Cast – Page 2 – Walterdale Theatre

Meet the Team of ALL MY SONS – Brooke Emberly is Assistant Master Painter!

What is your role on this production? What does it entail? I am acting as Assistant Master Painter on this production. I work under the Master Painter to ensure that the painting on this production is scheduled, organized and run smoothly. I also assist in realizing the design elements asked of us for the set.

Why do you think audiences should come see All My Sons? Its a touching play that plays on the complexities of family expectations, and the balance between loyalty and self care.

What would you say would be a highlight of working on All My Sons so far? Getting to work so closely with the designer! Being able to discuss and change or improve things on the fly is invaluable for a detail-oriented design such as this.

Many of the characters in All My Sons have secrets that they keep from each other, or things in their past that people would not expect. What is something people wouldn’t guess about you? I come from a camping and hunting family so I have a deep respect and understanding of the value and responsibilities of hunting for your own food and how to live in the wild without leaving your footprint behind.

Tell us your thoughts about horoscopes: Horoscopes are designed to appeal to the masses, and are often written in a vague way that can apply to anyone. In my experience, it also gives others the excuse to bully you based on these silly writings…so needless to say I do not think highly of them.

Meet the Team of ALL MY SONS – Afrah Collier-Potts is our ASM

What is your role on this production? What does it entail? I’m the Assistant Stage Manager, personally I like to call it the back stage ninja role. My job is to assist the cast in all behind the scenes movements, and prop management.

Why do you think audiences should come to see All My Sons? There are many reasons to see All My Sons, from the cast to the crew it is labour of love. Who doesn’t love a good functionally dis-functional family full of secrets.

What would you say would be a highlight of working on All My Sons so far? The entire cast and crew. Everyone is delightful and so passionate about bringing this delightful period piece to life.

Many of the characters in All My Sons have secrets that they keep from each other, or things in their past that people would not expect. What is something people wouldn’t guess about you? I don’t know how to dougie. (We invite people to come forward to teach Afrah how to dougie…)

Tell us your thoughts about horoscopes: Well, I’m a Taurus sun, Scorpio moon, and a Cancer rising. Which I think says all you need to know.

Meet the Cast of All My Sons – Franco Correa is Chris Keller!

What is your role in All My Sons? I play Chris Keller, son of Joe Keller, and prospective husband of Ann Deever. Chris is a morally upright man, but he experiences substantial survivor’s guilt as well as shame about his community’s attitude regarding the war.

Why should audiences come see All My Sons at Walterdale Theatre? I’m not typically interested in postwar dramas, but this script really knocked my socks off. Why shouldn’t you see it? It’s Arthur Miller!

What would you say would be a highlight of working on All My Sons so far? Being able to step outside of my comfort zone as a performer, and in good company. It’s been a fun process so far. The longer period of rehearsal has allowed me to dig into this script in a way I’ve really always felt was necessary.

Tell us your thoughts about horoscopes: I hate ’em. I’m not into that witches and wizards stuff.

Meet the Cast of All My Sons – Colin Stewart plays George Deever!

What is your role in the production? I’m playing George Deever (Ann’s brother) who shows up at the Keller’s after visiting his father in jail. He’s on mission to reveal the truth about Joe.

Why should audiences come to see All My Sons? I think people should come see All My Sons because it’s a great story with a lot of depth that will keep you engaged to the very end. Plus, the cast and the production team have done an amazing job at bringing the characters and their world to life.

What would you say would be a highlight of working on All My Sons so far? I’ve enjoyed the rehearsal process a lot, everyone is super collaborative. I really appreciate the attention to detail and the thought that the director and all of my castmates have put into crafting each character and their performances. I’ve learned so much working with everyone involved and I love that.

Tell us your thoughts about horoscopes: I only believe in horoscopes when they align with what I already believe to be true about myself.

All My Sons by Arthur Miller runs from October 11 – 21, 2023. Tickets can be purchased here.

Meet the Cast of All My Sons: Dave Wolkowski is Joe Keller

What is your role in this production? I play Joe Keller, husband, father, and patriarch of the Keller family. Before the play begins, he and his business partner owned a munitions business that manufactured and shipped faulty aircraft engines to the Air Force during World War II. As a result, both were arrested but only Joe’s partner went to prison for the crime. Joe appears to be successful and happy, but he is actually tormented and plagued with feelings of guilt. These feelings must somehow need to be dealt in the face of family issues that are coming to a head.

What would you say would be a highlight of working on All My Sons so far? A highlight for me is to have the opportunity once again to perform on the stage at Walterdale Theatre and to have John Anderson direct me in such a powerful play.

Many of the characters in All My Sons have secrets that they keep from each other, or things in their past that people would not expect. What is something people wouldn’t guess about you? People may be surprised to learn that I was an “early bloomer” in some respects in the areas of education and employment. I started university at age 16 and, at the same time, began working as an all night disc jockey at the country music radio station to help pay for my university. By the way, they may further be surprised that I’m no longer a fan of country music.

Why should audiences come to see All My Sons? To see a production of a play written by Arthur Miller, considered one of the 20th century’s greatest dramatists. His writing career spanned over seven decades. Miller won a Tony award for All My Sons which was first performed and published in 1947.

Meet the Cast of ALL MY SONS – Lee Conrad is Dr. Jim Bayliss

What is your role in this production? I play the role of Dr. Jim Bayliss. He’s the neighborhood doctor and friend to The Keller family. He’s a practical man who longs to be a little more than he is, but he’s nagged on by his wife to make money which makes him

What would you say would be a highlight of working on All My Sons so far? The collaboration process has been good thus far. Ideas are easily shared amongst the cast and the director doesn’t mind trying different things to get to the heart of a scene.

