First Light Theatre's Taming Of The Shrew

First Light Theatre's senior student production of William Shakespeare's Taming of The Shrew will soon hit the stage at the Goldie Mill Ruins in downtown Guelph.

These kids have been working hard in readiness for this challenging production. Workshops in acting, voice and movement along with rehearsals featuring a double cast are coming to an end as these budding thespians head into the home stretch of run-throughs and dress rehearsals.

For showtimes, tickets and information contact First Light Theatre
The Taming of the Shrew
Contact Information for School Bookings or Public Performances:
courtney.firstlighttheatre@gmail.com
or call  519-836-8498

Taming of The Shrew performance location

May 30 - June 3 2012

Do Not Disturb

It appears the actors are listening, but they are really wondering what's for lunch.

Recently I was invited by Theatre Collingwood, to participate in a workshop for a new play by Vern Thiessen called Do Not Disturb. It was an intense 3 days as Playwright Vern Thiessen, Artistic Director, Steven Thomas and Dramaturge Lisa O'Connell from "Pat The Dog Playwright Centre" put us through our paces.

Pictured here are Steven Thomas, Amanda Parsons, myself, and Mark Huisman taking instruction from Vern. On the third day we delivered a reading of the play for friends of Theatre Collingwood. Judging from the reaction, Theatre Collingwood has a huge hit on their hands this summer. Don't miss Do Not Disturb! It is a hugely entertaining, mile-a-minute farce that will have you rolling in the aisles. Call 1-866-382-2200 or visit www.theatrecollingwood.com for tickets. The show runs Aug 20-25, 2012

To learn more about the work of Mr. Thiessen visit: www.vernthiessen.com

Acting up!

Get ready kids!

Pictured here are the students who study acting at The Melody in Me Studio in Barrie ON. The budding drama students listen intently to instructions for the upcoming exercise.

The classes take place in a dance studio, so we draw the curtains to hide the mirrors. It is a great space to work and the class is just the right size. We have scads of fun!!

The girls seem to be doing all the work.

Sometimes we work alone and sometimes we work as a group, as in this case - The tug of war.

The servant is definitely disobeying the master!

Here the teen class performs a 'status' exercise. It's funny; when you are participating fully, your body does the most amazing things. You forget you are acting and simply get along with the task at hand. Are we having fun yet?

Theatre, theatre and more theatre

Pandora's Sox is a busy place these days.

Acting classes at the Melody In Me Studio in Barrie are humming along. The Junior Class is preparing a performance of "Gus The Theatre Cat" for friends and family. The Teen Class has been working on monologues and will soon be given a scene to work on in preparation for a performance.

We're also having great fun teaching drama to kids as part of an after-school program run by First Light Theatre. These kids have been busy learning stage combat, sword fighting and a host of theatre games designed to improve concentration and spark imagination.


Pandora's Sox - the acting studio, has begun conducting private drama coaching for adults. This studio is located at 27 University Ave East in Guelph ON.

Goldie Mill ruins Guelph

Rehearsals have also begun for an upcoming production of Taming of The Shrew. This is a training program for teens and young adults. An awesome program conducted by First Light Theatre, aspiring actors get to cut their teeth on Shakespeare. Performances of Taming of The Shrew will take place at Goldie Mill Outdoor Theatre, May 30- June 3, 2012.


Sadly, puppet shows have had to take a back seat in April, but we'll be breathing new life into those tours soon.

April 26,27 and 28 I'll be in Collingwood for a workshop of a new play called Do Not Disturb by Vern Thiessen. Artistic Director, Steven Thomas of  Theatre Collingwood is conducting the workshop in association with Pat The Dog Playwright Centre. There will be a public reading of the play April 28 for Theatre Collingwood members.

Stay tuned for more developments...

Tooting our own horn

BEEP BEEP

During performances the puppets get great feedback from audience members. Occasionally the administration staff also get feedback.

Here's a few samples of what folks have had to say about the show(s)
Thanks very much Jay. Nothing but great feedback from my kids and others on your entertaining puppet show.  We hope to have you back again sometime.

Allyson Turgeon

Gr. 3 Teacher/Literacy Coach

W.H. Day Elementary School

Bradford ON

Good Morning Jay,
Thank you for your great performances.
I was very pleased, as were the merchants in the mall and will certainly keep you in mind for future workshops.
Dianne Mehaffey
Promotions & Marketing Manager
Huntsville Place Mall Merchant Association

Yes, great job Jay, thanks so much - very professional performance.
Anna Webb Kozlov Centre Barrie ON

Thanks again, l got lots of wonderful compliments about the performance.  Have a great holiday.  Deb

Deb Gardiner

Marchmont Public School Orillia ON

New studio!

New studio you say?

The Pandora's Sox Drama Studio is now open! We now have our very own workspace for voice classes, private acting sessions, puppet experiments and honing presentation skills. We're very excited. You can see we're just moving in, but we're already teaching.

OK so the office looks a little laid-back

Those of you wanting to book summer puppet shows, please contact us soon. Dates are filling up:)

And here is the messy, half unpacked studio

Why theatre for young people?

A friend of mine from First Light Theatre sent me this tidbit. I thought it was worth repeating..."Bill English of San Francisco's SF Playhouse says theater is like a gym for empathy. It's where we can go to build up the muscles of compassion, to practice listening and understanding and engaging with people that are not just like ourselves. We practice sitting down, paying attention and learning from other people's actions. We practice caring."

That's why!