Inside The Isabel: Part One

Podcast episode 89
This month we go inside what has become one of Kingston's most treasured venues: The Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts (https://kingstonlive.ca/isabel-bader-centre-for-the-performing-arts) . In part one of a special two-part episode, The Isabel's Director, Gordon E. Smith, explains the vision, history, development and significance of the Queen's University-run building as a public space, educational facility, cultural hub and world class performance hall.

Chapters:
0:22 Episode overview
02:04 The Isabel: A primer
04:42 The Isabel's inception
06:57 Building The Isabel
11:04 Project challenges and preserving the past
16:15 Prioritizinig diversity in programming performances
19:43 Complement don't compete: Collaborating with other cultural venues
23:10 Residencies and recording at The Isabel
27:05 Stewarding The Isabel as a place and a presence
29:24 Historical significance of The Isabel's site
32:04 Episode credits

Episode Production Credits

Guests:
Gordon E. Smith, The Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts

Hosts:
Pete Sanfilippo [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

Cover photo:
Timothy Andrews [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

Audio production:
SoundWise Inc. https://kingstonlive.ca/resource/1191590/view

Episode Links

The Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts https://kingstonlive.ca/isabel-bader-centre-for-the-performing-arts
Queen's University https://www.queensu.ca
Queen's University DAN School of Drama and Music https://sdm.queensu.ca
Queen's University Film and Media https://www.queensu.ca/filmandmedia/
Tett Centre for Creativity & Learning https://kingstonlive.ca/resource/1196399/view
Kingston concerts and music festivals https://kingstonlive.ca/


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Video Credits

Produced by: SoundWise Inc.
Posted: Mar. 3, 2026

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Featured Article

Six applicants awarded in the Isabel Bader Centre for the performing arts 2025-2026 IMAGINE Arts Incubator
The program supports artists and their projects through the granting of venue space, production staffing, and artist honoraria.
Author: Alyssa de Hoop
Published by: Queen's University
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