Winnipeg Theatre Awards Launched

Winnipeg Theatre Awards Launched

Winnipeg was exposed to the best of the best last night at the city’s inaugural Winnipeg Theatre Awards on November 12th. A labour of love, sweat and yes, tears led by our amazing Organizing Committee comprised of Joff Schmidt, Mel Marginet, Stepanie Plaitin, Brenda McLean, Kevin Longfield and yours truly along with a sea of volunteers brought a decades old dream to reality. In 1.5 hours, we presented 10 Outstanding Theatre Awards, 2 Emerging Artist Awards and 3 Honorary Awards to a cross-section of junior and senior theatre artists, followed by a FANTASTIC party! The community never looked better, brighter or happier! Bravo to all!!

 

Joff & Brenda showing off their “fashion sense”!

School of Rock is Rollin’

School of Rock is Rollin’

WST’s StudioWorks rehearsals for School of Rock are underway and our incredibly talented and hard working cast of 27 emerging artists are having a blast! Needless to say you will be seeing and hearing much about this production over the next few months. With direction by Kayla Gordon, Asst. Direction/Choreo by Brenda Gorlick, Music Direction by Rachel Cameron and our incredible team including Rebekah Jones, Brooke Pluta, Angelina Alberto and Melissa Langdon, we are off to a “rockin’ start. Thx to Kayla, we also have savvy cast photos to share!

U of M’s Homecoming 2017

U of M’s Homecoming 2017

I had the chance to take a trip down memory lane with seven wonderful young performers/alumni of U of Manitoba as part of their Homecoming Weekend celebration. We danced through hits from the 50’s – 80’s celebrating the achievements of both the university’s many successes and their ongoing supports of the arts including the newest Desautels Faculty of Music building. What a blast!!

Closing Ceremonies-Canada Games

Closing Ceremonies-Canada Games

So…20 years after the fact, I had the great pleasure of working in the Ceremonies Division of the Canada Games…and true to it’s name…it was the Hottest Summer in Half a Century. The heat was felt by all the performers, crew, technicians and backstage volunteers but everyone managed to pull of a spectacular show. There’s nothing like filling a football field with young and vibrant energy (performers and athletes) brilliant costuming (thx to PRP’s Brianne), colossal handheld props and supersize puppets (shoutout to Dan & his crew). The dancers were enthusiastic and well-taught by choreographer Jocelyn Peden, Kelsey Chase and our local team of dance captains- Maddie, Samantha, Brooke and more…Thanks to Patrick Roberge, Jen Jensen-Tracy, Heather, Megan and the entire PRP team for making it happen. See you in 2037!!