Author: parker

From the Intern Desk

Posted: Apr 23 2012

Greetings, my name is Nicolas Lay and I am an intern for the Firehall Arts Centre.

My experience at the Firehall has been one of the most thrilling ones I’ve had since moving here 3 months ago from a small prairie town in Alberta. I’ve never worked in a performing arts theatre before and now I don’t ever want to stop working in one. I love how the overall atmosphere of the Firehall is about having fun and not taking things too seriously. In my mind the Firehall has been a positive and uplifting experience. I could never stress enough about how grateful I am to have been chosen for this internship. The people are great; whenever I needed help, no matter what I am doing, they always have my back.

The work itself is a pleasure as well, mainly because I’ve never done anything like it before. Working stage production was probably one of the easier jobs I’ve had here because manual, labor-intensive, jobs have always been my forte. Marketing was something that was completely foreign to me, but when I was chosen to help promote the Ubuntu, I tackled the challenge head-on, and discovered that marketing wasn’t all that difficult after all. Front-of-House was another job that I had no prior experience in but when I job-shadowed FOH last week I found it to be fun and rejuvenating, with exception to the prospect of a FOH speech (which fortunately I didn’t have to do that day). The Bar shadow was equally as fun as working FOH had been and is maybe something I’d consider trying outside the Firehall as a potential part-time job. Box Office training (yet another first) was interesting, though I did not enjoy it as much as working FOH or the Bar. Maybe I just found the memorization of all those policies to be the most intimidating part of the job, but come what may, I wouldn’t mind trying it again.

Things are shaping up to be rather busy; with BC Buds coming in a few weeks I’m expecting a larger than usual work load. I’m not too sure what fate has in store for me in the coming weeks, but one thing is certain: I am ready to meet these challenges head on and I hope to do my absolute best in getting the job done.

 

Kudos & Cocktails May 9th

Posted: Apr 18 2012

The Firehall Arts Centre is pleased to announce its annual ‘Kudos & Cocktails’ tribute and fundraiser will take place on Wednesday May 9 at 7pm at the Firehall Arts Centre. The celebratory event fetes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Firehall and the artistic community in Vancouver.

For 30 years, the Firehall Arts Centre has produced and hosted award-winning, cutting edge theatre, dance, and inter-disciplinary works while contributing greatly to the heart of the arts in the Downtown Eastside.

Its ability to carry out this important work is enhanced greatly by a large circle of artist, volunteer, and donor supporters. To acknowledge this group’s incredible commitment, the Firehall honours five individuals and their contributions to the various fields of theatre, dance, sponsorship, and community activism/volunteerism with the Firehall’s Standing Ovation Award at a special ‘Kudos & Cocktails’ event each spring.

“We are a small albeit strong arts community here in British Columbia,” said Donna Spencer, Artistic Producer of the Firehall, “and these five wonderful people have really made a difference to us and to the larger arts and cultural community.”

This year’s honourees include:

Patron Category: Marlie Oden and Bonnie Allen of Bridge Communications
Theatre Category: Barbara Clayden, Costume Designer
Dance Category: Chris Randle, Photographer
Community/Volunteer Category: Sid Tan, social justice, environmental and human rights activist

Kudos and Cocktails will also include performances from local artists as well as a silent auction. Tickets are available by donation, with a suggested donation of $50/$25 for artists/students. Tickets are available through the Firehall Box Office at 604.689.0926 or firehallartscentre.ca. Proceeds will go to benefit the Firehall Arts Centre’s emerging artists programs.

This year’s Honorees:

Bonnie Allan
Bonnie Allan has been a partner in Bridge Communications for the past eleven years and possesses a broad range of experience and expertise in marketing, sales, communications and public relations in the arts and entertainment.
Not new to the theatre world, Bonnie trained as a classical ballet dancer, resided in New York City and performed in a number of Broadway musicals and toured throughout the United States and Canada.
She has served as a board member on the Board of Directors at Park Royal Mall, a member of the West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Vancouver Professional Theatre Alliance and on the board of Vancouver TheatreSports League.

