What Lights You Up? Igniting Our Personal Power
We lose power every now and then at the lake, usually due to high winds or snow. I never really mind it, especially in the winter, because we crank up our wood stove and cook our meals fireside. It’s always a great reminder of what’s truly important in life, to what we actually need to […]
Embracing Individuality through the Mosaic of Life
You know, you can’t go anywhere in the personal development or mindfulness space these days without being promised that there is some new life hack that is going to change your life, and nine times out of ten, these miracle tips are touted as being backed by science. It’s ubiquitous and, as far as I’m […]
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
As a professional stage manager, navigating the complexities of production while battling feelings of inadequacy when we don’t quite hit the mark can often feel like a balancing act on a high wire. Feeling like an imposter and like I don’t deserve to be where I am, or that I am not good enough are […]
Interview With Patrick Whitbread
In this interview with Patrick Whitbread, he discusses his time touring New Zealand and Australia for nearly a decade. His new role in Opera Australia’s West Side Story is one he is familiar with from his own theatrical past. He is coming back to playing the role of Riff, one he has not portrayed since his time at the WAAPA during his Music Theatre course. In this interview he looks back at his extensive career over the past ten years and what he hopes to see for his future roles.
Logistics of Concert Tours
From the time a show closes at one venue to the time it opens at another, the logistics of concert tours can baffle even those who have been touring for decades. The take down, transition and instalment of a show can take anywhere from several hours to several days. Some concert tours are the size of small cities, especially when the performer or band is an extremely well known ‘A-Lister’.
Theatre Tax Relief
As of Wednesday, 6th of March, Jeremy Hunt announced a permanent rate for Theatre Tax Relief (TTR). The chancellor announced the rate of 45% for touring productions and 40% for non-touring shows. This announcement comes just before the general election, and has been the saving grace for the entire live entertainment industry throughout the United Kingdom.
Interview With Michael Schade
In this interview with Michael Schade, we get an exclusive insight to his life before he became a celebrated opera singer and why he dedicates so much of his work and passion to helping those in need. Michael Schade is a Canadian opera singer who was raised in Germany and Canada. He appears regularly on several well known opera stages across the world, and in 2017 he was granted the tittle Officer to the Order of Canada (O.C.).
Coldplay Releases Sustainability Report
The British pop band Coldplay releases sustainability report, and they are the first band ever in the world to do so! This band that has been on pop charts for the last 20 years voluntarily produced their sustainability report after the band set out to reduce their carbon emissions by half. While out on their latest tour, the band has nearly done just that.
Elton John Achieves EGOT Status
Elton John achieves EGOT status after being the recipient of an Emmy Award for Elton John Live: Farewell From Dodger Stadium. This achievement was greatly deserved as Elton John has had a lengthy career since his debut album back in 1969 (later released in the U.S. in early 1975). He was one of the first openly gay artists and gave a voice to the LGBTQ+ community. Although he claims he has retired from touring, the artist still does the occasional show and is rumoured to be working on a new album.
Glynis Johns After 100 Years
Glynis Johns, after 100 years on Earth, has passed away. While the British actress became best known for her role in Mary Poppins, she heavily contributed to live theatre, film, and an eight decade career most people in Hollywood only dream of.
The “Whats” and “Hows” of Taking a Show to Edinburgh Fringe
Dominique Salerno, one of the many talented artists we work with, took her one woman show, THE BOX SHOW, to Edinburgh Festival Fringe this summer where it was critically-acclaimed. So many folks we work with look for the opportunity to go to Edinburgh so we seized on the opportunity to talk with her about what […]
Not Feeling “Show-Ready?”– Here’s what to do
After more than a year off from performing, it feels like we have suddenly been thrust right back into the thick of things, with little to no preparation. This is leading to a collective feeling of overwhelm, exhaustion, performance anxiety, and burnout. But what does it really mean to be show-ready? What it means to […]
History of the Nutcracker Ballet
Dreams of sugar plum fairies, tiny toys coming to life, a little girl’s dream to become a dancer. The Nutcracker ballet has been around for over 130 years and many of its themes are still commonly shown on stages across the world.