Why should audiences come to see All My Sons? Audiences should come to see this play as it tackles topics of family trauma, truths, societal perceptions and acceptance. It’s a story about trying to move on from uncomfortable truths and looking for some semblance of redemption once a secret is out.

Tell us your thoughts about horoscopes: Horoscopes can be fun in the moment but I never take them seriously.

You can catch Lee Conrad as Dr. Jim Bayliss in All My Sons by Arthur Miller, running at Walterdale Theatre from October 11-21, 2023.

Meet the Cast of The Penelopiad – Alora Bowness

What is your role on The Penelopiad?

I play the role of Penelope who is such a fascinating character to portray. There is so much about her life that is out of her control and for the first time we are able to see how intelligent and self-determined she has to be in order to survive. However, we also get a glimpse of this other side of Penelope that’s wonderfully executed through the twelve maids: how her actions not only negatively impacted herself but also the other women around her.

Why should audiences come to see The Penelopiad?

There is so much to this story! There’s love, danger, sadness and even laughter. The greatest thing about this play is that it draws you in. Even those familiar with the Odyssey will be pleasantly surprised as this play offers a new perspective to such a classic tale, which really shapes the narrative.

What would you say would be a highlight of working on The Penelopiad so far?

By far the cast! Everyone working on this has shown such a level of commitment and support that just really makes it a fun and comfortable space to work in.

In the play, Penelope reflects upon her life and her choices. Looking back, if you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

Have faith in yourself. I think we worry too much about making the wrong decisions, but sometimes those decisions lead us down interesting paths we never would have pursued in the first place.

Who is your favourite figure in Greek mythology, and why?

I would have to say Penelope. I had initially considered her a fairly one-dimensional character, but since getting the opportunity to play her my opinion on her has changed dramatically. She’s witty and headstrong. In The Penelopiad, she’s given agency by suggesting that her actions were not just out of devotion for Odysseus, but strategic moves to keep herself and her son alive.

Meet the Director behind The Penelopiad – Kristen Finlay

What is your role on The Penelopiad?

I am directing The Penelopiad. If the play is a ship, I’m the captain! I’m lucky to have an amazing crew to help guide it to our destination – Opening Night! There’s a lot involved on my side, from creative vision, to casting, to scheduling and running rehearsals and helping the cast be ready to perform. Each show is different and The Penelopiad is a fantastic challenge as it has songs, fight and intimacy, as well as sections of choral speech.

Why should audiences come to see The Penelopiad?

It’s a terrifically accessible version of the story of Penelope, Odysseus’ wife, and her maids who helped her while she waited for him to return. It also remains incredibly relevant today as it examines a woman’s story, told by women. Though there are dark moments that are challenging, there is also a great deal of humour and humanity.

What would you say would be a highlight of working on The Penelopiad so far?

When presented with a script with “songs” but no accompanying music, I wrote the tunes with my son, Gibson. This has been a terrific joy!

I’m also enjoying working with an all-female cast who are getting to show off their fabulous talent as they tell this story. The care and passion everyone is putting into the work is truly a gift.

In the play, Penelope reflects upon her life and her choices. Looking back, if you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

Hmmm… probably to work out more, and maybe to return to teaching sooner, but it’s hard to call because wrong turns have likely led to other good things I might not have.

Who is your favourite figure in Greek mythology, and why?

I always liked Athena as she seemed to make good choices and didn’t seem to be up to much nonsense like her brothers. I’m also a fan of Owls, so there’s that!

Meet the Team Behind The Penelopiad – Lucas Anders

What is your role on The Penelopiad?

Assistant Director. It’s my role to support Kristen in bringing her artistic vision to life. There’s a lot intangibles to this role and opportunities to grow in different areas of the theatre

Why should audiences come to see The Penelopiad?

Because we have an incredibly talented cast of women working hard to bring the story of Penelopiad to life. The play tackles relevant themes that women of Greece and women throughout history have faced.

What would you say would be a highlight of working on The Penelopiad so far?

Everyday coming to the theatre has been an absolute joy. It has been great seeing Janine Waddell support and mentor individuals in the realm of intimacy and stage fighting.

In the play, Penelope reflects upon her life and her choices. Looking back, if you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

Be kinder to yourself and life is about the journey not the destination.

Who is your favourite figure in Greek mythology, and why?

Hercules is a story that continues to be retold. There’s many different versions of his story told through time and in pop culture. I tend to gravitate towards his story and the elements of his humanity explored within Greek mythology.

Meet the Team Behind The Penelopiad – Lisa Simone Swaren

What is your name?

Lisa Simone Swaren

What is your role on The Penelopiad?

Assistant Stage Manager/Dresser, I provide direct assistance to the cast and crew to ensure all aspects of the production run smoothly.

Why should audiences come to see The Penelopiad?

This Margaret Atwood piece expertly reveals many shocking and fascinating vantage points of the females within an ancient and well-known tale of epic proportions.

What would you say would be a highlight of working on The Penelopiad so far?

Seeing women in the roles of powerful men provides a fresh perspective that isn’t otherwise possible.

In the play, Penelope reflects upon her life and her choices. Looking back, if you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

Advice to my younger self would include: the request to never lose traction, and always schedule regular self-care! I agree with Einstein, who said, “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.”

Who is your favourite figure in Greek mythology, and why?

I admire Ariadne for concocting glamorously creative rescue solutions and having a heart overflowing with love.