Fall for Dance North Sparks Magic with Return of Stunning Outdoor Performance Series: Heirloom
/Fall for Dance North is back at the end of September to the Peterborough Square Courtyard with their performance series Heirloom.
Photo by Bruce Zinger.
Peterborough Blogs
4th Line Theatre Celebrates 30th Anniversary With New Show And New Administrative building
/4th Line Theatre is kicking off their 30th anniversary with ‘The Great Shadow’ running until July 23, and has just purchased a new administrative building.
Photo from The Great Shadow, a show set in the 1920’s. Photo by Wayne Eardley - Brookside Studio.
After years at the 4 Tupper Street location, 4th Line Theatre will begin a new chapter at 9 Tupper Street, which the company purchased in May 2022. The company will move its box office and administration centre to the new building later this year.
“After two slightly furloughed years, we are back in a big way,” said Managing Artistic Director Kim Blackwell. “We have wanted our own administrative building for several years now. And with the acquisition of 9 Tupper, our administration will be centred in the Village of Millbrook for many years to come.”
The theatre will continue to operate at the Winslow Farm.
Until further notice, tickets, gift certificates and picnics for 4th Line Theatre productions can still be purchased 4th Line Theatre’s Box Office at 4 Tupper Street or by phone (705-932-4445), online at 4thlinetheatre.on.ca.
4th Line Theatre Welcomes Megan Murphy As Associate Artistic Director And Announces New Production In The Works
/Megan Murphy has joined the 4th Line Theatre as associate artistic director - special projects, announced on Wednesday.
Photo courtesy of 4th Line Theatre.
Murphy will be guiding all of the company’s 30th Anniversary events and celebrations in 2022.
Murphy will begin researching and writing a play about the Peter Robinson migration from Ireland to the Peterborough region in the 1820s. 2025 will mark the 200th anniversary of the migration of Irish citizens in search of a better life in Canada. 4th Line plans to debut this new play to mark the anniversary.
“I am very excited Megan will be joining us to spearhead our 30th season celebrations. And I am equally excited that Megan will be developing a play about the region’s Irish migration stories,” said Kim Blackwell, managing artistic director. “Megan’s own family originates from these Robinson settlers, so she is ideally positioned to create this play.”
“I am humbled to have the great privilege and responsibility of bringing voice to the Peter Robinson settlers,” said Murphy. “I look forward to uncovering the important stories of our past, with hope and curiosity in how they might inform and inspire our future. As I embark on my first full length play, I must employ some Irish idioms…I’m delira and excira to be sure, it’ll be grand to get the craic and write the whispers of our ancestors!”
Peter Robinson was an architect of an emigration plan which saw thousands of Irish families come to Canada to escape the brutal poverty which they were facing in Ireland. Over 2500 people settled in Scotts Plains, later renamed Peterborough, to honour Robinson. These new Canadians planted deep roots in the Peterborough area and have thousands of descendants both locally and across the globe.
In 2025 there is a call for Peter Robinson descendants to return to the Peterborough area to mark 200 years since the migration. This will be the perfect timing to produce Megan Murphy’s play which will examine the lives of the people who faced unimaginable odds to come to Canada for the chance at a better life.
The 30th Anniversary projects Murphy will be developing include a podcast series which will draw on Murphy’s over 13 years as a professional radio announcer. Other initiatives include a 30th Anniversary gala and the creation of an endowment campaign to ensure the theatre’s financial health for years to come.
“I was 12 years old when 4th Line Theatre was born. As a young, aspiring actress, my mom used to cut articles and audition calls out of the paper for me, and I dreamt of one day being a part of the 4th Line Team,” said Murphy. “It’s a full circle moment for me, to now be a part of the 30th Anniversary season.”
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4th Line Theatre Hosts Storytelling Workshop To Kick Off 30th Anniversary
/4th Line Theatre is kicking off its 30th anniversary with a storytelling workshop run by storyteller and writer Deb Williams over two days announced on Monday.
Deb Williams (pictured) last worked with 4th Line Theatre directing the 2018 production of Ian McLachlan and Robert Winslow’s Crow Hill: A Telephone Play. Photo Courtesy of 4th Line Theatre.
The online storytelling workshop will run on Jan. 22 and 23 from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Williams will share her decades of storytelling expertise, to give each participant the tools to create and share a truly compelling story or stories.
