TUDOR QUEENS: A BURLESQUE - more Walterdale Connections at Fringe 2011

THIS FRINGE.... HEADS WILL ROLL

Edmonton's newest burlesque theatre company, SEND IN THE GIRLS BURLESQUE brings the corset-ripping story of Henry VIII to the stage
Part basement burlesque show, part sexy and scintillating historical thriller, Tudor Queens: A Burlesque marries the art form of burlesque with the medium of theatre to tell the gruesome downfall of six of England’s most legendary queen consorts.
About Tudor Queens: A Burlesque
Trapped together in purgatory, the six queens of the house of Tudor are forced to retell their story over and over. As they strip away their royal robes, they strip fact from fiction and slowly piece together their collective existence as wives to the one of the most famous and bloody kings in England’s history. Partial nudity, some mature themes and strong language.

Created by Delia Barnett, Ellen Chorley, Andrea Jorawsky, Karyn Mott, Elena Porter, and Morgan Smith

Script by Ellen Chorley
Dramaturged by Morgan Smith
Directed by Lana Michelle Hughes
Choreographed by Andrea Gilborn
Stage Managed by Habiba Alli
Lighting Designed by Beth Dart
Costume and Set Design: Tessa Stamp

Cast:
Katherine of Aragon: Andrea Jorawsky
Anne Boleyn: Elena Porter
Jane Seymour: Ellen Chorley
Anne of Cleaves: Karyn Mott
Katherine Howard: Delia Barnett
Katherine Parr: Morgan Smith

Edmonton International Fringe Festival BYOV #24 New City Legion (8130 Gateway Blvd NW)

Thursday, August 11 - 10:30 pm (doors 10:00 pm)
Friday, August 12 - 10:30 pm (doors 10:00 pm)
Saturday, August 13 - 5:00 pm (doors 4:30 pm)
Sunday, August 14 - 10:30 pm (doors 10:00 pm)
Monday, August 15 - 10:30 pm (doors 10:00 pm)
Tuesday, August 16 - 10:30 pm (doors 10:00 pm)
Wednesday, August 17 - 10:30 pm (doors 10:00 pm)
Thursday, August 18 at 5:00 pm (doors 4:30 pm)
Friday, August 19 - 10:30 pm (doors 10:00 pm)
Saturday, August 20 - 5:00 pm (doors 4:30 pm)

No Choking Matter! - More Walterdale Members at the Fringe!

This is a play about choking on things. Things people choke on in this play include: candies, pills, pencils, guilt, strawberries, confessions, love, marzipan, their own egos, nickels, and tiny porcelain kittens. Appropriately, this is a show that will teach you how to perform the Heimlich Maneuver. (Probably by accident.)

Lynn would like to direct an award-winning movie on how to perform the Heimlich. Maura would like to get into show business. Bradley would like to get into Maura. Tedd doesn't like you. Annette is just happy to be here. The quintet collides in one madcap evening of film, farce, fantasy, and full-frontal hilarity as they realize that life, no matter who you are... is NO CHOKING MATTER.

CAST
Kayla Gorman as Lynn
Patrick Maloney as Bradley
Lindsey Walker as Maura
David Johnston as Tedd
Stephanie Wigston as Annette

Written by David Johnston
Directed by Katie Hudson
Stage managed by Annamarie Million

An Allspice Theatre Production
Part of the 2011 Edmonton Fringe
Venue # 6 (Catalyst Theatre)
8529 103 Street
Friday, August 12: 7:45 pm – 8:55 pm
Saturday, August 13: 4:00 pm – 5:10 pm
Monday, August 15: 11:30 pm – 12:40 am
Wednesday, August 17: 2:15 pm – 3:25 pm
Thursday, August 18: 12:00 pm – 1:10 pm
Sunday, August 21: 7:45 pm – 8:55 pm

Cast Announced! - Reasons to be Pretty

Announcing the Cast of our first show of the 2011-2012 Season, Neil LaBute's Reasons to be Pretty directed by Artistic Director Sarah Van Tassel...

Nathan Coppens as Kent

Jessica Peverett as Carly

Justin Deveau as Greg

Lindsay Walker as Steph

The production is still on the look-out for people to fill the following roles: ASM, Props and Sound Designer and people to run the LX and SD boards during the run, so if you would like to be a part of this production, contact Sarah at walterdalead53@gmail.com and join the team!

