My newest gig

When the Pandemic of 2020 hit the world, everything and I mean EVERYTHING came to screeching, grinding halt. It has been felt around the world and it is just now that things are SLOWLY (ever so slowly) coming back to a semblance of normal.

My gigs as a Stage Manager evaporated. The play that I had spent months working on – Next Year halted production a mere four weeks from opening. I am still sad about this one as it was a labour of love for me. The subject matter was near and dear to me.

The next gig to fall away was a play by Neil Simon that was being directed by a good friend, Miles Lavkulich (an amazing director and great source on how to survive in the theatre world). That one didn’t even get past the first stage of auditions. *sob

Then came word that the Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival was being cancelled. Bye bye World Beat Stage.

After that, it was Canada Day on Granville Island followed by the Steveston Dragon Boat Festival. I cannot begin to tell you how sad I was to see all these events just stop. I understand why they had to stop and I agreed with each and every person who made those difficult choices to halt the events.

My days as a stage manager seemed to be disappearing right before my eyes.

Then, a few bright lights: The Vancouver Fringe Festival held a “Mini-Fringe” and I was tapped to Stage Manage the Musical: Trudeau-mania. What a fun show this was. The cast were amazing. Their vocal talents were so impressive and I had a blast working with this team.

After that, I was tapped by Peg Keenleyside, who I worked with on a play at the Metro: Calendar Girls. She has formed a theatre company called Delta Stageworks. She started a project on the Covid-19 crisis and tapped me to be her stage manager. We are just in the preliminary stage of developing content but, it is going to be a great production. I have done a few limited workshops with her and the cast and crew. Keep tuned for more info as it comes available.

Which brings us to now. After my show at Vagabond Players halted production, I was approached by Val, the president of the Board of Directors of Vagabond Players. She saw that I had the skillsets and the mindsets to play a bigger role with this organization. So, we talked and the Board asked me if I would consider being a board member.

I talked it over with Alex and, after a few concessions on my part, I agreed to sit on the board.