After the workshop, participants will be welcomed to read and tell their stories in a virtual event via Zoom, which will be live-streamed on 4th Line Theatre’s YouTube channel on Jan. 28.
“Deb Williams is a master storyteller,” says Kim Blackwell, managing artistic director. “The first time she ever told one of her stories at the farm, I almost fell to the ground. The images she created are still with me. This company is all about stories and Deb is the master storyteller to work with people itching to craft their lived experiences into compelling oral narratives.”
“Good storytelling is not easy but with instructions, listening and repetition, everyone can do it,” said Williams. “And with practice, good storytellers become great.”
Participants will learn what elements make an experience ready for a story, the skills to craft it, the ability to shareit in front of others and gain a new group of colleagues and friends. This online storytelling workshop is open to novice, intermediate and accomplished storytellers to grow and challenge themselves.
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4th Line Theatre Announces Call for Proposals for New Interdisciplinary Residency Program
/4th Line Theatre announced on Tuesday a call for applications for its new Interdisciplinary Residency Program for regional artists.
Megan Murphy at the Winslow Farm by Jess McDougall. Photo courtesy of 4th Line Theatre.
Four residencies, which will provide an opportunity for artists, based in Millbrook, Peterborough, Lakefield, Port Hope, Cobourg and the surrounding environs, will be awarded to develop a new work.
The successful candidates will be announced in December 2021.
The 2022 Interdisciplinary Residency Program will foster artistic development and engagement between 4th Line Theatre, local artists and community member in theatre, music, dance and film.
“In our continuing effort to give regional artists opportunities to explore and create new work, we have developed these longer form residencies for just that purpose,” said Managing Artistic Director Kim Blackwell.
They are seeking project proposals from local artists/collectives to create original works or develop existing works during their residency. Priority will be given to artists who explore the history of the region, in whatever medium they chose to work.
Special consideration will also be given to artists who look to follow 4th Line Theatre’s mandate which is to develop and present original Canadian works of artistic excellence that explore regional themes, history and heritage, and to present this work in a politically-responsible and culturally-sensitive manner.
Four grants of $2,500.00 will be awarded to four successful candidates in the above stated performance forms.
Applications must include a 500-word description of the proposed project, what category they are applying under, and the artist(s)’s CV/Bio. The deadline to submit proposals is December 13, 2021 at 5 p.m.
All proposals must be emailed to 4th Line’s Artistic Administrator, Jess McDougall, at jess@4thlinetheatre.on.ca.
Successful residency applicants will be notified by December 20, 2021. The four residencies will begin in January 2022. 4th Line Theatre will feature a hybrid (digital and live) presentation in October 2022. The presentation will showcase a performance from each of the four resident artists.
For more information regarding the residencies, please contact Jess McDougall by phone at 705-932-4448 or by email at jess@4thlinetheatre.on.ca.
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4th Line Theatre Announces Return to Live Performances With Summer Production
/Live performances are back at the Winslow farm in August for “The Verandah Society in Residence at 4th Line Theatre” announced in a press release on Tuesday.
Megan Murphy (left) and Kate Suhr (right) have appeared as guests for PTBOCanada in the Hometown PTBO series. Photo Courtesy of Tristan Peirce Photography and 4th Line Theatre.
The production is created by Megan Murphy and Kate Suhr who also star in the show. It is directed by Managing Artistic Director Kim Blackwell with musician Saskia Tomkins joining the duo onstage playing music.
Performances will run Tuesdays through Saturdays from August 17 to August 28 as tickets go on sale starting Monday and are available to purchase through 4th Line Theatre’s Box Office.
Murphy and Suhr created the first version of the show in the summer of 2020 to connect with and perform for people during the pandemic. They traveled around the region to people’s porches, verandahs and backyards performing their captivating show for intimate gatherings.
“I am filled with excitement to be hosting Kate, Meg and Saskia at the Farm this summer. The Verandah Society shows in 2020 gave our community much-needed art and was a balm on our souls in a dark time,” explains Blackwell “This summer, the songs and stories that Kate and Meg have created will bring art back to the Farm as we begin to recover from our time of isolation. I cannot think of three better artists to guide us forward.”
“We're so thrilled to be collaborating with the 4th Line team this summer,‘ said Murphy and Suhr. “To have the first show back after COVID at the Farm is an absolute delight. We can't wait to have a live audience join us safely on the verandah.”
