About This Episode: This week on Stageworthy, host Phil Rickaby is joined by actor, singer, and producer Michael Esposito II. Michael discusses the challenges and rewards of mounting Daniel MacIvor's solo play, Monster, which he is producing and performing in Kelowna, B.C. He shares the creative process of integrating projections and music into the show to make it feel more like an immersive "monster experience" than a traditional one-person play. Michael also talks about his background in Toronto and New York, the evolving theatre scene in Kelowna, and his other work in the Okanagan Valley, including themed jazz shows at a local speakeasy winery.

This episode explores:

 * Bringing Daniel MacIvor’s Monster to life in Kelowna
 * The creative freedom and risks of solo performance
 * Using projection in live theatre
 * Building independent theatre outside major city centres
 * The importance of community and adaptability for artists
 * The joy and discipline of performing across genres—from MacIvor to musical theatre and jazz

Guest: 🎭 Michael Esposito II

Michael is an international actor and singer. Since graduating from the University of Toronto and Sheridan College, Michael has travelled the world performing on six different continents. His most recent work includes Eddie Birdlace in Dogfight and Monster by Daniel MacIvor. Some of his previous work includes Alan Menken’s The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz, Jersey Boys, and Disney Cruise Lines. His work in film includes The One That Got Away, Dive Shop, Adult Adoption, and The Avenue. He has been a featured vocalist on Canada's Got Talent and Casino Rama. His album "Night and Day" is available on iTunes and Spotify. Find out more about upcoming shows by following @mespo2 on Instagram.

Monster: A chilling one-person play performed by Michael Esposito II and directed by Angela Quinn.

MONSTER intricately peels back the psychological layers of 16 captivating characters, revealing the haunting core of their individual experiences. With a masterful blend of suspense, wit, and raw emotion, MONSTER beckons you to confront your deepest fears and embrace the profound complexities that define our humanity.

~ A finalist for the Governor General's Award for Drama ~

Connect with Michael: 🌐 Website: kemeproductions.com [https://kemeproductions.com] 📸 Instagram: @monsterplay2025 [https://instagram.com/monsterplay2025] | @mespo2 [https://instagram.com/mespo2] 🎵 TikTok: @mespo2 [https://www.tiktok.com/@mespo2] 🎶 Listen to Michael’s album Night and Day on Apple Music [https://music.apple.com/ca/album/night-and-day/351267606]

Support Stageworthy: If you love the show, consider supporting on Patreon: patreon.com/stageworthy [https://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.

Subscribe & Follow: 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stageworthy/id1071732834] | Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0b9Vl5lsMKqDc1UIYl5thh] | Podchaser [https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/stageworthy-416634] | Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/ca3db4c6-c5b6-4791-b23f-2af83272ac85/stageworthy] | iHeart Radio [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1310-stageworthy-271061892/] 📺 Watch on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@Stageworthy] – Like, subscribe & hit

#434 – Michael Esposito II

About This Episode: This week on Stageworthy, host Phil Rickaby is joined by Michael Kras, playwright, director, and one of Canada’s busiest magic designers. Michael has designed magic and illusions for theatres across the country and is the resident magic and illusions lead for the North American tour of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. He also joins the Tarragon Theatre’s Greenhouse Residency to develop his new solo play Love Me Back, a piece that blends sleight-of-hand magic with storytelling.

This episode explores:

 * Michael’s path from magician to playwright and director
 * Integrating magic into theatre in meaningful ways
 * The role of magic design in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
 * The Hamilton theatre scene and its challenges
 * Writing for young audiences and why those stories matter
 * The creation of his magic book Synthesis and Secrets
 * Developing his new play Love Me Back at Tarragon’s Greenhouse Residency

Guest: 🎭 Michael Kras

Michael Kras is a playwright, director, and magic designer based in Hamilton, Ontario. His plays include the Voaden Prize-winning The Team (Essential Collective Theatre/Theatre Aquarius), No Big Deal (Roseneath Theatre), The Start-Up (Theatre Aquarius/Brave New Works), Love Me Back: A Magic Show (Green Light Arts/Tarragon Theatre Greenhouse Festival) and The Year and Two of Us Back Here (Broken Soil Theatre). He has been an artist-in-residence at Roseneath Theatre, Essential Collective Theatre, Theatre Aquarius, Green Light Arts, Tarragon Theatre, and Caravan Farm Theatre.

