Meet Zack Siezmagraff - Fred the Bartender and others in Anything Goes!

What is your role in this Production?  I play Fred the Bartender, the news photographer, and a member of the sailor quartet.

What brought you out for this production? I was very impressed with Walterdale's production last year of Nine, and it convinced me to end my self-imposed 12 year break from the stage. I have also worked with Barb Mah and I like and respect her a lot.

What is your background in theatre? I graduated from Victoria School of the Performing and Visual arts in 2001. I have done shows with ELOPE  -  Kiss Me, Kate (2000), and Broadway: 50 Years in Review (2001); The Citadel  - A Christmas Carol (2000), and the Walterdale - A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine (2000). As a writer, my award winning play Death Comes to Auntie Norma will be at Edmonton Fringe 2013, directed by Kristen Finlay.

Biggest Challenge? I have three costume quick changes in the first 2 scenes.

In the Spirit of "Anything Goes" how true is that about you? I once pretended to be Liz Nichols's nephew in order to get a ticket to a Fringe play that was sold out. I had overheard that Liz was due to attend that performance but hadn't shown up. 5 minutes to curtain I approached the box office and told them "Aunt Liz" had given her ticket to me. The show was great.

Meet Kyle Thulien - Billy Crocker in Anything Goes!

What is your role in this Production? I play Billy Crocker.  He's a suave, man about town who is living the true New Yorkers dream: wealth, power and ladies.  Women want him and men want to be him.  Coming from nothing, he is now making a splash in the Wall Street world; that is until he meets some damned dame. His pursuit of a famous debutante lands him in some hot water, and is completely worth the jail time. But how will his story end when he becomes embroiled in a hotty love square?!?

What brought you out for this production? I always look for opportunities to work with great directors, and Barb Mah is one of the best. The show, too, must speak to me. I look for shows that make me laugh, or cry, or cry laughing. Anything Goes is definitely the latter with 'delightful' jokes, 'delicious' situations and 'de-lovely' characters. I also look for shows that I know Edmontonians want to and need to see, and this show has it all in spades: dancing, singing, laughing, crying, soft melodic solos, huge, splashy group numbers - and mostly JAZZ HANDS!  I also need a production company that knows the craft of theatre and there is none in the amateur theatre scene that compares with Walterdale.

What is your background in theatre? Well, I haven't quit my day job (because, you know, I like to eat) so theatre is truly something I do because I love it and choose to spend my free time doing it. As a singer and musician musical theatre is really the only theatre I do and I was involved in a number of productions through grade school. I didn't pick it back up until I had finished all my post-secondary and graduate schooling, learning the everything from working with great people. This is my first production with the Walterdale.

Biggest Challenge? I LOVE being over the top and stealing scenes but the central character of Billy requires a modicum of relatable humanity, a pillar of normality around which the caricatures play, if you will. Trying not to be silly is A LOT of work. Fortunately there are some great moments for Billy to really let loose.

In the Spirit of Anything Goes how true is that about you? Completely and utterly false!!! I am a trained scientist and currently working in the field of human cancer drug trials - truth is indeed not relative. And I hope everyone appreciates, too, that anything DOES NOT go in the world of human experimentation :)

Dracula Auditions - Sink Your Teeth In!

Dracula
by Steven Dietz

This adaptation restores the suspense and seduction of Bram Stoker’s classic novel to the stage. As Count Dracula begins to exert his will upon the residents of London, they attempt to piece together the clues of his appearances — in a valiant attempt to save themselves from a hideous fate. Rich with both humour and horror, this play paints a wickedly theatrical picture of Stoker’s famous vampire.

