Live-in Basics

Join DaPoPo in October for our second Live-In at the TNS Living Room. During this month-long cultural event, we will be hosting an open play-reading series of new works by local established and emerging writers (DaPlay Readings), skill-share workshops and talks for theatre artists and the public (DaWorkshops), social events (DaParties), plus the Halifax presentation of "a LITTLE something for everyone" by Kristi Anderson and Ann Doyle and preview performances of DaPoPo's newest devised one-act "The Halifax Hearings" (DaPerformances).

Click on each link above for more information on each of the activities during the month and keep checking back for updates on schedules!

In keeping with DaPoPo's philosophy of making theatre accessible, participation in The Live-In will be by suggested donation at the door. All donations and sponsorships happily accepted. Donations of $10 or more may be eligible for receipts for tax purposes. Proceeds will support DaPoPo's Youth Ensemble plus our current creation project, "The Halifax Hearings."

To find out how to donate, sponsor or to register for workshops, email dapopolivein@gmail.com

More information about DaPoPo Theatre: Click here

DaPlay Readings

Several evenings during the month of October will be dedicated to public readings of previously unproduced and/or unpublished playscripts written by local playwrights.

The plays will be at various stages of development. Be part of one of the first audiences to experience these new plays and works-in-progress and contribute your thoughts in a post-reading discussion with the authors and actors.

Come early to enjoy conversation and refreshments and then settle in to share in a relaxed evening of theatre-in-creation.

Admission and refreshments by suggested donation.

Sunday, October 10th, 2 pm
The Green Room by Brad Filippone
Tradition and new ideas collide backstage in a Shakespearean repertory company. An inflexible actor/director is forced to make a last minute cast replacement who has his own ways of doing things.

Thursday, October 14th, 7pm doors / 7:30pm reading
Order in the House by Nick Jupp
Money, power and politics provide Margaret and her Cabinet Minister husband Richard with a comfortable life that includes recognition and an enviable wealthy lifestyle. But is that enough? With the public spotlight constantly on them, it's best one of their favourite hobbies is kept firmly in the dark. When their daughter Judy is unknowingly drawn into the secret undertow, a solution must be found; one that protects the status quo and only the most arrogant of people could possibly conceive.

Friday, October 15th, 7:00 pm doors / 7:30 pm reading
Going Down by Andrew Chandler and Ann Doyle
When disaster strikes, two strangers must find common ground in order to survive. But how do you find common ground with someone who represents all you've been trying to avoid? In this comedy, two polar opposites are trapped in the precarious position of having to trust each other.

Sunday, October 17th, 7:00pm doors / 7:30pm reading
A Collection of Short Plays by J. J. Steinfeld

Tuesday, October 19th 7:00pm doors / 7:30pm reading
Baggage by Deborah Preeper
When Claire and Daniel meet, they are immediately drawn to each other. But Claire is haunted by her marriage to her violent ex-husband. Slowly, Claire reveals her past to Daniel. But will he be able to accept her after he learns the one secret she was too afraid to reveal?

Friday, October 22nd, 7:00 pm doors / 7:30 pm reading
Charlie & Lou by Steve Cloutier
Charlie and Lou is set in Halifax and focuses on three days in August 1938. With the rise of Hitler and the Spanish Civil War as the backdrop, the play explores the lives of Charlie and Louise as they struggle with the major issues of their day. In a world filled with hate and war, they try to bring a committed compassion back to the world. Facing possible arrest and imprisonment for their radical beliefs, they watch as their Jewish friend Lonnie Rosenberg fights against the Canadian government’s hostility in his desperate attempt to help his family escape the Anti-Semitic horror of Nazi Germany.

DaWorkshops

Facilitated by professional actors, technicians, and other artists, the workshops are an opportunity for artists and community members to come together and learn new skills while sharing artistic expression. Open to both public and theatre practitioners.

Pre-registration is required. Space is limited so register early by emailing dapopolivein@gmail.com.

Pariticipation is by donation. Donations over $10 may be eligible for a tax receipt. Ask when registering.

