4th Line Theatre Announces Beau Dixon’s Sizzlin’ Series

As part of their ongoing virtual programming, Nexicom Presents 4th Line Theatre @ Home, 4th Line Theatre has announced the release of Beau Dixon’s Sizzlin’ Series. This video series will focus on regional BIPOC residents who are leading fascinating and inspiring lives.

“We are excited to present Beau's series and discover people living in our region and the contributions they are making,” says Managing Artistic Director Kim Blackwell. “We are committed to a more embedded strategy of inclusivity, equity and diversity here at 4th Line.”

Each episode in the series will feature an interview with a local BIPOC resident who will reflect on their occupation, career and daily life. The theatre company will release new episodes weekly on their YouTube channel starting Monday, March 1st.

Beau Dixon

“This series provides the opportunity to discover and research untold stories found within racially diverse communities,” says Sizzlin’ Series host Beau Dixon. “Join me in celebrating extraordinary citizens of the Kawarthas region who reflect our racial and cultural diversity.”

This series is sponsored by Nexicom, who have always been an advocate of the importance of community connectivity. Thanks to their generous support, all videos in the series can be accessed by the public free-of-charge. 

The four episodes will be released on 4th Line Theatre’s YouTube channel for viewing beginning Monday, March 1st at 12 p.m. New episodes will be released every Monday until March 22nd. 

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4th Line Theatre Collaborates With Lakefield College School's Ondaatje House On The Purse Project

4th Line Theatre, in association with the students from Lakefield College School’s Ondaatje House, will be collecting purses and personal care items to fill purses in December 2020 and January 2021, to distribute to women in need in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. 

In this area, there are hundreds of women who receive support from social service agencies and regional community groups. Some are seeking shelter, safety and refuge, and others are seeking support in rebuilding their lives following tragic circumstances.   

“We at 4th Line acknowledge our privilege and constantly strive for ways in which we can give back to our community and to support people in need,” says Managing Artistic Director Kim Blackwell.

Photo graphic courtesy 4th Line Theatre

Individuals can donate a new or gently used purse containing personal care items, donate a new or used purse (clean and empty), donate personal care items to fill the purses, or donate money earmarked for the purse project, and 4th Line Theatre will purchase a purse and the items to go in it: 

Personal care items sought for donation include:

·         *Feminine hygiene products (pads, liners and tampons)

·         *Deodorant

·         *Soap bar or body wash

·         *Toothpaste, tooth brush

·         *Hair comb or small brush

·         *Cloth face mask

·         Washcloths and small towels

·         Body lotion

·         Hand sanitizer or wipes

·         Q-tips, cotton balls

·         Lip balm and moisturizers

·         Socks and slippers

·         Gloves, mittens, ear muffs, hats and scarves 

·         Nail clippers & files

·         Shampoo & conditioner

·         Hair clips & elastics

·         Tissue Packets 

·         Gift cards to grocery stores, coffee shops

·         No used items or food of any kind

Items marked with [ * ] above are placed in every purse, and other items are added based on available donation

The purses, personal care items, and donations can be dropped off at 4th Line Theatre’s Administrative Office located at 4 Tupper Street, Millbrook, Ontario L0A 1G0. The office will be open between 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays between Monday, November 30th, 2020 through Wednesday, December 23th, 2020.  Collections will continue after Christmas from Monday, January 4th, 2021 to Thursday, January 28th, 2021.

Any inquiries for The Purse Project can be directed to 4th Line Theatre’s Artistic Administrator Jess McDougall at jess@4thlinetheatre.on.ca or by phone at 705-932-4448.

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4th Line Theatre Welcomes Beau Dixon As An Artistic Associate

4th Line Theatre has announced that award-winning Canadian actor, writer and composer/musician Beau Dixon has joined the theatre as an Artistic Associate.

Dixon will assist 4th Line in further developing its inclusivity and diversity initiatives and strategies. WIth Dixon’s assistance, 4th Line Theatre’s objective is to establish a talent bank of racialized artists, uncover local racialized stories, and liaise with racialized community partners.

