“TONIGHT WAS A WILD NIGHT AT THE THEATRE. OUR @HPRODEO, YOU RARELY DISAPPOINT AND YOU ALWAYS MISSION CHALLENGE US TO BE AT OUR obust cultural landscapes nurture Rvibrant societies. Through BEST! WAY TO GO ALL!!!” high-calibre work in the performing - @MNANCYKEN arts across the wide range of projects we undertake each season, Performance Theatre harnesses the bold, adventurous spirit of our community to enrich the place we live.

Our mission is to create and present vital, surprising performance experiences that engage and reward our audience.

We believe it is through this kind of artistic work – that arouses curiosity, ignites passion, stimulates imagination and challenges expectation – individuals are inspired and communities fl ourish. By extension, we believe that the rigour and love that feeds the work we put forward translates to a community that values connection, compassion, and strives to nourish its people – a society that is galvanized by challenge and energized by possibility.

To realize this vision we are committed to: • Developing and producing the work of the One Yellow Rabbit Performance Ensemble • Educating and mentoring new and “SIGNALS A NEW YEAR established artists through programs OF ARTISTIC EXPLORATION. like the Summer Lab Intensive and the IT MEANS OUTINGS beautifulyoungartists initiative • Producing and presenting the High WITH FRIENDS TO Performance Rodeo, Calgary’s EXPERIENCE ART International Festival of the Arts TOGETHER.” • Celebrating the support of our - @JUNIPER_GAL community partners through special events like Wine Stage and unique events in the Big Secret Theatre WHO WE

“We love #Christmas, “I left Calgary hugely ARE NOW inspired and with a belief in ne Yellow Rabbit Performance #Summer, and well myself as a theatre- Our community reminds us of the OTheatre’s work comes from deeply importance of what we do. Aft er the ALL the fun maker that I did not have rooted values of respect, dignity, sudden and tragic deaths of two of our upon entering the Big Secret integrity and compassion. founding members, Richard McDowell #Holidays...BUT Theatre on June 20. I left and Michael Green, the 2015–16 season These values guide the organization in presented an opportunity for rebirth. there is nothing like with a deeper understanding all that we do in our community. Living #HPRODEO time in of myself, my craft , and my these values has given us great success Our community gives us a haven from passion. It was and rewarded all of our stakeholders which we’ve been able to re-imagine an – One Yellow Rabbit, our Board, staff , #YYC absolutely one of the most exciting future for One Yellow Rabbit. ensemble, volunteers, public and private This Report to Community provides an @ONEYELLOW- positive theatrical partners, patrons, and our Calgary overview of our dynamic creative 2015– experiences I have ever had.” community. 16 season at One Yellow Rabbit. RABBIT @HPRODEO” - Kyle Golomba, Summer Lab Participant - @squarecatent

“...Just see as many “The Lab gives a great shows as you can. opportunity to not only come in contact with new ideas but also It will blow your to practice them and try them mind #hprodeo” out on an audience in a safe and encouraging environment.”

- Jakob Koranyi, - @sillikate Summer Lab Participant female cast including Ensemble member Upcoming Denise Clarke, Georgina Beaty, Nadien Chu and Ellen Close. Hines uses her trademark wit and off - Fat Jack Falstaff ’s Last Hour beat insights to examine the many conversations women have when they Written by celebrated Canadian man get together – that have nothing to do of letters, John Murrell, and directed by with men or babies. Blake Brooker; with the Ensemble cast Premieres at the 2017 High Performance and Murrell as Falstaff . Rodeo, January 10 to January 21, 2017. Murrell uses the Shakespearean character’s fi nal hour of life to deft ly examine people’s real experiences. Beauty of the Husband Running in the Big Secret Theatre, October 25 to November 5, 2016. As part of Soulpepper’ sesquicentennial Project imagiNation, One Yellow Rabbit received a commission to write a play All The Little Animals I Have based on Beauty of the Husband: A Eaten Fictional Essay in 29 Tangos, written by poet Ann Carson. It is in the early stages This new play inspired by the Bechdel of development. The One Yellow Rabbit Test is written by Karen Hines, directed Ensemble and members of Soulpepper by Blake Brooker and featuring an all- will perform the adaptation. Slated to run during the 2107-18 season.

