2024 Conference Podcast

As part of the 2024 edition, we’re offering a series of conversations with the creators of our guest productions.

This series explores their unique approach to creation, the philosophy behind their work and their experiences performing for very young audiences.

Recorded and edited by Robert Morrison
Additional editing and mixing by James Roy

Dr. Belarie Zatzman | Associate Professor, Theatre and Performance, York University

Dr. Belarie Zatzman, PhD, teaches in the Department of Theatre & Performance, York University. Zatzman’s research focuses on Theatre for Young Audiences; and performing memory and memorial. Publications include: “Difficult Knowledge in Theatre for Young Audiences: Remembering and Representing the Holocaust” in Theatre and Learning; “Applied Theatre Encounters at Canada’s National Holocaust Monument” and “Fifty-one Suitcases: Traces of Hana Brady and the Terezin Children” in Canadian Theatre Review; “Poetry of Terezin” in Voices into Action; “The Monologue Project: Drama as a Form of Witnessing” in How Theatre Educates; and study guide contributions for professional theatres.

Tamara Romanchuk | Artistic Director, Clay and Paper Theatre

Tamara Romanchuk trained as an actor and began her career as a popular theatre educator (Theatre of the Oppressed) and cultural animator. Tamara’s career has also encompassed documentary filmmaking, live event producing (both in the cultural and corporate sectors) and photography (with a focus on the performing arts). In 2014 Tamara joined Clay and Paper Theatre as a playwright, builder, artist facilitator and artistic producer. In 2017 she became the co-artistic director of the company. While embracing the considerable legacy of founding Artistic Director David Anderson’s work, she continues to push the aesthetic boundaries of C&P by introducing new forms of puppetry, performance and play development. Together with David, she has facilitated workshops in public space animation, giant puppet construction and puppetry as activist expression, across Ontario and Quebec. For Clay and Paper Theatre, Tamara has written and produced seven plays for puppetry in public space: Animal Nature (2014) Fables for the Future (2016), Hurly Burly (2017), The Echoes Project (2018), Golden (2018), Pigeon Pie (2019) and The Journey to LuminUS (2022). Tamara was also recently awarded Davenport ‘s Platinum Jubilee Leadership Award in Arts and Culture (2022).

Michelle Silagy | Interdisciplinary Artist 

Michelle Silagy is a Tkaronto-based Contemporary Dance Artist and Educator. Her work with children and intergenerational populations, spanning 38 years, informs how she playfully collaborates. Her choreographic work hailed for its gentle nuance, invites viewers to experience dance from multiple perspectives in galleries, unique stage settings, and outdoor spaces. It has been shared in Amsterdam, Inuvik, New York, Ontario, and Toronto.  Silagy is a Certified Advanced DanceAbility International Teacher trained by founder Alito Alessi: Vienna/2012, Uruguay and Mexico City/2015, and virtually/2020 to present with international artists. Silagy has designed inclusive classes for The School of Toronto Dance Theatre’s Young Dancers’ Program as program director and authored inclusive Pedagogy for STDT. She currently teaches Pedagogy at Dance Arts Institute. She has also authored creative movement curriculum for The Royal Conservatory of Music’s Early Childhood program: Smart Start. Silagy shares dance inclusion in Ontario and Internationally. She originated WE Dance, an inclusion partnership with STDT and Canada’s NBS. Silagy co-created Dora Nominated Flying Hearts, a relaxed performance presented at the International Wee Festival – and – has shared Reverie Duets, an inclusive dance process [TAC, OAC], in OilyCart’s 2020 (UK) 2020 Virtual Sensory Lab. Silagy is mentoring artists who share movement with dis/abled youth in Waterloo. Silagy is currently an Inclusion Artist with Dreamwalker Dance Company, Wild Soma, and a Moonhorse Dance Theatre Dance Encounters Teacher and Coordinator.

Annie Katsura Rollins | Interdisciplinary Artist 

Annie Katsura Rollins is an interdisciplinary artist, educator, and researcher, with over 15 years of experience activating places and communities through interactive art, performance, and heritage.

Annie was recently named valedictorian for her PhD dissertation on traditional forms of puppet performance and their role in building community at Concordia University and teaches in the University of Connecticut’s graduate puppetry certificate program.

In Toronto, Annie co-founded the city’s only experimental puppet collective, Concrete Cabaret, which seeks to cultivate a local community of material performers. She is also MABELLEarts’ Newcomer Engagement Lead, where she programs and facilitates community arts for Toronto’s newcomers to generate stronger communities and deeper belonging.

Lynda Hill | Artistic Director of WeeFestival
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Robert Morrison | Associate Director | Quest for the Moon

Originally hailing from Alberta’s foothills, Robert Morrison (he/him) is a director, actor, writer for theatre and film and the artistic director of A FRONT COMPANY (@a.front.company). His recent directing work includes ECHO at Toronto’s NextStage Festival and SKYSCRAPER at the Paprika Festival, both he’s developed with his best friend and roommate, Kole Durnford. He is also the creator and co-curator of POOL PARTY, a party series celebrating liveness. Other Directing credits for the stage include: No Exit, Any Night (Cannonball) Unity 1918 (CYPT, asst. Jamie Dunsdon) Seven Stages (Verb + Bluelight Fest.) The Zoo Story (A FRONT COMPANY) and for screen: How To Be Not Alone (nominated best documentary QUIFF) and Hatch (First Prize, Utah Dance Film Festival). As a performer has appeared on stage with companies from west to east including Theatre Calgary, Verb Theatre, The Shakespeare Company, The High-Performance Rodeo, Hit and Myth, Storybook, Hoodlum Theatre and Seven Starving Artists & 4th Line. @robertmorrison