4th Line Theatre to Brings Peterborough History to Life In World Premiere Production 'Jim Watts: Girl Reporter'

4th Line Theatre is bringing Peterborough History to life with its world premiere production of 'Jim Watts: Girl Reporter' running from July 30 to Aug. 24.

Photo courtesy of 4th Line Theatre.

According to a synopsis, the play takes audiences from Toronto to Madrid to Peterborough and features a local connection in Jim Higgins who raised his family in Peterborough and was truly heroic as a member of the Mackenzie-Papineau brigade in Spain.

“Thankfully I've had one of the best tools you could possibly have which is Jim Higgins's daughter Jeanette, compiled a memoir of his so reading through that, reading his entire life story is the biggest resource that any actor could possible have from his own words,” said Thomas Fornier (Jim Higgins).

Eugenia “Jim” Watts, was most famously known for being a Canadian correspondent for the Spanish Civil War and the only woman to join the MacKenzie-Papineaus, Canada’s Republican regiment in Spain. Her political beliefs and actions were heavily inspired by Emma Goldman, a prominent feminist at the time. Jim Watts began her political work as a theatre artist in Toronto, later founding Theatre of Action. She was a prominent figure in the theatre movement during the 1930s. Watts did more than write about the Spanish Civil War, as she was also an active participant in nursing and driving ambulances for the wounded civilians and soldiers.

“I didn't know a lot about this piece of history myself so I'm sure that other people will be learning about it for the first time as well,” said Katie Ryerson (Jim Watts). “Getting to play someone who is a real person is a real honour and a real gift and premiering a new work for the first time is always a real honour and real privilege.”

The play is written by Beverly Cooper and directed by Kim Blackwell. The production has 28 cast members and a crew of 15 people.

“I think I'm ideally suited to direct it because I helped dramaturge it and help support Bev in the writing of the piece in the past five years,” said Blackwell. “I really like directing world premieres because I always imagine it like a field of fresh snow where there are no other footprints and I get to put my footprints in that fresh snow.”

Opening night is Aug. 1 with July 30 and 31 as preview nights. Shows run from Tuesday to Saturday at 6 p.m. and tickets are available online at 4th Line Theatre’s website.

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4th Line Theatre Accepting Applications For Playwright Funding

4th Line Theatre is recommending playwrights to receive funding of between $1,000 and $3,000 to develop new works through the Ontario Arts Council’s Recommender Grants for Theatre Creators program, announced on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of Rebekah Littlejohn and 4th Line Theatre.

Ontario-based professional theatre artists and artists’ collectives can apply by Jan. 12, 1 p.m. The Ontario Arts Council (OAC), an agency of the government of Ontario, is the primary funding body for professional arts activities in the province.

4th Line Theatre will administer the granting program with the primary goal of supporting as many playwriting projects as possible. Secondarily, they are also looking for projects that align with its artistic mandate: To preserve our Canadian cultural heritage through the development and presentation of regionally-based, environmentally-staged historical dramas, with special consideration for culturally diverse artists and collectives, artists living with a disability.

“I understand the financial challenges faced by playwrights and the OAC’s Recommender Grants for Theatre Creators is vital to supporting their writing projects,” said Kim Blackwell, 4th Line managing artistic director.

Application forms are to be completed online on the OAC website. Interested applicants will need to create a NOVA account and follow the instructions for submission. If interested applicants have any questions about the process, please contact 4th Line Theatre’s Administration by email at submissions@4thlinetheatre.on.ca or by phone at 705-932-4506. The applications will be reviewed by Managing Artistic Director Kim Blackwell.

Funding decisions are based on the artistic interest of the project, the quality of the artistic examples given and the program's impact on the artist’s development. 4th Line Theatre will then forward a positive funding decision to the OAC for final recommendation. Grant amounts will be determined by the number of approved applicants and the funds available from the program.

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4th Line Theatre Announces Two Productions For Its 2024 Summer Lineup

4th Line Theatre has announced its 32nd summer season and two premiere productions ‘Onion Skins & Peach Fuzz: The Farmerettes’ and ‘Jim Watts: Girl Reporter’ on Monday morning.

Onion Skins & Peach Fuzz: The Farmerettes was written by Alison Lawrence (pictured). Photo courtesy of 4th Line Theatre.