He currently serves as the Magic & Illusion Lead for the North American Tour of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Sonia Friedman/Bespoke Theatricals) and previously served as resident magic director for the play’s Canadian premiere with Mirvish Productions. Other magic direction credits include the Canadian premiere of Clyde’s by Lynn Nottage (Canadian Stage), Versus (QuipTake), The Extinction Therapist (Theatre Aquarius), Richard III: A Spectacular Stand-Up Act (Caravan Farm Theatre), A Christmas Carol (Maltz Jupiter Theatre), and Franklin’s Key (Pig Iron Theatre).

Michael is an alumnus of the Theatre Aquarius Playwrights Unit, the Caravan Farm National Playwrights’ Retreat, and Directors Lab North

Connect with Michael: 🌐 Website: michaelkrasworks.com [http://michaelkrasworks.com] 📸 Instagram: @michaelkras

Support Stageworthy: If you love the show, consider supporting on Patreon: patreon.com/stageworthy [https://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.

Subscribe & Follow: 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stageworthy/id1071732834] | Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0b9Vl5lsMKqDc1UIYl5thh] | Podchaser [https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/stageworthy-416634] | Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/ca3db4c6-c5b6-4791-b23f-2af83272ac85/stageworthy] | iHeart Radio [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1310-stageworthy-271061892/] 📺 Watch on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@Stageworthy] – Like, subscribe & hit the notification bell!

#433 – Michael Kras

About This Episode: This week on Stageworthy, host Phil Rickaby is joined by Chloë Whitehorn, who is currently based in Kingston, Ontario. Chloë, a former actor, discusses her journey to becoming a prolific writer, focusing on themes of women's rights and mental health. She talks about how her plays—which include The Pigeon, Blood River, and Fall After Midsummer —are driven by characters and their emotions rather than just issues. Chloë also offers a glimpse into the Kingston theatre scene, her unique writing methods, and her perspective on why Canadian theatre struggles with second productions.

This episode explores:

 * How Chloë's approach to playwriting is rooted in character and emotion, stemming from her acting background.
 * The challenge of tackling dark themes and how she judges where to stop when exploring traumatic topics.
 * Her writing process, which involves working well with deadlines and puzzling pieces together rather than outlining.
 * Why she returned to Canada after living in the US and the cultural differences she observed.
 * The atmosphere and supportive community of the Kingston theatre scene compared to Toronto.
 * The difficulty Canadian plays face in securing a second production after their premiere.

Guest: 🎭 Chloë Whitehorn

Described as "Dorothy Parker meets Neil Labute meets M. Night Shyamalan", Chloë Whitehorn is an award winning playwright, actor, and wearer of black dresses. A graduate of Queen's University's theatre program, Chloë’s work often challenges societal preconceptions and examines the broken bits of ourselves we all try to hide while injecting humor into difficult topics.

Born in California, Chloë's hippie-artist mother raised her in a world of circus artists, puppeteers and activists until moving to Canada where she spent her days figure skating, writing short stories, and developing a love of theatre. Some of her plays include: Madness Lies (TK Fringe 2025), The Fall After Midsummer (TK Fringe 2024, Come Play by The Lake One-Act Festival BEST PRODUCTION 2025), Blood River (Theatre Kingston 2023), Dressing Amelia (Bottletree 2024), The Pigeon (Life With More Cowbell's Top Ten Shows in Toronto of 2018), Love, Virtually (Best of Fringe Toronto 2011), Mourning After the Night Before, Divine Wrecks, and How to Not Die Horribly in a Fire. Productions of her plays have been performed across Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom.

Upcoming productions in November include The Fall After Midsummer at the Eastern Ontario Drama League one act festival in Merrickville and Hurricane Tales at the Alumnae Theatre in Toronto. Chloë's current work-in-progress "Admit Two" will be produced as part of Bottletree Productions' studio series in 2026.

Connect with Chloë: 🌐 Website: www.chloewhitehorn.com [https://www.chloewhitehorn.com/] 📸 Instagram: @chloewhitehorn [https://instagram.com/chloewhitehorn] 🦋 Bluesky: chloewhitehorn.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/chloewhitehorn.bsky.social]

Support Stageworthy: If you love the show, consider supporting on Patreon: patreon.com/stageworthy [https://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.

