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Rural Roots Take Centre Stage - Sky Gilbert’s new play tells the story of growing up gay in the countryside
Sky Gilbert: teacher, writer, director, drag queen and – farm boy?

Think about the U of G drama professor and you might envision an urban intellectual shuttling between his Guelph classroom and theatre productions in Toronto and his adopted hometown of Hamilton, Ont. Sure enough, there was not a hayfield in sight when one of his most recent plays, Hamilton Bus Stop, was staged at a new theatre just steps away from Gilbert’s home in the core of the “Hammer.”

But city will meet country in a new Gilbert play this summer being staged by 4th Line Theatre, an outdoor company in Millbrook, Ont., near Peterborough. Produced on the company’s Barnyard Stage, no less, St. Francis of Millbrook will relate the coming-of-age story of a boy growing up gay in the countryside.

Or maybe it’s less about a city-country encounter and more about erasing the lines between them. “I want people to think about how this young man’s life and issues are like any other,” says Gilbert, whose working title for the play was Ordinary.

In earlier works staged mostly in Toronto, he has often thrown his characters into a kind of crucible of urban gay culture. There, it’s more about separateness or a culture apart, he says. Referring to his new production, he adds: “Here it’s about ways in which we are the same.”

That’s what he believes makes the work pertinent to U of G’s BetterPlanet Project, including the “community” pillar of that fundraising campaign. Asked how theatre helps make a better planet, he replies: “You could ask that question about the arts in general. One of the basic elements in us becoming better people is the arts. Arts are about the human spirit.”

He argues that gay bullying is a community issue wherever it occurs – in the real-life case of an Ottawa teenager driven to kill himself in late 2010 or on a fictitious farm as in the case of Gilbert’s young protagonist, Luke.

“My play chronicles the life of a gay teenager who is beaten by his father because of his sexuality. It has an important message for all of us in Canada, and especially for those in rural areas,” says Gilbert.

That is exactly why 4th Line Theatre commissioned Gilbert to write the play. “I felt it was important to explore these issues,” said artistic director Robert Winslow, who also recruited Gilbert to present a playwriting workshop in Millbrook later this month.

Probe most city-dwellers and you soon find a link to the countryside, perhaps a couple of generations back, maybe not even that far. Gilbert, who holds the University Research Chair in Creative Writing and Theatre Studies at Guelph, was surprised to learn how many of the students in his course on “Sexuality and the Stage” claim rural roots. “People forget that people in the country are gay, too.”

Plus, for all his urban sensibility, Gilbert claims to be a little bit country.

Not that he ever worked the land or tended livestock. But consider it one degree of separation. “I come from farm folk – my mother grew up on a farm and my grandfather died in a barn fire in Maine.”

And there’s something of the playwright in the Millbrook play’s lead character – something that Gilbert volunteers about his own relationship with his father, Schuyler Sr.

Sky was 30 before he came out to his parents. He had had girlfriends – even spent seven years with one woman. He finally told his father when they met for lunch one day at Union Station in Toronto, where his dad had come in by train from Buffalo.

Sky recalls trying to share his news early in their meeting. His dad kept diverting him before finally hearing him out – to a point. “He wouldn’t let me say the word gay.”

In St. Francis, Luke’s parent in the play reacts violently, even beating his young son. Nothing like that happened to Gilbert, but he says he remembered his father’s evident discomfort as he worked on developing his characters. His dad, now 86, visited again this year to attend an early reading of the play at Toronto’s Soulpepper Theatre.

Funny, says Sky: “My father took it badly and came around.” The opposite thing happened with his mother, Patricia, during a separate revelatory lunch date with her. She appeared to receive his news with equanimity, but Gilbert read various shades of meaning in her seemingly glib line, delivered in the back of a Toronto cab: “Don’t flirt with the waiter.”

She died early this year. Gilbert explores her character in in a new memoir called The Mommiad to be published in spring 2012.

