This is Arts Commons by Arts Commons

THAT IS

Arts Commons

Arts: any expression of creativity | Commons: a gathering place

THIS IS

Arts Commons

Arts: any expression of creativity | Commons: a gathering place

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ABOUT US

OUR LOCATION Our address is 205 8th Ave SE. Our main entrance is located off Stephen Avenue, one block east of the Calgary Tower and across from Olympic Plaza.

Located in the heart of Calgary’s vibrant downtown core, Arts Commons is home to the city’s premier performance venues. Offering six distinct theatres including the Jack Singer Concert Hall, Arts Commons is host to an array of resident companies that include the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and annual events such as the Calgary International Children’s Festival.

GETTING HERE BY LRT Calgary’s LRT (light rail train) service has a station one block north of Arts Commons.

GETTING HERE BY CAR

Arts Commons offers underground parking. Enter off Macleod Trail between 9th and 8th Avenues.

E VE N I N GS & WE E KE N DS

P UR CHASE TI CKETS AT OUR BOX OFFIC E: CE N TR E COURT, 225 8TH AV E SE

S E E A S H OW

OPEN

10 to 6

403-294-9494 artscommons.ca

Sundays

C LOS E D

Other parking options include:

Civic Plaza Parkade

TELUS Convention Centre

Palliser Square (access Arts Commons via the +15 network)

Surface parking lots in the 200, 300 and 400 blocks on the south side of 9th Avenue SE

LANDMARKS Calgary Tower

Olympic Plaza TELUS Convention Centre

Hyatt Regency Hotel

Glenbow Museum Marriott Hotel City Hall

BE SO CIAL

J OI N US ON FACE BOOK OR FOLLOW US ON TWI TTE R FOR CON CE RT AN N OUN CE ME N TS, SP ECI AL OFFE R S, AN D MOR E .

#artscommons @yycARTS

THAT IS ARTS COMMONS

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LETTER FROM JOHANN

Let’s start with some history. According to Archives Canada, the ﬁrst documented theatrical performance in North America took place in Samuel de Champlain’s settlement of Port Royal in 1606.

rench sailors and soldiers performed a story of crossing the ocean to the New World, encountering Neptune on the way. The local government encouraged this performance “for the health and well-being” of its community.

Even more than 400 years ago people knew that engaging in the arts was not just entertaining, or relaxing, or social, or stimulating and challenging – they knew that it was simply good for us. They knew that human beings are hard-wired with a need to gather, and that we need to share our stories. They also understood that this sharing (whether through the arts or not) was for everybody – including sailors and soldiers. Arts Commons. When we selected our new name, it was for exactly the same reasons. This is an inspirational gathering place for everybody – to share, participate, or simply to be together. Arts Commons is both a place and an idea – it exists in bricks and mortar, but it also exists in the moment of sharing. Whatever the medium, art – in and of itself – only becomes meaningful in the moment of sharing. The painting is just a painting until somebody looks at it, the composition dead until somebody performs it – then it becomes a living story. We’re here to offer the place and the opportunity where we can gather (with you) to co-create a meaningful memory, to shape a more compassionate society, to open minds, to inspire, and to enjoy. But we’re only one part of the equation – you are the other. Together, we bring the arts… to life Arts Commons is home to many wonderful companies that animate and enrich our lives with authentic experiences, and we’re proud to be partners with Alberta Theatre Projects, Arts Commons Presents, the Calgary International Children’s Festival, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Downstage, One Yellow Rabbit, and Theatre Calgary. But we’re also home to more than 180 organizations and community groups who use our facility as their place to gather and share – every year. And we’re your “home” too. As we proudly embrace our rich history, our diverse community, and our endless potential, we invite you to join us in imagining our collective future – one shared story at a time. Come to our gathering place – our commons – and let the universal language of the arts transport us across boundaries – real or imagined.

Johann F. Zietsman President & CEO, Arts Commons

ARTS COMMON S IS ONLINE!

Expand your experience by sharing, reading, and enjoying this publication online. Visit artscommons.ca #artscommons @yycARTS

CONTENTS 10

04 CONTRIBUTORS

06 LETTER FROM MAYOR NENSHI

10 HEY, NEIGHBOUR We’re proud to be one of the many Calgary organizations that promote the arts in our city.

12 SPACES AND PLACES There’s more to Arts Commons than meets the eye – get to know the ins and outs of this historic building.

14 ALL THINGS ARTS COMMONS The latest information on what’s happening with us – and how you can get in on the action.

O N T HE COVER S Arts Commons’ awareness campaign features handmade type, illustrating the various meanings of the arts that contribute to our space and your experience.

THIS IS ARTS COMMONS

BRINGING THE ORCHESTRA INTO THE DIGITAL AGE

REMEMBERING MICHAEL GREEN

We’re all catching up with the times and this past season, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra caught up and passed us.

One Yellow Rabbit’s Blake Booker shares an edited version of his eulogy for the late Michael Green.

KIDS IN THE ARTS

RESIDENT COMPANIES

The Campus Calgary/Open Minds and Theatre Calgary InterACTive programs are expanding minds and ﬁlling our space with learners of all ages.

Our resident companies are far more than individual players on our creative stage; they’re family members under the same roof.

