Stageworthy

About This Episode In this episode of Stageworthy, host Phil Rickaby speaks with acclaimed playwright, actor, and screenwriter Anusree Roy about her newest play, Through the Eyes of God, now onstage at Theatre Passe-Muraille. The conversation explores Roy’s evolving artistic process, the deeply personal roots of her storytelling, and her journey between theatre and television writing. In this episode: Writing as an act of witnessing and responsibility The emotional and ethical weight of socially engaged theatre Navigating the Canadian theatre landscape as a playwright of colour Collaboration, trust, and the rehearsal room as community Sustaining an artistic life while carrying urgent stories And much more! Guest:

About This Episode: In this episode of Stageworthy, host Phil Rickaby sits down with Dienye Waboso Amajor — a Dora-nominated Nigerian actor, writer, and interdisciplinary artist living and working in Ontario. With an academic background in theatre and performance studies and ongoing doctoral research, Dienye’s practice bridges performance, scholarship, and cultural storytelling. This Episode Explores: Dienye’s journey as a Nigerian artist working in Canada The relationship between scholarship and performance practice Creating work grounded in lived experience and research The role of voice — personal, cultural, and artistic Balancing academic study with creative practice And much more! Guest:

About This Episode: In this episode of Stageworthy, host Phil Rickaby sits down with Tim Porter, founding Artistic Director of Tweed & Company Theatre, to talk about what it means to build a sustainable professional theatre company outside of major urban centres. This Episode Explores: Founding Tweed & Company and building a company from the ground up Why regional and rural theatre matters in Canada Audience relationships outside major urban centres Sustainability, scale, and expectations in Canadian theatre The difference between serving a community and chasing prestige And much more! Guest:

About This Episode: In this episode of Stageworthy, host Phil Rickaby speaks with Jack Burrill, actor, director, acting coach, and Artistic Director of Unchained Theatre. What begins as a shared nerd-out over Shakespeare quickly becomes a wide-ranging conversation about why these 400-year-old plays still matter - and how indie theatre is often where their most exciting reinventions happen. This episode explores: Founding Unchained Theatre during the pandemic Modernizing classic texts without losing their soul Performing Shakespeare in small, intimate spaces Why indie theatre matters in Toronto’s ecosystem Theatre as an irreplaceable live experience And much more! Guest:

About This Episode: In this solo Stageworthy episode, host Phil Rickaby takes a deep dive into the idea of “nation-building” — and why Canada keeps getting it wrong. Sparked by post-election rhetoric around pipelines, railways, housing, and AI infrastructure, Phil argues that these are construction projects, not nation-building ones. True nation-building, he suggests, happens through culture — and specifically through the arts. Drawing on Canadian history, from the Massey Commission to the creation of the Canada Council for the Arts, Phil traces how arts funding was once understood as a form of national defence — a way of protecting Canadian identity from cultural erasure. He contrasts that history with today’s fixation on GDP, ROI, and “bankable” outcomes, and asks what happens to a country when its soul is treated as discretionary. This episode is part rant, part cultural history lesson, and part call to action — urging Canada to remember that theatres, music, film, and storytelling don’t just entertain us.

About This Episode: In this episode of Stageworthy, host Phil Rickaby sits down with Gabrielle Martin, Artistic Director of Vancouver’s PuSh International Performing Arts Festival. Gabrielle discusses her unconventional path into arts leadership, the realities of curating large-scale interdisciplinary work, and the responsibility of presenting challenging, global performance within a local context. This episode explores: Gabrielle’s journey into arts leadership and festival direction The role of PuSh Festival within Vancouver’s cultural ecosystem Curating interdisciplinary and international performance Audience engagement and accessibility in contemporary performance The realities of producing large-scale work in Canada Care, sustainability, and leadership in the performing arts And much more! Guest:

About This Episode: In this episode of Stageworthy, host Phil Rickaby sits down with theatre producer and arts leader Reid Vanier for a candid conversation about producing, leadership, and building sustainable theatre ecosystems. Reid reflects on his path into the industry, the realities of working behind the scenes, the theatre scene in Whitehorse, and the evolving responsibilities of producers in today’s cultural landscape. This episode explores: Reid’s journey into theatre producing and arts leadership Balancing artistic ambition with organizational sustainability Leadership styles within theatre companies and cultural institutions Supporting artists while managing limited resources The evolving landscape of Canadian theatre production Collaboration, trust, and communication in creative teams And more! Guest:

In this episode of Stageworthy, host Phil Rickaby sits down with Joe Szekeres, founder of Our Theatre Voice, for an in-depth conversation about theatre criticism, community theatre, and why live performance still matters. As Stageworthy enters its tenth year, this discussion reflects on the changing landscape of Canadian theatre journalism, the responsibilities of reviewers, and the importance of constructive, thoughtful criticism. This episode explores: Joe’s path from community theatre to theatre criticism The founding and philosophy behind Our Theatre Voice The value of training and mentorship in theatre criticism Constructive criticism versus negativity Funding pressures and their impact on production choices Championing Canadian stories and homegrown work And much more! Guest:

About This Episode: In this special roundtable episode of Stageworthy, host Phil Rickaby is joined by theatre critics and podcasters Janine Marley (A View From the Box) and Ryan Borochovitz (The Cup / Cup of Hemlock Theatre) for an in-depth conversation reflecting on the past year in Toronto theatre. Connect with Janine and A View From the Box:

About This Episode: This week, Phil Rickaby welcomes Stephanie Malek, performer and producer, to discuss the magic of improvised musicals, the history of Bad Dog Theatre, and the power of finding community through art. Stephanie, who is involved in the show Holiday, an improvised musical, shares insights into the rigorous training required for musical improv, the importance of nurturing other artists, and more! In this episode: Holiday, the Improvised Musical at Factory Theatre Bad Dog Theatre, Improv and the community The Fandom Show Podcast And more! Guest:

About This Episode: This week on Stageworthy, host Phil Rickaby welcomes Kanika Ambrose, an award-winning playwright, librettist, and screenwriter whose work spans theatre, opera, and television. Kanika shares her path from writing poetry as a child to becoming one of Canada’s most exciting multidisciplinary storytellers, known for blending sharp social insight with bold, imaginative worlds. She discusses her three plays in production right now: our place, at Black Theatre Workshop, The Christmas Market at Crow's in association with b Current and Studio 180 Theatre and Moonlight Schooner at Canadian Stage, in association with Necessary Angel and Tarragon Theatre. This episode explores: Kanika’s creative beginnings and path to becoming a playwright Finding her voice in writing after initially pursuing acting How motherhood reshaped her creative life Creating space for Black women and Caribbean stories in Canadian theatre and much more! Guest: ✍️ Kanika Ambrose Kanika Ambrose is a two-time Dora Awar

About This Episode: This week on Stageworthy, host Phil Rickaby welcomes Fiona Sauder, co-founder and Artistic Director of Bad Hats Theatre. Known for their inventive, musical, family-friendly adaptations of classic literature, Bad Hats has become one of Toronto’s most celebrated indie theatre companies. Fiona shares the origin story of the company, beginning with a serendipitous brewery production of Peter Pan and growing into a long-standing partnership with Soulpepper, as well as their upcoming production of Narnia. This episode explores: The origins and evolution of Bad Hats Theatre How Fiona approaches adapting iconic children’s literature Theatre as a space of joy, presence, and shared imagination Fiona’s artistic journey from Ottawa to George Brown to Soulpepper And much more! Guest:

About This Episode: This week on Stageworthy, host Phil Rickaby is joined by Dian Marie Bridge, Artistic Director of the Black Theatre Workshop (BTW) in Montreal. Dian discusses the legacy of BTW, which is celebrating its 55th anniversary this year , as one of Canada's oldest Black and ethnocultural theatre companies. The conversation delves into the company's commitment to community service and fostering new talent through its influential program, as well as BTW's production of Kanika Ambrose's Our Place at Montreal's Segal Centre for Performing Arts (Studio) from Nov. 19-30. This episode explores: BTW’s 55th Anniversary and Mission The Play Our Place, by Kanika Ambrose BTW's Club Zed Festival, featuring work by Black writers The Theatre scene in Montreal BTW's Artist Mentor Program And much more! Guest:

About This Episode: This week on Stageworthy, host Phil Rickaby welcomes Aaron Joel Craig (Same Boat Theatre) and Stephanie Hope Lawlor (Rooks Theatre) to discuss their co-production of Ibsen’s A Doll’s House in Hamilton. This episode explores: Reimagining A Doll’s House as a story for 2025 audiences The intersection of feminism, capitalism, and personal freedom Building independent theatre in Hamilton’s evolving arts scene The power of site-specific and intimate performance spaces Collaboration between Rooks Theatre and Same Boat Theatre Creating sustainability and opportunity for indie theatre artists How theatre can thrive outside major city centers Turning creative frustration into community impact Guests:

