Michael Ross Albert
@michaelralbert.bsky.social
Toronto-based playwright, indie producer, and all around theatre lover.
🕵️♂️
michaelrossalbert.com
🕵️♂️
michaelrossalbert.com
Canadian theatres undergoing the Great Artistic Leadership Shakeup of 2025: some thoughts!
Opinion | How We Got Young People to Like Theater
www.nytimes.com
August 21, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Canadian theatres undergoing the Great Artistic Leadership Shakeup of 2025: some thoughts!
Reposted by Michael Ross Albert
A few thoughts about the NYT critics shakeup: Theater is one of the hardest of all disciplines to cover as a critic (or reporter). You need to know its language and history. And there's a ton you can and should do to educate yourself. But you can never "catch up." You can't see what you didn't see.>
July 16, 2025 at 3:24 PM
A few thoughts about the NYT critics shakeup: Theater is one of the hardest of all disciplines to cover as a critic (or reporter). You need to know its language and history. And there's a ton you can and should do to educate yourself. But you can never "catch up." You can't see what you didn't see.>
Reposted by Michael Ross Albert
Letting audiences help shape a new play seemed like a bad idea. Boy, did the Vault Creation Lab prove me wrong! #theaTO
My latest critic's notebook for @thestar.com
My latest critic's notebook for @thestar.com
Letting audiences help shape a new play seemed like a bad idea. Boy, did the Vault Creation Lab prove me wrong!
This company is workshopping new plays in front of a paying audience. The show that critic Joshua Chong attended surprised him in more ways than one.
www.thestar.com
April 13, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Letting audiences help shape a new play seemed like a bad idea. Boy, did the Vault Creation Lab prove me wrong! #theaTO
My latest critic's notebook for @thestar.com
My latest critic's notebook for @thestar.com
Reposted by Michael Ross Albert
Today's Headlines
April 3, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Today's Headlines
New performances of this public workshop have been added to accommodate demand!
A process like this is really rare. Everybody has been doing beautiful work. I'm excited to invite you, the audience, into this essential next phase of the work!
www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticket...
A process like this is really rare. Everybody has been doing beautiful work. I'm excited to invite you, the audience, into this essential next phase of the work!
www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticket...
A Little Closer: Public Lab Premiere
A LITTLE CLOSER by MICHAEL ROSS ALBERTDirected/ Dramaturged by Diana BentleyStarring David Reale with Breanna Dillon, Cameron Laurie and Annie LujanWhen a professional cuddler (David Reale) is confron...
www.zeffy.com
March 29, 2025 at 1:54 PM
New performances of this public workshop have been added to accommodate demand!
A process like this is really rare. Everybody has been doing beautiful work. I'm excited to invite you, the audience, into this essential next phase of the work!
www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticket...
A process like this is really rare. Everybody has been doing beautiful work. I'm excited to invite you, the audience, into this essential next phase of the work!
www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticket...
Haven't posted in a while so I thought I'd share the news that the workshop production of my new play, A Little Closer, is almost entirely sold out!
This is the first experiment at The Vault Creation Lab. It's been a lovely, chill, dreamy process so far. Come see it!
www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticket...
This is the first experiment at The Vault Creation Lab. It's been a lovely, chill, dreamy process so far. Come see it!
www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticket...
March 19, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Haven't posted in a while so I thought I'd share the news that the workshop production of my new play, A Little Closer, is almost entirely sold out!
This is the first experiment at The Vault Creation Lab. It's been a lovely, chill, dreamy process so far. Come see it!
www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticket...
This is the first experiment at The Vault Creation Lab. It's been a lovely, chill, dreamy process so far. Come see it!
www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticket...
Reposted by Michael Ross Albert
Every time the CBC does something stupid, you'll hear even progressives calling for it to be defunded.
But as someone who grew up in rurally, I can tell you that venture-capitalist-owned media is not going to small towns. They don't see money? They don't see value.
The CBC is an essential service.
But as someone who grew up in rurally, I can tell you that venture-capitalist-owned media is not going to small towns. They don't see money? They don't see value.
The CBC is an essential service.
This is great. CBC is hiring local reporters for 23 communities across the country that are underserved for news.
Journalism jobs, across Canada CBC.ca/workwithus
March 12, 2025 at 1:41 AM
Every time the CBC does something stupid, you'll hear even progressives calling for it to be defunded.
But as someone who grew up in rurally, I can tell you that venture-capitalist-owned media is not going to small towns. They don't see money? They don't see value.
The CBC is an essential service.
But as someone who grew up in rurally, I can tell you that venture-capitalist-owned media is not going to small towns. They don't see money? They don't see value.
The CBC is an essential service.
Reposted by Michael Ross Albert
And early voting stats are at 6+% vs 9 in the last election and we had the lowest turnout ever back then. This snap call with only 3 advance days instead of 10 really works in Doug’s favour. We have to step up and talk to people.
