OVERVIEW
Applications for The Marquee Ensemble are now open!
The Marquee Ensemble is a free multi-arts program where people from all walks of life can explore music, dance, theatre, to see how they can connect art to their lived experience. In weekly sessions throughout the month of June, artists and arts lovers will participate in performing arts workshops together and study material from a show in the Musical Stage Company’s current season, the world premiere of the new musical KELLY V. KELLY. This is a great program for folks looking to begin their exploration in storytelling through music theatre.
This program is for:
- Those who are interested in a music theatre enrichment program, using music, theatre, and movement as storytelling devices. No professional experience is required.
- People interested in sharing creative space with folks of different lived experiences, ages, while exploring all art forms
- Adults, ages 18 and up
- People of all abilities, genders, and lived experiences
From the pool of applicants, a cohort of up to 16 people will be invited to be 2023 Marquee Ensemble members. Weekly programming is curated to explore musical theatre, in alignment with different aspects of the core production, this year, KELLY V. KELLY.
This year, we are looking to welcome a cohort of Marquee Ensemble members who are excited to dive into ensemble development, music theatre storytelling, and new work creation.
Large music theatre shows rely on the ensemble – the cast of performers who enrich the world of the show, offer their range of talents, and work together to tell the larger collective story. Would you like to join an ensemble for the month of June? Come join the Marquee Ensemble!
For more information about the program, visit our ‘About’ tab.
OVERVIEW
Applications for The Marquee Ensemble are now open!
The Marquee Ensemble is a free multi-arts program where people from all walks of life can explore music, dance, theatre, to see how they can connect art to their lived experience. In weekly sessions throughout the month of June, artists and arts lovers will participate in performing arts workshops together and study material from a show in the Musical Stage Company’s current season, the world premiere of the new musical KELLY V. KELLY. This is a great program for folks looking to begin their exploration in storytelling through music theatre.
This program is for:
- Those who are interested in a music theatre enrichment program, using music, theatre, and movement as storytelling devices. No professional experience is required.
- People interested in sharing creative space with folks of different lived experiences, ages, while exploring all art forms
- Adults, ages 18 and up
- People of all abilities, genders, and lived experiences
From the pool of applicants, a cohort of up to 16 people will be invited to be 2023 Marquee Ensemble members. Weekly programming is curated to explore musical theatre, in alignment with different aspects of the core production, this year, KELLY V. KELLY.
This year, we are looking to welcome a cohort of Marquee Ensemble members who are excited to dive into ensemble development, music theatre storytelling, and new work creation.
Large music theatre shows rely on the ensemble – the cast of performers who enrich the world of the show, offer their range of talents, and work together to tell the larger collective story. Would you like to join an ensemble for the month of June? Come join the Marquee Ensemble!
For more information about the program, visit our ‘About’ tab.
ABOUT THE MARQUEE ENSEMBLE
The Marquee Ensemble, formerly known as the MARQUEE Program, is an annual community arts enrichment program offered by the Musical Stage Company. Each year, program workshops and activities are designed in alignment with a production from that year’s season with the aim of fostering new, meaningful connections to contemporary music theatre with local professional artists and audiences.
We encourage applications from people who have previously felt uninvited to and unwelcome in music theatre spaces. We acknowledge that the practice of conventional North American musical theatre can be hostile to many cultural backgrounds, marginalized classes, abilities, identities and languages. We are looking forward to collaborating with participants to co-create a space that celebrates your lived experience, your histories, and your interests in music, dance, and theatre. Your level of experience in the arts is warmly welcomed.
2022-23 Marquee Ensemble members can expect to participate in weekly theatre, dance, and music workshops, group discussions, facilitated independent creation and reflection time, artistic chats with the cast and creative team of KELLY V. KELLY, and creative, social opportunities to connect with fellow art-lovers and theatre arts professionals.
TTC fare is provided on program days upon request, and participants will receive 2 free tickets (one for the participants plus a guest) to a performance of KELLY V. KELLY.
More information about the new musical KELLY V. KELLY please click here.
The program will be offered in person at Artscape Wychwood Barns at St. Clair and Bathurst and another location in Toronto TBD. The current space has an accessible bathroom (able to accommodate mobility devices) and an elevator to the space. Program workshops will take place indoors. Throughout the program day, indoor gender-free bathrooms, and space for personal items are available.
