FROM CHELM TO CHOLLYVOOD 
(A Panorama of Jewish Humour) 
Adapted, written and directed by Morris Jacobs

This public staging will be held as a fundraiser for Medina Theatre Ensemble.

Laugh your head off as we present a roller coaster ride through Jewish Humour.

PERFORMANCE DATE: Monday, April 23, 2012
TIME: 7:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Temple Sinai Congregation, 210 Wilson Avenue (East of Bathurst)

ADMISSION: $10:00

INFORMATION: Fran 416-638-2716 or Morris 416-785-0344

Medina is Holding a Fundraiser!

One of our long time members, Morris Jacobs, has adapted and written, and will be directing FROM CHELM TO CHOLLYVOOD (A Panorama of Jewish Humour). The show is a Medina Fundraiser that will be staged this spring! Rehearsals will begin in early April. Jacobs has a passion for the history of Jewish humour and has come up with an extravaganza of comic farces, sketches and one liners from the history books, starting with the shtetl all the way to Hollywood. It will be sure to tickle your funny bone. Come out and see the Medina members get silly and let us entertain you!!!

Mario D'Alimonte Returns to Medina Theatre Ensemble

Because Medina's mandate is primarily to promote theatre education, we love our workshops. On March 5th, Mario D'Alimonte returned again to run his latest in a series of Improv Workshops. The members had a blast. Mario led memory and trust exercises and we learned innovative improv techniques. We were also challenged to think on our feet and to listen to and be aware of the other players. He also discussed finding choices instinctively and spontaneously. Mario's patience and light-hearted yet serious approach was once again a huge hit. We hope to have him back again soon!

Some of Our Past Productions

“The Aching Heart of Samuel Kleinerman” by Marion Andre November 2003

Directed by Ralph Small*

In honor of Holocaust Education Week 2003, Medina Theatre Ensemble presented a stage reading of “The Aching Heart of Samuel Kleinerman”. The play concerns a Berlin family facing choices, that no family should face, hard, cruel choices requiring the ultimate in courage or self-denial.

“The Menuval of Minsk” 2003

Written, Adapted, and Directed by Morris Jacobs

A fast-paced journey through Jewish humour, an evening of blackout jokes, songs and skits.

“Setting The Scene” April 2003

Co-Directed by Herb Goldstein and Morris Jacobs

Once again, Medina Theatre Ensemble performed the fruit of its Stagecraft Workshops. Selected scenes performed were from On Golden Pond, by Ernest Thompson, Judgment at Nuremberg by Abby Mann, Bad Habits by Terrance McNally, Dr. Strangelove, By Stanley Kubrick, Terry Southern and Peter George, Widows by Stephen Grecco, Jumping by William Borden

Stagecraft with Herb Goldstein and Morris Jacobs  February – March 2003

A Series of 6 Workshops. All included practical lessons followed by improvisation exercises and scene study.

• Introductory & History
• Actor and Director Functions and Interaction
• Character Development
• Stage Etiquette and Script Handling
• Auditioning, Theatre, Film and Radio
• Voice Rehearsal process

Medina Theatre Ensemble in Cooperation with Baycrest Holocaust Resource Project presented the Canadian Premiere of “Hanna Senesh” by Israeli Playwright Aahron Megged November 2002

Directed by Ralph Small*

“Hanna Senesh” is the inspiring, uplifting play about the Jewish war heroine. It recounts her capture as a resistance fighter, imprisonment, torture and murder at the hands of the Nazis. Throughout Hanna’s horrifying treatment, her spirit and resolution remained intact.

Medina Showcase September 2002

Co-Directed by Herb Goldstein and Morris Jacobs

A potpourri of staged readings, performances involved short scenes from familiar sources. Scenes presented were “The Tomorrow Box”, by Anne Chislett, “Tootsie”, Arthur”, “Five Finger Exercise” by Peter Shaffer and “Bedazzled”

 

The Dining Room written by A.R. Gurney Jr. January 2002

Directed by Ralph Small* “The Dining Room” by A.R. Gurney Jr. represents similar dining rooms of many families in varying degrees of stability. As a satiric Comedy, it reveals the mores and manners of a dying society. Often funny and remorseful with a very moving finale. 6 Actors played 50 various   roles.

“The Wall” by Millard Lampell based on a novel by John Hersey November 2001

Directed by Sean Mulcahy*

Medina Theatre Ensemble in honor of Holocaust Education Week 2001 presented a staged reading performance. The play is about WWII Jews in the Warsaw Ghetto learning to organize, trust and resist. They find strength to endure, turning their fight against overwhelming brutality into a moral triumph.

