Spotlight on Joyce LaBriola - Becca in Rabbit Hole

Tell us a bit about your role in this production. Becca is a wife and mother, struggling to cope with the death of her son, while also trying to navigate her relationships with her husband and family. Not only has the death of her child changed HER forever, but it also threatens to break her marriage and destroy her family, however it also could make those bonds stronger and deeper. She has to deal with what happens to every facet of your life when faced with such a tragedy.

Why did you audition for this show? I auditioned for this show specifically for the chance to play Becca. I loved the nuance of the script. I loved that Becca is flowed and seems to be fighting for survival every moment of the play. There are no histrionics, there is no melodrama... I love that the script identified humour in the lives of this family. Becca is conflicted about moving on, about the relationship with her husband, about how to deal with her mother and sister - yet, there's laughter in her, that is so ready to spill over... her life was PERFECT before Jason came down that street and you want her to find her way back to that joy.

What is your background in theatre? I've been performing since I was 5 years old. I started voice lessons as a child because I was painfully shy and stuttered... that introduction into performing was a life changing moment, as it has shaped who I am completely. I would say that I am usually more comfortable in front of the footlights than I am in "real life"... and I am grateful for every single moment that I get to be there.

My degrees are in Vocal Performance and Theatre History from Rider University/Westminster Choir College and I spent some time doing the NYC audition circuit. A foray in into sports marketing led me to Edmonton, where I have met some brilliant artists and am fortunate enough that they've let me play with them occasionally, participating in 2 Fringe Productions, singing with the Edmonton Opera, and now my first show at Walterdale. I so some freelance gigs as a vocalist, singing at the Winspear for the Salvation Army and at the Royal Alberta Theatre for Minister Lindsay Blackett's Stars of Alberta Celebration. Most of my background has been in musicals like Sweeney Todd, Falsettos and Kiss Me Kate, but I've done quite a few plays in my time and have appeared in two film for Myriad Arts in NYC.

What do you hope audiences will take away from the show? I hope that audiences will be touched by the simplicity and love in this story. Ultimately, these people love each other and will be there for each other no matter what. I hope that people see through the tragedy to the laughter and joy that families share. I hope they leave feeling like they just spent an evening with some friends they really enjoyed.

What has been your favourite part of this experience? Working with this amazing cast and production team. Spending this much time working with, learning from and laughing with Daniel, Amelia and Francie has truly been a gift. I've loved working with Graham and treasured the opportunity to learn from Kristen, Marissa and Erin. Every moment of this experience has been a joy and I am forever grateful.

Final Comment? Walterdale should be proud of their season. Picking a show like Rabbit Hole and producing the Edmonton premiere is quite a coup for a local theatre and the subscribers and supporters of Walterdale Playhouse should be proud to be a part of something this special.