Casting – Page 3 – Walterdale Theatre

Meet the Cast of LADY WINDERMERE’S FAN – David Owen is Lord Augustus Lorton

Who: I am David Owen and I play Lord Augustus Lorton.

What is my background in theatre: I have a PhD in theatre and performance studies from York University, an MFA in Directing from the U of C, and an MA in Dramatic Theory and Criticism from the U of A. I am also a member of the Playwright’s Guild of Canada. At the Walterdale, I was the Artistic Director from 1999-2001 and directed Doctor Faustus and The Birthday Party. As an actor at the Walterdale, I was in The Grace of Mary Traverse, Jehanne of the Witches, and the one-act Enter the Giants.

What brought me out: I moved back to Edmonton last year and I wanted to audition for Glengarry Glen Ross but my schedule wouldn’t allow it. This year, finding myself back in Edmonton again and with a more forgiving schedule AND an Oscar Wilde show to try out for, I jumped at the chance! It feels great to be back.

Why should audiences come out: Who doesn’t like to laugh? Audiences should come see the show because it is ridiculously funny but also because it allows us to laugh at ourselves and at relationships and false appearances and societies pressures. These can all be very stressful at times, and taken too seriously, and we can all benefit from a playful critique of this “demmed thing we call society.”

The most fun thing: The outrageous accents!

The most challenging thing: The outrageous accents!

Favourite Wilde quote: “All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does, and that is his.” Algernon, The Importance of Being Earnest.

Meet the Cast of LADY WINDERMERE’S FAN – Hannah Haugen is Lady Agatha Carlisle!

Who are you and what is your role in Lady Windermere’s Fan? My name is Hannah Haugen and in Lady Windermere’s Fan I play Lady Agatha Carlisle-the contained daughter of a Duchess and soft spoken young lady of the upper class. Agatha is a joy to play and a creative challenge with her limited and joyous dialogue.

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? I have been acting since nine years old and just graduated from Jasper Place High School as a very involved drama student. Over my time there I took part in lots of productions, the most recent as Emily Webb in Our Town. The past three years I have preformed on the Walterdale stage at the Zone 8 City One Act Festival in anything from Chekhov to MacIvor.

Why do you think audiences should come see the show? Lady Windermere’s Fan is a funny and vibrant piece that audiences will come to enjoy the aristocratic energy, classic humor and insightful moments on life and class. I personally love the ability of so many characters in this piece to house eccentricity and hilarity whilst never losing their realism or worth.

What has been most enjoyable part of the process so far? So far the most fun moments in rehearsal have been working with Leslie Caffaro who plays my Mother (The Duchess of Berrwick) as she pushes around her doting daughter with some serious style. Or the cupcakes at lasts week’s rehearsal, it’s a tie really. Either way Lady Windermere’s Fan will be a pulsing and comical production I hope to see lots and lots of people enjoy!

Meet the Cast of RED – Ben Osgood is Ken

Who 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 1^st 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.

Meet the Cast of LADY WINDERMERE’S FAN by Oscar Wilde

Auditions 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

Introducing the Cast and Creative Team for RED by John Logan

Red
By John Logan
Directed by Bethany Hughes
On Stage: October 12-22, 2016

John Logan’s Red follows the apprenticeship of Ken, a young painter, under the volatile and famous abstract expressionist Mark Rothko. He mixes paint, runs errands, and clean s brushes, but he ends up being the audience for Rothko’s beliefs about art and the world. When Rothko is commissioned to produced a grand piece of art, Ken turns the table of Rothko and his beliefs.

“There is only one thing I fear in life, my friend… One day the black will swallow the red.”

Cast:
Rothko – Mark Finlay
Ken – Ben Osgood

Creative Team:
Director – Bethany Hughes
Mentor Director – Sarah Van Tassel
Stage Manager – Anglia Redding
Production Manager – Catherine Wenschlag
Set Designer – Joan Hawkins
Light Designer – Brad Melrose
Sound Designer – Daniel Belland
Costume Designer – Geri Dittrich
Props Manager – TBA
Assistant Stage Manager – TBA
LX Operator – Laura Ly
Sound Operator – TBA
Master Builder – Alan Westen
Master Painter – TBA

Meet the Cast of CHESS – Kate Wylie is Svetlana!

