The Performers Podcast

Dan Chameroy has performed across North America, including the tour of 'Matilda the Musical.' He made his Toronto stage debut in 1991 as part of the Canadian cast of 'Les Miserables' at The Royal Alexandra Theatre and performed in the legendary pre-Broadway production of 'The Drowsy Chaperone.' We discuss his work with Gary Griffin and Donna Feore at the Stratford Festival. Dan also opens up about his work's physical demands and the time he hurt his back so badly he wasn't sure he'd ever perform again. Don't miss Dan's performance on Saturday, December 19 and Sunday, December 20 in Ross Petty's virtual production 'There's No Place Like Home For The Holidays.'

Kahlil Ashanti served in the United States Air Force and had a hit Fringe Festival show that went to the Edinburgh Fringe and Off-Broadway. As well as being a talented performer, my guest Kahlil Ashanti created an online ticketing system, unlike any other. Although it was used in theatres around the world before the pandemic, it's even more useful now, when everyone is creating content online. weshowup.io is an innovative, digital pay-what-you-want solution. Follow Kahlil on: https://www.kahlilashanti.com/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/kahlilashanti/ Visit https://weshowup.io/

Rodrigo Beilfuss is a Brazilian-born Canadian actor-director with a German last name, who trained in England and now calls Winnipeg, Manitoba his home. He is the artistic director of Shakespeare in the Ruins. Growing up in Brazil, Beilfuss envisioned a career as a diplomat. He was well on his way after being accepted to law school, but he faced a fork in the road when he was also accepted to a cultural exchange program in Winnipeg. He chose Winnipeg thinking he'd return to Brazil, and a career in the foreign service after the cultural exchange was completed. As part of his cultural exchange program, Beilfuss was introduced to the works of Shakespeare; he fell in love with the Bard's words and soon traded his pursuit of a diplomatic career for a one in theatre. Beilfuss admits that when he was first introduced to Shakespeare, he didn't understand much of the language. However, his realization that he was not alone in his struggle to comprehend Shakespeare's work ultimately gave him the confidence to work through it. "Ironically, Shakespeare gave me a sense of belonging - everyone was confused; everyone was terrified," says Beilfuss. From Winnipeg Beilfuss traveled to Stratford, Ontario and England where he studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. His master's thesis research at LAMDA examined the process, and cultural impact, of performing Shakespeare in different languages - a natural topic for Beilfuss, whose first language was not English. SHOW NOTES: Website: http://www.rodrigobeilfuss.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/RBeilfuss Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rbeilfuss/?hl=en Cyrus Lane podcast Lisa-Repo-Martell Podcast Joseph-Ziegler Podcast Stream Macbeth from Stratford as part of the Shakespeare Film Festival Hamlet at the Rose Theatre Brampton with Pakistani-Canadian star Ahad Raza, directed by Haysam Kadri a graduate of the Birmingham Conservatory at the Stratford Festival. Shakespeare In The Ruins website

Tony Nappo is a Canadian actor who graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York and has appeared in critically acclaimed television, film and stage productions. As well as discussing parenting and acting, Tony shares the story of how he managed to kick his drug habit after a 5-day bender that almost killed him. He also publishes the weekly column Nappoholics on https://www.intermissionmagazine.ca/

Bruce Dow is an award-winning performer who has played featured rolls on Broadway five times. When Broadway was shut down, Dow was in previews with the show "Diana." Dow who resides in Canada, was one of the thousands of people who work on Broadway that had to figure out their next steps. In our podcast you'll hear how the cast and crew working on "Diana" learned about the show closing down after Bill de Blasio, Mayor of New York City, has declared that all theaters close temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jonathan Goodwin is appearing in the show The Illusionists, which is at the Meridian Hall in Toronto from January 1st through January 5th. As well as performing in The Illusionists, Jonathan has appeared on many TV shows and has created theatrical magic for many performers, including Derrin Brown, who is currently on Broadway with his show Secret. Follow Jonathan: On Instagram On Twitter

Gavin Crawford is one of Canada's most creative and exciting comedic performers. From his days at The Comedy Network to his years as a cast member of "This Hour Has Twenty Two Minutes," to his recent work as host of CBC Radio's "Because News" Crawford's unique sense of humour always shines brightly. In January, Crawford stars in the one-person show "Fully Committed" at the Grand Theatre in London. In the podcast, you'll learn about how he prepares for his performance in which de is 40 different characters. And you won't believe what he said to Andrew Lloyd Webber when he was hosting the Canadian version of the reality show "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?," which aired on CBC in the summer of 2008. We also discuss his path from graduating with a BFA Acting from the University of British Columbia to joining Toronto's improvisation comedy troupe The Second City.

