Category: Notice

Audition Notice: Playtime 2

Auditions: March 23 & 24, 2025

Theatre Burlington is holding auditions for our second annual short play festival.  The festival takes place over 2 weekends in June.  16 short plays (approximately 10 minutes each), will be presented. 

All plays are written, directed and acted by local playwrights, directors and actors. The topics of the plays run the gamut from SciFi, to humour, and drama, and maybe, even a little farce.

AUDITION INFORMATION:
LOCATION: Theatre Burlington Drama Centre
2311 New Street, Burlington Ontario, Canada, L7P 3N9
(Use the red backstage door, facing the Library)

Sunday March 23, 2025, 7:00-9:00 PM
Monday March 24, 2025, 7:00-9:00 PM

To book an audition time, send an email to:

****PERFORMERS MUST BE AVAILABLE ****
There will be two weekends of performances. You may be required for both.
First weekend: June 12th for the dress and tech rehearsal and Friday, June 13th for 7:00 PM performance and Saturday, June 14th 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM performances.
Second weekend: June 19th for the dress and tech rehearsal and Friday, June 20th for 7:00 PM performance and Saturday, June 21st 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM performances.

Auditions are cold readings. Plays are a mixture of comedy and drama.
Newcomers are welcome. No experience necessary.

Plays Requiring Actors

Insight, by David Mouti
A expert job applicant, desperate for the Company’s young CEO to listen to him, goes to extreme lengths to ensure he’s heard.
Roles: Male, late 20’s to early 30’s, male, early to mid-60s

The Project, by Kate Racheter
Parents visit their child’s science fair, only to end up questioning their parenting when they see the nature of her project.
Roles: Male, age 30 to 45, the dad. Female, age 30-50, the mother.

At The Cottage, by Valerie King
During a light-hearted summer evening of cribbage, two married couples in their forties chat about optimal ways to die, with a surprise ending.
Roles: 2 females, age 40-50 2 males, age 40-50

Looking For Kitty, by Maryjane Cruise
After Iris’ husband betrays her, Iris must decide whether her marriage is worth saving.
Roles: Female, age 40ish

Diagnosis, by John Lawrence Reynolds
Diagnosis is a comedy set in an operating room where the surgeon, in the presence of a semi- alert patient and a nurse, angrily accuses the anesthesiologist of having an affair with his (the surgeon’s) wife.
Roles: Surgeon, male, mid-30s in age; bluff, quick to anger
Anesthesiologist, male, mid-30s; cooler, somewhat reserved
Patient, male, 25 to 40 years of age; slim/athletic physique
Nurse, female

The Mother Ship, by Michael Brown
A man sits on a bench awaiting his bus and is joined by a woman awaiting her ride; an intergalactic spaceship!
Roles: Bud, male, age 20-40
– A Human living on Earth. Precise. Clean.
Gloria, female, age 20-40
– A Centurion visiting Earth. Blunt. Inquisitive.

She’s Fine, by Karen Lee-Boulton
A brother and sister disagreeing on care for their elderly mother living with dementia.
Roles: Female, middle aged

Charity, by Julia Kollek
A fundraising training session at a charity serving the homeless takes an unexpected turn when an actual homeless person turns up.
Roles: Charity organizer, any gender, age 50+.
– This person founded the charity & comes across as a self-declared expert and
authority figure. They’re actually out of touch with the people their charity is trying
to help.
Charity volunteer, different gender from the Organizer, age 18-40.
– This person wants to make a difference in the world, and is more in tune with reality
than the charity organizer.
Homeless person, any gender, age 20+
– This person has had a tough life & has found themselves living on the street. They
don’t fit society’s stereotype (e.g. on drugs, uneducated, a criminal etc.), they just need some stability in their life

On The Go, by Tony Corrie
The play is a comedy where a strange and bizarre incident occurs on the Toronto to Burlington Go train.
Roles: Female, 20 plus
– Woman is freaked out after observing the bizarre behaviour of fellow passengers
Male, 20 plus
– A novice assassin.
Male or Female 20 plus
– GO train inspector. Confronts passengers about their behaviour

