Since returning from their travels, Krista and David have been hard at work on their fifth writing collaboration, The History of Forgetting, slated for production this summer in Dufferin Grove Park. The History of Forgetting will ask us to examine that which we forget, sometimes willfully, sometimes unconsciously. It will ask us to remember the brilliance of our historical humanity and inhumanity and to question why we forget what we really know. Though more than two-years in the making, the show was partially inspired by work with Baycrest seniors, who reminded David of the depth of human memory. A divergence from the narrative theatre style typically employed by the company, this show will use poetry, song, theatrical vignette, and dance to evoke the wonder of our collective history.

Photos by Krista Dalby

Toronto Community Foundation, charged with the duty of connecting donors to community needs and opportunities, has identified Clay & Paper Theatre as one of the 150 best not-for-profit organizations in Toronto, and have invited us to create an online profile on their Community Knowledge Centre.  Won’t you pay us a visit? Be sure to check back soon for updates!

Way to go, David!

Won’t you drop-by to lend a hand on:

For more info, contact Dianne at 416-708-3332 or clayandpaper@sympatico.ca

Photo: Dragon Dance Theatre‘s “Persephone entre duex Mondes”, France, 2006

Sunday, June 17^th, 2012 will mark Clay & Paper Theatre’s 10^th annual Day of Delight in Toronto’s beautiful Dufferin Grove Park. This special tenth anniversary celebration of love, courtship and desire will highlight our most deeply-rooted devotions, perennial passions, and long-lasting loves.

We are seeking collaborators of all artistic disciplines to contribute works that respond to Day of Delight’s themes of Love, Courtship and Desire. Works of all artistic disciplines are encouraged. This includes theatre, music, dance, spectacle, poetry, performance art, installation, puppetry, participatory works… we dare you to surprise us!

Offerings can be large or small, new or old – but must be suitable for outdoor space and respond to the themes of love, courtship and desire. We have found that works of about 15 minutes in length seem to work best, whereas dialogue-driven works of a realistic nature seem to work the least. A modest honorarium will be offered to all participating individuals or groups. Please note that you are responsible for providing all requirements for your production, ie: cast, director, set pieces, etc., although we will provide whatever support we can.

BYOA (Bring your own Accessibility): Clay & Paper Theatre encourages applications that integrate accessibility solutions into the performance, such as someone performing in American Sign Language, featuring a wheelchair performer, or including integrated descriptive dialogue to increase accessibility for the blind or visually impaired. Use your imagination and BYOA!

PLEASE SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING FOR CONSIDERATION:

• ·A 250-500 word proposal outlining the project and its connection with Day of Delight’s theme, as well as a list of technical requirements, if applicable.
• ·A script (if applicable)
• ·Artist Statement (optional)
• ·CV’s for participating artists
• ·Support Material: A maximum of 10 images, 2 videos, and/or audio files (videos via link, CD or DVD)

PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR PROPOSAL ELECTRONICALLY TO:

clayandpaper@sympatico.ca

Or by mail:

Day of Delight Submissions
Clay & Paper Theatre
163 Concord Ave
Toronto, ON,   M6H 2P2

Please feel free to contact us with any questions at clayandpaper@sympatico.ca or 416-708-3332. Only selected artists will be contacted.

. . .  But wait, there’s more! Clay & Paper Theatre is embarking on a three year residency with Collingwood’s Gaslight Tour, where we will be presenting Day of Delight North on May 26^th, 2012! We welcome those selected for Day of Delight (Dufferin Grove) for this additional performance opportunity in Collingwood. A secondary honorarium will be provided, including travel expenses.

Contract: As soon as available to November 30, 2012 with possibility for extension or renewal

Wage: $15/hour (30-32 hours/week)

About Clay & Paper Theatre: Clay & Paper Theatre creates, develops and performs multi-disciplinary, community-driven theatrical works using narrative theatre and large-scale puppetry in public spaces for large and diverse audiences. Clay & Paper Theatre produces plays, pageants and parades with the community, grounded in the idea that performance in public space is an act of cultural transformation. Our practice of building, rehearsing, and performing in full public view is an attempt on our part to “bring back the commons,” reunite art with the daily life of the community, and to make art accessible to all.

Job Description: Clay & Paper Theatre is seeking an Administrative Assistant to optimize our daily operations. The Administrative Assistant is the nerve centre of our theatre company and will ensure fluid communication between Clay & Paper Theatre’s production and administrative staff, be responsible for company logistics, contribute to the efficient day-to-day operations of the company, and support the work Clay & Paper Theatre staff and the company as a whole. This is an excellent opportunity for a recent graduate with exceptional administrative skill, and a passion for community-engaged public space theatre.