Tracey is a director and choreographer whose international credits include productions in the West End, South Africa and Asia. She also directed the U.S. National Tour of Queen's "We Will Rock You." AJ Bridel is a genuine triple threat. Her performance in the Toronto production of "Kinky Boots" received rave reviews. For two years, she starred in the title role in "Anne of Green Gables" at the Charlottetown Festival. Currently, AJ's starring in the new Ross Petty's family musical "Lil Red Robin Hood" which is directed and choreograph

Best known to hundreds of thousands of comedy fans as the host of CBC Radio's "The Debaters" there is no debate that Steve Patterson is North America's funniest and least moderate debate moderator. As a solo comedian Steve spent two decades touring around the world. Twice named Canada's Best Male Stand-Up at the Canadian Comedy Awards, Steve has also taken his award-winning humour to the literary world with "The Book of Letters I Didn't Know Where to Send." In our interview, you'll discover how growing up in a single-parent family influenced his ability to make people laugh. Steve also shares a story about a high school music teacher in London, Ontario, that influenced his path to making a living as a performer.

Michael Healey has gone from writing a play that debuted at the Toronto Fringe Festival to having his work appear at the Stratford Festival. It's an impressive trajectory that includes writing "The Drawer Boy," one of the most-produced plays in North America. Healey discusses everything from how he writes scenes to his process in the rehearsal room. Healey, who has suffered from depression, opens up about his path from the days he could barely get out of bed to his most productive and happy days. I enjoy Healey's political comedy and his sense of humor truly shines in our chat.

Donny Most, is best known for his role as Ralph Malph on the hit TV show "Happy Days." Most explains how Henry Winkler went against his director's wishes to create a defining moment in the development of his character Fonzie. He shares stories about working with "Happy Days" creator Garry Marshall who went on to develop other popular shows such as "Mork and Mindy" and more recently "Pretty Woman" and "The Princess Diaries." Most is currently performing in "ART" at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse. The production runs until October 20. "Art," which won the Tony for Best Play, delves into male bonding in a hilarious yet touching way. More info about "Art": Click Drayton Entertainment

Liisa Repo-Martell is an intense actor. She has performed Shakespeare with Keanu Reeves, co-created innovative theatrical hybrids exploring documentary, academic and artistic work. In April 2020 you can see Liisa at the Globe Theatre in Regina, Saskatchewan in The Boy in the Moon is the true story of a family’s journey raising their son Walker, who suffers from an extremely rare genetic disorder. Thanks to Stratford Tea Leaves for sponsoring The Performers Podcast.

Keith Dinicol is a Canadian actor currently appearing in Drayton Entertainment’s stellar production of “Twelve Angry Men.” As Keith mentions in our podcast director Marti Maraden has assembled a cast of top actors including Neil Barclay, Skye Brandon, Benedict Campbell and Cyrus Lane just to name a few. As an actor with decades as a company member with the largest repertory company in North America, The Stratford Festival, Keith has worked on everything from Shakespeare to Strindberg and Stoppard. Dinicol traces his roots back to the early days of the Stratford Festival, where other than Tyrone Guthrie he's worked with every artistic director, either as an actor or director. He also shares memories of working with his father-in-law John Neville at Edmonton's Citadel Theatre and Stratford.

Tracey Power is the writer and choreographer behind “Glory” a play that the Globe and Mail called a “bittersweet, entertaining and uplifting sports drama.” I saw Glory and loved it. Tracey shares her process behind uncovering the true story of a group of scrappy women who defy the stereotypes of their time and become national hockey legends - in the 1930s. The play that debuted at the Western Canada Theatre Company in British Columbia is on stage now, and runs until July 20th, in Southwestern Ontario thanks to the folks at Drayton Entertainment.

