embedded criticism
iPhoto caption: Pamela Mala Sinha, Ellora Patniak, and Zorana Sadiq record 'New.' Photo by Nirris Nagendrarajah.
A look inside the flourishing creative life of playwright-actor Pamela Mala Sinha (part one)
When I learned that the acclaimed artist would be having an action-packed start to 2026, I decided to document this busy period in a trilogy of articles.
iPhoto caption: Mike Nadajewski in 'All the Cows Are Dead.' Photo by Dahlia Katz.
REVIEW: Two critics compare reactions to TIFT’s new musical All the Cows Are Dead
Liam wrote about observing the production's rehearsal process. Shivani viewed the musical without any insider knowledge. On the way home from seeing the show in Barrie, they discuss.
iPhoto caption: Athena So, Mike Nadajewski, Taylor Garwood, and Ben Page in rehearsal for 'All the Cows Are Dead.' Photo by Dahlia Katz.
What I discovered at rehearsals for TIFT’s world premiere musical All the Cows Are Dead
I’m sure most new musicals have interesting rehearsal processes — but it helped my excitement level that All the Cows Are Dead is a site-specific, existential two-hander from one of Ontario’s most risk-taking companies. There'll also be countless balloons.
iPhoto caption: The company of 'Phalanax.' SummerWorks photo by Jae Yang.
The specter of death is omnipresent in Phalanx, one of the offerings at this August's SummerWorks Performance Festival. First presented by DNA Theatre in 1998, the current version was catalyzed in 2023, perhaps fittingly, by the passing of former artistic director Hillar Liitoja. I decided to document the creative process and to provide space for the artists involved to reflect on why they were doing the show and what they hoped to achieve.