PERFORMANCE DATES: Oct 16 – 26, 2013
AUDITION DATES: July 7 & 8, 2013
AUDITION TIMES: 7:00 – 10:00 pm
Walterdale Theatre (10322 83 Avenue)
CALL-BACKS: July 9, 2013 6:00 – 8:30 pm
King Edward Park Community Hall (8008 81 Street)

DIRECTOR: Darrell Portz
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: Elizabeth Day
PRODUCTION MANAGER: May Kharagani
STAGE MANAGER: Pat Eyford
SET DESIGN: John & Kat Evans
COSTUME DESIGN: Geri Dittrich
MAKE-UP DESIGN: Prudence Olenik
LIGHTING DESIGN: Brad Melrose
SOUND DESIGN: Darrell Portz
SPECIAL EFFECTS DESIGN: John & Kat Evans
PROPERTIES: John & Kat Evans
MASTER BUILDER: Richard Hatfield
MASTER PAINTER: Sue Portz
FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHER: Janine Hodder
DIALECT COACH: Marliss Weber

Characters:
RENFIELD – MALE (35 to 45) – Should be able to speak in various accents and dialects
JONATHAN HARKER – MALE (25 to 35) – British accent
PROFESSOR VAN HELSING – MALE (30 to 45) – Dutch accent.
DR. JOHN SEWARD – MALE (25 to 35) – British accent
LUCY WESTENRA – FEMALE (20 to 25) – British accent.
MINA MURRAY – FEMALE (20 to 25) – British accent
DRACULA – MALE (30 – 40) – Transylvanian accent
VIXENS (3) – FEMALE (20s) – No accent required
ATTENDANTS – MALE (2) FEMALE (1) (20 to 40) – British accent
MAID – FEMALE (20s or older) – British accent

Please note ages are relative and relational. Only Seward’s age (29) is specifically mentioned in the script. We are concerned more about your apparent age in relation to the rest of the cast.

Rehearsals will begin with table work in July. Scene work will being August 1. Rehearsals will be on Monday and Thursday evenings from 7:00-10:00pm and Sunday afternoons from 1:00-5:00pm.

The audition will comprise of the following:
* You will be auditioning as part of a group of 4 or 5 actors in a 20-minute slot.
* Auditions will consist of cold reads from the script.
* Copies of the audition sides will be made available prior to the auditions.

Please bring any conflict dates you have to the audition.
Please bring a current headshot and performing résumé, if you have one.
You are encouraged to read the entire play prior to auditioning. Copies of the script are available for reading at Walterdale. Contact the Theatre Administrator at walterph@telus.net to sign one out.

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

If you are cast, you will be required to become a member of Walterdale Theatre Associates.
Individual $25.00 / Family $40.00
Membership must be purchased prior to August 1, 2013

TO BOOK AN AUDITION or for further information, please email Pat Eyford at pleyford@shaw.ca. 
Please provide the following information:
Name
Phone Number
Email Address
If you are a Facebook Member (name on Facebook)
The role(s) you are interested in auditioning for

(Drop-ins will be accommodated as time/space permits)

Introducing Kay DaSilva - Mrs Evangeline Harcourt in Anything Goes

What is your role in this Production? My role is Mrs Evangeline Harcourt, the snobby mother of Hope Harcourt who insists she marries rich to maintain their elite status. I am on a wild ride of happiness, shock, disbelief, pride, fear and fun. I have my dog, I lose my dog, I have my dog...well you get the picture! I meet up with an old flame and he becomes rich, so I marry him of course!

What brought you out for this production? Tapping, acting, Director Barb Mah and hilarity. I am throwing myself all in head first because it's my very first acting role!

What is your background in theatre? I began Musical Theatre at the Foote Theatre's adult workshop  in 2003 and then joined the cast of Chorus Line with Barb Mah as Director in 2004. In 2005 I enrolled in Edmonton Musical Theatre's adult workshop and was cast in the Broadway Rocks Revue show in 2006 and Once Upon a Time in New York in 2008. In 2009 I took a break and began my own music career with my sister as 2islandgirls. I returned to EMT for their 2012 production of The Time of Our Lives. In March of this year I joined the The Trinity Players production of Jesus Christ Superstar.

Biggest Challenge? Remembering my lines and cues to come on stage has been my biggest challenge which is surprising because I thought learning the tap number would be the challenge. I have discovered, learning to tap, smile AND sing all at the same time has been a wee tough as well, but I think I got it now.

