08/17/2020
The Canadian Institute for Theatre Technology (CITT/ICTS) holds an annual RENDEZ-VOUS every August. The conference offers three days of sessions, workshops, backstage tours, trade shows, social events, and networking opportunities. This year, the conference will be held online from August 17 to 20. PM/TDArts will be presenting a session all about training emerging PMs and TDs on Tuesday, August 18th at 12:00 PM EST.
Universities, Colleges, and Conservatory programs ready students to begin their professional careers. The industry is looking to hire people who have the level of competency and experience they require to do the job. There is often a gap between leaving post-secondary institutions and working professionally, particularly as a Production Manager or Technical Director. How are we continuing to train our fledgling PMs and TDs? What opportunities are there for emerging workers who have studied management, and now need industry experience and mentorship to be ready to assume these roles themselves? How can mentorship, internships and apprenticeships help create a better path from learning to working? Join our panellists to discuss what some companies are doing to bridge the gap.
Presenter: Janelle Rainville - PMArts + TDArts
Panellists: Andrea Surich, Kevin Tanner, Paul Fujimoto-Pihl, Phil Akin
Bio:
Janelle Rainville - She is currently the Director of Production and theatre Operations for the University of Waterloo Theatre and Performance program, where she also teaches courses in stage management and arts management. In her “spare” time, Janelle has taught dance stage management at Ryerson School of Performance and York University as well as stage management workshops for community theatres. Janelle joined SMArts in 2006 as Co-Director to Founder, Winston Morgan. In 2008 they started a sister organization called PMArts, which Janelle administrated with Peter Fleming. In 2010 she took over the role of Director of SMArts when Winston stepped down. The organization has continued to grow and is now a not-for-profit organization with 4 – 5 projects occurring each year.
Andrea Surich – After graduating from the National Theatre School, Andrea has been both a production manager and technical director for companies such as Young People’s Theatre (Toronto), Atlantic Theatre Festival (Nova Scotia), the Stratford Festival and Grand theatre (London). In 2015, Andrea moved into the position of General Manager of Watermark Theatre, in North Rustico, PEI. With 28 years of experience in the industry Andrea has shared that knowledge with students at Sheridan College, Fanshawe College, Holland College and NTS.
Kevin Tanner is the Managing Director of Production at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. Prior to the COVID-19 global pandemic, Banff Centre welcomed approximately 110 participants across the year to their practicum learning program. The program invited participants to develop hands-on skills supporting artists in specialized trades across three core disciplines: performing arts, visual arts, and media production. Prior to joining Banff Centre, Kevin was the Technical Director at the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts in Kingston, Ontario. He is currently a member of the Advisory Council for the Event Safety Alliance Canada, and holds a Masters in Arts Leadership from Queen’s University.
Paul Fujimoto-Pihl began his technical theatre career when he was selected as the slide projector operator for the police officer’s Stranger Danger presentation to his grade one class. After attending the Theatre Technical Production program at Humber College, Paul freelanced as a technician in Toronto before heading off to cut his teeth as Head Technician at Theatre North West in Prince George, BC. He has served as Technical Director at the Blyth Festival, Tarragon Theatre, and the Grand Theatre in London, Ontario, where he is now. Paul sits on the Program Advisory Committee for the Technical Production Program at Fanshawe College, is Chair of the Ontario Section of CITT/ICTS, and is Director of TDArts.
Philip Akin – A graduate of Ryerson Theatre School, Philip has been working in theatre for the past 45 years. He is a Dora award-winning directed of over 50 plays for companies such as Young People’s Theatre (Toronto), the Shaw Festival (Niagara on the Lake), Factory Theatre (Toronto), Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, Neptune Theatre (Halifax), and Obsidian Theatre (Toronto). Philip is one of the founding members of Obsidian Theatre and held the position of Artistic Director from 2006 - 2020. He has Philip is a member of both ACTRA and Equity.
Language: English
Discipline: Education; Human Resources; Management
Date, Time & Duration: Tuesday August 18, 2020 - 12 p.m. - 90 min
HOW TO REGISTER:
Check out the CITT/ICTS Registration Instructions to find out how to register for this or other sessions at the conference: https://www.citt.org/cgi/page.cgi/_event.html?evt=918
We look forward to seeing you digitally!