Gilbert was born in Norwich, Conn., in 1952. The family moved to Buffalo when he was five; he and his sister, Lydia, moved with their mother to Toronto after his parents divorced when Sky was 12.

Patricia had spent many years living at the Sutton Place Hotel in Toronto. Says Gilbert: “She reminds me of a character in Breakfast at Tiffany’s: Holly Golightly.” Recalling his mother, he says, “She was beautiful. She always acted like a rich lady, always dressed beautifully.”

She ensured that none of her Toronto acquaintances would have seen the farm girl in the city mouse, he says. (His mother’s family was descended from Confederate Army general Robert E. Lee: hence Gilbert’s own middle name, “Lee.”)

Gilbert has lived in downtown Hamilton for seven years with his partner, an artist. There, he has established a company called Hammertheatre and has staged his own works in a century-old hall a few blocks from their Victorian home.

That performance space is part of a growing cluster of galleries, artist studios, cafes and restaurants that is helping to rejuvenate that part of the city. Gilbert says theatre – and the arts generally – have proven a catalyst for revitalizing a formerly down-at-the-heels neighbourhood. At the same time, he worries that gentrification and its attendant increases in property values and rental rates may push out low-income residents and even some of those artists.

This year, Gilbert will publish his sixth novel, Come Back, a dystopian fantasy about a 138-year-old Judy Garland. He has also published a novella, a memoir, two poetry collections and numerous plays. He will also play a role in fall 2012 in a contemporary adaptation of Antigone, produced by Small Wooden Shoe in Toronto.

St. Francis of Millbrook runs Aug. 13 to Sept. 1 on 4th Line Theatre’s Barnyard Stage. In his Jan. 29 workshop, Approaches to Playwrighting for Adults, Gilbert will discuss some of the pitfalls and risks faced by playwrights and share tips for stronger dialogue.

By Andrew Vowles at Guelph

4th Line Theatre summer 2012 job postings
4th Line Theatre has posted several summer job postings on this website's "Jobs & Volunteers" link at left. Please send a resumes and covering letters by January 27, 2012. 

4th Line Theatre’s 2012 winter skills workshops
Millbrook ON – 4th Line Theatre continues its series of theatre skills workshops on January 28th and 29th featuring Sky Gilbert, one of Canada’s foremost and celebrated playwrights, Herbie Barnes, who played Trailer  last summer in 4th Line Theatre’s hit production of The Berlin Blues and Marjie Chud, an actor and teacher with Young People’s Theatre
 
“We are thrilled that Sky, Herbie and Marjie will lead these workshops,” says Robert Winslow, 4th Line Theatre’s Artistic Director, “each of them brings much sought after skills and participants of all levels will benefit from their experience.”

Approaches to Playwrighting for Adults – Sky Gilbert
In his workshop Gilbert will share some of his expertise.  “What beginning playwrights need to know,” says Gilbert,” is that there is no formula or one way to write a play.” He will help participants choose the approach that is right for them by discussing their ideas for a play, a paragraph, a few pages or just a couple of questions.    Using challenges from his playwrighting Gilbert will also discuss some of the pitfalls and risks faced by playwrights and share tips for stronger dialogue.

Gilbert, the playwright of 4th Line Theatre’s 2012 production St. Francis of Millbrook, co-founded the renowned Buddies in Bad Times Theatre in 1979 and is currently the Artistic Director of The Cabaret Company.  He is also an Associate Professor at the School of English and Theatre Studies at Guelph University.   Gilbert, with over 40 produced plays to his credit, has received many theatre awards including three Dora Mavor Moore Awards, most recently the 2011 award for Outstanding New Play for The Situationalists.

Instant Theatre Comedy for Adults- Herbie Barnes
Barnes’ workshop will be a fun-filled class in instant storytelling and the art of improvisation.  Using exercises and games created by teachers who influenced a generation of comedic actors, Barnes will coach participants to learn how to tell stories and lose the fear of going on stage with nothing prepared.  “This class,” said Barnes, “is ideal for everyone from actors, those who make business presentations to public speakers.  These skills will stay with students for a lifetime.”