Ma-Anne Dionisio is best known for originating the role of Kim in the Canadian production of "Miss Saigon" and subsequently performing around the world. She currently plays Diana Goodman in the Musical Stage Company's production of "Next to Normal" in Toronto. Ma-Anne shares how she went from being a 17-year-old nerd to an international musical theatre sensation. Ma-Anne reminds us that actors who portray mental illness on stage need self-care practices off stage to help them cope with the stress. She is also very candid about her experience as a single mother working in theatre. Thanks to my sponsors: AnthroDesk The best sit/stand desk. Details here. Stratford Tea Leaves Guaranteed Extraordinary Quality Tea

For over three decades, Tony Award-winner Bob Martin has worked as an actor and writer. Early in his career, Martin was directing for Second City in Toronto. He's also written for TV, with the Chicago Tribune calling Slings and Arrows "one of the most loving satires to have ever graced television." He 's best known for writing and starring in the hilarious The Drowsy Chaperone, for which Martin won the 2006 Tony Award for "Best Book of a Musical." His most recent Broadway show, The Prom, received 7 Tony Award nominations. We talk about how the revision process is crucial to a great script Martin updates us on the Broadway adaptations of The Princess Bride, NIght at the Museum and Slings and Arrows. And Martin explains why it can be emotionally challenging to watch a performance of The Drowsy Chaperone. Follow Bob Martin on Twitter. Thanks to my sponsors: AnthroDesk The best sit/stand desk. Details here. Chefs Plate Save 50% on a week's worth of delicious food

David Stones is a poet based in Stratford Ontario. His poems have been published internationally and won awards. Recently he’s been performing a stage adaptation of his book poems titled “Infinite Sequels.” On stage Stones is accompanied by a violinist which ads an imaginative aspect to his words. The London Free Press’ Joe Belanger noted that “‘Infinite Sequels’ is a brilliant, beautiful piece of theatre. Stone recites his poignant poetry with mostly subtle gesture, movement and animated face, asking us to face moments and questions about our lives we may not have even recognized.” In our conversation Stones admits his love of poetry goes back to his youth confessing that it was only later in life after his career and kids were no longer a pressing concern that he found the freedom to truly hone his work and share it publically. He talks about his creative process, his inspiration Dylan Thomas and Leonard Cohen to name a few, and the intersection of poetry and social media. PODCAST SHOW NOTES: David Stones Website David Stone on Instagram Ladies and Gentlemen… Mr. Leonard Cohen – watch for free at NFB.ca Follow on Twitter. Follow on Instagram Thanks to my sponsors: AnthroDesk The best sit/stand desk. Details here. Chefs Plate Save 50% on a week's worth of delicious food

Dave Merheje won the Juno award for best comedy album with his 2018 release “Good Friend Bad Grammar.” I've been hoping to interview Merheje since I first saw him perform a killer set at the Winnipeg Comedy Festival. His rhythmic comedic style celebrates family and personal frustrations that truly spoke to me, not only as a fan of comedy but more significantly as a father and a son. He's on the Netflix special "Comedians of the World." Watch for his upcoming regular appearance in the Hulu show “Ramy,” with Ramy Youssef, which starts streaming April 19. Follow Dave on Twitter. Follow Dave on Facebook. Follow Dave on Instagram. Thanks to my sponsors: AnthroDesk The best sit/stand desk. Details here. Chefs Plate Save 50% on a week's worth of delicious food

Kate Lumpkin is the founder and lead casting director of Kate Lumpkin Casting, CSA. We discuss the importance of making a good self-tape for auditions, the growing demand for actors who can handle experiential theatre, why knowing who you are as a human is the most important thing that informs you as an artist, and lots more! Kate has collectively worked on over 40 film/TV productions, and 80 theatrical productions in New York City and across the USA including shows at The Kennedy Center and many others. She’s also the Head of Education for the Broadway Collective - a training academy for young performers looking to break into the industry. Follow on Twitter. Follow on Instagram Thanks to my sponsors: AnthroDesk The best sit/stand desk. Details here. Chefs Plate Save 50% on a week's worth of delicious food

Alexis Gordon is one of the young stars of Canadian theatre. Her work at the Stratford Festival (Carousel, the Sound of Music, Guys and Dolls, Coriolanus, The Tempest...) has been getting great reviews. In the upcoming summer theatre season she’ll be at the Shaw Festival - one of several Stratford Festival Company members making the move to Shaw in 2019. We discuss that change along with her work under the renowned directors Robert Lepage and Donna Feore. Follow Alexis Gordon on Twitter. Follow Alexis Gordon on Instagram. Thanks to my sponsors: AnthroDesk The best sit/stand desk. Details here. Chefs Plate Save 50% on a week's worth of delicious food