Derek was proud to receive his official letter as a finalist for the Premier's Awards for Excellence in the Arts in the Emerging Artists category.
LIVE PERFORMANCE
Derek will be performing in Outlaw at LFT July 7th to August 1, 2009
Outlaw - A young Canadian homesteader travelling far from home, finds himself accused of murder in the state of Kansas in 1871. With only his wits to defend himself, he turns the law of the land – and the men hellbent on enforcing it – upside down. This authentic western is a unique take on the days when guns were the law. Starring Norm Foster, Derek Ritschel, David Nairn and Walter Learning.
Norm Foster has been nominated for Premier’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts and has named Derek as his choice as Ontario's 'Emerging Artist'. The award ceremony will be held on June 23, 2009
Good luck to both of them!
Ontario is shining the spotlight on the province’s artists and arts organizations with the release of this year’s finalists for the Premier’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts.
Finalists in the artist category are:
Lydia Adams, artistic director of the Elmer Iseler Singers of Toronto
Norm Foster, Ancaster playwright
Gary Kulesha, Toronto composer
Ron Mann, Toronto documentary film-maker
Ahdri Zhina Mandiela, Toronto, founder and artistic director of "b current”
Albert Moritz, Toronto poet
LIVE PERFORMANCE
Derek will be performing with Norm Foster in Mending Fences at Victoria Playhouse Petrolia May 19 to June 6, 2009
Mending Fences - Harry Sullivan hasn't seen his son Drew in thirteen years. And now Drew is coming to Harry's Saskatchewan ranch for a visit. This poignant comedy tells the story of two men who are too stubborn to give in to feelings of the heart. Starring Norm Foster, Derek Ritschel and Heather Hodgson.
Derek has begun writing his second play entitled House of Cards. A tentative completion date is set for Sept 1, 2009
Best friends Penny and Sadie have convinced their husbands to go into a joint real estate deal. The goal is for the four of them to fix up the house and sell it for a profit. Can the group handle the pressures of living in the house, manual labour and a deadline? Or will they collapse like a house of cards? 2M, 2F
The public reading of The Perfect Pitch was a booming success. Stay tune for dates of the world premiere!
The Perfect Pitch will receive it's first public reading on February 7, 2009 as part of the Playwrites Festival at LFT.
Cast of readers will include:
Norm Foster, Linda Goranson, Anita La Selva, Richard Bauer and Sam Rosenthal.
Direction provided by Chris McHarge.
Derek has received a grant from The Ontario Arts Council to complete the play The Perfect Pitch.
Completion date is expected to be Feb 1, 2009
Derek will be performing in Outlaw at LFT July 7th to August 1, 2009
Outlaw - A young Canadian homesteader travelling far from home, finds himself accused of murder in the state of Kansas in 1871. With only his wits to defend himself, he turns the law of the land – and the men hellbent on enforcing it – upside down. This authentic western is a unique take on the days when guns were the law. Starring Norm Foster, Derek Ritschel, David Nairn and Walter Learning.
Derek will be performing with Norm Foster in Mending Fences at Victoria Playhouse Petrolia May 19 to June 6, 2009
Mending Fences - Harry Sullivan hasn't seen his son Drew in thirteen years. And now Drew is coming to Harry's Saskatchewan ranch for a visit. This poignant comedy tells the story of two men who are too stubborn to give in to feelings of the heart. Starring Norm Foster, Derek Ritschel and Heather Hodgson.
The Perfect Pitch will be part of the Playwrights Festival at LFT in March.
Happy Birthday to Derek!