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Friday, September 28, 2012

Spotlight on Cody Porter - Jack in The Weir

1.What is your role in this production?  I play Jack in The Weir. He is a mechanic in a rural Irish garage. Jack is one of the local lads who frequents Brendan's (Justin Deveau) pub. He has a best mate Jim (Kieran O'Callaghan), a rival Finbar (Gavin O'Toole), an unwilling protege in Brendan, and a new and interesting acquaintance Valerie (Gwyneth Kellii). I suppose you could say he, like many of the characters in the play, leads a complacent little life in a small sphere. The kind of existence where a seemingly minor change in the ordinary course can create a huge ripple effect in their experience. The thing which might distinguish Jack most of all is his ability/desire to “take the piss” out of everyone and everything (himself included), and his ability to use the lens of his limited perception to extrapolate greater truths about the world at large. He is a big fish in his little pond, but it may not be a mantle which sits well on his shoulders.

2. What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? I started doing theatre in high school. Coming from a small town in Saskatchewan (Carnduff) there wasn't a horde of willing participants to perform in plays. That being said, I did get several chances to tread the gymnasium boards. I enjoyed that so much that I decided to apply to the University of Regina theatre program, and after auditioning I was accepted. A few years later I auditioned for and attended the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York. When I came back to Canada I moved to Edmonton and started acting here in 2004. The first show I was did in the city was Our Town at the Walterdale. Since then I have been acting rather steadily, primarily on independent and fringe stages. I have been quite active with (Walterdale Artistic Director) Sarah Van Tassel's independent company Guts&Guile, also with the Other Theatre, and Forces of Chaos. Aside from acting I have written and directed a few shows over the years. I have done a decent amount of Walterdale shows as well including: Swimming with Goldfish (one acts), The Cripple of Inishmaan, Antony and Cleopatra, and You are Here.

3. Since The Weir is a bit of a spooky play, do you have a favourite scary movie or play? I don't know if I really have a favourite scary play, movie or story. I am a real fan of the thriller/horror genre and I would say there is a certain type of story that resonates more with me as an audience member. In these stories the characters are not attacked by monsters, ghosts or aliens but rather serve as conduits for malevolent forces. I am most interested in the effects of misanthropic behaviour on our social constructs, whether made manifest by contagion, vampirism, zombies, possession, isolation or simply psychological dysfunction. My favourite stories use these devices to create parables about the sometimes dark and brutal nature of humanity. I like to think, as most of them conclude, that our baser natures can be overcome.

4. Why do you think audiences should come and see The Weir? I have a very big place in my heart for Conor McPherson. His ability to tell simple, honest, and evocative stories is second to none. What on the surface looks like a bunch of lads getting together share some “small ones” and tell a few “old cod” stories, ends up whispering some much larger themes. Anne Marie Szucs has put together a crack team of people for this one, and the world that is being created is as haunting, rich and nuanced as the best of Irish folklore. The premise is deceptively simple for this show, but as you immerse yourself in this dark little place and commune with these characters you may find that the experience creeps in and lingers with you long after the lights go up.
  * photocredits: Headshot - provided; Photo of Cody from You Are Here by Douglas Dollars Stewart

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Come By and See Us this Saturday, Sept 29th - Open House and AGM

Walterdale Open House, Dedication Ceremony and AGM

On Saturday, September 29 Walterdale Playhouse opens its doors to the new, recognizes the past and moves forward into the future.

Open House tours will run during the day from noon to 4 p.m.  Come by and take a tour through the space.  Check out the shows on deck this season and maybe sign up to get involved with one (or two, or three...). Ring the bell, check out the booth and get a look at all the behind the scenes spaces!

At 6 p.m. we will be holding a small ceremony to dedicate the rehearsal hall in memory of Frank Glenfield, one of Walterdale's founding members and a gentleman who provided support and leadership to many in Edmonton's theatre community.

The Annual General Meeting will proceed directly afterward, with a reception after the meeting. The business portion of the meeting will be first, followed by a little entertainment as we celebrate our membership with awards and introduce the season.
 
Hope to see you there!

