Vivek Shraya. Photo by Vanessa Heins.
a woman surrounded by pink musical instruments

How to Fail as a Popstar

2023 Tour

How to Fail as a Popstar traces Vivek’s story from her early childhood days in Edmonton where she sang Hindu bhajans to impress God on the weekend and New Kids on the Block during the week to impress her classmates; to her teenage years performing in singing competitions at the West Edmonton Mall; recording her first pop album (which was paid for with a help from her mother); and eventually moving to Toronto to pursue her pop star dreams (only to have them thwarted by a domineering, online bingo addicted manager). Through storytelling, movement and song, Vivek charts her journey to “not quite” pop music superstardom, creating a moving theatrical performance that is a reflection on the power of pop culture, dreams, disappointments, self-determination, and finding one’s authentic voice.

La Chapelle Scènes Contemporaines

Feb 6-8, 2023
Montréal, Canada

 

Mois Multi festival international d’arts multidisciplinaires et électroniques

Feb 11-12, 2023
Quebec City, Canada

 

The Registry Theatre

Nov 29, 2022
Kitchener, Canada

 

Fergus Grand Theatre

Nov 26, 2022
Fergus, Canada

 

Old Town Hall

Nov 24, 2022
Waterford, Canada

 

Rose Theatre Studio

Nov 21-22, 2022
Brampton, Canada

 

First Ontario Performing Arts Centre

Nov 18-19, 2022
St. Catherines, Canada

 

Kingston Grand Theatre

Oct 12-15, 2022
Kingston, Canada

 

Belfast International Arts Festival

October 6 + 8, 2022
Belfast Northern Ireland

 

Theaterformen

July 8-9, 2022
Braunschewig, Germany

 

Intrepid Theatre

February 4-5, 2022
Victoria, Canada

 

PuSh International Performing Arts Festival

February 1-2, 2022
Vancouver, Canada

 

Canadian Stage

February 18 - March 1, 2020
Toronto, Canada

How to Fail As A Popstar is a qualified success – Globe and Mail (¾ stars)
Shraya may not have reached the top echelon of pop stardom, but sharing her persistence and self-discovery just might be a bigger gift. Afterall, these are the stories we rarely hear told – Now Magazine
Shraya scores a big success – Mooney on Theatre

Written and Performed by

  • Vivek Shraya

Directed by

  • Brendan Healy

Assistant Director (High Performance Rodeo)

  • Clare Preuss

Choreographed by

  • William Yong

Set and Costume Designer

  • Joanna Yu

Original Lighting Designer

  • CJ Astronomo

Tour Lighting Designer

  • Imogen Wilson

Music Composition and Sound Design

  • James Bunton

Stage Manager/Technical Director

  • Adrien Whan

A Canadian Stage Production. Commissioned by Canadian Stage.

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