Let's Grab Coffee

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.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Gino Berti. Gino Berti is a choreographer who’s accomplishments include choreographing the world premiers of the Legends Series, remounting numerous productions of the original Broadway choreography of CATS, including Toronto’s latest revival at the Panasonic, as well as being Resident Dance Captain and Fight Captain to many Mega Musicals such as Aida, Beauty and the Beast (where he was sent to Broadway to train Dance Captains for their future productions), Miss Saigon, Brigadoon, Guys & Dolls, Evolution of Jazz, Forum, Mame, and The T.O. Hot Shoe Show. In our conversation today we discuss his experiences performing in Toronto in the “Mega Musical Era” and how theatre in Toronto has changed since that time, his progression from performer to dance captain to eventually choreographer, as well as some of the issues he is seeing in the current Canadian theatre climate and how we need to go about developing more informed theatre audiences. We also discuss his long relationships with shows such as CATS (including how he felt about the new movie trailer), what young people working in the theatre industry should be focusing on to create lasting careers, as well as what he has learned through the work he does as the resident choreographer/co-director of the Miss Universe Canada Pageant and where he sees the theatre industry in Canada headed in the future.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Allison Wither and Laura Piccinin. Allison Wither and Laura Piccinin are the writers of the new Canadian musical Every Silver Lining, which was a part of the 2019 Toronto Fringe Festival and won “Patron’s Pick”. In our conversation today we discuss how they both began writing for the theatre separately as well as collaborators, how they began writing Every Silver Lining and what their collaboration on this piece has looked like, as well as their experiences performing the show as part of this year’s Fringe Festival. We also discuss the idea of grief in our lives and how to explore emotions truthfully and authentically in a musical while still allowing the audience to bring their own prior experiences to the show, what they have learned from producing their show and the advice they would give other artists when it comes to self-producing/promoting your own work, as well as some of the next steps for the show and where they hope to see the development of new works in Canada headed in the future.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Laura Nanni. Laura Nanni is the Artistic & Managing Director of the SummerWorks Festival. In our conversation today we discuss what audiences can expect from the 2019 SummerWorks Performance Festival running August 8th to 18th, how the company has been exploring the idea of public vs private spaces, as well as the conversations they have been having around when theatre experiences begin and end. We also discuss how she began working with the SummerWorks Festival and the benefits that come from practicing a constant curiosity when it comes to all aspects of theatre, how SummerWorks is working to build an informed audience that understands the creative and developmental process, as well as where she hopes to see new works and the conversations around key issues facing our community in Canada headed in the future.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Alicia Toner. Alicia Toner is a singer-songwriter, actor, and musician who has performed across Canada. Her single “Dangerous Home” can be found on Spotify. In our conversation today we discuss her experiences growing up playing violin and the shift from performing in the pit to acting on the stage, her training and how the theatre industry in Canada requires us to both broaden and deepen our skill sets at the same time, as well as her experiences in actor/musician shows such as Once and The Buddy Holly Story. We also discuss how she began working as a singer-songwriter, how the music industry and theatre industry are vastly different yet run parallel to each other, as well as the advice she would give other singer-songwriters looking to grow their music and the types of conversations she hopes continue to happen in both the music and theatre industries.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Aaron Walpole. Aaron Walpole is a Canadian actor, singer, and musician who has worked throughout North America including the Stratford Festival, Les Miserables on Broadway, as well as the National Tour of Kinky Boots. In our conversation today we discuss his experiences growing up singing a wide variety of styles and how that has translated into his vocal technique as an adult, his experiences in theatre school and the advice he would give to any student going into a post-secondary institution, as well as some of his first experiences in the industry and the importance of staying grounded in who you are as a person. We also discuss his experiences working at the Stratford Festival as well as on Broadway, the importance of building a strong support system around you and allowing family to always come first, as well as the important conversations that need to be had in the industry and where he sees theatre in Canada headed in the future.