Equity in Canadian Theatre Report Launch

[Rebecca Burton]

For those in the Winnipeg area interested in attending the launch, information is provided below.

Cheers,

Rebecca


For Immediate Release
                                                                                                            October 10, 2006

 

Adding It Up: The Status of Women in Canadian Theatre

A launch of the Report on the Phase One Findings of 

Equity in Canadian Theatre: The Women's Initiative

                   

Winnipeg, MB- In 1982 Rina Fraticelli published her report "The Status of Women in the Canadian Theatre," which exposed disturbing inequities on the nation's stages. Over twenty years later the report was re-opened by a national committee of women theatre artists and academics who were unsatisfied with the stagnant numbers and inequities revealed by recent polls of the theatre industry. 

 

The Equity in Canadian Theatre initiative is co-chaired by Hope McIntyre (Artistic Director of Winnipeg's Sarasvàti Productions and President of the Playwrights Guild of Canada) and Kelly Thornton (Artistic Director of Toronto's Nightwood Theatre) who have conducted forums, panels and discussions with women across Canada over the last four years. In 2005 a survey was sent out to over two hundred theatres in Canada and Main Researcher, Rebecca Burton, started collecting research materials to write an all-encompassing report on women's current status in Canadian theatre.  

 

Rina Fraticelli's initial study findings showed participation of female playwrights at 10%, female directors at 13% and female artistic directors at 11%. A straw poll conducted in 2004/05 indicated that the figures for female artistic directors had risen to a paltry 19% and female playwrights to 20%. "Canadian society in general seems to feel that we have gained so much ground in terms of gender equity, but when you look at the numbers it just doesn't add up." Says study Co-Chair Hope McIntyre, "The fact that we have been unable to improve the status of women in our arts and cultural industries certainly does not reflect well on Canada."

 

Winnipeg will host the official launch of this new report. FemFest 2006 seemed like the opportune time to release the statistics. At the FemFest opening night on 20 October 2006, beginning at 6pm at the Contemporary Dancers Studio (211 Bannatyne Avenue), a line-up of special guests will present the report's findings and discuss their relevance. Rebecca Burton will be traveling to Winnipeg from Toronto for this special event and Winnipeg's La Femme Fiscale will make a special appearance, along with other surprise guests.  

 

Following the event, a highlight summary and the complete report will be available in pdf format.

 

Adding It Up

Friday, October 20th, 2006 6pm

Contemporary Dancers Studio (211 Bannatyne)

As part of FemFest 2006: Breakin' Out, running October 20-29th

www.sarasvati.ca

 

For more information or interview:

Hope McIntyre 

(204) 586-2236

hope at sarasvati.ca

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