What Is The Ottawa Theatre Network?

The Ottawa Theatre Network brings Ottawa theatre professionals together!

Our mandate is to assist in the growth of professional theatre in the Ottawa region. Our first priority is to foster communication and resource-sharing among our professional theatre companies and practitioners.

If you want to read the Ottawa Theatre Network’s Call to Action and Statement of Purpose, click here.

What Is The Purpose Of This Blog?

This blog is the public face of the Ottawa Theatre Network. We will keep interested readers up-to-date on the progress of the Network specifically and Ottawa professional theatre generally.

What Is The On-line Workspace?

The Ottawa Theatre Network administers a private members-only on-line workspace.

1. It is where stakeholders in the Ottawa theatre community can show their support for the Ottawa Theatre Network by signing up and contributing.
2. It is where stakeholders in the Ottawa theatre community can meet, discuss, and share viewpoints, ideas, and resources.
3. It is where stakeholders can pool and share information, thoughts, and wisdom, some of which may be posted here.

Currently, the workspace is free to join and open to anyone who wants to assist in the growth of Ottawa professional theatre.

If you would like to join the workspace, please click here.

Whether or not you choose to join and contribute to the workspace, please bookmark this page, subscribe to our RSS feed, add us to your blog rolls, follow us on Twitter, check back regularly, and comment whenever you think it appropriate.

This is an exciting time for Ottawa theatre. By reading this post, you are already a part of it. Stay a part of the story by checking in here whenever you can.

Keeping the Ball Rolling: Ottawa Theatre Guide Update!

Geoff has been working very hard to get the Ottawa Theatre Guide off the ground. Recently, he pitched the idea at a session of the 2010 Backyard Theatre Conference and asked for feedback.

If you were unable to attend, here are the official minutes from that session.

OTTAWA THEATRE GUIDE

Facilitated by Geoff McBride; notes by Lisa L’Heureux

As a follow up from last year’s Backyard Theatre Conference, the Ottawa Theatre Network (OTN) was formed. One of the initiatives that this network is trying to carry out is an Ottawa Theatre Guide.

There currently is a grant in progress (deadline Aug 3). The OTN is asking for money for a part-time coordinator, a designer for the guide and to cover the printing costs. There are also plans in applying to the City for funding.

This guide is a marketing tool that local professional theatre companies will be able to use to reach a wider audience. It is meant to be cheap and effective (Geoff distributed some nice mock-ups of the guides to those present).

For the time being, this guide will be a quarterly publication that will help raise the profile of professional theatre. Guide will include a full listing of the productions happening in the region for the three month period (dates, production info) and companies will be able to submit information for listing for the fee of a membership (price not determined, but not that expensive, say $20 – 30). Companies will be able to have ads and buy space on cover for extra fee.

The guide would then be distributed throughout the city, to artistic venues, restaurants, on main streets. A list of drop off places will be made once funding received.

The intention is that this guide be bilingual. And because it is published quarterly, smaller companies will be able to add listings throughout the year.

Some of the questions asked:

• Who will be distributing the guide? Are you considering asking for money from funding agencies for this or relying on volunteers (which might be tricky and time consuming)? Answer: This is something that will be added to the application.
• Will there be room for editorials, something more than just listings, like a longer promotional piece? Answer: The main focus is to make sure that all information of shows is included in guide, if more room, then yes, there could be room given for this time of thing. However, the guide is to only be on one sheet of 11 by 14, and priority is given to shows.
• For ad space, might want to consider theatres, businesses, performing arts community, and also restaurants (create partnerships and swaps).
• Why is community theatre not included in this guide? Answer: When the OTN was created, it came from a need to create a voice for professional theatre in this city, to create common marketing opportunities and work at helping smaller theatre companies increase visibility. The amateur and community theatre of the region already have an annual listing guide, so it is not as pressing for them to have such a guide.
• If you keep the name as such, The Ottawa Theatre Guide, it is misleading for you not to include all theatre. Therefore, either add professional to the name, or include community as well (in which case you can create a space for each within the guide so that reader can identify which productions are professional, which community, children theatre, etc).
• Also, why only a guide for theatre. Why not a guide that involves all the performing arts: music, theatre and dance?
• It would be great if this publication would also exist online. And that the online version includes more information and links.
• The OTN, which is run by a volunteer steering committee, currently has a listing of the productions in the region. Here is the link should you like to view (and share) it: http://ottawatheatrenetwork.wordpress.com/whats-on-a-laffiche/ – we do hope that should we receive funding we might be able to have a proper website and design. Should you have listings that you want added, feel free to send an email to the following address: lhappy13@hotmail.com
• For this guide to work, you’ll need the buy in of all companies so that it becomes a guide that people can rely on for complete and updated information, therefore submission deadlines will need to be set.