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Spotlight on Kristen M. Finlay - Master Painter for The Weir at Walterdale Theatre

What is your role on this Production? I am the Master Painter for the The Weir.  For this particular show this means that I am picking the paint and deciding how to colour the world created by Set Designer Jim Herchak.  I also coordinate the painting volunteers and show them what to do and decide on textures and techniques to paint the set.

What is your background in theatre?  With Walterdale? I have been involved in theatre since grade 7 when I played a party guest in A Christmas Carol. I was upgraded to fiddler at the party because the girl who was supposed to do that failed to show up for the performance.  Luckily it was miming the fiddle because I do not play.  I grew up in Fort McMurray and in high school I started doing work both backstage and onstage at Keyano Theatre.  After teaching math and science for several years I moved into teaching high school drama, it was there that I started directing and later playwriting.  I moved to Edmonton in 2005 and met some Walterdale members while doing an ELOPE show.  They recommended Walterdale's One Acts and I auditioned for and was cast in Lunatic in spring of 2006.  I knew the minute I stepped in the building that I had found a home.  Since then I have appeared onstage here several times (Steel Magnolias, Black Hearts in the Green Room, The Threepenny Opera), have had a play produced (Pieces - 2007 version), have directed (Crimes of the Heart, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Rabbit Hole, Nine), have designed a set (Village of Idiots) and props (Much Ado About Nothing) and have been master painter (Wyrd Sisters). I have also served on the Board of Directors as Secretary and Treasurer and am a former Artistic Director (2009-2011).  Next I will be onstage again in The Misanthrope in December. You might say I like it here.

What is your favorite scary story? Well, I am not a scary story fan.  Ask my husband, he will tell you I jump at the slightest "Boo!" in a movie.  However, I am a fan of Walter, our resident ghost.  I believe that Walter is a benevolent spirit who might like to goof up the works when he is feeling saucy, but I like the idea that the building is thought to house a ghost.  It's nice to think that the building is never completely empty.

Biggest Challenge of this production for you? This is a really big paint job - lots of surfaces and lots of textures and I have had to figure out a lot on my own in terms of colours (Jim trusts me).  Usually I rely heavily on Joan Hawkins to help when I have to figure out how to do something as she is the paint guru at Walterdale, but she is out of town.  The challenge for me has been trusting myself to get it right.  I turned a corner this week and I like where it is going.  I hope you all do too!

* headshot photo credit: Janine Hodder
* snuggie photo - Kristen and Nathan Stasiewich (her Assistant Director) at the Nine Sitz Probe

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Spotlight on Justin Deveau - Brendan in The Weir coming to Walterdale's stage in October 2012

Who do you play in this production? I play Brendan the bar man. He is a local farmer and owns and runs the pub where the play takes place.

What is you background in theatre? I have been involved with local theatre for 4-5 years now. With Walterdale? This is my fifth show with The Walterdale.

* Justin was in three shows at Walterdale in the 2011-2012 season: reasons to be pretty, Wyrd Sisters and Love of the Nightingale.  He was also in Much Ado About Nothing in the 2010-2011 season.  At Walterdale he has played a nice guy, a villain, a fool and a king.  Now he plays a pub owner.
Spooky stories feature in this play.  What is your favorite scary story? One of my favorite creepy stories is the Tell Tale Heart. It is always creepy to have a character talk about how sane and rational they are when that is clearly not the case. I have recently read stories by Sheridan Le Fanu an Irish writer that I enjoyed very much. Highly creepy.

Any last comments? This is a great cast! The atmosphere at the read through alone was great to be a part of.

