Artscape has transformed the historic Wychwood TTC streetcar repair barns located in Torontos St. Clair and Christie neighbourhood into the Artscape Wychwood Barns a 60,000 sq. ft. multifaceted community centre where arts and culture, environmental leadership, heritage preservation, urban agriculture and affordable housing are brought together to foster a strong sense of community. The Artscape Wychwood Barns is surrounded by a 127,000 sq. ft. new City park.

After seven years of passionate commitment, vision and planning by thousands of individuals and organizations, construction began in March 2007 and was completed in October 2008. The Official Public Opening took place on November 20, 2008.

Video features (in order of appearance):
Tim Jones, President & CEO, Artscape
Councillor Joe Mihevc, Ward 21 St. Pauls, City of Toronto
Jackie Richardson and the Regent Park School of Music Choir
Mayor David Miller, City of Toronto
Kathleen Sharpe, President, Artscape Board of Directors
Ruth Baumann, Chair, Wychwood Barns Community Association
Glen Murray, President & CEO, Canadian Urban Institute
Billie Bridgman, Senior Associate, Artscape
Nick Saul, Executive Director, The Stop Community Food Centre
Lynda Hill, Artistic Director, Theatre Direct
Joe Lobko, Lead Architect, du Toit Architects Ltd.
Elizabeth Cinello, Steering Committee, Friends of a New Park
Peter MacKendrick, President, Taddlewood Heritage Association

Produced for Artscape by Stephen Knifton of popstream.ca

Duration : 0:8:13

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With guitar battle!

Mayor Matilda – Cathie Sheridan
Sheriff Earl – Frank Quirk
Angelette #1 – Courtney Soden
Angelette #2 – Jasmine Dunn
Angelette #3 – Ashlee Jones
Angelette #4 – Rachel Harris
Chad – Garrett Dibble
Devilette #1 – Anna Galt
Devilette #2 – April Hayes
Devilette #3 – Hayley Dugger
Devilette #4 – Andrea Shaw

Artistic Director – Eric Shephard
Music Director – Tonya Miller
Choreographer – Ashlee Jones
Costumes – Erin Shephard

Duration : 0:3:3

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Duration : 0:10:25

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September 2008 – Macavity returns disguised as Old Deuteronomy. When revealed by Demeter, he fights with Munkustrap and the other Jellicles.

Macavity – Matiwane Matthews
Munkustrap – Dylan Hall
Demeter – April Hayes
Alonzo – Kevin Trippe

Artistic Director – Eric Shephard
Music Director – Elaine Garcia
Choreographer – Ashlee Jones
Costumes – Erin Shephard

Duration : 0:2:8

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In this video, Mark’s outlines in 90 focused seconds the dynamics of targeting the audience, making the mission clear and important personally for the viewer, and providing direction for Blowing Rock theater’s meteoric success. His infectious enthusiasm and authoritative positivity was credible and sincere. (But what was he thinking with that “mullet” hair back in ’94? …Cue the old Magnum PI theme song!)

Mark was a powerful promoter, communicator, salesman, educator and motivator. He articulated the mission of the theater in a manner inclusive of rich and poor, residents and tourists, those who sought art and those seeking just an occasional good-time entertainment. He mobilized the Town of Blowing Rock and appealed to the greater Watauga County and Blue Ridge region, embracing and giving ownership to the community at large.

Under Mark’s artistic direction and fiscal leadership, the theater proceeded to sell out 6 consecutive seasons, establishing the first union professional theater in northwest North Carolina, rapidly growing a reputation for the newest, best and newly-developing shows, Off-Broadway style. By 1989, Wilson was appealing to his audiences in his popular nightly curtain speeches the instability and at-risk community status of being an orphaned company as temporary summer theatre residents of Blowing Rock’s school auditorium.

From the first season in 1986, Mark understood that casting professional actors made the difference in his success. These artists made a full-time career commitment to perfecting their work. They were not locals, students, academics or marginally talented entertainers, and the Blowing Rock audiences appreciated and embraced this bold initiative for distinctive excellence. In fact, audiences expected it.

