Welcome to Episode 6 – "Gail"

We are two weeks out from our Windsor opening on Pelee Island – and rehearsals are starting back up this week. So  I thought we would check back in with one of our actors to see what they are making of the Watching Glory Die process. I sat down for a chat with actor Kathryn Haggis!

Kathryn Haggis is a Canadian actor and writer, living in Toronto ON.

After graduating at The Neighbourhood Playhouse Theatre School in New York City, she returned to Toronto and joined The Second City auxiliary touring Company. While at SC in Toronto, Kathryn spent years teaching improv to children, youth and young adults of all abilities. She also enjoyed years of playing Francis, in Sonny Mills; live, episodic, Dyke City, for Buddies In Bad Times Theatre and she treasures being directed by Judith Thompson in Lois Fine's, Freda and Gem's Best of the Week. Kathryn's favourite film and TV credits include playing cousin Marianthi in My Big Fat Greek Wedding (1 and 2), and most recently: Imposters, on Netflix. Kathryn is currently collaborating on a short film, called Dead On. 

We had a great discussion about her work with youth and what that brings to her role as a correctional officer, what she's excited for in Edinburgh and what it's like working with Judith Thompson – have a listen!

This podcast is licensed under an Attribution – NonCommercial – NoDerivatives 4.0 International Creative Commons License.

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Welcome to Episode 5 "The Senator"

This week's episode is one that has a SERIOUS cool factor – I was able to grab about 25 minutes of Senator Kim Pate's time via Skype - so another new skill added to the bank!

Her connection to our show is pretty big – in 2007 she was the Executive Director of the Canadian Elizabeth Fry Society - which is an association of self-governing, community-based Elizabeth Fry Societies that work with and for women and girls in the justice system, particularly those who are, or may be, criminalized. In that capacity she acted as Ashley Smith's advocate when she was in the Grand Valley Correctional facility.

We had a really interesting chat about the play vs the real case, Bill C-83 and how Ashley Smith's legacy continues on today. Have a listen and don't forget to hit subscribe for more!

This podcast is licensed under an Attribution – NonCommercial – NoDerivatives 4.0 International Creative Commons License.

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It's Episode Four – "Rosellen" This is the second of four interviews I was able to conduct during rehearsals – and I was really lucky to be able to chat with Kelli Fox!

Kelli is an actor/director with more than 30 years experience on stages across Canada, and in the U.S., including 13 seasons with the Shaw Festival, and 3 seasons with the Stratford Festival. From fall of 2017 to the spring of 2018 she served as Artistic Associate at Globe Theatre in Regina. Kelli has been recognized with a Jessie award (Keely & Du, Arts Club/Canstage), a Dora nomination (Top Girls, Soulpepper), a Capitol Critics Circle award (A Room of One's Own, Shaw tour), a Toronto Critic's Circle award (Penelopiad, Nightwood Theatre), as well as sharing a Dora with the Penelopiad ensemble. Kelli is currently directing Cakewalk at the Blyth Festival Theatre – which opens this Thursday, June 26th! So Happy Opening Week!

Our chat was a really cool exploration of what it's like to work with Judith Thompson, her career as a director and her first fringe show in Vancouver – there may be some singing involved…. It was also her birthday! Have a listen!

What I learned about Producing this week: There's a really cool website called Generator - "Generator is a mentoring, teaching, and innovation incubator that expands the skills, tools, and competencies of independent artists, producers and leaders. From intensive programs to workshops, Generator is transforming the role of the artist producer one artist at a time. Also by Generator: ArtistProducerResource.com"

From checklists to grants, this is a great first stop on a producing journey! 

Welcome to Episode 3 – "You Shouldn't Be Ashamed To Ask For Support" That is actually a direct quote from today's guest – our producer Kelly Daniels!

Kelly is currently working hard in Windsor, so I learned a new technique from Phil Rickaby over at Stageworthy Podcast – remote interviewing with Zencastr! I'm still figuring it out – so apologies for the audio bumps! I also had a cold at the time – so also apologies for the froggy voice…

I sat down with her to chat about how you start producing a show and an exciting new funding initiative called "Send A Friend" – and actually did a walk through of how you write that letter asking for a donation -check it out!

What I learned about Producing this week: Don't complicate your job - it's always simpler then you think it is. Be proud of the work you are doing and others will be too.

Welcome to Episode 2 – "Glory"

I was able to sneak into rehearsals – which was amazing. Throughout the next few weeks we'll be dropping the interviews that I did with the cast and director – and today we're starting with our Glory – emerging artist, poet, playwright, and now performer, Nathanya Barnett!

We had a great conversation that spans her transition from working behind the scenes to acting, the correctional system and adorable same-sex penguins with a baby!

What I learned about producing this week: A producer needs to know their show inside and out in order to sell it to other people - be passionate about the work you are involved in!

Meet the Interns! We are a small but might army of producing interns on this project, and this episode introduces you to some of the voices you'll be hearing in the next 13 weeks. 

At the end of every episode I'll be revealing what I learned about producing this week - so be sure to listen to the end ;)

Shout out to Tee Morris (who's Twitter handle is actually @TeeMonster - sorry Tee!) for giving me some pointers, and writing the book Podcasting for Dummies!

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