The Spring Pitch

Do you have an exciting creative performance-based project brewing? The Pitch is a “Dragon’s Den” style workshop where participants can present project ideas and receive supportive feedback from experienced programmers and producers in the field. Don’t worry – our “dragons” are friendly!

For this event, we are looking for projects in the performance space – including music, theatre, live art, comedy, etc.

This workshop is ideal for artists, creatives, and cultural workers. You’ll learn what makes a good pitch and receive feedback on the spot about your creative ideas from recognized cultural professionals.

Our “friendly dragons” include:

• David Eisner, Co-Artistic Director, Harold green Jewish Theatre Company
• Michael Fraiman, Director of Podcasts, Canadian Jewish News
• Tracey Erin Smith, Founder & Artistic Director, SOULO Theatre
• Eric Stein, Artistic Director, Ashkenaz Festival

We’ll also have time set aside for schmoozing so you can connect with fellow Jewish creatives.

Have an idea to pitch? Register and be prepared to give us your best 2-minute pitch. Due to timing, pitching slots are limited.

Want to just watch? Be part of the audience and support your friends and creative community?

Free, registration required. You can register to be a “pitcher” or “audience member.”

Light refreshments will be served. Kashrut observed.

Supported by the Kultura Collective, UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, the Miles Nadal JCC, CANVAS, and the Azrieli Foundation.

Speaker Bios:

David Eisner has been an actor for over 50 years, splitting his time between Toronto, New York and Los Angeles working in film, television and theatre. He has been a regular in several series and was nominated for two Gemini Awards. Co-founder and co-artistic director of the Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company, celebrating its 18th Anniversary season. He has acted in and directed several productions for HGJTC. David starred in Choice: The Henry Morgentaler Story, and more recently appeared in the miniseries Mrs America, CTV’S Transplant, and Hannah Moscovitch’s and Jennifer Podemski’s Crave TV’s mini-series Little Bird. And more recently the Rabbi in critically acclaimed Less Than Kosher, and Law & Order: Toronto – Criminal Intent.

Michael Fraiman is an award-winning journalist and podcast producer who has been published in Men’s Health, Foreign Affairs, The Globe and Mail and Maclean’s Magazine, among others. He is the founding director of The Canadian Jewish News Podcast Network, an audio collective that has drawn more than 1.8 million downloads since its launch in May 2021. Michael lives with his wife and two small children in Niagara Falls, where he sits on the board of the Niagara Falls Public Library.

Tracey Erin Smith is an internationally recognized performer, creator, teacher, and founder of SOULO™ Theatre. A pioneer in solo performance and transformational storytelling, her work has been presented across North America, Europe, and Israel. She is the host and creator of the acclaimed documentary television series DRAG HEALS (OUTtv, Amazon Prime, Apple TV), recipient of multiple Canadian Screen Award nominations and a Telly Award. Her award-winning career includes Broadway World Awards in New York City and Montreal, Best of the Fringe honours in both Toronto and New York, and two Diamond First Place Awards for Best Theatre Instructor from The Toronto Star. Tracey is also the best-selling author of Flying SOULO and co-steward of Birchdale, an off-grid retreat in Southwest Nova Scotia, where she leads SOULO™ Intensives and develops new work. She is currently directing a documentary about Toronto’s iconic United Bakers Dairy Restaurant. (Tracey’s headshot by Dhalia Katz)

Mandolinist, bassist, bandleader, arts curator and producer, Eric Stein has been a prominent figure in Canada’s folk, roots and world music scene for 25 years. As founder/leader of various ensembles, including Beyond the Pale and Tio Chorinho, he has toured internationally and released multiple award-winning albums. Eric has served since 2006 as Artistic Director of Toronto’s biennial Ashkenaz Festival, one of the world’s largest celebrations of global Jewish music and culture.