Sharing The Spotlight

Here are some shots to get you started from our Sharing the Spotlight Event with Jessi Cruickshank & Sam Forbes shot by Lizz Hodgson of LA Hodgson Photography!

 

 

Costume Information has been distributed for DramaWorks Performers

We cannot post this document online, but we have handed out hard copies in class this week and will continue to do so for the remainder of the week.

Therefore, if you have not seen it or need clarification please contact our office via email at dramawayoffice@gmail.com or call us at 416-614-1078. Remember, this document will outline what you wear as undergarments and underneath the Costume/Accessory items will will provide on Dress Rehearsal and Show date.

We have encouraged all performers to bring items in or send pictures of items you intend to use if you have any concerns whether they will work or not.

Thanks for your cooperation.

If you are a new participant to us this year, we will need your full measurements, so contact our office to get a Measurement document.

Thanks so much.

 

 

Dress Rehearsal and Show Date Schedules for DramaWorks & RhythmWorks Performers -2016

Hi Everyone

Our Actors & Dancers will be going home this week with our Dress Rehearsal and Show Date schedule.

We urge you to note these very important dates in your calendars and schedules, so that there are no conflicts come May/June.  We need all performers in attendance for these dates. Please mark them down immediately so there are no conflicts or scheduling difficulties.

We should have all the dates and Production info up on our website within the next few days. We will also have our EventBrite page updated soon and when we do will will update our blog and send you an email to ensure you are aware, so you can start sharing with family and friends.

 

Thanks

Easy Read Dress and Production Schedules – Production 2016 final March 29

 

 

ActingWorks March Break Intensive

Our ActingWorks in partnership with Brooke Banning of Peanut Butter People was a huge success.

We had a large group and everyone particularly enjoyed our Head shot session with Patricia Parker.

Take a look at the outcome. Aren’t the photos spectacular? Feel free to leave a comment so Patricia can see how much we appreciate her efforts.

ActingWorks Update

I had a lovely visit to ActingWorks today.

Was great to see them working away as usual with Brooke and our lovely team of volunteers Zoe and Shilpa.

The group performed their song they were working on as Brooke played along with her Ukele as everyone sang “Castle on a Cloud” from Les Miserables.

They then worked on their monologues. The pieces definitely seem well-suited to the actors and they’re doing well. I didn’t get to see the group perform their choreography live but I did get a sneak peak video of everyone doing a dance to Shakira’s La La.

So far they have had Chris Williamson of People’s Casting Visit which was lovely as well as the Actor – Jonas Whittifield. Tomorrow is our Head Shot day so everyone is encouraged to dress in solid colours and come prepared to have close up shots taken by our wonderful Volunteer Patricia Parker. These will be available digitally once she has edited and sends them our way. They will also be posted on our Blog and Social Media sites when we can.

 

 

 

FNC Creative arts with Brooke Banning of DramaWay

Glad to feature a few shots from our MultiArtWorks program which DramaWay runs on Saturday mornings over at Fairlawn Neighbourhood Centre. So happy to have Brooke Banning leading this group and it is clear everyone is having loads of fun!

ActingWorks runs again!

Our ActingWorks program run in partnership with Brooke Banning of Peanut Butter People will run again this upcoming March Break.

We currently have two people from the Acting Industry coming out to speak with us.

Christopher Williamson of People’s Casting Project who is a past Actor and current Casting Agent will visit us earlier in the week.

Then we’ll be joined by JONATHAN WIDDIFIELD (a.k.a Jonas).  Jonathan has visited DramaWay in the past but never been able to attend our ActingWorks. It will be lovely to have these two lovely experienced gentleman speak intimately with our group about their careers.

BIO FOR JONATHAN WIDDIFIELD – Actor

Geoffrey in The Lion in Winter; Noah Curry in The Rainmaker (Watermark Theatre); Mrs Warren’s Profession, The Stepmother, Born Yesterday; Christie in The Devil’s Disciple; Doctors Dilemma; Patsy Farrell in John Bull’s Other Island (Shaw Festival, Three Seasons); Wait Until Dark (Red One Theatre Collective), David in Haunted by Daniel Karasik (Tango Co./ Summerworks Theatre Festival); Danny in Danny King Of The Basement (Roseneath Theatre, US Tour); Mercutio, Romeo And Juliet (Dora Award for Outstanding Performance); Hamlet, Hamlet; Demetrius, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Classical Theatre Project).