The season will begin on July 1 with Onion Skins & Peach Fuzz: The Farmerettes, written by Alison Lawrence, based on the book by Shirleyan English and Bonnie Sitter and directed by Autumn Smith, who returns after appearing in the 2023 production of The Cavan Blazers. 

Beginning on July 30, Jim Watts: Girl Reporter, written by Beverley Cooper and directed by Kim Blackwell, will take the stage. Cooper wrote The Other: A Strange Christmas Tale for 4th Line, which had a sold-out run in December 2018.

“In our 2024 season, I am proud to share these two plays with audiences,” explained Blackwell, 4th Line’s managing artistic director “These world premiere productions have been developed through our new play development program.”

Longtime Musical Director Justin Hiscox returns to write original music, compose and musically direct for the summer season. Hiscox returns in 2024 for his 24th season after surviving a life-threatening illness this past summer.

Onion Skins & Peach Fuzz: The Farmerettes is a funny and enlightening exploration of the largely unknown story of the teenage girls who stepped up and worked on farms across Canada to feed the troops and all Canadians during WWII. These ‘Farmerettes,’ all in their 90s now, tell us that the summers they worked on those farms were the best of their lives, even 70 or more years later.

Jim Watts: Girl Reporter is a fascinating exploration of the experience of trailblazing youth who illegally flocked to Spain to fight fascism, attempting to stop its march across Europe in the mid-1930s. Jean ‘Jim’ Watts was the only woman to join Canada’s regiment in Spain, the MacKenzie-Papineaus. The play takes us from Toronto to Madrid, from political rallies to the battlefields of Spain—and Peterborough’s own Jim Higgins — union organizer and hero — figures prominently in the story.

“Both of the plays focus on young people who are willing to do just about anything to do their part,” explains Blackwell. “These young people were desperate to try and make a difference in a world gone mad. They were all true heroes.”

Onion Skins & Peach Fuzz: The Farmerettes

• Directed by Autumn Smith

• July 1 – 20, 2024

• Previews: July 1, 2

• Opening Night: July 3

• Monday to Saturday at 6 p.m.

Jim Watts: Girl Reporter

• July 30 – August 24, 2024

• Previews: July 30, 31

• Opening Night: August 1

• Tuesday to Saturday at 6 p.m.

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4th Line Theatre Adding Additional Performance of The Cavan Blazers For This Monday

Due to multiple sellouts of the show, 4th Line Theatre has added an additional performance of The Cavan Blazers slated for this Monday at 6 p.m.

Patrick and Anne arguing during a production of The Cavan Blazers. Photo courtesy of 4th Line THeatre.

The production, written by Robert Winslow and directed by Kim Blackwell, is in its seventh iteration over the past 32 years.

The play is a gritty, intense play that has the audience on the edge of its seat from start to finish. This drama chronicles the religious conflict between Catholic and Protestant Irish settlers in Cavan Township in the early to mid-nineteenth century. Violence erupts when a Protestant vigilante gang known as the Cavan Blazers tries to stop a Catholic settlement from being established as stated by a press release.

The theatre is featuring local music under the big tent and Black Honey Bakery will be present with power bowls with vegan options and snack packs. The concession stand and BBQ will also be open.

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Hometown PTBO: Robert Winslow On Founding 4th Line Theatre and Its August Production, The Cavan Blazers

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks with founder Robert Winslow about growing up in Millbrook, how his property became 4th Line Theatre and the month-long production of The Cavan Blazers running from Aug. 1 - 26.

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4th Line Theatre Seeking Retro Prop Donations For Upcoming Summer Production

Dig out your attic for some relics as 4th Line Theatre is seeking prop donations or loans of items from the 60s for their upcoming production, ‘The Tilco Strike’ which is running from June 27 - July 22.

CAST MEMBERS FROM IAN MCLACHLAN AND ROBERT WINSLOW'S CROW HILL: THE TELEPHONE PLAY OF 2018. PHOTO COURTESY OF WAYNE EARDLEY AND 4TH LINE THEATRE.

The Theatre is asking for 1960s items either for loan or donations. These include bowling shoes, bowling pins, a bowling bag, an adding machine, bolo ties, a punch clock and a cardholder.

Volunteers are also needed for the productions. Anyone who signs up can also view any show for free.

