Stageworthy

Stageworthy

Now in its 10th year, Stageworthy is Canada’s theatre podcast, bringing you in-depth interviews with theatre artists, panel discussions, and more. Each week, host Phil Rickaby sits down with the people who make theatre happen: from household names to artists you should know. Whether you're an audience member, a theatre maker, or just plain curious about Canadian theatre, Stageworthy offers a front-row seat to the conversations shaping the industry. New episodes every Tuesday.

  1. 6d ago

    Annie Luján & Veronica Hortigüela are Bringing Chaos to the Monastery with Monks

    About This Episode: Annie Luján and Veronica Hortigüela are the creators and performers behind Monks, a two-person clown show about a pair of medieval Spanish monks who invite a wagon full of strangers to spend a day at their monastery; and chaos ensues. What started as a self-funded, unscripted experiment at the Toronto Fringe in 2024 became one of the hottest tickets in the city, spawning multiple remounts and a triumphant run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe before returning home to Toronto for a full production at Tarragon Theatre. Guests: 🎭 Annie Luján & Veronica Hortigüela Annie Luján (she/her) is a Dora Award-winning Costa Rican-Canadian actor and clown. She is a graduate of the 2022 Soulpepper Academy and Concordia University. As a clown, Annie has trained/worked internationally in Italy, the U.S., the U.K. and Canada. Her credits include: Laura Secord’s Thing (Crow’s - Upcoming), Dance Nation (Coal Mine), The Welkin, King Lear (Soulpepper), A Little Closer (The Vault) Last Landscape (Bad New Days), Comedy of Errors (The Grove) and Storybook Search (Bad Hats). Veronica Hortigüela (she/her) is a Dora-Award winning Spanish-Canadian actor, clown, and playwright, born and raised in Scarborough, Ontario. She is one half of the creative/performance team behind MONKS (Tarragon, Edinburgh Fringe, Theatre Centre, Crow’s, County Stage, Toronto Fringe). She's passionate about seeing theatre through various phases of development and has had the pleasure of working with Canadian Stage, Crow’s, Buddies in Bad Times, Stratford, Tarragon, Factory, Shakespeare in the Ruff, and YPT on the development of new plays. Performance credits include: The Shoplifters [Upcoming], Bremen Town, Feast (Tarragon Theatre), The Bidding War, Prodigal (Crow’s Theatre), Casimir and Caroline (Howland Co., Dora Award - Best Ensemble), Little Women, Every Little Nookie (Stratford Festival) and Dry Land (Cue6). Connect with Annie & Veronica: 📸 Instagram: @monksonstage Get Tickets to Monks @ Tarragon Theatre October 20-November 8: https://tarragontheatre.com/plays/tarragon-season-26-27/monks/ Subscribe & Follow: 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Podchaser | Amazon Music | iHeart Radio 📺 Watch on YouTube – Like, subscribe & hit the notification bell! Support Stageworthy: If you love the show, consider supporting on Patreon: patreon.com/stageworthy Patrons get early access to episodes, participate in conversations about topics to cover, and more. With three backer levels: $2, $7, and $20. Thank you to my Patrons: Chris, Georgia, Heather J, Tanisha, Aisling, Cassie, Heather, Jeanette, Steve, Makambe Can't commit to monthly support? Leave a one-time tip here: ko-fi.com/stageworthy Read transcript

  2. Oct 6

    Kelly Taylor and Hools Kay are Un (Capital F) Famous in Toronto

    About This Episode: Kelly Taylor is the kind of artist who doesn't wait for permission. When the roles aren't coming, she writes them. When she doesn't get into fringe, she books her own theatre. When she needs a director, she calls a friend she trusts, Hools Kay. That spirit is exactly what Un (Capital F) Famous is built on: a show about an actress who loses everything and has to find her way back to the art that made her fall in love with performing in the first place. In this conversation, Kelly and Hools talk about how the show came together, what it was like growing up in a clown family, Fringe touring and much more! Guests: 🎭 Kelly Taylor and Hools Kay Kelly Taylor is a jill-of-all-trades who has extensive experience wearing many different creative hats. Hailing from a family of literal- clowns, comedy runs through the this purple haired millennial veins. Kelly is a voice actor specializing in animation, a writer, a producer and an actor. Kelly creates comedy inspired by her zany life and engages her audiences through her personal flare and eternal optimism. A neurodivergent, queer, creative, Hools Kay has been around the block for all things art making. After spending the last 7 years working on creating their own series and having that bubble burst abruptly this past summer, Hools is super stoked to be in the director's chair for their Toronto directorial debut. As an actor, Hools can be found doing interactive performances with companies across the city like The Dinner Detective and EscapeShow. They have always found brilliance in collective creation with passionate artists, and working alongside Kelly Taylor fits that description perfectly. Connect with Kelly & Hools Kelly's Instagram: @itskellytaylor Hools' Instagram: @hookslaybae Get tickets to Un (Capital F) Famous: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/kelly-taylor-121616969983 Subscribe & Follow: 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Podchaser | Amazon Music | iHeart Radio 📺 Watch on YouTube – Like, subscribe & hit the notification bell! Support Stageworthy: If you love the show, consider supporting on Patreon: patreon.com/stageworthy Patrons get early access to episodes, participate in conversations about topics to cover, and more. With three backer levels: $2, $7, and $20. Thank you to my Patrons: Chris, Georgia, Heather J, Tanisha, Aisling, Cassie, Heather, Jeanette, Steve, Makambe Can't commit to monthly support? Leave a one-time tip here: ko-fi.com/stageworthy Read transcript