About This Episode: This week on Stageworthy, host Phil Rickaby welcomes Will Parry, actor, singer, and content creator based in Toronto. Known for his work as a musical theatre performer and social media consultant for artists and theatre companies, Will shares insights into how creatives can better express their authentic selves online while building stronger connections with audiences. This episode explores: Balancing social media and theatre careers Authenticity and “brand voice” for artists and theatre companies Finding confidence in sharing your work online Discovering puppetry through The Wizard of Oz and beyond The art of cabaret and creating personal connection on stage Writing for young audiences and exploring digital culture through theatre and more! Guest:

About This Episode: This week on Stageworthy, host Phil Rickaby welcomes Steven Hao, actor, director, and artistic director of Puckers Theatre Company. Currently in his second season at the Stratford Festival, Steven shares his journey from Victoria, BC, to the national stage, performing in acclaimed productions like Anne of Green Gables, Forgiveness, Salesman in China, and Romeo and Juliet. This episode explores: Steven’s journey from improv and high school musicals to the Stratford Festival Building a company (Puckers) to champion new voices and sustainable theatre The need for long-term investment in Canadian plays and playwrights Artistic leadership and the challenges of developing the next generation of ADs Balancing performing, directing, and leadership And much more Guest:

About This Episode: This week on Stageworthy, host Phil Rickaby is joined by Emily Dix, artistic executive director of Bygone Theatre and the lead behind their mixed use affordable arts space, The Bridge. Emily shares the company’s journey from its beginnings in classic theatre to its evolution into original Canadian works that blend vintage aesthetics with contemporary themes. She discusses her creative process, the importance of atmosphere and design, and the challenges and rewards of running an independent theatre company. This episode explores: The evolution of Bygone Theatre Building immersive, design-driven theatre experiences Challenges and opportunities of running an indie company in Toronto The role of aesthetics, nostalgia, and storytelling in Emily’s work Directing, producing, and writing for small-scale theatre Fostering community and mentorship in the theatre scene Guest:

About This Episode: This week on Stageworthy, host Phil Rickaby is joined by actor, singer, and producer Michael Esposito II. Michael discusses the challenges and rewards of mounting Daniel MacIvor's solo play, Monster, which he is producing and performing in Kelowna, B.C. He shares the creative process of integrating projections and music into the show to make it feel more like an immersive "monster experience" than a traditional one-person play. Michael also talks about his background in Toronto and New York, the evolving theatre scene in Kelowna, and his other work in the Okanagan Valley, including themed jazz shows at a local speakeasy winery. This episode explores: Bringing Daniel MacIvor’s Monster to life in Kelowna The creative freedom and risks of solo performance Using projection in live theatre Building independent theatre outside major city centres The importance of community and adaptability for artists The joy and discipline of performing across genres—from MacIvor to musical theatre

About This Episode: This week on Stageworthy, host Phil Rickaby is joined by Michael Kras, playwright, director, and one of Canada’s busiest magic designers. Michael has designed magic and illusions for theatres across the country and is the resident magic and illusions lead for the North American tour of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. He also joins the Tarragon Theatre’s Greenhouse Residency to develop his new solo play Love Me Back, a piece that blends sleight-of-hand magic with storytelling. This episode explores: Michael’s path from magician to playwright and director Integrating magic into theatre in meaningful ways The role of magic design in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child The Hamilton theatre scene and its challenges Writing for young audiences and why those stories matter The creation of his magic book Synthesis and Secrets Developing his new play Love Me Back at Tarragon’s Greenhouse Residency Guest:

About This Episode: This week on Stageworthy, host Phil Rickaby is joined by Chloë Whitehorn, who is currently based in Kingston, Ontario. Chloë, a former actor, discusses her journey to becoming a prolific writer, focusing on themes of women's rights and mental health. She talks about how her plays—which include The Pigeon, Blood River, and Fall After Midsummer —are driven by characters and their emotions rather than just issues. Chloë also offers a glimpse into the Kingston theatre scene, her unique writing methods, and her perspective on why Canadian theatre struggles with second productions. This episode explores: How Chloë's approach to playwriting is rooted in character and emotion, stemming from her acting background. The challenge of tackling dark themes and how she judges where to stop when exploring traumatic topics. Her writing process, which involves working well with deadlines and puzzling pieces together rather than outlining. Why she returned to Canada after living in the US and the cultural d