Tickets NOW ON SALE for Death of a Salesman, Sept 25 – Oct 3, 2015

DEATH OF A SALESMAN

For more information, or to purchase tickets, click HERE

September 25th to October 3rd, 2015
By Arthur Miller
Directed by Mike Johnson

This is a story about dreams and reality and the vast chasm that can exist between the two. It is about the drive to success no matter the cost, success as defined by someone else as Willy Loman pushes to be everything to everyone. He strives to be the perfect employee, racking up sales and making the company money, the perfect husband, providing for his wife and family and the perfect father, idolized by his two sons. But the face beneath the mask is seldom as bright and untouchable as projected and Willy is tired and confused. The world he built is crumbling and reality is peeking in through the cracks. This is Miller’s masterpiece, a Pulitzer prize winning play – tragic and raw, at once sweet and sad, our season opener brings this classic to life to explore its lives, themes and its dreams; all of which are still relevant and present in our own today.

www.morpheustheatre.ca

G&S JR Theatre School – Professional Theatre Training for Youth Aged 9 – 17!

PROFESSIONAL THEATRE TRAINING FOR YOUTH AGED 9 TO 17!

Morpheus Theatre is pleased to announce that the G&S Junior Theatre School program is growing.  After 4 successful seasons, the Juniors are making room for more teenagers to participate in our program.

Starting in October 2015, we will be offering both a Junior class for students 9 to 13 years old, and a Senior class for students 14 to 17 years old. The program will continue to be led by Michelle Brandenburg and Naomi Williams and give youth an opportunity to expand their acting skills and challenge themselves with the lyrics and patter of a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta. The Senior class will also include more advanced acting skills and choreography.

The course is a performance-based process. Both classes will run Saturday mornings from 10:00-11:30 beginning October 17. Classes will include professional instruction in Acting and Voice and the program will culminate in two youth performances on the set of our mainstage production in the Victor Mitchell Theatre at the Pumphouse Theatre for their family and friends. They will work on a full set with lights, sounds, and costumes.

Students enrolled in the program will learn the basics in choral singing, such as tuning, breath management, proper formation of vowels, good diction, posture and facial expression through vocal warm-ups, exercises, and homework.  The basics of musical sight reading will be taught, listening skills will be honed, and singing in harmony will be introduced.  Students will gain confidence and aptitude in their singing.  The fun, humour and drama of Gilbert and Sullivan is a great way for youth to be introduced to classical music.  Group vocal lessons encourage teamwork and friendship, in a low stress environment!  All students will also have the opportunity to try their hand at solo singing, if they so wish, and the learning environment created will be positive and constructive.

DATE: Saturday, October 17  to Saturday May 14, 10:00 – 11:30am
***No classes over winter break or holiday long weekends.

COST: Juniors – $350, Seniors – $400     FAMILY DISCOUNT- Family members save $50!
***Payment plans are available – please call 403-246-2999

WHERE: Morpheus Rehearsal Centre, Lower Level, 3512 5 Avenue NW

Space is limited so register early! Click here to register online  or call our office at (403) 246-2999.

 

GSJuniors - Join

Early Bird Deadline for Season Tickets fast approaching!

Hello Morpheus Theatre Supporters!

The early-bird deadline for Season tickets is quickly approaching (June 30), so we encourage you to get your order in before this time to guarantee your seats!

We have an exciting line-up and we don’t want you to miss out!  Our 2015/2016 season features Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller (Sept 25 – Oct 3), our family friendly Pantomime The Sleeping Beauty (Dec 6 – 21), The Dinner Party by Neil Simon (Jan 22 – Feb 6), and we wrap things up with a play with music, Sullivan and Gilbert (Apr 29 – May 14).  More details on our season can be found here: http://www.morpheustheatre.ca/?page_id=629

You can renew your Subscription either by mailing in a cheque with the order form available here: http://www.morpheustheatre.ca/morph_wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/2015-Subscription-form.pdf, or you can call us directly at (403) 246-2999, on Monday to Friday between 11 and 4. Or, simply respond to this email, and we’ll give you a call back right away.

