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

About This Episode: This week on Stageworthy, host Phil Rickaby is joined by Evan Bawtinheimer, a Toronto-based, Dora Award winning playwright. Evan shares the inspiration behind his play award winning play, Patty Picker. In this candid and thoughtful conversation, Evan opens up about playwriting, his journey of personal growth and mental health, and why vulnerability and connection are central to his artistic work. This episode explores:

 * Evan’s evolution from musical theatre performer to playwright
 * The value of personal storytelling and creating space for others
 * Navigating imposter syndrome and artistic doubt
 * Building a theatre company rooted in honesty, humour, and support
 * Why community matters more than perfection in indie theatre

Guest: 🎭 Evan Bawtinheimer Evan Bawtinheimer is a Dora Award Winning Bipolar Playwright from Toronto, ON. He is a graduate of Fanshawe College's Theatre Arts program and Brock University's Theatre Arts program. Patty Picker is his first professionally produced play. Patty Picker premiered at the 2024 Toronto Fringe Festival. It was also nominated for a 2024 Tom Hendry award and Four 2025 Dora Awards, winning one for Outstanding New Play (Theatre for Young Audiences).

Connect with Evan: 📸 Instagram: @evan_bawtinheimer [https://www.instagram.com/evan_bawtinheimer]

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!

#424 – Evan Bawtinheimer

About This Episode: This week on Stageworthy, host Phil Rickaby is joined by Michelle Langille, an actor, director, and burlesque performer whose journey has taken her from Toronto to Cape Breton. In this deeply personal and wide-ranging conversation, Michelle talks about her roots in musical theatre, what it means to redefine success on your own terms, and how returning to a smaller community reignited her creative spark. From lessons in understudy generosity to creating her burlesque persona "Honey de Mele," Michelle shares insights about art, sustainability, and joyful reinvention. This episode explores:

 * Michelle’s early inspirations and love of musical theatre
 * The journey through multiple theatre schools and cities
 * How a move to Nova Scotia shifted her career trajectory
 * Her experience as a burlesque performer and fundraiser producer
 * Making theatre in small communities and the power of local talent
 * Lessons in kindness, mentorship, and the importance of joy in the rehearsal room
 * Her directorial journey leading to upcoming work at Neptune Theatre
 * Thoughts on work-life balance and the future of Canadian theatre

Guest: 🎭 Michelle Langille Michelle Langille is an actor/director born in Antigonish, who currently lives in Sydney Cape Breton Nova Scotia. Michelle studied Musical Theatre at the Canadian College of Performing Arts in Victoria BC and Classical Theatre at George Brown College in Toronto.

As a director Michelle just completed directing The Producers (Highland Arts Theatre) and Annie (Savoy Theatre). She is about to start rehearsals for Come From Away as a Diane (Savoy Theatre) then she heads to Halifax to direct her first show for Neptune Theatre, the Wizard of Oz then immediately heads back home to direct Frozen at the Savoy. Michelle was a member of Neptune Theatre’s Chrysalis project working on The Last Wife and Peter Pan. She assisted on the world premiere of Lo (or Dear Mr. Wells) a Nightwood Theatre production at Crows Theatre. Her first directing opportunity came with The Penelopiad at Hart House Theatre which garnered a number of Subscriber Choice awards including awards for lighting, set, overall design, favourite supporting actor and favourite director. She was a member of Nightwood Theatre’s Write from the Hip Playwright’s unit (2016/2017) with her play Ten Days which received a second workshop with PARC in 2019.

Favourite performing credits include Mary’s Wedding, Saltwater Moon (Single Thread) A Man Walks Into a Bar (Amblemore) Clique Claque (Pea Green/Next Stage Festival) Gray (Theatre Inamorata) Mamma Mia (The Savoy Theatre), The Sound of Music, Oliver!, Evita, The Wizard of Oz and Beauty and the Beast and most recently as Magenta in The Rocky Horror Show (Neptune Theatre).

Michelle is also a burlesque performer who appears as Honey De Mele and is the current and first chair of the Atlantic Burlesque Festival , the first festival east of Montreal which just finished its second sold out year.

Connect with Michelle: 📸 Instagram: @michelle_langille [https://instagram.com/michelle_langille]

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] |

#423 – Michelle Langille

About This Episode: This week on Stageworthy, host Phil Rickaby welcomes ted witzel, Artistic Director of Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, to discuss the company’s 2025–2026 season and the vital role Buddies plays locally and globally. In this wide-ranging and passionate conversation, ted talks about the curatorial ethos behind the season, how queerness informs both aesthetic and practice, and why Buddies remains a radical, necessary space in an increasingly conservative climate. This episode explores:

 * The inspiration and process behind curating the 2025–2026 Buddies season
 * Why queerness is more than representation—it's a creative methodology
 * The value of festivals (Rhubarb, Nuit Blanche, Queer Pride) in Buddies' identity
 * Longing as a theme: desire, intimacy, revolution, and more
 * Highlights from the season including The Green Line, Make Banana Cry, The Herald, and The Begging Brown Bitch Plays
 * The importance of unruliness, disobedience, and disrespectability in queer theatre
 * The enduring legacy and global uniqueness of Buddies in Bad Times

