March, 2009
Obsidian's Apprenticeship Co-ordinator Rupal Shah reflects on the experiences of our 2008/09 Apprentices
Celebrating MAP Graduates The Mentor/Apprentice Program (MAP) here at Obsidian is winding down, and it has been another great year! Our four fantastic apprentices worked, learned and networked all over the city as they met professional artists and built relationships within the theatre community. Mumbi Tindyebwa, the first of two directing apprentices this year, recently finished directing a short play for Alumnae Theatre’s New Ideas Festival. Mumbi had an extremely concentrated experience this past fall, going from her apprenticeship with Philip on Black Medea straight into The Canadian Stage Company’s production of It’s a Wonderful Life, with Donna Feore. She will be directing a piece in Obsidian’s Mussorgsky Project in May and is slated to Assistant Direct for DVxT Theatre later this year. Kimberley Rampersad, our second directing apprentice, travelled from Winnipeg in January to assist Philip in the rehearsal room during Factory Theatre’s premiere of Toronto the Good. Although her apprenticeship was short, it was definitely sweet! Kimberley is also an accomplished actor, singer and choreographer who is currently in New York with the cast of Hairspray. Dramaturgy apprentice, Camille Walker, has been working closely with respected dramaturg Iris Turcott since August. Aside from learning the nuances and unique instincts necessary for the job, Camille has also been researching funding for new works and for Canadian playwrights. Hopefully she will have the chance to benefit from some of her research, as she is in the midst of writing a play of her own. Our producing apprentice, Phedra L’Abbe, spent a good chunk of the year learning about the day-to-day operations of Obsidian where she helped plan and execute major events - most notably the International Playwrights Forum this past October. Phedra is also finishing up some valuable time at Nightwood Theatre where she has been part of a team that is planning their upcoming event, Ga-la-licious. All in all, it has been a very busy past few months for our four apprentices. This was my first year administering Obsidian’s Mentor/Apprentice Program and it has been a season full of growth and learning. I am excited to see how this unique program continues to evolve.
On behalf of the company, I’d like to thank our 2008/2009 apprentices and mentors for a fantastic year. We look forward to seeing what projects our graduates undertake next.
In With the New The Obsidian office welcomes Dian Marie Bridge as our 2009 Metcalf InternArtistic Director.
"I am thrilled to be working again in the Obsidian office. For the past 4 years,
I have been sharpening my administrative skills as the Membership Manager
at Playwrights Guild of Canada and as Editor of CanPlay Magazine. As Intern
Artistic Director, I look forward to meeting many new faces and talents.'
"I was the first director to participate in the Mentor/ Apprentice Program;
working with Alison Sealy-Smith on Obsidian’s production of The Piano Lesson
and the Canadian Stage Company’s production of The Syringa Tree, directed by
Larry Moss. I was also a member of Obsidians inaugural Playwrights Unit, where
I wrote the first draft of my play Agave, which will be workshopped later this
spring with Cric Crac Collective.'
"During my time here, I will be developing and programming an Obsidian play
reading series, slated for October 2009. Watch for the submission call and
announcements later this spring. For further information, feel free to
contact me at iad@obsidian-theatre.com"
That’s about all the news from us here at the office!
Wishing you all a wonderful spring, The Obsidian Team |
