Member Profile – Page 10 – Walterdale Theatre

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

Meet the Cast of A DOLL’S HOUSE – Marsha Amanova is Mrs. Christine Linde

What is your role in this production? I am playing the role of Mrs. Christine Linde, a widow and childhood friend of Nora’s. Christine has returned to town, looking for work, after a decade of caring for her infirm mother and younger brothers. She is pleasantly surprised to find that her old flame, Nils Krogstad, is here and a widower himself. Christine is an independent woman who values honesty and hard work and wants to be useful. She adores Nora, and even though the two of them have led very different lives, Christine is a true friend who only wants the best for Nora.

What is your background at Walterdale? A Doll’s House is my 10th show (as an actor) at Walterdale. The first was Cyrano de Bergerac (also directed by Alex Hawkins) in 2004. I have also directed two From Cradle to Stage productions here and was a member of the Board of Directors for 4 years.

What brought you out for this show? Why did you want to become involved? I really enjoy performing in period pieces, and having studied Ibsen’s work in school, I thought it would be a great learning opportunity. I’ve also had wonderful experiences in the past, working with Alex Hawkins and the incredible production team. Alex is a talented director and an excellent teacher, and I always learn something from him, and the design team always creates a work of art that I feel privileged to perform in and on.

Photo Credit: Kristen Finlay

Featuring Marsha Amanova & Nicole English (in background, Tim Marriott)

Meet the Cast of A DOLL’S HOUSE – dale Wilson is Dr. Rank

What is your role in this production? The good doctor, a long time friend of the Helmers, seems a curmudgeony sort dedicated to the family.

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? I’ve been performing on Walterdale’s stage for going on 27 years as well as various stints on other stages. I used to do a lot with the U of A MFA directing candidates, that was like a master class every time. I’d like to do more of that.

What brought you out for this show? This presented the chance to work with a lot of people I’m familiar with on and off stage and I’d been curious for some time about doing an Ibsen piece so it seemed a good fit. Besides the fact that it may be the only ancient role in the season

What do you think audiences will take away from the show? If one only takes away that you have to treat people well as in, thinking as much about them at least as much as yourself, we’ll have spent a merry evening together.

Money is a big issue in this play. Got any funny stories about money? The only story I have about money is I don’t have nearly enough of it and there ain’t nothin’ funny about that.

Photo Credit: Kristen Finlay
Features: dale Wilson as Dr. Rank, and Nicole English as Nora

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

What 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

Meet the Cast of FOLLIES! Christina O’Dell is Young Heidi and Sound Op.!

What is your role in this production? I am doing double duty this show; onstage I am playing Young Heidi, the recollected self of a once famous operetta star, and then as soon as I am offstage I scoot down to the booth to take my place as the show’s sound operator. It’s my first time on the tech crew, which is very exciting! It’s also likely the first time a tech will be dressed a gown and tiara in the booth…

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? After having basically grown up onstage, I took a 6 hiatus from theatre while I was at university. I returned to performing after finishing my masters degree, and Follies will actually be my 18th show since graduating 6 years ago. I’m beyond thrilled to be back at the Walterdale this time around too; it’s my third show here, and it always feels like coming home!

What brought you out for this production? Barb, our lovely director, was the one who brought me to this show. Initially she just needed a sound operator, and as I was very interested in learning about the technical side of things, I jumped at the chance. As the process unfolded, she ended up needing a soprano and also someone to do a bit of tap dancing, so I jumped into those roles as well; it really is quite exciting having both an onstage and an offstage presence in this show!

This show is about theatre and nostalgia – got any good theatre stories? What do you love about doing theatre? Honestly I love the sense of play that is inherent to theatre. As adults we have so few opportunities to play and engage in story telling and make-believe! As for wild theatre stories: I was was once in a show called Titanic the Musical, and before one of our matinees a massive snow-storm triggered a power outage that resulted in our curtain time being delayed……we ended up having to cut half an hour from Act 2 on the fly; the Titanic sank very abruptly that day!

What has been the most challenging part of doing the show? I would say picking up the tap dance last minute…it has been an exhilarating challenge!

What has been the best thing about doing the show? The best part by far is being back with my Walterdale family; I feel so lucky that I get to come to rehearsal to play and explore alongside these wonderful and talented people.

Meet the Cast of FOLLIES! Alyssa Paterson is Young Carlotta and Co-Choreographer!

What is your role in this production? I’m in the ensemble as a memory girl (Young Carlotta), and I’m also dance captain and co-choreographer for the show.

