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In this week’s episode, I sit down with Ellen Denny & Emilio Vieira. Ellen Denny & Emilio Vieira are two Toronto based actors, playwrights, and the creators of “february: a love story” which will be available to stream from February 14th to March 7th. In our conversation today we discuss the main different iterations of this piece and what they learned about themselves and the project through each one, how they began working together as collaborators and their process both individually and as a team when it comes to writing, and the importance of trying to remain as flexible and mindful as possible when pursuing any sort of creative project right now. We also discuss the advice they would give other artists who are looking to form new collaborations or work on new projects in the industry, how we can keep ourselves motivated through the difficult parts of any creative process, as well as where they hope to see theatre and live performance in Canada headed in the future.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Hailey Gillis. Hailey Gillis is a Toronto based performer who most recently was a part of the Musical Stage Company’s “Porchside Songs” & “Virtual Uncovered” series as well as Crow’s Theatre’s “Ghost Quartet” live steam. In our conversation today we discuss how she has navigated the pandemic as an artist and how it’s shaped her relationship to performing in the “new normal”, the different projects she has worked on in the past 8 months and what she has learned from the experience, as well as the difference of blending theatre/on camera as opposed to filming theatre. We also discuss the importance of community and transparency in our industry right now, the connection we need to establish with new audiences through these new artistic mediums that are being created, as well as the communication and collaboration she is so excited to be seeing within the theatre industry in Toronto.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Chris Tsujiuchi. Chris Tsujiuchi is a performer, musical director, accompanist, and cabaret artist. In our conversation today we discuss his experience navigating the pandemic as an artist, his work with the Musical Stage Company as a part of “Porchside Songs”, and the benefits that can be gained through virtual programming with regards to accessibility. We also discuss this year’s “A Very Christ-erical Christmas Cabaret (Covid Edition)”, the ways in which he has had to pivot to move his annual Christmas cabaret online, as well as what he has learned through the process and how he hopes to see the industry continue to evolve in the coming year.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Colin Asuncion. Colin Asuncion is a multi-talented performer, baker, marketing manager, and one-third of the Toronto based boy band Asian Riffing Trio. In our conversation today we discuss how he was introduced to the performing industry how he has navigated his relationship with it while also maintaining the other aspects of his career, his experiences performing with Asian Riffing Trio over the past few months as a part of the Musical Stage Company’s “Porchside Songs”, as well as the ways in which he has been pursuing his passions during the pandemic and the new doors it has opened up for him in his life. We also discuss his experiences as a finalist on “The Great Canadian Baking Show”, the importance of authenticity and the ways in which his work in marketing management has informed the other aspects of his life, as well as some of his plans for the future and the things that are currently happening in the industry in Canada that are exciting him.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Jeff Follis. Jeff Follis (aka Uropa) is a Vancouver based drag performer, visual artist, and singer originally from Calgary. In our conversation today we dive into the world of drag and discuss it’s rise in popularity over the past several years, how he first began performing as a drag queen and his process of discovering Uropa, as well as his experiences in theatre school and what he has taken from those experiences moving forward into his drag career. We also discuss both the differences and similarities between drag and other forms of performing arts, the importance of authenticity and connecting with your audience no matter what type of performing you are doing, as well as the work he is doing to move drag and by extension the performing arts forward in Canada.

In this week's episode, I sit down with Kelsey Verzotti & Jacob Sheffield, two multi-talented artists who recently launched SideBiz Studio. SideBiz is an online marketplace that showcases products and services offered by the Canadian arts community. In our conversation today we discuss the inspiration for SideBiz and how the idea was formed, how they took that idea and put it into action, and what they have learned so far through the process of creating their online marketplace. We also discuss the ways in which they are trying to foster a strong sense of community through SideBiz, the words of encouragement they would give other artists looking to pursue a new idea or project, as well as where they see theatre/live performance/the arts headed in the future.