During his 20 year career Barnes has worked as a performer, playwright and director for the stage, film and television.  He has also taught in inner city high schools, universities, and theatre companies.

Introductory Drama Workshop for Youth (12 to 16 years of age) – Marjie Chud
In this one day script-less drama workshop, youth participants will be encouraged to trust their instincts, themselves, and others as they play with characters and stories.  Through a variety of co-operative theatre games, movement and voice exercises, storytelling and improvisation, students will learn how to develop characters and create scenes.  This workshop is aimed at fostering self-confidence, trust and co-operation.

Chud teaches drama, improvisation and creative writing at the Young People’s Theatre in Toronto, in after school programs, workshops and camps and she is also a member the Ontario College of Teachers.   Beginning in January 2012, Chud will become a Resident Artist-Educator at Young People’s Theatre where she will be directing the Junior Ensemble and assistant directing their production of Jack and the Giant Beanstalk.

All workshops are open to the general public and space is limited.  Registration fees are $40.00 (+HST) for the Adult Improvisation Workshop, $40.00 (+HST) for the Youth Acting Workshop and $60.00 (+HST) for the Playwrighting Workshop. 

There is a $10.00 discount for those registering themselves for two workshops or for two young people from same family registering for the youth workshop.  For more detailed information on these workshops and to register in advance call 4th Line Theatre at 705-932-4448.  Call by noon December 23rd to purchase a Workshop Gift Certificate, the perfect holiday gift.   Gift Certificates for the 2012 season are also available.


Adult Improvisation Workshop                           
Led by Herbie Barnes
Ages 17 and over
Saturday, January 28, 2012                   
10 am to 4 pm          
Limited enrolment     
$40.00 + HST
 
Youth Acting Workshop
Led by Marjie Chud
Ages 12 to 16
Sunday, January 29, 2012
10 am to 4 pm
Limited enrolment     
$40.00 + HST

Playwrighting Workshop
Led by Sky Gilbert
Ages 18 and over
Sunday, January 29, 2012
10 am to 4 pm
Limited enrolment
$60.00 + HST


BIOGRAPHIES

Sky Gilbert – writer, actor, producer, teacher
Sky Gilbert is one of Canada's most prolific and controversial artistic forces.  He was the co-founder and Artistic Director of Buddies in Bad Times Theatre in Toronto, Ontario for 18 years and he continues to produce plays with his experimental theatre, The Cabaret Company.   Gilbert has received three Dora Mavor Moore Awards, the Pauline McGibbon Award for theatre directing, the Margo Bindhardt Award from the Toronto Arts Foundation and The Silver Ticket Award from the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts.  Dr. Gilbert is also an Associate Professor at the School of English and Theatre Studies at Guelph University where he is also holds the University Research Chair in Creative Writing and Theatre Studies.  His 6th novel ‘Come Back’ is scheduled for publication in May 2012 by ECW Press, and his new poetry collection ‘The Mommiad’ will be published in spring of 2012.

Herbie Barnes – writer, actor, producer, teacher
Herbie Barnes has played many roles throughout his 20 year career both on stage and on film.  His best-known stage roles include Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit, or as Norvel Morrisou in Copper Thunderbird, as a Wikershame Brother in Sussical The Musical and Joseph in Dance Me Outside and The Rez.  Directing includes The Remember (MTYP) and Someday (Native Earth), Tales Of An Urban Indian (Public Theatre NYC, Autry theatre LA) and Dinky (Native Earth).  Herbie’s play Russell’s World was honoured to be the first play to be asked to the Magnetic North Festival without having been produced first.  Herbie has also written for television shows Including Buffalo Tracks and Tipi Tales a show that also uses his performing talents as a puppeteer and voice talent. As a teacher he has spent time in inner city high schools, private schools, universities, and many theatre companies.  Since performing in The Berlin Blues for 4th Line Theatre last summer, Barnes directed the J. R. R. Tolkien’s classic The Hobbit for the Manitoba Theatre for Young People where he also played the role of Bilbo Baggins.


