Tag: Member

Meet the Cast of The 39 Steps – Lauren Tamke

Introducing Lauren Tamke, who plays Annabella, Margaret, and Pamela in The 39 Steps

Hi Lauren! Tell us about your characters in the show!

I am extremely delighted to play three distinct characters throughout the show including Annabella, a mysterious German spy; Margaret, a sheltered Scottish lass; and Pamela, an upper class English woman.

What is your background in theatre?

The majority of my theatre work has taken place within my university experience at Concordia Edmonton in mainstage and one act festival shows and within community theatres in and around Edmonton, both as an actor and director. Most recently, I acted in The Comedy of Errors (Adriana) and Much Ado About Nothing (Borachio/Francis) as part of Prime Stock Theatre’s outdoor Shakespeare festival. At Walterdale, this is my third show. Previously I acted in Queen Milli of Galt (Mona) and directed the farce, Boeing Boeing. I love the Walterdale community and I am happy to be back on stage here!

What brought you out for The 39 Steps?

So many reasons! The “spy comedy” genre is one of my favourites and the synopsis spoke to me instantly. The timing was also super serendipitous because I saw the audition posting while packing to move back to Edmonton the following week. And I was super excited at the chance to work with director Kristen Finlay! I’m SO happy to be a part of the show.

What are you enjoying the most about working on this show so far?

I am loving the playful and productive energy of rehearsals and being back in the same physical space as my awesome production team and cast. Every night at rehearsal is a blast!

Why do you think people should come see The 39 Steps at Walterdale?

The show is light-hearted, slapsticky, and 100% bound to let the audience escape into the silliness and fun therein.

The 39 Steps is based on the Hitchcock film (which is based on the John Buchan novel)… do you have a favourite Hitchcock film? OR a favourite 1930s-40s film? 

My favourite film from the 1930s-40s would have to be Gaslight!

Meet the Cast of The 39 Steps – Lucas Anders

Hi Lucas! Tell us a bit about the character you play, Richard Hannay!

Richard is a man who has seen the world pass him by. His friends have moved on in one way or another. He looks at the world and the people around him. He’s tired of division and the craziness of the world. His hope is for a good world, a better world, one where we look after each other… though he’s up for a Grand Adventure. 

What is your background in theatre? 

I graduated from the University of Alberta with a B.Ed. with a Major in Drama. I was a theatre kid in high school and part of a core group that formed the Fort Saskatchewan Company “Rare Form Theatre” where I performed in The Importance of being Earnest, Beware of the Quickly Who and Fools. I left for Prince Rupert and became a radio morning show host and got involved in the improv scene as a co-founder of the improv troupe  “Hook, Line and Snicker.” A few years back,  I also accomplished my life-long goal of performing in the Edmonton international Fringe Festival with the production Stones in His Pockets. I returned to Edmonton pre-pandemic and taught Drama, directing high school productions with my brother, friend and collaborator Christian Zyp. Christian is a friend who I’m grateful for, and who inspires me to tackle many creative projects. This is my first production with Walterdale and I’m thrilled to take the stage under the direction of the talented Kristen Finlay.

What brought you out for the show? 

In a twist of  fate, I opened the Theatre Alberta newsletter which happened to be in my junk mail folder. There I found the audition posting for The 39 Steps. It’s been a long stretch of isolation with the pandemic continually hanging over us, so I wanted to jump into a creative project and have some fun with other creative minds. I read the opening monologue and instantly felt a connection to the lead character. Not only was I the same age as the character, but we both have a moustache! Kristen’s message of creating a show to make us all laugh resonated with me. This gave me the motivation to be a part of a piece of theatre that will bring a smile to audiences. After what has been a very difficult stretch of human history it will be nice to share some laughter with theatre goers. 

What are you enjoying the most about working on this show so far?

