The Magnetic North
Theatre Festival is a new national festival of the finest in Canadian
theatre, with a focus on Canadian productions in English (whether originally
created in English or Englsih versions of productions from French or from
other languages within Canada). The idea of a Canadian theatre festival
has been percolating for some time, and with the support of the theatre
community from across the country will now become a reality under the aegis
of the newly-incorporated, non-profit Canadian Theatre Festival Society.
Geographically, “magnetic north” is not a fixed point: its location is constantly changing. As its name suggests, the Magnetic North Theatre Festival will not be a stationary festival but will travel from place to place. Based in Ottawa it will premiere there in June 2003 for a ten-day run, hosted by the National Arts Centre (the festival’s co-presenter,) the Great Canadian Theatre Company, The Ottawa Little Theatre and The University of Ottawa and will return every second year thereafter. In alternate years the festival will be hosted by theatre communities in other Canadian cities. In 2004 the Magnetic North Theatre Festival will be held in Edmonton, Alberta.
Under the direction of Artistic Director Mary Vingoe and Festival
Associate Sarah Stanley, the artistic vision of the Magnetic North Theatre
Festival is one of excellence, inclusiveness and creative development.
Dedicated to work on tour, the festival will provide a forum for the theatre
community to celebrate the quality and diversity of Canadian theatre as
never before. It will stimulate the independent creative vision of individual
artistic directors and pique the interest of audiences from coast to coast.
The festival will showcase the diversity of artistic work from
across the country, and will introduce Canadian audiences to touring productions
from every region. Programmed with a commitment to artistic excellence,
the festival will also act as an international ambassador for Canadian
theatre.
The Magnetic North Theatre Festival will include a public forum on Canadian Theatre called Magnetic Encounters, professional workshops on touring and a contact room for artists and presenters.