Q+A: Rachel Peake on her plans for the Grand Theatre
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Stepping into a new job as the Grand Theatre’s artistic director, and the “big shoes to fill” there, Rachel Peake – an industry veteran from Western Canada, originally from Saskatchewan – spoke to The Free Press about her vision and what audiences should expect after she takes over next month.
Q: What do London audiences most need to know about you?
A: My mother, my sister and her whole family, and my husband’s family, are all in Ontario. I think one of the things that I bring is that I know people and I know the theatre community across the country, so I’m really excited to sort of bring that knowledge to London. And I’m really excited to settle in London and get to know this amazing city that you all have.
Q: In your dreams, if there were no barriers, what production would you most love to bring to London and why?
A: I think that the audiences should definitely expect that they’re going to see some really amazing musicals. I love musical theatre, but also, there is some really great text-based work . . . I really believe in the theatre that has an impact on people. It leaves them wanting to talk more about it and wanting to tell people about it, and explore a new part of the world. Whatever that is, whether that’s physical or a new part of the experience of the world.
Q: Every artistic director leaves a different stamp on a theatre and its productions. What will yours look like?
A: Each new project or job has its own unique demands, its own unique questions and exciting problems to solve. So, I like to think that I come to each of them differently, but I definitely think that I have a style that leaves a unique mark . . . I can build on the Grand’s strength from the past and look to the future. And also look to what theatre is in this world that’s coming out of a pandemic and needing to return to live and shared experience through live performance.
Q: You’ve been working on the West Coast. What do you know about London?
A: I know it’s the Forest City, which is just amazing. The thing I keep being struck by is how many professional artists are from London . . . I think it’s really exciting that a city is producing that many artists. I’m also finding that people are incredibly proud of the city . . . I think the way that Londoners are proud of their city is unique, and that gets me really excited.
Q: What are your plans for community outreach and bringing more people to the theatre?
A: I want to remind people that the Grand is really a hub of the community. Some really great initiatives are happening, but we’re going to build on that so that people from all different communities within London can see the Grand as their home . . . so they can feel that they have a place there and belong.
Q: Any surprises in mind for theatre-goers in our city?
A: I think that there’s a lot that’s already happening this season that’s going to be really exciting and surprising. And, yes, I do think that when I program my first season on my own, there’s going to be some really beautiful surprises that are going to excite people.
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