Tag: Member Profile

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

Laura 1What 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.

Meet the Cast of Guenevere – Derek Kaye is Lancelot!

HeadshotWhat is your role in this production? I’m playing the role of Lancelot. He is Guenevere’s lover and King Arthur’s right hand man. He’s a man of honor, brave, and fiercely loyal. The love he has for  both Guenevere and Arthur is deeply rooted and cherished.
What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? I’ve loved doing theatre since I was a kid and this is my second show at the Walterdale, my first being A Man of No Importance. It was so much fun and I met so many great people in that production that when I saw Eric Smith was directing this show I said that myself “that’s going to be another fun ride” and here we are!

What do you think audiences will take away from this show? This is such a unique show for the reason that it’s an original Greek tragedy which is a format that isn’t seen very often in modern-day theatre, and the themes that are presented are as true in our lives nowadays as they always were. I hope that the audience connects with these characters like we all have and takes the emotional journey with us.

What has bee your biggest challenge? A challenge that I’ve had to face doing this show is not dying from laughter! The material is heavy emotionally so to be able to laugh and have fun is important and we have had that in droves! Also playing with swords and pretending to fight people; hello, six year old Derek, you don’t ever have to grow up!

Meet the Cast of LADY WINDERMERE’S FAN – Miranda Broumas is Lady Windermere

1047556Who are you and what is your role in Lady Windermere’s Fan? My name is Miranda Broumas, and I’m playing Lady Windermere.

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

What brought you out for this show? Why did you want to be a part of it? I’m a big fan of Oscar Wilde, a major nerd for Victorian literature, and I liked the challenge of learning a proper English accent. Lady Windermere is also a rather interesting character to play. She and I share distaste for egocentric and smug people, but we differ in that she holds very black-and-white views. Personal growth and maturity entail learning at least some level of elasticity, and it’s really fun to navigate that journey with her.

Why should audiences check out the show? Lady Windermere’s Fan brilliantly juxtaposes the amusing and the serious, putting a comedic and melodramatic twist on themes that everyone can relate to. If you’ve ever felt pressure to uphold reputation, save face, or create the illusion that everything is fine when it really isn’t; if you’ve ever witnessed hypocrisy, felt burdened by social mores and conformity, or faced social ostracism at school or work; if you’ve ever withheld information to protect someone you love, or experienced the joyous complexity of family and romantic relationships, then you’ll surely identify with a character or two. Plus, it’s written by Oscar Wilde…how could you miss it?

What has been the most fun part of working on the show? Among a host of other aspects, like our fantastic team, I’d say the costumes are a pretty fun part of the show. The play takes place at a time in history when manners and mannerisms were held to the highest standard – when folks scrutinized over every minute detail of their posture, breath, and physical interactions with others. When the ladies started rehearsing in corsets, long trains and character shoes, you could really see life breathed into our characters (while the oxygen was simultaneously pushed out of our lungs) – everybody’s spines straightened and upper lips stiffened just a bit more. It’s also pretty entertaining to see the gentlemen commit to period-appropriate facial hair.

Favourite Oscar Wilde quote: “Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go.”

Meet the Cast of LADY WINDERMERE’S FAN – Craig Sephton is Mr. Hopper

Meet the Team of LADY WINDERMERE’S FAN – Martin Stout is the Director!

martin-stoutWho are you and what is your role on this production? Martin Stout – Director

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? I have no formal drama training at all, but lots of experience. I was variously actor, producer and director with Beaumont Drama Society in dozens of shows over fifteen years. The highlight was performing in The Mikado as Lord High Executioner at the Winspear.  At Walterdale I had roles in The Country Wife, The Taming of the Shrew & Blithe Spirit and I was Assistant Director on Ravenscroft.

Why did you want to direct this show? It’s not only Oscar Wilde’s wittiest play but also his most biting social satire. And, I can resist everything except costume drama. I wanted to fill the stage with beautiful ladies in corsets and dashing gentlemen in tailcoats, and then revel in their epigrammatic interplay.

Why do you think audiences should come and see this show? We have an immensely talented cast, wearing beautiful costumes, performing a theatrical classic on a fantastic set! So it will be gorgeous to look at and scintillating to listen to. It should certainly enthrall anybody who enjoyed “Downton Abbey”, “Sherlock Holmes” or even “Poldark”. But it is not often performed, so this may be your only chance to see it for a long time.

What has been the most fun so far working on the show?  The best part for me is watching my actors take written words from a page and breathe life into them, to create really believable characters. As part of that, we had a lot of fun doing a workshop with Barb Mah on manners, deportment and dance. The cast were gradually transformed into Lords and Ladies from 1892.