 

Public Speaking/Speech Writing at SocialWorks

Hello SocialWorks Families,

We enjoyed a lovely week last week learning about conversation building and speaking confidence. As mentioned, and as provided with the take-home activities we began thinking about short speeches to write based on our future wishes, dreams or goals, looking at the importance of goal setting and public speaking as exemplified by a youth friendly version of  Martin Luther King’s speech on his dream of peace and harmony. We had quite the variety and range in our own wishes, from becoming an author, becoming a musician, being a princess who marries a prince to having free cable and insurance! Our goal is for the participants to speak about something they are passionate about, it does not necessarily have to be attainable. As mentioned if your participant is more comfortable using a communication divide, please bring the device to class. We are open to having speeches in written, oral and picture form – whatever is most accessible and comfortable for you! We would like for everyone to review the worksheet on those dreams at home, and formulate a minimum 10-15 sentence speech that can be prepared for this upcoming Wednesday. Props and show-and-tell pieces are welcome. If you were not able to make it out to Wednesday’s class, we would still like for you to participate in sharing a short speech this upcoming week.

After our speeches, we will speak about different modes and methods of communication in different social scenarios. By the request of some parents, we will touch on the use of different devices as a method of communication such as cell phones, tablets, etc. and when these are appropriate/not always appropriate to use.

See you all Wednesday and Happy Speech Writing!

Adina & The SocialWorks Team

ActingWorks will run March 14-18 at Swansea

Reminder wear all black

Bring Nut free snacks and lunches

Dry indoor shoes

9 am – 3 pm. Arrive on time.

The Dancing Barista Sam Forbes Shares the Spotlight on March 11th, 2016

Toronto viral video star showcases other DramaWay Special Needs Performers during
Developmental Disability Awareness Month with Special Guest Jessi Cruickshank of Canada’s Smartest Person and Nominee for Best TV Host for the upcoming Canadian Screen Awards;Former DramaWay Staff member.

DramaWay is excited to start their celebration of the exceptional artistic achievements of Toronto’s special needs community early.

Friday, March 11th marks the starting of this wonderful upcoming celebration. DramaWays’ Annual Open Class Showcase will take place on May 26 & June 11, 2016. Leading up to these dates DramaWay is hosting a Kick-off event called Sharing The Spotlight features Sam Forbes “The Dancing Barista”. Recently, Forbes was catapulted to stardom with a viral video that had over 66 million views. This led to an appearance on The Ellen Show. We know people are inspired by how this young man with autism has learned to thrive so beautifully, but it’s no surprise to us: we at DramaWay have had the opportunity to work with him for several years through our creative arts programs. Sam is part of a community of special needs actors of all abilities, and we’d like to show you more of this talent. In honour of March being Developmental Disability Awareness Month, we’ve put together an event where the public can meet these unique and expressive performers.

DramaWay will film Sam Co-Hosting an Intimate Round Table Discussion about Performing, Acting and Disability PRIVATELY which will then be released online at a later date. Look out for this video to be released on DramaWay’s YouTube page where you’ll get to watch him introduce  and interview his fellow actors, alongside well-known Jessi Cruickshank, now host of Canada’s Smartest Person on CBC and former DramaWay Instructor. Confirmed performers who will also appear in this video include Nicholas Herd (from Judith Thompson’s RARE), Victor Peirera, Dariush Yan Zarrabi and Jessica Rotolo (from TIFF award winner The Rainbow Kid by Kire Paputts).

The larger DramaWay community will join Sam and Jessi for a short LIVE Meet & Greet from 7:15-8 pm for an Autograph signing and photo shoot in support of the arts and inclusion on Friday, March 11, 2016.

Location: Swansea Town Hall Community Centre; 95 Lavinia Road, Toronto
7:15 – 8 pm., in Rousseau Room; Main Floor (Open to members of the Media & the Public)
This event is only open to DramaWay members and the Public from 7:15 – 8 pm. Pay What You Can!

Then make sure your family and friends stay on board for our other two future presentations starting up again on Thursday, May 26, 2016 where DramaWay’s DramaWorks West group presents their uniquely adapted theatrical production Break Free!
Location: Swansea Town Hall Community Centre; 95 Lavinia Road, Toronto.
The show begins at 5:00 p.m., in Rousseau Room; Tickets are $20 each. Tickets can be purchased online after Apr 1st.

Saturday, June 11, 2016
Three DramaWorks groups take the stage to showcase their uniquely adapted theatrical productions Break Free. Inside Me, a diverse set of choreographies, will also be performed by DramaWay’s RhythmWorks dance troupes.
Location: Papermill Theatre; 67 Pottery Road, Toronto.
Shows: Break Free performed by three DramaWorks Groups & Inside Me by RhythmWorks Dance Troupes.
Tickets are $20 for Break Free Shows & $10 for Inside me. Tickets can be purchased online after April 1st.

For More Information: Please call (416) 614-1078 wwww.dramaway.com or dramawayoffice@gmail.com