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

Paper Doll Productions presents SEVEN LOST MINUTES at the 2016 Edmonton Fringe

Seven Lost MinutesPaper Doll Productions is thrilled to be bringing you the Canadian Premiere of Seven Lost Minutes written by Sydney Parcey to the 35th Annual Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival!!

Based on a true story, Seven Lost Minutes follows the story of Diana, a driven wife whose medical symptoms point towards an “unknown disease”. Diana fights for her health, as her family fights for her well-being. This story shows how the love of one family can help someone survive whatever life throws at them.

Written by: Sydney Parcey
Directed by: Melanie Bahniuk (Ravenscroft)

Featuring:
Shanni Pinkerton
Josh Harnack
Miranda Broumas
Sam Goertz 
Rebecca Bissonnette (Ravenscroft)
Roseanna Sargent
Emi Gusdal

Designed by: Stephanie Bahniuk
Sound Design by: Taylor Price
Stage Managed by: Steven Sobolewski

 

WALK ON WATER THEATRE presents JESUS MASTER BUILDER – A DIVINE COMEDY at the Edmonton Fringe

13926017_10157278630475084_5564387607560987086_oWritten by Mark Allan Greene
Directed by Trish van Doornum

Starring Bradley Bishop, Macalan Tate Boniec-Jedras, Cailin Mills, Curtis Johnson, Monica Maddaford, Mike McDevitt, Mike LaPlaunte, and Josh Languedoc.

Special thanks to Trevor Rueger, Mieko Ouchi, Walterdale Theatre, and the Alberta Playwrights’ Network for script development.

The whole world has heard the story of the Followers of Christ; now hear the tragic tale of the Customers of Christ. Jesus is a great Son of God, but not much of a carpenter.  He also has two fathers. While Joseph wants Jesus to get into the family home building business, God has very different plans. He tries to please both, but the houses that Jesus builds are unholy disasters. Follow the quest of Jebediah, as he leads the first ever Condo Association through biblical events to find Jesus Christ and bring Him back into their lives… to fix the deficiencies in the homes that Jesus built.

Walterdale members involved are:
Trish van Doornum, Mark Allan Greene, Anglia Redding, Liz Cook, Bradley Bishop, Macalan Tate Boniec-Jedras, Monica Maddaford, Mike LaPlaunte, Curtis Johnson, Josh Languedoc, Doug Verdin, and Geri Dittrich

Half the Battle at the 2016 Edmonton International Fringe

half the battleWalterdale Almunae Owen Bishop and Joel Taras present Half the Battle

“The combination of strong acting and muscular writing made this one a winner!”  – David Hudgins, Co-Founder of Electric Company Theatre

Half the Battle is twice the show – Funny and Moving. Don’t miss it!”  – Kathryn Shaw, Artistic Director of Studio 58

When a Canadian pilot and copilot were shot down during the Second World War their tombstones were attached together to symbolize their partnership lasting into the afterlife. Join Adams and Davis as the journey to the other side where they learn a little about death and a lot about each other.

What began in Vancouver at Studio 58 as a final exercise before Owen’s graduation, this two-ish man show has moved back home with him to Edmonton. The show has been revamped, expanded, revised and polished by Owen and Joel for months. Half the Battle is packed with Canadian Military history and existential humour, it’s like Band of Brothers meets Waiting for Godot!

Venue #9 The Telus Phone Museum

Thursday, August 11th 11:59 PM
Sunday, August 14th 12:00 PM
Monday August 15th 2:00 PM
Tuesday, August 16th 4:00 PM
Wednesday, August 17th 8:15 PM
Friday, August 19th 6:45 PM

Created and performed by: Owen Bishop (The Threepenny Opera)
Directed and made to look sexy by: Joel Taras (Beautiful Thing)

 

iiii theatricals presents EPIC TRAGEDY an EPIC comedy at the 2016 Edmonton International Fringe

EPIC TRAGEDYWritten and Directed by Gerald Osborn

Date night in Ancient Athens. Meet Medea and Oedipus. According to the Fates, they’re a perfect match thanks to all the patricide, infanticide and accidental incest in their day-to-day lives. Will these two crazy kids make a go of it or are they destined for an EPIC TRAGEDY? Opa!

