#38 The Bellows: Ask Me Anything /  by Michael Kruse

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 technician Cameron Kirk.  They are asked a number of smart questions about their career in theatre and their thoughts on theatre production, while Kevin makes sure their ego's do not get too inflated.

Bios

KEVIN HUTSON

Kevin is a scenic carpenter, former technician and occasional project manager.  He comes from Scarborough and loves talking about work over beer.

PIP BRADFORD

Pip Bradford has been working in theatre exclusively since she quit the porn store back in ’07, and she has hated writing bios the whole time. She has production managed for companies around Ontario including Why Not Theatre, Crow’s Theatre, The Theatre Centre, The Lower Ossington Theatre, FADO Performance Art, and Stand-Up Dance, and worked in innumerable capacities for countless others. When Pip isn’t production managing or teaching production management to the young, she makes interactive art pieces with Rebecca Vandevelde for Art Is Hard Productions, including the upcoming Blanket Fort at the Theatre Centre in January 2017. In the spare time left over from her spare time, Pip is one of the hosts of The Bellows, a monthly production artist mixer that fosters community among production peeps in Toronto.

CHRISTOPHER ROSS

Christopher Ross has extensive experience as a technician, stage manager, and production manager. he has worked in most of Toronto’s independent theatres, and has been a venue technician for the Fringe Festival, the Next Stage Theatre Festival, and the Summerworks performance festival. he is currently the head technician of the Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace.

remington north

David degrow

David DeGrow is a designer, academic, and teacher whose work has been seen across Toronto and across Canada, and has been nominated for three Dora Awards. He is PhD Candidate at the University of Toronto, where his dissertation examines how theatre space shapes artistic mandate, audience and the theatre’s relationship with the city. Selected lighting designs include: Pyaasa (Theatre Passe Muraille/Theatre Jones Roy); Tap-Ex: Metallurgy (Tapestry); Monday Nights (Sixth Man/Theatre Centre); Morro & Jasp: 9-5 (UNIT Productions/Factory); Tagged (Greenthumb/YPT); The Hours That Remain (Gwaandak); the tin drum (Unspun); Dreaming of Rob Ford (Mike Daisey/Crow’s). Recent Production Management/Technical Direction credits include: Salt Baby National Tour (Salt Baby Collective/Globe); Fashion Straight from the Art (University of Toronto/Mirvish); All the sex I’ve ever had (Mammalian Diving Reflex/Luminato); Belleville (Company); Forgiveness (Modern Times); Passion Play (Outside the March/Sheep No Wool/Convergence); Justice (Gwaandak/National Arts Centre); Cafe Daughter (Gwaandak Theatre - National Tour); ZED.TO-Patient Zero (The Mission Business - Nuit Blanche); The Pub Operas (Tapestry). 

rebecca hooton

Rebecca Hooton is a Toronto based deviser, director, production manager, and a founding member of Raw Matter Project.

Cameron kirk

Cameron Kirk is a recent graduate of Humber Colleges Technical Theatre Production program.  He spent the summer of 2016 working at the Blyth Theatre Festival as a Carpenter. Since he's been back in the big city he's been freelancing as a carpenter and technician; picking up calls in various spaces throughout the city and dabbling in the wonderful world of corporate events.  Cameron is striving to be a Technical Director but wants to keep his hand in more creative pockets of theatre. Specifically, set and sound design.  His set design dabut was at Array Music, with Glass Reflections Collectives 'Bonds Beyond' which premiered on October 27th.  Cameron is excited about kicking off his career in the world of theatre and eagerly awaits what challenges and opportunities lie ahead. 

#37 Eo Sharp /  by Michael Kruse

Eo Sharp, photo by David Cooper.

Eo Sharp, photo by David Cooper.

The Swanne at the Stratford Festival. Directed by Peter Hinton, Set Design by Eo Sharp, Lighting Design by Robert Thomson, Costume design by Caroline Smith,

The Swanne at the Stratford Festival. Directed by Peter Hinton, Set Design by Eo Sharp, Lighting Design by Robert Thomson, Costume design by Caroline Smith,

#36 The Bellows: Contracts and Fees /  by Michael Kruse

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, Ontario.

