Meet the Cast of RED – Ben Osgood is Ken

ben-osgoodWho do you play in this production? I play Ken in RED. He is a young artist who takes the taxing role of assistant for famous painter Mark Rothko. Ken begins his journey a little naïve and with a sense of excitement, fear and wonder but is an incredibly hard worker and very intelligent.

What is your background in theatre? I performed in theatre throughout high school and into my 1st and 2nd year of university. My most recent show was a New Works Play titled Princess Bear where I played a foolish Spanish Prince who falls in love and makes love to a bear.

What brought you out for this show? I read the script in preparation for the audition and fell in love with it. I strongly connected with Ken I loved the discussions about what means and how to can and should effect people, and how our art defines us.

It’s no secret that this play deals with visual art. What kind of art do you like? I am a very big fan of a Swedish arts named Simon Stålenhag who paints wonderful pictures which blend the real world with sci-fi. They are beautiful paintings that elicit feelings of insignificance in a huge world, or almost child-like innocence’s at wonderful and awful things.simon-stalenhag-painting

Meet Bethany Hughes, Director of RED

bethanyWhat is your role on this production?
– Director
– Responsible to oversee the artistic and dramatic aspects of the production and choosing the cast members, production design, and the creative aspects of show.

What is your background in theatre?
A few Walterdale Productions: Stage Manager – Misanthrope, Proof; Choreographer: CHESS: The Musical
Straight Edge Theatre: Co-Founder

What about this show intrigues you?
– The passion, the energy, the characters relationship and, the text.
– I love art, in all forms and mediums. This show brings with it some beautiful creative challenges. Those challenges inspired me as an Artist/Director to create this world.

What is the most challenging thing about working on this show?
– Speaking of challenges… one of the technical challenges has been blocking the painting scene. There are lots of factors to that moment. The diligence, the technique, the timing, and the synchronization of the movement. There is a lot happening, and quickly.  Lots of layers to consider.
– Another great challenge is the text/ dialogue itself. These words are heavy and intellectual and difficult. How do you take 40 pages of  talking and make it interesting and engaging? It was a daunting task at first, but I was in love with the language and the relationship of the characters.  Confession: The first time I read it (years ago) I used dictionary.com several times.

Art plays a big role in this show. Who is your favorite artist and why? Favorite painting/sculpture? Do you have a picture?
– I have a few local Artists whose work I deeply admire: Mitchell Chalifoux and Kristina Shave. Admittedly Ken and I are of one mind. I adore Jackson Pollock’s work. I have a soft spot in my heart for Monet and Van Gogh as well.

van-goghpollock

Meet the Cast of LADY WINDERMERE’S FAN by Oscar Wilde

2Lady's FanAuditions were completed this week for Lady Windermere’s Fan by Oscar Wilde, directed by Martin Stout.

We’re excited to welcome back many Walterdale members as well as welcome in several brand new ones!

Join us onstage in December for this witty piece from Oscar Wilde!

CAST:
Mrs. Erlynne – Marsha Amanova
Lady Windermere – Miranda Broumas
Duchess of Berwick – Leslie Caffaro
Mrs. Cowper-Cowper – Grace Chapman
Rosalie (Maid) – Emanuelle Dubbeldam
Lord Darlington – Dan Fessenden
Lady Agatha Carlisle – Hannah Haugen
Lady Plymdale – Brittany Hinse
Lord Windermere – Patrick Maloney
Parker (Butler) – Ed Medeiros
Mr Dumby – Andy Mikula
Mr Cecil Graham – Brayden O’Boyle
Lord Augustus Lorton – David Owen
Lady Stutfield – Roseanna Sargent
Mr Hopper – Craig Sephton

Lady Jedburgh – Samantha VandenBrink

Production Team:
Director – Martin Stout
Assistant Director – Madeleine Stout
Production Manager – Karin Lauderdale
Set Designer – Leland Stelck
Lighting Designer – Richard Hatfield
Costume Designer – Geri Dittrich
Props – Emily Randall
Master Builder – Pierre Valois
Master Painter – Joan Heys Hawkins

Introducing the Cast and Creative Team for RED by John Logan

1RedRed
By John Logan
Directed by Bethany Hughes
On Stage: October 12-22, 2016

John Logan’s Red follows the apprenticeship of Ken, a young painter, under the volatile and famous abstract expressionist Mark Rothko.  He mixes paint, runs errands, and clean s brushes, but he ends up being the audience for Rothko’s beliefs about art and the world.  When Rothko is commissioned to produced a grand piece of art, Ken turns the table of Rothko and his beliefs.

“There is only one thing I fear in life, my friend… One day the black will swallow the red.”

