LITF is an amateur theatre competition featuring groups from around the world. The festival is held in the town of Liverpool, Nova Scotia, on the east coast of Canada, once every two years. The next festival will be held May 19 – 23, 2010. It is the 10th LITF festival.
 

The festival is held at the Astor Theatre in the town of Liverpool, Nova Scotia, on the east coast of Canada. To learn more about Nova Scotia, please visit: http://novascotia.com/en/home/default.aspx#

To learn more about Liverpool, which is a town in the Region of Queens, please visit: http://www.queens.ca/

To learn more about the Astor Theatre, please visit the theatre’s website at: http://www.astortheatre.ns.ca/
 

All of the plays presented at the festival are amateur productions that run between 30 and 50 minutes. Most of the plays are presented in the language of the country of origin. The plays are of the highest artistic quality, and generally transcend language barriers.
 

Theatre companies submit an application to the festival’s artistic director, who, with the Board, selects the plays that will appear at LITF. The plays chosen represent a diversity of cultures, scenic forms, and dramatic expression.
 

The festival organizers hire adjudicators who are professional actors, directors, and/or playwrights involved in Nova Scotia theatre to judge the performances.
 

All performing groups receive our special “Harlequin Award” for participating in the festival. Trophies (non-monetary prizes) are awarded to winners in a number of categories, including:
• Best International Production
• Best Canadian Production
• Best Director
• Best Visual Presentation
• Best Actor, Best Actress
• Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress
• Best Original Script
• The People’s Choice Award
 

Normally the festival has twelve groups performing at the festival. In some instances, special performances outside the competition are included during the opening or closing ceremonies.
 

The organizers are committed to providing educational and cultural workshops of the highest standard. During the festival, the adjudicators hold regular morning sessions called Coffee Critiques, to review the previous day’s performances. Over the five days of the festival, other theatre professionals also host instructional workshops to expose delegates and audiences to a variety of theatre arts and techniques.
 

Festival Club is hosted at the Liverpool Curling Club, located across the street from the Astor Theatre. It is the entertainment and social hub for audiences, performers, sponsors, and the media. Before and after performances, people gather at the Festival Club to interact, relax, and be entertained. One of the unique aspects of the Liverpool International Theatre Festival is the intimate atmosphere and personal connections made possible by venues like the Festival Club.

Each evening after the final performance, a special event is put on at the Festival Club. On the final night of the festival, a Gala Night is held featuring great music, fantastic food, and socializing with new friends.

Admission for the Festival Club and Gala Night ticket prices for 2012 are not yet determined.
 

Tickets are sold at the Astor Theatre, or by visiting the Astor Theatre ticket hub online at: https://secure1.tixhub.com/astor/procurement/
 

Most of the plays performed over the festival are suitable for general audiences, although some content may not be suitable for children under 12 years. In some instances, performances are restricted to adults (18 years or older). Please consult the full schedule of performances prior to purchasing tickets for younger audience members.
 

Because of the various complications arising from booking international performances, the complete list of plays is not published until after the festival. Please check our website after that date for a complete list of delegates.
 

Yes. All venues hosting festival events are wheelchair accessible.
 

Cold snacks, beverages and popcorn are on sale at the theatre. Several small restaurants are within walking distance of the venue, serving a variety of food. There is also a licensed bar at the Festival Club, across the street from the theatre. Age restrictions apply to any area serving alcohol.
 

International and out-of-province companies participating in the festival are offered accommodation in private homes free of charge for up to five nights.

Audience members should visit our Places to Stay page in the About the Area section for a list of accommodations.

The most convenient means to travel to Liverpool from Halifax International Airport is by rental car. As the town is over an hour and a half away from the airport, we do not recommend taking a taxi. Please refer to our map page [insert map page] for travel directions.
 

Please contact the festival office at info@litf.ca 
 

Anyone can become a sponsor – businesses, companies, organizations, government, or individuals. Our sponsors play a lead role in the success of the Liverpool International Theatre Festival. It is easy to take a part. No part is too small! No audition necessary! 
 

We recognize that our sponsors like to contribute in different ways. We are pleased to accept a range of sponsorship options, including:
• In-kind products: Sponsors can give products that they manufacture or sell which will be used to operate the festival (eg. vehicles, gas, food, wine, paper, media, muffins)
• In-kind services or expertise: Sponsors may provide services or expertise to the festival (eg. Website hosting, workshop delivery, food production, music)
• Cash: Sponsors may make cash contributions to the festival, which will then be used to buy products or services necessary for the success of LITF.
• Combination: Sponsors may contribute cash and in-kind products or services.