Those looking to volunteer, need more information or donate are asked to send a photo to e-mail admin@4thlinetheatre.on.ca.

Written by D’Arcy Jenish and directed by Cynthia Ashperger, The Tilco Strike recounts the year-long fight between 35 poorly paid women and their hard-nosed male bosses at Tilco Plastics in Peterborough. The company was determined to crush the women and their union according to 4th Line Theatre.

The strike began in December 1965 over a $25 bonus and escalated into an epic battle between organized labour and strike-breaking employers. The women lost their fight but changed labour relations in Ontario forever.

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4th Line Theatre Seeking Male Actors and a Baby For Upcoming Productions

4th Line Theatre is male actors for their upcoming productions of D’Arcy Jenish’s ‘The Tilco Strike’ and Robert Winslow’s ‘The Cavan Blazers’ announced on Monday.

Cast members from Alex Poch-Goldin's The Great Shadow in 2022. Photo courtesy of Wayne Eardley and 4th Line Theatre.

For The Tilco Strike, 4th Line is searching for two adult men or teenage boys. The Cavan Blazers requires an adult man and a baby to join the production.

Cast members from Ian McLachlan and Robert Winslow's Crow Hill: The Telephone Play of 2018. Photo courtesy of Wayne Eardley and 4th Line Theatre.

The Tilco Strike is written by D’Arcy Jenish and is directed by Cynthia Ashperger.

It recounts the year-long fight between 35 poorly paid women and their hard-nosed male bosses at Tilco Plastics in Peterborough who were determined to crush the women and their union according to 4th Line Theatre The strike began in December 1965 over a $25 bonus and escalated into an epic battle between organized labour and strike-breaking employers. The women lost their fight but changed labour relations in Ontario forever.

Cast members from Robert Winslow's The Cavan Blazers in 2011. Photo courtesy of Wayne Eardley and 4th Line Theatre.

The Cavan Blazers was written by Robert Winslow and directed by Kim Blackwell. 

It is a gritty, intense play that has the audience on the edge of its seat from start to finish. This drama chronicles the religious conflict between Catholic and Protestant Irish settlers in Cavan Township in the early to mid-nineteenth century. Violence erupts when a Protestant vigilante gang known as the Cavan Blazers tries to stop a Catholic settlement from being established as stated by a press release.

Any questions about auditions can be directed to 4th Line Theatre’s artistic administrator Emma Hale at 705-932-4505 or emma@4thlinetheatre.on.ca.

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4th line Theatre Holding Auditions For Two Upcoming Summer Productions On Feb. 4

4th Line Theatre is holding auditions for two of their summer productions, D’Arcy Jenish’s ‘The Tilco Strike’ and Robert Winslow’s ‘The Cavan Blazers’ announced on Wednesday.

Cast members from Alex Poch-Goldin's The Great Shadow in 2022. Photo courtesy of Wayne Eardley and 4th Line Theatre.

Auditions and interviews are held at The Theatre on King located on 171 King St. (entrance at the back of the building) on Feb. 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Meetings are conducted based on the order of arrival. Prior acting experience is not required. The Theatre encourages those with limited acting experience but has an interest to consider auditioning.

“Volunteers have been the cornerstone of 4th Line Theatre’s creative activities for 30 years since its inception in 1992,” said Kim Blackwell, managing artistic director. “This is where the community and art meet. This is a real opportunity to express yourself, learn and grow and join our team.”

Cast members from Ian McLachlan and Robert Winslow's Crow Hill: The Telephone Play of 2018. Photo courtesy of Wayne Eardley and 4th Line Theatre.

The Tilco Strike is written by D’Arcy Jenish and is directed by Cynthia Ashperger.

It recounts the year-long fight between 35 poorly paid women and their hard-nosed male bosses at Tilco Plastics in Peterborough who were determined to crush the women and their union according to 4th Line Theatre The strike began in December 1965 over a $25 bonus and escalated into an epic battle between organized labour and strike-breaking employers. The women lost their fight but changed labour relations in Ontario forever.

Cast members from Robert Winslow's The Cavan Blazers in 2011. Photo courtesy of Wayne Eardley and 4th Line Theatre.

The Cavan Blazers was written by Robert Winslow and directed by Kim Blackwell. 

