Author: Kristen Finlay

Meet the Cast of FOLLIES – Dustin Berube is Buddy Plummer!

Color DustinBWhat is your role in this production? I am playing the role of Buddy Plummer in the show. My character is a salesman and lives his life with that persona. He loves his wife dearly but the strain on their marriage is starting to show around the seams.

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? I have been doing musical theatre since I was 12 years old in a musical theatre youth troupe based out of Stony Plain. As an adult I re-entered this world back in 2013 through a Citadel class  at the Foote Theatre School which inevitably led to doing more shows.

What brought you out for this production? I recently took a small hiatus from musical theatre in Edmonton to clear my head. I have worked with Barb and Michael almost exclusively so I was comfortable with how I would work with them and I’ve never done a Walterdale Theatre production. (Although I have performed in the venue during the fringe festival)

This show is about theatre and nostalgia… What do you love about doing theatre? I love the whole process of putting a show together. I like getting to meet and work with a lot of diverse people and the rush of adrenaline when you are on stage.

What has been the most challenging part of doing the show? This is my first principle role, so managing my own expectations as well as the production teams expectations would be my biggest struggle so far.

What has been the best thing about doing the show? Working with a few familiar faces but then being surrounded an enormous amount of talent is the absolute best part about our show!

Follies runs July 5-15, 2017! For tickets call 780.420.1757 or go to www.tixonthesquare.ca!

Meet the Team of FOLLIES – Barb Mah is the Director/Co-choreographer

14292308_10153965500905829_7246918061394677836_nWhat is your role on this production? I am the director/co-choreographer. 

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? I have directed, acted and choreographed for a number of community theatres in Edmonton. For Walterdale, I have directed Sweet Charity and Anything Goes. I have choreographed numbers for Blood Brothers, A Day In Hollywood, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, The Boyfriend (and I can’t think of anymore). I’ve had a play produced for the play development program (as it was then called) where I was mentored by Vern Thiessen. 

Why did you choose this play to direct? I love Sondheim’s work. I’m drawn to complex characters and situations. There’s nothing like middle aged angst to provide a backdrop for drama. The show is also funny in many place. Also: tap dance. I cannot resist tap dance.

This show is about theatre and nostalgia – got any good theatre stories? Talk about nostalgia – I was involved in a workshop production of this show almost 30 years ago. Talk about full circle. As for good theatre stories, catch me for a coffee sometime – I have many that are unprintable.

What has been the most challenging part of doing the show? Although the show is quite firmly grounded in “reality”, there is a large fantasy element. It is a challenge to tie the two together so that it makes sense to an audience.

What has been the best thing about doing the show? Meeting new people. The sense of camaraderie that is created when a cast works together

Follies runs from July 5-15th, 2017. Call 780.420.1757 or go to www.tixonthesquare.ca for tickets today!

Meet the Cast of FROM CRADLE TO STAGE 2017 – Miranda Broumas is Guenevere in GUENEVERE

1047556What 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 brought you out for this production? I’ve long admired the work of our director, Eric Smith, and jumped at the opportunity to audition for one of his productions. Once I had a chance to review the script, I was immensely intrigued. I’ve never worked on a such a poetic show before, so I was excited to try something new. I also felt somewhat obligated to audition for a Greek tragedy since my father hails from Nafpaktos.
What do you hope audiences will take away from the show? Why do you think they should come see it? From playwrights and painters to actors and dancers, it’s always important to support local artists, and From Cradle to Stage is a great way to do that. John Richardson has written a delightful rendition of a well-known tale that I think audiences will enjoy. I’m especially impressed by the depth of emotion the show covers in just sixty minutes.

What has been the most challenging thing about doing this show? The most enjoyable thing? The most enjoyable part has been getting to know the cast and crew on both professional and personal levels. The rehearsal process was a great balance of silly and serious, and resulted in a close-knit cast presenting a very unique and heartfelt show.

Meet the Cast of FROM CRADLE TO STAGE 2017 – Anglia Redding is Victoria in PORTRAIT OF A FAMILY DINNER

Anglia Redding - Guest Poster

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!