Joel Ivany's Blog

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2012-02-08T22:34:00.000-06:00

Over a month.

Sick.

What has the last month meant.

Well...

Planning, planning, planning. Oh and then re-planning.

I find myself in Victoria, BC, which is a beautiful place. Miriam is here singing in Carmen and I'm along for the ride.

I've been in the longest stretch of "not-working", gearing up for 9 straight months of straight work, but it's tough to stay focused. I'm one that continually has to keep moving, engaging, writing, producing etc.

You can only do so much resting.

A big high was the announcement from Edmonton Opera. I'll be directing a new production of Les Contes D'Hoffmann for them next season. The creative team is the same team that placed alongside me in the European Opera Prize. Click here for the website page at Edmonton Opera. Should be a wonderful experience.

Also been dealing with Licenses, Royalties and Liabilities.

Not a fan of those...not a fan. More on that once it's resolved.

Book List 2011

2012-01-05T08:52:00.000-06:00

In 2005 I came up with my first book list.

This was a list where I recorded every book that I would read from the past year.

Last year and this year weren't so great.

I used to read much more!

Either way, it's a good reminder of what I'm filling my head with.

I discovered this list appealed to a friend of mine's, who is now starting to do the same.

Who will win?

(this is not meant to be braggy)

BOOKS

Without You: Anthony Rapp

-Great biography from the leading man who starred in Rent.

On Actors and Acting: Peter Thomson

-I love anything to do with Acting history.

Exposed by the Mask: Peter Hall

-one of the great theatre people of our time.

Redbreast: Jo Nesbø

-The Stieg Larsson of Norway. This guy writes a great novel.

Opera and its Symbols: Robert Donington

-Amazing book about the use of symbols in opera.

Roadside Crosses: Jeffrey Deaver

-one of my favourite fiction writers. He's a master of the twist.

The Redeemer: Jo Nesbø

Carte Blanche: Jeffrey Deaver

-Newest 007 and great writer = fun book.

On the Art of the Theatre: Edward Gordon Craig

-Incredible theatre book written in 1911.

Aspects of Wagner: Bryan Magee

-My first real venture in knowing more and more about this mysterious man who changed the way music was.

Martin Luther King, Jr. A Life: Marshall Frady

-An incredible man who had incredible passion.

The Man Who Wrote Mozart: Anthony Holden

-Biography of Lorenzo Da Ponte. This man had such a diverse, full journey. A great read.

The Turn of the Screw: Henry James

-Early ghost story and great research for upcoming show.

PLAYS

Medea Redux: Neil Labute

-only play I read...shameful. However, Labute is one of my favourites.

2011-A Year in Review

2012-01-02T21:26:00.000-06:00

This one takes a bit of work.

2012 has arrived and just like that, another year has passed. We're left wondering where the time went and questioning whether we would do things differently.

I must say that personally, 2011 was a growing year.

Crowd at Around the World in 80 Minutes

My 2011 started by evaluating a project of mine that I had just launched. December 1, 2010 was the first event that Against the Grain Theatre initiated. Several artists were involved and a small dream had been realized. January 28 & 29 saw AtG's first show of the new year, "Around the World in 80 Minutes". We performed in two very different, intimate venues that featured a dozen artists from around TO. Packed to two sold-out audiences, I packed my bags and was headed for Oslo by month's end.

Quinn Kelsey as Rigoletto at DNO&B

February saw me assisting a wonderful director in Oslo on their production of Rigoletto. Our Rigoletto was making his role debut and was a wonderful American singer named Quinn Kelsey. From hearing his first few notes, I knew we'd all be in for something special. Toronto was in for a treat in the fall as he was slated in to sing the role at the Canadian Opera Company. This was my third visit to work with the company in Oslo and I really fell more in love with the city, country and opera house. They have a stunning facility and wonderful people. I owe much to Paul Curran for providing me with the initial opportunity.

Myself, Jason Hand and Camie Koo in Germany.

March was just as busy. From Oslo, I flew to London, UK as I was selected as one of the finalists along with my design team of Camie Koo and Jason Hand to participate in the finals for the 6th biennial European Opera-directing Prize. Our team was the first Canadians to reach the final and we were one of four teams that were selected from 84 entries. A busy weekend at the National Theatre and the Royal Opera House saw our team take the 3rd prize and provided some self-assurance that we could stand with the best young talent not just in North America but abroad as well. March also had us travel to Wiesbaden, Germany to collect our prize and present our production to the town and media.

L-R Anne Larlee, me, Lindsay SB and Andrew Love

On a bit of a high and back in Canada, April rushed in with a fury as AtG's next show arrived on April 1 and featured three amazing artists and good friends. Lindsay Sutherland Boal, Andrew Love and Anne Larlee presented a cabaret show at La Belle Epoque to another (becoming familiar) sold-out group. It was a great show featuring a collection of Kurt Weill (that would hint at a show for 2012). Lindsay is a beautiful performer and has a passion for cabaret. It was a great fit and I was so pleased with how it all went. April also saw me heading back to the Canadian Opera Company as an Assistant Director to Robert Carsen on his production of Orfeo ed Euridice. This marked Robert's first production in Canada in over 20 years and I was honoured to be apart of this team. Orfeo was a special show that earned rave reviews and won local awards for best opera production. The cast was stunning, the chorus was superb and I enjoyed working with one of the world's leading opera directors.

May was a busy personal month as Miriam and I bought our first home together. We found a great condo at King and Bathurst in downtown TO and we're so happy to have finally settled after several years of moving, storage, basements, sublets etc. May also saw Miriam called by Glyndebourne to rush over the water and help them out in a new Robert Carsen production. The stars seemed aligned as she had just met him at our opening night party weeks before. She hopped on a plane with a day's notice and learned a full role in 4 days as she began staging, leaving Canada behind for the following 7 weeks.

L-R Keith, Laura, Adam, me, Toph, Lindsay, Greg, Justin and Steve

June hit and again, I was off and running. Against the Grain Theatre was about to present their first production of La Bohème. This was a special project because I had re-written the entire libretto and updated it to a modern, current, Toronto version of Bohème. We had booked the Tranzac Club in Toronto and on June 2, 3, 4 and 5 we presented four shows to sold out audiences. This was one of the proudest moments I've felt as an artist. It took quite a bit of work to get to where we were but we had made it. It was mixed emotions as Miriam was on the other side of the ocean, but we had an incredible cast and creative team. The show was a hit and we had great reviews. AtG had landed as we made front page of the Entertainment section of the Toronto Star.
June also saw the wonderful wedding of my good friend Adam, who married Laura. They were also my Rodolfo and Mimi just one week earlier. After the wedding I joined Miriam in the UK and saw the opening night of Rinaldo at Glyndebourne, as well as shows at the Royal Opera House.

Cast and coro in Così fan tutte at The Banff Centre

July arrived and I was again on the move. I travelled to the beautiful Rocky Mountains and would spend the next 7 weeks in Banff, Alberta. I was directing Così fan tutte and working with a wonderful conductor, David Agler. I was surrounded by amazing colleagues, Andrea and Gordon and together we made it through the summer with some minor hiccups, but an overall satisfying show that opened in mid-August.

Show opened on Friday and Monday I was back in Toronto, working again at the Canadian Opera Company as an Assistant to Robert Carsen on another Gluck opera, Iphigenie en Tauride. This cast featured Susan Graham in the title role and what a pleasure it was to hear such incredible singing from such a committed group. Rehearsals flew by quickly and the show opened in September.

Cast and crew of COC's Hansel and Gretel

October was equally as busy as two projects got underway. I began directing a school touring opera for the Canadian Opera Company. It was a 45-minute English version of Hansel and Gretel. Both Jenna (the musical director) and I crafted together a version that we felt suited what we needed and it was fun cutting and pasting together something that is generally taboo to do. By month's end, the show hit the road and began touring to schools twice a day, 5 times a week.

Poster for AtG's Super Villains

October also saw AtG's season launch, Super Villains. This was a show dedicated to the evil characters and bad guys of opera, theatre and musical theatre. We found a unique venue to launch our season and performed at SMASH Antique Furniture store in the Junction. This was an excellent show that played to a packed house. It also marked Nancy's first involvement with AtG. She's been such an amazing support and we couldn't have done what were doing without her.

November arrived and we were in rehearsals for a remount of our hit Bohème. This was a unique venture as it was the first time that Miriam and I have worked together. She was playing Mimi and our show was once again at the Tranzac Club. 3 of the 7 cast members were new to this translation and production and the team gelled instantaneously.

Cast and crew of remount La Bohème

December hit and we did 3 shows, on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd to, again, sold-out houses. It's such a fun, touching show and I'm proud of those whom have worked on it. The rest of the month was went by quietly with a small trip to Winnipeg, where I received the news of the death of my grandfather. This brought the whole Ivany clan together and it was a touching end to a year that was wonderful both personally and professionally.

A whole lot of Ivany's

2012 has now arrived, and I'm excited for what is in store. Two new nephews are due as well as working in new countries with new companies.

I hope everyone is able to reflect and see where we've come and where we're headed. I wish you all the best for the new year.

Colonel Calvin James Ivany

2011-12-21T00:19:00.000-06:00

Last post was November 18...gotta get better at this.

It's been an interesting "life-time" these past couple of weeks.

I'm in Winnipeg tonight visiting my brother and his two boys who are nearly 3 and 2. They're a joy. They cuddle, wrestle, smile and love their Uncle Joel.

It's been a busy fall. Working at Banff, straight into assisting at the Canadian Opera Company and managing Against the Grain Theatre that produced a concert and remounted a production of La Bohème. I feel like everything needed to slow down a bit, and it has. My sister Kirsten just arrived today and we're both here with our Mom who's been out here for a few days already. My father is still in Toronto.

family is great

My 3 nephews are great. To see youth and energy, mixed with wonder and the whole world in front of them is a blessing.

I left Toronto seeing somewhat of the opposite. My father brought me out to visit my grandfather, Colonel James Ivany. He was dying. I visited him in his last days to say goodbye. I was unsure how I would feel, and the initial shock of seeing him took me off guard. It surprised me because it wasn't really my grandfather in front of me. This man was weak, bedridden and so exhausted. You see, my Grandpa was a very proud man. He would tower over you. He had one of the most booming voices you would have ever heard. I mean, this man was born to preach. His nickname was "Cufflinks" and he worked and served in the Salvation Army as a pastor right on up to a Territorial Commander for Mexico and Central America. He was also one of the kindest men I've ever met. I mean he could put anyone at ease and include them. I wasn't super close with him, but took from him that everyone was important. Everyone had worth and deserved to be shown respect.

My Grandpa was married to my beautiful Grandma for 61 years, had 4 kids, 12 grandkids and 5 great-grandkids. I can only hope to have such a legacy in my 87th year.

On Tuesday morning, my grandfather passed away, peacefully at his home in Georgetown, Ontario, with his wife and kids by his bedside.

Now I travel on to Ottawa to be with my wife and her family for Christmas. They are a beautiful family that is different from mine. We don't have the same traditions, don't have the same holiday meals and sometimes don't even speak the same language. (although I'm working on my Arabic). What we share is a love for family and for each other. I appreciate our differences and am thankful for them.

I'm still fairly young, but as I get older, I try to keep things in perspective. I work in an industry that is driven to succeed. It's easy to measure success and failures. All you have to do is look at a resume or fee demanded to know how successful one is.

I'm reminded this holiday season how fortunate it is to have family and friends that care for you. Many people haven't had grandparents, parents, siblings or kids. Circumstances do not always allow that.

As I experience the circle of death (my grandfather) to life (my nephews) and me somewhere in the middle, I'm trying to take a moment and breathe. Life is about the ups (births, weddings), the downs (sickness, death), and whoever is along for the ride. That's what family is. Those that stick with you through the thick and thin.

My Grandpa's brother Hedley once said to me, "You know Joel, the Ivany name is one hell of a name!"

it's true

So in just over a week, I'll go to my grandfather's funeral. In between I'll keep working, I'll celebrate Christmas with my Ottawa family and call and text friends. But I'll also keep the Ivany family, cousins and aunts and uncles, my father and his mother in my thoughts and prayers.

Thank you Grandpa. I wish I could have seen you play the trombone. Everyone always said how good you were. I'll always remember the perfectly slicked hair, your passion for the Toronto Blue Jays, your laugh, how you looked at Grandma in your last moments and call her "My Sweetheart", your love for your family and your service to the Salvation Army.

Rest Grandpa. (November 5, 1924-December 19, 2011)

Opera for kids

2011-11-18T10:13:00.000-06:00

I don't know what it is about kids laughing that is simply so pure.

Yesterday I saw the COC Ensemble show Hansel and Gretel at a school in Toronto. There were around 250 kids piled into a gym.

You can't know what is going to make a kid laugh, other than what most likely makes you laugh, will make them laugh.

Only they won't be shy about it.

And these kids were definitely not shy.

I tell you, they LOVED the Witch. It's more of a symbol than anything else. This is something that isn't meant to be good. Like, Ursula in the little Mermaid.

Or even the Witch in Snow White. (Our witch is slightly modeled after her).

Kids get that. They get that this person's intentions are bad and we should do everything we can to surpass them.

It was fun directing a show that's intended for kids. You have to be simpler but work harder.

I have to say as well that the cast and pianist were INCREDIBLE. To be serious with what you're doing even if the audience is children is showing great respect for the music you're singing, the work you're presenting that the audience you're presenting for.

Top marks all around for Lisa, Rihab, Phil, Jenna, Lesley, Michael and Ambur. You guys are great!

Summertime

2011-11-13T21:15:00.000-06:00

Toronto is warm and hazy this evening.

All of a sudden a gust of summer warmth has spread over TO.

For now we're enjoying it.

This week has been more research. Trips to the library, planning for future projects, etc.

I'm suddenly into planning for AtG's next project, which is a re-mount of our Bohème that we did this past May. I'm really looking forward to diving back into this score, the staging and the intimate vibe we created. If you're interested in coming out, check out our website at www.againstthegraintheatre.com

Otherwise, it's status quo. Wonderful having Miriam back, who was away for 5 weeks.

The school tour that I was working on is in full swing after they've been touring for 2 weeks. If you want to check up what they've been up to, they've been blogging at http://coc.ca/ExploreAndLearn/NewToOpera/OnlineLearningCentre/ParlandoTheCOCBlog.aspx

(it seems this post is about links)

Listening to a lot of Wagner recently and it's the first time that I've really spent time doing that.

There's such mystery, intrigue and appreciation for his music and what he accomplished. He really was a director's composer.

November 13th at 10:14PM and it's +16 celsius.

crazy.

Getting colder

2011-11-04T20:52:00.000-06:00

The city is starting to slowly begin its descent into that "see your breath in the air" cold.

Hansel and Gretel officially went on tour and has been hitting schools all week. Reports coming back say that all is good and the kids are enjoying it. The true litmus test.

I've now re-focused attention. It's been a week of research at the library.

Music, textbooks, internet, images.

It feels like I'm writing a thesis. I'm very focused and pulling books off shelves and making notes. One resource leads to another, which leads to another. A wild chase to the intellectual pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Trying to balance a couple projects and get ready for Against the Grain's next show.

We're re-doing our version of La Bohème. The show that rocked it out this past June is coming back December 1, 2 and 3. New singers mixed with some of the old promises to make it a lively show.

www.againstthegraintheatre.com

Miriam is back on Monday after spending 5 weeks in Europe. Odds are in favour that she'll be warmly welcomed back.

Crazy week

2011-10-25T21:49:00.000-06:00

This week has started slightly crazy, but all in a good way.

It may end that way as well.

Hansel and Gretel is in full swing and this show is sweet, funny, charming and very cute. The singers we have are perfect for these roles.

