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Behind the Play

Behind the Play

By Theatre New Brunswick

Behind the Play is a podcast from Theatre New Brunswick that explores the stories behind upcoming productions and events at TNB.
Currently playing episode

Behind the Play (EP1) - Resident Aliens (Part 1)

Behind the PlayFeb 01, 2023

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11:33
Behind the Play (EP15) - Len Falkenstein

Behind the Play (EP15) - Len Falkenstein

Here’s our conversation with playwright Len Falkenstein. Len’s play Wood Buffalo makes its world premiere at the Open Space Theatre in November. 

Full details and ticket information can be found HERE.

Wood Buffalo (world premiere):

November 8-12 | Fredericton, NB | Open Space Theatre

November 14 | Florenceville-Bristol, NB | (Weldon Matthews Theatre)

November 15 | Dalhousie, NB | (LER Theatre) | 7:30 p.m. 

November 16 | Bathurst, NB | (Bathurst High School) | 7:30 p.m. 

November 17 | Moncton, NB | (Empress Theatre Theatre) | 7:30 p.m. 

November 18 | St. Andrews, NB | (W. C. O'Neill Arena Theatre) | 7:30 p.m. 

November 19 | Saint John, NB | (BMO Studio Theatre) | 7:30 p.m. 

Directed by Rob Kempson

Sep 15, 202352:29
Behind The Play (EP14) - Jenny Munday - In Her Own Words (pt. 8)

Behind The Play (EP14) - Jenny Munday - In Her Own Words (pt. 8)

Jenny Munday dedicated more than 30 years of her life to the Canadian theatre community, working with several organizations including Mulgrave Road Theatre, the Blyth Festival, the Banff Playwrights Colony, Rising Tide Theatre, Live Bait Theatre, Neptune Theatre, and with us, here at TNB. A fierce advocate for new script development, Jenny is known to many through her work with Playwrights Atlantic Resource Centre. But she also did comedy, she acted, she wrote, she directed, and through it all she touched the lives and careers of countless theatre artists working today. 

Jenny last joined us on stage for our 2019 production of It’s A Wonderful Life – A Live Radio Play acting alongside our friends Kirsten Alter, Beau Dixon, Ryan G. Hinds, and Wally MacKinnon. Sadly, she passed away on June 10, 2021.

In 2017, we conducted an interview with Jenny for the Theatre New Brunswick archives. We met for lunch at the home of our dear friend and constant supporter Ilkay Silk on a cold fall morning. (If you listen closely you can hear the clanking of dishes and the sounds of food being served and enjoyed!) 

Divided into eight short episodes, this series will feature highlights from that conversation touching on Jenny’s time with Theatre New Brunswick and Mulgrave Road Theatre, the early days of The Comedy Asylum, touring the province with TNB, and several other fun and interesting tales. 

Our hope with this series is that you walk away with a greater understanding of this Canadian theatre giant and the many ways she contributed to the world we work within today. 

This episode mentions the ephemeral aspect of theatre, the impact theatre can have on an audience, two different productions of The Boat by Alistair MacLeod, onstage diversity and changing audiences.

Jenny Munday (1953-2021)

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider making a donation or becoming a regular contributor to Theatre New Brunswick: https://bit.ly/3Ionj2r

Jul 24, 202302:50
Behind The Play (EP13) - Jenny Munday - In Her Own Words (pt. 7)

Behind The Play (EP13) - Jenny Munday - In Her Own Words (pt. 7)

Jenny Munday dedicated more than 30 years of her life to the Canadian theatre community, working with several organizations including Mulgrave Road Theatre, the Blyth Festival, the Banff Playwrights Colony, Rising Tide Theatre, Live Bait Theatre, Neptune Theatre, and with us, here at TNB. A fierce advocate for new script development, Jenny is known to many through her work with Playwrights Atlantic Resource Centre. But she also did comedy, she acted, she wrote, she directed, and through it all she touched the lives and careers of countless theatre artists working today. 