SideBiz Studio (Website)

www.sidebizstudio.ca

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Tara Jackson & Masini McDermott. In our conversation today both Tara Jackson & Masini McDermott share their experiences as black women in the Canadian theatre industry, how the theatre industry puts pressure on people of colour to not “cause a fuss” or be “difficult” in the hopes that they are hired again, as well as the importance of remembering that this isn’t a new conversation or issue but one that black people are faced with their entire lives. We also discuss their experiences dealing with everything going on in the world with regards to Black Lives Matter, how it is up to allies to speak up when they see injustice and how they can actually use their white privilege to create lasting change, as well as how they hope to see the theatre industry as a whole move towards equality in the future.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Lauren Ritchie. Lauren Ritchie is a dance educator, choreographer, and host of the Dance Podcast. In our conversation today we discuss the differences between the ways she was taught to dance and how dance educators are teaching their students now, the importance of having a holistic approach to your training no matter what you are training for, as well as her relationship with goals and the benefits that come from distilling down what the actual intention or want is behind our goals. We also discuss the work she is currently doing with regards to mental skills training and her focus on bringing the not only the physical but also emotional and mental intricacies of dance into alignment, her experiences hosting the Dance Podcast and what she has learned through the process, as well as where she hopes to see certain conversations around arts-based training and education headed in the future.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Douglas Walker. Douglas Walker is an actor, singer, and dancer originally from Scotland. In our conversation today we discuss how he was introduced to theatre and the path that lead him to pursue it professionally, what he learned from his time in school both as a dancer as well as at the Royal Conservatory of Scotland, and what the main similarities and differences are between theatre in the UK and theatre in Canada. We also discuss his experience moving to Canada and how he has gone about developing connections and meeting a wide range of artists in the Canada theatre community, what he has learned from his experience understudying both here in Canada and in the UK, as well as the types of conversations he hopes continue to be had in the industry and where he hopes to see theatre in Canada headed in the future.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Kalie Hunter. Kalie Hunter is a performer, teacher, adjudicator, and is also one of the owners of Metro Movement in Toronto. In our conversation today we discuss her experiences growing up in B.C. and how she was introduced to the world of dance at a young age, how the dance industry and theatre industry in Canada differ and what each industry can learn from the other, as well as her transition into musical theatre and the advice she would give other dancers looking to diversify their skill sets and identify as musical theatre performers. We also discuss some of her most positive performing experiences and how she has developed her dance captain/understudy techniques, the process of taking over ownership of Metro Movement and what she has learned through the process, as well as how her experience working to find a balance between having a family and a career in the theatre industry in Canada.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Kira Campbell. Kira Campbell is the Artistic Associate and Production Manager of Stage West Calgary. In our conversation today we discuss how the mindset of “How hard can it be?” has helped shape her career, how she got involved in the theatre world and what she learned from her time in school, as well as what brought her to Calgary and the importance of exploring as many aspects of the theatre industry as you can. We also discuss what goes into planning a season at Stage West and how it differs from other theatres, how the team she has cultivated at Stage West works with the community to seek out mutually beneficial collaborations, as well as the advice she would give artists currently working in the theatre industry and where she sees the industry in Canada headed in the future.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Craig Hall. Craig Hall is the Artistic Director of Vertigo Theatre in Calgary. In our conversation today we discuss how he was not introduced to theatre until university and how this has shaped his career path, what initial aspects of theatre drew him to the theatre industry and the importance of diversifying your skill sets, as well as maintaining an objective view of the types of work you want to pursue in the industry. We also discuss the various companies he has started/worked for and the advice he would give others looking to follow a similar path, his work as the Artistic Director of Vertigo Theatre and the importance of communication when it comes to developing trust with your audiences, as well as where he hopes to see the theatre community in Calgary and Canada as a whole headed in the future.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Daryl Cloran. Daryl Cloran is the Artistic Director for the Citadel Theatre in Edmonton. In our conversation today we discuss some of the shows that happened this past season including Ring of Fire and The Color Purple, how the Citadel is working to engage new audiences in Edmonton and what they have learned through the process, as well as the importance of not only inviting non-traditional theatre audiences to be a part of the conversation but also doing everything you can to make sure they feel welcome. We also discuss some of the upcoming shows in the season and what goes into how he structures a season, the work that he is doing to bring shows such as Hadestown and Six to the Citadel and the benefits that come with it not only for the audiences but for artists in the Canadian theatre industry, as well as some of his goals for the coming year and how he hopes to see both the Citadel and the Canadian theatre industry as a whole continue to evolve.