Michael is a great witch, Rihab is a very cute Hansel, Lisa is a sweet and innocent Gretel, Ambur is a stern but also loving mother and bizarre Dew Fairy and Neil and Philippe are both fun and creative Fathers and Sandmen. Lesley is a hugely supportive stage manager and Jenna is a great music director.

can't complain. can't

This is all being paired alongside Against the Grain's first show of the season. Super Villains invades this Thursday and that's where I put on the producer hat.

This is going to be a fun show. We have a great lineup of singers and a fab actor who's going to surprise a lot of people. Noa is performing a monologue from one of my favourite writers.

Balancing schedules and rehearsals and meetings and fun time has been a challenge. Then, all of a sudden, next week opens up as Villains will be done, Hansel and Gretel on its way and new projects ahead.

such is life

Days are getting shorter and colder, and trying to staying positive and energetic...

Tuesday done and bring on the rest of the week.

Being a little boy

2011-10-17T21:02:00.000-06:00

Let's just say that I've enjoyed going back to being a little boy.

We've just started our second week of rehearsals for Hansel and Gretel and I'm going for simple and fun with my approach.

All of a sudden, I'm trying to think and act like a boy. Scary thing is that it's not too difficult.

What would I like seeing?

What would make me smile?

What would make me laugh?

There's nothing more fun than a bunch of adults getting together and laughing. I have a silly, creative, fun cast of singers and musicians to work with.

Yes, we get the work done, but when everyone is at such a high level and so well prepared, it's that much easier. It's so much fun to be going to work.

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-10-10T19:21:00.000-06:00

So, another Canadian holiday.

Had a wonderful weekend with family and friends. Turkey and for the first time lamb!

Why not? My brother-in-law is a great cook and so that was a treat.

Tomorrow I start the next chapter of the year as we have the first rehearsal of the Ensemble School Tour of Hansel and Gretel.

This opera is going to be done in English and chopped down to 45 minutes in length. The cast and set is designed so that it all fits in one 12 ft. van. They'll tour around Toronto to various schools giving two performances a day.

So after we just had our weekend where one eats and eats and eats, I begin work on a show about starvation, being hungry and not having enough food.

Iphigenie still has two more shows to go, so it's a bit of double duty and at the end of the month is our first Against the Grain presentation of the season. An evening dedicated to the Villians in theatre and opera.

Should be fun.

I hope everyone was able to connect with someone this weekend.

Toronto hit +29 degrees celsius. Not bad. Beautiful biking weather.

Over a month?

2011-09-15T21:50:00.000-06:00

I MUST be busy.

Last blog on August 6th.

Things are flying along.

I'm back home and we're 2 rehearsals away from opening Iphigénie en Tauride. This show has been done 4 times already and the 5th time is going to be be the best. Robert Carsen has arrived and we begin with him in the rehearsal hall tomorrow for a run-through and some notes. It's a stellar cast with Susan Graham, Russell Braun and Joseph Kaiser.

It seems that the COC is building on its reputation as a world leading opera house.

And it's only a 15 minute rollerblade to get there.

Cosi fan tutte ended up very well in Banff. We had two packed audiences for both shows and I'm already missing the mountains and deer. Somehow the streetcars and taxis just don't cut it.

Against the Grain Theatre is getting ready for their second season with an announcement coming very soon as to what's going on. Definitely learned a lot of lessons last year and I think we're in good shape going forward from here.

On the homefront Miriam and I have been doing a lot of home renovations and we're getting good at DIY's. Flooring is forthcoming and then some drywalling or panelling...we'll see.

Today I replaced the hardrive on my Macbook and things are flying by now...hope it keeps up. Was desperately close to buying a new Macbook Air, but thankfully the hardrive worked out and paid only a fifth of the cost.

Day off has brought rest, lines through errands and a breath of fresh air.

Opening night is one week tonight...here we go.

Thinking of Oslo

2011-08-06T18:26:00.000-06:00

I'm sitting up here in the mountains of Alberta and my world was somewhat shifted when I saw the TV in the workout room a couple of weeks ago.

It was reporting about breaking news out of Oslo, Norway where a bomb had gone off in the city centre.

Then news that a man travelled to an island and began shooting innocent young people.

Wait...this happened in Oslo?

I couldn't believe it.

Famine in Africa, tragedy in Norway, Jack Layton announcing that after her surging victory he is diagnosed a second time with cancer, this time a new cancer.

It seemed that the world had decided for a brief spill of gut-wrenching news that slightly jilted how I was thinking and feeling.

I have worked off and on in Oslo for the past 2 years and it struck a familiar chord as I was seeing landmarks where I had been.

If anything, it allowed for some moments to acknowledge how fortunate many of us are and simply allowed me to think outside the box and outside of work work work.

...

The mountains. My time in Banff is almost done. It's such an incredible town. The views are absolutely spectacular and we haven't had some of the brutal heat that hit most of Eastern North America.

My new workout routine is jogging up a mountain and then jogging down. Being in the mountains brings working out to a whole new level.

Cosi fan tutte opens in just under two weeks. It's been great to work at the Banff Centre and work with six singers who are performing their first Mozart role. They've come a long way and with the time we have left, we'll be able to polish, focus and make this show come alive.

When I return, it's back to work at the COC on their upcoming production of Iphigenia in Tauride and also Miriam finishes her contract at Glyndebourne.

Looking forward to being home, but first comes this last push of Cosi with such a great faculty.

In Banff

2011-07-14T10:22:00.000-06:00

I arrived and we're full on into rehearsals for Cosi fan tutte.

It's a great team that we've got around us. David Agler is guiding them through the music and the support team of Andrea Grant and Gordon Gerrard is fantastic.

This week has been about recits.

Recits, recits, RECITS!

Mozart lives and dies in the recits. They have the power to make a show beyond incredible. Often the music stands for itself and the beauty is a given.

However, recits are beautiful, purely theatrical moments that are so difficult to well for singers.

If you don't know what recits are, it's short for recitativo. Between the musical numbers, the plot is advanced with dialogue, but the dialogue is sung rather than spoken. It's normally accompanied not by the orchestra, rather a piano or harpsichord.

Recits can be tricky.

Immediately, the language they are in becomes an issue. If it's not in your first language...obstacle. You have to translate in your head, let it out to the right person and ideally be on the pitch of the note.

As well, yes, you sing, but they don't always have to be sung full-voice.

I also believe that when you throw in intention and action, you can make the recits cook.

So far so good.

And...I think we have the best view from a rehearsal hall...ever. I'll try to grab a picture.

On my way home

2011-07-04T17:37:00.000-06:00

I head home in two days.

It's been an interesting trip. I've loved every moment.

What was meant to be a supportive trip to the UK to visit Miriam who was covering a role at Glyndebourne ended up being much more.

It started before I left with news that Miriam as well as covering, was going to be making her Glyndebourne debut as Almirena in a new production of Rinaldo for one performance. Rinaldo is a Handel opera and was being directed by Robert Carsen, whom I recently worked with in Toronto at the Canadian Opera Company.

It's been wonderful hanging out at Glyndebourne, now my third summer (I have an awesome wife), and I was able to spend the past 10 days sitting in on all of the stage and orchestra rehearsals. To know that Miriam has spent time working here and will be performing at the end of this week is a celebration of hard work and following dreams. Hearing from the creative team how amazing she's been in rehearsals is both wonderful to hear professionally and of course as a husband. To answer the phone and hop on a plane the next day for three and a half months and learn a brand new role in three days...

She's special.

The show had it's debut this past Saturday night and had it's own set of difficulties as the power went off in the last third of the most dramatic and lengthy aria for Rinaldo. The stage manager came out and said that there would be a slight delay and we started all over again at the top of the aria.

There were wonderful performances by all singers and the reviews have been very positive. It was my first Glyndebourne debut for a new production and with the tuxedo's and picnic's, it's definitely an event. The debut also happened the day after Canada Day and it was special to see one of Canada's, and the world's celebrated opera director's, Robert Carsen, directing this piece.

Act III from Robert Carsen production of Handel's Rinaldo at Glyndebourne Festival Opera

Earlier in the trip we were also able to obtain tickets to see the closing performance of Die Meistersinger at Glyndebourne. This was a live broadcast and funnily enough starred another top Canadian; Gerald Finley.

The production and music are both respectively different from Rinaldo. Both productions were new productions and it was wonderful to see the differences in design. Meistersinger was a traditional, elegant, beautiful design compared to the modern Rinaldo. I was also blown away by the choreography of the chorus scenes and the richness of the music in Meistersinger. Gerald Finley is an incredible performer. He is a truly great actor and an equal if not better singer. He has such a rich sound and commands your attention.

It was a treat. A long treat, but a good one.

Final scene of Die Meistersinger starring Gerald Finley at Glyndebourne Festival Opera.

The week ended venturing into London with amazing tickets to see the Royal Opera House's revival production of Benjamin Britten's Peter Grimes.

This work is one of my favourites. The music is infectious and haunting, the characters are intricate and complex and the story is melancholic and beautiful. This is an original production of Willy Decker who's work I saw on DVD of his La Traviata. He strips all the elements of a fisherman's town and presents only the characters and their relationships (the way I love theatre) and uses the set to emphasize and draw attention to those relationships.

The Canadian theme continued as Peter Grimes was played by one of Canada's greatest tenors ever, Ben Heppner. With all of the recent struggles, I wasn't sure how vocally healthy he would be, but we were treated to an amazing talent. Once he warmed into the role, he produced the most beautiful tone and heartfelt emotion to this character. There is something electric and magnetic about certain performers. I'm not sure how or why or what it is, but Ben Heppner is one of those singers who has it.

Ben Heppner in Royal Opera House production of Willy Decker's Peter Grimes.

In the above picture, you may or may not notice on the far left, Scottish tenor Alan Oke as Bob Boles, who starred in the Canadian Opera Company's production of Death in Venice this past season. He most recently won a Dora Award in Toronto for Best Performance (in an opera) for the Death in Venice. I went into the show knowing this and was intentional in watching his performance. It was incredible. Bob Boles is a supporting character and this was the last show of the run, yet Alan Oke was completely engaged and every ounce of his being was focused and committed to his task.

Canada everywhere.

Robert Carsen (who also won a Dora award for his production of Orfeo ed Euridice), Miriam, Gerald Finley and Ben Heppner.

Three beautiful productions at two amazing opera houses. Very proud to be a Canadian and know that we're being represented around the world and also that were hiring great talent that is working all over the world as well.

I look forward to one day hopefully joining this list of artists. To be at the top of one's craft is what we all aspire to do and be. This trip has been that, an inspiration.

Now off to Banff, Alberta to direct Cosi fan tutte. I unfortunately leave the UK three days before Miriam's performance at Glyndebourne but I know that she's being supported back home and will definitely be thinking of her on July 9.

UK week 1

2011-06-25T15:02:00.002-06:00

A calmness has come over.

After the month that was Against the Grain Bohème I've now had a chance to relax and recharge.

I've been in the UK for a week and a half visiting Miriam who's been working at Glyndebourne. We'd been apart for the last 5 weeks.

A surprise came as my little sister Kirsten decided to make a trip to London and came to visit the day after I arrived for 8 days. This allowed for a proper UK visit and we did trips to Brighton, Lewes, Hampton Court, London and Kingston. The trip ended with a West End show of Billy Elliot.

After Kirsten left, it allowed me to visit Miriam up at Glyndebourne and I'm fortunate enough to sit in on stage and orchestra rehearsals of the show she's working on, Rinaldo. This is a new production by Robert Carsen, whom I just worked with at the Canadian Opera Company.

It's a very creative production that is true to the libretto and I think it'll be a hit.

Tomorrow Miriam and I are going to Meistersinger starring Canadian Gerald Finley. Very much looking forward to this 7 hour experience (they have a huge picnic break where everyone eats on the lawn).

I've had Cosi fan tutte on the brain as that's the next project I'm directing at the Banff Centre for the Arts in July and August.

So although it's a mini-holiday, it's been all opera and all beautiful music. Mozart's not a bad friend to be hanging out with.

oh, and it's been raining every day since I've been here.

Here's a cute pic of Miram and I in Kingston.

We just wanted to use the telephone.

Phew!

2011-06-12T14:29:00.000-06:00

Where to begin.

It's been an exhausting, overwhelming, beautiful and challenging few weeks.

My theatre company, Against the Grain Theatre, had an extremely successful run of La bohème. I don't know where to begin with all of this. Literally weeks ago I wasn't sure if this was going to happen and day by day it kept gaining momentum and we ended up with the right people involved to make this a success. The Toronto Star ran a beautiful preview article for the show and then Torontoist ran another. The show was reviewed by two opera blog critics and also by classical 96.3 and Opera Canada. All reviews were extremely positive and overwhelmingly encouraging. We ended up selling out the last 3 of our 4 shows and people were asking for more. Many people came up after the show saying how they were huge opera fans and this production of bohème was the best production of it that they had ever seen.

Hugely proud of the team when you hear things like that.

Bohème is not an easy opera, but it just worked perfectly and we had a ridiculously talented cast of principals and chorus. Topher Mokrzewski is a genius on the piano and he made this show work. I had so much fun every night watching it grow and change. Designers Camellia Koo and Jason Hand were creative, encouraging and amazing colleagues and friends to have around. Looking forward to doing a show with them when we're all actually in the same room/city for the whole length of the show.
We hope we can bring the show back for another run sometime soon.

Team AtG Bohème
L-R Keith Lam, Laura Albino, Adam Luther, me, Christopher Mokrzewski, Lindsay Sutherland Boal, Greg Finney, Justin Welsh and Steve Hegedus.

This past couple of days were somewhat still connected to bohème as my good friend Adam, who also sang Rodolfo, married his fiancé Laura, who played Mimi.

This was a beautiful celebration of two young people madly in love with each other. Adam is a great friend and we've managed to stay friends over the past 16 or 17 years. A very cool part of the ceremony was the fact that my parents performed it.

A flood of memories poured back as just over a year ago, it was me who was standing at the front of a chapel, wearing a suit, with my parents saying a lot of the same promises and hopes. Huge moment of déja vu and pangs of missing Miriam started coming as we just hit our one year anniversary.

We've been apart for just over a month now and this is fairly common. When two people are following dreams and also encouraging one another, it makes for a very unique and special relationship. You end up missing each other, which is a good thing and communication is so important in order to stay healthy and connected.

With Against the Grain wrapped up for now and Adam hitched, I'm packing bags to head off to London, UK tomorrow to visit Miriam for 3 weeks. She's working at the Glyndebourne Festival and hopefully we'll be able to score some tickets to see some of the shows there. This will be my third summer watching opera at Glyndebourne.

crazy

It's a beautiful opera company who hire talented singers and creative production teams. Looking forward to saying hello to team Orfeo ed Euridice who are currently producing Rinaldo. I was able to work with them in Oslo and now Toronto. Looking forward to catching up before working together again in the fall back in TO.

The body is slowly adjusting. It ended up shutting down. Telling me, "relax...you're done and I need to re-charge." So that's what's happening. Day by day I'm regaining a little bit of sleep and trying to stay on top of things.

So, London bound tomorrow.

Two weeks gone by...

2011-04-29T09:49:00.001-06:00

What happened?

Where did two weeks go?

Orfeo is now in the Four Seasons Centre and it's looking great. Nothing like a beautiful 80 minute opera.

On the home front, gearing up for another move. I've been temporarily living in an apartment for a month while Miriam has been here for three. We're about to hit 11 months of being married and I've lived in 6 different homes for at least a month, in those 11.

YAY!

If you're in the arts, this is nothing new and I'm positive that others have even better stories that I. So it means boxes, suitcases, bags and books. Throwing things away, giving things out and keeping the most unusable items because we're quirky people.

I was able to sneak in a rollerblade this week as well. The first one of the season. It's always weird for the first minute because I'm thiking...there's wheels on my feet and I'm going faster. Why don't I always have wheels on my feet!