AUDITIONS! Terry Pratchett’s® Wyrd Sisters Adapted by Stephen Briggs

PERFORMANCE DATES: November 30th – December 10th, 2011

AUDITION DATES: August 28th & 29th, 2011; Times: 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Walterdale Playhouse (10322 83 Avenue)

Director: J. Nelson Niwa

Assistant. Director: Elizabeth Day

Stage Manager: May Kharaghani

The restless spirit of a murdered king wants his son to avenge his death and ascend the throne, purloined by a regicidal relative. Confronting the usurper with his foul deeds is a wandering theatre troupe, playing at the castle. “Hey,” you think, “that sounds a lot like Haml—.” A scheming prince with a power-hungry spouse seeks the crown through ruthless means, with the influence of three witches haunting his every step. “Now that sounds like Macb—.” But WAIT – it’s all happening on the Discworld®, a place where magic is real (and rather dull), dwarves hold down (snicker!) steady jobs, and the village witch is not someone to be trifled with!

CHARACTERS:

• Magrat Garlik – the maiden, 16-25


• Nanny Ogg – the mother, 50+


• Granny Weatherwax – the crone other one, 55+


• Lord Leonal Felmet – 30-40’s


• Lady Felmet – 30-40’s


• Hwel – a dwarf, 30+


• Tomjon – 16-30 Male


• Fool – 18-30 Male


• Verence – 40-60 Male


• Mr. Vitoller – 30-50’s


• Mrs. Vitoller – 30-50’s


• Company – bloody anybody!

Please note: ages are relative and approximate

• The auditions will comprise of the following:
  
  
  
  • READINGS FROM THE SCRIPT – These can be emailed out to people in advance of auditions any time after August 21. Come dressed to move. Please arrive 10-15 minutes before your scheduled time.
  
  
  • CALL-BACKS (if required): Tuesday, August 30th and Wednesday, August 31st between 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Location TBA.


• Rehearsals will begin Sunday, September 11th, and will take place Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings, and Sunday afternoons. Not all actors will be called to all rehearsals. Scheduling will be based upon cast availability, so please bring any conflict dates you have to the audition!!!


• Headshots and résumés are recommended, but not required.


• Copies of the script are available from the stage manager via e-mail upon request. Reading the novel, while by no means required, is nonetheless suggested.


• Walterdale is a volunteer/member organization. We cannot engage Equity performers.

To book an audition, please contact May Kharaghani by e-mail at may_kharaghani@yahoo.ca

(Drop-ins will be accommodated as time allows)

Going Viral at the Fringe - More Walterdale Connections!

Going Viral
Written and directed by Giorgia Severini
Cast:
Proctor: Justin Deveau
Cassandra: Mandy Stewart
Julian: John Trethart
Going Viral is a comedy about the nature of celebrity, the science of viruses, and sticking it to grad school. After yet another setback in finishing his Ph.D., fledgling scientist Proctor decides it’s time for a new kind of experiment. With the help of his fellow lab slaves, Cassandra and Julian, they all set off to discover what it takes to be the celebrity face of virology. Could one of them be the next David Suzuki? Or is this the worst career move they could have made?

Stage Manager: Nicole Bodnaresk

Fight Choreographer: Tessa Hatheway

Lighting Designer: Haley Reap

Puppet Designer: Yvonne Trethart

Videographer: Chase Axton Nettleton-Gardiner

Reporter (video appearance): Leasa Lynn

Venue #6 (Catalyst Theatre, 8529 103 Street)

Sat, Aug 13 8:15 pm

Sun, Aug 14 5:15 pm

Mon, Aug 15 7:30 pm

Wed, Aug 17 11:15 pm

Fri, Aug 19 12:00 noon

Sat, Aug 20 1:45 pm

For cast and crew bios, original videos, and other fun stuff, visit our website: http://www.goingviral2011.info

Papa's Got A Brand New Urn - Featuring Walterdale Members Quinn Hinch and Erin Valentine

Written and Produced by Sara Bruno, Jesse Harlton and Quinn Hinch.
Three siblings travel across Canada to spread their recently deceased father's ashes. Along the way they keep losing him and start to lose their minds. It about them reconnecting with their father and in the end with each other, although this does not come easy. A Funny situation with serious undertones to it at the same time. 18+

Stage Manager: Erin Valentine
Assistant Stage Manager: Chloe Hansen

CAST

Clark: Jesse Harlton
Gina: Sara Bruno
Ben: Quinn Hinch

DATES
7:00 PM on August 12- August 21
@ Bohemia Variety Venue (10575 114 Street)

Cowboy: A Cowboy Story - More Fringing From Walterdalians!

Cowboy: A Cowboy Story

In a time when men were men, one man stood alone. They called him Cowboy and this is his story. The makers of "For the Love of a Zombie", and "Happy Whackin' Jim McCrackin," bring you a multimedia-action-comedy that'll blow so many holes in your pants, they'll be chaps.