Cast:
Rothko – Mark Finlay
Ken – Ben Osgood

Creative Team:
Director – Bethany Hughes
Mentor Director – Sarah Van Tassel
Stage Manager – Anglia Redding
Production Manager – Catherine Wenschlag
Set Designer – Joan Hawkins
Light Designer – Brad Melrose
Sound Designer – Daniel Belland
Costume Designer – Geri Dittrich
Props Manager – TBA
Assistant Stage Manager – TBA
LX Operator – Laura Ly
Sound Operator – TBA
Master Builder – Alan Westen
Master Painter – TBA

Meet the Cast of CHESS – Kate Wylie is Svetlana!

SvetlanaWhat is your role in Chess? I am playing the character of Svetlana, Anatoly’s (the Russian Chess Champion) wife. She faces a lot of struggles including being a woman in communist Russia and dealing with a dying marriage. Her future is very uncertain through much of the production.

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? I grew up doing theatre – musical theatre in particular. I am a graduate of the MacEwan Theatre Arts Program, although in those days it was Grant MacEwan College. When I moved back to Edmonton from Toronto after a very long hiatus from theatre, I did my first production at the Walterdale – Nine. I then had another opportunity to work with the amazing Kristen Finlay and Sally Hunt again on The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee with ELOPE theatre. Since then I have been away from the theatre completing my MBA. It feels great to be back at  Walterdale!

What brought you out for this show? What drew you to it? I grew up listening to the LP of the original concept album of Chess. I am definitely showing my age when I say it was an LP! It has always been one of my favourite musicals. The music is fantastic and full of interesting layers. In spite of the fact that it is such an amazing show, it rarely gets produced. Because of that, I had to jump at the chance to do it. Lucky for me, our lovely director was willing to accommodate my rather crazy schedule, which included a study tour in Europe during the rehearsal period. Thanks again for that Kristen!

Why do you think audiences should come see this show? What do you think they will take away from it? The music first and foremost! There are such great tunes in this show. The show also provides an interesting journey back into the years of the Cold War. The 1980’s do not seem like they were that long ago but the world has changed an absolutely incredible amount since then. It’s fascinating looking back.

Chess is a Board Game… What’s your favorite Board Game? Why? Got any funny game-playing stories? My favourite game to play is Cribbage. I grew up in rural Saskatchewan, where everyone plays Crib and my great-grandmother (G.G. we called her) taught us all to play, usually around the tender age of 8. She was ruthless! She would steal your points if you didn’t count them right. Needless to say you learned how to count properly pretty quickly! My husband and I also played Crib on our first date….maybe that sounds lame and I should be ashamed to admit it but it was sweet and fun. I won both games – he’ll claim he let me win but knowing how competitive he is there’s no way that’s true!

Meet the Cast of CHESS – Alyssa Paterson is in the Ensemble

Meet the Cast of CHESS – Melanie Lafleur is The Arbiter

sHeadshot5BandWWhat is your role in the production? I will be portraying the role of The Arbiter in Chess. As the official representative of the World Chess Organization, The Arbiter is responsible for all actions that take place during each chess match. The Arbiter is judge and jury, making the final call on all items related to the game and it’s participants. In short, I am the boss.

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? I have been singing, dancing and performing as long as I can remember. I have had the opportunity to perform on a variety of stages both in professional and community settings. I returned to the stage last year after a 9 year hiatus. Chess marks my second performance with the Walterdale, last seen all the way back in 2001.

What brought you out for this show? What drew you to it? I remember discovering this show first when I was in high school and falling in love the the intricate music and dark, yet moving story. I was excited when I heard the Walterdale was planning the production and decided early on that I would love a chance to sing some of the rock-infused music!

Why do you think audiences should come see this show? What do you think they will take away from it? Chess tells the story of a significant time in human history. The names and places may differ from our reality, but the themes are everlasting. The struggles and ideological differences these character face are universal no matter what the issues being discussed. I hope the audience is reminded that home is where the heart is. And that the greatest sacrifice we can make is to give of ourselves completely.

Chess is a Board Game… What’s your favorite Board Game? Why? Got any funny game-playing stories? My favorite game is Skip-Bo! I love card games. My best friend and I have played the game so much that we even have our own rules! Some that involve new positions such as “Skip-Bo Fairy” and “Shuffle Queen”. I have always enjoyed strategy games and have been known to play a round or two of Chess myself.

Meet the Cast of CHESS – Todd Hauck is Anatoly

Headshot3BandWWhat is your role in CHESS? I’m playing Anatoly, the Russian chess champion.  He is passionate and thoughtful, and has dedicated his entire life to the game of chess. He hates the politics and propaganda that he constantly has to deal with and wishes he could be free of those distractions, allowing him to simply concentrate on the game.   Not long after meeting Florence, his opponent’s second, the two fall in love.  His love for Florence forces him to make some very difficult choices throughout the show.

