From a multitalented young man with fingers in all sorts of creative pies to actors who light up the stage, writers and directors who explore the human heart and mind and a designer who amazes and entertains, this year’s top stage artists gave audiences unforgettable theatrical memories.
Playwright/director
Given everything he does, you’d think 20-something Tannahill had several clones. He may have staged only one full production this year – writing and directing Concord Floral, a searching dramedy about the lives of suburban teens – but it had all the trademarks of his queer aesthetic and probing, inventive mind. A true multidisciplinary artist, he also choreographed a solo piece for Toronto Dance Theatre’s Christopher House and scooped up this year’s Governor General’s Literary Award in English drama, the John Hirsch Director’s Award and Buddies’ inaugural Emerging Artist Award. No question Tannahill is a Renaissance man who’ll be amazing audiences for decades to come.
Director
Dilworth’s talents as a director stretch from the classics to new works, and there’s always an intelligence and warmth to anything he has a hand in. He began this year with a sexy, intriguing production of The Country Wife, then in Minotaur helmed a look at myth in both classical and modern contexts. He returned to a well-known script with Twelve Angry Men, which included actors of colour from several generations, and finished 2014 with a thrilling staging of The De Chardin Project.
Actor
Duffy brings a wonderful vivacity and intelligence to her roles. A resident artist at Soulpepper, she created a series of memorable characters in works including a don’t-mess-with-me otherworldly figure in the revival of Angels In America and the put-upon Elmire in Tartuffe she was also a striking ensemble presence in Spoon River, Of Human Bondage and The Crucible. Duffy’s most thrilling part, though, was in Idiot’s Delight as the fascinating, sultry Irene, who seduced just about everyone onstage and in the audience.
Director
A veteran of the Toronto indie scene, Miner made a strong contribution to several of this year’s memorable shows. She first led a production of Ring ‘Round The Moon, the best version of that script I’ve seen. For the Fringe, Miner directed partner Mark Brownell‘s adaptation of Three Men In A Boat, which consistently sold out and later toured to Mumbai. Just recently, she brought warm, charming life to James And The Giant Peach and a revival of Bed And Breakfast, family shows that actually do what such productions should: speak to audiences of all ages.
Designer
A resident artist at Soulpepper, Savoini works in various aspects of theatre design, including sets, costumes and lighting. He scooped up a pair of Doras for his scenic design and lighting for Of Human Bondage, in which he made fascinating use of picture frames, and earlier in the year gave a sweeping staircase and perfect period costumes to Idiot’s Delight. His design work also returned to the Soulpepper stage in various remounts: The Crucible, Angels In America and Kim’s Convenience. He finished 2014 on another high note, with the surprises of a raised-box set and lighting for The De Chardin Project.
Actor/playwright
Any work by the talented Roy is a treat. In Free Outgoing, her riveting performance as a traditional, controlling Indian mother whose daughter’s video of a sexual indiscretion goes viral was upsetting and heartfelt. Later in the year she captured the feel of Kolkata’s daily life in her play Sultans Of The Street, which contrasts two pairs of siblings, one well off and the other orphaned beggars. Comic, touching and with an ending that suggests a better future without discounting the past’s pains, Roy’s script has all the richness we expect from this award-winning artist.
Actor
This year Chioran got to be wise, parental and scary. As a member of the Shaw Festival ensemble, he proved a terrifying yet fascinating MC in the company’s excellent production of Cabaret, which captured the dark, decadent and alarming qualities of Weimar-era Berlin he also brought a sense of dignity to a badly directed version of The Philadelphia Story. Back in Toronto, playing a gay health fanatic and family supporter in The Motherfucker With The Hat, Chioran gave a razor-sharp performance you couldn’t take your eyes off him.
Playwright/director
When does the prolific Sandler find time to do anything but write? This year she wrote, directed and produced three shows for her company, Theatre Brouhaha. All of them – Cockfight, Retreat and the award-winning Fringe hit Punch Up, for which NOW put her on the cover – resonated with her trademark sharp wit, a series of wacky characters who all seem rational to themselves and plenty of laughs for the audience. Not content to work on three shows, Sandler was also part of the Tarragon’s Playwrights Unit no doubt we’ll be seeing that show soon.
Actor/producer
As a member of and producer at Red One Theatre Collective, Armstrong’s been involved in several shows the company presented this year at the Storefront Theatre. But she’s a fab actor, too, as she proved in a pair of totally different performances there. First she played a malevolent, manipulative, shape-changing fairy with an uncomfortable interest in human children in The Skriker, and recently did a total about-face as the innocent, drunken Honey in Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?, not the usual mousy character but a woman with a quietly manipulative side and a touch of blood lust.
Actor/playwright/director
He may be soft-spoken, but never doubt Seinen’s perspicacious mind and inquiring queer sensibility. In the spring he was a quiet but important force in A God In Need Of Help, playing a teen who may actually be a Greek god and standing out in the midst of a cast of more seasoned actors. Then, as writer and director, Seinen wowed SummerWorks audiences with Unknown Soldier, based on the real-life story of Chelsea Manning, in which a whistle-blowing military figure questions personal identity and public morals while musing on homophobia, government secrets and Lady Gaga.
