Volume 5 / Number 1 WINTER 2009
Welcome to BACKSTAGE AT THE CITADEL, newsletter for friends and supporters of the Citadel Theatre. We welcome your comments and suggestions.
If you would like to receive this newsletter electronically, please send your email address to: backstage@citadeltheatre.com.
Ten Years Later
Bob Baker is celebrating his 10th anniversary of programming as Artistic Director of the Citadel this season. A decade later and 
over 100 productions under his leadership, we sat down with Bob over coffee to chat about his career with the Citadel.
Have Edmonton audiences changed noticeably during your decade with the Citadel?
Our audiences have always been very sophisticated and knowledgeable when it comes to theatre; that much hasn’t changed, but their appreciation of more challenging work, such as the Rice series, has grown. Also, Edmontonians have started to recognize that, as a not-for-profit organization, we do rely on their contributions. Some subscribers choose to donate something beyond our regular ticket price, for which we are always very grateful.
As Artistic Director, one of your major duties is to programme each season. How does this process work, and what can we expect in 2009/2010?
A great deal of planning goes into balancing artistic and financial needs for each season. I read a lot of plays in my spare time, and when I can see other productions in other theatres or cities I find it very valuable. In my mind, I have a constant rolodex of potential projects and we weigh a lot of options before committing to a schedule. As for next season, I won’t give anything away just yet.
There were a few days last season when three separate shows were running all at once in the three main theatres in our complex. In a perfect world, would you mount more than the current number of productions?
Favourites: A Baker’s Dozen
Food: SPANAKOPITA
Drink: GINGER BEER
Film: BILLY ELLIOT
Song: ANYTHING BY JONI MITCHELL
Musical (play): SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE
Drama (play): ANGELS IN AMERICA
Comedy (play): NOISES OFF
Playwright/Composer: STEPHEN SONDHEIM
TV show: THE COLBERT REPORT
Vacation Spot: LONG BEACH, B.C.
Novel: ANYTHING BY MICHAEL CONNELLY
Cartoon as a child: ROAD RUNNER
Beatle: GEORGE
It’s great to have the whole building running at once, but by adding more programming you risk burning out your staff, or losing focus on a specific project. In a perfect world, we would need a lot more money and staff to expand, but for now we do enjoy the odd occasion when we see what this complex is capable of.
Ever yearn to ‘tread the boards’ again yourself?
(After laughing a moment) No. I would be far too self-conscious. There was a moment last season, when we were searching for a replacement for Noises Off and I considered stepping in, but really, it has been too long. I haven’t been on stage since 1979.
What is the most rewarding part of your career here at the Citadel?
As artistic director it’s rewarding to see each member of our staff take pride in their accomplishments. A great many people with very different skills come together to make a production successful. As a director, it is seeing a production with a fresh audience. Live theatre is a communal, transformative experience, and being able to watch an audience and hear their reactions, especially right after a performance, is extremely gratifying.
How long do you see yourself with the Citadel?
One day, I hope to focus more on directing plays and teaching, and will leave the artistic direction of the organization to someone else. I’ll admit that when I first came back to Edmonton I didn’t think I would be in the same position for ten years. I realized, though, that as long as I was still creatively challenged and appreciated for my work, I would remain. I am currently on contract until 2012, and then, we’ll see.
Thanks to Bob Baker’s incredible hard work and skillful leadership, the Citadel has become Canada’s leading regional theatre and one of the busiest arts organizations in the nation. Congratulations Bob, and thank you for the first ten seasons!
View other articles commemorating Bob Baker's 10 years as Artistic Director of the Citadel Theatre
| Edmonton boasts a live-theatre scene second-to-none in Canada. Much of the credit for that goes to one of the city’s native sons. More Sarah Ligon U of A's New Trail Winter 2008/2009 |
Bob Baker's 10th anniversary as Artistic Director More Liz Nicholls Edmonton Journal November 30, 2008 |
What a happy anniversary looks like More J. Kelly Nestruck Globe and Mail November 4, 2008 |
 |
Sponsor Spotlight
|
Located on the west end of the city, Lexus of Edmonton has been rated the #1 dealership in Canada for customer service for the past three years. Bruce Kirkland, the General Manager of Lexus of Edmonton, has been a long-time supporter of the Citadel, first through advertising in our playbills and now as a sponsor, starting this season.
How long have you lived in Edmonton?
Pretty much my whole life; my family moved here when I was around 10 years old.
Why have you stayed in Edmonton as long as you have? What makes this city so great?
For me, Edmonton is hands down the best place to live in Canada. There is such a sense of community involvement here. From business to individuals, it is amazing to see the way the people of Edmonton get out and support the community. Also, Edmonton has a great arts scene. From the Citadel to the Ballet and the Opera, this city is so privileged to have the level of artistry that we do. We also have a pretty amazing river valley.
Why have you chosen to support The Citadel?
At Lexus of Edmonton, it is imperative for us to invest in our community. As a business, we exist because of the people of Edmonton, and we are always looking for ways to give something back to them. We are thrilled to be involved with the Citadel. It is one of those rare organizations that offers so much variety to so many different age ranges. From the child in grade one to his 85-year-old grandma, the Citadel provides all parts of our community with an amazing experience. Edmonton is definitely richer because of the Citadel.
Are there other organizations you support in Edmonton?
We think the arts and culture scene in the city is fantastic and we love to support it. Along with the Citadel, we also support the Alberta Ballet and the Edmonton Opera. We are also involved with Compassion House and The Kidney Foundation. We are also one of the major sponsors of Sizzling in Edmonton, a showcase of Edmonton’s twenty up-and-comers under the age of thirty.
Do you have a favorite play from the past few seasons?
Well, A CHRISTMAS CAROL is always a favorite. I think it gets better every year. This season, I loved Ronnie Burkett’s BILLY TWINKLE. I thought the way he voiced and played all the characters was absolutely amazing! But, I think my favorite from the past couple seasons is FIRE. I was completely blown away by the passion, the music and the acting. It was fantastic.
Citadel Theatre Educational Outreach |
|
Ermineskin Primary School in Hobbema |
Following the expansion of the Education and Outreach Department this year, the Citadel is pursuing the ongoing development of Interactive Outreach Workshops. These workshops are delivered on-site in schools and are designed to provide students with greater insight into the productions they are about to see, as well as introduce them to key theatrical concepts. Ermineskin Primary School in Hobbema is one of the first schools to help us develop this new initiative. THE FORBIDDEN PHOENIX workshops introduced students to Peking Opera and the multi-cultural nature of Canadian Theatre and A CHRISTMAS CAROL workshops featured practical activities in staging and direction and a chance for students to stage their own adaptation of the play. Workshops have since also been delivered in the Edmonton area at Grovenor Elementary, Belgravia Elementary and S. Bruce Smith Junior High. School staff and students both recognized that these workshops greatly enhanced the experience of seeing Citadel productions. Students’ smiling faces during these performances reinforce the necessity of making theatre accessible to our younger patrons. The excitement expressed by the students and their interest in returning to the Citadel demonstrates how much these simple opportunities are appreciated. |
Should you have any questions or require additional information, please contact us at
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Robbins Family Series
Other Events