What happens when you trap a creative trio under the porch with a classic storybook masterpiece, an arsenal of folksy percussion, and a script that culminates in a massive, chaotic food fight? Director and adapter Fiona Sauder, fight and movement director Jack Davidson, and composer Jeffrey Newberry join us to talk about bringing The Wind in the Willows to life with the breathless, playful energy of a train that never stops. They share how they navigate the meticulous, ego-free chemistry required to blend independent theatre sensibilities with the massive Shaw Festival machine, the intricate process of building a cozy, textured soundscape out of felted pianos, and how embracing a child’s unbridled imagination can remind us all of the profound power of stepping back to sit under a tree. Fiona Sauder enters their 2nd season at the Shaw Festival, wearing dual hats as the director and adapter for The Wind in the Willows. She previously served as the assistant director for Shaw’s 2021 production of Holiday Inn. As the artistic director of Bad Hats Theatre, Fiona has directed and written numerous acclaimed productions, including Peter Pan, Narnia, and Alice in Wonderland. Their vibrant work in the Canadian theatre landscape has earned them six Dora Mavor Moore Awards, including honours for Outstanding Direction and Outstanding Production, and a spot on the 2024 shortlist for the prestigious Gina Wilkinson Prize. Jack Davidson joins the Shaw Festival for his 1st season, bringing his physical expertise to the ensemble as the fight and movement director for The Wind in the Willows. His movement and fight direction credits across Canada include The Moors (Riot King), A Poem for Rabia (Tarragon Theatre), and Peter Pan (Bad Hats Theatre/Soulpepper). Also a seasoned performer, Jack has graced the stage with the Canadian Opera Company in productions ranging from Romeo and Juliet to Macbeth, and has collaborated extensively with Corpus Dance Projects. He is an alumnus of both the George Brown Theatre School and the National Ballet School of Canada. Jeffrey Newberry makes his Shaw Festival debut as the original music and sound designer for The Wind in the Willows. A versatile conductor, music supervisor, and composer, Jeffrey is the conductor and music director for Mirvish Productions' The Lion King in Toronto. His extensive theatrical footprints include music directing Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang for the Stratford Festival, alongside numerous credits at the Capitol Theatre (Port Hope) as a composer, sound designer, and music director. An educator as well as an artist, Jeffrey teaches at York University and Randolph College for the Performing Arts. He holds a Master of Education from York University and a Bachelor of Music from the University of Toronto. Tickets to all of our shows are available now at shawfest.com. Hosted by Alexis Milligan Produced by Kelly Wong Original Music by Travis Seetoo We want to hear from you! Drop us a line at podcast@shawfest.com
