Member Profile – Page 12 – Walterdale Theatre

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.

Meet the Cast of FROM CRADLE TO STAGE 2017 – Anglia Redding is Victoria in PORTRAIT OF A FAMILY DINNER

What is your role in this production? My role is twofold in this production: I play Victoria in the production and I’m the Co-Director of Publicity for Walterdale. In my role as Co-Director, I write press releases, contact local reviewers, set up interviews, and make sure the word about the show gets out so people will come and see it! Victoria is a bit of a puzzle. She is the perfect wife and mother, but she has many secrets she needs to keep hidden. She would do just about anything to protect her family.

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? I graduated from Keyano College with a diploma in Visual and Performing Arts program located in Fort McMurray. I acted in a few shows on the Keyano main stage, including Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean and Les Belles Soeurs. I’ve been involved in stage-managing a few productions like Death Comes to Auntie Norma (Lucky Wench Productions) and Jesus Master Builder (Walk on Water Productions). I’ve also stage-managed for Gerald Osborn at ADFA’s Stage Struck for the past few years, which has been a real treat. Since 2012, I’ve been volunteering at Walterdale in various roles, including assistant stage manager and lighting operator. I’ve really found my niche as a stage manager, which suits my bossiness to a T.

What brought you out for this production? Since acting seems to be in my blood (despite my love for stage-managing), I love to come out and audition for Walterdale shows. It’s awesome to get to meet different directors and hear about their vision. Even if I don’t get a part, I never feel rejected because of the feeling of community Walterdale projects. I always feel like I’m coming home.

What do you hope audiences will take away from the show? Why do you think they should come see it? I hope audiences will see that not every family is perfect; we all have secrets and skeletons in the closest. Some laughs would also be nice! Audiences should come and see it because it’s a great way to spend an evening while supporting local playwrights. What not to like?

What has been the most challenging thing about doing this show? The best thing? It’s been 17 years since I was onstage last, so remembering how to learn my lines was a bit of a struggle. I used to know all the tips and tricks, but things have changed so much! Imagine my surprise when I found out there were apps I could use to help me. Back in my day, you just sat with your script and repeated the lines until they were in there (shakes fist at young people).

I’d have to say the best thing has been getting back onstage. Stage-managing and acting can be quite varied in responsibilities and duties. It’s a whole different world under the lights than it is hiding in the booth!

Meet the Cast of From Cradle to Stage 2017 – Erin Forwick-Whalley is Chorus #1 in Guenevere

What is your role in this production? I am playing the role of Chorus #1, also known as Mama Nun! (We made up nicknames for all of the nuns because we have no names in the play.) I am the Abbess, which is like the head nun, so feel a great obligation to guide the younger nuns under my tutelage.

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? I am an elementary teacher, so really I perform everyday on the stage I call my classroom! I also sing in a choir, and every year we put on a Broadway show, so I’ve had opportunities to act in those. My favorite role so far has been Mme. Thenardier in Les Mis! I first auditioned for a play in 2013, and received a challenging role in the play Marion Bridge by Daniel MacIvor (Horizon Players). Having never been in this type of production before, it was trial by fire for me, and I learned so much from the ever patient director, cast mates, and crew! This is my second role at Walterdale, having last done And Then The Lights Went Out by Andy Garland in 2014.

What has been the most challenging thing about doing this show? The most enjoyable thing? The thing I find most amazing and enjoyable about theatre is how quickly a cast/crew can bond, because we spend so much time together and because we are forced to be vulnerable and have trust that we will be accepted. I have fallen in love with every team I’ve been a part of, and this one is definitely no different! The most challenging part for me will be when we go our separate ways at the end of the run.

Meet the Team for From Cradle to Stage 2017 – Laura Ly is Director of PORTRAIT OF A FAMILY DINNER

What is your role on this production? I’m direct Portrait of a Family Dinner. It mostly involves working with an awesome cast and a great production team, and doing my best to steer things in the right direction.

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? This is my first play at the Walterdale. I am relatively new to the production side of theatre; however, I am very familiar with being an audience member and appreciating it from the other side.

What brought you out for this production? My friend Bethany burst into my office one day at work and asked if I would be interested in directing a one-act play. A few hours later, I was signed up to direct Portrait. I’ll admit that it probably took me a few weeks to fully realize exactly what I signed up for, but I’m so glad that I did.

What do you hope audiences will take away from the show? I hope that audiences walk away thoroughly enjoying themselves and marvelling at being able to witness the unveiling of a never-before-seen piece of art. They should come see it because Edmonton has some very talented playwrights, who are trying some very cool things, and they don’t want to be the only ones missing out. I don’t want to bully anyone, but c’mon, all the cool kids are coming out to From Cradle to Stage, and do you really want to be the person who missed out?!

What has been the most best thing about doing this show? It may sound super cliche, but I truly love the cast and crew of Portrait. I have enjoyed spending time with the cast, and have learned so much from the production crew over the past few months.