1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:11,960 I have always wanted to go New York and see a Broadway play or a musical and I'm finding 2 00:00:11,960 --> 00:00:18,360 out that in the Windsor-Essex County area we have so many production companies and so 3 00:00:18,360 --> 00:00:25,680 many very talented artists, musicians, singers, that you don't have to go out of town. 4 00:00:25,680 --> 00:00:26,680 We have it here. 5 00:00:26,680 --> 00:00:33,600 And today I have the president and the vice president of the Arts Collective Theatre or 6 00:00:33,600 --> 00:00:34,840 ACT as we know it. 7 00:00:34,840 --> 00:00:38,360 We have Chris Rabideau and Moya McAlister. 8 00:00:38,360 --> 00:00:39,360 Hi. 9 00:00:39,360 --> 00:00:41,280 Thanks so much for having us, Tracy. 10 00:00:41,280 --> 00:00:42,280 Oh, thank you. 11 00:00:42,280 --> 00:00:47,320 And if this is your first time tuning in, my name is Tracy Martens and this is YQG In Bloom 12 00:00:47,320 --> 00:00:49,000 Podcast. 13 00:00:49,000 --> 00:00:51,520 I was so excited to see Rent. 14 00:00:51,520 --> 00:00:58,040 I mean, that was just, it was a dream and I actually sat with somebody that had seen 15 00:00:58,040 --> 00:01:03,400 it from New York on TV and I'm like, well, how did it compare? 16 00:01:03,400 --> 00:01:06,540 Because I had no idea going into it what it was like. 17 00:01:06,540 --> 00:01:08,040 I just knew I wanted to see it. 18 00:01:08,040 --> 00:01:10,040 And I couldn't tell the difference. 19 00:01:10,040 --> 00:01:11,040 Wow. 20 00:01:11,040 --> 00:01:13,960 So they said it was amazing. 21 00:01:13,960 --> 00:01:14,960 It was great. 22 00:01:14,960 --> 00:01:15,960 Yay. 23 00:01:15,960 --> 00:01:19,280 We're just proud because we've been able to elevate the show in other ways and other directions. 24 00:01:19,280 --> 00:01:24,000 Most of the time the show is the script and it's in New York setting and it's dark and 25 00:01:24,000 --> 00:01:27,440 dingy and it's part an alley, part inside of Mark's apartment. 26 00:01:27,440 --> 00:01:30,880 But what we wanted to do is we wanted to really bring it out of that. 27 00:01:30,880 --> 00:01:34,060 We wanted to, my focus was taking Mark's camera. 28 00:01:34,060 --> 00:01:36,400 He says, how do you document real life? 29 00:01:36,400 --> 00:01:41,160 And I felt that gave me the license to say, how do we explore through the camera and show 30 00:01:41,160 --> 00:01:44,240 everyone that point of view through all the lenses of the show? 31 00:01:44,240 --> 00:01:49,200 And so one of the things I tried to do was really celebrate that through new technology 32 00:01:49,200 --> 00:01:51,040 and through LED screens and such. 33 00:01:51,040 --> 00:01:55,800 And I thought there was a way that we could really take this show and really kind of capture 34 00:01:55,800 --> 00:01:58,600 the street names, capture elevations. 35 00:01:58,600 --> 00:01:59,600 We call them elevations. 36 00:01:59,600 --> 00:02:04,720 Every time there would be a song and it would explode in color or explode in content, we 37 00:02:04,720 --> 00:02:08,960 wanted the elevations to really kind of explode the feeling and thematics of each song. 38 00:02:08,960 --> 00:02:10,960 And I wanted to take it further. 39 00:02:10,960 --> 00:02:14,800 So when we saw Tango Marine, we saw red smoke all over the screens and this kind of fantasy, 40 00:02:14,800 --> 00:02:15,800 if you will. 41 00:02:15,800 --> 00:02:20,760 And I thought, why not use Mark, who is the narrator of the show, and use his lens, what 42 00:02:20,760 --> 00:02:23,540 he sees, and just bring it to life? 43 00:02:23,540 --> 00:02:25,440 And I think we were able to achieve that. 44 00:02:25,440 --> 00:02:28,680 We've had people who've seen the show, who saw another area, saw it before and said, 45 00:02:28,680 --> 00:02:29,880 wow, I love what you did here. 46 00:02:29,880 --> 00:02:33,280 And of course, not to give too much away, but the ending was something new and powerful 47 00:02:33,280 --> 00:02:34,280 as well. 48 00:02:34,280 --> 00:02:39,220 And we think that we're able to capture the credits of his film truly on stage. 49 00:02:39,220 --> 00:02:43,260 So I'm really proud of where we came, especially on a local level. 50 00:02:43,260 --> 00:02:45,240 We want to bring big ideas. 51 00:02:45,240 --> 00:02:46,960 We don't want to be status quo. 52 00:02:46,960 --> 00:02:52,600 We'd rather be bold and fail than to do something that's, okay, this has been done before, same 53 00:02:52,600 --> 00:02:53,600 old, same old. 54 00:02:53,600 --> 00:02:55,160 That's never been the vision of ACT. 55 00:02:55,160 --> 00:02:59,160 I think what we love about ACT, and what I love about ACT is vision has always come first. 56 00:02:59,160 --> 00:03:01,320 So when you think of ACT, you think of arts collective theater. 57 00:03:01,320 --> 00:03:04,720 But I think of A is the artistry, that vision that runs through our veins. 58 00:03:04,720 --> 00:03:07,240 I think of the collective as also being culture. 59 00:03:07,240 --> 00:03:09,680 And I think of the T as training opportunities. 60 00:03:09,680 --> 00:03:10,680 I agree with you. 61 00:03:10,680 --> 00:03:15,800 So that's why I always have to look at his arts collective theater, because to me, it 62 00:03:15,800 --> 00:03:19,160 should say something about actors. 63 00:03:19,160 --> 00:03:24,880 But I do agree with you on the fact that it would be okay to fail because people learn 64 00:03:24,880 --> 00:03:25,880 from the failing. 