Shauntay Grant's play The Bridge at Neptune Theatre January 22 - February 10, 2019

Writer and storyteller Shauntay Grant.

Shauntay Grant’s play The Bridge will be onstage at Neptune Theatre’s Fountain Hall January 22 - February 10, 2019.

Shauntay received a Talent Trust scholarship to support her studies in music. She is a writer and storyteller who teaches creative writing at Dalhousie University.
As Halifax's third poet laureate, she organized Canada's first national gathering of Canadian poets laureate. 

Shauntay has presented her work at events including Canada’s national Word on the Street festivals, the Vancouver Writers Festival, Toronto's Luminato Festival, Australia's National Young Writers’ Festival, and the Jamaica Poetry Festival. 

Her plays have been presented by 2b theatre, Eastern Front Theatre, and Neptune Theatre in Halifax, Black Theatre Workshop in Montreal, and b current in Toronto.

Directed by Anthony Black, The Bridge is a 2b theatre company and Neptune Theatre co-production in association with Obsidian Theatre.

Set in a rural Black Nova Scotian community, The Bridge explores the complexities of a relationship between two brothers strained over 20 years of secrecy, sin and shame. Secrets are revealed one by one from the brothers themselves, as well as a trio of community gossips who provide the musical backdrop for this gospel-infused tale.

To purchase tickets, visit Neptune Theatre online.

To learn more about Shauntay Grant, visit her website at shauntaygrant.com.

Multitalented Artist Veronique MacKenzie in Talent Trust 75th Anniversary Video

Véronique MacKenzie is a multitalented artist. She and her students worked with us to help create our 75th anniversary scholarship video, and we’re grateful for their participation.

Véronique making dance magic in her studio.

Originally from Montréal, Quebec, Véronique moved to Nova Scotia and received two Talent Trust scholarships to assist with her dance training. 

She’s also a two-time recipient of Live Art’s Diane Moore Scholarship for choreography, and a recipient of a Nova Scotia Established Artist Recognition Award. 

She’s earned scholarship positions in the Interrarium Creative residency at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, and the Centre for Art Tapes in Halifax.

Behind the scenes at our video shoot.
Photo: Filet Production Services.

Her background includes modern dance, jazz and ballet, visual art, clown and fool-work, creative movement, and theatre. 

Véronique has invested in her education. She attended York University and the School of the Toronto Dance Theatre, the National Ballet School / R.A.D. / Checcetti / Vagonova, NSCAD University, Laban International School, Virginia Tanner School/USA, University of New Brunswick, and Theatre New Brunswick. 

She holds degrees in science and social work.

Véronique working with her dance students.

Like a number of other Talent Trust scholarship recipients, Véronique has decided to share her skills and experience with emerging artists through teaching. She’s served on faculty at NSCAD University, Neptune Theatre School, and the Fountain School of Performing Arts at Dalhousie University.

She just wrapped her work as choreographer for the world premiere of KAMP, a co-production of Eastern Front Theatre and Neptune Theatre. KAMP is a darkly comedic new musical about a group of homosexual prisoners interned in a WWII Nazi concentration camp in 1943, who survive their ordeal by creating a cabaret. 

Adjusting a young dancer's costume during dance class.

Véronique is currently taking a year off from her faculty duties at Halifax Dance to work with Neptune Theatre’s Chrysalis Project, which offers emerging theatre artists practical, hands-on experience, where they not only work and create within the Neptune family, but also alongside the broader theatre community.

As part of the Chrysalis Project, she’s working with choreographer Stephanie Graham on Neptune Theatre’s production of Cinderella.

We’d like to thank Véronique and her students for working with us to help create our 75th anniversary scholarship campaign video. 



Want to be part of the campaign to double Talent Trust scholarship funds? Click here to donate. And thank you!

James Maclean and Véronique MacKenzie in KAMP, a co-production of Eastern Front Theatre and Neptune Theatre

James Maclean and Véronique MacKenzie are part of the talented company that presents the world premiere of KAMP.

The darkly comedic musical about a group of homosexual prisoners interred in a WWII Nazi concentration camp in 1943 is a co-production of Eastern Front Theatre and Neptune Theatre. KAMP is part of Eastern Front's 25th anniversary season. 

KAMP will run on Neptune’s Scotiabank Stage from October 23 - November 11.

