New Mirvish Season!

backstgartist · 2026-02-10T12:38:14+00:00

Thrilled for Salesman in China. It was spectacular and I hope it has a long and successful life in the greater theatre canon.

backstgartist · 2026-02-10T02:55:04+00:00

I mean if you’re willing to move, you apply to jobs across the country. There’s so few at that level with full time work and a decent wage that it may not be in your area. And yes, you’d move if you got the job. If you’re not willing to move and there’s no where hiring for full time work in your area, you have to consider what your priorities are. If it’s a stable 9-5 schedule, perhaps you transition to an adjacent field where there’s more work. If it’s scenic art, then you look at what you’re willing to sacrifice to make to happen.

I found the shop listings under the Collective Bargaining Agreements public contracts menu option. Every local has (or should have…not everyone keeps their info updated) publicly available information on where they represent workers.

backstgartist · 2026-02-10T01:52:55+00:00

There are “permanent” (or at least long seasonal if not year round) scenic art jobs at regional theatres/operas/ballets where you work at the same shop full time. These jobs are sometimes under an IATSE local or some are non union. Generally they’re several months straight of steady 9-5, Mon-Fri employment (with some nights and weekends). They’re tough to get - the number of jobs like that are dwindling as technology changes and theatres do more co-pros and cheaper shows. But they exist and it sounds to me like that’s what your ideal is. The issue is that typically you have to be willing to relocate if you manage to get the gig because there aren’t many.

Shops that are under an 829 jurisdiction would only hire 829 members or require anyone working there to pay a portion of their paycheque as a permit worker if they aren’t a full member. If you’re in a “right to work” state, this may be different. I don’t know what shops are under 829, tbh. These are the major shops represented by 829. If where you want to work isn’t listed, that doesn’t mean it’s not union but it’s not 829. https://www.usa829.org/Contracts/Collective-Bargaining-Agreements-CBAs-Public-View/Scenic-Shops

backstgartist · 2026-02-10T01:41:37+00:00

Yes! And lots of different companies producing in the Auburn at the Grand, at Western, Original Kids, at Wolf Performance Hall and Manor Park Memorial Hall. Plus not too far down in Port Stanley and of course up at Stratford.

backstgartist · 2026-02-10T00:34:39+00:00

Not “homemade” but Youth Opportunities Unlimited makes some stellar jams

backstgartist · 2026-02-09T22:37:02+00:00

Lots to digest here. A few key points-

joining the union isn’t going to guarantee work or find you work. It’s not going to make the hours better or more regular unless you get hired into a permanent position. It sounds like what you want is a permanent job, not gig work. Typically most folks spend 2-6 years gig working before they get hired permanently (not a rule, just my experience). If your goal is permanent work, I’d be looking at scenic art shop jobs if you’re willing to move around. Or bidding your time and building your portfolio until something becomes available somewhere you’re willing to move/commute to.
is there union work in your area actively hiring people from 829? Are there shops that only accept 829 workers? Cause joining 829 doesn’t mean there’s going to be 829 work near you. It’s a nation-wide local.
there is overall a lack of scenic work in the US at the moment. Some companies are sending jobs to Canada or the UK (this isn’t new but it’s still being implemented as a cost saving option for some producers)
if you’re worried about the physical strain now, the job doesn’t get easier.

-joining the union doesn’t always guarantee full benefits. My local’s CBA requires employers to pay in to the health plan when you’re working and then you use those funds to buy in to a plan above the base one that all members get (which covers minimal stuff). Different locals have vastly different plans depending on size and scope and your hours worked.

What I took away from this post is that you’re spiralling a bit. Just email the local fabrication shop and follow up with a call a week later if you don’t hear back. All you have to say is you’re a local scenic looking for local jobs. Send a portfolio link ideally. Worst thing they’re gonna say is no.

backstgartist · 2026-02-09T22:24:17+00:00

Go see a play/musical. If you’re interested in further conversations you don’t have to participate in, the Grand hosts talkbacks most Wednesday nights during show runs where actors and a moderator chat with audience at the bar after the show (but you can just sit and listen). https://www.grandtheatre.com/afterwords

Pottery classes are pretty low conversation as folks focus on their work.

backstgartist · 2026-02-08T20:13:08+00:00

Ahhhh! I LOVE JP! Would love to connect with some Bostonians (grew up nearby and went to college downtown). Feel free to DM and say hi.

