THE SORCERER’S APPRENTICE

Play Adapted by Guy Doucette
Story Written by Robin Muller

SNEAK PREVIEW DATES AND TIMES:
May 31st and June 1st
The Tarragon Theatre, Near Studio.
Reception @ 6pm, show starts @ 7pm


Seating for the sneak preview is very limited!

SHOW DATES AND TIMES:
All shows take place at the Equity Showcase Theatre basement
June 13th @ 2pm and 7pm (previews)
June 14th @ 7pm (opening night and reception)
June 15th @ 7pm
June 16th @ 2pm and 7pm
June 17th @ 2pm
June 21st @ 7pm
June 22nd @ 7pm
June 23rd @ 2pm and 7pm



...Words can Hurt or Heal

It is with great pleasure that Back Burner Productions begins work on this timeless story of the power of wisdom and words and the constant struggle of good over evil.

Robin is an ambitious young man, once an orphan, now in search of a job and a chance to make a name for himself. Seeking work from place to place his luck is at its end. Until things take a sudden turn at the edge of a grand forest late one evening. Spying the light from a small cottage hidden amidst the dark trees Robin approaches in hopes of shelter and food. Unbeknownst to Robin the cottage is the home of an Evil Sorcerer well versed in the ways of dark incantations and spells. And it just so happens he could use an extra pair of hands around the place...
Quite unexpectedly Robin’s life is turned upside down as he begins working for his new employer and enters a world where doves can speak, rooms clean themselves, and the mere utterance of a word can lead to endless possibilities.

THE POWER OF WORDS...
Words, like people have the capacity to both hurt and heal. Upon reflection there are many times in our lives when we have spoken, written or read words which have caused in ourselves and others either great ease or discomfort. In history words have riled people into frenzies, blood lust or worse- one has only to look at the speeches of politicians and militants to know that this is true. On the other hand history has also taught us that words have joined people together, brought love into the world, and have bridged gaps through communication and compassion.

THE SORCERER’S APPRENTICE
Play Adapted by Guy Doucette
Story Written by Robin Muller

Knowledge is power. It can also be the death of you.
Robin is an orphan out to make a name for himself. He can read, he can write, and he’s willing to do just about anything to get a job! Even becoming an apprentice to a evil sorcerer bent upon the destruction of the human race!
In this magical piece of children’s theatre watch as puppets, shadows and people perform together in a play about reaching one’s goals and the power of words.

THE SORCERER’S APPRENTICE COMPANY

Cast

Jordan Kennedy - Robin
Eric Hopkins - The Sorcerer
Katrina Carey - The Narrator
Veronique Oulette - The Sage
Melissa Rei - The Dove
Maggie Doucette - Puppeteer/Understudy & Facilities Manager
Marla Brennan – Puppeteer/Understudy
Simon Esler – Puppeteer/Understudy
Andrew Cromey – Puppeteer/Understudy


Production & Administrative Team

Guy Doucette - Co-Artistic Director/PM/TD/Director & Playwright
Veronica Vandersteenen - Stage Manager
Eric Hopkins - Co-Artistic Director & Assistant PM
Greg Hutchison - Set & Lighting Design
Melissa Joakim ,Theresa Godin, Glyn Bowerman, Larry Westlake, Tamara Salpeter & Co – Puppet Crew
Tom Kerr - Sound Design
Robin Muller - Writer
Nicole Munro - Photographer
Veronique Oulette - Costume Designer
Vanessa Ryan - Web Designer

SORCERER'S APPRENTICE PHOTOS


A Long Journey into Night
Robin (Jordan Kennedy) sets off into the night after spying the light from a cottage window.


Who’s There?!
A sound rings out in the quiet of the forest night startling Robin (Jordan Kennedy). “Who’s there!? … It’s just an old owl! Get a hold of yourself Robin O’l boy.”


An Owl Flies Off into the Night
The owl spreads it’s wings, flaps them several times, before taking off into the darkness of the night and the silence of the dense forest.


A Strange and Macabre Cottage
Stepping into the cottage of his new employer, Robin discovers he is in a place that is magic, macabre and deeply strange. Things seem to move on their own accord, skulls sit on shelves displayed for all their grisly detail, and odd skeletons hang from the ceiling smiling with vicious intent.


Chores
Robin (Jordan Kennedy) works diligently for his master completing chore lists that seem impossible to ever complete


Ask It A Riddle!
Robin must face an insidious door, which will only allow him safe passage should he correctly answer a riddle set before him by the entities who live within the wood of the door.

MORE PHOTOS OF THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE














WHAT ARE YOU DOING DOWN THERE!?

Three nights of theatrical shorts in the basement of a home
FEB 16th, 17th & 18th - 7:30pm
FEB 17th - 1:30pm Matinee

Tickets By Donation Only!!!
For Reservations Call 416-921-9910 - Seating is limited.
NO Latecomers will be admitted.

It is with great excitement that Back Burner Productions brings to you this series of works. Created by many hands with love, heart, and craft- even though it’s just noise, junk and annoyance to the old lady upstairs. Each night will provide you with a host of theatrical variety. The performances are all written and acted by emerging artists with much to offer both on stage and off. Actors, Directors, Designers, Technicians, Stage Managers, and more come together to create and rejoice in the wonder of theatre!

