During this time of social distancing and dark theatres, Halifax Presents is checking in with members of our arts community to find out how they are staying creative and managing during the pandemic.
This week we check in with Halifax theatre creator Logan Robins.
1. How are you staying creative during the pandemic?
Building puppets, editing videos, and practicing didgeridoo (with apologies to my neighbours).
2. What’s the one thing getting you through?
Keeping myself busy with volunteering. Shout out to the amazing Elder Dog and United Way’s Atlantic Compassion Fund.
3. How are you staying in contact with family and friends who are not in your bubble?
Much like a sad adult’s bath, I am presently bubble-less. I have been staying in contact with folks over the exponentially growing list of video calling apps. What is a “Microsoft Team” and will I have to pass/catch a ball?
4. What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far during the pandemic?
It’s a two-way tie between learning how to be self-motivating and how to make kimchi.
5. What do you feel the most grateful for right now?
I feel very grateful for my partner, Linda, and our dog Max. Having so much love inside makes it easier not to go outside.
6. What is something you are doing now that you don’t normally?
Waking up at 7:30 am.
7. What skill have you developed since the pandemic started?
How to make a darn tasty vegetarian meatloaf (it’s lentils and oats if you can believe it)!
8. What have you missed the most?
Being physically close to my friends and family.
9. Your #1 pandemic survival tip.
Be kind to yourself so that you may have the capacity to be kind to others.
10. Your biggest indulgence since the pandemic started.
Having sushi delivered from Sushi Jet (they always throw in free soups and salads and make me smile).
11. What have you stockpiled?
Goldfish crackers (a guilty pleasure and fond memories of simpler childhood snacks).
12. What have you been reading?
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer & The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
13. What have you been watching?
I’ve been rewatching Lost, and it never gets old.
14. What have you been listening to?
I have been listening to a lot of Kishi Bashi and also Portuguese Fado music (which is beautiful and incredible for concentration).
15. What are you doing for exercise?
The same 20-minute workout video on YouTube over and over again. It’s better than nothing, right?
16. The one thing you haven’t been able to live without?
Wi-fi.
17. Do-it-yourself haircut or the natural look?
The natural look, also known as neanderthal chic.
18. Night owl or early riser?
I used to be a night owl, but now I wake up early every morning despite having less to do than ever.
19. Will you be the first out as restrictions are gradually lifted or taking a wait-and-see attitude?
I think that it only stands to benefit myself and my community to take things slowly. I am excited to slowly venture out to places that are taking appropriate health measures.
20. What’s the first thing you will do when this is all over?
Take a moment to feel grateful for the things I couldn’t do during the pandemic.
Meet Logan Robins
Logan is aspiring to be an award-winning theatre creator based in Kjipuktuk/Halifax. He graduated from the Fountain School of Performing Arts with an honours BA in theatre with a minor in English and a failed attempt at a BSc in Marine Biology. He also studied puppetry at the Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia.
He spends much of his time imagining fascinating stories to direct, write, or puppeteer and knowing a lot more about theatre than whale behaviour.
He is the founder and artistic director of The Unnatural Disaster Theatre Company, with whom he recently directed and produced the anthology play Forest Town in collaboration with Shakespeare by the Sea. He also wrote and directed The Encounters of an Adventurous Snail, an original shadow-puppetry musical based upon the works of Federico GarcÃa Lorca, at the Halifax Fringe Festival. He recently worked as an assistant producer and collaborator on Settle Elsewhere, a devised character-mask show by Theatre du Poulet.
You may have seen him acting, or hiking around in Cape Breton, last summer in The Shoplifters, and He’d Be Your Mother’s Father’s Cousin at Theatre Baddeck.
You can follow Logan on Instagram at both @loganrobins and @unnaturaldisastertheatre.