MONTRÉAL, June 15, 2006 - Beverley J. Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, today announced $3.3 million in funding for the National Theatre School of Canada.
"For over four decades, the National Theatre School has trained many of the creative artists who give Canadian theatre its unique spark," said Minister Oda. "The School fosters excellence in performing arts in Canada and supports our ideal of linguistic duality. Today's announcement demonstrates our Government's commitment to both."
The National Theatre School is one of the few schools that offers career training programs in all the theatre disciplines--acting, playwriting, directing, set and costume design, and technical production--in both English and French. The programs are the last stage of training for theatre performers, designers, and technicians who are able to find work in the field as soon as they leave the school.
"Department of Canadian Heritage support for this institution represents an investment in the future of theatre and the performing arts in our country," said Simon Brault, Director General of the National Theatre School of Canada. "The School accepts less than five percent of those who audition for it each year, and the actors, writers, directors, set and costume designers, and technical production staff trained at the school play a leading role on stages and in artistic companies throughout Canada and sometimes abroad."
Established in Montréal in 1960, the National Theatre School of Canada takes an approach to theatre as a collective art form requiring discipline, commitment, generosity of spirit, openness, flexibility and imagination.
Financial assistance is provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage under its National Arts Training Contribution Program. The Program supports independent, non-profit, incorporated Canadian organizations that train Canadians for professional national/international careers in the arts.
Information:
Robert Paterson
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of
Canadian Heritage and Status
of Women
819 997-7788
Donald Boulanger
A/Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101