Beau Dixon (photo courtesy 4th Line Theatre)

Dixon’s research, and the relationships he forges during this project, will aid in future artistic programming and play development. Dixon’s deep ties to Peterborough and area will allow him to delve deeply into the issues of inclusivity and diversity, to ensure lasting strategies for the theatre.

 “I am thrilled to welcome Beau back to 4th Line,” says Managing Artistic Director Kim Blackwell. “He has a long and rich creative history at the theatre. When I decided to create a formal strategy to address inclusivity and diversity at 4th Line, Beau was the first call I made, to ask for his input.”

Kim Blackwell (photo courtesy 4th Line Theatre)

“I'm excited to be joining the 4th Line team as an Artistic Associate, because it will allow me to contribute to bringing new stories and ideas to Peterborough's artistic community, while giving me the opportunity to discover and research untold stories found within the racially diverse communities around the theatre,” says Beau Dixon.

“I will explore the creation of new forms of storytelling and share other people's history, that have been embedded in the Peterborough and Kawartha region for centuries,” Dixon adds.

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4th Line Theatre In Millbrook Hosting Special Hockey-Themed Event With Eye Toward Creating Hockey-Themed Play

4th Line Theatre’s Managing Artistic Director Kim Blackwell is inviting members of the community to join her for an afternoon of hockey-themed stories, memories and reminiscences on Sunday, February 2nd, with an eye to creating a hockey-themed play in the near future. 

Canadian actors and playwrights Paul Braunstein (4th Line’s The Shadow Walk of Millbrook) and Courtenay Stevens are excited to be working with 4th Line to create a play about hockey derived from local stories and memories. 4th Line asks you to join them and bring your best hockey-related stories, memories of teams and games past, personal experiences, recollections and photographs. 

Left to right: Ken Houston, Paul Braunstein and Josh Butcher in 4th Line Theatre's 2015 production of Alex Poch-Goldin's The Bad Luck Bank Robbers directed by Kim Blackwell. (Photo by Wayne Eardley-Brookside Studio.)

“Reminiscences give us first-hand accounts of our history and are an essential part of developing our plays,” says Blackwell. “Without this research, our productions would not have the historical authenticity and realism our patrons have come to expect from us.” 

Past productions developed through reminiscences include Beau Dixon’s Bloom: A Rock ‘n’ Roll Fable, Ian McLachlan and Robert Winslow’s Doctor Barnardo’s Children, Leanna Brodie’s Schoolhouse, Alex Poch-Goldin’s The Right Road to Pontypool and Poch-Goldin’s The Bad Luck Bank Robbers.

The public reminiscence will take place on Sunday, February 2nd, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Dorothy Stevens Room at the Old Millbrook School, located at 1 Dufferin Street, Millbrook.

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The Fool of Cavan: A Christmas Caper Announced By 4th Line Theatre As December Production

4th Line Theatre in Millbrook has announced a brand new off-season production for Christmas 2019 called The Fool of Cavan: A Christmas Caper.

Written by Lindy Finlan and directed by Kim Blackwell, The Fool of Cavan: A Christmas Caper is a Nancy Drew-style mystery. Set in the 1960s in Millbrook, a church congregation is divided when props and costumes for the upcoming Christmas concert go missing. The Needlers, a band comprised of local young people, are accused of being the culprits. Tensions mount and The Needlers take to the streets of Millbrook to solve the mystery and clear their names.

Lindy Finlan: Playwright, The Fool of Cavan: A christmas caper (Photo by Tristan Peirce Photography)

Like previous 4th Line off season productions, The Fool of Cavan: A Christmas Caper will take audiences on an adventure through the streets of Millbrook as they try to solve the mystery. 

The production will have a 10-performance run beginning on December 3rd and closing on the 14th. Audiences attending the performances on December 6th, 7th, 12th, 13th and 14th will have the added treat of a Christmas-themed music concert after the show.

