EAST END EXPLORED with Andrea Donaldson

Jul 25, 2018

^{Written by Walter Strydom}

Starting out as a small village in the 1850’s, Leslieville originally developed around the Toronto Nurseries owned by George Leslie and sons. Back then the majority of its 800 residents were gardeners or worked in the nearby brick factories. Today Toronto’s East End, one of the city’s most exciting developing neighbourhoods, is home to an estimated 30,000 people.

Theatre director, Andrea Donaldson, is one of those residents. With a passion for sharing stories that offer unusual, unspoken or undervalued perspectives, Andrea aims to make theatre that creates space for extraordinary experiences. “I’m not interested in work that doesn’t make me feel and think a lot – and I’m a sucker for beauty” says the director of 2017’s Dora-nominated Lo (Or Dear Mr. Wells). Currently working on Grace– an association production between Nightwood Theatre and Crow’s Theatre - set to debut in 2019 as part of Crow’s 2018-19 season – Andrea is excited to be able to walk to work every day.

Andrea’s ties with the East End run deep. “I come from a long line of East Enders,” she exclaims, “my grandfather went to Riverdale Collegiate in the 1920’s!” She and her partner, the comedian Rob Barker, decidedly settled in Leslieville about 15 years ago and have lived in the East End ever since. “I remember thinking it was really romantic to hear the squeak of the streetcars,” she recalls. And family life with their 9-year old son in the area has been a dream. “Theo was literally born in our house on Logan with help from the Riverdale Midwives. He’s been romping around Leslieville his whole life: eating samples at Rowe Farms and Brick Street Bakery, playing at Jimmie Simpson and at the South Riverdale Child and Parent Centre at Ralph Thornton. We have so many friends that we made when he was a baby – it’s amazing to see all of the kids (and parents) grow up!”

We asked Andrea to give us a rundown of some of her favourite places from their part of the neighbourhood:

…to read a book

^{“Ralph Thornton Library is the heart of our neighbourhood. I take out at least a dozen books a month and love knowing our librarian by name!”}

…to grab a coffee

^{“Boxcar Social is a home-office away from home. I meet with a lot of playwrights, designers and emerging artists. It's perfect for meetings.”}

…to get an ice cream

^{“Kiddie Cone at Ed’s Real Scoop (Burnt Marshmallow!)”}

…to browse for an outfit

^{“Common Sort and Arts Market are amazing for lucky finds.”}

…to have a family outing

^{“Almost every Sunday we have a homebody/neighbourhood day: we take Theo to 9AM piano at Regent Park School of Music (exceptional music mandated for all children) while Rob and I have a morning date at Sumach Espresso. Then we head for the best pho in the city at Que Ling on Gerrard (Theo has been slurping noodles there since he was a baby), and then later we go for family fitness at the Cooper Koo Family Cherry Street YMCA Centre, lifting weights/karate/Pilates.”}

…to have a relaxing night out

^{“When my schedule happily crosses with Rob’s for a night out, we will usually go to Farside on Gerrard for the best craft beer in Toronto.”}

…to get groceries

^{“I hate big stores and prefer to shop by foot, so we shop daily for dinner at Hooked, Butchers of Distinction, Rowe Farms and Leslieville Cheese Market, St John’s Bakery and Brick Street Bakery.”}

…to relax

^{“I go to ToCA for acupuncture when I need to restore. Sliding scale acupuncture done in whispers, that ends with a communal nap make it very special.”}

Get a Frequent Flyer subscription (an 8-play flyer saves 30%) and see Grace (amongst other great plays) at Streetcar Crowsnest!