Photo of Holly Hebert

Holly Hebert

Current Contributor

Holly (she/her) is a theatre artist with a passion for analyzing theatre in order to see it grow. She has previously written for DARTcritics.com, Intermission Magazine, and has been a participant in two installments of the New Young Reviewers program with Toronto Fringe. Being Kingston-raised, Holly loves the opportunity to engage with the theatre community in the city. If you have any questions or comments about the blog, email editor@kingstontheatre.ca.

Articles by Holly

Poster for 'Total Eclipse of the Arts'. Animation of the moon partially covering the sun with a QR code in the middle.

‘Solar Eclipse of the Arts’: Merging Science and Theatre

  • Interview
  • Queen's University

The prompt: write a play about solar eclipses.  The students of Queen’s University (QU)’s DRAM 251 class were tasked with this in their 2023 fall semester. 24 plays were written as a result and seven have gone on to be dramaturged by the students of QU’s DRAM 339 class this 2024 winter semester. But the collaboration doesn’t end here. The seven plays will have staged readings tomorrow, March 25th, 2024 as […]

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Logo for the Kingston Theatre Alliance.

Job Opening: Theatre Critic

  • Kingston Theatre Alliance
  • Review

The Performance Blog is a primary resource for audience members, artistic collaboration, critical dialogue, and theatre practitioners. Our platform consolidates events, news, artists, and organizations in the Southeastern Ontario area in an accessible and accountable manner that the region has never seen before. Led by the Editor, the writing team is looking for passionate individuals who are committed to questioning who and what criticism is FOR, all while building a stronger sector for live performance in the region.

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Poster for Birdbone Theatre's 'Broom Dance'. It includes the company, title of show, location, date, and website.

Finding Light Within the Shadows: ‘Broom Dance’

  • Birdbone Theatre
  • Review

The sweeping spectacle returns! Birdbone Theatre’s Broom Dance was reviewed last year by Haley Sarfeld and has made its way back to the stage after further workshopping and the incorporation of a new collaborator. As beautifully crafted shadow puppetry, the play follows a few different storylines that explore Slavic, Italian, and Polish folklore. Curated by Aleksandra Bragoszewska, Alison Gowan, and Ekaterina with compositions by Gowan and Ekaterina, Broom Dance bewitches […]

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A large choir is on a stage. In front of them is a harpist, flutist, violinist, chellist, and conductor. A man sits on a red chair on the stage reading.

‘Considering Matthew Shepard’ and Its Beautiful Complexities

  • Isabel Voices
  • Review

Incredible. 

Considering Matthew Shepard by Craig Hella Johnson, for all its complexity, can simply be described as a masterpiece. Performed by The Isabel Voices, the three-part oratorio is an astounding feat. 

As I’ve sat down to write this review, I’ve been struggling with where to start. I’m fervent about giving this performance the praise it deserves yet the intricacies of an oratorio and the accompanying musical vernacular feel unfamiliar to me. However, the story on which Considering Matthew Shepard is based is one the Kingston Theatre Alliance, and myself, feel passionate towards reviewing.

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Photo of Stephanie Fung. They wear a green jacket and have their arms above their head.

“Less of a Title, More of a Responsibility”: Stephanie Fung on Theatre Criticism

  • Artist
  • Interview

In early February, I sat down with Stephanie Fung, previous editor of the Kingston Theatre Alliance (KTA)’s Performance Blog to ask what’s up with them?!  I met Steph in the summer of 2021, and was immediately drawn in by their simultaneously cool and perceptive nature. They were a mentor for me as I was learning more about theatre criticism in Toronto Fringe’s New Young Reviewers (NYR) Program, and we stayed […]

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Poster for Queens Theatre Troupe's production of 'The Anger in Ernest and Ernestine'. Hands are compiled together to appear like a brain. The title, playwrights, director, producer, dates, and company are noted.