Kim Blackwell: Director, The Fool of Cavan: A Christmas Caper

The plays are not performed at the Winslow Farm. The production travels up and down dark paths and over uneven terrain for approximately 1 km. 4th Line asks each patron to dress for the weather, wear appropriate footwear and bring a flashlight with them to the performance. The performances will go on rain, snow or shine. 

DETAILS:

The Fool of Cavan: A Christmas Caper

Written by Lindy Finlan

Directed by Kim Blackwell

Location: St. Thomas Anglican Church (16 Centre Street, Millbrook)

Tickets are on sale now. Call 705-932-4445 or 1-800-814-0055

4THLINETHEATRE.ON.CA

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PTBOPics: 4th Line Theatre's New Production "Queen Marie"

4th Line Theatre's first production of the season is Queen Marie, a rag-to-riches musical comedy about the life and times of Hollywood star Marie Dressler. This Vaudeville silver-screen legend's life spanned from being born in Cobourg, to winning an Academy Award for Best Actress in 1931.

Queen Marie by Shirley Barrie Costume and Set Design by Julia Tribe Directed by Kim Blackwell PLAYS: July 3rd to August 4th TIMES: Tuesday to Saturday at 6 p.m.

For tickets, visit 4th Line Theatre's website.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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The Cavan Blazers are Back at 4th Line Theatre

After a seven year hiatus, Robert Winslow's production of The Cavan Blazers is back at 4th Line Theatre from August 2nd through 27th. The play is about the gritty religious conflict between the Catholic and Protestant settlers in Cavan Township during the 1800s. The Cavan Blazers were a Protestant vigilante gang that tried to stop Catholic settlements and even went as far as burning down their farms.

The play features Richard Greenblatt (who starred in the Mirvish Production of 2 Pianos, 4 Hands) as Justice of the Peace and Edward Belanger (who starred in the Mirvish production of Mama Mia!) as the leader of the Blazers. Director Robert Winslow will be reprising his original role of Father Phelan from the 1992 production.

Tickets are $40 for the Gala Opening, $30 for Adults, $26 for Youth (ages 5-16) and the August 6th 20th Anniversary Gala Dinner PLUS Opening Night & Reception is $150.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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"The Berlin Blues" Kicks Off 20th Season Of 4th Line Theatre This Week

Rehearsal for "The Berlin Blues"

The 20th season of 4th Line Theatre begins tonight with a preview of The Berlin Blues, by Drew Hayden Taylor. The play officially opens this Thursday night (June 30th) and runs until July 23. Here's what it is about, according to the synopsis on the 4th Line Theatre website:

BUMPER CANOES! LASER BEAM DREAM CATCHERS! Dances With Wolves: The Musical! They're all part of the zany plan German developers hatch to build the world's largest Native theme park - "Ojibway World". Set in an Ontario First Nation's community, this funny and thought-provoking play offers a human take on the pros and cons of change and just how much one can or should give up to prosper.

Have a look at 4th Line's entire 2011 schedule and ticket pricing.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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Stuff to Do in Peterborough This Weekend (And This Is All Real News)

Friday

33rd Annual Home, Cottage, and Country Show at the Evinrude Centre, 4 p.m. - 9 p.m. $5/Adults, $2/Seniors, Kids are Free

Saturday

33rd Annual Home, Cottage, and Country Show at the Evinrude Centre, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. $5/Adults, $2/Seniors, Kids are Free

Freddy Vettes and the Flames at the Trentwinds, 7 p.m. $25.  All proceeds to the 2011 season of Little Lake Musicfest

Market Hall Performing Arts presents Live and Uncorked, 8:30 p.m. $22.50

Sunday

33rd Annual Home, Cottage, and Country Show at the Evinrude Centre 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. $5/Adults, $2/Seniors, Kids are Free

4th Line Theatre presents Artist Talk Series at the Peterborough Museum and Archives, 2 p.m. Free but limited seating

To submit info for "Stuff to do in the Patch This Weekend", email evan@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter @Ptbo_Canada.