ACCESS
Creating more access is very important to us at the Marquee Ensemble, and we are always learning how to do this better. We are open to speaking more about access with anyone who’d like to.
If you’re wondering if certain services can be made available, please ask! To start a conversation or for any additional questions, please email Artistic Programs Associate Patricia Cerra at patriciacerra@musicalstagecompany.com.
IMPORTANT DATES
Program days are on all Sundays in June 2023 from 2 – 5 pm (see the 2023 Dates tab for more details, including a rough program schedule). Participants can expect to have an informal sharing weekly of what they worked on for each session!
Note: Priority will be given to applicants who are available to attend all four sessions. The program activities and location are subject to change.
Sunday June 4, 2 – 5 PM: CURTAIN UP – Starting the Storytelling
Marquee Program ensemble welcome, a KELLY V. KELLY script study & a dive into new character development
Sunday June 11, 2 – 5 PM: FIND YOUR NOTE – Exploring Story & Song
Let’s sing! Learn an ensemble song with a professional Music Director and the expression of character through music. Option to attend a performance of KELLY V. KELLY on Saturday June 10th (at 2 pm).
Sunday June 18, 2 – 5 PM: ON OUR FEET – Story Through Movement
Time to Tango! A beginner Tango workshop to get the body grooving using Tango as a springboard to character expression and exploration.
Sunday June 25, 2 – 5 PM: ALL TOGETHER NOW – Group Scene Development
A day focusing on scene development and creation, using the tools garnered throughout the program for a cumulative scene creation workshop.
The deadline to apply for the Marquee Ensemble is Friday May 5, 2023. All applicants will be notified of their results by May 10, 2023. For more information on how to apply, please see the Application Guidelines tab.
Applications for the 2023 Marquee Ensemble are now open!
To apply, please click here to access the MARQUEE ENSEMBLE APPLICATION FORM.
Applications to the Marquee Ensemble are due Monday, May 8 2023, and all applicants will be notified of their results by Thursday, May 12 2023.
Participants ages 18 and older are welcome to apply. No experience in the arts is necessary, and varying levels of experience are warmly welcomed. Limited spots are available, with priority given to applicants that are available to attend all 4 sessions (June 4th, 11th, 18th & 25th).
Weekly programming is curated in alignment with different aspects of one of our season’s productions, this 2022-23 season featuring KELLY V. KELLY.
There are alternative ways to apply for this program, including by phone. If you have any questions, would like to set up a phone interview, or arrange an alternate way to complete this application, please contact Artistic Programs Associate, Patricia Cerra at patriciacerra@musicalstagecompany.com.
Previous Years
MARQUEE 2021
The 2021 MARQUEE program took place over the 4 weeks of August at the High Park Nature Centre, for 21 members of the LGBTQ2S+ community, newcomers to Canada, and/or survivors of cancer, and all of their intersections.
Participants had the unique opportunity to engage in a series of workshops, panel discussions, forums and seminars, including a couple of Q&A panels hosted by BLACKOUT creative team members, Steven Gallagher (Bookwriter) and Wayne Gwillim (Music Supervisor).
All participants also received a free ticket to attend a performance of BLACKOUT.
MARQUEE 2020
The 2020 MARQUEE program took place over 5 weeks in January/February, with 5 sessions for 25 young members of the LGBTQ2S community in Toronto and surrounding areas.
Participants had the unique opportunity to engage in a series of curated seminars and workshops, including a storytelling and movement exploration seminar led by Esie Mensah, and a theatre workshop facilitated by CAROLINE, OR CHANGE Apprentice Director, Tsholo Khalema.
All participants also received a free ticket to attend a performance of CAROLINE, OR CHANGE.
MARQUEE 2019
The 2019 MARQUEE program took place over 3 weeks in April, with 3 sessions for 25 young members of the LGBTQ2S community in Toronto and surrounding areas.
Participants had the unique opportunity to engage in a series of curated seminars and workshops, including a storytelling and creative exploration seminar led by Kai Cheng Thom, and a theatre workshop facilitated by NEXT TO NORMAL Assistant Director, Sabryn Rock.
All participants also received a free ticket to attend a performance of NEXT TO NORMAL.