It's been a heavy week of seeing lots of opera. Saw a great sort-of triple bill of the COC Ensemble doing Dring Dring, Hand of Bridge and The Telephone. Great performances. Some talented singers that the Ensemble has. One of the singers was in the first opera that I ever directed and it was kind of cool to see how we both have grown through many different experiences to get to where we are now. That was four years ago and could be very cool to see where we'll be in the next 4.
Then it was meetings with a designer for our Bohème that's coming up in June (just over a month away) at the Tranzac Club. (for more info www.againstthegraintheatre.com) Also saw the dress rehearsal for the COC's Ariadne auf Naxos. The cover was on for the role of Ariadne and Ambur Wagner can SING. What a joy to hear someone who without abandon, lets it go and just thrives in the moment.
That was my favourite part.

All this went on while continuing rehearsals for Orfeo.
One of the fun bits of being an Assistant Director at a company is working with Understudies (if the company is fortunate to be able to have them). I've been teaming up with the Associate Director on our show who's a great guy from Paris. This week I had fun playing Orfeo in the 3 hour cover rehearsal and worked with Simone who's covering Euridice.

Tonight we add the orchestra and get this thing ready to go.

Jack Layton for PM? Although that is unlikely, his rise is surprising. Whether that rise is translated on Monday is another matter. However, this shows me that Canada is perhaps ready for a change. That it's not just about businesses and the enconomy but ALSO about having quality health care, an equality for all and growth.

Rainy Days

2011-04-16T13:50:00.000-06:00

Well it's a rainy day and a great excuse to stay inside.

Orfeo ed Euridice

After a very busy couple of weeks, I'm here with a day off.

It's been 2 great weeks of rehearsals for Orfeo ed Euridice with Robert Carsen and the Canadian Opera Company.

This opera is 83 minutes in length without intermission.

There are only 3 roles in the opera and then the chorus.

This is a great team to work with. From the stage management to the artistic team, everyone is invested, but extremely nice and easy going about it. You can only wish that every experience is like that.

The cast is stellar and we've been moving along quickly and efficiently.

What I've enjoyed is how real and honest everything is. The story has many different versions in opera.

Orfeo's wife Euridice has died and he goes to Hell to bring her back.

How far would you go for love?

I've never been an overly huge fan of early music, however since going to Oslo for the past couple years and seeing wonderful chamber music, I must say that it's been growing on me ever since. There is something unique about an entire group acting as one and supporting one another in a group that believes in what it's doing.
This was Gluck's first "reform" opera meaning that he wanted to turn things around. Replace the, then current, complexity of opera at the time and return it to a simplistic setting.

This production is that.

Joy to work on. Run tomorrow night and we'll see how it all comes together.

how do you quantify?

2011-03-30T13:23:00.000-06:00

Imagine if artists were paid by the for the work they put in for all they do?

If singers were paid for all the practice that they do to prepare. If they were paid to coach and study and learn and network.

I've spent a ridiculous amount of time in my young career translating and writing in scores and I haven't been tested all that often. There is no bar, no one checking to see that it's done or done right.

Artists are sorely undervalued and I guess the argument is what do they really bring to the table.

Seriously.

Some musicians I know are the hardest workers out there and they slave away to be rewarded so meagerly.

Artists are survivors. They can live in such diverse situations.

I'm always impressed.

In your head you hope it pays off. You hope that one day it will all line up and be perfect. The scary thing is that nothing is guaranteed. You're not guaranteed any such luck or security.

You hope, but that's about all you can do. You can work hard, dig deep and gain valuable experience from it. Don't cut corners and be honest with yourself.

But man...respect the work.

Friday is here

2011-03-18T16:53:00.000-06:00

So...

Busy couple of days, but FUN couple of days.

In the last couple of days we did some test filming for a film project that I'm directing next week starring one of the ensemble singers here at the Opera House. It's a pretty cool thing that is coming together and I'm looking forward to the actual filming next week.

Rigoletto wise we had 3 orchestra rehearsals ending with a full run through today with full costumes, makeup and lights.

What is pretty, pretty impressive is the 5 orchestra rehearsals in 3 days by the cast. They dominated and Quinn Kelsey is going to impress when he makes his role debut here on Thursday as Rigoletto.

Everyone in TO will get to hear him this coming fall when he brings the role to the COC. Can't wait to hear him in TO. His arias are fresh, full of amazing technique and the most beautiful sound you've ever heard. Golden.

Highlight yesterday was having dinner with my cousin Kimberly. She's in Denmark on a student exchange, but the whole class came to Oslo for a few days and we actually met up. We had dinner then I toured her around the opera house. She mentioned that there might be some other friends who would be showing up and so we went out to the lobby where we found about 8 other people. I ended up taking them around (not knowing if I was really allowed) and we made it up to the catwalk of the opera house. (pretty sure that wasn't allowed)

In the three times I've been to Oslo for work, I've had 3 different Ivany's here. My wife, my dad, and my cousin...and Sam Tam.

It's nice to show people what I've been doing and where I've been working.

Head back to TO a week today and get ready for work at COC on Orfeo. VERY much looking forward to that, but first a beautiful opening of Rigoletto on Thursday night.

Remember to breathe

2011-03-15T17:14:00.000-06:00

So I got back.

A quick trip to Wiesbaden resulted in a wonderful experience.

Some of the highlights include a wonderful meal the Saturday evening where we were introduced to past winners of the prize. It seems like there is a family amongst the group. Past winners are invited back and we were told that we are now included in that group.

I got to talk to the other teams and their members and it's a wonderful group of people. We're all striving for the same jobs, but we all respect each other and know that it's not easy. We can support one another and show that we can be genuine in helping each other reach our goals.

Wiesbaden is a beautiful city and I hope to go to the natural steam baths the next time I'm there. The city has an expansive garden right behind their casino (housed in a James Bond-like structure). I easily confused it for their National Theatre.

The language came back to me in bits and I even had conversations in Italian with the host theatre Artistic Director and with the Italian team.

All in all a wonderful experience. I gave a reassurance that what I'm doing is right and to continue doing what I'm doing.

Now here in Oslo I focus on Rigoletto, which opens a week Thursday and a small film project that I'm directing next week as well.

Very good times.

Auf Deutschland gehen

2011-03-11T16:56:00.000-06:00

With less than two weeks away from Rigoletto opening at the Norwegian National Opera, I head to Wiesbaden, Germany for the weekend.

Wiesbaden is just outside of Frankfurt and will spend the weekend with my team from Canada as we celebrate our competition last weekend.

I'm looking forward to seeing a part of Germany that I haven't seen before.

Two summer ago I spent 3 months in Weimar and enjoyed my time. It will be wonderful to go back and see if any of my German will be useful.

Hopefully pictures will be forthcoming.

A bit of a whirlwind

2011-03-08T16:09:00.000-06:00

Well, where to begin.

I've been on a bit of a spin the last couple of weeks.

It started two weeks ago when I traveled to London, UK for an interview at a very prestigious company only to be told that I was over-qualified for the position I was applying for and that I'm doing all the right things and to keep it up.

It was wonderful to go to London, tough to hear the news, but pleased that I did so well in it and impressed some quality people.

The week went well as I travelled back to Oslo and had a wonderful meal with Norwegian friends as I prepared for another busy weekend.

Rehearsals for Rigoletto have been going extremely well and Hilde (the director) and I have had a great relationship as AD and director. I've enjoyed watching her work and seeing the performers put this show together.

I was allowed to leave a day early as I headed to London, UK, again, this time to compete in the 6th European Opera-directing Prize. Myself along with Designers Camellia Koo and Jason Hand were chosen along with 3 other teams to present our concept of the opera, I Capuleti e i Montecchi. This is a story which is a variation of Romeo and Juliet.

It ended up being a wonderful weekend. We had an interesting dinner the first evening where we met the other 3 teams. Although we were all fierce competitors, it made it difficult to be cold as everyone was very personable and extremely friendly.

The Canucks represented well the next day. We were the last team to present to the jury and ended up being caught almost late on the tube due to slow Saturday service. Thankfully we walked in on time and quickly set-up. The panel of 6 jury members all said hello and there was around 10 other wanderers in the room who were allowed to watch and observe my directing.

The hour flew by and before I knew it we were out the door of the National Theatre and back on our way through the streets of London.

The next day we were announced as third place prizewinners. I must say that I was nervously anticipating the announcement. We had to sit through an hour lecture before the winners were announced. What originally was disappointment at having not finished in the top two, quickly turned to a sense of pride as a team of Canadians, without much history of opera, stood tall alongside the British and the Italians as the top three. We were the second North Americans and first Canadians to place in this growing directing competition.

We quickly met some wonderful people, potential employers, (it can be that quick) and then were off to Heathrow after a quick celebratory lunch.

My double weekends in London will follow with a weekend in Wiesbaden, Germany, which is just outside Frankfurt. Our way is covered as we travel for the official awards ceremony in the town where this prize originates.

These adventures help pass the time as I near week 8 of being away from Miriam. It's a long time to be away from those that you miss, but there is a great sense of enjoyment and love of what I do as the past few weeks have unravelled.

Rigoletto opens two weeks this Thursday and then it's back to Toronto and Canada...at least for now.

Video about where technology could go in the future.

2011-02-26T12:54:00.002-06:00

The following video was taped 2 years ago.

Who knows where this kind of software and development is now, but it's quite intriguing for where it could be going.

It's been a great week

2011-02-17T16:40:00.000-06:00

So...

This week has been a great one so far.

I found out that I have been selected as one of four finalists, along with my team members, Set and Costume Designer Camellia Koo and Lighting Designer Jason Hand, in the 6th European Opera-directing Prize.

215 competitors and 84 concepts from 25 different countries submitted concepts for Bellini's opera, I Capuleti e i Montecchi.

We feel honoured to have made the finals. I'm not sure how many Canadians have ever made it thus far in the history of the Prize.

March 4-6th, 2011, we will travel to London, UK to compete against the 3 other teams from France, Italy and the UK at the National Theatre and Royal Opera House.

For a press release, see: http://bit.ly/fsqwde as well as the host of the competition: http://www.camerata-nuova.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=27&Itemid=35

The competition is aimed at young directors and production teams aged up to 35. The Prize is awarded every second year in Wiesbaden to the best production and design concept.

The EOP also gives the winning team the opportunity to stage their concept in a renowned European opera house.

Cheer Canada on the weekend of March 4-6, 2011.

We're all looking forward to traveling to such a great city to talk about opera. Hopefully this is the start of many wonderful things for the three of us.

Neither of us had worked together before, and we didn't have much time together. It was intense, focused and professional.

I'll definitely be updating along the way and hope for some good news in just over two weeks time.

A week in

2011-02-07T15:28:00.001-06:00

A week in and much fun has been had.

Weekend consisted of a day trip up to Sognsvann. A 3.3 km circumference lake.

You can take the metro/subway up to Sognsvann and get off basically in the middle of nature.
I was there in the fall and it's a beautiful, green, earthy place.
This time there was snow and ice everywhere and hundreds of people. Everyone was out with their cross country skis or simply going for a walk around the lake.
I was baffled. It immediately lifted my spirits as I felt I was taking part in something uniquely Norwegian.
Old people, and I'm talking old, wrinkly, 90 year old looking men and women were out with their winter gear and skis going around the lake.
I was totally impressed.
I made my walk around the lake vowing that the next time will be with skis.

Today we started our first day of rehearsals for Rigoletto and I KNOW that I'm going to enjoy every minute of it. The music is gorgeous and the singers are amazing.

Our Rigoletto is making his role debut and will be reprising it next season at the COC. He's American and we got along well today.

The day ended with a beautiful production of Benjamin Britten's The Rape of Lucretia which was presented in Scene 2, which seats about 400. Several of the cast members were in the production of Figaro that I worked on in the fall. The director was also the same as the Figaro. Beautiful modern production and an orchestra of 13 members.

I wish more productions were done in smaller spaces. Mozart operas would be fantastic in smaller spaces. You can see their faces and movements much clearer and the sound is incredible.

All in all a great start to the job here in Oslo.

Lets hope for another.

Same old same old

2011-02-01T05:14:00.001-06:00

Just like that I'm in Oslo.

There's something about familiarity and that's what I have right now.

Flight was a third full and so EVERYONE could stretch out which is always a bonus for a 7 hour flight.

Same airport, same train same place where I'm staying...

Same expensive things. $4 coffee at 7-11.

It's like I never left.

Rigoletto here I come.

Here we go

2011-01-25T12:38:00.000-06:00

About to enter some very busy days ahead.

Two shows with Against the Grain, a rousing mens club of Baritone Bootcamp, production manager for Aldeburgh Connection and prepare to leave wife and Canada for Oslo on Monday for 7 weeks.

ugh

Did I mention I'm a mean juggler? I love seeing how much I can cram into a perfect tight schedule and then run with it.

make it all work, just the way I want it to

I feel like that's been me for my whole life. Never taking on more than is perfectly allowable. The problems run about when one little thing changes. One little "adjustment" and then the balls starting falling from the air.

Why? Why do I do this? Is it this nature inside me that says I can do it. I can do it all. Is it that I want to please everyone? Yes, probably that too.

But I will. This weekend will be rather beautifully and without a hitch. There's going to be great little intimate crowds for our two shows on the weekend which confirms with me the need to continue with these interesting quirky projects. It's something I've wanted to do for some time. I tell people that I'm an opera director, but AtG hasn't involved any directing yet. It's all been planning, organizing, staying on top of things and building a team. Something I really enjoy.

There are so many talented artists in this city who are looking to do something, to be involved, to grab ahold of something and call it their own. I hope I can provide a small piece to that puzzle for the few that are able to work with us.

Then it's off to cold Oslo for 7 weeks to assist on Rigoletto at The Norwegian National Opera. A great score, great singers and a truly wonderful opera company. I enjoy the people that work there and I enjoy the city so much.

I just want to bring everyone here, there.

It's all in the details

2011-01-13T15:56:00.000-06:00

It's totally true.

This week has been about setting things up

Making sure the rest keeps going

Crossing the T's of what's behind

Against the Grain Theatre is taking up a lot of time, but I think it will be worth it.

This little collective company has given wonderful insight in terms of organizational planning, aritistic planning and professional people skills.

The next concert will feature such a wide, unique variety of talent. The goal is that the audience simply sit back and enjoy.

We'll see.

In just over two weeks, both the concerts/presentations will be done and I'll be on a plane back to Oslo to work at the opera house on Rigoletto.

If you're in the TO area, I think you'd love the show. It'll will definitely be unique and I hope it will inspire those working in it to follow different dreams.

I've included a web pic of the program. A bit saucy, but not that bad. I think it's great.

If you're on facebook, check us out here: www.facebook.com/AtGtheatre
or online at www.againstthegraintheatre.com.

Personally, Miriam and I are avoiding/preparing for the departure when I head off to Oslo. I'll be gone 8 weeks, which is a long time. Was too long the last time in the fall, so we'll see how it works. Thankfully there's Skype and Gmail chat.

I don't know what we'd do without that.

So weekend is almost here and a wave of rehearsals will happen.

Can't wait to stop by and see how it all goes.

Met in Movies

2011-01-08T19:14:00.000-06:00

Had the afternoon free and Miriam and I saw La Fanciulla del West.

We saw the opera in the movie theatre and it was the second show I'd seen at the movies.

This opera was written by Puccini and it's the 100th anniversary of its world premiere.

I have to say that I'm not won over by the whole experience.

You pay a ridiculous amount of money for your ticket with the performance billed as HD. However I found that the quality of image isn't all that great. The colours aren't that vivid, the shots are somewhat choppy and there are too many close-ups (in my opinion).

What is great is some world class singing and a new way (or first-time way) of seeing opera.

Marcello Giordani did an amazing job and he has a beautiful solid voice.

Fanciulla is a great score. Puccini would have been an amazing film composer. This score is rich, lush and completely story fueled. Only two female roles and then about 50 men (considering chorus and supers).

I was able to work on this show in Norway last year and the rich melodies crept back into my consciousness and I was quietly humming along to much of the score. Act II is a rich, powerful high energy act.

Can't wait to do this show or scenes from it.

