Congratulations To All Theatre NS Award Nominees Including Talent Trust Alumni

Congratulation to our Talent Trust alumnae for their nominations for a Theatre Nova Scotia 2020 Robert Merritt Award!

Veronique MacKenzie for Outstanding Choreography in Ben Hur with Festival Antigonish Summer Theatre and The Children with Keep Good [Theatre] Company.

Laura Vingoe-Cram for Outstanding Direction in The Children with Keep Good [Theatre] Company.

Eszther Horvath for Outstanding Musical Direction in Brundibar with Halifax Theatre for Young People. 

Shauntay Grant for Outstanding New Play by A Nova Scotian and Outstanding Production for The Bridge with 2b theatre and Neptune Theatre in association with Obsidian Theatre. 

Congratulations to all nominees! You can find the full list at Theatre Nova Scotia's website: 
https://www.theatrens.ca/robert-merritt-awards/nominations

photo credit: websites of all the mentioned artists above


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Eszther Horvath and Veronique MacKenzie Team Up for a Children's Opera May 16-19, 2019.

Music Director Eszther Horvath and choreographer Veronique MacKenzie join the Brundibar team for Halifax Theatre for Young People’s (HTYP) presentation of the children’s opera Brundibár.

May 16-19th

Cropped Image from Original Poster

Sir James Dunn Theatre
Dalhousie Arts Centre
Room 514, 6101 University Avenue

School shows:
May 16, 9:15 am
May 17, 10:30 am

May 18 7:00 pm
May 19 2:00 pm

Brundibár is an opera written for children by Hans Krása with lyrics by Adolf Hoffmeister, composed in Prague in 1938. The opera tells the story of children who sing in the marketplace to raise money for their sick mother, but are chased away by the organ player, Brundibár. With the help of animal and bird friends, as well as other children, they defeat Brundibár and continue to sing. All watching understood that Brundibár represented Hitler and were uplifted, even momentarily, by the fact that good could triumph over evil.

Despite the background of its creation, the opera itself is light-hearted and provides a great opportunity to introduce children and youth to the topic of the Holocaust and racial discrimination, and the need to work together to defeat oppression.

The Halifax production is directed by HTYP’s Artistic Director Tessa Mendel, with musical direction by Eszter Horvath, and features professional musicians including Scott Macmillan and members of Symphony Nova Scotia, children from the local community and professional set and lighting designers. 

The production includes an educational component, guest speakers and a photography exhibit. A committee of local supporters has been working behind the scenes for several years to bring the production to Halifax audiences. Description from the Halifax Theatre for Young People Website

Veronique MacKenzie is an internationally recognized dancer, choreographer, and educator most recently recognized with a 2019 Merritt Award.  

 
Eszther Horvath is an accomplished singer, violinist, musical director and conductor.

Veronique MacKenzie Wins the 2019 Merritt Award for Outstanding Choreography.

Veronique MacKenzie receives recognition for her choreography in Kamp, presented by Eastern Front Theatre & Neptune Theatre. Kamp, a two-act musical that tells the story of a group of homosexual men, interred in a Nazi concentration camp took home several Merritt awards. 

The award adds to the growing list of her accomplishments. Veronique is a recipient of Nova Scotia’s prestigious Established Artist Awards, and two-time recipient of Live Art’s Diane Moore Scholarship for choreography. 

Véronique has presented her work across the country in a variety of festivals and productions including Toronto’s Junction Festival, The Edmonton Fringe Festival, Labrador Arts Festival and Festival Antigonish. Her status as an independent dancer has allowed her to dance for a variety of contemporary dance productions as well as develop a successful choreographic and solo performance career. Véronique most recently completed choreography for POP TV's "Let's Get Physical" (L.A.) and has worked on CBC's Mr. D, Bo on the Go, and Street Cents.

