Talk Is Free Theatre is a not for profit theatre company in Barrie whose mandate includes youth outreach and involvement in our community.
In our efforts to reach out to local youth, we offer many programs and volunteer opportunities benefitting young people by enriching their cultural experiences at a local level.
We offer student matinee performances for most of our season productions. Student matinee tickets are $15 (includes HST and all ticket fees). Teachers’ tickets are complimentary when escorting a group of students to a matinee.
For more information, please contact:
Richard Varty, Director of Outreach
richard@tift.ca
Each semester, Talk Is Free Theatre invites a Simcoe County high school drama class to ‘adopt’ a production – and see first hand how professional theatre is created! Students meet the creative team, attend read-throughs and rehearsals and are invited to the opening night of the performance. Best of all, this program is entirely free – including busing! Applications are welcomed annually for participating classes.
For more information, or to be added to our list of teachers, please contact:
Arkady Spivak
arkady@tift.ca
The Ms Main Asked For This Program program is designed to bring assistance from the theatre professionals directly to school staff and students, who would like support on one or more necessary aspects of their upcoming productions. Productions can include annual plays or musicals, Sears Festival productions, independent works, etc. The goal of this program is to support staff and/or students on their independent work, especially on an extra-curricular basis.
Applications are available for teachers as well as students.
For more information, please contact:
Arkady Spivak
arkady@tift.ca
The Talk Is Free Theatre Drama Award recognizes senior Drama students for outstanding contributions to the art of theatre throughout their high school career.
This award is given at the discretion of the teacher. The selection may be based on a combination of academic achievement, leadership, enthusiasm and effort. It is available to those participating in any aspect of theatre production. All recipients of this award will be presented with a certificate of acknowledgement. Each school may honour two recipients per year.
In order to receive this award, please contact Talk Is Free Theatre to receive the application form and return it to Talk Is Free Theatre by the indicated deadline. Certificates will be forwarded to your school to the attention of the nominating teacher.
There is no charge for the drama award.
For more information, please contact:
Arkady Spivak
arkady@tift.ca
Each semester, TIFT accepts up to two co-op students to complete their placement with Talk Is Free Theatre.
For more information on the positions and availability, please contact:
Cara McRae, Administrator
cara@tift.ca
705-792-1949 ext. 121.
The artsLocal Program is an opportunity for the emerging artists of Barrie and Simcoe County to partner with TIFT to build their distinct practices with our production and mentorship resources.artsLocal is a calling to those pursuing a career in the arts and prepared to step out of the development process, ready to perform their work for an audience. Those who work with alternative methods of creation and are willing to break barriers are heavily encouraged to apply. Previous artsLocal partnerships include:
MUSIC FOR THE CHANGING VOICE:
MY GRANDFATHER’S CELLO AND ALL THE TINY PIECES
Created by Alyssa Wright
THE ALLANDALE SUITE
Created by The Old Dance Hall Players
MISS JULIE & A DOLL’S HOUSE
Created by Quarter Century Theatre
Applications can be submitted at any time.
For more information about the artsLocal Program, please contact:
Arkady Spivak
Talk Is Free Theatre
705-792-1949
arkady@tift.ca
This position is funded by The Government of Canada through the Canada Summer Jobs program. You must be between the ages of 15 and 30 and be legally entitled to work in Canada to apply. Learn more about the program.
As part of a team of counsellors working together, the Theatre Camp Counsellor is responsible for planning, leading, and implementing Talk Is Free Theatre’s 2024 Summer Theatre Day Camp programs (including Acting, Theatre Creation, Musical Theatre, Improv & Comedy, Fractured Fairy Tales, and Triple Threat), delivering positive and enriching experiences for children and youth in a group setting.
Successful candidates will be supervised by the Administrator, to whom they will report during the placement. Before the beginning of work, the counsellors will receive an orientation and be asked to review all of organization’s policies and procedures.