Jenny last joined us on stage for our 2019 production of It’s A Wonderful Life – A Live Radio Play acting alongside our friends Kirsten Alter, Beau Dixon, Ryan G. Hinds, and Wally MacKinnon. Sadly, she passed away on June 10, 2021.

In 2017, we conducted an interview with Jenny for the Theatre New Brunswick archives. We met for lunch at the home of our dear friend and constant supporter Ilkay Silk on a cold fall morning. (If you listen closely you can hear the clanking of dishes and the sounds of food being served and enjoyed!) 

Divided into eight short episodes, this series will feature highlights from that conversation touching on Jenny’s time with Theatre New Brunswick and Mulgrave Road Theatre, the early days of The Comedy Asylum, touring the province with TNB, and several other fun and interesting tales. 

Our hope with this series is that you walk away with a greater understanding of this Canadian theatre giant and the many ways she contributed to the world we work within today. 

This episode mentions Warren Maddox, touring with TNB, teaching in schools, and the different audiences in each community.

Jenny Munday (1953-2021)

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider making a donation or becoming a regular contributor to Theatre New Brunswick: https://bit.ly/3Ionj2r

Jul 17, 202304:14
Behind The Play (EP12) - Jenny Munday - In Her Own Words (pt. 6)

Behind The Play (EP12) - Jenny Munday - In Her Own Words (pt. 6)

Jenny Munday dedicated more than 30 years of her life to the Canadian theatre community, working with several organizations including Mulgrave Road Theatre, the Blyth Festival, the Banff Playwrights Colony, Rising Tide Theatre, Live Bait Theatre, Neptune Theatre, and with us, here at TNB. A fierce advocate for new script development, Jenny is known to many through her work with Playwrights Atlantic Resource Centre. But she also did comedy, she acted, she wrote, she directed, and through it all she touched the lives and careers of countless theatre artists working today. 

Jenny last joined us on stage for our 2019 production of It’s A Wonderful Life – A Live Radio Play acting alongside our friends Kirsten Alter, Beau Dixon, Ryan G. Hinds, and Wally MacKinnon. Sadly, she passed away on June 10, 2021.

In 2017, we conducted an interview with Jenny for the Theatre New Brunswick archives. We met for lunch at the home of our dear friend and constant supporter Ilkay Silk on a cold fall morning. (If you listen closely you can hear the clanking of dishes and the sounds of food being served and enjoyed!) 

Divided into eight short episodes, this series will feature highlights from that conversation touching on Jenny’s time with Theatre New Brunswick and Mulgrave Road Theatre, the early days of The Comedy Asylum, touring the province with TNB, and several other fun and interesting tales. 

Our hope with this series is that you walk away with a greater understanding of this Canadian theatre giant and the many ways she contributed to the world we work within today. 

This episode focuses largely on forming The Comedy Asylum and its early tours.

Jenny Munday (1953-2021)

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider making a donation or becoming a regular contributor to Theatre New Brunswick: https://bit.ly/3Ionj2r

Jul 10, 202305:47
Behind The Play (EP11) - Jenny Munday - In Her Own Words (pt. 5)

Behind The Play (EP11) - Jenny Munday - In Her Own Words (pt. 5)

Jenny Munday dedicated more than 30 years of her life to the Canadian theatre community, working with several organizations including Mulgrave Road Theatre, the Blyth Festival, the Banff Playwrights Colony, Rising Tide Theatre, Live Bait Theatre, Neptune Theatre, and with us, here at TNB. A fierce advocate for new script development, Jenny is known to many through her work with Playwrights Atlantic Resource Centre. But she also did comedy, she acted, she wrote, she directed, and through it all she touched the lives and careers of countless theatre artists working today. 

Jenny last joined us on stage for our 2019 production of It’s A Wonderful Life – A Live Radio Play acting alongside our friends Kirsten Alter, Beau Dixon, Ryan G. Hinds, and Wally MacKinnon. Sadly, she passed away on June 10, 2021.

