Justine Stock is one of the minds behind New Canon Theatre Co., a nonprofit company that has been reimagining classic stage productions since its Tavern Shakespeare and Macbeth debut in 2022, as well as reimagining locations that can be viewed as theaters (a backyard will do). In addition to serving as managing director of New Canon, she is owner of J. Stock Productions, a local theatrical and film production company, and writes poetry.
Stock grew up in Miami, where she started her acting career. “I’ve been acting since the age of 8 years old,” she says. Stock, who is half-Argentinian, has lived in Monterey County for the past 18 years, but she divides her time among three very different areas: Miami, Mexico City and the Central Coast.
Weekly: What motivated you to start New Canon?
Stock: I met Justin Gordon [New Canon’s co-founder]. We were both performing. We started to talk about the world of theater here on the Monterey Peninsula. We noticed there was a gap, a deficit in the style of theater that we want to do, and the stories we want to share. There was such incredible potential for more deeply resonating work, provocative work, edgier work, and also new plays, new playwrights.
Did you think New Canon would become what it is today?
Yes, I did because what we’re offering is different, and in this area they are open in many ways to new ideas. I think they were craving what we offer, and maybe they didn’t even know it. We don’t do children’s theater, we don’t do big musicals. Think more off-Broadway style – that’s us, and there is an audience for us.
How do you define acting?
Acting isn’t something you do, it’s a place you go – and that is our job, that is our calling.
How do you imagine theater in a world dominated by AI?
I think theater is going to be one of the most important places that people will want to go to remind themselves of who they are. I think we’re going to have a resurgence. I envision in the next 10 years – because everything is accelerating so quickly – more tribal-style fire circle theater instead of big Broadway.
Fire circle theater?
People gathering in intimate groups.
Like your backyard?
Oh my god, yeah – like my backyard. Watching all these people show up to my backyard, or even just a small black box, is what New Canon does.
What was it like reading your poetry for the first time?
I’ve read a few at the Henry Miller Memorial Library. They do a poetry night. I’ve got to tell you, acting is hard, very hard. When you read your own poetry – oh my god, I had to try and keep it together. It was very emotional. That’s not easy. It was the most perfect, safe space to do that. I read them in English and Spanish.
You speak different languages. Are you a different person in each?
Yes, a little bit – especially in Spanish. It aligns more with the passion and the fervor and my energy level. Spanish is so expressive, and there’s such a lovely freedom when you do speak it – what happens in your body, how it ignites your hands and your shoulders. I feel really blessed to have been able to speak Spanish all my life.
How do you manage all the travel?
I’m an Aquarius, so I feel like I belong to the world. Miami is my home. Miami knows me during incredible formative years, with so much rhythm and adventure and nightlife. And then, the breeze – gosh, that breeze is just intoxicating.
Mexico City knows this other woman who is identifying with her Latinidad. I fell in love with Mexico City [when] my mother took us there for her 70th birthday. I landed and I just started to weep, because it reminded me a lot of Buenos Aires, and some special times with my family growing up.
The Monterey area is where I raise my daughter, and all three are essential for my spirit, because they offer such different things. Miami is el ritmo, Mexico City is la vibra and Monterey is the peace. I always come back to Monterey for that peace.
What is a must in your luggage?
I always bring a bathing suit. That’s the Miami girl in me.
NEW CANON’s fifth season begins on June 11 with Romeo and Juliet at the Forest Theatre in Carmel. newcanontheatre.org.