If you get a chance to see or work on this rare (I don't know why) show, you're in for a great time.

Here we go again

2011-01-04T16:06:00.001-06:00

Where did December go?

Just like that we're diving into January.

All of a sudden I realized that I leave at the end of the month again for another two in Norway to work on Rigoletto.

holidays can do that

January picks back up with sorting out details for the future, getting things ready for Against the Grain's next performance and then getting ready for Norway life.

This time has been good to re-connect with people though and it's much quieter.

As far as theatre goes, I just read how Peter Brook has ended his 36 year reign at an experimental theatre in Paris. (www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2011/jan/02/peter-brook-bouffes-paris-theatre)

What an amazing job and aspiration. To have freedom to explore, teach, create, lead...

I think what every artist would love is a place to perform ones craft, a place to dare, risk and try.

Is theatre a necessity? Is it part of our daily needs? It's a very debatable subject. Regardless, to spend 36 years in the arts at one place is a bit of dream job.

A look back at 2010

2011-01-02T10:09:00.000-06:00

It was a good year.

a pretty, pretty, pretty...pretty good year.

2010 brought many interesting twists and turns and changes in my life. I must say it was a huge learning year and one that will be tough to top.

Some highlights of the past year include:

directing my first opera with orchestra
directing my first opera as an equity director
getting married (top of the list)
working my first gig in the UK (award winning production)
working my first gig in Norway
living at least one month in 6 different places
launched Against the Grain Theatre (www.againstthegraintheatre.com)

A nice mix of personal and professional.

I'm amazed by the new team that I have. It's not just me anymore but I have a new member on team Ivany that became official this year. She's a huge support and we're in it together. That's nice to know.

I'm crossing fingers not to jinx 2011. I think it has crazy potential. It could come close to topping this year. We'll see...in a year.

I used to be someone who hated goals. Our family would sit around the table on New Year's Day and spend a couple of hours reviewing last years goals, voting on them, blowing up at each other and then writing new goals for the coming year. (the process would repeat the following year)

Year after year I just grew more bitter until one year I exclaimed, "I don't have any goals. I don't want to do anything. I don't want to achieve anything!"

and that was that

Things have changed and in this self-promoting, self-employed, self-sacrificing profession, well, one has to think on themselves just a little bit. You have to have a rough plan in order to enjoy doing what you do and to get paid for it. (imagine!)

So, this year, I'm going to go against the grain (hey oh) and try to look for the good in every situation. That's so different from what is easy, isn't it?

I end by posting my book list of books read this past year. Miriam doesn't like that I do this because she thinks it's braggy. I guess in some ways it could be interpreted that way, but for me it's a good reminder to see what I'm putting in my head and where I should veer away or towards. Also, I'm a bit obsessed with books and seeing what people read, to me, is a good way to find out about that person.

and I'm braggy

Happy 2011 Everyone.

BOOKS

1. A Practical Handbook for the Actor: Melissa Bruder (January 12)

2. More Twisted: Jeffery Deaver (January 31)

3. Marilyn: The Last Take: Peter Brown & Patte Barham (April 4)

4. My Story: Marilyn Monroe (May14)

5. How to Stop Acting: Harold Guskin (June 29)

6. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: Stieg Larsson (July 1)

7. The Girl who Played with Fire: Stieg Larsson (July 23)

8. Backward & Forward: David Ball (August 3)

9. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets’ Nest: Stieg Larsson (August 12)

10. The Lost Symbol: Dan Brown (August 17)

11. Billion-Dollar Kiss: Jeffrey Stepakoff (September 18)

12. World Without End: Ken Follett (November 16)

13. Theatre: David Mamet (November 25)

PLAYS

1. The King’s Diversions: Victor Hugo (January 31)

2. Hamlet: William Shakespeare (July 6)

Beautiful BC

2010-12-14T21:49:00.000-06:00

Was it a quick trip?

Yes

Was it a good trip?

Yes

Miriam and I spent the last 8 days in Sunny BC. Unfortunately it rained every day which made Miriam's first experience of BC left her feeling that the province isn't as gorgeous as it really is.

We made it to White Rock BC where we visited my Nana. She's amazing.

It was great simply to watch her and listen to her. She told story after story and was incredibly alert for a mid-80's grandmother.

What was brilliant for Miriam was the fact that she never met her grandparents and asked if Nana would be hers. Nana was giddy.

Nana is simply a very wise women who has endured through war, cancer, loss of a spouse and loss of a limb. When it can be so easy to ignore elderly people, it was a great reminder to focus and listen otherwise you may miss something very important.

The rest of the week was a whirlwind.

Dinner at Japadog with my chillin' cousin JP.

Vancouver Opera production of Lucia, and catchup with friends.

Day in Vancity with my sister and her boyfriend.

Beautiful dinner on the shore with Miriam's cousin and her family.

Ferry across to the Island.

Staying on a farm.

Daytrip with Betty and Miriam to Tofino and the tallest, greenest trees I've seen.

Day in Victoria seeing beautiful theatres built in the 1910's.

BC is one of Canada's most beautiful places. It inspires thinking that gets you wanting more from life. A quality of life that could be full of green, nature and clean air.

As we find ourselves on the cusp of big changes we could go anywhere but are staying put for now. Can't help dreaming though.

So for now, we're enjoying another week in Toronto before we head to Ottawa until Christmas and then back to TO.

Oh and for the record, I prefer the mild BC climate and rain as opposed to the wind, ice and snow.

Thoughts on the evening

2010-12-02T22:15:00.003-06:00

So, how did it all go?

This beautiful picture gives a sense, a taste of what the evening was about.

At Against the Grain Theatre, we want to discover what makes people sit up and listen, or sit back and enjoy.

I believe we found a few of those things in this first presentation of "An Unexpected Evening of Shakespeare".

As Visual Artist Andrew Sookrah started his work painting from a blank canvas, I realized how often dreams begin that way.

You start with nothing.

blank

Then brushstroke by brushstroke, lines are painted and a shape begins to emerge. A feeling a vibe an attitude starts to take form right before your very eyes.

That is what is beginning with this organization.

There was such a level of professionalism and respect between the performers and the audience.

These performers did an incredible job. The evening began with a Debussy prélude and led into monologues and sonnets. Miriam Khalil sang Roger Quilter's 5 Shakespeare Songs and did a fantastic job both vocally and dramatically.

We were led into intermission by Gene Wu, Keith Klassen and Adam Luther performing excerpts from Verdi's Otello. Gene Wu is a great baritone. He wouldn't be with us if he wasn't. He proved it singing his Credo and he's a gifted actor as well. Keith Klassen simply stunned me with his Otello. It can be very difficult to sing the end of an opera out of context with the audience 3 feet away, but he tastefully and artistically delivered a solid performance. Adam Luther and Gene were rousing and vocally beautiful. They energized us into intermission as we lined up for more beer.

The second half was even stronger with Kiss Me Kate, a stunning scene from Hamlet performed by Rick Jon Egan and Noa May Dorn which led beautifully into "O Let Me Weep" from Purcell's Fairy Queen. Noa May Dorn stayed on stage repeating text as violist Carol Gimbel, Christopher Mokrzewski and Miriam Khalil began the aria. Khalil entered from the back of Heliconian Hall and walked down the centre aisle before moving around our Ophelia. It created a stunning, time-stopping, melancholic state that was the climax of the evening.

We ended with excerpts from Westside Story to bring an uplifting spin to this tight program.

I must say that there is something about the intimate. When you work in large theatres around the world, it's important to remember who it is all for.

There was a small line-up as panic set in wondering if people would actually show up. All had been arranged, the fireplace was burning, the painter was painting, and sure enough, one by one, they arrived. Over the next half hour I looked at the audience from the back of the hall I saw couples sitting comfortably stretched out in the aisles. I saw people with beer in hand enjoying Gounod. I saw hands eating popcorn as sonnets were spoken and artsong sung.

Against the Grain will evolve and dive deeper as they try to stay ahead of the game.

Thanks to those who came out.

For those who missed it, you missed out.

You'll get another chance.

promise

Quote

2010-11-19T10:08:00.000-06:00

This quote is from David Mamet's book "Theatre".

Great for the artist...

"Many, perhaps most, dreaming of a career in the arts will drop out not because of the foreseen and much lauded drawbacks - criticism, uncertainty of employment, rigours of the craft, fickleness of the audience, possible absence of talent - but because they are unsuited for a life of self-direction.
The terrifying question to them is not, 'How may I serve my craft?' or even 'How can I make my living?' but 'What am I supposed to do today?'"

Back in TO

2010-11-18T09:29:00.000-06:00

So, just like that, everything comes back to normal.

Am I just a little bit naive to think that things would be different?

maybe

However, things are different.

Seasons change and priorities change.

With renewed vigour I find myself ready to immerse in TO life yet again.

I read how 4 young entrepreneurs are putting a bowling alley at John and Richmond.
the tiff building is finished and has unique and different programming.
friends are around and even busier than before.
No Blue Jays playing baseball.
Leafs are a constant buzz as hockey season nears mid-season.
Artistic planning is in full swing.
TTC still takes a long time if you're out in the Eastside.
Tim Horton's has their Chritmas designed cups.

I tell everyone how much Oslo reminded me of Canada, but in a lot of ways Norway is very different from Canada.

I'm kind of missing a bit of overhearing Norwegian as I walked down the street, passed someone in the hallway or drank a cup of coffee.

We say that we're a bi-lingual country, but can we all switch to French if we needed to?

Wouldn't that be fun just to see?

Where has the time gone?

2010-11-13T17:17:00.000-06:00

Well...

I must say that it's not a coincidence that my blogs sort of stopped once Miriam arrived in Oslo.

I've been well...distracted.

This week has been a beautiful week.

Wonderful meetings about future projects here at the opera house
a trip up to the peak of Oslo and eating sour cream porridge in a log cabin with my lady
watching the Count from our production of Figaro sing arias in an underwater pub to a crowd of people in their late 20's and 30's.
Visit to the Munch museum to see The Scream!
Late night visit to the Vigeland Sculpture Park. (very cool and creepy especially late at night)

The temperature has been at freezing for the past couple of weeks, but it's that nice cold. The one where you're not so bitter and frustrated at the slush.

You're not cursing the frozen fingers and nose, wiping your nose on your sleeves.

No, this time is just really nice.

We wrap it up with a performance of Handel's Messiah and a few nice days before I transition back to Toronto next week.

From there is planning/organizing the first performance of AtG Theatre in just over 2 weeks and organizing the next few steps.

All in all it's been a wonderful experience and one that I will remember.

It's been one of those stepping stones.

Thankfully it just keeps rolling on.

6 lectures by Leonard Bernstein

2010-11-05T08:37:00.000-06:00

Have you ever had one of those life moments where things just click?

Since I've been in Oslo, I've been to many concerts and shows, one being the opera-oratorio by Stravinsky, Oedipus Rex.

The opera house in Oslo also has a great video and music library and I found a DVD of L'histoire du Soldat, which is a 1918 theatrical work "to be read, played and danced" set by Igor Stravinsky.

In 1973 Leonard Bernstein delivered 6 talks at Harvard University called, "The Unanswered Question". Bernstein traces the development of music from its origins to the 20th-century struggle between tonality (championed notably by Stravinsky) and atonalism (represented mainly by Schoenberg). To illustrate various points in his analyses, he plays the piano frequently, sings occasionally, and conducts significant works of key composers: Mozart, Beethoven, Berlioz, Wagner, Ravel, Debussy, Ives, Mahler, and Stravinsky.

The last two talks, devoted to these composers, are particularly enlightening and deal with both of these artistic works.

I could have listened to these lectures years ago, or years in the future, but I listened to them now. It just happened to be days after seeing both of these productions. To hear commentary on them from 1973 simply gave me a great respect for works of the past and for the men and women who study them, perform them and have a passion for them.

I think that often, we're simply not well educated when it comes to music. George Stroumboulopoulos referenced an article about the lack of musical knowledge from our grade school teachers teaching music. (http://www.cbc.ca/strombo/george-feed/music-1/ontario-music-teachers-lack-musical-background.html)

Like any hobby, you want to learn more about what you're talking about. Who knows, by learning more I may like it more, or like it less.

Personally, now I'm listening to classical music that isn't opera and I find it interesting.

I'm sold. I wish there were more public figures out there who are interested in educating us about where music was, where it is and where it may be going.

I think we're all bright. I think we can handle more than a sugar coating, or a spoonful (to see if we'll spit it out) of classical music. Most of us are adults and will make choices. We simply need to carve out time to be willing to open our ears and then see what happens.

Isn't that what's beautiful about art?

I think pop music is creative and engaging. I think it gives a wonderful expression of new and progressive personalities. I also think that that same freedom and expression can be in classical music as well. For some reason though classical music is the "kid that gets picked last for soccer baseball".

(wasn't that a good game)

It all comes down to age, time and focus. There's a reason why Justin Bieber has almost 6 million followers on Twitter and Renee Fleming has 2,500. I'm not knocking either singer, it's just obvious that there's a huge divide.

Trainride from Bergen

2010-11-01T06:10:00.000-06:00

As I sit on the train going through Norway’s beautiful landscape, I can’t help but feel fortunate.

Fortunate to be away from influences.

Sometimes it’s so important (for me) to get away. To get away from advertising, to escape from commercialism and to drift away career striving.

For me it’s important to be out in nature. Unfortunately I haven’t made it a priority in quite some time. As I look out the train widow, the tops of these beautiful mountains are snow covered and every so often, a house will stick out. As if it popped up to say, “yes, I’m here”.

I purposely took the train for this very reason.

I loaded the mp3 player with Bernstein’s “The Unanswered Question”, a six-part lecture series that he gave at Harvard University many years ago.

These rich lectures go through a history of music. Today was a focus on 20th Century music. He beautifully explains developments, influences from different composers and where things are headed. He uses musical examples to illustrate his points and with this current lecture he ended with Mahler’s 9th symphony. Written in 1908, I believe he said that it was the closest piece of music to what it must be like to die.

I obtained a music degree from Western over six years ago and many similar feelings were aroused. Listening to musical examples, tritones, 12-tone scales, Alban Berg, Mozart, Schoenberg, Mahler, we glazed over it all. My attention then was not what it is now (which doesn’t say much). However, The study of music is not something that is extracurricular. It is not superficial or optional. This is a study of nature, history and humanity.

I feel fortunate for moments of solitude and focus where one is able to be still, asses and re-prioritize where one is.

The transference that takes place, the teaching for people who have been before us allows us to look forward and go further.

Music is deeper and richer than we can ever conceive.

Hallowe'en.

2010-10-31T11:25:00.000-06:00

So, trip to Bergen.

It's been great. What was a rough night of walking around the city alone turned into a great day.

It seems that there was someone staying at my hotel who is a British choreographer who has been at the Opera House in Olso for the past 3 weeks.

I've seen him around and in Oslo and found it surprising to see him in Bergen, 7 hour train ride away.

We ended up touring the city together and it was great to have company.

I'm fairly sure that the weather changed at least four times from bright sunshine to pouring rain to somewhere in the middle.

Bergen is a beautiful city. You can take a cable car up one of the mountains, (called a funicular) and you get a beautiful view of the whole city. You're able to get a great view of how they've been set-up for hundreds and hundreds of years. Their port is their cash. Giant boats have and will always be their means. The city has a small arts centre where a lake is surrounded by their concert hall and arts museums.

We ended up walking down the side of the mountain which was a great hike and was incredible to see the leaves of the trees and houses on the side of this mountain.

Lee is a choreographer/teacher/dancer who came here to learn about the ballet in Oslo and his story is very similar to mine. He'd love to come back if the situation was right.

There's something about Norway that is incredibly reminiscent to Canada. The nature, the people, the weather. It is incredibly comforting, considering I am on the other side of the planet.