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or partner for LITF 2012, or would like more information, please contact info@litf.ca.
 

Benefits to sponsors are dependent upon the level of involvement. We provide marketing opportunities and company exposure to a diverse demographic audience through on-site signage, on our website, in print, and other media.
 

Applications for LITF 2012 are now closed.

The application includes:

• a description of the group, its history, and its activity
• the full text of the play (in the case of a non-text play, a written description of the scenario) in its original language as well as a complete synopsis in English
• a list of all the actors and their professions
• details of the technical design and requirements
• 5 – 10 different colour, action photographs of the play
• If possible, a recording (VHS, DVD or CD) of the entire play

 

The deadline for entries for LITF 2012 was August 31, 2011.
 

Once your group is accepted a non-refundable Group Entry Fee of $50 Cdn. is due by Nov. 15, 2011.
Delegate fees for the festival are $50 per person. See FAQ 8 following for more details. All delegate fees for the participating companies must be paid in full by March 1, 2012 in Canadian dollars.
You can send a cheque, traveller’s cheque, or money order in Canadian dollars to:
Liverpool International Theatre Festival (LITF)
P.O. Box 2027
Liverpool, Nova Scotia
Canada   B0T 1K0
 

We will send a confirmation email to all applicants after receiving their application. If you have not received this confirmation, please email the LITF office at info@litf.ca
 

Successful applicants are notified of their acceptance by September 15, 2011. The companies then have until November 15, 2011 to confirm their attendance at the 2012 event.
 

International and out-of-province companies participating in the festival are offered accommodation in private homes free of charge for up to five nights. This arrangement is normally limited to ten persons from each participating group, whether they are actors, directors, or technicians. Companies from Nova Scotia are not typically offered billets, but will be considered if need is expressed.
 

Delegates are limited to the actors, director, and technical crew of up to ten persons. The number of non-actors should not exceed three persons. If a company wants to exceed these limits, they must have prior approval from the LITF organizers.
 

Yes. There is a non-refundable Group Entry Fee of $50 Cdn. for each group to enter the Festival. This should be paid by Nov. 15, 2011. There are also Delegate Fees for each member of the troupe. Delegate fees for the festival are $50 per person. All fees for the participating companies must be paid in full by March 1, 2010 in Canadian dollars.

The delegate fee includes:

• Admission to all performances (general seating)
• Free admission to the Festival Club receptions and dinners
• Admission to all workshops and Coffee Critiques
• Admission to the closing Gala Night
• A Festival bag (with Welcome gifts)
   

 Participants from outside Nova Scotia pay for:

• All travel costs between their home and Halifax
• Any spending money for alcohol and any other incidentals
• Costs related to stays over and above the five days of the festival

Costs that are covered by the festival (for participants from outside Nova Scotia) include:

• Transportation between Halifax International airport to Liverpool (delegates MUST advise organizers of their arrival and departure times to qualify for the free transportation)
• Accommodation in a private home for a maximum of five days
• Meals during the festival – breakfasts may be provided by the host home; in addition, to help defray meal costs each participant will also receive 3 meal vouchers for each day, which can be redeemed at local restaurants during the festival.

Participants from Nova Scotia:

• Participants from inside the province are responsible for all their travel costs to and from Liverpool. They are also responsible for their own accommodations and most meals.

PLEASE NOTE: If participants choose to stay in a hotel, then they must pay their own accommodation charges.
 

International companies, and delegates flying to Halifax from outside the province, are met at Halifax International Airport and driven to Liverpool free of charge. At the end of the festival, the companies are then transported back to the airport. It is critical that delegates notify us with their travel itinerary to ensure transportation is waiting for them when they arrive.

All delegates performing in the festival must go to the Liverpool Curling Club upon their arrival to register at the Registration Desk. This is where you will find your host families, learn the schedule for rehearsals and performances, pick up your meal vouchers and welcome bag, and get all the information you need to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.

Audience members should be at the Astor Theatre 15 minutes before the performance start time to take their seats.
 

Information about entering Canada can be found at Citizenship and Immigration Canada http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/index.asp
 

International visitors to Canada must carry a valid passport and visa (if required). Citizens from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Mexico, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, and others do not require a visa to enter Canada. Visit Citizenship and Immigration Canada http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp online for a complete listing.
 