Brooker received the recognition for his creative vision and commitment to a ONE YELLOW lifetime of artistic excellence that have contributed greatly to the cultural landscape of Calgary and . RABBIT Brooker is not only known as an accomplished theatre creator, but more importantly, as a humanitarian, mentor ENSEMBLE and friend. ACTIVITIES t’s been another year in which One Premieres IYellow Rabbit’s Ensemble members were honoured for their achievements. One Yellow Rabbit opened its new play Congratulations to Blake Brooker! Calgary I Love You, but You’re Killing One Yellow Rabbit Artistic Director Me - a touching love letter to Calgary - Blake Brooker was appointed as a at the 2016 High Performance Rodeo.. Member of the Order of Canada by the Ensemble members Denise Clarke and Right Honourable David Johnston on Andy Curtis were joined by Karen Hines July 1, 2015. That followed Associate and Jamie Tognazzini and musicians Artist Denise Clarke’s appointment in Kris Demeanor, Jonathan Lewis and 2013. David Rhymer. We are so proud of them both. ARTIST beautifulyoungartists A component of the beautifulyoungartist TRAINING program acts as a vehicle to provide performance opportunities to a loosely defi ned group mentored through One AND Yellow Rabbit. Under the direction of One Yellow Rabbit Associate Artist Denise Clarke, MENTORSHIP about 20 of Calgary’s most talented young theatre and dance artists per- formed for Sled Island 2015 as the PROGRAMS beautifulyoungartists Ensemble in Ra- diohead’s album “Hail to the Thief”. s leaders in the fi eld of theatre They interpreted the album through the creation, mentorship and artist A lens of their generation and experience training are core components of One to boldly unveil the political Yellow Rabbit’s artistic mission. complexities they face. To further the support of the community we The Summer Lab Intensive provided 30 students with access to the Returns art through complimentary tickets. “It is unlike any other workshop I have Aft er a one-year hiatus the re-imagined beautifulyoungstudents 19th Summer Lab Intensive returned in attended in that nowhere else have I been 2016. The unconventional three-week guided, through the thoughtful, original and master class is for actors, writers, To foster ongoing relationships with the well-tested means applied by the directors, dancers and other artists emerging talent on the Calgary theatre Rabbits, to unlock my own process towards interested in performance-based scene, One Yellow Rabbit has launched achieving authentic work.” creative practice. It is led by seasoned a dynamic mentorship initiative called - Megan Jones arts professionals One Yellow Rabbit beautifulyoungstudents. Associate Artist Denise Clarke, Artistic A key aspect of this program during the Director Blake Brooker, renowned visual 2016 High Performance Rodeo was a artist Chris Cran and other guest series of interactive artist talks open instructors. to all of Calgary’s students and to the The Lab teaches performance creation general public, facilitated by many of techniques, enhances performance skills Calgary’s senior artists and hosted at the and stimulates the imagination. With University of Calgary and Western a mixture of emerging and established Canada High School. artists, the Summer Lab Intensive’s As part of One Yellow Rabbit’s approach during the teaching process beautifulyoungartist program and with emphasizes exploring individual the support of the RBC Foundation, we personal aesthetic. developed the all-access High In the 2016 Lab, 25 artists - the largest Performance Rodeo pass for “It will raise your vision and abilities as group to date - spanned three beautifulyoungstudents, an initiative we an artist to a whole new level through generations ranging from teenagers to plan to continue for the 2017 High development of body, mind and artistic septuagenarians. Performance Rodeo and in years to vision. It will help you give birth to your come. personal creative process.” - Louie Koutis HIGH PERFORMANCE RODEO

uring January 2016, we celebrated Dthe 30th annual High Performance Rodeo – our biggest yet. Over the past 30 years, the High Performance Rodeo has grown from an underground happening, into Calgary’s International Festival of the Arts – a vibrant leading cultural institution and Canada’s longest running performing arts festival.

The High Performance Rodeo’s mandate is to engage with what’s at the forefront of theatrical imagination.

Diverse, leading, international artistic professionals at the High Performance Rodeo create and present vital, rigorous, and artistically exceptional performance experiences that engage and reward the community we are privileged to call home. heritage.

