Performance Theatre Yellow Rabbit One

Report to the Community 2014/2015 Robust cultural landscapes nurture vibrant societies. Through high-calibre work in the performing arts across the wide range of projects we undertake each season, One Yellow Rabbit Performance Theatre (OYR) 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 To realize this vision work – work that arouses curiosity, ignites we are commited to… passion, stimulates imagination and challenges expectation – that individuals – 6WhW^ab[`YS`VbdaVgU[`YfZW are inspired and communities fourish. work of the One Yellow Rabbit Performance Ensemble By extension, we believe that the rigor and love that feeds the work we put forward – 7VgUSf[`YS`V_W`fad[`Y`Wi translates to a community that values and established artists through connection, compassion, and strives programs like the Summer to nourish its people – a society that is Lab Intensive and the galvanized by challenge and energized by beautifulyoungartists initiative possibility. – BdaVgU[`YS`VbdWeW`f[`YfZW High Performance Rodeo, Calgary’s International Festival of the Arts

– 5W^WTdSf[`YfZWegbbadfaXagd community partners through special events like Wine Stage and unique events in the Big Secret Theatre Our Mission Cover photo credit: Kelly Hofer Kelly credit: photo Cover Photo Credit: Kelly Hofer The work of One Yellow Rabbit Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has One Yellow Rabbit Performance Theatre is entrenched in helped One Yellow Rabbit throughout Performance Ensemble Staf deeply rooted values of respect, dignity, this year. We look forward to the 30th integrity and compassion. These values installment of the High Performance Blake Brooker Ann Connors have guided the organization and formed Rodeo (how is that for resiliency!) and to Artistic Director Managing Director (OYR) our decisions around all that we do for our gathering of old friends and new friends. 6W`[eW5^Sd]W Managing Producer (HPR) Noree Claerhout community and those values have, in turn, See you all in 2016. Associate Artist Marketing Associate provided the highest end result for One Andy Curtis Michelle Kennedy 4dWƔ6SZ^ Yellow Rabbit and all our stakeholders – Ann Connors Executive Assistant Our Board, Our Staf, Our Ensemble, Our Managing Director 2014 – 2015 Board of Directors

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Associate Councillor Evan Woolley Welcome Capitalizing on the momentum of the it is a virtuosic return to the roots of “OYR [has] taught not only the Calgary theatre practitioners but theatre success of the 28th High Performance the company’s mandate of presenting audiences to be open to the novel and to Rodeo, the One Yellow Rabbit Ensemble authentic, stimulating stories through choose the unexpected.” dove into a season of potent and the convergence of physical movement

– Shelley Youngblut, Avenue Magazine courageous new creation work in 2014. and musicality. What The Thunder Said has a special resonance, as it was the Beginning with the continued last production by the OYR Ensemble development and production of wag – an faXWSfgdWfZWiad]aXEag`V6We[Y`Wd original one-woman show writen and D[UZSdV?U6aiW^^iZabSeeWVSiSk performed by Associate Artist and core [`@ahW_TWdS`V5a 3df[ef[U6[dWUfad 7`eW_T^W_W_TWd6W`[eW5^Sd]W´S`V Michael Green, who passed away in concluding with the staggeringly beautiful, February. world premiere production of What The Thunder Said, 2014/2015 was a season with Some highlights of other projects our busy deep roots in ideas of love, loss, beauty and Rabbits took on this season include the resilience. continuing development of Making Treaty 7, Crystal Pite’s upcoming production of Wag , a ‘comedy of tragic proportions,’ Betrofenheit, choreographing for the Shaw journeyed east in the spring, appearing as Festival and working with the vivacious part of the lineup of the Magnetic North Theatre Replacement in Vancouver. Theatre Festival in Halifax (June 2014) and was later reprised for a successful run at the Firehall Arts Centre in Vancouver (October 2014) where this poignant, powerful blend of dance and storytelling was warmly embraced by audiences and critics alike.