Applicants must complete a visa package and submit it to the Canadian visa office in your region. Processing times vary, but can take up to 60 days, so make sure you allow enough time to get your visa before coming to Canada. In 2009, the fee for a visa is $75 for a single entry.
Please go to the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website to download an application package and guide. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/apply-how.asp#step2
 

Canada does not pay for hospital or medical services for visitors. Make sure you have health insurance to cover any medical costs before you come to Canada.
 

The Canadian dollar is different than the U.S. dollar. Everything at the festival must be paid for in Canadian dollars, so we recommend that you exchange your money or bring Canadian dollar traveller’s cheques to Liverpool. There are three banks in Liverpool that are open on weekdays only – Bank of Montreal, Royal Bank, and Scotiabank. All three banks have ATM or automated teller services. Please check with your own bank to determine whether you can use your bank card in any of the Canadian bank machines.
 

Canada residential power uses 110-volt electrical systems at 60 hertz. You will need a voltage transformer /converter for your electrical appliances if they operate on a different voltage.

In Nova Scotia there is a combined tax of 15% on most everything purchased. The tax is calculated separately on the base price of the item, so when you see a price tag on an item that is not necessarily what you will pay. In some stores, the tax is already included in the item, but in many other stores, the tax is added when you pay for the item. There is also an additional 2% hotel room tax.

However, there is good news. Keep your receipts, because visitors to Canada can apply for a tax refund on many purchases taken out of the country and on certain short-term accommodations. Please visit the Canada Revenue Agency’s website for more information:  http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/bsnss/tpcs/gst-tps/rbts/vstrs/fctp-eng.html
 

In Canada, it is customary to tip for services such as restaurants, bars and pubs, taxis and hairdressers. A usual tip is 15% of the total bill, although the amount can range from 10% to 20% at the discretion of the person paying the bill.
 

In the Maritimes, there is an abundance of fresh seafood and lobster. However, people also eat foods such as roast chicken, beef, or pork combined with local vegetables such as potatoes, broccoli, asparagus or corn. Salads made with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and salad dressing are also popular. When eating out, people may eat sandwiches, hamburgers and French fries, if they are eating at a fast food restaurant.
 

The area code for Nova Scotia is 902. Dialing out of Canada: 011 + country code + area code + local number. Canada’s country code is “1”.
 

 

Some of Canada’s standards for public behaviour may be more conservative than you are used to, while others may seem more liberal. Social practices – not laws – govern many types of behaviour. Some traditions are well established and are politely but firmly enforced.

1. Lining up or queuing: People attending the festival normally line up or queue according to the principle of “first-come, first-served.” They will be angry if you push ahead in a line-up instead of waiting your turn.

2. Smoking: Most Canadians do not smoke. When you are in people’s homes, you should always ask their permission to smoke. If they do not smoke themselves, they may ask you to go outside to smoke.

Smoking is not permitted in any buildings in Liverpool, on buses or other transportation, or in line-ups waiting to go into the theatre. The festival will designate specific smoking areas outside the various venues.

3. Being on time: You should always arrive on time for any scheduled performance or rehearsal. People who are late are often barred from entering a performance, or participating in an event. For social events, people expect that you will arrive within half an hour of the stated time.

4. Respect for the environment: People in Nova Scotia are very concerned about the environment, and expect people to throw all waste in appropriate recycle, organic, or garbage bins. This can be confusing. Please ask if you don’t know what to do with your waste.

5. Bartering: Bargaining for a better price for goods or services is not common practice in Canada, but there are some exceptions. When buying more expensive items like cars or houses, the price is usually negotiated. However, Canadians usually purchase smaller items for the price listed on that item.

6. Shopping: Stores compete with one another to attract customers, so it is wise to check and compare prices at different stores before you buy. In Liverpool, and surrounding areas, there are primarily small businesses that sell goods. Many stores are closed on Sundays.

5. People in authority: In Canada, a person’s authority is related to his or her position and responsibilities. Women hold the same kinds of positions as men, and have the same kinds of authority. People do not hold authority just because of their name, status, social class, or sex.

6. Police: The police in Liverpool are the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. They are an important part of our community, and may be either men or women. They are trained to serve and protect the public, including you. Police operate within strict regulations, and follow established procedures. Canadians expect honesty and fairness from the police, and show respect to police officers when speaking or interacting with them.

7. Liquor / Drugs: You must be 18 years or older to drink or purchase alcohol in Nova Scotia. The consumption of alcohol is permitted in licensed facilities or in private homes. It is illegal to drink on the street and in vehicles. It is illegal to use, buy, or sell marijuana, heroin, cocaine or other drugs.

8. Seatbelts: In Nova Scotia, all passengers in a vehicle must wear a seatbelt.