MEASURING THE (ALMOST) UNMEASURABLE

SPONSORS

Ellen Close of Downstage geeks out on measuring the theatre experience.

Thank you to those who give generously to support creative collaboration within Calgary.

CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF DR. MARTHA COHEN

MAP

Remembering the visionary and trailblazer in Calgary’s arts and culture industry.

The what’s what and where’s where of Arts Commons.

DI D YOU K NOW ? The brass elevators located between Jack Singer Concert Hall and Martha Cohen Theatre are original to the Calgary Public Building that was built in 1929. The 86-year old elevators have been refurbished several times and are among the only manually operated elevators in Canada.

THAT IS ARTS COMMONS

CONTRIBUTORS

TAS HA KOM ERY Editor-in-Chief A L EX BONYU N Managing Editor

Ellen Close Ellen is an actor, playwright, and producer. Her performance credits include Pride and Prejudice (Theatre Calgary & National Arts Centre), Blood: A Scientific Romance (Sage Theatre) and Unity (1918) (ATP). She is a member of the Downstage Creation Ensemble, with whom she shares a Betty Mitchell Award for Outstanding New Play for In the Wake as well as nominations for Good Fences (ATP’s playRites) and Bus(t). For Downstage, she has also performed in Bone Cage, Arm’s Length Embrace and most recently My Family and Other Endangered Species, an adaptation of Carla Gunn’s novel Amphibian that Ellen co-wrote with Braden Griffiths (Best Play, Calgary Critics Awards).

Blake Brooker Blake is an award-winning writer and director. He has created or collaborated on such productions as The Erotic Irony of Old Glory, Tears of a Dinosaur, Serpent Kills, The Land The Animals, Dance Freak, Breeder, Permission, Alien Bait, The Ugly Man, Conniption Cabaret, Mata Hari: Tigress at the City Gates, and many others, which have been presented throughout Canada, and in Europe, Australia, and Asia. Blake is a founder and the Artistic Director of One Yellow Rabbit.

KA IJA DIR KSON Creative Manager

CONT R IBU TOR S John Anderson, Alex Bonyun, Blake Brooker, Ellen Close, Wes Jenkins, Richard Lam, Zachary Moull, Mayor Naheed Nenshi, Marie Pollock and Johann Zietsman

R ES IDENT COM PA NIES Alberta Theatre Projects, Arts Commons Presents, Calgary International Children’s Festival, Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Downstage, One Yellow Rabbit, and Theatre Calgary

PU BL IS HED BY Arts Commons (formerly EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts)

205 8th Avenue SE Calgary, Alberta T2G 0K9 Phone: 403-294-7455 Fax: 403-294-7457 artscommons.ca

ZGM Collaborative Marketing 500, 1324 17 Avenue SW Calgary, Alberta T2T 5S8 Phone: 403-770-2250 zgm.ca

Marie Pollock Marie Pollock is a writer and former journalist. After graduating from Mount Royal University, she worked as a reporter for Sun Media in Airdrie before taking on her current role of Communications Manager (formerly Publicist) with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. She is an avid supporter of the arts in Calgary, and can often be found volunteering or serving as the self-professed “professional audience member” for Calgary improv groups Loose Moose Theatre and the Kinkonauts.

THIS IS ARTS COMMONS

The opinions expressed herein are those of the respective authors and not necessarily those of Arts Commons. Arts Commons will not be liable for any damages or losses, howsoever sustained, as a result of the reliance on, or use by a reader or any other person of, any information, opinions or products expressed, advertised or otherwise contained herein. © copyright 2015 by Arts Commons; may not be reprinted without permission.

THAT IS ARTS COMMONS

May 2015

A MESSAGE FROM MAYOR NENSHI On behalf of my City Council colleagues and the citizens of Calgary, I want to express my congratulations to Arts Commons on its new name, its bold new identity and its strong vision for the future. This is an exciting time for arts and culture in our city. The revitalization of the East Village, the building of the new National Music Centre and New Central Library, as well as the reimagining of Calgary’s Centre for Performing Arts are all excellent examples of a renewed vitality in our city. Arts Commons is more than performing arts. It presents valuable cultural programming on all levels, including grassroots theatre, Broadway-scale productions, concerts, arts education programs, film series and visual arts exhibits throughout the year. It supports our local artists, hosts artists from around the globe and is also home to some of our city’s most beloved arts organizations including Alberta Theatre Projects, Calgary International Children’s Festival, Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Downstage Theatre, One Yellow Rabbit and Theatre Calgary. The great cities of the world are defined by their arts and culture. It is a key element that draws people in and inspires citizens to love their city. Arts Commons is at the heart of our cultural landscape. Thank you for the important work you do and the vitality that you bring to Calgary. Sincerely,

Naheed K. Nenshi MAYOR

THIS IS ARTS COMMONS

THAT IS ARTS COMMONS

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THIS IS ARTS COMMONS

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THAT IS ARTS COMMONS

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W RI T T EN BY A L EX BONYU N

A. NATIONAL MUSIC CENTRE is slated to open its stunning 160,000 sq ft new facility in the spring of 2016 in Calgary’s East Village, allowing them to reach even more Calgarians in sharing the love and understanding of music.

