Our Story

The Nook Children's Program is a free After School, Suspension Help and Community Theatre program for kids ages 6-12 years who live in the Christie Ossington community. Throughout the school year we provide daily arts, sports and literacy programming, along with homework help/tutoring and a daily snack. We also have frequent guest workshops and special events. Our suspension help program offers a specialized, supportive learning environment for kids who have been suspended. As well, we support and advocate for caregivers in the community and offer frequent parenting workshops.

Each year we put on a Community Theatre project in the month of May or June. Our past productions have included the musical “O Brother Where Art Thou: A Remix” which was performed at the Tranzac and a multimedia arts production at the Gladstone Hotel called “A Collection of Connections”. Nook productions have explored local history, social issues and activism through the development of original stories and characters that reflect the realities of Nook children, their families and their community. This year we plan on creating an original feature film with the Nook children, which will be have a special gala screening at the Bloor Cinema to involve the local community. Since it is our first full feature film, the creative process has already begun! Until June we will be very busy with concept and character development, scriptwriting, set and costume design, filming, editing and coming up with an original score. We will then be hosting a Gala Premiere for the Nook Film at the Bloor Cinema on Saturday, June 4th, 2011.

The Impact

The Nook recognizes community theatre as an amazingly unique and valuable tool for self-expression, creativity, collaboration and language development. Through skill-based workshops and rehearsals with local artists, musicians, volunteers and program staff, children are encouraged to be silly, find their voice, move, dance, act, try on new personalities, play with their identity and generally become more comfortable with themselves as creative beings. Through this process, we plan to address serious issues that can affect all children. By exploring the perspectives of three different child characters, Nook kids will have the opportunity to investigate the social realities of immigration, gender bullying, and living with different learning abilities. Portraying these issues in a realistic way we will have a impact in the following ways:

Firstly, we will provide a safe, inclusive environment for Nook kids to develop their creativity and use it as a form of self-expression. In addition to developing confidence on and off the screen, the Nook Film will use realistic strategies in solving problems which will help children develop specific skill sets to apply to real-life challenges. The film will not emphasize “happy endings” but will instead focus on learning coping skills and strategies with the support of community.

Secondly, the Nook film will involve the community as much as possible. Through artistic collaborations with artists, musicians, student volunteers, and Nook families we will create a greater awareness of serious issues that affect not only our community, but people across the world!

What We Need & What You Get

For this project we are asking for $2,500. This will be in addition to any donations and community sponsorship that we receive. Although some items listed below are estimates, we are trying to be as accurate as possible.  We are planning to use the funds for the following:

Theatre Rental - $678

The Bloor Cinema is a beautiful local space that allows us to showcase our masterpiece to over 800 people. They will also provide space for us to sells snacks and refreshments,small crafts and artwork, The Nook CD, and the Nook Zine.

Camera Purchase-$450+ HST

When the staff first decided on filming a Nook movie, we thought it might work on our Canon ELPH100 point and shoot camera. Needless to say, it didn't take us long to realize that the quality might not be as good we needed to screen it in a real theatre on a big screen! We then realized that camera rental is also extremely expensive (at least $40 per day), and this probably won't be the last movie we make. The idea dawned on us to try and get a good quality, low cost camera that could keep our creativity flowing!

Props, Costumes and Set Production-$500

Although we try our hardest to use found and donated objects and recycle props from past productions, we sometimes need to make costumes and buy new materials. We set the budget at $500, but hopefully we won't need to buy that much stuff!

Snacks and Refreshments-$300

When was the last time you went to the movies without popcorn? What about carrots and dip? We can't remember either! We hope to provide popcorn, healthy snacks and drinks at an affordable cost for our families, friends and community members.

Advertising and Promotions-$200

This year we are hoping to get people from across the city! We plan to print flyers to advertise in local shops and businesses and hopefully get a spot in some local newspapers.

Ticket Printing- $200

For our first movie, we must have tickets! Although community sponsorship helps to offset the cost, it still costs a considerable amount to print 800 tickets. Plus, a ticket stub is always a great way to relive a memorable event!

DVD Post Production-$250

We always like to offer those involved a copy of the production they worked so hard on. This year, we hope to make DVD's for the kids, families, and community members that help in the production.

Total- $2578

For those who donate, we will have awesome rewards! For those who donate a minimum of $25 will be issued a charitable tax receipt at the end of the year.

For those who donate $10-24, we will give you a free ticket to the show and a copy of the Nook Zine. We have set aside 300 (of 800) seats for Nook families and friends, so make sure you get your ticket now!

For those who donate $25-49, you will get two tickets, a Nook Film DVD signed by the cast, and a copy of the Nook Zine!

For those who donate $50-99 you will get two tickets, a signed Nook Film DVD, a copy of the Nook Zine, and an original prop from the movie!

For people who are feeling generous and want to donate $100 or more, you will get will get two tickets, a signed Nook Film DVD, a batch of delicious homemade Nook cookies, and a shout out in our program!

**Please note, all tickets, DVD's, props, and cookies will be available for pick-up one hour before showtime on Saturday, June 4th, 2011.

Other Ways You Can Help

For those who can't support us financially, you can help us in other ways! First of all, we want you to spread the word! We want to fill the theatre and make this event unforgettable! Also, if you have any skills or experience in script development, costume and set design, or filming and editing, we need you! If you lack the experience but make it up with passion and enthusiasm, we still need you!

Please contact us at 416 534 8941 x 36 or email us at:

andy@conc.ca

julie@conc.ca

jenn@conc.ca