Subscribe & Follow: 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stageworthy/id1071732834] | Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0b9Vl5lsMKqDc1UIYl5thh] | Podchaser [https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/stageworthy-416634] |

#432 – Chloë Whitehorn

About This Episode: This week on Stageworthy, host Phil Rickaby is joined by Courtney Stoltz, the production manager for a new community theatre company in Kenora, Ontario, called So I guess we're doing this. Courtney shares her journey from actor to production manager. She provides a look into the theatre scene in Northwestern Ontario and the experience of taking their original play, Finding Richard Close, to the Winnipeg Fringe Festival. Courtney also discusses the unique balance of working in health promotion in remote Indigenous communities while pursuing her passion for theatre, highlighting the company's commitment to community wellness and their ambitious plans for the future.

This episode explores:

 * The formation of So I guess we're doing this, a theatre company founded by two family physicians in Kenora.
 * The themes of community, family, and healing in their original play, Finding Richard Close.
 * The challenges and triumphs of a new company performing at the Winnipeg Fringe Festival.
 * The state of the theatre scene in Northwestern Ontario and the passion of its artists.
 * The company's future vision, including a potential regional tour and their goal of becoming a professional theatre company.

Guest: 🎭 Courtney Stoltz

Courtney is the production manager for So I Guess We're Doing This? Theatre Company, based in Kenora, Ontario. She was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta. Her theatre journey there included performing in Northern Lights Theatre's productions of Beauty and the Beast and Robin Hood at the Edmonton Fringe Festival in 2009 and 2010, respectively. She has appeared in numerous productions with Missoula Children's theatre, including King Arthur's Quest, The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, and The Princess and the Frog. She attended Foote Theatre School, which culminated in a performance of A Chorus Line and Victoria School of the Arts from grades 10-12. She has recently appeared in TryLight Theatre's productions of My Fair Lady and Holmes and Watson. This is Courtney's first time approaching a show from the production side rather than being on stage, and it has been both fun and educational. When not thinking about theatre, Courtney works in Health Promotion in Kenora, Ontario. She is an avid whitewater kayaker and loves spending her weekends in the summer finding new rapids to challenge her. You also might find her mixing cocktails behind the bar where she works part time.

Support Stageworthy: If you love the show, consider supporting on Patreon: patreon.com/stageworthy [https://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.

Subscribe & Follow: 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stageworthy/id1071732834] | Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0b9Vl5lsMKqDc1UIYl5thh] | Podchaser [https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/stageworthy-416634] | Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/ca3db4c6-c5b6-4791-b23f-2af83272ac85/stageworthy] | iHeart Radio [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1310-stageworthy-271061892/] 📺 Watch on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@Stageworthy] – Like, subscribe & hit the notification bell!

#431 – Courtney Stoltz

About This Episode: This week on Stageworthy, host Phil Rickaby is joined by Liz Buchanan, a Hamilton-based actor, writer, and director who is also the artistic director of 9M Theatre. Liz shares her journey as a playwright and performer, focusing on her two Hamilton Fringe shows Gnomes A Traumatic Comedy (2023) and Liz A Traumatic Comedy (2024). She discusses her long-standing fascination with gnomes, how she uses humour and absurdity to explore personal trauma on stage, and more.

This episode explores:

 * The creative process behind Liz's two fringe shows, which use comedy to explore themes of trauma and healing.
 * The personal and surprising history of her fascination with gnomes, stemming from her childhood and the show Fraggle Rock.
 * The decision to transition from a multi-cast show (Gnomes) to a solo performance (Liz) to tell a more personal story.
 * The unique pressures and catharsis of performing a solo show, especially when the material is autobiographical.
 * The founding of her theatre company 9M Theatre, and its focus on a mix of original work and small-scale, intimate productions of Shakespeare

Guest: 🎭 Liz Buchanan Liz is an actor, writer and director in Hamilton who runs a small independent company: 9M Theatre, which puts on a mix of original and modern work in between small, intimate productions of Shakespeare classics.

She has written 3 plays that she has produced at the Hamilton Fringe Festival: 2018's "The Director's Cut", 2023's critical hit "Gnomes: a Traumatic Comedy" and her 2025 follow-up "Liz, a Traumatic Comedy". When she isn't on stage or behind the scenes Liz works part time as a teacher and part time as a Standardized Patient at McMaster University.

