66th Season – Walterdale Theatre

Meet the Cast of STAG AND DOE! Katelyn Arthurs is Bonnie!

Who are you? Katelyn Arthurs

What is your role in the show? I am playing Bonnie in the show!

Have you been involved with Walterdale Theatre before? I’ve been fortunate to be involved with the Walterdale for many years. Mostly as an actor, but there was one time I was convinced to assistant direct.

What do you think is the best season for a wedding? I think all seasons are great for weddings. I love love! Summer has the opportunity for outdoor celebrations, winter has those dramatic photo ops, spring just feels like new beginnings, and fall is just a superior season altogether for many reasons.

Why should audiences come to see Stag and Doe? It’s EXACTLY what we all need right now. A little levity, a few warm fuzzies and a LOT of laughs!

Meet the Team of STAG AND DOE! Rebecca Cave is Stage Manager!

Who are you? Rebecca Cave

What is your role in the show? What does that involve? Stage Manager, which means I’ve got an incredibly colourful version of the script, and it’s my job to make sure that everything that is supposed to be and happen on stage does so at the correct time and in the safest manner possible.

Have you been involved with Walterdale Theatre before? Yes, I’ve been involved in a variety of roles, but most commonly as a Lighting Designer.

What do you think is the best season for a wedding? I’ve always thought that for weather reasons fall is probably best. If you aim for September or early October, you dodge the snow, but it’s not too hot and you get some gorgeous sunlight.

Tell us a funny short story about something going wrong at a wedding. When I was a kid, my aunt had a winter wedding in what had to be the coldest church in town. It was a semi-historical building in the UK, so the only heating it had was these ancient radiators at the back that got turned on after we showed up. The bridesmaid dresses were sleeveless and very pretty, but not at all warm and my poor sister and I ended up taking shelter in my mom’s shawl. The bride of course had the foresight to give herself a faux-fur wrap. The whole affair was lovely and sweet and we were all blue by the end of it. Thankfully the reception hall had central heating.

Why should audiences come to see Stag and Doe? Stag and Doe is a hilarious show about weddings; how they go right, how they go wrong, and what’re the parts that really matter. With the wedding season bearing down upon us, it’s the perfect time for pandemonium and parties, and we’ve got both ready to share.

Meet the Team of STAG AND DOE! John Anderson is Production Manager!

Who are you? John Anderson

What is your role in the show? I am happy to be the Production Manager of this show, supporting my friend, Louise, in her directorial project. My duties in the PM role involve a lot of administrative tasks, such as booking rehearsal space at the theatre and elsewhere; preparing the program by collecting bios and headshots from the team; organizing and running production meetings; etc. It’s a rewarding role, because it means the creative team members can just focus on those creative parts, knowing that people like me have taken care of the other details. It takes a village to create a show, and I’ve had fun being part of this one.

Have you been involved with Walterdale Theatre before? I’ve been involved with Walterdale for about ten or so years, but always behind the scenes, as I’m not an actor. I’ve been serving on the Board for about five years. I’ve directed a couple shows (The Realistic Joneses and All My Sons), and am hoping to direct another one as soon as they’ll let me.

What do you think is the best season for a wedding? Compared to others, I haven’t attended too many weddings, but the ones I’ve enjoyed most were in the summertime and one at New Years. I haven’t put too much thought into it, but I think early summer is a great time for it, because everyone is feeling new and excited after the winter and it’s easier to space out for people that need to step away from the commotion, either because they need a smoke break, or because they’re introverts that just need some momentary distance.

Tell us a funny short story about something going wrong at a wedding. My uncle was at a wedding where they served drinks before the ceremony, and he was telling me how much he liked that, because it allowed people to loosen up for the actual ceremony, as opposed to waiting until the reception to have a drink. Consequently, he got way too drunk by the end of the night, and my grandma told him the next day that he embarrassed the family on the dance floor. The female bartender was wearing the nice vest he wore to the wedding at the end of the night, he must have enjoyed ordering drinks from her a lot. So maybe don’t serve alcohol until the reception, if you get married…

Why should audiences come to see Stag and Doe? It’s a great, modern Canadian play. I think it has a lot of hilarious moments, but the characters can be very endearing as well.

Meet the Cast of STAG AND DOE! Stephanie Swensrude plays Mandy!

Who are you? Stephanie Swensrude

What is your role in the show? I play the role of Mandy, so I have been attending rehearsals since January to learn my lines, practice blocking, and explore the emotional life of the character. I am also the Co-Director of Publicity, so I promote the show.

Have you been involved with Walterdale Theatre before? I’ve been involved with Walterdale for about eleven years. The first few shows, I was an Assistant Stage Manager, and I’ve acted in a few shows, operated lights, and I also joined the Board of Directors about a year and a half ago as Co-Director of Publicity.