Playwright: Brent Felzien
Directors: Neil LeGrandeur, Brent Felzien
Cast: William Banfield, Cliff Kelly, Frazer Andrews, Jeremy Mason, and Neil James
Stage Manager: Kimberlee Stadelmann
Design: Damien Heck, Kimberlee Stadelmann, Brent Felzien

Venue # 6 - Catalyst Theatre
Friday, August 12 - 3:45 pm – 4:55 pm
Sunday, August 14 - 11:45 pm – 12:55 am
Monday, August 15 - 3:15 pm – 4:25 pm
Wednesday, August 17 - 12:00 pm – 1:10 pm
Friday, August 19 - 8:15 pm – 9:25 pm
Sunday, August 21 - 5:30 pm – 6:40 pm

For trailers, production diaries and more, please visit our website: www.accidentalhumour.com

Walterdale Gets Ready for the Fringe!

These next two weeks, Walterdale will be cleaning, painting and renting things as the Fringe gets closer. They move in the first week of August and we have to be ready!

Many of our Members (past and present) will be participating in the Fringe this summer. We hope that you will continue to support Walterdale by going out and seeing their shows. Even our new Artistic Director, Sarah Van Tassel, will be at the Fringe this year. She was lucky enough to score Walterdale Theatre as her venue (how appropriate!). Here is the information about her show, which she has written and will be acting in:

Gone by Sarah Van Tassel

A Guts & Guile Production
Venue #3, Walterdale Playhouse

On a seemingly typical Saturday morning in small-town Alberta, Jessica Sheldon goes out to pick up groceries. As uneasy hours pass without her return, her husband and daughter are left wondering - once something is gone, can it ever come back again?

Cast: Cody Porter, Sarah Van Tassel, James Hees

Director: Laura Raboud

Stage Manager: Joyce Dominguez-Bogdanic

Sound Design: Pete Stone

Schedule:

August 12 10:00 pm – 10:55 pm
August 14 6:15 pm – 7:10 pm
August 15 12:30 pm – 1:25 pm
August 17 2:30 pm – 3:25 pm
August 18 4:30 pm – 5:25 pm
August 20 8:15 pm – 9:10 pm

Endings and Beginnings...

Last night Village of Idiots closed at Walterdale. The cast was still partying when I left at 2 a.m. It was a fun filled show with a wonderful message and for me, a great experience. Being Set Designer was probably the most stressful job I have ever done on a show, but very rewarding. The show went very well. We Sold Out at least 4 of our 10 night run and all of the evenings were well-attended. A great way to end my tenure as Artistic Director at Walterdale. On Opening Night of Village I talked about how it was an appropriate show for Walterdale because we are a village of sorts. Everyone has their role in the community and we love each other and sometimes we get along and sometimes we don't but we all care about the village and what we do there. I know I do. We also, like the Chelmniks, find creative ways to approach things. It is what makes theatre so fun!

The next season has started already. Auditions for the first show, Neil LaBute's Reasons to be Pretty, have been held and as soon as casting is complete and everyone is contacted I will be posting that information here for you all to sneak peek who is involved. I will also be posting a Blog Post to introduce you to our new Artistic Director, Sarah Van Tassel, to let you know what she is all about and what she will be bringing to Walterdale. Stay tuned for those posts. Wyrd Sisters is also bustling with pre-production work. I am Master Painter for that show so I am in the know on all those dealings. I will be posting an audition notice for you all, as soon as possible.

So one season ends and another begins... And in between is Fringe!

Spotlight on Daniel Grimsen - Zisyah in Village of Idiots

What is your role in this production? I play Zisyah, a slightly... bipolar Chelmnik who seems to shoulder a lot of the burdens he sees in the world. He is passionate about what he stands for, and that definitely shows in his hatred towards the Russians. He is a curious individual who finds himself at first closed off to the new found outsider in the village but learns to embrace and love the outsider and everything he brings.

Why did you come out for this show? I had seen many shows at Walterdale and when this opportunity came up to be a part of such a charming and clever show I could not pass up the opportunity, so I decided that this was the time to try for it!

What is your personal history in theatre? This is my first show at Walterdale and I have never been thrilled to be part of something so great and so well known. I found my theatre roots in High school, Bev Facey Fine Arts provided me with some amazing opportunities theatre wise, including playing the Heartbroken Sydney Carton in his quest for redemption in A Tale of Two Cities to the Youthful, rebellious Arab in West Side Story. But since then I have been in the shows The Laramie Project and the Canadian Premiere of The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later. So overall I’m fairly new to theatre, but loving every moment of it!

