A monthly talk with Canadian theatrical designers about their history and their craft.
Gillian Gallow was a designer right out of the gates. Before finishing her degree at York University, she was already assisting at the Stratford Festival, and had cut her teeth at our favourite summertime haunt: Blyth. Gillian and I discuss her early career and take on design, and her recent work on the Canadian Opera Company remount of the Harry Somers opera Lous Riel. Gillian and I spoke in July of 2017.
This time a special presentation that I happen to catch at the last minute about digital dramaturgy. The teleconference was recorded on April 25, 2018 as a presentation of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatre. The panel discussion is an result of an idea by the artistic practice committee of PACT and centres around the role and dramaturgy of projections in theatre. Designer Beth Kates and artistic director and playwright Gil Garratt from the Blyth Festival speak with Theatre Projects...
When I was starting in the 90's Andrea had all the work. She was connected to all of the most interesting theatre companies in toronto and had production managed many of them. I envied her for getting their first, for having the ability to get into the middle of the most interesting creative work, but that was not the whole story. Andrea is a brilliant artist, she learned her craft while working with iconic Canadian theatre artists like the Daniels - Daniel Brooks and Daniel McIiver, she was a p...
This time on the panel, finally a conversation of the crew/creative members who keep the entire machine together communicating from early days of workshops through the grueling tech-week and then single-handedly corralling all of the artists together to perform the same great show (if you'r luck) over and over again. Stage managers are experts in communication, project management, social psychology and most have an absolute obsession about what is the best post it note. And of course us designer...
Alan Brodie, photo by David Cooper Alan Brodie is a lighting and set designer based in Vancouver B.C. I caught up with him during my visit to the Shaw Festival in May of 2017. We speak about the early 90's in vancouver and the changes that have taken place there over the last 30 years. We continue the story of the Phantom of the Opera tour that is legendary in Canadian theatre history and Alan recounts his rise to the top of design in Canada. Links University of British Columbia - Theatre Dept. ...
On this episode of The Bellows our trusty moderator Kevin Hutson talks with Ian Garrett and Ryan Wilson about what do do with that old set or how to build a more sustainable design. This installment of the monthly production panel discussion was recorded at the Wychwood Barns in Toronto on Oct 24 2017. The Bellows is Pip Bradford, Rebecca Hooton, Kevin Hutson, Christopher Ross, and Michael Kruse. BiosIan Garrett Ian Garrett is Associate Professor of Ecological Design for Performance at York Univ...
Photo by Joy von Tiedemann Ken MacDonald went from teaching drawing and painting at high school in the 1970's to one of the most sought after theatre artists in Canada today. His artistic and personal partnership with Morris Panych has resulted in some of the most iconic Canadian theatre productions, including the international sensation The Overcoat. Ken and I spoke in May of 2017 at his home in Toronto. In the opening rant I reference this interview that appeared on CBC Metro Morning, regardin...
Another installment of the Bellows for this episode. This is a compliment to the previous episode on Contracts and Fees we did earlier in 2017. This time with production manager Erin Birkenbergs and producer Sue Balint. This covered areas we did not have a chance in the last episode and I am sure you will learn even more from this discussion. The Bellows was recorded on September 23 2017 at Theatre Passe Muraille in Toronto. As normal, the panel discussion was moderated by Kevin Hutson and hoste...
Rachel Forbes, photo by David Cooper. I caught up with Rachel Forbes just before the opening of 1837: The Farmer's Revolt at The Shaw Festival in May of 2017. We discuss choice of going into theatre and the beginnings of what promises to be a long a fruitful career in theatre. Links Ryerson School of Performance (Nee theatre school) Videocaberet Hooray for Johnny Canuck Obsidian Theatre Company Michael Gianfrancesco Astrid Dora Janson Soulpepper Weyni Mengesha Djanet Sears 1837: The Farmers Revo...
Peter Hartwell, photo by David Cooper Peter is a set and costume designer based in Niagara-On-the-Lake, Ontario. I had the pleasure to speak with him at his home in May of 2017. Peter spent the first 1/2 of his career in the UK, working with the likes of Max Stafford Clark at the Royal Court, and since 1991 has distinguished himself in Canada as one of its leading designers. Links Queen's University D rama Program Fred Euringer Gavin Semple Margaret "Percy" Harris , from the Motley Theatre Desig...