65 00:03:25,880 --> 00:03:27,800 But you guys are nailing it right out. 66 00:03:27,800 --> 00:03:33,600 I mean, seeing it on opening night, if there was any mistakes, you couldn't tell because 67 00:03:33,600 --> 00:03:34,600 they were spot on. 68 00:03:34,600 --> 00:03:35,600 Thank you. 69 00:03:35,600 --> 00:03:38,400 There were so many mistakes that happened that night. 70 00:03:38,400 --> 00:03:41,120 He was losing his mind on stage on opening night. 71 00:03:41,120 --> 00:03:43,000 I carry with me the weight. 72 00:03:43,000 --> 00:03:46,360 And as an artistic person, I want the best of everything we can achieve. 73 00:03:46,360 --> 00:03:47,760 And why not, right? 74 00:03:47,760 --> 00:03:50,400 Unfortunately, New York gets weeks in a theater. 75 00:03:50,400 --> 00:03:51,760 We got four or five days. 76 00:03:51,760 --> 00:03:53,200 Yeah, we didn't have a lot of time. 77 00:03:53,200 --> 00:03:55,240 Four or five days for this kind of technology. 78 00:03:55,240 --> 00:03:57,000 Sound, lighting. 79 00:03:57,000 --> 00:04:01,700 And I'm also doing the lighting because it's a fully packaged vision, if you will. 80 00:04:01,700 --> 00:04:03,680 When it comes to ACT, it's about concept. 81 00:04:03,680 --> 00:04:04,680 We celebrate concept. 82 00:04:04,680 --> 00:04:06,280 I've been told that I'm a concept director. 83 00:04:06,280 --> 00:04:09,360 That means from the way the stage looks to the way the lighting looks to the way the 84 00:04:09,360 --> 00:04:10,360 actors are. 85 00:04:10,360 --> 00:04:11,920 It's a fully realized concept. 86 00:04:11,920 --> 00:04:15,960 What people don't know is four months before the show, we have our first production meeting. 87 00:04:15,960 --> 00:04:19,440 I have a full two hours of it's almost like an essay, if you will. 88 00:04:19,440 --> 00:04:23,880 I do a big thesis of why we're doing the show, what we're looking for in this show. 89 00:04:23,880 --> 00:04:25,440 So four months ago, I said balloons. 90 00:04:25,440 --> 00:04:28,000 Everyone's like, what the hell is this guy going to do with balloons? 91 00:04:28,000 --> 00:04:30,940 What does balloons have to do with rent? 92 00:04:30,940 --> 00:04:36,360 Because now we finally see at the end, we walk out into a sea of balloons that is just 93 00:04:36,360 --> 00:04:41,080 letting go of all the hurt and the fear or taking one with you and celebrating life. 94 00:04:41,080 --> 00:04:42,840 There's so much to that, right? 95 00:04:42,840 --> 00:04:46,360 So we really, really look at the artistry of a show. 96 00:04:46,360 --> 00:04:49,440 And that's what I say ACT does differently. 97 00:04:49,440 --> 00:04:52,320 It's about, I mean, it's about obviously paying the bills too. 98 00:04:52,320 --> 00:04:54,640 And we hope we can do those things as well. 99 00:04:54,640 --> 00:04:59,880 But I'm really proud, Tracy, that we can take a vision here and say, this can be something 100 00:04:59,880 --> 00:05:03,560 more, just because we're on widget doesn't mean we can't produce the best we can produce. 101 00:05:03,560 --> 00:05:06,960 Well, and the thing is, is you guys are not for profit. 102 00:05:06,960 --> 00:05:10,600 So you are really doing it out of love. 103 00:05:10,600 --> 00:05:11,600 All of us. 104 00:05:11,600 --> 00:05:12,600 Yeah. 105 00:05:12,600 --> 00:05:16,520 Our whole board, like our whole board is, we're all volunteering our time because we love 106 00:05:16,520 --> 00:05:21,240 theater and we love the performers that come through our door so much. 107 00:05:21,240 --> 00:05:24,040 We want to give them the best we can possibly give them. 108 00:05:24,040 --> 00:05:25,520 Do you act at all? 109 00:05:25,520 --> 00:05:29,360 Do you do anything in the, because I know you're vice president. 110 00:05:29,360 --> 00:05:30,360 Yeah. 111 00:05:30,360 --> 00:05:32,720 Do you do anything in the productions as well? 112 00:05:32,720 --> 00:05:33,720 Oh yeah. 113 00:05:33,720 --> 00:05:34,800 So I do all the marketing. 114 00:05:34,800 --> 00:05:37,200 I do fundraising, sponsorships. 115 00:05:37,200 --> 00:05:38,800 I'm also the costume manager. 116 00:05:38,800 --> 00:05:41,800 So all the costumes on stage, that was me. 117 00:05:41,800 --> 00:05:43,860 I work closely with our costume designer. 118 00:05:43,860 --> 00:05:51,480 So all the original clothing that Angel wore, all of Angel's outfits were designed by Valentin 119 00:05:51,480 --> 00:05:54,600 Yaguzabe. 120 00:05:54,600 --> 00:05:56,000 So she is phenomenal. 121 00:05:56,000 --> 00:05:57,240 She's one of our board members. 122 00:05:57,240 --> 00:06:01,880 She's a local seamstress and she used to make wedding dresses. 123 00:06:01,880 --> 00:06:05,720 So she came on board and has been working with us for the last couple of years. 124 00:06:05,720 --> 00:06:10,980 So I told her, I was like, so red is like real like grunge, it's street wear. 125 00:06:10,980 --> 00:06:15,600 So I got that, but I'm like, I want you to design for Angel, whoever Angel is, I want 126 00:06:15,600 --> 00:06:23,160 you to design outfits that are going to make this character feel fabulous, look amazing 127 00:06:23,160 --> 00:06:25,240 and just really bring them into the character. 128 00:06:25,240 --> 00:06:26,240 So yeah. 129 00:06:26,240 --> 00:06:30,720 And don't get it twisted, Moya attended an art school growing up. 130 00:06:30,720 --> 00:06:31,720 So that's where she comes from. 131 00:06:31,720 --> 00:06:33,760 I shouldn't say I'll say it later. 132 00:06:33,760 --> 00:06:38,040 She comes from an arts background and that's where we kind of met together. 133 00:06:38,040 --> 00:06:40,960 I was in theater all my life. 134 00:06:40,960 --> 00:06:41,960 I'm a musician. 135 00:06:41,960 --> 00:06:44,320 I started playing piano when I was five. 136 00:06:44,320 --> 00:06:48,780 I was on stage, I think the first time when I was in grade six or seven. 