When you’ve got such a funny script,  talented cast and crew, it makes for a fun time exploring the world of The 39 Steps. How incredibly lucky I feel to work with such a great team. It was an interesting start to our rehearsal process over zoom and eventually meeting in person. It’s been a blast creating, collaborating, getting into hijinks, chases and mischief. The Walterdale Theatre is now our playground and we can’t wait to share what we’ve discovered with you. We look forward to sharing the mystery, laughter and fun with audiences at the Walterdale Theatre.

Why do you think people should come see this show? 

Do you like fun? It’s been heavy with global conflict and the pandemic still looming. We hope to give you a break from what has been a hard stretch. Take a chance, sit back, relax, go on a wild ride by seeing  The 39 Steps come to life. Come check out the incredibly talented cast and crew under the direction of our fearless leader Kristen Finlay. We all need to laugh… So here’s your chance! 

The 39 Steps is based on the Hitchcock film (which is based on the John Buchan novel)… do you have a favourite Hitchcock film? OR a favourite 1930s-40s film? 

The 39 Steps radiates spies, espionage and fun. A film that I love which incorporates all these elements is Double Indemnity. It’s everything a classic mystery/thriller (Film Noire) should be.

Meet the Cast of THE TRIANGLE FIRE FACTORY PROJECT – Rebecca Bissonnette is Yetta Lubitz and Rose Schneiderman!

Who are you and what is your role in this production? My name is Rebecca Bissonnette and I get the honour of playing two real life heroes – Yetta Lubitz an immigrant factory worker and Rose Schneiderman a union organizer. The characters are quite different – Yetta is a young, immature and vulnerable girl looking to better herself, while Rose is a strong, opinionated speaker who does whatever is necessary to create change.

What is your background in theatre? With Walterdale? My background in theatre isn’t a big one……not yet anyway. My very first show ever was only a few years ago, here at the Walterdale when I was cast as Mrs. French in Ravenscroft. My background is mainly in dance, having been a studio dancer for 15 years and recently returned to the dance floor over the past couple of years to launch my own dance troupe. While I might have come rather late to the theatre party, I consider myself quickly making up for lost time, having been blessed enough to work with some of the best community theatres around – Foote in the Door, Trinity Players, Element Theatre and Paper Doll Productions.

Why do you think people should come see The Triangle Fire Factory Project? I believe that when real life tells a story, people need to listen. This is so much more then words on a paper – these are words spoken by real live people, people who have experienced such tragedy, such devastation, such heartbreak. Their stories need to be told, so that we never forget and hopefully aren’t doomed to repeat.

On top of that, this show is full of such passionate people on both the cast and crew. With a show that has so many moving parts, it could very easily turn into a disaster. BUT, the commitment, hard work, dedication and joy (yes joy) with which everyone has approached this show, has easily made it one of my favourites to work on. I would work with anyone of them again in a heartbeat. People need to come see this show based on its collective heart.

Since this show deals with workplace ‘issues’ – What was your first job? How old were you and what did it entail? Let’s be real – my first job was as a lazy teenager, not wanting to work, but was told by my grandma that I wasn’t sitting around her beach house all summer. So, I was a dishwasher at the town restaurant. It was physically hard, I stunk of grease and was constantly sweaty, but I got free meals. And at 13, that’s all you can ask for.

Meet the Cast of THE TRIANGLE FACTORY FIRE PROJECT – Kingsley Leung is Eddie Markowitz

What is your role in The Triangle Factory Fire Project? I am an immigrant. I am a Jew. I helped to make this country strong and diverse. They call me Eddie Markowitz – the head shipping clerk at the Triangle Shirt Waist Factory – played by Kingsley Leung.

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? This is my 3rd Walterdale production. When they need Asians or funny looking guys, I get the call. My willingness to shave my body and wear high heels on stage make my talents very unique.

Why do you think audiences should see this show? This will be the best Rom-Com you will see this century! Fiery relationships that go up in smoke, burning desires and trailblazing women.

