2009|10 MTC Co-Founders John Hirsch and Tom Hendry Met While Studying at the University of Manitoba
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manitoba theatre centre AnnuAl RepoRt2009|10 MTC co-founders John Hirsch and Tom Hendry met while studying at the University of Manitoba. They first joined forces to form a children’s theatre company and then later founded Theatre 77. In 1958, Theatre 77 merged with Winnipeg Little Theatre to become Canada’s first regional theatre – the Manitoba Theatre Centre. MTC co-founders John Hirsch (left) and Tom Hendry. MTC spent its first decade in the Dominion Theatre until it was demolished to make way for the Richardson Building/Fairmont complex. During construction of the new theatre, MTC presented two seasons at the Centennial Concert Hall. On November 2, 1970, the Manitoba Theatre Centre opened at its present location with Bertolt Brecht’s A Man’s A Man, directed by John Hirsch. Since its founding, MTC has produced more than 500 plays with hundreds of well-known actors, including Len Cariou, Graham Greene, Martha Henry, Judd Hirsch, Tom Hulce, William Hurt, Tom Jackson, Robert Lepage, Seana McKenna, Eric Peterson, Gordon Pinsent, Keanu Reeves, Fiona Reid, R.H. Thomson, Kathleen Turner and Al Waxman. Now, more than 50 years after John Hirsch and Tom Hendry envi- sioned a centre for theatre in Manitoba, MTC continues to do all they dreamed of and more. Today, MTC produces 10 plays on two stages, a regional tour, two festivals and a wide range of youth programming. Artistic Director Steven Schipper is attuned to his audience, General Manager Zaz Bajon knows how to raise money and spend it wisely, and the community supports the theatre with grants, donations, volunteer time and thousands of subscriptions. TABlE OF Contents message from the chair ......................................................................4 Expanding the Audience’s Theatrical Appreciation & board of trustees & advisory council .............................................4 Building for the Future by Training Young Artists message from the General manager ................................................5 monday mix ...........................................................................................14 mandate, mission, Vision and Values ...............................................6 backstage Pass: theatre Perspectives for Students ...................14 Celebrating the Widest Spectrum of Theatre Art & talkbacks ...............................................................................................14 Reflecting the Community We Serve theatre For Young audiences ...........................................................15 message from the artistic Director ..................................................7 Scholarships & apprenticeships ......................................................15 attendance .............................................................................................8 Commitment to Employees John hirsch theatre Productions .....................................................9 MTC Staff ...............................................................................................16 tom hendry theatre Productions ................................................... 10 Winnipeg Fringe theatre Festival Staff ..........................................17 regional tour .......................................................................................11 Community Support Cultivating the Finest Ensemble of Artists in Canada & endowment Fund .................................................................................18 Providing the Conditions for Each Artist to Fulfill His or annual Fund ..........................................................................................21 Her Potential Special events .....................................................................................22 cultivating talent ................................................................................12 Founders’ circle ..................................................................................24 Advancing Theatre as an Art Form & Encouraging New corporate Director’s circle ..............................................................24 Writing Director’s circle ..................................................................................25 the Winnipeg Fringe theatre Festival ............................................13 corporate Friends of MTC .................................................................25 master Playwright Festival ................................................................13 Friends of MTC ....................................................................................25 Wordplay ................................................................................................13 Photo credits.......................................................................................30 Financials ..............................................................................................31 “WonDerFul liFe? Yes, and great play, too” - WinniPeG Free PreSS on it’S a WonDerFul liFe: a raDio PlaY manitoba theatre centre | annual report 2009/2010 -3- MessagE From THE CHAiR Quality and balance. These are two of support of our numerous corporate sponsors, individual donors and Manitoba Theatre Centre’s core values as funders, including Arts Stabilization Manitoba, the MTC Foundation and identified in our strategic plan. I single the Winnipeg Foundation, we are able to offer world-class theatre to them out because they hold the key to Manitobans at a truly affordable ticket price. understanding our ongoing success and the When applied to our management practices, quality and balance guide reason why we’re celebrating another positive the manner in which our staff make day-to-day decisions and undertake year, which saw an increase in attendance, their assignments and responsibilities. They say it takes a village to raise our second highest box office sales ever and a child; well, here, it takes a village to raise a curtain. I would like to offer a tidy financial surplus. my deepest appreciation for the efforts expended by our extraordinary When applied to our artistic direction, quality and balance have particular villagers, led by our Artistic Director, Steven Schipper, and our General resonance. During my tenure on the Board, I’ve observed that while the Manager, Zaz Bajon. content of a play can vary greatly — from emotionally challenging to We take great pride in our people, and it’s easy to see why. The breadth light-hearted and whimsical — the art form itself is treated with equal of their skills and depth of their commitment is reflected in the quality reverence. The art form is always held sacred and never compromised. of our productions. Quality is assured for any play that graces our stages. While driven by quality, the playbill always strikes a balance between dramas, musicals We also have an embarrassment of riches at MTC in terms of the hundreds and comedies. Furthermore, our two stages allow us to present a of volunteers who commit so generously of their time in support of dynamic playbill of recognizable classics, powerful dramas and edgy, our theatres. Thanks to each of you. Rest assured your efforts do not unconventional productions. Once again, this formula proved successful go unnoticed; they are an inspiration to all of us who are likewise, or for the 2009/10 season. otherwise, associated with MTC. When applied to our community commitment, quality and balance is Finally, I’d like to offer thanks to all of you, together with the many reflected in the variety, accessibility and affordability of our programming. thousands of kindred spirits across the province who comprise our Whether at the John Hirsch Mainstage, the Tom Hendry Warehouse, the audience, for choosing to participate in the magic of theatre and sharing Winnipeg Fringe and Master Playwright Theatre Festivals, the Regional in the act of imagining. Tour or our unique Theatre for Young Audiences program, MTC strives to It has been a privilege serving as Chair. offer a wide range of affordable theatre, making it clear there is indeed something for everyone at MTC. The balance comes in the affordability and accessibility of ticket pricing. In the end, balancing accessibility with potential revenue means ticket sales cover only approximately 50% of our operating costs. This is a deliberate decision, and thanks to the generous contributions and Gerry Couture | CHAIR Board of TrusTees HONORARY MEMBERS TRUSTEES ADViSORY COUNCil colin r. macarthur, Qc Patrick J. matthews hiS honoUr, Lt. Governor Philip S. Lee bruce bennett Lawrence Prout, chair claire W. miller the honoURABLe Greg Selinger, Premier of robert eastwood Gail asper Jeffrey morton, FCA manitoba Jeff Lamothe morley blankstein hon. Jack murta hiS WorShiP, mayor Sam Katz roger ramsay Doneta brotchie Lillian neaman michelle Weinberg angus campbell Shelley nimchonok EXECUTiVE OFFiCERS rod Woodcock albert D. cohen andrew ogaranko, Qc Gerry couture, chair rick Workman hy Dashevsky James Pappas Gary hannaford, FCA, chair-ELECT, chair, GoVernance & STRATEGic PlanninG Glen Dyrda, FCA John Petersmeyer Jim mcLandress, SECRETARY John F. Fraser Jeff Quinton Patrick Green, treaSurer Jean Giguere Patricia rabson Derrick coupland, chair, COMMUNITY RELATIONS & reSOURCE DeVELOPment charron hamilton margaret redmond Kerry Dangerfield, TRUStee Yude henteleff Susan Skinner Shannon ernst, chair, orGaniZATIONAL PerFormance Ken houssin al Snyder Gordon Keatch maureen Watchorn -4- manitoba theatre centre | annual report 2009/2010 MessagE From THE General MANAgER As the world