Community Theatre Edmonton. Theatre Alberta – Page 9

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!

Meet the Cast of THE WOMEN – Roseanna Sargent is Mary!

What is your role in The Women? The role I play in this production is Mary. She is a high society lady, happily married with 2 wonderful children and life is rather enjoyable for her until she finds out her husband is having an affair.

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? My first production at the Walterdale was part of the cradle to stage festival and I played Sophie the daughter of Emily, in The Sunset Syndrome which portrayed Emily’s inner turmoil and emotions of a women with dementia. This production was the first play I was a part of in Canada. I then went on to be apart of Lady Windermere’s Fan and got to wear the most beautiful dress.

What brought you out for the show? I loved the idea of an all women cast and the play is just hilarious with some deeper meaning and issues that slowly arise throughout the story. It was a production that I knew would be awesome to be apart off.

Why should audiences come see this show? This play has all the emotions in it. You will laugh your head off one moment, nod your head with understanding the next and be sobbing within 10 minutes. The play is about women, in all societies and in all classes. It tells the story of friendship, betrayal and deals with real life issues that many women deal with every single day. There is so much depth to this play that most people will walk out with understanding, however what they exit with, will be entirely up to them.

What is the most challenging obstacle that you think women have overcome in the last century? I think the most challenging obstacle women have overcome this last century is the right to their body. History depicts women as secondary citizens who belonged to their father or husband with no voice and no control. The past 100 years has seen women grow and speak up and fight for equality in all areas. As a women living in a western society today I have a voice, I have a choice as to who I will marry, love, be apart of my family. I have opportunities that many women all over the world do not have. I am lucky and very grateful for this, but there are so many women and children who do not have a voice, who do not have control over their place in society, I think women have a long way to go to gain equality. I think women’s greatest challenge is uniting all women over the world and reaching a common ground that protects all women in all societies and cultures with respect to the variation of this world.

Meet the Cast of THE WOMEN – Katrina Kunkel is in the Ensemble!

What is your role in The Women? I get the opportunity as an ensemble member to play 1st Hairdresser, Princess Tamara, Miss Watts, and 2nd Girl. I am excited to play a variety of characters from varying social statuses and backgrounds who have differing beliefs of the world around them.

What is your background in theatre? In Edmonton? At Walterdale? This is my first performance with Walterdale! I took some drama classes at the University of Alberta and had the opportunity to perform in ABBEDAM and the New Works Festival at the University. I absolutely fell in love with the experience.

What brought you out for The Women? I was drawn to the story and the cast size and was intrigued that it would be an all female cast. I enjoyed my past theatre experiences and the support and sense of community that is created through being part of a production. I can say I definitely found that here!

What do you think audiences will take away from the show? Why do you think they should come and see it? While the play was written in 1936, it speaks to issues that are still prevalent in society today. While provoking laughter, the story also provokes a deeper reflection into the multiple facets of female relationships, societal privilege and entitlement, the position of women in society, and the judgment and support that comes from making personal choices. While the audience may or may not agree with the choices of the characters, it opens the door to create dialogue about how it compares or contrasts to each audience member’s own view of the world.

What do you think is the most important issue facing women today (in North America? Globally?)? Why? Control and choices over one’s own body and the sigma surrounding it. The problem is a global one and ranges from access to birth control, genital mutilation, safe abortions, to judgement regarding clothing choices. Many of the decisions surrounding women’s bodies are made with little or no input from women themselves or from the individual woman. Women, and everyone for that matter, should be able to feel safe making personal choices regarding their own body without judgement, discrimination, and harassment from others.

Meet the Cast of THE WOMEN – Jenn Robinson is Edith Potter!

What is your role in The Women? I am playing Edith Potter. She is new money and doesn’t quite fit in with her high society friends. She is often saying or doing the wrong things, but it doesn’t phase her at all. She is perpetually pregnant, always eating, and a total blast to play.

What is your background in theatre? In Edmonton? At Walterdale? I took drama classes in school but haven’t really done much since. A few years ago I started taking vocal lessons with Edmonton Vocal Arts. That inspired me to get involved with acting again and since then I’ve taken courses at the Foote Theatre and became involved with Actor’s Gym. I worked as assistant stage manager on Boeing Boeing at the Walterdale a few years ago and I loved it. I am very excited to be working with Walterdale again, this time in front of the curtain.