What do you think is the best season for a wedding? Early summer, so you avoid super high prices, and so you can enjoy summer as newlyweds!

Got a funny story about something going wrong at a wedding? When I was attending a family member’s wedding at about three years old, my parents lost me for a while, and after searching frantically, they found me sleeping on a pile of bubble wrap in a closet.

Why should audiences come to see Stag and Doe? I think the show is really funny, but has a lot of heart. It is also a very Canadian play!

Meet the Team of STAG AND DOE! Louise Mallory is the Director!

Who are you? Louise Mallory

What is your role in the show? What does that involve? I’m the Director. After proposing that Walterdale Theatre should include this play in our 2024-2025 season, I gathered the team, selected the cast by auditions, and lead the rehearsal process.

Have you been involved with Walterdale Theatre before? Yes! After starting as an Assistant Stage Manager on A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum in 2014, I’ve been on a show team in every season since. I directed 5@50 in 2020-2021, and I served on the Board for six years.

What do you think is the best season for a wedding? I have so many relatives and friends who are teachers that I always go to their weddings in the summer!

Got any funny stories about something going wrong at a wedding? My hockey teammate got married in a church. During a solemn prayer, some man ran up to the front and started slapping one of the bridesmaids on her legs. It turned out that her skirt had caught on one of the candles decorating the steps, and he was putting out the sparks.

Why should audiences come to see Stag and Doe? Stag and Doe is a funny play about wanting the perfect wedding, and what might go wrong with those plans. The actors are delightful, and Mark Crawford’s clever script is Canadian!

Meet the Team of STAG AND DOE! Alodie Larochelle is Costume Designer!

Who are you? Alodie Larochelle

What is your role in the show? I’m the Costume Designer. After making mood boards and sketches to get ideas out, I pull costumes from the costume bank, as well as from our actors’ wardrobes in some cases. I thrift some costumes, and head a team of stitchers to modify costumes to fit, and make a couple of unique pieces from scratch. My role also involves choosing hairstyles, makeup, jewelry, and nails. During the run, I wash costumes every three nights or so. Maybe I’ll meet Walter this time?

Have you been involved with Walterdale Theatre before? I’ve designed costumes for The Penelopiad before!

What do you think is the best season for a wedding? Early fall. The weather is more stable by then, and the natural light is nice and flattering for photos.

Tell us a funny short story about something going wrong at a wedding. My youngest cousin, Matthieu, then a child, didn’t know what a jello shot was at a family wedding, and ate one with a spoon…

Why should audiences come to see Stag and Doe? It’s a show that simultaneously gives a good, hard, critical look at the Wedding Industrial Complex, and still very much believes in love!

Meet the Team of STAG AND DOE! Brooke Emberly is Co-Master Painter!

Who are you? Brooke Emberly

What is your role in the show? What does that involve? Co-Master Painter. I report to and assist the Master Painter directly, helping to lead the team. I am also acting as a Mentor to the Master Painter on this show.

Have you been involved with Walterdale Theatre before? How? Yes, I am the Head of the Paint Department for the Walterdale Theatre, and have been a Master Painter for 16 shows over the past several years, while assisting on many more.

What do you think is the best season for a wedding? Late May/early June, when the weather is warm, but not scorching hot.

Tell us a funny short story about something going wrong at a wedding. At my wedding, we couldn’t hear the music used for walking down the isle from where we were standing, so even though I had it all planned out, we just stood back there for a long while, waiting for the music to begin, and then had to rush in, last second!

Why should audiences come to see Stag and Doe? Not only are you supporting Community theatre in Edmonton, but you get to reap the benefits of so many volunteers that do arts for the sake of loving the arts!

Meet the Cast of KING OF THE YEES – Ruth Wong-Miller is Lauren Yee!

Who are you and who do you play in King of the Yees? I’m Ruth Wong-Miller and I play Lauren Yee in the show. If her name sounds familiar – she is also the playwright of King of the Yees (the show is semi-autobiographical, she says!)

Lauren is an American Born Chinese woman who is not in touch with her Chinese side. She’s a Yale educated playwright and doesn’t understand why her dad wants to involve what seems like EVERYONE (Lion Dancers, Erhu Players, Lum Elders, Face Changers…everyone) in her new play. She happens to be workshopping her play at the Yee Fung Toy (her dad helped her get the space for free…but he wasn’t invited to the reading!)

Through the course of the play, she adventures through San Francisco’s Chinatown, learning about her Chinese community, culture and history. Most importantly, she explores her relationship with her father and why Chinatown is so important to him.

