The Mermaid Times – Artist Highlight: Muzz Marshall

Yvonne "Muzz" Marshall began training in classical music at the age of 7. When she grew older, Marshall turned her attention towards soul and jazz. The talented singer/songwriter has performed with multiple renowned internationally artists like Mavis Staples, Omar Hakim, Martha Reeves, and (fellow Canadian) Rita McNeil.

Her talent doesn’t stop at singing, Muzz Marshall is an actor, teacher, writer. Her song (co-written with husband Coleman Howe) “Never Too Late”, took second place in the Billboard’s 13th Annual Songwriting Competition (2009).

Not only is Muzz Marshall an inspiration on stage, but she also is a dedicated vocal coach; teaching Canada’s up-and-coming musicians.

Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/muzzmuzic/

The Mermaid Times - Blacklight Puppetry

Blacklight puppetry is one of our favourite forms of theatre. The fluorescent glow on stage beams from the puppets while puppeteers hidden in the darkness manipulates the object which adds an element of magic and life-like movement to the story. 

This creates and immersive world; easy to get lost in a dream-like wonderland.

Innovative blacklight theatre is a delicate process and requires a trained fluorescent painter. The fluorescent painter paints the puppets under blacklight to ensure proper colour pigmentation. If you were to paint fluorescent paint in regular lighting, it will impact the desired colour outcome when used under blacklight theatre. To ensure the quality and integrity of the colour, it must be painted under the special UV-blacklight.

At Mermaid Theatre, we have a studio space dedicated to painting under blacklight - which is unique. Did you ever think Mermaid’s process was so complex? Immense amount of design and detail goes into a single puppet or prop used in our blacklight live stage adaptations. 

Have you seen another blacklight theatre production? Let us know!

The Mermaid Times - Jenny Rogers

Artist in Residence - Jenny Rogers

We are thrilled to have had the pleasure of hosting artist and creative powerhouse, Jenny Rogers - Mermaid Theatre Artist in Residence at Mermaid’s Loft space for her upcoming project, “Sophie’s Gift” - an exploratory puppetry piece based on Roger’s written and illustrated work. After Jenny’s experience as a “Mermaid Lofter”, she assessed her project with beautiful drawings and articulated her process in a clever and approachable way. Click here to read her full project experience at Mermaid.

Jenny is a recent MFA graduate from the University of Michigan. Roger’s whimsical book can be purchased here https://www.sophiepress.com

About Mermaid’s Loft Residency Program
The primary goal of the Mermaid Theatre Loft Residency is to create a professional development opportunity for emerging and established professionals that is considered unique in Canadian theatre. Participants, with an interest in developing new work, or improve existing work, rooted in object and visual theatre, are encouraged to apply. Mermaid Theatre will provide access to all our facilities including the Loft Space, as well as, access to all Mermaid Theatre personnel who will engage in relevant discussions regarding the specifics of each project. Mentoring will be provided in puppetry manipulation and construction, set and prop design and construction, play development, dramaturgy, organizational planning, administration, and touring.

If you are interested in this program please send us a project proposal and residency dates by clicking here: Contact Us.