Artists At Home: Keeping Busy During Quarantine

In our final episode, we sit down with Jesse Collin, actor and owner of The Craft Self Tape Studio. Jesse shares his insight on what makes a good self tape, and the importance of telling a story. He also gives us a peek inside his new studio and shares what you can expect when taping with him!   Follow Jesse on Instagram (@jessecollin.actor), and check out his website at http://jessecollin-actor.com.   Follow The Craft Self Tape Studio on Instagram (@torontoselftape), and book online at https://torontoselftape.com, by email at info@torontoselftape.com, or by phone or text: (647) 977-2676.

In today's episode, we're chatting with Scott Phyper who is a Stage and Production Manager, Theatre Artist, and most recently, cruise ship entertainment staff! Scott tells us about his experience working in the entertainment department of the Royal Princess cruise ship, what it was like being on a ship when the pandemic hit, and how his homecoming was less exciting than how he'd hoped. Plus, he offers some insight for anyone who may be interested in working on a cruise ship in the future and tells us about the unfortunate accident that he sustained recently while riding his bike (don't worry - he's okay!) Make sure to follow Scott on Instagram (@scottphyper) to stay up to date with what he's up to!

n today's episode, we sit down with pop singer/songwriter Vicki Lovelee to chat about her new single, Breaking Barriers, and how she's still been able to create and release music during this pandemic. In addition to talking about creating her new single, Vicki walks us through her songwriting process and touches on how she's created her public persona. She also talks about some of her musical inspirations, and tells us the one person she regrets passing up the opportunity to see live! Breaking Barriers is out NOW on all streaming platforms!   Vicki Lovelee is a Chinese Canadian pop singer, born and raised in Ontario, Canada. Her songs come to life through her music videos and storytelling lyrics — giving her music another layer of emotion and theatrical drama. She has the ability to combine her emotions with artistic visuals, and incorporating them in her music.   Vicki writes all her lyrics and allows her vulnerability and honesty to shine through her songs. She writes about her experiences such as heartbreak, mental health, falling in love, and her identity as a Chinese Canadian. Everything she writes is about her journey through life and the good & bad that it comes with. She is able to write lyrics that are both relatable and unique to her own experiences. Vicki has a deep love for pop music and culture. She grew up listening to mainly pop and rap as well. She is also influenced by jazz, having studied jazz vocals while in university. Her music is influenced by pop icons like Lady Gaga, Allie X, and MARINA.  Having 3 singles released already, Vicki Lovelee is working hard on new music, ready to be released very soon! You can find her on social media @vickilovelee and her music on all music platforms under the name Vicki Lovelee. Check out her website at www.vickilovelee.com

On today's episode, we had the pleasure of chatting with actor, producer and 1st Degree Blackbelt Tea Nguyen! We got to talk about ways to improve your mental wellbeing, burning out as an artist, and what the future may hold for us resilient artists and creators.  Tea Nguyen is an alumna of Niagara College's Acting for Film and Television Program, and a graduate of Second City's Improv Program. Since graduating, some of her credits include starring in No Visible Scars, a two hander off-off Broadway play in the New York International Fringe Festival. Tea performs as (and co-wrote for) Empress Wu Zetian in NASTY, which went on to win Patrons Pick in the 2017 Toronto Fringe Festival, and remounted in the 2018 Feminist Fuck It Festival. Tea also embodies Lady Nijo in Alumnae Theatre's 2019 production of Top Girls, and is a lead in an ensemble cast in TV pilot My Spot. Tea is a 1st degree Black Belt in Taekwondo and her favourite weapon is the Bo Staff. Tea is the co-founder and lead Producer of Reverie Arts, an indie film company based in Toronto, and is an Executive Producer with the indie arts coalition, an arts service organization serving the indie artist community. "I want to empower BI-POC artists, LGBTQIA+ performers and women's voices through film and the arts".

In today's episode, we chat with Peter Kelly, founder and Artistic Director of New Blue Emerging Dance and company dancer with Toronto Dance Theatre about the ways in which the pandemic impacted New Blue's annual festival in June, as well as what his plans are for the future!  Born in Guelph ON, Peter Kelly is a Toronto based dancer, choreographer, artistic director, teacher, stage manager and producer. Peter is a graduate of the Dance Performance Studies program at George Brown College and is now in his fifth season as a company dancer with Toronto Dance Theatre (TDT). Beyond TDT, Peter has worked with Summerworks Performance Festival as the Patron Services Coordinator, with Dance Ontario as the Provincial Networks Coordinator, and is currently the Artistic Director of New Blue Emerging Dance. Under the banner of Suede & Company, Peter explores/creates interdisciplinary works that aim to tackle barriers associated with sexual identity and queer culture.