B. GLENBOW MUSEUM presents cultural and art exhibits, as well as houses permanent exhibitions showcasing southern Alberta’s history in the heart of Calgary’s downtown.

C. OPERA IN THE VILLAGE takes place in August on the RiverWalk in Calgary’s East Village, performing full-scale opera performances outdoors, as well as numerous other supporting events.

D. FESTIVAL HALL was established by the Calgary Folk Music Festival to provide a place where diverse indie, roots, traditional and world music, that the festival is known for, could be performed all year round.

E. CONTEMPORARY CALGARY is a collaboration between the Institute of Modern and Contemporary Art (IMCA), the Art Gallery of Calgary (AGC) and the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MOCA) to create a united voice for visual arts in Calgary.

F. VERTIGO THEATRE is located at the base of the Calgary Tower, and is Calgary’s leader in developing, producing, and presenting plays based in the mystery genre.

G. LUNCHBOX THEATRE has presented contemporary lunchhour theatre productions that engage and inspire for the past 40 years.

H. PROARTS brings artists and audiences together in the historic Cathedral Church of the Redeemer for free noon-time concerts every Wednesday.

I. THEATRE JUNCTION GRAND founded Calgary’s culture house for multidisciplinary live art, and since 2006, has presented contemporary performances from Calgary, Canada, and around the world.

J. FORT CALGARY is the historic birthplace of Calgary, which is preserved, utilized, developed, interpreted, and promoted by the Fort Calgary Society for the benefit of visitors and the citizens of the city of Calgary.

K. SLED ISLAND is an annual music and arts festival that began in 2007, inspired by Montreal’s vibrant Pop Montreal music festival, that has since gone on to take over downtown for one week each June.

L. OLYMPIC PLAZA was built in 1988 for the Olympic Winter Games and now hosts many special cultural events and festivals throughout the year.

THAT IS ARTS COMMONS

SPACES PLACES A N D

WR IT T EN BY A L EX B ONYUN

HERE ARE SOME QUESTIONS FOR YOU. DON’T WORRY, THERE’S NO RIGHT ANSWER.

ow well do you really know Arts Commons? No, not the name, you’ll get to know that one. But what do you know about its many theatres, administrative offices, and workshops? Did you know that the scene shop is not only where Alberta Theatre Projects and Theatre Calgary construct all of their sets from scratch, but has also been utilized by other companies including Alberta Ballet and Calgary Opera? Or how about the fact that many of the air ducts that feed the building are large enough for a full-sized man to walk comfortably inside, or even play a game of handball? You probably didn’t know much of that because these are just a few of the hidden stories of Arts Commons. As you move through the magazine, you’ll see many other tidbits that you may or may not have known. After reading them, if you have a nagging question, or just something you’ve always wanted to know about Arts Commons, please email us at info@artscommons.ca

DI D YOU K NOW ? The smallest theatre in Arts Commons, the 50-seat Motel Theatre, can ﬁt inside the 1,797-seat Jack Singer Concert Hall 70 times. But with that many theatres inside Jack Singer Concert Hall, it would be hard to have a concert in there, so we haven’t tried it.

THIS IS ARTS COMMONS

We’re investing in the next generation of musicians, and banking on some entertaining returns. Through the RBC Emerging Artists Project, we’re committed to helping emerging musicians develop their skills and bring their visions to life. That’s why we’re proud to support Arts Commons which helps provide opportunities for up and coming artists to launch their careers, keeping the vitality of the arts industry alive.

Helping build a better future.

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39782 (10/2011)

THAT IS ARTS COMMONS

Come fall, expect to be greeted by one of our friendly volunteers who will help guide you through your Arts Commons experience, whether it’s assisting with your purchase of a ticket at the ParkPlus machine, helping you find your destination within our building, or surprising and delighting you with the unexpected. Watch for these helpful volunteers at select events as we create what promises to be an incomparable service program – just for you.

G E T A T IC K E T The Arts Commons Box Office is located in Centre Court where our friendly staff are ready to connect you with every kind of arts experience. Monday – Friday: 9am – 8pm by phone, and 10am – 6pm in person Saturday: 10am – 6pm (by phone or in person) Sunday and Holidays: please check our website for seasonal hours

VO LUNTEER Be part of the action and go behind-the-scenes by assisting with tours, guest services, office assistance, and more. D O NAT E For as little as $20 you can become a vital contributor to arts and culture in our city, and, as a bonus, have the opportunity to attend fun events with artists and others, like you, who appreciate and support arts and culture in our community. BO OK YOU R EVENT Having your wedding or board retreat in a theatre isn’t just a theatrical experience for you and your guests, it’s also a great way to support Arts Commons. Each event that you have at Arts Commons helps us continue to bring the arts to life in Calgary.