The Plan Ahead: A Quarterly Calendar of Events

Survey, survey, we held a survey!

We have tabulated the surveys and we now know what you want. Sort of.

It was clear from the surveys that as a community we would like better communications within the professional theatre scene in Ottawa. We would also like to communicate more effectively with the media, our audiences and, more importantly, our potential audience.

Okay, so now what?

At a recent meeting of the Ottawa Theatre Network we discussed the best way to approach these challenges. We have already started work on our internal communications. The website, wiki, and this newsletter are all part of our internal communication strategy. We will continue to refine and develop these tools to serve the professional community and, as always, if you have any suggestions on how to improve this aspect of the OTN we would love to get your input.

A Guiding Light!

As for external communications we have begun exploring the creation of a quarterly guide/calendar that would be distributed throughout the city in a bid to retain and attract our audiences.

The guide would be similar to the one published monthly by the Mayfair Cinema. You’ve seen them around town: they are printed in two colours on an 11 x 17 stock and contain short descriptions of the films being presented that month. Inside the guide there is a calendar of the films, featuring a series of dynamic graphics. It is simple, elegant, and effective advertising.

And relatively cheap: a print run of 10,000 costs around $1500-$1100.

Say, how do I get in that guide, mister?

This is how we see it working. As a member of the Ottawa Theatre Network (and yes, we will have to work out what a membership is and how much it will cost) you can submit your brief description, art work, and contact info to the guide free of charge (other than the aforementioned membership TBA). The Ottawa Theatre Network will do the layout, arrange the printing, and organize the distribution of the guide. So along with your posters and postcards and whatever other media you are using to promote your production, there will also be 10,000 guides in circulation throughout the city advertising your show or event.

How much you want for it?

The long-term goal would be to make the guide self-sustaining through advertising. The Mayfair pays for the production of its guide through advertising revenue. Similarly in the Ottawa Theatre Network guide there would be space for advertising and the front cover would be made available, for a fee, to any theatre company that wished to highlight their production. We will also be applying for appropriate grants at all levels of government. If we proceed with this project we will need the support of the companies and artists who will be using this service.

What do you think?

The Ottawa Theatre Network needs your feedback on this idea. If you have comments, questions, or would like to help, please contact a member of the Steering Committee.

This post was first distributed via the Ottawa Theatre email newsletter, if you would like to be added to our mailing list, please click here.

And The Survey Says: We Want An Email Newsletter!

We asked, you responded.

In fact, 80 of you told us your thoughts on Ottawa theatre, on your role in the professional theatre community, and on how OTN can best serve you. And here are the results!

Who are we?
Primarily, we are performers: 46% of us said it is a our primary role in theatre. Secondarily, we are directors and audience members (17%, 15%).

A large proportion of us belong to no professional association (34%). Some of us belong to CAEA (17%) and some to ACTRA (11%).

In the past year, 30% of us worked in professional productions, 20% in semi-professional productions, and 18% in a Fringe productions.

We get our theatre information from a wide variety of sources but word-of-mouth is our most common source (17%) and company mailing lists / websites are a close second (16%).

An overwhelming majority of us prefer to receive our communications via email: 88%. Social media is a distant second (7%).

What do we need?

