vernon its 125th year, and of course Canada 150 all across the country. In fact, Vernon hosted the very first Mainstage Festival in 1953, so it’s a real treat to be visiting there again. Adele Kuyek & Richard Kerton Online registration for workshops and participants will be available in May through the Theatre BC website, www.theatrebc.org.     Here are some links for this episode: Theatre BC Home Page Theatre BC Mainstage 2017 Page Facebook – Mainstage 2017 Page Direct Download: High School Scholarship Award Application (May 31 deadline). Applications for Recognition Awards and Scholarships Inquiries & Sponsorships, please e-mail adele.kuyek@theatrebc.org Workshop Titles and Descriptions Direct Download: Accommodation Information I’m very happy to bring another season of the podcast back to listeners – there’s no set schedule of release dates, and there’s no shortage of material, so be sure to subscribe with your favourite podcasting app to find out when the latest episode drops. I hope you enjoy the show, and would love to get your feedback using any of the links you find on this page. If you like the show, please use the “share” icons above to send a link out to the podcast.

Rob Mason-Brown, Artistic Director I’m very pleased to feature one of BC’s younger theatre companies on this episode of “In The Theatre”, the podcast for Theatre BC and all community theatre enthusiasts. This time around we’re talking with Rob Mason-Brown, co-founder and artistic director of the Fred Skeleton Theatre Company based in Kelowna, BC. We recorded this episode on Saturday, July 9th shortly after Theatre BC‘s annual general meeting, and the day after Skeleton’s performance of “The Pillowman” closed out Mainstage 2016. In this episode, Rob talks about the origins of his theatre company, some of their past productions, some plans for the future and discusses one of the bigger challenges the company is currently facing. I think you’ll find Rob’s laugh infectious and enjoyable. Guest co-host Richard Kerton joins me once again on this episode. Richard had just been re-elected as Theatre BC‘s Treasurer earlier that day at the AGM – congratulations! Here are some links for this episode: Fred Skeleton Theatre Company Fred Skeleton on Facebook Theatre BC’s website Theatre BC’s main Facebook page I’m very happy to bring the podcast back – there’s no set schedule of release dates, and there’s no shortage of material, so be sure to subscribe with your favourite podcasting app to find out when the latest episode drops. I hope you enjoy the show, and would love to get your feedback using any of the links you find on this page. If you like the show, please use the “share” icons above to send a link out to the podcast.

In the middle of Mainstage 2016 in Chilliwack, we were on-site, recording interviews with Community Theatre enthusiasts from across BC for the “In The Theatre” podcast. We’re still trying to decide if microphones and mixed drinks actually mix A little different this time, we’ve got a second, special “After Hours” edition of the show with a roundtable of guests including Theatre BC Treasurer Richard Kerton, Vice-President Wes Eccleston, former CIZ chair Allison Haley, and NSZ chair Doug Perri joining me on the podcast. We hijacked Doug’s room and turned his bed into a podcast studio, which turned out pretty well! Coming up later this week, we’ll chat with Rob Mason-Brown, artistic director of the Fred Skeleton Theatre Company in Kelowna on the “In The Theatre” Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show, and would love to get your feedback using any of the links you find on this page. If you like the show, please use the “share” icons above to send a link out to the podcast.

We are in the middle of Mainstage 2016 in Chilliwack and very pleased to be on-site recording interviews with Community Theatre enthusiasts from across BC. A little different this time, we’ve got a very special “After Hours” edition of the show with a roundtable of guests including Theatre BC Treasurer Richard Kerton, former CIZ chair Allison Haley, actor James Dean (yes, that’s his real name), from Nanaimo Theatre Group joining me on the podcast. We recorded this in the wee early hours of July 6th, after NTG had performed “Love Song” at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre. Darien Edgeler, who ultimately took home the Best Actor award, played the role of Beane, which James had originated in this production on the island. Stay tuned for another “After Hours” round table episode featuring special Theatre BC guests, but for now, enjoy this insightful chat with an emerging young actor from Vancouver Island. Here are some additional links for this episode: Chilliwack Cultural Centre The Chilliwack Players Guild Theatre BC Mainstage Page Mainstage 2016 Facebook Page   I hope you enjoy the show, and I would love to get your feedback using any of the links you find on this page. If you like the show, please use the “share” icons above to send a link out to the podcast.