From May 2014 the Ensemble was joined by collaborator Peter Hinton to devise a theatrical presentation of T.S. Elliot’s famous 20th century poem, The Waste Land. This brutal and beautiful new piece of theatre would become What The Thunder Said, directed by Co-Artistic 6[dWUfad4^S]W4daa]WdbdW_[Wd[`YSf the 29th High Performance Rodeo in

January 2015. Performed as a triptych, Photo Credit: Michael Tan OYR Ensemble Activities Activities Ensemble OYR Photo Credit: Trudie Lee Educational and Mentorship Programs culminate inaseries ofunique devised immersive workshop process that would emerging artists to participate inan the Rabbits invited 13 established and and other guest instructors. July, Last renowned visual artist Chris Cran, 5a 3df[ef[U seasoned arts professionals OYR and stimulating artistic imagination led by techniques, enhancing performance skills, week master class inperformance creation 3df[ef repute devised and runby OYR Associate around the globe –is aprogram ofnational annually engages artist practitioners from The Summer Lab Intensive –which Rabbit’s artistic mission. are core components ofOne Yellow creation, mentorship and artist training As national leaders inthe feld of theatre opportunity. more engaged and comprehensive training will ofer participating artists an even newly re-imagined Summer Lab Intensive and leading theatre practitioners, the the guidance ofOYR Ensemble members redesigns are already inthe works: Under 20th edition –some exciting program This summer –as we approach the Lab’s participants’ creative practice. aim to motivate, initiate, and transform extensive personal exploration, with an program blends rigorous discipline with solo-creation performance pieces. The  6W`[eW  6[dWUfad  5^Sd]W  4^S]W  FZW  >ST  4daa]Wd  [e  S  fZdWW  as well as connecting new audiences with beautifulyoungartists company members, unique performance experience for music festival resulted inan absolutely in partnership with apopular Calgary This compelling and electric production as ofthe part 2014 Sled Island Festival. Radioheaded 2:AListening Party to Watch this exceptional ensemble presented g`VWd beautifulyoungartists. This season, dynamic mentorship initiative called theatre scene, OYR has launched a with the emerging talent on the Calgary In order to foster ongoing relationships the work of OYR and its artists. – Megan Carty create artists to explore, transform, learn, and Summer Lab is the permission it gives “The beauty of One Yellow Rabbit’s 40 years ofprofessional experience – ZaideSilvia Gutiérrez Crus, my physical capabilities” my creational computer and reseting like upgrading the operating system of “To beat the Summer Lab inOYR is  fZW without fear.  V[dWUf[a`  aX ”  6W`[eW  5^Sd]W 

Photo Credit: Michael Tan professional theatre experience – Peter Hinton O.C. 30 years of form.” people. It is THElaboratory of our art game. This is serious work for playful meeting place for upping our artistic would be ter for it. Anational revitalize their craf. OurTheatre theatre should put into practice to every artist working inCanadian It is research and development that been tested, examined, and celebrated. and my creative thinking powers have exhausted. My body, my imagination “I amchallenged, inspired and High Performance Rodeo As aleading cultural institution, the High new heights and more expansive depths. and innovation as Calgary itself reaches to acatalyst be for creativity, inclusivity the city it grew up in, continually striving has kept pace with the quickening pulse of Throughout its 30-year history, the Rodeo festivals ofits kind inthe country. art has matured into one ofthe largest grassroots showcase ofperformance What began as apunk-rock oriented, performances. progressive, wild and powerfully inventive renowned as fertile ground for walks oflife, the Rodeo is internationally out and captivating audiences from all BWdXad_S`UW programming season is the High At the heart ofOne Yellow Rabbit’s community it is privileged to call home. experiences that engage and reward the and artistically exceptional performance in creating and presenting vital, rigorous, leading international artistic professionals imagination, engaging adiverse array of with what’s at the forefront oftheatrical As its mandate, the Rodeo engages arts festival. and ’s longest running performing Calgary’s International Festival ofthe Arts Performance Rodeo has evolved to be  DaVWa  6WV[USfWV  fa  dWSUZ[`Y  – Mayor Naheed Nenshi lives by the very best inthe world.” together, and to beinspired in their own permission to love their city, to dream the world, but we give our own citizens do we atract top artists from around building community inthe city. Not only “The Rodeo is vital to our sense of celebration ofcreativity. the darkest and coldest month inavibrant experience. Join us as we ignite the city in that this year an willbe extraordinary Rodeo, we can con fdently promise for the 30th Annual High Performance programming lineup already inthe works As we look toward January 2016 and the – – – – i[fZ  – – Performance Rodeo included: The 29th Annual High ProArts@Noon series. The Carillon Celebration and the the form ofthe +15 Musical Ride, Free programming for all Calgarians in Nanook The Of North. Tagaq inconcert with the classic silent flm 2014 Polaris Music Prize winner, Tanya artist Peter Hinton Eliot’s Thunder Said One Yellow Rabbit’s own, TheatreProjects with co-presentation Smoot in Perennial Rodeo favourites Mump & FEMINIST SHOW, Lee’s Theater Company in Internationally acclaimed Young Jean a co-presentation with Theatre Calgary Chelsea Hotel: The Songs ofLeonard Cohen Firehall Arts Centre’s eclectic cabaret,  FZWSfdW The Waste Land Anything  –An illumination ofT.S.

