Tracey Erin Smith: From Solo Stage to Streaming Success
The Firecracker Department with Naomi Snieckus
Release Date: 11/19/2025
From Second City to Blind Date: Rebecca Northan on Creating Magic
The Firecracker Department with Naomi Snieckus
This week on the Firecracker Department Podcast, I sit down with someone who Iâve known for a long time â my friend Rebecca Northan. This conversation was a long-overdue catch-up between two Second City alums whoâve shared stages, dressing rooms, hotel rooms, ideas, and deodorant. Rebeccaâs career is extraordinary: Blind Date (creator/star), This Hour Has 22 Minutes, and so many more IMDb credits that show the scope of her talent as an actor, director, improviser, and creator. In our chat, she talks about the origins of Blind Date, how a spark turned into an internationally celebrated...
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Hila Di Castro on Improv, Community & Championing Women on Stage
The Firecracker Department with Naomi Snieckus
In this episode, Naomi sits down with Hila Di Castroâactress, international improviser, and teacherâto geek out about their shared love of improv. Hila opens up about how she got started, her deep commitment to teaching, and her passion for supporting women in the improv community. Recorded in the lunch room of Berlin's legendary Ratibor Theatre during Impro-Fest 2025, this conversation captures the festival's unique magicâsqueezed between rehearsals, shows, and communal meal prep. (Because at a European improv festival, you can always count on two things: laughs and incredible...
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Ellie Harvie on Talent, Love & Lessons from Mom
The Firecracker Department with Naomi Snieckus
Weâre thrilled to welcome the one and only Ellie Harvie to the Firecracker Department Podcast! You know her from her unforgettable roles as Morticia Addams in The New Addams Family, Dr. Lindsey Novak in Stargate SG-1 and Candace Wheeler in Some Assembly Required. With an incredible career that spans comedy, drama, voice work, and everything in between, Ellie brings brilliance, intelligence, humour and just a touch of âi know where the bodies are keptâ to every role she takes on. But in this episode, we go even deeper. Ellie speaks about her passion for politics, how she uses her...
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Tracey Erin Smith: From Solo Stage to Streaming Success
The Firecracker Department with Naomi Snieckus
This week, Naomi welcomes the incredible Tracey Erin Smith - theatre creator, TV host, and master storyteller extraordinaire! From her award-winning solo shows in NYC to founding SOULO Theatre (with workshops spanning from Toronto to Tel Aviv), Tracey has spent her career proving that our personal stories have the power to transform lives. Now, she's bringing that magic to television as the creator and host of DRAG HEALS, streaming on multiple platforms and earning her two Canadian Screen Award nominations. In this heartfelt conversation, Tracey opens up about: Why vulnerability is her...
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Karen Robinson: On Acting, Legacy, and Living Fully
The Firecracker Department with Naomi Snieckus
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Karen Robinson, an award-winning Canadian actor whose remarkable career spans stage, film, and television. Best known for her roles in Schitt's Creek, Narc, Lars and the Real Girl, Star Trek: Discovery, Pretty Hard Cases, and Law & Order, Karen brings depth and authenticity to every performance. As a Canadian Screen Award winner and member of the SAG Award-winning Schitt's Creek ensemble, Karen has established herself as one of Canada's most versatile and compelling performers. Her work consistently demonstrates a commitment to truth...
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Cazhhmere Downey continues innovating and learning
The Firecracker Department with Naomi Snieckus
This week on the podcast, host Naomi Snieckus is joined by powerhouse director Cazhhmere Downey. From her recent work on Law & Order to working with live bisons on Heartland, Cazhhmere approaches everything with curiosity and a deep artistic commitment. She dives into what it means to stay innovative in an ever-changing industry, and how she keeps her artistic voice at the center of every project. They also chat about the specific skills she leaned into while directing the hilarious series Shelved, and celebrate her award-winning short film I...
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Diana Frances dives deep into life, art, and everything in between.
The Firecracker Department with Naomi Snieckus
This week, Naomi Snieckus sits down with the incomparable Diana Francesâwriter, performer, comedian, and creative dynamoâfor an unforgettable conversation that dives deep into life, art, and everything in between. Diana shares her experiences growing up as an adopted kid and the emotional journey of giving her son up for adoption, and how she brings her story into her work.. She opens up about what it truly means to pour your heart into your art, and reflects on the cheerleaders who helped her find her voice and fuel her passion. With many Canadian Comedy Awards and WGC nominations,...
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Firecracker Dept LIVE with Julie Nolke!
The Firecracker Department with Naomi Snieckus
We hit the stage at Toronto Sketchfest with the one and only Julie Nolke, and the energy was off the charts! In front of a packed crowd of Nolke-fans, we dived deep into building your own career and the incredible power that comes with owning your path in comedy and content creation. We also explored the fast pace of maintaining an online presence andâstep by stepâhow to start and grow a successful YouTube channel. Julie, known for her viral hit "Explaining the Pandemic to My Past Self", shared her insights on navigating the world of digital content and how she turned her YouTube fame...
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Ali Eisner, one of Canadaâs most imaginative creators.
The Firecracker Department with Naomi Snieckus
This week on the Firecracker Podcast, Naomi sits down with the wildly talented Ali J. Eisner â award-winning puppeteer, writer, director, and musician. Their incredible credits include Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock, Supernatural Academy, Lido Tv, The Sunny Side Up Show, Nanalanâ, Mr. Meaty, The Lets Go Show, CBC Kids, TVO Kids & a variety of music videos for Canadian musicians they directed, produced and puppeteered. Ali brings a unique artistry to everything they do â whether itâs breathing life into a puppet, crafting a scene, or composing music. We...
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Standing Bold in Comedy: Kathy Greenwood on Improv, Acting, and Breaking Barriers
The Firecracker Department with Naomi Snieckus
Firecracker Department Podcast: Kathy Greenwood In this episode, we welcome the phenomenal Kathy Greenwoodâimproviser, actor, and comedy trailblazer! As the first woman to receive the Canadian Comedy Award for Funniest Female Improviser, Kathy has been paving the way for women in comedy for decades. We dive into the importance of standing your ground on stage in improv, making bold choices, and trusting your comedic instincts. Kathy shares what it was like to fully immerse herself in a multi-dimensional role in Wind at My Back, bringing depth and heart to period drama. We also get the inside...
info_outlineThis week, Naomi welcomes the incredible Tracey Erin Smith - theatre creator, TV host, and master storyteller extraordinaire!
From her award-winning solo shows in NYC to founding SOULO Theatre (with workshops spanning from Toronto to Tel Aviv), Tracey has spent her career proving that our personal stories have the power to transform lives. Now, she's bringing that magic to television as the creator and host of DRAG HEALS, streaming on multiple platforms and earning her two Canadian Screen Award nominations.
In this heartfelt conversation, Tracey opens up about:
- Why vulnerability is her superpower (on stage and on screen)
- The unexpected journey from Off-Broadway to reality TV
- What it really means to help others "fly solo"
- Sneak peeks into her upcoming book Flying SOULO
Whether you're a theatre lover, reality TV fan, or someone who believes in the healing power of storytelling, you'll love getting to know the warm, wise, and wonderfully authentic Tracey Erin Smith.