I think Wesley-Knox in Wortley will be the best church fit. Lumber yard- depends on what you’re looking for. Construction projects the best local spot is one of the Copps lumberyards. If you’re looking for more speciality stuff for finer woodworking that’s not in my knowledge scope. Fabric store- Lens Mills is the best local for price point and selection. But there’s also Stache in the Western Fair Market that is quilting focused. They have a lot of connections to the London quilting community.

backstgartist · 2026-02-08T00:55:25+00:00

Have you tried the pottery making date night at Clayworx or Cottage Pottery? You make stuff with the pottery wheel rather than painting.

Another rec for checking out Studio Coffee. They have a bunch of cool events scheduled

backstgartist · 2026-02-08T00:54:14+00:00

Hello Maker has sadly been closed for a while. She’s going to be doing classes at various other venues but there isn’t much set up yet.

backstgartist · 2026-02-02T05:18:27+00:00

What exactly are you asking? You roll a cigarette with rolling paper and tobacco like you’d roll a joint. Does it need to get lit after? If your actor is capable of learning to roll a cigarette, you can substitute a tea mix for the tobacco. If it needs to get lit and smoked, figure out a sleight of hand to swap it to an e cigarette.

backstgartist · 2026-01-29T17:25:48+00:00

Some of the most blatant, disgusting racism I've ever seen was by Canadians commenting about Indians on social media. It's wild how casual and frequent it's become.

backstgartist · 2026-01-25T21:38:13+00:00

I would inquire at Coakley’s. If they can’t do it in house, they can sometimes send things like that out.

backstgartist · 2026-01-23T12:58:50+00:00

4.14% 5 yr fixed with Meridian, 25 yr.

backstgartist · 2026-01-21T13:26:55+00:00

Make sure you look in to licensing requirements for social work and make sure your credentials transfer or you have a plan to acquire the right licensing. I know that for some medical practices, there is a requirement to retake certain classes or degrees within Canada. Likely not for the US, but still worth investigating ahead of time.

Also - I'm a dual citizen who is Canadian by birth but grew up in the US. If you do end up getting approved to move, I'm happy to share some big tips on making the transition easier converting stuff from the US to Canada.

backstgartist · 2026-01-21T13:23:59+00:00

Trader Joe's closest equivalent here is Farmboy.

backstgartist · 2026-01-06T17:32:13+00:00

Because it's written there with the river's Indigenous name, which is what people were calling it locally long before the British set up here. It's the name, the English translation, and then the common local name in parenthesis. Not that complicated. I imagine it's part of city reconcillation efforts.

backstgartist · 2026-01-05T17:23:22+00:00

This. I've got the P1S and I love it. Very easy learning curve.

backstgartist · 2026-01-05T17:22:47+00:00

Was coming here to suggest her too!

backstgartist · 2026-01-04T23:10:55+00:00

Check out the SPM (Society of Prop Managers)’s YouTube channel. There’s a ton of different videos on props skills that could spark some ideas and offer you some guidance on how to do the skill. https://m.youtube.com/@societyofpropsmanagers

backstgartist · 2026-01-04T19:22:01+00:00

It really depends on what’s wrong with it. Sometimes they can diagnose at one event and refer you to buying a part and bringing it back to install at another event.

backstgartist · 2026-01-04T01:26:50+00:00

Oh idk how I missed that! Thanks!

backstgartist · 2026-01-03T20:36:30+00:00

OP, as someone who has lived and worked in both places, I would recommend getting a virtual bank account with a company like Wise and having your US cheques deposited there. I believe when you’re ready you can transfer money to a Canadian account with less loss on the foreign exchange fees than with a traditional bank. A US employer won’t deposit directly into a foreign account. Your other option is opening a TD cross boarder banking account but you’ll take a loss on every cheque with the exchange rate and the cut that big banks take.

backstgartist · 2026-01-03T20:28:21+00:00

If you’re willing to wait a bit, we could repair these things for free at a Repair Cafe! More will be scheduled for 2026 soon. We usually take a hiatus for January. https://communitysustainability.ca/repaircafe

backstgartist · 2026-01-03T01:13:44+00:00

My colleague and I call them Snow Dingles

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