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Jesse Weafer. Jesse Weafer is a Canadian actor, singer, and dancer who has worked in the theatre industry as well as film and television all over North America. In our conversation today we discuss his experiences growing up performing and the things in his life he owes to his dance training, his early experiences in the industry and the shifts he has seen in the Canadian theatre landscape, as well as the rise and decline in popularity of talent-based reality television shows and how they have helped our industry. We also discuss the importance of looking objectively at yourself and honouring the rest and recovery you need to sustain yourself in the theatre industry, his experience of stepping away and re-establishing himself in the Canadian theatre industry and the advice he would give other performers trying to establish themselves in a new community, as well as his focuses looking forward and where he hopes to see theatre in Canada headed in the future.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Andrew Scanlon. Andrew Scanlon is an actor and singer who has performed in both plays and musicals across North America including the Original Canadian Company and First National Tour of Kinky Boots. In our conversation we discuss the importance of self-care and the ability to sustain long runs, remembering to focus on the areas of your career where you have some say and not stressing too much it comes to the aspects of your career that are beyond your control, as well as the similarities between major league sports and the theatre industry. We also discuss his experiences in both the Toronto production and First National Tour of Kinky Boots, what Canadian theatre can learn from something like the Raptors franchise when it comes to bringing together an entire city/country, as well as where he sees theatre in Canada headed in the future and what important conversations are and should be being had.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with J. Sean Elliott. J. Sean Elliott is an actor, director, writer, and all-around wonderful human being. In our conversation today we discuss our experiences performing together over the past several years, the importance of taking time to reflect on past experiences in order to grow in each new chapter of our life, as well as certain types of negative thought patterns that all of us in the theatre industry sometimes fall into. We also discuss his blog and the fresh perspective writing has given him on his work as an artist, future goals and plans both in our careers as well as our lives, and where he sees theatre in Canada as well as society as a whole headed in the future.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Alan Kliffer. Alan Kliffer is a Canadian producer currently living in New York City. In our conversation today we discuss the current theatre climate on both sides of the border, how technology and social media are beginning to play bigger and bigger roles in the world of theatre, as well as the importance of always trying to remain aware of where your unique perspective and talents fit into the industry. We also discuss his show “The Greatest Musical Never Written” and it’s upcoming run in New York City, his process when approaching possible investors and the advice he would give other artists looking to produce, as well as what he has noticed about the theatre scene during his visit back to Toronto and where he sees theatre in Canada headed in the future.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Donna Garner. Donna Garner is an actor, singer, musician, teacher, and the Artistic Director of Garner Theatre Productions. In our conversation today we discuss her experiences growing up learning several different instruments along with training her voice, the different ways people learn and how she tries to navigate that as a vocal coach/teacher, as well as what made her choose to pursue a performing career professionally and the experiences that lead her to make that decision. We also discuss the rise in actors playing instruments in shows and how this new territory needs to be carefully navigated, the ways in which she is trying to foster a stronger community of actor/musicians through her work with Garner Theatre Productions, as well as future goals for her company and where she hopes to see theatre in Canada headed in the future.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Stephen Guy-McGrath. Stephen Guy-McGrath is a Dora award-winning actor, musician, and playwright originally from Newfoundland who has worked across the country for over 25 years. In our conversation today we discuss the moments in his life that lead him into the theatre industry, how our performing careers have different phases and how to navigating ageing both into and out of roles, as well as how he began writing and his show “Bully”. We also discuss the importance craft in “jukebox musicals” and why certain shows such as “Mamma Mia” and “Million Dollar Quartet” are so popular, people’s desire for exclusivity and how we can use it to grow theatre audiences, as well as his show “Spinning Yarns” which is a part of the Charlottetown Festival’s upcoming season and where he sees theatre in Canada headed in the future.