  

Scenecraft Presents July 2001

All scenes Directed by Roselle Stone

Staged readings of three scenes from “Paris is out”, “Norman is that you?” “Social Security” An evening of hilarious sidesplitting fun.

Annual Talent Time June 2001

Coordination of Talent Morris Jacobs and Herb Goldstein

Members and non-members sang, danced played instruments, performed magic or simply had the chance to strut their stuff.

 

Creative Drama Workshop May 2001

With Fran Elliot, Theatre Arts Specialist, B.A., B.Ed

Discovering and exploring hidden talents in explorative, developmental fun. Specially designed theatre games, exercises and improvisations.

 

“Night of January 16” by Ayn Rand November 2000

Directed by Vinetta Strombergs*

Medina Theatre Ensemble presented a staged reading of this courtroom drama that used audience members as the Jury. The intention was to put the audience and its values on trial.

 

“Poor Ostrich” by Hemro  October 2000

Directed by Virginia Reh*

Medina Theatre Ensemble presented a staged reading as part of Holocaust Education Week. “Poor Ostrich” is a realistic fable revealing Jewish attitudes and reactions in Berlin from 1913-1938, during events leading up to the Holocaust.

 

Scenecraft Presents June 2000

All scenes Directed by Roselle Stone

From comedic to classic a collection of scenes were presented as concert readings that entertained and moved the audience as they spent a very special evening with the actors of Medina Theatre Ensemble

Creative Drama Workshop Sept 1998

With Fran Elliot, Theatre Arts Specialist, B.A., B.Ed.

Sharing experiences in specially designed creative challenges.

Discovering releasing and mastering ones personal resources while having fun.

* Member of Canadian Actor’s Equity Association

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With Fran Elliot, Theatre Arts Specialist, B.A., B.Ed.

Sharing experiences in specially designed creative challenges.

Discovering releasing and mastering ones personal resources while having fun.

* Member of Canadian Actor’s Equity Association

SOME OF OUR PAST DIRECTORS, SPEAKERS & TEACHERS 

MARION ANDRE

HARVEY ATKIN

JACQUI BURKE

FRANK CANINO

REVEREND JAMES CHRISTIE

CORRINE COPNICK

MARIO D’ALIMONTE

FRAN ELLIOT

HOWARD ENGEL

MERLE GARBE

HERBERT GOLDSTEIN

JOYCE GORDON

LYNNE GORDON

ALAN GUTMAN

PATRICIA HAMILTON

MARTIN HUNTER

VRENIA IVONOFFSKI

MORRIS JACOBS

BETH KAPLAN

JACK KUPER

MIRIAM LAURENCE

BEN LENNICK

SYLVIA LENNICK

CAROL LIBMAN

SANDY MACDONALD

JORDAN MERKUR

BARRY MORSE

SEAN MULCAHY

LEO ORENSTEIN

SYD PERLMUTTER

RABBI W. GUNTHER PLAUT

AVIVA RAVEL

VIRGINIA REH

NICK RICE

BEN ROSE

SUSAN RUBES

SELMA SAGE

RICK SALUTIN

ELEANOR SIMINOVITCH

RALPH SMALL

REVA STERN

ROSELLE STONE

VINETTA STROMBERGS

JUDITH THOMPSON

MORLEY TORGOV

Our History

Medina Theatre Ensemble originated in 1985 as a community, nonprofit organization. It was founded by Ben and Sylvia Lennick. Their vision for Medina continues to this day. In preparing a production, we consider the process as important as the staging, if not more so. That is why we are unique in creating staged reading productions. Medina offers drama classes, workshops, scene study, directing and training in all facets of acting. Medina also holds a film appreciation series for its membership.

The Medina Theatre Ensemble originated in 1985 and was given its name by our first president Ben Lennick.

Medina adopted Ben’s belief that all actors should use the same approach to theatre. To ensure that this approach is followed, we offer Drama classes, workshops in Improvisation, Scene Study, Playwriting, Directing and training in all phases of Acting.

Yearly, we present several staged readings of plays, preferably Canadian, which make a social statement, for the general public as well as our members. Often these presentations are followed by a discussion with the playwright or a distinguished panel.

As well as actors we welcome new members who are interested in Administration, Stage Management, Set Design, Properties, Lighting, Sound, Wardrobe and Publicity.

We are a community, non –profit, non–denominational theatre ensemble.

At our annual general meeting each September, we elect our new executive and appoint our new board of directors who assume chairs for program, membership, communication, script search, publicity and social, as well as members-at large.