Tuesday, October 5, 7:30pm - 10:00pm
Open Dramaturgy
Facilitator: Garry Williams

German dramatist Ephraim Schiller coined the term "dramaturgy" in the late 18th century. Since then, the work of a dramaturge has mystified students of diverse theatre practices. When Jonathan Larson's dramaturg for the hit musical Rent was legally denied royalties in 1998, the debate about a dramaturgy worth flared up again. Many playwrights and directors swear by the dramaturgs. What is a dramaturg's job? What is her role in artistic creation?

While many consider dramaturgy a closed art, a magical skill possessed by a privileged few, this introductory workshop is designed to open up the practice and help theatre artists understand the art and craft of dramaturgy. In this hand-on session, participants will edit texts; analyze scripts; critique productions; compare notes; and theorize about the nature of theatre and dramaturgy.

Maximum: 15 participants

Wednesday, October 6, 7:00pm – 10:00pm
Theatre for Living
Facilitator: Courtney Siebring
Theatre for Living has been developed by David Diamond of Headlines Theatre in Vancouver from Augusto Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed. TFL, however, makes a departure from the binary oppressor/oppressed language and approaches the work with an understanding that the living community, and its members, are complex and multi-layered. The only way to learn the work is to participate in the work subjectively. This workshop will use Image Theatre to investigate and articulate struggles within our own community. Come prepared to offer/draw upon specific struggles from your own life within the broad context of “relationships.”

Maximum: 22 registrants. (requires a minimum registration, so please register early!)

Saturday, October 9, 4pm - 6pm
The Actor's Toolbox: Actions, Beats, Units
Facilitated by: Andrew Chandler
This workshop, aimed at the beginning actor, or the actor looking for a new approach, brings the concept of "Action"-ing to text analysis and performance. Basic elements of script analysis will be covered, along with tools for bringing specific intention and nuance to your performance. Maximum: 10 participants

Andrew Chandler (http://www.andrewchandler321.com/) is a Halifax-based actor/singer/musician and musical director. He holds a B. Mus. from Mount Allison university and is a graduate of Sheridan's Musical Theatre Program. In the past year, he co-wrote and composed the musical "So...What About Love?" (DaPoPo/Metamorphic), was Musical Director for "Mesa" (Neptune Theatre) and "Julius Caesar" (DaPoPo). He performed in all of these shows as well Shakespeare by the Sea's repertory summer season.

Monday, October 11, 7 - 9 pm
Music Theory for the Absolute Beginner
Facilitated by: Andrew Chandler

A crash course in music theory, with the aim of giving the actor the basic tools to follow along and read music. Covered material will include - notation, pitch, rhythm, articulation, basic harmony, and notation conventions. Maximum number of participants: 20

Andrew Chandler (www.andrewchandler321.com) is a Halifax-based actor/singer/musician and musical director. He holds a B. Mus. from Mount Allison university and is a graduate of Sheridan's Musical Theatre Program. In the past year, he co-wrote and composed the musical "So...What About Love?" (DaPoPo/Metamorphic), was Musical Director for "Mesa" (Neptune Theatre) and "Julius Caesar" (DaPoPo). He performed in all of these shows as well Shakespeare by the Sea's repertory summer season.

Tuesday, October 12, 7pm - 9pm
A Sound For Every Space
Facilitator: Nathan Pilon

Focusing on the marriage of sound and space, this workshop will question the role of a sound designer in today’s theatre environment. How does sound design for theatre differ from sound design for film? How does a successful sound design enhance the action and the life on stage rather than control or suffocate it? In this workshop, we will also investigate how a sound installation piece differs from sound design for theatre. Is the ideal sound design a site-specific work? If so, does taking it out of the original space cause the piece to lose meaning?

Nathan Pilon is a Halifax-based musician, sound designer, and actor. He has recently designed sound for The (Sad) Ballad of Oliver Hugh & Company and Logan and I, both featured in 2010’s Queer Acts Festival. He can frequently be found performing at Gus’s and the Seahorse in local bands Windom Earle and Scribbler.