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? I grew up doing a lot of musical theatre, and took a long break from it before joining the cast of Chess at Walterdale last summer. I had such a fantastic time that I knew I had to come back for Follies!

What brought you out for this production? I’ve always held a secret desire to be a showgirl, and this show lets me do that! Plus the show contains some of my favourite Sondheim songs, and I knew that there’d be lots of great dancing.

This show is about theatre and nostalgia – got any good theatre stories? I was once in a show where I had to “die” onstage while holding my “baby” in my arms, which was a plastic doll wrapped in a blanket. One night during the scene, the actor who was supposed to scoop the baby out of my arms didn’t make it in time, and the doll started falling off of me and rolling onto the bed. I had to pretend to be dead, so I could only lie there, completely still, as I felt it happening! Thankfully the other actor just managed to catch the doll before it fell onto the floor…

What has been the most challenging part of doing the show? As dance captain, I get to sub in for the dances of missing cast members when they’re away. There’s plenty of dancing in this show, so it’s a lot for me to keep straight in my head.

What has been the best thing about doing the show? It’s been a long time since I’ve done any choreography, and I’ve really enjoyed collaborating with Barbara (the director and co-choreographer) to create and set the many dance numbers in this show. I’ve also loved getting to know the fabulous cast and crew – this show is filled with talented and lovely people!

Meet the Cast of FOLLIES – Leslie Caffaro is Sally Durant Plummer!

What is your role in Follies? I play Sally, a former dancer attending a reunion of her fellow Weismann girls. She still tries to maintain a veneer of bubbliness, but is forced to face some dark realizations during the reunion.

What is your background in theatre? I didn’t start acting until I was an adult, taking some local classes and then doing a summer session at New Actors Workshop in NYC. A friend suggested I audition for the Walterdale, funnily enough I’d already seen shows there but hadn’t realized it was a community theatre. This is my 11th Walterdale show (not all of them musicals). I’ve also done shows with Abbedam, Two One Way Tickets to Broadway and Round Barn productions. In theory, I am still reworking a musical I wrote and co-directed for Stagestruck.

What brought you out for this show? It’s a musical! I had worked with Barb Mah before on Sweet Charity, my first real musical, which was a magical experience, and hoped to work with her again. I’d seen a show Michael Clark had done and was impressed by the characterization in the songs. The challenge of approaching these complex characters was also exciting.

What do you love about doing theatre? I love the open, accepting atmosphere in theatre and the sense of collaborating on a common goal, and of course playing and pretending and escaping my own little world for a while.

What is the most challenging thing about doing this show? I’ve never done a Sondheim show before so the music itself was challenging for me. Also, on paper, I didn’t find my character Sally to be very likeable but didn’t want this to interfere with presenting a multidimensional character.

What is the best thing about doing this show? The best thing about this show are all the people involved who constantly inspire me. As I’ve played with many of them before it’s almost like a reunion within a reunion and there’s also the joy of finding new partners in crime.

Meet the Team of FOLLIES! John Anderson is the Lighting Op!

What is your role on this production? I’m the Lighting Operator. When the actor comes on stage, and the lights shine on their faces, so you can see them, it’s because I’m somewhere in the back — pushing buttons, turning levers, spinning wheel pedals, pulling rope, shoveling coal, etc. You got to see those actors act, so my job is to make sure the lights go up on them, by any means necessary.

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? I have been an Assistant Stage Manager for a couple shows at the Watlerdale: Jenny’s Story and Chess. I also recently volunteered as the Sound Operator on Elope Theatre’s production of Sweeney Todd.

What brought you out for this production? I wanted to get some experience in the booth, and have never taken on the role of Lighting Operator before, so I figured this would be a good opportunity to get that experience. Our director, Barbara Mah, and Lighting Designer, Brad Melrose, have both been very generous towards me, in allowing me to take on this opportunity, and learn from them.

This show is about theatre and nostalgia – what do you love about doing theatre? What I like about live theatre is its transient nature. Unlike a film, for example – which can be watched anytime, anywhere – a play can only be seen in a specific place within a short window of time. Each performance is unique in its own way. You were either there when it happened, or you weren’t. That’s all. There’s something very special about that passing intimacy that you don’t experience in the more permanent and removed artforms of cinema and literature.

What has been the most challenging part of doing the show? My experience so far with this show has been a very easy one, since the responsibilities of my role are only just beginning this week. Based on the talented and kind people involved with the show, I anticipate that our run will be a fun time.

What has been the best thing about doing the show? Getting the opportunity to learn how the lights work at the Walterdale, and getting to watch our talented cast play their parts in rehearsal.