Matt MacInnis is the stage manager you don’t just want, you need! This man is organized, passionate about theatre, and is not afraid to throw you some sass if you’re getting out of line.

We drank margaritas for this interview with Matt, and in the most perfect ‘stage manager’ of ways, he sent me a specific recipe that I was to use. Let’s just say, wow! Were they ever strong! We chat with Matt about how stage managers don’t have agents and therefore need to book jobs and negotiate for themselves, being a part of new Canadian works, and ‘Stage Write’ an app for stage managers and dance captains.

Come hang with us, grab a drink (if you’re not driving) and get your weekly fix of musical theatre banter with beverages.

Today’s episode features Stafford Arima and Michael Rubinoff, who share their experiences of taking new works from the ground floor, to stages around the world, and how Canadians can continue to push boundaries and develop their stories for global audiences. Hosted by Tracey Flye.

Michael Rubinoff is a Canadian producer and the Artistic Director of Musical Stage Company in Toronto. A Tony Award winning producer, his Broadway credits include Come From Away, which he helped develop from its earliest stages in Canada to international success. As the founding Artistic Producer of the Canadian Music Theatre Project (CMTP) at Sheridan College, he has shepherded numerous new musicals from workshop to world premiere. Michael’s work spans Broadway, the West End, and North American touring productions, with a focus on developing and championing new Canadian musical theatre.

Stafford Arima is a Canadian director and the current Artistic Director of Theatre Calgary. He works internationally across Broadway, the West End, and major regional theatres, with directing credits including Allegiance on Broadway and Ragtime in Concert at New York City Center. Stafford has led productions at institutions including Theatre Calgary and the Stratford Festival, and is known for his work on large-scale musicals and new works development. His career reflects a commitment to bold storytelling and cross-cultural collaboration on major stages worldwide.

This episode is a snippet from CGDC’s Expanding our Vision as Canadian Creators. CGDC is grateful to the Canada Council for the Arts for their support in this programming.

This episode is a round table discussion featuring Ray Hogg, Ali Hand of the Disability Collective, and Greg Carruthers of EveryBODY on Stage. They break down the definition of unconscious bias, how it can shape our stages and what we, as creatives, can do to challenge it.

Ray Hogg is an award-winning theatre artist who brings over 25 years of experience as a director-choreographer, artistic leader and educator. Ray is currently the Resident Director of the Toronto production of &Juliet, the founder and Artistic Director of Prime Mover Theatre Company, and was the Artistic Director of Rainbow Stage and Musical Stage Company. Known for his dynamic, visually arresting productions and his commitment to mentoring emerging artists, Ray remains a bold voice for equity and innovation in the performing arts.

Greg Carruthers Toronto-based choreographer, actor, body-positive activist, and the founder and Artistic Producer of EveryBODY on Stage. From Bradford, Ontario, he studied Music Theatre Performance and has since choreographed major productions throughout Canada and internationally. Through EveryBODY on Stage, Greg advocates for fat-positive representation and accessibility in theatre, and continues to mentor emerging artists while rethinking casting, movement, and narrative for all bodies.

Ali Hand is a Toronto-based disabled theatre artist, advocate and Director of Accessibility & Consultation at The Disability Collective. Ali Hand blends her performance background with visionary leadership in accessibility and inclusion. With training in American Sign Language, Deaf Culture and accessibility-focused leadership, she works to dismantle barriers in the arts, ensuring a broader range of creators and audiences can participate in Canadian theatre.

This episode is a snippet from CGDC’s Expanding our Vision as Canadian Creators. CGDC is grateful to the Canada Council for the Arts for their support in this programming