Wednesday, October 13, 7:30pm – 9:30pm
The Theatre of Poster Design
Facilitator: Trevor Poole
In this workshop, Trevor Poole shares some basic principles and finer points of poster design that you can put to work right away in promoting your next performance!

Trevor Poole holds a honors degree in Communication Design from NSCAD. He has been performing or volunteering for other performers in the theatre community for the past 4 years. In this workshop he focuses on a basic strategy for creating a theatre poster while touching on some finer points of typography and composition.

Sunday, October 17, 2pm - 4pm
Are you afraid of the dark?
Facilitator: Noscene Theatre
Brendan Sangster will lead a 2 hour workshop where the participants will have the opportunity to practice theatrical exercises without having to perform. Perfect for those who are looking for an introduction into acting and acting styles. The day will be themed on a particular play, TBA. Come prepared to move, shake, scream, hug, touch, fly, fall, and many more things. There will be discussion and lots of moving. PLEASE BRING WATER! For more information visit http://www.noscenetheatre.com/

Brendan Sangster in his third year of Theatre Studies at the University of King's College and Dalhousie University and is currently the Production Pit Manager. He has worked as a performer, director, writer and designer on several productions. This summer he began a project to raise awareness of Halifax theatre by youth, and theatre exploration for any and everyone. His newly founded company, Noscene Theatre, is about taking risks, facing fears, and beginning a journey of self exploration through theatre, and movement.

Monday, October 18, 6:30pm – 9:30pm
Mask
Facilitator: Courtney Siebring
This workshop presents the art of mask performance from neutral mask to character mask. We'll cover the proper protocol for handling and donning a mask, the connection of the mask to the body, and the technical aspects of mask performance. Mask study provides an awareness of personal physical habits and inroads into character development.

Maximum registration: 18 people

Wednesday, October 20, 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Intro to the Theatre of the Mind: The Audio Drama Revivalist Movement
Facilitator: Jack J. Ward

With the implimentation of cheap alternatives, digital sound editing has trumpeted a return of the audio arts- not least of which "Radio Plays"! Podcasts and streaming, radio and CD's are just some of the distribution methods that a number of individuals and groups have used to express extremely rich and diverse audio theatre. In this workshop, Jack will present the history of this new Golden Age, the basics of Audio Drama creation, and share some of the keys of vocal acting, writing, and directing. Everything a dramatist needs to know to be involved in this growing movement! From reading scripts, to sound effects, podcast suggestions to the vast possibilities of writing original or adapted works, come share the old days of pure theatre of the mind, now brand new!

DaPerformances

Seating for all shows is limited. Reservations recommended: dapopolivein@gmail.com
Please, specify show in the subject line, and include performance date, number of seats, your name and contact information in the body of the email.

October 7, 8 & 9 @ 8:00 pm (doors open at 7:30 pm)
a LITTLE something for everybody
A cabaret devised and performed by Kristi Anderson & Ann Doyle makes its Halifax debut. Jam packed with a LITTLE music, some SMALL scenes and some BIG stereotypes this ONE SIZE FITS ALL show explores the huge effect media has on our lives and asks the question "If the sky's the limit... why can't I fit in an airplane seat?"
Admission: $10 suggested donation

October 28, 29 & 30 @ 8:00pm (doors open at 7:30 pm)
The Halifax Hearings
Workshop performances of DaPoPo's in-progress devised show examining - and cross-examining - the phenomenon of globalization. Where in the world are you? Featuring work by Kristi Anderson, Andrew Chandler, Zach Faye, Keelin Jack, Kim Parkhill, Amy Reitsma and Garry Willams and the 2010 DaPoPo Academy Youth Ensemble*: Clara Bullock, Jackie Hanlin and Matthew Power. Come see it and tell us what you think before it goes to the FEZ-Berlin's "Just Say It" Festival in November.

*The DAYE Program is supported by Nova Scotia's Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage: Culture Division through the Cultural Opportunities for Youth Program

DaParties

Another thing DaPoPo does well is share fun times with friends old and new.

We're cooking up some ideas - scavenger hunts, board game nights, pot lucks, singalongs, dance parties... so check back to see what's what with what. And when!