Q.E. Tuesday

Murmur Theatre is a new company in Calgary formed by Rita Rebetskaya and Polina Kaulio whose modus operandi is to "explore the intersection of physical performance, live art, and contemporary drama". I got to speak with them about their approach to theatre creation as well as their movement workshops which are extremely popular and constantly selling out! Check out their website and inst...

What a treat it was speaking with three members of the GeriActors; an intergenerational company showing how theatre is for any age! First I spoke with founder Dave Barnet and former student member Mackenzie Munch, and then actor Maria Yakula joined us. We talked about the physical and mental benefits of theatre, the age assumptions we make and must overcome, the beginnings of the company and what...

Have you ever thought about making a short film or video, but didn't know where to start? The place for you is the Edmonton Short Film Festival, an organization creating space for people to get their work seen by an audience! I got to talk to Sharlene Millang about the incredible work they are doing to get people in the mix with the short film industry. They are having a Women Filmmakers scree...

No interview this week, just a quick monologue regarding live performance etiquette based on a recent Reddit post from and Edmontonian and an opinion piece from the Toronto Star (Links below). What are your opinions on live performance etiquette? Reddit post and responses Toronto Star Article Other shows/Events mentioned: Ghost River Theatre - Frontier - April 23- May 2 9-5 The Musical - Windmill...

What do you do when your hockey career gets kiboshed due to concussions? Become a talented actor and writer of course! This week I got to talk to Stephanie Alexandre who is performing in Fire Exit Theatre's upcoming show Pith. It was so interesting to hear about the parallels between playing a sport and performing in theatre, and also to hear about her beliefs, dream role and of course favouri...

Fort McMurray and the Wood Buffalo Region have been through fires, floods, and pandemics, and still their theatre culture is thriving! This is in part to the heroic efforts of Jenny Price of Swamp Rat Experience, a company started in 2021 by Hanna Fridhed. Jenny took over as Artistic Director recently, and I was able to talk to her about the beginnings of the company, how it has grown and why thei...

Jameela McNeil has just come off an amazing year performing at the the Citadel, Riser Festival and so much more. Now the SkirtsAfire Festival is hosting her show Ms. Pat's Kitchen , a story she has been writing for many years now. I am so honored she spoke to me about her writing, thoughts about generational healing and her path as an artist. Jameela also gives the names of some great restaura...

After a smash hit opening weekend, Bottle Rocket Theatre is proving to be the new popular choice for improv and comedy in Calgary! I got to talk to founder and performer Zachary Dean Friesen about starting the company, why it is important to pay performers, marketing, and his top improv tips. Zachary's been in the game for many years and performed across the country, so his wisdom is invaluabl...

Sixteen sleeps until Christmas, but only two more sleeps until the premiere of Girl Brain, Actually ! I got to talk to Alberta's incredible sketch trio Girl Brain (Alyson Dicey, Ellie Heath and Caley Suliak) about their origin story, their writing process, some amazing advice they've received and of course their restaurant picks. Head down to The Roxy from December 11-21st to check out thi...

Kat Evans is a Swiss Army Knife in the Edmonton theatre and film world. But don't let her stacked resume intimidate you, she is as kind-hearted and open as they come; proof that you don't need to be ruthless and uncaring to make it in show-biz. I got to talk to her about her history in the industry, what trends she sees currently for audiences and creators alike, and of course her favourit...

It's Sam Bayne! Not only is he a hilarious stand-up comedian and improviser, he also has a fantastic podcast called "Confused as Usual" (listen at your own risk, if you do so at work you may disturb coworkers with your laughter!) Ok ok, cheesy intro aside, Sam is an extremely smart person who knows a ton about the history and technicalities of comedy, and I learned so much from speak...

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to read a review of a show that is unbiased (as it can be!), honest, informed and from someone who is not being paid, but paying to see the show? Well look no further than calgarytheatrereview.com , an anonymous person whose reviews extends beyond the set decorating and acting and delves into the societal norms and psychological effects of shows. Their...

Wowzers this is a big one; talking to Naomi Snieckus and Matt Baram about Big Stuff , their new show coming to the Citadel from October 18 to November 9. These comedic legends are Second City Alumni and have been all over the world performing and creating on-screen and on-stage magic. It is such an inspiration to talk to them about their creative process, the hard work that led them to where they...

