welcome

APRIL 2023 | VOLUME 226

 

MAR. 27-April 9

It’s spring and our theatres are full of interesting offerings and it’s staying lighter later. And the Canucks’ season will be over in two weeks. So get out there and see a show. Check out our On Now page for everything running during these two weeks. Be sure to look for the BUY TICKETS buttons. Take a look ahead, too, at the rich theatre offerings through April and early May on our Coming Soon page.

Attention theatre lovers, theatre students, theatre historians—amateur or pro—and even casual readers: browse our ARCHIVES pages to read reviews of what you may already have seen, or missed, over the last two decades of Vancouver-area theatre.

Important Note: The BUY TICKETS button on our PREVIEW and REVIEW pages is strictly a convenience for theatregoers and companies. Click on the button and get direct access to the box office for that show. Vancouverplays.com gets no cut or commission from your ticket purchase. 100% of the money goes directly to the theatre company.

Mitch and Murray Productions is accepting applications for the Trevor Craven Memorial Scholarship for Young Actors, ages 18-25, with previous training or professional acting experience. The award is 8 free weekly classes at the Working Actors Gym and mentorship by Aaron Craven. Deadline Mar. 31. Application info at https://mitchandmurrayproductions.com/scholarship-for-young-actors/.

Canadian Latinx Theatre Artist Coalition and SFU Woodward's Cultural Programs present Coyuntura 2023. A gathering of Latinx multidisciplinary theatre artists, the weekend forum will generate dialogue and discussion on self-identification and what it means in terms of nationality, ethnicity, and cultural competency. April 15-16 at SFU Goldcorp Centre. $50 + gst + sc. See full schedule and purchase passes at https://www.caltac.ca/coyuntura2023.

Ruby Slippers invites submissions for its Advance Theatre Festival, 2023/24, in conjunction with Shadbolt Centre for the Arts. Five new plays written and directed by female-identifying and gender-nonconforming IBPOC playwrights and directors will be rehearsed, promoted and workshopped, artists’ fees included. Playwrights should send a synopsis, brief bio and max 10-page script excerpt; Directors send resume and cover letter: info@rubyslippers.ca. Deadline May 15.

George E. Plawski has published his memoir, titled Never a Dull Moment: A Memoir of Naval Aviation, Firebombing and Theatre. Among his many adventures, as the subtitle suggests, George got an MA in Directing from UBC and worked in Vancouver’s professional theatre in the 1960s and ‘70s. He founded City Stage and directed many shows there. A fascinating read, Never a Dull Moment is available from Friesen Press and Amazon.ca in both print and digital formats.

The Arts Club has announced its 60th anniversary season lineup for 2023-24 with twelve shows in its three theatres plus three touring productions. Four of the five shows at the Stanley are musicals, including Little Shop of Horrors and Guys and Dolls. For a full list of shows and subscription info, go to https://artsclub.com/season-tickets/packages?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI67OYpobY_QIVnx6tBh0dRQ6PEAAYASACEgJ14PD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds.

After eight years as Executive Director of Richmond’s Gateway Theatre, Camilla Tibbs is stepping down this May. We wish her all the very best for the future. Gateway is seeking an interim executive director. Apply at http://gatewaytheatre.com/careers.

The Beaumont Studios creative hub at 5th and Alberta is in danger of closing for lack of funds. A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to try to save the Beaumont. Go to www.thebeaumontstudios.com.

Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver is offering Gotta Sing! Gotta Dance! Musical Theatre Camp for ages 9-19. Session 1: July 4-27, Session 2: Aug. 8-31. M-F, 9 am-4 pm. Application deadline April 1. Info and application at www.jccgv.com.

Richmond’s Gateway Theatre Academy is offering year-long and sessional acting and musical theatre classes for ages 6-18. https://gatewaytheatre.com/academy

Theatre Replacement is offering PantoLand and PantoTown summer camps. Ages 5-10, July10-14 or July 17-21, $375; Ages 11-13, July 17-21 or July 24-28, $350. Registration opens May 2. https://www.theatrereplacement.org/panto-pantoland-and-pantotown

Registration is now open for Carousel Theatre for Young People’s summer drama classes, July-Aug 2023, for ages 3-17. Info and registration at https://www.carouseltheatre.ca/drama-school/.

Please stay healthy. Get your shots!

Take care,
Jerry