Guest: 🎭 ted witzel ted witzel (he/him) is a queer theatre-maker and artistic leader from toronto / tkaròn:to. primarily a director, ted is also variously a dramaturg, curator, teacher, writer, translator, designer, and performer. he has worked with theatres and cultural organizations across canada, the uk, germany, and italy.

fusing high-octane performance, rigorous dramaturgy, digital aesthetics, and poetic text, ted’s directing is located at the intersection between the personal and the political, and the (visceral, emotional, intellectual) frictions between them.

ted was a guest curator for the 2023 edition of the summerworks festival and is a member of the theatre committee at the toronto arts council. he recently completed a four-year tenure as artistic associate and laboratory director at the stratford festival, where he oversaw the company’s research and development programs. these included a broad portfolio of new works in development, equity-focused systems change, artist residencies, and a collection of artistic explorations and programs that aim to help imagine the future orientation of the company.

ted holds a masters of arts management from SDA bocconi and an MFA in directing from york university and canadian stage. in 2018, he was selected as an artistic leadership resident at the national theatre school, and was a member of the banff centre’s 2019 cultural leadership cohort. he has been artist-in-residence at harbourfront centre, buddies in bad times (toronto) and institut für alles mögliche (berlin).

Connect with Buddies in Bad Times Theatre: 📸 Instagram: @buddiesTO [https://www.instagram.com/buddiesTO] 🌐 Website: buddiesinbadtimes.com [https://buddiesinbadtimes.com/]

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]

#422 – ted witzel

This week on Stageworthy, host Phil Rickaby welcomes Aisling Murphy, theatre reporter for the Globe and Mail. In a wide-ranging and engaging conversation, Aisling shares the journey from musical theatre student to one of Canada’s leading theatre critics. They discuss her early roots in Baltimore, her move to Canada, and how a moment of personal upheaval redirected her path from performing to criticism. Now six months into her role at the Globe, Aisling offers sharp insights into the world of Canadian theatre and the delicate balance of being both a critic and a supporter of the art form.

This episode explores:

 * Aisling's transition from performer to theatre critic
 * Her journey from Ottawa to Toronto, and eventually to the Globe and Mail
 * The challenges of reviewing peers and staying impartial
 * Differences between Canadian and American theatre ecosystems
 * The unique opportunities and responsibilities of being a national critic
 * Her thoughts on critical integrity, honesty, and theatre as public record
 * The importance of documenting Canadian theatre for the future

Guest: 🖋️ Aisling Murphy Aisling ("ash-ling") Murphy is the theatre reporter for The Globe and Mail. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, she was the senior editor of Intermission Magazine from 2021-2025 and during that time also worked as a staff writer at the Toronto Star and CP24/CTV News Toronto. As a freelance culture writer, she wrote for publications including the New York Times, CBC Arts, the Stratford Beacon-Herald and her hometown paper, the Baltimore Sun. She is an occasional playwright and frequent Swiftie. She lives in Toronto with her husband and two cats.

Connect with Aisling: The Globe and Mail: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/authors/aisling-murphy/ 📸 Instagram: @aisling.murph [https://www.instagram.com/aisling.murph/]

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!

#421 – Aisling Murphy

This week on Stageworthy, host Phil Rickaby welcomes annemieke wade, Executive Director of the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA). annemieke shares insights from her first six months in the role, her vision for TAPA’s future, and her deep commitment to building frameworks of care and collaboration in Toronto’s arts sector. From revitalizing artist support programs to reimagining rehearsal and performance norms, this conversation highlights the evolving landscape of Canadian theatre and the importance of intergenerational dialogue.

This episode explores:

 * The challenges and steep learning curve of succeeding a 21-year ED at TAPA
 * The role and scope of TAPA, from the Dora Awards to mentorship and training programs
 * The B Street Arts Hub and its community resources
 * annemieke's career journey from Vermont to Toronto and into arts leadership
 * The impact of her late ADHD diagnosis and the power of self-understanding
 * Her vision for more flexible, sustainable work practices in the arts
 * The importance of bridging generational divides in the theatre community

Guest: 🎭 annemieke wade annemieke wade (she/her) is the Executive Director at the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA) and a dedicated advocate for inclusivity in the arts. Originally from St. Albans, Vermont, annemieke headed to Ontario for school in 1994 and graduated from the University of Toronto Mississauga/Sheridan College joint Theatre and Drama Studies program in 1998. Once on Canadian soil, she never really left! Despite a brief return home to complete an MBA from Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont, annemieke had fallen shamelessly in love with Toronto and became a citizen in 2013.

With over 20 years of industry experience both on and off stage, annemieke champions strategically undervalued communities through programming and engagement that prioritizes diversity and active representation. She previously served on the TAPA Board of Directors (2016-22) and Eligibility Committee (2022-24), was a contributing member of the PGC/PACT contract negotiations working group (2022-23) and currently sits on the TAC Theatre Committee (2023-26). annemieke was recently honoured with a nomination as a Woman of Influence for the 32nd RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards.

Connect with Annemieke: 📸 Instagram: @miekechu11 [https://instagram.com/miekechu11] 🌐 Learn more about TAPA: tapa.ca [https://tapa.ca]

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!Bio, and socials go here

#420 –  annemieke wade

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.