Barbara Clayden
Barbara Clayden has been a theatre artist for over 30 years, designing costumes and sometimes sets for various theatre and dance companies around Vancouver, including the Arts Club Theatre, Blackbird Theatre, Carousel Theatre, the Firehall Arts Centre, Neworld Theatre, Presentation House, Pi Theatre, Rumble, and Theatre Replacement.  She has been nominated for numerous Jessie Awards and won a few along the way. Most recently, her work was seen in the Firehall Arts Centre’s Chelsea Hotel – featuring the songs of Leonard Cohen and the Arts Club Theatre production of Scar Tissue.

Marlie Oden
Marlie is well known for her creative marketing programs, and since founding Bridge Communications in 1995 has had the opportunity to undertake successful communications programs for dozens of organizations and businesses. She is very proud of the work that she has undertaken with many arts organizations – in particular the Firehall Arts Centre.
An active member of the cultural community, Marlie has served on the Boards of The Stanley Theatre Society, BC CH.I.L.D. Foundation, The Arts Club Theatre, The Fringe Festival and the BC Wine Institute. She is currently the president of the board of Vancouver TheatreSports, and a member of the Board Telefilm Canada. In 2007 she received the patron of the Arts award at the Jessies and in 2011 she was the recipient of the Mayor’s Arts Award for Board Member of the Year.
Marlie’s proudest achievement is her family who are all active in the cultural communities in which they live.

Chris Randle
In the mid-seventies, Chris began to shoot dance and has photographed and videoed the dance community since then. Acclaimed as one of Canada’s finest dance photographers, his work has appeared in countless newspapers and magazines. Chris is the resident photographer for the Vancouver International Dance Festival, and shoots on a regular basis for the Dancing on the Edge Festival, the Chutzpah! Festival, the Talking Stick Festival and for the Scotiabank Dance Centre. Music and theatre are other areas where Chris ventures into with pleasure.

Sid Chow Tan
Sid Chow Tan is best known for his over two decades of work in community media and redress for the Chinese head tax and exclusion laws. His media work and politics are informed by a life of anti-racism and social justice activism and he has help found and build many organizations in Vancouver and across Canada to fill community and personal needs. Also a traditional and new media producer as well as a community organizer, Sid’s current community service includes: national chairman of the Chinese Canadian National Council; founding co-chairperson of Head Tax Families Society of Canada; a founding director of the Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood Council, W2 Social Enterprise Café Society, Community Media Education Society, W2 Community Media Arts Society; and a director of five other not-for-profit societies.

 

Thank you!

Posted: Apr 06 2012

We would like to thank everyone who donated to the Firehall Arts Centre’s $30 for 30 Campaign. Your gifts will help us continue the work we do and support local arts and culture in Vancouver!

And from everyone here at the Firehall, we hope you have a terrific Easter and Passover!

 

 

 

Firehall Fact #30: Congratulations Donna!

Posted: Mar 31 2012

Donna Spencer, our Artistic Producer, has been with the Firehall Arts Centre since the beginning thirty years ago, and has been honoured for her work in theatre as well as her commitment for community over the years.

She won Jessie Richardson Outstanding Direction Award for both Urinetown The Musical and Reading Hebron as well as a Jessie Richardson Award for Multicultural Innovation in the Theatre. Donna received the City of Vancouver’s 1999 Cultural Harmony Award and was honored with YWCA Women of Distinction Award in the Arts And Culture category.  She was previously awarded the 2003 ExplorAsian Heritage Award for Community Building and the 2003 Greater Vancouver Professional Theatre Alliance Career Achievement Award. Donna was also inducted into BC Entertainment Hall of Fame in 2009.

We are thrilled to announce that Donna Spencer has been recognized this year for her dedication to community building through the arts and will be one of the recipients of the BC Community Achievement Award!

Congratulations Donna and to the other award recipients for their work to make BC a stronger province through community engagement!

Today is the final day of our $30 for 30 Campaign, and the last day Capital One Canada will donate an extra $10 when you donate through Canada Helps and take their quick 5 question survey! If you’d like to donate through our website, click here!

Firehall Fact #29: Ours Shows

Posted: Mar 30 2012

There have been thousands of shows performed at the Firehall Arts Centre. As of this post, we have had +/- 7000 performances here – that’s around 230 a year!

