Theatre Sector Receives Additional $88,158 to
Support Professional Activities at Home and Abroad

Individuals and groups involved in the theatre sector in Newfoundland and Labrador have so far received $88,158 in Provincial Government project support through the cultural component of the 2009 Cultural Economic Development Program (CEDP).

The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, said the investment supports touring, marketing and professional development activities within the theatre sector, and is in addition to the more than $124,000 in CEDP support announced earlier this month for the operation of summer theatre festivals throughout the province.

�The thriving theatre sector in this province contributes significantly to the economy, and is a key component to the ongoing development and promotion of our cultural identity,� said Minister Jackman. �Our investment in these activities supports the development of theatrical talent in Newfoundland and Labrador, and furthers our goal to increase cultural export opportunities.�

Funding approved for the theatre sector includes:

• $28,000 to RCA Theatre Company to offset costs associated with touring its first main stage production for the 2009-10 season, Rocking the Cradle, a new play by Newfoundland poet, playwright and screenwriter Des Walsh;
• $20,000 to Andy Jones Productions to assist with the cost of 2009 touring to four venues (Halifax Live Comedy Special, Winnipeg Comedy Festival, Kelowna Sunshine Theatre, and the Surry Arts Centre) for a total of 12 performances, along with production of marketing materials;
• $20,000 to Artistic Fraud of Newfoundland to offset costs associated with touring the production Fear of Flight to the Factory Theatre in Toronto and the Magnetic North Festival in Ottawa in May and June;
• $6,000 to the Sheshatshiu First Nation to assist with its fifth annual Kamataukatshiut Festival in Sheshatshiu and Natuashish, Labrador (to be held August 26-30), which combines the talents of national aboriginal artists and circus artists to present performances and workshops, and to encourage artistic expression through physical activity;
• $5,700 to the theatre company C2C for the redevelopment of the company website to make it more informative, user-friendly and act as a greater tool for audience building and community outreach. The funding will also assist in the creation and distribution of season brochures/calendars to help serve the current audience and to continue to grow the audience base;
• $4,000 to Cape St. Mary�s Inc., to offset costs associated with presenting the Cape. St. Mary�s Performance Series, which offers theatre, music, storytelling, readings and visual art at the Interpretation Centre at Cape St. Mary�s Ecological Reserve. The series provides performance opportunities for established and emerging artists from all arts and cultural genres;
• $4,000 to Joel Thomas Hynes to help with the cost of touring his one-man play, Say Nothing Saw Wood, to the 2009 SummerWorks Theatre Festival in Toronto from August 7-12;
• $2,700 to Shakespeare by the Sea to offset costs associated with offering a stage combat workshop at the Reid Theatre this past April, conducted by Jean-Francois Gagnon, a fight master with Fight Directors Canada, who is also an instructor at the National Theatre School of Canada, Concordia University, and l�Union des Artistes workshop for professional actors; and,
• $1,758 to performance artist James Burke to help enable him to attend the European Juggling Convention in Vitoria, Spain, to be held July 4-11. This project will provide professional development opportunities through master classes led by leaders in the field of juggling and performance art, as well as the chance to receive professional critique following the public presentation of his pieces.

The CEDP is a $2.8 million program which supports arts, cultural and heritage initiatives throughout the province. CEDP projects are selected based on the strength of the business plans, vision and potential for development within the sector. For more information on the CEDP program and application guidelines, visit: //www.tcr.gov.nl.ca/tcr/services_programs/CEDP/ARTS

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador also supports the theatre sector through funding provided to the six provincial Arts and Culture Centres, and to the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council (NLAC), which has seen its funding more than doubled from $900,000 to $2 million since implementation of the Provincial Government�s cultural strategy, Creative Newfoundland and Labrador, in 2006. More than $25 million in new funding has been injected into the arts, culture and heritage sectors since the introduction of the strategy.

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Media contact:
Heather May
Director of Communications
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
709-729-0928, 697-5061
heathermay@gov.nl.ca

2009 06 29                          12:05 p.m.