This week Ben Rowe, Programming Coordinator at Calgary Cinematheque, spoke to me about the upcoming season which is packed with interesting screenings and special events. First up is Final Frames ; a selection of the final films from important directors. Next, they will be hosting a screening of Phantom of the Opera with a live score performed during the show! He also speaks on his own personal hi...

It's so exciting to be back chatting with amazing people involved in the arts! To start off Season Two, I spoke with Sarah, the brains behind the popular yegtheaterfan account. Coming off seeing sixty shows at this year's Fringe, Sarah spoke about where her passion for theatre started and how she is able to juggle so many shows at once. Sarah also talks about what she is excited for this u...

It's the season finale! For this special occasion I got to speak with Cynthia Jimenez-Hicks, an actor, writer, choreographer and educator who already has an incredible career under her belt. Whether it is flying through the air at Stratford, creating disco dance moves for Shakespeare's Puck, or becoming a wizard on Broadway (yes she's performed on Broadway!), Cynthia's incredible w...

Sometimes fighting can be an awesome activity....when it's choreographed by Morgan Yamada! I got to speak to her about what drew her to swinging swords, whipping whips and finessing slaps. As well, she talks about the benefits of being an arts administrator, what directors and producers should know before hiring a fight/intimacy choreographer, and self-belief. I loved how she described fight chore...

This week I got to speak with Anthony Goertz about his film "Apocalypse Book Club" which I saw at the North West Film Fest. Anthony talks about his love for film, the process of shooting such an ambitious project, and how he was able to adapt a short story into a visual medium. As well, Kaeley Jade stars in this wonderful short film about new love and the process of removing the masks we wear in r...

This week the Ignite! Festival starts in Calgary and NextFest starts in Edmonton (June 5-15), so I wanted to speak to an emerging artist. I found out my fellow Grindstone Improviser Aldrick Dugarte is currently doing the BFA program at the U of A, and he very generously agreed to talk to me about his hopes for his future career, his experience at University and path to becoming a performer. Aldric...

I went to see Horse Play by Kole Durnford this past week and was struck by how the set was both playful, simple, functional, and beautiful, and so I was lucky enough to speak with Beyata Hackborn about her design and her process. She also gets into how modern times and technologies are changing how she designs and her literary inspirations. Beyata also has many great restaurant recommendations. Ch...

Two of the best people a gal could ask for spoke to me over the phone from Calgary this week; Keshia Cheesman and Bianca Miranda! Keshia is an arts educator who works for Quest Theatre and Bianca is a producer at Downstage Theatre. They have also written, produced and acted in a show called "The F Word" that went up in 2023 and is getting new legs this year. They talk about their writing...

Woohoo I got to meet up with Brianne Jang! After seeing 'BB Collective' on all sorts of promotional shots for shows, I wanted to speak with the person behind all the magic. Brianne is a photographer (and co-founder of BB Collective , her photography company), the managing director of SkirtsAfire and co-founder of Poiema Productions . She talks about what it takes to photograph live theatre...

I am very excited to say I got to speak with the Assistant Director of ATP's Liars at a Funeral, Filsan Dualeh ! Aside from helping direct this show, she is also an actor and writer. Filsan speaks about what it was like directing a comedy, the place of new technology in theatre and what it's like to work in Alberta. She also touches on the tough but essential subject of diversity in theatr...

Spring is here and love is in the air! I got to talk to three amazing artists this week, who need no introduction but I will do so anyway. Helen Knight and Owen Chan are a real life couple and also talented performers on stage! Owen is an improviser and co-founder of the Kinkonauts in Calgary and Helen is a two time Betty Mitchell award winning actor who is currently starring in Alberta Theatre Pr...

When people think of improv, usually Colin Mochrie, Wayne Brady and Drew Carey come to mind, but did you know alot of short form improv was fostered right here in Alberta? This week I got to speak with Mat Mailandt who is a comedian, improviser, and teacher who grew up in Alberta and has since made his success in Ontario. He talks about how improv can change a person's life for the better, imp...