How to Slow Down – A Guide for Type A Personalities
I’ve always been an action taker. I decide what I want, then I proceed to make detailed lists, action steps, and to-do lists. Can you relate to this? This way of being has got me far in life, I won’t lie. However, sometimes it gets in the way of me enjoying the things that are […]
Spread the cheer! Holiday Networking for Creatives
You’re probably already aware that we are big fans of building relationships within the industry, and that we encourage our artists to intentionally cultivate a community on the regular. This includes connecting with contacts we already have and actively expanding that same pool of folks. Those who take our advice and put in the effort […]
How to Create Boundaries As Part of Self-Care
When I work with high-achieving clients, one question I get asked most often is, “how do I set healthy boundaries?” Many of us are not taught how to do so growing up, and it can feel impossible, confusing and downright scary. High achievers, in particular, have a hard time setting and maintaining healthy boundaries. They […]
Taylor Swift Gave Massive Bonuses To Crew On Eras Tour
Multiple sources confirmed that the superstar Taylor Swift gave massive bonuses to crew on Eras tour. This generous bonus totaled over $55 million to everyone working on the tour. Dancers, caterers, truck drivers, and everyone in between was given the bonuses sometime while on the road with Taylor Swift during the Eras Tour.
Thriving Through the Festive Performance Season: A Performer’s Guide to Balance and Joy
‘Tis the season to be jolly. Or is it? For performers, the festive season is a whirlwind of magic–and extra shows. This demands sacrifices that often go unacknowledged, with performers facing the reality of being thousands of families’ Christmas gifts, while simultaneously missing out on time with their own families. I know firsthand how challenging […]
Threat of A.I. in SAG-AFTRA Agreement
The looming threat of A.I. in the SAG-AFTRA tentative agreement is still ongoing. As more information is becoming public, it’s quite clear that the majority of the public is against the deal regarding the sections of artificial intelligence. The SAG-AFTRA union promised its members when they went on strike earlier this Summer, that artificial intelligence would be regulated in its usage and would not harm the careers of its members. That is not the case according to the new tentative agreement that SAG-AFTRA secured, and is awaiting a vote…
What Performers Need to Know about Seasonal Affective Disorder
The performing arts industry loves to project an image of glamour, applause, and the exhilarating thrill of the spotlight. However, behind the scenes, many performers grapple with a syndrome that can significantly impact their well-being and performance—Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). According to the NHS, SAD is a form of depression that occurs seasonally, typically in […]
SAG-AFTRA Strike Is Over
As of 12:01 AM (PT) on 9 November, the SAG-AFTRA Strike is over! The TV and Theatrical Negotiating Committee voted unanimously on approving a tentative agreement, establishing an extraordinary win for the union’s members everywhere. Strikes were suspended immediately upon the approval of the agreement and picket locations closed. The following days came with copious amounts of information being released to the union’s members as well as public statements from several people on the committee.
20 Years of Wicked
Broadway’s Gershwin Theatre celebrates 20 years of Wicked performances by rolling out the green carpet and some amazing extras were added to make the performance that much more memorable for those who were lucky enough to witness the anniversary show. The celebration ran for the entire month of October allowing fans the experience of a lifetime. From the time you entered the theatre and were handed your special playbill celebrating the anniversary, to the bows at the end of the show, 20 years of Wicked has not slowed them down, and the entire theatre community expects Wicked to run for a very long time.
The Effects of Low Carbohydrate Intake on Performer Health
One of the things I am most passionate about is advocating for more education around the fuelling requirements of performers. This is especially important in the age of social media, where fad diets are now so easily accessible. The problem with many of these diets is that they are created around the needs of the […]
Embracing a “Human First Paradigm” for Healthier and Happier Performers
To perform your best and truly reach and sustain your performance potential, you need to be a healthy person first. This seems obvious right? But I want you to take a few moments to reflect on if this is true for you in practice. What do I mean? Well–when I was a performer doing 8 […]