Much To Do with Much Ado!

Much Ado About Nothing moved into the theatre this week. I am doing Props for the show so I was in for the Production Meeting last night and to start a bit of the props pull. The Cast was treated to their walk-through to familiarize themselves with the space and then some of them had a rehearsal afterwards. I saw some fun character work happening with Assistant Director Monica Roberts and then popped in on a hilarious scene being blocked by Director Anne Marie Szucs.

My props pull was partially successful. I still have quite a few things to find, but I have leads on all of them. Walterdale has a really fun Props room with a lot of things, but sometimes it takes a bit of digging to find what you want. I have also been building at home. I have the bases made for the 16 masks and all I need to do is decorate them and attach the sticks. I can't do the latter until the choreography is set because I don't know what side to put them on. I am also building an Inkhorn and will be working on scrolls and some scabbards for swords. I will be pulling out the glue gun and sparkles so that makes me happy!

I went in this afternoon and met with the Costume Designer Ephram di Medicci and saw his designs and got some fabric scraps to match the masks to. We also sorted out the swords. We decided that we need to check with the Director about which swords to use - we have 4 sabers and 2 pairs of Rapier (both pairs are quite different). Both options require work so the sooner we know which way to go, the better. It's all about communication with everyone involved to make sure the right choice is made. It is better to talk about it first before you spend the time and money to acquire the wrong thing.

I am having fun this season. So far I am involved hands on for the first three shows. I painted on Perfect Pie, now Props for Much Ado and also Directing Rabbit Hole. I am sure there will be some place I can contribute to Threepenny. The One Acts are almost a given with the AD being involved and I am hoping to contribute to set in some way for Village of Idiots (I want to be Master Painter, but it all depends on who the Designer is). One thing I love about Walterdale is that you can certainly learn to do all jobs if you work at it! Since I feel like I know the AD job, it is great to add some other skills to my repertoire!

A Changing of the Guard...

We closed Perfect Pie this weekend. It was truly a lovely show with fine work from all involved. If you missed it - you missed a very fine show, indeed. It was a pretty smooth show with a very strong experienced team helping out first time Walterdale Director Mary Jane Kreisel. Kudos to all involved!

Now the Team for Much Ado About Nothing is moving into the space. George is already working on the set and assembling his build and painting teams. The show is almost completely blocked and the cast will be measured this week for costumes. As Props Person, I have done quite a bit of work on the masks and a bit of the running around to find other things. That will be my focus now.

In a delightful turn of events, the rehearsal schedule for Much Ado About Nothing is almost opposite to the rehearsal schedule for Rabbit Hole, so for a few weeks these two teams will actually share the space. This is a rare event because usually teams find they all want to rehearse the same nights. I know I can truly say that Rabbit Hole feels blessed to get extra time in the space to feel at home. It's nice when we can all play together.

It feels a bit strange for me to realize that I am over halfway through my term as Artistic Director. This was highlighted by the release of the advertisements for the next AD. It went out this morning. I will do my best to answer any questions that interested people have about the position. It is a unique job that I am truly enjoying (99.9 % of the time). Being a AD in a Community Theatre has different challenges than in other settings. Many of these challenges are extremely rewarding, however, if you approach it from the wrong perspective it can make things more difficult. I will say that it is a job that requires almost infinite patience since many of the people doing theatre here at Walterdale do it because they are truly passionate about it and passion can lead to emotional reactions as opposed to rational ones. Again, any questions - ask me. I will do my best to fill you in on what is involved. The advertisement can be found at the Walterdale Playhouse website and on our Fan Page on Facebook. We will also be posting at Theatre Alberta and other theatre related sites.

Closing Weekend - Don't miss the show!

Perfect Pie closes this weekend, that means there are only 3 shows left to see this fabulous production. Not only do you get to see Judith Thompson's wonderful play about enduring friendship, but you also get to see 4 lovely, talented Edmonton actresses. Tickets are available at Tix on the Square or at the box office, 1 hour prior to show start (tickets range from $12 - $16).

There are No Bunny Ears in this Rabbit Hole...

After a fabulous 3 days of auditions I am pleased to announce the cast of Rabbit Hole which will have it's Edmonton Premiere at Walterdale Playhouse in February of 2011.

Becca - Joyce LaBriola

Howie - Daniel Summers

Izzy - Amelia Maciejewski-Duplessis

Nat - Francie Goodwin-Davies

Jason - Graham Mothersill

This cast is a combination of people both new and returning to Walterdale. The Production Team is as follows:

Kristen M. Finlay - Director
Marissa Loewen - Assistant Director
Erin Valentine - Stage Manager
Margaret Smith - Production Manager

Liz Furber - Production Assistant
Joan Hawkins - Set Designer
Leland Stelck - Lighting Designer
Gerri Dittrich/Elaina Bolton - Costume Coordinators
Erin Foster-O'Riordan - Sound Designer
Pierre Valois - Master Builder
May Kharaghani - Properties
Heidi McCaan - Lighting Operator
TBA - Sound Operator

We will be looking for other people to be a part of this production: painters, ASMs, Operators, builders and others. If you are interested email me at adwalterdale2009@yahoo.ca and I will forward your information to the appropriate person.