In today's episode, we sit down with the hilarious and fabulous Ryan G. Hinds to chat about his work during the pandemic, his recent experience gracing the cover of NOW Magazine, and the hilarious (albeit ridiculous) request he once received from an audience member mid-show! In this extended cut, we also hear Ryan talk about his experience working with Liza Minelli, having Chita Rivera as his mentor, and give his take on the now-infamous moment in which Patti LuPone stopped a performance of Gypsy over a ringing cellphone. To wrap it up, we play a Broadway-inspired lightning round game, and Ryan spills the beans on who made the better Norma Desmond - Patti LuPone or Glenn Close!

In today's episode, we sit down with the hilarious and outspoken Alexandria Smith, dance instructor and IBI therapist, to talk about everything from how her schooling in Developmental Psychology impacted the way she approaches teaching dance to how she was chased by a coyote and jumped over a fence during a picnic! 

On today's episode, we talk with Mary-Margaret Annab, multi-disciplinary artist and current Production Coordinator at Harbourfront Centre, about making theatre during the pandemic. We talk about the problems theatre artists face in the midst of re-opening, the experience of making online content, and the mental impact this pandemic has on artists.   Mary-Margaret Annab is a multi-disciplinary artist and youth arts educator based in Toronto, Ontario. A graduate of York University’s BFA Production program, she currently works as a Production Coordinator at the Harbourfront Centre and as a teacher with studios across the GTA. She is particularly passionate about mental health in the arts and creating safe, accessible spaces for artists of all backgrounds. Selected credits include Cast Director for “Fame”, “Once on This Island”, and “Matilda” (Innovative Arts), Director for “Into the Woods” and “The Vagina Monologues” (Leeds, UK), Production Manager for “Don Giovanni” (Leeds, UK), “Head a Tete” and “The Concept” (Edinburgh Fringe Festival), and stage manager for “Every Revolution” (Leeds, UK) and “Riding Off in All Directions” (Irox Productions).

In today's episode, we sit down with the incredibly talented Alexandra Augustine to talk about everything from YouTube to poi spinning! Alexandra walks us through the process of creating some of her favourite YouTube characters, and also plays a game of musical impressions with some of them! She also talks about how she's been using her pandemic time, and all the projects she's taken on!   Alexandra Augustine is an actor, writer and creator residing in Toronto. Graduated from York Universities Acting Conservatory in 2013, Alexandra has since been involved with theatre, film, television, voice-over and video games. (Assassin's Creed: Odyssea, Pretty Little Things etc)  She also is a content creator on YouTube, with her channel Alexandra The Great, as well as appearing on various larger channels for collaboration videos (Dating Beyond Borders, Bahador Alast, Parabolica).  She is currently in the process of developing two screenplays for television, and has released The Do To List (Isolation Short Film  Festival Honourable Mention) as her debut short for her production company Barthlomew and Gustav.

In today's episode, we sit down with Cassandra Popescu, who is a photographer, writer, and communications professional in the music industry. Cassandra tells us all about taking her photography business virtual during the pandemic, and how she's been using this time to polish up her skills, as well as learning new ones!   Cassandra Popescu is a photographer, writer, and communications professional in the music industry. Her focus lies in music photography, public relations, and social media. Since picking up a camera in 2015, Cassandra has covered hundreds of shows and various music festivals. She has a passion for live music and bringing people together, which has led her on a path collaborating with teams to plan and execute multidisciplinary arts events. Whether it's being in the photo pit to capture a moment, or working tirelessly with a team to bring an event to life, Cassandra thrives in the fast-paced nature of the creative industries.

📣📣Giveaway Alert!!!!📣📣   We're giving away two tickets to Toronto's Immersive Van Gogh exhibit! If YOU want a chance to win tickets to exhibit, all you need to do are follow these three steps!   1) Make sure you're following us on Instagram! (@theatreinsomnia)   2) Give our latest IGTV video a like!  3) Comment on the video tagging the person you'll bring with you if you win!    That's it! Contest closes at 6 pm on Saturday, July 18th and a winner will be selected and random and contacted via DM on Sunday, July 19th.    _________________________________________________________   On today's episode of Artists at Home, we're chatting with Valeriy Kostyuk, Assistant Producer at Starvox Entertainment and Associate Producer at Theaturtle, about Toronto's new Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit! Val walks us through the process of bringing this exhibit to Toronto, how they adapted it with social distancing in mind, and how this exhibit created tons of jobs for people who may be facing financial hardship caused by COVID-19. Whether on foot or in the comfort of your car, this is an experience you won't want to miss!