What brought you out for The Women? I had a great time working on the last show I was involved with at the Walterdale, and I thought it would be the perfect place to get back into theatre. I was also very interested in being a part of an all female production, and have had an amazing time working with all of these hilarious and incredibly talented women.

What do you think audiences will take away from the show? Why do you think they should come and see it? I hope they laugh their asses off but then go home afterwards and think ‘damn that’s real’. Our director Catherine Wenschlag has done an incredible job of bringing this show into our century and creating situations and relationships that are still relevant and real in our current society. I think on the surface our show is very funny and will have audiences laughing, but at the core it is a very insightful glimpse into women’s roles in society and the complexities of female friendships. Other women can be our best friends and our greatest enemies.

What do you think is the most important issue facing women today (in North America? Globally?)? Why? I think one of the biggest obstacles women continue to face today is sexual harassment, especially in the work place. We have witnessed the downfall of many powerful male celebrities over the past few months due to sexual harassment claims and charges. Sadly this is not new, it’s just finally being talked about by the media. Women have been dealing with this for decades, forced to remain silent for fear of losing their jobs, being judged, or worse not being believed. It’s about time people are finally talking about it, and taking steps to fight it. It’s beautiful the way women are banding together to support each other. But this fight is not over, and it won’t be until women are in a place where they feel safe and comfortable to come forward about sexual harassment in their work place, or god forbid when we live in a time where women no longer have to face that abuse at all.

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

Meet the Cast of SHATTER – Stuart Old is a Shadow!

What is your role in this production? I am an actor in the chorus of “shadow” characters that Josh incorporated in the production. The chorus serves to heighten the storytelling and action of the play, but, in addition, we all created individuals who lived in Halifax during the events portrayed. The backstory of my character is that of “Alfred”, a Nova Scotian of Irish heritage who made his living in Halifax as a fisherman while indulging a secret, poetic nature.

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? I first experienced stage performance in high school. After nearly a decade working as a tradesman, I returned to theatre, being accepted into the Theatre Performance and Creation program at Red Deer College in 2015. I completed the program this spring and moved to Edmonton. This is my first production with Walterdale!

What brought you out for this production? Even before I moved to Edmonton, I knew Walterdale by reputation. When I learned that Walterdale would be producing Shatter, it struck me right away as something I would be proud to be a part of!

Why do you think people should come and see this show? What do you think audiences will take away from it? Audiences will experience the story through the eyes of the ordinary Canadians who woke up in Halifax on the morning of December 6, 1917. These were people experiencing love and friendship, hopes and doubts, never suspecting what would happen to them. They will witness the struggle of the survivors to overcome the wounds to their bodies and souls. This story resonates today. It is difficult to rebuild, to preserve what is honest and decent, to resist the desire to lash out in revenge. It is vital to reflect that even in our safe and prosperous country, sudden tragedy can challenge us to our cores. Finally, the play has many beautiful moments of laughter and affection in defiance of tragedy.

Shatter deals with a major event in Canadian history that Canadians today might not know too much about. Are there any other major events in Canadian history that you feel we should know more about that we do? The 1837 rebellions in Ontario and Quebec forced the British to introduce democracy in Canada by making our government here responsible to our parliament, not to the British monarch. These rebellions not only redefined Canada’s government, but those of Australia and New Zealand as well! They also provoked an explicit project to assimilate the French people of Canada. Pretty important for nearly-forgotten history!

Meet the Team for SHATTER – Jordan Campion is the Stage Manager

What is your role on this production? I am the stage manager for Shatter. The way I usually explain my role to people is a behind the scenes HQ. Myself along with our assistant stage manager, Becky, are the eyes and ears in the rehearsal hall. We connect the artistic side of the process that Josh is going through with the reality side which is our amazing designers and technicians actually making it happen. We also make schedules along with the director and production manager and communicate with actors. Usually that ends up looking like endless e-mails and schedule making. During the show the ASM is backstage taking care of props and costume as necessary and I’m in the booth calling lighting and sound cues.

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? This is my first Walterdale show! I got to know Josh and Bethany while working on Sweeney Todd in the spring and I jumped at the chance to work on this show. I have been working in theatre for almost my whole life. My dad is a musician and carpenter so I often would help him set up shows and build things. In junior high I helped build and design sets and acted as an ASM. Then in high school I started Stage Managing and immediately fell in love with the job. I completed a year of the BFA Stage Management but decided I wanted to focus more on education so I’m currently transferring into a BEd. However, I still work on a number of things around the city and continue to stage manage.

