Episodes
![Dramatic Pause Ep 19. Cheri Maracle](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/8646220/Firehall_Podcast_Copy_2_2_60fku_300x300.jpg)
Thursday Nov 18, 2021
Dramatic Pause Ep 19. Cheri Maracle
Thursday Nov 18, 2021
Thursday Nov 18, 2021
Donna talks with actor and musician, Cheri Maracle. They talk about caring for Mother Earth in a time of great upheaval and the fascinating life of legendary Mohawk poet, Pauline Johnson; subject of the hit one-woman musical, Paddle Song.
Paddle Song is currently being performed at the Firehall Arts Centre 9-21 Nov. Tickets are still available and stay tuned for the release of a special streamed performance soon.
![Dramatic Pause Ep. 18 Starr Muranko](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/8646220/Firehall_Podcast_Copy_2_2_60fku_300x300.jpg)
Monday Sep 27, 2021
Dramatic Pause Ep. 18 Starr Muranko
Monday Sep 27, 2021
Monday Sep 27, 2021
For our first episode back after a summer break, Donna chats with Dancer and Choreographer, Starr Muranko about her life, the challenges of working through the pandemic and her new performance, Chapter 21 - opening soon at the Firehall Arts Centre.
Chapter 21 runs Sept 29th - Oct 3rd 2021
book tickets HERE
![Dramatic Pause Ep. 17 Derek Chan](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/8646220/Firehall_Podcast_Copy_2_2_60fku_300x300.jpg)
Friday Apr 23, 2021
Dramatic Pause Ep. 17 Derek Chan
Friday Apr 23, 2021
Friday Apr 23, 2021
This week, Donna chats with Derek Chan, Co-Artistic Director of Rice and Beans Theatre about 'Yellow Objects' - the upcoming live exhibition at the Firehall Arts Centre.
'Yellow Objects' will be a safe, actor-free, interactive exploration of the impact the protest movement has had on the people of Hong Kong. Rice and Beans theatre has produced some amazing tie-in material that you can check out now at the Rice and Beans website or
www.firehallartscentre.ca
![Dramatic Pause Ep. 16 Ashlie Corcoran](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/8646220/Firehall_Podcast_Copy_2_2_60fku_300x300.jpg)
Thursday Apr 01, 2021
Dramatic Pause Ep. 16 Ashlie Corcoran
Thursday Apr 01, 2021
Thursday Apr 01, 2021
Continuing her series on great Artistic Directors, Donna chats with Ashlie Corcoran from Arts Club. They talk COVID pivots, motherhood and the long journey from Ashlie's first theatre experiences all the way to the top of Vancouver's biggest theatre companies.
![Dramatic Pause Ep. 15 Russell Wallace](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/8646220/Firehall_Podcast_Copy_2_2_60fku_300x300.jpg)
Monday Mar 15, 2021
Dramatic Pause Ep. 15 Russell Wallace
Monday Mar 15, 2021
Monday Mar 15, 2021
This week Donna speaks with Musician, Performer and Storyteller, Russell Wallace. They talk about the ancient history of the Firehall all the way up to Russell's brand new album, Unceded Tongues.
Buy Unceded Tongues at https://russellwallace.bandcamp.com/album/unceded-tongues
![Dramatic Pause Ep. 14 Fay Nass](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/8646220/Firehall_Podcast_Copy_2_2_60fku_300x300.jpg)
Monday Feb 01, 2021
Dramatic Pause Ep. 14 Fay Nass
Monday Feb 01, 2021
Monday Feb 01, 2021
This week Donna Zooms with Artistic Director of The Frank Theatre Co, Fay Nass. They chat about how the ongoing lockdown has changed the way art is delivered, the evolving role of of an Artistic Director and Fay's undying love for the sport of Pickle Ball.
The Frank Theatre Company produces queer and sex-positive performance. They want to stimulate frank conversations about sexuality and identity.
Check out more work from The Frank Theatre Co at https://thefranktheatre.com/
![Dramatic Pause Ep.13 Roy Surette](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/8646220/Firehall_Podcast_Copy_2_2_60fku_300x300.jpg)
Tuesday Jan 19, 2021
Dramatic Pause Ep.13 Roy Surette
Tuesday Jan 19, 2021
Tuesday Jan 19, 2021
A new year brings a new lockdown for theatres in Vancouver!
