Back at it!

After a summer spent doing some more amazing clown training at The Manitoulin Conservatory for Creation and Performance – and then some actual, honest-to-goodness vacationing – I am back in Saskatoon and raring to go!

In addition to my ongoing work with Sum Theatre, here are a few things to tell you about:

Live Five Season Launch

September 9th, 7pm, Refinery Arts and Spirit Centre, 609 Dufferin Ave 

I’ll be performing a clown turn (sketch) at the season launch for Live Five. There’ll be other clowns, musical acts, sketch comedy, and an introduction to their exciting season.

Antigone: Then and Now, Here and There

September 18th, 7pm, John Mitchell Building, U of S Campus – I’ve been working with the wonderful Curtis Peeteetuce on a project combining the ancient Greek story of Antigone with Indigenous culture, language, and history. A team of artists will present some of that work at a free event (details on the poster included at the bottom of this post).

Short Cuts Festival

October 13 to 15th, 8pm nightly, Refinery Arts and Spirit Centre, 609 Dufferin Ave 

I’m honoured to be directing a play by a former professor, Kenneth T. William, at this wonderful festival of 10-minute plays. The festival has sold out almost every performance since it began, so get your tickets early!

I am pleased to announce that I have accepted the position of Artistic Associate with Sum Theatre. It’s a company whose work I believe in strongly. I’m thrilled to be undertaking this new role with such a wonderful team.

How’s this for a wonderful mandate for a theatre company? “We build strong communities by creating and producing innovative and exciting live professional theatre experiences. Our work is driven by passion, integrity, inclusivity, and a sense of humour. We are always pursuing new ideas, partnerships, and adventures.” Fantastic.

My work with Embrace Theatre will continue – as will my work around town as an independent artist and educator.

Here’s to a new adventure!

This summer I had the distinct pleasure of spending almost 5 weeks training at the Manitoulin Conservatory for Creation and Performance. Under the tutelage of John Turner and Mike Kennard of Mump and Smoot, I spent the summer studying clown – while living in a tent surrounded by the absolute beauty of Manitoulin Island, Ontario. Far from just silliness, the clown training was a personally challenging and creatively invigorating experience. I had the change to meet and work with some incredible people, my new clown-family spread out across the country (and around the world).

My work as a clown is just beginning! I have already co-hosted a show for The Rosebuds Burlesque, out-of-nose, but very much in-clown. I will also be performing at the Closing Night Cabaret of The Edmonton Clown Festival on October 2^nd and have several Saskatoon-gigs in the works. Keep your eyes peeled for the fellow with the blue eyes and the red nose!

I would like to gratefully acknowledge the support of the Saskatchewan Arts Board through the Independent Artist Program’s Professional Development Stream. Their support has made this invaluable training possible. Their ongoing support of artists and communities across Saskatchewan helps makes this province a better, more fulfilling place to live. 

Love and Magic (as the clowns say),

Charlie

The final performance for Sum Theatre’s Youth on the Rise Drama Program will take place next Friday night. It has been my privilege to lead these hard-working youth through a variety of theatre excercises and activities over the pas several months. Now it’s their time to share what they have learned with you!

Contact me for details of the performance.

I owe thanks to Creative Saskatchewan for retroactively funding my trip to Magnetic North last month. Through their Business Capacity Grant, I received some funds to offset the costs of the trip. The support is appreciated!

http://www.creativesask.ca

“Project made possible with support from Creative Saskatchewan;s Business Capacity Grant Program”

This week we begin tech for Tightrope – an inter-disciplinary performing arts event I’ve been helping to organize. I’m so excited to share this piece with you all! It combines theatre, film, spoken word, choral poetry, combat, and visual art into one nifty event. I’ve got a brand new play (Want In?) being premiered, I’m performing in Mexico City by the incredibly talented Canadian playwright Hannah Moscovitch, and I’ll be speaking some choral poetry with an exciting group of my peers.

Don’t miss Tightrope! Get your tickets here.

I’ve been too busy working to post to this site, it seems! Well that’s rectified!

I’ve added photos and updated things around the site so my latest work is now represented.

Also, I’m about to start work once again with the Saskatoon Opera as Stage Director for their school tour. I’m also one of the leaders of an inter-disciplinary project called Tightrope which you should all check out at the end of May.

All my best,

Charlie

I was commissioned to write the script for Wide Open Theatre‘s Christmas show. It’s onstage now!

Read more about it here.

Charlie with the cast of Wide Open Christmas 2013.

I saw Santa kissing Charlie-claus

Exciting news! I was just nominated for a Saskatoon and Area Theatre Award for Outstanding Emerging Artist.

The entire ensemble of Bottome’s Dreame was nominated for Achievement in Sound Design for the soundscapes we created together.

Plus, The Caretaker (which I assistant directed) was nominated 6 times (including for Del Surjik’s direction) and The Frenzy of Queen Maeve (for which I designed the lights) received 3 nominations.

Congrats to all the nominees (many of you friends). See you all on September 30th for the gala!

http://www.satawards.ca/gala.html