Connect with Liz 📸 Instagram: @9mtheatrecompany [https://www.instagram.com/9mtheatrecompany/] | @9mtheatre [https://www.instagram.com/9mtheatre/] | @gnomeiswheretheartis [https://www.instagram.com/gnomeiswheretheartis/]

Support Stageworthy: If you love the show, consider supporting on Patreon: patreon.com/stageworthy [https://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.

Subscribe & Follow: 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stageworthy/id1071732834] | Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0b9Vl5lsMKqDc1UIYl5thh] | Podchaser [https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/stageworthy-416634] | Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/ca3db4c6-c5b6-4791-b23f-2af83272ac85/stageworthy] | iHeart Radio [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1310-stageworthy-271061892/] 📺 Watch on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@Stageworthy] – Like, subscribe & hit the notification bell!

#430 – Liz Buchanan

About This Episode: This week on Stageworthy, host Phil Rickaby is joined by playwright Chelsea Woolley. Chelsea discusses her latest play, Enormity, Girl, and the Earthquake in Her Lungs, which is being produced by Nightwood Theatre. She shares the fascinating, eight-year journey of the play's development, from its original concept to a workshop production with theatre students, and the challenges of being a playwright in the rehearsal hall. Chelsea also talks about her unique approach to writing, which involves infusing humor and absurdity into a serious subject to create a piece that can only exist as live theatre.

This episode explores:

 * The development of Enormity, Girl, and the Earthquake in Her Lungs, from its original idea to its current form.
 * Chelsea's collaborative process with director Andrea Donaldson and the cast during rehearsals.
 * The strategic use of humor and absurdity to make a serious play more engaging and a unique theatrical experience.
 * Her theatre origin story, from writing plays in grade school to her realization that playwriting could be a career.

Guest: 🎭 Chelsea Woolley

Chelsea’s playwriting work includes: Enormity, Girl, and the Earthquake in Her Lungs (Nightwood Theatre), Paint Me This House of Love (Tarragon Theatre), The Mountain (Geordie Theatre), and The Only Good Boy (Theatre BSMT). Her work has been featured at the Kennedy Centre in Washington D.C., and at the “Shakespeare is Dead” Festival in Belgium. She is the founder of the Mixed-Arts Performance Partnership Program connecting young artists living in precarity to professional mentorship, and co-wrote a script titled, One Day with teens at Red Door Shelter. Chelsea is the Head of Drama at the Canadian Children's Opera Company where she has directed a number of operas including the 2025 production of Dido and Aeneas. Chelsea is the 2025 Tarragon Theatre Bulmash-Siegel New Creation Development Residency Award recipient, and is a graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada’s Playwriting Program.

Support Stageworthy: If you love the show, consider supporting on Patreon: patreon.com/stageworthy [https://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.

Subscribe & Follow: 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stageworthy/id1071732834] | Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0b9Vl5lsMKqDc1UIYl5thh] | Podchaser [https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/stageworthy-416634] | Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/ca3db4c6-c5b6-4791-b23f-2af83272ac85/stageworthy] | iHeart Radio [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1310-stageworthy-271061892/] 📺 Watch on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@Stageworthy] – Like, subscribe & hit the notification bell!

#429 – Chelsea Woolley

About This Episode: In a solo episode of Stageworthy, host and producer Phil Rickaby discusses the looming threat to Canadian theatre and arts due to government funding cuts. He reflects on the recent mandate that all government departments, including the Canada Council for the Arts, must find 15% in savings, which will result in significant cuts to arts programs. Phil explores why the arts in Canada are so vulnerable to these cuts, citing a long-standing public perception that they are not essential or relevant to the average Canadian. He poses critical questions about the future of theatre in Canada, including what companies will do to survive and how the arts community can better articulate its value to the public and to the government.

This episode explores:

 * The significant impact of a mandated 15% cut to the Canada Council for the Arts.
 * The challenge of public perception that the arts are for "elites" and are not relevant to most Canadians.
 * The historical context of Canadian-made content being seen as inferior to that of the US or UK.
 * The importance of the arts in defining Canadian identity and what it means to be a nation.

Support Stageworthy: If you love the show, consider supporting on Patreon: patreon.com/stageworthy [https://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.