Also a reminder that our annual Appreciation BBQ is coming up on June 14 from 1pm – 3pm at our home at the Morpheus Rehearsal Centre (3512 5 Avenue NW). All are welcome!

Thank you for supporting Morpheus Theatre!

Announcement of Promotion

Moginetterpheus Theatre is pleased to announce the promotion of Ginette Simonot to the position of Operations Manager.  Ginette has been with Morpheus for 7 and a half years as our Theatre Administrator.  During this time Ginette has been the friendly voice taking care of our patrons and volunteers, she has also been essential in managing our office and helping ensure that 30 productions and numerous workshops and classes got off the ground.

Over time Ginette’s role with the theatre has expanded, with major changes taking place as we moved into the Parkdale Community Centre, with her taking over space rentals and  third party ticketing services.  As such, the title of Theatre Administrator no longer suited the multitude of tasks that Ginette does with our organization.  In fact, we couldn’t find an equivalent position in any Canadian theatre company.

Please join me in congratulating Ginette on this promotion and join us at our Annual Appreciation BBQ on Sunday June 14th where you can congratulate her in person.

Regards,
Sean Anderson
Artistic Director, Morpheus Theatre

Cast of Death of a Salesman Announced

Morpheus Theatre is pleased to announce the cast of our 21st season opener – Death of a Salesman.

Willy Loman – Greg Spielman
Linda Loman – Wendy Froberg
Biff Loman – Tanner D’Esterre
Happy Loman – Bryan Smith
Charley – Wayne Hunter
Bernard – Michael Armstrong
Ben – Louie Koutis
The Woman – Michelle Yoder
Howard Wagner – Kyle Gould
Stanley – Cesar Salvater Jr.
Miss Forsyth – Stevie Forzani
Letta – Jennica Grienke
Jenny – Winnifred Hume

Thank you to everyone who came out for the auditions.

Read more about the show here: http://www.morpheustheatre.ca/?portfolio=death-of-a-salesman

Clown Intensive Workshop with Alice Nelson May 16 & 17!

Workshop: Clown Intensive 

with Alice Nelson

Sat May 16 & Sun May 17, 12:00 – 4:00

More than just red noses!

SYNOPSIS:

There is no fourth wall for a clown. Playing in the present is the ultimate challenge. The exercises and creation process prepares students to take risks. They must live the play that is happening, while trusting their own sense of humor.

Students will explore and appreciate the clown realm through the use of games (understanding play), improvisation and ensemble creation. In the role of provocateur, I act as side-coach, encouraging students in discovering their own unique clown entity. Students learn the history of clown and the categories within the clown style (red nose, character, white-face). Students receive training in physical comedy, building comic routines, and audience interaction. New solo, duo work and group work will be created.

Clown is a style that serves actors/creators it teaches humility, vulnerability, risk taking, trust and generosity. These traits are not only practiced within the ensemble, but with the audience. In clown, the relationship with the audience is paramount, as is the ability to abandon to the play.

INSTRUCTOR BIO:

Alice Nelson is a Calgary-based Actor, Playwright, Director, Theatre Educator, Producer, Puppeteer, Improvisor, Mask Maker and Clown. She holds an MFA in Ensemble Based Physical Theatre from Dell’Arte Physical Theatre School in California. Alice has taught at Mount Royal University, Red Deer College, Rosebud School of the Arts, Artstrek Theatre Program and Epcor Center for the Performing Arts. She has worked with various Alberta theatres, including: Green Fools Theatre, Clunk Puppet Lab, Lunchbox Theatre, Northern Light Theatre, Quest Theatre, Urban Curvz, Trickster Theatre and WP Puppet Theatre. Alice has written and toured solo shows (Elephant, Local Celebrity, Swashbucklers, Ms.Sugarcoat) and co-created productions regarding social and political issues (Raunch, Keep Sweet). Her company, Organized Crime Productions, aims to produce works, which tells the stories of the underdogs, and bear witness to the world we know. Alice is a company member with the renown Loose Moose Theatre and regularly directs for their kid’s season. As well, she is a clown with the international humanitarian organization, Clowns Without Borders, and has attended four expeditions to South Africa, touring clown shows to schools, communities and orphanages. Her passion is supporting and raising awareness of CWB’s amazing work!