Véronique has served on faculty at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NSCAD University), Neptune Theatre School, The Fountain School of Performing Arts (Dalhousie University) and Halifax Dance. She’s been a board member of Dance Nova Scotia and Keep Good (Theatre) Company. She is the Atlantic rep for the Dancer Transition Resource Centre out of Toronto.

Her eclectic background includes training in modern dance (York University and The School of the Toronto Dance Theatre), jazz and ballet (The National Ballet School/R.A.D./Checcetti/Vagonova), visual art (NSCAD), clown and Fool-work (Laban Int’l School), creative movement (Virginia Tanner School/USA) and theatre (University of NB and Theatre NB) from which she has developed a unique performance style.

Biographical information has been summarized, and can be found in full on her website, www.veroniquemackenzie.com 

Multitalented Artist Veronique MacKenzie in Talent Trust 75th Anniversary Video

Véronique MacKenzie is a multitalented artist. She and her students worked with us to help create our 75th anniversary scholarship video, and we’re grateful for their participation.

Véronique making dance magic in her studio.

Originally from Montréal, Quebec, Véronique moved to Nova Scotia and received two Talent Trust scholarships to assist with her dance training. 

She’s also a two-time recipient of Live Art’s Diane Moore Scholarship for choreography, and a recipient of a Nova Scotia Established Artist Recognition Award. 

She’s earned scholarship positions in the Interrarium Creative residency at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, and the Centre for Art Tapes in Halifax.

Behind the scenes at our video shoot.
Photo: Filet Production Services.

Her background includes modern dance, jazz and ballet, visual art, clown and fool-work, creative movement, and theatre. 

Véronique has invested in her education. She attended York University and the School of the Toronto Dance Theatre, the National Ballet School / R.A.D. / Checcetti / Vagonova, NSCAD University, Laban International School, Virginia Tanner School/USA, University of New Brunswick, and Theatre New Brunswick. 

She holds degrees in science and social work.

Véronique working with her dance students.

Like a number of other Talent Trust scholarship recipients, Véronique has decided to share her skills and experience with emerging artists through teaching. She’s served on faculty at NSCAD University, Neptune Theatre School, and the Fountain School of Performing Arts at Dalhousie University.

She just wrapped her work as choreographer for the world premiere of KAMP, a co-production of Eastern Front Theatre and Neptune Theatre. KAMP is a darkly comedic new musical about a group of homosexual prisoners interned in a WWII Nazi concentration camp in 1943, who survive their ordeal by creating a cabaret. 

Adjusting a young dancer's costume during dance class.

Véronique is currently taking a year off from her faculty duties at Halifax Dance to work with Neptune Theatre’s Chrysalis Project, which offers emerging theatre artists practical, hands-on experience, where they not only work and create within the Neptune family, but also alongside the broader theatre community.

As part of the Chrysalis Project, she’s working with choreographer Stephanie Graham on Neptune Theatre’s production of Cinderella.

We’d like to thank Véronique and her students for working with us to help create our 75th anniversary scholarship campaign video. 



Want to be part of the campaign to double Talent Trust scholarship funds? Click here to donate. And thank you!

James Maclean and Véronique MacKenzie in KAMP, a co-production of Eastern Front Theatre and Neptune Theatre

James Maclean and Véronique MacKenzie are part of the talented company that presents the world premiere of KAMP.

The darkly comedic musical about a group of homosexual prisoners interred in a WWII Nazi concentration camp in 1943 is a co-production of Eastern Front Theatre and Neptune Theatre. KAMP is part of Eastern Front's 25th anniversary season. 

KAMP will run on Neptune’s Scotiabank Stage from October 23 - November 11.

James Maclean plays Creutz in KAMP

James Maclean plays Creutz, one of the prisoners who survive the horrors of captivity and torture by producing a secret cabaret.

James received a Talent Trust scholarship to help support his theatre studies. He’s a graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada. 

His acting credits include The Villain’s Theatre production of The Duchess of Malfi, Halifax Theatre for Young People’s David for Queen (starring role), and the Shakespeare by the Sea productions of  Merchant of Venice and Taming of the Shrew.

