In this week’s episode I sit down with Colleen Dauncey and Akiva Romer-Segal. Colleen Dauncey and Akiva Romer-Segal are a contemporary musical theatre song writing team based in Toronto Ontario. In our conversation today we discuss how they met and what their first impressions of each other were, the experiences they had in school and how each of their specific skill sets have helped them in their career, as well as some of their first experiences working in the industry. We also discuss some of their most positive experiences writing for musical theatre, their process when approaching a new project, as well as where they see theatre in Canada headed in the future.

In this week’s episode I sit down with Arinea Hermans. Arinea Hermans an actor, singer, and dancer who has worked for theatre companies such as the Musical Stage Company and Young People’s Theatre. In our conversation today we discuss how she was introduced to theatre growing up in Burlington Ontario, her experiences at Sheridan College and the many lessons she took from her time in school, as well as some of her most positive experiences in the industry so far. We also discuss her experiences winning the Musical Stage Company’s 2016 Banks Prize, her mentors and the main things she has learned from them, as well as where she hopes to see theatre in Canada headed in the future.

In this week’s episode I sit down with Shaina Silver-Baird. Shaina Silver-Baird is an actor, singer, dancer, and songwriter based in Toronto Ontario. In our conversation today we discuss how she was introduced to theatre and music, her experiences at York University and the main lessons she took from her time in school, as well as some of her most positive experiences in the industry. We also discuss the things she has learned from her mentors both in the theatre industry as well as the music industry, her singer-songwriter career as Ghost Caravan and her upcoming EP, as well as where she hopes to see theatre in Canada headed in the future.

In this week’s episode I sit down with Steve Cooke. Steve Cooke is an improviser, comedian, podcaster, and writer originally from Kingston Ontario. In our conversation today we discuss growing up in Kingston and his early experiences around theatre, his experiences at Ryerson and the main lessons he took from his time in school, as well as how he got involved with the improv community in Toronto. We also discuss his podcast “Killed To Death”, both the benefits and drawbacks of the amount of content available to audiences now online, as well as where he hopes to see live performance in Canada headed in the future.

In this week’s episode I sit down with Tom Carson. Tom Carson is a director, producer, administrator, writer, teacher, and is the Executive Director for Smile Theatre. In our conversation today we discuss how he got involved in theatre, his time at York University and the main lessons he took from his time in school, as well as some of his early experiences in the industry working in Montreal. We also discuss how he got involved with Smile Theatre and some of the company’s main goals, the importance of vulnerability both in terms of audiences and performers, as well as where he hopes to see theatre in Canada headed in the future.

In this week’s episode I sit down with Ray Hogg. Ray Hogg is a performer, director, choreographer, teacher, and the former Artistic Director of Rainbow Stage in Winnipeg. In our conversation today we discuss how he got involved in the performing arts, the path he took with his training and the main lessons he took from his time in school, as well as some of his most positive performing experiences. We also discuss how he began working as a director and choreographer, the importance of building relationships in the industry, as well as where he hopes to see theatre in Canada headed in the future. Ray Hogg also shares the main things he tries to teach his students and takes part in the podcast’s newest feature the “Lightning Round”.

In this week’s episode I sit down with Dan Curtis Thompson. Dan Curtis Thompson is an actor and stand up comedian originally from Belleville Ontario. In our conversation today we discuss how he was introduced to theatre, his experiences in the musical theatre program at St. Lawrence College in Brockville, as well as what he learned from some of his first experiences in the industry. We also discuss how he began working as a stand up comedian, his monthly comedy show “New Faces”, as well as where he sees live theatre in Canada headed in the future. Dan was also kind enough to be the first interview featuring the “Lightning Round” where I ask him ten random rapid-fire questions submitted by listeners.

In this week’s episode I sit down with Evie Koop Sawatzky. Evie Koop Sawatzky is a performer, director, teacher, and founder of RuBarb Productions Inc. In our conversation today we discuss her experiences growing up around theatre, the importance of curiosity and the benefits of learning lots of different skills, as well as what pushed her to pursue a career in theatre. We also discuss how her theatre company RuBarb Productions Inc. was created, the many things she has learned from running the company, as well as where she hopes to see theatre in Canada headed in the future.

In this week’s episode I sit down with Laura Mae Nason. Laura Mae Nason is an actor, singer, and dancer who has performed in theatres across Canada including the Arts Club, Theatre Aquarius, Drayton Entertainment, and the Charlottetown Festival. In our conversation today we discuss her early training in dance, finding musical theatre and the path she took into the industry, as well as what she learned from some of her first experiences in the industry. We also discuss some of her most positive experiences in theatre, what she has learned from raising a family in the theatre and the importance of figuring out your own path in this industry, as well as where she sees theatre in Canada headed in the future.

In this week’s episode I sit down with Kristian Truelsen. Kristian Truelsen is an actor, director, and writer. In our conversation today we discuss how he was introduced to theatre, the path that lead him to a career in the industry, as well as how his experiences have differed working in Canada as well as the US. We also discuss the mentors he has had in the industry, some of his most positive experiences working in the many different aspects of the industry he is a part of, as well as where he sees theatre in Canada headed in the future.