The Thousand Islands Playhouse Podcast

Join Allison and Stephanie for the first episode of the 2025 season of the Playhouse Podcast as they dive into How The Other Half Loves, They chat with Set Designer Vickie Marston and Costume Designer Kaelen MacDonald about the collaborative process of designing a show, the differences between theatre and film, and the challenges of trying to fit two sets onto one stage.

Join Allison and Stephanie for the final episode of the 2024 podcast. And what a guest to finish off a fantastic season! Kathryn MacKay is a founding member of the Playhouse, and was instrumental in the creation of the Firehall Theatre space. Stephanie and Allison chat with her about her work with PeerLess Productions, her return to the Firehall for it's 20th anniversary, and what she's enjoying most about her time in Gananoque.

Stephanie and Allison chat with Jesus Christ Superstar's Choreographer Nicol Spinola about taking the musical across the country, the relationship between choreographer and director, and experience producing immersive site-specific musical theatre in Vancouver.

Allison and Stephanie speak with set and costume designer Jawon Kang and lighting designer Christian Horoszczak about their work on Doubt: A Parable, their history of collaboration, and their favourite type of theatre to design for.

Join Stephanie, Allison, and actors Maev Beaty and Wade Bogert-O'Brien as they speak about Mary's Wedding, the magic of Stephen Massicotte's prose, love letters, and how to mail an orange.

Stephanie and Allison speak with Murder for Two's Music Director Avery-Jean Brennan about her work on the show as it travelled from Nova Scotia to Gananoque, the unique opportunities of music directing for actor/musicians, and the mysterious and important "third character" onstage.

Join Allison and special guest host Kyla Musselman (host of the podcast "Tits & Teeth") as they chat with performers Annika Tupper (Sophie) and Brandon Antonio (Sky) about their thoughts on the state of Canadian Musical Theatre, their recent work in Canada and abroad, and how it feels to take on ABBA's iconic songs in this season's production of Mamma Mia! Annika and Brandon also go head-to-head in a round of ABBA trivia. Who will reign supreme? You can find "Tits & Teeth" wherever you listen to podcasts or at https://www.titsandteethpodcast.com/.

Allison and Stephanie speak with Director Krista Jackson and Playwright Sophia Fabiilli about the first show of our 2024 season, Liars at a Funeral

Hosts Allison and Marta talk with Human Cargo Artistic Director, Christopher Morris. They discuss the work that Human Cargo does, what the process of creating The Runner was like and how the decision was made to have the entire piece take place on a treadmill.

In this episode, Allison chats with Tyler Check (Guy) and Chris Barillaro (Music Director) about the magic of Once, the challenges and excitement of playing live instruments on stage, and the difference between "diegetic" and "non-diegetic" sound. They also wonder, "Where is Marta McDonald?"

On this episode, hosts Allison and Marta talk to the two actors from Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes, Jonas Chernick and Romi Shraiter. They discuss their relationship with this play that has lead them to this production, what it's like doing such intense and nuanced content, and how they delveloped their characters.

Allison and Marta talk with Bittergirl - The Musical's Stage Manager, Kat Chin. They catch up with Kat during her preparation week before rehearsals even began! They discuss what it means to be a stage manager and how you approach each different production.

Allison & Marta chat with Director, Lisa Karen Cox and Set Designer, Sarah Uwadiae about Intimate Apparel. They talk about using space to create private moments in a story, and what it means to have an intimacy coordinator on a production.

Join hosts Allison Hess and Marta McDonald as they chat with Director/Choreographer of The Sound of Music, Naomi Costain. They chat about what it's like being both Director and Choreographer, what it's been like working with the large group of local kids and so much more!

Welcome to the 2023 season! Hosts Allison Hess and Marta McDonald chat with two of the actors starring in Baskerville - A Sherlock Holmes Mystery. Jamie and Colin are playing Sherlock and Holmes respectively. They chat about what it's like playing such iconic characters and how they are enjoying their time in Gananoque.

On this episode of the Playhouse podcast, hosts Sophia and Allison chat with Director & Choreographer Julie Tomaino and Music Director David Terriault about Jersey Boys

On this episode of the Playhouse podcast, hosts Sophia and Allison chat with Director Esther Jun about Kim's Convenience.

On this episode of the Playhouse podcast, hosts Sophia and Allison chat with actor Lisa Horner about Every Brilliant Thing.

On this episode of the Playhouse podcast, hosts Sophia and Allison chat with actors Keleshaye Christmas-Simpson and Jasmine Huang, and Co-Costume Designer Joshua Quinlan about The Music Man.

On this episode of the Playhouse podcast, hosts Sophia and Allison chat with Krystal Dos Santos and Tracey Power about Hey Viola!

