CHUCK CHILDS AWARDED THE 2012 MALLORY GILBERT LEADERSHIP AWARD

Toronto, May 10, 2012 – The Professional Association of Canadian Theatres is proud to present the fifth annual Mallory Gilbert Leadership Award to Chuck Childs.

Chuck Childs is a production manager and arts administrator who has worked in the Canadian Theatre community for over thirty years. A graduate of the inaugural Ryerson College Theatre program, Chuck then returned to his hometown of Montréal, where he was Production Manager at the Centaur Theatre Company for thirteen seasons before becoming General Manager. A stalwart supporter of both the Canadian theatre community and of PACT, Chuck has chaired PACT committees and negotiating teams and had been called upon to serve as interim treasurer numerous times. In 2005 Chuck helped establish the English Language Arts Network an organization supporting and promoting English-language Artists in Quebec in all disciplines, and is currently serving his second term as President. Chuck has also shared his invaluable knowledge and experience teaching production management at the National Theatre School and lecturing at McGill University and Concordia University, and is frequently consulted by emerging General Managers across the country.

In making the Award, the selection panel cited Chuck’s outstanding contribution to Canadian theatre, particularly his long-term commitment both to English-speaking theatre in Québec as well as to the Canadian theatre community as a whole. Chuck is well known for his passion and optimism, and for the ways in which he moves the theatre community forward. He is a mentor and confidante to theatre professionals across the country, and his longevity in the theatre industry is something his peers and colleagues admire.

Chuck was surprised and flattered to receive this recognition: “To receive an award which was created by this organization to recognize Mallory, whom I have known and hugely respected for over 30 years, is truly an honour. There is nothing so rewarding as receiving recognition from your peers.”

The $5000 award includes a $1000 portion presented to a protégé chosen by the Award winner, underlining the importance of skills and knowledge transmission in leadership building. The deserving protégé selected by Chuck is Adèle Benoit, a theatre administrator based in Montréal. A graduate of the MBA program at the John Molson School of Business at Concordia University, Adele has worked at Black Theatre Workshop (BTW) in Montréal since 2005. Shortly after starting work at BTW the board of directors invited Adèle to become the General Manager, and has since worked alongside two Artistic Directors: Tyrone Benskin and Quincy Armorer.

Chuck is delighted to select a protégé: “After receiving Mallory’s call the first person I thought of for my protégé was Adèle. She is one of those next generation MBA GM’s, the kind that makes us old guys suspicious or maybe even nervous. But Adèle has impressed me time and time again at meetings and in discussions by her thoughtful comments and “let’s try” attitude. Theatre is in good hands.”

The award, named in honour of Mallory Gilbert - Tarragon Theatre’s General Manager for 34 years and former President of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT) - celebrates and recognizes significant and valuable leadership within the Canadian Theatre community.

In an exceptional collaboration based on their deep appreciation for Mallory’s contribution to both organizations and their shared commitment to leadership in the theatre community, Tarragon Theatre and PACT Communications Centre initiated the Mallory Gilbert Leadership Award in 2007.

The award ceremony took place on May 10 in Grand Bend, ON during the PACT annual conference, a highly regarded event that brings together theatre professionals from across the country.

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Individuals and organizations are invited to contribute to the award through a charitable donation to the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres. Donations can be made online with your credit card at www.pact.ca in the “Support Us” section or by contacting PACT at the contact details below or by visiting our Canada Helps donation page.

Nomination forms for the 2013 Mallory Gilbert Leadership Award will be available on the PACT website in early 2013.

The Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT) is a member-driven organization that serves as the collective voice of professional Canadian theatres. For the betterment of Canadian theatre, PACT provides leadership, national representation and a variety of programs and practical assistance to member companies, enabling members to do their own creative work.

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For more information, please contact:

Lucy White, Executive Director, PACT.
Email: lucyw@pact.ca, Phone: 416.595.6455 ext.11

WORLD THEATRE DAY!

March 27 is World Theatre Day

Canada's World Theatre Day Message

World Theatre Day has never been more important to PACT members. In the wake of the crisis at Vancouver Playhouse we, as a community, need to increase our visibility. We must remind audiences, funders, stakeholders, media, and the general public, of the impact, importance and breadth of the professional theatre community.

It’s always a challenge when we as a membership try to act as a whole. PACT is comprised of five full-time staff and a volunteer board of thirteen, spread across the country. Like our board members, our regional and caucus advisory reps are working fulltime
at theatres from Newfoundland to B.C. This makes it tricky to engage in a wellorchestrated call to action, organized at a moment’s notice.