This time on our presentation of The Bellows, a topic close to the heart of this podcast, Getting Started in Design. Moderator Christopher Ross speaks with lighting designer Jareth Li, performance designer Shannon Lea Doyle, sound designer and composer Alex Williams, and lighting Designer Michael Kruse (:)) about their best advice on getting becoming a theatrical designer. BiosJareth Li Jareth is a freelance lighting designer based in Toronto. Select lighting designs include: The Glass Menagerie...
Detail from a painting of Harold Kandel by Kirsten Johnson On June 13th, Toronto theatre artists were feted again by the irreverent and always random Harold Awards. Established in 1995 by 13 bad-ass independent theatre artists, the awards have wound their way through the theatre community, establishing a timeline of independent theatre creators that have pushed the boundaries and held everything together in the Toronto theatre scene. The new artists are "Harolded" by the previous year's winners,...
Last September, 2016, I spent 2 hrs talking to composer and sound designer Richard Feren. We spoke about his early career in radio, at the age of 13, through his time in the explosion of indi theatre in Toronto in the early 90's and his work with iconic directors like Daniel Brooks. We land on his process for producing sound scapes and scores for theatre and the genesis of his modern method, from the early days of the Fostex 4-track cassette to Qlab. We finally land on his work in organizing des...
Are you sleeping enough? Do you know what enough is? When was the last time you made yourself a meal, or spent the day taking care of yourself instead of all of your actors and director? Have you had moments of panic for no reason or felt an unyielding force preventing you from leaving the house and going into rehearsal? Perhaps, like the rest of us, you have been focusing on the show to much and on yourself too little. Self care is important, and vital to a long and fruitful career. The next ho...
Martha Mann is one of the original Canadian theatre designers. I had the pleasure of speaking with Martha in her home in August of 2016. We speak about her personal origins when there were no theatre training programs in Canada, about the birth of modern Canadian drama from the amateur Dominion Drama Festival, and her work on countless productions of theatre and film, including her work at Glimmerlass Opera and on the Anne of Green Gables films. More quotes from Martha can be found here . Links ...
On January 16th, 2017, the Bellows reconvened again to discuss another pressing and mysterious issue in the production of Canadian Theatre: media relations. Kevin Hutson spoke to Steve Fisher, Rennie Reddie and now Title Block veteran, Sue Edworthy about selling the show and growing your audience. Bios are below, can you guess who does promotions every day? BiosSteve Fisher Steve Fisher holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre, and an Acting - Performance diploma from Ryerson University. ...
Designer Lorenzo Savoini Lorenzo Savoini is the director of design at Soulpepper Theatre in Toronto, one of the most successful theatres to be founded in the last 20 years and one that continues to push the envelope on what theatre can or should be. Lorenzo tells me about his time growing up in Thorn Hill Ontario and his adventures at UBC, Stratford and for the last 10 years, at Soulpepper. For the second half of this marathon interview, we chat about his philosophy of design and how he is worki...
On this episode we once again return to The Bellows, a monthly informal discussion about theatre production that is recorded in Toronto, this time at Theatre Passe Muraille on November 16th, 2016. Carpenter and Bellows founder Kevin Hutson moderates a Q and A with some of Toronto theatre production's bright lights, with questions poised by the Bellows audience. Taking the spotlight this time are Bellows veterans Remington North and Dave Degrow, as well as Rebecca Hooten and newly minted theatre ...
Eo Sharp, photo by David Cooper. Eo Sharp joined me at the Shaw Festival in May of 2016 to discuss her growing up at the Tarragon Theatre in the 1970's and her time at the National Theatre School and Working in Montreal. We also talk about her process for Alice in Wonderland at the Shaw festival and the mirrored set that brought her an Director Peter Hinton together. Find her complete portfolio here . Links Sharp's parents: Collette Peron and Vincent Sharp Mallory Gilbert at Tarragon Theatre Mic...
In this next episode of The Bellows, a conversation about contracts and fees. How do you negotiate to your advantage? What are the necessary parts of a contract and is it worth having an agent or being a member of the Associated Designers of Canada? Moderator Kevin Hutson talks to Kesta Graham, business agent at The Tarragon Theatre, designer Simon Rossiter, and the executive director at the ADC Shiela Skye. This was recorded on October 17th 2016 at The Central bar in Mirvish Village, Toronto, O...