And then there were two! A second episode in the new season of “In The Theatre”, the podcast for Theatre BC and all community theatre enthusiasts. This time around we’re talking with Raymond Hatton, chair of the Fraser Valley Zone (FVZ) of Theatre BC, and a member of the organizing committee for Mainstage 2016. In this episode, Raymond thanks the local organizing committee, recaps the performance venues, and we tell you exactly where the Chilliwack Players Guild’s Guildhall is (hint: really close by!), where the coffee critiques and green room parties will be held. We also go over some of the other activities during Mainstage, including lunch hour play readings, workshops, meetings and the awards night. And, side note: “In The Theatre” will be on location recording a variety of interviews for future episodes of the podcast. Here are some links for this episode: ITT 201 Previewing Mainstage 2016 with adjudicator Michael Armstrong Chilliwack Cultural Centre The Chilliwack Players Guild Theatre BC Mainstage Page Mainstage 2016 Facebook Page Information and tickets for Mainstage plays can be found online at Chilliwack Cultural Centre or by phone to 604-391-7469. I’m very happy to be bringing the podcast back – there’s no set schedule of release dates, and there’s no shortage of material, so be sure to subscribe with your favourite podcasting app to find out when the latest episode drops. I hope you enjoy the show, and I would love to get your feedback using any of the links you find on this page. If you like the show, please use the “share” icons above to send a link out to the podcast.

I’m very excited to announce the return of “In The Theatre”, the podcast for Theatre BC and all community theatre enthusiasts. And who better to kick off Season 2 of the show than with Michael Armstrong, Theatre BC’s adjudicator for Mainstage 2016. In this episode, we catch up with Michael after our first two chats together a couple of years ago, and do some follow-up. Then we preview the plays being performed at Mainstage this year, which starts July 2, 2016 in Chilliwack – links below. After that, we talk about the Playwriting Competition and play readings, the workshops being offered and we mention the important meetings of Theatre BC. Rounding out the show, Michael offers a couple of tips for performing at Mainstage. Here are some links for this episode: ITT 004 “Theatre Is An Apprenticeship” with Michael Armstrong ITT 006 “Inside The Adjudicator’s Head” with Michael Armstrong Theatre BC Mainstage Page Mainstage 2016 Facebook Page Information and tickets for Mainstage plays can be found online at Chilliwack Cultural Centre or by phone to 604-391-7469. I’m very happy to be bringing the podcast back – there’s no set schedule of release dates, and there’s no shortage of material, so be sure to subscribe with your favourite podcasting app to find out when the latest episode drops. I hope you enjoy the show, and I would love to get your feedback using any of the links you find on this page. If you like the show, please use the “share” icons above to send a link out to the podcast.

Mainstage 2014 is now on the history books. Theatre BC held another successful event of community theatre performances from around the province in Kamloops – congratulations to all of the award winners, scholarship recipients and participants. Among the many activities held throughout the week, this year, Theatre BC held a Director’s Panel at Thompson Rivers University, where this year’s educational components were held. T.R.U. Program Coordinator Wes Eccleston, who is also a Theatre BC Vice President, organized the panel of community theatre directors from across BC; he also acted as the moderator for the event. Director’s Panel Participants included: Monty Hughes Amy Starkey Rob Mason-Brown Peggy Harris Vance Schneider Allison Haley Michael Armstrong Marianne Brorup-Weston Peter Wienold If you like the show, please use the “share” icons above to send a link out to the podcast. CLICK HERE TO ACCESS LIST OF ALL PODCAST EPISODES

The regional drama festivals have concluded and now Theatre BC is ramping up for the big shindig, Destination Mainstage 2014! Kathryn Shaw Held the last several years in Kamloops, BC, Mainstage is the annual gathering of Best Play winners (or their alternate) from the regional Theatre BC Zone Drama Festivals. Each performance is adjudicated both publicly after the performance, and in-depth the next morning, by an adjudicator – this year, Kathryn Shaw. On this episode of In The Theatre, delve a bit deeper into Mainstage, as I preview just some of the activities being held as part of Mainstage. From this episode, here are some helpful links for you to gather more information or register to attend: Mainstage Play Schedule Mainstage Registration Page Ticket Purchases (Plays and Awards Banquet) Destination Mainstage Schedule of Events Destination Mainstage “Backstage” Workshops Listing Destination Mainstage Green Room Parties Adjudicator Kathryn Shaw biography If you like the show, please use the “share” icons above to send a link out to the podcast.

Fran Gebhard has been a Theatre BC adjudicator for many, many years and has done so in at least 8 of Theatre BC’s 10 zones. We had a lengthy chat recently, edited here for your listening pleasure. Fran talked about her work at the Banff Centre; her approach to adjudicating a Zone Festival; a debrief of the 2014 NIZ Drama Festival; her upcoming post-modern Shakespeare production in Victoria, and much more. Congratulations to Nanaimo Theatre Group’s production team of “God of Carnage” which won numerous awards at NIZ this year, including Best Play and will go on to perform at Mainstage this July in Kamloops. Links for this episode include: Banff Playwrights Colony  Theatre BC’s Playwriting Competition Details  UVic’s Phoenix Theatre NIZ 2014 Festival Fran’s biography at University of Victoria If you like the show, please use the “share” icons above to send a link out to the podcast.