It is up to our membership to take the reins in a simple day of action on Tuesday 27 March. And here is the response so far:

The Blyth Festival's World Theatre Day Message

Stratford Shakespeare Festival's World Theatre Day Message

2b Theatre's World Theatre Day Message

Theatre Orangeville's World Theatre Day Message

Alberta Theatre Projects' World Theatre Day Message

Quebec's World Theatre Day Message

Quebec message by Annabel Soutar

UNESCO'S World Theatre Day Message

ADVOCACY ALERT:

Vancouver Playhouse Decision a Loss for Canadians

It is with profound sadness that the board of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT) learned of the decision of the Board of Governors Vancouver Playhouse to wind down operations. The Playhouse is an important part of Canadian Theatre and makes an important contribution to the artistic scene, quality of life and economy of Vancouver and Canada. It has nurtured and developed many of Canada's leading artists.

To continue reading, click here.

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

Register Now for the PACT Annual Conference

The 35th annual Conference will be held at the Huron Country Playhouse, with our hosts Drayton Entertainment and accommodation and conference facilities by Oakwood Resort, Golf, Spa and Conference Centre in Grand Bend, Ontario.

Visit the new conference website for instructions on how to register.

Attention PACT Donors

Donations are still being accepted for the PACT Travel Subsidy Fund. This fund assists staff at PACT companies with the cost of attending the conference.

A donation of $35 or more helps make the PACT Conference accessible to the widest range of people and companies.

PACT invites you to visit our new Canada Helps page if you wish to donate to PACT online.

Learning Opportunities

PD Calendar - We look forward to seeing you at at least one of the following programmes which will be offered between March and May 2012. For more information or to register, please e-mail boomers@pact.ca or call Boomer at 416-595-6455 x16.

1st Thursday: Monthly Teleconference Calls
Our monthly teleconference calls are the perfect way to stay in touch with your colleagues from across the country. Discussion leaders are chosen based upon current hot topics and common talking points coming from PACT Caucus, Region and Committee meetings.

Teleconference Call / No Charge to Participate
Please contact Boomer at boomers@pact.ca for more information.

Thursday, May 3, 2012 - 1:00 - 2:00pm EST
May - Making Meaningful Connections:
David Moss – National Project Director, Culture Days

Did you know that last year, about 25% of Culture Days activity organizers shared space with other organizers, often collaborating with someone with whom they had not previously worked? Whether it’s to create a hub of diverse activity in one area to attract visitors, or an excuse to finally contact someone you’ve been meaning to connect with, Culture Days is the perfect opportunity to meet other creative people in your area, share resources and form new alliances that will last year-round.

Collaborations can also inspire unique cross-pollination among creative practices, connecting across sectors, cultures and generations. Moreover, Culture Days can be the catalyst to create a legacy of strong connections between citizens, artists, cultural workers and their communities.

Join National Project Director, David Moss as he discusses the collaborative nature of Culture Days and provides insight on how this national event can be more than highlighting what you are already doing to promote arts and culture in your community.

The
- Try it!

Equity and PACT are pleased that the Tangerine Project has been running successfully since January. This pilot project is designed to offer more flexible contracting options for the development and production of new work. From creation to production, the Tangerine Project offers an easy and integrated way to go from an idea to opening night.

Jointly created by both Equity and PACT, and with thoughtful consideration for the changing needs of new performance creation and the challenges that new work often confronts, the Tangerine Project is an innovative addendum to the current Canadian Theatre Agreement.

Information and application documents have been posted on both the PACT and Equity websites – www.caea.com  and www.pact.ca.

All independent producers, theatre companies as well as PACT members and affiliates are welcome to submit applications to work under the Tangerine Project.

Independent producers and theatre companies that are not PACT members or affiliates should contact Nan Carson (see below) for more information or click here for an application form.

PACT and Equity hope that the test run by the theatre community will be productive for both theatres and artists. The project will also provide useful information about current theatre practice in order to inform future CTA negotiations.

Important links:

Information Document

Working Terms and Conditions

Application Form

For more Tangerine Project information or to submit an application, please contact:

Nan Carson                                                                 
Professional Association of Canadian Theatres             
215 Spadina Avenue Suite 555                                    
Toronto, ON M5T 2C7                                              
Tel: (416) 595-6455 ex 14                                          
Fax: (416) 595-6450                                                   
Email: nan@pact.ca                                                     

Keith Davidson
Canadian Actors’ Equity Association
44 Victoria Avenue 12th Floor
Toronto, ON M5C 3C4
Tel: (416) 867-9165
Fax: (416) 867-9246
Email: keith@caea.com