See our full selection of shows and events and purchase tickets online at artscommons.ca

PA RK YO U R RID E Parking downtown is simpler than you think! Really. You can park underground at Arts Commons in the evening for a flat rate of $5. If we’re full, both City Hall and Telus Convention Centre parkades are less than a block away and fully connected by the +15 network. Which means you can leave your coat in the car. Check out a full list of available parking at artscommons.ca

O R H ITC H A RID E O N T H E T RA IN The C-Train LRT runs along 7th Avenue, one block north of Arts Commons. If travelling eastbound, get off at Centre Street Station and if you’re westbound, use City Hall Station. If you are travelling by bus, there are several routes, which stop less than a block from Arts Commons. Confirm bus routes and times at calgarytransit.com

RE WA RD YO U RS E L F If you’re looking to have a drink, a light meal, or a delicious latte, before your event, look no further than Ca’Puccini in Arts Commons Centre Court. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you can check out their menu on Twitter @capucciniyyc

M A K E YO U R WAY Our space is a bit complex – and that’s part of the fun. Although the building is specially designed to prevent sound from leaking in and out of our many theatre spaces, a little help goes a long way in finding your destination. Please use our map to ensure you’re on the right track.

THIS IS ARTS COMMONS

EXIT

Ca’puccini Theatre Café

ENTRANCE

MACLEOD TRAIL N

DID YOU KNOW ? Arts Commons

Jack Singer Lobby Martha Cohen Theatre

1ST STREET SE

Motel Theatre

The Hub

Founders Room

Arts Commons Box Office

8TH AVENUE SW

+15

Arts Learning Centre

ﬂoats above an underground river on a series of concrete rafts that are held in place by rock anchors driven deep into the bedrock. A concrete raft, you say? We’re in the arts. We’ll leave the physics to someone else.

Big Secret Theatre

ATP / TC Box Office

Jack Singer Concert Hall Engineered Air Theatre

Stage Door /Security

Max Bell Theatre

9TH AVENUE SE

The Hub

Motel Theatre

JJ Young Room

F C

Big Secret Theatre

D I D YOU K NOW ? No one knows exactly

+15

how many costumes are housed within the 1,475 sq ft warehouse in the basement of Arts Commons. The latest estimate was over 5,000 individual costumes. That’s a lot for even your most ambitious costume party.

ATP / TC Box Office

WIN DOW GA LLER I ES

Check out the seven display spaces, in the hall outside of the Max Bell Theatre, used as exhibition opportunities for two dimensional and sculptural works created by local emerging and professional artists and collectives.

LEDGE GALLERY

GA LLERY OF A LBE RTA M EDI A A RT (GA M A) In partnership with the Alberta Media Art Alliance and Casa (Lethbridge), Arts Commons provides screening space for Alberta media artists to showcase experimental film, video art, animations, and short documentaries, on three separate media monitors throughout the building.

+15

L IG H T B OX ST U D IO

+ 1 5 SO U N DSC A P E Located near Theatre Calgary and Alberta Theatre Projects’ administrative offices on the +15 level, the +15 Soundscape is a multichannel sound system that provides opportunities to local and national sound artists.

The largest gallery space in Arts Commons, Ledge Gallery is located on the +15 Level of Upper Centre Court. There you’ll find new installations, performative, and sculptural works. Ledge Gallery is also home to our artist-in-residence program during the summer months.

Located beside Martha Cohen Theatre on the main level, Lightbox Studio is an experimental studio and exhibition space that promotes studio-based projects, and has featured artists such as Derek Beaulieu, Calgary Poet Laureate 2014-16.

We have five Arts Commons-run galleries that highlight visual and media artists from Calgary and beyond, as well as eight local artistrun gallery spaces located in the +15 level of Arts Commons.

T IN Y G A L L E RY Arts Commons is a proud presenting partner with Tiny Gallery in support of their mandate to bridge the gap between street art, gallery art, and public art. The Tiny Gallery project builds small, enclosed plinths to feature unique art exhibits. There are currently three in Arts Commons on the +15 level.

+ 1 5 W IN D OW G A L L E RIE S These display windows in the +15 walkway are curated by local artistrun organizations, including: Alberta Craft Council, Alberta Printmakers Society, Marion Nicoll Gallery, The New Gallery, Stride Gallery, TRUCK Contemporary Art in Calgary, University of Calgary Faculty of Arts, and Untitled Contemporary Art to be used as exhibition spaces.

THAT IS ARTS COMMONS

Bringing the into the

WR IT TEN BY M A R IE POLLOCK

ALTHOUGH ORCHESTRAL MUSIC IS CONSIDERED ONE OF THE MOST CLASSIC ART FORMS, THE CALGARY PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA HAS BEEN INCORPORATING SOME MODERN TECHNIQUES. YOU MAY BE SURPRISED − OR YOU MAY NOT − BUT THEY ARE DOING SOME COOL THINGS TO PIQUE MODERN INTEREST IN A TRADITIONAL GENRE.

TW E E T SE ATS

O R C H EST RA “ S PY CA M S”

PA RT NER S HIP WIT H ACAD

In the 2013/2014 Season, the CPO introduced its audience to “Tweet Seats” – a special section of the Jack Singer Concert Hall designated for anyone who wants to live-tweet during concerts in the CPO’s Rush Hour series. Patrons can follow along on their phones while live commentary is tweeted out from the CPO’s Twitter account. This gives the audience inside information on what they’re listening to, and offers them an interactive forum to discuss it – all while the piece is being played.

