Colleen Allen is playing Jennifer Jones!
Hi Colleen, tell us about your character in The Realistic Joneses:
Jennifer is a caregiver, a bookkeeper and a dreamer. Wearing a facade of smiles and sarcasm, she wonders what else might have become of her life and how she ended up in this small mountain town.
What is your background in theatre?
It’s been three decades since I’ve been on stage in Edmonton – or anywhere for that matter! In my youth, I was in theatre school and productions at the Citadel, ITV (now Global) commercials, and played Mary Lennox in the Stage Polaris production of The Secret Garden. Since that time, I studied to become a Registered Nurse with a Masters in Public Health. I’ve worked in research and clinical practice with refugees, harm reduction programs and low-risk obstetrics in Canada and Australia, and started a family.
What brought you out for The Realistic Joneses?
It was 1:34 AM on a random night when I found myself searching for auditions. I thought to myself, “Well, I’ll start auditioning, take some acting classes and see what happens.” Next thing I know, I’ve signed up for The Realistic Joneses audition thinking it will be fun to stretch those tired ol’ acting chops again. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be working with this amazing team on an actual stage bringing this strange, quirky, beautiful script to life.
What are you enjoying the most about working on this show so far?
Learning from the much more experienced cast and discovering the many layers of the script with the whole team.
Why do you think people should come see The Realistic Joneses at the Walterdale?
The Realistic Joneses is funny, weird, comforting, tragic and cryptic in all the best ways possible. It will take you out of the real world and plunk you down into a realistic world that has you laughing, questioning, and empathizing with four characters doing the best they can to get through the day, fix lamps, and say goodbye to dead squirrels.
Who’s your favourite Celebrity Jones and why?
Jessica Jones in the Marvel Universe. She kicks ass with no apologies and a whiskey in her hand. And she can fly.