Acclaimed Director Promises Dark Rapture to be Fast Paced, Intense, and Funny
Published on June 2nd, 2014. Last updated April 20th, 2023.
Toronto Director Jack Grinhaus was recently named the Artistic Director of Theatre North West in Prince George, B.C. But, before he takes off for the West Coast, Grinhaus will mount his last Toronto production for the foreseeable future, Dark Rapture, with the Toronto Film School.
The Toronto Film School at RCC Institute of Technology brings in industry professionals to direct the school’s term productions and this term Grinhaus was approached for the job.
Grinhaus, 38, is originally from Toronto and has an extensive and impressive biography in the theatre industry. Primarily a director, Grinhaus has also worked in various streams of theatre as producer, designer, playwright, and actor with numerous theatre, television, and film credits in the city and abroad.
He has been acting since he was a child, has a Master in Fine Arts, several Dora Nominations and is a THEA award winner. He is the Co-Artistic Director of the indie theatre company, Bound to Create Theatre and just weeks ago was named the incoming Artistic Director of Theatre North West, making him one of only about 30 regional theatre leaders in the country.
When Grinhaus was approached to direct the play featuring fifth term students in the Toronto Film School’s Acting for Film, Television and the Theatre program he was told he could choose any play he wanted.
Grinhaus decided to watch the class a few times, see the group of students and pick a play based on their strengths.
“I didn’t want to pick a play that was for me, I didn’t think that is the point of the showcase here,” Grinhaus said. “I wanted to make sure it was geared to them.”
He came up with three or four plays suited to the class and narrowed it down to two: A Few Good Men and Dark Rapture. He eventually chose Dark Rapture, because he said it felt more current and it will showcase the students well.
“Dark Rapture is something I saw when I was in school in the late 90s and I always loved it,” Grinhaus said. “The reason I like Dark Rapture is because it’s very filmic in style.”
Dark Rapture is fast paced, intense, and funny, this post modern mystery play is inspired by all the great noir films of the 1940’s, and set to a 1990’s Quentin Tarantino Indie film backdrop. A “Find the Money” Mystery, Dark Rapture is the story of a man who goes missing along with seven million dollars.
“Everybody is a bad guy, there really are no good guys,” Grinhaus said. “Everyone is sort of a dark, shady character and mysterious in some way.”
Most interesting, Grinhaus said, is that beneath the often funny and exciting intrigue of the detective drama runs an undercurrent of political and social commentary about the repercussions of modern war.
Grinhaus started working with the students, six men and two women, in April. They rehearse for about 15 hours a week and Grinhaus said the product, so far, is looking good.
“But, I always want them to be looking at how they can improve,” he said. “Because once they can recognize that themselves then they don’t’ need me.”
When it comes to directing the students, Grinhaus said he treats them like he would any other professional theatre company.
“I told them on the first day that I would hold them to the same standards as I have when I do a professional production,” he said. “Show up on time, have your stuff together, have your lines ready to go.”
That being said, Grinhaus said he realizes as students the actors may need a bit more encouragement.
“I push very hard,” Grinhaus said. “Part of the reason I became a director is because I always thought people didn’t push me hard enough.”
From staging this production, Grinhaus said the students are learning a good use of articulation, good use of story telling, a sense of themselves, stamina that is required in the industry and confidence.
Student Ruth Joy Cosme said working with a recognized director like Grinhaus enriches her learning experience at Toronto Film School.
“I’ve never really experienced this before,” she said. “I have learned a lot, it is a lot more direct and you explore things that you haven’t explored about yourself as a person and as an actor.”
The staging of Dark Rapture will be held at Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse, 79 St George St #302, Toronto, on Friday, June 20 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, June 21 at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets are free and can be reserved through Eventbright.
