Kristen Finlay – Page 10 – Walterdale Theatre

Five Fast Qs with Sally Hunt, Music Director of NEXT TO NORMAL!

What is your role on the show?Music Director — basically, preparing the actors and band for performance. I also play piano and conduct the band for this production.

What is your background with Walterdale?I’ve been involved, mostly from the music end, for a number of years. I believe my first Walterdale show was in the 1990’s, playing piano for an evening of Canadian songs and poems. My most recent show at Walterdale was Chess, in 2016. I also assisted with some musical elements on two other productions this season.

Favourite thing about rehearsal for Next to Normal? There are some utterly beautiful vocal moments in this show. Hearing them come to life has been lovely. Overall, though, the first time we put band and vocalists together – called Sitzprobe – is my favourite day in the rehearsal schedule.

Someone new visits Edmonton, what do you recommend they check out (other than Walterdale Theatre)? Get out of your car and away from the mall! The River Valley is spectacular, and there are great local neighbourhoods to check out on foot — Glenora, Highlands, French Quarter, and so on.

If you could ask Walterdale’s resident ghost “Walter” a question, what would you ask him? What’s the most surprising theatrical moment you’ve ever seen on this stage?

Five Fast Q’s with Mike Harding – Dan in NEXT TO NORMAL!

What is your role in the show? I play the character Dan, husband and father of the Goodman family.

What is your background with Walterdale? For years I had the pleasure of being an audience member at many Walterdale productions. This is the second show that I’ve done with Walterdale – the first was Chess a couple of years ago!

Favourite thing about rehearsal for Next to Normal? Well, actually I have two favourite things… #1) Being in the company of such awesome humans! It’s been a true delight working/rehearsing in an incredibly supportive environment. #2) The Music – For years I’ve loved the music from Next to Normal. What an honour it is to be able to rehearse and perform it.

Someone new visits Edmonton, what do you recommend they check out (other than Walterdale Theatre)? There is such a vibrant arts scene in this city!! Check out a choir, a play, a musical, a dance performance, a street performer, or live music! There is always something exciting happening!

If you could ask Walterdale’s resident ghost “Walter” a question, what would you ask him? So, have you seen my blue sock?

Five Fast Qs with Monica Roberts – Diana Goodman in NEXT TO NORMAL!

What is your role in the show? I have the honour of playing Diana Goodman, the maelstrom at the center of the story.

What is your background with Walterdale? I have been around Walterdale for a long, long time. First in a technical role (costume design) but then on stage as Cleopatra in Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra.

Favourite thing about rehearsal for Next to Normal? The cast and crew. This show deals with very emotional subjects and everyone has been so open, vulnerable, respectful and honouring of everyone’s story. Without this group of talented performers and supportive crew the show would be an awful experience.

Someone new visits Edmonton, what do you recommend they check out (other than Walterdale Theatre)? Depends on what you like – hike the river valley, find a great food shop, drink local beer, visit a museum. Edmonton has something for everyone.

If you could ask Walterdale’s resident ghost “Walter” a question, what would you ask him? Not really a question but a message. Thanks for the blue sock.

Photo Credit: Scott Henderson, Henderson Images

Meet the Cast of WATER BENEATH HER FEET – Brittany Hinse is Janey

What is your role in this production? I play Janey in Water Beneath Her Feet. Some of the play takes place in her memories, so it’s been kind of a fun challenge to maneuver the switches between past and present. Janey is a very stubborn character, but a sweet one too, she’s been fun to get to know.

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? I have a diploma in Musical Theatre from MacEwan University, and this is my fourth Walterdale show. My other Walterdale productions were Ravenscroft, Lady Windermere’s Fan, and Shatter from earlier this season.

What brought you out for this show? I love doing New Works, I think it’s fun to be a part of something completely new and exciting.

What has been the biggest challenge about working on the show? think the biggest challenge, again, has been the switches between time frames, especially as Janey never leaves the stage in between the switches, she just steps into and out of memories whenever!

What do you think audiences will take away from the show? Why should they come and see it? Water Beneath Her Feet is an interesting show – the audience never knows more than Janey does at any given moment, so you kind of have to piece together the puzzle as you watch. It’s a little bit of a mystery!

From Cradle to Stage runs May 14-19 on the Walterdale Stage.

Meet the Playwrights of FROM CRADLE TO STAGE 2018 – Sharon Reichert

What is your role in this production? I am reading the roles of two very different men in Incorruptible. One is a teenage boy, the other the younger brother of the main revolutionary. So I am getting to practice doing different voices! lol

I am also the playwright of Inaccurate Conceptions, another of the plays being read. I am so excited and blessed that they chose my play to be a part of this festival! I am excited to have it read for a completely new audience! Inaccurate Conceptions started as a seven-minute movie short when I first wrote it back in 1993. In 2014 I developed it further, resulting in a 15-minute one act play, which I directed it for the Yellowhead Region Adult One Act Play Festival in 2015, where the production was named the runner up for the provincial festival.