  3. Sep 29

    Jay Northcott is Bringing Joy, Blackness, and Bootycandy to Buddies in Bad Times

    In this episode: Jay Northcott is a director, educator, and multidisciplinary artist whose work is rooted in joy, specificity, and a deep commitment to centring the full humanity of Black and queer artists. In this conversation, Jay joins Stageworthy host, Phil Rickaby to talk about Bootycandy, Robert O'Hara's wildly funny and emotionally complex play running at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre in association with Obsidian Theatre; and why a play written by an American offers a powerful opportunity to interrogate what it means to make distinctly Canadian art. Guest: 🎭 Jay Northcott Jay (They/Them) is a multidisciplinary Creator, Director, Producer, and former  Big Brother Canada contestant. Central to Jay’s creative and artistic practice is their advocacy for marginalized communities including Palestinians, Indigenous, Black, Racialized, Queer, Trans folks and beyond. The art they create is a window into their world, soul, values, and imagination. Art is freedom and freedom breathes life.  Credits include: 7 METHODS OF KILLING KYLIE JENNER (Obsidian Theatre), KING LEAR (Stratford Festival), COTTAGERS AND INDIANS (Watermark Theatre, PEI), CONCORD FLORAL (Randolph College), 21 BLACK FUTURES (Obsidian Theatre, CBC), THE PARASITE (Theatre Outrè), PREMIUM CONTENT (Major Matt Mason). Connect with Jay: 📸 Instagram: @jaythemcott Subscribe & Follow: 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Podchaser | Amazon Music | iHeart Radio 📺 Watch on YouTube – Like, subscribe & hit the notification bell! Support Stageworthy: If you love the show, consider supporting on Patreon: patreon.com/stageworthy Patrons get early access to episodes, participate in conversations about topics to cover, and more. With three backer levels: $2, $7, and $20. Thank you to my Patrons: Chris, Georgia, Heather J, Tanisha, Aisling, Cassie, Heather, Jeanette, Steve, Makambe Can't commit to monthly support? Leave a one-time tip here: ko-fi.com/stageworthy Read transcript

  4. Sep 22

    Erin Shields is Bringing Deaf and Hearing Worlds Together in To A Flame

    About This Episode: Playwright Erin Shields joins Phil for a wide-ranging conversation about To a Flame, her loose adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's The Fall of the House of Usher, a production fifteen years in the making that features both deaf and hearing performers and is performed in spoken English and American Sign Language. Erin also reflects on a remarkable year of productions, from Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary to Medusa to You Always, and how the pandemic, gave her the space to experiment with form in ways she hadn't before, and much more! Guest: ✍️ Erin Shields Erin Shields is a Canadian playwright, actor and educator based in Toronto. Most of her work highlights the negation or misrepresentation of women in classical texts by adapting these stories through a feminist lens for a contemporary audience. She likes making large plays for large stages. Her work has played across Canada and beyond. Connect with Erin 🌐 Website: www.erinshields.ca 📸 Instagram: @shieldserin1 Subscribe & Follow: 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Podchaser | Amazon Music | iHeart Radio 📺 Watch on YouTube – Like, subscribe & hit the notification bell! Support Stageworthy: If you love the show, consider supporting on Patreon: patreon.com/stageworthy Patrons get early access to episodes, participate in conversations about topics to cover, and more. With three backer levels: $2, $7, and $20. Thank you to my Patrons: Chris, Georgia, Heather J, Tanisha, Aisling, Cassie, Heather, Jeanette, Steve Can't commit to monthly support? Leave a one-time tip here: ko-fi.com/stageworthy Read transcript