James recently teamed up with his colleagues in the Tea Time Creation Co. to present an immersive theatre experience called Gina is Dead at the Halifax Fringe Festival.

Véronique MacKenzie is the choreographer for KAMP.
Photo credit: Véronique MacKenzie

Véronique MacKenzie is the choreographer for KAMP. Originally from Montreal, Quebec, Véronique received a Talent Trust scholarship to assist with her dance training. 

Her background includes modern dance (York University and the School of the Toronto Dance Theatre), jazz and ballet (The National Ballet School/R.A.D./Checcetti/Vagonova), visual art (NSCAD University), clown and fool-work (Laban International School), creative movement (Virginia Tanner School/USA), and theatre (University of New Brunswick and Theatre New Brunswick). 

Véronique has served on faculty at NSCAD University, Neptune Theatre School, the Fountain School of Performing Arts at Dalhousie University, and Halifax Dance.

For more information about KAMP and to buy tickets, visit the Neptune Theatre website.

Veronique MacKenzie and Lukas Pearse at Nocturne October 14, 2017 Central Library Halifax

Depths of Sorrow

Veronique MacKenzie FB screen shot

at Nocturne: Vanish at the Halifax Central Library on Saturday, October 14, 2017 from 6 p.m. - midnight.

Depths of Sorrow will be viewable from the exterior front courtyard (rear screen video projections against the windows of the 5th floor) with infrared capture of live dance, animation, and original sound score by Motion Activated: 
Lukas Pearse, Veronique MacKenzie, Susan Tooke.

https://nocturnehalifax.ca/

Laura Vingoe-Cram, Director - India Gailey, Cello - and Veronique MacKenzie, Movement are part of 'Constellations' theatre play October 19 - 23, 2016

Keep Good (Theatre) Company Presents: 
Constellations a play by Nick Payne

Wednesday October 19, 8 pm
Thursday October 20, 8 pm
Friday October 21, 8 pm
Saturday October 22, 8 pm
Sunday October 23, 2 pm
at the Waiting Room, Halifax

THE TEAM
Director | Laura Vingoe-Cram
Cast | Jeff Schwager and Lesley Smith
Cellist | India Gailey
Movement Conspirator | Veronique MacKenzie
Composer | Michael Robson
Lighting and Set Designer | Vicky Williams
Graphic Designer & Illustrator | Katharine Vingoe-Cram
Stage Manager | Daniel Oulton
Producers | Gillian Clark and Karen Gross



ABOUT
Roland and Marianne meet, meet again and then again. Their relationship exists in multiverse. Constellations is a love story that moves through space, exploring the infinite possibilities of our choices.

TICKETING
All advance tickets are sold on a Pay What You Can basis until 48 hours before the performance. Tickets will be available at the door for $20 (cash, cheque, or credit card).

Tickets are available at www.constellations.brownpapertickets.com

Veronique MacKenzie Exhibition at Gallery 1919 in Halifax

Veronique MacKenzie former NSTT scholarship recipient is not only a wonderful dancer but also a talented visual artist. 

Veronique's first solo exhibition can be seen at Gallery 1919 until September 16, 2016.

Gallery 1919 is located inside Dean's Flowers & Goody Basket at 6025 Stanley Street, Halifax. 

Opening hours are Monday-Saturday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

More info at https://www.facebook.com/gallerynineteennineteen/

Veronique MacKenzie, Anne-Marie Woods, Graeme Gillis part of Eastern Front Theatre's 2016 Stages Theatre Festival

Eastern Front Theatre’s (EFT) 2016 STAGES Theatre Festival 

presents an impressive array of live theatre from 
June 15-26 in downtown Halifax. 

Former Scholarship Recipients involved are Veronique MacKenzie, Anne-Marie Woods, and Cape Breton's Graeme Gillis. 

Please find more information at http://www.easternfronttheatre.com/