We identified three areas of need: communications, advocacy, and professional development

1) There is strong support expressed for an email newsletter which includes (in no particular order), rehearsal space listings, auditions notices, job postings, volunteer opportunities, events calendar, company profiles, a swap shop, and links to media and granting organizations.

2) There is strong support for advocacy, on behalf of Ottawa theatre, to governments, media, and business. There is also strong support for marketing and audience development on behalf of Ottawa theatre as a whole.

3) There is strong support for more professional development opportunities: primarily master classes with instructors from outside the region and mentorship opportunities.

What are we willing to pay?
Nothin’ comes for nothin’, and there is an understanding of that, and strong support for an annual membership of $25 or $50 (37%, 29%).

So What Does That Mean?
It means we have work to do. We are primarily an information portal presently, and so will use that position to communicate the information we gather, as detailed in your responses.

Now that we have your feedback, it’s action plan time. We’ll also look at other services, and how we can best provide them. Once we have that plan, and a meaningful roster of services, we’ll talk about membership fees.

If you want to sign up for our email newsletter, click here.

The Medium is the Message: Stay Tuned For A New And Improved Channel

The survey results are in!

Thanks to the efforts of 80 generous folks who took the time to complete our survey, we now have a clearer picture of the Ottawa theatre community. We also identified what our community needs!

And, yes, we are going to share what we discovered! We are also going to act immediately on one of the results of the survey.

The vast majority of people in Ottawa theatre (88%) prefer to receive communications via email. That crushes the very distant social media (7%).

If you are reading this blog, and you prefer to receive communications from social media, you are among a very small minority. Thanks for reading!

As a result of this discovery, we are going to launch an email newsletter!

The first order of business will be to share the results of the survey. We will also share our plan of action on what we are going to achieve and how we are going to achieve it.

Your feedback will be needed. So keep an eye out for the new email newsletter. If you signed up for the workspace, you will receive the it shortly!

Survey Set to Close and A New Era In Ottawa Theatre Awaits!

On Wednesday, December 23rd, the Ottawa Theatre Network’s needs assessment survey officially closes. Sixty-six people working in Ottawa theatre have already completed a survey. We hope you will too before it’s too late!

If you haven’t done so already, please complete a survey. Click here to complete the on-line survey.

A huge thanks to all of you who already filled out a survey. The information you provided will be the foundation of our plans for the new year.

The steering committee will analyze the survey results and let you know what we learned. We will also prepare a precise, detailed, and grant-worthy plan of action.

Get ready to be a part of an exciting and transformative year in Ottawa theatre!

Meet, Greet, and Survey: December 8th, 7PM

Are you excited about Ottawa professional theatre? Would you like to meet with people who can help you get more involved. It’s time to get together!

On Tuesday December 8th, at 7PM some of us from the steering committee will host an informal meet and greet at the Carleton Tavern in Mechanicsville. We look forward to meeting you there for a drink and a chat.

We will have a paper and pen version of our survey for people to fill-out. Sixty people have completed the on-line version of the survey found here. We want and need everyone’s input!

You will also have an opportunity to meet members of the steering committee, find out how to get more involved in the Network, and to discuss our plans for the future.

We look forward to meeting with you. If you can, please RSVP at ottawatheatrenetwork@gmail.com. If enough people express an interest in the event, we will book a room.

The Carleton Tavern in Mechanicsville regularly hosts theatre. It is located on the corner of Parkdale and Armstrong. Click here for a map.

Thanks For Your Support: You Made A Difference!

A huge thank you to everyone who voted for our Aviva funding proposal. The campaign was a publicity success but we did not secure enough votes to qualify for the semi-finals. Happily, some other great proposals did qualify!

Because of your support, we generated substantial publicity for the Ottawa Theatre Network and Ottawa professional theatre. Most importantly, our message was heard by people in the wider community, they listened, and they cared because you did!

Thank you for your effort and support! You are the engine of growth for Ottawa professional theatre and you made a difference.

Let’s continue to make a difference by talking about Ottawa theatre whenever we can! Check out What’s On – À l’affiche and enjoy some Ottawa theatre this week!