  5. Sep 15

    Jacklyn Francis on Why Theatre Matters More Than Ever Right Now

    Jacklyn Francis has been making theatre in Canada for more than three decades, and in this conversation she brings the kind of hard-won perspective that only comes from years of navigating the industry's rhythms, disappointments, and genuine joys. In this episode, they talk about what it really feels like to work at a major festival like Stratford, the art of understudying, the strange grief that follows closing night, and much more! Guest: 🎭 Jacklyn Francis Jacklyn Francis is a proud Canadian stage and screen actor whose career spans more than three decades across theatre, film and television. She most recently starred as Alice in Sexy Laundry, at the Drayton Festival Theatre. A longtime member of the Stratford Festival company, her Stratford credits include Forgiveness, As You Like It, 1939, Hamlet-911, Henry VIII, Julius Caesar, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Changeling, Pride and Prejudice and Richard III. She has also performed leading roles at theatres across Canada, including the Citadel Theatre, Canadian Stage, Blyth Festival, Thousand Islands Playhouse, The Sudbury Theatre Centre, The Globe Theatre, Equity Showcase, Shakespeare in The Ruff,  Buddies in Bad Times, Theatre Northwest, Resurgence, Shakespeare by the Bay and appearances at The Toronto Fringe. On screen, Jacklyn’s recent credits include HBO’s Welcome to Derry, NBC’s Brilliant Minds and Ruby and the Well, alongside appearances in Murdoch Mysteries, Rookie Blue, Flashpoint, Little Mosque on the Prairie, Missing and Our Hero. A graduate of George Brown Theatre School with additional professional development at the Banff Centre/Citadel Theatre, Jacklyn is a recipient of the Jean A. Chalmers Apprentice Award and the Tanya Award in recognition of excellence at the Stratford Festival (in 2018, Jacklyn was the first actor ever to win this award) Connect with Jacklyn 📸 Instagram: @jacklynjax Subscribe & Follow: 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Podchaser | Amazon Music | iHeart Radio 📺 Watch on YouTube – Like, subscribe & hit the notification bell! Support Stageworthy: If you love the show, consider supporting on Patreon: patreon.com/stageworthy Patrons get early access to episodes, participate in conversations about topics to cover, and more. With three backer levels: $2, $7, and $20. Thank you to my Patrons: Chris, Georgia, Heather J, Tanisha, Aisling, Cassie, Heather, Jeanette, Steve Can't commit to monthly support? Leave a one-time tip here: ko-fi.com/stageworthy Read transcript

  6. Sep 8

    Curtis Campbell has something to say about AI in the arts

    In this episode Curtis Campbell joins host Phil Rickaby to talk about AI in the theatre. In the lead up to this summer's Toronto Fringe, it was noticed that a number of shows were using AI generated posters, which sparked a discourse on social media about whether Generative AI should be used in the Fringe and beyond. This conversation spread to the Edinburgh Fringe, where AI generated posters were also seen. In this episode Curtis and Phil talk about AI, its use in the arts, and whether AI should be embraced or avoided. Note: in this episode, Curtis mentions a video that Phil published about his poster creation process. That video can be found here. Guest: 🎭 Curtis Campbell Curtis Campbell is a writer and theatre artist. Some previous credits as a writer and director include Katherine Is Not A Communist, Imp, BETR With Bevan and Color Me Pablo. His novel Dragging Mason County was be published by Annick Press in 2023. His plays Gay For Pay with Blake & Clay and Blake & Clay's Gay Agenda were Fringe hits. Connect with Curtis 🌐 website: campwrites.weebly.com 📸 Instagram: @curtisdangcampbell Subscribe & Follow: 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Podchaser | Amazon Music | iHeart Radio 📺 Watch on YouTube – Like, subscribe & hit the notification bell! Support Stageworthy: If you love the show, consider supporting on Patreon: patreon.com/stageworthy Patrons get early access to episodes, participate in conversations about topics to cover, and more. With three backer levels: $2, $7, and $20. Thank you to my Patrons: Chris, Georgia, Heather J, Tanisha, Aisling, Cassie, Heather, Jeanette, Steve Can't commit to monthly support? Leave a one-time tip here: ko-fi.com/stageworthy Read transcript

