As Theatre Direct settled into its space at the Artscape Wychwood Barns, the company explored new ways to collaborate with other companies both national and international. This era also marked the burgeoning of the Firefly Project, an impressive initiative that brought many artists into dozens of schools to create stories with children. In addition, Theatre Direct began pioneering theatre for their smallest audiences, with the introduction of the highly successful WeeFestival, featuring shows for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers from around the world. The company also expanded its community programs, offering theatre classes, after-school programs, and drama camps.
[toggle title_open=”2011: Head a Tete” title_closed=”2011: Head a Tete” hide=”yes” border=”yes” style=”default” excerpt_length=”0″ read_more_text=”Read More” read_less_text=”Read Less” include_excerpt_html=”no”]
2011: Head a Tete
By David S. Craig and Robert Morgan
Original music by Debashis Singh
Directed by Thomas Morgan Jones
Cast: Please: Sharmila Dey
Moitie: Michele Polak
Set and costume design by Lindsay Anne Black
Lighting design by David Degrow
Stage Manager: Katherine Arcus
In this charming and insightful play, two characters overcome the obstacles of language and fear through the power of play.
“Drama, play, and stories are essential tools with which to examine the social and emotional worlds that are the foundations of literacy and learning.” – Vivian Paley
The Firefly Project is a storytelling and drama residency for Kindergarten and Grade One, based on the work of educator Vivian Gussin Paley. Theatre Direct has spent the past forty years creating and producing exceptional theatre with young audiences in mind. An important part of our process is collaboration with young people and their educators through unique classroom-based projects.
The Firefly Project facilitates the very young in our schools to tell original stories and communicate them to their fellow students. In short, the students tell their stories to an artist who writes them down and then helps the class to informally act them out.
The project brings an artist into a school for 25 hours to work with Kindergarten and/or Grade One students and their teachers. Ideally, we work with one class in the morning and a second class in the afternoon. If class sizes are not too large, sometimes a third class can be fit into the program.
Each session begins with a short drama warm-up. The students then continue with their regular classroom activities as the artist takes down their individual stories, after which each child takes time to illustrate their story. At the end of every session, everyone meets at the Story Stage to watch the stories being acted out by their peers. On the last day of the program a book launch celebration takes place where the class is presented with a “published” classroom book and everyone acts out a final story together.
The Firefly Project aims to:
Nurture early literacy skills by engaging a child’s innate capacity for imaginative play, storytelling and drama.
Nurture a collaborative and shared culture of creativity in the classroom community.
Provide a model for teachers and early childhood educators to integrate storytelling and drama tools into the kindergarten classroom.
To date, participating schools include: Crescent Town Elementary School, John Ross Robertson P.S., Kingslake P.S., Withrow School, Beverley School, Dovercourt P.S., Elkhorn P.S., The Mabin School, Secord Elementary School, Thorncliffe Park P.S., Fraser Mustard Early Learning Academy, Clinton Street P.S., Shirley Street P.S., Cedarvale Community School, Carleton Village and Sports Wellness Academy, Eastview P.S., Emily Carr P.S., and Fairbank Community School.
The Firefly Project has been the catalyst for hundreds of stories, and has received rave reviews from students and educators alike!
Artists in Residence 2013 – 2014 Lynda Hill
Melissa Haddad
Jessica Runge
Randi Helmers
Derek Kwan
Michelle Silagy
2014 – 2015 Lynda Hill
Melissa Haddad
Victoria Stacey
Jessica Runge
Kristin Rodgerson
2015 – 2016 Lynda Hill
Victoria Stacey
Melissa Haddad
Ginette Moore
Ingrid Hansen
[/toggle]
[toggle title_open=”2014: Old Man and the River” title_closed=”2014: Old Man and the River” hide=”yes” border=”yes” style=”default” excerpt_length=”0″ read_more_text=”Read More” read_less_text=”Read Less” include_excerpt_html=”no”]2014: Old Man and the River
Created by Lynda Hill and Thomas Morgan Jones Concept, dramaturgy and directionbyLynda Hill Inspired by the story byThomas Morgan Jones
Original music by Nicky Phillips
Cast: Andrew Young
Ingrid Hansen
Kira Hall
Mike Petersen
Original Production Design by Kelly Wolf
Original Lighting Design by Jennifer Lennon
Puppetry by Mike Petersen and Eric Woolfe
A grumpy old man lives in his little house in the woods by the river. Every day is the same and he likes it this way, until one day…a magical creature leaps into his world and everything changes! The Old Man and the River is a beautiful story about friendship performed without words through sophisticated puppetry and a rich musical score. Theatre Direct continues to present this show. For more information, click here.