Why should audiences come to see King of the Yees? This show is comedic and poignant while pulling out all the stops to show you (and teach you) about Chinese culture in San Francisco’s Chinatown! The cast is high energy, funny, and simply awesome. Don’t miss our show!

What would you say would be a highlight of working on King of the Yees so far? It is such a treat to work with this all-Asian cast on the stage of the fabulous Walterdale Theatre! It has been a true honour to lead this cast in a piece of theatre that is so close to our own experiences. – we are all so proud to be representative of the Chinese Culture in this show and are having a blast working on it!

Many characters in King of the Yees struggle with different elements of their identity. What is an element of your identity that you discovered, rediscovered, or started to appreciate as you got older? It’s been extra special to explore a character who has experienced cultural identity challenges similar to my own. Growing up (and even now) folks are wanting to belong, and sometimes this comes at the cost of our own sense of self or pride in our own culture. Especially over the past few years, I have definitely come to appreciate even more the opportunities that were afforded to me because of my parents’ hard work as immigrants – and our journey together to learn to live between two cultures!

What was the best birthday party you attended? McDonalds – the Styrofoam box stacking challenge is an epic memory. My mom made me an awesome Grimace Cake (Still love that purple character to this day!)

Meet the Cast of KING OF THE YEES! Andrew Kwan is Chiropractor, Newscaster & Ensemble member!

What is your name? Andrew Kwan

What is your role in the show? Chiropractor/Newscaster/Ensemble. The Chiropractor is an important character in Chinatown that Lauren must visit to start her journey of discovery. Don’t want to give too much away but he’s pretty well known in these parts.

Why should audiences come to see King of the Yees? This is a charming, fun, and insightful dramatic comedy about institutions and culture that many people aren’t aware of. Its a story about family and the bonds that hold us together.

What would you say would be a highlight of working on King of the Yees so far? Being a part of an all-Asian cast (with an Asian director and SM) has been such a delight. Most of us are like Lauren in many ways, continuing to learn and discover more about our roots. As a Canadian-born Asian person we are between two worlds and navigating life isn’t always straightforward. To be able to go on this journey with people with similar backgrounds, and then to be able to perform and display this on stage, will be a true joy.

Many characters in King of the Yees struggle with different elements of their identity. What is an element of your identity that you discovered, rediscovered, or started to appreciate as you got older? I think growing up there is an immense pressure to fit in and to be ‘less Asian’. I went to a school that did not have a lot of diversity and so I did what I could to be a part of that crowd. As I grew older and met more people, its been more important in my life to embrace my cultural background and to learn more about others as well. Our diversity is what makes us stronger and better people because of it.

What was the best birthday party you attended? My son’s first birthday party! Cake smash, name that tune, outdoor BBQ… and in bed at a reasonable time!

Meet the Cast of KING OF THE YEES – Grace Li (李冰冰 lǐ bīng bīng) is The Whiskey Seller and Ensemble!

What is your name? Grace Li (If you want the Chinese name, its 李冰冰 lǐ bīng bīng)

What is your role in the show? I am a cast member, and one of the notable characters I play is the Whiskey Seller. My character is a wonderful shop keeper–always has the best deals for high quality items. Do I know anything about alcohol? Irrelevant to giving a good sales pitch.

Why should audiences come to see King of the Yees? It is a fun story with heart. I think because of the title and premise, certain expectations may come up on what the play should be about, but I believe the story plays on that, and subverts those ideas. Come to the show with an open mind, and let yourself be carried away for an evening!

What would you say would be a highlight of working on King of the Yees so far? A highlight would definitely be getting to work with other Asian people in the theatre community. Theatre is a predominantly White field, so honestly, getting to see other people of color is such a joy in my book. Another highlight is learning Lion Dancing–definitely fulfilling a childhood dream, though with a lot more leg pain.

Grace Li as the Whiskey Seller in King of the Yees; Photo Credit: Scott Henderson, Henderson Images

Many characters in King of the Yees struggle with different elements of their identity. What is an element of your identity that you discovered, rediscovered, or started to appreciate as you got older? I think one thing that I started to get comfortable with was incorporating my cultural and lived experiences into my writing. I never felt comfortable exploring that part of my identity, as I felt like I didn’t have the authority to. Previously, I thought that my experiences were not “valid enough to write as a Chinese person.” But that’s not true, and I’m getting better at wrapping my head around those feelings. I am allowed to express aspects of experience in my writing, because they are a part of my life. I am a child of immigrants, a part of the Chinese diaspora within North America, and I am ethnically and culturally Chinese. There is no “right way” to express my experience, nor am I barred from writing about them.

What was the best birthday party you attended? Not to be a downer, but I wasn’t really allowed to go to birthdays growing up. And my own birthday is just chill occasion.