Each production has been special, but there are certain ones that strike a special chord with audiences and keep them coming back for more.  Some of our most popular shows have included:

  • The Stone Angel, based on the novel by Margaret Laurence during the 1993-94 Season
  • The  1995-96 Season play by Edmonton playwright Marty Chan based on his experiences:Mom, Dad, I’m Living with a White Girl, which delved into culture and inter-racial relationships
  • Urinetown, The Musical, produced in the 2005-06 Season
  • Banana Boys by Terry Woo told the story of five Chinese Canadian young men as they struggle with identity and and living within two cultures during the Firehall’s 2007-08 Season
  • Only Drunks and Children Tell the Truth by Drew Hayden Taylor was first on the Firehall stage during the 1997-98 Season, and came back by popular demand the following year
  • J.J. McColl’s Menopositive was first produced in the 1997-98 Season, but was so popular it has come back four times!
  • Chelsea Hotel sold out houses this year, and will be remounted next season!

People connect with the work done at the Firehall Arts Centre. The shows we present or produce are relate-able in some way; whether it’s a play about finding your place and identity, or a musical about growing older, the Firehall chooses work that shares a truth the audience can feel a part of.

We can’t do the work we do without your help. If you donate through Canada Helps before March 31 and take their quick 5 question survey, Capital One Canada will donate another $10 on top of your donation!

If you’d like to donate to our $30 for 30 Campaign through our website, click here!

Firehall Fact #28: Kudos & Cocktails

Posted: Mar 29 2012

May 9th the Firehall will be hosting our second annual Kudos and Cocktails tribute event.

Kudos and Cocktails raises funds for the Firehall Arts Centre and was created to offer tribute to community members, artists, supporters and some of our city’s major movers and shakers that have made an impact on the Vancouver’s cultural landscape.  The event, offered at a by-donation cost to ensure accessibility for everyone, features performances celebrating the honourees and an accompanying silent auction.

This year’s honourees include:

Patron Category: Marlie Oden and Bonnie Allen of Bridge Communications
Theatre Category: Barbara Clayden, Costume Designer
Dance Category: Chris Randle, Photographer
Community/Volunteer Category: Sid Tan, social justice, environmental and human rights activist

Stay tuned for our announcement of the performers for that evening!

*Disclaimer* There is a 99.99% chance that Yanni is NOT once of the performers, but hey, a girl can dream.

Remember, if you donate through Canada Helps before March 31 and take their quick 5 question survey, Capital One Canada will donate another $10 on top of your donation!

If you’d like to donate to our $30 for 30 Campaign through our website, click here!

 

Firehall Fact #27: Rentals

Posted: Mar 28 2012

The Firehall produces many shows during the year, but there are times when the company is dark, and during those periods, the theatre is often rented out.

Currently, we have St. Patrick’s Regional Secondary getting ready for their production of Our Town, taking place March 29 to 31.

Although people are aware that the Firehall rents out its theatre, there are a number of other rental services the Firehall provides.

The Firehall’s studio is often used as a rehearsal space or performance venue, and the lobby and courtyard are made available for events and parties as well. We also make our props, sets and costumes available to people and companies (there is a giant fish costume I’ve been considering wearing. Just to liven up a Thursday).

The Firehall also provides box office services like ticket sales and printing, which Osimous Theatre is utilizing for their production of Hedda Gabler at the Rhoedde House.

If you have a production you are interested in having in our theatre, need some rehearsal space or are planning an event and are interested in having it take place in our courtyard, email us at firehall@firehallartscentre.ca.

There are only a few days left for our $30 for 30 Campaign, so remember to donate! Do it through our website, give us a call or visit Canada Helps to donate there!

 

Lion fish from the Animal Species blog

World Theatre Day

Posted: Mar 27 2012

Theatre can be beautiful, ugly, frightening, funny and everything in between. What it always does is create dialogue.  Whether you enjoyed the last piece you saw or hated it, you were part of that moment.

To celebrate World Theatre Day, go out and support theatre by seeing one of the amazing plays on in Vancouver now:

So much theatre in this city! Go out, explore and enjoy!

