Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia

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Contents 1 Introduction 2 Artistic Mission Statement 3 Staff List - 2006/2007 4 External Links

[edit] Introduction

Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia was co-founded in 1972 in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, by the late Evelyn Garbary, Tom Miller, and Sara Lee Lewis, with the latter continuing to serve as Managing Director. The Theatre moved to Windsor, Nova Scotia in 1987, purchasing a large commercial building in the Town’s centre, which now houses its workshops, administration, rehearsal and performance facilities, as well as four retail spaces.

The company was registered under the Societies Act of Nova Scotia (# 1294259, September 1, 1972), and received charitable status with Revenue Canada in March 23, 1973 (registration # 119038768 RR 0001).

With a mandate to introduce young audiences to the joys of reading and the excitement of puppetry, the company has established an unparalleled touring circuit encompassing rural Nova Scotia as well as national and international venues. Mermaid Theatre has earned widespread acclaim for innovative adaptations of children’s literature, which incorporate striking design elements, evocative original music, and inspired texts. During its thirty-five years of operation, the company has performed for more than three million spectators on four continents, and has appeared regularly in the US since 1979. The company tours year-round, generally presenting more than 300 performances for close to 200,000 spectators annually. In recognition of its contributions to local economy and cultural life, Mermaid has earned export awards from Nova Scotia (2001) and Canada’s Department of International Trade (2001, 2005), and has been recognized by CAPACOA with an award for Best Performing Group. The benefits of these activities and their impact on the Theatre’s home community go far beyond generating revenue and employment.

Mermaid Theatre ranks among North America’s most respected theatres for the young, and plays an important ambassadorial role for Nova Scotia and for Canada. The company regularly crosses Canada and the United States and has represented Canada in Japan, Mexico, Australia, England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, Holland, Hong Kong, Macao, Singapore, Vietnam and Taiwan. During 2007-2008 the company anticipates travel to Malaysia, India, Thailand, India, South Korea and China. In addition to Japanese-language versions of its shows, Mermaid will add Korean and Spanish-language programming to its repertory.

[edit] Artistic Mission Statement

Mermaid Theatre’s focus is twofold. On the one hand Mermaid’s energetic professional touring theatre for family audiences provides international showcase opportunities for Atlantic Region talent. At the other end of the spectrum, Mermaid’s activist and outspoken Youtheatre program, now in its sixteenth season, is intensely local, having as its objective the encouragement of creative self-expression among the region’s adolescents. Mermaid Theatre is committed to the expansion of its local and regional audiences as well as to maintaining its network of national and international presenters.

Mermaid’s choice of material is based on the belief that young people can benefit substantially, both in their emotional and aesthetic development, from early exposure to literature, the arts, and the power of imagination. The Theatre draws its scripts from the rich motherlode of children’s literature with universal appeal. The company’s creative ambition is to produce work which is good theatre - entertaining, informative and stimulating to all the senses. As important is the goal of encouraging literacy and generating enthusiasm for the art of reading.

Puppetry continues to be central to Mermaid’s philosophy of theatre. The company’s charter incorporates a commitment to the enhancement of puppetry arts. Through its Institute of Puppetry Arts, Mermaid offers puppet theatre residencies and internships, as well as apprenticeship training in both production and performance that is not otherwise available in Anglophone Canada.

The promotion of indigenous talent is of prime importance to the company. Mermaid’s touring productions at home and abroad serve as a continuous showcase for the Atlantic Region’s performing artists, writers, directors, designers and technicians, The Theatre ranks among Atlantic Canada’s foremost cultural employers, and is the area’s major exporter of theatre. The company has a policy of providing ongoing royalties to the creators of its remounted productions, so that Mermaid’s support of its artists is among the most generous in the Atlantic Region. Extensive touring operations and lengthy engagement contracts provide unmatched personal and professional opportunities.

[edit] Staff List - 2006/2007

Artistic Director: Jim Morrow Managing Director: Sara Lee Lewis Director of Youtheatre: Christopher Heide Administrator: Cathy White Office/Tour Manager: Karen Gasser Artistic Consultant for Music and Sound Design: Steven Naylor Logistics Coordinator: Peter Smith Production Manager: Deborah MacLean Head Seamstress: Sarah Jane Hart Shop Manager: Jonathan Ford Technical Director: Marcel Boulet Management Intern (January 2007) - Lisa Cochran

[edit] External Links

Mermaid Theatre Website

Dalhousie University Theatre archives