Member Profile – Page 11 – Walterdale Theatre

Meet the Cast of FOLLIES! Kristen Finlay is Carlotta Campion!

What is your role in Follies? I play Carlotta Campion. She was a Weismann Girl in the 1940s and has returned for the reunion before the theatre is closed for good. Carlotta was never the star of the Follies but she is the most successful since, having moved on to movies, then Vegas, and now starring in a television series. She’s happy to come back because she believes it’s important to look at where you came from to appreciate what you have. She also is genuinely fond of all her friends from the ‘good old days’.

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? I have been involved in theatre since I was in junior high school. I started doing community theatre shows at Keyano Theatre (a 600 seat theatre in Fort McMurray) when I was in grade 10 and can attest that theatre has always been a very big part of my life. I taught high school drama for several years prior to relocating to Edmonton which moved me into directing and designing shows. Since being in Edmonton I have directed, written, produced, and designed many shows. Some were community theatre, some professional, some fringe. I like that Edmonton has a theatre/arts community that embraces a variety of theatres and artists. I’m a former Artistic Director of Walterdale and am always glad to come back and direct (Chess, Nine, Proof, Rabbit Hole), perform (Steel Magnolias, The Misanthrope, The Threepenny Opera) or design (Village of Idiots, Othello) for Walterdale’s stage. My current day job is in the Marketing department of the Citadel Theatre. I most recently assistant directed Sense and Sensibility at the Citadel and was intern director for the 2017 Citadel/Banff Centre Professional Theatre Program.

Why did you come out for this production? I’m a sucker for Sondheim. Truly. I also loved that this show has room for some many ‘mature’ ladies. You get to a certain age and there are 10 of you all competing for the same part. In this show you all get to be in in, and I knew that it would brign out some strong performers who would be great to work with.

What has been the most challenging thing about doing this show? Words… My song is awesome, but it’s also long with lots of words… I think I have them. The fake-tap was hard at first, but I am actually really happy to be dancing onstage again

What has been the best thing about doing this show? Working with old and new friends. I think the show is so well cast and there’s a really nice atmosphere in rehearsals. There are divas – but only in the good way – divas, because man-oh-man can they sing!

Meet the Cast of FOLLIES! Teagan Kamstra is Young Sally!

What is your role in this production? I play Young Sally. She is a Weismann girl in the 1940’s. Throughout the show, she appears in memories and flashbacks. Young Sally is a bubbly, charming young girl. Through the memories we learn how Young Sally actions affect Sally as an older woman and how she deals with the choices she made.

What is your background in theatre? I have been performing since as long as I can remember! I am currently enrolled at Concordia and I’ve done a variety of performances in school and the Edmonton area. This will be my first Walterdale production and I’m so thrilled to be a part of it!

What brought you out for this show? I wasn’t originally a part of this production; I was brought on to play Young Sally in June. Learning this show in less than a month is a daunting task but I’m always up for a challenge!

This show is about theatre nostalgia… Got any good theatre stories? I think I come out of every show I do with some ridiculous stories. My personal favourite was on a show we did in December, when we had a sound cue that didn’t get played, but instead they played Jingle Bells! Very awkward 20 seconds on stage.

What has been the most challenging part of working on Follies? The most challenging part of doing this show for me was learning it so quickly! Because I was brought on late, I have quite a bit of catching up to do.

What has been the best thing about working on Follies? I haven’t been doing this show for long, but so far I’m loving the people. Everyone was so welcoming and supportive. This show is full of talent and I’m just happy to be a part of it!

Meet the Cast of FOLLIES! Veronica Masik is Young Phyllis!

What is your role in this production? I am playing Young Phyllis. The younger version of Phyllis is sweet, naïve, and self-doubting. She is completely in love with Ben and believes she’s not good enough for him.

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? I got my start with St. Albert Children’s Theatre almost 20 years ago and have done at least one musical a year since then. I’ve performed in two other Walterdale Productions: You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown (2009) and Anything Goes (2013). Some favorite past roles include Wednesday Addams (The Addams Family Musical), Marta (Kiss of the Spiderwoman), Serena (Legally Blonde), and Hattie (Kiss Me Kate).

What brought you out for this production? Why did you want to be involved in this show? I came out for this production because I love working with Barb and Michael. Having decided not to pursue theatre professionally, it’s become a much loved hobby of mine and shows with Barb and Michael are always fun. I heard they were doing Follies and listened to some of the music, then I was hooked!