This play takes place on a ship, you have any good boating stories? I have never been on a cruise and I don't plan to either. Although I grew up in the ocean of a little island called Barbados and can swim like a dolphin, the thought of being on top of really really deep water scares the beegeebies outta me!

In the Spirit of Anything Goes how true is that about you? I live my life pretty much by the rules of Anything Goes because I make my own rules. I think and act outside of the box and am very outspoken with my views of right and wrong. I sing all the time and I luv life. Up or down, sideways, back and forth I am there! Hee hee!

Meet Gerald Mason - Elisha Whitney in Anything Goes!

Who do you play in this production? I play Elisha Whitney.  I am very rich. I made my money in the stock exchange in New York and I’m a drunk but most of all I’m a Yale Man!! I’m looking forward in playing this wonderful character.  I never thought that I would take up tap dancing and especially at my young age.

What is the most challenging thing about this show for you? The most difficult aspect of the role is that I don’t know anything about being drunk. HA!! HA!!

What is your background in theatre? My theatre background has piled up over the past 50 years but look forward in attacking each and every role as a challenge. I love my theatre and love my theatre family even more.

* Gerald was most recently seen on the Walterdale stage as Mr. Peachum in The Threepenny Opera and Tito in Lend Me a Tenor.

* Onstage Gerald has been married many, many times.  He speculates that that Mrs. Harcourt in Anything Goes will be his 26th or 27th wife.

Meet Barbara Mah - Director of Anything Goes - Next Up at Walterdale

What is your role on this Production?
Director/Choreographer.  I'm really bossy and make people tap dance

What brought you out for this production?
The fabulous Cole Porter music and the opportunity to do a "dance show".

What is your background in theatre?
Walterdale member since whatever year they did The Boyfriend (1994?). Background in dance (tap, jazz, ballet). Tend to direct a lot of "epic" musicals where at least one person dies. This is my first "fluffy" one in a very long time. Teach Musical theatre at The Citadel Foote Theatre School for the past 9 years. Next musical will be The Drowsy Chaperone for TOWTTB. But first, adult "musical theatre camp" for The Citadel this summer.

Biggest Challenge? 
Getting people to tap? Trying to realize the most comic potential from a very funny script and to pace it such that the audience doesn't have time to figure out that the plot has holes big enough to drive a fleet of trucks through

This play takes place on a ship, you have any good boating stories?
This is not my first musical on a ship. However, last time (Titanic), I kinda killed everyone off.  This show has much happier results.

Season at a Glance

Walterdale Theatre Associates 55th Season Announced!

Today at 12 noon at City Centre Mall and again at 6:00 p.m. at Walterdale Playhouse, the 55th Season under the Artistic Direction of Adam Mazerolle-Kuss was announced.  The line up is as follows:


Dracula by Steven Dietz
from the novel by Bram Stoker
Directed by Darrell Portz
On Stage: October 16-26, 2013


Proof by David Auburn
Directed by Kristen M. Finlay
On Stage: December 4-14, 2013


Blithe Spirit by Noël Coward
Directed by Curtis Knecht
On Stage: February 5-15, 2014


A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Book by Burt Shevelove & Larry Glebart
Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Originally produced on Broadway by Harold S. Prince
Directed by Adam Mazerolle-Kuss
On Stage: April 2-12, 2014



From Cradle to Stage An Evening of New Work
Submission Deadline: September 15, 2013
On Stage: May 12-17, 2014



Jennie’s Story by Betty Lambert
Directed by Alex Hawkins
On Stage: July 2-12, 2014

For more information about the shows and audition dates please check out the theatre website here.

Tweet All About It - Live Tweet Night at From Cradle to Stage

Last night we invited local arts tweeters to the show and to share their thoughts about the plays.  It was great fun having them in our house and they provided great feedback on twitter before, during intermission and after the show.

