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    Columbus Makes Art Presents Short North Stage’s Artistic Director Edward Carignan


    Edward Carignan, artist director of Short North Stage

    “I love envisioning an entire production and then seeing it slowly come to life.”

    — Edward Carignan, Artistic Director, Short North Stage

    Edward Carignan is the artistic director of Short North Stage and has been with the company since 2013. Originally from Manchester, New Hampshire, he has toured across the country and internationally in several productions as a performer before he transitioned to a professional director/choreographer. Carignan’s next project is co-directing/choreographing Rock of Ages with his Associate Artistic Director Dionysia Williams, July 21 to Aug. 14.

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    Dionysia: What made you fall in love with theater?
    Edward: I grew up listening to cast recordings and fell in love with the musical Pippin when I saw it at a local theater. This made me want to start taking dance and acting classes as a kid and I consumed as much theater as I could by attending shows locally or watching them on DVDs at home.

    Dionysia: What is your favorite thing about directing a show?
    Edward: I love envisioning an entire production and then seeing it slowly come to life. I’m lucky enough to watch it night after night at the theater. The idea that we can think about something in our brains and have it realized time and time again is truly the best part of the job.

    Dionysia: How do you start your directing process?
    Edward: Research! I research about the show’s history, the time, place, dance vocabulary, pop culture and whatever else I need to know about the time period the show is set in. I really enjoy it. I read a lot of books and watch a lot of documentaries. The next piece is putting my book (script/score) together and starting to figure out how the puzzle pieces will work.

    Dionysia: What made you take the artistic director job?
    Edward: Being able to engage all the skills I have in this position really does appeal to me. Knowing about each side of the creative process has really helped me in this role and keeps me engaged.

    Dionysia: Who has heavily influenced you as a director or choreographer?
    Edward: Michael Bennet because he knew how to tell a cohesive story using acting, singing and dancing. What’s unique about him is that he really thought outside the box, knew how to collaborate, envision big things and see them come to life. He also had a lot of respect for the performers.

    Dionysia: What other activities do you like to do outside the theater to keep your mind active?
    Edward: I love podcasts like “Behind The Curtain” and “NYTimes Daily.” I love binging long multi-season shows like “Stranger Things,” “Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” “Mad Men” (my favorite), “VEEP,” “Slings and Arrows” and “30 Rock.” I also love hanging out with my dogs Tommy and Neville.

    Dionysia: What’s the best thing about the Columbus arts scene?
    Edward: That it’s still developing — to be a part of something that’s growing and not a part of something that’s grown — it’s collaborative, challenging and creatively fulfilling.

    Edward Carignan

    Don’t miss Carignan’s next project, Rock Of Ages, opening July 21 at Short North Stage. Find more information at shortnorthstage.org.

    Columbus Makes Art Presents is a bi-weekly column brought to you by the Greater Columbus Arts Council – supporting and advancing the arts and cultural fabric of Columbus. The column is a project of the Art Makes Columbus campaign, telling the inspiring stories of the people and organizations who create Columbus art. Learn more about local artists, organizations, public art and events at ColumbusMakesArt.com.

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    Dionysia Williams
    Dionysia Williamshttps://www.shortnorthstage.org/
    Dionysia Williams is associate artistic director at Short North Stage.
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