Tag: Edmonton Theatre

Meet the Team of ACCORDING TO THE CHORUS! Karin Lauderdale is Costume Designer!

What is your name? Karin Lauderdale

What is your role on the show? Costume Designer

Why should audiences come to see According to the Chorus? The show is a fun look at behind the scenes of a Broadway show but it also touches on serious issues of the 80s such as the emerging AIDS crisis and women’s rights.

What would you say would be a highlight of working on The freedom to design costumes for an un-named show with no restrictions. Barb gave me carte blanche which is such a privilege as a designer.

Meet the Team of ACCORDING TO THE CHORUS! Leland Stelck is Set Designer!

What is your name? Leland Stelck

What is your role on the show? Set Designer – before I put pencil to paper, Exacto-knife to cardstock; I have probably read the play at least two times – looking for inspiration – looking for images – in this show, you will see on the floor, two ribbons representing the two serious themes that weave their way through this production.

Why should audiences come to see According to the Chorus? This show embodies the crazy theatre ethic that ‘the show must go on’ while real tragedy is happening within – it’s thought provoking.

What would you say would be a highlight of working on According to the Chorus? Working with the team of builders and painters and seeing the design emerge full-scale from the 1/2″ scale maquette.

Many characters in According to the Chorus are grappling with their own personal struggles, some more openly than others. How did seeing and reading those stories affect you? Reading the script made me think about those people I know who have suffered domestic abuse; but most of all you begin to wonder about other people whom you only suspect have suffered – and what can be done?

What was your favourite costume that you’ve ever worn? In 1999 I was a\the villain’s henchman in the melodrama ‘Dark Deeds a Swann’s Place or Never Trust a Tattooed Sailor‘; I had bullet belts and guns and knives a a fabulous pair of chaps. The audience gave me spurs every time I walked across the stage.

Meet the Team of ACCORDING TO THE CHORUS! Rachel Whipple is ASM!

What is your name? Rachel Whipple

What is your role on the show? Assistant Stage Manager – Specifically I am a dresser which is really fun since this show is about the dynamics between dressers and performers.

Why should audiences come to see According to the Chorus? Beside the brilliant and beautiful cast, this show tells a raw and vulnerable story about losing loved ones to the AIDS crisis. It’s important to remember this time and learn more about how it affected everyone (not just gay men).

What would you say would be a highlight of working on According to the Chorus? I love all the costume changes and getting to know all the performers so well thought out close encounters.

Many characters in According to the Chorus are grappling with their own personal struggles, some more openly than others. What was a challenge that you overcame? This show impacts me as I too am a survivor of domestic abuse. It was a little startling seeing the actress with her bruised eye makeup for the first time because it reminded me of when I had bruises on my face. Now, I am an advocate for people leaving abusive situations and starting fresh for themselves. I serve on the board for Riseup Society Alberta which is an organization that provides counselling and resources to those who have experienced intimate partner violence.

What was your favourite costume that you’ve ever worn? Walterdale Theatre hosted an event and I got to wear a beautiful pink princess dress! It was so fun.

Meet the Team of ACCORDING TO THE CHORUS! Brooke Emberly is Master Painter!

What is your name? Brooke Emberly

What is your role on the team? Master Painter! It is my job to lead the paint crew and make the designers vision come to life.

Why should audiences come to see According to the Chorus? Come see some fun comedy, a deep story and forever guess just what exactly they are doing upstairs in the theatre!!

What would you say would be a highlight of working on According to the Chorus? Getting to turn the floor into a fun concrete scumble! It is not very that often we get to use that technique on such a large canvas.

Many characters in According to the Chorus are grappling with their own personal struggles, some more openly than others. What was a challenge that you overcame? I was just starting up University again after 10 years of being out while on this production; juggling becoming a student, school work and leading a team all at once was quite the challenge!

What was your favourite costume that you’ve ever worn? Probably my Xigbar costume, which was the very first cosplay I had ever done at the tender age of 14! I put in so much work, and knew nothing when I started on it. It was a great growing experience!

Meet the Cast of ACCORDING TO THE CHORUS! Lisa Hennig is Monica!

What is your name? Lisa Hennig

What is your role in the show? I play Monica, one of the chorus girls. Monica is hot-headed, sharp tongued, but endlessly sweet to those who have earned her loyalty. Luckily the way to her heart is through her stomach… Does anyone have any chocolate?

Why should audiences come to see According to the Chorus? According to the Chorus is a snapshot of life on Broadway in the 1980’s. Amidst the cultural revolution of feminism and the HIV/AIDS Epidemic, According to the Chorus puts the spotlight on the “show-must-go-on” mentality of many artists and performers during this time. This production seems frivolous and goofy on the surface, but offers subtle glimpses of more complex story-telling behind every character. If you love searching for details, this is for you!

What would you say would be a highlight of working on According to the Chorus? A highlight was speaking with those who worked on Broadway during the AIDS/HIV crisis. As someone born after this time and without many elder queer connections, it was really powerful to learn the stories of the many friends and coworkers who were lost during this time, and as a member of the LGBT+ community it made me feel connected to this part of my community’s history.

Many characters in According to the Chorus are grappling with their own personal struggles, some more openly than others. What was a challenge that you overcame, that most people might not have known about at the time? In February 2024 I lost my father after a 7 year battle with cancer. I spent most of my 20’s hiding how deeply I was struggling with slowly losing him, and I felt a lot of pressure to not speak about how the slow loss was weighing on me because he hadn’t actually died yet. After his passing, I finally felt free to express the grief of losing him and acknowledge how painful it was to keep everything inside.