What brought you out for this show? Josh and Bethany are both amazing creative people so I was so excited to work on any team that they were a part of. I thought it was really important to showcase young faces at Walterdale which Josh and I absolutely are. We are also both First Nation and I love the idea of having two big roles on a production team being filled by aboriginal individuals. We both feel that aboriginal presence in theatre and art is really important and has so so much to offer. On top of all of that the script and cast are just so brilliant. I really couldn’t say no!

What do you think audiences will take away from this show? Why should they come and see it? I think that this show offers so much more than just a historical representation of an event. Audience members will be able to relate so so much to the characters on stage. Whether it be audiences thinking about their own coming of age story or what pushed away from naive innocence or audiences thinking about raising kids and seeing that all happen it’s really relatable. Also just the idea of the evolution of relationships and friendships is something everyone can understand. It’s a lot of highs and lows and everyone can relate to that in some way. I also think that a lot of our principals are strong females and that’s super important. As a young female in this industry it’s so great to see complex strong females on stage that are real and imperfect and unique and just their own person.

Shatter deals with a major event in Canadian history that Canadians today might not know too much about. Are there any other major events in Canadian history that you feel we should know more about that we do? For me Indian Residential Schools are something that I think we’ve just started to really understand and dissect as a country. I’ve been privileged enough to do some work with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and it’s always so unreal to me that people still don’t know a lot about it. I think there’s still a long way to go in understanding inter-generational trauma and how to move forward cohesively.

Meet the Creative Team of SHATTER – Josh Languedoc is the Director!

What is your role on this production? I am the director of Shatter.

Is there a quote from the play that speaks to you? Why? I keep returning to the final line in the show: “Oh…well….we all do our part.” It seems simple, but to me, this line is both a strong message of empowerment, but it is also a call out on dangerous behaviour we have as a society. Throughout the arch of this play, we see incredible tensions between friends and strangers as mistrust builds through the social circumstances surrounding the tragedy. So, on one hand, we need to recognize we have a power in the face of tragedy. That power is in coming together, supporting one another, and never losing hope. That is the part we must play when faced with tragedy. However, on the other hand, we also do our part in adding to the tension that comes with tragedy. We tend to look for a source to blame and we tend to foster division rather than acceptance.. So, we as a society can add greatly to the negativity to a situation if we choose to push people away and divide rather than accept.

Why should audiences come see the show? Even though this tragedy took place 100 years ago, the cautionary message in this play is currently relevant to the state of our world. All across the United States, and extending here in Canada, numerous debates have occurred over how to handle issues of terrorism, mistrust, and the political climate. This play does an incredible job of capturing the drama individuals face when a tragedy occurs. Who do we really trust? Who are our real friends? What should we do to keep ourselves safe? Is it reminding ourselves we will be OK? Do we take shelter in our lover? Or do we build a wall and protect us from the dangers? All of these questions are explored in the drama of the play, and I feel this play will provide audiences with an incredible sense of emotion as we explore these questions together. Especially by recognizing the dangers we can place ourselves in by going the mistrust route.

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? I have been onstage since the age of 5. Theatre has very much remained in my life since that age. Currently, I work as a theatre educator for the Citadel Theatre, Edmonton Public Schools, Black Gold Schools, Workshop West Playwrights Theatre, Kompany Family Theatre, and in my own company, KidLibs Theatre. I’m also a professional improviser with The 11 O’Clock Number (Grindstone Theatre) and with KidLibs Theatre.. Plays like Shatter also inspire me as a playwright. Currently, I am the Playwright in Residence at Workshop West Playwrights Theatre, and am writing several plays for different theatre companies, including Native Earth Theatre and Kompany Family Theatre.

At the Walterdale, I have performed as an actor in 3 shows. I played Art Milligan in The Male Order Bride, and was part of the general ensemble in Walterdale’s musical productions of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and The Three Penny Opera.

What do you hope that audiences will take away from the show? Honestly, I just want audiences to feel the emotional weight of this tragedy. Through the drama of the main characters, the full sense of uncertainty and anger associated with this tragedy is felt. I want audiences to see themselves in these characters – would I change the way Anna does within this tragedy? Would I feel like Jennie if I experienced what happened to her? Would I be proud in my tactic if I were in Brian’s shoes? Would I be like Elsie and remain hopeful in the presence of extreme tragedy? And then, which of these characters gives us any insight in how to handle these types of tragedies?

Interview by Stephanie O’Neill