New projects to come from the Gemini nominated performer
On the heels of her departure from CBC, industry veteran Ali Eisner is embarking on several new projects. Eisner opened her debut photography exhibit, entitled Favourite Things, at the Gladstone Hotel in January 2014 to great success. The Gemini nominated performer and puppeteer will see more new projects throughout 2014. Eisner developed and embodied Kids CBC’s beloved “Mamma Yamma” from 2007 to April 2013. Since Eisner’s departure, Kids CBC brought on a new performer to continue on with Mamma Yamma.
Eisner’s Mamma Yamma first rose to fame for her engaging musical performances with artists like Joel Plaskett, Kathleen Edwards, Dallas Green (City and Colour), Sarah Harmer, Barenaked Ladies, Sam Roberts, Serena Ryder, Tegan & Sara and Sloan. As a composer and musician, these performances were almost entirely relationships developed by Eisner herself.
Of her departure from the CBC and “Mamma Yamma”, Eisner notes, “It was hard to leave Mamma Yamma because I am her. But as a performer you’re never finished developing and creating, so I’m excited about my current work. I have a couple surprises up my sleeve.”
Eisner’s masterful puppeteering continues to be seen on TVOntario’s “Gisele’s Big Backyard” where she plays “Jay” the Blue Jay. Her performances include an upcoming block of Canadian musical guests, collaborating with Jay for “Jay’s Family Jam.” On the musical side, Eisner just finished scoring the new theme song to “Gisele’s Big Backyard” and is excited about season two of “Zerby Derby” being picked up by TVOntario. “Zerby Derby” is a preschool show Eisner and her partner Christine Bougie are scoring. In the time since her departure from Kids’ CBC, Eisner launched a new website (www.alieisner.com), hosted “The Long Winter – Kids Edition” at the Great Hall on December 28, 2013 and held her debut photography exhibit at the Gladstone Hotel.
“I’m grateful to the many years of creativity and growth I had with the CBC,” explains Eisner.
Alongside her puppeteering, Eisner has always been passionate about behind the scenes work. This has resulted in two Gemini nominations for puppeteering “Mamma Yamma” on CBC (2009 & 2011), a Gemini nomination as a producer/writer for Kid’s CBC (2011) and a Youth Media Alliance Award for composing and performing “Wowie Woah Woah” (2013), a song about how discovering and learning new things is fun.
About Ali Eisner
Eisner launched her career in children’s television 18 years ago as a host on YTV. Puppeteer, composer, photographer, writer and director, Ali has worked extensively on television shows in Canada and the US, collaborating using a wide range of talents.In 2004, she began working for TVO on “Gisele’s Big Backyard,” a spinoff of “Polka Dot Door,” where she continues as “Jay” the Blue Jay. In 2007, Eisner was approached by CBC to create “Mamma Yamma,” who she embodied until April, 2013, receiving several Gemini nominations and national acclaim for this role. Eisner is currently developing several new projects, which will be announced shortly on her website, www.alieisner.com.