In September, during the 2014 edition of Nuit Blanche Calgary – the annual, contemporary late-night arts festival held in Olympic and Municipal Plaza – the CPO was able to stream its 50 Years of James Bond concert live into the plaza through the use of “spy cams.” The Orchestra placed 12 GoPro cameras at different vantage points throughout the orchestra (some were even worn by musicians), giving visitors outside the concert hall a look at the concert from the viewpoint of a CPO musician.

The biggest project the Orchestra took on in the 2014/2015 Season was the commission of an art installation to accompany the orchestra’s performance of Messiaen’s Turangalîla. The CPO partnered with faculty members Kurtis Lesick and Craig Fahner and student interns from the Alberta College of Art and Design, who designed a visual installation featuring lights, video clips, and animation to depict the themes expressed in the music.

As the CPO heads into its 60th Anniversary Season, the Orchestra will continue to integrate technology and digital media into its concerts. Stay tuned for more exciting partnerships in the 2015/2016 CPO Season.

THAT IS ARTS COMMONS

DID YOU KNOW ? The Engineered Air Theatre was completed in 1994, nine years after the Centre for Performing Arts opened. It features recovered elements from the historic Empress Theatre, which used to exist where the Martha Cohen Theatre stands today.

WR I TTE N BY JO H N A N D E RSO N

hings are looking brighter these days at Arts Commons, both figuratively and literally, with the launch of a student-centered education program, The Hub for Inspired Learning in association with Campus Calgary/Open Minds. To accommodate the program, Arts Commons created The Hub from the former offices of the Calgary International Children’s Festival by removing walls, raising ceilings, and installing light fixtures. Now, natural light streams into The Hub from oversized windows overlooking Olympic Plaza. The Hub, however, is not the classroom. It’s merely the gathering place for students and teachers to reflect, plan, and share. The “classroom”– or perhaps the playground – is the entire facility of Arts Commons. From the Jack Singer Concert Hall to the Martha Cohen Theatre to the boiler room in the sub-basement, students and teachers explore the space and big ideas. As part of a long-term study developed by the teacher, and jointly facilitated with the education staff at Arts Commons, students attend class at the arts centre every day for a week to explore interdisciplinary subjects such as math, science, and social studies in an experiential, hands-on learning environment. Teachers ensure the students develop the necessary skills for this kind of

learning before they arrive. Arts Commons provides expertise and unique experiences for the students, while they are there, by employing local actors, writers, musicians, and artists to participate. The students then use journal writing and drawings to record their observations and questions. Based on the success of this year’s pilot, The Hub for Inspired Learning program will run for 20 weeks in the upcoming season. Campus Calgary/Open Minds is a Calgary creation that has been around since 1993, and the 2015/2016 season will be its first official year at Arts Commons.

D I D YOU KN OW ? In case of a fire, the Arts Commons fire pump has the capacity to pump 750 gallons of water a minute. That means that it could fill an average-sized swimming pool in only 18 minutes.

THAT IS ARTS COMMONS

W R I T T E N BY Z AC H ARY M OU L L

heatre Calgary has recently opened its doors wider with the program TC InterACTive. Kaye Booth, Theatre Calgary’s Learning and Community Programs Coordinator, says the initiative focuses on social encounters and behindthe-scenes experiences throughout Theatre Calgary’s spaces. Two important elements are new clubs that attend Theatre Calgary performances – one for high-school students and one for teachers. “My goal with these clubs,” Booth says, “is to create events where people can gather together, have conversations, and engage with us and each other.”

DID YOU K NOW ? The stage of the Max Bell Theatre can be completely removed, leaving a clean pass through to the understage. It was removed only once for a performance of K2 in 1985 when a mountain was constructed that spanned the distance from the ﬂoor of the understage past the top of the proscenium arch.

THIS IS ARTS COMMONS

The Young Artist Club brings together dozens of students from high schools across the city for a social event around each of Theatre Calgary’s productions. “There are so many diverse passions in the group,” says Booth. Club members are excited, not only by acting but also directing, design, stagecraft, and more, so the pre-show events reflect the range of their interests – the Young Artist Club might tour the costume shop one month and take part in a professional vocal warm-up the next. One recent highlight was heading into the theatre before the house opened to watch actors and stage crew go about their pre-performance routines of warm-ups, fight rehearsals, and technical checks. These behind-the-scenes experiences of professional theatre can be powerfully motivating for young artists. “I’ve had

members tell me that the club events have convinced them to take that extra step and keep exploring this professionally after school,” says Booth. “I think that meeting professional artists and exploring Theatre Calgary’s spaces make their dreams seem more real.” At the same time, Booth explains that the program enriches Theatre Calgary. “These students are going to be the artists making theatre in the future,” she says, “so we want to start getting to know them now.” The Teacher Club, which hosts more than one hundred local teachers for every play, participates in similar workshops and behind-the-scenes events – but Booth says the experience is more like a spa night than a seminar. “Teachers already work so hard,” Booth says, “so the real goal of the program is to give them an opportunity to put their marking away for the night, come to the theatre, and relax with their colleagues.” This relaxed social atmosphere is crucial for both clubs – which means pizza for the young artists, bar service for the teachers, and lots of chances to mingle and connect. Teachers and students often come to Theatre Calgary after a long day of work and study, and for Booth, the measure of success is that “by the end of the night, they’re all smiles.” Want to know more? Get up-to-date information on these clubs and the many other TC InterACTive events at theatrecalgary.com

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THAT IS ARTS COMMONS

WR IT T EN BY EL L EN CLOSE

Here’s the thing: I’m an actor. I’m used to working with intangibles. You can ask me to put the season of spring into my feet, to embody the element of fire or to root myself into the ground and I will respond without hesitation or even a quizzical look. But despite (or perhaps because) of this background, I also love finding ways to translate these intangibles into something a bit closer to hard data. I geek out about finding measurable stand-ins for the ineffable magic that can happen only in a theatre. I believe that the right proxy can help us understand what we’re doing, what ripples it’s making in our community, and how we can do it better and better – more magic, more ripples, a greater and more lasting impact.