February 24, 2025 at 6:03 PM
And early voting stats are at 6+% vs 9 in the last election and we had the lowest turnout ever back then. This snap call with only 3 advance days instead of 10 really works in Doug’s favour. We have to step up and talk to people.
Reposted by Michael Ross Albert
Save the CBC.
Ban Xitter.
Ban Fox news.
Cancel Starlink.
Ban foreign ownership of Canadian media.
Cancel Postmedia.
Support Canadian independent media.
And save CBC!
#Canada #CanadaSky #cdnpoli 🇨🇦 #yyc #yeg #Alberta #BoycottUSA #BuyCanadian #TravelCanada #CBC @mark-carney.bsky.social
Ban Xitter.
Ban Fox news.
Cancel Starlink.
Ban foreign ownership of Canadian media.
Cancel Postmedia.
Support Canadian independent media.
And save CBC!
#Canada #CanadaSky #cdnpoli 🇨🇦 #yyc #yeg #Alberta #BoycottUSA #BuyCanadian #TravelCanada #CBC @mark-carney.bsky.social
Saving the CBC isn't just about protecting your favourite program or personality. It's about preserving national unity -- and preventing Canada from being subject to a hostile foreign takeover. www.nationalobserver.com/2024/11/19/o...
Saving the CBC is really about saving Canada
Pierre Poilievre reportedly has plans to slash the CBC's budget. That would be a disaster for national unity.
www.nationalobserver.com
February 10, 2025 at 5:32 AM
Save the CBC.
Ban Xitter.
Ban Fox news.
Cancel Starlink.
Ban foreign ownership of Canadian media.
Cancel Postmedia.
Support Canadian independent media.
And save CBC!
#Canada #CanadaSky #cdnpoli 🇨🇦 #yyc #yeg #Alberta #BoycottUSA #BuyCanadian #TravelCanada #CBC @mark-carney.bsky.social
Ban Xitter.
Ban Fox news.
Cancel Starlink.
Ban foreign ownership of Canadian media.
Cancel Postmedia.
Support Canadian independent media.
And save CBC!
#Canada #CanadaSky #cdnpoli 🇨🇦 #yyc #yeg #Alberta #BoycottUSA #BuyCanadian #TravelCanada #CBC @mark-carney.bsky.social
Reposted by Michael Ross Albert
Reposted by Michael Ross Albert
CBC's wall-to-wall coverage of this crisis is another great example of why we should value Canada's public broadcaster
February 2, 2025 at 2:05 AM
CBC's wall-to-wall coverage of this crisis is another great example of why we should value Canada's public broadcaster
Reposted by Michael Ross Albert
Canadian MP Charlie Angus: Our beloved Canada is under threat.
The threat comes from the president of the US—a convicted felon and known predator. But the threat is also being driven by the hate algorithms of oligarchs like Elon Musk….
The threat comes from the president of the US—a convicted felon and known predator. But the threat is also being driven by the hate algorithms of oligarchs like Elon Musk….
January 31, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Canadian MP Charlie Angus: Our beloved Canada is under threat.
The threat comes from the president of the US—a convicted felon and known predator. But the threat is also being driven by the hate algorithms of oligarchs like Elon Musk….
The threat comes from the president of the US—a convicted felon and known predator. But the threat is also being driven by the hate algorithms of oligarchs like Elon Musk….
Reposted by Michael Ross Albert
$2.237 billion on the Therme deal.
$1.4 billion to move the Science Centre.
$612 million on alcohol expansion.
$3 billion on $200 bribe cheques.
$103 million on government ads.
$175 million on an unnecessary election.
$7.527 billion in wasted public dollars.
www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
$1.4 billion to move the Science Centre.
$612 million on alcohol expansion.
$3 billion on $200 bribe cheques.
$103 million on government ads.
$175 million on an unnecessary election.
$7.527 billion in wasted public dollars.
www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
Doug Ford triggering snap Ontario election today
Ford is taking Ontarians to the polls amid political instability in Ottawa after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently announced his resignation.
www.thestar.com
January 28, 2025 at 4:48 PM
$2.237 billion on the Therme deal.
$1.4 billion to move the Science Centre.
$612 million on alcohol expansion.
$3 billion on $200 bribe cheques.
$103 million on government ads.
$175 million on an unnecessary election.
$7.527 billion in wasted public dollars.
www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
$1.4 billion to move the Science Centre.
$612 million on alcohol expansion.
$3 billion on $200 bribe cheques.
$103 million on government ads.
$175 million on an unnecessary election.
$7.527 billion in wasted public dollars.
www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
Reposted by Michael Ross Albert
This week's Internet winner goes to...
January 24, 2025 at 8:49 AM
This week's Internet winner goes to...
