The story behind those amazing Spotlight Series shows

If you’re a Playhouse regular, you’ve probably seen the promotions for our Spotlight Series shows throughout the season.

But do you know the story behind this series and how we find and choose the performers?

The Spotlight Series, previously the ‘@thePlayhouse Series,’ was first presented in 2001 to offer a wide variety of performing arts from both around the globe and right here on the East Coast. We wanted to bring to Fredericton some of the most exciting internationally acclaimed ensembles, as well as give up-and-coming artists a stage. We were also intent on showcasing inspiring theatre pieces and cultural performances in order to give our community the opportunity to see acts that wouldn’t normally put Fredericton on their tour.

We still have that mission front and centre. In fact, we make many of our Spotlight shows each season ‘Pay What You Will’ performances, so that everyone in our community is able to learn and be entertained together, no matter their circumstances. We believe it’s an important part of a vibrant and strengthened community.

The person who makes all of this possible is Playhouse Programs Manager, Lesandra Dodson.

Lesandra joined the Fredericton Playhouse in 2019 with over 20 years of experience in performing arts. She’s an acclaimed dancer and choreographer, having earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Winnipeg and the professional program at the School of Contemporary Dancers. After dancing all over the world and being exposed to renowned choreographers while she was at Le Groupe Dance Lab in Ottawa, and other Canadian companies, she turned her focus to her own choreography. She is a founding member of the Trip Dance Company in Winnipeg and later TILT sound + motion in Toronto.

“Although I love dancing, I felt more at home behind the curtain helping others perform at their best. I love the collaborative spirit of working with other artists.”

Lesandra, her husband and two kids moved to Fredericton, which is ‘back home’ for him. Lesandra brought that collaborative energy with her, creating an after-school program out of her home, continuing to produce works as an independent dance artist, then taking on the role of executive director of the Charlotte Street Arts Centre and later teaching in the Fine Arts Department at St. Thomas University. She also met an artistic partner in Lisa Anne Ross, with whom she formed ‘the coop,’ a company that mentors emerging theatre artists as they research and develop performance-based work.

When she was offered the opportunity to join the Playhouse team and develop programming of all genres, Lesandra jumped. “This job is perfect for me, and I was excited at the opportunity to use my network to bring interesting, high-quality performers to New Brunswick.”

 And that she has.

From Ukrainian quartet DakhaBrahka to the Harlem Gospel Choir to Namaste India to Ballet Edmonton, Lesandra lines up music, dance, theatre, comedy, circus and all kinds of shows normally only found at big city venues. She also makes sure to showcase closer-to-home talent with performers like Jeremy Dutcher, Morgan Toney and Mary Walsh, among many others.

Lining up such a diverse array of performances like this isn’t as easy as picking up the phone. Lesandra travels to art markets and showcases around the world to search out up-and-coming and headline talent. She recently returned from the MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE, where she attended showcases representing many different countries.

And this month she’s headed across the pond to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe – the largest arts and culture event in the world.

“It’s really exciting to see so many performances in a short time. I’m going as part of the CAPACOA (Canadian Association for the Performing Arts) group which has a special Edinburgh Fringe Festival Cultural mission this year.  I applied for a spot on the tour and was selected as the person to represent Atlantic Canada. All of us on the mission will see as many of the shows as possible and meet up with our notes to compare. Working strategically and collaboratively, we’ll be able to bring lots of talent to Canada for tours to our theatres.”

If you think that sounds amazing and also overwhelming, you’re right.

“At these festivals and markets, we see everything from the smallest show to multi-cast productions, in everything from ballet to comedy to music of all kinds. It is a little overwhelming. But it’s also incredible. I just love it. I love being able to bring these performances to our beautiful little corner of the world.”

Lesandra says she’s looking forward to the opening of the new Performing Arts Centre in Fredericton and is already planning for it.

“There are so many works that I’d like to be able to program but that require either a larger venue or a smaller one. The Main Hall stage will open up opportunities for us for larger circus and dance shows and musical theatre. And the smaller Theatre will allow us to host more intimate work where you really need to be close to the performer to get the full experience. Having a huge, bright lobby space too – that will be a game changer for opening up the magic we can offer to the community.”

Now you know the magic behind the program.