Stageworthy

About This Episode: This week on Stageworthy , host Phil Rickaby is joined by Evan Bawtinheimer , a Toronto-based, Dora Award winning playwright. Evan shares the inspiration behind his play award winning play, Patty Picker. In this candid and thoughtful conversation, Evan opens up about playwriting, his journey of personal growth and mental health, and why vulnerability and connection are central...

About This Episode: This week on Stageworthy , host Phil Rickaby is joined by Michelle Langille , an actor, director, and burlesque performer whose journey has taken her from Toronto to Cape Breton. In this deeply personal and wide-ranging conversation, Michelle talks about her roots in musical theatre, what it means to redefine success on your own terms, and how returning to a smaller community r...

About This Episode: This week on Stageworthy , host Phil Rickaby welcomes ted witzel , Artistic Director of Buddies in Bad Times Theatre , to discuss the company’s 2025–2026 season and the vital role Buddies plays locally and globally. In this wide-ranging and passionate conversation, ted talks about the curatorial ethos behind the season, how queerness informs both aesthetic and practice, and why...

This week on Stageworthy , host Phil Rickaby welcomes Aisling Murphy , theatre reporter for the Globe and Mail . In a wide-ranging and engaging conversation, Aisling shares the journey from musical theatre student to one of Canada’s leading theatre critics. They discuss her early roots in Baltimore, her move to Canada, and how a moment of personal upheaval redirected her path from performing to cr...

This week on Stageworthy , host Phil Rickaby welcomes a nnemieke wade , Executive Director of the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA). annemieke shares insights from her first six months in the role, her vision for TAPA’s future, and her deep commitment to building frameworks of care and collaboration in Toronto’s arts sector. From revitalizing artist support programs to reimagining re...

This week on Stageworthy , host Phil Rickaby brings you a fourth and final Toronto Fringe Extra episode, featuring interviews with 4 Toronto Fringe Artists, in advance of the Toronto Fringe Festival, running July 2-13 at various locations around Toronto. In this episode: Ronit Rubenstein , creator and performer of Things My Dad Kept SHOW INFO AND TICKETS: https://fringetoronto.com/fringe/show/thin...

This week on Stageworthy , host Phil Rickaby welcomes Rachel Kennedy and Laura Paduch , the co-leads of the Toronto Fringe Festival . With the 2024 edition just days away, Rachel and Laura share insights into what makes this year’s festival unique, including the exciting new partnership with Soulpepper Theatre, the return of beloved venues, and the community-building magic that Fringe fosters year...

This week on  Stageworthy , host  Phil Rickaby  brings you a third Toronto Fringe Extra episode, featuring interviews with 4 Toronto Fringe Artists, in advance of the Toronto Fringe Festival, running July 2-13 at various locations around Toronto. In this episode: Laura Piccinin , co-creator and producer of the new musical Apothecary SHOW INFO AND TICKETS: https://fringetoronto.com/fringe/show/apot...

This week on Stageworthy , host Phil Rickaby welcomes Ben Yoganathan , a Toronto-based actor, writer, and director whose latest work, Zeitgeist , will premiere at the 2024 Toronto Fringe Festival. In a lively and wide-ranging conversation, Ben shares the inspiration behind Zeitgeist , his theatre journey from Guelph to Toronto, his experience with unconventional venues, and his recent creation res...

This week on Stageworthy , host Phil Rickaby brings you another special Toronto Fringe Extra episode, featuring interviews with 4 Toronto Fringe Artists, in advance of the Toronto Fringe Festival, running July 2-13 at various locations around Toronto. In this episode: Emma Golden the writer and producer of the true Halifax story, Potato Potato SHOW INFO AND TICKETS: https://fringetoronto.com/fring...

This week on Stageworthy, host Phil Rickaby assembles a who's who of Toronto theatre podcasters, to talk about Toronto Fringe, shows you should see, the Next Stage Festival, ticket prices and much more! This episode features podcasters: Alison Mullings from Creative Full Time Janine Marley from A View From the Box Alexandra Lean from Being Dramatic Ryan Borochovitz from Cup of Hemlock Theatre Podc...

This week on Stageworthy , host Phil Rickaby brings you a special Toronto Fringe Extra episode, featuring interviews with 4 Toronto Fringe Artists, in advance of the Toronto Fringe Festival, running July 2-13 at various locations around Toronto. In this episode: Dawna Wightman, playwright and performer in HOODY, an edgy retelling of Little Red Riding Hood for people who have kept their child soul....