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Mitchell Marcus. Mitchell Marcus is the Artistic & Managing Director of the Musical Stage Company and a Let’s Grab Coffee veteran. In our conversation today we recap some of the Musical Stage Company’s biggest moments over the past year and what they learned from those experiences, the importance of having a clear idea of your personal or company mandate and allowing that mandate to dictate how you navigate the industry, as well as the concept of vertical programming and how it relates to the Musical Stage Company’s unique place in the Toronto theatre industry. We also discuss some of the exciting programs the Musical Stage Company is offering such as their Make Me A Song and Launch Pad programs, what they have learned from their partnership with Britta Johnson through the Crescendo series and what people can expect from their third show in the series Kelly v Kelly, as well as what audiences can look forward to in the coming year from the Musical Stage Company and where he sees theatre in Canada headed in the future.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Matt Lacas. Matt Lacas is an actor, director, and the creator of We Are Here Productions. In our conversation today we discuss the important shift that is occurring with regards to how mental health is talked about, how sometimes our desire to be “genuine” can actually have an opposite effect, as well as what he has learned from training both in Quebec as well as Ontario. We also discuss how his company We Are Here Productions was created and what he has learned through their first two productions, their upcoming production of Urinetown to benefit WaterAid Canada and how it has differed from the company’s past experiences, as well as where he hopes to see We Are Here Productions and theatre in Canada headed in the future.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Shawn Wright. Shawn Wright is an actor and playwright whose play “Ghost Light” has been produced across Canada by companies such as Tweed & Company, Theatre New Brunswick, and the Charlottetown Festival. In our conversation today we discuss his experiences growing up watching his mother perform in community theatre and the effect it had on his relationship to performing, his path into the industry and what aspects of an actor are inherent versus what aspects can be trained, as well as what he learned from some of his earliest experiences in the industry. We also discuss the ways in which all of us in the theatre community can help to foster stronger connections amongst each other, the duty of established professionals to look out for emerging artists, as well as the creation of his play “Ghost Light” and where he sees theatre in Canada headed in the future.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Daniel Williston. Daniel Williston is an actor, singer, and musician originally from Moose Jaw Saskatchewan. In our conversation today we discuss his experiences with theatre and music growing up in Moose Jaw, the importance of recognizing that in theatre you are only going to get out of your work and training what you are willing to put into it, as well as what he learned from his time in school and how there is no “one size fits all” when it comes to navigating the industry. We also discuss how both the amount of content we consume as well as the ways we consume content have changed drastically, what we both learned from our experiences doing stand up comedy and the new perspectives it has given him when it comes to his theatre work, as well as the issue with the illusion performers have of  “making it” in the industry and where he sees theatre in Canada headed in the future.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Alex Panneton and Jared Klein. Alex Panneton and Jared Klein are the writers of “Back To B4: A Bingo Bonanza” which just finished up a tour with Smile Theatre. In our conversation today we discuss how they first were introduced to writing and what spoke to them about writing for theatre, their time in theatre school and the main lessons they took from their training, as well as how they first met and eventually became writing partners. We also discuss the creation of “Back To B4: A Bingo Bonanza” and the advice they would give both fellow writers as well as people about to tour a show, the presence of social media in the arts and how it can be used to create new and exciting experiences for audiences, as well as what they have learned through touring their show and where they hope to see theatre in Canada headed in the future.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Kaylee Harwood. Kaylee Harwood is an actor, singer, dancer, and is currently the cover for Carole King and Cynthia Weil in the national tour of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. In our conversation today we discuss how she was introduced to theatre and her background in dance, how what we perceive on stage and what in reality is actually happening are not always the same thing, as well as the importance of not only working hard but figuring out the why behind the hard work you are doing. We also discuss her experiences working at both the Shaw Festival and Stratford Festival, what she has learned through her experiences on tour in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, as well as where she sees theatre in Canada headed in the future and the types of things that are exciting her in the industry.