Saskia Tomkins (left), Megan Murphy (middle) and Kate Suhr (right). Tomkins plays the violin, viola, cello and nyckelharpa for the show onstage. Photo Courtesy of Tristan Peirce Photography and 4th Line Theatre.
The 2021 season will be 4th Line’s 29th season of producing outdoor theatre on the 170-year old Winslow farm.
The Winslow farm venue concession stand and picnic area will be open when the site opens on performance days at 4:00 PM and local food vendors will have sweet and savoury treats for sale before the show. Cash only.
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4th Line Theatre Announces Beau Dixon’s Sizzlin’ Series
/As part of their ongoing virtual programming, Nexicom Presents 4th Line Theatre @ Home, 4th Line Theatre has announced the release of Beau Dixon’s Sizzlin’ Series. This video series will focus on regional BIPOC residents who are leading fascinating and inspiring lives.
“We are excited to present Beau's series and discover people living in our region and the contributions they are making,” says Managing Artistic Director Kim Blackwell. “We are committed to a more embedded strategy of inclusivity, equity and diversity here at 4th Line.”
Each episode in the series will feature an interview with a local BIPOC resident who will reflect on their occupation, career and daily life. The theatre company will release new episodes weekly on their YouTube channel starting Monday, March 1st.
Beau Dixon
“This series provides the opportunity to discover and research untold stories found within racially diverse communities,” says Sizzlin’ Series host Beau Dixon. “Join me in celebrating extraordinary citizens of the Kawarthas region who reflect our racial and cultural diversity.”
This series is sponsored by Nexicom, who have always been an advocate of the importance of community connectivity. Thanks to their generous support, all videos in the series can be accessed by the public free-of-charge.
The four episodes will be released on 4th Line Theatre’s YouTube channel for viewing beginning Monday, March 1st at 12 p.m. New episodes will be released every Monday until March 22nd.
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4th Line Theatre Welcomes Beau Dixon As An Artistic Associate
/4th Line Theatre has announced that award-winning Canadian actor, writer and composer/musician Beau Dixon has joined the theatre as an Artistic Associate.
Dixon will assist 4th Line in further developing its inclusivity and diversity initiatives and strategies. WIth Dixon’s assistance, 4th Line Theatre’s objective is to establish a talent bank of racialized artists, uncover local racialized stories, and liaise with racialized community partners.
Beau Dixon (photo courtesy 4th Line Theatre)
Dixon’s research, and the relationships he forges during this project, will aid in future artistic programming and play development. Dixon’s deep ties to Peterborough and area will allow him to delve deeply into the issues of inclusivity and diversity, to ensure lasting strategies for the theatre.
“I am thrilled to welcome Beau back to 4th Line,” says Managing Artistic Director Kim Blackwell. “He has a long and rich creative history at the theatre. When I decided to create a formal strategy to address inclusivity and diversity at 4th Line, Beau was the first call I made, to ask for his input.”
Kim Blackwell (photo courtesy 4th Line Theatre)
“I'm excited to be joining the 4th Line team as an Artistic Associate, because it will allow me to contribute to bringing new stories and ideas to Peterborough's artistic community, while giving me the opportunity to discover and research untold stories found within the racially diverse communities around the theatre,” says Beau Dixon.
“I will explore the creation of new forms of storytelling and share other people's history, that have been embedded in the Peterborough and Kawartha region for centuries,” Dixon adds.
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4th Line Theatre In Millbrook Hosting Special Hockey-Themed Event With Eye Toward Creating Hockey-Themed Play
/4th Line Theatre’s Managing Artistic Director Kim Blackwell is inviting members of the community to join her for an afternoon of hockey-themed stories, memories and reminiscences on Sunday, February 2nd, with an eye to creating a hockey-themed play in the near future.
Canadian actors and playwrights Paul Braunstein (4th Line’s The Shadow Walk of Millbrook) and Courtenay Stevens are excited to be working with 4th Line to create a play about hockey derived from local stories and memories. 4th Line asks you to join them and bring your best hockey-related stories, memories of teams and games past, personal experiences, recollections and photographs.
Left to right: Ken Houston, Paul Braunstein and Josh Butcher in 4th Line Theatre's 2015 production of Alex Poch-Goldin's The Bad Luck Bank Robbers directed by Kim Blackwell. (Photo by Wayne Eardley-Brookside Studio.)