This week Donna speaks with Touchstone Theatre Artistic Director, Roy Surette about the unique challenges for theatre companies in 2020 and their hopes for the industry in 2021.
Roy and the Touchstone Theatre have presented many many shows at the Firehall over the years, including recently with Come on Angie, Kill Me Now and Lights which was scheduled to premiere in May 2020.
Check out more news from Touchstone Theatre here:
![Dramatic Pause Ep. 12 Donna Spencer](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/8646220/Firehall_Podcast_Copy_2_2_60fku_300x300.jpg)
Friday Dec 18, 2020
Dramatic Pause Ep. 12 Donna Spencer
Friday Dec 18, 2020
Friday Dec 18, 2020
For this Dramatic Pause holiday special, Donna Spencer takes a look back at the rollercoaster year that was 2020.
Stay safe and have a Happy Holiday everyone!
![Dramatic Pause Ep. 11 Michele Riml](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/8646220/Firehall_Podcast_Copy_2_2_60fku_300x300.jpg)
Wednesday Nov 11, 2020
Dramatic Pause Ep. 11 Michele Riml
Wednesday Nov 11, 2020
Wednesday Nov 11, 2020
As the Firehall Arts Centre prepares to open The Amaryllis for live audiences, Donna speaks with playwright Michele Riml about her life, the play and myth of "women writers writing women's plays".
The Amaryllis opens at the Firehall November 12th with reduced seating and increased safety protocols in place. For tickets and information regarding COVID-19 safety and the theatre, go to:
www.firehallartscentre.ca
![Dramatic Pause Ep. 10 Rosemary Georgeson](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/8646220/Firehall_Podcast_Copy_2_2_60fku_300x300.jpg)
Thursday Oct 29, 2020
Dramatic Pause Ep. 10 Rosemary Georgeson
Thursday Oct 29, 2020
Thursday Oct 29, 2020
This week, Donna zooms with filmmaker, writer and storyteller Rosemary Georgeson. Rose tells us about her upbringing on the fishing waters of Galiano Island and how it has influenced her writing and her life.
Next Week, Donna and Rose will be collaborating on a new performance at the Firehall called 'In The Beginning', exploring the early history of the Indigenous people in the Vancouver DTES. Discover more and book tickets at www.firehallartscentre.ca
You can learn more about Rosemary's life and work at https://rosemarygeorgeson.wordpress.com/
![Dramatic Pause Ep. 9 Allan Morgan](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/8646220/Firehall_Podcast_Copy_2_2_60fku_300x300.jpg)
Thursday Oct 08, 2020
Dramatic Pause Ep. 9 Allan Morgan
Thursday Oct 08, 2020
Thursday Oct 08, 2020
This week Donna chats with actor, playwright, photo, photographer and star of the upcoming Firehall production of 'I Walked the Line': Allan Morgan.
A joyful storyteller, Allan talks with Donna about his tumultuous career from chef to Prospero to mail clerk to union activist and finally to writing his life's experience in a series of phenomenal one-man shows.
Book tickets to 'I Walked the Line' at http://firehallartscentre.ca/
This episode contains a moderate amount of strong language.
![Dramatic Pause Ep. 8 Elaine Avila](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/8646220/Firehall_Podcast_Copy_2_2_60fku_300x300.jpg)
Tuesday Sep 29, 2020
Dramatic Pause Ep. 8 Elaine Avila
Tuesday Sep 29, 2020
Tuesday Sep 29, 2020
Dramatic Pause returns from hiatus as Donna chats with Elaine Avila over zoom. Elaine is a multi-award winning playwright, screenwriter, educator and dramaturge. Firehall fans will remember her play FADO: The Saddest Music in the World selling out its season in 2019.
This week Elaine and Donna chat about playwriting and teaching under lockdown, the importance of supporting diverse voices in arts administration and Elaine's newest work in progress 'Capes'; exploring her Portugese heritage through the traditional capes worn by the women of the Azores islands.