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Nanook of the North in concert with Tanya Tagaq Rodeo at a Glance 7`YSY[`Y – 7_b^ak[`Y – 6W^[hWd[`Y – F[U]WfWV – $&'"" – AhWd – FZWSfdW   5a bdWeW`fSf[a`e – BSdf`WdeZ[be – #( – #$( – $( – dedicated volunteers another 50 technical professionals over 325,000 Calgarians people Averaging 3.4 pages pervisit January with 83,400 Page views – website during the month of over 5,100 Facebook fan venues around the city country and around the world   bdaVgUf[a`e VSke  Walrus Magazine The ProArts Society Alberta Theatre Projects Lunchbox Theatre Theatre Calgary bWdXad_S`UWe  &"""  geWde   3ƔW`VS`UW  fZW  8D77    ahWd Fi[ƔWd

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27.9% male 70.8% are female atend next year’s HPR 93.1% ofpatrons said they would 24.1% are frst-time atendees 75.9% are Rodeo veterans 5.8% from outside ofCalgary 94.2% are from Calgary 27.9% Prefer not to say 20.5% Over $150,000 25.9% $80,000 to $150,000 13.5% $50,000 to under $80,000 7.2% $35,000 to under $50,000 5.0% Under $35,000 7.4% Rather not say with children 24.2% married or living together with no children 35.7% married or living together 5.4% single with children 27.4% single with no children 19.24% 21.50% 26.98% 13.58% patrons aged 65+ 1.3% would rather not say 2.1% 16.6% patrons aged under 25 patrons aged patrons aged patrons aged patrons aged

25 –34 35 –44 45 –54 55 -64

(before taxes)

Photo Credit: Kelly Hofer – immrfabulous.com kicked to the curb!” Rodeo, the January Blues have been Yellow Rabbit’s High Performance “January. Meh. But thanks to One What atendees said Wine Stage – Calgary’s premier wine and Partners for Wine Stage 2015 were: food event – is One Yellow Rabbit’s annual about Wine Stage 2015: signature fundraising bash. Guests are Wine Merchants:

invited to savour the world’s fnest wines as “Best Tasting event in Calgary!” – 4S`ƋI[`WEfadW poured by Calgary’s top wine merchants – 4[`+"' – <IWTTI[`W?WdUZS`f “One Yellow Rabbit sets the stage for FUN.” and expertly paired with delicacies from – =W`e[`Yfa`I[`W?Sd]Wf our most celebrated restaurants. This totally – ?Wfdah[`a – D[UZ_a`V:[^^I[`We “So well organized… I was able to chat with unique event welcomes Calgarians to a night vendors, merchants, and other patrons.” – H[`W3dfe of culinary pleasures in beneft of the work – H[`Wefa`WI[`W5a “A great venue for wine tasting.” on our stages and in our rehearsal halls. Restaurants:

