Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia
November Theatre
Project-based theatre company, founded in 1998 by Corinne Kessel and Michael Scholar Jr. November Theatre is committed to producing and creating alternative musical theatre with a heightened performance style, incorporating elements of text, movement and song. Its goal is to develop new audiences through international and regional touring, strengthening Canada's cultural exchange (website).
In 1998, Michael Scholar Jr. produced the world English premiere of The Black Rider by rock icon Tom Waits, beat poet William S. Burroughs, and theatre maverick Robert Wilson at the Edmonton International Fringe Festival (directed by Michael Scholar, Sr.). The exuberant, flamboyant staging of the show was a critical success, and the run was extended at Theatre Network’s holdovers at the Roxy.
In 1999, the Company was invited to bring The Black Rider to New York as part of the juried New York Fringe Festival. During the remount, the show and Company went through some changes: a new director, Ron Jenkins; a new musical director, Corinne Kessel; a new designer, Marissa Kochanski; and a more portable 3-piece band. The show received the Festival award for “Best Direction” and became the highest selling show in Festival history, filling the Harry Du Jur Playhouse (350 seats) for the entire run. “This production defined November Theatre as an ensemble of like-minded artists who wish to create dynamic pieces with a unique theatrical language through heightened text, stylized movement and rockin’ tunes” (website).
In 2000, this revamped version of The Black Rider returned to Canada and toured to the Winnipeg Fringe Festival and back to the Edmonton Fringe Festival with more accolades, another extended run at the Roxy Theatre, and winning a “Best Fringe Production” at the Elizabeth Sterling Haynes Awards (Sterling Awards).
In late 2004 and early 2005, with the approval of Tom Waits and Robert Wilson, the show was performed in theatres across Western Canada: Theatre Network, Yukon Arts Centre, Persephone Theatre , Calgary Opera, Ground Zero Theatre, PuSh International Performing Arts Festival, and Intrepid Theatre. After this tour, November Theatre took home more awards including “Best Production” at both the Sterling Awards and the Betty Mitchell Awards.
In 2006, The Black Rider was remounted for the Magnetic North Theatre Festival in St. John's, Newfoundland. The show was also invited to be presented at the Edmonton Fringe Festival 25th Anniversary Gala. Later in November, November Theatre was honoured by receiving the City of Edmonton's Salute to Excellence "Performance and Citation Award".
In January 2008 The Black Rider returned to Vancouver with a run at the Arts Club Theatre, co-presented by the PuSh Festival. It won a Jessie Richardson Award for Best Production (Large Theatre)".
The show was retired in the fall of 2008 after a six-week sold-out run at Tarragon Theatre in Toronto. This final run was nominated for “Best Touring Production” at the Dora Mavor Moore Awards. The Black Rider has made Canadian theatre history, becoming the only show to have ever been honoured for best production by the Jessie Awards, the Betty Mitchell Awards, and the Sterling Awards.
November Theatre Society was formed in Vancouver in September 2008. “Ana" by Michael Scholar Jr. and Carmen Aguirre was conceived as part of Hive 3, a joint project by Neworld Theatre, Boca del Lupo, Electric Company Theatre, Felix Culpa, Leaky Heaven Circus, The Only Animal, Radix, Rumble Theatre, Theatre Replacement, Theatre SKAM, Pi Theatre, and Theatre Conspiracy. Hive 3 was presented at the Cultural Olympiad from March 10 - 13 and 17 - 20, 2010.
In the summer of 2010, the Company contributed a scene entitled “Killing Konundrum” to the modern Morality Play, entitled Everyone, performed in horse-drawn carts in seven acts by Caravan Farm Theatre, with Neworld Theatre, the Electric Company, Pound of Flesh Theatre, Theatre Melee and Theatre Replacement, with music by David Rhymer.
Photo by Ian Jackson
Michael Scholar, Jr. adapted the film Hard Core Logo as a musical theatre production, entitled Hard Core Logo: LIVE!, with original music by Joe “Shithead” Keithley of D.O.A. (directed by Bradley Moss, musical direction by Joe Keithley and Corinne Kessel). It was co-produced with Theatre Network and Touchstone Theatre in November/December 2010 in Edmonton, and January/February 2011 in Vancouver. The cast included Scholar, Toby Berner, Clinton Carew, Telly James and Rachael Johnston, with set design by Cory Sincennes.
I Needle East Van: Sights and Sounds from the Vancouver Punk Scene was mounted in the Vancouver Art Gallery, with Michael Scholar Jr. as DJ/performer/producer, playing Vancouver punk and indie records against the backdrop of striking black and white photographs taken by legendary rock shooter, Bev Davies, from the late '70s to mid '80s.
In 2014, November Theatre started producing work in New York, where Artistic Producer Michael Scholar Jr. was pursuing an MFA in directing from Columbia University. With Columbia U, he produced Ilsa, Queen of the Nazi Love Camp, written by Blake Brooker, music by David Rhymer. He also directed a production of Uncle Vanya by Anton Chekhov.
In 2021, November Theatre moved back to Toronto.
Website: www.novembertheatre.com
Last updated 2021-07-12
Since October 2002, Athabasca University has hosted the web site, with an editorial board of theatre scholars from across Canada.
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The Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia web site was originally conceived and developed in 1996 by Gaetan Charlebois—theatre critic, playwright, and actor.
