Marquee Ensemble

Marquee 2020 Participants. Photo by Sandro Pehar
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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.  Over one month of weekly sessions, artists and arts lovers will participate in performing workshops together and study material from a show in the Musical Stage Company’s current season, the Canadian premiere of NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812.  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 exploring contemporary music theatre practices, 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 various performance art forms 
  • Adults, ages 18 and up. Folks ages 30, 40, 50 and beyond are encouraged to apply!  
  • People of all abilities, genders, and lived experiences

TTC fare and snacks are provided on program days. Participants will receive two free tickets to a performance of NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812, and participation in the program is completely free. All participants in the program must agree to adhere to current Ontario COVID Health and Safety Guidelines. 

From the pool of applicants, a cohort of up to 16 people will be invited to be 2023-24 Marquee Ensemble members. Weekly programming is curated in alignment with different aspects of the core production, this year, NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812

Programming takes place in person at the Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre (627 Queens Quay W, Toronto, ON M5V 3G3) and East End United Regional Ministry (310 Danforth Avenue, Toronto, ON, M4K 1N6)

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. Join the Marquee Ensemble and learn something new about musical theatre, and yourself! 

The Marquee Ensemble is brought to you by The Musical Stage Company, Canada’s leading charitable musical theatre organization.

Season Sponsor

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.  Over one month of weekly sessions, artists and arts lovers will participate in performing workshops together and study material from a show in the Musical Stage Company’s current season, the Canadian premiere of NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812.  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 exploring contemporary music theatre practices, 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 various performance art forms 
  • Adults, ages 18 and up. Folks ages 30, 40, 50 and beyond are encouraged to apply!  
  • People of all abilities, genders, and lived experiences

TTC fare and snacks are provided on program days. Participants will receive two free tickets to a performance of NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812, and participation in the program is completely free. All participants in the program must agree to adhere to current Ontario COVID Health and Safety Guidelines. 

From the pool of applicants, a cohort of up to 16 people will be invited to be 2023-24 Marquee Ensemble members. Weekly programming is curated in alignment with different aspects of the core production, this year, NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812

Programming takes place in person at the Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre (627 Queens Quay W, Toronto, ON M5V 3G3) and East End United Regional Ministry (310 Danforth Avenue, Toronto, ON, M4K 1N6)

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. Join the Marquee Ensemble and learn something new about musical theatre, and yourself! 

The Marquee Ensemble is brought to you by The Musical Stage Company, Canada’s leading charitable musical theatre organization.

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 people of many cultural backgrounds, classes, abilities, marginalised 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. 

2023-24 Marquee Ensemble members can expect to participate in weekly theatre, dance, and music workshops, group discussions, artistic chats with the cast and creative team of NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812, and creative, social opportunities to connect with fellow art-lovers and theatre arts professionals.

TTC fare and snacks are provided on program days, and participants will receive 2 free tickets (one for the participants plus a guest) to a performance of NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 on Sunday, December 10, 2023 at 1:30 PM.

More information about the new musical NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 please click here.

Programming takes place in person at the Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre (627 Queens Quay W, Toronto, ON M5V 3G3) and East End United Regional Ministry (310 Danforth Avenue, Toronto, ON, M4K 1N6). The spaces have an accessible bathroom. Program workshops will take place indoors.

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. 

In past Marquee Ensemble years, creating more access has looked like offering childcare stipends, additional transportation support, appropriate snacks, etc. 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, arrange an alternate way to complete this application, or if you’re wondering if certain services can be made available, please contact Artistic Development Associate, Patricia Cerra at patriciacerra@musicalstagecompany.com.

IMPORTANT DATES

Program days are on all Saturdays from November 25th – December 16th 2023 from 1:30 – 4:30 pm (see the Dates tab for more details, including a rough program schedule). 

Note: Priority will be given to applicants who are available to attend all four sessions. The program activities and location are subject to change. 


Saturday, November 25, 1:30 – 4:30 pm
DAY 1: Places Everyone – Exploring Immersive Storytelling
Marquee Program ensemble welcome, a  NATASHA PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 script study & a dive into immersive theatre.

 

Saturday December 2,  1:30 – 4:30 PM
DAY 2: RAISE YOUR VOICE – Singing with an Ensemble
Let’s sing! Learn an ensemble song from NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 with a professional Music Director. 

 

Saturday, Dec 9, 1:30 – 4:30 PM
DAY 3: LET’S MOVE – Revealing Character Through Dance
May we have this dance? A beginner musical theatre dance workshop to get the body grooving, using dance as a springboard to character expression and story exploration. 

 

Saturday, December 16, 1:30 – 4:30 PM
DAY 4: BEING INSTRUMENTAL: Performing Story Through Music
A day focused on exploring storytelling with instruments (even if you don’t formally play any!), using the tools, explorations and exercises garnered throughout the afternoon to build your performance toolkit! 

 

NOTE: On Sunday, December 10, 2023 at 1:30 PM program participants will have access to (2 free tickets) to the matinee performance of NATASHA PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812.

The deadline to apply for the Marquee Ensemble is Tuesday, October 24, 2023. All applicants will be notified of their results by Tuesday, October 31st, 2023. For more information on how to apply, please see the Application Guidelines tab.

Applications for the 2023-24 Marquee Ensemble are now open!

To apply, please click here to access the MARQUEE ENSEMBLE APPLICATION FORM. 

Applications to the Marquee Ensemble are due at 11:59 PM on Tuesday, October 24 2023, and all applicants will be notified of their results by Tuesday, October 31, 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 (November 25th, Dec 2, 9, 16th, 2023)

Weekly programming is curated in alignment with different aspects of one of our season’s productions, this 2023-24 season featuring NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812

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 Development 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.