[/toggle]
[toggle title_open=”2014: WeeFestival of Theatre and Culture for Early Years” title_closed=”2014: WeeFestival of Theatre and Culture for Early Years” hide=”yes” border=”yes” style=”default” excerpt_length=”0″ read_more_text=”Read More” read_less_text=”Read Less” include_excerpt_html=”no”]
2014: WeeFestival of Theatre and Culture for Early Years
In 2014, Theatre Direct again played a pioneering role in Canadian theatre for young audiences by creating the first festival for the very young. In partnership with European theatres producing shows designed for babies and small children, Theatre Direct presented a lineup of performances, events, and activities with the youngest theatre-goers in mind. Plays were complemented by other programming including a Children’s Book Garden, storytelling, music, and drumming circles. Engaging and inspiring, the WeeFestival of Theatre and Culture for Early Years demonstrated – and continues to demonstrate — the power of play!
Bedtime Katarsis, Educacion y Teatro S.L. (Spain) Going to bed has never been this much fun!
H20 HELIOS Theatre (Germany) Water play becomes a world of sound, light, and discovery.
In Black and White, a Yellow Line
Teatro do Biombo (Portugal) From simple black and white to a burst of swirling colour
Flots, tout ce qui brille voit/Waves, all that Glows Sees Le Theatre des Confettis (Quebec, Canada) One man dreams of the sea
The Boat and the Moon La Baracca-Teston Ragazzi (Italy) A beautiful story of a little boat with a big dream.
Plastique/Plastic Theatre Puzzle (Quebec, Canada)
Two puppeteers transform the ubiquitous plastic bag into theatrical magic
Old Man and the River Theatre Direct Enchanting puppetry and a heart-warming tale.
[/toggle]
[toggle title_open=”2016: WeeFestival of Theatre and Culture for Early Years” title_closed=”2016: WeeFestival of Theatre and Culture for Early Years” hide=”yes” border=”yes” style=”default” excerpt_length=”0″ read_more_text=”Read More” read_less_text=”Read Less” include_excerpt_html=”no”]
2016: WeeFestival of Theatre and Culture for Early Years
The success of Theatre Direct’s first WeeFestival of Theatre and Culture for Early Years led to a second festival held in the spring of 2016. The festival again offered plays from Canada and around the world designed for babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers, and kindergarteners. An expanded festival also featured the Wonder Garden stage, with musical performers and storytellers, as well as The Wee Shorts Film Series, “Walk, Stop, and Wonder,” a photography project, an exhibition dedicated to the Charter of Children’s Rights to Arts and Culture, and nightly cozy concerts.
Hup Starcatchers (Scotland) A quartet of playful musicians and a mischievous raccoon create an immersive classical music experience.
Nest Theater de Spiegel (Belgium) Around a large cozy nest, a violinist and a singer lead children on a musical journey of discovery.
Woodbeat HELIOS Theatre (Germany) A puppeteer and a percussionist conjure an enchanting world and an epic tale from a stage filled with wood of different shapes and sizes.
Tree/Inuksuk Le Chemin qui Marche (Quebec) Puppeteers perform two stories inspired by the wonder of nature and the power of Canada’s north.
Table Top Tales SNAFU & the Snack Music Collective (Toronto) Family stories come to life through story-telling, puppetry, and live music.
Traces HELIOS Theatre (Germany) Two performers and a musician explore the theme of memory using sights, sound, and sand.
Pekka Le Theatre des Petites Ames (Quebec) A tiny turtle sets off to find Miss Moon, who is missing one night. The show features puppets, objects, and masks.
Jumping Mouse Urban Indigenous Theatre (Manitoba) Curious Mouse and her friend Companion set off on a journey to the Sacred Mountains in this adaptation of a traditional tale written by Columpa Bobb and Marion de Vries.
Under a Different Light La Baracca-Testoni Ragazzi (Italy) In this fusion of dance and theatre, two dancers rise out of the darkness to play with the magic of light and shadow.