137 00:06:48,780 --> 00:06:51,480 But I was always in choirs and different things like that. 138 00:06:51,480 --> 00:06:52,840 And then I went to a performing arts school. 139 00:06:52,840 --> 00:06:57,360 I went to Wexford Clegate in Toronto, which is a performing arts school and I was on stage 140 00:06:57,360 --> 00:06:58,360 all through high school. 141 00:06:58,360 --> 00:07:00,040 And then I came here for music. 142 00:07:00,040 --> 00:07:03,920 I was at the university as a music major. 143 00:07:03,920 --> 00:07:06,340 But I just, I didn't want to go into teaching. 144 00:07:06,340 --> 00:07:08,640 So I wasn't sure what I was going to do in the field. 145 00:07:08,640 --> 00:07:14,600 It wasn't until I met Chris that I, and I found out about ACT just a year after he started 146 00:07:14,600 --> 00:07:15,600 the organization. 147 00:07:15,600 --> 00:07:19,520 And I was like, huh, that's something I wouldn't mind dabbling in. 148 00:07:19,520 --> 00:07:20,520 Yeah. 149 00:07:20,520 --> 00:07:23,960 I was like, what would we do without him? 150 00:07:23,960 --> 00:07:26,480 And this is ACT's 10th anniversary. 151 00:07:26,480 --> 00:07:27,480 Yeah. 152 00:07:27,480 --> 00:07:28,480 10 years. 153 00:07:28,480 --> 00:07:29,480 Wow. 154 00:07:29,480 --> 00:07:30,480 I look back. 155 00:07:30,480 --> 00:07:32,080 I was like, I'm looking at like all the things we've done. 156 00:07:32,080 --> 00:07:34,640 I was like, oh my God, we've done a lot in 10 years. 157 00:07:34,640 --> 00:07:35,640 We've done a lot. 158 00:07:35,640 --> 00:07:36,640 We've done a lot in 10 years. 159 00:07:36,640 --> 00:07:37,640 And we're not stopping, you know. 160 00:07:37,640 --> 00:07:38,640 No. 161 00:07:38,640 --> 00:07:41,240 Somehow we're just driven by this new, the new ideas that come forth. 162 00:07:41,240 --> 00:07:45,680 But I look back at 10 years and I just, you know, like, but I'm most proud of is when 163 00:07:45,680 --> 00:07:49,920 I see people who've gone to Broadway, people who are doing this on, they're doing what 164 00:07:49,920 --> 00:07:50,920 they love and their passion. 165 00:07:50,920 --> 00:07:52,520 And they started through ACT. 166 00:07:52,520 --> 00:07:57,480 You know, I think about all these people and like, wow, their first, their first introduction 167 00:07:57,480 --> 00:07:59,120 to theater was ACT. 168 00:07:59,120 --> 00:08:02,280 And now they're going off, whether they're singing in bands or whether they're on a cruise 169 00:08:02,280 --> 00:08:07,120 ship or wherever they may be, or even in education, it's because of ACT. 170 00:08:07,120 --> 00:08:08,120 Yeah. 171 00:08:08,120 --> 00:08:09,120 I've always liked the arts. 172 00:08:09,120 --> 00:08:12,920 And it's something, you know, you grow up, you know, I want to be famous and I want to 173 00:08:12,920 --> 00:08:14,200 be an actor and actress. 174 00:08:14,200 --> 00:08:18,680 So I want to sing, which forget that, it's Katz Howell. 175 00:08:18,680 --> 00:08:19,680 Meow. 176 00:08:19,680 --> 00:08:23,920 And music, it didn't work for me. 177 00:08:23,920 --> 00:08:30,520 So I was never really introduced to the arts until this last, I'd say year with the podcast. 178 00:08:30,520 --> 00:08:35,280 Having you guys reach out, ACT reach out to me, Cortizon Theater reach out to me. 179 00:08:35,280 --> 00:08:40,300 And I've got to see some wonderful performances and improvs. 180 00:08:40,300 --> 00:08:46,000 And even I have some comedians that have reached out to me as well. 181 00:08:46,000 --> 00:08:47,000 And I love it. 182 00:08:47,000 --> 00:08:50,960 I did see your guys, the newsies, Disney, Newsies, Jr. 183 00:08:50,960 --> 00:08:52,400 Oh, my goodness. 184 00:08:52,400 --> 00:08:53,400 Yeah. 185 00:08:53,400 --> 00:08:54,840 Our youth program is amazing. 186 00:08:54,840 --> 00:08:57,040 I love our youth program. 187 00:08:57,040 --> 00:08:59,600 I couldn't believe that they were not professional. 188 00:08:59,600 --> 00:09:00,600 They were amazing. 189 00:09:00,600 --> 00:09:05,400 And it was just, I think it was again, the first day is them doing it for the various 190 00:09:05,400 --> 00:09:08,560 schools and it was mind blowing. 191 00:09:08,560 --> 00:09:12,000 It's very important to us at ACT that we have a youth program. 192 00:09:12,000 --> 00:09:15,480 We have to be able to invest in our youth. 193 00:09:15,480 --> 00:09:19,760 We can't expect people to be 19 years old and just say, I'm ready to be on stage. 194 00:09:19,760 --> 00:09:24,760 And I was a kid who was in school and because the teacher said, hey, do you want to be in 195 00:09:24,760 --> 00:09:25,760 this play? 196 00:09:25,760 --> 00:09:26,940 It changed my life. 197 00:09:26,940 --> 00:09:30,480 So we need to offer those opportunities for young people to be on stage. 198 00:09:30,480 --> 00:09:34,200 And not only do we offer opportunities for young people, we give them a great platform. 199 00:09:34,200 --> 00:09:37,760 ACT is just because you're young doesn't mean we can't produce the best show we can be. 200 00:09:37,760 --> 00:09:39,220 And so that's our philosophy here. 201 00:09:39,220 --> 00:09:43,280 Just because it's their first time on stage, we give our best selves and we stand up to 202 00:09:43,280 --> 00:09:45,400 do the best thing we can do. 203 00:09:45,400 --> 00:09:46,880 And that's what we're seeing. 204 00:09:46,880 --> 00:09:50,120 That philosophy is working for us and we're putting on really great shows for youth and 205 00:09:50,120 --> 00:09:51,120 we're proud of that. 206 00:09:51,120 --> 00:09:52,120 Oh my God. 207 00:09:52,120 --> 00:09:55,560 How many programs do you have for different age groups? 