DIRECT ADDRESS

SPONSOR SHOUT OUT: @factorytheatre For over four decades, Factory Theatre has developed and produced some of the finest theatrical works in our national canon and been home to some of the most gifted and prolific playwrights in our country, including: @ronnieburkett , @daniel_mac_ivor , @halfchink_ , @ksandler24 , Jeff Ho and @hannahmoscovitch . Artistic Director, @melmuahaha Theatre’s, especially Factory, have always been a place to come and talk about what it is to be human, and how we continue to navigate this thing called life — in person, and with hearts open. We can’t think of a better place to start off the series. We are thrilled with this collaboration and Factory’s support of @direct_address . Check out Factory Theatre’s latest season featuring @lestertrips @tinybearjaws @baddogtheatre @bcurrentlive @theatresheridan @susannahaight and @alunatheatre Want to sponsor our next conversation? Reach out at the link in our bio! [Image Description: A black-and-white photo of Factory Theatre’s exterior in Toronto, a building with both historic and contemporary architecture. Arrows in orange are drawn across the image.]

Guest Spotlight: Alaine Hutton + Lauren Gillis AKA Lester Trips (Theatre) are the award-winning multidisciplinary duo behind CBC’s “Content Farm”, the critically acclaimed “Mr. Truth” (Riser Project, 2018) and “Safe and Sorry,” (SummerWorks, 2019). Lester Trips (Theatre) creates questionably comedic work that examines the internet’s impact on our minds and sexualities. Join us at 5:00pm after the matinee performance of their latest show, “Honey I’m Home,” on November 24th, 2025, at Factory Theatre. We will discuss how they navigate living and creating together, making art while under the poverty line, and the strange luxury of time to think. RSVP to the LIVE conversation via the link on our profile. “Honey, I’m Home” runs from November 21st - December 1st, 2024 at Factory Theatre. Photo Credit: @helenyung [Image Description: First Slide: Alaine with slicked-backed hair wears a jacket with a popped collar, looking off to the side with a smile. Orange arrows pass in front of and behind Alaine. Second Slide: Lauren with dark, curly hair wears a bold red lipstick and dark eyeliner, looking directly at the camera. Orange arrows pass in front of and behind Lauren.]

Wayne Burns is the host of Direct Address. He is a classically trained actor and creative producer who continues to work across the country in theatre, film, and performance art. Born and raised in Wagobatik/Truro, Nova Scotia, Wayne is a graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada. He is a two-time Theatre Nova Scotia Award winner, an ACTRA Award nominee, and was selected by NOW Magazine as a Breakthrough Theatre Artist for his performance in Michael Ross Albert’s “Miss” at The Assembly Theatre. Wayne’s films have played festivals worldwide and have received funding from the National Film Board of Canada, Canada Council for the Arts, Toronto Arts Council, and the Inside Out Film Festival, with distribution on CBC and OUTtv. His solo work has toured Eastern Canada and has been performed at festivals and venues including In The Soil Arts Festival, Swallow-a-Bicycle Theatre, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, Eastern Front Theatre, The Theatre Centre, Fluid Fest, and Solo-icious. Wayne is also the co-founder of Toronto’s longest-running interdisciplinary conversation series, ‘Dark Nights,’ which ran from 2015 to 2018, holding residencies at The Theatre Centre and (formally) The Gladstone Hotel, and hosting an intergenerational conversation about the future of Canadian art at The National Arts Centre. To learn more about Wayne and his upcoming projects head over to his website. Photo Credit: @calyssalorraine [Image Description: A close up, black-and-white photo of Wayne Burns with short styled hair, a mustache, wearing a white crew-neck sweater and small hoop earrings. Orange arrows pass through the image across and behind Wayne’s head. ]

JOIN THE CONVERSATION Direct Address is a salon-style conversation series hosted by award-winning actor and producer Wayne Burns, exploring how local artists, entertainers, and culture makers sustain their artistic practices and lives in Canada. Born from a desire to demystify how creatives design their lives, this IN-PERSON series features conversations with some of Canada’s most exciting creators. Monthly events in art spaces across the country invite everyone to join the dialogue about how to live creatively – and sustainably. Let’s be direct, shall we? **Special thanks to @ayotsalithaba for graphic design assistance. [Image Description: A dark grey background features the logo for “Direct Address” in orange and white font with an orange arrow pointing towards the words “with Wayne Burns”]