The most challenging thing? The biggest challenge has been to create a set that can be rapidly changed from Lady Windermere’s rooms to Lord Darlington’s chambers and then back again within the constraints of space, time and budget. Luckily I had the marvellous talents of my designer, builder and painter, who have more than risen to the challenge and created a fabulous evocation of two grand Victorian interiors. Now I’m looking forward to lighting it.

What is your favorite Oscar Wilde quote? “…there is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.” – The Picture of Dorian Gray

Meet the Cast of LADY WINDERMERE’S FAN – Dan Fessenden is Lord Darlington

fessendenWho are you and who do you play? My name is Dan Fessenden and I play the suave and debonair Lord Darlington.

What is your background in theatre?  I am excited to return for my second show at the Walterdale. Last year I was in Ravenscroft.

What brought you out for this show? I love Walterdale Theatre! I’ve seen lots of shows and have wanted to be on the stage for a while. Last year was my first one which was the culmination of that goal! There’s a lot of room for growth as an actor, and I’m happy to have another chance to do so. I’m also excited to be working with many of the same talented cast and crew at the Walterdale again!

What is the most enjoyable thing about working on this production? The entire production is full of some excellently talented and creative people. We’ve had a lot of fun putting together the show and I think that will come across for anyone who comes to see it. The script itself is full of great lines and moments!

What is the most challenging thing?  One of the most interesting things for me by far has been the fact that my character is not actually the character I relate most to in the story. So playing this other person has been both fun and challenging.
Got a favourite Oscar Wilde quote? “The pure and simple truth is rarely pure and never simple”

Meet the Cast of LADY WINDERMERE’S FAN – Émanuelle Dubbeldam is Rosalie!

emanuelle-dubbeldamWhat is your role in this production? I play Rosalie — Lady Windermere’s maid — as well as Miss Graham.

What is your background in theatre? Although it’s my first time on the Walterdale stage, I have been involved in theatre since the tender age of seven. I have made a couple of appearances at NextFest and the Fringe, and, being bilingual, through l’UniThéâtre. I have about seven years of improv experience and definitely consider it to be my favourite form of theatre.

What brought you out for this show? I knew the story was interesting and filled to the brim with amusing characters, and I figured it would be a blast to be a part of. Boy, was I right!

Why do you think audiences shoudl come and see this show? Lady Windermere’s Fan is extremely cleverly written, with twists and turns in every scene. Each character brings a new dimension to the story and there is humour sprinkled throughout. It’s loads of fun to watch; trust me, I have seen it many times by now.

What has been the most fun so far working on the show? The little accidents that turn out to be hilarious. Everyone involved has a great sense of humour, I’m surprised we get anything done at all.

The most challenging thing? The posture! I’m a sloucher through and through.

What is your favorite Oscar Wilde quote? “London is too full of fogs—and serious people. Whether the fogs produce the serious people or whether the serious people produce the fogs, I don’t know.”

Meet the Team of LADY WINDERMERE’S FAN – Elis Blouin is Stage Manager

elis-bWho are you and what is your role on this production? I’m Elis Blouin. As Stage Manager I track and attend every rehearsal, set scenes, call lines, give cues, assist the director, and act as general liaison for all facets of production for the cast and crew members.

What is your background in theatre? My first taste of theatre came to me in grade 3, with my role as Queen of Hearts in Alice and Wonderland. I attended drama and choir classes throughout junior and senior high school, working in numerous productions on and behind the scenes with makeup, costumes, painting, managing, and directing. I took some theatre classes in college and developed a drama club in Wyoming for children ages 8-12 where I singlehandedly directed, managed, wrote, and produced two productions a year. 
What brought you out for this show? I’m new to Canada and I figured the theatre should be my first stop in becoming acquainted with my new city. I live near-by and took notice of the beautiful building right away. I made some inquiries and Walterdale came highly recommended from local theatre goers. 
Why do you think audiences should come and see this show? Oscar Wilde’s insight on what it means to be a part of society is always refreshing. Lady Windermere’s Fan was written in the 1800’s, when European fashion was held as high as morality. We have a talented cast that does a beautiful job of displaying its own camaraderie in the delivery of their characters. 
What has been the most fun so far working on the show? The most challenging thing? A large cast of 16 (not to mention the loads of crew members) make this a very fun and challenging circus to keep organized. 
What is your favorite Oscar Wilde quote?
There are too many to choose just one!
“An idea that is not dangerous is unworthy of being called an idea at all,” is from Wilde’s essay titled The Critic as Artist. It’s one of my favorites, but there are so many good lines in Lady Windermere’s Fan as well. This one, “Whether the fogs produce the serious people or whether the serious people produce the fogs, I don’t know, but the whole thing rather gets on my nerves…” always makes me giggle. 

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

david-owenWho: 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!

img_4068Who 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!