A Delightful Review from Colin McLean

"This eloquent and insightful production from Walterdale Theatre features a superlative acting ensemble under the direction of Mary Jane Kreisel."

- Colin McLean, Edmonton Sun

For the full article:

http://www.edmontonsun.com/entertainment/columnists/colin_maclean/2010/10/08/15635851.html

After a day off the cast returns to the world or Marmora, Ontario. You should be there with them. The show runs tonight through to Saturday; tickets range from $12 - $16 and are available through tix on the square or at the box office 1 hour prior to show start. Don't miss this one.

Preview Press Links for Perfect Pie

Check out some of the Preview Press we have been recieving. How wonderful to live in a city that supports Community Theatre and the Arts as a whole!

Edmonton Journal - What's On - October 8th, 2010
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/entertainment/Perfect/3642834/story.html

Shaw Cable - Video - October 2010
http://start.shaw.ca/start/enCA/videos/featuredvideos.htm?fvPgID=%7B1F23BB27-A0A2-4CF5-8CEB-DEC594691382%7D&fvTitle=1007PerfectPie&href3D171C4BD6BC=mms%3A%2F%2Fprdmediax1.shaw.ca%2FStart%2FShawTV%2FEdmonton%2FTodayonShawTV%2F1007PerfectPie.wmv

SEE Magazine - October 8th, 2010
http://www.seemagazine.com/article/arts/theatre-preview/old-friends-reunite-4722/

Vue Weekly - October 5th, 2010
http://www.vueweekly.com/arts/story/a_complicated_slice_of_life/

Opening Night - Happy Birthday to Me!

This season, I decided to give myself an Opening Night and share it with you all. I picked a show that I loved and that I felt showed one of the best that Canada has to offer in terms of playwrights and that I felt that Walterdale could do very, very well. I do not think you will be disappointed. Mary Jane Kreisel and her crack team of Theatre Artists on both sides of the boards have worked incredibly hard and with a phenomenal amount of dedication and passion to bring this piece to life. So, welcome to the 52nd Season at Walterdale and come share a slice of Perfect Pie tonight, or sometime during the run!

Director's Preview/Student's Night - Perfect Pie

Tonight the four lovely ladies in the cast of Perfect Pie will face their first audience - how exciting! They are certainly ready for one! Specially invited guests of the Director and Artistic Director may attend to offer their support in this stage of the process and last season we also added a Student's Night to this evening. This is a great opportunity for Students with a valid ID to see some quality theatre in our fine building for free! Just show up with your ID. Seating is subject to Availability, but we have not had to turn anyone away yet. Show starts at 8 p.m., doors open at 7 p.m.

The 2010 - 2011 Board of Directors

Introducing the 2010-2011 Board of Director for Walterdale Theatre Associates:

Artistic Director - Kristen M. Finlay
President - Eric Rice
Vice President - Clare Mullen-Pearson
Secretary - Catherine Wenschlag
Treasurer - Monica Roberts
Past-President - Tim Marriott
Building Director - VACANT
Directors of FOH - Marsha Amanova and Mary Ellen Perley
Director of Membership - Ruby Swekla
Directors of Media - Amelia Amelia Maciejewski-Duplessis and May Kharaghani
Director of Productions - Pierre Valois
Technical Director - Richard Hatfield

With our illustrious Administrator - Kent Sutherland.

Please notice that the Building Director is Vacant. We are also looking for a second Director of Productions to work with Pierre Valois. If you are interested or have questions, please contact myself at adwalterdale2009@yahoo.ca and I will refer you to the appropriate person.

Last Rehearsal Before They Come...

As any of you who have done a Walterdale show know, the final dress rehearsal before Director's Preview is accompanied by a big clean of the entire theatre. It's a crazy day and if things are going well with the show (no last minute issues or problems) then usually the Sunday is a day of rest before the onslaught of the 2 week run. Today is that day for Perfect Pie. Right now they are preparing to start the Dress Rehearsal, knowing this is the last chance to iron out any wrinkles before the most important part is added - the audience! From what I saw on Thursday Night, this should be a confirmation run of what they already know... they are ready!

Then they will clean and when the theatre is spotless, they will celebrate with a wee pizza party to toast the achievements of all their hard work!

About Monday, Director's Preview - last season we started Student's Night in conjunction with the Director's Preview. Any student with a valid ID is welcome to attend the show free of charge (subject to availability). We hope to see some Edmonton students out for this fabulous Judith Thompson play!