Subscribe & Follow: 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stageworthy/id1071732834] | Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0b9Vl5lsMKqDc1UIYl5thh] | Podchaser [https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/stageworthy-416634] | Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/ca3db4c6-c5b6-4791-b23f-2af83272ac85/stageworthy] | iHeart Radio [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1310-stageworthy-271061892/] 📺 Watch on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@Stageworthy] – Like, subscribe & hit the notification bell!

#428 – Solo: Funding cuts and the future of theatre in Canada

About This Episode: This week on Stageworthy, host Phil Rickaby is joined by Toronto-based actor Virgilia Griffith, who is currently appearing in two shows at the Shaw Festival: Blues for an Alabama Sky and Murder on the Lake. In this conversation, Virgilia discusses the unique demands of each production and how they complement one another, keeping her acting practice fresh and present. She shares her journey from aspiring dancer to award-winning actor, the importance of mentorship, and how she found her calling in theatre.

This episode explores:

 * Virgilia’s path to becoming a theatre artist
 * The power of mentorship and the artists who shaped her career
 * What it means to bring authenticity and lived experience to performance
 * The importance of representation and telling underrepresented stories
 * How she approaches the creative process as an artist.

Guest: 🎭 Virgilia Griffith

Virgilia Griffith is a Toronto based actor. Winner of the Meta Emerging Artist Award for Gas Girls written Donna Michelle St. Bernard. Winner of the Dora Mavor Moore awards for Outstanding Performance for Harlem Duet written by Djanet Sears. She was also a Dora Mavor Moore nominee for Outstanding Female in an Independent Division for her performance of Honesty directed by Jordan Tannahill and a Dora nomination for Iphigenia and the Furies ( On Taurian Land) (Saga Collectif). Selected credits include: Three Sisters (Soulpepper Theatre/ Obsidian), Rosmersholm (Crow’s Theatre), Our Place ( Cahoots/ Theatre Passé Muraille), Queen Goneril/ King Lear ( Soulpepper Theatre Company), Serving Elizabeth (Stratford Festival), 21 Black Futures (Obsidian Theatre Company/CBC Gem), Contractions (Studio 180), Guarded Girls (Tarragon Theatre/ Greenlight Arts), Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom ( Soulpepper Theatre), The Wedding Party ( Crow's Theatre), Other Side of the Game (Cahoots/ Obsidian Theatre), Da Kink In My Hair ( Theatre Calgary/ Nac), How We Are ( Mikaela Davies and Polly Phokeev Productions), Up The Garden Path (Obsidian Theatre Company).

Support Stageworthy: If you love the show, consider supporting on Patreon: patreon.com/stageworthy [https://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.

Subscribe & Follow: 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stageworthy/id1071732834] | Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0b9Vl5lsMKqDc1UIYl5thh] | Podchaser [https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/stageworthy-416634] | Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/ca3db4c6-c5b6-4791-b23f-2af83272ac85/stageworthy] | iHeart Radio [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1310-stageworthy-271061892/] 📺 Watch on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@Stageworthy] – Like, subscribe & hit the notification bell!

#427 – Virgilia Griffith

About This Episode: This week on Stageworthy, host Phil Rickaby is joined by Iain Moggach, former Artistic Director of Theatre by the Bay in Barrie, Ontario. In this thoughtful conversation, Iain shares his journey from aspiring lawyer to actor, administrator, and ultimately artistic director, reflecting on what it means to build theatre outside of a major city centre. He speaks to the unique challenges and opportunities of working in Barrie, and the importance of creating space for regional stories.

This episode explores:

 * Iain’s journey from law studies to theatre leadership
 * The role of mentorship and community in his career path
 * The challenges of running a theatre company outside major urban centres
 * Building partnerships and engaging new audiences in Barrie
 * The importance of perseverance, adaptability, and curiosity in theatre-making

Guest: 🎭 Iain Moggach Iain Moggach is an award-winning theatre producer, director, and performing arts educator based in Barrie, Ontario.

Iain was the Artistic Director of Theatre by the Bay from 2018-2024, where he received numerous awards including the Barrie Business Award for 'Young Professional of the Year' in 2019, and the Barrie Arts Award for 'Contribution to the Community' in 2024. Some highlights of his time there include launching the Simcoe County Theatre Festival, expanding the company's Indie Producer Co-op into a national program, and commissioning several world premieres including 'Icemen' by Vern Thiessen, as well as new plays by Chloé Hung and Colleen Murphy.

