CURIOUS?
NOVEMBER 2015
THE DONOR NEWSLETTER
CURIOUS?
THE DONOR NEWSLETTER
NOVEMBER 2015
WELCOME TO OUR CIRCLE! VICKI STROICH
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
I cannot tell you how much joy it brings us to welcome new patrons into the circle of donors that
support ATP’s vision to create a world where minds and hearts are opened to the life-changing
experience of theatre. Those of you who have given to us for the first time this year join a wonderful
group of fellow supporters who care deeply about the work we do and how it creates community here
in Calgary and beyond.
You have helped us to progress towards the goal set for us by our generous donor, Hugh McGillivray,
who has offered to match all new and increased donations this season up to $100,000. That means
donations of all sizes! Whether you joined us as a member of our Green Room or our Director’s Circle,
new donors have already helped us get started on the campaign. Thank you and welcome! Please do
make sure you introduce yourself to Vanessa and I the next time we see each other at the theatre.
Our matching campaign is ongoing this season until July 31, 2016. We are inviting our existing donors
to consider growing their support. Every gesture helps, if everyone in our donor circle increased their
donation by a minimum of 15% today we would reach 60% of our matching campaign goal instantly.
IN THIS ISSUE
A Note from Vanessa
Artistic Director, Vanessa
Porteous reflects back on
a very special donor event.
p.2
Board Series, Part 1
Meet a few of the
outstanding individuals
that make up ATP’s Board
of Directors
p.3
But a matching campaign isn’t about reaching a finish line. Hugh’s gift reminds us all what an
important gesture sustained giving can be. We recognize that the economic shift in our community
has affected many of our friends and corporate community partners. Moments like this remind us
what we really value and inspire us to steward our community and culture so that it is as vibrant and
welcoming as it has always been, even in lean times.
With your continued support we are able to delight and move people, opening hearts and minds
through our work. Already this season your gifts have helped us create meaningful moments like the
spark of recognition so many people felt listening to the bewilderment and longing that Christopher
Hunt’s Vanya expressed during his act two monologue in Vanya and Sonya and Masha and Spike.
Your generosity will help make it possible for people of all walks of life to discover their inner hero
during our run of Legend Has It during the family holiday show.
Thank you for creating a community of support for our work and for making it possible for us to open
hearts and minds.
For more information about the matching campaign,
visit: ATPlive.com/support-atp/ways-to-donate
Photos (from left): Christopher Hunt,
Lois Anderson, Sonja Smits, Stafford
Perry; Geoffrey Simon Brown, Leanne
Govier, Joe Perry, Elisa Benzer; Daniel
Fong, Brett Dahl - Photos by Kenneth
Locke
DONOR NEWSLETTER – NOVEMBER 2015
NOTE FROM VANESSA
2
VANESSA PORTEOUS
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
“Everything you can wish for, you can manifest.
That is what I’d like to tell my younger self,”
“Everything you can wish for, you can manifest. That is what I’d like to tell my younger self,” said
C., a twenty-something Calgarian, recovering meth addict, and former young offender, as part of
our conversation at the Donor Event on October 1st.
To delve into the themes of the first Enbridge New Canadian Play in our season, The Circle, we
partnered with Enviros, a youth focused social action organization. On the panel, C. was joined
by D., both participants in programs at Enviros, plus a youth therapist and Enviros CEO Chris
Mahoney.
With understatement, humour, and breathtaking articulateness, C. and D. described young lives
challenged by homelessness, crime, drugs, parental neglect, violence and chaos. They talked
about what got them through, and why they’re on a different path now. It all came down to a
sense of belonging.
It was one of the best conversations I’ve ever been a part of. The actors in The Circle took the
energy into rehearsal the next day. It had a profound effect on their performance. A true exchange
between artists and community.
Since then, we’ve held many post-show conversations in the lobby, as part of The Exchange, our
series of pre and post-show events that bring audience and artists together. The response has
been staggering. “Thank you for giving people a voice who normally aren’t given one,” we’ve
heard. Another talkback participant reported, “When they heard it was my first time at a theatre,
they welcomed me. An actress said ‘Thank you for coming.’ I began to tear up. I felt like a part of
something… I really did belong.” Regular attendees have put their word in too: “Best G-D play
I’ve ever seen,” said a 65 year old patron, on second viewing. She promised to see it a third time.
D. came to a preview. “It was fantastic,” she said. We hugged her fiercely and gave her a signed
copy of the script. It is no exaggeration to say that we felt more honoured by her positive reaction
than she did by being part of it all. That young woman is going places.
C. came later in the run. He stunned us by sending a multi-page essay in response. His observation about the character of Mutt dug beneath the surface to the truth: “We see an abandoned boy
seeking love and acceptance at any cost.”
Photos (from top): Vanessa poses a question to the panel; The
Circle playwright and actor Geoffrey Simon Brown looks on;
representatives from Enviros pose for a pic with some of the
team from The Circle; Vanessa embraces young panelist, C.
- Photos by Jeff Yee
No matter where you are on life’s journey, everyone feels a need to belong. With honesty and
passion, this world premiere by young Calgarian playwright Geoffrey Simon Brown has tapped
into something universal. It is resonating with young and old. It has been a privilege to listen in on
the conversations.
DONOR NEWSLETTER – NOVEMBER 2015
3
BOARD SERIES, PART 1
Let us introduce you to three of our amazing Board Members and donors.
We asked each of them to let us in on what it is that excites them about ATP!
John Humphrey
ATP Board Secretary; Emeritus Professor of Classics,
Department of Classics and Religion, University of Calgary;
ATP Donor
I’ve been a subscriber to Alberta Theatre Projects since I arrived in Calgary from Vancouver in the 1970s, when its home was in the musty but
intimate Canmore Opera House in Heritage Park. I was then (and still am) attracted by the company’s dedication to mounting new Canadian
plays (John Murrell’s Waiting for the Parade and Brad Fraser’s Unidentified Human Remains then, and Nicolas Billon’s Butcher and David van
Belle and Eric Rose’s The Last Voyage of Donald Crowhurst of the 2014-2015 season). Those four productions over 40 years speak to another
element of ATP’s strength: contemporary, usually edgy, and sometimes risky productions that challenge its audiences. Sure, there’s been the odd
dud or two, but I always have the sense that I’m witnessing something new and often unexpected, something that will roll around in my head for
days to come, something that adds immeasurably to my life.
Marilyn Potts
ATP Board Member; Professor Emeritus St. Mary’s University,
Educator/Director/Actor/Adjudicator/Drama consultant;
ATP Donor
What excites me most about ATP is its ability to create and showcase new work that reflects what is happening today. They excel in the
development of new work. I like to be challenged by productions. I like the variety of content, their engagement with the audience, and their
collaborative spirit.
They are supportive of the local arts community – especially young companies and new actors. My connection with ATP first started when I
began teaching drama and they sent John Murrell out to help me teach playwriting. They have consistently been mentoring students and
drama teachers over the years. It is very important for the students to be able to see how professional theatre is done. After 42 years of
attending ATP their work still excites me.
Frank Durnford
ATP Board Member; Counsel, Enbridge Inc.;
ATP Donor.
Each time I walk into the Martha Cohen Theatre, I know I can count on two things. First, I will feel welcomed and appreciated as an audience
member. The staff and volunteers welcome you with smiles and open arms and truly make you feel part of the ATP community. Second,
whatever I see on stage will be thoughtful and of high quality. Whether a show leaves me laughing or crying, hot or cold, knowing I can rely on
those two things make every night at ATP worthwhile.