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Donna talks with actor and musician, Cheri Maracle. They talk about caring for Mother Earth in a time of great upheaval and the fascinating life of legendary Mohawk poet, Pauline Johnson; subject of the hit one-woman musical, Paddle Song. Paddle Song is currently being performed at the Firehall Arts Centre 9-21 Nov. Tickets are still available and stay tuned for the release of a special streamed performance soon. 

For our first episode back after a summer break, Donna chats with Dancer and Choreographer, Starr Muranko about her life, the challenges of working through the pandemic and her new performance, Chapter 21 - opening soon at the Firehall Arts Centre.  Chapter 21 runs Sept 29th - Oct 3rd 2021  book tickets HERE

This week, Donna chats with Derek Chan, Co-Artistic Director of Rice and Beans Theatre about 'Yellow Objects' - the upcoming live exhibition at the Firehall Arts Centre.  'Yellow Objects' will be a safe, actor-free, interactive exploration of the impact the protest movement has had on the people of Hong Kong. Rice and Beans theatre has produced some amazing tie-in material that you can check out now at the Rice and Beans website or www.firehallartscentre.ca

Continuing her series on great Artistic Directors, Donna chats with Ashlie Corcoran from Arts Club. They talk COVID pivots, motherhood and the long journey from Ashlie's first theatre experiences all the way to the top of Vancouver's biggest theatre companies. 

This week Donna speaks with Musician, Performer and Storyteller, Russell Wallace. They talk about the ancient history of the Firehall all the way up to Russell's brand new album, Unceded Tongues.  Buy Unceded Tongues at https://russellwallace.bandcamp.com/album/unceded-tongues  

This week Donna Zooms with Artistic Director of The Frank Theatre Co, Fay Nass. They chat about how the ongoing lockdown has changed the way art is delivered, the evolving role of of an Artistic Director and Fay's undying love for the sport of Pickle Ball.  The Frank Theatre Company produces queer and sex-positive performance. They want to stimulate frank conversations about sexuality and identity.  Check out more work from The Frank Theatre Co at https://thefranktheatre.com/  

A new year brings a new lockdown for theatres in Vancouver!  This week Donna speaks with Touchstone Theatre Artistic Director, Roy Surette about the unique challenges for theatre companies in 2020 and their hopes for the industry in 2021.  Roy and the Touchstone Theatre have presented many many shows at the Firehall over the years, including recently with Come on Angie, Kill Me Now and Lights which was scheduled to premiere in May 2020.  Check out more news from Touchstone Theatre here:  https://touchstonetheatre.com

For this Dramatic Pause holiday special, Donna Spencer takes a look back at the rollercoaster year that was 2020.  Stay safe and have a Happy Holiday everyone!

As the Firehall Arts Centre prepares to open The Amaryllis for live audiences, Donna speaks with playwright Michele Riml about her life, the play and myth of "women writers writing women's plays". The Amaryllis opens at the Firehall November 12th with reduced seating and increased safety protocols in place. For tickets and information regarding COVID-19 safety and the theatre, go to:  www.firehallartscentre.ca  

This week, Donna zooms with filmmaker, writer and storyteller Rosemary Georgeson. Rose tells us about her upbringing on the fishing waters of Galiano Island and how it has influenced her writing and her life. Next Week, Donna and Rose will be collaborating on a new performance at the Firehall called 'In The Beginning', exploring the early history of the Indigenous people in the Vancouver DTES. Discover more and book tickets at www.firehallartscentre.ca You can learn more about Rosemary's life and work at https://rosemarygeorgeson.wordpress.com/    

This week Donna chats with actor, playwright, photo, photographer and star of the upcoming Firehall production of 'I Walked the Line': Allan Morgan.  A joyful storyteller, Allan talks with Donna about his tumultuous career from chef to Prospero to mail clerk to union activist and finally to writing his life's experience in a series of phenomenal one-man shows. Book tickets to 'I Walked the Line' at http://firehallartscentre.ca/ This episode contains a moderate amount of strong language. 

Dramatic Pause returns from hiatus as Donna chats with Elaine Avila over zoom. Elaine is a multi-award winning playwright, screenwriter, educator and dramaturge. Firehall fans will remember her play FADO: The Saddest Music in the World selling out its season in 2019.  This week Elaine and Donna chat about playwriting and teaching under lockdown, the importance of supporting diverse voices in arts administration and Elaine's newest work in progress 'Capes'; exploring her Portugese heritage through the traditional capes worn by the women of the Azores islands.  https://www.weseeyouwat.com/