History
CETM: OUR ACHIEVEMENTS SO FAR
OCTOBER 2006
CETM conducts its first staged public reading of a new play Fun-E by local author Tommy Malone at Centre Calixa-Lavallée in Parc Lafontaine.
JANUARY 2007
The 650 sq. ft CETM space is completed and opens its doors. CETM receives support from Concordia University’s Centre for Cooperative Education.
FEBRUARY 2007
Reciprocal agreement is made with the National Music Theatre Network in New York to provide international performing opportunities for Montrealers and provides free performance materials for use in Montreal to help jump start specific local performance initiatives.
APRIL – JUNE 2007
Le Spotlight, Montreal’s Musical Theatre Challenge is conducted for the first time throughout the Montreal area. Twenty-five semi-finalists and ten finalists compete to win a featured performance in the New York Musical Theatre Festival. CETM is forced to turn away more than 150 potential audience members due to lack of space.
JULY 2007
CETM conducts its first professional workshop for a dozen local theatre practitioners featuring Frances Shakov from Toronto’s Small Theatre Administrative Facility (STAF) and independent consultant Ligia Pena.
SEPTEMBER 2007
Four small theatre companies sign on as CETM’s first core clients: Canis Tempus, Walkway Productions, Through Line Productions and BarBar Productions. Services provided include website design and execution, marketing plans, grant writing assistance, regional tour planning and more.
CETM successfully launches Real Deal Theatre, its theatre appreciation program specifically designed for young people, at Laval Liberty High School. The curriculum aims to teach students about all aspects of theatre, from production design and onstage talent to theatre administration and marketing.
OCTOBER 2007
The CETM Advisory Board is created. It includes key individuals from the performing arts industry, business specialists and including a member of the Order of Canada, Sam Gesser, the legendary Montreal producer.
DECEMBER 2007
Montreal English Critics Circle Awards live presentation ceremony is held featuring 200 members of the local theatre community. The event was entirely conceived, written, executed and financed through CETM’s initiative and efforts.
CETM receives its first foundation-based support from the McConnell Family Foundation to be applied to its upcoming festival, The Next Wave, in August 2008.
FEBRUARY 2008
The second edition of Le Spotlight is launched.
The Producer/Mentor program is established at CETM. Three interns receive on the job training as producers for The Next Wave Festival of New Musicals.
MARCH 2008
Auditions are held for Le Spotlight 2008. Ten finalists are selected.
Through a scheduled workshop series of readings of new theatrical works, CETM’s networking program “The Club” is launched. It is expected to involve 30 to 40 emerging artists.
APRIL 2008
CETM receives financial and technical support from CDEC, the local economic and community development council.
MAY 2008
The Le Spotlight finale is held at the Gesù, a 400-seat theatre in the heart of the new Quartier des Spectacles district. First prize in this year’s competition is a leading role in an upcoming local production of a new musical within The Next Wave Festival.
JUNE 2008
CETM receives job creation support from Summer Jobs Canada.
The Canadian premiere of Altar Boyz / Les z’enfants de choeur debuts at the Gesù, with alternating performances in French and in English.
AUGUST 2008
CETM holds workshop “How to Audition for Musical Theatre” featuring Yanick Lanthier.
Montreal’s first and only festival of new musicals, The Next Wave, is held at two well-known downtown venues: the McCord Museum and the Gesù. It features more than 30 performers in two new productions (I See London I See France, the Underwear Musical and The naked voice) and a public reading (The Great American Trailer Park Musical) that includes 20 young theatre school graduates.
SEPTEMBER 2008
CETM’s co-founder receives assistance from the Canada Council for the Arts to participate in discussions at the New York Musical Theatre Festival.
FEBRUARY 2009
Montreal Musical Theatre Rendez-Vous, a musical theatre workshop for emerging performers, is held at the Gesù, led by Robert Marien, star of Les Misérables.
MARCH 2009
Auditions for Le Spotlight. The number of applications is double the previous year’s figure. Ten finalists are selected.
MAY 2009
The third edition of Le Spotlight is held at the Gesù. An audience favourite award is added to the event. Volunteer judges include Roy Surette, artistic director of the Centaur Theatre, Sharman Yarnell, CJAD radio personality and others.
JUNE 2009
A major development proposal is submitted to the Quebec Ministry of Economic Development. The goal is to have a viable creation and development space specifically dedicated to musical theatre by the end of this calendar year.
JULY 2009
CETM meets with organizers from Diva, a Paris-based organization dedicated to the creation of new musical theatre.
AUGUST 2009
The second edition of The Next Wave Festival is held at the McCord and the Gesù, featuring two locally produced productions Souvenir, Slow Dance With a Hot Pick-Up (its popularity necessitated the inclusion of an additional performance) and a special musical theatre happening. Approximately 1,000 participants attended these events. |