What was your favourite costume that you’ve ever worn? In high school I played Sandy in Grease, and the Bad Sandy finale outfit was a favourite. I wore the classic leather jacket and pants, but the real kicker was the shoes – I found these sky high platform heels that had mirrors along the sides. They reflected all the lights and didn’t really fit the character, but the shoes were so crazy the director let me wear them. I was six inches taller in them and taller than my Danny, it was awesome!

Meet the Cast of ACCORDING TO THE CHORUS! Mariam Gill is Jessica!

What is your name? Mariam Gill

What is your role in the show? I’m playing the role of Jessica. Jessica is a beautiful, experienced dancer. She knows the world of Broadway and how to navigate the personalities, the backstage drama, the competitive nature of the business and everything else that comes with being a Broadway dancer. She is witty, funny, and embodies the collective identity of the dancers under pressure from both the show and backstage culture.

Why should audiences come to see According to the Chorus? If you think the real show is on a Broadway stage, you’re wrong. The real drama, the real comedy and the real tragedies are backstage, in the wings, and in the dressing rooms. That’s where real people are hustling, fighting, laughing, crying and sometimes doing all of those in the same five minutes.

What would you say would be a highlight of working on According to the Chorus? The cast. From the first table read, the entire cast had a vibe, an electricity that was so natural. We are all so supportive and caring of each other and that makes it so easy to play and fun. This is the most colourful, warm and fun cast I’ve ever worked with.

What was your favourite costume that you’ve ever worn? I have worn many costumes over the years (dancing, cosplaying, Halloween-ing) and I have loved every single one. Sparkly costumes, dark costumes, period pieces. Give them all to me!

Meet the Cast of ACCORDING TO THE CHORUS! Nicole English is Mallory!

What is your name? Nicole English

What is your role in the show? I play Mallory, the star of the show (within the show) in According to the Chorus. She is very much a Broadway diva and has a very sweet little dog named Olivia who she likes to take down to the quick change room and show off to the chorus members and dressers. Mallory is ambitious, oblivious and very much enjoys her moments in the spotlight and generously sharing a little bit of that light with the people around her.

Why should audiences come to see According to the Chorus? I think that the behind the scenes in theatre productions is just as interesting as what an audience sees on stage! The backstage life of a show is almost my favourite part of being involved in shows and some of my favourite memories of theatre throughout the years has been the moments I have shared with others backstage. I hope that audiences find all the relationships and drama as interesting as I do.

What would you say would be a highlight of working on According to the Chorus? For me, as always, the opportunity to work with others and create theatrical worlds together. I love the way theatre challenges and connects us all through storytelling. It is always so special for me to witness other actors exploring their roles and bringing their performances to life.

What was your favourite costume that you’ve ever worn? I’ve had many great costumes over the years but a recent favourite was my Nanny Verla costume for Krampus, a New Musical. I was dressed from head to toe in black and my wig was amazing. My skirt had several hoops in it and was so much fun to play with on stage. It was almost its own character and a bit of a scene stealer! I always look forward to seeing all the costumes that our designers create for shows. There is so much fun in exploring a new costume and discovering how much our costumes support and enhance all the roles we play in shows!

Meet the Cast of ACCORDING TO THE CHORUS! Miranda Broumas is Linda!

What is your name? Miranda Broumas

What is your role in the show? I play Linda, the unapologetically cheeky and charming chorus girl best known for her ability to turn tension into laughter. She never misses a chance to stir up fun…or trouble. She would like it to be known that she does, in fact, take care of her costumes, despite what Audrey will tell you.

Why should audiences come to see According to the Chorus? This show is a backstage whirlwind of hijinks set against a pivotal and tragic chapter in our history. It offers a glimpse into the lives of dressers, chorus people and technicians navigating New York City’s performance scene in the 1980s while facing the harsh realities of the AIDS crisis, job security, arts funding cuts, eating disorders, career longevity, domestic abuse and more. If you’re interested in a show that is equal parts chaotic, charming and poignant, and a celebration of the power of human connection and levity in times of profound loss and upheaval, this is one to check out.

Meet the Team of ACCORDING TO THE CHORUS! Cathy Dragon is our Assistant Costumer!

What is your name? Cathy Dragon

What is your role on this production? I am assisting the magnificent Karin Lauderdale with costumes.

Why should audiences come to see According to the Chorus? To highlight an issue that has fallen off the public radar.

What would you say would be a highlight of working on According to the Chorus? I just recently joined, but I’m sure the 80s costumes will open a floodgate of memories!

Many characters in According to the Chorus are grappling with their own personal struggles, some more openly than others. What was a challenge that you overcame, that most people might not have known about at the time? I was living in another country and had just moved to a new town for a new job and was going through a divorce. I worked on a production of Phantom of the Opera. It saved my sanity.

What was your favourite costume that you’ve ever worn? A peacock costume I made for the masquerade ball in POTO. It had a train made of tulle and peacock feathers.

Meet the Cast of ACCORDING TO THE CHORUS! Monica Lefurgey plays Nicki!

What is your name? Monica Lefurgey

What is your role in the show? I play Nicki,. She’s new to the chorus and learning the realities of the job.

Why do you think audiences should come to see According to the Chorus? It’s very funny while also bringing awareness to very important and challenging moments in history.

What would you say would be a highlight of working on According to the Chorus? Working with a very fun, positive group of people.

There are A LOT of costume changes in According to the Chorus! With that in mind, what is your favourite costume you’ve ever worn? When I was in my very first musical, CATS, when I was 17.The full cat bodysuit and full makeup! So fun.