208 00:09:55,560 --> 00:09:56,560 Yes. 209 00:09:56,560 --> 00:10:02,480 So actually now that we're going into our next season, so in 2025, we're going to have 210 00:10:02,480 --> 00:10:03,960 four programs now. 211 00:10:03,960 --> 00:10:04,960 Five. 212 00:10:04,960 --> 00:10:05,960 Five programs. 213 00:10:05,960 --> 00:10:06,960 Five programs. 214 00:10:06,960 --> 00:10:14,340 So we start off the year with ACT Collab, which is a new program. 215 00:10:14,340 --> 00:10:18,020 And this is a program where we're going to work with a community partner. 216 00:10:18,020 --> 00:10:23,120 So this going into 2025, it's the Amherstburg Freedom Museum's 50th anniversary. 217 00:10:23,120 --> 00:10:28,600 So we're celebrating that by writing a play with a local black playwright. 218 00:10:28,600 --> 00:10:30,760 And so we're really excited to do that. 219 00:10:30,760 --> 00:10:35,240 It's going to be an original play and it's about John Anderson, who was a slave, who 220 00:10:35,240 --> 00:10:42,280 came to Canada and really was impactful on our legal system, not only Canada's, but the 221 00:10:42,280 --> 00:10:50,120 UK's as well, because his slave owner was trying to extradite him back for running away. 222 00:10:50,120 --> 00:10:57,800 So it's a very impactful, educational, historical, locally historical play that we're doing with 223 00:10:57,800 --> 00:10:58,800 that. 224 00:10:58,800 --> 00:10:59,800 And that's called The Price of Freedom. 225 00:10:59,800 --> 00:11:01,720 So that's our first program. 226 00:11:01,720 --> 00:11:03,520 And when is that? 227 00:11:03,520 --> 00:11:06,120 That's at the end of February, beginning of March. 228 00:11:06,120 --> 00:11:10,200 So that first weekend of March, it's going to be at the Capitol Theatre for three weeks. 229 00:11:10,200 --> 00:11:14,000 It'll be in the Pentastar, so we're using the huge stage. 230 00:11:14,000 --> 00:11:19,400 We believe, and we're putting our full might behind it with Carlos, that we believe that 231 00:11:19,400 --> 00:11:23,120 this is going to be a really educational experience and we believe it's going to be a very impactful 232 00:11:23,120 --> 00:11:24,120 show. 233 00:11:24,120 --> 00:11:27,960 And so we believe that we're hoping people will come out and see it because we're putting 234 00:11:27,960 --> 00:11:29,920 our best selves behind it. 235 00:11:29,920 --> 00:11:39,240 And Carlos Anthony is the writer of this play and he's written scripts for screen, for television, 236 00:11:39,240 --> 00:11:40,240 for film. 237 00:11:40,240 --> 00:11:42,920 So this is his first time writing for the stage. 238 00:11:42,920 --> 00:11:45,560 He's our first artist in residency. 239 00:11:45,560 --> 00:11:51,800 He's coming to act to learn from us, which is what a circular moment. 240 00:11:51,800 --> 00:11:53,600 And then our next program is our youth program. 241 00:11:53,600 --> 00:11:54,600 It's going to be Annie Jr. 242 00:11:54,600 --> 00:11:58,040 And that's for ages eight to 18. 243 00:11:58,040 --> 00:12:02,240 And we've already had some preliminary workshops. 244 00:12:02,240 --> 00:12:04,200 And so we're excited what we've seen already. 245 00:12:04,200 --> 00:12:08,000 And on the 19th, they'll be having the auditions for that. 246 00:12:08,000 --> 00:12:10,440 Yeah, how long have you guys had the youth program? 247 00:12:10,440 --> 00:12:15,760 Oh, I think that started 20, was it 2019? 248 00:12:15,760 --> 00:12:17,440 I think I think it was 2019. 249 00:12:17,440 --> 00:12:20,860 We did our first show, which was once on this island. 250 00:12:20,860 --> 00:12:22,440 So we've grown that program too. 251 00:12:22,440 --> 00:12:25,920 So we, we, and we brought it to the capital theater. 252 00:12:25,920 --> 00:12:28,960 Kids have stuck with it because it's from eight to 18. 253 00:12:28,960 --> 00:12:29,960 Yeah. 254 00:12:29,960 --> 00:12:30,960 How they stayed. 255 00:12:30,960 --> 00:12:33,160 People have graduated into the bigger shows from it, which is lovely. 256 00:12:33,160 --> 00:12:34,160 Yeah. 257 00:12:34,160 --> 00:12:37,820 A lot of people who came over younger, the talent takes time to nurture. 258 00:12:37,820 --> 00:12:40,620 And then you see them come in, you're like, whoa, where'd that come from? 259 00:12:40,620 --> 00:12:45,140 And then our third program is a new program that we've announced for next year, which 260 00:12:45,140 --> 00:12:50,600 is called act new works act new work. 261 00:12:50,600 --> 00:12:53,040 So there's a double play here on words here. 262 00:12:53,040 --> 00:12:56,320 It's called blood ties. 263 00:12:56,320 --> 00:13:02,400 And it's a, it's a new show written by two lovely women. 264 00:13:02,400 --> 00:13:04,920 One is on tour with comfort away right now. 265 00:13:04,920 --> 00:13:07,360 And another one is on tour in Germany. 266 00:13:07,360 --> 00:13:11,200 She's a phenomenal composer. 267 00:13:11,200 --> 00:13:15,720 So she travels around playing and writing for people. 268 00:13:15,720 --> 00:13:20,600 And yeah, so the two of them wrote this, this play called blood ties and we want to workshop 269 00:13:20,600 --> 00:13:21,920 it here for them. 270 00:13:21,920 --> 00:13:22,920 Right. 271 00:13:22,920 --> 00:13:23,920 Why is this play important? 272 00:13:23,920 --> 00:13:27,000 Because act new works is, it's a working job for the people in it. 273 00:13:27,000 --> 00:13:30,280 We're going to do our best to pay them to do it. 274 00:13:30,280 --> 00:13:35,000 We hire a director, Brian Hindle, who helped correct this number of rent, a lovely women 275 00:13:35,000 --> 00:13:37,000 contact with the ropes. 