Robin Kadigamar (they/them) is a non-binary theatre artist from Toronto. Their interests lie in set and props, wardrobe and theatre administration. Robin Kadigamar is a member of Crane Creations Theatre Company’s 2021 Summer Ensemble.
Education
Robin Kadirgamar is currently in the Performance Production Program at X University, formerly called Ryerson University. They will graduate in 2023.
Experience
Robin is an artistic producer for Crane Creations Theatre Company’s 2021 Summer Ensemble. They have also worked as a production assistant, and has worked in Front of House. They are also an actor.
Design Experience
Robin is a designer. They design costumes, set and props. They have designed for DinoLand (2021) Ryerson University, Rabbit Hole (2021) directed by Nina Lee Aquino, Opening Night (2019) Dido, Queen of Carthage by Christopher Marlowe at York University (2018) , directed by Peter Hinton. They were a scenic painter for The King and I(2014), Oklahoma! (2019).
Stage Management Experience
Robin is the stage manager of Opening Doors (2021), Get Yourself Home, Skyler James (2021) Peter Fechter : 59 Minutes (2021), Henry Christmas (2018).
Robin Kadigamar: Summer Ensemble 2021
Robin is a member of Crane Creation Theatre Company’s 2021 Summer Ensemble. This was Crane Creations Third Annual Summer Ensemble and Robin’s addition as a member of the ensemble, helped make this year a memorable experience for everyone.
Due to lock down restrictions a large portion of the program was conducted over zoom. Robin Kadigamar as well as the rest of Crane Creations 2021 Summer Ensemble handled the transition beautifully, and Robin was quickly able to adapt their talents to a Zoom’s online platform.
Robin was a Artistic Producer in the 2021 Summer Ensemble. Their fellow 2021 Artistic Producers include:
- Shannon Farrell
- Temilola Gafaar
- Mya Wong (Communications Intern)
- Jordine De Guzman
- Nicci Pryce
- Emmanuelle So
Robin is an artistic producer in the 2021 Summer Ensemble. Robin Kadigamar participated in many activities and project with Crane Creations Theatre Company as a Summer Ensemble Member. They assisted in the production and organizing of many events. They crafted and designed sets and puppets in the workshop of the play Mirror. Robin assisted in the play translation project of Ivan Cankar’s works. They assists as an organizer in Bridges Festival 2022. They assist in producing they play Terror, which is playing at Clarke Hall, Port Credit Mississauga.
Robin assists Artistic Producers Aimee Poulin and Aditi Sharma in day to day activities. They were part of important and lively discussion and debates about the Canadian theatre industry. Robin learned about the industry of theatre and what it looks like to be a professional full time artist. They learned about theatre in Mississauga. Robin wrote grants and presented pitches for future theatre projects. They organized and participated in a seminar held by Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council and Toronto Arts Council.
With their fellow Summer Ensemble members they explored the arts outside of Canada as well, and conducted workshops and presentations on prominent International and Canadian artists and theatre companies.
What is an Artistic Producer?
An artistic producer has an essential role in theatre. They oversee organizational operations and all aspects of a theatre production. They are responsible for the strategic planning and production of theatrical events and take care of the financial and managerial functions to make these theatrical events happen. They also manage day to day activities to make a company run. An Artist Producer balances the big-picture with everyday tasks required to make a business run. An artistic producer must be have the following skills: event management, time management, project management, teamwork, problem solving, leadership, financial planning, business management and communication. Their roles and duties constantly change depending on the need of the theatre company. In summary, an artistic producer is the person who makes theatre happen.
What does an Artistic Producer Do?
- Look after the finances and manage how the budget is spent
- Hire creative and technical teams
- Issue contracts
- Organise and manage technical, stage management and workshop functions
- Agreeing projects and financial backers
- Agreeing production timelines
- Finding and booking venue
- Setting ticket prices
- Selling tickets
- Create and implement marketing strategies
- Outreach
- Holding regular meetings with Directors, creative teams and Artists
- Hold regular meetings with stakeholders
- Ensuring legal compliance such as copyright law, insurance liability, payroll and tax
Who is Robin Kadigamar? An Interview with Robin.
