Author: Kristen Finlay

What is your role in this production? I’m playing Guenevere, who’s a spirited and yearning young lady. Despite her affairs with Lancelot, she remains a dutiful partner to King Arthur. Their marriage is founded in a very admirable friendship and professional respect. Arthur values her insight and opinions, which is a refreshing dynamic between a man and a woman given the attitude and treatment toward women during the time period in which the show is set. Overall, Guenevere is a bold and noble queen who, in her own way, is always striving to protect the kingdom, promote peace, and preserve Arthur’s reputation. In many ways, she’s beyond her years. She can come across as introspective and strong, but has momentary lapses of naivete. Regardless of which side she’s putting forward, she is inherently opinionated and punctilious. She listens when the time is right, and takes charge when she feels she should.

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? I took drama and oral communication classes from junior high through post-secondary, and was a professional and competitive dancer for fifteen years. In 2013, I retired from dance to focus my extracurricular efforts on theatre. Recent credits include Lucy in Raine (New Works Festival 2016), Cunningham in The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (University of Alberta), Dawn in Seven Lost Minutes (35th Annual Edmonton Fringe Festival) and Lady Windermere in Lady Windermere’s Fan (Walterdale Theatre). This is my first role of 2017 and my second production at Walterdale.

What is your role in this production? My role is twofold in this production: I play Victoria in the production and I’m the Co-Director of Publicity for Walterdale. In my role as Co-Director, I write press releases, contact local reviewers, set up interviews, and make sure the word about the show gets out so people will come and see it! Victoria is a bit of a puzzle. She is the perfect wife and mother, but she has many secrets she needs to keep hidden. She would do just about anything to protect her family.

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? I graduated from Keyano College with a diploma in Visual and Performing Arts program located in Fort McMurray. I acted in a few shows on the Keyano main stage, including Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean and Les Belles Soeurs. I’ve been involved in stage-managing a few productions like Death Comes to Auntie Norma (Lucky Wench Productions) and Jesus Master Builder (Walk on Water Productions). I’ve also stage-managed for Gerald Osborn at ADFA’s Stage Struck for the past few years, which has been a real treat. Since 2012, I’ve been volunteering at Walterdale in various roles, including assistant stage manager and lighting operator. I’ve really found my niche as a stage manager, which suits my bossiness to a T.

What brought you out for this production? Since acting seems to be in my blood (despite my love for stage-managing), I love to come out and audition for Walterdale shows. It’s awesome to get to meet different directors and hear about their vision. Even if I don’t get a part, I never feel rejected because of the feeling of community Walterdale projects. I always feel like I’m coming home.

What do you hope audiences will take away from the show? Why do you think they should come see it? I hope audiences will see that not every family is perfect; we all have secrets and skeletons in the closest. Some laughs would also be nice! Audiences should come and see it because it’s a great way to spend an evening while supporting local playwrights. What not to like?

What has been the most challenging thing about doing this show? The best thing? It’s been 17 years since I was onstage last, so remembering how to learn my lines was a bit of a struggle. I used to know all the tips and tricks, but things have changed so much! Imagine my surprise when I found out there were apps I could use to help me. Back in my day, you just sat with your script and repeated the lines until they were in there (shakes fist at young people).

I’d have to say the best thing has been getting back onstage. Stage-managing and acting can be quite varied in responsibilities and duties. It’s a whole different world under the lights than it is hiding in the booth!