Stage Door News
Stage Door News
Neptune Theatre is thrilled to announce the appointment of its first-ever Affiliate Artist – renowned theatre veteran, Ray Hogg. In his role, Hogg will be Neptune’s artistic liaison in Toronto, ensuring the theatre has a continuing and strong presence in the market as well as access to the community’s top talent.
Hogg’s priorities include: new play development and programming support; artist scouting, development, training and casting. Hogg will also work with Jeremy Webb, Neptune’s Artistic Director, to build and maintain relationships and partnerships with theatres and theatre-makers nationally and internationally. This appointment follows Hogg’s successful run as choreographer of Neptune’s smash hit Mamma Mia! Neptune recently announced Hogg will helm the theatre’s upcoming Billy Elliot Boot Camp - the children’s professional training program for Neptune’s 2020 production of Billy Elliot The Musical, which he will also choreograph.
“Securing Ray supports Neptune reaffirming its position on the national theatre scene,” says Jeremy Webb. "Working alongside Neptune's Artistic Accomplice Annie Valentina, Ray will be part of an emboldened artistic department. Together we are developing plans that support emerging artists, nurture and create new works and foster improved relationships with the community,” added Webb.
Known for presenting large-scale, visually stunning and viscerally moving theatre, Hogg has created and contributed to a wide variety of projects ranging in complexity from five-person street theatre performances and new works, to large-scale contemporary music theatre pieces and dramatically complex classical plays on stages across the country.
From 2012-2017, he was Artistic Director of Winnipeg’s Rainbow Stage, Canada’s largest and longest running not-for-profit music theatre company. Hogg has spent the past 20+ years as a concert dancer, music theatre performer, director and choreographer. His directing and choreography credits include Cats, Buddy – the Buddy Holly Story, The Producers, Chicago, Sister Act, Shrek, Damn Yankees, South Pacific, Little Shop of Horrors, and Mamma Mia. A passionate and active educator, he has created educational programming for the Toronto District School Board, the Halton School Board, the Stratford Festival, the Shaw Festival, Rainbow Stage and more.
Neptune Theatre kicked off its 56th season with the summer production Argyle Street Kitchen Party. The 2018-2019 Season features a divers Playbill of dramas, comedies, musicals and premiers. Located on Argyle Street, in the heart of Halifax’s theatre and entertainment district, Neptune boasts two newly renovated stages: Fountain Hall and the Scotiabank Stage, plus a year-round Theatre School. Find out more about Neptune Theatre on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube channel NeptuneHFX.
Neptune 2018/19 Season Packs and Subscriptions are on sale now, including the new Trident Pack: See three huge productions for $170 – Shakespeare in Love, Cinderella and The Color Purple! Go to www.neptunetheatre.com
Photo: Ray Hogg.
2018-09-13
Halifax: Neptune Theatre appoints Ray Hogg as its artistic liaison in Toronto