The Upstage Interview: Danielle-Ariel Caddell-Malenfant

There aren’t many people doing this in Montreal. It seemed to me a niche existed.

Upstage Contributor Alison Louder spoke with Artistic Director Danielle-Ariel Caddell-Malenfant about Beyond The Mountain Launch. Below is an abridged version of the interview, edited by Estelle Rosen, CharPo Editor-in-Chief.

UPSTAGE

Beyond The Mountain is a new not-for-profit theatre company. Their mission is to use methods of new technology and live performances to internationally disseminate works by Montreal artists while bringing new productions from around the world to Montreal. Their launch begins by funding two productions: my pregnant brother by Johanna Nutter at  the Minnesota Fringe Festival and Paradise Lost by Paul Van Dyk at the Association of Performing Arts Presenters conference in New York. Congratulations! You’re new to this Artistic Director role. I know you’ve been Stage Managing for a few years; graduated from John Abbott Technical Program for Theatre. You’ve had lots of experience behind the scenes and working with actors. What made you want to start a company of your own and take on Artistic Director; that’s a huge bite.

CADDELL-MALENFANT

Very different from being a Stage Manager! I had produced 2 shows, and liked producing. A few years ago, I met this woman who wrote a play, started her own production company,  brought it to Minnesota, New York, Montreal and Toronto. It got me thinking.  It hadn’t occurred to me you could just decide to bring a work to the U.S. Of course there are work permit issues, but it’s worth it. People are very welcoming and excited to see what’s going on in Canada. There aren’t many people doing this in Montreal. It seemed to me a niche existed. It happens I had worked with Paul Van Dyk before, so asked what he thought about bringing his show to New York.

It’s about bringing Montreal outside, showing what we can do.

UPSTAGE

He had received rave reviews in New York for his show; good idea to bring it back. What about Johanna, has she toured the show?

CADDELL-MALENFANT

She’s touring it right now. In fact will be coming to Minnesota from Vancouver.  I know it’ll go over well in Minnesota –  have been there several times. They like people stories. 

UPSTAGE

In future do you expect to produce original works – if so – what kind of works and will they be from international companies?

CADDELL-MALENFANT

Yes I do plan to produce original works.  They have to be from Montreal.  It’s about bringing Montreal outside, showing what we can do. Coming up will be Now And At The Hour coming in from San Francisco.  I  saw the show two years ago, it was awesome, I loved it.  Once I decided what I wanted to do was bring in shows from outside, got in touch with him.

I found out that in fact someone wants to do a documentary on the play so we’re going to show the trailer at the launch. He takes the real story of his life, how he became a magician, his relationship with his father and puts magic in it. Not the David Copperfield type magic. For  him, magic is memories, where we go in our minds.  He uses a lot of antique props, the Rialto stage will be perfect.

Then at 9:30 burlesque, stand up comedians, and dirty opera. We’ve got a great mixture of people. We wanted it to be as many different forms of art as possible.

UPSTAGE

Speaking about the Rialto where your fundraiser/launch will be presented on Tuesday,  there are many different acts; from burlesque to standup to folk rock to jazz 

CADDELL-MALENFANT

From 7-9 it’s family friendly. Often people feel they can’t bring their kids to theatre events. This way they can. Then at 9:30 burlesque, stand up comedians, and dirty opera. We’ve got a great mixture of people. We wanted it to be as many different forms of art as possible.

UPSTAGE

How far do you see this company going? How much of an opportunity for original creations are you hoping that this company is going to foster to future productions, maybe co-productions between Montreal artists and international artists?

CADDELL-MALENFANT

The sky’s the limit. In the works now is a 30 minute podcast. Musical guest  special guests from any form of art; just working out details now -  international dissemination doesn’t mean just bringing shows there. Podcast is a great way of getting the word out. 

Beyond The Mountain

Launch: Tues. July 5 Rialto Theatre