Local News
Winnipeg’s first lady of independent theatre takes her leave
By MYRON LOVE Kayla Gordon may have taken her last curtain call as the artistic director of Winnipeg Studio Theatre – which she founded 15 years ago – but that doesn’t mean that she is leaving the Winnipeg theatrical scene any time soon.
“This is a big step for me,” says Gordon who also served two terms as artistic director of the Winnipeg Jewish Theatre. “I simply believe that it is time for new blood. I will still be involved in theatre but without the full-time responsibility of running a professional theatre company. I plan to continue working with our StudioWorks Academy program under the direction of her colleague Brenda Gorlick, helping to develop emerging talent in our city.I still plan to be available on an independent contract basis directing theatre productions and special events or fundraising activities in the community.”
Gordon has been involved in theatre since she was 12 years old. “I have always loved theatre,” she notes. “As a kid, I was always telling stories and putting together plays and shows with friends.” Putting people in a room together to bring those stories to life is what fuelled her for over 40 years.
She studied acting through the Manitoba Theatre Workshop, currently Prairie Theatre Exchange’s acting school and graduated from the University of Winnipeg’s theatre program with a master’s degree in theatre and education. As a teacher, she taught high school drama teacher for twelve years at West Kildonan Collegiate, during which time she founded the Manitoba Drama Educators’ Association and the annual Manitoba Drama Youth Festival. She also taught acting and musical theatre at the University of Winnipeg for eighteen years as well as teaching at the University of Manitoba, PTE and Manitoba Theatre for Young People.
As an actor over a period of 20 years, she regularly appeared in Rainbow Stage productions as well as MTC and other local stages.
Over time, however, she found herself becoming more interested in working behind the scenes as a director. She was to become the Winnipeg Jewish Theatre’s second artistic director succeeding WJT founder Bev Aronovitch.
Following her time at WJT, Gordon observes that regional theatres were not hiring many young female theatre director in the city at the time. “I concluded that if I wanted to work as a producer and director, I would have to create my own projects, and so I started Winnipeg Studio Theatre” (WST).
“As with other smaller local theatres such as Dry Cold Productions, Sarasvati, and Shakespeare in the Ruins, at WST, we focus on smaller productions – in our case, cutting edge plays and musicals – that the mainstage theatres aren’t producing.”
The WST’s first few stage productions, Hair, Altar Boyz, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Hersteria, she notes, were performed at the Fringe Festival. Subsequent WST shows – mostly performed at the Warehouse – have included such productions as Avenue Q, Godspell, Pippin, School of Rock, My Mother’s Lesbian, Jewish, Wiccan Wedding and, most recently in 2019, Reefer Madness.
Gordon is equally proud of the growing number of young emerging artists who have had roles in WST productions and have been part of the StudioWorks training wing. Many who have been able to make a go of it professionally and appeared in Broadway productions include Alexandra Frohlinger (Soul Doctor/Broadway), Samantha Hill (Phantom of the Opera/Broadway), Jaz Sealey (Aladdin/Broadway), Andrea Macasaet (Six/Broadway), and Nyk Bielak (Book of Mormon/Broadway).
Throughout the Covid pandemic Gordon notes, StudioWorks classes continued via Zoom and new opportunities opened up as WST was able to get the rights to Be More Chill, also co-producing an original musical online with a theatre group in Riverside, California.
Stepping down from her responsibilities with WST will also allow Gordon to devote more time to her other passion – photography – she recently co-authored a coffee table book – “The Murals of Winnipeg” with photographer Keith Levit (the story can be found on www.jewishpostandnews.ca) – a fundraiser for Take Pride Winnipeg, with 80 pages of photos, and which sold out in two weeks.
Then there are also the four grandchildren with which she can spend more time
The position of WST artistic director is now open to applicants; Gordon points out. Readers who are interested in applying or who know someone else who is interested can email studiotheatre@shaw.ca for more information.
Local News
Sid Green – famed labour lawyer, one of the first Jewish provincial cabinet ministers, and first director of BB Camp – passes at age 97
By BERNIE BELLAN Sid Green, whose name was well known in so many different circles in Manitoba, passed away on Sunday, June 7, at the age of 97.
Green was perhaps best known as one of three Jewish Members of the Legislature who became cabinet ministers in the first ever NDP government in Manitoba, which came to power in 1969 under the leadership of Ed Schreyer. (The other two Jewish members who became cabinet ministers were the late Saul Cherniack and the late Saul Miller.)
Green, who had first been elected as an MLA in 1962 representing the riding of Inkster, led a challenge to then-NDP leader Russ Paulley in 1968, which eventually led to Paulley resigning as leader. The subsequent leadership race saw Green, who was only 39 at the time, facing off against a 32-year-old Ed Schreyer.
Although Green and Schreyer were later to part ways over a number of issues – especially over the issue of aid to private schools, Green and Schreyer were actually good friends.