Q: How did you fall in love with theatre?
A: It was through exposure to theatre in high school, and doing the school plays every year. I remember in grade nine, I was part of the school production of the play Harvey the Imaginary Rabbit. My upper year friends were in the show, and I joined to hang out with them and make friends. I went to see the school production. It was amazing and I thought, “I want to do that”. I auditioned the year after and it has never been the same since then. You catch the bug, and before you know it theatre becomes this huge part of your life. It felt so right. I found a place where my skills were appreciated and I could thrive.
Q: You have so much experience in all parts of theatre. You are an artistic producer, a stage manger, an actor, a costume designer, a set designer.
A: I do enjoy everything. However, my heart lies in design, costume, design and set design. Anything hands on is something I really enjoy and excel in. Stage Management, Artistic Production and Administration helps me develop my communication skills. I find joy in everything I can. If there is an opportunity to do it, I want to do it.
Q: What is your design style influenced by? Are you influenced by a specific person or role model?
A: My design style is influenced by a long exhaustive list of different media I watch. I’m not inspired by one specific person, it’s an amalgamation of a bunch of different things I’ve seen.
Q: What is the importance of Design in Theatre?
A: It helps the narrative of the story, in subtle or not so subtle ways. Design helps create the world of the story and reveals something about the character. I always enjoy when designers put “easter eggs” into the story through design. You see a detail that at first you don’t think is that important, and then you watch it again, and you realize that detail adds a whole new layer to the story or foreshadows something about the character. When design is off, it’s easy to confuse an audience. The lighting designer, the costume designer, the set designer and the directors have to work together to create a cohesive vision. Those three elements can’t clash unintentionally.
Q: What have you been up to recently ?
A: Last Semester, my the Dance School did a production with Rock Bottom movement called DinoLand. I was a designer, and was put in charge of a whole section. I took on a leadership role and was a mentor to other students. So far, this show is what I am most proud of, and I am super happy about how it came out. It was such an amazing experience from designing the concept to seeing the final product.
Q: What does Leadership in the Arts mean to you? What is the most important qualities a leader needs?
A: It’s about knowing how to delegate and keep the group focused on the end goal, while also being receptive to different voices and ideas. Leadership in the arts is great because it is so collaborative. You need to listen to others, because people are able to see the same project from a completely different perspective, and it’s so valuable to have that insight. That’s what makes the creative processes really fun. However, dealing with so many ideas is also a challenge. In the arts there are a lot of big personalities. Keeping people on track can be difficult. As a leader you also need to know how to take a step back and focus on the big picture.
Q: Do you have any hobbies?
A: I like to draw, I like to write, I like to needle felt. Fibre crafts are my passion. I own so much yarn it’s an issue.
Q: Do you bake?
A: I love baking. At the moment, the thing I’ve perfected is cookies. I make a batch every week. can make bomb peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. I love a good cupcake.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A: Ever since I was little, I’ve always wanted to see Machu Picchu. It’s so green. I want to see it before I die. They also have alpacas there. Alpacas are so cute.
Q: What are you up to next?
A: I’m going back to school this semester. I will be the costume designer for the next show. There’s only one costume designer on this show. I’m gonna have a lot more creative control and be able to delegate to a team. It’s a whole new ball game. I’m gonna be able to work with director and the rest of the design team. I’m super excited to be in a team of designer.
Q: Do you have any advice for anyone who wants to go into theatre?
A: Talk to people. As much as you might think you can do it yourself, it’s really about the people you know. Break out of your shell and forge relationships. Team up with somebody to create. Knowing how to talk to people and network is an ignored skill. People don’t really know how to do it. I’m still learning. I’ve had more experiences because of the connections I’ve made. Learn how to network and also take time to develop your own artistic voice. When you do make connections having confidence in your voice will come in handy. Know your vibe and be able to bring that to the table.
Fun Facts About Robin Kadigamar
A fun fact about Robin is that they did jazz and tap dance as a child, but the self-claimed peak of their onstage career was as Linus in You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown at Blessed Cardinal Newman Highschool.
