Samantha is both a writer and a fan of the arts and has been able to find numerous ways to pair the two. Aside from being an editor here at Mooney on Theatre, she's a photojournalist for Been Here Done That, a travel, dining and tourism blog that focuses on Toronto and abroad and previously for Lithium Magazine, which got her writing and shooting about everything from Dave Matthews Band to Fan Expo. She's passionate about music, theatre, photography, writing, and celebrating sexuality -- not necessarily in that order. She drinks tea more than coffee, prefer ciders over beers, and sings karaoke way too loudly. You can follow her on various social media including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Madam Mao tells the story of Jiang Qing, the final wife of Chairman Mao Zedong, who became the first First Lady of China. She played a fundamental part in China’s Cultural Revolution using her background in film and theatre to stage propaganda works in order to alter China’s political and cultural views. Upon Chairman Mao’s death, Jiang Qing was arrested and charged for crimes against humanity during the Revolution. Azure River’s production playing at this year’s SummerWorks Festival offers a glimpse into Jiang Qing’s life during her 15 years in prison.
The Bull, the Moon and the Coronet of Stars, playing at this year’s SummerWorks Festival, is a sexually charged story of an illicit affair woven through with Greek mythos. It’s a minimalist performance physically — with only two actors, a simple set, and a single prop to speak of. But what this show lacks in items, it makes up in one strong and dynamic performance, one that leaves the audience silently screaming “dammit just kiss already!”
The percussion collective Maracatu Baque de Bamba is a locally based troupe that perform Maracatu music in public Toronto spaces from Queen Street to Kensington Market and wherever people will listen. The rhythms are distinctively Afro-Brazilian and hearken to a time of slave liberation. At this year’s SummerWorks Festival, Baque de Bamba bring their stories and their rhythms to Toronto audiences in MARACATU YOU! Prepare to dance.
The AMY Project is an arts education and mentorship project that pairs young women across the GTA with professionals in theatre and performance arts. For this year’s SummerWorks Festival, the young ladies have worked tirelessly to bring Transfusions to the festival’s audiences.
He Left Quietly is the factual testimonial of Duma Joshua Kumalo, a South African black man wrongfully accused of murder. After spending several weeks on death row, with only half a day left before he’s to face the gallows, Duma is granted a stay of execution. Playing at this year’s SummerWorks Festival, Theatre Hetaerae‘s production is visceral and raw.
Madam Mao tells the story of Jiang Qing, the final wife of Chairman Mao Zedong, who became the first First Lady of China. She played a fundamental part in China’s Cultural Revolution using her background in film and theatre to stage propaganda works in order to alter China’s political and cultural views. Upon Chairman Mao’s death, Jiang Qing was arrested and charged for crimes against humanity during the Revolution. Azure River’s production playing at this year’s SummerWorks Festival offers a glimpse into Jiang Qing’s life during her 15 years in prison.