Designer Julie Fox I caught up with designer Julie Fox while visiting the Stratford Festival in May of this year. We speak about her entrance into theatre at the Sydney Opera house up to her work with director Chris Abraham at St. Ratfords. Julie also describes her relationship with the theatre space and the profound effect it has on the way she approaches her work. A recent production history can be found here: http://ttdb.ca/people/julie-fox/ . Links Waterdown Village Theatre Lisbie and Mike R...
On this episode, another presentation of The Bellows, a monthly informal discussion about theatre production that is presented by Pip Bradford, Kevin Hutson, and Christopher Ross. This time, our crew met at The Central bar in Toronto and discussed The Beer Economy; the informal barter system that everyone in Canadian theater, both professional and amateur alike will be familiar with. This was recorded on September 16th, 2016 and featured panalist Jiv Parasram, Maya Rabinovitch, Julia Nish-Lapidu...
Bretta Gerecke I met designer Bretta Gerecke while visiting the Stratford Festival in Stratford Ontario in May of 2016. We spoke about her training and early career in Edmonton and the path that brought her to work with Cirque du Soleil in Milan in 2015 and a return to her roots as an archaeological illustrator. To see Bretta's portfolio, go here: http://www.bretta-gerecke.com/about-1/ Links University of Alberta Theatre Program Catalyst Theatre Jonathan Christenson Joey Trembley Heather Redfern...
This presentation of The Bellows, a monthly informal discussion about living and working in theatre, concerns leaving the business. What do you do when you get into your career in theatre and discover that there is something you are missing? Maria Costa, Michelle Bailey, and Katie Pounder discuss their entrance, love of, and eventual exit from theatre. There is life after theatre, if you want one, but it is not always the one you plan for. The Bellows is organised by Christopher Ross, Pip Bradfo...
Pat Flood Pat Flood is a a set and costume designer based out of the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Born in Alberta originally, Pat traveled to Toronto after her initial training and great success in Calgary to join the crew of the CBC as an art director and worked on the iconic Canadian comedy series The Kids in the Hall. Working across Canada and teaching both at Concordia and U of G, she has influenced many of the young designers working today. We talked in May of 2016 in her office a...
Ron Jenkins. Ron Jenkins is an old friend and collaborator with whom I have created designs for several productions. He joined me in January 2016 to talk about his career and his take on design in the theatre. We chat about the unique productions he has mounted in Edmonton, Alberta, his current residence as well as what he as a director needs from a designer. Links Todd Charleton Obiturary Desmond Heeley Obiturary Liz and Harry Boardmore John Dunsworth Platform 9 Theatre Ken McDougall and Here T...
On this episode we return to The Bellows, a monthly informal discussion about working in the theatre recorded live at Theatre Passe Muraille on March 22, 2016. For this discussion, the guest panel spoke about that dreaded time of year: tax season. If you are a working artist and the end of April always raises your heart rate, listen to this comprehensive talk about how to organize yourself to make tax-time easier. Moderator Kevin Hutson, head scenic carptenter at the Tarragon Theatre Panel Scrat...
Beth Kates. Photo by Marc Betsworth Toronto based designer Beth Kates and her life and design partner Ben Chaisson have been focusing a lot on video and projection design. I met with Beth in Niagara-On-The-Lake in the summer of 2015 when she was working at The Shaw Festival. We spoke about her early career and training and the work on the hit show Bigger Than Jesus where they started with running a show on VHS (!) and WinAmp (!!). Beth then brings us through the process of creating a video and p...
The panel from The Bellows: Why You Should Hire a Production Manager. From Left to Right Eleanor Antoncic, Kevin Hutson, Pip Bradford, Remington North, Kaitlin Hicke, Ryan Wilson, and Christopher Ross In this special presentation of The Bellows, the panel discusses the reasons you need to hire a production manager for your theatrical production. It may seem obvious to production staff and designers why it is essential to have a PM, but many small companies eschew this position out of economic ne...
This special The Bellows episode features carpenter Kevin Hutson, our moderator, joining writer/director Kat Sandler, technical director Dean Johnson, independent producer Aislinn Rose, technician and stage manager Pip Bradford, and designer and technician Rebecca Vandevelde discussing how to work with your friends while remaining professional. It was recorded live at Theatre Passe Muraille on January 18th. The first 10 minutes of the introductions was lost because SOMEone forgot to hit record: ...