  7. Sep 1

    Sara Farb is Bringing one of Musical Theatre's Great Roles to Life

    About this episode Sara Farb is a veteran of the Canadian theatre stage, having made her debut at the age of 9. Now she's bringing the role of Fanny Brice to life in Shaw Festival's Funny Girl. In this conversation, Sara joins host Phil Rickaby to reflect on the show, writing for the theatre, and what keeps her going. This episode explores What it takes to perform a show like Funny Girl Joining the Shaw Festival for the first time Performing on Broadway in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child That time she almost gave up the theatre to become a copywriter. And much more! Guest: 🎭 Sara Farb Sara is an actor and writer. She wrote the book for the musical Kelly v. Kelly with Britta Johnson (music and lyrics) which premiered at Canadian Stage and Musical Stage Company in 2023; the show is a recipient of the Tom Hendry award and multiple Dora nominations. With Britta, she also co-wrote the Dora-nominated short musical He Is Coming. She wrote the book for the new musical Way Out There with Anton Lipovetsky (music and lyrics) which makes its premiere at YES! Theatre/Theatre Sudbury in spring of 2026. Her play, R-E-B-E-C-C-A, which she wrote and starred in, premiered at Theatre Passe Muraille. She is currently working on a new musical with Aaron Jensen (music and lyrics) about the forgotten female creator of the creature from Creature from the Black Lagoon. As an actor, Sara has performed on Broadway, in seven seasons at the Stratford Festival, and all over Canada. She is currently starring as Fanny Brice in Funny Girl at the Shaw Festival. Connect with Sara 📸 Instagram: @farb.sara Subscribe & Follow: 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Podchaser | Amazon Music | iHeart Radio 📺 Watch on YouTube – Like, subscribe & hit the notification bell! Support Stageworthy: If you love the show, consider supporting on Patreon: patreon.com/stageworthy Patrons get early access to episodes, participate in conversations about topics to cover, and more. With three backer levels: $2, $7, and $20. Thank you to my Patrons: Chris, Georgia, Heather J, Tanisha, Aisling, Cassie, Heather, Jeanette, Steve Can't commit to monthly support? Leave a one-time tip here: ko-fi.com/stageworthy Read transcript

  8. Aug 25

    Madelaine Rose is Scaring Audiences One Kitchen at a Time

    About This Episode: What happens when a self-described field mouse - someone who jumps at a cat's sneeze - decides to write a horror play? You get Passed Down, a one-person horror show about a woman who inherits her great aunt's house and discovers she may have inherited a little more than just the property. Performer, producer, director, and grant writer Madelaine Rose joins Phil to talk about bringing this solo horror play to the Halifax Fringe Festival, and why choosing the kitchen as the setting for a haunted house story was a deliberate and unsettling choice. This episode explores: The origins of Passed Down - from a 24-hour Toronto Fringe playwriting contest to a full 60-minute solo horror show The challenge of producing, acting, and writing your own Fringe show - and how Madelaine learned to compartmentalize and set a hard deadline on revisions Emotional safety in the rehearsal room - why the theatre industry has historically been better at getting actors into emotional scenes than getting them out again The biggest mistake artists make when writing grant applications (hint: they forget the boring stuff) And much more! Guest: 👻 Madelaine Rose Madelaine Rose (she/they) is a performer, producer and all-around creative. They are the current co-chair of outACTRAto, and the inaugural chair of the ACTRA National Progress Pride Committee. As a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community her mandate as a producer is to create the type of art she wishes to see in the world, art which creates space for more leading, and diverse roles for women, gender non-conforming, and queer artists. Their work as a theatre creator and filmmaker has been showcased and recognized from coast to coast, and around the globe. They are co-founder of Sigh No More Productions, and the Solo’d Out Theatre festival, and they can be seen acting in such award-winning works as The Perfect Bite (Secret City Adventures/ Netflix), My Best Friend’s Date (Sigh No More Productions), and The Heist… Almost (Sigh No More Productions). Connect with Madelaine 🌐 Website: www.madelaine-rose.com 📸 Instagram: @rose.madelaine 🎥 TikTok: @rose.madelaine Get Tickets: Passed Down at Halifax Fringe Subscribe & Follow: 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Podchaser | Amazon Music | iHeart Radio 📺 Watch on YouTube – Like, subscribe & hit the notification bell! Support Stageworthy: If you love the show, consider supporting on Patreon: patreon.com/stageworthy Patrons get early access to episodes, participate in conversations about topics to cover, and more. With three backer levels: $2, $7, and $20. Thank you to my Patrons: Chris, Georgia, Heather J, Tanisha, Aisling, Cassie, Heather, Jeanette, Steve Can't commit to monthly support? Leave a one-time tip here: ko-fi.com/stageworthy Read transcript

About

Now in its 10th year, Stageworthy is Canada’s theatre podcast, bringing you in-depth interviews with theatre artists, panel discussions, and more. Each week, host Phil Rickaby sits down with the people who make theatre happen: from household names to artists you should know. Whether you're an audience member, a theatre maker, or just plain curious about Canadian theatre, Stageworthy offers a front-row seat to the conversations shaping the industry. New episodes every Tuesday.

You Might Also Like