SARAH RICHARDSON | PERFORMER, ARRANGER, MUSIC DIRECTOR
Home: Halifax, NS (Métis)
Instagram: @ravenmaven75
Previous work: Ruthless: The Stage Mother of All Musicals, New Waterford Boy, Neptune Theatre’s Alice in Pantoland, Controlled Damage, Elf: the Musical, Rumour Has It: the Songbook of Adele, Heathers: the Musical, 9 to 5: the Musical, and Peter and the Starcatcher.
For over two decades, Sarah Richardson has been a driving force in the performing arts industry in both Ontario and Nova Scotia. Her extensive experience as a performer, multi-instrumentalist, and musical director has earned her numerous accolades and nominations, making her a respected figure in the theatre community.
One of Sarah’s most notable achievements was winning the Merritt Award for Outstanding Musical Direction for the Chester Playhouse’s production of Ruthless: The Stage Mother of All Musicals. Her talent and dedication to her craft have also earned her nominations for HEIST’s New Waterford Boy, Neptune Theatre’s Alice in Pantoland. and Outstanding Actor in a Supporting Role for her portrayal of Lucille Renaud in Neptune Theatre and b current’s co-production of Controlled Damage.
Sarah’s passion for theatre is not limited to musical directing, as she has also worked as a performer on various productions. She is a founding member of Whale Song Theatre and was part of the inaugural year of Neptune Theatre’s Chrysalis Project. Additionally, Sarah has worked as a musical director on a wide range of productions, including Elf: the Musical, Rumour Has It: the Songbook of Adele, Alice in Pantoland, Sondheim’s Company and Assassins, Heathers: the Musical, 9 to 5: the Musical, and Peter and the Starcatcher. She has also worked as an assistant MD on The Color Purple, Peter Pan and Shakespeare in Love.
In addition to her work in theater, Sarah is a member of the vocal trio, DivaStation, and the lead singer of the local punkabilly band, the Blackrats. Her versatility as a performer and musician is a testament to her dedication to the arts and her ability to adapt to different genres and styles. Her contributions to the performing arts community have made her a respected and valued member of the industry.
More about Sarah Richardson
How were you first introduced to your creative discipline (i.e. music, dance, comedy, etc.)?
“I had studied music from the time I was five years old, beginning with piano, picking up other instruments (flute, viola, bass, accordion) along the way. I had always accompanied friends when I wasn’t performing myself. I eventually ended up in a theatre contract where the actors were also the musicians. I had always had a strong ear, and often created harmony lines for songs. A few months after working with the company, they asked me if I would be interested in musically directing their next production… and my career in music direction began!”
How has your city, region or places you were raised impacted you artistically/creatively?
“I was fortunate that there were dance, theatre, and music classes available in the town where I was raised. My parents enrolled me in all of them. As well, my parents got involved in our local community theatre when I was quite young. It instilled a love of performance in me. When I was a teenager, I moved in with other family members in Ottawa, and was able to attend Canterbury High School, which had a specialized arts program. I then moved to Toronto to attend university, where there is obviously a bustling theatre industry. After graduating, I moved to Halifax. Nova Scotia has a thriving theatre community, and I have been lucky to be a part of both independent and regional theatre here.”
What has been your biggest professional achievement(s) so far?
“My biggest professional achievement so far has been winning a Robert Merritt Award for Outstanding Musical Direction. As well, I had the complete honour of playing the role of Lucille Renaud in the world premiere of Andrea Scott’s “Controlled Damage”.”
What’s something people should know about you?
“I absolutely love rock and roll. Playing it. Dancing to it. Singing it. Love it!! I’m the lead singer of a horrorbilly band called “the Blackrats”. I also used to perform burlesque.”