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Van Wilmott. Van Wilmott is the Artistic Director of the Mayfield Dinner Theatre in Edmonton. In our conversation today we discuss what goes into programming a season and the importance of honouring what the audience wants, looking not only at each individual show but at the entire season as a whole, as well as the relationship between pop music and musical theatre and how it has shifted in recent years. We also discuss some of his most positive experiences at the Mayfield and what made them so positive, what he has learned from developing a relationship with the Edmonton audiences, as well as where he sees theatre in Canada headed in the future.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Madelaine Knight. Madelaine Knight is an Edmonton based actor who is currently performing in Lend Me A Tenor at the Mayfield Dinner Theatre. In our conversation today we discuss how she was introduced to theatre and the importance of arts-based extracurricular activities, her time at Grant McEwan and what she learned from her experiences in school, as well as what she learned from some of her first professional experiences performing in TYA shows. We also discuss what is unique about the Edmonton arts community, the importance of recognizing the difference between what we perceive and what is really happening, as well as where she sees theatre in Canada headed in the future.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Kate Ryan. Kate Ryan is an actor, director, and teacher at MacEwan University. In our conversation today we discuss how she was introduced to theatre and her experiences growing up with parents who worked in the theatre industry, her experiences at the University of Alberta and what she learned from her time in school, as well as what she learned from some of her first experiences in the industry. We also discuss how she began working as a director/teacher and the main lessons she tries to instill in the students she works with, her experiences running KayBridge Productions and Plain Jane Theatre Company, as well as where she sees theatre in Canada headed in the future.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Ari Weinberg. Ari Weinberg is an actor, director, and the Artistic Director of the Winnipeg Jewish Theatre. In our conversation today we discuss his experiences growing up near Toronto and what that meant for how he was introduced to theatre, what he learned from the arts programs he was a part of and how he began working in the industry, as well as what drew him to the musical theatre performance program at Sheridan College and what he took from his time there. We also discuss how he began working as a director, the importance of viewing yourself the way you want to be viewed by others and how he became the Artistic Director of the Winnipeg Jewish Theatre, as well as where he sees theatre in Canada headed in the future.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Mike Cox and Al Braatz to celebrate 150 episodes of Let’s Grab Coffee. These two wonderful gentlemen are actors, singers, dancers, writers, multi-instrumentalists, and two of my favourite human beings on planet earth. In our conversation today we discuss the importance of self-care and self-maintenance during a long run, the growing importance of social media in the theatre industry, and the things they focus on when approaching a new show or project. We also discuss the importance of authenticity and gratitude, some of the main lessons they have learnt over the past year, as well as where they see theatre in Canada and society as a whole headed in the future.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Lianna Makuch. Lianna Makuch is a performer, playwright, one of the Artistic Producers of Pyretic Productions. In our conversation today we discuss how she was introduced to theatre and the important mentors that pointed her towards a career in the industry, her background in Ukrainian dance and the connection between her heritage and the type of theatre she is drawn to, as well as what she learned from her time studying theatre at the University of Alberta. We also discuss what she has learned through her experiences producing shows and writing grants, the importance of creating work with a unique perspective, as well as her experiences writing her show “Blood of Our Soil” and what people can expect from the upcoming Toronto production.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Ruaridh MacDonald and Jean-Paul Parker. Ruardh MacDonald and Jean-Paul Parker are the creators of the new show “The Ordinary Adventures of Gordo & Herm” which will be premiering at the Super Wonder Gallery in Toronto March 5th to March 7th at 8pm. In our conversation today we discuss how they were both introduced to theatre and the paths they took with their training, how each of them began writing and what inspired the characters of Gordo and Herm, as well as how they began collaborating on this show and what their first impressions of each other were. We also discuss what they have learned through the process of developing this piece, what they have learned from the creative team they have brought on board, as well as where they see this show and theatre in Canada headed in the future.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Carl Pucl and Douglas Price. Carl Pucl and Douglas Price are the creators of the new Canadian musical Kitsault which will have it’s first public reading on February 28th and March 1st at the Al Green Theatre in Toronto. In our conversation today we discuss how the two met and began working together, in what ways their first impressions of each other were correct and in what ways they were incorrect, as well as what the first steps were for creating the show Kitsault. We also discuss their writing process and how they collaborate, what they have learned through the workshop they are currently doing, as well as what people can expect from the first public reading and where they see theatre in Canada headed in the future.