Marjie Chud – actor, teacher
Marjie has recently returned from a Canada wide tour of “Russell’s World”, produced by Manitoba Theatre for Young People. Other recent performing credits include the original production of "The State of New York v Peter Pan" at the Hamilton Fringe Festival and its remount in Toronto. Marjie is a founding member of Triptych Lounge Comedy Improv and Four Corners Theatre. She is also a member of the Ontario College of Teachers. She teaches drama, improvisation and creative writing in after school programs as well as drama school, workshops and camps at Young People’s Theatre in Toronto. Beginning in January 2012, Marjie will be a Resident Artist-Educator at Young People’s Theatre where she will be directing the Junior Ensemble and assistant directing Jack and the Giant Beanstalk.
   
 
Attached Photos:
1.  Sky Gilbert – Instructor, Playwrighting Workshop, Playwright of St. Francis of Millbrook
2.  Herbie Barnes – Instructor, Adult Improvisation Workshop
3.  Marjie Chud – Instructor, Youth Acting Workshop
  
TICKETS can be purchased at the 4th Line Theatre Box Office at 4 Tupper Street, Millbrook, online at 4thlinetheatre.on.ca, by phone at 705-932-4445 or in person through associated ticket outlets: Peterborough Museum & Archives on Armour Hill, (at Museum Drive off Hunter Street East) in Peterborough 705-743-5180 or Kent Books at 15 William Street North in Lindsay 705-328-1600.                                                                      

  
4th Line Theatre is committed to preserving and promoting our Canadian cultural heritage through the development and presentation of regionally-based, environmentally-staged historical drama.     
                                       
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Media Contact: Mark Stainback     705- 932-4505      pr@4thlinetheatre.on.ca      www.4thlinetheatre.on.ca




 

4th Line Theatre announces its boldest summer season

Millbrook, ON – 4th line Theatre, Canada’s premier outdoor theatre company, has announced its boldest season ever with world premieres by two of Canada’s most accomplished and award-winning playwrights.   The theatre’s 21st summer season kicks-off July 3rd with Queen Marie, by Shirley Barrie and is followed by Sky Gilbert’s St. Francis of Millbrook on August 13th.  “2012 will be our most important season to date,” says Artistic Director Robert Winslow, “Queen Marie is about Cobourg-born Marie Dressler, a strong, successful Hollywood star fighting against the odds who refused to be stereotyped and St. Francis of Millbrook is about the challenges of growing up gay in rural Ontario.  I commissioned Sky Gilbert two years ago to write this play, set in 1991, because I felt it was important to explore these issues.  As with The Cavan Blazers and Doctor Barnardo’s Children, we are not afraid of tackling difficult social questions in order to promote understanding and acceptance.  In spite of the serious themes, both plays are extremely funny and highly entertaining.”  These plays were developed through the theatre’s New Play Development Program which promotes new, original works by Canadian artists.   They explore local history and issues that affect every community.  

Queen Marie is based on the life of Marie Dressler, one of the greatest and best loved stars of Broadway and Hollywood who won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1931. She was considered the toast of Vaudeville and one of the greatest comediennes of her generation.   At her peak Dressler was the highest paid actor in Hollywood earning more than Greta Garbo or Mickey Mouse.  Dressler was born in Cobourg and moved to Lindsay where she made her stage debut.  “Dressler,” said playwright Barrie, “refused to play by the rules, took great chances and rarely backed down from a fight.   Even her failures show us about how to survive, thrive and be successful women.”  This play with music will be directed by 4th Line Theatre Artistic Producer Kim Blackwell who directed last season’s smash hit The Berlin Blues.  Playwright Barrie wrote 4th Line Theatre’s 2007 spine-tingling production of Beautiful Lady, Tell Me…  Barrie is also the co-founder of Straight Stitching Productions in Toronto and won two Chalmers Awards and a Dora Award for her plays Straight Stitching and Carrying the Calf.   Long-time 4th Line Theatre Musical Director Justin Hixcox will once again create original music for this production.    

