Catalyst Theatre

Catalyst Theatre
Formation 1977
Type Theatre group
Purpose Original works
Location
Artistic director(s)
Jonathan Christenson
Website http://www.catalysttheatre.ca/

Catalyst Theatre is a theatre company in Edmonton founded in 1977.[1] Catalyst Theatre creates and tours new work developed under Artistic Director Jonathan Christenson in collaboration with Resident Designer Bretta Gerecke. Since 1997, Catalyst’s artistic team has created original productions that have toured the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and the United States.

Catalyst has received 25 Sterling Awards for its productions of The House of Pootsie Plunket, Songs for Sinners, Elephant Wake, Fusion 2001, The Blue Orphan, Carmen Angel, Frankenstein and Nevermore, and Hunchback. In the spring of 2013 Catalyst produced a new work called "The Soul Collector" which ran at the Westbury Theatre. Catalyst's newest work, Vigilante, had a workshop production at Keyano Theatre in Fort McMurray in November/December 2013. Inspired by the story of the Donnelly family,Vigilante made its World Premiere at the Citadel Theatre previewing March 7, opening March 12, and running until March 29.

History

Recently, Catalyst was unable to renew it's lease in the home that it built on Gateway Boulevard in Edmonton. After investing around a million dollars into their space, they were forced out. Now they are the company in residence at the Maclab Theatre in the Citadel.

Productions

Unless otherwise indicated, all Catalyst productions were directed, written and composed by Jonathan Christenson and designed by Bretta Gerecke.

All Our Unworldly Possessions (2015)

Conceived by Jonathan Christenson and Bretta Gerecke. A season long installation piece.

Vigilante (2013)[2]

Conceived by Jonathan Christenson, this original rock musical follows the story of the Donnelly family, as they escaped their homeland of Ireland to the rough country-side of Ontario.

Whisper (2012)[4][5][6]

In 2012, Catalyst produced Whisper in association with Studio Theatre at the University of Alberta, which was performed by the school's BFA Acting class of 2012.

Nevermore: The Imaginary Life and Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe (2008)

Nevermore had an 11-week Off-Broadway run at New World Stages from January 14, 2015 to March 29, 2015. On June 16, 2015, The Original Off-Broadway Cast Recording of Nevermore – The Imaginary Life and Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe soundtrack was released by Broadway Records. This was Catalyst's first soundtrack album.[8][9][10]

Frankenstein (2007)[11]

Based on Mary Shelley's 1813 novel, Frankenstein, adapted by Jonathan Christenson.

Sticky Shoes (2005)

Created by Jonathan Christenson and Bretta Gerecke.

Love + Love (2004)

Created by Jonathan Christenson, Annie Dugan, Bretta Gerecke, and John Ullyatt.

Carment Angel (2003)

Written by Joey Tremblay, composed by Jonathan Christenson.

Dream Life (2003)

Written by Chris Craddock, composed by Jonathan Christenson.

The Blue Orphan (2001)

Written by Jonathan Christenson and Joey Tremblay, composed by Jonathan Christenson.

The House of Pootsie Plunket (1999)

Written and directed by Joey Tremblay and Jonathan Christenson, composed by Jonathan Christenson.

Songs for Sinners (1998)

Written and directed by Joey Tremblay and Jonathan Christenson, composed by Paul Morgan Donald, Jonathan Christenson, and Joey Tremblay

Abundance (1997)

Written and directed by Joey Tremblay, Jonathan Christenson, and company.

Electra (1996)

Written and directed by Joey Tremblay and Jonathan Christenson.

Elephant Wake (1996)[12]

Written by Joey Tremblay and Jonathan Christenson.

My Perfect Heaven (1996)

Written by Joey Tremblay and Jonathan Christenson, composed by Jonathan Christenson.