It is a gritty, intense play that has the audience on the edge of its seat from start to finish. This drama chronicles the religious conflict between Catholic and Protestant Irish settlers in Cavan Township in the early to mid-nineteenth century. Violence erupts when a Protestant vigilante gang known as the Cavan Blazers tries to stop a Catholic settlement from being established as stated by a press release.

Any questions about auditions can be directed to 4th Line Theatre’s artistic administrator Emma Hale at 705-932-4505 or emma@4thlinetheatre.on.ca.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Barnyard Sessions Are Back At 4th Line Theatre This September

After a successful run of sold out shows in 2021, 4th Line Theatre is presenting the second presentation of The Barnyard Sessions: All About the Song, in September.

Ben Kunder will perform on September 22. Photo courtesy of 4th Line Theatre.

There will be four musical evenings with some of the region’s most beloved singer-songwriters. The Sessions, produced by local singer-songwriter Kate Suhr, will feature performers such as Greg Keelor (Blue Rodeo), Terra Lightfoot, Aphrose, The Weber Brothers, Julian Taylor, Sarah MacDougall, Ben Kunder, James McKenty, Rick Fines, Evangeline Gentle, Melissa Payne, Dylan Ireland, Emily Burgess, Kyler Tapscott, Nicholas Campbell and Kate Suhr.

In an intimate setting, and in true “Writers in the Round” tradition, four artists will share the stage, taking turns as they reveal how their original music is imagined, conceptualized, and crafted. As the curtain is pulled up, audience members will bear witness to the powerful role of songwriting and the process behind the lyrics.

The event will run for four performances, showcasing different artists each evening. The concerts will all take place at The Winslow Farm in Millbrook from 7 p.m. -8:30 p.m. on September 22, 23, 29 and 30.

“When I had the idea for The Barnyard Sessions in 2021, I never imagined how well-received it would be. Those four nights in early fall of 2021, in the barnyard at the Winslow farm, were magical and I know everyone who attended, felt it. We want to capture that magical again this year with the second instalment of The Barnyard Sessions. These intimate concerts are extraordinary interplays between musicians, music and audiences.”

Tickets for The Barnyard Sessions are on sale now and are available for purchase through 4th Line Theatre’s box office. The capacity for each performance is 100 seats to ensure an intimate experience. Purchase tickets in advance to avoid disappointment, as shows often sell out.

Concerts takes place at The Winslow Farm located at 779 Zion Line, Millbrook:

· September 22 at 7 p.m. – Sarah MacDougall, Ben Kunder, Julian Taylor and Evangeline Gentle

· September 23 at 7 p.m. – The Weber Brothers, Aphrose, Rick Fines and Nicholas Campbell

· September 29 at 7 p.m. – Greg Keelor, Terra Lightfoot, James McKenty and Melissa Payne

· September 30 at 7 p.m. – Emily Burgess, Kyler Tapscott, Dylan Ireland and Kate Suhr

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4th Line Theatre Announces 2022 Young Company Members

4th Line Theatre, Trent University’s Traill College and Lakefield College School have announced the 2022 Young Company, a group of young, diverse regional artists and performers, who will work with industry professionals to produce livestream virtual play readings and performance pieces this summer.

2021 Young Company.

This announcement comes as part of the Emerging VOICES Youth Apprenticeship Program.

“We are so pleased to support 4th Line Theatre’s Young Company program,” said Anne-Marie Kee, Head of School and Foundation of Lakefield College School. “As an independent school with a robust co-curricular arts program, we have seen first-hand how important the performing arts can be in a young person’s development, offering a venue for them to express themselves creatively and build confidence, both on and off the stage. We hope to see more young performers flourish at 4th Line Theatre.”

Following the success of 2021 Young Company, 4th Line Theatre have partnered with Lakefield College School to further develop the exciting Young Company initiative. Young Company members will train with industry professionals Victoria Cutler, Pat Maitland, Rebecca Birrell, Simone Georges and Melissa Wotherspoon to bring scripts to life and create original work.

The 2022 Young Company is led by Young Company Coordinator Rebecca Birrell and its members are: Mackenzie Airhart, Norah Appleby, Sarah Bubteina, Jack Chesla, Zoe Dunaway, Aimee Gordon, Ava Imeson, Laurin Isiekwena, Annie Mancini, Sidney Moon, Ivy Morgan, Neveah Taylor and Bunni Verbal.

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