The Encounter, by Caroline Way
What if Peter and Judas bumped into each other after they both betrayed their Messiah?
Roles: Peter, male, late 20’s to early 30’s. African American or Middle Eastern preferred
Judas, male, late 20’s to early 30’s. Middle Eastern preferred

That Guy, by Kyla McCall
That Guy is a play about a person not realizing how fortunate their life is until someone helps them see their circumstance in a more positive way and to be grateful for it.
Roles: Male, ages late 30’s to early 50’s

Theatre Burlington 2024-25 Season

Theatre Burlington is pleased to announce its playbill for the 2024-25 season, featuring a lineup of all Canadian plays,

We kick off the season with “The Invention of Romance” by Conni Massing.

Love can be tough at any age, 30-something Kate searches for the meaning of romance through a series of disastrous dates.  Meanwhile, her long-widowed mother rekindles a relationship with a man she knew 60 years ago.  This delightful rom-com challenges the notions of love and romance.

September 13,14,20,21,27,28 (September 21 includes a matinée)


The annual holiday show for children is “Santa the Panto” by Diana Kimpton (adapted by Julie Donoahue and Kathy Hyde-Nagel).

Beatrix the Bad hates Christmas and will stop at nothing to prevent it from happening, including kidnapping Santa.  It’s up to Mrs. Claus, Barbie, Ken and the “Elf on a Shelf” to rescue Santa and save Christmas. The perfect show to introduce children to the magic of live theatre.

November 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 30 (November 22 is an evening show)


Our winter show is “Timepiece”, by Kico Gonzalez-Risso.

As the clock ticks down in the kitchen, the kids want to plan for the future.  Mom wants a smooth transition into the golden years, while Dad doesn’t understand what all the fuss is about.  This dark comedy explores the parent-child relationship amid a changing family dynamic.

February 7,8,9,14,15,16,21,22 (February 9 and 16 include a matinée)


We close out the season with “Bluebirds” by Vern Thiessen.

At the height of the Great War three nurses cross the ocean to care for wounded Canadian soldiers. Despite their trying circumstances, the trio manages to stay hopeful while finding friendship and independence.  This award-winning drama examines the role of women in a world where men are, once again, trying to destroy it.

April 11,12,18,19,25,26 (April 19 includes a matinée)


Why not become a season ticket holder? For just $75 you get all three main stage shows, and as an added bonus, you can reserve the same seat for all three.  Seasons tickets are available now at TheatreBurlington.on.ca or by calling the box office at 905-639-7700.

Individual tickets for these shows will go on sale August 1st, 2024. All main stage shows are $30 ($27 for seniors). Kid show tickets are $15.

Theatre Burlington is located on Teen Tour Way, behind the Central Park band shell and beside Central Library.

Western Ontario Drama League (WODL) festival (May 17-18)

 

Theatre Burlington’s ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf’ wins WODL award

The production won the award for outstanding production as well as outstanding ensemble

The accolades continue to roll in for Theatre Burlington’s critically acclaimed production of Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf.

At the recent Western Ontario Drama League (WODL) festival (May 17-18), celebrating the best in community theatre, Virginia Woolf won the award for outstanding production as well as outstanding ensemble.

Kelly Kimpton won the award for best lead actor, while Deb Dagenais won for outstanding direction by a first time director.

On the technical side, Virginia Woolf was nominated for best costumes (Barb Pollard), best set design (Michelle Spanik) and outstanding lighting design (Tricia Ward). In addition, Mark Collis and John Spanik were nominated for an award of merit behind the scenes, for their design and build of a prop “umbrella gun”.

WODL supports community theatre groups stretching from Burlington west to Sarnia and north to Tobermory.

Theatre Burlington has been presenting award-winning productions, including three main stage shows and an annual holiday show for children, for more than 70 years. The Drama Centre is located on Teen Tour Way, behind the Central Park bandshell and beside Central Library.