In 2017, we conducted an interview with Jenny for the Theatre New Brunswick archives. We met for lunch at the home of our dear friend and constant supporter Ilkay Silk on a cold fall morning. (If you listen closely you can hear the clanking of dishes and the sounds of food being served and enjoyed!) 

Divided into eight short episodes, this series will feature highlights from that conversation touching on Jenny’s time with Theatre New Brunswick and Mulgrave Road Theatre, the early days of The Comedy Asylum, touring the province with TNB, and several other fun and interesting tales. 

Our hope with this series is that you walk away with a greater understanding of this Canadian theatre giant and the many ways she contributed to the world we work within today. 

This episode make mention of Brave New Words and Playwright’s Workshop Montreal.

Jenny Munday (1953-2021)

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider making a donation or becoming a regular contributor to Theatre New Brunswick: https://bit.ly/3Ionj2r

Jul 03, 202305:21
Behind The Play (EP10) - Jenny Munday - In Her Own Words (pt. 4)

Behind The Play (EP10) - Jenny Munday - In Her Own Words (pt. 4)

Jenny Munday dedicated more than 30 years of her life to the Canadian theatre community, working with several organizations including Mulgrave Road Theatre, the Blyth Festival, the Banff Playwrights Colony, Rising Tide Theatre, Live Bait Theatre, Neptune Theatre, and with us, here at TNB. A fierce advocate for new script development, Jenny is known to many through her work with Playwrights Atlantic Resource Centre. But she also did comedy, she acted, she wrote, she directed, and through it all she touched the lives and careers of countless theatre artists working today. 

Jenny last joined us on stage for our 2019 production of It’s A Wonderful Life – A Live Radio Play acting alongside our friends Kirsten Alter, Beau Dixon, Ryan G. Hinds, and Wally MacKinnon. Sadly, she passed away on June 10, 2021.

In 2017, we conducted an interview with Jenny for the Theatre New Brunswick archives. We met for lunch at the home of our dear friend and constant supporter Ilkay Silk on a cold fall morning. (If you listen closely you can hear the clanking of dishes and the sounds of food being served and enjoyed!) 

Divided into eight short episodes, this series will feature highlights from that conversation touching on Jenny’s time with Theatre New Brunswick and Mulgrave Road Theatre, the early days of The Comedy Asylum, touring the province with TNB, and several other fun and interesting tales. 

Our hope with this series is that you walk away with a greater understanding of this Canadian theatre giant and the many ways she contributed to the world we work within today. 

This episode makes mention of Sharon Pollock, Brave New Words, Caleb Marshall, new play development, and Playwrights Atlantic Resource Centre.

Jenny Munday (1953-2021)

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider making a donation or becoming a regular contributor to Theatre New Brunswick: https://bit.ly/3Ionj2r

Jun 26, 202302:23
Behind The Play (EP9) - Jenny Munday - In Her Own Words (pt. 3)

Behind The Play (EP9) - Jenny Munday - In Her Own Words (pt. 3)

Jenny Munday dedicated more than 30 years of her life to the Canadian theatre community, working with several organizations including Mulgrave Road Theatre, the Blyth Festival, the Banff Playwrights Colony, Rising Tide Theatre, Live Bait Theatre, Neptune Theatre, and with us, here at TNB. A fierce advocate for new script development, Jenny is known to many through her work with Playwrights Atlantic Resource Centre. But she also did comedy, she acted, she wrote, she directed, and through it all she touched the lives and careers of countless theatre artists working today. 

Jenny last joined us on stage for our 2019 production of It’s A Wonderful Life – A Live Radio Play acting alongside our friends Kirsten Alter, Beau Dixon, Ryan G. Hinds, and Wally MacKinnon. Sadly, she passed away on June 10, 2021.