We are publishing regular updates this month, as we focus on each Theatre BC zone and their regional Drama Festival, which are being held in May. Penny Bayne Continuing our tour of the zones, in this episode of “In The Theatre” we’ll hear from Okanagan Zone Festival Committee chair Penny Bayne. OKZ has their own Festival Host Committee organizing the event, where other zones have a member club handle the organizing duties. Penny is also on the executive committee of Theatre BC, serving as a Vice-President. Link to All Zone Festivals, Dates, Venues, etc. Link to OKZ host venue, Powerhouse Theatre, Vernon Direct Link to purchase tickets online to OKZ Festival Performances Link to Theatre BC application forms for Scholarships If you like the show, please use the “share” icons above to send a link out to the podcast.  

As we await scheduling opportunities to record more podcasts on our Theatre BC tour of the zones, here is a quick update episode with the latest news about Festivals, the TBC website hacking drama, and an overview of the various award and scholarship opportunities available to TBC members. The first of the application deadlines is April 30 (for the Hamber and Diamond awards) followed by a May 31 deadline for the scholarship awards. The Graphic Competion entries must be received by June 15th. Stay tuned to the In The Theatre website, as more interviews featuring the Zones Festivals are coming up soon . . . Show Links: Latest scheduling information for Zone Festivals Description and application/nomination forms for TBC awards Special TBC 2014 Mainstage Website Recent In The Theatre blog post about Eric Hamber If you like the show, please use the “share” icons above to send a link out to the podcast.  

We are publishing regular updates this month, as we focus on each Theatre BC zone and their regional Drama Festival, most of which are being held in May. Continuing our tour of the zones, in this episode of “In The Theatre” we’ll hear from North Shore Zone chair Doug Perri. NSZ has their own Festival Host Committee organizing the event, where other zones have a member club handle the organizing duties. Link to Presentation House & NSZ Festival lineup. Link to NSZ Facebook Page. If you like the show, please use the “share” icons above to send a link out to the podcast.  

I received an e-mail recently from a Community Theatre Club asking for ways to help combat volunteer burnout. Volunteers are difficult enough to come by as it is, so it’s especially important to hang on to them once they arrive. In this episode, I do a quick overview about how to handle situations of volunteers on the verge of burnout, and some strategies to ensure our club members are adequately and properly recognized. If you like the show, please use the “share” icons above to send a link out to the podcast.  

Our publishing schedule will accelerate over the next few weeks as we begin to focus on each Theatre BC zone and their regional Drama Festival, most of which are being held in May. To kick things off, we’ll hear from North Island Zone chair Brent Ronning, President of Portal Players Dramatic Society in Port Alberni; and 2014 NIZ Festival chair Rose Knabb, from host club ECHO Players in Qualicum Beach. Link to ECHO Players’ 2014 NIZ Drama Festival website page. If you like the show, please use the “share” icons above to send a link out to the podcast.  

On this special “Extra!” edition of the In The Theatre podcast, hear an interview with director Sheila Bowman following opening night of Nanaimo Theatre Group’s production of the musical “Cabaret”. Sheila gives us an overview of her background in community theatre and chats about her production team for “Cabaret”. NTG’s production of “Cabaret” is on at The Bailey Studio Theatre in Nanaimo on select dates through to March 15, 2014. More details and online ticket purchases are available at NTG’s website, www.nanaimotheatregroup.com. For details on how your club’s production can be featured on an “Extra!” edition of the In The Theatre podcast, e-mail inthetheatrepodcast@gmail.com. If you like the show, please use the “share” icons above to send a link out to the podcast.

On this special “Extra!” edition of the In The Theatre podcast, hear an informative and inspirational peek behind the scenes after the opening night performance of Portal Players Dramatic Society’s production of “The Wizard of Oz”. Co-directors Elliot Drew and Denis Levasseur, and vocal director Janet Schlackl joined me at The Capitol Theatre in Port Alberni to discuss how this musical came into being for the club, and how it’s the biggest technical show Portal Players has ever produced. Portal Players’ production of “The Wizard of Oz” is on at The Capitol Theatre in Port Alberni on select dates through to March 15, 2014. More details and online ticket purchases are available online, www.atthecapitol.org. For details on how your club’s production can be featured on an “Extra!” edition of the In The Theatre podcast, e-mail inthetheatrepodcast@gmail.com. If you like the show, please use the “share” icons above to send a link out to the podcast.