Board of Directors

Catalyst's Board of Directors consists of:

Awards and Nominations

Elizabeth Sterling Haynes Awards[13]
Year Production Category Result
2015
Elephant Wake Outstanding Production of a Play Nominated
Elephant Wake - Joey Tremblay Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role Won
Elephant Wake - Bretta Gerecke Outstanding Set Design Nominated
Vigilante Timothy Ryan Award for Outstanding Production of a Musical Nominated
Vigilante Outstanding New Play (award to playwright) Nominated
Vigilante- Jan Alexandra Smith Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role Nominated
Vigilante - Narda McCarroll Outstanding Costume Design Won
Vigilante - Beth Kates Outstanding Lighting Design Nominated
Vigilante - Jonathan Christenson Outstanding Score of a Play or Musical Nominated
Vigilante - Jonathan Christenson & Matthew Skopyk Outstanding Musical Director Nominated
Vigilante - Laura Krewski Outstanding Choreography or Fight Direction Nominated
2013
The Soul Collector Timothy Ryan Award for Outstanding Production of a Musical Nominated
The Soul Collector - Jonathan Christenson Outstanding New Play (award to playwright) Nominated
The Soul Collector - Bretta Gerecke Outstanding Set Design Nominated
The Soul Collector - Bretta Gerecke Outstanding Costume Design Nominated
The Soul Collector - Jonathan Christenson Outstanding Score of a Play or Musical Nominated
The Soul Collector - Jonathan Christenson Outstanding Musical Director Nominated
The Soul Collector - Marie Nychka Outstanding Choreography or Fight Direction Nominated
2011
Hunchback The Timothy Ryan Award for Outstanding Production of a Musical Nominated
Hunchback - Bretta Gereke Outstanding Set Design Nominated
Hunchback - Bretta Gereke Outstanding Costume Design Nominated
Hunchback - Bretta Gereke Outstanding Lighting Design Nominated
Hunchback - Jonathon Christenson Outstanding Score of a Play or Musical Nominated
Hunchback - Don Horsburgh Outstanding Musical Director Nominated
2009
Nevermore Outstanding Production of a Musical Won
Nevermore - Jonathan Christenson Outstanding New Play (award to playwright) Nominated
Nevermore - Jonathan Christenson Outstanding Director Won
Nevermore - Bretta Gerecke Outstanding Set Design Nominated
Nevermore - Bretta Gerecke Outstanding Costume Design Won
Nevermore - Bretta Gerecke Outstanding Lighting Design Won
Nevermore - Jonathan Christenson & Wade Staples Outstanding Score of a Play or Musical Won
Nevermore - Jonathan Christenson Outstanding Musical Director Won
Nevermore - Laura Krewski Outstanding Choreography or Fight Direction Won
2007
Frankenstein Outstanding Production of a Musical Won
Frankenstein - Jonathan Christenson Outstanding New Play (award to playwright) Won
Frankenstein - Nancy McAlear Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role Won
Frankenstein - Jonathan Christenson Outstanding Director Nominated
Frankenstein - Bretta Gerecke Outstanding Set Design Won
Frankenstein - Bretta Gerecke Outstanding Costume Design Won
Frankenstein - Bretta Gerecke Outstanding Lighting Design Won
Frankenstein - Jonathan Christenson Outstanding Score of a Play or Musical Won
Frankenstein - Jonathan Christenson Outstanding Musical Director Won
Frankenstein - Laura Krewski Outstanding Choreography or Fight Direction Nominated
2005
faithless Outstanding Production of a Play Nominated
faithless - Chris Craddock & Steve Pirot Outstanding New Play (award to playwright) Nominated
faithless - Steve Pirot Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role Nominated
faithless - Marianne Copithorne Outstanding Director Nominated
faithless - Bretta Gerecke Outstanding Lighting Design Won
faithless - Aaron Macri Outstanding Score of a Play or Musical Nominated
2004
Dream Life - Chris Craddock (Azimuth Theatre/Catalyst Theatre) Outstanding New Play (award to playwright) Nominated
Dream Life - Bretta Gerecke (Azimuth Theatre/Catalyst Theatre) Outstanding Lighting Design Nominated
Dream Life - Jonathan Christenson (Azimuth Theatre/Catalyst Theatre) Outstanding Score of a Play or Musical Nominated
2003
The Blue Orphan Outstanding Production of a Musical Nominated
The Blue Orphan - Jonathan Christenson & Joey Tremblay Outstanding New Play (award to playwright) Won
The Blue Orphan - Beth Graham Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role Won
The Blue Orphan - Jonathan Christenson Outstanding Score of a Play or Musical Won
2001
Fusion: Let There Be Light Special Achievement Award: Special Theatrical Event Won
1999
The House of Pootsie Plunket - Bretta Gerecke Outstanding Costume Design Nominated
The House of Pootsie Plunket - Bretta Gerecke Outstanding Lighting Design Won
1998
Songs for Sinners Outstanding Production of a Play Nominated
Songs for Sinners - Jonathan Christenson & Joey Tremblay Outstanding New Play (award to playwright) Nominated
Songs for Sinners - Jonathan Christenson & Joey Tremblay Outstanding Director Nominated
Songs for Sinners - Bretta Gerecke Outstanding Set Design Nominated
Songs for Sinners - Bretta Gerecke Outstanding Costume Design Nominated
Songs for Sinners - Bretta Gerecke Outstanding Lighting Design Won
Songs for Sinners - Paul Morgan Donald with Jonathan Christenson & Joey Tremblay Outstanding Original Composition Won
1997
My Perfect Heaven Outstanding Fringe Production Nominated
My Perfect Heaven - Joey Tremblay Outstanding Fringe Performance Nominated
My Perfect Heaven - Jonathan Christenson Outstanding Fringe Director Nominated
My Perfect Heaven - Jonathan Christenson & Joey Tremblay Outstanding Fringe New Work (award to playwright) Nominated
1990
All My Relations - Floyd Favel Outstanding New Play (award to playwright) Nominated
All My Relations - Tantoo Cardinal Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role Won
All My Relations - Lance Tailfeathers Outstanding Original Composition Nominated
Feeling Yes, Feeling No Outstanding Production for Young Audiences Won
1989
David for Queen - John Lazarus (Theatre Network/Catalyst Theatre) Outstanding New Play (award to playwright) Nominated
David for Queen - Andrew Dolha (Theatre Network/Catalyst Theatre) Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role Won