As a director, Iain has directed professional theatre productions in seven cities across Canada, working in diverse styles including musicals, Shakespeare, contemporary drama, historical storytelling, and world premieres of new Canadian plays. Most recently, his production of Vern Thiessen's 'Bluebirds' at Theatre on the Ridge received tremendous acclaim from critics and audiences.

As a theatre educator and mentor, Iain has developed programs for emerging directors and producers, facilitated workshops for arts organizations, and championed the growth of regional theatre across Ontario. His work reflects a deep commitment to the future of Canadian theatre and to building inclusive, supportive spaces for the next generation of performing artists.

In the last year, Iain has also found himself working as a Consultant; supporting organizations such as the Huronia Symphony Orchestra, the Kingston Theatre Alliance, and Art and Water Cultural Group with strategic growth.

Connect with Iain 📸 Instagram: @imoggach [https://www.instagram.com/imoggach/] 🌐 Website: www.imoggach.com [https://www.imoggach.com/]

Support Stageworthy If you love the show, consider supporting on Patreon: https://patreon.com/stageworthy

Subscribe & Follow: 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stageworthy/id1071732834] | Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0b9Vl5lsMKqDc1UIYl5thh] | Podchaser [https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/stageworthy-416634] | Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/ca3db4c6-c5b6-4791-b23f-2af83272ac85/stageworthy] | iHeart Radio [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1310-stageworthy-271061892/] 📺 Watch on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@Stageworthy] – Like, subscribe & hit the notification bell!

#426 – Iain Moggach

About This Episode: This week on Stageworthy, host Phil Rickaby is joined by Nancy Kenny, an actor, writer, and producer whose latest show, I Don’t Feel Pretty/Chu pas cute, will have readings at the 2025 Halifax Fringe Festival. In this warm and insightful conversation, Nancy shares the deeply personal inspiration behind her show, the balance between humour and vulnerability in storytelling, and the journey of shaping a one-person play from lived experience.

This episode explores:

 * The origins of I Don’t Feel Pretty/Chu pas cute and its autobiographical elements
 * Using humour to explore challenging personal topics
 * The Fringe Festival as a space for experimentation and connection
 * Lessons learned from workshopping solo performance
 * Building audience trust and creating space for shared vulnerability

Guest: 🎭 Nancy Kenny A proud Acadian originally from New Brunswick, Nancy Kenny is a fluently bilingual (French/English) actor, writer, theatre and film producer, who splits her time between Kjipuktuk/Halifax and Tkaronto/Toronto. She is best known for the award-winning, critically acclaimed plays, Roller Derby Saved My Soul (Canadian Comedy Award nominee - Best One Person Show), and Everybody Dies in December. Nancy is also the executive producer of On the Fringe, a feature documentary about touring the Canadian Fringe Festival circuit. (Winner: Best Documentary Film, 2023 Screen Nova Scotia Awards). Currently, she is working on I Don’t Feel Pretty/Chu pas cute, an absurdist dark comedy set in the fractured mind of an alcoholic on a bender. Through her company, Broken Turtle Productions, Nancy’s focus is in stories that explore the role of women, marginalized genders, and 2SLGBTQ+ people in society. She is particularly interested in new and multilingual works, as well as works that explore our humanity with a darkly comedic bent.

Connect with Nancy: 🌐 website: https://www.nancykenny.ca/ 📸 Instagram: @thenancykenny [https://instagram.com/thenancykenny]

Support Stageworthy If you love the show, consider supporting on Patreon: patreon.com/stageworthy [https://www.patreon.com/stageworthy]

Subscribe & Follow: 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/stageworthy/id1071732834] | Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0b9Vl5lsMKqDc1UIYl5thh?si=216a7616653e42c4] | Podchaser [https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/stageworthy-416634] | Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/ca3db4c6-c5b6-4791-b23f-2af83272ac85/stageworthy] | iHeart Radio [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1310-stageworthy-271061892/] 📺 Watch on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@Stageworthy] – Like, subscribe & hit the notification bell!

#425 – Nancy Kenny

Hosted by writer and performing, Phil Rickaby, Stageworthy is a weekly podcast about the performing arts in Canada. In each episode features intimate and knowledgeable discussions with artists from different disciplines, about creating and presenting work, the creative process, and more. Episodes arrive every Tuesday, with bonus episodes now and then.