Spotlight on Tamara Raynor-Cote - Zlateh in Village of Idiots

What is your role in this production? I play the tenacious and lovably hapless business woman of Chelm, Zlateh. As a comedic character she is pretty awesome and the best part of my day is putting on her attitude and bossing my husband Zalman around the village. My husband Zalman (Max) and I have a loving albeit loud relationship, bickering in Yiddish and selling schnapps to no one but ourselves. Although we think of ourselves as business minded people all the other townspeople see us as idealistic fools, but then again everyone in Chelm is an idealistic fool!

Why did you come out for this show? Folk stories have the most lovable and honest characters, and Chelmnicks are no exception to this. I recently graduated from the Universtiy of Alberta with a Major in Drama in Secondary Education and realized how much I missed performing. As a member of the Walterdale the auditipon notice sparked my interest and I was fortunate enough to get cast in the show. What better way to spend the summer than performing and laughing with some of Edmonton's finest young actors!

What is your background in theatre? This is my first Walterdale production but second time performing in the Walterdale. I recently performed in Stage Struck (The ADFA annual One Act Festival), held in February at the Walterdale. I've been performing all my life from the dinner table to the stage and have done some technical as well as directorial and management work, its a little like skydiving, you are scared out of your mind but the rush is like no other and I love it.

What are you enjoying the most? I enjoy the opportunity to play for 4 hours nightly, to unwind my mind by rolling on the floor and talking in an accent, plus the people are ok too! :)

What do you hope the audiences will take away from the show? I hope the audience will walk away with smiles on their faces and a little hope in their hearts for the goodness that lives in people.

Media Call for Village of Idiots - Fabulous Images!

http://gallery.radgrandpa.com/Event-Photography/Theatre/Village-of-Idiots/17811216_6h3Mmq#1361314286_DwxjPSQ

Fabulous Photos from our Media Call for Village of Idiots taken by the wonderful Douglas Stewart. A picture is worth a thousand words... these certainly say a lot!

Spotlight on Gabby Bernard - Miriam in Village of Idiots

What is your role in the production? I play Miriam, the spirited young outsider who has found a home in Chelm. She absolutely adores the people of the village and their quaint way of life, and is happy to remain on the sidelines and watch everyone else find happiness – until Yosef shows up, that is. As the show goes on, she struggles to help him see the beauty of the Chelmnik ways, and in doing so finds the courage to seek her own happiness in this world.

Why did you audition for this show? I saw Village of Idiots put on by my high school quite a few years ago, and I absolutely loved it! It really is such a heart-warming, feel good show, full of love and laughs and a few good ol’ life lessons. When I saw that the Walterdale, a company I have come to love very much, was holding auditions for it, I couldn’t say no!

What is your background in theatre? I’ve been involved with theatre since I was quite young, and really solidified my passion for performing in high school. After playing the bloodthirsty Madame Defarge in Bev Facey’s production of A Tale of Two Cities, I knew I wasn’t ready to give up the stage and spent the summer after graduation scouring for auditions throughout the city. Since then, I’ve been in two Waterdale Productions – Much Ado About Nothing and Poetry Unbound (part of From Cradle to Stage) – and have recently been accepted into Grant MacEwan University’s Theatre Arts program. It’s been a crazy ride and I have no plans of giving it up anytime soon!

What is the biggest challenge for you with this show? This is my first time really doing any solid work with accents, which has been tricky, so I’m incredibly thankful we’ve have to opportunity to work with the lovely Miss Marliss! Besides that, I’m very accustomed to being cast as grumpy, villainous or “morally unsound” characters, so playing the kind hearted, down-to-earth Miriam has been a challenge in itself. It’s been a very surprising journey so far, and every rehearsal I discover a few more of her quirks and secrets. She may not be the craziest of the Chelmniks, but she is by no means dull!

What are you enjoying the most? Linette Smith has put together a phenomenal cast. The energy from every single member has been absolutely inspirational. This is a group of actors that, to me, already feels very much like a family – kind of zany and off-the-wall, but a family nonetheless! It has been a true pleasure working with these talented artists, and I already know the final product is going to be something very special.