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? I’ve been involved in theatre for about 5 years now, and absolutely love it!  I have made some of the best friends I have ever had through theatre, and I’m constantly amazed by what wonderful people the Edmonton theater community is made of. I have never had the pleasure of doing a show at Walterdale, but have seen many shows here and wanted to perform here for years. I can’t wait!

 What brought you out for this show? What drew you to it? I had the pleasure of working with Sally Hunt (our musical director) on a show a couple of years ago, so when I heard her speaking about this show I immediately looked into it, and instantly fell in love with the amazing music, story, and characters.  Anatoly is such a pleasure to play, and his songs are some of the best that I have ever had the chance to learn.

 Why do you think audiences should come see this show? What do you think they will take away from it? The music is really amazing, with examples of thus about every style all wrapped up into one show.  Classic musical theatre, pop songs, ballads, rap…  It’s all in there and beautifully written.  The cast is packed with truly gifted performers, all working very hard to bring this show to life, and I think audiences will be blown away with what they see and hear.

Chess is a Board Game… What’s your favorite Board Game? Why? Got any funny game-playing stories? We have recently began having some family Monopoly games, and my kids have a ball playing it.  Last time we had a game my middle daughter Lilly went so far as to prepare herself by applying war paint to her face before we started! It was hilarious!

Meet the Team of Chess – John Anderson is the Assistant Stage Manager!

john andersonWhat is your role on the production?  I am the Assistant Stage Manager for Chess. That means, during the performances, I’ll be doing work behind the curtains, Wizard of Oz style (but with much less authority, Cowardly Lion style). You might even see me briefly come on stage, when the lights go down, helping the cast change the set for the next scene.

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? I was previously the Assistant Stage Manager on Walterdale’s production of Jenny’s Story. That was a great experience, and I had a lot of fun with the cast and crew. So far, Chess is shaping up to be just as fun.

What brought you out for this show? What drew you to it? If I could, I’d volunteer to participate in every Walterdale show, but, unfortunately, the majority of the season takes place at the same time as basketball season. Like Jenny’s Story, Chess is on stage in the summertime—the off-season for all us hardwood ballers—so volunteering for the summer shows is my chance to re-connect with the theatre community that I have to miss for most of the year.

Why do you think audiences should come see this show? What do you think they will take away from it? For one, the cast. I mean, I’ve been watching these guys almost every night, and I can tell you, you’re going to feel some real feels at this show. Also, I think the audience will really enjoy the song-and-dance element of this show. The music has a lot of heart to it, and our talented cast will be doing these songs justice. You’ll be humming some of these songs at intermission, and at work the next day. The script is nothing to sneeze at either. I’ve found in the past that the story for some musicals tends to just be cliché fluff that fills the air between songs, but not with Chess. I read the script the other week, and was surprised by how subtle and thoughtful its story could be, particularly the ending, which will satisfy your Entertain-Me-Now!! wants, as well as provoke some real discussion, as your group gets a post-play drink. At the end of the day, it’s an unusually thoughtful plot for a musical that’s full of great songs, performed by an ensemble that’s willing and able to give you their all. That’s real entertainment, right there. What more could you want?

Chess is a Board Game… What’s your favorite Board Game? Why? Got any funny game-playing stories? I don’t think Jenga really counts as a board game, so I’ll have to give the highly coveted Favorite-Board-Game award to Chess. My dad taught me the game, when I was six, and I used to play it often at lunchtime in my elementary daycare. Once, in an impressive campaign of skill and strategy, I took home third place in my age group at a city tournament (Reluctant real life admission: there were only four kids in my age group at the tournament, and I think the fourth kid went home sick halfway through… Whatever, though).

Meet the Cast of CHESS – Tyra Watkin is in the Ensemble

headshot 2015What is your role in CHESS? I play a Hungarian, a Merchandizer, an American, an Attendant and Arbiter’s Assistant. These roles are very wide ranged and fun! I can really change who I am between every character, anywhere from a young scared Hungarian girl to a confident merchandizer. It is fantastic!

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? This my second theatre production and I am super excited to be a part of the Walterdale family for the musical Chess!

What brought you out for this production? What really drew me towards Chess was the plot line and how exciting it was. I was looking for auditions and I found Chess and I was instantly drawn towards it!

Why should audiences come see this show? I think audiences should really come see it for the phenomenal story! You will be happy you came, its so interesting and dramatically awesome. Between the great dramatics, singing and dancing you’ll find something you love in this musical. It has romance, and feuds, politics, and chess – what’s not to love!?

What’s your favourite Board Game?  My favourite board game would have to be snakes and ladders, its just so much fun to play with friends and family. My family and I play a lot of this game whenever we go camping, a perfect time to play a little snakes and ladders!