For this iteration of REMOTE, we connect with Joel Ivany, Against The Grain Theatre’s artistic director, who is celebrating the latest addition to the AtG family while in quarantine. The company indefinitely postponed the much anticipated April world premiere of BOUND, the realization of a project three years in the making. With help from donations, the company remains committed to compensating the production’s cast and crew as much as possible. Ivany writes in to discuss life at home, upcoming AtG projects and some thoughts on getting through this crisis together.
How are you doing during this pandemic?
I’m doing as well as we could be. On March 31, we welcomed a new little baby into our family. I was able to be with my wife, Miriam for the birth, but then had to leave the hospital afterwards. We’re all home now and adjusting to life in a new way. Our #OperaBoy Sammy is now six years old, so in a weird way, having this time all together is a gift.
I’ve been growing a COVID beard and trying not to listen to the news that much. I’ve become the primary person for laundry, cleaning and cooking at the house (man…I took a lot of it for granted and appreciate Miriam even more!) I’ve cooked more in the past two weeks than I have in almost 10 years of marriage. It’s funny how simply re-directing your energy and focus can accomplish a great amount of work!
How are you keeping busy artistically?
I’m trying to read as much as I can given the above. AtG has a couple video projects that we’re working on, to stay engaged with singers and music. A lot of thinking. Thinking about our artistic model, thinking of how the arts have been disseminated, how they currently are now and how they will be in the future. Zoom meetings with friends, colleagues and of course many check ins with our amazing and talented Executive Director at Against the Grain, Robin Whiffen.
Any books, films, or TV on the go?
Started reading the first Harry Potter to my six-year-old, reading Danny Newman’s Subscribe Now! for myself. Looking forward to watching the Pavarotti documentary on Crave, and we just finished the wild third season of Ozark.
What do you think arts communities can do to better prepare for adjusting to a crisis such as this?
This hasn’t happened to us in over 100 years. We are ALL in the same boat. We are all VERY different. We need to take care of ourselves, but once we do that, I think it’s healthy to connect with others. Email them, text them, FaceTime with them. The new normal will be gradual and cautious, and we must be prepared for that. The floodgates will want to compete for everyone’s attention once we’re allowed to heal and I’m guessing it will be overwhelming. For example, my new infant son wants to eat as much as he can, to the point where he spits up as he’s taken on too much. We are starving ourselves of art and for community and I’m guessing we’ll need to gradually ease back into whatever the new normal is. I can’t wait for the time when we can.
Any words of wisdom to get through this?
Be patient. You most likely know as much as the leaders all over the world. The fear, anxiety, boredom, helplessness, we are all feeling it. We can’t go back and change the past, the future is unknown, so be in the present. You don’t have to create, you don’t have to practise, you don’t have to get out of bed. We’re all in mourning, we’re all wanting to create and reunite with colleagues and friends. Be patient. Things will get better.
For more chats with artists in social isolation, read on HERE.
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