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Saturday, September 24, 2011

Spotlight on Jessica Peverett - Carly in Reasons to be Pretty

What is your role in Reasons to Be Pretty? I'm an actor in the show and I play Carly. Carly is interesting because she's not involved in a lot of scenes but she plays a major role in the action. She's the catalyst for Steph and Greg's argument and it's the way that Kent treats her that ultimately causes a major riff between Greg and Kent. So it's important to really understand her relationships because it informs the audience (and me) as to who Carly is as a person.

Why did you want to work on this production? It's been a while since I've been onstage (Fringe 2010) and it was time to get back on the horse. I auditioned for Sarah because the script is challenging and the major ideas aren't very pleasant.

What is your background in theatre? This is my first show with the Walterdale but I've been around the theatre block. I have 2 degrees in theatre (BA and MA). I've been involved with a number of fringe shows, Fort Edmonton Park, Nextfest, a handful of indie shows and productions during University. I've worked as an actor, director, stage manager, dramaturge, administrator and playwright. My show (Pushed) went up at Nextfest 2011.

What is the more challenging thing about the script? The hardest thing about this play is how awful the characters can be and really digging to find their 'redemption' or their human-ness. What is the best thing? The group has been really wonderful and the challenge (even though it's hard) is worth it for that moment in rehearsal when you go "I get it!"

What do you hope audiences will take away from this production? I think that Neil (that's right. we're on a first name basis) goes for the difficult ending. By not wrapping things up with a pretty little bow, I think he's asking the audience to be real, to be complex and to realize that sometimes things get harder instead of easier (and that doesn't mean that things don't turn out positively). I hope the audience will walk away talking about the nature of relationships.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Spotlight on Justin Deveau - Greg in Reasons to be Pretty

1. What is your role in Reasons to be Pretty? I play the part of Greg. He is a pretty low-key guy who would rather let life happen around him.
2. Why did you want to work on this production? I like working at Walterdale. It is always a positive experience.
3. What is your background in theatre? With Walterdale? I have been acting on stage since high school. This is my second show at Walterdale.
* Justin was seen on Walterdale's stage last season in Much Ado About Nothing playing Don John. This is not his first Neil LaBute play either. A few years ago, he was in The Shape of Things at Horizon Stage along with fellow Reasons castmate Lindsey Walker. This past summer Justin was in two Fringe plays, Pieces and Going Viral.

4. What is the hardest thing about being involved in the show? Working at a day job all day. You don't have a lot of time for sleep.
5. What is the best thing? Doing something you love.
6. What do you hope audiences will take away from this production? I hope it will make them think and talk. I hope people like the show. Everyone is working very hard on it.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Auditions - Albertine in Five Times

Albertine in Five Times


by Michel Tremblay


Translated by Linda Gaboriau

PERFORMANCE DATES: February 8th – 18th, 2012


AUDITION DATES: October 16th & 17th, 2011; Times: 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.

at Walterdale Playhouse (10322 83 Avenue)

CALL-BACKS: Thursday, October 20th, 2011; Times: 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.; Location: TBA

Director: Mary Jane (M. J.) Kreisel


Production Manager: Sarah Valois



Stage Manager: TBA

What would you say to yourself thirty years ago? Would you ridicule your earlier decisions? Laugh at your earlier self? Michel Tremblay’s haunting Albertine in Five Times, with five actors playing a woman in different decades of her life, explores memory, regret, consequences, and shows how extraordinary an ordinary life can be.


SIX ROLES:


Albertine at 30 – age range: late 20s to late 30s


Albertine at 40 – age range: late 30s to late 40s


Albertine at 50 – age range: late 40s to late 50s


Albertine at 60 – age range: late 40s to late 60s


Albertine at 70 – age range: mid-50s to late 70s


Madeleine – age range: late 20s to mid-40s



Please note: ages are relative and relational and never specifically mentioned in the script. We are concerned more about how old you will read in relationship to the rest of the cast and onstage in costume and make-up.


The auditions will comprise of readings from the script – no memorization is required. Readings can be emailed out to people in advance of their auditions. Please indicate the role(s) in which you are interested. You are also recommended to familiarize yourself with the script.