“Fun, lively, and educational. I would highly As we begin planning the 17th edition of – 4Sd5 recommend it to anyone.” – 4^SU]B[Y4[efda Wine Stage for 2016 we strive to maintain – 4dSeeWd[WS`VI[`WTSd=W`e[`Yfa` the quality and sophistication that have – 5aa]Taa]5a_bS`k5aa]e “Glitzy, Glam, Tasty, & Sexy. – 83D? A great social event.” characterized this successful event to date, – 9dg_S`¹e5SfWd[`YS`V6W^[USfWeeW` while embracing all opportunities to keep – FZWEW^][d]9d[^^W “Fabulous wine, food, and people.” – D[hWd5SX it fresh, vibrant, innovative, playful, and – EZWX¹e8[Wdk=[fUZW` refective of the spirit of OYR. – AjS`V3`YW^S Select Promotional Partners: This season we are excited to be returning – 4[YDaU]4dWiWdk to our event home for the past two years, – 5S^YSdk?g`[U[bS^>S`V5adbadSf[a`´ Gasoline Alley at Heritage Park Historical East Village – Ei[ll^Wef[U]eES^a` Village. This incredible location provides a grand and festive seting to explore new wines with deliciously paired bites, sparking Audience Profle Information: energized encounters while remaining sufciently intimate as to allow conversation 41.5% Male 58.5% Female with the wine experts and restaurants who have curated the night’s selections. Age of Atendees: Wine Stage 2016 promises to be a unique and – 2.3% Under 25 20.9% 25-34 spectacular celebration of OYR’s successes – 30.2% 35-44 to date as well as an important opportunity – – 34.8% 45-54 to raise necessary support to ensure the – 11.6% 55-64 vibrancy of the company in the future. Our – 0.2% 65+ event partners and sponsors are integral to Wine Stage’s success, providing fnancial, Household Income: marketing and event support. One Yellow 14.6% $50,000 to under $80,000 Rabbit prides itself on developing mutually – – 17.1% $ 80,000 to $150,000 benefcial relationships, which include – 43.9% Over $150,000 unique programs for each organization. – 24.4% Rather not say Wine Stage Stage Wine Photo Credit: Kelly Hofer The Big Secret Theatre, in Calgary’s Administrative Highlights for “It’s no small feat to be Calgary’s ‘other’ , home of One Yellow 2014 – 2015 rodeo, or the largest event of its kind in Western Canada. Be proud of this one, Rabbit began as unused space when the Cowtown, as the One Yellow Rabbit Calgary Centre for the Performing Arts One of One Yellow Rabbit’s fundamental theatre company’s ever-expanding festival is truly amazing” frst opened. The Rabbits transformed it values is economy. We maximize resources [`faSe_S^^6;KhW`gWUS^^WVfZWEWUdWf to achieve the best possible outcome and – Kelly Doody, The Calgary Sun Theatre in the late 80’s, and then afer we make big things happen with diligence extensive renovations expanded it into and grace. Our best decisions are those the Big Secret Theatre, opening in 1995; a that provide the highest end result for fexible performance space for provocative, the organization and the largest number contemporary, and engaging work. In aXefS]WZa^VWde´4aSdVaX6[dWUfade between performances - and enjoying a Ensemble, Staf, Volunteers, Community, drink from the venue’s Laycraf Lounge Partners and Patrons – and the future of our - the Big Secret Theatre is the creative community. working space of the One Yellow Rabbit Income and Expenditures: Ensemble as they develop and rehearse new work. It also provides an additional Income: revenue stream by drawing rental revenue – *Eba`eadeZ[bS`V6a`Sf[a`e and facilitating partnerships and co- – 14% Partnerships presentation opportunities for OYR. Our – 38% Public Funding 40% Earned Revenue vision is to complement the work of our – resident Ensemble by hosting the work of colleagues and contemporaries. In the past Expenditures: year, Ronnie Burket (Toronto), Kill Your – %8g`V6WhW^ab_W`f Television (), and community – 15% Marketing and Communications bSdf`WdeegUZSe6ai`efSYWS`VHWdT – 16% Operations 21% Production Theatre have all presented work in the Big – 45% Artistic Programming Secret Theatre. – Big Secret Theatre / Administrative Highlights Highlights Administrative / Theatre Secret Big Photo Credit: Kelly Hofer One Yellow Rabbit Connoisseur Voyeur (cont.) Granteur Provisioneur (cont.) Rapporteur would like to thank Anonymous Anne Georg The Government of Brasserie and Wine Bar BeatRoute Magazine our generous ?a`S6S^^_S`` Adam Geras Canada Kensington Calgary Herald funders, sponsors, BSVVk

oyr.org hprodeo.ca

Email: [email protected] Phone: 403.264.3224 Fax: 403.264.3230