Here are some of their tweets:

About The Ugly Spot:

Louise Mallory ‏@onlyLouise13h

#FCTS2013 The Ugly Spot poignant glimpse of two lonely people @WalterdalePlays

Jenna Marynowski ‏@jennamarynowski13h

I want to see "The Ugly Spot" at #fcts2013 about 5 more times #yegtheatre

Erin Valentine ‏@erinaceousv13h

Lisa Lorentz-Gilroy knows how to craft a beautiful story. Would love to see "The Ugly Spot" further developed and staged again #FCTS2013

Stuart McDougall ‏@studabomb13h

The Ugly Spot just finished. So sad. So good! There should be a ravine-themed new play festival. @WalterdalePlays #yeg #yegarts #FCTS2013

About Exposure:

Louise Mallory ‏@onlyLouise11h

#FCTS2013 #Exposure by @Steve_Allred B Hughes& @JessieMcPhee Engagingly-irritating characters, interesting premise, credible end #yegtheatre

Jenna Marynowski ‏@jennamarynowski12h

Exposure @WalterdalePlays has an eloquent script & captivating cast. I'm excited to review it! #FCTS2013

Erin Valentine ‏@erinaceousv13h

Lights going down for Exposure by Bethany Hughes, Stephen Allred & @JessieMcPhee. How do 3 people write 1 play? #FCTS2013

Erin Valentine ‏@erinaceousv12h

Answer: extremely well. Another touching offering from @WalterdalePlays at #FCTS2013. Gonna go drink a glass of milk now.

About the Evening as a Whole:

John Richardson ‏@1anhaga12h

I was right! I feel so much better after #FCTS2013 at @WalterdalePlays Those plays were 2 glowing little peas in a pod! #yegtheatre

Jenna Marynowski ‏@jennamarynowski13h

Mounting The Ugly Spot and Exposure in the same festival was such a great choice! The two complement each other so well. #FCTS2013

Tweeter Louise Mallory is also a local blogger.  The link to her blog about From Cradle to Stage 2013 can be found here.

Walterdale Theatre Associates can be found on twitter @WalterdalePlays

55th Season Launch - 2013-2014 - Two Chances on Wednesday to see What's Coming!

Tomorrow there are two opportunities to find out what Walterdale Theatre will be offering in it's 55th Season.  Join our new Artistic Director, Adam Mazerolle-Kuss and members of Walterdale Theatre as they present scenes and songs from our upcoming shows!

Opening Night! Hope to See You All There!

Two great new works open on our deck tonight The Ugly Spot, by Lisa Lorentz-Gilroy and Exposure by Stephen Allred, Bethany Hughes and Jessie McPhee. Walterdale is pleased to have a continued investment in the development of new work.  

Meet Lisa Gilroy (Lorentz) - Playwright, The Ugly Spot, From Cradle to Stage 2013

I wrote my first play, Sitter, for the New Works Festival at the University of Alberta in 2011; it was short and goofy and I adored the process of watching it come to life. The following year, I wrote another play, Walter Alone, for the same festival and that’s when I came to the realization that writing plays and watching them hit the stage was more fun than eating marshmallows and peanut butter. So I promptly replaced one hobby for another. Just kidding, I would never give up marshmallows and peanut butter.
            When I heard that Cradle to the Stage was accepting play submissions, it was already the day before the deadline. At first, I resigned to submit something for the following year but excitement got the better of me. Before I knew it, I had canceled my date with myself to practice the moonwalk and was sitting at my computer writing a story that, I realized, had wanted to come out for a quite some time. Thus, The Ugly Spot was born.
            During the process, I had the great fortune and privilege to work with a passionate and talented writer, actor, teacher, director and dramaturge who I like to call Brian Dooley. You can call him that too, because that’s his name. It’s no exaggeration to say that Brian revolutionized the way I look at theatre and writing; he asked me hard questions about my work and pushed me to challenge myself and challenge my writing. Since September, The Ugly Spot has shape-shifted more times than that blue lady from X-Men and it’s been a great learning experience for myself as a new writer. The finished product is a short piece on life, death, and forgiveness and I hope that you’ll enjoy it.

Join Us for a Playwriting Workshop - Part of From Cradle to Stage 2013

The Nuts & Bolts of Playwriting – An APN Workshop

Sunday, May 26th

10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

(Lunch provided)

Walterdale Theatre – Glenfield Rehearsal Hall

Facilitator: Tracy Carroll

By creating mini-production companies with participants, we’ll look at some of the building blocks of developing a new play from the writing, acting and directing point of view.

