The Sunday Feature: Rebecca Singh

From Cheerleader to Cowgirl

Former Montrealer Rebecca Singh may have the right formula for the Montreal artist-entrepreneur in all of us: diversification

by David King

It's not often that CharPo gets to explore the lives of  "ex-pat", English-language Montreal artists who've left town to pursue their career elsewhere. But then, actress and producer Rebecca Singh has never truly left.

"I miss the people," says the Dawson grad of our island life. "I miss the humane pace, the french, the joie de vivre and the freedom. For me, it's important to work on new projects as well as the feeling that I'm making a difference. That's what drew me to Montreal from Edmonton - and also took me away from it."

Now Toronto-based, Singh has always been rather unique in her ability to generate new projects in her off-time as an actress. The Artistic Producer behind the Montreal All-Star Cheerleaders, her refuge in girl-power ensembles and Montreal choirs like Choeur Maha continues in Toronto these days, where she's managed to muster up an equally fun, silly choir devoted to cowgirls. After moving to Toronto a few years ago, Singh was fortunate to get involved in various internships at companies like Canadian Stage Company and Nightswimming, the latter of which gave her the opportunity to explore her interest in another historic ensemble: the theatre chorus.

Singh's choir cowgirl hat is partially hung up this week for her new role as an Associate Producer at Toronto's all-star fest, Luminato.

"I've been basically looking at how a chorus of 20 actors can portray one actor," describes Singh, "and how that 20-person chorus can express an emotion or tell a joke, for example." 

Following some studies in Germany with a chorus specialist, Singh put together a "choral manifesto" at last year's Summerworks in Toronto, assembling some big-name artists to create a voice for artistic practice and the importance of survival as an artist. Now booked into North by Northeast, a big Toronto music showcase, Singh's choir cowgirl hat is partially hung up this week for her new role as an Associate Producer at Toronto's all-star fest, Luminato. 

"A year ago I applied to Obsidian Theatre's mentorship program," Singh recalls, "which is aimed at theatre artists and designers who want to get more experience. Because I was already doing a bit of work with Luminato as a driver, I proposed to Obsidian that I do a fellowship at Luminato over the course of this year, looking at curating."

Singh is now among the first groups of people creating high-standard, audio descriptions of not only theatre pieces, but visual art installations as well.

Not surprisingly, since starting at Luminato last September, entirely new projects have emerged at Luminato this year thanks to Singh thinking outside of the box. In February, Singh was given two enormous tasks: the role of Lunchtime Conversations Series Coordinator, and more recently, the coordination of her own pilot program - the first-ever audio description work at the festival aimed for the visually impaired. For her pilot project proposal, Singh first tapped into discussions with Luminato curator and Associate Producer of Visual Arts and Public Installations Robert VanderBerg. The goal was to apply her skills from Picasso Pro, a top specialist in audio description. Having already created audio description at Toronto's Tarragon Theatre, Singh is now among the first groups of people creating high-standard, audio descriptions of not only theatre pieces, but visual art installations, as well..

"The people Picasso Pro trained for this are a small group in Canada," Singh comments, "and were trained specifically for Cultural Olympiad as one of the requirements for the IOC. There are other companies who do this, but this is really at the highest level of training"

Audio description, says Singh, is one way of broadening the accessibility of the work that gets put out.

As Singh adds, there's an increase in producers bringing work into non-traditional spaces, these days, and accessibility is starting to become a  standard issue for the public. Audio description, says Singh, is one way of broadening the accessibility of the work that gets put out, along with sign-language in theatres, special equipment, and evenings dedicated to the visually impaired.

"The audio describer provides a verbal description of what you see," says Singh, "to give everyone the same experience. You usually arrive 15 minutes to a half hour early to get a full description of what's on stage, and background / programme information. During the show itself, the audio describer tells you the action that's happening, which can have varying levels of complexities, especially, if you can imagine, physical comedy and clown. And yet you want to give the opportunity for the visually impaired audience member to laugh and enjoy the comedy like the rest of the audience".

Singh's a pretty good example of taking life into your own hands as an artist.

Now applying her newly acquired skills to visual and performance art installations at Luminato, Singh hopes her pilot project will further expand at the festival next year, particularly as digital audio descriptions become increasingly accessible through cell phones and MP3 players. In the company of other Montrealers at Luminato this year (musicians Marco Calieri and TRIPLETS OF BELLEVILLE's Beast, blind poet John Asfour, and fashion icon Denis Gagnon to name a few), Singh notes that families in attendance can enter their own "Fam-Jam" videos for a trip to Pop! Montreal this Fall. 

"I sometimes doubt that the values that I have are the values of the general public."

Singh's a pretty good example of taking life into your own hands as an artist.

"I sometimes doubt that the values that I have are the values of the general public," says Singh. "And that has really taken me over the years from city to city and across the ocean, while people look at me funny and ask me 'why are you interested in that?'. But as a performer, I'm not only interested in professional development, but the audience perspective itself."

On her way back to Montreal this June for a visit, I ask Singh if she has any advice to emerging Montreal artists, so we can, ahem, keep them here.

"Start working in both languages," says Singh, it's the most practical thing to do. In my experience, diversifying has been directly linked to any success I have had, and continues to motivate me. I think everything else will come as second nature,  like working with friends and just being dedicated to your artistry." 

Luminato takes place June 10 - 19 at various locations in Toronto. If you're visiting, have a look at the web site for all the details.