This show is about theatre and nostalgia – got any good theatre stories? I have a bad habit of tripping and falling down on stage. The first larger role I was ever cast in was Susan Pevensie in Narnia the Musical. (Yes, that show actually exists!) During the scene where we first entered Narnia, I stepped off the set and wiped out face flat on the floor. The only thing I could think of to say was “Oooh it’s icy!” I got a laugh, but I was so embarrassed!

What has been the most challenging part of doing the show? I had to miss the first half of the rehearsal process due to being involved in ELOPE’s Sweeney Todd. Coming in late, it was a push to catch up and learn everything. I’m also the only one in the young cast with no formal training in tap, so keeping up with the other girls in the tap dance is hard work!

What has been the best thing about doing the show? Spending time with old friends and getting to meet new people.

Follies runs from July 5-15, 2017 at Walterdale Theatre. Call 780.420.1757 or go to www.tixonthesquare.ca for tickets today!

Meet the Cast of Follies! Gavin Belik is Ben Stone!

What is your role in this production? I play Ben Stone in Follies. Ben is a worldly, well-to-do type who has been primarily driven to be success in his career. He first became a lawyer, then a distinguished politician and eventually the president of a Foundation in NewYork. He and his wife Phyllis have been featured in Vogue magazine. Now that’s he’s in his 50’s he begins to question the choices he made.

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? I’ve performed in several productions with the Edmonton Opera Chorus, as well as Pacific Opera Victoria and Pop Goes the Opera. In University I performed in a couple of musicals and several theatre productions. I started off acting in improvised theatre and performed in various venues in Edmonton and surrounding area. This is my first production with Walterdale.

What brought you out for this production? Why did you want to be involved in this show? I heard about this production through a friend of mine who mentioned they were auditioning. I was interested because it looked like a chance to really dive into a character and work on my acting “chops”. Ben’s character is a challenging one as he is complicated and operates on several different levels. Also, this show has been performed in some big houses around the world, so it’s a chance to try and step into some large shoes.

This show is about theatre and nostalgia – got any good theatre stories? I have a theatre story for you. The first musical I was in was in university. It was called Honk! – The Story of the Ugly Duckling. I played a gregarious bullfrog who comes across “Ugly”, the ducking, as he is at his lowest of lows. Ugly is despondent because he’s been shunned by his community and he can’t find his family. I lift his spirits with a music number that basically says “Hey, I’m a bullfrog, and I’m ugly too, but it’s all in how you look at it and there are people who love you no matter what!”

This number turned into a show-stealer with the entire ensemble involved and we brought the roof down every time we performed it. One memorable night was when all my choir geek friends from school were in the audience and screamed in support and delight at the close of the number. It’s an experience I wish everyone could have.

What has been the most challenging part of doing the show? To really do Ben’s character justice has been the most challenging part for me. I wish I could say that acting comes naturally to me but that hasn’t been the case. There have been many hours of rehearsal involved. Thankfully everyone involved with this show has been really supportive. Barb and Michael are really great to work with as well and have a wealth of experience to draw upon and share.

What has been the best thing about doing the show? For me, the reason this show is challenging is also the reason it’s rewarding. The songs that Ben sings are each in a different style and I appreciate the opportunity to work on my craft. Plus the rest of the cast is so talented that I’m constantly inspired to try to “up my game”.

Follies runs July 5-15, 2017 at Walterdale Theatre. Call 780.420.1757 or go to www.tixonthesquare.ca for tickets today!

Meet the Cast of FOLLIES – Monica Roberts is Phyllis Stone!

What is your role in this production? Phyllis Stone. She is a former Weismann girl who came to New York to be a star. She fell in love and married Ben but is now struggling with the confines of her 30-year marriage, who she is and what her future holds. Returning to the Weismann theatre provides her the physical and psychological space to expose her struggles.

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? Dancing from a young age I’ve always found, nay, forced my way onto the stage. I went to Ontario to get my BFA in Musical Theatre and returned to Edmonton. My first Walterdale production returning from theatre school was Antony and Cleopatra as Cleopatra. This was one of the first times I’ve died on stage (but not the last).

What brought you out for this production? Why did you want to be involved in this show? I don’t think there is an actor out there who doesn’t relate to the characters in Follies. Aging through the business is a hard, sobering and slightly painful experience. Not only can I relate to the depths of life experience in the show but Sondheim gives mature actors roles, like Phyllis, to spotlight their time-earned talents and say that “yes – aged is beautiful”.

