Meet the Cast of THE TRIANGLE FACTORY FIRE PROJECT – Kingsley Leung is Eddie Markowitz

What is your role in The Triangle Factory Fire Project? I am an immigrant. I am a Jew. I helped to make this country strong and diverse. They call me Eddie Markowitz – the head shipping clerk at the Triangle Shirt Waist Factory – played by Kingsley Leung.

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? This is my 3rd Walterdale production. When they need Asians or funny looking guys, I get the call. My willingness to shave my body and wear high heels on stage make my talents very unique.

Why do you think audiences should see this show? This will be the best Rom-Com you will see this century! Fiery relationships that go up in smoke, burning desires and trailblazing women.

This is a show about terrible working conditions… to lighten the mood, do you have any funny work stories?  As a hospital porter, I was bringing body parts and limbs down to the morgue. I was in the elevator trying to keep everything from falling off my cart, when the doors open with a bunch of doctors standing there and I ask them, “Do you mind if I get a hand?”. That was exquisite fooling!

Meet the Cast of THE TRIANGLE FACTORY FIRE PROJECT – Kent Sutherland plays Max Blanck!

Who are you and what is your role in this production? My name is Kent Sutherland, and I play Max Blanck one of the co-owners of the Triangle Waist Factory. Blanck is not a very nice person and along with his fellow co-owner, Isaac Harris, the duo was named as one of the Top 10 Worst Bosses in America by TIME Magazine. I also helped build the set and some of the props.

What is your background in theatre? I was involved with theatre throughout elementary and junior high, and then got back into as an adult with my first production being at Walterdale – The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. I have since done musicals with Festival Players, Two ONE-WAY Tickets to Broadway, Foote in the Door, and, of course, Walterdale. This is my first non-musical role in a very long time.

Why do you think people should come see The Triangle Fire Factory Project? The story is a significant part of history. It was this fire that was the catalyst for changes in building codes, the implementation of fire drills, and better working conditions for women and immigrants. The play explores the historical, political and social ramifications that resulted from this seminal event, and examines the continuing modern day concerns of corporate greed and responsibility, and the moral and ethical issues surrounding the question, “what is the value of a human life?” Also, the way our director has decided to stage the show is sure to have an effect on the audience and have their feelings run the gamut.

Worst job you ever had, and why? Probably the worst job I ever had was working the graveyard shift at the 7-11 that used to be on 99 St. and 90 Ave. one summer. There was supposed to be two people working the shift, but my co-worker often/always called in sick leaving me to work alone. There were several “interesting” incidents at that location during the graveyard shift while I was employed, and there were several times I did not feel all that safe. During one shift, a customer came in asking where the bathroom was, and I looked up to see his face covered in blood — all I could do was point in the direction of the bathroom.

The Triangle Factory Fire Project runs October 10-20, 2018.
Click here for tickets.

Introducing the Cast and Creative Team of THE GREAT GATSBY

Welcome new and returning Walterdale Members to the Cast and Creative Team of The Great Gatsby. We’re looking forward to heading to the Roaring 20’s with all of you!

CAST:

Gatsby- Patrick Maloney
Daisy- Melenie Reid
Nick Carraway- Simon Pawlowski
Jordan Baker- Kendra Humphrey
Tom- Ed Medeiros
Myrtle- Samantha VandenBrink
George Wilson- Phillip Haverkamp
Mrs. Mckee/ Mrs. Michaels- Rosie Sargent

Ensemble
Goran Simonji
Graham Schmitz
Jericho Cabinas
Kosta Max Lemermeyer
Samuel Bronson
Ricardo Espinoza
Veronica Masik
Jeannine Naboye
Anika Plitt
Julianna Hunt
Juhi Gupta
Dara Michelle Downey

CREATIVE TEAM:

Production Manager: TBD
Director: Bethany Hughes
Assistant Director: Rachel Love Haverkamp
Musical Director/Composer/Coordinator: Matt Graham
Stage Manager: Jordan Campion
Choreographer: Jennifer Bilyk
Fight Choreographer: Adara Broyles
Costume Designer: Julieanna Salisbury Lazowski
Lighting Designer: TBD
Sound Designer: Rachel Love Haverkamp/ Matt Graham
Set Designer/Master Painter: Joan Hawkins
Master Builder: Pierre Valios
Props Master: Alyssa Paterson
Sound Op: TBD
Lighting OP: TBD

The Cast and Creative Team of THE TRIANGLE FACTORY FIRE PROJECT!