30th Launched with a ceremony on the observation deck of the , The Calgary Songs Project kicked off 2016 Anniversary as The Year of Music in the city – 12 months of festivities, including the Junos and the opening of the National Music Highlights Centre’s new home Studio Bell. During the High Performance Rodeo, the Tower’s bells played medleys of the 30 songs through noon hour. The tunes were also broadcast in their original or the High Performance Rodeo’s form from the Galleria Trees sculpture F30th anniversary, we hosted more on Walk. And a concert than 150 local and visiting artists in 125 at the Royal Canadian Legion #1, shows and 12 venues throughout Cal- featured local acts performing versions gary. of all of the tunes. Among the highlights of the 2016 Rodeo are: Improv Everywhere

Language Translation New York-based prank collective Improv Everywhere brought Mp3 Experiment To acknowledge and honour First to the 2016 High Performance Rodeo. Nations Peoples, we translated the Billed as an audio mob, participants – Indigenous work presented at the Rodeo anybody who wanted to – downloaded into the language of the First Nation it an original Mp3 fi le onto their mobile came from. device, synchronized their watches to an atomic clock on the website, wore red, Co-presentations blue, yellow or green clothing and joined the mob in the Plus 15 by Bankers Hall We are proud to count among our 2016 and at East Village’s River Walk. co-presenters: Theatre Calgary, Swallow-A-Bicycle Theatre, Vertigo Theatre, Lunchbox Theatre, ProArts Jack Charles V. The Crown Society and Theatre Projects. The powerful autobiographical one-man Featured shows show, Jack Charles V. The Crown, charmed audiences at the University Theatre. Charles is one of ’s treasures. Calgary Songs Project, Year of Music An actor, musician, potter and gift ed musician and composer Kenna Burima performer – for a good portion of his and Arif Ansari created The Calgary Songs nearly 70 years Charles has also been Project: 30 Songs Celebrating 30 Years, a homeless, an addict, a thief and a regular tribute to this city’s recent musical in Victoria’s prisons. H u ff audiences geographically and culturally, Indigenous playwright Cliff Cardinal through new venues and partnerships. showed High Performance Rodeo audiences at West Village theatre why he is one of the most exciting new voices Diversity in Canadian theatre. With his signature biting humour and raw, vivid imagery, The High Performance Rodeo remains Cardinal expertly portrays more than a committed to promoting and embracing dozen characters in his captivating solo diversity within our programming and performance in H u ff . audience outreach. We welcome performers and audiences who DEEP Aerobics represent voices of all people. In 2017 the High Performance Rodeo will begin the work required to provide access to Calgary got a taste of New York-based the hearing and sight impaired com- choreographer Miguel Gutierrez’s munities. This will include providing participatory spectacle – one hour-plus resources to train American Sign Lan- of the communal/political/ guage interpreters and guides for tactile conceptual/ imaginational workout stage tours. Our goal is to provide access experience. The audience, dressed in for diff erently-abled patrons for a neon Lycra tights and headbands, minimum of fi ve productions in the headed to Theatre Junction GRAND for 2018 Rodeo. “The ‘brash, loud, and colourful’ OYR this performance/workout, featuring disco balls and writhing bodies. It was a has had a great impact. ‘There was sight to behold. Accessibility little beyond traditional theatre Special tickets enhance accessibility for every- presented here. They changed the one. In the spirit of accessibility, during the landscape.” Looking Forward 2017 High Performance Rodeo we will expand the number of free events and - Clem Martini New Venues off er $15 Wednesdays where tickets to all performances will be $15. We’ve also New Partnerships received a grant that will allow us to donate tickets to Syrian refugees who As we move forward, we will continue to wish to attend High Performance Rodeo expand the number of venues we events. present in. For our 2016 High Performance Rodeo, we extended our reach beyond downtown venues to include the University of Calgary and the West Vil- lage. During the year two new state-of the art venues opened in Calgary. Con- gratulations to Decidedly Jazz Dance- works and the National Music Centre for their dedication and the fruition of their hard work! We look forward to partnering with both venues as we expand our reach to new BIG SECRET RABBITS ARE

