Stir Bedside Table: 2023 TUTS directors sound off on memoirs, beach reads, and more
Matilda’s Stephanie Graham and The Prom’s Tracey Power share some of their literary faves
Stephanie Graham. Photo by Wade Muir Photography
Tracey Power. Photo by Ian Brown
Stir Bedside Table is a column where Stir connects with local artists and creatives to hear about some of their favourite reads.
THIS EDITION OF Stir Bedside Table is a rare double shot, featuring both 2023 Theatre Under the Stars’ directors. First up is Stephanie Graham of Matilda the Musical; then it’s over to Tracey Power, who’s helming The Prom.
The reader, Part 1:
What’s your story?
I am a director, award-winning choreographer, and arts educator and have worked across Canada from Neptune Theatre in Halifax to The Musical Stage Company in Toronto to The Globe Theatre in Regina. I am currently directing Matilda for Theatre Under the Stars here in Vancouver.
I am loving being in Vancouver biking the sea wall, having coffee with friends in Kitts and going to YYOGA downtown. And can we talk about the awesome food scene here?
What's on your bedside table right now?
There is a stack of Roald Dahl’s books including Matilda, The BFG and The Twits for research purposes, but currently reading Joan Didion’s Let Me Tell You What I Mean, which is a collection of her non-fiction essays from 1968 to 2000. I have always admired her insight and sharp writing style. It is astonishing how some of those earlier essays feel so current.
A book that changed your life?
When I was 12, I read Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery. That book propelled me toward a love of literature. I would finish one book in the series and then immediately start reading the next one. I think I was attracted to Anne’s dramatics, her romanticism, and her imagination. Here was this smart, curious, inquisitive young girl who was making mistakes and still becoming successful in the world. I could relate to that.
Most inspiring biography or autobiography?
I adore memoirs so it is hard to pick just one. But if I had to narrow it down, I would choose Educated by Tara Westover and Between Two Kingdoms by Suleika Jaoud. Two incredible women facing immense obstacles in their lives and ultimately thriving in spite of them.
Best beach-read?
Not a huge beach reader, but I think the ultimate one would be Eat, Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. I dream of taking a year like that travelling to Italy, India, and Indonesia.
Working title of your autobiography?
What I Did for Love: My Life and Work in Canadian Theatre.
Tracey Power.
The reader, Part 2:
What’s your story?
I grew up in Comox on Vancouver Island and now call Vancouver and Kamloops home. I’m an artist who works in theatre as a director/choreographer, actor, and writer of new works and I also work in film and TV as an actor and writer. Currently, I’m directing and choreographing an incredible new musical, The Prom, which I absolutely love, for Theatre Under The Stars. The joy, love, and dancing in this show is contagious.
I’m also co-creating a new musical show called Rock the Canyon, about the musicians of Laurel Canyon for the Mayfield Theatre in Edmonton and it opens in September. I mention this because when I look at my bedside table… it’s pretty obvious.
What’s on your bedside table right now?
Girls Like Us: Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon—and the Journey of a Generation by Sheila Weller. Whenever I’m working on a new show I always have a stack of books for research and inspiration. So you’ll also find a book about Mama Cass, David Crosby, and Laurel Canyon: The Inside Story of Rock and Roll’s Legendary Neighbourhood by Michael Walker
Sea of Tranquility by Emily St John Mandel…Also a local BC islander who wrote Station 11, another winner. Just love the way she writes. Her characters are so real and the way she weaves a story together is brilliant. I think The Glass Hotel is also still on here as well.
Sister to Courage by Wanda Robson about her sister, Viola Desmond. A collection of stories that give you a personal look into the life of this incredible woman.
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman. His imagination is out of this world. I’m just getting to know his work and I love it. The Graveyard Book is next in line.
Gentleman Jack: The Real Anne Lister by Anne Choma. Even though I’ve read it twice I still revisit it. It also seems like a very fitting touchstone as I work on The Prom.
The Power by Naomi Alderman. Very addictive and you know… powerful. A friend read it and gave it to me as soon as they were done, saying, ‘This is your kinda book.’
A book that changed your life?
The Diary of Anne Frank….I don’t know how anyone could read her words and not be changed. I’ve read it more than any other book, and probably every edition.
Most inspiring biography or autobiography?
My dad bought me Over the Boards: Lessons From the Ice by Hayley Wickenheiser because he knew I’d love it, and he was right. She’s such a force. But I’m also going to throw another kinda random one out there, Elvis and Me by Priscilla Presley. It must have been the honesty with which she wrote it, but I felt like I was her best friend after that. I know, kinda weird.
Best beach-read?
Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding for sure because I laughed my ass off so many times. I also loved The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins, The Alice Network by Kate Quinn and could not put The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins down for a second. Older reads but the newer ones are still on my bedside table.
Working title of your autobiography?
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