Dramatic Impact: Acting and Theatre in Alberta: Recent Episodes
Elaine Elrod
Insight into the minds, artistry, and passions of veteran theatre artists, including actors, directors, playwrights, and singers.
Download this Audio Episode (9.5 MB) This is the first of a series of episodes called One Big Massive Retweet. I’m borrowing the concept of retweeting from Twitter. However, this episode has nothing to do with Twitter. I’m just referring to the concept of spreading the word about resources that originally came from another source. […]
Edmonton actor Richard Lee Hsi reveals what it's like to create a play collectively and talks about mask work and the unique experience of portraying real life people on stage.
David van Belle Episode 20 contains an in-depth interview with director and facilitator David van Belle about The Invisible Project, a play about homelessness. The interview was recorded last January after the performance of the play at the Drop-In Centre shelter in Calgary. The Invisible Project was also performed at City Hall as part of […]
Download this Episode (8.9 MB) Episode 19 features an audio interview with Drop-In Centre shelter client and volunteer Linda Coleman. In this interview, Linda Coleman discusses her reaction to the The Invisible Project, a play about homelessness, and how the content of the play related to her own life experiences. If you want more background […]
Download this episode (27.4 MB) Episode 16 of Dramatic Impact was an audio documentary about the play The Invisible Project; and as promised, this new episode consists of an edited stereo recording of the play. I recorded the play last January when it was performed at The Calgary Drop-In Centre, a homeless shelter that can […]
Three easy ways you can listen to this podcast: Download this episode (25.4 MB)(Instructions for Downloading: Right click the link and choose Save Link As or Save Target As. Choose a folder on your computer to save it to. Then open the .mp3 audio file in any media player on your computer.) Or Play Now […]
Download this episode(11.7 MB) This episode of the Dramatic Impact podcast features an interview with Edmonton actor and singer Cory Christensen. Cory shares discoveries he’s made about his craft on stage and in rehearsal. Cory Christensen
This episode of Dramatic Impact: Acting and Theatre in Alberta features an interview with the Associate Artistic Director of Edmonton’s Citadel Theatre, James MacDonald. James discusses his approach to directing and what excites him most about theatre as an art form. He compares the pleasures of acting and directing, talks about some of his peak […]
Download this episode (14.5 MB) This episode features the opera singer, tenor, and career music educator, Lary Benson. Lary reveals the arduous work involved in balancing technique with expression as an opera singer, and gives advice to singers to help them rediscover the feeling of a song each time they perform. Lary Benson More on […]
Download this episode (15.6 MB) In this interview, Timothy J. Anderson sheds light on how he comes by his unique combination of gifts and accomplishments. Hear how this actor, singer, director, playwright, and librettist discovered his love of music and performing. Timothy also discusses how performing in the chorus for world class opera productions at […]
Download this episode (14 MB) On this episode we’re hearing from the talented and delightful Michele Brown, a veteran Canadian actor who was featured in Episode 7: Secrets of the Actor, part 1. This is the first of the “Rest of the Interviews” series, in which I’m going to present material that I recorded for […]
Download this episode (20.7 MB) This is part 2 of an in-depth interview with Governor General’s Award-winning playwright Vern Thiessen. For part 1 of the interview, listen to Episode 9. In this second half of the interview, Vern talks to Elaine about the influence of his family. He discusses his dark and surreal play, Blowfish, […]
Download this episode (15.9 MB) This is part 1 of an in-depth interview with Canadian playwright Vern Thiessen. Part 2 will be released in Episode 10. Vern is a well known playwright, whose plays have been produced internationally. His play Einstein’s Gift won the Governor General’s Award, Canada’s highest honour for playwriting. Some of Vern’s […]
Download this episode 21.4 MB Coming on September 9, 2008: An In-Depth Interview With Canadian Playwright Vern Thiessen. Vern’s plays have been performed internationally. He is the author of the Governor General’s Award-winning play Einstein’s Gift. Some of his other plays include Vimy, Shakespeare’s Will, and Blowfish. As promised, here is part two of Secrets […]
Download this episode (21.8 MB) Secrets of the Actor will be presented in two parts. Part 2 will be released in the next couple of weeks. Part 1 features 3 Canadian actors talking about how the art of acting has enriched their lives and given them special insights into life. The discussion also focuses on […]
Download this episode (29 MB) A panel discussion moderated by Theatre Alberta’s Jill Connell. This episode explores several questions about contemporary theatre. The panellists discuss whether we should see theatre as under threat because of film and television and whether theatre artists should evolve to meet the demands of new forms of theatre and changing […]
Download this episode (16.5 MB) Canadian playwright Trina Davies talks about her journey from being a poet and actor to becoming a playwright. She discusses her latest projects and talks about the special power of theatre to touch the minds and imaginations of people and get them thinking about crucial human issues. Mentioned in this […]
Download this episode (12.7 MB) Learn from dramaturg and director Vanessa Porteous how directors, dramaturgs, and playwrights interact during the rehearsal process for a new play. Vanessa reveals the elements of theatre she finds most pleasurable, what kinds of theatrical experiences she aims to create for an audience, and gives advice to playwrights who are […]
Download this episode (17.3 MB) In this episode, David van Belle tells Elaine about the Calgary theatre company, One Yellow Rabbit, and how it has influenced him. He also discusses the differences between performance creation and more traditional forms of theatre and talks about his own original works. Mentioned in this episode Ghost River Theatre […]
Download this episode (12.9 MB) In this episode we present the first of four short interviews with theatre artists who were instructors at PlayWorks Ink 2007. In this first interview, Calgary-based actor Christopher Hunt gives us a glimpse of what fuels his love of theatre and his dedication to his craft. Mentioned in this Episode […]
Download this episode (27.6 MB) Kicking off the Dramatic Impact series is a recording of Morwyn Brebner’s thought-provoking, funny, and inspirational PlayWorks Ink keynote address, “Plays Well With Others.” In this entertaining and articulate keynote address, Morwyn challenges us to stand up for our artistic visions, to explore new theatrical forms, and to use our […]