This week on Stageworthy , host Phil Rickaby presents a solo episode. With the Toronto Fringe Festival on the horizon and multiple episodes currently in production, Phil takes a moment to reflect on the state of Canadian theatre, the importance of building audiences, and the challenges facing the industry today. In a passionate and thought-provoking monologue, he explores the need for better marke...

This week on Stageworthy , host Phil Rickaby welcomes back actor, singer, playwright, and producer Rebecca Perry , marking a full-circle moment as Rebecca was Phil’s very first podcast guest nearly eight years ago. Rebecca shares the journey of her acclaimed solo show Confessions of a Redheaded Coffee Shop Girl , which debuted at the Toronto Fringe ten years ago and has since toured internationall...

This week on Stageworthy , host Phil Rickaby welcomes Javier Vilalta , a Mexican-Canadian interdisciplinary artist, stage director, movement coordinator, translator, and co-founder of 8ROJO Theatre. Based in Calgary, Javier shares his journey through performance, directing, and devising unique and often non-verbal theatre experiences. He reflects on his early challenges as an immigrant artist, the...

This week on Stageworthy , host Phil Rickaby welcomes Nicole Obidiaka , a passionate playwright, arts advocate, and business professional based in St. John's, Newfoundland. Nicole shares her journey from Lagos, Nigeria, to Newfoundland, her work as a playwright amplifying Black voices, and her mission to make theatre more inclusive. She also discusses her play Blank Page , her upcoming work Beauty...

This week on Stageworthy , host Phil Rickaby welcomes Ethan Persyko , a multi-talented actor, playwright, and theatre creator. Ethan shares their journey in the theatre world, their creative process, and the inspiration behind their latest projects. They also discuss their experience working across different genres and the importance of storytelling that reflects diverse perspectives. This episode...

This week on Stageworthy , host Phil Rickaby welcomes Amanda Lin and Julia Dickson , the co-leadership team behind the Paprika Theatre Festival , now celebrating its 24th season. Amanda and Julia share the story of Paprika’s evolution, recent strategic programming changes to prioritize artist and staff well-being, and the organization's commitment to supporting emerging artists. They dive into how...

This week on Stageworthy , host Phil Rickaby speaks with Newfoundland-based actor, writer, director, producer, and self-described instigator Ruth Lawrence . Ruth reflects on a career deeply rooted in community, mentorship, and creative activism. In this rich and thoughtful conversation, she discusses her early theatre influences, why she returned to Newfoundland after studying in Ontario, her pass...

In this episode of Stageworthy , host Phil Rickaby speaks with Toronto-based performer, voice educator, and multidisciplinary artist Tahirih Vejdani . Born in Saint John, NB, and raised in Regina, Tahirih shares the inspiring and non-traditional journey that led her from classical music training in the Prairies to becoming a sought-after artist and educator in Canada’s theatre scene. They discuss...

In this episode of Stageworthy , host Phil Rickaby speaks with Cole Hayley , a theatre artist known for his innovative work and dedication to the Canadian theatre scene. Cole shares insights into his creative journey, the challenges and triumphs of working in theatre, and his latest projects. This episode explores: Cole’s path into theatre and his artistic influences. The challenges of creating an...

This week on Stageworthy , host Phil Rickaby speaks with actor, director, and casting professional Mariel Kathryn Hunter . Based in Saint John, New Brunswick, Mariel has worked extensively in theatre, film, and television, both as a performer and behind the scenes. Mariel shares her journey from Saint John to Vancouver and back, discussing how an unexpected dream pushed her to pursue acting. She a...

This week on Stageworthy , host Phil Rickaby sits down with actor, writer, and theatre creator Scott Garland . A fixture in Toronto’s theatre community, Scott is passionate about playwriting, dramaturgy, and fostering creative spaces. He was one of the curators of Sing for Your Supper , a monthly play reading series that gave playwrights a chance to hear their work performed. Scott is also a found...

Stageworthy is back! After a year-long hiatus, host Phil Rickaby returns to celebrate and amplify Canadian theatre. In this first episode of the relaunch, Phil sits down with playwright, journalist, and Globe and Mail staff writer Graham Isador . Graham discusses his latest play, Truck , a powerful exploration of automation, AI, and the future of labour, opening at Factory Studio Theatre in Toront...

In this final episode of Stageworthy, host Phil Rickaby talks with theatre and opera director, playwright and educator, Peter Hinton-Davis. In addition to his work work as a director, playwright, and educator, from 2005-2012, he took over as the artistic director of English theatre at Ottawa’s National Arts Centre, shaping how Canada conceptualizes its national theatre. He is currently directing C...