CGDC Podcast Channel

CGDC Podcast Channel
  • 3.4 (8)
  • PERFORMING ARTS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Welcome to the Canadian Guild of Stage Directors and Choreographers podcast channel! These podcasts feature industry leaders with insight about the theatre creation process, shared with you in the hopes of enriching our community. CGDC is a National Arts Service Organization advocating for the rights, interests, and protections of stage directors and choreographers along with their assistants and associates. Thank you to the Canada Council for the Arts for their support in this program. 

  1. Demystifying Collaborating with Designers - Deanna Choi, Robin Fisher, Jareth Li, & Sean Nieuwenhuis

    3D AGO

    Demystifying Collaborating with Designers - Deanna Choi, Robin Fisher, Jareth Li, & Sean Nieuwenhuis

    This episode is a snippet from CGDC’s Assistant and Associate Program series. Today, we demystify ‘Collaborating with Designers’ in a round table discussion with Deanna Choi, Robin Fisher, Jareth Li, and Sean Nieuwenhuis.  Deanna Choi is a Canadian sound designer working across theatre and live performance. Her work is known for its emotional precision and immersive soundscapes that deepen storytelling and support bold, contemporary stage work. Deanna has collaborated with a wide range of artists and companies, bringing a nuanced, musical approach to sound that enhances both new works and reimagined classics. Robin Fisher is a Canadian set and costume designer whose work spans theatre, opera, and live performance. Known for visually bold, story-driven designs, Robin creates environments and costumes that support character, movement, and narrative with clarity and imagination. Her work has been seen on stages across Canada, contributing to both new creations and re-envisioned classics. Jareth Li is a Canadian lighting designer whose work is rooted in collaboration, curiosity, and care for the storytelling process. He is known for creating lighting that supports performers and deepens narrative rather than calling attention to itself, with a particular passion for new work development. Jareth’s designs span theatre, dance, and interdisciplinary performance across Canada, where he is valued for his thoughtful, artist-first approach. Sean Nieuwenhuis is a Canadian projection designer whose work spans theatre, opera, and live performance across the country. Known for his cinematic storytelling and seamless integration of technology and design, Sean has collaborated with leading directors and companies to help shape visually bold, emotionally resonant productions. His work plays a key role in expanding how stories are told on stage through digital and visual media. CGDC is grateful to the Canada Council for the Arts for their support in this programming.

    43 min
  2. Claire Sakaki - Demystifying Being an Executive Director

    FEB 9

    Claire Sakaki - Demystifying Being an Executive Director

    This episode is a snippet from CGDC’s Assistant and Associate Program series. Today, we demystify ‘Being an Executive Director’ with the brilliant, Claire Sakaki.  Claire Sakaki is the Executive Director of Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival, where she oversees organizational leadership, strategic planning, and the alignment of artistic vision with sustainable operations. With a background spanning Soulpepper Theatre Company, Toronto Dance Theatre, the Canadian Opera Company, and Weston Playhouse, Claire brings a deep understanding of how leadership, culture, and structure intersect in large arts organizations. A recipient of the national John Hobday Award in Arts Management and the 2025 Mallory Gilbert Leadership Award, Claire is a respected advocate for artistic excellence, community engagement, and inclusive theatre practices across Canada. CGDC is grateful to the Canada Council for the Arts for their support in this programming.

    42 min
  3. Mary Francis Moore - Demystifying Being An Artistic Director

    FEB 2

    Mary Francis Moore - Demystifying Being An Artistic Director

    This episode is a snippet from CGDC’s Assistant and Associate Program series. Today, we demystify ‘Being an Artistic Director’ with iconic director, Mary Francis Moore. Mary Francis Moore is an award-winning director, dramaturg, and arts leader known for her work developing new Canadian theatre. Currently the Artistic Director of Theatre Aquarius and a driving force behind its new works initiatives, she has helped shepherd dozens of projects from early drafts to full production. With a career spanning major regional theatres and national festivals, Mary Francis is celebrated for her collaborative approach, her commitment to Canadian voices, and her dedication to building platforms for emerging storytellers.  CGDC is grateful to the Canada Council for the Arts for their support in this programming.

    34 min
  4. Marc Kimelman - Demystifying Being a Choreographer

    JAN 26

    Marc Kimelman - Demystifying Being a Choreographer

    This episode is a snippet from CGDC’s Assistant and Associate Program series. Today, we demystify ‘Being a Choreographer’ with acclaimed international choreographer, Marc Kimelman  Marc Kimelman is a Toronto-born choreographer and creative force whose career spans Broadway, national tours, and international stages. He has served as associate choreographer on Broadway productions of Jagged Little Pill, A Bronx Tale, and Phantom of the Opera, Masquerade. His work also includes high-profile tours, film/TV choreography, and movement consulting for global artists. Marc’s passion lies in telling bold, emotionally rich stories through dance and theatre, and in supporting emerging artists to find their own creative voices. CGDC is grateful to the Canada Council for the Arts for their support in this programming.

