PERFORMANCE FOR STUDENT GROUPS

Thursday March 22nd, 2001 @ 1:00 p.m. (at special student rate of $8)

The Hart House Drama Society is a University of Toronto student theatrical company that consists of actors and production staff who wish to make theatre a vibrant part of their personal and professional life. Working out of Hart House Theatre, one of Canada's most cherished and historical working dramatic spaces, the Society has blossomed and looks to expand its mandate. We would like to offer you the opportunity to share in the experience that is Hart House Theatre. What follows is information on our company, the current status of Hart House Theatre and production information for The Cherry Orchard.

The Hart House Drama Society and Hart House Theatre

Hart House, situated in the St.George Campus (downtown UofT campus), is the cultural and social heart for the University as a whole. In keeping with this reputation the Hart House Drama Society has become one of UofT's leading performing arts groups. With last spring's successful production of As You Like It at the Robert Gill Theatre, the Society shifted its emphasis to re-establish its natural link with the theatre that shares its name; Hart House Theatre. In November of 2000 the Society co-produced a production of A Man For All Seasons at Hart House Theatre with the theatre and the University of Toronto Stage Company. The success of this production on not only artistic levels but on all levels has enabled the Society to produce The Cherry Orchard and raise the proverbial bar once again.

Hart House Theatre is a focal point for performing arts in the university community. This is an exciting time for Hart House Theatre as its scheduled closing by the University has elicited an unprecedented outcry from the University community and the Toronto community at large. In response to this public appeal, an appeal that included support from alumni such as Donald Sutherland and other Canadian performing arts greats that made their start on this very stage, the University has supported a recommendation to integrate Hart House Theatre into Hart House. Hart House Theatre's mandate will now change from that of a rental House to a producing House thus creating a new chapter in the life of a theatre full of history. We invite you and your students to take part in this new chapter and offer them the opportunity to experience the magic of a Theatre that was the foundation of Canadian Drama and share in its prosperous future.

The Cherry Orchard

The Cherry Orchard (1903) was the last of Anton Chekhov's plays. It presents the final days in residence at the estate of the perfectly gracious but wildly impractical Madame Ranevskaya and her family. Wealthy landowners now deeply in debt, these noble gentry have come onto hard times in the period preceding the Communist Revolution in 1917. They try desperately to maintain their aristocratic lifestyle, ignoring an oncoming bourgeoisie juggernaut: the coarse but competent power of an unstoppable new social order. Fading memories of past glory collide with the reality of present chaos, and inescapable confrontation with the politics of a new world. This play has been called one of the "most heart-breaking comedies in the modern theatre."

Education

There are many reasons to bring your students to see this play. First of all, the content of this play covers three school departments: Drama, English and History. However of most importance is that your students will be partaking in the enriching experience that is live theatre. If your students take nothing out of this experience other then "enjoying the show" that is still a successful field trip. Also, this experience will acclimatize some of your students to University culture for the first time. It is also an opportunity for your students to see and experience the campus life of the University of Toronto, a serious and viable option for post-secondary education for Toronto high school students. Finally, based on demand and feedback a talkback session may be possible for after the performance (question and answer). What follows is an incomplete survey of the educational merits of experiencing The Cherry Orchard.

Drama

Students of drama share a universal craft that only prospers when shared. The assessment of the acting on stage and of the artistic decisions allows the student to comprehend their own decisions that they as actors will make. This experience may also spark the idea in their mind that they too could one day be up on that wonderful stage! This trip may also fulfill the requirement of reviewing a play for your students.

English

Even though The Cherry Orchard may not be on the reading list, there are other ways to make this play an enriching experience through an "English" educational perspective. For example, a critical writing exercise, a review, could be a fun assignment for your students. Also, this play may be used as a way to introduce students to Russian Literature and the writing style of the intelligentsia at the turn of the 20th century.

History

The most apparent educational experience is that your students will learn something of the history of the time in a "fun" alternative manner. Even if the Russian Revolution or Russian History in general is not a part of the "history" curriculum of your school there are other ways to historically study this play. For example a study of how history is portrayed on stage could be a topic for an individual study project. This play offers a gateway into studying the relationship between history and art.

Logistics

Tickets for students cost $8, a reasonable amount considering the price of live theatre in today's economy. Staff members who accompany students will be given complimentary tickets for the performance.

The running time of the show is approximately 2 and a half hours with an intermission. The starting time of the show is temporarily 1pm. If you desire or need this time changed to allow yourself more time after the show to get back to school or to dismiss your students a compromise on the starting time of the performance can be reached. Hart House Theatre is a 5-10 minute walk from St.George and Museum subway stations.

Tickets will be sold on a first come first serve basis with an additional show on Friday March 23rd a possibility if demand deems it so. The size of your group can range from one class to a larger contingent (max 420). The theatre holds 450 people.

Contact

Please feel free to contact me regarding ticket availability or anything else that you may have questions about! Included with this package is a flyer that advertises our run of the show (March 22-24th). If your school cannot make this trip perhaps you can share the information on the flyer to interested students.

Doug Floyd (producer)
Home: 769-6684
Pager/Voicemail: 372-3447 (preferred)
Email: doug.floyd@attcanada.net