[/toggle]
[button link=”mailto:theatredirectat40@gmail.com” bg_color=”#db3b3b” window=”yes”]something to add?[/button][button link=”https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/theatre-direct-canada/theatre-direct-40th-anniversary/” bg_color=”#db3b3b” window=”yes”]DONATE 40 for 40[/button]
2012 – 2016: Inspiring the Future
As Theatre Direct settled into its space at the Artscape Wychwood Barns, the company explored new ways to collaborate with other companies both national and international. This era also marked the burgeoning of the Firefly Project, an impressive initiative that brought many artists into dozens of schools to create stories with children. In addition, Theatre Direct began pioneering theatre for their smallest audiences, with the introduction of the highly successful WeeFestival, featuring shows for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers from around the world. The company also expanded its community programs, offering theatre classes, after-school programs, and drama camps.
[toggle title_open=”2011: Head a Tete” title_closed=”2011: Head a Tete” hide=”yes” border=”yes” style=”default” excerpt_length=”0″ read_more_text=”Read More” read_less_text=”Read Less” include_excerpt_html=”no”]
By David S. Craig and Robert Morgan
Original music by Debashis Singh
Directed by Thomas Morgan Jones
Cast:
Please: Sharmila Dey
Moitie: Michele Polak
Set and costume design by Lindsay Anne Black
Lighting design by David Degrow
Stage Manager: Katherine Arcus
In this charming and insightful play, two characters overcome the obstacles of language and fear through the power of play.
[/toggle]
[toggle title_open=”2012 – Present: The Firefly Project” title_closed=”2012 – Present: The Firefly Project” hide=”yes” border=”yes” style=”default” excerpt_length=”0″ read_more_text=”Read More” read_less_text=”Read Less” include_excerpt_html=”no”]
2012 – Present: The Firefly Project
“Drama, play, and stories are essential tools with which to examine the social and emotional worlds that are the foundations of literacy and learning.” – Vivian Paley
The Firefly Project is a storytelling and drama residency for Kindergarten and Grade One, based on the work of educator Vivian Gussin Paley. Theatre Direct has spent the past forty years creating and producing exceptional theatre with young audiences in mind. An important part of our process is collaboration with young people and their educators through unique classroom-based projects.
The Firefly Project facilitates the very young in our schools to tell original stories and communicate them to their fellow students. In short, the students tell their stories to an artist who writes them down and then helps the class to informally act them out.
The project brings an artist into a school for 25 hours to work with Kindergarten and/or Grade One students and their teachers. Ideally, we work with one class in the morning and a second class in the afternoon. If class sizes are not too large, sometimes a third class can be fit into the program.
Each session begins with a short drama warm-up. The students then continue with their regular classroom activities as the artist takes down their individual stories, after which each child takes time to illustrate their story. At the end of every session, everyone meets at the Story Stage to watch the stories being acted out by their peers. On the last day of the program a book launch celebration takes place where the class is presented with a “published” classroom book and everyone acts out a final story together.
The Firefly Project aims to:
To date, participating schools include: Crescent Town Elementary School, John Ross Robertson P.S., Kingslake P.S., Withrow School, Beverley School, Dovercourt P.S., Elkhorn P.S., The Mabin School, Secord Elementary School, Thorncliffe Park P.S., Fraser Mustard Early Learning Academy, Clinton Street P.S., Shirley Street P.S., Cedarvale Community School, Carleton Village and Sports Wellness Academy, Eastview P.S., Emily Carr P.S., and Fairbank Community School.
The Firefly Project has been the catalyst for hundreds of stories, and has received rave reviews from students and educators alike!
Artists in Residence
2013 – 2014
Lynda Hill
Melissa Haddad
Jessica Runge
Randi Helmers
Derek Kwan
Michelle Silagy
2014 – 2015
Lynda Hill
Melissa Haddad
Victoria Stacey
Jessica Runge
Kristin Rodgerson
2015 – 2016
Lynda Hill
Victoria Stacey
Melissa Haddad
Ginette Moore
Ingrid Hansen
[/toggle]
[toggle title_open=”2014: Old Man and the River” title_closed=”2014: Old Man and the River” hide=”yes” border=”yes” style=”default” excerpt_length=”0″ read_more_text=”Read More” read_less_text=”Read Less” include_excerpt_html=”no”]
2014: Old Man and the River
Created by Lynda Hill and Thomas Morgan Jones
Concept, dramaturgy and direction by Lynda Hill
Inspired by the story by Thomas Morgan Jones
Original music by Nicky Phillips
Cast:
Andrew Young
Ingrid Hansen
Kira Hall
Mike Petersen
Original Production Design by Kelly Wolf
Original Lighting Design by Jennifer Lennon
Puppetry by Mike Petersen and Eric Woolfe
A grumpy old man lives in his little house in the woods by the river. Every day is the same and he likes it this way, until one day…a magical creature leaps into his world and everything changes! The Old Man and the River is a beautiful story about friendship performed without words through sophisticated puppetry and a rich musical score. Theatre Direct continues to present this show. For more information, click here.