This show is about theatre and nostalgia – got any good theatre stories? So many great memories from shows. Costume malfunctions in my Cleo halter top. Opening night – The Queen of the Nile slipping on her hem and landing flat on her ass. Crimes of the Heart – being “in the moment” and pouring a bottle of “booze” down a non-functioning sink on set (much to the Director’s and Designer’s chagrin). Mail Order Bride – Sped up sound cues of a train arriving in the station that sounded like a toy train. And oh so many mole nights.

What has been the best thing about doing the show? The best thing about the Walterdale is the great people that you get to work with. Great relationships are built during a show and that is because of the type of people drawn to community theatre. Everybody shows up and gives their time, blood, sweat and tears to the process. There is a love and grace that we have for each other’s journey through rehearsal that isn’t found many other places. I think it is why we keep coming back.

Meet the Cast of FOLLIES! Kent Sutherland is Theodore Whitman!

What is your role in this production? I play Theodore Whitman who is an ex-vaudeville performer, and owns an Arthur Murray dance studio with his wife Emily (also an ex-vaudeville performer) where they teach dance. I am also part of the men’s dance ensemble.

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 productions with Festival Players, Two ONE-WAY Tickets to Broadway, Foote in the Door, and of course Walterdale.

What brought you out for this production? Why did you want to be involved in this show? I love Sondheim, and I love working with Barb. Follies is also one of my bucket list musicals to do.

This show is about theatre and nostalgia – got any good theatre stories? The only good theatre story I have is having complete strangers come up to me and saying how much they enjoyed my performance in a particular show – sometimes months after the show.

What has been the most challenging part of doing the show? The choreography sessions in the “sauna” of a community hall.

What has been the best thing about doing the show? Singing (and hearing) the lovely Sondheim music, and being part of an amazing and talented team.

Follies runs July 5-15, 2017! Call 780.420.1757 or go to www.tixonthesquare.ca for tickets today!

Meet the Cast of FOLLIES – Joyanne Rudiak is Stella Deems!

What is your role in this production? I play Stella Deems, one of the former Weisman girls. She’s really excited to be back for the reunion and relive the best times of her life.

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? I graduated with a BA (Hons.) Degree in Drama from the U of A and also have my ARCT Diploma in Speech Arts and Drama from the Royal Conservatory of Music. I’ve performed mostly musical theatre in Edmonton and Ottawa, but this is my first time performing at the Walterdale.

What brought you out for this production? I just moved back from Ottawa in September and have been itching to get reacquainted with the theatre community in Edmonton. The timing with Follies just worked out perfectly with work. Plus, it’s Sondheim.

This show is about theatre and nostalgia – got any good theatre stories? One of my best theatre stories is from the first show I ever did: Oliver! at Festival Place when I was 14. I missed the auditions but when my mom called, the lady told me to come to callbacks (I didn’t know what that meant at that time). I walked into the room with all the other children and youth, and was then told, “Alright, so everyone who’s here is in the show.” I was so confused. We did some group singing and dancing, I gave my info to the director and just like that I was part of Fagan’s Gang! Easiest audition process, ever!

What has been the most challenging part of doing the show? The most challenging part of the show is my feature song, which also happens to be a huge dance number. I’ve got to sing a solo line while everyone else is singing something else and dance while doing it!

What has been the best thing about doing the show? It’s been great getting back into the musical theatre community in Edmonton. I definitely missed it while I was away and am glad I’m back and working with a bunch of wonderfully talented performers and production personnel!

Meet the Team of FOLLIES – Phil Kreisel is the Stage Manager!

What is your role on this production? I am the stage manager for this production. There are multiple tasks associated with this role, but there are 2 main ones that I’ll touch on here. The first is to call all the sound and light cues associated with helping to make the show the spectacle that it will be. The second is to ensure that everyone onstage (and backstage) is accounted for prior to the start of the show.

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? I have been involved with theatre since 2000, when my son (who was acting regularly at the time) dared me to perform. Since then, I’ve primarily done sound design (almost 80 shows and counting so far), but I’ve also written plays, directed, stage managed, and occasionally acted as well. My involvement at Walterdale started in 2004, and is an ongoing adventure.

What brought you out for this production? Why did you want to be involved in this show? I was approached by both the director and production manager to stage manage this show. Barb and I go way back (12 years), and while I’d never stage-managed for her before, I do love musicals, so I thought it would be fun to do.

This show is about theatre and nostalgia – got any good theatre stories? I have tons of theatre stories, as each show has its own funny moments or quirks, which is one of the great joys I love about doing theatre. One of the great theatre stories I have is associated with Walterdale’s production of Sweet Charity back in 2005. I thought that it would be a good visual joke for Gerald Mason’s character (as a dirty old man) to open up a Playboy centerfold during the subway scene in the show, whereby one of the female actors would get offended and hit him over the head with her purse. I ended up changing the centerfold every night, so Gerald would always be surprised when he did the gag. The centerfolds were primarily weird pictures of cast members (usually the men in drag). We did 12 shows, hence a year’s worth of centerfolds, which I later turned into a souvenir calendar.

