Making a Scene Conference: A Question of Balance

The Greater Vancouver Professional Theatre Alliance (GVPTA) announces its signature industry event: the Making a Scene Conference. This year’s theme is A Question of Balance.  The Conference is a critical forum for Metro Vancouver’s professional theatre community, which will come together to reflect upon its achievements, to assess its state of affairs, and to envision its future. Making a Scene will be held at the Columbia Theatre in New Westminster November 29 through December 1. 

The event begins on Thursday, November 29 with Change Labs, a pre-conference session is free and open to all.

Making a Scene will officially begin on Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. with an opening reception, followed by All You Need is [a] Laugh: an evening of comedy by some of Vancouver’s best known and most loved comedians, including Ivan Decker, Joel Cottingham, Andrew Barber and sketch comedy artists Peter n’ Chris (Peter Carlone and Chris Wilson).

Friday, November 30 begins with Evan Adams’ keynote address. Adam is a Coast Salish actor and physician from the Sliammon Band, who will bring to light the deeper connection between community health and theatre practice.

The second, and concluding day of the conference, Saturday, December 1 will begin with a keynote by Adam Blanshay, a Canadian commercial producer with substantial credits on Broadway and in London’s West End, who will offer his own story on why he chose to work in commercial theatre instead of non-profit, and will present his system for commercial producing.

Both days will continue with meetings and seminars inspired by Change Labs, using the Open Space meeting philosophy, wherein the participants set the agenda.

Update (Nov. 27): Change Lab Leaders 
The Change Labs draws leaders from the Theatre and beyond to initiate the critical work of the conference. Below is a list of the scheduled workshop leaders. 

Shauna Grinke: Healthy business models, healthy employees

Blair Odney: Who are we as theatre makers?  No, really.

Adam Blanshay: There's A Place for Us: The Commercial Theatre Business Model

Kim Selody: The Relationship of Theatre to Community

James Brown: Devising Great Space

Patrick McDonald and Amiel Gladstone: What defines BC Theatre? 

Making A Scene will also include a Vendor Fair where participants will have the opportunity to meet businesses that support the theatre community.

Registration Is Now Open

Registration is $150 for individuals, $120 for students and $50 for Founders Council (age 65+). You must join the GVPTA to attend. For complete registration details, please visit the Making A Scene website: www.makingascene.ca

Media Contact: Eleanor Stacey, Executive Director
Phone: 604.608.6799
Email: eleanor@gvpta.ca