This is a show about terrible working conditions… to lighten the mood, do you have any funny work stories?  As a hospital porter, I was bringing body parts and limbs down to the morgue. I was in the elevator trying to keep everything from falling off my cart, when the doors open with a bunch of doctors standing there and I ask them, “Do you mind if I get a hand?”. That was exquisite fooling!

Meet the Cast of THE TRIANGLE FACTORY FIRE PROJECT – Kent Sutherland plays Max Blanck!

Who are you and what is your role in this production? My name is Kent Sutherland, and I play Max Blanck one of the co-owners of the Triangle Waist Factory. Blanck is not a very nice person and along with his fellow co-owner, Isaac Harris, the duo was named as one of the Top 10 Worst Bosses in America by TIME Magazine. I also helped build the set and some of the props.

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 musicals with Festival Players, Two ONE-WAY Tickets to Broadway, Foote in the Door, and, of course, Walterdale. This is my first non-musical role in a very long time.

Why do you think people should come see The Triangle Fire Factory Project? The story is a significant part of history. It was this fire that was the catalyst for changes in building codes, the implementation of fire drills, and better working conditions for women and immigrants. The play explores the historical, political and social ramifications that resulted from this seminal event, and examines the continuing modern day concerns of corporate greed and responsibility, and the moral and ethical issues surrounding the question, “what is the value of a human life?” Also, the way our director has decided to stage the show is sure to have an effect on the audience and have their feelings run the gamut.

Worst job you ever had, and why? Probably the worst job I ever had was working the graveyard shift at the 7-11 that used to be on 99 St. and 90 Ave. one summer. There was supposed to be two people working the shift, but my co-worker often/always called in sick leaving me to work alone. There were several “interesting” incidents at that location during the graveyard shift while I was employed, and there were several times I did not feel all that safe. During one shift, a customer came in asking where the bathroom was, and I looked up to see his face covered in blood — all I could do was point in the direction of the bathroom.

The Triangle Factory Fire Project runs October 10-20, 2018.
Click here for tickets.

More 2018 Fringe shows featuring Walterdale Members! We are everywhere!

BUYER AND CELLAR

Description: Barbra Streisand has a mall in her basement (TRUTH!). Meet Alex, the man who has to work there (… not true). Don’t miss the Edmonton premiere of the outrageous off-Broadway smash hit about the price of fame, the cost of things, and the oddest of odd jobs.

Click here for tickets.

AN ANTHOLOGY OF GHASTLY TALES

Description: In the tradition of “Twilight Zone” and “Tales from the Crypt” comes stories too horrifying to tell an elementary class, told by a teacher on his last day of teaching. A new play from the demented mind behind “An Evening with the Heaven’s Gate Singers” – **** – EdmontonFringe.ca

Click here for tickets.

[TITLE OF SHOW]

Description: Who says four chairs and a keyboard can’t make a musical? In this hilarious Tony nominated musical, we join Jeff and Hunter, two guys writing a musical about two guys writing a musical about two guys writing a musical. Witness four artists craft a love letter to musical theatre!

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FOR WHOM THE SOUTHERN BELLE TOLLS and BED BUG BOSSA NOVA

Description: DOUBLE FEATURE: Take one fading southern belle, her overly-sensitive son, his collection of glass cocktail stirrers, toss in a loudmouth “feminine” caller then watch as pandemonium ensues courtesy of playwright Christopher Durang. ALSO catch two horny bedbugs seeking love’n’lust between the sheets in an award-winning production by Gerald Osborn.

Click here for tickets.

 

Stay tuned for more shows featuring Walterdale members past and present!

More 2018 Fringe Shows featuring Walterdale Members!

ESCAPED ALONE

Description: Three old friends and a neighbor. A summer of afternoons in the backyard. Tea and catastrophe. The future. Domestic and wild. [Ms. Churchill is] “the most dazzlingly inventive living dramatist in the English language.” She is the author of Cloud Nine and Top Girls.

Click here for tickets.