On this episode of the Playhouse podcast, hosts Sophia and Allison chat with actors Alana Bridgewater and Reena Jolly about Perfect Wedding, the shifting role of woman in farce and comedies, their experience in rehearsals, and the dramaturgical process.

On this episode of the Playhouse podcast, hosts Sophia and Allison chat with actor Autumn-Joy Dames and Billy Lake about Back in '59.

On this episode of the Playhouse podcast, hosts Sophia Fabiilli and Marta McDonald chat with actor Janelle Hanna, actor/musician Quinn Dooley, and director Brett Christopher about Miss Caledonia.

On this episode of the Playhouse podcast, hosts Sophia Fabiilli and Marta McDonald chat with set and costume designer Rachel Forbes about Serving Elizabeth.

On this episode of the Playhouse podcast, hosts Sophia Fabiilli and Marta McDonald chat with director and choreographer Stephanie Graham about Back in '59.

On this episode of the Playhouse podcast, hosts Sophia Fabiilli and Marta McDonald chat with actors Shawn Wright and Sarah Dodd about Sexy Laundry.

Before kicking off TIP's 2021 season (opening August 6), this special edition episode recaps the past year at the Playhouse. While stages were dark, the Playhouse team took on "silver linings" projects that ultimately transformed the company. Hosts Sophia Fabiilli and Marta McDonald, along with special guests, examine the ways in which TIP has grown as an organization and invested time and energy into (among other things) community, education, and anti-racism initiatives.

Taurian Teelucksingh was booked to make his TIP debut in The Music Man. Tune in to hear how Taurian is spending his final year at Sheridan College's Music Theatre Program and evolving from a triple threat (someone who can act, sing, and dance) into a quadruple threat: someone who can do it all... over Zoom!

Theatre designer and visual artist Holly Meyer-Dymny was slated to make her TIP debut designing set and lights for Every Brilliant Thing. Holly is combatting the COVID-19 curveball with her multitude of artistic skills and entrepreneurial spirit.

John Dinning has been a designer of sets, props, and costumes for 40 years, and was returning to TIP to design Perfect Wedding in 2020. During the pandemic, John is using his design skills to help theatres — from Nova Scotia to Singapore! — fundraise in innovative ways.

The Thousand Islands Playhouse hosts Music on the Block this month with free outdoor concerts across Gananoque each weekend. Managing Artistic Director Brett Christopher and podcast host and Company Manager Marta McDonald discuss the series of events, what to expect, and the important impetus behind Music on the Block.

TV host, actor, director, writer, and activist Nicole Stamp was booked to star in Every Brilliant Thing at TIP. From Facebook to CNN, Nicole is raising her voice about Black Lives Matter and sharing actions you can take to sustain the fight against racism.

Playwright, actor, and activist Marcia Johnson wrote the play Serving Elizabeth which was developed at TIP's Playwright's Unit and was slated for a production in 2020. COVID's thorny fate didn't slow Marcia down. What started as a simple exercise of reading children's books on Facebook for fun, has blossomed into 'Hello, It's Marcia', a daily online story-time... with some surprising perks!

Kingston born actor and musician Tyler Check was booked to star in the musical Once this summer. Instead, he's embarking on epic adventures... all from the comfort of home.

Director Krista Jackson was excited to tackle the wild and wonderful farce Perfect Wedding in 2020. Although COVID has ear-marked her work at TIP, Krista is busy reading a library's worth of books.

The Kick & Push Festival launches this week offering 3 weeks of socially-distanced performances across Kingston, ON. Artistic Producer Liam Karry discusses this year's festival and how their mission of innovation continues amidst the pandemic.

Kate Blackburn was booked to play Marian the Librarian in our 2020 production of The Music Man. In addition to having a golden voice, it turns out Kate also has a green thumb.

Stage manager Lucy McPhee worked at TIP twice last season and was returning to work on Perfect Wedding in 2020. Though COVID has put a pin in her plans, Lucy's making the most of it by sewing her own clothes using her grandmother's avocado green sewing machine.

Actors Kwaku Adu-Poku and Emerjade Simms appeared in the National Art Centre's workshop of Audrey Dwyer's Calpurnia at TIP this winter, and Kwaku was returning to perform in Perfect Wedding. We spoke to them about Black Lives Matter and the benefits of using Instagram for sharing resources, fueling their activism, and refueling their spirits.

Deanna is an award-winning sound designer and composer who was slated to work on The Music Man this season. Listen in to hear about Deanna's intricate work behind-the-scenes and how she uses cycling to tune out the chaos of the pandemic.

Actor and musician Richard Lam appeared at TIP last season in The New Canadian Curling Club and was slated to perform in Once this summer. Listen in to hear how Richard is turning his pandemic lemons into lemonade and channeling his creative energy into his band, James King and the Midnight Hours, as they prepare to record their first album.