276 00:13:37,000 --> 00:13:40,480 He's going to come back and direct it, which is lovely for our city too. 277 00:13:40,480 --> 00:13:44,860 So we're, we're, we want, and there's a couple of small casts, but we're hoping to give everyone 278 00:13:44,860 --> 00:13:49,880 some money to celebrate working act new works working. 279 00:13:49,880 --> 00:13:51,080 Right. 280 00:13:51,080 --> 00:13:54,100 You can work with doing acting is basically what we're trying to say, which is a lovely 281 00:13:54,100 --> 00:13:56,600 new program that I'll be out in the spring summer. 282 00:13:56,600 --> 00:13:57,600 Yeah. 283 00:13:57,600 --> 00:13:59,180 And then we end the air with a Vita. 284 00:13:59,180 --> 00:14:00,520 So that's our community program. 285 00:14:00,520 --> 00:14:03,160 So community just means all ages. 286 00:14:03,160 --> 00:14:10,880 We've had, you know, anyone from age 16 all the way up to seventies on stage in, in our 287 00:14:10,880 --> 00:14:11,880 community. 288 00:14:11,880 --> 00:14:13,480 And that's the program that just did rent. 289 00:14:13,480 --> 00:14:14,480 Right. 290 00:14:14,480 --> 00:14:15,480 Yeah. 291 00:14:15,480 --> 00:14:20,160 Let me have our north of 50 program, which we'll be doing improv and our improv series. 292 00:14:20,160 --> 00:14:21,160 You should do it. 293 00:14:21,160 --> 00:14:22,160 I want to do it. 294 00:14:22,160 --> 00:14:23,160 It is explode. 295 00:14:23,160 --> 00:14:24,160 This is the improv room. 296 00:14:24,160 --> 00:14:25,160 Yes. 297 00:14:25,160 --> 00:14:26,160 And it is exploded. 298 00:14:26,160 --> 00:14:27,280 They have so much fun. 299 00:14:27,280 --> 00:14:28,780 So much fun. 300 00:14:28,780 --> 00:14:34,000 And they are learning so much about themselves and about what improv means and letting loose 301 00:14:34,000 --> 00:14:36,960 and not taking life too seriously. 302 00:14:36,960 --> 00:14:43,120 You know, many people after the age of 50 and beyond, or maybe they've they're retired. 303 00:14:43,120 --> 00:14:45,720 They're trying to get back into something new and exciting and meet new people. 304 00:14:45,720 --> 00:14:47,840 And it's really great engagement for them. 305 00:14:47,840 --> 00:14:51,080 And then north of 50, we've also been doing nights of cooking. 306 00:14:51,080 --> 00:14:52,480 Yeah, we did a cooking class. 307 00:14:52,480 --> 00:14:58,420 So we've partnered with the cookup where we've got senior chefs that come and teach and work 308 00:14:58,420 --> 00:15:00,840 with with our seniors. 309 00:15:00,840 --> 00:15:05,920 And they have a great time and they make something together and they meet new people and they 310 00:15:05,920 --> 00:15:06,920 have a good time. 311 00:15:06,920 --> 00:15:08,760 So we've done dance workshops with them. 312 00:15:08,760 --> 00:15:15,120 So we we always like to keep our seniors entertained, not just on stage, but in any any other ways 313 00:15:15,120 --> 00:15:16,920 as well with arts and culture. 314 00:15:16,920 --> 00:15:21,480 Yeah, me and food and it's great. 315 00:15:21,480 --> 00:15:22,480 I'm 54. 316 00:15:22,480 --> 00:15:23,480 So I'm a senior. 317 00:15:23,480 --> 00:15:24,480 I can make it. 318 00:15:24,480 --> 00:15:28,880 I think it's great what you guys are doing. 319 00:15:28,880 --> 00:15:35,000 And I do have to say that with the Disney newsies, with the junior groups that you guys 320 00:15:35,000 --> 00:15:41,040 have, I can't believe the confidence that they got learning from you guys, because you'd 321 00:15:41,040 --> 00:15:47,280 swear that they were performers in New York or L.A. because there was I didn't see an 322 00:15:47,280 --> 00:15:52,720 ounce of any kind of nervousness, especially because they were in front of their own schools 323 00:15:52,720 --> 00:15:54,760 and classes. 324 00:15:54,760 --> 00:15:56,760 It's been very challenging after the pandemic. 325 00:15:56,760 --> 00:16:00,760 A lot of people went inward and we're seeing that now we're seeing it all the way up to 326 00:16:00,760 --> 00:16:01,840 Broadway. 327 00:16:01,840 --> 00:16:04,920 So what happened is there's this gap of two or three years. 328 00:16:04,920 --> 00:16:08,160 They could have been eight years old wearing a mask the whole year, whatever that might 329 00:16:08,160 --> 00:16:10,600 mean to something that happened. 330 00:16:10,600 --> 00:16:12,600 Everyone inside of themselves. 331 00:16:12,600 --> 00:16:16,480 And so the idea of just embracing, loving and all those kinds of things, we have to 332 00:16:16,480 --> 00:16:17,920 reteach these things. 333 00:16:17,920 --> 00:16:18,920 Right. 334 00:16:18,920 --> 00:16:21,000 So it's they're very introverted. 335 00:16:21,000 --> 00:16:22,920 The younger people are introverted. 336 00:16:22,920 --> 00:16:26,800 They're very cautious where before it was like, yeah, let's just do it. 337 00:16:26,800 --> 00:16:28,880 It takes a moment now to warm up. 338 00:16:28,880 --> 00:16:30,640 So it takes us a moment to get there. 339 00:16:30,640 --> 00:16:33,160 It's a it's the tides have changed. 340 00:16:33,160 --> 00:16:36,360 Something is it's going to take us a couple of years to get them back because they're 341 00:16:36,360 --> 00:16:40,400 growing up at a time when where they would have been expressive. 342 00:16:40,400 --> 00:16:41,400 They're two years behind. 343 00:16:41,400 --> 00:16:44,240 Like we have 18 year olds who could still be 16 year olds. 344 00:16:44,240 --> 00:16:45,240 And mentally. 345 00:16:45,240 --> 00:16:46,240 Right. 346 00:16:46,240 --> 00:16:48,040 So they missed that time. 347 00:16:48,040 --> 00:16:50,600 They missed some time in grade nine and grade 10 or grade eight and grade nine. 348 00:16:50,600 --> 00:16:53,920 And those are the most formative years when you get your confidence. 