Come over and be our guests, and explore to see just what the old lady thinks it is we’re doing down here!

Guy Doucette and Eric Hopkins
Co-Artistic Directors


Curse's Child



Life is full of discoveries.
Unfortunately for Dirtface, finding out you’re a hulking mass of mud and murder are just two to be made in the first few minutes.
In this existential tragic comedy about a man and his monster, captivating characters quest to discover their purpose in the world.
Can Dirtface stop the Curse?

By Eric Hopkins
November 2006
In House Theatre
Tarragon Theatre
Back Burner Productions 06/07 Season

Director: Guy Doucette
Stage Manager: Veronica Vandersteenen

Cast
Owen K. Craig: DIRTFACE
Erin Fleck: NORMENTHE and others
Ying Han: GARLICK and others
Caitlin Morris-Cornfield: MORSLEAM and others
Ben Taylor: RADRIGUL and others
Curtis Westman: HUMAN and others

Production Crew
Production Manager, Technical Director, Prop Design: Guy Doucette
Facilities Manager: Maggie Doucette
Prop Design: Andrew Cromey
Lighting Design: Brendan Gilhuly
Costume Design: Melissa Joakim
Sound Design: David Liotta

Fight Choreography: Ben Taylor
Assistant Director: Bryn Jennings
Assistant Stage Manager: Eric Hopkins
Photography: Nicole Munro

Special Acknowledgments
Patricia Young
Larry Westlake

Our Generous Sponsors
Paradise Comics
3278 Younge St.
Toronto On, M4N 2L6
416-487-4647
Paradisecomics@wiznet.ca
www.paradisecomics.com

Fine Arts III Café
Main Lobby CFA
York University

Fox and Fiddle
1535 Younge St.


CURSE'S CHILD PHOTOS

The Dark Side of Me
Owen Craig debates his own destiny as Dirtface, in Eric Hopkins existential dark comedy about what makes us into the people we become. Curse’s Child was the In House Studio Theatre’s, debut three act play.


Menthe & Radrigul
Erin Fleck (Normenthe) and Ben Taylor (Radrigul) quarrel about the prospect of bringing a child into their home.


THE FACE
Owen Craig (Dirtface), describes Caitlin Morris-Cornfeild’s, (Morsleam) expression to the audience.


Let Me Look At You!
Ying Han (Churray) interrogates and examines an irritable and frustrated man, Ben Taylor (Radrigul).


The Airplane
Caitlin Morris-Cornfield (Morsleam), Ben Taylor (Radrigul), Ying Han (Garlic), Owen Craig (Dirtface) & Melissa Rei, the benevolent apparition (The Curse).


A Ray of Hope
Curtis Westman (The Human) educates Owen Craig (Dirtface) as to the path he should take next.


KD and the Bomb


Inspired by the Futurist Manifesto, this hour-long collective creation explored themes of violence and modernity, as represented in art and experienced in reality. A high school assembly, organised in response to a recent bomb scare, formed the axis about which a series of short scenes and stage images revolved. To top it off, two hundred boxes of Kraft Dinner were the only props used during the entire performance. Hailed by the Toronto Sun as a “hidden gem” of the Fringe.

July 2005
Tarragon Theatre
For Toronto Fringe Festival

Director: Tanya Smith

Stage Manager: Veronica Vanderstennen

Creative Team
Guy Doucette
Eric Hopkins
Kristina Schartmann
Gabe Shpilt

Ensemble
Nisha Ahuja
Laura Braslins
Michelle Cabral
Sandra Crljenica
Sherily DeSilva
Guy Doucette
Meghan Fritchley
Eric Hopkins
Alexandra Kenzel
Tom Kerr
Julia Lane
David Liotta
Alison Miller
Eddy Morassutti
Kristina Schartmann
Gabe Shpilt
Bridget Tobin
Kevin Winson

Technical Staff courtesy Tarragon Theatre

Special Acknowledgments
Club 5ive
The York Creative Ensemble
Christopher Brauer
Mark Wilson

KD AND THE BOMB PICTURES






Let's Talk About Beds




This series of short stories was based on the concept that the bed was the piece of furniture that formed the spine of human life. We start and end our lives, and our daily lives, in a bed. Eight actors in pyjamas performed around a monolithic custom-built bed, the only stage dressing, in scenes ranging from an unborn child speaking with her father, to a hilariously frank account of a young woman’s nighttime fantasies.

July 2006
Theatre Passe-Muraille
For Toronto Fringe Festival

Director: Dawn Nearing

Asst Director: Bryn Jennings

Production Manager: Guy Doucette

Project Initiator: Julia Lane

Lighting Designer: Brendan Wilklund

Stage Manager: Veronica Vandersteenen

Sound Operator: Kevin Winson
Photographer: Nicole Munro
Publicist: Gabe Shpilt

Ensemble
Rachel Blair
Sandra Crljenica
Guy Doucette
Eric Hopkins
Julia Lane
Kristina Schartmann
Lindsay Small
Ryan Symington

Technical Staff courtesy Theatre Passe-Muraille

Special Acknowledgements
Alistair Hepburn
Jack Flash Signs – Artists Supporting the Arts
Gary Doucette

LET'S TALK ABOUT BEDS PICTURES