What is your role in Chess? I am playing the character of Svetlana, Anatoly’s (the Russian Chess Champion) wife. She faces a lot of struggles including being a woman in communist Russia and dealing with a dying marriage. Her future is very uncertain through much of the production.

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? I grew up doing theatre – musical theatre in particular. I am a graduate of the MacEwan Theatre Arts Program, although in those days it was Grant MacEwan College. When I moved back to Edmonton from Toronto after a very long hiatus from theatre, I did my first production at the Walterdale – Nine. I then had another opportunity to work with the amazing Kristen Finlay and Sally Hunt again on The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee with ELOPE theatre. Since then I have been away from the theatre completing my MBA. It feels great to be back at Walterdale!

What brought you out for this show? What drew you to it? I grew up listening to the LP of the original concept album of Chess. I am definitely showing my age when I say it was an LP! It has always been one of my favourite musicals. The music is fantastic and full of interesting layers. In spite of the fact that it is such an amazing show, it rarely gets produced. Because of that, I had to jump at the chance to do it. Lucky for me, our lovely director was willing to accommodate my rather crazy schedule, which included a study tour in Europe during the rehearsal period. Thanks again for that Kristen!

Why do you think audiences should come see this show? What do you think they will take away from it? The music first and foremost! There are such great tunes in this show. The show also provides an interesting journey back into the years of the Cold War. The 1980’s do not seem like they were that long ago but the world has changed an absolutely incredible amount since then. It’s fascinating looking back.

Chess is a Board Game… What’s your favorite Board Game? Why? Got any funny game-playing stories? My favourite game to play is Cribbage. I grew up in rural Saskatchewan, where everyone plays Crib and my great-grandmother (G.G. we called her) taught us all to play, usually around the tender age of 8. She was ruthless! She would steal your points if you didn’t count them right. Needless to say you learned how to count properly pretty quickly! My husband and I also played Crib on our first date….maybe that sounds lame and I should be ashamed to admit it but it was sweet and fun. I won both games – he’ll claim he let me win but knowing how competitive he is there’s no way that’s true!

Meet the Cast of CHESS – Melanie Lafleur is The Arbiter

What is your role in the production? I will be portraying the role of The Arbiter in Chess. As the official representative of the World Chess Organization, The Arbiter is responsible for all actions that take place during each chess match. The Arbiter is judge and jury, making the final call on all items related to the game and it’s participants. In short, I am the boss.

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? I have been singing, dancing and performing as long as I can remember. I have had the opportunity to perform on a variety of stages both in professional and community settings. I returned to the stage last year after a 9 year hiatus. Chess marks my second performance with the Walterdale, last seen all the way back in 2001.

What brought you out for this show? What drew you to it? I remember discovering this show first when I was in high school and falling in love the the intricate music and dark, yet moving story. I was excited when I heard the Walterdale was planning the production and decided early on that I would love a chance to sing some of the rock-infused music!

Why do you think audiences should come see this show? What do you think they will take away from it? Chess tells the story of a significant time in human history. The names and places may differ from our reality, but the themes are everlasting. The struggles and ideological differences these character face are universal no matter what the issues being discussed. I hope the audience is reminded that home is where the heart is. And that the greatest sacrifice we can make is to give of ourselves completely.

Chess is a Board Game… What’s your favorite Board Game? Why? Got any funny game-playing stories? My favorite game is Skip-Bo! I love card games. My best friend and I have played the game so much that we even have our own rules! Some that involve new positions such as “Skip-Bo Fairy” and “Shuffle Queen”. I have always enjoyed strategy games and have been known to play a round or two of Chess myself.

