It’s true
When we started this theatre blog in October of 2006, we set out to plot our own little map of Toronto’s independent theatre scene. Through this collection of interviews, surveys, roundups, announcements, questions, answers, comments, listings, Steel Diaries and theatre quotes, we feel we’re a little closer to understanding the terrain.
But here’s the thing: the deeper we look, the more we see how much there is to know and how many different methods there are for collecting and interpreting all this information. It’s like the good book says – what you see depends on where you stand.
Classism and the theatre cat
So, we’re looking for guest bloggers to help us see what we’re not seeing, and maybe to ask the questions we’re not asking. No idea is too silly (does anyone remember theatre cat?), or too serious (anyone want to do a series on theatre and class?).
Our community spends a lot of time looking for inventive ways to offset its relative lack of resources – same goes for this blog. And in a way, blogging about theatre is a lot like making theatre: You’re only as good as your last post. (Thank God Simon Michellepis gives good interview.)
Hopefully, some of you feel as we do: that this exercise in theatrical cartography is worthwhile. And that it’s worth considering – if only for a moment – what you might have to offer as a guest blogger.
So here it is:
An open invitation to guest bloggers. Got a column idea? A theatre-related top-five list? Feeling soap-boxy? Good with a camera? Could be a snappy one-off or a wordy academic series. Whatever it is, please drop us a line with your theatre-related idea and start guest blogging on Theatre is Territory today!
Thanks so much for reading this.
A quick shoutout to Greg Dunham – a Praxis Theatre alumnai who made his feature film debut this past weekend in the critically acclaimed new film The Lookout.
You might remember Greg from our Partron’s Pick-winning production The Blood of a Coward at the 2004 Toronto Fringe Festival:
He was winning raves even back then:
“Greg Dunham and Erin King do wonderful work as the aging writer and his young alter ego, as other figures (including Bukowski’s parents) stream by.”
– Alex Bozikovic, from his Eye Weekly review of The Blood of a Coward.
Here’s the poster from the new film (that’s Greg in the top-right frame):
“Scuzzball No. 2 . . . is Bone (Greg Dunham), a longhaired, trench-coated killer who looks like a Matrix character played by Sam Shepard.”
– Matt Zoller Seitz, from his New York Times review of The Lookout.
A group of us went to see the film this past weekend. Please pardon the unsolicited gushing: Dunham rocks!
First, a round of thank yous is in order . . .
Thanks to everyone who helped make 2006 a banner year for Praxis Theatre. Our production of The Master and Margarita at the Toronto Fringe Festival was the culmination of three years of workshopping, blood, sweat . . . tears, beers and Russian-adaptation fears. We’re very proud of the work and the entire team that helped make that show the success it was.
Thanks also go out to the other theatre companies, artists and producers who put on their own shows and events. Thank you to the kind folks who actually went to see and support independent theatre in 2006. And just before we all drown in thank yous, we’d also like to extend our appreciation to everyone who has contributed to this blog.
Thanks! You rock, generally.
2006 was a banner year for Praxis Theatre in many ways – new team members, more community outreach, innovative fundraising – but a lot of it had to do with positioning the company for a bright and productive future.
So, what the fuck is next?
We are excited to welcome the new year with an ever-expanding calendar of events that include our upcoming one-man show (Steel), an elegant fundraiser, our ongoing playwrights’ reading series, and much, much more.
As for this blog, we’re looking to expand and refine our offering. In 2007, we’ll be bringing you more great interviews from our 10 questions series, more from The Steel Diaries, more and better surveys, a ton of surprises as well as expanded events notices.
If you have an upcoming event that you’d like to let people know of, please drop us a line with details and we’d be happy to post it here. We’re open to pretty much any and all ideas. And if you have any thoughts on how we can make this blog a more useful service, please pass those along too.
Throughout 2006, we made some great connections. The independent theatre scene in Toronto is brimming with talent. It’s been our privilege to meet and work with some of the best. Let’s use 2007 to strengthen the networks that link us and move forward to produce the best work we can.
See you at the theatre!
Signed,
The Praxis Theatre team.
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