349 00:16:53,920 --> 00:16:54,920 Correct. 350 00:16:54,920 --> 00:16:55,920 Correct. 351 00:16:55,920 --> 00:16:57,760 So we're trying to really work through that. 352 00:16:57,760 --> 00:17:02,800 And what's been really nice is so we've had people that have been with ACT for years that 353 00:17:02,800 --> 00:17:10,320 have done show after show at show who we are now having them lead our junior production. 354 00:17:10,320 --> 00:17:16,920 So you know, Roger, who played Kyle, who played Roger. 355 00:17:16,920 --> 00:17:18,720 He is directing our youth program. 356 00:17:18,720 --> 00:17:22,920 So he's going to be directing any junior and Avon Lee Smith. 357 00:17:22,920 --> 00:17:25,720 She was part of the ensemble in rent as well. 358 00:17:25,720 --> 00:17:28,840 She's going to be the the music director. 359 00:17:28,840 --> 00:17:31,480 And Joanne is going to be the coordinator of the program. 360 00:17:31,480 --> 00:17:36,200 So what we love so much is and what we want to give back was after being through act for 361 00:17:36,200 --> 00:17:41,640 a couple of years, understanding the flavor and the the ideas of ACT is to now have them 362 00:17:41,640 --> 00:17:43,280 take on their own show. 363 00:17:43,280 --> 00:17:46,360 If I would have been 20 something years old and someone would have given me that opportunity. 364 00:17:46,360 --> 00:17:48,680 How amazing to direct at the Capitol Theatre. 365 00:17:48,680 --> 00:17:51,320 Usually you're someone's assistant and then you're this and that. 366 00:17:51,320 --> 00:17:53,640 Then you hope to get that breakthrough. 367 00:17:53,640 --> 00:17:55,720 We're hoping they have the breakthrough now. 368 00:17:55,720 --> 00:17:56,880 It's only going to help them, right? 369 00:17:56,880 --> 00:17:59,080 It's only going to create new artists in our city. 370 00:17:59,080 --> 00:18:00,080 Exactly. 371 00:18:00,080 --> 00:18:02,080 Oh, I agree 100 percent. 372 00:18:02,080 --> 00:18:04,280 And like it's nice that they're staying. 373 00:18:04,280 --> 00:18:09,040 Now is there a fee for them to be part of these programs? 374 00:18:09,040 --> 00:18:10,040 So yes. 375 00:18:10,040 --> 00:18:11,040 And yes. 376 00:18:11,040 --> 00:18:15,240 So basically when with the youth project, because what happens, we've learned over the 377 00:18:15,240 --> 00:18:21,160 years is by them giving a small fee, they'll stay sometimes, you know, parents and when 378 00:18:21,160 --> 00:18:23,600 you pay for something, they'll be there every day. 379 00:18:23,600 --> 00:18:24,600 Right. 380 00:18:24,600 --> 00:18:26,880 And we want to teach that dedication is important. 381 00:18:26,880 --> 00:18:31,700 Now for the kid who cannot, we do have angel donors and those kinds of things to help make 382 00:18:31,700 --> 00:18:33,200 sure every kid can be in the program. 383 00:18:33,200 --> 00:18:35,240 We strongly believe in that. 384 00:18:35,240 --> 00:18:40,160 But we also believe, hey, everyone, just like school, you would you have to respect the 385 00:18:40,160 --> 00:18:41,160 space. 386 00:18:41,160 --> 00:18:42,700 You have to respect the teachers that are teaching you. 387 00:18:42,700 --> 00:18:47,000 When you come here on a Saturday morning or a Thursday evening, we're here to create a 388 00:18:47,000 --> 00:18:49,520 show, have fun, but also create the show that's needed. 389 00:18:49,520 --> 00:18:51,040 And we take this very seriously. 390 00:18:51,040 --> 00:18:54,800 And when there is a small fee to it, it helps with that. 391 00:18:54,800 --> 00:18:55,800 Exactly. 392 00:18:55,800 --> 00:19:01,520 But even just having a small fee for that program alone for them to stay for, say, 10 393 00:19:01,520 --> 00:19:07,600 years and they may not be able to afford college or university, they have a good base to move 394 00:19:07,600 --> 00:19:15,680 into your other programs and still get the same, if not more learning because it's like 395 00:19:15,680 --> 00:19:19,720 they're learning as they're doing it, which is completely amazing. 396 00:19:19,720 --> 00:19:23,000 And I think that's why they're as wonderful as what they are. 397 00:19:23,000 --> 00:19:26,720 And I love the fact that where you lies in the Capitol Theater again between you guys 398 00:19:26,720 --> 00:19:28,320 and Windsor Symphony. 399 00:19:28,320 --> 00:19:29,320 It's just a master. 400 00:19:29,320 --> 00:19:30,320 I love that theater. 401 00:19:30,320 --> 00:19:31,320 It's so busy. 402 00:19:31,320 --> 00:19:34,040 I am so in love with that place right now. 403 00:19:34,040 --> 00:19:35,800 It has only been last year. 404 00:19:35,800 --> 00:19:37,240 It has culture. 405 00:19:37,240 --> 00:19:38,760 It's over 100 years old. 406 00:19:38,760 --> 00:19:43,400 There's something special walking into the Capitol Theater and just feeling the years 407 00:19:43,400 --> 00:19:46,200 of passion that has gone through there. 408 00:19:46,200 --> 00:19:47,200 Right? 409 00:19:47,200 --> 00:19:51,000 I always tell Moja, like, acts new tagline should be something like elevate your passion 410 00:19:51,000 --> 00:19:53,500 or something because that's who we are. 411 00:19:53,500 --> 00:19:57,480 And when I go to the Capitol Theater, I think of all the passion that's gone into over 100 412 00:19:57,480 --> 00:20:02,480 years of people on that stage, directors, musicians, actors, whatever it might be, the 413 00:20:02,480 --> 00:20:04,360 passion that's so much behind there. 414 00:20:04,360 --> 00:20:05,720 Oh, for sure. 415 00:20:05,720 --> 00:20:09,440 It's true, like you even go into the bathroom and when you walk in the bathroom, it's like 416 00:20:09,440 --> 00:20:13,560 a powder room for the fifties. 