It's a great reminder for anyone to go out there and discover somewhere, someplace new. As easy as it may be to book a vacation to a beach or resort, there is something exciting and difficult about seeing another part of the world in ways that are beyond our comfort zone. I believe that we become richer people and richer artists. I understand that everyone can't just go around the world, but in each of our small ways, anything is possible.

If anyone has the opportunity to come to Norway, I promise you won't be disappointed. You'll just be paying three times what any other vacation would cost.

And I'm not exaggerating.

Beautiful video floating around facebook

2010-10-29T07:07:00.002-06:00

This video has been floating around facebook for the past week or so.

It shows the beauty of music when it's put up against massive horrors.

Music is something that can be difficult to explain. We each experience it differently and one cannot define it's importance or worth.

However, like is said in the video, music can be kept in our minds and can be accessed when we want. We can go there when we want. For a break, for peace, for memories. It cannot be taken away.

Theatre and music are meant to compel and be.

It is how they are interpreted and taken in by each of us. It's a shared experience from the composer, the performer and the listener.

It's a beautiful energy that cannot be re-created or caught on film or recording.

If you have 12 minutes and you haven't seen this video, have a look.

Toronto's New Mayor

2010-10-26T03:29:00.001-06:00

Toronto's new mayor is Rob Ford.

It's been very interesting to see the campaign and watch the feedback from abroad.

I read that 53.2% of Toronto came out to vote. That's a little over half the city.

Interesting.

For argument sake, we'll say 50%.

Of that half, almost 50% voted for Ford. So you can argue, a little under a quarter of the city ACTUALLY voted for Ford. 35.6% for Smitherman and 11.7% for Pantelone. (It would have been interesting to see what it would have looked like had Pantelone bowed out earlier.)

I'm very fortunate to be currently working in a city that is developing and the arts have made the city thrive. It built an opera house which attracts tourists from all over the world.
Many Norwegians are proud of the opera house and feel that it puts Oslo on the map.

The house was not built with praise from all. The government footed much of the bill for this house and people all over the city felt and still feel that the money could have been spent elsewhere.

But to see thousands of people pour into this building for performances. To constantly see a tapestry of languages and colours climb the outside of the opera house and walk on its roof proves that there is something inside that connects and links us to the arts.

It's not very much unlike Toronto. I feel very fortunate to have worked in Canada's only opera house. It was built for opera, built for Canadians and built for Toronto. When I walk by the heart of Toronto, it's a proud symbol. When I see the Young Centre in the Distillery, I'm a proud Torontonian.

Toronto is an arts city that will survive anything that comes our way.

As bad as people are predicting what could happen, it's not long ago that we endured through the collapse of the economy, bailouts and the threat and worry that all arts would be cut and cease to survive.

Well, artists are survivors. That's what we do. It's all we know how to do. We work hard to get it out there. We slave away for some reason in order to put on a "reading" or a concert or an art show or dance recital or to start a collective called Against the Grain Theatre. :)

We only expect that we need to work hard. And that's what we'll continue to do. Unfortunately we don't live in Europe where the arts are classified in Culture rather than Entertainment. It's still becoming part of our DNA, unlike Italians, Germans and the French.

I end by referencing the song that Rob Ford played as he walked to to deliver his speech. It was written at the request of one of the biggest arts underdogs any industry has ever known. Sly Stallone. If you don't know his story, give it a lookup. The video is GOLD. I can't wait to make a video like that. And I will, through the Toronto Arts Council...you wait.

So many times, it happens too fast
You change your passion for glory
Don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past
You must fight just to keep them alive

Chorus:
It's the eye of the tiger, it's the cream of the fight
Risin' up to the challenge of our rival
And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night
And he's watchin' us all in the eye of the tiger

Face to face, out in the heat
Hangin' tough, stayin' hungry
They stack the odds 'til we take to the street
For we kill with the skill to survive

The machine is running

2010-10-24T06:11:00.003-06:00

The shows are in full swing and we've done 5 of 11 shows.

They've been going very well and it's great to see a full house for every show.

My mind is full of Shakespeare, Italian and La Bohème. Not bad things to have in ones mind.

With more time now in Oslo I'm looking to explore outside this beautiful city and hope to see more of the country.

Had a great time out with our conductor Jonathan, the conductor for our Figaro. He's a wonderful man.

I've uploaded a picture of me with the pig that was part of the ballet's Four Seasons.

OF COURSE IT WAS IN THE FOUR SEASONS!

It moves and makes noise. It's beautiful.

Indian Dance

2010-10-20T13:33:00.000-06:00

I just saw one of the most interesting dance shows.

It's right up there with everything else that I've seen here in Oslo the last year.

There was no set and it was in the smallest theatre that the opera house has.

It was a 10 person dance company from India. The program was an hour long and it fused two Indian dancers with two white, classically trained dancers. There were three Indian musicians and then two white, French musicians playing cello and violin.

There were these parallel movements done however in each culture's own style.

The Indian dancers were particularly fascinating. Their attention to the minute, fine details is incredible. Their passion to exceed and to enjoy every moment of what they do is clearly visible.

Their eyes and hands and feet stand out as they maneuver their bodies to the rhythms of the Indian music. There was also music from Grieg, Handel and Bach.

The choreography and concept was done by Rukmini Chatterjee.

Roughly 25 minutes into the program Rukmini Chatterjee comes onstage and does a solo dance piece. You could see her experience, her grandeur and maturity.

As the dance show ended and they came out to bow, Rukmini quieted us all down and simply said, "I must say this because something is telling me to. I don't know what it is about you people, but the past few years that I've been dancing I haven't had joy until tonight."

It's a good line whether it's true or not.

They way they carry themselves in bowing at the end and smiling and in their beauty brought just a small taste of India to a Canadian in Norway.

Whirlwind

2010-10-17T07:48:00.000-06:00

It's been a whirlwind these past few days.

My brain is running on fumes, but at the moment, all seems to be getting done.

I really miss Miriam, so I've been trying to fill my days in with as much as I can.

The latest gem of mind numbing activity has been organzing my new project.

It's a collective of artists called Against the Grain Theatre. It's a dream that's been floating in my head for well over a year now and I'm finally just pushing ahead and seeing where it takes me.

I've been doing opera now for just over 5 years and I'm learning about what I like and what frustrates me. I'm also learning why I have a taste for certain things and why I don't.
When I decided to work in theatre, I was drawn by the ability to tell a story. I'm intrigued by the way that we, audience members, interact with what we see.
Why is that interesting?
Well for one, each of us will experience something differently. We all bring whatever we're dealing with to the theatre and for that moment, we focus our attention to a collective presentation.
All that focus and attention brings an electric energy that drives both the performers and the audience forward.
Consciously or unconsciously we choose which sides we're on. We relate to this character or that.
We find that one singer/actor very attractive and we're drawn to every gesture or syllable that they make.

I'm fascinated by that. I'm fascinated by the power of storytelling. Stories have been around for a while.

Russell Crowe was interviewed on Inside the Actors Studio and said this:

"But you know, I don't like the idea of going to the office. I'm a fucking gypsy, man, and I come from a long line of gypsies, and some great tradition of gypsies who tell stories. That's what my job is. We're all storytellers, and that's what we're here for. Now, a few hundred years ago it was a different situation, but now through flickering light we get to talk to millions of people at a time sometimes, if you're lucky enough… and uh, it's ok. That's a good job. But I would have done it on the back of a wagon in Shakespeare's time. I would have been in that wagon that's mentioned in Hamlet. I would have been one of those players, pulling up, telling the story… I never cease seeing this thing as a privilege and seeing the opportunity to tell a people a story as a privilege. And I know that sounds all high-falutin' and idealistic in a way, but fuck it, man, I am."

I want to find out how to tell really good stories. I want to find out why other people want to tell stories. And that's where this idea, dream whatever came from.
We have inate impulses as humans that are not learned, they are those hunches, those untrained ways to gravitate towards something. The way we find music passionate or when our gut is telling us to do something.

That's excitement.

So, Against the Grain Theatre has launched and our first concert/fundraiser is Wednesday, December 1 of this year. There are some great artists lined up. We're aiming to do a production of La Boheme in the spring of 2011.

Dress done...

2010-10-13T15:10:00.000-06:00

Cast of Le nozze di Figaro

So, the dress rehearsal is done.

It doesn't have as much flair as the dress rehearsals at the COC.

I remember paying $12 for a student ticket to go to a COC dress rehearsal.

"The next best thing."

At the house in Oslo, the dress rehearsals are generally during the day, simply because there are shows at night, which makes sense.

Our dress went VERY well.

The singers took their performances to another level and it's incredibly impressive.

This is an all-Norwegian cast.
Norway is just under 5 million in population and Oslo is just under 600,000 people.

So considering the percentages, it's quite remarkable that this is world class talent and they're all from this small, ridiculously expensive country.

From watching it today and hearing reactions from the audience, I'm reminded of how intricate this plot is and also have beautiful the music is.

This is a story that has direct choices that are made. How beautiful is that for an actor? There's no ABA arias, or telling us about what happened for the last half hour, but live action takes place as we watch. There's nothing more interactive. The tough part is normally though the audience take 2 seconds to process because they have to read what is being discussed.

This keeps bringing me back to wondering whether opera is a good story telling if we don't understand it right away. I can see the strengths and weaknesses on both sides.

Either way, congrats to the cast and crew and we have a day off tomorrow before opening on Friday.

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-10-09T15:00:00.004-06:00

Saturday night in Oslo.

Dishes in the dishwasher, just put the iron away with 4 nice looking shirts in the closet.

Quiet day at the gym and reading.

Not quite the usual Thanksgiving weekend of street hockey, football played more out of tradition than gridiron athletics and turkey.

It's also the first Thanksgiving as a married man. Miriam is far away in Edmonton.

So...it's different.

However, there is much to be thankful for.

The technical elements of the stage finally worked for our beautiful production of Marriage of Figaro (Act III below).

Le Nozze di Figaro, Act III (set design by Kevin Knight)

We added lights and orchestra on Friday and now have three runs before we open this coming Friday.

It's gone extremely well and I'm excited to see the final result. For 4 of the 5 main roles, it's their role debuts. To come to work every day at this beautiful opera house and see this on stage and listen to Mozart, life is good.

Also thankful to be here. I'm thankful that they brought me all the way from Canada to work here. That doesn't happen every day.

I'm thankful for great friends (in TO that I don't see as much as I'd like) and a supportive family.

So no turkey, no football, no apples or cornucopias this year, but Thanksgiving in Oslo still has a nice ring to it.

Weekend concerts

2010-10-03T05:22:00.000-06:00

Last night I saw a concert at the Opera House.

The program was:

Mozart's Overture to La Clemenza di Tito
Mozart's 24th Piano Concerto

Mahler's 4th Symphony.

It was nice to have a bit of a break from listening to music with voices. Now more than ever I can hear the distinction of composers. The different colours, the textures, the nuances.

I was a music student at the University of Western Ontario when I was 20. I was doing much of what I'm doing now, but not paying any attention.

I was a student in high school who played on the Rugby team, the Basketball team, the Football team and Hockey on weekends.

How I ended up doing what I'm doing is beyond me.

I've heard the argument that the arts shouldn't be for everyone. We shouldn't strive to make it mainstream because not everyone, not matter how it's done, will like it.

I don't know if I have an answer, but I do know that our learning and understanding as students to culture and history can improve and grow.

The third movement simply gets you thinking. It takes you somewhere and inspires, allows you to reflect.

Now more than ever before, I've become aware that I've lost my sense of focus and meditation. To be able to sit for an hour without fidgeting, checking my phone, internet, eating, is becoming harder and harder to do. I don't think it's a good thing, but I know that we can train ourselves to become better.

It's funny that it takes me coming to Oslo, Norway to become a student to the greats. I wish I could bring my family and friends...

I will eventually.

Four Seasons

2010-10-01T15:59:00.000-06:00

This evening I saw Årstidene (The Four Seasons).

Ballet to Vivaldi's music.

This was like nothing I've seen before.

In terms of entertainment, well it had high value. In terms of "meaning" and "intention"...who knows.

The four seasons were set in a bomb factory, a sex filled vaction spot, a concentration camp and a 50's high-end New York tux wearing kitchen.

yeah

He also had 4 characters carrying through all of the scenes that didn't actually make much sense, but they were very funny.

The most beautiful moments were during set changes. Two principal dancers used a classical technique, but the choreography was new, playful and interesting.

I would have wanted to see more of that.

What made the whole night very cool was having my Dad here. He showed up last night and leaves very early Sunday morning.

To show him around the opera house, meet some of my co-workers, take in a show and simply be in Oslo, Norway...well it's just kind of surreal.

Enjoy the weekend.

Must see movie

2010-09-25T13:59:00.000-06:00

I just saw the documentary Glass: A Portrait of Philip in Twelve Parts.

Philip Glass is a composer that I admire.

It goes beyond that.

I trust my gut. In life there are moments, music, situations that you simply know. You believe in and it affects/touches you in a profound way.

The first time I heard music by Philip Glass was when the National Ballet of Canada performed in 2007, I believe.

I was mesmerized from his first few notes.

It clicked. Made me sit up and truly listen. I needed to know who wrote this music and find out what it was called. The same experience happened the first time I heard U2's I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For.

I immediately went to HMV and bought the music on CD Glassworks.

That music accompanied me on throughout Europe and especially during my time in Weimar in Germany.
Surprisingly, his opera Waiting for the Barbarians was commissioned and performed by the Erfurt Theatre, which is about a 20 minute ride from Weimar.

This documentary chronicles who Philip Glass is, what he's accomplished and what he continues to do.

He has a vacation home in Nova Scotia.

very cool

One statement that he made stood out. "If you don't need a new technique (approach), then what you're saying probably isn't new."

Rarely are there visionaries, who challenge how things are done. Who redefine their artform. That is what he wanted to do. He wanted to see something new and write music that hadn't been heard before.

It's a simple reminder to work hard and strive to challenge yourself. Don't settle for what you know, but surprise yourself with what you think you're incapable of.

He's been called a fool and his music, minimalist trash.

His first opera was performed at the Metropolitan Opera in New York.

For 20th century musical figures, he is right up there along with Leonard Bernstein, Leonard Cohen and Ravi Shankar.

If you don't know Philip Glass, either listen to his music or watch this incredible documentary about one of music's most interesting figures.

Week of staging

2010-09-24T11:43:00.000-06:00

Monday to Friday has come and gone.

It's certainly been an interesting experience.

I haven't quite experienced something like this.

To be able to work hands on with singers at a very high level, but doing work that was done already.

There have been moments where we've encountered something and we simply trust what was done before.

It's juggling so many things:

the schedule
the supers (extras)
making sure we cover everything that we need to cover
the props
keep energy high
keep motivation forward
be firm
be positive

So far so good.

We've blocked the entire show and now it's smoothing it all out. I have to say that there is such a positive energy from this group of singers.

Before Thad left, he mentioned how much focus it takes to "be in" the moment. It's true. To have your eyes on the singers, to know what's coming up, to write what needs looking at and knowing when to stop or move forward.

There has been such a high level of trust amongst each other and in me. I owe it to Thad, the company and the singers.

Having a great time so far. We move into the theatre next week, running the whole show on Tuesday, before Maestro Darlington (principal conductor of Vancouver Opera and conducted Robert Lepage's The Nightingale and Other Short Fables for the Canadian Opera Company) takes over musically.

Should be a great show in an incredible house.

Weekend in Oslo

2010-09-18T13:42:00.000-06:00

Thaddeus, our director for Marriage of Figaro has now left.

I'm alone for the last three weeks to revive this immensely beautiful production of Le Nozze di Figaro.

no pressure

It's been a great week with two very different shows at the opera house.

One was Kafka Fragments which is a staging of Gyorgy Kurtag’s wrenching opera written in 1987. It's a 70-minute work in 40 short movements, each an excerpt from Kafka’s letters or diaries, set for the peculiarly spare combination of soprano and violin. The text was in German with Norwegian titles.

it was a bit difficult

However, it was a beautiful piece that was completely different from anything else that I've ever seen. It allows you to think, see "art" and have a commentary, whether positive or negative. This performance was done in the opera company's smaller, more intimate space, Scene 2.