In this episode, we take a look at the challenges comedians are facing during quarantine with comedian Amanda Custodio. She walks us through what it's like doing stand up comedy on Zoom - the ups and the downs - and how her artistic process has changed due to the pandemic.   Amanda Custodio is a comedian born and raised in Toronto, ON. Before Comedy, she pursued Theatre and obtained a degree in Theatre with a specialization in playwriting. Following that she trained at the second city Toronto, working with comics Todd Van Allen and Jim McAleese to name a few. Last year she was a quarter-finalist in Toronto’s Annual Comedy Brawl and has performed at big venues such as Absolute Comedy and Comedy Bar. Prior to the COVID-19 epidemic, she started running a show at the Social Capital theatre called “the Amanda show: a comedy/variety show.” She has continued to run this show online since on zoom, as well as a personalized birthday roast, and “It’s gonna be May,” a show revolved around the “it’s gonna be May,” meme of Justin Timberlake we all love.  Follow Amanda on Instagram to hear more about her stand up @amandacustodio.comedian

In this episode, we're chatting with professional guitarist and freelance musician Dave Kirby about everything from teaching guitar online, to the Ramone's show they worked on together and Charlie Puth. Their conversation was too long for IGTV, but check out our podcast (available now on Apple Podcasts and coming soon to Spotify and Google) for the full interview! Link in our bio!  Dave Kirby is a professional touring guitarist from Toronto, Ontario, Canada.  As a freelance musician and sideman, Dave has been involved in countless projects but has carved out a reputation for himself in the country music scene.  Dave has played for Madeline Merlo, Shawn Austin, Kira Isabella, Alli Walker, Kentucky Rails, and many more.  Recently, Dave has launched a comprehensive online guitar program called String Theory Online Guitar Courses that teaches guitarists of any level the foundational principles of music theory and improvisation as it applies to the guitar.  Whether you are new to the guitar, or you’re already well on your way, Dave’s online guitar courses will push your guitar playing to the next level.  Learn more about Dave’s online guitar courses at www.davekirbymusic.com, and follow him on Instagram @davekirbymusic.

Today, Wendel Wray is back to chat with the amazing Chi-Chi Onuah about her blog and podcast, Northern Roots Canada, as well as auditioning in New York, and the importance of creating safe spaces in theatre. Chi-Chi Onuah is a Toronto-based actress with a BA in Devised Theatre from York University. She is the creator of Northern Roots Canada, an artist lifestyle blog and podcast that shines the spotlight on Canadian artists, both at home and abroad. In her downtime, she enjoys finding new horror films to watch and daydreaming about her next getaway. Follow her on social media to stay up-to-date with Northern Roots Canada and more! Instagram: @chichi.onuah Twitter: @chichionuah

Today, our Artistic Director, Ashley Elliott, sits down with Nightwood Theatre's Director of Development, Victoria Laberge, to talk about their Lawyer show on June 18th, and how it's gone virtual this year! Victoria Laberge is a Toronto-based arts administrator originally from Montreal. In addition to her role as the Director of Development for Nightwood Theatre, Canada’s flagship feminist theatre company since 1979, she also serves as the Publicist for Sex T-Rex Comedy and as the Marketing Coordinator for Puppetmongers Theatre. She was a Co-Producer of the award-winning People Suck in 2015 (Best of Fringe, Toronto Fringe Festival), Morro and Jasp: Save The Date for the 2020 Next Stage Theatre Festival, and of Confabulation Storytelling from 2016-2019. As a freelance publicist, Victoria has had the honour of working on such productions as Theatre Inamorata’s Gray; Cue6 Theatre’s Dry Land (One of the 10 best theatre productions of 2018, The Globe and Mail); Dive Bar Theatre’s Lighters in the Air (Outstanding Production of the 2018 Toronto Fringe Festival, NOW Magazine); and Scantily Glad Theatre’s Pack Animals. Victoria has served on the jury of the Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival since 2018. In 2019, she received the My Entertainment World Honourary Critics’ Pick Award for Publicity.

We kick things off with Theatre Insomnia's Managing Director, Wendel Wray, chatting with guest Emily Dix about everything from Zoom performances to making fake food with a three-year-old! Emily Dix is a Toronto based theatre artist and photographer. She has been directing, producing and designing for theatre for over 10 years, and is the Artistic Executive Director of Bygone Theatre. She currently works as the AXTP Producer for Crow's Theatre. Recently, she launched a new initiative, the Toronto Independent Theatre Coalition (TITC) which she runs as Founder and Executive Director. She also works as a freelance photographer, specializing in theatre and live events.

Theatre Insomnia's Managing Director, Wendel Wray, talks with Emily Dix about everything from the struggles of running workshops over Zoom to making prop food with a three-year-old.Emily Dix is a Toronto based theatre artist and photographer. She has...