“As soon as I got off the plane, it felt like home,” says Robin Calvert, director and choreographer of “ ,”about landing in Charlottetown, P.E.I.
, 20 years ago. She had arrived to join the Charlottetown Festival, Atlantic Canada’s largest theatre festival, as an ensemble dancer. Since that debut, she has grown with “Anne,” becoming the production’s choreographer in 2017 and, this year, its director.
“It felt very full circle, and very emotional,” says Calvert, who is based in Stratford, Ont., but continues to travel to Charlottetown for work. “It’s such a magical show.
The message is enduring. We always want to find our home, and that’s what Anne shows us, how to bring a community together.” Charlottetown’s small-town feel and amazing arts and food communities instantly resonated with her.
“And the beaches are beautiful,” adds Calvert, who also lauds the boardwalk in Victoria Park, an all-ages beacon of peace along the city’s southern tip, revered for dreamy harbourfront sunsets. Even after Calvert’s two decades with the musical, “Anne of Green Gables” (on now until Aug. 31) still inspires her, as does working at the world-class Confederation Centre of the Arts, which is celebrating its 60th birthday.
“It really feels like a golden summer,” she says. For your next trip to Charlottetown, Calvert shares some of her recommendations (beyond, of course, taking in a show). Robin Calvert, director and choreographer of “Anne of Green Ga.