COST: $50 (registration online or by phone)

Register a group of 5 or more, and attend for less! Or, register for 3 workshops and get the 3rd one for 50% off (Call Morpheus Theatre to redeem).

WHERE: Morpheus Rehearsal Centre (3512 5 Avenue NW, Lower Level)

Refreshments served half an hour before the start of each day.

For more information, or to register, please click HERE or call (403) 246-2999.

MORE WORKSHOPS COMING! Click our WORKSHOP TAB for details.

This valuable workshop is presented at this low price in the spirit of Community Theatre.

 

Text Based Character Study Workshop with Val Planche May 23!

Workshop: Text Based Character Study 

with Valerie Planche

Saturday May 23, 10:00 – 5:00

Bring your character from the page, to the stage!

SYNOPSIS:

This workshop will focus on how to more fully use a script to make stronger character choices as an actor. We will explore how to go beyond the obvious, especially digging into the layers that the writer has set out – and how to find clues to those deeper meanings. We’ll also look at our relationship to language, how active language can enhance our performances, and MORE! If you’ve ever wanted to gain more insight in breaking down a script, or are looking to expand your acting arsenal – this workshop is for you!

INSTRUCTOR BIO:

Valerie is a Calgary based director, teacher, as well as a Betty Mitchell and Elizabeth Sterlings Haynes Award winning actor. She has facilitated acting classes for the last 20 years with MRC, U of C, Company of Rogues, and many more studios in Calgary. She has her Master’s degree in Theatre Practice from the University of Alberta and was recently seen in Theatre Calgary’s Liberation Days and Becky’s New Car at Alberta Theatre Projects.

COST: $40 (registration online or by phone)

Register a group of 5 or more, and attend for less! Or, register for 3 workshops and get the 3rd one for 50% off (Call Morpheus Theatre to redeem).

WHERE: Morpheus Rehearsal Centre (3512 5 Avenue NW, Lower Level)

Refreshments served half an hour before the start of each day.

For more information, or to register, please click HERE or call (403) 246-2999.

MORE WORKSHOPS COMING! Click our WORKSHOP TAB for details.

This valuable workshop is presented at this low price in the spirit of Community Theatre.

This workshop is sponsored by Theatre Alberta with funding from The Alberta Foundation for the Arts

Theatre Alberta & AFA

Congratulations to our Ruddigore G&S JRS!

The students will be performing our very own Junior Version of RUDDIGORE on the full set at the Pumphouse Theatre on Tues Apr 21!  This performance is for family and friends of the performers, but all are welcome to attend.

A special congratulations to Sean Haid, who completed the G&S Jr program last year, and this year is in the adult show! Way to go Sean!

Tickets are $12 each and available online here: https://tickets.morpheustheatre.ca/

For more information on our G&S Jr Program, please click here: http://www.morpheustheatre.ca/?page_id=17

RUDDIGORE OPENS THIS FRIDAY!

Ruddigore or, The Witch’s Curse  April 17 – May 2

For 20 plus generations, the Baronets of Ruddigore have been ruled by a witch’s curse that requires them to commit a crime every day, or else perish in inconceivable agony.  THIS is where our tale begins… A story full of love, the supernatural, outrageous situations and songs by the original masters of the musical comedy; Gilbert and Sullivan! Expect a frightening curse, ghosts coming to life, and a sudden surprise conclusion, all told with clever songs and dances.

For more information click here: http://www.morpheustheatre.ca/?portfolio=ruddigore

EVERYTHING IS CHANGING! (Our Mailouts, that is!)

In the next couple months, we will be contacting you a couple more times to remind you to SIGN UP for our new content-based mailing lists. Thank you to everyone who has already taken the time to sign up for the emailing lists that interest them. Simply log in on our website HERE and update your mailing preferences. (If you think that you do not have a password, simply use the “forgot your password” feature.) If you are having difficulty updating your preferences, please call us at 403-246-2999 or email tickets@morpheustheatre.ca.

Our newsletter will also be shifting to a blog format, which you will be able to follow on Facebook, Twitter, or join our #5 General News List.