Krista Jackson: Actor, director

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Krista Jackson, director, winnipeg

Krista Jackson left her Winnipeg home in her teens to study acting in Toronto, but after she found herself auditioning, with a dozen other young actresses, for a “Tide” laundry detergent commercial she quit that scene and returned the theatre community in Winnipeg.

These days she’s performing in Matt Murray’s “Myth of the Ostrich” directed by Heidi Malazdrewich at the MTC Warehouse. It runs March 9 – 26.

She’s the founder and Artistic Director of Zone 41 Theatre, a theatre company that produces classic texts that aren’t often performed in Winnipeg.

Krista recently directed “Fly Me to the Moon” at The Grand Theatre in London, Ontario.

In 2015 Krista worked as an associate director at The Stratford Festival, under John Caird. She admits “I was always a bit intimidated to direct Shakespeare,” and talks about how she “cracked open that world…of dense text.”

Show Notes
Matt Murray’s Myth of the Ostrich
directed By Heidi Malazdrewich at The Royal MTC Warehouse.
Zone41
Martha Henry
Carolyn Gray
Arthur Miller’s All My Sons
Directed by Martha Henry at The Stratford Festival

Jeff Rothpan: Comedian, Writer

Jeff rothpan, interview, jeff dunham, just for laughs

Comedian, writer, Jeff Rothpan is originally from Montreal.

His comedy career began when he was just 16 years old and soon after that an encounter with Mark Breslin drove him from Canada to the U.S.

He moved to L.A., but despite he struggled to get stage time, so he worked hard to perfect his comedy.

He hit his stride by the time he turned 23 and landed an appearance on The Show with Jay Leno.

We talk about Jeff’s path to success.

These days Jeff is one of the busiest comedy writers in LA, working on TV shows, films and providing material for Jeff Dunham, whom Forbes magazine consistently ranks as one of the top grossing comedians in the United States.

Listen on iTunes
Open iTunes then click here: Jeff Rothpan Podcast

Show Notes
Jeff Rothpan on Twitter @jeffrothpan
Jeff Rothpan on the Bob and Tom Show
Just for Laughs Comedy Festival – Montreal
Jeff Dunham “All Over The Map” DVD
Jeff Dunham’s website

Dan Mailer: Lawyer, musician, songwriter

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The Christmas season is upon us. It’s a time for giving, and that’s what made me think about interviewing Dan Mailer to discuss his music and fundraising work.

Dan Mailer is a trial lawyer, singer and musician in London, Ontario with a track record of giving back to the community he’s called home all his life.

I met with Dan at his home to talk about how he uses music to help charitable organizations here in town. Dan has inspired lawyers and judges to record music, and perform live concerts, that have helped raise over $300,000 for charitable organizations.

It’s not only needy families that he supports.

In 1995 several lawyers, including Mailer and Justice John F. McGarry, performed in “The Caine Mutiny,” to raise funds for The Grand Theatre, which was in need of financial support.

Dan mentions that while he was articling at Lerners LLP in London, he met another young lawyer, David Shore. Shore soon left London to pursue his dream of writing for television in Hollywood.

Shore went on to write and produce “NYPD Blue” and created the hit show “House.”

Dan almost followed in Shore’s footsteps, seriously considering abandoning his law career for a life in Hollywood, but decided instead to remain in London and continue his law career.

We trace Dan’s interest in law, discussing the impact of a teacher who recognized his creative spark and how a library helped him escape from the poor side of town.

Show Notes
Dan’s YouTube channel Dylannut69
“NYPD Blue” producer, “House” creator David Shore on Twitter
Crouch Public Library
London Lawyers Feed the Hungry – Beatles Tribute
featuring The Wyld Stallions plus many other acts to be announced.