References

  1. The Catalyst Theatre
  2. "Vigilante". www.catalysttheatre.ca. Retrieved 2015-11-10.
  3. "Catalyst Theatre | The Soul Collector". www.catalysttheatre.ca. Retrieved 2015-11-10.
  4. "Submit to the emotional Whisper". Edmonton Sun. Retrieved 2015-11-10.
  5. "UofA Studio Theatre: whisper". www.mailoutinteractive.com. Retrieved 2015-11-10.
  6. "whisper - Vue Weekly". Vue Weekly. Retrieved 2015-11-10.
  7. "CATALYST THEATRE | Hunchback". www.catalysttheatre.ca. Retrieved 2015-11-10.
  8. "Nevermore - The Imaginary Life and Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe (Original Off-Broadway Cast Recording) [2 CD set]". Broadway Records. Retrieved 2015-11-09.
  9. "Cast Recording Will Capture Edgar Allan Poe Musical Nevermore". Playbill. Retrieved 2015-11-09.
  10. "Nevermore – The Imaginary Life and Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe". Broadway.com. Retrieved 2015-11-09.
  11. "CATALYST THEATRE | Frankenstein". www.catalysttheatre.ca. Retrieved 2015-11-10.
  12. "CATALYST THEATRE | Elephant Wake". www.catalysttheatre.ca. Retrieved 2015-11-10.
  13. "THE ELIZABETH STERLING HAYNES AWARDS". www.sterlingawards.com. Retrieved 2015-11-09.

External links

Coordinates: 53°31′16″N 113°29′40″W / 53.52111°N 113.49444°W / 53.52111; -113.49444

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