In 2017, we conducted an interview with Jenny for the Theatre New Brunswick archives. We met for lunch at the home of our dear friend and constant supporter Ilkay Silk on a cold fall morning. (If you listen closely you can hear the clanking of dishes and the sounds of food being served and enjoyed!) 

Divided into eight short episodes, this series will feature highlights from that conversation touching on Jenny’s time with Theatre New Brunswick and Mulgrave Road Theatre, the early days of The Comedy Asylum, touring the province with TNB, and several other fun and interesting tales. 

Our hope with this series is that you walk away with a greater understanding of this Canadian theatre giant and the many ways she contributed to the world we work within today. 

This episode makes mention of TNB artistic associates under Michael Shamata, Teaching theatre classes to children, Mulgrave Road Theatre, Safe Haven by Mary-Colin Chisholm, New work development, writer in residence at TNB, The Americans are Coming, and Walter Learning.

Jenny Munday (1953-2021)

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider making a donation or becoming a regular contributor to Theatre New Brunswick: https://bit.ly/3Ionj2r

Jun 19, 202302:21
Behind The Play (EP8) - Jenny Munday - In Her Own Words (pt. 2)

Behind The Play (EP8) - Jenny Munday - In Her Own Words (pt. 2)

In 2017, we conducted an interview with Jenny for the Theatre New Brunswick archives. We met for lunch at the home of our dear friend and constant supporter Ilkay Silk on a cold fall morning. (If you listen closely you can hear the clanking of dishes and the sounds of food being served and enjoyed!) 

Divided into eight short episodes, this series will feature highlights from that conversation touching on Jenny’s time with Theatre New Brunswick and Mulgrave Road Theatre, the early days of The Comedy Asylum, touring the province with TNB, and several other fun and interesting tales. 

Our hope with this series is that you walk away with a greater understanding of this Canadian theatre giant and the many ways she contributed to the world we work within today. 

This episode includes mention of Janet Amos, Norm Foster, Marshall Button and his character Lucien, Jim Gow, Michael Shamata, Mulgrave Road Theatre, Anna Cameron, Paul Hannah, C. David Johnson, and Douglas Campbell.

Jenny Munday (1953-2021)

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider making a donation or becoming a regular contributor to Theatre New Brunswick: https://bit.ly/3Ionj2r

Jun 12, 202302:58
Behind The Play (EP7) - Jenny Munday - In Her Own Words (pt. 1)

Behind The Play (EP7) - Jenny Munday - In Her Own Words (pt. 1)

Jenny dedicated more than 30 years of her life to the Canadian theatre community, working with several organizations including Mulgrave Road Theatre, the Blyth Festival, the Banff Playwrights Colony, Rising Tide Theatre, Live Bait Theatre, Neptune Theatre, and with us, here at TNB. A fierce advocate for new script development, Jenny is known to many through her work with Playwrights Atlantic Resource Centre. But she also did comedy, she acted, she wrote, she directed, and through it all she touched the lives and careers of countless theatre artists working today. 


Jenny last joined us on stage for our 2019 production of It’s A Wonderful Life – A Live Radio Play acting alongside our friends Kirsten Alter, Beau Dixon, Ryan G. Hinds, and Wally MacKinnon. Sadly, she passed away on June 10, 2021.


In 2017, we conducted an interview with Jenny for the Theatre New Brunswick archives. We met for lunch at the home of our dear friend and constant supporter Ilkay Silk on a cold fall morning. (If you listen closely you can hear the clanking of dishes and the sounds of food being served and enjoyed!) 


Divided into eight short episodes, this series will feature highlights from that conversation touching on Jenny’s time with Theatre New Brunswick and Mulgrave Road Theatre, the early days of The Comedy Asylum, touring the province with TNB, and several other fun and interesting tales. 


Our hope with this series is that you walk away with a greater understanding of this Canadian theatre giant and the many ways she contributed to the world we work within today. 


