artistic director BIO
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Rick Kish
Rick has been working as an independent music & theatre professional in various capacities since proudly graduating with his BFA from the University of Windsor’s, School of Dramatic Art. In June of 2011 Rick received his Masters degree from UWO's, Don Wright Faculty of Music in Literature & Performance with a focus in Music Theatre. He is a member of Canadian Actor’s Equity Association (CAEA). Recently, Rick received the 2019 Jazz Vocalist of the Year Award through the Forest City London Music Awards (FCLMA). He has worked as an artistic director, producer, director, actor, singer, voice teacher/coach, acting teacher/coach & workshop leader.
He served as Artistic Director at The Port Stanley Festival Theatre in Port Stanley, ON, and at The Bluewater Summer Playhouse in Kincardine, ON. In 2012 Rick created the professionally engaging (CAEA) theatre company in London, ON, a missing link theatre company (amltc). In its two seasons amltc staged JUDY: Stonewalled! (Outstanding Cast Award - London Fringe 2014), Billy Bishop Goes To War, A Really RETRO Christmas Special - 2014, 2013 & 2012, VIGIL (2013 Brickenden Award Winner - Outstanding Comedy & Actress), The World Premiere Production of Norm Foster's The Great Kooshog Lake Hollis McCauley Fishing Derby & A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline.
LINK theatre began in December of 2015 with a really Retro CROONER Christmas. The show has become an annual production continuing in '16, '17, '18, '19. In 2019 the show toured the Province of Ontario. They visited Huron Country Playhouse, Drayton Festival Theatre, Meaford Performing Arts, to name a few… In 2020, due to Covid, they’ll only have two live performances on December 5th and 12th at Paradigm Spirits at 100 Kellogg Lane – a stripped down version of the show, An Intimate Crooner Christmas. Various incarnations of the show continued through 2023 at 100 Kellogg Lane, ITOPA & PSFT. 2024 will see the return to the Auburn Stage at The Grand Theatre, December 12 - 14. In 2017 LINK staged the OUTRAGEOUS musical comedy Saucy Jack & The Space Vixens. Due to being wildly popular with audiences, it was remounted in 2018... Both productions were presented in the TABU Lounge at Jack's on Richmond Street in London.
Some favourite acting credits include: Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens, JUDY: Stonewalled!, The Rocky Horror Show, Songs From The Bar... and one more for the road , My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, The Wild Guys, Toronto, Mississippi and Side By Side By Sondheim.
Some favourite directing credits include: The Secret Garden: A Musical, JUDY: Stonewalled!, Billy Bishop Goes To War, Vigil, the World Premiere Production of Norm Foster's The Great Kooshog Lake Hollis McCauley Fishing Derby, A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline for amltc, Hedwig & The Angry Inch for the London Fringe festival 2012, Wang Dang Doodle for the Grand Theatre in London, Steel Magnolias for the University of Windsor’s, School of Dramatic Art, Sweeney Todd for the University of Western Ontario, Mary’s Wedding, A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline, The Wild Guys, Suds: The Rocking ‘60’s Musical Soap Opera & Forever Plaid & the World Premiere Production of Norm Foster's Storm Warning for The Bluewater Summer Playhouse, Maggie's Getting Married, Pith, You'll Get Used To It! The War Show & Bordertown Café for the Port Stanley Festival Theatre.
Rick has created, produced and performed in a variety of Jazz/Swing/Musical Theatre themed shows such as the The Crooner Christmas Show, The Crooner Show, An Intimate Crooner Christmas, a really Retro CROONER Christmas show, a Really RETRO Specials, Songs From The Bar ...and one more for the road, From Broadway to Jazz..., A Holiday Celebration of Jazz..., Broadway Lights & Hot Summer Nights, A New Years Eve Celebration of Swing…, The Gangsters of Swing & What Happens In Vegas… Other projects are currently in the works…
Rick was a returning adjudicator with the RISE 2 FAME Youth Talent Search at the Western Fair in London, ON with contestants from across Southwestern Ontario. He has taught acting at both Fanshawe College in the Acting Program as well as UWO's Continuing Studies and the Don Wright Faculty of Music Master's Program. Rick teaches Private Singing & Acting classes from his home Studio in London, ON.
In the past several years Rick has been very involved in many youth mentorship initiatives at the Grand Theatre in London. For 10 years Rick worked as Vocal/Singing Coach on The Highschool Project; Les Miserables (2016), Hello Dolly, The Addams Family: A New Musical, Legally Blonde, My Fair Lady, Footloose, Anything Goes, Grease, The Pirates of Penzance & Les Miserables (2007). As well as ongoing work with The Grand Academy as the voice through Broadway Songs instructor.