James Maclean plays Creutz in KAMP

James Maclean plays Creutz, one of the prisoners who survive the horrors of captivity and torture by producing a secret cabaret.

James received a Talent Trust scholarship to help support his theatre studies. He’s a graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada. 

His acting credits include The Villain’s Theatre production of The Duchess of Malfi, Halifax Theatre for Young People’s David for Queen (starring role), and the Shakespeare by the Sea productions of  Merchant of Venice and Taming of the Shrew.

James recently teamed up with his colleagues in the Tea Time Creation Co. to present an immersive theatre experience called Gina is Dead at the Halifax Fringe Festival.

Véronique MacKenzie is the choreographer for KAMP.
Photo credit: Véronique MacKenzie

Véronique MacKenzie is the choreographer for KAMP. Originally from Montreal, Quebec, Véronique received a Talent Trust scholarship to assist with her dance training. 

Her background includes modern dance (York University and the School of the Toronto Dance Theatre), jazz and ballet (The National Ballet School/R.A.D./Checcetti/Vagonova), visual art (NSCAD University), clown and fool-work (Laban International School), creative movement (Virginia Tanner School/USA), and theatre (University of New Brunswick and Theatre New Brunswick). 

Véronique has served on faculty at NSCAD University, Neptune Theatre School, the Fountain School of Performing Arts at Dalhousie University, and Halifax Dance.

For more information about KAMP and to buy tickets, visit the Neptune Theatre website.

Karen Wyatt in Concert: Blues Deluxe at Neptune Studio Theatre

Karen Wyatt follows her jam-packed summer concert schedule that included her debut with Symphony Nova Scotia and returns to the stage with Blues Deluxe, a two-night tribute to the genre’s greatest performers.

Tickets are going fast for the September 28 and 29 performances (details below).

Karen received Talent Trust scholarships to help support her studies in voice. She attended the Randolph Academy in Toronto, and is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City.

A well-known and accomplished performer, she’s one of the nominees for The Coast magazine's 2018 Best of Halifax Readers' Choice Awards.

Blues Deluxe will feature both classic and contemporary blues artists such as Robert Johnson, LaVern Baker, Muddy Waters, Nina Simone, BB King, Billie Holiday, and Aretha Franklin.

The multi-media performances will also showcase many modern blues artists, including The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and Blues Saraceno.

From Karen: “I have absolutely fallen for the blues. I love the heart and soul of the rhythms and melodies, the gritty vocals, the tremendous history and culture of the music.”

She’ll be backed by an 8-piece band, including a horn section and backup singers.

Blues Deluxe details
Friday, September 28
Saturday, September 29
Neptune Studio Theatre, Halifax

Showtime for both nights is 8:00 p.m.

More information, including ticket details for Blues Deluxe, are available at karenmyatt.net.

Wayne Burns and Susan Stackhouse in Shakespeare in Love at Neptune Theatre

Wayne Burns and Susan Stackhouse join the cast of Shakespeare in Love at Neptune Theatre in Halifax, which runs from September 4 - October 7.

Wayne Burns is a performer and producer who won the Talent Trust Theatre Nova Scotia award in 2011 and 2012. 

His most recognizable role is likely Lykos, the Prince of Athens, in the Syfy series Olympus. He can also be seen in Mr. D, Murdoch Mysteries, The Baroness Von Sketch Show, and Remedy.

Wayne is a graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada, and in addition to his acting career, has established his own production company, Dresser Drawer, which currently facilitates the creation and incubation of mixed media projects. 

His films have screened at international festivals including the REELWorld Film Festival, Toronto Youth Shorts (Winner – Industry Choice Award), InsideOut LGBT Film Festival, and NewFest – New York’s LGBT Film Festival. 

His first solo show, LIONESS, played to sold-out houses in Truro, Halifax and Toronto.

Susan Stackhouse is a specialist in voice and speech, and is a dialect coach as well as an actor. 

She’s a Talent Trust scholarship recipient who studied at Dalhousie University, the National Theatre School of Canada, and the Central School of Speech and Drama in London, England, where she received the prestigious Chevening Scholarship.  

Susan began her career as an educator at George Brown College, and returned to her home province of Nova Scotia where she’s a professor in the Acting Program and Associate Director (Productions) in the Fountain School of Performing Arts at Dalhousie University.

Susan spent 16 seasons with the Shaw Festival in Ontario both as a member of the acting ensemble and as a voice coach. 

