#421 – Aisling Murphy

About This Episode: This week on Stageworthy, host Phil Rickaby welcomes Aisling Murphy, theatre reporter for the Globe and Mail. In a wide-ranging and engaging conversation, Aisling shares the journey from musical theatre student to one of Canada’s leading theatre critics. They discuss her early roots in Baltimore, her move to Canada, and how a moment of personal upheaval redirected her path from performing to criticism. Now six months into her role at the Globe, Aisling offers sharp insights into the world of Canadian theatre and the delicate balance of being both a critic and a supporter of the art form. This episode explores:

• Aisling's transition from performer to theatre critic
• Her journey from Ottawa to Toronto, and eventually to the Globe and Mail
• The challenges of reviewing peers and staying impartial
• Differences between Canadian and American theatre ecosystems
• The unique opportunities and responsibilities of being a national critic
• Her thoughts on critical integrity, honesty, and theatre as public record
• The importance of documenting Canadian theatre for the future

Guest: 🖋️ Aisling Murphy Aisling ("ash-ling") Murphy is the theatre reporter for The Globe and Mail. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, she was the senior editor of Intermission Magazine from 2021-2025 and during that time also worked as a staff writer at the Toronto Star and CP24/CTV News Toronto. As a freelance culture writer, she wrote for publications including the New York Times, CBC Arts, the Stratford Beacon-Herald and her hometown paper, the Baltimore Sun. She is an occasional playwright and frequent Swiftie. She lives in Toronto with her husband and two cats.

Connect with Aisling: The Globe and Mail: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/authors/aisling-murphy/ 📸 Instagram: @aisling.murph

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