417 00:20:13,560 --> 00:20:17,640 Now I did also before I forget, you are doing workshops. 418 00:20:17,640 --> 00:20:19,760 Yeah, we're doing improv workshops. 419 00:20:19,760 --> 00:20:27,560 So with Christina Orlando, who's phenomenal, she has been with ACT for two years now. 420 00:20:27,560 --> 00:20:31,360 And yeah, she's been doing improv workshops. 421 00:20:31,360 --> 00:20:36,460 It started just with our North of 50 program, but we've opened it up to anyone can join 422 00:20:36,460 --> 00:20:38,200 and those start back up in November. 423 00:20:38,200 --> 00:20:40,840 So we're really looking forward to those. 424 00:20:40,840 --> 00:20:46,320 It's cheaper if you're over 50. 425 00:20:46,320 --> 00:20:49,560 And it's only it's only twenty dollars a session if you're under 50. 426 00:20:49,560 --> 00:20:50,560 So yeah, that's wonderful. 427 00:20:50,560 --> 00:20:51,560 It's such a great time. 428 00:20:51,560 --> 00:20:52,560 Oh, yeah. 429 00:20:52,560 --> 00:20:53,560 So much fun. 430 00:20:53,560 --> 00:20:59,860 Every single person that has taken the improv workshop has sent me emails saying how much 431 00:20:59,860 --> 00:21:05,840 they've enjoyed it, how much they loved it, how more confident they feel just in presentations 432 00:21:05,840 --> 00:21:11,600 at work or just, you know, any any type of public speaking, but also just because they're 433 00:21:11,600 --> 00:21:15,040 happy that they got to meet some pretty cool new people and make some new friends. 434 00:21:15,040 --> 00:21:16,040 Yeah. 435 00:21:16,040 --> 00:21:17,600 And as old people, we don't get out that often. 436 00:21:17,600 --> 00:21:19,560 So we'll pay to go out. 437 00:21:19,560 --> 00:21:22,400 We don't care. 438 00:21:22,400 --> 00:21:25,560 But you also have guest artists that are coming in that are coming in. 439 00:21:25,560 --> 00:21:28,720 I saw a list of them. 440 00:21:28,720 --> 00:21:32,080 Because next year, even a bullet start right now, we have in the middle of rent here, we 441 00:21:32,080 --> 00:21:38,920 have E. Clay Cornelius, who's coming, who's a Broadway actor, producer, been in every 442 00:21:38,920 --> 00:21:39,920 show. 443 00:21:39,920 --> 00:21:40,920 I can't even count them. 444 00:21:40,920 --> 00:21:41,920 He was talking about it on the car ride. 445 00:21:41,920 --> 00:21:42,920 I was like, oh, he's not one, too. 446 00:21:42,920 --> 00:21:44,920 Yeah, he was just like rolling off. 447 00:21:44,920 --> 00:21:48,280 We picked him up at the airport today and he's just like rolling off all these shows. 448 00:21:48,280 --> 00:21:49,280 He's so experienced. 449 00:21:49,280 --> 00:21:50,640 He's gotten the robe, the legacy robe. 450 00:21:50,640 --> 00:21:54,760 I don't know if you know this about Broadway, but the person who's been in the most shows 451 00:21:54,760 --> 00:21:58,420 for each production reduction gets the legacy robe and they get to have it. 452 00:21:58,420 --> 00:21:59,880 So he's gotten the legacy robe. 453 00:21:59,880 --> 00:22:00,880 He's got 26 years. 454 00:22:00,880 --> 00:22:01,880 He's got 26 years. 455 00:22:01,880 --> 00:22:02,880 It's amazing, right? 456 00:22:02,880 --> 00:22:04,680 So people are looking up to him now. 457 00:22:04,680 --> 00:22:09,800 So now his passion is finding all these new shows and bringing them to Broadway or working 458 00:22:09,800 --> 00:22:14,080 with investors to make sure the next show, what's coming up, you know, or an old show 459 00:22:14,080 --> 00:22:15,280 and bringing it back to Broadway. 460 00:22:15,280 --> 00:22:19,400 And I have so much knowledge and I can't wait for him to be able to give that knowledge 461 00:22:19,400 --> 00:22:28,000 to youth because we have to bring people here to help them grow themselves. 462 00:22:28,000 --> 00:22:30,160 We should be able to happen in Windsor, right? 463 00:22:30,160 --> 00:22:32,560 We shouldn't have to leave to create great things. 464 00:22:32,560 --> 00:22:34,360 So why not educate ourselves and bring people here? 465 00:22:34,360 --> 00:22:35,360 So that's what we're doing. 466 00:22:35,360 --> 00:22:37,080 So E. Clay is going to be here. 467 00:22:37,080 --> 00:22:39,360 And even next year, like I said, we had Brian come back. 468 00:22:39,360 --> 00:22:42,720 Brian Hindle, our guest choreographer on Rent, he's coming back to direct. 469 00:22:42,720 --> 00:22:48,680 And Brian is currently, he's the associate choreographer for Jersey Boys. 470 00:22:48,680 --> 00:22:52,200 That's on, I think the Norwegian cruise line right now. 471 00:22:52,200 --> 00:22:59,400 So he's actually in Florida right now and he trains all the cast before they get on 472 00:22:59,400 --> 00:23:00,400 the ship. 473 00:23:00,400 --> 00:23:03,200 So he's so sad because he was like, I want to be back there. 474 00:23:03,200 --> 00:23:07,400 But because of the hurricane, everything like that, he's stuck at the moment. 475 00:23:07,400 --> 00:23:10,800 But yeah, he's going to be working next year with us. 476 00:23:10,800 --> 00:23:15,400 And then Johnson and Johnson, we're bringing them in next year too to work on their, to 477 00:23:15,400 --> 00:23:16,680 help workshop their show. 478 00:23:16,680 --> 00:23:17,680 And I'm sure more. 479 00:23:17,680 --> 00:23:19,880 I'm sure I, we want to continue. 480 00:23:19,880 --> 00:23:20,880 Why not? 481 00:23:20,880 --> 00:23:26,800 Why not continue to build and make acts something that is just great for Windsor. 482 00:23:26,800 --> 00:23:28,480 You know, let's elevate the passion. 483 00:23:28,480 --> 00:23:33,560 The last time, so we did Rent with our, as a student production in 2014. 