(Remarks delivered by Laura Caswell on Chris O'Neill's behalf when Chris won the Mallory Gilbert Leadership Award in 2023.) Thank you so much for your nomination and this award. It means a lot, way out here in Mi’kmaqi, where we live under the treaties of Peace and...
I’m thinking about how we are having some of the most important conversations of our lives via a digital platform most of us had never used before March 15th. I feel like the way we have been coming together might be changing the decisions we are making. I have been...
I Just finished two weeks of work on two different projects involving 14 artists at Ross Creek, and I'm holding auditions for our 2021 Summer season. I'm still processing that I am actually working. The steps are tentative. The future is uncertain. But the things we...
I’m looking back and looking forward. Next season is our 30th at Two Planks and a Passion Theatre. It’s hard to believe. In the midst of all the chaos and uncertainty, we are carving out a pathway back to our outdoor stages for our 30th. Part of that process is the...
When are you an artist? I have read (and heard) many people describe themselves as “former theatre artists” or refer to the pre-March period as “when I was a performing artist”. These comments are increasing as the Pandemic drags on. It has always been tricky to...
It’s Thanksgiving. I have been reminded, in powerful ways this week, about the impact of the pandemic on my relationships. I recently spent an hour talking one -on- one with a friend and colleague I hadn’t spoken with since the pandemic began. No distractions, just...
In July 2021, this will be our mainstage. Recently I have had colleagues reach out to me to talk about the theatre we create at Ross Creek for Two Planks and a Passion. Specifically the outdoors part. For reasons that you probably don’t need explained to you (unless...
A week ago we finished our first rehearsals of the pandemic at Two Planks. I’ve been thinking about it a lot. Some of the things that stick with me are: 1. The best questions seem to be the ones that lead to more questions before they lead to answers. 2. We’re not...
I put my notebook away. I’m old -fashioned in that I always keep a notebook and a pencil with me at all times, recording a revolving “to do” list on page after page along with notes from meetings, the odd business card and sometimes a theatre ticket or two. When...
I have made a list of ten things so I can read it in the future. A month from now. A year from now. Last night we had a Zoom meeting with a group of artists that will be going into in-person rehearsals at Two Planks and a Passion Theatre in a couple of weeks on a work...