Executive Board 2024-2025

Theatre Burlington Executive

President William Armstrong
Vice President Julie Donoahue
Secretary currently unfilled
Treasurer Liz Boydell
Business Administrator Neil Palmer
Past President Chuck Learn

Department Heads

Box Office
(Inquiries only. Purchase tickets
online
or by phone only)
Evelyn Principato
Volunteer Coordinator
Moe Dwyer
Communications Julie Donoahue
Advertising & Promotion Liz Boydell
Publicity Kathy Hyde Nagal
Social Media Shannon Campbell
Membership Liz Boydell
Play Reading Chair
Michelle Spanik
Facilities
Chuck Learn
Webmaster
Julie Donoahue

 

Jack and the Beanstalk

Jack & The Beanstalk – Show Cancellations

The following performances have been cancelled due to illness.

  • Saturday November 18, 2023 @ 1:30 PM – CANCELLED
  • Saturday November 18, 2023 @ 3:30 PM – CANCELLED
  • Sunday November 19, 2023 @ 1:30 PM – CANCELLED
  • Sunday November 19, 2023 @ 3:30 PM – CANCELLED

Our box office manager will be contacting ticket holders to re-book tickets or issue refunds to any cancelled shows.

Theatre Burlington thanks you for your patience and understanding.

Waiting Room-Winter2022

Waiting Room

By Diane Flacks

Directed by Maureen Dwyer
Produced by Michelle Spanik

What are you willing to risk to save a life?

A doctor embarks on a ground-breaking medical experiment despite the objections of his colleagues. Meanwhile, a couple are torn about whether the doctor has what it takes to save their baby. This is a play about life in the waiting room of a major children’s hospital. This is a play about medical compassion and risk. This is a play about families who find the will to keep going. This is a play about the needs of the heart and the extremes of medicine. This is a play about breaking the rules. This is a play about hope.

Show dates
Friday, April 1, 2022 at 8:00 PM
Saturday, April 2, 2022 at 8:00 PM
Friday, April 8, 2022 at 8:00 PM
Saturday, April 9, 2022 at 8:00 PM
Friday, April 15, 2022 at 8:00 PM
Saturday, April 16, 2022 at 8:00 PM
Friday, April 22, 2022 at 8:00 PM
Saturday, April 23, 2022 at 8:00 PM

Please note this play contains mature content and strong language

Please note: General admission seating only (100 seats maximum per performance).

All those entering the Drama Centre must be fully vaccinated. Masks and social distancing are required for attendance to help protect patrons, cast and crew. 

Click here to buy tickets online!

Cash payment and ticket pickup at the door.

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StageWriteBurlington

Stage Write 2021

Please note that this is NOT a Theatre Burlington production


Stage Write Burlington will be back with an afternoon of rehearsed readings at Theatre Burlington on November 6, 2021.  Seven 10-15 minute plays will be presented under the theme of Kaleidoscope.

Show dates
Saturday, November 6, 2021 at 2:00 PM

Please note: General admission seating only (48 seats maximum per performance). All seats $10.00.

All those entering the Drama Centre must provide proof of full vaccination or medical exemption and photo ID. Masks and social distancing are required for attendance as per Ontario COVID regulations.

Click here to buy tickets online!

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Spring 2021 News

For over a year, the COVID-19 crisis presented huge challenges for our theatre. We are just now starting to see a glimmer of light at the end of this very long tunnel. That said, we have great hopes that we can produce the following in the 2021/2022 season :

On a First Name Basis* a delightful comedy by Norm Foster – Fall 2021
Waiting Room* a touching powerful drama by Diane Flacks – Winter 2022
Cat and the Canary* a mystery/comedy by John Willard – Spring 2022
(*subject to change)

You will notice that we have not included our annual Children’s show in the line-up. This is due to format that we usually use for this show (with children on mats, in very close proximity). It saddened us to do so, but given the current situation we feel it is the best course of action. If things improve so that we feel we confident that we can safely present it, we will reconsider to see if we can make it happen.

We look forward to the time when we can open wide the theatre doors and welcome you all back to another great season of theatre.

Stay safe!

The Executive of Theatre Burlington