Introducing the Cast and Creative Team of The Triangle Factory Fire Project, up first in our 60th Season!

CAST:

AHMED ALMOKDAD – Abe Gordon, Samuel Gompers
ALLIE CONNOP – Dinah Lifschitz
DANIELLE YU – Rose Friedman, Ida Mittleman
DUSTIN  BERUBE – William Shepherd
EARL DANGWA – William Bernstein/Thug 2
ERIC RICE – Issac Harris
HEATHER MORROW – Bertha Schwartz
JAMES TOUPIN – Fire Chief Crocker
JESSICA RAMISCH – Ensemble
KENT SUTHERLAND –  Max Blanck
KINGSLEY LEUNG – Eddie Markowitz, John Moore
MARC TRILLANES – Max Schwartz
MARIAM GILL – Kate Alterman
MATT BEAIRSTO – Max Steuer, John Meehan
MEGHAN SCHRITT – Margaret Schwartz, May Lavantini
REBECCA BISSONNETTE – Rose Schneiderman, Yetta Lubitz
RUDY SMITH – Charles Bostwick
SAMANTHA WOOLSEY – Mrs. Belmont, Mary Alter
STEPHANIE SWENSRUDE – Ethel Monick
TAHA RIZVI – Samuel Bernstein

CREATIVE TEAM:

BARBARA MAH – Director/Choreographer
MARY ELLEN PERLEY – Stage Manager
M.J. KREISEL – Production Manager
KARIN LAUDERDALE – Costume Designer
LELAND STELCK – Set Designer
PHIL KREISEL – Sound Designer
BRAD MELROSE – Lighting Designer
DEBBIE TYSON – Properties Manager
ROBIN SHINA – Assistant Stage ManagerASM
BROOKE  EMBERLY – Master Painter
JOAN HAWKINS – Assistant Painter
RICHARD HATFIELD – Set Builder
JODE TOEWS – Light Operator
LOUISE MALLORY – Sound Operator
SALLY HUNT – Music Advisor

The Triangle Factory Fire Project runs from October 10-20, 2018.

Click here for tickets! 

Five Fast Qs with Monica Roberts – Diana Goodman in NEXT TO NORMAL!

What is your role in the show? I have the honour of playing Diana Goodman, the maelstrom at the center of the story. 

What is your background with Walterdale? I have been around Walterdale for a long, long time. First in a technical role (costume design) but then on stage as Cleopatra in Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra. 

Favourite thing about rehearsal for Next to Normal? The cast and crew. This show deals with very emotional subjects and everyone has been so open, vulnerable, respectful and honouring of everyone’s story. Without this group of talented performers and supportive crew the show would be an awful experience. 

Someone new visits Edmonton, what do you recommend they check out (other than Walterdale Theatre)? Depends on what you like – hike the river valley, find a great food shop, drink local beer, visit a museum. Edmonton has something for everyone.

If you could ask Walterdale’s resident ghost “Walter” a question, what would you ask him? Not really a question but a message. Thanks for the blue sock. 

 

Photo Credit: Scott Henderson, Henderson Images

Meet the Cast of BLUE STOCKINGS – Brayden O’Boyle is Lloyd

What is your role in Blue Stockings? I play Lloyd, one of the male students at Cambridge. Lloyd comes from a position of privilege and has spent his whole life in elite circles. The presence of women at Cambridge unsettle him, especially when he learns they are attempting to gain the right to graduate. He’s got tight control over his peers and his academic life; anything that upsets his control is a threat to be dealt with.

