Who 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.