Ryerson Theatre School Presents SUMMERFOLK, Oct 26-Nov 2

Ryerson Theatre School presents Summerfolk, written by Maxim Gorky. The performance will take place in the Ryerson Theatre located at 43 Gerrard Street East, Toronto. Directed by Dean Gilmour, the cast consists of the graduating class of Ryerson's four- year BFA Acting program. Guest artists for this performance include Joanna Yu as Costume Designer and Ryerson alum Kevin Fraser as Lighting Designer. The show will run October 26, 27, 29, 30, 31, Nov 1 and 2 at 8 p.m.

Written in 1904, Maxim Gorky's Summerfolk focuses on the hopes and anxieties of a variety of the usual suspects: doctors and lawyers, writers and students, businessmen and servants, lovers and unhappy wives. At a gArden Party hosted by Varvara (Elysia White), arguments break out, alcohol is devoured, suicide is attempted, and nearly everyone laments their lives. Some are frightened by the prospect of change, some are angry and some yearn for a new life. Relationships are put to the test, infidelity is revealed and scandals abound.

Ticket prices: $18/ General; $14/Student; $12/Group (8 or more). Call the Box Office at 416-979-5118.

Director, Dean Gilmour graduated from the University of Windsor with a BFA degree in Dramatic Arts in 1976 and immediately traveled to Paris, France to attend the School of Jacques Lecoq. Since then he has created, directed and performed in 40 Theatre Smith-Gilmour productions. He has performed in Toronto, across Canada and in 11 countries around the world. Theatre Smith-Gilmour has been nominated for 39 Dora Mavor Moore Awards and has won 9 times. Dean received 2 Dora Awards for best director, 2 for best actor, 2 for best production and one for best new play. Dean is a professor at York University and is a member of the teaching staff at the Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning. He has taught at the University of Toronto, University of Calgary, University of Alberta, George Brown College, The National Theatre School, L.S.P.U. Hall in St. Johns, Newfoundland, Sault Youth Theatre, Chemnitz National Theatre, Germany, the Sibiu InterNational Theatre Festival, Romania, Hong Kong Cultural Arts Centre, Portland State University in Portland, Oregon and the Shanghai Drama Academy. He has directed at George Brown College, Humber College, York University, University of Toronto, and University of Alberta and has been invited twice to give Master Classes at the Magnetic North Festival.

Joanna Yu, Costume Designer, is a costume, set and lighting designer for theatre, film, opera and dance. Most recently she has designed for A Synonym for Love (Volcano Theatre), Iceland (Summerworks 2012), Frequency (Tiger Princess Productions), S is for Bird (Spontaneously Combusted Films), A Kindness (BravoFACT), Do You Turn Somersaults (Talk is Free Theatre), Kingfisher Days (The Grand Theatre), Tom's a Cold (NextStage Festival), Driving Miss Daisy (Starbright). Also, Joanna has worked four seasons with the Stratford Festival as an Assistant Designer working on Bartholomew Fair, Peter Pan, Wanderlust, The Merry Wives of Windsor, The Misanthrope, and You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Also, she has spent two seasons with Canadian Opera Company as an Assistant Lighting Designer on Tosca, and Le Nozze di Figaro. Joanna also spent some time touring the US, Mexico, and France with South Africa's longest running musical - African Footprint. Joanna is thrilled to be working with the students at Ryerson Theatre School.

Kevin Fraser, Lighting Designer, has designed lighting for 400 professional theatre and opera productions across Canada. He recently completed 25 seasons at the Stratford Festival. Kevin has worked extensively with Toronto's Opera Atelier since 1988, designing many productions at home in Toronto and on tour in Europe, Asia and the US. He has received five Dora Mavor Moore award nominations and one Jessie Richardson award nomination (Vancouver) for outstanding lighting design. Kevin is a member of Associated Designers of Canada and a graduate of Ryerson Theatre School.

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