Queen Marie will run Tuesday to Saturday on the Barnyard Stage from July 3rd until August 4th.  Previews are Tuesday July 3rd and Wednesday 4th, opening night is Thursday July 5th and there will be an added performance on Monday July 30th.

St Francis of Millbrook is a story about Luke.  Luke is a son and a brother who plays hockey and loves working on the family farm.  Luke is just like everyone else except for one little thing – his parents are concerned that he likes the pop star Madonna a little too much.  This stunning coming of age story is the first play that groundbreaking and award-winning Canadian playwright Sky Gilbert has written for 4th Line Theatre.  “I want to capture the audience with the ordinariness of the emotions presented,” says Gilbert, “I want them to be touched and moved by Luke’s human situation.”  Gilbert co-founded Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, Canada’s oldest gay theatre, and is currently the Artistic Director of Hammertheatre.  He is also an Assistant Professor at the School of English and Theatre Studies at Guelph University.  Gilbert has won the Pauline McGibbon Award for theatre directing, the Margo Bindhardt Award from the Toronto Arts Foundation, The Silver Ticket Award from the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts and three Dora Mavor Moore Awards, most recently the 2011 award for Outstanding New Play for The Situationalists.

St Francis of Millbrook will run Tuesday to Saturday on the Barnyard Stage from August 13th until September 1st. Previews are Monday August 13th and Tuesday August 14th, opening night is August 15th and there will be an added performance Monday August 27th.

Justin Hiscox returns as Musical Director for his 13th season and once again he will create original scores and music for both 2012 season productions.  Director Blackwell is thrilled to be working with Hiscox once again saying “Justin is an essential part of each production, his music helps tell each play’s story and every summer his music fills our outdoor stages, often using wonderful, unconventional instruments.”  


¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬
Queen Marie
By Shirley Barrie
Directed by Kim Blackwell   
July 3 – August 4
Previews: July 3, 4
Opening Night: Thursday, July 5
¬Tuesday to Saturday at 6pm
Additional performance Monday July 30

St. Francis of Millbrook
By Sky Gilbert
August 13 – September 1
Previews: August 13, 14
Opening Night: Thursday, August 15
Monday to Saturday at 6pm

4th Line Theatre’s Box Office is now open for 2012 Season Subscription and Gift Certificates.  Give the Gift of Summer this holiday season.  Call 1-800-814-0055 or 705-932-4445 or visit 4thlinetheatre.on.ca

4th Line Theatre now on Facebook and Twitter
Follow us on Twitter and visit Facebook for updates on our upcoming 2011 Season - our 20th anniversary!

To see what is happening at 4th Line Theatre go to our Facebook page.  To follow us on Twitter go to 4thlinetheatre .

4th Line Theatre scripts for sale!
Five of 4th Line Theatre's best-loved plays have been published and are available for gift giving.

$15 includes tax

'The Cavan Blazers' by Robert  Winslow
 
'Crow Hill: The Telephone Play' by Robert Winslow and Ian McLachlan

‘Doctor Barnardo's Children' by Robert Winslow and Ian McLachlan
 
'For Home and Country' by Leanna Brodie
 
'Schoolhouse' by Leanna Brodie
 

Available at 4th Line Theatre Adminstration Office
4 Tupper Street
Millbrook, ON
Telephone: 705-932-4445
Hours: Monday - Friday 9 :00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
 
and The Winslow Farm
(open only on performance dates during July & August)
779 Zion Line, Millbrook
Tuesdays through Saturdays from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.