WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT THE PAPRIKA FESTIVAL!

“Paprika is one of the very best, most electric showcase for young people in Toronto’s theatre community.  There’s excitement here.  I knew nothing about radio, little about stage management and these among other elements were interesting to me.  In terms of practical support, attentive and attending audiences and excitement over fresh voices, nothing else compares”. - Daniel Karasik, Playwright-in-Residence

“I have been involved in new play development, youth programming and festival direction for over five years.  I think the opportunity that Paprika affords these emerging artists is vital, immediate and tremendously exciting.  That trainers from the professional community are asked to be involved is great.  I benefited tremendously from the guidance from more experienced artists when I was younger.  The opportunity for communication and sharing is excellent.  Paprika offers its emerging participants both the venue to produce their new work and contact with the professional community.  This is a winning combination in regards to the  training of these emerging artists.  I am thrilled to be involved.” - Ruth Madoc-Jones, company trainer and guest artist in directing

“Although there is a sense of independence about the festival, as we were able to work on our own to create works that spoke to us, it was an incredibly supportive environment.  They were always there if I wanted to ask an opinion, make a joke, or ask a question that they had probably answered eighteen times already in the past ten minutes.  As a person who loves theatre, but is simultaneously afraid of it, I entered gingerly but left totally bolstered by the experience.”  - Naomi Skwarna, actor, In Europe the Ceilings are Very High (2004) and director, Janet (2005)

“In my early education, I was fortunate enough to have had many opportunities to work with professional artists, which played a big part in the development of my career.  I am excited at the opportunity to now offer my skills as a trainer and provide the same guidance that was afforded me.  The Paprika Festival has proven to be a dynamic hotbed for young, emerging artists and I feel I would bring a unique and important perspective to the group of trainers Natasha is assembling."  - Keira Loughran, 2005 company trainer

“The Paprika Festival is a brilliant idea.  I really enjoy working with young people who have a passion for the theatre.  Moreover, I’m especially interested in encouraging emerging playwrights in the examination of their own particular creative processes and ideas as a central component of good storytelling for the stage.” Djanet Sears; 2005 Trainer in Playwriting and Dramaturgy

“I believe that beyond their theoretical and educational training, young artists must learn their craft in apprenticeship situations. It is essential to prepare our future theatrical practitioners for the arts community they are a part of.  I find the ideas and enthusiasm of young artists refreshing and nourishing for me.”  - Astrid Janson, 2005 Trainer in Costume Design

“Paprika has gained enormous momentum in the last two years, the depth and quality of the submissions continues to increase and this new component of professional development sessions in addition to presentation opportunities is very exciting, creating a hands-on training environment.  I love working with youth of this age, they’re smart and passionate and really want to take risks and get their hands dirty.  Theatre Festivals have filled the last five years of my life with fantastic challenges and opportunities and I’m thrilled to share my experiences and offer some pointers in getting the projects off the ground.” - Kilby Smith-McGregor, 2005 Trainer in Independent Theatre Producing

“I’m excited to help the next generation of emerging artists find a voice, to teach and train future theatre makers and arts supporters; to guide and inspire them to create theatre about issues that are relevant to them; to help them express themselves as artists.”  - Nina Aquino, 2005 Trainer in Producing and Marketing

“It was amazing.  The only forum I can think of which allows young artists the valuable opportunity to interact with and learn from professionals, and also other enthusiastic peers!  I also love that its free.  This allows more young people the means and also the atmosphere where they can exact their ideas without limitation.  I enjoyed the thoroughness.  We learned about producing, directing, stage management, marketing, acting and more.  It really helped me get a better sense of all the elements of stagecraft.” - Kara Dymond, Actor, The Zoo-Keeper’s Love Song

“It was great, especially being matched with a dramaturg.  It gave me, as a writer, a chance to develop my writing in a way I wouldn’t have been able to on my own.  As an actor, having a company trainer helped a lot with the process of getting the play up on its feet – this whole play would have been so much harder if we had not had the trainers.  A great experience and chance to develop your theatrical knowledge and skills.” - Emma Healey, Playwright and Actor, Janet