2011 Newsletter - Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia

NEW ERIC CARLEPRODUCTION (Continued)Capturing the rhythmic text andbeautiful tissue-paper collage illustrations ofthe classic picture book, Mermaid’s adaptionwill generate fresh appreciation of an endearingcast of characters, including a Brown Bear,Red Bird, Yellow Duck, Blue Horse, Green Frog,Purple Cat, White Dog, Black Sheep, a Goldfish, a Teacherand Students.Regarded as one of Eric Carle’s most imaginatively-designedworks, PAPA, PLEASE GET THE MOON FOR ME hasbeen delighting young audience since its publication in 1986.Mermaid’s version mirrors the book’s stunning images, drawnin thick, brilliant brushstrokes of blues and greens and dazzlingreds. When Monica wants to play with the moon but can’treach it, she asks her father to get it for her. The ingeniouspicture book is recreated on stage, with fold-out pages whichopen to show Papa’s very long ladder, his climb up a very highmountain, and finally the huge full moon, Papa’s destination.As the moon is too big to carry, he waitsuntil it becomes small enough to bring home to Monica. Herplaything, however, keeps shrinking, until one day it’s gone.Soon a thin sliver appears in the sky, and grows increasinglylarger. The story offers a splendid introduction to the wondermentof the lunar cycle, presented in a manner that makes thevisual and performing arts immediately accessible.Mermaid’s accomplished creative teams, widely respected fortheir unique and well-travelled collaborations, will reprievetheir roles to create TREASURED STORIES. Jim Morrowwill adapt the Carle stories from page to stage, as well asserve as Director and Production Designer. Steven Naylorwill create the musical score and oversee the recording of thenarration. Daun Windover and Bob Williams will providethe videography and animation elements; Jonathan Ford andDeborah MacLean will lend their production and design skills,and Michael Jamieson will consult on technical aspects of thenew show.Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill MartinJr.; illustrations by Eric Carle. Copyright © 1967 by BillMartin Jr. Illustrations Copyright © 1992 by Eric Carle. AllRights Reserved. Papa, Please Get the Moonfor Me by Eric Carle. Copyright ©1986 byEric Carle. All Rights Reserved. The VeryHungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.Copyright 1969 and 1987 by EricCarle. All Rights Reserved. Publishedby Philomel Books.ABOUT MERMAID THEATRE OF NOVA SCOTIA• Founded in 1972, Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotiahas performed for more than four million spectatorson four continents.• During an average season, Mermaid presents more than400 performances for 200,000 spectators. In addition toregular performances at its home base in Windsor, NS.the company regularly crisscrosses the continent, visitingcommunities from Newfoundland to California, andBritish Columbia to Florida. To date Mermaid hasappeared in forty-eight states (including Hawaii), all tenprovinces, and the Northwest Territories.• Mermaid has represented Canada in Japan (nine times),Mexico (three times), Singapore (four times), Australia,England, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Scotland, Wales,Holland, Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, South Koreaand Taiwan. In recognition of its accomplishments, theTheatre has been awarded Export Excellence awardsfrom both the Governments of Canada and of NovaScotia, has received the Ambassador Award from theTourism Industry of Nova Scotia, and earned the AtlanticPresenters Association’s award for excellence in artistmanagement. The company’s touring circuit is unparalleledin North America.• During the 2010/2011 season, Mermaid will travelthroughout North America, visit the Republic of Irelandfor the first time, and return to Macau, Hong Kong andSouth Korea. By using taped narration, Mermaid isable to offer performances in English, Spanish, Korean,Japanese, Mandarin and French. Simultaneous tourswill enable the company to visit Alberta and SouthKorea on the same day - with the same show! MermaidTheatre continues to make theatre history, both in NovaScotia and in Canada.“. . . J’ai adoré autant que les tout-petits le spectacle demarionnettes auxcouleurs fluo dans la lumière noire,créées et parfaitement maîtrisées, depuis1999 que ça roule,par la compagnie du Mermaid Theatre de la Nouvelle-Écosse. Et c’est un spectacle à voir . . . Une première quiest quasiment adorable -c’est ravissant, des beaux collages.Un spectacle au rythme lent, très agréable à suivre.”• Francine Grimaldi, Radio-Canada“. . . Always excellent – whenever Nova Scotia is intown, we always book the performanceand are never disappointed.”• SE, First Grade teacher,Cleveland, OH2