![Dramatic Pause Ep. 7 Emiko Morita](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/8646220/Firehall_Podcast_Copy_2_2_60fku_300x300.jpg)
Thursday Jul 23, 2020
Dramatic Pause Ep. 7 Emiko Morita
Thursday Jul 23, 2020
Thursday Jul 23, 2020
Donna and Emi Morita talk the Powell St Festival. PSF has been an annual celebration of the Japanese-Canadian contribution to the DTES since 1977. Donna and Emi talk about the challenges and opportunities in the digital realm as this year the historic festival moves online. Don't miss this year's Festival Telethon featuring live performances and entertainment, August 1st 2pm-7pm.
www.powellstreetfestival.com
![Dramatic Pause Ep. 6 Martha Rans](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/8646220/Firehall_Podcast_Copy_2_2_60fku_300x300.jpg)
Thursday Jul 23, 2020
Dramatic Pause Ep. 6 Martha Rans
Thursday Jul 23, 2020
Thursday Jul 23, 2020
Changing direction, this week Donna takes a look at the infrastructure and legal frameworks that keep the creative industries alive in BC as she speaks with Martha Rans.
Donna and Martha dive deep into the ways legal clinics, funding bodies, and copyright advocates work to support art, artists and not-for-profit companies throughout BC and the problems they face in the COVID age.
Find more about Martha's Work HERE
![Dramatic Pause Ep. 5 Omari Newton](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/8646220/Firehall_Podcast_Copy_2_2_60fku_300x300.jpg)
Tuesday Jul 07, 2020
Dramatic Pause Ep. 5 Omari Newton
Tuesday Jul 07, 2020
Tuesday Jul 07, 2020
Donna zooms with actor, playwright, director, activist and newly appointed Arts Club Cultural Liason Omari Newton about his career, the Black Lives Matter movement in Vancouver and the cultural impact of his first play, Sal Capone.
Donate to BLM Vancouver HERE
![Dramatic Pause Ep. 4 Ziyian Kwan](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/8646220/Firehall_Podcast_Copy_2_2_60fku_300x300.jpg)
Tuesday Jun 30, 2020
Dramatic Pause Ep. 4 Ziyian Kwan
Tuesday Jun 30, 2020
Tuesday Jun 30, 2020
Donna talks with dancer, performer, choreographer and community activist Ziyian Kwan about isolation, family, her heritage and the effect it is has had on her creative works.
Watch and follow Ziyian's work at dumbinstrumentdance.com
![Dramatic Pause Ep. 3 Esther Rausenberg](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/8646220/Firehall_Podcast_Copy_2_2_60fku_300x300.jpg)
Tuesday Jun 23, 2020
Dramatic Pause Ep. 3 Esther Rausenberg
Tuesday Jun 23, 2020
Tuesday Jun 23, 2020
This week Donna chats with Executive Director of the Eastside Culture Crawl about the future of Vancouver's biggest visual arts festival.
![Dramatic Pause Ep. 2 Renae Morriseau](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/8646220/Firehall_Podcast_Copy_2_2_60fku_300x300.jpg)
Tuesday Jun 16, 2020
Dramatic Pause Ep. 2 Renae Morriseau
Tuesday Jun 16, 2020
Tuesday Jun 16, 2020
Donna chats with theatre and film director, writer, performer, musician and First Nations activist Renae Morriseau about theatre, her work with the indigenous peoples of BC and the overall importance of listening.
"astam awasisak" performed by M'Girl.
www.mgirlmusic.ca
![Dramatic Pause Ep1. David Diamond](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/ep-logo/pbblog8646220/Dramatic_Pause_1__9u3of_300x300.png)
Tuesday Jun 02, 2020
Dramatic Pause Ep1. David Diamond
Tuesday Jun 02, 2020
Tuesday Jun 02, 2020
The first episode of Dramatic Pause with Firehall Arts Centre Artistic Producer, Donna Spencer.
Actor, writer, director and theatre-maker David Diamond joins Donna to talk about his life and work as one of Vancouver's most innovative artists. They discuss the foundations of the Headlines Theatre Co and its growth into the revolutionary Theatre for Living, as well as looking at the future of live performance in a post-viral society.