In this week’s episode, I sit down and do something a little different. Inspired by the incredible creativity I am seeing online from the theatre community during the COVID-19 pandemic, I discuss what I have seen and the things I have learned from the countless talented artists I have had the pleasure of watching perform over the past year. I also discuss trends, patterns, and themes I am seeing in the Canadian theatre industry, the artists that I have crossed paths with and the huge amount of talent and innovation we have in our industry, as well as where I see theatre in Canada headed in the future.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Zoë Glassman. Zoë Glassman is an Edmonton based actor, dancer, theatre creator, and producer. In our conversation today we discuss the Edmonton theatre community and how it engages emerging theatre artists through festivals such as the Edmonton Fringe, the type of theatre work that speaks to her and how it has shifted her priorities in the industry, as well as both the differences and similarities between the Edmonton and Calgary arts communities. We also discuss how the benefits that come from running small grassroots showcase/workshop style nights and how they help strengthen both the work and the community, some of the upcoming theatre work she is doing and how she hopes to continue to create work that engages non-traditional theatre audiences, as well as the things she has learned from stepping away from the theatre industry and the conversations she hopes continue to happen in the industry with regards to visibility and diversity in Canadian theatre.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Leon Willey. Leon Willey is an actor based out of Saskatoon who most recently starred as Sam Phillips in Million Dollar Quartet at the Mayfield Dinner Theatre. In our conversation today we discuss his experiences growing up in British Columbia and what is unique about the west coast when it comes to the arts, how he got involved in theatre and the path that lead him into pursuing a career in the arts, as well as the things he has tried to continue foster in himself to help him sustain a career in this industry. We also discuss the things that as artists we can hold onto to ground us in the work we do on stage, his move to Saskatoon and what he has learned from being based in Saskatchewan, as well as how he tries to navigate the industry and where he hopes to see theatre in Canada headed in the future.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Andrew Kushnir. Andrew Kushnir is an actor, director, and playwright with a keen interest in verbatim theatre. He is also playwright-in-residence at Tarragon Theatre, the creative director of Project: Humanity, and his most recent verbatim play Towards Youth: A Play on Radical Hope premiered at Crow’s Theatre this past February. In our conversation today we discuss the importance of relationships and trust in the both work he does with verbatim theatre as well as in our industry as a whole, how as a director he tries to navigate the relationship with the audience and the space a piece of theatre is being performed in, as well as the idea of “the circle” and it’s importance in how we interact with each other. We also discuss his latest play Towards Youth, that challenges of having adults portray children onstage and the important discussions around not assuming we automatically understand a young person’s experiences because we were once young, as well as how we continue to develop a meaningful relationship with audiences and where he sees this growth taking the theatre industry in the future.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Tara Jackson. Tara Jackson is a Calgary based performer who is currently starring as Celie in The Color Purple. In our conversation today we discuss her time at Berklee and how her training there has as a vocalist has translated into her theatre career, her path into the industry and the importance of determining your own definition of success, as well as what she has learned about herself and the industry being based out of Calgary. We also discuss the differences and similarities between theatre audiences and communities across the country, her experience so far in The Color Purple and what she has learned through the process, as well as the types of conversations and dialogues she hopes continue to be had in the theatre industry in Canada.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Matt Mackenzie. Matt Mackenzie is an Edmonton based playwright, the Artistic Producer of Punctuate! Theatre, and the founder of Pyretic Productions. In our conversation today we discuss how he began writing and his time at the National Theatre School, the importance of not only building a strong network of like-minded individuals in the emerging stages of your career but also continuing to foster new connections throughout your career outside of your own community, as well as what he has learned from working as a playwright in different places across the country. We also discuss his work with both Pyretic Productions and Punctuate! Theatre and how often times it is the first step in making something happen that is the most difficult, what he has learned from past cross country tours and the advice he would give other playwrights and artists looking to create opportunities for themselves, as well as what audiences can expect from his upcoming show “The Particulars” and where he sees theatre in Canada, and more importantly cross country collaborations, headed in the future.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Lianna Makuch. Lianna Makuch is an actor, playwright, and one of the Artistic Producers of Pyretic Productions. In our conversation today we discuss the Toronto production of her play Blood of Our Soil and what she learned from the experience of bringing her show to another city, the different theatre styles that are present in Blood of Our Soil and how they navigated the piece from both an artistic perspective and through the eyes of a producer,  as well as some of the new developments with the piece and future plans for the show. We also discuss the benefits that certain limitations can have when it comes to stripping a show down to it's core story or message you are trying to share, the idea of different stages of development when it comes to a new piece of theatre and how different phases of the show require different types of editing, as well as some of her future plans as an artist and the places she hopes to see theatre in Canada continue to move towards.