Epic Tragedy – Winner, Outstanding Production, Outstanding New Work, Outstanding Director – Stage Struck! 2013

Cast:
Francie Goodwin-Davies
James Hamilton
Landon Shayne Penner
Eric Smith
Ruby Swekla
Cat Walsh
Catherine Wenschlag
dale Wilson
Syrell Wilson

Stage Manager: Melanie Hough
Technical Consultant: Doug Verdin

The Novus Actors present LEGALLY LEMOINE: TWO COMEDIES IN SEARCH OF JUSTICE at the 2016 Fringe

Legally-Lemoine-handbill-frontA misfit group of Edmonton-based lawyers leave the courtroom for the stage at the 2016 Edmonton Fringe Festival. After a successful run at the 2015 Festival, the Novus Actors return with a new double-bill. It’s Legally Lemoine: Two Comedies in Search of Justice. On the docket this year are two Stewart Lemoine one-acts: A Widow’s Crimes weaves intrigue, deception, and romance at a Balkan spa in the 1920s, and in the more contemporary A Second Round of Seconds, rogue participants cause havoc at a speed dating event.

The Novus Actors is an ensemble group of Edmonton-based barristers and solicitors, made up of Mark Facundo, Jillian Gamez, Stacey Grubb (Anything Goes), Don MacCannell, Morgan McClelland, Ed Picard, Sarah Rossman and Marissa Tordoff. Jointly directing the production are Stewart Lemoine and Mathew Hulshof.

“Edmonton has an incredibly vibrant theatre community,” said Stacey Grubb, actor and legal counsel with Alberta Justice. “I fell in love with Stewart Lemoine’s work the first time I saw it. It is such a privilege to work with members of Teatro La Quindicina’s ensemble.”

All proceeds from the show will be donated to Teatro La Quindicina, a not-for-profit professional theatre company based in Edmonton. LOCATION: Venue #12 – Varscona Theatre, 10329 83 Avenue, Edmonton

innocent operations presents THE BIG FAT SURPRISE at The 2016 Edmonton International Fringe

thebigfatsurprise-poster-04-withbleedEveryone has heard of it. Almost everyone you meet has been there. This is The Big Fat Surprise.

Sarah Ormandy (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum) and Jake Tkaczyk in collaboration with themselves and each other have created The Big Fat Surprise curated by Kristine Nutting. In a nonsensical and plot-less way, the two use a variety of forms and experimentations both to entertain the audience and to comment, explore, and crush what we accept as the norm in Canadian theatre today. This is a piece of Canadian theatre.

Performers/creators Jake Tkaczyk of Holden AB and Sarah Ormandy of St Albert are both entering their final year of the University of Alberta BFA Acting program.  Both are also performing this Fringe in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, with Opera Nuova.  They developed this work in collaboration with director Kristine Nutting, designer Kai Villneff, who is entering the final year of the U of A BFA Design program, and movement coach Nancy Sandercock.  Michael Johnson, a graduate of Red Deer College Theatre & Entertainment Production, is stage managing, and Louise Mallory (Othello, Chess, From Cradle to Stage, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?), local theatre volunteer and blogger, is producer, for the company innocent operations.

 

Ghostwriter Theatre presents SEANCE! at the 2016 Edmonton International Fringe

Clare Mullen in Fringe show Seance
Clare Mullen in Fringe show Seance

Clare Mullen and Phil Zyp are Walterdale Board members; Ron Pearson, the writer/director, is a Walterdale alumnus. This is the 20th anniversary of our first staging of this show. This version, we have changed the time period from the Victorian era to the 1920’s and thrown in few extra curves.

SEANCE! is a recreation of a 1920’s Spiritualist meeting in which the audience will have their minds read, see ghosts and become direct participants in the search for the next world. 

WARNING: Not for the faint of heart!

“Evil, Dark, Scary…A Real Scream!”
The Edmonton Sun

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Edmonton Journal

Starring:
Clare Mullen as Ava Fournier
Phil Zyp as Jonathan Medhurst

Written and Directed by Ron Pearson
Stage Managed by Molly Pearson