What do you hope audiences will take away from the show? Besides the laughter and warm fuzzies, I really hope people leave re-considering of the value of having open heart and mind. In today’s society, everyone’s always so stressed and burnt out because of the demands placed on us; being involved in this show has taught me to find joy and fulfillment in the simple things, and I really hope our audiences, even if only for this two-hour show, rediscover some of that joy, too.

Spotlight on Eric Smith - Schmendrick in Village of Idiots

What is your role in the production? I play Schmendrick. He is a silly character who is a very adventurous type and loves to tell people of his story of his wanders from village to village (Sadly, he has only mistakenly come back to the same village each and every time). One of his weaknesses is food and he is deathly afraid of his wife, whom we never actually get to see. And even one time, he becomes a part of the Russian army.

Why did you come out for the show? I came out for the show because of my passion for the arts, I have only done plays in high school but I have realized that it is a great passion of mine and that I know that I want to further it in the future. When I saw the advertisement for auditions for the show, I jumped at the chance.

What is your background in theatre? This is my first Walterdale performance. I have been a part of many shows in high school. Some credits include, Alice in Wonderland as the Mad Hatter, Annie as Oliver Warbucks, Grease as Danny Zuko, and just recently, The Princess Bride as Prince Humperdinck.

What is the biggest challenge for you, with this show? I would have to say that the biggest challenge for me is the excitement and the energy that Schmendrick needs to fully be characterized, I'm running around the stage at all times. My character does not stop moving... Ever! But i just know that I get that energy from within and I'm channelling it in from the ensemble that we have in this amazing production, their energy is amazing and I definitely can't see doing this play with any other people than this amazing cast.

What are you enjoying the most? The part that I'm enjoying the most is the chemistry that this cast has together that just shines upon that stage. It really is something that is indescribable, something that has to be seen to fully understand. I love each and everyone of my cast mates.

What do you want the audience to take away from the show? I really do feel that there is a lesson to be learned throughout this whole play, that sometimes, no matter how smart you think you are, you've always got something to learn.

Spotlight on Joshuana MH Cha - One of the Chelmniks in Village of Idiots

What is your role in this production? I play one of the Chelmniks in the show. My character is disorderly, clumsy and she rushes around most times because she is always late!

Why did you audition for this show? When I was in school I always watched kids in drama from behind the fence with a lot of envy. I never had the courage or the confidence to try but I always secretly loved theatre. After all those years, I finally faced my fears and decided to take on the challenge. This definitely is something VERY SPECIAL to me.

So, would you say you are new to Walterdale? This was my first audition and is my first show ever!! I don't think there is anyone as excited as I am. I owe a huge thank you to Walterdale and the creative team for this opportunity!

What is the biggest challenge for you with the show? Being one of the Chelmniks and finding and building a character and improvising was the most challenging. Linette's warm-ups, the Improv Workshop (with RFT's Amy Shostak) along with my cast mates have all really helped a lot.

What are you enjoying the most? Honestly? EVERYTHING! Every activity is a '1st Time" for me so from the warm-ups to improv, playing and the whole theatre experience is great. And my cast mates, of course.

What do you hope audiences will take away from the show? I hope they take away the same enjoyment that we experience and put into it. Both the creative team and the cast have some amazing talents, and as a group we have painted the canvas of this show with brilliant vibrancy and passion. I hope the audiences can take some of that away as well.

The Line Up for the New Season - 2011 - 2012

Yesterday Walterdale hosted a season launch for the 2011-2012 season. It was nice to see members out mingling with the media and watching the readings from the works we have in store. Check out the fabulous shows selected by incoming A.D. Sarah Van Tassel that you can either watch or be a part of in the upcoming year!

http://walterdaleplayhouse.com/?page_id=727

The season is full of opportunities for a variety of different ages, types and abilities. Hopefully there is something for you in there!

* Photo by AM Szucs featuring Walterdale Board of Directors as well as participants in the 2011-2012 Season Launch