Duties and Responsibilities: The Administrative Assistant is responsible for all daily administrative tasks that allow Clay & Paper Theatre to function efficiently and effectively. The Administrative Assistant is required to perform a range of duties including, but not limited to:

• Coordinate and support Clay & Paper Theatre’s activities, which include: two community festivals, a summer show, workshops, and administrative and fundraising activities
• Ensure fluid communication between production and admin staff
• Coordinate volunteers
• Answer and direct phone and email inquires and respond to general information requests
• Update and maintain Clay & Paper Theatre’s information systems including data entry and filing of documents
• Book space rentals and organize logistics for groups and organizations renting space
• Schedule administrative meetings, prepare meeting agendas, and take minutes
• Sort incoming mail and prepare and send outgoing faxes, mail and packages
• Support the company’s financial management by preparing bank deposits, organizing invoices, and supporting the company’s bookkeeper
• Ensure that Clay & Paper Theatre has the necessary resources and office supplies for day-to-day operations
• Maintain and update company schedules and calendars
• Support fundraising activities on a needs basis (events, individual giving, grant support)
• Ensure the cleanliness of Clay & Paper Theatre’s offices and workshop
• Provide Administrative support to all staff
• Any other duties required to support Clay & Paper Theatre in its activities and operations
• Participate in artistic activities (learn to puppeteer, stilt-walk, perform) if you’d like to!

Qualifications/Characteristics:

• Degree, diploma or certificate in Arts Administration or equivalent work experience
• Experience in grass-roots not-for-profit arts organizations is an asset
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite. Experience with Simply Accounting an asset
• Ability to anticipate, understand, and respond to the needs of staff, clients, volunteers, and community members to meet or exceed their expectations
• Excellent organizational and time management skills including the capacity to prioritize tasks by assessing situations to determine urgency, the ability to develop a work plan, set goals, and to create, implement, and evaluate action plans
• Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with others to resolve problems, and make decisions to enhance organizational effectiveness
• Organized and detail oriented, able to process and manage large amounts of information
• Highly motivated and responsible, must be able to work independently and with a team
• Outgoing and personable, able to form positive relationships with a wide range of people
• Positive and helpful outlook, able to be flexible in response to changing working conditions and situations
• Able to take initiative, to propose, design and implement systems to enhance organizational  efficiency
• Ability to work in a creative and sometimes hectic work environment

Working at Clay & Paper Theatre:

• The Administrative Assistant will work from Clay & Paper Theatre’s offices currently located at 60 Atlantic Ave., soon to move to 35 Strachan Ave.
• The Administrative Assistant will work 30-32 hours/week, generally Monday through Friday, although weekend and evening work will be necessary at times to support productions, special events and fundraising activities.
• The Administrative Assistant will be entitled to either 2 weeks paid vacation or 4% vacation pay according to their preference.
• Occasional overtime may be required; compensation will be in the form of time off in lieu as negotiated
• As an outdoor public space theatre company, Clay & Paper Theatre’s staff roster changes substantially throughout the year. Clay & Paper Theatre’s work is accomplished by full-time, part-time, seasonal, and contract staff, as well as by interns and volunteers. The Administrative Assistant will work at times independently and at times as part of a large team and will need to be flexible to changing working conditions.
• Clay & Paper Theatre is an equal opportunity employer.

Please submit your resume and cover letter to clayandpaper@sympatico.ca by February 6^th. Please put ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT APPLICATION in the subject line. Interviews will take place between February 13^th and 24^th. Clay & Paper Theatre encourages applications from people of diverse backgrounds.

We thank you for your application, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Parade begins in Dufferin Grove Park

North on Gladstone  to Bloor

East on Bloor to Concord

South on Concord to College

West on College to Dovercourt

North on Dovercourt to Dewson

West on Dewson to Havelock

Hey look, we’re back at Dufferin Grove!

The twelfth annual Night of Dread will parade our private and collective fears through the darkened streets of Toronto. Former years have featured fears such as: environmental contamination, war, hunger, big business and propaganda. The hour-long procession returns to Dufferin Grove Park for an evening of pagentry that compel us to call on, mock and banish the fears that unite and divide us in these tumultuous times. Night of Dread is an unforgettable evening of pageantry, music and masquerade incorporating towering puppets, stilt dancers, fire-spinners and fearful masks in a daring exploration of dread. This much-beloved community celebration incorporates international folk and theatrical traditions, drawing inspiration from festivals of death and remembrance around the world. Join us as we dance in the streets with our city’s finest musicians, puppeteers, dancers and stilt walkers; together we’ll laugh at our fears, waltz with death, eat the bread of the dead, and remember those who have gone from our midst.

This annual community parade and pageant will take place on the evening of Saturday, October 29th. Masks and puppets will be available for pick-up from 4 to 6 o’clock for those who wish to participate in the parade. At 6:15 the parade will begin its journey, eventually circling back to a park transformed for the evenings festivities.

Night of Dread community workshops are being held until Night of Dread:

Wednesday – Friday, 5-9PM