In fact, Ed Schreyer, who is now 90, spoke at Green’s funeral, which was held Tuesday, June 9, at the Chesed Shel Emes (with interment following at the Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery).
In his early years, Sid Green was a very active member of the YMHA on Albert Street, serving as president of the house council for several years. A fierce athlete, Green competed in basketball and volleyball at the Y. At the age 50 he took up ice hockey – and was known for his fierce competitiveness. He was to serve on the board of directors of the YMHA for many years, right up until its closing in 1997.
Green was also the quarterback for the University of Manitoba law school football team during the 1940s – and led them to two school championships. In a 2019 interview I conducted with Green about his early years at the YMHA, he noted that he was the only 5’6″ 150 pound quarterback in the inter-faculty league.
In 1952 Green became the first director of BB Camp, which had just moved to Town Island from Sandy Hook.
Also in 1952, Green graduated from the U of M law school, winning the gold medal in law that year.
He went on to become one of Manitoba’s most successful labour lawyers, subsequently pairing with another famed labour lawyer, Leon Mitchell, later to be joined by Sam Minuk (who was to become a provincial court judge) in what became the firm of Mitchell, Green & Minuk.
During his time as a labour lawyer, Green often represented employers – which might seem a little surprising for someone who went by the moniker “labour lawyer.” But Green was staunchly opposed to entrenching laws such as anti-scab legislation or secret ballot voting to unionize. He thought it important to represent any client, no matter how much he might have disagreed with that client’s position and because he was so skillful in arguing a case, he was much sought after by employers to represent them in labour disputes.
He was so respected as a lawyer, moreover, that he was often asked to represent other lawyers in cases before the courts.
Green was also a committed Zionist and extremely proud of his Jewish roots. Although not a religious man, during his many years at the Y – first on Albert Street, then later on Hargrave, Green was involved in developing many Jewish cultural programs.
In days to come we will have much more about the life of Sid Green. In the meantime, if you want to watch a video interview I did with Sid about his experiences at the Y on Albert Street, you can go to Sid Green reminisces.
Sid Green was predeceased by his wife Shleema in 2009 and is survived by his five children: Arthur, MIndy, Cathy, Sharon, and Marty, as well as 15 grandchildren.
Local News
The Jewish Post Ltd.’s brand new website
Click here to be taken to our new website featuring foods you can find on Facebook Marketplace
Local News
First year medical student Tim Rozovsky founds new association for local Jewish medical students
By MYRON LOVE In the face of a concerning surge in antisemitism over the past nearly three years, I am happy to report a good news story in that regard. Tim Rozovsky, the founder of the new Jewish Medical Students’ Association of Manitoba, reports that he and his fellow Jewish students enrolled in the University of Manitoba’s Max Rady College of Medicine are not experiencing any significant issues involving antisemitism.
Hopefully, the matter of the notorious Med school Valedictorian who used his podium to attack Israel was a one-off.
“My goal in forming the Jewish Medical Students’ Association of Manitoba,” says the first year medical student, “was to create a safe, supportive environment for my fellow Jewish medical students.”
He reports that the current first year class at the school has eight Jewish students – an increase over more recent years – with maybe a dozen more in the other years.
For a new medical student, Rozovsky already has an impressive resume. He was born in Russia and grew up in Israel. After the completion of his army service in 2018, the then-22-year-old rejoined his parents, Dr. Katya and Alexander, who had moved to Winnipeg a few years before.
Prior to coming to Winnipeg, Rozovsky had completed a personal trainer program out of The Academic College at Wingate in Jerusalem. Some readers may know the young man from his work as a Master Personal Trainer at the Rady JCC.
Shortly after arriving here, he enrolled in a kinesiology program at the University of Winnipeg. He graduated with a BKin Honours in 2023 and did post graduate work at the University of Manitoba. Last fall, he received his MSc in Physiology and Pathophysiology – earning two gold medals, along with 32 awards and scholarships in the process.
Rozovsky says that it was his mother who inspired him to pursue a career in medicine. Dr. Katya Rozovsky is an associate professor at the University of Manitoba and an attending radiologist, specializing in pediatric diagnostic imaging.
(Tim also adds that his wife, Irina Gelzin, whom he married about a year ago, is training to be a nurse.)
Insofar as the Jewish Medical Students’ Association of Manitoba is concerned, Rozovky reports that the group gets together multiple times a year. One of its programs was a joint Chanukah celebration with the Jewish Physicians Association of Manitoba.
There was also a joint program with the Christian Medical and Dental Students’ Association of Manitoba.
“More recently, we have been helping prospective Jewish medical students with their applications,” he says. “Hopefully we will be able to get together over the summer with the incoming Jewish students.”
As to his own future plans, Rozovsky notes that it is too early for him to be deciding on a specialty. “My goal,” he says, “is to work hard and get good grades and become the best doctor that I can be.”