What do you think audiences will take away from the show? Why should they come and see it?

Inaccurate Conceptions is a funny play that proves, when it comes to relationships, things are not always what they seem. I believe the other plays that are being read are much deeper than mine and have the potential to really make audiences think. In other words, the complete opposite of Inaccurate Conceptions! OK, that isn’t completely true, but I do really hope that audiences can sit back and enjoy a few laughs with Owen, Angela, Lisa and Joanne. Also, I have to add, the title of this play is such a good play on words that it might just be my favourite part of the whole thing! lol

Meet the Cast of WATER BENEATH HER FEET – Wylee Johnston is Lizzie

What is your role in the production? I play Lizzie, Janey’s mom. She is a loving and free spirit that has her struggles with mental illness, which impacts her relationship with her daughter and husband.

What is your background in theatre? I got back into theatre in 2015 after a long break. I was a child model with a focus on theatre and had a theatre coach within the agency. While I had been involved in various works at that time, my recent credits include The Little Mermaid with Stageworks Productions, Girls’ Night Out with St. Albert Theatre Troupe, and I have volunteered with the Walterdale on several occasions since 2016.

What brought you our for this show? I have always wanted to be a part of the Cradle to the Stage. There’s a different kind of energy that comes with performing a new show, one that has not been on stage before. You are building a whole new world and to be able to present it to others is quite exhilarating! As I read for Lizzie in the audition, I felt a connection with her and really wanted to be involved.

How have you found the experience of creating this character? To help make Lizzie who she is and shape the play with this group has been an amazing experience and such a privilege. But her character work has also been my biggest challenge; diving into her mental wellness issues, finding out what could trigger her or move her and being able to express that for an audience without taking the emotions home with me.

Why do you think audiences should come and see this show? I hope audiences will be able to see that mental illness is not all of what a person is. Someone can be this amazing human being and while they face these types of challenges, it does not define who they are. I hope we can help break that stigma a bit. I think it this is something people will want to see as it portrays a very real look into a family that is learning to deal with mental illness together.

Meet the Cast of From Cradle to Stage 2018 – Matt Boisvert is Clay in WATER BENEATH HER FEET!

What is your role in this production? I play Clay in Water Beneath Her Feet. Clay is the main character’s father and is seen only in memory sequences. He is a father devoted to taking care of his daughter and helping his wife cope with her growing mental illness.

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? I started acting onstage with St.Albert Children’s Theatre in 1993 at the age of 11. I wrote, produced and directed my first plays at age 14 as part of a festival called Fresh Fest. Some years after that I took a break from theatre to pursue music projects (released 3 albums) and study art (UofA Visual Art Certificate, my final show of encaustic paintings will be up in Enterprise square this Oct 1st-18th). After a 13 year break I returned to the stage with Walterdale’s Chess (2016) and have been working steadily ever since. Probably my favourite role since returning was playing Dr. Horrible with Heart and Soul Productions last Halloween.

What brought you out for this show? After reading the script I felt I could bring something genuine to this character that perhaps others could not. I think Clay could be easily seen as a villain but he is much more complex than that. He has his own journey which I hope you will see in my performance.

What has been the most fun thing about working on the show? Everyone involved in the project is a blast. Though the show has few comedic moments, every rehearsal has been filled with laughter. Each person involved loves what they do and brings that love into every action. It is rare that a group is as devoted as this.

What do you think audiences will take away from the show? Why should they come and see it? Water Beneath Her Feet is a bit of a mystery as well as a drama. You will become so involved with the main character as she peels away layer after layer surrounding what happened to her parents that by the end you feel like part of the family.

Meet the Cast of BLUE STOCKINGS – Rebecca Collins is Minnie and Mrs. Lindley

What is your role in this production? I am playing two roles in this production. I am playing the character of Minnie, the maid at Girton, and Mrs. Lindley the shop-keep. This means I am doing a couple costume changes back stage and I am often helping with transitions between scenes.

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? I am a theatre and humanities educator with Edmonton Public Schools. I have worked creatively in theatre as a designer, director, assistant stage manager, and actor. Blue Stockings is my second Walterdale project, following my role as Assistant Stage Manager of the December production of Shatter by Trina Davies.