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? I’ve been a fan of theatre since I was very young, and considered myself a drama kid in high school. After entering post-secondary education, my opportunities to act became limited. I am very thankful for the Walterdale for being an excellent environment for an amateur actor to work, find a community, and be a part of telling meaningful stories.

What brought you out for this show? Feminism and women’s rights is a subject I feel passionate about, and I think it’s important to discuss the history of these movements. Blue Stockings is set a century ago, but the topics involved are fresh and connect to our modern social climate. The fact that it’s a relatively fresh script is also very exciting.

What has been the most fun thing about working on the show? The biggest challenge? The cast and crew have been a lot of fun to work with. Laura (as director) lets her actors play around with their performances and is always asking, “Why do you think your character does this? What do you think is best in this scene?” I think the hardest part has been playing the role of Lloyd, whom I find utterly despicable. Connecting to the character has gotten me to ask a lot of tough questions of myself.

What do you think audiences will take away from the show? Why should they come and see it? Hopefully the audience will have fun at the show, but I’d really be happy if we got people thinking about how these issues have changed and, in many cases, not changed over the past hundred years.

This show is about the advancement of women in history… who is a woman from the past (or present) that has inspired you? Why? Mary Wollstonecraft wrote the Vindication of the Rights of Women during the late 18th century, which was pretty much a direct “take that!” to all the Enlightenment male’s movements during the same time. She is one of the founding scholars of feminist theory and her personal life is crazy interesting.

Meet the Cast of THE WOMEN – Katelyn Arthurs is Miriam Aarons!

What is your role in The Women? I play Miriam Aarons, an ex-chorus girl turned musical theatre star. She’s a scrappy, sassy, witty character who is no stranger to doing what she has to do to survive in a man’s world.

What is your background in theatre? In Edmonton? At Walterdale? I’ve done a few shows at the Walterdale and around Edmonton, and before that some community theatre as I nomaded around the country. Walterdale keeps having me, so I keep coming back!

What brought you out for The Women? I’ve always wanted to work with Catherine (our director), and when she had mentioned this show a while back, I already dibs-ed an audition slot! The script is also fascinating, being that it was written in 1936, and a lot of it still rings true. It’s still a very timely piece that takes a look at relationships, social climates, and the importance of thinking for yourself.

What do you think audiences will take away from the show? Why do you think they should come and see it? First of all, the set and the costumes are gorgeous. Secondly, Clare Boothe Luce was a fantastic writer who produced a fantastic, biting script that is peppered with humour, sincerity, and brutal honesty. Last but not least, the incredible amount of talent in the show. The cast is incredible and it’s been really great working alongside this many talented women… not to mention the best rehearsal conversations EVER. I foresee a great talk-back on the talk-back evening during the run!

What do you think is the most important issue facing women today (in North America? Globally?)? Why? The ability to have total agency over their bodies. Women’s health issues and decisions concerning them are too often made in rooms where there are no women present, or even consulted. In 2018, it is frightening to be able to say that in certain areas of first world countries, it is easier for a woman to buy a gun than to access birth control. Women face a tremendous amount of scrutiny in regards to their reproductive health, when it should be no one’s business but theirs and their doctor… who may or may not respect their wishes as well. While we are fortunate to live somewhere with more progressive laws, it seems that every time someone makes some progress, someone else takes two steps back. Women have a powerful voice and I’m proud to be part of a generation that is using it for change.

Meet the Cast and Creative Team of BLUE STOCKINGS!

Introducing the Cast and Creative Team for Blue Stockings!

