Preparing the future of theatre: The National Theatre School embarks on its annual Audition Tour and launches a nation-wide conversation with local theatre communities

MONTREAL, March 11, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - This week, the new CEO of the National Theatre School of Canada (NTS), Gideon Arthurs, announces the launch of a nation-wide conversation on the future of theatre. Meanwhile, Alisa Palmer, Artistic Director of the NTS English Section embarks on her annual 12-city cross-Canada tour to audition close to 300 aspiring actors who have applied to the NTS Acting program.

On the Audition Tour, which began in Montreal, QC, on March 9 and will end in Charlottetown, PEI, on April 1, local theatre professionals will complete the audition panel in every city. This tour is the first step in a selection process that will see 12 students admitted to the Acting program.

Simultaneously, NTS CEO Gideon Arthurs will be travelling to Toronto, Winnipeg, Calgary and Vancouver for the first leg of a country-wide conversation with local theatre communities. "Technology, new forms of entertainment and engagement, changing demographics, and access to resources are changing the face of theatre across Canada. NTS has to offer training that addresses these issues and provides young theatre professionals with the tools to become catalysts for change, in theatre and in society," says Gideon Arthurs. "The tour will give me a sense of the current mood in each city. It will help me understand where everyone's challenges lie so we can reinforce our presence within, and contribution to, the theatre community as a whole." Among other topics, Mr. Arthurs will be discussing the possible creation of new internship programs for NTS students in theatres across Canada; the potential for artist residencies at the NTS-owned Monument-National in Montreal; and how the School can play an active role in community outreach.

Gideon Arthurs has convened group meetings in Toronto on March 19, in Winnipeg on March 23, in Calgary on March 24 and 25, and in Vancouver on March 27. Meetings will include small and mi-sized theatre companies as well as large institutions.

2015 NTS ACTING AUDITION TOUR DATES, LOCATIONS AND PEOPLE
With: Alisa Palmer, Artistic Director of the NTS English Section

(Dates are subject to change.)

Date	City	Location	Accompanying Artist
March 9 to 11	Montreal, QC	National Theatre School	With Jane Gooderham, voice coach, Quincy Armorer, Artistic Director of the Black Theatre Workshop, and Rose Plotek, Coordinator, Directing program, NTS
March 12	Ottawa, ON	National Arts Centre	With Janet Irwin, Director, Playwright, Resident Dramaturge, Odyssey Theatre
March 17 to 19	Toronto, ON	Artscape Youngplace	With Cara Ricketts, actor, and Meegwun Fairbrother, actor and Associate Artist of Red Sky
March 23	Saskatoon, SK	On the Boards at The Refinery	With Del Surjik, Artistic Director of Persephone Theatre
March 24	Calgary, AB	Arts Commons	With Vanessa Porteous, Artistic Director, and Diane Goodman, Producer, of Alberta Theatre Projects
March 25	Edmonton, AB	Citadel Theatre	With Bob Baker, Artistic Director, Citadel Theatre
March 26	Vancouver, BC	Arts Club	With Stephanie Hargreaves, actor, and Marcus Youssef, Artistic Director Neworld Theatre
March 27	Winnipeg, MB	Manitoba Theatre Centre	With Robb Paterson, Associate Artistic Director, Manitoba Theatre Centre
March 30	Halifax, NS	Neptune Theatre	With Mary Vingoe, director, actor, playwright and founding Artistic Director, Magnetic North
March 31	St.John's, NL	Arts and Culture Centre	With Danielle Irvine, Artistic Director of Perchance Theatre at Cupids
April 1	Fredericton, NB	Theatre New Brunswick	With Tania Breen, Director of TNB Theatre School & Young Company
April 1	Charlottetown, PEI	University of PEI	With Greg Doran, Coordinator of Theatre Studies, University of PEI

THE NATIONAL THEATRE SCHOOL OF CANADA

Since 1960, the National Theatre School of Canada (NTS) has been recognized as a leading institution for anyone wishing to pursue a career as a playwright, director, actor, set and costume designer, or production professional. The NTS is unique: it offers high-level training programs in all aspects of the theatre arts, in both French and English. Many of its 2,000 graduates are among the country's most active and versatile artists and designers.

SOURCE Ecole nationale de théâtre du Canada

Stéphanie Brody, Publicist, National Theatre School of Canada, 514-842-7954, ext. 165, [email protected]