Reposted by Michael Ross Albert
January 24, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Reposted by Michael Ross Albert
Doug Ford announces snap election with ballots printed on backs of $200 cheques
Doug Ford announces snap election with ballots printed on backs of $200 cheques
QUEEN'S PARK - Premier Ford announced today that he will call for a snap Ontario election, conducted entirely via mail-in ballots which have been conveniently printed on the backs of the $200 rebate c...
www.thebeaverton.com
January 24, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Doug Ford announces snap election with ballots printed on backs of $200 cheques
Revisiting something I started writing in the 2010s where a character interns at an outlet like Vice or Gawker, I've had to basically rewrite her storyline to drag it into the present, obnoxiously musing, "What do young creatives want to do for work, now that the Internet is dead?" I feel old.
I wrote about the early years
of my career and the experience of watching your expectations die: open.substack.com/pub/lindseya...
of my career and the experience of watching your expectations die: open.substack.com/pub/lindseya...
Ten Years In A Crumbling Industry
There’s a screenshot from TikTok that recently caused me and a group of my writer friends to lose our minds.
open.substack.com
January 22, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Revisiting something I started writing in the 2010s where a character interns at an outlet like Vice or Gawker, I've had to basically rewrite her storyline to drag it into the present, obnoxiously musing, "What do young creatives want to do for work, now that the Internet is dead?" I feel old.
Courage
Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde to Trump: "I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now. There are gay, lesbian, and transgender people in Democratic, Republican, and independent families, some who fear for their lives ... and the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals"
January 21, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Courage
I have extremely talented friends and am so proud to see them get the recognition they rightfully deserve!
My annual list of the Top 10 Toronto theatre artists of the year is now up, followed by a list of breakthrough talents.
This is always a) one of the most difficult articles to write & b) one of the most satisfying.
Here’s to more great theatre in 2025.
www.goaheadsumi.com/the-top-10-t...
This is always a) one of the most difficult articles to write & b) one of the most satisfying.
Here’s to more great theatre in 2025.
www.goaheadsumi.com/the-top-10-t...
The Top 10 Toronto theatre artists of 2024
Here are 10 artists who made going to the theatre a joy this year, as well as a bunch more who broke through to new levels of excellence
www.goaheadsumi.com
January 2, 2025 at 3:18 PM
I have extremely talented friends and am so proud to see them get the recognition they rightfully deserve!
Thank you for mentioning The Biding War in the same breath as these other remarkable plays that graced Toronto stages in 2024
January 2, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Thank you for mentioning The Biding War in the same breath as these other remarkable plays that graced Toronto stages in 2024
Reposted by Michael Ross Albert
Reposted by Michael Ross Albert
Welcome to the 2024 Headline of the Year seeding stage!
From now until Dec ~27, reposts + likes are counted (across 4 platforms), and the top 16 go through to a seeded knockout stage (1 v 16, etc.).
Then 4 rounds of headline battles to pick a winner for the 2024 Headline of the Year contest!
From now until Dec ~27, reposts + likes are counted (across 4 platforms), and the top 16 go through to a seeded knockout stage (1 v 16, etc.).
Then 4 rounds of headline battles to pick a winner for the 2024 Headline of the Year contest!
The 2024 Headline of the Year Nominees
🧵
🧵
December 22, 2024 at 8:17 PM
Welcome to the 2024 Headline of the Year seeding stage!
From now until Dec ~27, reposts + likes are counted (across 4 platforms), and the top 16 go through to a seeded knockout stage (1 v 16, etc.).
Then 4 rounds of headline battles to pick a winner for the 2024 Headline of the Year contest!
From now until Dec ~27, reposts + likes are counted (across 4 platforms), and the top 16 go through to a seeded knockout stage (1 v 16, etc.).
Then 4 rounds of headline battles to pick a winner for the 2024 Headline of the Year contest!
Thanks for the looooooove!
1. M.R.Albert's THE BIDDING WAR. Another locally crafted hit for Crow's Theatre, like FIFTEEN DOGS and THE MASTER PLAN. Albert's devious script attracted an all-star cast for this peak #Toronto tale exploring "good" ppl doing bad things to snag the city's "last affordable house."
December 20, 2024 at 6:50 PM
Thanks for the looooooove!
I like it, too 🤩
Interested in this trailer from Crows. Timelines between when a show is ready to be shot, and when you could use a trailer have been a barrier to a show like this with a short run. Also, theatre made for an IRL audience often looks not great on video. But this works. vimeo.com/1034298636
THE BIDDING WAR Trailer
Experience the energy of THE BIDDING WAR in this new trailer and catch a glimpse of the chaotic, unbelievable, and outrageous antics that unfold as characters fight…
vimeo.com
December 7, 2024 at 2:26 PM
I like it, too 🤩