Catalyst

Theatre














RBC Emerging Artists

Project Grant Application


Catalyst Theatre is committed to promoting the work of its collabo-
rative team of artists in local, national and international markets, and
to creating a supportive environment that allows emerging and estab-
lished theatre professionals to continue to evolve and mature.
-from Catalyst Theatre Mission Statement

Under the artistic leadership of Jonathan Christenson since 1996, and with the ongoing collaboration of
Resident Designer Bretta Gerecke, Catalyst Theatre creates new, original works. Catalyst has been acclaimed
for its bold, distinctive aesthetic, exceptional production values and works such as The Blue Orphan, Franken-
stein, Nevermore and Hunchback. Touring and partnerships with organizations like the National Arts Centre
provide a national and international level of experiential exchange for Catalyst artists and staf.
In the past few years Catalyst Theatre productions have
been presented by Londons prestigious Barbican Theatre
and the London International Festival of Theatre, The New
Victory Theater in New York, Canadian Stage in Toronto, The
Vancouver Playhouse and Vancouver East Cultural Centre,
Vertigo Mystery Theatre and the High Performance Rodeo in
Calgary and Keyano Theatre in Fort McMurray. Catalyst has
also been seen in recent years at Glasgows Tron Theatre and
the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh, the National Arts Centre
in Ottawa, Torontos Winter Garden Theatre, The Max Bell
Theatre in Calgary (co-presented by Theatre Calgary and The
High Performance Rodeo), Saskatoons Persephone Theatre,
and The Yukon Arts Centre and as part of Vancouvers 2010
Cultural Olympiad at the Arts Club Theatre co-presented by
The Vancouver East Cultural Centre and the PuSh Festival.
Catalyst has previously had work commissioned by the Cita-
del Theatre, Magnetic North Theatre Festival and the Lumina-
to Festival (Toronto).
Catalysts artists and producing staf are
the recipients of over thirty-fve awards,
and have been nominated for many others.
In 2011 alone Alberta Venture Magazine
named Jonathan Christenson one of the 50
most infuential Albertans; Managing Pro-
ducer Eva Cairns won Canada Councils John
Hobday Award for Arts Management, the
2011 Rozsa Award for Innovation (Calgarys
Rozsa Foundation) and the 2011 Margaret
Mooney Award for Outstanding Achieve-
ment in Arts Administration at the Elizabeth
Sterling Haynes Awards (Edmonton). The
company was nominated for ten artistic
excellence awards that same season.
Catalyst Theatre receives operating funding from The Canada Council for the Arts, The Alberta Foundation for the
Arts and the Edmonton Arts Council.
Theatre
Catalyst
About
Nevermore - Past Design Intern Project
Past Productions and Co-Operations
During the 2014-2015 season Catalyst will make three opportunities available for emerging artists:
The Artistic Director Internship, the Design Internship, and the Resident Artist Internship.
The Intern Artistic Director will
have a graduate degree in direct-
ing or equivalent professional
experience. This position provides
an emerging theatre artist with
insight into the scope and diversi-
ty of requirements in the position
of Artistic Director of a mid-size
company. Emerging professionals
in this feld rarely have an oppor-
tunity to gain insight into key
practices in the production and
management side of theatre. This
unusual opportunity will focus on
the balance of artistic, production
and business considerations that
inform the work of an Artistic
Director as well as introducing the
young artist to the requirements
of funding, budgeting, commu-
nity outreach, building strategic
partnerships and working within
the parameters of organization-
al vision, values, and long term
goals.
This position provides an emerg-
ing designer (BFA or MFA creden-
tials) with an exceptional immer-
sion experience in the creation
of all aspects of new work. This
includes planning for future tours,
working within a budget and
designing in a collaborative and
creative team environment.
The Intern Design Assistant will
support the work of the set, light-
ing and costume design team for
Vigilante and ensure the appro-
priate documenting of the design
elements as required to facilitate
the Spring 2016 remount for the
National Arts Centre in Ottawa.
Newly graduated designers are
usually hired by small companies
and given full responsibility for
projects; they miss the opportuni-
ty to apprentice under seasoned
professionals. Rarely do interns
have the opportunity to work on
all design elements at once, as
most productions involve several
designers.
The Artist in Residence will
be a graduate of a recognized
post-secondary program, with
a strong interest in the creation
of original theatrical works and
in evolving their practice in their
area. The Artist in Residence
program provides an emerging
theatre creator with a venue and
resources for the research and
development of a newly created
work. We provide ongoing men-
torship with Catalysts leadership
team and observational access to
all Catalyst rehearsals and produc-
tion meetings for the duration of
the residency. A monthly meeting
will also be scheduled with Cata-
lysts Artistic Director and Manag-
ing Producer to address creative
challenges, industry practices, and
provide orientation to Catalysts
internal processes and external
networks. The residency culmi-
nates in a work-in-process public
showing.
Project Outline
Intern Artistic Director Intern Design Assistant Artist in Residence
(Twelve weeks)
Paid position at $650/week
(Twelve weeks)
Paid position at $650/week
(Eight months, September 2014
to June 2015)
Non-paid. Support resources pro-
vided in kind, calculated at $3,652.
Soul Collector - Past Artistic Director Intern Project
Nevermore - Past Design Intern Project
Genius Code - Past Artist in Residence
We have an open application process
for all three positions. A minimum of
three shortlisted applicants are inter-
viewed by both the Managing Producer
Eva Cairns and Artistic Director,
Jonathan Christenson.
The program is evaluated through a three step process: Midterm
and fnal evaluations with senior staf and each participant, fol-
lowed by a board assessment of the project in relation to strate-
gic priorities as well as community impact goals.
RBC staf will be ofered tickets for the artist in residence work in progress viewing, and will be invited to an
open rehearsal of Catalysts production Vigilante.
All of Catalysts productions are developed in partnership with other organizations. The internship oppor-
tunities are built around the planning and creation of the premiere of Vigilante, a new Catalyst production
commissioned by the Citadel Theatre (Edmonton) as part of its 2014-2015 mainstage season for the 682 seat
Maclab Theatre, and developed in association with Canadas National Arts Centre (Ottawa) where the work
will be presented in the spring of 2016 in the NACs 810 seat Theatre. A 2016 collaboration with the Alberta
Theatre Projects (Calgary) will be in early development during the period of this project.
Internship experiences can signifcantly augment a young professionals understanding of their feld. Cat-
alyst provides a rare opportunity for developing artists to share experience with leading industry profes-
sionals. This is not a one way communication, as involvement with up and coming artists gives Catalyst an
insight in the changing trajectory of the art form and business. The program also provides Catalyst with
connections to new artists who may be candidates for future employment.
Project Outline Continued
Soul Collector - Past Artistic Director Intern Project
Partnerships and Plans
Evaluation Application
RBC Staff Opportunity
Audience Data
2014-2015 SEASON
Expense
Intern Artistic Director
Fees $650/week 12 weeks $7,800.00
MERCS $624.00

Intern Design Assistant
Fees $650/week 12 weeks $7,800.00
MERCS $624.00

Residency - venue $110/day 30 days $2,640.00
Residency - tech support $22/hour 46 hours $1,012.00
Total: $20,500.00
Revenue
Universiade (confrmed/received) $3,500.00
RBC $10,000.00
Catalyst (confrmed) $7,000.00
Total: $20,500.00

Project Budget
2013-2014 SEASON
Edmonton Attendance 2065
Touring Attendance 4726
Total: 6791