Ghost of the Tree

Video Trailer for Ghost of the Tree

A One Act Play For Women

Ghost of the Tree is a one act play for one to seven actors, and a musician. With a simple set, consisting of a chair and a simplistic representation of a tree, this play is easy to transport. It is an ideal play for fringe festivals and other drama festivals. The play follows the lives of seven generations of women in the same family tree. It catches each woman's life as she contemplates her unborn child and the mother that bore her. The play moves inexorably back in time as the audience is taken on a journey of discovery. Each woman's life has been shaped by the women that came before, and as the years melt away, we discover the tragedy that hangs over this particular family.

United by blood, but separated by generations, the women can only tell their story in pieces and it is the audience that gets to put the pieces of this family mystery together, it is the audience that gets to put the story together.

A poignant tale of a doomed family line.

"Ingenious" David Prosser; Stratford Festival

"In 35 tears I have never seens anything like it" John Van Burek; Pleiades Theatre.

To purchase a script for ten dollars go to Bottle Tree Productions/Ghost of the Tree

For a free monologue from the play go to Bottle Tree Productions/monologues for teens

Acting Out Loud Workshop at The Wellington Street Theatre

Tony Babcock discusses his 'Acting Out Loud' workshop

At Bottle Tree Productions we are excited to have Tony Babcock run a two-day workshop at The Wellington Street Theatre Saturday and Sunday on December 4th and the 5th. Both days begin at 12 noon and end at 6 pm. Tony is a high-energy guy who has tremendous drive, and a tremendous work ethic. He is the epitome of an actor that will make work for himself, the kind of guy that agents love. Tony has been in commercials, on Much Music, done voice-overs for games and been involved in theatre in Toronto.


Tony started taking acting classes with me when he was eight years old, and he loved being on the stage. He would always check out the audience to see if they were enjoying his performance. When he was older, in his late teens, I gave him the part of Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream. I gave him free reign to improv and he didn't disappoint. He was hilarious. Tony always wanted more parts much like Shakespeare's Bottom.

I remember dropping Tony off in Toronto for an audition in his rented tuxedo. The tuxedo was called for. At the time he looked very small and lonely. Fast forward a few years and Tony is gainfully employed in the biz. He never lets a moment go by that he isn't actively involved in furthering his career. He designs websites for fellow actors as well as running workshops. He doesn't let the grass grow under his feet.

If anyone wanted to know what it takes to succeed in Toronto, then Tony's drive and energy would be a good template.

His new acting workshops titled 'Acting Out Loud' is being offered at a fifty per cent discount in Kingston as he beta tests his new program. For only $100, students get acting help and advice from a great guy. Tony has taught across North America so the weeekend of December 4th and 5 th promises to be a treat for the local acting community. Tony's humour and energy has got him through some tough times in Toronto, and his experience can only help others.

'Acting Out Loud' at The Wellington Street Theatre December 4th and 5th 12 noon-6 pm. For mor info go to Acting Out Loud

Acting Tips

There are a thousand and one tips that are useful for the art of acting and it depends largely on what the actor needs. Throughout the centuries, different actors have sworn by different theories of acting. But I have some basic tips for movement and speech; free and simple advice. Move like your character would move. Study people on the street, how they move, how they walk, how they sit and how they gesture. Some teachers and directors think an actor shouldn't gesture but if real people gesture, than an actor portraying a character should gesture. Gesturing can help the audience understand what the character is talking about and where the gun might be, particularly in styles of writing that are unfamiliar to the audience like Shakespeare. Shakespeare becomes very easy for audience and actor alike to understand when physical movement, business and gestures help to unlock the keys to the genius that is Shakespeare. Act like real people act. I would say that would be a general rule but when it comes to speaking, an actor has to do something artificial, an actor has to hit their consonants. Without consonants, speech becomes a slur of vowels. An actor can speak softly on stage and if he or she hits their consonants they can be understood. As I like to say to my students, consonants are your friend. It is hard work to hit your consonants but with practice, it becomes more natural. It is well worth the effort. For more acting tips go to Bottletreeinc.com

Acting Classes now in Kingston's West End

Bottle Tree Productions offers drama classes in Kingston's West end at the Kingston Christian School on Saturdays.

Starting Saturday September 18th, Bottle Tree Productions which has been serving kids in the downtown core now offers drama classes to the children in the west end. Charles Robertson and Anne Marie Mortensen began Bottle Tree Productions 5 years ago along with Toronto actor Mackenzie Gruer. Robertson and Mortensen also run the Wellington Street Theatre in downtown Kingston. In t6he last few Years Bottle Tree Productions has produced such shows as musicals like CATS, Sweeney Todd, The Pirates of Penzance and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. This year they are producing the World War Two Epic; 'Til The Boys Come Home' and a musical fairy tale version of 'Sleeping Beauty'. "Our philosophy is to give the kids as much support as possible" Says Co-founder Mortensen. "We believe that helping a child realize his or her full potential is a very exciting process.The website www.bottletreeinc.com provides many free acting tips and audition pieces for young actors looking to get work in this highly competitive field."

There will be classes for children aged 6 and up.

Stage Right 6 - 10 year olds Saturdays 9:30am - 10:30am $130 plus hst
Stage Right 11 & 12 year olds Saturdays 10:30am - noon $195 plus hst
Stage Right Teens Saturdays noon - 2pm $260 plus hst

Bottle Tree Productions works mainly with young people with the goal of putting them onstage.

Mortensen went on to say that "Young people that exhibit talent, hard work, and team work will do very well in the performing arts. Instructors work to develop the child's potential and self-confidence. Instruction is tailored to the individual's needs and abilities. From the least experienced to the most experienced, we can help your child achieve their goals. From entry-level theatre games up to the sophisticated skills required for professional acting, Bottle Tree Productions is the place to be."

For further information contact Bottle Tree Productions at 613-384-8433 and ask for Anne Marie or check out the website www.bottletreeinc.com.

Sleeping Beauty

We have an excellent, entertaining family show opening in July.

Sleeping Beauty is an old familiar story, retold and set to music by Kingston's own Charles Robertson and Michael K. Myers. Check the website for further details.