All posts by Jess Gillis

Jess is an East coast transplant to Toronto who stumbled into her love of theatre via her social media gig at Ballyhoo Push Pin Media, and stumbled into review writing via an open call to cover the 2015 Fringe Festival for MoT. In addition to writing for MoT, she also blogs about dating, white supremacy, fat politics, theatre, graphic design, and sex at thejessgillis.blogspot.com. She’s a self-taught freelance graphic designer by trade, and a visual artist by passion. She sells and displays her wares at jessgillis.com. She’s passionate about laughter, anti-oppression, sex workers’ rights, body positivity, vegan food, cycling, good TV, and swimming. If you want to follow her foodie, nail art, and pet sitting posts, you can follow her on Instagram and Twitter @TheJessGillis

Playlistings in Toronto for the week of March 26th

March 26, 2018 Jess Gillis

Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of March 26th, 2018

Toronto live theatre for the week of March 26th, 2018. This week’s selections feature narratives about sex, Indigenous dance, punk rock, and a new Mirvish show. Our Assistant Editor Jess is on hand with a few of her top picks in red. Check them out below the cut:

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PREVIEW: Finding Wolastoq Voice (Theatre New Brunswick)

March 20, 2018 Jess Gillis

Finding Wolastoq Voice is Indigenous artist and playwright Samaqani Cocahq (Natalie Sappier)’s debut work. The show’s tour makes a stop in Toronto from March 29-31, 2018 as part of the Indigenous Dance Showcase.

Hailing from Tobique First Nation, Samaqani’s personal journey deeply and directly inspired this work. We had the chance to ask her a few questions about this unique “dance-theatre hybrid performance that explores the personal discovery, identity and culture of a young Wolastoqiyik woman awakened by the voices of her ancestors.” See what she had to say after the cut:

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Cheap Theatre in Toronto the Week of March 20th, 2018

March 20, 2018 Jess Gillis 1 Comment

Five Shows Under $25 in Toronto this Week

Live theatre shows in Toronto with ticket prices of $25 or less, playing the week of March 20th, 2018. Perfect for the budget-conscious theatre-goer. This week’s selections feature many PWYC options, Queer Techno Opera, Norwegian folklore, and more! Check them out below the cut:

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Playlistings in Toronto for the week of March 19th

March 19, 2018 Jess Gillis

Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of March 19th, 2018

This week’s selections feature Queer Techno Opera, a performative meal, and Norwegian folklore. There is much to choose from, so here to help you chose is our Editor Lin, with a few of her top picks in red. Check them out below the cut:

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Review: Artifice (Oakham Community Theatre / Native Earth)

March 15, 2018 Jess Gillis

ARTIFICE hits Toronto’s Aki Studio with four plays in one

Reading the description of Oakham Community Theatre‘s Artifice, on stage now at Aki Studio, I was instantly intrigued: “ARTIFICE explores that infinitesimal edge between real and unreal. Human nature is to lie, to dissemble – from the masks we wear with loved ones, to the deepest secrets we keep from ourselves… it may be the nature of truth to hide from view”

I’ve been grappling with my own questions of truth, authenticity, and self-awareness and was hoping for some insight, relatability, or even some good questions to take home and mull over. Perhaps my expectations were too great. Unfortunately, my companions Caryhn and Yossie came away from tonight exactly as I did: puzzled, underwhelmed, and a bit exhausted.

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