What is the biggest challenge for you with this show? I think the greatest challenge from this show was tackling human connection and understanding the sense of community that this show brings forth. It isn’t a show where your on stage connecting to two or three individuals, you have to develop a story with thenumerous individuals often flooding the stage. How do I know them? How does their story intertwine with mine? It was a challenge that has taught me so much!

What do you hope the audiences will take away from the show? I hope that the audience will take away the overall meaning of being an “outsider”. Its truly a way of thinking, and often although this outside point of view may not always seem valid and correct in our eyes, we should always embrace difference as there is so much to learn from these people.

There is truly so much to learn from Chelm.

Spotlight on Erin Foster-O'Riordan - Sound Designer for Village of Idiots

What is your role in this production? Sound Designer

What does that involve? For me, sound design is all about mood. The script calls for specific effects, but a design also includes music and other sounds that will help to establish or highlight mood. The trick is to incorporate sounds and music in a way that complements, supports and blends with the other elements of the show rather than competing with them.

What is your personal history in theatre? I started performing as a dancer when I was very young, and have always loved the magic of the performing arts. I got into theatre and singing as a teenager, but then kind of left performing on the back burner for a while when I was in university. A number of years later, I took the adult music theatre class at the Citadel, and rediscovered my love of singing, acting and dancing. Since then, I've performed with several companies in Edmonton including Festival Players, ELOPE Musical Theatre, Edmonton Musical Theatre, and, of course, Walterdale. A dear friend and I also joined forces to start our own company, Round Barn Productions, in 2008. My predilection for making mixed cds as gifts led to me being asked to give sound design a try, and I have since designed for Walterdale, Two ONE-WAY Tickets to Broadway, Horizon Players, and Finally Sauces. My first experience with Walterdale was on stage as Truvy in Steel Magnolias in 2006 (this was when I first got to work with both Kristen Finlay, Linette Smith and Pat Eyford!). As a sound designer, I've worked on Crimes of the Heart, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Rabbit Hole and now Village of Idiots. Finally, as a playwright, my one-act play, Uncle Robert's Funeral, was a part of the 2010 From Cradle to Stage.

What is the biggest challenge for you with this show? How are you dealing with it? My biggest challenge with this show is to capture the whimsy of the village in a way that also allows for the expression of the seriousness of the threat they are under. Although this show is very funny, the setting for the story is pretty serious! I think I've found some great music that really helps to highlight both the lighter and darker sides of the story.

What do you hope the audiences will take away from the show? I hope audiences leave having soaked up the optimism of Chelm, and maybe with a few Klezmer tunes stuck in their heads!

Spotlight on Catherine Wenschlag - Rebbetsin in Village of Idiots

What is your role in this production? I am playing Rebbetsin; wife of the village's Rabbi. Early on, I viewed the Rebbetsin as the Village Mother. She remains that in my heart, but I have discovered that she is also the social and spiritual leader of the village, along with her husband. Also, she is all about happiness - especially romantic happiness: she wants everybody to have somebody to love!

What drew you to this production? Ever since Walterdale announced they would be doing this play, I was certain I wanted to be involved in the production in some way. I was lucky enough to be cast in the show - and even luckier to be playing the role I most wanted!

What is your history in theatre? I started performing with St. Albert Children's Theatre when I was a kid, and since then I graduated from Victoria School for the Performing and Visual Arts - where I acted, stage managed, ran lights and sound, and tackled all sorts of other theatrical tasks. Next to acting, stage management is my favorite theatre job! I have been on Walterdale's Board of Directors for the past two years, and Village of Idiots is my second chance to be on stage here, following last year's Much Ado About Nothing. Earlier this year, I was Lighting Op. for Rabbit Hole and loved every minute of that!

What is the biggest challenge for you with this show? The balance between work, rehearsal and life in general is the biggest challenge for me. I am rehearsing with kids half my age (and four times my energy level). To deal with that, I have chosen to work part time for the next few weeks to ensure I give my best to all areas of life, and to help me keep up with those young 'uns!

What is the best part? I love absolutely everything to do with theatre - from auditioning, to rehearsing, to character work, to cue-to-cues, to performances, I love it all! Of course, having a character I love to play and amazing actors to perform with makes this show even better than great. But for this production, the thing I am enjoying the most is working with our director, Linette Smith. She has an incredible way of connecting with her cast and it is a joy to watch her work and to take direction from her.

What do you hope the audiences will take away from the show? First and foremost, laughter - I hope they take a lot of laughter with them when they leave the theatre. After that, perhaps a thought or two about how sometimes, that which seems crazy is actually the best way.