But artistic quality is key to creating those impacts. After all, sitting bored out of your mind through a lousy play won’t magically make you do better on an English exam or inspire you to create change in your community. The Intrinsic Impact format takes this into account by helping to measure many of the factors that can go into creating a great experience for an audience, helping us to create works that will entertain you, yes, but also move you, provoke you, and stimulate you.

So imagine my nerdy arts-admin delight when I discovered the Intrinsic Impact framework, developed by the research firm WolfBrown. It measures the key impacts of theatre in a quantitative form that lends itself to careful study and sexy colour-coded bar graphs, promising deeper insight to allow us to not only prove, but improve the value of our work. I practically danced the colour yellow!

This research, which Downstage has now adopted, takes the form of an online survey sent to all audience members after each performance, but it’s far more than your typical survey. It acknowledges that each audience member has different motivations for attending and takes different things from the work. It encourages them to think critically about what they’ve seen and to share their questions with us. And crucially, it puts the key measures of our success directly with our audience, rather than with critics or granting agencies – because after all, we make the work for you.

Art can have many incredible impacts on a community – everything from improving street-level safety to raising students’ test scores.

D I D YOU KNOW ? The four water pumps in the basement of Arts Commons each weigh in excess of 1,680 kilograms – the same weight of your parents’ station wagon.

THIS IS ARTS COMMONS

I think because Calgary is a younger city with a larger young demographic – the people make it exciting! Calgarians are not afraid of change and welcome new experiences in the arts. I have been lucky enough to grow myself and my business in Calgary over the past 25 years. I have been inspired and mentored by a great group of friends and family who are supportive of my passion and “eye” into the world of contemporary Canadian art.

WHEN I LAST SAW THE HIGH PERFORMANCE RODEO, IT WAS JUST FAN-FRICKING-TASTIC. THE IDEA THAT THEY PULL THE SHOWS IN FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD IS PHENOMENAL, AND WHAT I SAW THIS YEAR, AND IN PREVIOUS YEARS, WAS JUST AMAZING. RO D V IL LA N U E VA , A RTS PAT RO N

TA MAR ZEN ITH, D I R EC TOR OF N E WZON E S

”

WHAT SETS CALGARY APART ARTISTICALLY AND CULTURALLY? FRONTIER SPIRIT! KA REN HI NES , P E R FOR ME R A N D D I R EC TO R

One of the most fascinating things when traveling to different cities is to check out their arts scene and see what they’re doing, how they operate, and who shows up. Whether it’s a controversial nude opera in Berlin, a high school marching band at a New Orleans parade, a Cantonese hip-hop show in a Hong Kong warehouse, or the Cannes Film Festival, I still find myself using Calgary as a benchmark for what is possible in the arts, and where it can go. RICH A RD LA M , A RTS PATR ON

THAT IS ARTS COMMONS

Celebrating the life of Dr. Martha Cohen W RI T T EN BY A L EX BONYU N

Her efforts made possible the building of the Calgary Centre for Performing Arts, now known as Arts Commons. Along with Sandra LeBlanc and Vera Swanson, the trio raised $89 million dollars, making her dream of a dedicated centre for the performing arts in Calgary a reality. Her stalwart dedication to her ideals is demonstrated in her own words when asked how she was able to manage such a feat.

r. Martha Cohen is known to anyone within Calgary’s arts and culture industry. She’s been called a visionary, and a trailblazer. Her name adorns the 400-seat Martha Cohen Theatre, home to Alberta Theatre Projects, in recognition for her husband's $1 million birthday gift, and the Harry & Martha Cohen Award has been granted to numerous outstanding theatre professionals going back to 1986. She was awarded the Order of Canada, Calgary Citizen of the Year, an Honorary doctorate from the University of Calgary, and the City of Calgary’s Centennial Award of Merit, among many other honours. Though she was widely recognized for her philanthropic efforts, it was her strength of character that truly set her apart as an ambassador in our community. Put simply, she knew what she wanted and how to go about getting it.