THEATRE SOCIAL ocial media highlights – 2016 High FACEBOOK LIKES BY REGION DURING HPR he Big Secret Theatre in Calgary’s SPerformance Rodeo TArts Commons is home to One We use the reach of social media to Yellow Rabbit. engage with festival goers before, during One Yellow Rabbit has had its home in and aft er the High Performance Rodeo. the Calgary Centre for the Performing Arts (now named ) since In 2016 we utilized Facebook and shortly aft er it opened in the 1980s. The Twitter to connect with our audiences. Rabbits transformed the space into a Using the hashtags #hprodeo, #oyr, and small DIY venue called the Secret #oneyellowrabbit, audiences could Theatre. Opening in 1995 aft er extensive connect with One Yellow Rabbit and renovations, the new Big Secret Theatre each other. We were able to monitor was a fl exible performance space for feedback and engagement across provocative, contemporary and Facebook and Twitter to gauge the engaging work. It also off ers patrons the success of our High Performance Rodeo opportunity to enjoy a drink from the social media campaign. venue’s Laycraft Lounge. Between performances, the Big Secret Theatre is the creative studio of the One FACEBOOK LIKES Yellow Rabbit Ensemble as they develop DURING HPR and rehearse new work. It also provides an additional revenue stream from rent and partnerships and co-presentation opportunities for One Yellow Rabbit. Our vision is to complement the work of our resident Ensemble by hosting the work of contemporaries and community groups in our theatre. In the past year Wordfest, Fluidfest, the Mayor’s Safety SOCIAL MEDIA INSIGHT DURING Expo, the Calgary International Children’s Festival and other groups HIGH PERFORMANCE RODEO have presented work in the Big Secret JANUARY 01 - 31, 2016 Theatre.

Looking Forward TOTAL LIKES 5,083 The Big Secret Theatre is undergoing a PAGE ENGAGEMENT 2,541 lighting grid upgrade that will allow us to produce more technically complex 208.7% lighting designs for performances. WEEKLY TOTAL REACH 85,166 241% WINE STAGE illed as Calgary’s premier wine and Bfood event, Wine Stage is One Yellow Rabbit’s annual fundraising bash. Wine Stage welcomes Calgarians to a night of culinary pleasures in benefi t of the work on our stages and in our rehearsal studios.

Wine Stage 2016 maintained the quality and sophistication that have characterized this successful event to date, while embracing the fresh, playful and refl ective spirit of One Yellow Rabbit.

Three-year strategic plan

his year we will embark on a new Tperiod of strategic planning to ensure that the One Yellow Rabbit organization is sustainable over the long term. Among our priorities in achieving sustainability is having a three-year hu- We returned to our venue at Gasoline man resources plan that provides for the Alley in Heritage Park Historical Village. proper staffi ng levels. It includes The location provides a festive setting recruiting and retaining the best to explore new wines with deliciously people to forward our ambitious plans; paired bites. Open and spacious, it and exploring the best strategies for inspires energized encounters and organizational succession. A critical encourages conversation with the wine component of our strategy is creating a experts and restaurateurs who curate the Development Plan to help us raise funds night’s selections. to realize our goals. ADMINISTRATIVE FINANCIALS ne of One Yellow Rabbit’s HIGHLIGHTS FOR Ofundamental values is economy. We maximize resources to achieve the 2015 – 2016 best possible outcome and we make big things happen with diligence and grace. Our best decisions are those that provide Staff the highest end result for the One Yellow Rabbit core staff grew from organization and the largest number four full-time equivalent and fi ve of stakeholders, including our Board of contract positions to eight full-time Directors, the Ensemble, our staff , equivalent and fi ve contract positions. volunteers, community, partners and We are providing employment to Cal- patrons – and the future of our commu- garians, while at the same time we are nity. strengthening the foundation of the organization. Income and Expenditures: The Calgary Foundation We received signifi cant support from the Calgary Foundation for strategic Income planning, human resources planning, resource and fundraising development sponsorship and 14% and our new One Yellow Rabbit website. dona3ons 27% Partnerships New One Yellow Rabbit 20% website Public Funding Throughout 2016, we worked diligently Earned Revenue to build a new visually exciting One 39% Yellow Rabbit website to refl ect who we are now. The website launched in August 2016. Expenditures