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Kieran Martin Murphy. Kieran Martin Murphy is an actor and singer-songwriter based out of Edmonton. In our conversation today we discuss how he was introduced to the arts and the path he took with his education, how he began singing and what he learned from his experiences in professional choirs, as well as the importance of not getting swept up in only thinking big picture and continuing to work on fundamentals. We also discuss some of his most positive experiences in the industry, the advice he would give other artists looking to get more into the singer-songwriter world or record their own album, as well as where he sees theatre in Canada headed in the future.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Claire Hunter. Claire Hunter is a Toronto based singer-songwriter and actor. In our conversation today we discuss how she was introduced to performing as well as when she began playing guitar and writing music, her time at Randolph College for the Performing Arts and what she learned from her time in school, as well as how she began working as a singer-songwriter and what she learned from those early experiences. We also discuss her experiences recording her debut EP “Something Safe” in 2016 and the advice she would give other theatre artists looking to get more involved in the Toronto music scene, her upcoming EP “Something To Give” and how this experience differed from recording her first album, as well as where she sees theatre and the live music industry in Canada headed in the future.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Daryl Cloran. Daryl Cloran was a founding member and the Artistic Director of Theatrefront, the Artistic Director of Western Canada Theatre, and is now the Artistic Director of the Citadel in Edmonton. In our conversation today we discuss how he was introduced to theatre growing up in Sarnia, his time at Queen's University in Kingston and what he learned from his education, as well as his experiences creating and running his theatre company Theatrefront. We also discuss his experiences as Artistic Director at Western Canada Theatre and the importance of finding the balance between giving the audience what they expect and pushing their boundaries with new and exciting work, how he became the Artistic Director of the Citadel and what he has learned from some of his experiences in Edmonton, as well as where he sees theatre in Canada headed in the future.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Larissa Pohoreski. Larissa Pohoreski is an actor, singer, dancer, musician, and was recently selected as one of the Top 30 Under 30 by the Alberta Council for the Ukrainian Arts. In our conversation today we discuss how she was introduced to theatre and her background in Ukrainian dance, her training at Grant MacEwan and the main lessons she took from her time in school, as well as some her experiences performing in the industry and the rise in popularity of actor/musician shows. We also discuss what she has learned through her experiences with her theatre company Mavka Theatre, the upcoming Toronto production of “Blood of Our Soil” which she will be music directing and performing in from March 7th to 16th at Tarragon Theatre’s Extraspace, as well as where she see theatre in Canada headed in the future.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Pamela Gordon. Pamela Gordon is a Sterling award-winning actor, singer, and dancer based out of Winnipeg Manitoba. In our conversation today we discuss how she was introduced to theatre, her experiences training in dance and the main similarities and differences she noticed between theatre and strictly dance growing up, as well as how she began working in the industry and some of the main lessons she took from her earliest experiences. We also discuss some of her most positive experiences in the theatre industry and what made them so positive, her experiences as a member of the band Earth Beat and what she learned gigging with a band overseas, as well as important similarities she has noticed working at various regional theatres across the country and where she hopes to see theatre in Canada headed in the future.

In this week’s episode I sit down with Stephan Dickson. Stephan Dickson is a choreographer and performer and was the associate choreographer for both The Music Man and The Rocky Horror Show this past year at the Stratford Festival. In our conversation today we discuss his training in dance from an early age and how a danced based education has benefited him in his life and career, what spoke to him about musical theatre specifically, as well as the importance of being able to use the language of every aspect of theatre when working on a show both as a performer and a creative team member. We also discuss some of his most positive experiences in the industry so far and what made them so positive, his transition into working as a choreographer and the advice he would give other performers looking to do the same, as well as where he sees theatre in Canada headed in the future.