 

Hats with feathers will be mandatory in any play I write

 

Firehall Fact #26: Staff Favourites

Posted: Mar 27 2012

Donna Spencer is the Artistic Producer here at the Firehall, and has been with the company since its inception thirty years ago.  She has directed, advised, produced and even been in a show or two over the years. She is also a certified yoga instructor and loves quantum physics. That stuff will blow your mind. (Preceding statement applies to both yoga AND quantum physics)

Donna in an article about the opening of the Firehall in 1982

My favorite things about the Firehall? 

When I first visited the Firehall as an introduction to the new job, I was taken on a tour and awed by the two fire poles but overwhelmed and amazed by the number of doors there are within the building. Everywhere we went there was a new door that took you to a different world.  For the first while I was on the job, I would get lost – I had no sense of direction within the building.

Since then I have grown to love all of the doors, the brick, the history, the energy within the building and the people that I have met here.  And while I no longer get lost in the building, I do sometimes feel a loss of direction, and strangely enough, the strength of the building and the spirit that resides within help me get back on track.  

Yes indeed, the Firehall is a pretty special place, opening doors to stories both new and old; to performances that provoke contemplation and discussion; to experiences that generate a greater love for the value of the arts in society; and to good times with good friends and great people.  

At the Firehall, we love looking for new doors and the treasures hidden within.  As Ann Mortifee wrote in her song for the play Reflections of Crooked Walking:

Every door is a secret door
hiding something
Every door is a magic door
leading somewhere
Somewhere you’ve never been ever before
To open the door just lift the latch
But once you go in
you might never come back|
For that is the way of the spell.

And that spell is the Firehall.   

Donna

Our $30 for 30 Campaign is nearing the end, but you still have time to donate! Do it through our website, give us a call or visit Canada Helps to donate there!

 

 

Lyrics to Every Door is a Magic Door from Ann Mortifee’s website.

Firehall Fact #25: The Infamous Black Box

Posted: Mar 26 2012

If you’ve come to the Firehall to see a performance, you’ve noticed the theatre is what we in the bizness like to call a “black box”.  A black box theatre, according to Wikipedia, is an “unadorned performance space, usually a large square room with black walls and a flat floor. It is a relatively recent innovation in theatre.“

Yep, that’s what the Firehall theatre looks like, and it’s been pretty much that way since 1982, which in the grand scheme of things, is fairly recent.

Now, the great thing about having a black box is how malleable and versatile the space is.  Sets are generally simpler than at larger theatres, but because of the technical specifications of the space, can be extremely unique and interesting. Lighting can also play a grander role in a performance in a black box theatre because there is no place for lighting leaks or for it to be diffused.  The theatre itself can also be configured specifically for each new show, a feature impossible in larger, static spaces.

 

This year alone, we have had the theatre capacity go from our regular 136 to 155 and 162 as well as taking it from the regular arrangement of seats in the picture above and reconfiguring it into an L shape for VIMY and a thrust stage for Goodness.

This versatility provides the opportunity to present work to the public in the most interesting way, allowing the audience to interact in the best possible way with the work.

That’s pretty cool.

If you’ve been thinking about donating to our $30 for 30 Campaign but haven’t yet, you still have time! Do it now through our website, give us a call or visit Canada Helps to donate there!

 

 

Firehall Fact #24: Staff Make-up

Posted: Mar 25 2012

Prepare yourself, I’m bringing out a cliche:

A functioning organization is like a well-oiled machine – you need all the parts to work well together to make things happen.  The Firehall is like a well-oiled machine…no, a functioning organization. However, it’s kind of amazing that we are able to produce the terrific work we do with our limited resources.

The complex system of levers and pulleys we like to call the "Firehall staff"

For example:

Did you know that the Firehall only has three full-time staff members? It’s true! When you think about the fact that this year alone we produced and presented six shows (and have a couple more to go!) in addition to hosting a speaker series, events and running an art gallery, that ain’t much. The rest of the staff is contracted part-time, devoting part of the year to other projects like the Dancing on the Edge Festival and other events around Vancouver.

We work hard to continue the tradition of presenting thoughtful, engaging pieces and with your help, we can do it!

To donate to our $30 for 30 Campaign on our website,click here! To donate via Canada Helps, visit them here.

 

Machine image from  Stellar Path