Bios

Kevin Hutson

Kevin is a scenic carpenter, former technician and occasional project manager.  He comes from Scarborough and loves talking about work over beer.

Kesta Graham

Kesta is currently the Business Manager for Tarragon Theatre in Toronto. She has spent the last 10 years full time in arts management in a variety of positions including General Manager of Studio 180 Theatre (2008-2015), freelance producer/ consultant, and Treasurer for Common Boots (formerly Theatre Columbus). Experience in project management ranges from collective/ profit share, workshops, co-productions, full seasons, long run productions and large scale musicals.  Prior to becoming a full time arts administrator, Kesta spent 10 years as an actor/producer and part time project coordinator for kitchen and bath renovations. .

Simon Rossiter

Simon is a Toronto-based lighting designer who occasionally designs scenery. He has created more than one hundred and fifty original lighting designs over the last ten years for a diversity of theatre and dance companies throughout Canada, and is the lighting director of the annual Fall for Dance North festival at the Sony Centre and the Next Stage Theatre Festival at the Factory Theatre. He has received two Dora Mavor Moore awards for outstanding lighting design, is a graduate of the Ryerson Theatre School, and is a member of the Associated Designers of Canada.

Sheila Sky

Sheila has been active in Toronto’s vibrant performing arts scene since the mid ‘80s.  She has undertaken management, strategic and logistical planning, marketing, publicity, fundraising and producing in both the commercial and non-profit sectors.  Her career has spanned Fringe to Broadway, and she has worked for clients in drama and musical theatre, dance, opera, devised theatre, puppetry, comedy and contemporary classical music.  She is the Executive Director of Associate Designer of Canada and their fundraising arm, the ADCF; and is Treasurer of the inaugural Board of the Alliance of Women in Theatre.  She is the owner of Sky Arts Management which provides management services for arts organizations and their projects, as well as a consulting practice. 

 

#35 Julie Fox /  by Michael Kruse

#34 The Bellows: The Beer Economy /  by Michael Kruse

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-Lapidus, and Christopher Ross. The panel was moderated by Pip Bradford.

Bios

Pip Bradford

Pip Bradford has been working in theatre exclusively since she quit the porn store back in ’07, and she has hated writing bios the whole time. She has production managed for companies around Ontario including Why Not Theatre, Crow’s Theatre, The Theatre Centre, The Lower Ossington Theatre, FADO Performance Art, and Stand-Up Dance, and worked in innumerable capacities for countless others. When Pip isn’t production managing or teaching production management to the young, she makes interactive art pieces with Rebecca Vandevelde for Art Is Hard Productions, including the upcoming Blanket Fort at the Theatre Centre in January 2017. In the spare time left over from her spare time, Pip is one of the hosts of The Bellows, a monthly production artist mixer that fosters community amongst production peeps in Toronto.

Julia Nish-Lapidus

Julia is an actor, producer, director, as well as a Co-Founder and Artistic Producer of Shakespeare BASH'd, where she has produced all of the company's sold-out productions.  She has worked as the Managing Director of Common Boots Theatre (formerly Theatre Columbus) and is now part of the team at The Theatre Centre, as the Box Office & Front of House Manager.  She is a member of the Advisory Board for the Canadian Stage GYM program and a graduate of the joint acting program at UofT and Sheridan College. 

Jivesh Parasram

Jivesh Parasram is an award winning multi-disciplinary artist of Indo-Caribbean descent. He is the Founding Artistic Producer of Pandemic Theatre, a core member of “The Wrecking Ball,” and serves as Theatre Passe Muraille’s Associate Artistic Producer. With Pandemic and Theatre Lab he co-founded the Collective Studio and Event Space. Jiv also works as a facilitator and community activator. He is currently completing a fellowship as part of the 2016 cohort of Cultural Leaders Lab (Toronto Arts Council/Banff Centre). Further professional service engagements include the Ad Hoc Assembly, the Theatre Committee for the Toronto Arts Council, The Tom Hendry Awards, and Theatre Ontario. Jiv's worked in varied capacities in the theatre community, often simultaneously. These include roles as: director, dramaturge, playwright/creator, producer, performer, technician, stage manager, designer, and production manager. 

