Nostos: Encounters with the Open Program The Workcenter of Jerzy Grotowski and Thomas Richards, Pontedera, Italy The Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies, Toronto, Canada

For Immediate Release: January 15, 2014 media contact: Jenny Salisbury, Associate Producer

host: The Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies phone: 416.978.7987

email: nostosencounters@gmail.com http://nostosencounters.wordpress.com  

The University of Toronto welcomes the celebrated Open Program

February 10-23, 2014 The Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies at the University of Toronto is honoured to announce a Canadian first. The Open Program of the Workcenter of Jerzy Grotowski and Thomas Richards arrives for two weeks of encounters through shared work and incredible performances. Hailing from Pontedera, Italy, the Open Program’s 10 international artists invite us to participate in discovery and exploration of their invigorating practice. Led by Mario Biagini, the work of the Open Program aims to re-discover the very nucleus of theatre: the moment of meaningful contact between human beings. Their current performances arise from an investigation of Allen Ginsberg’s poetry, woven through traditional songs and shouts from the southern United States, as well as work composed by the group-members. All this leads to an electric, high-energy performance of poetry and song, theatre and celebration! Their ongoing work with songs of the South has lead to a brand new piece, The Hidden Sayings, having its Canadian premiere during this program. Whether you have followed the work of world-renown theatre director, researcher, and founder of the Workcenter, Jerzy Grotowski, or are discovering this company for the first time, these performances and events are sure to leave you resonating with the powerful music and poetry as shared by this extraordinary group of artists. We invite you to join us in generating a series of encounters and potential discoveries through performance and dialogue. Don’t miss this rare Canadian opportunity!

The Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies, at the University of Toronto, sponsored by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and the Jackman Humanities Institute’s Program for the Arts on Translation and the Multiplicity of Languages presents:  

Nostos: Encounters with the Open Program The Workcenter of Jerzy Grotowski and Thomas Richards, Pontedera, Italy The Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies, Toronto, Canada

February 10-23, 2014 Main sponsor of the Workcenter is Fondazione Pontedera Teatro. For the Allen Ginsberg texts, Copyright C by the Allen Ginsberg Trust, used with permission of The Wylie Agency LLC Schedule: Performances Electric Party Songs Thursday February 13, 2014 at 8:00 pm The Studio Theatre, 4 Glen Morris St. I Am America Saturday February 15, 2014 at 8:00 pm The Studio Theatre, 4 Glen Morris St. Electric Party Songs Friday February 21, 2014 at 8:00 pm The Round, 152a Augusta Ave. The Hidden Sayings - Canadian Premiere! Saturday February 22, 2014 at 8:00 pm ! The Studio Theatre, 4 Glen Morris St. Tickets: $25/$15  Discounts for returning patrons

Events Dinner and a Movie Sponsored by the Hart House Tuesday Nights, 7:30 pm Good Ideas Fund February 11 – Action in Aya Irini February 18 – Dies Iræ:  The Preposterous Theatrum Interioris Show  The Robert Gill Theatre, 214 College St. Chat with the Open Program Friday, February 14, 2 pm Performance Studio (Perf), 79 St. George St. Symposium Sunday, February 23, 4 pm Performance Studio (Perf), 79 St. George St. Admission: Free

Box Office:  To book your tickets, please call Rebecca Biason at the Centre for Drama, Theatre & Performance Studies. 416-978-7987. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door for cash only. Discounts for seeing more than one performance! Ticket prices become $15/$10 for returning patrons. Group Rates/ Student Outreach/ Contact: nostosencounters@gmail.com Registration: Please visit our website for a full schedule, and to register for the event! http://nostosencounters.wordpress.com Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nostosencounters

 

Nostos is sponsored by:

And is generously supported by: The Department of English | University of Toronto The Department of English and Drama | University of Toronto, Mississauga The Emilio Goggio Chair in Italian Studies | University of Toronto University of Toronto Centre for Study of the United States The Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures | University of Toronto The Department of Comparative Literature | University of Toronto The Drama Centre Graduate Students' Union | University of Toronto OISE | University of Toronto Drama Centre Graduate Student Union Graduate Student Union | University of Toronto

- Thank you-

-http://nostosencounters.wordpress.com- nostosencounters@gmail.com

5 November 2013 From: Stephen Johnson, Director, Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies Re: Letter of support for Nostos: Encounters with the Open Program This letter confirms the enthusiastic support of the Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies for the conference Nostos: Encounters with the Open Program. This is a ground-breaking opportunity for faculty and students from across the faculties of the university, and theatre professionals from across the city, to celebrate and explore the work of this important group of artists. The Centre will make the full range of its venues available for the conference, including theatres and studio spaces, as well as a large reception area. We will also provide and staff assistance, including our Budget Officer, Technical Director and Communications Coordinator. This support is in-kind, but if paid for would cost approximately $5,400; in addition to which we will be providing a contribution of $1,500. We will continue to confer with the organizers, to provide additional support as needed. For the record, I have read the proposal and agree to its role and level of participation as outlined; and I agree that we are willing and able to complete all assigned activities. Should you require any further information in support of this conference, do not hesitate to contact me at stephen.johnson@utoronto.ca Sincerely,

Stephen Johnson, Director

On#2013(10(31,#at#10:42#AM,#Peter#Loewen#wrote:

Hi#Stephen,##My#apologies#for#being#so#late#in#responding#to#this.#We#can#gladly#contribute#$300#to#this#event.#I#apologize#it#is#not#more,#but#we#our#cupboards#are#unusually#bare#this#year.##Please#do#connect#with#Stella#on#the#administration#of#the#funds,#and#do#let#us#know#how#CSUS#can#put#its#marketing#muscle#behind#this#event.##Best,#Peter 

Peter Loewen, PhD

Assistant Professor | Department of Political Science  (UTM)Director | Centre for the Study of the United States | Munk School of Global AffairsUniversity of Toronto647.232.7335 | Skype: peejloewen http://individual.utoronto.ca/loewen/

Centre for the Study of the United States and American Studies Program |Munk School of Global AffairsUniversity of Toronto  | Trinity College Site1 Devonshire Place | Room 327NToronto, ON   M5S 3K7Phone: 416-946-8972 Fax: 416-946-8915Email: csus@utoronto.cahttp://www.utoronto.ca/csus/JOIN%THE%GLOBAL%CONVERSATION