TV, Theatre, Video, Film & Multimedia
 ALL PINK FINALE. Nic Mencia, Oscar Moreno, Joel Schaefer, Miss Fiercalicious and Graham Conway. Photo by Nicola Betts.
The Ding Dong Girls
2018 Toronto Fringe Festival I co-wrote and co-produced with Dora-winner Christopher Richards a hilarious drag musical inspired by Richards' time running a drag troupe in early 1990s Toronto. With songs by Tony-winner Lisa Lambert (The Drowsy Chaperone). Starring Graham Conway, Joel Schaefer, Nic Mencia, Oscar Moreno, Miss Fiercalicious and Mama Dominatrix; with direction by John Mitchell and musical direction by Sean Fisher. This was an abridged showcase production of a full-length, two-act musical. “Giddy and silly… a delightful concoction.” Drew Rowsome blogspot “My favourite show so far at the 2018 Toronto Fringe. It’s got everything I love: talented cast, great songs, fabulous costumes, excellent book and a tap dance number.” Mooney on Theatre “A thrilling and promising beginning for a show that needs a post-Fringe, full-length production to give it the afterlife it so richly deserves.” David Bateman, Bateman Reviews Winner: 2018 Patrons Pick Award |
Curios and Conundrums
Mysterious Package Company, January 2016-December 2017 National Geographic meets Mad magazine by way of McSweeny's and H.P. Lovecraft...? I was editor in chief of this unique entertainment publication that featured serious essays on history, mythology and the arts, combined with fiction, black humour, off-kilter satire, esoteric mysteries, alternative realities, brain-busting puzzles and more. The quixotic quarterly was produced with thematically relevant ephemera and objects and delivered in beautifully designed packaging. I was responsible for a wholesale revamp at the beginning of my tenure and a significant retooling at the start of the second year. I contributed a significant portion of the content, as well as leading the packaging design and much of the product design. A project like no other. Check out my blog for more detailed explorations. |
John Boyne
Daily Xtra, April 2015 I interview John Boyne, author of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, about his latest book, A History of Loneliness, a searing look at the Irish Catholic Church. Link |
Basquiat at AGO
Daily Xtra, February 2015 The huge Basquiat retrospective at the AGO is the first of its kind in Canada. Curator Dieter Buchhart, community advisory committee member Casey Mecija and Massive Party curator Talwst discuss Basquiat's ongoing relevance. Link |
Author, Author
Daily Xtra, October 2014 As part of ongoing coverage of the International Festival of Authors, I caught up with the amazing Colm Tóibín to discuss his latest novel, Nora Webster, a beautifully moving, deceptively simple fictionalized account of his mother dealing grief following the death of his father when Toíbín was just a child. Link In a second segment, Tóibín shares his insightful — and hilarious — thoughts on the Catholic Church under Pope Francis. Link |
On Camera at TIFF
Daily Xtra, September 2014 I interviewed filmmakers Bruce LaBruce, Andrea Dorfman and Francois Ozon, actors Benedict Cumberbatch, Romain Duris, Tanya Davis and Karidja Touré, among others. A highlight was meeting disabled actor Ken Harrower. |
Snap Preview
Xtra.ca, Feb 22, 2009 A slideshow I produced featuring curator Maryann Camilleri discussing her favourite works in the AIDS Committee of Toronto's photo auction. YouTube |
Writing Outside the Margins
Xtra.ca, Sep 2008 I interview on-camera authors Michelle Tea, John Cameron Mitchell, Derek McCormack, Kinnie Starr and Daniel MacIvor. |
Vanderkamp
Co-wrote a proposal for an animated TV series based on an idea and drawings by Maurice Vellekoop. |
Body of Dissent
Bridge Video Productions, 1994 Co-wrote, co-directed and co-produced an independent 40-minute documentary on gay and lesbian Mennonites in North America. It played in festivals around the world and is still in strong demand among congregations and communities struggling to reconcile human rights with their faith. |