30 for 30 Campaign Fund Development In celebration of High Performance Rodeo’s 5% 30th anniversary, we launched a three-month- 15% marke6ng and long fundraising campaign to raise $30,000. Communica6ons In April, we extended heartfelt thanks to our Opera6ons supporters who donated a whopping total of 52% 14% $40,500. We take that as a vote of con dence – Produc6on and we extended the campaign for the duration 14% Ar6s6c Programming of the year. One Yellow Rabbit Paddy-Jo Davis Jay MacGillivray Charlotte Fredericks Gerardo Marquez One Yellow Rabbit Publicist would like to thank Amanada Germain Laura Nanni Performance Theatre Todd Hawkwood our generous James Gottselig John Osler Kim Green In Honour of Ada Rawlins Artistic Director Production Management donors, funders, Microsoft Marnie Schaetti Blake Brooker C.M. (Moosetek) Paul Moss partners and Margaret & Michael Perlette David Severson Dr. Lynn Murfin Alane Smith sponsors: Associate Artist Graphic Design Osten -Victor Fund at the Cal- Dale Turri (Cattleprod Creative) Darcy Parke gary Foundation Brigitte von Rothemburg Denise Clarke C.M Playeur The Pat & Tony Adams Free- Jean Watson dom Trust Virginia & Cameron Webster Managing Director & Artistic Festival Producer Alsa Road Construction Jason Wordie Producer Kelly Reay Big Rock Ann Connors Calgary Municipal Land Voyeur Website Design Corporation/East Village Provisioneur Structured Abstraction Anonymous Chef-de-Scheduling City of Calgary Francine Béland Francine Beland Banff Wine Store Candace Berlinguette & Mike Bar C Social Media The Calgary Foundation Alix Williams First Calgary Financial Kennard Bin 905 Marketing & Communications Laurie Albert Venning Bernadine Blasetti Boxwood Associate Grant Burns Brasserie and Wine Bar Ryan Bartlett Board of Directors Executive Chris Brooks Kensington Peter Kufeldt – Chair Marilyn & Mark Brown Family Chef’s Table at Kensington Marketing & Communications Colin Logiss – Past Chair Provocateur Fund at the Calgary FoundationRiverside Inn Greg Forrest – Vice-Chair Arts Commons Director Donna Clare Anne Connolly Paddy-Jo Davis – Secretary Dr. Jackie Korol Family Dentist Noree Claerhout Douglas Collister Cattleprod Creative Corp Nadine Krenosky – Treasurer RBC Foundation Ann Connors Cookbook Company Cooks Structured Abstraction Coleen and Norm Dickson Grumans Catering and Ensemble Artist Rhonda Dahl Delicatessen Andy Curtis Directors John Dunn Horizon Group Professional Ralph Christoffersen Benefacteur Marcia Epstein Accountants Audience & Artist Services Mona Dallmann Heather Flanagan J. Webb Wine Merchant Brett Dahl James Laycraft Calgary Tower Facilities LTD Gregory J Forrest Professional Kensington Wine Market Shannon Anderson Sherritt Greene Immigration Corporation Maranda Repographics Company Manager Law Louise Forsyth MetroVino Johanne Deleeuw Honourary Wilson Laycraft Barristers & Corine and Stefan Frick Ox & Angela Blake Brooker C.M. Gerry Friebe Peasant Cheese Shop Solicitors Resource Development Denise Clarke C.M. Anne Georg Proof Doug and Donna Gillmor Richmond Hill Wines John Dunn Ex-offcio Tom and Margaret Green River Café Connoisseur Indra Harry The Selkirk Grille Content Creator Ann Connors Roman Kan Shef’s Fiery Kitchen Anne Georg Anonymous Dale Lee Kwong Swizzlesticks Salon & Spa Associate Ralph Christoffersen Ben Leavitt Twigs & Company Business Manager Evan Wooley Mona Dallmann Colin Logiss Una Pizza + Wine Amanda Germain Chris Davis Law Jonathan Lytton Vine Arts