Hello arts lovers!
This month I had the pleasure of chatting with Michelle Hart, a theatre artist and improv instructor who brings big-city experience and infectious energy to Nelson Studio 88. From sketch comedy to youth mentorship, Michelle’s work is rooted in play, connection, and creativity. I was curious to learn what drew her to the Kootenays and how she’s building community through laughter and performance.
What’s your background/training/story as an artist?
My background and training as an artist started in high school, when I joined a program called The Canadian Improv Games. It’s a competitive improv league, and it’s where I completely fell in love with making theatre on the spot! That program shaped a huge part of who I am as an artist. I went from being a player to a coach, to a regional director, then a national trainer, and eventually became the first female national head referee. Now, I co-direct Improv Camp (with my best friend I met at Improv Camp!), which runs through the Canadian Improv Games and brings together young performers from across the country.
My technical background comes from majoring in theatre at university, and training across North America, where many of my favourite improvisers had trained before me. Through the world of improv, I found sketch comedy, and that opened up a whole new creative journey. I love making art that's goal is to make everyone feel present in the room.
Why did you end up in Nelson?
I ended up in Nelson by way of COVID-19. The classic I was teaching and performing comedy in Toronto, and the lockdown hit. My partner, Kevin, had always wanted to do a ski season in Nelson, and we’d known about the area through the tree planting world, so we ended up here.
What keeps you here?
What keeps us here is the community. There’s something special about how people in Nelson show up. If you try something creative, the community will rally behind it. I do miss the never-ending food options Toronto has, but there’s also a kind of comfort in really knowing what your community has to offer, and I’ve grown comforted by that.
How did you score your biggest professional gig?
My biggest gig was a McDonald's commercial called "Spice Face" or working as a performing improv comedian on a cruise line. Both landed by auditions and luck!
Any hot tips for people who want to live rurally but be a professional artist?
My best tip for anyone who wants to perform rurally is to show up, don’t wait to be asked, and write for yourself! I learned this from Toronto. The dream is to go to a big city and ‘get discovered’ but I’ve learned that you have to ‘discover’ many things for yourself. Discover what you’re good at, if you even like doing it, and what makes you laugh out loud. The kicker is you often discover things through failure, so be OK with that being a part of the journey!
Any new projects that you have in the works?
I’ve got the Nelson Sketch Comedy Revue Show happening May 15 and May 27 at The Capitol Theatre. It’s a sketch show with a cast of seven (Jaymes Bowman, Emma Hill, Ruby Horton, Kait Hundt-Lippett, Ruth Krulitsky, Jonathan Ramos and myself). We are thrilled to be back at the Capitol with an all-new show and some new faces!
Sydney Black is executive director of the Nelson and District Arts Council. Blank Canvas appears monthly.