What has been the most challenging part of doing the show? It’s coming up, when I’ll be calling the show. It’s live theatre, so anything unexpected can happen, so I may have to get creative in a hurry. More importantly, a pleasurable challenge is to ensure that everyone involved is both being professional as well as having a good time being part of the show.

What has been the best thing about doing the show? Two things actually: First, having the privilege to watch the wonderful cast performing during every rehearsal (and of course, nightly once the show is officially mounted). Second: renewing old friendships as well as establishing new ones through the evolution of the show. If one can’t have a good time doing the show (including all the prep work), what’s the point of being there (but that’s just my opinion).

Meet the Team of FOLLIES – Barb Mah is the Director/Co-choreographer

What is your role on this production? I am the director/co-choreographer.

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? I have directed, acted and choreographed for a number of community theatres in Edmonton. For Walterdale, I have directed Sweet Charity and Anything Goes. I have choreographed numbers for Blood Brothers, A Day In Hollywood, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, The Boyfriend (and I can’t think of anymore). I’ve had a play produced for the play development program (as it was then called) where I was mentored by Vern Thiessen.

Why did you choose this play to direct? I love Sondheim’s work. I’m drawn to complex characters and situations. There’s nothing like middle aged angst to provide a backdrop for drama. The show is also funny in many place. Also: tap dance. I cannot resist tap dance.

This show is about theatre and nostalgia – got any good theatre stories? Talk about nostalgia – I was involved in a workshop production of this show almost 30 years ago. Talk about full circle. As for good theatre stories, catch me for a coffee sometime – I have many that are unprintable.

What has been the most challenging part of doing the show? Although the show is quite firmly grounded in “reality”, there is a large fantasy element. It is a challenge to tie the two together so that it makes sense to an audience.

What has been the best thing about doing the show? Meeting new people. The sense of camaraderie that is created when a cast works together

Follies runs from July 5-15th, 2017. Call 780.420.1757 or go to www.tixonthesquare.ca for tickets today!

Meet the Cast of FROM CRADLE TO STAGE 2017 – Miranda Broumas is Guenevere in GUENEVERE

What is your role in this production? I’m playing Guenevere, who’s a spirited and yearning young lady. Despite her affairs with Lancelot, she remains a dutiful partner to King Arthur. Their marriage is founded in a very admirable friendship and professional respect. Arthur values her insight and opinions, which is a refreshing dynamic between a man and a woman given the attitude and treatment toward women during the time period in which the show is set. Overall, Guenevere is a bold and noble queen who, in her own way, is always striving to protect the kingdom, promote peace, and preserve Arthur’s reputation. In many ways, she’s beyond her years. She can come across as introspective and strong, but has momentary lapses of naivete. Regardless of which side she’s putting forward, she is inherently opinionated and punctilious. She listens when the time is right, and takes charge when she feels she should.

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? I took drama and oral communication classes from junior high through post-secondary, and was a professional and competitive dancer for fifteen years. In 2013, I retired from dance to focus my extracurricular efforts on theatre. Recent credits include Lucy in Raine (New Works Festival 2016), Cunningham in The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (University of Alberta), Dawn in Seven Lost Minutes (35th Annual Edmonton Fringe Festival) and Lady Windermere in Lady Windermere’s Fan (Walterdale Theatre). This is my first role of 2017 and my second production at Walterdale.

What brought you out for this production? I’ve long admired the work of our director, Eric Smith, and jumped at the opportunity to audition for one of his productions. Once I had a chance to review the script, I was immensely intrigued. I’ve never worked on a such a poetic show before, so I was excited to try something new. I also felt somewhat obligated to audition for a Greek tragedy since my father hails from Nafpaktos.

What do you hope audiences will take away from the show? Why do you think they should come see it? From playwrights and painters to actors and dancers, it’s always important to support local artists, and From Cradle to Stage is a great way to do that. John Richardson has written a delightful rendition of a well-known tale that I think audiences will enjoy. I’m especially impressed by the depth of emotion the show covers in just sixty minutes.

What has been the most challenging thing about doing this show? The most enjoyable thing? The most enjoyable part has been getting to know the cast and crew on both professional and personal levels. The rehearsal process was a great balance of silly and serious, and resulted in a close-knit cast presenting a very unique and heartfelt show.