484 00:23:33,560 --> 00:23:39,080 And at that time we had brought Adam Pascal, who was the original Roger in the original 485 00:23:39,080 --> 00:23:42,040 Broadway production, who knew Jonathan Larson. 486 00:23:42,040 --> 00:23:44,920 We brought him to Windsor to work with the cast. 487 00:23:44,920 --> 00:23:49,200 And then we opened it up to university students as well to do a special workshop. 488 00:23:49,200 --> 00:23:50,200 I bet they were. 489 00:23:50,200 --> 00:23:51,200 Yeah, it was pretty awesome. 490 00:23:51,200 --> 00:23:58,480 Even the university excited, like even with rent here, we have a special night tomorrow, 491 00:23:58,480 --> 00:24:03,360 which is our act gives back a traditional night where we say to people who are doing 492 00:24:03,360 --> 00:24:05,000 great things in the community. 493 00:24:05,000 --> 00:24:09,880 We honor you by coming at a really, really small fraction of the price of a ticket so 494 00:24:09,880 --> 00:24:11,120 that we can say thank you. 495 00:24:11,120 --> 00:24:14,160 But we also opened it up to some of the university students. 496 00:24:14,160 --> 00:24:18,280 We have some professors who've canceled their class so their class can come and see it. 497 00:24:18,280 --> 00:24:20,560 That's the impact and what we're doing. 498 00:24:20,560 --> 00:24:22,720 And what I'm really proud of, I'm really proud of that. 499 00:24:22,720 --> 00:24:24,680 We're inspiring schools. 500 00:24:24,680 --> 00:24:28,480 The work that ACT is doing, other people are taking it and going, whoa, you know, how do 501 00:24:28,480 --> 00:24:32,520 we continue with this idea of going into the new work that's happening in schools? 502 00:24:32,520 --> 00:24:35,000 So ACT is doing something right. 503 00:24:35,000 --> 00:24:36,640 And we're really, really proud of that. 504 00:24:36,640 --> 00:24:39,320 You should be very proud of ACT. 505 00:24:39,320 --> 00:24:44,660 And what I think is why can't you guys get all the grants and that, that they're starting 506 00:24:44,660 --> 00:24:50,760 to give the people to film movies in Canada and they're using Toronto and they're using 507 00:24:50,760 --> 00:24:53,960 Vancouver, why not use Windsor? 508 00:24:53,960 --> 00:24:57,000 Essex County, we have a huge, wonderful area. 509 00:24:57,000 --> 00:25:02,240 We're right across the street from Detroit, so street, river, but it's, you know, like 510 00:25:02,240 --> 00:25:04,200 a big street. 511 00:25:04,200 --> 00:25:05,360 That's where we're going to next. 512 00:25:05,360 --> 00:25:12,320 So our goal for the future of ACT is to start applying for bigger funding so that we can 513 00:25:12,320 --> 00:25:21,120 expand our programming and ideally, hopefully start to pace artists on a regular, on a more 514 00:25:21,120 --> 00:25:22,120 regular basis. 515 00:25:22,120 --> 00:25:23,240 That's the ultimate goal, isn't it? 516 00:25:23,240 --> 00:25:24,240 That's our goal, right? 517 00:25:24,240 --> 00:25:28,280 Well, I really, selling my way, I want to make this so it's, there's the community aspect 518 00:25:28,280 --> 00:25:29,880 that'll always live. 519 00:25:29,880 --> 00:25:33,720 And then there's the professional aspect that I think we can start to build here in Windsor 520 00:25:33,720 --> 00:25:38,720 through grants and through resources that are given to us that we can start to elevate 521 00:25:38,720 --> 00:25:42,080 the really strong talent and give them a reason to stay. 522 00:25:42,080 --> 00:25:44,400 They do deserve it. 523 00:25:44,400 --> 00:25:49,760 They're wonderful performers, whether they're making money or they're doing it just out 524 00:25:49,760 --> 00:25:53,080 of the love of their hearts for the craft. 525 00:25:53,080 --> 00:26:00,240 And you guys, that's a testament to you as ACT for giving them this platform to develop 526 00:26:00,240 --> 00:26:08,200 their creativity, their confidence, and allow them to do what they love. 527 00:26:08,200 --> 00:26:13,840 And you're giving it also to the community so that we can enjoy it without traveling 528 00:26:13,840 --> 00:26:19,800 to Chicago or to New York or wherever you have to go to see it. 529 00:26:19,800 --> 00:26:24,920 And I appreciate you guys, and I'm addicted to the theater. 530 00:26:24,920 --> 00:26:28,840 And I'm definitely going to be coming to all the shows and probably the old lady shows 531 00:26:28,840 --> 00:26:29,840 that we have brought. 532 00:26:29,840 --> 00:26:30,840 I love it. 533 00:26:30,840 --> 00:26:31,840 Come to everything. 534 00:26:31,840 --> 00:26:32,840 Come to everything. 535 00:26:32,840 --> 00:26:33,840 Thank you guys so much for being here. 536 00:26:33,840 --> 00:26:34,840 Thank you. 537 00:26:34,840 --> 00:26:35,840 Thank you for having us. 538 00:26:35,840 --> 00:26:37,480 We really appreciate it. 539 00:26:37,480 --> 00:26:42,520 Now how can people find you guys to learn more about not only your programs, but your 540 00:26:42,520 --> 00:26:43,640 productions? 541 00:26:43,640 --> 00:26:49,680 So you can always go to our website at actwindsor.com or you can find us on Instagram at actwindsor 542 00:26:49,680 --> 00:26:51,720 or on Facebook at arts collective theater. 543 00:26:51,720 --> 00:26:55,120 We're also on YouTube and on TikTok. 544 00:26:55,120 --> 00:26:56,960 Love it. 545 00:26:56,960 --> 00:26:58,520 Thank you both for being here today. 546 00:26:58,520 --> 00:27:00,540 I do appreciate it. 547 00:27:00,540 --> 00:27:02,240 My name is Tracy Martens. 548 00:27:02,240 --> 00:27:05,080 This is another episode of YQG in Bloom. 549 00:27:05,080 --> 00:27:09,600 Make sure you follow, subscribe, and check them out. 550 00:27:09,600 --> 00:27:36,600 Have a good day.