FOR MERMAID’S FLAGSHIP SHOWSMermaid’s stunning adaptation of GOODNIGHT MOON& THE RUNAWAY BUNNY has been touring regularly since2008. To date close to 165,000 spectators throughout NorthAmerica have applauded more than 325 performances, withenthusiastic audiences in Hong Kong and Macau delighting inboth English and Cantonese versions of the production.Margaret Wise Brown’s classic tales celebrate familiar nighttimerituals featuring endearing rabbit characters, and Mermaid’s thebeautiful imagery of the original stories. Jim Morrow directedthe show and served as Production Designer; Steven Naystaging captures lor created the memorable soundscape. Theelegant taped narration was achieved by Nova Scotian performerDeborah Allen (English) and by Tsang Yuet Ngor forthe Cantonese version. Continued touring is anticipated for theFall of 2011.5Mermaid Theatre’s signature production, THE VERY HUN-GRY CATERPILLAR & OTHER ERIC CARLE FAVOU-RITES, is now recognized as one of North America’s mostpopular productions for family audiences.The English-language version features narration by GordonPinsent, one of Canada’s most respected performers. The currentroster of touring company members include performersJohn Allan MacLean, Rebecca Russell, Dan Bates and stagemanager Patti Neice.During 2011 the production will return to South Korea for thethird time, and to Singapore for the fourth time. Negotiationsare underway for a first-time visit to the United Arab Emirates.

THE INSTITUTE SPREADS ITS WINGSThe Institute of Puppetry Arts was launchedin 1998 with the objective of promoting andenhancing the art of puppetry both at homeand abroad. Classes, workshops, lectures and demonstrationsare tailored to the specific needs and abilitiesof family participants, educators, recreation leaders,theatre professionals and industry. Jesse MacLeanis the Institute’s Director, while Jim Morrow is theproject’s principal advisor. Mermaid’s senior puppetryexperts serve as faculty members, and are available forlonger-term residencies and performance projects inaddition to shorter assignments. Future plans includeregularly scheduled classes for all ages at Mermaid’sspacious headquarters in Windsor, NS. The Institute’stwo-week and four-week intensive sessions(PLAY-THINGS and ANIMOTION) are intended forthose with a strong interest in puppetry and physicaltheatre and the desire to expand their range of abilities.The most recent edition, held during August 2010,introduced six participants with diverse backgroundsto a wide range of puppetry styles. Graduates of theseprograms are eligible for apprenticeships and eventualtouring engagements with Mermaid’s flagship productions.Institute instructors have been warmly welcomedin widespread locations during the past calendaryear. Teaching activities took place in Nova Scotia(Wolfville, Windsor, Windsor Forks, Hantsport,Halifax, Chéticamp, Oyster Pond), New Brunswick,FREDERICTONHONG KONGNunavut, Illinois, Maine, New York, Florida, Hong Kong andMacau. Already scheduled for 2011 are sessions in Windsor,Hantsport, Halifax, Toronto, Calgary, Illinois, and Wisconsin.UNIQUE ADVENTURE IN NUNAVUTThe Institute of Puppetry Arts senior staff travelled to Canada’sNorth in February 2010 to participate in a unique trainingsession in Pangnirtung, Nunavut. Organized by Chris Heide,Director of the Mermaid Youtheatre and currently resident inthat community, the five-day workshop was directed to teenagersand young adults, and had as its objective the explora-tionof health issues affecting young people in region. Mermaidinstructors Jim Morrow and Jesse MacLean joined Chris tofacilitate the sessions, which touched on topics such as theconsumption of junk food, dental care, smoking, hygiene andcultural diversity.Chris assembled a core group of eight young people whoeagerly helped with the development of the script (in bothEnglish and Inuktitut), the choreography, and the design. Tworespected sewers from the community assisted Jim with the creationof an appealing cast of characters, including a seal, a polarbear, an owl, mice and a beluga whale. Traditional materialssuch as animal skins were incorporated, so thatthe puppets reflected familiar imagery enhanced by newtechnology. A short documentary video was filmed on the finalday of the workshop that documented the achievements of theparticipants. Further funding is being requested, in thehope that the project can be revisited and expanded in the nearfuture.PANGNIRTUNGWeekes PhotoWINDSOR6

