Central Interior Zone (CIZ)
The CIZ is conducting a Theatre Instructor Tour at press time.
Judy Norton, actor, director and teacher, is visiting Prince George, Quesnel and Williams
Lake in support of Zone Festival productions. Judy, best known for her role on ‘The
Waltons’ television series, is also conducting an acting workshop in Quesnel on
Saturday, February 12th. This Tour and workshop is the second of a series of up to four
Regional Workshops throughout the Interior, co-sponsored by Theatre BC and the BC Festival
of the Arts. At the conclusion of the Tour, Ms. Norton will recommend two or three
participants to be delegates to the ‘NextStage’ theatre ensemble at the
BC Festival of the Arts in Nelson, May 26 – June 3. The CIZ Festival is in Prince
George this year, April 4-7. Festival Adjudicator is Libby Mason.
Website: www.TheatreBC.org/CIZ
email: ciz@theatrebc.org
Fraser Valley Zone (FVZ)
The Fraser Valley Zone has a new Zone Chair. Shelley Picard has
accepted the position for the remainder of the term and is helping to coordinate this
year’s Zone Festival, to be hosted by Opening Night Theatrical Society at the Clarke
Theatre in Mission. John Gale of ONTS will serve as Festival Chair. The Adjudicator was
still being confirmed at press time.
Website: www.TheatreBC.org/FVZ
email: fvz@theatrebc.org
Kootenay Zone (KOZ)
The Kootenay Zone enjoyed a very well-attended Regional Workshop
in January, the first of the BC Festival of the Arts co-sponsored sessions. Robert
Metcalfe provided the thirty-four participants with a much needed workshop in directing. A
common problem with Clubs all over the province, the KOZ groups have the actors, crew and
money to produce shows, but a lack of members who feel qualified to direct. Workshop
Coordinator, Rod Osiowy of Cranbrook and Zone Chair, Frank Goodsir of Creston both felt
that Bob’s work went a long way to regenerating interest in the Zone and Theatre BC
in general. Frank looks forward to a very busy festival in Creston in May, with
potentially ten productions. Robert Metcalfe will return to the Zone to adjudicate the
Festival, May 6-13.
Website: www.TheatreBC.org/KOZ
email: koz@theatrebc.org
North Island Zone (NIZ)
The North Island Zone Festival will hold a Regional Workshop in
Campbell River February 25-27, hosted by Rivercity Players. Stephen Andrew of Victoria
will serve as Instructor for this directing workshop, focusing on auditioning, script
analysis and pre-production planning. To register call Wendy at 250-923-5069 or Denise at
250-923-5073 or email the Zone.
The NIZ Festival will be held in Qualicum Beach as part of E.C.H.O.
Players 25th anniversary at the Village Theatre. Keith Digby will adjudicate the Festival,
May 19-27
Website: www.TheatreBC.org/NIZ
email: niz@theatrebc.org
North Shore Zone (NSZ)
The NSZ has confirmed that it will host BACKSTAGE again in November 2000,
following the successful event this past Fall.
The NSZ Festival will be at Presentation House in North Vancouver, May
8-13, 2000. Adjudicator for the Festival is Dean Paul Gibson, currently on tour in the
cast of "The Overcoat".
The NSZ is looking forward to welcoming Driftwood Players back to the Festival.
Driftwood Players are in the midst of completion of a new Theatre in Gibsons. Look for
grand opening information on the NSZ website.
Website: www.TheatreBC.org/NSZ
email: nsz@theatrebc.org
Okanagan Zone (OKZ)
After the highly successful "Offstage" workshops in
Vernon in September, the OKZ continues to be busy with workshop opportunities. The New
Play Festival will offer new play development workshops to local, regional, provincial and
national delegates, April 7-9. The Festival offers acting and reading roles to potential
registrants as well.
Sumerland Singers & Players became the first Member Club to have a
website hosted on the Theatre BC domain (and dedicated server computer). You can view the
site at:
www.theatrebc.org/ssp Not far behind, Shakespeare Kelowna are close to posting their new
domain site on the Theatre BC server, as well. Look for this site at
www.shakespearekelowna.org
Summerland Singers & Players will also be hosting the OKZ Festival, May 19-27.
Festival Adjudicator is John Cooper.
Website: www.TheatreBC.org/OKZ
email: okz@theatrebc.org
South Island Zone (SIZ)
The SIZ is busy preparing for the Zone Festival in Lake
Cowichan, May 13-20. Zone Chair, Garry McPhee promises great hospitality and a
"mini-MAINSTAGE"-type festival, including Coffee Critiques. Four productions had
committed at press time, with more expressing the intent to enter. Festival Adjudicator
will be the ever-popular, Andrew McIlroy.
Website: www.TheatreBC.org/SIZ
email: siz@theatrebc.org
Skeena Zone (SKZ)
The SKZ Festival is planning a Theatre Instructor Tour in late
March or early April in preparation for the Zone Festival in Prince Rupert, May 10-13.
Stops will include Prince Rupert, Kitimat, Terrace and Smithers.
Well-known playwright and director, John Lazarus will adjudicate this
year’s SKZ Festival.
Website: www.TheatreBC.org/SKZ
email: skz@theatrebc.org
Peace River Zone (PRZ)
The Peace River Zone is making a strong comeback, as well,
following the Regional Workshop featuring Kate Weiss, held in Fort St. John in September.
PRZ Festival Chair, Sue Popesku reports six productions for Festival, also held in Fort
St. John, March 29-April 1. John Cooper will be the Adjudicator for this Festival.
The biggest obstacle in this Zone is the distance between towns.
Travelling to Zone Festival is a major trek for PRZ groups. Let’s hope that the
financial support provided through our Gaming Funds license will make Zone Festival (and
MAINSTAGE) an attainable goal for these groups.
Website: www.TheatreBC.org/PRZ
email: prz@theatrebc.org
Vancouver Zone (VAZ)
The Vancouver Zone is, of course, very busy this year, with
MAINSTAGE being held within the Zone for the first time since 1967. Zone Chair, Jane
Hyslop is keeping herself very busy as well, serving as Zone Festival Chair and on
TBC’s Membership & Communications Committee. She has also offered consultative
help to FVZ Chair, Shelley Picard, if needed. Thanks, Jane.
Through the efforts of Nancy Painter, the VAZ posted its first online
newsletter this past Fall. The next issue should be following shortly.
The VAZ Festival is also an early one this year, March 27-April 1 at the Bernie Legge
Theatre in New Westminster. John Lazarus will be serving as Adjudicator for the Festival.
Website: www.TheatreBC.org/VAZ
email: vaz@theatrebc.org
Yukon Zone (YKZ)
The Yukon Zone Festival will be held at the Wood Street Annex, the Drama
Dept. facility at F.H. Collins Secondary School, Apr. 25-29. The Guild Hall may also be a
Festival venue for at least one performance. Libby Mason will serve as Festival
Adjudicator. With many of F.H.Collins M.A.D. Program students writing scripts for festival
entry, Libby's dramaturgical background serves this Festival well.
YKZ Chair, Anne Caulfield was a visitor to the new TBC office in Nanaimo
this month.
Website: www.TheatreBC.org/YKZ
email: ykz@theatrebc.org |