The other show was almost the complete opposite. It was a co-production with the COC Tosca. I had seen this same production years ago at the COC and it was incredible how the memories came flooding back. That was the first Tosca that I had seen. The singing was incredible, but it also made me quite aware of how beautiful it is to hear music in Oslo's new house. The acoustics are extremely rich. One doesn't have to produce much to carry their tone to every seat in the house. Very fortunate to be here working and also later at the Four Seasons Centre. Two incredible world class opera houses.

I'm looking forward to the National Ballet's Four Seasons by Vivaldi. I need to get a picture of the (I'm not kidding) 40 foot long mechanical pig that is part of the show. The detail is ridiculous.

I'll update once I've seen the show.

Week in Oslo

2010-09-12T13:52:00.001-06:00

So it's been a week.

Today was beautifully warm.

Went for a nice jog around the city. I came to quick conclusion that if running were the easy thing, the "normal" thing to do in life, then I would rebel and sit on the couch and eat chips. So now when I do eat chips, I don't feel so bad.

We've had a great start to rehearsals of Le Nozze di Figaro. It's a great, young, energetic cast. All totally Norwegian.

Have also slowly been getting into the concert habit again. For some reason, it's only when I come to Norway that I start going to concerts.

Friday night I saw the Radio Orchestra play some funky new music. The very cool thing about it is that they are incredibly good. I mean the music is very interesting and perhaps not the thing that I would have playing in itunes, but man is it professional. I want nothing more than to bring that professionalism to my work and what I do.
Saturday was a double bill, semi-staged production of Ravel's L'enfant et les sortilèges and Stravinsky's Oedipus Rex.
Again, what can you say? To simply have that beauty flow into your ears can only be a good thing. That's the beauty of having an ensemble of musicians and singers available at an opera house.

In Toronto, at the COC for example we don't have the system of hiring a company of singers for the year to use for concerts, shows and other works. We do have the young artists, members of the Ensemble which to participate in many concerts though. I'm sure there are plusses and negatives for both systems, but man, to be able to do unique things with a high level of experience and artistry is truly a treat.

The Nosk is slowly getting there, but I look forward to the day of taking a course in it. That's the only way.

One more week and then the director leaves me all alone. We'll see how much we get through this week, Act III and IV?

Why not.

Where are we...

2010-08-22T10:06:00.000-06:00

Lots on the go.

Haven't had time yet to visit with friends, but hopefully that will come.

Since I've been back, there has been much family time. Very needed.

I have 3 of the most precious nephews I could think of. 2 of them are moving to Winnipeg on Tuesday.

Winnipeg? Why?

Their parents are off to becoming pastors in the Salvation Army. My little brother. All grown up and stuff.

So now, I look ahead.

The next few months should be fun as I head back to Oslo Sept. 4.

I've been hired to AD on their production of Figaro that is being re-mounted from their last season. It's the same production that was debuted with Brett Polegato while I was there.

The director is there for the first 2 weeks, before he hands off the production to me and I finish off the last 3 weeks and into performances. I'm really looking forward to going back and working with this company. It's a great testament to working hard.

Also have other fires blazing and trying to juggle them all.

Very fortunate for Skype.

So as August slowly starts winding down, September will pick up and then we go, yet again.

What's different?

New perspective, married, wiser (hopefully), grayer (in the beard and hair, what's with that) and a fire to press on.

As my new friend would say,

Life's tricks!

What does it mean to be a Canadian Artist?

2010-08-12T17:50:00.001-06:00

So...

I've spent the summer in London, UK.

Before that I was in Oslo and last summer Germany.

I've spent 9 of the last 15 months away from Canada. Phew...

I've written countless grant applications, some that I've received and others that I haven't.

One general question keeps arising in every application.

What does it mean to be a Canadian Artist?

Hmm...what DOES it mean to be a Canadian Artist? I'm a white Canadian. I was raised in a middle-class urban family. I don't make canoes, maple syrup or raise beavers in my backyard.

I recently walked through Canada House in Trafalgar Square. They had Canadian art displayed in one room. It was beautiful paintings of arctic, Northern Canada. There was paintings of wild animals, salmon and "The Great Outdoors". I didn't necessarily connect with this artwork...but I'm Canadian. And how do I bring that into opera?

I want to express, BE, in all that I do when I work in an artistic artform.

In Germany, there is such a deep history of music and art. In opera, a style of directing has evolved that is truly German. I can see good pride, and a sense of ownership in that country.

While in Oslo, I saw men and women working at the opera house who were people first. They were genuinely wondering how you were doing when they asked, "How are you doing?" It kind of takes you by surprise. You would ask, "How are you?" and they would respond, "actually things aren't going that great at the moment, but I'm hoping that it will pick up later today."

what?

While I've been in the UK I've seen a mix of apathy and genuine love for what they do. It's about dreaming big and making it a reality. Newer music is very rich here. ENO, Glyndebourne, Opera North...most people in the country will know who these companies are, and that comes from a simple acceptance of classical music in the UK.

So, when the question comes up, "what does it mean to be a Canadian artist?" I have to think.

I can easily fib some answer, but finding the truth is more important.

Being Canadian is an honourable thing. We are accountable to a country. In my artform, whether I'm interacting with Brits, Norwegians, Germans, Italians, Americans, or any other nationality, I want to show them Canada.

Being Canadian is about being respectful to ones colleagues. It means that you try to be friendly and professional. That you care about the people you work with. That you want to learn something from them that will enrich your own definition of yourself. That you respect yourself enough, not to get walked all over. It's about working above and beyond what you should be doing and doing it in a quiet manner. It's about being firm, focused and disciplined. Loving what you do and being able to make the right choice even if it's the most difficult one. It's about dreaming big and making them a reality, by working for it.

I respect other people who don't necessarily do the above. This is a very tough business and often you won't get what you want when you behave like the above. I also don't knock other Canadians who don't agree with what I'm saying. But, I know that you can't go wrong when you care about people. You can actually weigh the scale in the other direction.

I'm representing Canada everywhere I go.

Perhaps it's ok that it isn't influenced directly in my art. Should I be trying to direct operas about the rebellions of 1837 against the British colonial government in both Upper and Lower Canada or Diefenbaker attempting to create the Avro Arrow? Maybe not yet.

I think it's up to all Canadians out in different art forms to ask the question and see what you come up with. You'll find deep roots and a firm grounding which will let you dream and reach new heights.

Opera Mischief

2010-08-01T16:39:00.001-06:00

So...

Without any keywords popping up or anything, I want to describe a 7 minute sequence in the opera yesterday that is something that I'm pretty sure I won't exprience again.

Beautiful music in an outdoor-under-tent environment.

We make it to Act IV. Big duets and arias coming from tenor and baritone, as they duel for each others lives.

Just as we get to the tenors big aria moment, we hear an approaching helicopter. Not part of the show, but outside the park getting nearer and nearer. The tenor can hear it approaching and thus waits, frozen, holding the maestro in the upbeat until the helicopter has passed. It was maybe a 25 second pause.

So we move on...but...

Helicopter swerves back and decides to hover around the tent for 5 minutes. Beautiful sensitive music with the sound of a helicopter hovering above.

During the obvious interference, the tenors sandal comes off. In an act of part-character, part-frustration, he wildly kicks off the other sandal in parallel with the swelling music, sending this white slipper literally 25 feet in the air and 25 feet stage right.

The baritone tempts the tenor (all in character) to duel by tossing a knife along the ground. The staging is that he slides it on the stage about 15 feet towards centre. So, after the wild kick toss, the baritone winds up and slides the knife along the stage. Unfortunately it snags on a floor board and the intended 15 foot toss is halted about 1 foot from the toss, rather than another 14. As the tenor (as in his blocking) runs towards the knife (in its now new position) he slips on his long robes, (sandals have been kicked off) and twists his ankle.

He accepts the duel and hobbles off stage left.

Did I mention that the helicopter was hovering above the entire time?

The night didn't start much better as the plot hinges on the Father being "accidentally" shot 15 minutes into the show. Our starters pistol failed to go off and the Father "acted" the part very well, but at the intermission my dad asked, "So...he had a heart attack? And the daughter feels bad?"

I couldn't help but smile at the force of destiny at work.

Everyone did a stand up job, taking these mishaps in stride. I couldn't help but wonder if "the curse" was starting to weave it's way into our production.

Where are we...

2010-07-10T08:02:00.000-06:00

So, a month into my stay here in London, where do I find myself?

Well...

We're about to go into week 5 of our production of La Forza del Destino at Opera Holland Park. A wonderful Verdi opera that is rarely done, perhaps due to it's curse...

We open on July 27th and then have 8 shows before I finish officially here in August.

The more and more opera I see, I keep saying to myself how there are so many great scenes that we're never really able to dive into simply because we only look at full operas.

The last scene of the opera for example. It deals with love, deceit, vengeance, family loyalty, God, death and forgiveness. AH! All in 20 minutes of music. I remember sitting in a masterclass by Paula Citron and she discussed this scene and it just stuck in the back of my head until 6 years later and I'm there observing, working on the show and living it out in London, UK.

It's a great cast of British singers and the production is beautifully conceived. Looking forward to the move into the theatre next week.

Another beauty is Puccini's La Fanciulla del West. There are some dramatic, rich scenes that could be amazing to be explored, discussed and workshopped.

Something to think about...

I've also been married for over a month and it still feels like it's brand new! It's nice to be married. We're very lucky to be working and living together at the same time in the same country.

We'll enjoy this bit of bliss for another couple of weeks.

Can you say heat! Loving it.

Two weeks away

2010-05-22T09:24:00.000-06:00

We now sit only two weeks away from my wedding day.

The biggest show of my life is coming up.

Crazy how it all comes together.

Details are shaping up and it will be great to have friends and family around to celebrate the day.

Having to pack up and move out of the apartment, put stuff in storage, prepare a workshop in Banff and plan for La Forza del destino in the UK are little extra bonuses to preparing for the big day.

Lets hope we can both keep our minds focused and in one place...hasn't happened yet!

Production Week

2010-05-04T09:04:00.000-06:00

We're in the theatre.

Last night there were over 125 kids waiting, expecting, anticipating.

Why is it so hard to think and stay calm?

Toronto was beautiful yesterday with warm weather. Unfortunately that translated into a very warm theatre.
Young kids, sweat, adolescence.

This is their taxing week.

Lets hope that they can keep it together and stay relaxed and calm.

The set looks great and we add lighting and full costumes tonight.

Pierre Berton's The Secret World of Og is nearing its operatic debut...

Almost three months

2010-03-30T23:57:00.000-06:00

Here we are.

Almost three months since my last post.

What's juggling around in my large noggin.

A few things.

I'm currently in the middle for rehearsals of a new children's opera called, "The Secret World of Og". This is a brand new opera written by Dean Burry for the Canadian Children's Opera Company. There are three casts and all the roles are played by kids. There are over 100 kids in the show. Crazy! Crazy good, but crazy.

The show opens at the Enwave Theatre in May, so looking forward to that.

Am also starting a workshop of Wagner scenes. A whole different challenge. Crazy kids opera and German Wagner music. Hmm...

In both cases, and as a director, the question is, "how do I translate what is in my head, to the artists and have them translate the interpretation to the audience?"

It's a tough thing. I feel that the music and the story have something to say and it's trying to bring that message across to the people that come to watch it.

So is the art for the people that come to see it? Is the art for the artists? Or is it a bit for all?
Creativity, getting ideas from the mind to the stage and translating that to the audience.

When it comes to working with children/young adults, it's important to remind them that this is a great artform with a rich tradition, but also this is something brand new which can be exciting when opera is new.
Likewise, Wagner, well, simply his name means something. There is choice simply in choosing a composer.

A lot to keep at the front. Beautiful questions, but remembering who we're trying to please and what we're trying to say.

Time quickly dwindling

2010-01-17T17:19:00.000-06:00

Time is quickly running out.

Last night The Marriage of Figaro opened with great success.

It was a wonderful show.

The cast was world class, the technical elements of the stage were also first-rate.

I am so fortunate to have been able to participate on this show.

It is the best production of Figaro that I've seen.

Mad shout out to Brett Polegato. It's been a joy and a surreal experience to see him in action. Considering it took coming to Oslo to get to know him is just one of those quirky facts.
I wish all of Toronto could have seen this performance. Act III was a highlight for me.

I'm also thankful for new friends.

Throughout this whole experience, I've been constantly blown away by the generosity and friendliness of the artists.

From the Regie team, to the stage crew, everyone has been polite and wanting to work hard.

I now have new friends in USA, UK and Norway.

This trip has opened my eyes to new standards of excellence.

The only way to truly experience it is by DOING. Get out there and do it.

Can't wait to let it affect how I think and work.

Book list 2009

2010-01-02T14:59:00.000-06:00

Here's the list.

Totally slacked off on the play readings.

Got a whole new decade to sort it out.

BOOK LIST 2009

BOOKS

1.    Revolting Rhymes-Roald Dahl (February 1)

2.    Commedia dell’Arte: An actor’s handbook-John Rudlin (February 3)

3.    Inside Inside- James Lipton (February 10)

4.    La Boheme: Opera Handbook: Arthur Groos and Roger Parker (March 6)

5.    The Prophet: Kahlil Gibran (March 13)

6.    The Shack: William P. Young (March 24)

7.    The Secret World of Og: Pierre Berton (April 15)

8.    Long Way Round: Ewan McGregor & Charley Boorman (April 28)

9.    The Picture of Dorian Gray: Oscar Wilde (May 18)

10.    Method – or Madness? : Robert Lewis (May 20)

11.    The Broken Window: Jeffrey Deaver (June 20)

12.    The Call of the Wild: Jack London (August 25)

13.    On Directing Film: David Mamet (August 31)

14.    20th Century Actor Training: Edited by Alison Hodge (November 5)

15.    On the Technique of Acting: Michael Chekhov (December 27)

16.    The Pillars of the Earth: Ken Follett (December 31)

PLAYS

1.    The Real Thing: Tom Stoppard (September 27)

2.    Le Roi S’amuse: Victor Hugo (October 20)

3.    The Bear: Anton Chekhov (December 4)

4.    Krapp’s Last Tape:   Samuel Beckett (December 7)

Update

2009-12-09T16:08:00.000-06:00

+1 degrees in Oslo.

Not bad.

Could be much worse.

I can say that I'm not too jealous about my friends in TO. Snow and cold. Yuck.

Here in Oslo, the city is getting excited.

Barack Obama arrives tomorrow to receive his Peace Prize.

This summer, he was at Buchenwald Concentration Camp in Germany.
A later, I arrived and went to Buchenwald Camp.

Today, I'm in Oslo, Norway.
Tomorrow, President Obama arrives in Oslo.

Crazy coincidences?

Maybe.

We'll see where we vacation next.

blur of time

2009-11-22T04:59:00.000-06:00

Fanciulla has opened.

The first show I worked on is up and running. It was a very cool opening night and had fun with the cast and crew.

One day off and then it's full steam with Marriage of Figaro.

Openings are nice because it's a celebration. It's the beginning of the run, the end of the production team and immediacy of job well done. A very interesting time period.

Hugged more Norwegians than I ever have and we celebrated our Western Puccini opera by having a Mexicana themed after-party.

It was bizarre in a fun way. There were pinatas and the servers all wore huge sombreros. We were served tacos, chili, guacamole and hamburgers.

I guess they're saying that the bandit Mexican Ramerrez won!

Congrats to the cast, amazing show.

Remembrance Day

2009-11-09T14:15:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I was at the British Embassy's Remembrance Day service.

It's nice that a colleague let me know about it.

The Canadian Ambassador was there with his felt poppy as opposed to the British paper poppy.

I don't know why, but this service felt more recent.

Less about the past and more about the present.

I have a close friend who will be going to Afghanistan. There are stories of dead Canadians coming home from the war.