Meet the Cast of CHESS – Katelyn Arthurs is in the Ensemble

What is your role in the production? I am in the ensemble, so I wear several different hats during the show – Russian, American, Thai Woman, CIA, and so on and so forth! I love the fact that you get so much variety during each show in who you’re playing, and I’m also loving the new challenge of trying to sing the alto lines in the music. Oh… and also trying to sing said alto parts in Hungarian.

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? I’ve been involved with community theatre ever since I was a kid. It was a natural outlet for me so my parents could subject other people to my spontaneous song and dance numbers. I was lucky enough to discover the Walterdale shortly after moving to Edmonton in 2006, and haven’t looked back. It’s a great organization and a wonderful place to learn and experiment.

What brought you out for this show? What drew you to it? Firstly, I love working with Kristen (our director) every chance I get! Secondly, once I checked out the music I was hooked.

Why do you think audiences should come see this show? What do you think they will take away from it? It’s not your conventional musical. It’s very contemporary and doesn’t shy away from real-world issues. There’s no “musical-world bubble”. Also, the music is OUTSTANDING and we have a fantastic cast to showcase it. You will probably get goosebumps more than once during this show! The good kind, we promise.

Chess is a board game… What’s your favourite board game and why? I’m a die-hard Monopoly girl. I like to think I have a head for strategy, but it’s mostly just luck. As far as why, who doesn’t like having that much money (even if it’s fake) at their disposal? Why yes, I will buy both those railways!

Meet the Cast of CHESS – Lauren Pearson is Florence!

What is your role in Chess? I play Florence. She is the chess second to the American chess champion, Freddie Trumper. She is a brilliant chess player in her own right but unfortunately, at the time the play is set, women were not chess champions. Florence has the difficult job of navigating Freddy’s emotions and ego while at the World Chess Championships. At the same time, she is also realizing that she should start putting herself first.

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? I grew up taking dancing, singing and acting lessons. I was very involved in the theatre throughout school. In university I obtained my BFA in Stage Management and worked on a few shows at the Citadel before going to law school. This is my first time being involved in a Walterdale show and I am really enjoying it. I haven’t been on stage in ten years and this is my first musical! However, my family and I are avid karaoke singers and we love to perform at all kinds of dingy karaoke bars.

What brought you out for this show? What drew you to it? Throughout my musical theatre training I always knew of Chess because of its beautiful music and amazing solos. I sang “Someone Else’s Story” at a the Kiwanis Music Festival years ago. It only happened by chance that I checked the Walterdale audition notice website and saw that Chess was going up. I knew instantly that I had to be a part of the production.

Why do you think audiences should come see this show? What do you think they will take away from it? The music is powerful and beautiful. The cast is incredible and we have a very strong ensemble. It sounds like an angel choir at times. Come for the music, stay for the compelling and heartbreaking story.

Chess is a Board Game… What’s your favorite Board Game? I love playing Cranium because it’s has multiple games in one: Pictionary, Trivia and Charades. I mostly like trivia games, to see what useless knowledge I’ve collected over the years. These days, I play a lot of games on my phone instead of on a board though. It’s a terrible habit!

Photo Credit: Janine Hodder

Meet the Cast of CHESS – Tyra Watkin is in the Ensemble

What is your role in CHESS? I play a Hungarian, a Merchandizer, an American, an Attendant and Arbiter’s Assistant. These roles are very wide ranged and fun! I can really change who I am between every character, anywhere from a young scared Hungarian girl to a confident merchandizer. It is fantastic!

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? This my second theatre production and I am super excited to be a part of the Walterdale family for the musical Chess!

What brought you out for this production? What really drew me towards Chess was the plot line and how exciting it was. I was looking for auditions and I found Chess and I was instantly drawn towards it!

Why should audiences come see this show? I think audiences should really come see it for the phenomenal story! You will be happy you came, its so interesting and dramatically awesome. Between the great dramatics, singing and dancing you’ll find something you love in this musical. It has romance, and feuds, politics, and chess – what’s not to love!?

What’s your favourite Board Game? My favourite board game would have to be snakes and ladders, its just so much fun to play with friends and family. My family and I play a lot of this game whenever we go camping, a perfect time to play a little snakes and ladders!