“We understand where you’re headed – stay on track and we will support this,” said one committed patron during the inaugural 1986 run. “We have plenty of community and college theatre choices here already.”

Within three years, Mark adopted a union contract, gaining access to the nation’s greatest resource of top-level professional talent, bringing a meager but dignified personnel wage, and more importantly: retirement and health benefits to adult professionals. Within the the theater’s first decade, Blowing Rock summer theatre became a reputable and cherished destination in the New York professional network.

The Blowing Rock Stage Company produced 24 consecutive seasons, establishing the regional standard for professional excellence AND providing the seminal inspiration for Blowing Rock North Carolina’s lavish permanent performing arts center.

Tim Baxter, veteran broadcaster and local personality, conducted this 15 year old VHS interview for local cable promotion. He was easy-going, and easy to talk to, bringing the best out of his varied community guests, and he was a generous promoter of all community events.

Tim was an enthusiastic supporter of this theater, and a driving force for the broader tourism economy of Boone, Banner Elk and Blowing Rock. He was a huge factor in bringing community information to the year-round residents of the region, and a vital force in making the Blowing Rock theater project a success.

Tim remains an asset in the hearts of the Boone Blue Ridge Mountain community today with Baxter Mountain Properties. http://baxtermountainproperties.com

Duration : 0:1:40

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Natalie – Kristin Kerr
Henrietta – Carolyn Gilford
Dennis – Erik Hauk
Sylvia – Wanda Gunther
Jim – William Selby

Artistic Director – Eric Shephard
Music Director – Tonya Miller
Choreographer – Ashlee Jones
Costumes – Erin Shephard

Duration : 0:2:59

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September 2008 – The Jellicles sing, dance and display their “terpsichorean powers.”

Munkustrap – Dylan Hall
The Rum Tum Tugger – Erik Hauk
Old Deuteronomy – Bill Selby
Victoria – Ashlee Jones
Bombalurina – Erin Shephard
Demeter – April Hayes
Skimbleshanks – Thomas Polk
Alonzo – Kevin Trippe
Jellylorum – Andrea Luu
Tantomile – Kacey Davidson
Coricopat – Jessie Garcia
Jemima – Alexandra Doggett
Rumpleteazer – Rachel Harris
Mungojerrie – Amy Mellberg
Carbucketty – Charlotte Wurman
Etcetera – Anna Galt
Admetus – Bethany Berg
Electra – Allison Brouillette
Mr. Mistoffelees – John Smith

Artistic Director – Eric Shephard
Music Director – Elaine Garcia
Choreographer – Ashlee Jones
Costumes – Erin Shephard

Duration : 0:6:32

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September 2008 – The Jellicles perform the story of two dog tribes clashing in the street, only to be scared away by the Great Rumpus Cat.

Munkustrap – Dylan Hall
Great Rumpus Cat – Erique Mitchell
The Rum Tum Tugger – Erik Hauk
Old Deuteronomy – Bill Selby
Demeter – April Hayes
Skimbleshanks – Thomas Polk
Alonzo – Kevin Trippe
Jellylorum – Andrea Luu
Tantomile – Kacey Davidson
Coricopat – Jessie Garcia
Jemima – Alexandra Doggett
Victoria – Ashlee Jones
Bombalurina – Erin Shephard
Rumpleteazer – Rachel Harris
Mungojerrie – Amy Mellberg
Carbucketty – Charlotte Wurman
Etcetera – Anna Galt
Admetus – Bethany Berg
Electra – Allison Brouillette
Mr. Mistoffelees – John Smith

Artistic Director – Eric Shephard
Music Director – Elaine Garcia
Choreographer – Ashlee Jones
Costumes – Erin Shephard

Duration : 0:5:19

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Duration : 0:8:11

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Bat Boy – Adam Carter

Dr. Parker – Chas Lowery

Shelly – Lauren Zakrin

Meredith – Carol Zombro

Duration : 0:6:1

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