THE GREAT WHOREHOUSE FIRE OF 1921

Description: Big Valley, Alberta 1921. An enterprising madame establishes a brothel, leading to conflict and unexpected friendship with a town matron. Tension turns to crisis when the brothel is burned down. This true story is reimagined with wit, sarcasm, and very good wigs.

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NONNA’S STORY

Description: An operatic & intergenerational yet bitter-sweet cross-section of an immigrant-Neapolitan-Italian-Canadian matriarch’s life, and that of her boisterous blue-collar working class family. Told through the lens of the formerly Edmontonian, queer, performing artist author of the story, it examines why it’s important to remember & honour who/where we came from…

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XANADU

Description: XANADU follows Greek muse Kira, who descends from Mount Olympus to Venice Beach in 1980 to inspire a struggling artist to strive for his greatest creative achievement ever – a ROLLER DISCO! But when Kira falls into forbidden love, her jealous sisters take advantage of the situation, and chaos abounds.

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Stay posted for more!

 

Check out these Fringe Shows that Feature Walterdale Members!

MISCAST

Miscast is a Cabaret of epic proportions. Forget everything you know about Broadway! Gender Bending. Mind bending. Body bending. Guaranteed to entertain, inspire and elate. MisCast has it all, from the romantic ballads to roaring tap. MisCast is one you don’t want to miss.

Click here for tickets.

GUENEVERE

Written as a Greek tragedy and imparted in poetry, Guenevere is a reflection of the life of its titular character and the Camelot legend. The story is told from the feminine perspective and is unlike any other version of the legend you have seen.

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TRAGEDY: A TRAGEDY

A local news team bravely stands in front of an unfolding catastrophe prepared to bring unflinching coverage. But as the night wears on and answers can’t be found… they flinch. From the Sterling Award-winning company behind “Never Swim Alone” (*****) and held-over hit, “Legoland.”

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SOFIE’S WILD RIDE

Wise-cracking Golden Gal Sofie Palermo has gone to the great beyond…or so she thinks. Join Sofie’s trip down memory lane with daughter Doralee (a square), best friends Brooke (a sexpot) and Rowe (a nitwit). Does Sofie learn a lesson? Maybe; maybe not. Either way, this 83-year-old is wickedly funny!

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Stay tuned for more!

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 Director of THE WOMEN – Catherine Wenschlag!

What is your role on The Women? What does that entail? I’m the director – a statement that fills me with equal parts joy and anxiety. As the director, I chose the play, put together a design team, auditioned and cast the actors, and am now working with everyone to put it all together.

What is your background in theatre? In Edmonton? At Walterdale? Since getting involved with theatre at the young age of 8, I’ve been an actor, stage manager, lighting operator, production manager, administrator, box office manager, and – most recently – a director. I’ve been with Walterdale since 2009 and am truly thrilled to be directing my second show here, following The Sunset Syndrome in 2016.

Why did you choose this script for Walterdale? There are three main things that led me to choose The Women. First, the sheer number of women involved – I have 17 actors playing 39 characters and it’s been a joy going on this adventure with them. I feel it really serves the Walterdale community to have a large female cast. Second, the humour – it’s biting and witty and dark and physical and so fun to play with!  And third, the chance to tell an 80 year old story and show how it’s still relevant today.

What do you think audiences will take away from the show? Why do you think they should come and see it? My hope is that people will have a wonderful time watching the show, and then, perhaps they will have a conversation with their friends about the characters, their choices, even the role women play in the world today – and how they can grow and change that role in their own circle of influence.

What is the most challenging obstacle that you think women have overcome in the last century? In many ways, I think the biggest obstacles we’ve overcome are the ones we’re still jumping the hurdles of to get even further ahead. To have the vote, birth control, the freedom to leave an abusive partner – these were amazing accomplishments. But we have so far to go – in getting more women voted in to positions of power, stopping men (or anyone) from deciding what a woman can do with her body, and ending all domestic violence are still a ways off – but not impossible. Especially if we can see and treat other women as our allies, not enemies, and work together.