International Creators Scholarship

Why Not Theatre and Theatre Ontario have partnered in creating a unique and exciting Scholarship that provides the opportunity for an emerging theatre artist to train in theatre creation on an international level.

The Scholarship allows an emerging artist to train with Anne Bogart and the SITI Company for one month (June 7 to July 4, 2015) in Saratoga Springs, New York.  The recipient will train in Suzuki, Viewpoints, as well as directing and devising new work.

SITI was founded in 1992 by Anne Bogart and Tadashi Suzuki to redefine and revitalize contemporary theatre in the United States through an emphasis on international cultural exchange and collaboration. For the past 22 years, their impact can be seen on theatre creators around the world.

This program is designed to address the need for theatre artists to access more contemporary artistic training opportunities and to encourage artists to set the stage for the future of theatre and performance creation in Ontario, by having the opportunity to experience high caliber international training.

The scholarship includes course training and application fees, accommodation for the training period, and a travel allowance.

The scholarship is sponsored by SDA Enterprises and funds have been matched by artsVest Toronto.

Congratulations to 2015 scholarship recipient Lisa Cox

Read about Lisa's experience at the 2015 training

International Creators Scholarship Eligibility

• Demonstrated professional experience in the Ontario theatre community
• Graduate of a post-secondary theatre training program, or equivalency
• Under the age of 35

Applicants

• Should demonstrate a commitment to a career in theatre and the development of the Ontario theatre community

Application Procedure

Please include the following:

• Your professional theatre resume
• Cover letter/proposal from applicant (2 pages max.) addressing the following:

Describe where you feel you are in your career and what you are searching for.
How will training with the SITI Company affect your work? Advance your career goals?
Why do you want to do the SITI Company intensive?
How do you plan on sharing the training with the Ontario Theatre Community?

• The names of two references – from post-secondary instructors or professionals in the theatre industry who are familiar with your work

Applications will be reviewed and successful Scholarship applicant will be selected by a joint committee of Why Not Theatre and Theatre Ontario. All decisions made by the committee are final. The successful Scholarship applicant will be notified by email no later than Monday, March 16th, 2015, at which time they will complete SITI Company’s online application by Friday, March 20th, 2015.  Please note, this is a two-step process and training scholarship will be paid in full only upon successful acceptance to the training program through SITI’s online application.

Application Deadline Friday, March 13, 2015 – late applications will not be accepted, all applications are considered confidential.

Please submit your Scholarship application by email as a single PDF to programs@theatreontario.org

Please mark the subject line: International Creators Scholarship

Note: Should a suitable application not be selected this year, Why Not Theatre and Theatre Ontario reserve the right to hold the funds for future application rounds.

Past Recipients

2014: Colin Bruce Anthes and Miriam Fernandes

For More Information

Contact Rebecca Ballarin, Program Coordinator, by email at programs@theatreontario.org or by telephone at 416.408.4556 x.12

Discuss the International Creators Scholarship on the Theatre Ontario Blog

About Why Not Theatre

Founded in 2007, Why Not Theatre is a Toronto-based theatre company with an international scope. Under the Artistic Direction of Ravi Jain, Why Not has established a reputation as a company synonymous with inventive, experimental cross-cultural collaborations resulting in shows featuring new Canadian writing, company-devised shows alongside revitalized interpretations of classics. We develop and produce new work that has gained critical acclaim and has toured across Canada and around the world. Over the last 6 years we have developed over 15 productions, touring to 17 different cities on 4 continents. Essential to our creative process are the collisions that arise from our different cultures, languages and experiences provoking us to seek new styles, stories and forms. In recent years, the company has also become known for its presentation of international productions and workshops from diverse cultures and artistic practices, along with support for the development of local emerging artists and companies.

www.theatrewhynot.org

The SITI Company’s TRAINING PHILOSOPHY

It is through the dialogue between Suzuki and Viewpoints, two very distinct yet complementary approaches to the art of acting, that the philosophy and technique of SITI Company is continually explored, revitalized, and articulated.
The Viewpoints and the Suzuki Method are two distinct methods of actor training used in building and staging SITI productions. Company members have been trained by Anne Bogart and Tadashi Suzuki and are uniquely qualified to introduce other theater artists to these challenging and innovative methods.
www.siti.org/content/training

SUZUKI METHOD

Developed by internationally acclaimed director Tadashi Suzuki and the Suzuki Company of Toga, the Suzuki Method’s principal concern is with restoring the wholeness of the human body to the theatrical context and uncovering the actor’s innate expressive abilities. A rigorous physical discipline drawn from such diverse influences as ballet, traditional Japanese and Greek theater, and martial arts, the training seeks to heighten the actor’s emotional and physical power and commitment to each moment on the stage. Attention is on the lower body and a vocabulary of footwork, sharpening the actor’s breath control and concentration.

VIEWPOINTS

A technique of improvisation that grew out of the postmodern dance world. It was first articulated by choreographer Mary Overlie, who broke down the two dominant issues performers deal with—time and space—into six categories. She called her approach the Six Viewpoints. SITI’s Anne Bogart and our company members have expanded Overlie’s notions and adapted them for actors. The Viewpoints allows a group of actors to function together spontaneously and intuitively, and to generate bold, theatrical work quickly. It develops flexibility, articulation, and strength in movement and makes ensemble playing really possible.