· Review the day camp curriculum and operational manuals;
· Oversee and instruct up to 30 participants per week as part of a team of counsellors;
· Schedule and prepare weekly activities for each session, including an end-of-week production using the skills of that given week's theme, various games, exercises and activities to ensure the development, growth and skill achievement of camp participants;
· Direct the final production and assist participants with preparation for the final production;
· Research various age-appropriate scripts for possible use;
· Liaise with parents and guardians as required (may include participant registration);
· Enforce safety rules and regulations to ensure the general safety of the camp participants;
· Assist with the coordination of special events;
· Aid in the promotion of upcoming sessions;
· Complete logs, maintain records and prepare reports (e.g. In-Out sheets, Accident reports, etc.);
· Where applicable, train and supervise staff and/or volunteers.
· Applicants must be under the age of 30 at time of hire;
· Previous experience in camp, youth programs, recreation, working with children, or in a related field;
· Ability to lead, plan, organize, and implement program activities;
· Ability to work as a member of a team and the ability to accomplish tasks with little direct supervision;
· Strong organizational and communication skills;
· Successful applicants will be required to supply a clean vulnerable sector check that is no more than 12 months past issue.
To be eligible to participate in the Canada Summer Jobs program, candidates must:
· Be aged between 15 and 30 years old on the start date of the job;
· Have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN); and
· Be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or a person who has been granted refugee status in Canada.
Duration of the placement is 8 weeks - approximately July 2, 2023 to August 26, 2024.
The position requires an open availability.
Remuneration will be for 35 hours per week at a rate of $16.55 CAD per hour.
Please apply no later than June 18, 2024, to submissions@tift.ca. Please include a cover letter and a resume, and indicate in the subject of your email that you are applying for the Summer Theatre Camp Counsellor position.
This position is funded by The Government of Canada through the Canada Summer Jobs program. You must be between the ages of 15 and 30 and be legally entitled to work in Canada to apply. Learn more about the program.
As part of a team of counsellors working together, the Theatre Camp Counsellor is responsible for planning, leading, and implementing Talk Is Free Theatre’s 2024 Summer Theatre Day Camp programs (including Acting, Theatre Creation, Musical Theatre, Improv & Comedy, Fractured Fairy Tales, and Triple Threat), delivering positive and enriching experiences for children and youth in a group setting.
Successful candidates will be supervised by the Administrator, to whom they will report during the placement. Before the beginning of work, the counsellors will receive an orientation and be asked to review all of organization’s policies and procedures.
· Review the day camp curriculum and operational manuals;
· Oversee and instruct up to 30 participants per week as part of a team of counsellors;
· Schedule and prepare weekly activities for each session, including an end-of-week production using the skills of that given week's theme, various games, exercises and activities to ensure the development, growth and skill achievement of camp participants;
· Direct the final production and assist participants with preparation for the final production;
· Research various age-appropriate scripts for possible use;
· Liaise with parents and guardians as required (may include participant registration);
· Enforce safety rules and regulations to ensure the general safety of the camp participants;
· Assist with the coordination of special events;
· Aid in the promotion of upcoming sessions;
· Complete logs, maintain records and prepare reports (e.g. In-Out sheets, Accident reports, etc.);
· Where applicable, train and supervise staff and/or volunteers.
· Applicants must be under the age of 30 at time of hire;
· Previous experience in camp, youth programs, recreation, working with children, or in a related field;
· Ability to lead, plan, organize, and implement program activities;
· Ability to work as a member of a team and the ability to accomplish tasks with little direct supervision;
· Strong organizational and communication skills;
· Successful applicants will be required to supply a clean vulnerable sector check that is no more than 12 months past issue.
To be eligible to participate in the Canada Summer Jobs program, candidates must:
· Be aged between 15 and 30 years old on the start date of the job;
· Have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN); and
· Be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or a person who has been granted refugee status in Canada.
Duration of the placement is 8 weeks - approximately July 2, 2023 to August 26, 2024.
The position requires an open availability.
Remuneration will be for 35 hours per week at a rate of $16.55 CAD per hour.
Please apply no later than June 18, 2024, to submissions@tift.ca. Please include a cover letter and a resume, and indicate in the subject of your email that you are applying for the Summer Theatre Camp Counsellor position.
