From music to musicals: How Durham College helped alum Cale Crowe find his next stage

When Durham College (DC) graduate Cale Crowe first picked up a guitar, he imagined a career filled with music, but not necessarily musicals. After completing the Music Business Management (MBM) program in 2017, he spent the following years establishing his name as a singer-songwriter – performing, recording, touring, and building a strong foundation in the music industry.

Crowe’s creativity took a new turn when an unexpected invitation from the Cameco Capitol Arts Centre led him back to the world of theatre. What began as a creative experiment soon grew into Rez Gas the Musical, a heartfelt story inspired by his Alderville First Nation roots and shaped by the skills, confidence, and community he found at DC.

What inspired you to move from singer-songwriter to playwright?

To be honest, I never planned to go back to theatre. I was a theatre kid in high school, but I focused on music as an adult. But then Rob Kempson, the Artistic Director at the Cameco Capitol Arts Centre, invited me into the 2023 Capital Theatre’s Creator’s Unit. At the time, I thought it would end with a public reading of a half-finished script. I never imagined we’d get to turn it into a full production.

How did your own experiences shape Rez Gas?

Less than a year before the first writers’ meeting for Rez Gas, I moved back home to Alderville First Nation after more than a decade as a musician. I spent a lot of time thinking about what returning home meant — starting a family, reconnecting with my culture, and understanding my responsibilities. My partner and I had many conversations about perpetuating our traditional customs at home and whether I viewed that responsibility as a burden, a duty, or a privilege. Those reflections became the heart of the story.

How did DC’s MBM program prepare you for this project?

The MBM program gave me a solid understanding of how to execute a public event — from understanding legal agreements and composing and recording demos, press releases, to circulating the press release and finally, opening night. I might’ve been new to theatre, but I didn’t come in empty-handed. The tools I developed at DC were essential and several of my DC professors even came to the show.

Which DC skills did you lean on most?

There were elements of live sound and video production at play during the actual run, and many of the more media and public relations assignments helped with promoting the show. Ultimately, the event planning course helped the most. Being new to professional theatre, knowing how live events operate — especially one running for two weeks — kept me grounded and organized.

Were there mentors, faculty members, or experiences at DC that had a lasting impact on your career path?

I would have likely given up on my career numerous times if it weren’t for faculty members Marni Thornton and Tony Sutherland. Both played an instrumental role in equipping me not only with the knowledge and skills to succeed in various aspects of the music industry, but also the confidence in myself to take these kinds of risks. I wouldn’t be where I am without them.

How does Rez Gas foster understanding between communities?

Theatre and performing arts have long been utilized to tell our stories to non-Indigenous audiences. Rez Gas was always intended as a means of inviting folks from all walks of life to relate to a day in the life of a modern Indigenous community. Our goal wasn’t to lecture but to show modern Indigenous life in three dimensions — we laugh, cry, rage, and joke like everyone else. It’s about connection and authenticity.

Looking ahead, what’s next for you?

I’m heading back to my roots — touring, writing, and recording — but I’ve certainly caught the theatre bug. This experience reminded me how far creativity can go when you have the right foundation.

Rez Gas the Musical held 18 performances at the Cameco Capitol Arts Centre in Port Hope from August 22 to September 7, 2025, drawing enthusiastic audiences and multiple sold-out shows. To learn more about Cale Crowe and his work, visit calecrowe.com.