    38 min
  5. Tracey Flye - Demystifying Being a Director - Day 1 to Opening Night

    JAN 19

    Tracey Flye - Demystifying Being a Director - Day 1 to Opening Night

    This episode is a snippet from CGDC’s Assistant and Associate Program series. Today, we demystify ‘Being a Director’ from day one of rehearsal through opening night, with legendary director/choreographer, Tracey Flye Tracey Flye is one of Canada’s most accomplished directors and choreographers, with a career spanning more than 200 productions across the country. Her directing highlights include Once, Million Dollar Quartet, Ring of Fire, Cabaret, West Side Story, Evita, Buyer & Cellar, Venus in Fur, and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at the Stratford Festival. A dedicated mentor and educator, Tracey is committed to championing emerging artists and advancing new Canadian work.  CGDC is grateful to the Canada Council for the Arts for their support in this programming.

    38 min
  6. Dayna Tekatch - Demystifying Being a Resident Director

    JAN 12

    Dayna Tekatch - Demystifying Being a Resident Director

    This episode is a snippet from CGDC’s Assistant and Associate Program series. Today, we demystify ‘Being a Resident Director’ with renowned director/choreographer, Dayna Tekatch.  Dayna Tekatch is a Canadian director, choreographer, and educator whose career spans decades of influential work across Canada. She has served as Resident Director for the Canadian productions of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and Come From Away, and has directed major productions at institutions like the National Arts Centre and regional theatres nationwide. Known for her dynamic storytelling and collaborative spirit, Dayna remains a committed mentor and champion of new Canadian theatre CGDC is grateful to the Canada Council for the Arts for their support in this programming.

    32 min

  7. 12/11/2023

    Debbie Patterson - Ableism In Theatre: An Open Conversation

    Debbie Patterson is our final guest speaker of the season! What better way to close the series than with this invigorating lecture where Debbie reminds us that by bringing disability into our practice, we open our practice to endless possibilities. This season, T+T Productions has collaborated with the Canadian Guild of Stage Directors and Choreographers (CGDC) to bring you a series of episodes centred around assistants and associates directors and choreographers. This series is for EVERYONE and shares all the behind the scenes magic of theatre creation from the industry’s very best. In today's episode Debbie speaks on the history of ableism in theatre, shares stories of her work as a disability consultant and dramaturg, and calls us to recognize that we are all temporarily abled. Debbie Patterson is a Winnipeg based playwright, director and actor. She trained at the National Theatre School of Canada, is a founding member of Shakespeare in the Ruins (SIR), served as Theatre Ambassador for Winnipeg’s Cultural Capital year, was the Carol Shields Writer in Residence 2012 at the U of W, and the Playwright in Residence at Theatre Projects Manitoba in 2013/14. She served as Artistic Associate at Prairie Theatre Exchange from 2012 to 2018 and a former member of the PTE Playwrights Unit. Debbie is a proud advocate for disability justice through her work as founding and current Artistic Director of Sick + Twisted Theatre, and was most recently a cast member of Richard 2 and Grand Magic in the 2023 Stratford Festival season. Thank you to Canada Council for the Arts for their generous support in this project.

    43 min

  8. 12/04/2023

    Stephanie Graham - Developing, Producing, and Pitching Your Own Work

    Stephanie Graham is a director, choreographer and producer. She encourages us all to sit in that producer seat at least once, so let’s dive in and learn how! This season, T+T Productions has collaborated with the Canadian Guild of Stage Directors and Choreographers (CGDC) to bring you a series of episodes centred around assistants and associates directors and choreographers. This series is for EVERYONE and shares all the behind the scenes magic of theatre creation from the industry’s very best. In today’s episode Steph shares detailed knowledge for producing theatre, from getting the rights to a show, to the different types of engagement agreements, to finding sponsorship within your circle of influence, and much more. Links for this episode: https://www.caea.com/Theatre/Agreements-Policies https://fringefestivals.com/festivals/ https://www.mtishows.com/annie Stephanie Graham has over twenty-five years in the industry, and is one of Canada’s most sought-after Director/Choreographers. Stephanie has directed and choreographed at theatres across the country, including Globe Theatre, Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, Neptune Theatre, Grand Theatre, Thousand Islands Playhouse, Stephenville Festival, Capitol Theatre and more. She is a passionate educator and mentor and has worked at Sheridan College, Randolph College for the Performing Arts, George Brown Dance and Queens University. She is the Artistic Producer for Torrent Productions, the co-founder of Theatre Making Movement, was an Intern Artistic Director for The Musical Stage Company and Artistic Associate at the Globe Theatre. Stephanie won the 2015 Dora Award for outstanding choreography Opera/Musical for The Wild Party and has been nominated three times for a Merritt Award for outstanding choreography on Neptune Theatre’s productions of Peter Pan, Cinderella and The Addams Family. Thank you to Canada Council for the Arts for their generous support in this project.

    38 min
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Ratings & Reviews

3.4
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Canadian Guild of Stage Directors and Choreographers podcast channel! These podcasts feature industry leaders with insight about the theatre creation process, shared with you in the hopes of enriching our community. CGDC is a National Arts Service Organization advocating for the rights, interests, and protections of stage directors and choreographers along with their assistants and associates. Thank you to the Canada Council for the Arts for their support in this program. 

Information

  • Creator
    CGDC Podcast Channel
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 CGDC Podcast Channel
  • Show Website
    CGDC Podcast Channel

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