Maya Rabinovitch

Maya Rabinovitch is a director, dramaturg and producer. Select directing credits include Unintentionally Depressing Children’s Tales (SummerWorks/Vidiofag), Transfusions (SummerWorks/AMY Project), Fantastic Extravagance (Toronto Fringe), 18 Twitching Cheerleaders (Edmonton Fringe), Zero Visibility (AMY Project/SummerWorks), I Will Not Hatch! (Berkeley Street Theatre), Double Double (Toronto Fringe), and nisha ahuja’s A World of Bananas (Hysteria Festival). Maya’s company, the Steady State Theatre Project, focuses on creative methods for new play development. Maya’s first libretto was presented by Essential Opera in Toronto and at the Open Ears Festival in Kitchener, as well as Halifax. Maya sat on Factory Theatre’s Board of Directors from 2006-2012.

Christopher Ross

Christopher Ross has extensive experience as a technician, stage manager, and production manager. he has worked in most of Toronto’s independent theatres, and has been a venue technician for the Fringe Festival, the Next Stage Theatre Festival, and the Summerworks performance festival. he is currently the head technician of the Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace.

#33 Bretta Gerecke /  by Michael Kruse

Bretta Gerecke

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

Electra at Catalyst Theatre

The Citadel Theatre

Harry Frehner

Krista Monson

Cirque du Soleil at the Milan World Expo 2015 (entire show on You Tube)

The Stratford Festival

Jillian Keiley

Alice Through the Looking Glass, Stratford

Lisa Hughes

As You Like It

Bob Hallett, from Great Big Sea

Maxmilion's Mistake

Archaeological Illustration

The Prague Quadrennial

Patrick Du Wors

April Viczko

Costume at the Turn of the Century Exhibit

#32 The Bellows: Leaving the Business /  by Michael Kruse

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 Bradford, and Kevin Hutson.

MODERATOR

Kevin Hutson, head scenic carpenter at the Tarragon Theatre

PANEL

Maria Costa, administrative coordination at Radiation Safety Institute of Canada, and formerly a stage manager for 20 years, and a supervisor at Humber College.

Michelle Bailey, owner/operator of Barkbusters Hamilton-Niagara, and formally a wardrobe technician.

Katie Pounder, associate director of student services at Pearson Higher Learning Education, and formerly an arts administrator at Young People's Theatre, Theatre Passe Muraille, and Tapestry Opera.

#31 Pat Flood /  by Michael Kruse

Pat Flood

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 at U of G about her career, the differences between film and theatre, and her talk on the philosophy and design. Show notes at http://ow.ly/XEJK302D7YM

Links

Henry Wise Wood High School Calgary

University of Alberta

Bernie Engle

Gwenn Keatly

David Lovett

Len Feldman

Larry Cadillac

Tom Wood

Bob Baker

Rick Roberts

Cheryl Cashman

University of Minnesota MFA program

History of Dinkytown

Stratford Festival

Jack Hutt

William Hutt

The Tom Patterson Theatre

John Ferguson

Collected Works of Billy the Kid by Micheal Ondodje

Monique Mercure and André Brassard

Tanya Moiseivitch

Theatre Calgary

Toronto Free Theatre

Theatre Passe Muraille

Paul Thompson

LIP grants (see pg. 20)

St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts

Thomas Bodenestsky (spelling and reference unavailable)

Captives of the Faceless Drummer by George Riga

Brahm and the Angel by Geordie Productions. Set and Costumes by Pat Flood.

Brahm and the Angel by Geordie Productions. Set and Costumes by Pat Flood.

Dear Johnny Deere by Ken Cameron at the Blyth Festival in 2012. Set and Costumes by Pat Flood lighting by Rebecca Pitcherak

Dear Johnny Deere by Ken Cameron at the Blyth Festival in 2012. Set and Costumes by Pat Flood lighting by Rebecca Pitcherak