A few of her acting highlights include Pointe Valaine, An Inspector Calls, Peer Gynt, Marathon ’33, The Voysey Inheritance, Cavalcade, The Women, The Road to Mecca, and The Real Thing.

She won the 2011 Robert Merritt Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in the Pulitzer Prize-winning play Rabbit Hole.

Susan is a huge supporter of the Talent Trust, and we’re thrilled to have her as a vital part of our community.

Shakespeare in Love details
September 4 - October 7, 2018

Tuesday to Friday - 7:30pm
Saturday and Sunday - 2pm & 7:30pm

September 4 - Pay What You Can
September 7 - Opening Night
September 11 - Industry Night
September 12 - Talkback Night
September 23 - Relaxed Performance

For ticket information, visit Neptune Theatre’s website

Theatre director Luciana Silvestre Fernandes returns to Halifax

Luciana Silvestre Fernandes is a theatre director who’s returning home to Halifax.

She’s here to participate in Neptune Theatre’s Chrysalis Project, which provides practical experience and mentorship to emerging artists within the structure of a professional theatre as well as exposure to the broader theatre community.

Luciana received the 2011 Canada Games Young Artist of Excellence Award in 2016. She was artistic director for Taboo Theatre as well as working with independent companies such as Villains Theatre, Child's Play and Doppler Effect. 

Luciana completed her undergrad education at Dalhousie University, then relocated to British Columbia to pursue her MFA in directing at UBC.

Her work “embraces the philosophy that artists are artisans of reality. In shaping how audiences perceive the world, we can shape how they interact with it. It is through our choices of representation, what we normalize and what we challenge, who we give a voice to, and what questions we deem worthy asking that we challenge unconscious or semi-conscious dogmas of our audiences”.

She brought this philosophy to her most recent work as director of French playwright Jean Anouilh's Antigone, a devised movement-based expressionist adaption of Sophocle's Classic titled Antigones, and Thomas Middleton's Jacobean era play A Yorkshire Tragedy.

Rachel Hastings in Art Attakkk - Three Short Plays for Kids by Halifax Theatre for Young People

Rachel Hastings is a member of the cast and creative team of Art Attakkk, three short plays inspired by original Nova Scotian art and written by Nova Scotian playwrights.

Rachel, a graduate of Dalhousie University's acting program, wrote and performed Red Fish, a comedy about the pitfalls of being a teenager in 2016, with her colleague Taylor Olson. The play originally appeared in Halifax's Fringe Fest and is currently touring in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

Described as a “vibrant and fascinating mix of art and theatre”, Art Attakkk is a funny and endearing set of works that feature a hip hop musical, the story of an unexpected encounter at the art gallery, and a eulogy for a cat. 

The show “hits kids where they live and demonstrates that art and creativity can help us understand, accept, and express our emotions and connect with others. Ages 9-12”.

June 2, 11:00 a.m.

Tickets: $10.00

Neptune Theatre Scotiabank Stage

Tickets and Festival Passes can be purchased at the Neptune Theatre Box Office (telephone 902-429-7070), online, or in person at 1593 Argyle Street in Halifax.

Art Attakkk is a Halifax Theatre for Young People production, presented by Eastern Front Theatre as part of NextSTAGES Theatre Festival for Families.

Laura Vingoe-Cram wins 2018 Neptune Theatre Chrysalis Emerging Artist Award

Laura Vingoe-Cram (keepgoodtheatrecompany.com)

The Neptune Theatre Chrysalis Emerging Artist Award was presented to Laura Vingoe-Cram at the Theatre NS Robert Merritt Awards in Halifax on March 26, 2018.

Laura is currently participating in the Michael Langham Workshop for Classical Direction at the Stratford Festival.

You can read more about Theatre Nova Soctia's Merritt Awards in the Chronicle Herald at http://thechronicleherald.ca/artslife/1556695-old-stock-stocks-up-on-merritt-awards-at-monday-gala#.WrpWP9nIBeI.facebook

Susan Stackhouse at the Neptune Theatre

Former Scholarship Recipient Susan Stackhouse,

actress (longtime NSTT board member until 2013) will perform in Under Milk Wood with Jeremy Webb

at the Neptune Theatre in Halifax from September 18 - 28. 

Webb and Stackhouse will play 40+ characters in this delightful, character-based whimsy from Dylan Thomas. 

More information can be found at: www.neptunetheatre.com