Photos:
Left: Justin in reasons to be pretty; photo credit: Douglas Dollars Stewart (Rad Grandpa)
Right: Rachel Kent, Justin and Marsha Amanova in Love of the Nightingale, photo credit: Douglas Dollar Stewart

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Auditions for Summer and Smoke by Tennessee Williams


Summer and Smoke

by Tennessee Williams
PERFORMANCE DATES: February 6–16, 2013
AUDITION DATES: October 21 & 22, 2012; Times: 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Walterdale Playhouse (10322 83 Avenue)
DIRECTOR: Mary-Ellen Perley
STAGE MANAGER: Pat Eyford
CHARACTERS:
  • Alma Winemillera minister’s daughter – mid-20’s
  • John Buchanan, Jr.a young doctor – mid-20’s
  • Rev. WinemillerAlma’s father, – late 50’s to early 70’s
  • Mrs. WinemillerAlma’s mother – late 50’s to early 70’s
  • Dr. John Buchanan, Sr.the young doctor’s father – late 50’s to 70’s
  • Rosa Gonzalesa flamenco dancer – early to mid-20’s
  • Gonzalesowner of a casino, Rosa’s father – early 60’s to 70’s
  • Nellie Ewella young girl – late teens early 20’s
  • Roger DoremusAlma’s friend – mid-20’s to early 30’s
  • Mrs. Bassettwidow – late 30’s to early 50’s
  • Vernonmember of the literary club – mid-20’s to early 30’s
  • Rosemarypublic librarian – mid-20’s to early 30’s
  • Dustywaiter at the Moon Lake Casino – mid-20’s to mid-40’s
  • Archie Kramera traveling salesman – early 20’s to early 30’s
    • The characters of Vernon, Dusty and/or Archie may be double cast depending on the relation to other cast members.
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.
  • The auditions will comprise of the following:
    • READINGS FROM THE SCRIPT – These can be emailed out to people in advance of their auditions.
    • CALL-BACKS (if required): Sunday, October 28th, 2012 (Location TBD)
  • Rehearsals:begin Thursday, November 1, 2012.
    • Rehearsals will be on Sunday afternoons, Tuesday & Thursday evenings in the autumn/winter of 2012, and will increase closer to performance as required.
  • Please bring any conflict dates you have to the audition. 
  • Headshots and résumés are recommended, but not required.
  • Copies of the script are available for reading at Walterdale. Contact the Theatre Administrator at walterph@telus.net or 780.439.3058 to sign one out. Copies are also available at Theatre Alberta – please call ahead.
  • Walterdale is a volunteer/member organization. We cannot engage Equity performers.
To book an audition, please contact Mary-Ellen Perley by e-mail atmperley@shaw.ca
(Drop-ins will be accommodated as time allows)

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Introducing the Cast of The Misanthrope - up on deck this December at Walterdale

This December Walterdale will be bringing Martin Crimp's adaptation of Moliere's The Misanthrope to the stage.  After exciting auditions, Director Janine Hodder has nailed down her fabulous cast.  We welcome newcomers and familiar faces to Walterdale this fall for this modern take on a classic!

Cast List:
Alceste - Brennan MacGregor
John - Zachary Parsons-Lozinski
Covington - Bill Roberts
Alexander - Rudy Smith
Julian - Nathan MacDonald
Messenger - Christian Milanovic
Simon - Colin McDonal
Jennifer - Afton Rentz
Ellen - Amanda Neufeld
Marcia - Kristen M. Finlay

The cast will be supported by the following Production Team.  There are still a few positions to be filled (ASMs, Ops, etc...), if you are interested please contact Production Manager Giorgia Severini.

Production Team:
Director - Janine Hodder
Assistant Director - Erika Noot
Production Manager – Giorgia Severini
Stage Manager - Bethany Hughes
Dialect Coach - Marliss Weber
Dramaturge - Rebecca Friesen
Set Designer - Travis Metzger
Lighting Designer - Roy Jackson
Sound Designer - Daniel Belland
Costume Designer - Elaina Bolton
Master Painter - Kristen M. Finlay
Set Dressing/ Props - Clyde Rigsby

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Only 9 Days Left to Get Your Script In...

Hello aspiring playwrights! There are only 9 days let to get your new script into our annual From Cradle to Stage Competition. This is a fabulous opportunity to work with either Tracy Carroll or Brian Dooley as Dramaturge to develop and grow your script as well as get it produced onstage in our 2012-2013 season.  We are looking for scripts 'under development' so don't worry if it's not exactly where you want it to go, if selected, we will help you make it what you want it to be!

Scripts can be sent in electronically or by mail or even just dropped off at the theatre.  Check the link here for more details on how to submit your script!