P.s. We will be announcing the details for an informal meet and greet very soon. Stay tuned!

 

Share The Love: Tell Us Why You Love Ottawa Theatre!

The excitement and sense of opportunity in today’s Ottawa professional theatre is so real we can taste it!

The sense of “hope”, “enthusiasm,”, and “possibility” is everywhere. Even Ottawa’s major daily picked up on the story. For the article, click here.

With this ever-increasing sense of opportunity in mind, let’s take a moment to celebrate Ottawa theatre!

In the comments section below, please tell us why you love Ottawa theatre! Gushing is encouraged!

Here are some questions to spur your thoughts:

1. Who inspires you in Ottawa ?
2. What places in Ottawa inspire you?
3. What opportunities in Ottawa do you find the most exciting?
4. Why do think Ottawa is a great place to produce and enjoy professional theatre?
5. Where do you think Ottawa professional theatre is headed?

Please share the love! Tell us why you love Ottawa Professional Theatre!

Also, please vote for our funding proposal, if you haven’t already done so today. Remember, you can vote daily! Click here to learn more.

Also, if you haven’t already done so, please complete our on-line survey. Click here to learn more.

Where We Are, Where We’re Going: The Part You Play In A Story of Success

Thank you, Ottawa Theatre Network Supporters!

At the time of writing, our joint funding proposal with the Great Canadian Theatre Company, Ottawa’s Next Stage, has received well over 600 votes and we’re closing in on 700. That puts us in the top eighty of over a thousand proposals from across the country. That’s a tremendous result!

Our success can be attributed directly to a groundswell of dedicated support from people all across our community and beyond!

And that’s the real story of our success.

Because of our efforts, Ottawa theatre has been discussed across the city, the province, the country, and even the world! The buzz is so great, even the Ottawa Citizen Editorial board endorsed our efforts in an Op-Ed piece.

With four days to go, we have a long way to go to get into the top twenty and qualify for the semi-finals. Anything is possible if we try!

The thing about these viral campaigns is that you never know when they will “catch” and really galvanize the wider community into action. Let’s keep at it!

And remember, each time we turn a person onto the idea of Ottawa theatre, we win!

A Project Serving The Needs of Ottawa Theatre!

The steering committee met on Sunday and our plans for the future are coming into focus.

1. Based on the results of our survey, we are going to prepare a Canada Council grant proposal for a focussed project within our mandate. We want and need your input! If you work in Ottawa Theatre and haven’t already done so, please fill out our survey. Click here, to learn more.
2. In the new year, once our goals are finalized, we will launch a formal outreach program and create our Advisory Committee. Get on board early to stay in the loop, and join our workspace now.
3. We are planning an informal meet, greet, and survey-bee for the first week of December. It will be an opportunity to meet some of the members of the steering committee, complete a survey, and network with other local theatre practitioners. We hope to see you there.

What You Want, What You Need: The Ottawa Theatre Network Survey

What is your role in Ottawa theatre? What can the Ottawa Theatre Network do for you? What services can and should we provide to Ottawa professional theatre?

We need answers to these questions so we can achieve our goal: to assist in the growth of the professional theatre community in the Ottawa region.

Now is the time to tell us what you want, what you need! We want and need your input!

Please take a few minutes to complete our anonymous on-line survey.

online surveys

Click here: Online Survey

The results of this survey will be compiled, analyzed and used to create a plan for the future. This is your chance to contribute to the development of Ottawa professional theatre!

This survey will be distributed to everyone who is currently signed up at the Ottawa Theatre Network’s On-line Workspace and to members of the professional theatre community in the region.

Please let as many people as possible know about the survey.

We are also distributing a hardcopy of the survey. They are now available at the GCTC. We are  looking for other distribution locations. Please let us know, if you can help distribute the surveys.

Ask not what you can do for the Ottawa Theatre Network — ask what the Ottawa Theatre Network can do for you!

P.s. Also, please show your support for Ottawa professional theatre and vote for our Next Stage Funding Proposal.