At the time in which I am writing this column, we are now around the time of the season in which many local theatre productions have just opened, or perhaps are approaching opening night within the next week or so. As always, there tends to be a mixture of both excitement and anxiety among all those involved. I know I’m not alone when I say that I’ve have experienced these feelings in the lead-up to shows, on many occasions.

One of the Artistic Director’s challenges at any theater company is navigating the choppy waters of selecting a season of productions.  There are so many variables to juggle that, in the end, the choices can almost seem arbitrary.  But of course nothing that takes so much time and research and consideration and negotiation can be arbitrary.  Budgets aside, it is really all about who we are trying to please, including ourselves.

Soulpepper on 42nd Street is Soulpepper's US debut - a Festival of 12 Canadian productions, including original concerts. From July 1-29, the company is programming the entire Pershing Square Signature Center on 42nd St in New York, just off-Broadway. 

Onstage Blog Canadian Contributor Damon Jang had a chance to attend Opening Night on Canada 150 on July 1st during his vacation in New York. Here is some facts about Soulpepper and the festival.

Spotify just made me a “summer jams” playlist based on my listening habits that includes, no joke, the entr’acte from “Pippin”, so it probably won't surprise you to learn that I didn’t participate in sports as a child. Like, at all. 

However, I don't think I'm any worse off for fulfilling this nerd stereotype, because my high school sport was community theater. Every value and life skill that kids get from team athletics, I got from the stage.

Every theatergoer knows this moment: Act one ends. The ushers emerge from the darkness. The air fills with static as hundreds of people rise with a single purpose.

The intermission restroom stampede is about to begin.

More than once, I've been swept away on a tide of patrons racing to relieve themselves before act two. I'd like to avoid the chaos, but sometimes staying in my seat just isn't an option. Sometimes I need to make the most of those sweet fifteen minutes myself.

I've been thinking about how to navigate the throngs. How about you? What are your strategies for having a good bathroom experience at a Broadway show?

On occasion, I have been approached by people I have never had anything to do with, who seem to think I may have a higher level of involvement then perhaps I actually do, or are possibly a little inexperienced in the way things actually work. The most common request I get from complete strangers who have an interest in acting is that I let them know of anything that might be appropriate for them to do.

“Please keep me in mind if anything comes you think I might be suited for.”

Last month the Public Theater in New York became a national bulls-eye for Trump supporters over their modernized production of Julius Ceasar. The outrage resulted in protests and even audience members storming the stage during the show. 

Rather than stand by the theatre and support artistic expression, two major sponsors decided to pull their financial support, Delta Airlines and Bank of America. Both companies stated how the actions depicted in the show went against their company's philosophies, which seemed newly adopted with the election of President Trump. 

As a creative person, I am extremely interested in the health and well-being benefits of creativity & the arts. After my degree, I am looking into going into the art therapy world and one day hope to own my own art therapy center. To further my knowledge of this area, I did a presentation at university, exploring the benefits of four main areas: dance, creative writing, music and drama.

To the Actors at the Stage Door,

Thank you. 

Far often you are not thanked for the simple task of being you.  

As a fan of the theatre and all the magnificent traditions it holds, I have been able to witness countless performers blow out their voices on a Sunday night, fight through illnesses and personal hardships, and give their everything to eight shows a week. And yet, we still see them after each performance with a smile on their face.

There is no doubt that live theatre can make hearts aflutter. Whether it's the opening chords of "Hamilton" or seeing Elphaba fly for the first time, it's an easy to assume that the heartbeats in the theatre are going just a bit fast. 

Now a theatre in England wants to see just how much.