Copies of the script are available for reading from Walterdale. Contact Kent Sutherland, Theatre Administrator at walterph@telus.net or 780.439.3058 to sign one out. Copies are also available at Theatre Alberta – please call ahead.


Rehearsals will begin late October and will break for two weeks over the Christmas holiday season, resuming again the first week in January.


Please bring the following to the audition: your résumé and headshot as well as availability times and any conflict dates you may have.


Walterdale is a volunteer/member organization. We cannot engage Equity performers.


To book an audition or for further information, email M. J. Kreisel at mjkreisel@gmail.com


(Drop-ins will be accommodated as time allows)

Monday, September 12, 2011

Announcing the cast for Wyrd Sisters, which goes up in December of 2011. We had over 90 people audition and the panel was truly blown away! This cast features many faces that Walterdale audiences will recognize as well as new ones. Enjoy!

Esmerelda "Granny" Weatherwax: Prudence Olenik
Gytha "Nanny" Ogg: Francie Goodwin-Davies
Magrat Garlik: Mandy Stewart
Verence the Late: Curtis Knecht
Leonal Felmet: Andrew Mecready
Lady Felmet: Heather Morrow
Olwyn Vitoller: Gerald Mason
Mrs. Vitoller: Barbara Schmid
Fool: Morgan Gerlinsky
Tomjon: Schuyler Snowdon
Hwel/Demon: Darrell Portz
Sergeant: Ken Sims
Chamberlain: Lance Beswick
Guard 1/Guard 3: Delanie Tiedemann
Guard 2/Guard 4: Steve Rempel
Robber 1/Witch 1: Catherine Wenschlag
Robber 2/Witch 2/Actor: Rowan Hickie
Peasant/Witch 3: Tamara Raynor-Cote
Slain Soldier/Wimsloe: David Rumer
Soldier/Gumridge: Sarah Hennessey
Bowman/Bedlin: Stan Woo

With all that comedic talent I know the team is going to find it hard to make it through the rehearsals because of all the laughing!

Monday, September 5, 2011

A Tribute to the Life and Work of Director Richard Winnick

Richard Winnick was a former Artistic Director and President of Walterdale Theatre Associates who passed away suddenly this summer. He directed many shows at Walterdale including Death Trap, The Rocky Horror Show, and many, many more. He will be greatly missed in the Edmonton Community Theatre world.
An event has been planned to celebrate Richard's life and work.


WHAT DREAMS MAY COME
Sunday, September 18 · 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Festival Place Sherwood Park

A Tribute to Richard Winnick
Our friend and director Richard Winnick passed away the week of August 8, 2011 at the age of 60. Please join us for a tribute to him as we all read and sing from some of his favourite plays and musicals. There will be an open-mic in the lobby after the tribute so please bring your instruments and your songs and thoughts to share. That will start at 4:00 p.m. or so and go until we can go no more...

Thursday, September 1, 2011

In the downtime at Walterdale... a Shameless Plug...

Several Walterdale members (myself included) are currently involved in A Little Night Music which opens next week at Festival Place in Sherwood Park. In the cast you have myself (Kristen Finlay), Gary Carter (the Governor from The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas), Elizabeth Marsh (from several Walterdale productions, including A Little Night Music), Kent Sutherland (Administrator extraordinaire and from The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas), Kathleen McDonald (Costume Designer for Crimes of the Heart and You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown!), Stephanie Wigston (Perfect Pie and A Kiss Within a Kiss), Judy Stelck (Sea of Green, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and Les Belles Soeurs), Jessica Lauderdale (Whorehouse) and Adam Mazzarolle-Kuss (You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown!). The Production Team is led by Barb Mah and rounded out with Mary-Ellen Perley, Rhiannon Perley-Waugh, Richard Hatfield, Leland Stelck, and Phil Kreisel.

The Show runs from September 8th to 11th and tickets are available through Festival Place.

For those of you awaiting the cast announcement for Wyrd Sisters... I will pop it up here as soon as I know what it is!