“I went to one man who is very wealthy, very much in the arts,” she said in a 2009 interview with The Herald. “I’m doing my little spiel and he said, ‘Oh, I’ll give you $30,000.’ I said, ‘No you won’t, you’ll give me $100,000.’ Well, he looked at me and said, ‘What did Harry give you?’ I said, 'A hundred thousand' [at the time]. He said, 'Oh, OK.' That’s how I got some of them.” Her efforts have been felt by numerous other Calgary institutions including Mount Royal University and Jewish Family Service Calgary. She was also active in the aboriginal community, improving educational opportunities. Mayor Naheed Nenshi said, “Martha was a true community visionary and dedicated so much of her life to making Calgary an exceptional place for everyone. Her passion for the arts led to the development of one of the most treasured spaces in the city: the Calgary Centre for Performing Arts, now Arts Commons. It is only fitting that the Martha Cohen Theatre is at the very heart of this great community space.” “Martha was an extraordinary member of the Calgary community and she will be truly missed.” - Johann Zietsman

WRITTE N BY B LAKE BR OOKE R

in the highlands of northern Mexico – or some fearsome undersea species of outstanding size or colour.

arely have I seen a person so comfortable in their own skin, yet at the same time vibrating on a frequency as though he was going to leave it. I can admit now that I roomed with Michael many times, and while I cannot admit all of the hijinks, I can tell you no matter how late it was, we and our companions saw the sun rise everywhere from Budapest and Prague, to Drumheller, not because we got up early but because we were having so much fun we didn’t want to go to bed. Even so, it would only be an hour or two and he’d be up again, with that raincoat buttoned just so, with whatever the hat du jour was, and some freaky footwear from a collection that must have challenged Imelda Marcos for its size and variety. Where he kept them all is a secret that may never be known, a mystery like the mysteries he loved in the ragged copy of the “Fortean Times”, a journal of paranormal phenomena, he so often carried in his suitcase or on his iPad. Michael loved the paranormal, all things UFO, or strange mammals – hybrids

Michael was drawn to the different, the outlandish, the larger than life. Strange for a man who could be timid at times, quiet, filled with incalculable thoughts as he prepared for, among his great enthusiasms, I think perhaps his greatest, his love for the stage and performing. Early in my career as a director I learned a lesson I have never forgotten concerning actors and what they do, what they need, what mysterious calculus is required to give a performance that is precise, that is repeatable, that catches the right energy of expression in the right way. We were somewhere, in my memory now the locations mix and morph. Was it a basement of a church, an old bank fringe venue, a nightclub? Our first, second or third theatre? To be honest, I don’t even know what city it was, and the curtain time was coming, and we were preparing, and the actors were on the floor, and the house was coming in, and we had to get going and Michael sat on the floor, in his sweatpants and in his favourite sweatshirt beside Andy and Denise and Onalea or Elizabeth. I said, “Michael, come on, we gotta go, they wanna open.” He paused. I said, “C’mon dude”, less patient than I ought to have been and I said, “Michael” and he gave me a look, a look I’ll never forget and still he sat. I said, “What are you doing?” He said, “I’m putting my tools back in my tool box.” Of course you could see no tools, you could see no tool box – and that was when I knew, as I had suspected, that he was a great performer. I never hurried him again. We’ve heard by now all the stuff, the epic stuff about Michael. The legend of Michael. But I and those who know him best, prefer the man.

This is an edited version of the Eulogy for Michael Green, written and spoken by Blake Brooker – Artistic Director of One Yellow Rabbit – on February 16th, 2015 in the Jack Singer Concert Hall. THAT IS ARTS COMMONS

OUR

RESIDENT COMPANIES

Here are the companies that call us home. See what they’re putting on at artscommons.ca

THIS IS AN AD FOR ZGM. WE’RE A COLLABORATIVE MARKETING AGENCY, WHICH MEANS WE WORK TOGETHER LIKE PERFORMANCE ART AND NUDITY. THIS COMES IN HANDY FOR TACKLING EVERYTHING FROM GIANT WEBSITES TO SLICK INTEGRATED CAMPAIGNS TO 1/2 PAGE SPONSORSHIP ADS THAT MAKE OBSCURE COMPARISONS JUST TO GET AWAY WITH SAYING NUDITY. TWICE. ZGM.CA

THIS IS ARTS COMMONS

Proud to support Jazz and Music Festivals across Canada. We are working together with Arts Commons to bring people together through a shared love of music.

速

The TD logo and other trade-marks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank.

M05234 (0314)

THAT IS ARTS COMMONS

THANK YOU CO R PORAT E S PON SORS & FO UNDAT ION PARTNE R S Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP BD&P World Music Series Cabra Consulting Ltd. EXPLORE National Geographic The Calgary Foundation Brand Development Cenovus Energy Inc. National Geographic Live ConocoPhillips Canada Resources Corp. Arts Education Program Arts Commons Box Office National Geographic Live Dinner Optimist Club of Calgary Arts Education Program ENMAX EXPLORE National Geographic PCL Construction Management Inc. PCL Blues Series Royal Bank of Canada National Geographic Live Saskatchewan Mining and Minerals Inc. EXPLORE National Geographic SerVantage Services Inc. Supporting Sponsor, BD&P World Music Series Shell Canada EXPLORE National Geographic Talisman Energy Inc. EXPLORE National Geographic TD Bank Group TD Jazz Series TD Arts Access Pass TELUS EXPLORE National Geographic

Arts Commons wishes to express our sincere appreciation to the following corporations, foundations, governments, and passionate community leaders who give generously to support us in playing a key role in the social, economic, and intellectual life and well-being of Calgarians and visitors.