I jump on any moment I can to think of others over myself.

Sad times, but important to remember them.

We wouldn't have the freedoms we have if it weren't for the past.

Cool week

2009-11-05T14:54:00.001-06:00

It's been a pretty cool week so far.

Monday morning I met fellow Canadian and opera director Robert Carsen. Very cool. I've been wanting to meet him for a couple years now and it was a bit like meeting (albeit in the opera world) a superstar. He is directing all over the world and acclaimed productions.

Monday evening I saw the National Ballet in the main hall.

They performed 3 works by choreograher Nacho Duato.

As has been happening lately, I kind of drifted off for the first, but was wide awake for the next two.

It was great.

Lately I'm becoming a fan of early music and the second piece was choreographed to music set by Arcangelo Corelli and Alessandro Scarlatti. There was something beautiful about contemporary movement and sets combined with traditional music.
The fluidity and athleticism of these dancers is incredible. It's like they're floating sometimes. Also the ladies apparently weigh no more than a feather, they way they're tossed about.

The third installment was called White Darkness, coincidently the same nickname as Dave "Downtown Dee Brown" Pritchett.

This one wasn't as stunning as the the middle piece however the unique bit of visuals were the lighting and the fact that white powder, (sugar) was tossed onto different parts of the stage. Different patches that were lit as they flowed down from above the stage.
The photo from above is of the final image as this dancer is covered as the curtain comes down to haunting music of Karl Jenkins.

Tuesday was a concert in the main hall of counter tenor Andreas Scholl. He was accompanied by Concerto Copenhagen. They were incredible. They played as one player and I got a taste of more early music as the entire evening was Handel.
Andreas Scholl had a beautiful sound. It was a bit interesting when he pulled out (what I thought to be a prop) from behind his back for one aria, but it was his music.

Tonight I came back from an interesting performance. I saw an animated film that won an Oscar for best animated short film in 2008, Peter and the Wolf or Peter og Ulven. It was shown as the opera orchestra played a live accompaniment of Prokofiev's music. Kind of like those Star Wars concerts.

It was very cool and such a wide variety of performances in just a week.

Incredible.

Super Saturday

2009-10-31T17:52:00.000-06:00

Today I went to see the Norwegian Radio Orchestra, who are also known as KORK.

This was an amazing concert.

They played,

J.S. Bach (arr. A. Webern): Fuge from Musikalisches Opfer BWV1079
Robert Schumann: Cello Concerto in a-minor, op. 129
J. Brahms: Symphony no 2 in D-major, op. 73

Conductor: Ingar Bergby
Cello: Jan Erik Gustafsson

The whole ensemble played as one. It's really amazing when you see everyone on the same page. They just know where to go and what they have to do.

The cellist was incredible.

I don't go to too many orchestra concerts, but I'm glad that I'm seeing what I am.

I know that there is live music in Toronto, but the fact that this is a regular occurance here in Oslo and the fact that it was jam packed of people for a Saturday afternoon is incredible.

The other interesting fact about this ensemble is that they rotate their conductors. They choose the conductor best suited for the concert repertoire.

Brass Chamber concert

2009-10-29T14:08:00.001-06:00

Tonight was a brass chamber orchestra concert.

All brass.

Some Gabrielli, Grieg ... good times.

There was a 10 piece group, an 8 horn group, a brass quintet and a 15 piece ensemble.

For me, it was the little things that weren't there.

The cut-offs, the entries, the team play.

As soon as you play in a small group, you are extremely exposed. You can't cover your mistakes because you're the only one playing.

Also, if 5 of you start together and even 1 jumps the gun, than it's both noticeable and fixable. All it takes is the concentration, focus and ability to share with one another.

Same with the cut-offs. It's almost an anticipation. You also must be extremely controlled in both your breath and your instrument.

Crazy eh?

I'm loving the different experiences.

Also, another cell phone went off. Man, what's the deal with that eh? Why haven't people yet figured out that you have to turn off your beepers. It's such an easy thing to do and such an annoyance and embarrassment when you don't.

Dance festival is over.

2009-10-23T14:17:00.002-06:00

The end of the Oslo dance festival has arrived.

Tonight I took in the final performance When Clarity Visits - Carte Blanche. This was The Norwegian National Company of Contemporary Dance, who closed this years festival with a premiere by the choreographers Guy Weisman and Roni Haver. They have backgrounds from the Batsheva Ensemble and Ultima Vez. The choreographers artistic language, communicates through concrete and abstract images, creating a fresh, daring and surprising logic.

I've seen quite a bit of dance in the past two weeks. I must say that this was a very interesting one as well.

It was the journey for the team through different phases of childhood. Growing up and memories of growing up.

Above all, I felt the team atmosphere of this ensemble. Each and every one of them were on the same page and they were all working as one.

I think as soon as performers are willing to share the experience with each other and with the audience, then we are witness to something special and unique.

That rare opportunity where we show up and anything can happen. We're all rooting for each other and there is an energetic union.

It's pretty cool. This group had some cool designs and costumes.

I tell you, my eyes are being exposed to things that I just haven't seen before. It's very cool and I'm really soaking this whole experience in.

Creative ideas are just buzzing all through my brain. Lets get it on.

Library

2009-10-21T13:45:00.000-06:00

I went to the Olso public library.

You see, I'm an avid user of the public library system.

In Toronto for instance, you can get any book you want in their system delivered to your nearest library.

It's great!

I was looking for a specific play before I left and didn't get around to finding it.

Before ordering it on Amazon, I thought, "what about the library here?"
I asked Janne and Bo and they hooked me up with a library card.

I went in search of some Victor Hugo plays.

Their online catalogue said I was good to go.
I arrived and somehow managed to find the French section. However, the book wasn't there.

Did I mess up? Did I read a wrong Norwegian sign?

As it turns out, I didn't. I asked for assistance and the guy went looking in the upper attic.

My eyes became saucers as he returned with a book that looked more like an opera prop.

"Found it. I don't think it's been used in a while, and take a look, it was published in 1883!"

I picked up this relic of a book in great condition from him. The brown tea stained pages were crisp and had a different texture to books today. I felt like I needed white cotton gloves.

"And I can take this out?"
"Sure!"

I felt like a criminal as I walked up to the check out counter with Bo's library card.
I just passed over both book and card to the lady and smiled my suavest grin possible.

She spoke something in Norwegian.
"Excuse me?" I replied as beads of sweat formed on my forhead.
"This is the return desk, if you're checking out, it's over there."

Phew.

Got the book with the check out guy, I'm assuming, saying in Norwegian that the book was VERY old looking.

Who doesn't love the public library system.

10 days...

2009-10-18T12:32:00.000-06:00

Ten days here in the big Oslo.

"Hyggelig å treffe deg!" is being tossed around like noones business and I can actually pronounce that and convince strangers that for a split second I am Norwegian.

Not bad.

I'm staying in a great flat with a new roomate until the end of October. He's been very gracious considering that I didn't know him before I arrived.

Oslo is a great city. It's population is 500, 000 people. It's climate is very much similar to Canada's.

It's very remiscent to Toronto.

The weather is crisp and frigid and not too too cold yet. I'm holding out on the winter jacket until it just gets too unbearable.

It's a 10 minute walk to the opera house and it's a great little walk into work each day.

The great thing about Norwegians is that they're all so polite. Every, and I mean everyone is anxious to say hello and ask you questions and try out their English. Again, very similar to Toronto.

Fanciulla is a great show that is hardly done enough. There are so many other Puccini operas that are standard and sell tickets, so that makes it extremely difficult.

I have a nice little desk and all the coffee I can drink.

Every Sunday is a day off almost all over the city. Today I went to the famous Vigeland Sculpture Park with my tour guide Janne and we were treated with some cutting, colourful sunshine.

So far so good. Just wish certain people could be here with me.

Ha det bra!

Some dancing

2009-10-14T15:00:00.000-06:00

It happens to be the 2009 CODA Oslo International Dance Festival.

So tonight I went to see the opening performance at the Opera House which was Cicaderemix by Swedish choreographer Cristina Caprioli. She was with soloists from the Cullberg Ballet and her own company ccap. Cicadaremix offers an electric mixture of ‘en pointe’ and barefoot groove in a jointed stylistic extravagance to music by Alva Noto and Kevin Volans.

I walked into the smaller, more intimate second theatre at the opera house and the stage was wide open.
There were no wings or curtains or set. You could see all three walls, all the cables and exit signs.

They had a neat display of lights above, across and at the back of the stage.

Once the music started, the dancers appeared from the back.

Now, this isn't music like the ballet, this is electric, rhythmic beats that are computer made. There wasn't any discernable modal music at all.

The dancing, (from my expert opinion), was very professional. It seemed to combine traditional technique with an almost free-style improv feel. The thing is they must have constantly been counting because they were always completely in sync with their partner.

It was definitely something new and different.

Why not eh?

At rehearsals today I got to play a couple different roles for singers who were absent. So I was Jake Randall, Ashby and Nick. Not all at once, but at different times.

Not bad for one day.

Ballet

2009-10-13T16:01:00.000-06:00

Tonight was a night at the ballet.

I saw The Norwegian Ballet's production of Giselle tonight.

I've only seen one ballet before and that was Glass Pieces & Westside Story at the National Ballet of Canada a couple years ago.

I tell you, it's impressive to see artists at their craft.

It was two and a half hours of music and dancing and no words. It was a form of communication and storytelling that I'm not used to but is still engaging.

I found myself looking at it technically. The stage is bare, because they need to room to dance. The story is often interrupted by minutes of dancing, but it's all part of what ballet is and has been.

Something classic about the way of telling that story.

yeah...

Fanciulla is going great. The director is Robert Carsen, but he's not showing up until the first week of November. His assistant Frans is great. He knows what he wants and just goes about doing it very methodically and precisely.

The singers are a tight knit group. The house is run kind of like a fest in Germany, meaning that they hire a group of singers to sing most of the roles for the entire season.

It's crazy to see mostly Norwegian singers being directed in English, singing and understanding in Italian.

Love it.

Oslo, Norway

2009-10-10T14:54:00.002-06:00

Well it's been over two years since I've posted and I thought that this would be a great time to let the Phoenix rise from the ashes.

You'll find my thoughts of my time here in Oslo, Norway as I navigate through one of the worlds newest and best opera houses.

So...

I've arrived in overwhelming fashion.

I arrived on a Thursday afternoon and by Saturday, I've seen a dress rehearsal of Don Pasquale's second cast, as well as a performance of L'Incoronazione di Poppea and opening night of Don Pasquale's first cast.

I start on Fanciulla del West on Monday morning.

So far so good.

The weather is about 5-8 degrees colder than Toronto and I'm loving the frigid atmosphere.

I live about a 10 minute walk to the new opera house (which you can walk on its roof) and their schedule for the next month is 10AM-4PM.

It is true about the expensiveness. I spent $30 CAD on a loaf of bread, peanut butter, jam, cheese and a bag of peanuts.

Gotta be resourceful!

love the lyrics

2009-08-11T03:10:00.000-06:00

"Hold me now.
There's no other man who could raise the dead.
So do what You can to anoint my head.
O where are you now?
O,say something."

The trips

2009-08-02T02:59:00.002-06:00

In three weeks tomorrow, I leave Germany.

It's still a bit of a way away, but I can't believe how fast time has gone by.

Funny how life can do that.

I'm amazed by how quickly and smoothly you can get around in Europe.

In one day I went to Dresden and then on to Prague.

When you stop and think about it, that's incredible.

On my way into Prague, we cross a border. I luckily remembered to bring my passport. Sitting on the train in Dresden, they had one police officer come on the train before we left. He looked everyone over and went to the one person with different coloured skin and asked for his passport. He looked at it and moved on.

That was border control. I didn't have to show anyone anything and then arrived in Prague two hours later.

I of course didn't bring a map, I just looked on GoogleMaps before I left. I had the directions down from the main train station.

I wanted to be very economical and so didn't exchange any money. I brought enough food and told myself that if I needed to spend money it would only be on my credit card.

As we pull into the train station everything looks very green. I was somewhat hesitant because from my mind map the train station should be downtown.

Everyone gets off the train and I'm blown away by arriving. I gingerly walk out of the station and start following the directions, which are again, in my head.
I begin looking for the street to turn left...

...

Fifteen minutes pass and I know that somethings not right.

grrrrrreat.

I turn around and begin making my way back to the train station hoping that they may have a more detailed map than the one in my mind.

I walk back into the station with a slightly elevated heartbeat as the clock reads 9:45PM in a new country with a new language.

I find the way to the undergroud tube and scrounge my way to the map.

It appears there are TWO train stations in Prague. I ended up at the one that wasn't the main one. My mind map is currently useless and I have not Czech currency...

grrrrrreat.

heatbeat is a-beatin' even more than before.

One beautiful challenge before me was to figure out how to buy a subway ticket, in Czech, with no money and do it in a half hour.

Isn't Prague fun?

Needless to say, it all worked out. Prague is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever been in. It is stunningly rich in history and culture.

Buchenwald

2009-07-24T11:18:00.004-06:00

I went today to Buchenwald.

Buchenwald is only a 20 minute bus ride from the city centre of Weimar.

Buchenwald was one of the concentration camps used by the Nazis during WWII.

It was a work camp as opposed to a death camp however many lives were lost at Buchenwald.

This place was a very heavy place.

Unlike a museum or Hollywood movie, this was the actual location of where all of this history took place.

To see the crematorium, the walk that the prisoners took to enter the camp, the children's area, the platz where they would do roll-call...

All of it was very deep.

I couldn't even begin to put myself on either side.

I tried.

I tried to understand how one human could do something to another human.

I tried to imagine what it looked like as I walked into the camp.

Of course I have absolutely nothing in comparison.

Depsite the times of economic crisis were are supposedly in, it is a great reminder that we are in the richest years we've ever experienced.

To be able to do what we want and for most of us to have the freedom that we do is incredible.

Barack Obama visited the camp just over a month ago and had this to say:

http://www.buchenwald.de/english/index.php?p=176

It keeps on ticking.

2009-07-05T02:47:00.002-06:00

Well I've almost been in Europe for a month.

I still have over a month to go.

What am I learning?

There are many beautiful cities and areas in our world that must be seen.

Also, communication is very important.

As a director, it's all about communicating. Communicating ideas to an audience, communicating with performers, communicating with production people.

Our world is covered with people who speak so many different languages. It's incredible. To learn how to speak in these different languages is both incredibly frustrating and enriching.

What greater way is there to fill our time and experiences than by being with people and feeling something new?

In Weimar

2009-06-21T15:14:00.002-06:00

Well I'm here.

For those who want to know or were wondering where on earth I am, I'm in Germany.

I'm here for the next two months in the "most cultural city in Germany".

There you go.

The program started today and everyone has arrived well and good.

It took a bit to get here, train, bus, plane, bus, train...

But we've arrived.

More to come once I've had some time to look around.

Schuss...

Penticton, BC

2009-06-05T13:10:00.002-06:00

I'm sitting on a park bench.

Not just any park bench but a park bench that overlooks a lake.

Not just any lake, but Lake Okanagan.

Why does this matter?

Well, I'm sitting in the middle of Penticton, British Columbia.

This little place is special to me because a small time ago, I was born in this little (now bigger) place.

I moved away when I was a year old and never returned.

I had always laid claim to my birthhood.

"I'm a BC baby."
"I'm a West Coast kid."
"Penticton! Andy Moog and I."

Deep down I felt some shame at having no memories of this beautiful place. I didn't feel as honest as my BC friends who returned to their province regularly.

However, my true colours are showing now. In Whistler, the gondola man said, "You look like a regular. I never would have pegged you coming from the Big City."(Toronto)

The beard is looking nice and good as my curly locks are flowing.

BC is saying welcome home Joel.

I like it.

The mountains are looking me straight in the face and saying, "Where've you been? It's good to see you."

The trees are whispering, "we've always been here, about time you ventured back."

