Anne Marie Mortensen has been working in theatre for the past fifteen years, and exclusively as a theatre artist for the past six. She is a Royal Conservatory (formerly the Royal Conservatory of Music) certified Artist Educator, and co-owner of Bottle Tree Productions.
As a theatre artist, Anne Marie has experience in all aspects of theatre and musical theatre, including producing, directing, stage management, set, lighting and costume design and properties. She and her partner, Charles Robertson also ran the Wellington Street Theatre, which was an affordable performance and rehearsal space for itinerant companies. They have produced dozens of shows as Bottle Tree Productions, and have supported dozens more, including music performances, travelling productions, children's companies, and youth-driven productions. They are a respected resource for theatre, film and acting and are frequently asked for advice or contact information from outside companies coming in to the city.
Bottle Tree Productions strives to provide a supportive and welcoming environment to actors of all ages, but especially to young people who are trying to find their niche. By offering acting classes, and musical theatre classes, they help to develop the actor's natural ability and to build confidence in the person behind the actor.
Charles' and Anne Marie's drama school is a highly effective school, based on a conservatory-style of teaching. They believe that to be an actor, one must act for an audience, so all of the classes have performance requirements. Three times per year, the students perform for family and friends in a nonthreatening supportive atmosphere to celebrate their hard work. During class, Charles and Anne Marie are also able to identify those students who have a burning desire, or a real talent for acting, and because they are also producers and directors, they can encourage those students to audition for roles in shows that are happening outside of class. They are keen on developing and supporting the actors who want to have a future in the business.
While all shows are special, Anne Marie is particularly proud of Bottle Tree Productions' results with CATS, Sweeney Todd, Private Lives, and Romeo and Juliet.
Charles and Anne Marie also are major supporters of theatre in Kingston and Ontario through their support of the Sears Ontario Drama Festival, in co-producing high school theatre, and supporting co-operative eduction initiatives, especially for the Arts and Culture Specialist High Skills Major.