O F F I CI A L S UPPL I ER S A ND S PO NSO R ED GOO DS O R S ERVI CES

Founders Circle

M E M B E RS

H O N O U RA RY M E M B E RS

Leslie Biles & Robert Armstrong

Big Print Sign Company Inc. Rebranding Campaign

Dr. Martha Cohen, CM, LL.D.

Michel Bourque & Bryan Clarke

Sandra LeBlanc

Patricia Dalk & Terry Burton

Big Rock Brewery Inc. Official Brewery

Vera Swanson, O.C.

Norm & Colleen Dickson

CBC Media Sponsor Calgary Herald 2014-15 Season Sponsor Fresh Kitchen VIP Receptions, BD&P World Music Series Great Events Group Corp. VIP Receptions TD Jazz Series Hyatt Regency Calgary Official Hotel KARO Group – Calgary Brand Development Red Tree VIP Receptions, National Geographic Live Met Printers Official Printer

Anna Ells & Finn Pedersen L EG ACY B U IL D E R M E M B E RS Forst Family in loving memory of Steven Harris William MacLachlan John McWilliams, Q.C. & Susan McWilliams Henry Sykes, Q.C. & Molly Naber-Sykes

Rodney & Karen McCann Arlene Flock McKen & Bill McKen Jane Golubev & Igor Tesker Brian & Annette Hester Joni Hughes & John Thompson Wes Jenkins Jennifer Johnson & Trev Habekost Dr. Arun Lakra & Dr. Roopa Lakra Jason & Leah McIntyre

P IO N E E R M E M B E RS Dario Berloni Don Douglas & Betty Dunphy Douglas David & Roxanne Dunlop R. Scott Hutcheson Gregory & Alexa Kudar

M. Ann McCaig Jock & Diana Osler Vince & Cheryl Rodych Holly Schile Nielsen & David Nielsen Margaret Southern Devin & Shelley Spackman Vera Swanson, O.C.

Stu & Vicki Reid

Gloria & Ray Wilkinson

V IS IO N A RY M E M B E RS

Explorers Circle

Teatro Founders Circle ZGM Collaborative Marketing Rebranding Campaign

Angela Avery & Dave Newby

Bob & Sue Benzen Greg Epton & Greg Robertson C.A. Siebens

GOVER NM ENT

Roderick Villanueva

Government of Canada through Canada Council for the Arts, Canadian Heritage

Evelyn Wigham Tharrie & Johann Zietsman

Government of Alberta through Alberta Foundation for the Arts

Engagement Sponsors Bob & Sue Benzen, On the Trail of Big Cats by Steve Winter Ken & Chris Havard, Coral, Fire & Ice by David Doubilet and Jennifer Hayes M E M B E RS Sandra & Simon Barker

The City of Calgary

Bennett Jones LLP Michel Bourque & Bryan Clarke Cabra Consulting David & Roxanne Dunlop Greg Epton & Greg Robertson Brian & Annette Hester Devin & Shelley Spackman

Please note that only gifts of $10,000 or more are listed above. Arts Commons would also like to express our gratitude to the Government of Canada through Canadian Heritage for a Canada Cultural Spaces Fund grant; the Government of Alberta through Alberta Culture and Tourism for a Community Facility Enhancement Program grant; and, from The City of Calgary for a Capital Civic Partner Grant Program grant that enables us to undertake critical lifecycle initiatives to enhance the effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability of the complex.

THIS IS ARTS COMMONS

Please note that only gifts of $1,000 or more are listed above. To inquire about becoming a member of Founders Circle or Explorers Circle, please contact Shelley Spackman at 403-294-7455, extension 1468, or sspackman@artscommons.ca For a complete list of individual donors through Founders Circle, Explorers Circle and corporate, foundation and government supporters of Arts Commons, please visit our website at artscommons.ca

ABOUT US

OUR LOCATION Our address is 205 8th Ave SE. Our main entrance is located off Stephen Avenue, one block east of the Calgary Tower and across from Olympic Plaza.

GETTING HERE BY LRT Calgary’s LRT (light rail train) service has a station one block north of Arts Commons.

GETTING HERE BY CAR

Arts Commons offers underground parking. Enter off Macleod Trail between 9th and 8th Avenues.

E VE N I N GS & WE E KE N DS

P UR CHASE TI CKETS AT OUR BOX OFFIC E: CE N TR E COURT, 225 8TH AV E SE

S E E A S H OW

OPEN

10 to 6

403-294-9494 artscommons.ca

Sundays

C LOS E D

Other parking options include:

Civic Plaza Parkade

TELUS Convention Centre

Palliser Square (access Arts Commons via the +15 network)

Surface parking lots in the 200, 300 and 400 blocks on the south side of 9th Avenue SE

LANDMARKS Calgary Tower

Olympic Plaza TELUS Convention Centre

Hyatt Regency Hotel

Glenbow Museum Marriott Hotel City Hall

BE SO CIAL

J OI N US ON FACE BOOK OR FOLLOW US ON TWI TTE R FOR CON CE RT AN N OUN CE ME N TS, SP ECI AL OFFE R S, AN D MOR E .

#artscommons @yycARTS

THAT IS ARTS COMMONS

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Arts Commons

Arts: any expression of creativity | Commons: a gathering place

THIS IS

Arts Commons

Arts: any expression of creativity | Commons: a gathering place

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