The smog free air is sauntering by singing, "Let us cool you down as you walk along our beautiful beaches."

The sun is saying, "I turned up the heat JUST for you."

I'm diggin it.

White Rock, Whistler, Vancovuer, Abbotsford and now Penticton.

My first real selfish holiday has been above an beyond what I had expected.

Thank you BC for taking me back...

changes

2009-05-04T14:19:00.001-06:00

Went rollerblading.

Got a rock caught in the wheel.

Instant crash.

Blood on the face, knees, wrists.

Next day, go rollerblading.

With new pads on the knees and wrists.

Isn't it great that we can still learn lessons as we get older?

Where has the time gone?

2009-04-28T14:37:00.002-06:00

Phew...

So much has changed.

But not really.

3 performances of Boheme done, 9 more to go.

It's been a great experience. Working with energetic performers and going to the office at the Four Seasons Centre could not be better.

It's been a great experience so far.

What's next? I think Germany for at least a month is on the horizon. It should be fun and am already starting to work on the Deutsch.

Warm weather brings bike riding and roller blading. Truly incredible.

Nephews are all dedicated and two birthdays in the month of April are great!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIRSTEN!

Love you sis.

Late night with Jimmy Fallon

2009-03-06T00:06:00.002-06:00

I don't know if anyone else has been consistently watching the progress of Jimmy Fallon, but I have.

I've watched all 3 episodes, and am currently watching his 4th.

The kid is getting better.

The first episode with Robert Deniro was a classic case of awkward sweating.

But now he's warming up.

I think he'll stick.

He's young, relate able and seems like he really wants to do this.

I miss Conan, but I'm excited to see how him and his comedy will do in LA and in a Late Night prime time slot.

If you have the time, check out the early clips of Conan and give Jimmy Fallon a chance.

It just keeps on keepin' on

2009-02-27T23:05:00.002-06:00

Even if you go to a new city, everything keeps going.

Though I'm not in Toronto, life still goes on there.

My nephews are still getting larger every day...

I know that it's a simple fact of life and isn't that mind boggling, however it is a nice reminder that we are not at the centre of the universe.

Things will survive without us.

People don't depend 100% on us, there is always someone who can step in.

It's a simple, healthy reminder...

New Video of the Week

2009-02-25T11:51:00.001-06:00

Return the favour

2009-02-21T14:53:00.001-06:00

Since Obama visited Canada a couple days ago, I thought I would return the favour.

So, tomorrow morning I'm heading to Washington, D.C.

Why not spend two weeks in the Nation's Capital.

I've never been, but if there's something that I should be visiting, let me know.

Cheers,

Gotta love friendly people

2009-02-14T16:07:00.002-06:00

I was walking towards the Eaton Centre.

Minding my own business.

BOOM!

Out of nowhere a man comes running towards me and attempts to tackle me as if I were the running back that I was back in high school. (scored a touchdown even)

This is no word of a lie.

A balding man in an orange jacket, slightly smaller than I and much older came at me and bodychecked me.

"Whoa, sorry about that, I'm sorry." He genuinely said.

I was completely stunned. Adrenaline was pouring through my veins as I attempted to assess the situation.

You see, I wish I was one of those guys who would get all, "What the ... dude you gotta watch out!" And follow with a menacing stare down and intimidation glare.

Unfortunately, I am not that guy. A smoker watching the whole situation looked at me, as the man in the orange jacket just kept walking, while glaring behind at me, "Wow, that was weird." He didn't seem too surprised, rather almost amused at the situation.

"I know right?" I answered.

What I honestly thought was that this guy wanted to prove to himself that he existed. That he matters and can be seen and felt in this world.

OR he had just watched FIGHT CLUB and was trying to pick a fight.

I opted for the latter and told myself that I was the better man for not falling into his trap, unlike the Pastor in the movie.

But man, there are some INTERESTING people in our own cities, let alone the world.

eh?

3 days as opposed to 3 weeks

2009-01-30T14:47:00.002-06:00

thoughts...

I'm into The Actors Studio at the moment.

The interviews are one thing, but I recently found out that James Lipton, the host, has recently written a book.

This is a GOOD book.

If you're at all interested in the show, performing, acting, get it.
I took it out from the library and it's providing such depth about acting in New York and the way actors view approach, technique, teaching and passion.

You'll also be surprised about what James Lipton has done along the way. I completely underestimated this man until you read about what he has accomplished and how he has brought people together.

Enjoy the weekend...and I'm totally picking Kurt Warner and the Cards over the Steelers on Sunday.

The guy and team are the biggest underdogs ever. All season long.

Go Cards.

three weeks later

2009-01-27T17:29:00.002-06:00

I don't know what's going on.

I usually have an abundant supply of ideas that morph their way into cyberspace.

The voices are getting quieter.

Is it time for this blog man to end his reign?

My brother and his wife just had a baby.

My little brother just had a baby...

The guy, in my mind, I guess could have a baby, but on one of the photos he tagged in facebook, he captioned it by saying, "I love my son."

BOOM

Very odd and beautiful. (how I described my teenage years)

Life keeps going and as each day goes by, I'm becoming more and more resolute that it's imperative to find things that we are passionate about.

I'm not talking "like" "fun" "cool" or "noble"...I'm talking passionate.

I'm reading more and more and learning more and more.

When I think of a theatre, the actual building, my heart skips a beat. It literally beats quicker trying to catch up.

All of a sudden, a corner is not just a corner, a scarf is not just a scarf, a light is not just a light.

It's...different.

I think that I'm becoming passionate about theatre. Music, drama, people, relationships, quirks...

I want to learn more and experience even more.

I think those things are well, important.

Happy New Year and book list

2009-01-01T11:05:00.002-06:00

Happy New Year to all.

I hope your year was a good one.

The good thing about a new year is that anything can happen.

anything

As we look to 2009...start dreaming.

Here's my annual book list:

BOOKS 2008

The Golden Compass - Phillip Pullman
Acting: The first six lessons - Richard Boleslavsky
Mozart - Peter Gay
The Subtle Knife - Phillip Pullman
Respect for Acting - Uta Hagan
Seconds of Pleasure - Neil LaBute
Into the Wild - Jon Krakauer
By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept - Paulo Coelho
Night - Elie Wiesel
The Amber Spyglass - Phillip Pullman
Darkly Dreaming Dexter - Jeff Lindsay
Before You Leap: A Frog's Eye View of Life's Greatest Lessons - Kermit the Frog
The Dramatic Imagination - Robert Edmond Jones
War & Peace - Leo Tolstoy
The Empty Space - Peter Brook
A Simple Plan - Scott Smith
Walking On Water - Madeline L'Engle

PLAYS

The Trestle at Pope Lick Creek - Naomi Wallace
As You Like It - William Shakespeare
Fat Pig - Neil Labute
Long Day's Journey Into Night - Eugene O'Neil
The Last Days of Judas Iscariot - Stephen adly Guirgis
The Barber of Seville - Pierre-Augustin Beaumarchais
Twelve Angry Men - Reginald Rose
The Zoo Story - Edward Albee
Equus - Peter Shaffer
Bash (three plays) - Neil Labute
The Laramie Project - Moises Kaufman

Time to breathe...

2008-12-29T23:14:00.002-06:00

A beautiful day.

I'm writing from sunny Orlando, Florida.

I'm visiting with my brother and Jenn and the rest of my family. It has been an incredible couple days.

I went from mad, furious kettles with the Sally Anne ending to a quiet, private Christmas, to spending the day today with my nephew Kieran, and Mickey Mouse at the Magic Kingdom.

It has been a very fun time.

Disney World has its own style. It's huge on detail and creating "the dream".

I was super aware of how they go out of their way to create the perfect holiday for the thousands and thousands of families that come with incredible pressure for "THAT" family vacation.

From the parades, to the service, to the park cleanliness to just being everything Disney, they bend their backs to make sure that those families get their dream vacation.

I mean, my mom went as a kid, she took me as a kid and now she went with her grandkid.

both cheesy and cool at the same time

Well that's what family is about.

Hope those are able to be around friends and families before it gets too intense as school and work starts back up.

cheers

The Blackberry Train

2008-12-05T16:26:00.003-06:00

What's with Blackberry's being EVERYWHERE!

It seems like in the last two months, every company has been bombarded by Blackberry's.

New Technological changes call for new measures.

Crazy.

Speaking of berries, I bought 100% pure Cranberry juice. I was itching for some delicious, un-watered down cranberry...

The stuff is SOUR! I'm talking about only having about a shot glass full and you are squeezing those lips together.

It just feels like it's good for you.

Also, speaking about berries, remember "Frankenberry"?
How come "Count Chocula" and "Lucky Charms" lasted but not the delicious "Frankenberry"?

Not fair.

But you know what is fair?

My glorious drive on the 14th fairway at Glen Abbey Golf Course.

Cheers.

Uncle Joel

2008-11-28T01:08:00.002-06:00

I think I have the cutest nephew...EVER.

This kid just takes the cake.

I've only seen him once, but MAN...the kid looked up at me in his tiny eyes and said, "Uncle Joel...you're pretty cool you know. We'll hang sometime and I'll respect you...I'll respect you."

John and Rochelle made a beautiful baby.

Congrats.

I hope I'll be the kind of uncle that'll be kooky and different, but in a loving and kind way.

Kieran...you're a beautiful little nephew.

You have 3 stunning uncles!

...

Oh, and I saw Twilight...can someone please give me my money back? I mean...I almost laughed at parts that I was told were not humorous. The dudes eyes are INTENSE and hilarious.

New gig...

2008-11-19T16:27:00.003-06:00

I started a new job.

I organize and play with a professional group of brass players for the Salvation Army during the Christmas season.

It's good times.

So the following is in reference.

I saw a Bell commercial today.

It was a new seasonal commercial. It starts with a man standing outside the letter "L" of Bell.
Well he's standing there in an old school army uniform playing the tuba beside a glass, clear bubble.

All of a sudden people start texting and calling each other gathering up their instruments and joining the tuba man.

A spontaneous "Jam" takes place and the tuba man is pleased.

So I don't know how to feel?

Me, being a tuba man myself reads this commercial as, Bell is relating Christmas to a brass player asking for money (Salvation Army) but they don't ask the Salvation Army or the Army doesn't give permission and so they make this commercial making it look like the Salvation Army, but taking out the religion or charity ties to what the Salvation Army represents.

I would think that it's not the fact that a brass player is playing the music but who/what is playing the music, ie. the Salvation Army.

But maybe not.

For those who don't know anything about the Salvation Army, do you just like the guys dressed up and appreciate the mellow Christmas music?

If so, that's ok too, at least the Army is giving something to someone during the holidays, but when the media purposely removes the reason why the Salvation Army is out there...

I don't know...

Maybe I'm just reading too much into this...

Maybe I need some Crispers.

Drums keep pounding a rhythm to the brain...

2008-11-16T14:16:00.005-06:00

The beat goes on...

Just finished work at Wilfred Laurier University. They did a GREAT job.

It was a fun show and I had a creative time trying to do much with a small budget and not many resources.

Thankfully the singers were willing and talented.

Now, I pick myself up, dust off and prepare for the next.

A quick interview in NYC tomorrow and then it's focus time for the Christmas Kettles in downtown TO.

I really enjoy the kettles. It's a great time to play some quality Christmas music and be with a group of talented young players.

It's also nice to bring cheer and spirit to others who walk by listening.

done

Enjoy your day. Santa Claus Parade was today.

Ding Dong Merrily on High!

Legoland

2008-11-02T23:12:00.004-06:00

I've had a day where it seemed like the world was against me.

The "backspace" button on my laptop wasn't working.

-I need a new computer-

Of course it happened to be on the day when I needed to submit materials for a grant application.

-I'm not going to get it done-

Being a perfectionist, I dwelt over a minute detail of the application until I realized that I wasted 6 hours doing absolutely nothing, not even accomplishing what I wanted to get done.

-I'm tired and pathetic-

What's the smart thing to do in this situation? Of course...eat the entire container of cookies that I baked.

-I ate way too many doughy cookies-

The pointer isn't working on the computer...why is it typing backwards now...what is going on!
(those things DID happen today)

Breathe Joel, breathe.

I used to love Lego as a kid. I mean, every Christmas or birthday, I remember wanting a Lego. Something that was complicated. I would love to the instructions and "figure" out what I was going to do. There was a map and a way that it was supposed to look.

I felt SO good when I would finish it in like 45 minutes and say, "Yes, it's done."

I could move on. Wreck it and do it all over again.

I would try, not as creatively to make something "new" with the pieces, but I was always a kid that could do what the instructions said. I loved tracing pictures but couldn't draw as well as the best drawer in the class.

Why, as an almost 30 year old, do I panic and get all worked up, raising my heart beat over nothing? The guy at the gym actually said, "Wow, you gotta worry about your blood pressure...it's the silent killer."

-Breathe Joel-

I lifted up the "backspace" button on my laptop. (didn't even know you could do that) There was a little nut or something from bread that was stuck beside the button.
Button works fine now. Can't buy a new laptop anymore.

Still waiting on the big instruction book to explain the bigger things in life.

what am I going to do?
who am I going to be?
how am I going to lower my blood pressure?

p.s. Thanks for taking me to Legoland Dad.

Highs and Lows

2008-10-20T15:55:00.002-06:00

The last week has been interesting.

High: Thanksgiving weekend was very cool. Grandparents, cousins, uncles and aunts, brothers and sisters, soon to be nephews...

Low: Getting caught trying to sneak into a second movie at the theatre. Yikes! Talk about embarrassing. I couldn't look the security guard in the eyes as he told us that we were going to be escorted out of the theatre. "That's not necessary." My partner in crime replied.

High: The nice brisk weather is cool (DOUBLE MEANING). It's both refreshing and comforting.

Low: Not being able to sleep for a few nights in a row. Nothing more frustrating than wanting to go to sleep and being unable to do so.

I'm trying to stay organized, trying to get applications in on time and tying to "DO" things.

IT'S TIRING!

:)

Make the most of each day eh?

faith

2008-10-08T15:24:00.002-06:00

What's faith?

Believing?

like, i believe that the maple leafs will be a competitive team this year?

or i believe that if i drive a nail through my hand, it won't hurt?

Is it all in the mind?

Can we make ourselves feel better simply by thinking?

by believing?

for whatever reason, it reassures me to believe in something.

whether it's about knowing that I'll be able to make rent every month.

or that i won't get hit by a car while i drive my bike.

It sucks to live in fear or arrogance.

anyways...that's what's on my mind.

no one has to listen... :)

i just need to get thoughts out sometimes.

Yikes.

2008-10-06T15:55:00.002-06:00

All is done.

I'm now off on my own.

First time that my home is by myself.

All grown up. (tear down side of cheek)

It's been some time coming but the new apartment is set up and finally I have moved in.

I'm a downtown boy now.

Let me tell you, it is great. I'm a complete outdoorsman, proof in the beard, shaggy hair and neglect to bathe...(one of those is not true)

Despite my attractiveness to the hermit lifestyle, I'm also inspired by architecture, movement and people. Downtown Toronto has a great deal of all of those.

The goal now is to survive. To somehow find enough money in order to pay the rent and eat food...

food important

I'm experiencing a revival of the soul. That's a good thing. Creativity is beginning to flow and is expressed in words, thoughts and communication.

All of that must come from somewhere eh? It can't just be something that is THERE otherwise we could all have it when we want it?

Make sense?

OF COURE NOT!

:)

Another week...

2008-09-24T15:50:00.002-06:00

I feel like things are wrapping up.

Another chapter is coming to a close.

I have 30 pages left of War and Peace. The 1358 paged book is almost done.

HUGE

I move into a new apartment a week from today.

CRAZY

I start a new job on Monday.

bring it

Change is great, but also daunting. I don't know if you ever get used to it, but it does bring a regeneration of the spirit.

...

Smile to someone new today.

Choose to be positive when you look in the mirror.

That's all it takes.