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
Thank you to the community from the Chesed Shel Emes
We’re delighted to share a major milestone in our Capital Campaign, “Building on our Tradition.” Launched in November 2018, this campaign aimed to replace our outdated facility with a modern space tailored to our unique needs. Our new building is designed with ritual at its core, featuring ample preparation space, Shomer space, and storage, creating a warm and welcoming environment for our community during times of need.
We’re grateful to the nearly 1,000 generous donors who contributed over $4 million towards our new facility. A $750,000 mortgage will be retired in November 2025, completing this monumental project in just seven years.
We’re also thrilled to announce that our Chesed Shel Emes Endowment Fund has grown tenfold, from $15,000 to $150,000, thanks to you, the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba’s FundMatch program, and Million Dollar Match initiative in 2024. Our fund helps ensure that everyone can have a dignified Jewish funeral regardless of financial need.
As we look to the future, our goal remains to ensure the Chevra Kadisha continues to serve our community for generations to come. Our focus now shifts to replenishing our savings account and growing our JFM Endowment fund.
We’re deeply grateful for your support over the past several years.
It’s our privilege to serve our community with care and compassion.
With sincere appreciation,
Campaign cabinet: Hillel Kravetsky, Gerry Pritchard, Stuart Pudavick,
Jack Solomon, and Rena Boroditsky
Murray S. Greenfield, President
Local News
Winnipeg Beach Synagogue about to celebrate 75th anniversary
By BERNIE BELLAN (July 13) In 1950 a group of cottage owners at Winnipeg Beach took it upon themselves to relocate a one-room schoolhouse that was in the Beausejour area to Winnipeg Beach where it became the beach synagogue at the corner of Hazel and Grove.
There it stayed until 1998 when it was moved to its current location at Camp Massad.
On August 2nd members of the synagogue will be holding a 75th anniversary celebration.
As part of the celebration anyone who is a descendant or relative of any of the original members of the first executive committee (as seen in the photo here) is invited to attend the synagogue that morning.
If you are a relative please contact Abe Borzykowski at wpgbeachshule@shaw.ca or aborzykowski@shaw.ca to let Abe know you might be attending or for more information about the 75th anniversary celebration.
We will soon be publishing a story about the history of the beach synagogue, which is something I’ve been writing about for over 25 years.
Local News
Vickar Family cuts ribbon on new Tova Vickar and Family Childcare Centre
By MYRON LOVE In the words of Larry Vickar, the Shaarey Zedek’s successful Dor V’ Dor Campaign “is not only a renewal of the synagogue but truly a renewal movement of Jewish life in our community.”An integral part of that renewal movement was the creation of a daycare centre within the expanded synagogue. On Monday, June 23, Larry and Tova Vickar cut the ribbon, thereby officially opening the Tova Vickar and Family Childcare Centre in the presence of 100 of their family members, friends and other supporters of the project.
The short program preceding the morning ribbon-cutting began with a continental breakfast followed by a welcome by both Fanny Levy, Shaarey Zedek’s Board President, and Executive Director Dr. Rena Secter Elbaze. In Elbaze’s remarks, she noted that Larry and Tova wanted their family (including son Stephen and family, who flew in from Florida) and friends at the event to celebrate the opening of the Tova Vickar and Family Childcare Centre, “not because of the accolades, but because, as Larry put it, he hopes that their investment in the congregation will inspire others to do the same.”
“When Larry and I spoke about what this gift meant to him and the message he wanted people to take away,” she continued, “I couldn’t help but connect it to the teachings of Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi whose book – Age-ing to Sage-ing – changes the whole way we look at the concept of ageing and basing it on our ancestral teachings.”
She explained that his concept of “Sage-ing” is based on three key ideas – Discover your meaning and purpose; accept our mortality and think about the legacy you want to leave.
“Larry spoke about these exact concepts when we met,” she said.
Elbaze also noted the presence of Shaarey Zedek’s newly-arrived senior Rabbi Carnie Rose, former Rabbi Alan Green, and area MLAs Mike Moroz and Carla Compton.
Larry Vickar expressed his great appreciation for all those in attendance. “Tova and I are deeply moved to stand here with you today for this important milestone in our community”, he said. “We are grateful to be surrounded by all of you, the people we care about, our family and friends… you who have touched our lives and played some part in our journey.”