London Inc. February 2022 - 33

20 UNDER 40 * CL ASS OF 2021
Daniel Bennett
Technical Director, Grand Theatre and Artistic Producer, Curveball Creative | 31
Technical director of the Grand Theatre and artistic producer with Curveball Creative, a grassroots
organization that aims to provide work and exposure for independent artists from diverse backgrounds in
London, Daniel Bennett is committed to expanding institutional capacity around representation, equity and
inclusion. A collaborative leader who seeks input from everyone in the room, he leads with compassion
and empathy and aims to find solutions that not only lead to art that is exacting and impactful, but also
reflects the makers who are around the table.
What would you call your biggest business achievement,
and why? I have trouble answering this question as I believe
my achievement rests in the artistic merit of the work I create
and the impact that it has in the community rather than the
traditional markers of business, such as growth. From an
artistic perspective, I am most proud of my lighting design
for Cabaret at the Grand Theatre. I thought it was artistically
rigorous, exciting and was a vital component of the
storytelling of that piece. I am also very excited
by the work on Room, which opens at the Grand
Theatre in March. I think my biggest business
achievement, meanwhile, was growing the
capacity of Curveball Creative to be able to
hire multiple artists at equitable rates.
gg
torytelling of that piece. I am also very excited
y the work on Room, which opens at the Grand
Theatre in March. I think my biggest business
chievement, meanwhile, was growing the
apacity of Curveball Creative to be able to
hire multiple artists at equitable rates.
Who, or what, has been your biggest influence?
My biggest business influence was my time living
in Montreal. Public art and culture are integrated
into that city in a way that is unparalleled in the
rest of Canada. The vibrancy it brings is palpable
and enhances the mental health and well-being
of its cititizens. The appreciation of culture is also
integrated into the residents of Quebec, which is
different from other provinces and leads to more
funding and the proliferation of high-calibre work
that often experiments with form.
Who,
My bigge
in Mon
into tha
of C
and en
inte
at
fferent
unding an
that often
Knowing what you know now, what advice
would you give to a young you? There
is no need to rush; careers are long.
Currently, I am more smelling the roses
while driving down the highway at 140
kilometres per hour - but the first
step to change is acknowledging, right?
o
w
Best TV and movies you've
watched this year? Although some
definite clichés and holes in the plot,
Archive 81 was entertaining on TV. Best
filfilm was Single All the Way. Loved seeing the
gay representation in the Hallmark holiday
A
gay
movie - even with the cringey moments.
And finally, what's your guilty pleasure?
Doughnuts. Full stop.
And f
ug
I believe my achievement rests in the artistic
merit of the work I create and the impact
that it has in the community
FEBRUARY 2022 | londonincmagazine.ca | 33

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London Inc. February 2022

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