M i P AMERMAID IMPERIAL PERFORMING ARTS CENTREGARRET MASONThe Mermaid Imperial Performing Arts Centre continuesto earn praise and support from both artistsand audiences for its imaginative programming andoutreach.Diverse entertainment options for youth and their families arefeatured again this year, highlighting the work of two renownedyoung audience companies from Montréal, Moulin à Musiqueand Théâtre de L’Oeil. Musical offerings include the heraldedsinger/songwriter David Myles, the acclaimed Spinney Brothers,blues ‘greats’ Garrett Mason and Joe Murphy, and a Springconcert showcasing the Town of Windsor’s community- basedFour Seasons Orchestra. Mermaid’s beloved SWIMMY, FRED-ERICK & INCH BY INCH launched the 2010/2011 program,and THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR will be theclosing attraction.THEATRE DE L’OEILTHE SPINNEYBROTHERSLocal businesses support MIPAC generously - New ValleyHomes, Super 8, Windsor Home Hardware, Bella Roma, ValleyRadio, Transcontinental, Moe’s Place Music Sales and MichaelJ’s Audio and Lighting Productions. The Town of Windsor,The Department of Canadian Heritage and the Province ofNova Scotia through its Bringin’ It Home Program are valuedpatrons. A team of dedicated volunteers, a skilled technical crewand diligent front of house staff all work hard to ensure audienceshave the best experience possible at Windsor’s most activeperformance facility.THE MERMAID ART GALLERYThe Mermaid Art Gallery had its formal launch on September25th, 2010, during the Canada-wide celebrations of CultureDays. Gracing the walls of MIPAC (the Mermaid ImperialPerforming Arts Centre), the inaugural exhibit features renownartist Holly Carr’s production-related designs on silk as well as asampling of the unique puppets they inspired.Lisa Gleave, General Manager and MIPAC Coordinator, andPeter Smith, Logistics Coordinator and Booking Consultant,are actively negotiating with artists from across the country toprogram next season’s lineup of music, theatre, dance, comedyand more.Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia fully owns and manages the400-seat facility, which was acquired in 2003 and upgradeswith support from private and corporate citizens as well asACOA, the Province of Nova Scotia’s Office of EconomicDevelopment, the Department of Canadian Heritage and theDepartment of Community Services. All proceed from theEntertainment Series are directed towards ongoing renovationsand upgrades to MIPAC, a valued community asset. For moreinformation please see www.mermaidtheatre.ns.ca or emaillisagleave@mermaidtheatre.ns.ca. and ask to be added to ourmailing list.7

“...I just want to tell you how amazing my family think yourproductions are.. . We hope the troupe will be back againsoon. We can’t wait to see another magical production.No one does children’s theater like you do. Thank you.”• VM, Clearwater, FL“. . . We just returned from your production at theKennedy Center. Wow! What a GREAT performance.. . For sure, the next time we see that the MermaidTheatre is performing, we will be sure to be there!!!”• SG, Washington, DC“. . . Mignon et charmant, d’une simplicité désarmante,La chenille qui fait des trous et autres petitscontes nous fait tous retomber en enfance,le coeur joyeux et l’âme émerveillée.”• David Lefebvre, Critique Mon Théâtre.qc.caTHE MERMAID TEAMMERMAID THEATRE STAFFARTISTIC DIRECTORMANAGING DIRECTORMIPAC COORDINATOR/GENERAL MANAGERARTISTIC ADVISOR FORMUSIC AND SOUNDDESIGN LOGISTICSCOORDINATOR DIRECTOROF YOUTHEATREADMINISTRATORDIRECTOR OFTHE INSTITUTEOF PUPPETRY ARTSPRODUCTION MANAGERSHOP MANAGERTECHNICAL DIRECTORADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTBOARD OFDIRECTORS: 2010/2011CHAIRVICE CHAIRTREASURERSECRETARYDIRECTORSJim MorrowSara Lee LewisLisa GleaveSteven NaylorPeter SmithChris HeideCathy WhiteJesse MacLeanDeborah MacLeanJonathan FordMichael JamiesonJason TuckerEd MacdonaldJon OultonGary JohnsonAlex JurgensJennifer Bolt • John BreganteAndrew G.M. KirkLinda MacDonaldJudy Rockwell • Beverley SmithLay Yong TanJOIN US!Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia invites you to join us,and celebrate almost four decades of achievement. Become amember of our non-profit society, and keep us “on the road” athome and abroad. To date we’ve performed for more than fourmillion spectators on four continents – with your help we’llaugment our worldwide circuit, as well as visit every corner ofNova Scotia. We welcome inquiries about corporate partnershipsand participation in community activities.MERMAID THEATRE OFNOVA SCOTIAIS REPRESENTED BYGENERAL INFORMATIONNEWSLETTER DESIGNKIDS’ ENTERTAINMENTFor booking informationplease contact :500 St. Clair Avenue West, Suite808Toronto ONCanada M6C 1A8tel: 416-971-4836fax: 416-971-4841info@kidsentertainment.netwww.kidsentertainment.netMERMAID THEATRE OF NOVASCOTIAP.O. Box 2697, Windsor, NSCanada BON 2T0Tel: 902-798-5841Fax: 902-798-3311puppets@mermaidtheatre.ns.cahttp://www.mermaidtheatre.ns.caMargo Ellen Gesserwww.margoweb.comCharitable registration number: # 119038768 RR 00018