[/toggle]
[toggle title_open=”2014: WeeFestival of Theatre and Culture for Early Years” title_closed=”2014: WeeFestival of Theatre and Culture for Early Years” hide=”yes” border=”yes” style=”default” excerpt_length=”0″ read_more_text=”Read More” read_less_text=”Read Less” include_excerpt_html=”no”]
2014: WeeFestival of Theatre and Culture for Early Years
In 2014, Theatre Direct again played a pioneering role in Canadian theatre for young audiences by creating the first festival for the very young. In partnership with European theatres producing shows designed for babies and small children, Theatre Direct presented a lineup of performances, events, and activities with the youngest theatre-goers in mind. Plays were complemented by other programming including a Children’s Book Garden, storytelling, music, and drumming circles. Engaging and inspiring, the WeeFestival of Theatre and Culture for Early Years demonstrated – and continues to demonstrate — the power of play!
Bedtime
Katarsis, Educacion y Teatro S.L. (Spain)
Going to bed has never been this much fun!
H20
HELIOS Theatre (Germany)
Water play becomes a world of sound, light, and discovery.
In Black and White, a Yellow Line
Teatro do Biombo (Portugal)
From simple black and white to a burst of swirling colour
Flots, tout ce qui brille voit/Waves, all that Glows Sees
Le Theatre des Confettis (Quebec, Canada)
One man dreams of the sea
The Boat and the Moon
La Baracca-Teston Ragazzi (Italy)
A beautiful story of a little boat with a big dream.
Plastique/Plastic
Theatre Puzzle (Quebec, Canada)
Two puppeteers transform the ubiquitous plastic bag into theatrical magic
Old Man and the River
Theatre Direct
Enchanting puppetry and a heart-warming tale.
[/toggle]
[toggle title_open=”2016: WeeFestival of Theatre and Culture for Early Years” title_closed=”2016: WeeFestival of Theatre and Culture for Early Years” hide=”yes” border=”yes” style=”default” excerpt_length=”0″ read_more_text=”Read More” read_less_text=”Read Less” include_excerpt_html=”no”]
2016: WeeFestival of Theatre and Culture for Early Years
The success of Theatre Direct’s first WeeFestival of Theatre and Culture for Early Years led to a second festival held in the spring of 2016. The festival again offered plays from Canada and around the world designed for babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers, and kindergarteners. An expanded festival also featured the Wonder Garden stage, with musical performers and storytellers, as well as The Wee Shorts Film Series, “Walk, Stop, and Wonder,” a photography project, an exhibition dedicated to the Charter of Children’s Rights to Arts and Culture, and nightly cozy concerts.
Hup
Starcatchers (Scotland)
A quartet of playful musicians and a mischievous raccoon create an immersive classical music experience.
Nest
Theater de Spiegel (Belgium)
Around a large cozy nest, a violinist and a singer lead children on a musical journey of discovery.
Woodbeat
HELIOS Theatre (Germany)
A puppeteer and a percussionist conjure an enchanting world and an epic tale from a stage filled with wood of different shapes and sizes.
Tree/Inuksuk
Le Chemin qui Marche (Quebec)
Puppeteers perform two stories inspired by the wonder of nature and the power of Canada’s north.
Table Top Tales
SNAFU & the Snack Music Collective (Toronto)
Family stories come to life through story-telling, puppetry, and live music.
Traces
HELIOS Theatre (Germany)
Two performers and a musician explore the theme of memory using sights, sound, and sand.
Pekka
Le Theatre des Petites Ames (Quebec)
A tiny turtle sets off to find Miss Moon, who is missing one night. The show features puppets, objects, and masks.
Jumping Mouse
Urban Indigenous Theatre (Manitoba)
Curious Mouse and her friend Companion set off on a journey to the Sacred Mountains in this adaptation of a traditional tale written by Columpa Bobb and Marion de Vries.
Under a Different Light
La Baracca-Testoni Ragazzi (Italy)
In this fusion of dance and theatre, two dancers rise out of the darkness to play with the magic of light and shadow.
[/toggle]
[button link=”mailto:theatredirectat40@gmail.com” bg_color=”#db3b3b” window=”yes”]something to add?[/button][button link=”https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/theatre-direct-canada/theatre-direct-40th-anniversary/” bg_color=”#db3b3b” window=”yes”]DONATE 40 for 40[/button]