The Tea About Ernest and Ernestine

  • Queens Theatre Troupe
  • Review

From the moment I walked in the room, my heart started doing little flips. Everything is pink. Pink chairs, pink table, pink carpet, pink coat rack, the list goes on.  Within the walls of Theological Hall’s Room 106, Queens Theatre Troupe (QTT) has set the stage for their second-ever production: The Anger in Ernest and Ernestine by Robert Morgan, Leah Cherniak, and Martha Ross, and directed by Victoria J Marmulak.  […]

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A large "k" appears on the left in green and purple. Next to it reads "Kingston Theatre Alliance"

Job Opening: Associate Artistic Producer

  • Kingston Theatre Alliance
  • Review

Job Description The Associate Artistic Producer acts as the second and primary collaborator to the Artistic Producer, and will collaborate on organization administration, scheduling and operations, document and/or policy refinement / creation, grant writing, strategic planning, human resources as well as proposing initiatives that develop both organization and the regional theatre  sector. This is a contract leadership position with potential to shift to employee position in 2024. Key Relationships Responsibilities […]

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Phil Perrin, Judy Tetlow, and Harold Potter performing in 'A Bench in the Sun'.

Canes and Comedy: ‘A Bench in the Sun’

  • Domino Theatre
  • Review

Have you ever been curious to follow two childhood friends into their retirement home? Well, now you can. Kind of.   Ron Clark’s A Bench in the Sun is a tale of two old friends who now live in a seniors’ home together. Every morning they meet on their bench in the sun and discuss life’s tumults and vexes with the other. Dialogue is endless and quarrels are persistent as the […]

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Performance of 'La Bulle'. Photo in black and white.

Bubbling with Magic: ‘La Bulle’

  • Festival
  • Kick & Push Festival
  • Kingston Theatre Alliance
  • Review

Feeling curious about seeing a mime roam the ins and outs of a giant translucent bubble? See La Bulle in Kingston this weekend.  La Bulle is a mime show produced by CORPUS Dance Projects and is being presented at the Kick & Push Festival by the Kingston Theatre Alliance and Le Centre Culturel Frontenac.  The show follows a lonely mime, Pierrot (David Danzon / Guy Marsan; the performer at the […]

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Poster for Blue Canoe's 'Happy Days'. A jukebox is pictured and text reads: "Happy Days A New Musical"

It’s a Jukebox Musical… It’s ‘Happy Days’

  • Blue Canoe Productions
  • Review

Lovers reacquainted, dance numbers galore, and perhaps some Grease-inspired attributes? It’s Happy Days: A New Musical, based off the TV show Happy Days, with book by Garry Marshall, and music and lyrics by Paul Williams. Produced by Blue Canoe, the young folks of this charming show are leaving their hearts on the stage.  Massimo Recupero starts the show off strong, delivering the first lines of the production with energy ablaze. […]

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A large "k" appears on the left in green and purple. Next to it reads "Kingston Theatre Alliance"

Job Opening: Theatre Critic

  • Kingston Theatre Alliance

Job Description The Performance Blog is a primary resource for audience members, artistic collaboration, critical dialogue, and industry contacts. Our platform consolidates events, news, artists, and organizations in the Southeastern area in an accessible and accountable manner that the region has never seen before. Led by the Editor, the writing team is looking for passionate individuals who are committed to questioning who and what criticism is FOR. Responsibilities Requirements Eligibility […]

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A large "k" appears on the left in green and purple. Next to it reads "Kingston Theatre Alliance"

We’re Hiring!

  • Kingston Theatre Alliance

Job Description The KTA is looking to hire a Theatre Critic for the Performance Blog. The Theatre Critic is responsible for attending and reviewing 1-2 shows in the Kingston area per week. They will work very closely with the Editor of the Performance Blog to discuss articles, edits, and timelines.  Responsibilities Requirements Pay As an independent contractor, pay will come as a stipend of $550 per month with the expectation […]

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