CAST:

Tess Moffat – Lucy Vogue
Carolyn Addison – Monica Lefurgey
Celia Willbond – Jocelyn Jay
Maeve Sullivan – Maggie Salopek
Ralph Mayhew – Andre Gobeil
Lloyd – Brayden O’Boyle
Holmes – Aidan Spila
Edwards – Austin Kumar
Will Bennett – Aidan Thomas
Mrs. Elizabeth Welsh – Elizabeth Marsh
Miss Blake – Sam Woolsey
Mr Thomas Banks – Dave Wolkowski
Dr. Henry Maudsley – Martin Stout
Minnie/Mrs. Lindley – Rebecca Collins
Miss Bott – Julie Sinclair
Anderson/Peck – Nelson Niwa
Radleigh – Pierre Valois
Collins/Librarian – Glenn Balombin
Billy Sullivan – Austin Long
Waiter – Nathan Webb

CREATIVE TEAM:

Director: Laura Ly
Stage Manager: Anglia Redding
Production Manager: Eric Smith
Set Designer/Master Painter: Alan Westen
Costume Designer: Karin Lauderdale
Lighting Designer: Karlie Christie
Sound Designer: Taylor Sisson
Fight Choreographer: Chance Heck
Props Master: Debbie Tyson
Master Builder: Ed Medeiros
Mentor Director: Kristen M. Finlay
Sound Operator: Jeff Turkiewicz
Lighting Operator: Fraser Thurston

Blue Stockings by Jessica Swale
April 4, 2018 – April 14, 2018

Introducing the Cast and Creative Team of THE WOMEN!

3-WomenCAST:

Mary – Roseanna Sargent
Sylvia – Nicole Lemay
Edith – Jenn Robinson
Peggy – Mandy Stewart
Nancy – Sarah Van Tassel
Jane – Sadie Bowling
Mrs. Morehead – Syrell Wilson
Miriam – Katelyn Arthurs
Countess De Lage – Trish Van Doornum
Little Mary – Lilianna Coyes-Loiselle
Crystal – Julie Whelan
Maggie & Ensemble – Peg Young
Pilates Instructor & Ensemble – Sarah Spicer
Sadie & Ensemble – Wendy Shobe
Olga & Ensemble – Katie Elliott
Lucy & Ensemble – Chantal Rohovich
Miss Watts & Ensemble – Katrina Kunkel
Miss Timmerback & Ensemble – Tyra Watkin

CREATIVE  TEAM:

Director – Catherine Wenschlag
Production Manager – Steven Sobolewski
Stage Manager – Gaby Phaneuf
Dramaturg – Anne Marie Szucs
Fight Director – Julianne Murphy
Set Design – Leland Stelck
Costume Design – Mandy Mattson
Lighting & Projection Design – Jessica Poole
Sound Design – Erin Foster-O’Riordan
Hair & Makeup Design – TBD
Properties Master – Alayna Hunchak
Master Builder – Morgan Smith
Master Painter – Brooke Emberly
ASM(s) – Nic Juba & Cassie Duval
Lighting Operator – Fraser Thurston
Sound Operator – Glenn Cook
Dresser – Liz Cook

Meet the Cast of A DOLL’S HOUSE – Tim Marriott is Torvald!

IMG_5389What is your role in this production? I play Torvald, the husband of Nora. Torvald has just received a promotion in the bank where he works, and this new position is very important to him. He and Nora have been married for eight years and to others their home is “lovely and peaceful”. Torvald is concerned about appearances, but if anyone asked he would say that he and Nora have very successful and loving marriage,

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? I have been around Theatre in Edmonton all of my adult life. This year is forty years since my first involvement with Walterdale.

What brought you out for this show? Why did you want to become involved? I think the play explores very effectively the difference between people’s assumptions about their world, and its reality. This is a very intriguing examination of this theme, in a compelling drama focused upon male/female, husband/wife relationships.

What do you think audiences will take away from the show? I think a modern audience will see this 19th century play as being very contemporary.

 

Photo Credit: Kristen Finlay
Photo features: Tim Marriott as Torvald and Nicole English as Nora.

Set Designer – Joan Hawkins
Costume Designer – Geri Dittrich
Lighting Designer – Richard Hatfield