What brought you out for this show? Why did you want to be a part of it? It has been quite some time since I was last on the stage as a performer. I wanted the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and back onto the stage. When I read Blue Stockings, I knew this was a play I needed to be a part of. I am the first woman in my family to go to University and graduate with a degree. I am passionate about education and wanted to be a part of telling the story of real women who fought for the right to graduate.

What has been the most fun thing about working on the show? The biggest challenge? The cast and crew are the best part of working on this show. Walterdale is an incredible facility that attracts wonderful talents from every corner of our beautiful city. It is an honor to get to work closely with so many wonderfully talented individuals. The biggest challenge for the production is probably managing the large amount of people in the cast. Our production team has done a great job of laughing with the cast and then laying down the law for when its time to get to work.

What do you think audiences will take away from the show? Why should they come and see it? I think audiences will be left with a shocking reminder of the common ideologies that were prevalent not long ago. I hope audiences analyze the play critically and ask themselves how far have we really come? Is there more to be done? How can I be an advocate for change?

This show is about the advancement of women in history… who is a woman from the past (or present) that has inspired you? Why? There are many powerful and remarkable women in history that have inspired me. However, there is no question that the woman who has inspired me the most was my Grandmother. Her parents did not allow her to attend University because she was a girl. She would tell me stories of how she worked at the University of Alberta Book Store and would meet all the different students buying their books and how she desperately wished she could be one of them.

She encouraged me as a child to read, to write, and express my ideas. She instilled in me the importance of higher education. She told me to go after my dreams, even if someone else told me they were not achievable. She told me to never allow myself to depend on a man for my survival, and that by getting a higher education I could be an independent woman.

Without her, I would not be in this production today.

Meet the Team of BLUE STOCKINGS – Laura Ly is the Director

What is your role on this production? I am the Director of Blue Stockings. That entails wrangling 19 talented actors and working with an awesome creative team to tell a two-hour(ish) story.

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? It was my pleasure to direct Portrait of a Family Dinner, one of the one-acts during last year’s From Cradle to Stage.

What made you want to direct this show? I’m extremely passionate about telling female-centric stories, and the fact that Blue Stockings is based on a real-life events (and features real-life, historic figures) was just the cherry on top. I think the vast majority of people know about suffrage and women’s fight for the right to vote, but I think women’s fight for the right to graduate is a lesser-known story, and it’s one that I’m honoured to help highlight and tell.

What has been the most fun thing about working on the show? The biggest challenge? Working with 19 amazing people has been a blast. We work hard, but we also have fun—and when you put a large group of people together like that, the strangest and most bizarre conversations come about as a result.

The biggest challenge has been trying to put myself into the mindset of a person living in the 18th century, and trying to determine whether something would be “historically accurate” for that time period. Would people point? Would they cross their arms? Would ladies slouch in the privacy of their quarters? What kind of alcohol would they drink? Would gentlemen call Uber if they were running late to the cafe? What kind of emojis would they use when texting?

What do you think audiences will take away from the show? Why should they come and see it? I want people to walk away, thinking about their own experiences with education and inequality. Have they ever experienced or witnessed the opposition the Girton Girls faced? What role do they play in women’s rights and their fight for gender equality? How have things changed since the 1800s, and how have they stayed the same?

People should come see Blue Stockings because it’s an important story and they’ll learn about an important moment in women’s history. There’s also dancing, punching, and romance, if you’re into that sort of thing.

This show is about the advancement of women in history… who is a woman from the past (or present) that has inspired you? Why? Frida Kahlo. If I live my life with even an ounce of her brazenness and bravery, I will consider it a life well spent.

Meet the Cast of BLUE STOCKINGS – Andre Gobeil is Ralph Mayhew

Hey folks, my name is André Gobeil and I am playing the charming, lovestruck Romeo, Ralph Mayhew (esquire) in our production of Blue Stockings!

I have been acting for 5 years, making my debut in the ensemble of ESBCHS’s production of The Sound of Music and picking up various projects around Edmonton whenever I can! I am an FDC certified Actor Combatant and try to take my passion for fighting and acting wherever I go. I’m very excited to have Blue Stockings as my Walterdale debut, and to be telling a story of female adversity and dedication.

Working with all the talented folks in this production has been a blessing, always keeping each other on our toes and having fun, although sometimes a lil too much fun for rehearsals can be a bit of a challenge to put on the blinders and get to work!

If I had to choose one thing to take away from the show it would be to always support the women in your life and let them know just how much you appreciate them. I hope you can find some time to come on down and give this powerful play a peek, we’ve been working our butts off to put on this beautiful play for all y’all! I’d like to dedicate this performance to my beautiful mother and sister who inspire me everyday and have always supported me since day one.