Jenny Munday (1953-2021)


If you enjoyed this episode, please consider making a donation or becoming a regular contributor to Theatre New Brunswick: https://bit.ly/3Ionj2r

Jun 05, 202302:42
Behind the Play (EP6) - An interview with Mike Ross and Sarah Wilson (Rose – A New Musical)

Behind the Play (EP6) - An interview with Mike Ross and Sarah Wilson (Rose – A New Musical)

This episode of Behind the Play features TNB Outreach Coordinator and playwright Jena McLean in conversation and Mike Ross and Sarah Wilson, co-creators of Rose - A New Musical, which will be on stage at the Fredericton Playhouse April 21-22.


This production is one of two Senior Student productions running next week at the Fredericton Playhouse. Details below:


The Little Prince | April 18-19 | 7:30 p.m. (featuring students from the TNB Theatre School's Senior Acting program).

Rose - A New Musical | April 21-22 | 7:30 p.m. (featuring students from the TNB Theatre School's Senior Musical Theatre program).


Tickets for both performances are available through the Fredericton Playhouse box office or by visiting TNB.NB.CA

Apr 14, 202336:27
Behind the Play (EP5) - An interview with playwright Jivesh Parasram (Take d Milk, Nah?)
Mar 29, 202337:38
Behind the Play (EP4) - Resident Aliens (Part 4)

Behind the Play (EP4) - Resident Aliens (Part 4)

The second of a two-part conversation between TNB Outreach Coordinator and playwright Jena McLean and playwright Don Hannah.  This time around Don and Jena get into the weeds of playwriting and look at how the characters in Resident Aliens interconnect, how time is used as a tool for storytelling, and how this play differs from everything else Don has done. 

Resident Aliens makes its world premiere at TNB in March. Full details and ticket information can be found HERE.

Resident Aliens (world premiere):

March 22-26 | Fredericton, NB | Open Space Theatre

March 28 | Campbellton, NB | Theatre Restigouche

March 29-30 | Moncton, NB | Empress Theatre

March 31 | St. Andrews, NB | W. C. O'Neill Arena Theatre

April 1 | Florenceville-Bristol, NB | Carleton North High School

April 2 | Sackville, NB | Motyer-Fancy Theatre


Mar 07, 202325:48
Behind the Play (EP3) - Resident Aliens (Part 3)
Feb 24, 202324:35
Behind the Play (EP2) - Resident Aliens (Part 2)
Feb 14, 202312:53
Behind the Play (EP1) - Resident Aliens (Part 1)

Behind the Play (EP1) - Resident Aliens (Part 1)

Behind the Play is a podcast produced by Theatre New Brunswick. In this first episode we speak with Artistic and Executive Director Natasha MacLellan about her relationship with playwright Don Hannah and his work. 

Natasha is a passionate proponent of new scripts and new play development. And when the pandemic put a stop to live, in-person performances of all shapes and sizes, Natasha started TNB’s online Fall Festival of New Plays, in part, as a means of keeping playwrights and actors, as well as our audience, engaged in the art form at a rare time in history when ghost lights outnumbered stage lights on theatres around the world.

And it was through the Fall Festival that TNB audiences first engaged with one of Don’s plays. On October 2, 2021 we live-streamed a reading of Resident Aliens. After we had the chance to catch our breath, we all agreed this was a story that needed to reach a wider audience. And so here we are, a few months out from producing the play’s world premiere.

For this first episode of Behind the Play, we thought it would make sense to speak with Natasha and learn why she decided to program Resident Aliens as one of three plays in our first full season of theatre since 2019.

Resident Aliens makes its world premiere at TNB in March. Full details can be found HERE.

Resident Aliens (world premiere):

March 22-26 | Fredericton, NB | Open Space Theatre
March 28 | Campbellton, NB | Theatre Restigouche
March 29 | Moncton, NB | Empress Theatre
March 31 | St. Andrews, NB | W. C. O'Neill Arena Theatre
April 1 | Florenceville-Bristol, NB | Carleton North High School
April 2 | Sackville, NB | Motyer-Fancy Theatre

Feb 01, 202311:33