A fun, hands-on session for all participants of the From Cradle to Stage Festival and members of Walterdale Theatre.

This workshop is free to all Walterdale Members, contact Sarah Van Tassel at walterdalead53@gmail.com to reserve a spot.  Space is limited.

Important Announcement from the Board - Regarding Signage on Our Building

Have you ever sat in The Next Act and glanced over at Walterdale? We certainly have a beautiful building, situated in a most desirable location.  What is missing, however, is anything prominent announcing that there is theatre going on inside this historic fire hall.  Many of you may remember the old cement sign that used to be on the sidewalk in front of the building.  This disappeared years ago – I presume to upgrade the sidewalks.  Since then, we have only had the marquee to signify our presence but it often gets overlooked when crowds are on the sidewalk and it is not very visible when driving past.

Over December, we had a false fire alarm and 6 fire trucks arrived at our theatre; we were told in no uncertain terms that they had difficulty finding us due to lack of signage and confusion about our name on their registry. This prompted the Board to look at our building from an outside perspective and think about the need to advertise our theatre and to become a more prominent feature of Old Strathcona and in Edmonton's theatre community.  We know who we are, but does anyone else?

The Board had a professional sign company design several signs for the front and West side of the building.  In May, a final design was chosen and we would like to share this with the membership at two informal sessions – Saturday, May 11 from 4pm-5pm and Sunday May 12 from 3pm-4pm upstairs in the Glenfield Rehearsal Hall. We have had to work with the Heritage City Planners on the sign design and installation and this design has met with their approval as well as our landlord – The City of Edmonton.

Over the past 55 years,Walterdale has called itself both orally and in print:  Walterdale Playhouse, Walterdale Theatre and simply Walterdale. The fire registry has us listed as Walterdale Theatre and our registered legal title is Walterdale Theatre Associates.  In an effort to keep all of our information consistent with our legal name and to remain theatrically current and easy to find in electronic media, the Board would like to have the signs say:  Walterdale Theatre.  We have fielded this idea to a few of our long-time members who have all thought this was an excellent idea; in fact, long overdue.  The Board hopes that the greater membership will agree with this proposed name affirmation and invites you to come to either Saturday the 11th at 4 pm or Sunday the 12th at 3pm to look at the designs.  If all goes well, the signs should be up for the Fringe Festival and one will not help but see Walterdale Theatre behind every busker, every food vendor, and every shot of the Fringe on the news and in papers and magazines.

If you cannot join us on these two dates, please feel free to contact me at walterdalepres@gmail.com or Sarah Van Tassel at walterdalead53@gmail.com, or leave us a message at the theatre and we will make every effort to show you the designs and hear your thoughts at a more convenient time.

Thank you for your consideration.

Clare Mullen
President
Walterdale Theatre Associates

Meet Sarah Culkin - Anna in Exposure at From Cradle to Stage 2013

What is your role in this production? I play Anna in Exposure. She's a young mother who's recently been through a lot, so she's come to a sort of psychiatric workshop/recovery centre, where she meets Will and Eric.

What brought you to Walterdale? I was interested in the one-acts at the Walterdale because the productions are locally written, and it's a cool experience to work on something from square one. Watch the lil' baby grow!

What is your background in theatre? Theatre has been a big thing for me since elementary school. I've acted, directed, costumed a whole show and even written a play through the drama departments at my old schools. From there I've done children's theatre, clown and play readings, as well. I read a part in Magpies, which had a staged reading in Walterdale's one act festival last year, and right now I'm rehearsing for another locally written piece that goes up in July. Basically, I've taken every opportunity that's come my way, so I spend a lot of time not sleeping.

What has been your biggest challenge during this process? It can be tough understanding a character when you have no reference points, you know? You can't say "Oh yeah this is how she's normally played," because no one's been there before. But that's also the fun part, growing the character on your own.

Both plays this year deal with people being connected but not knowing they are connected, has anything like that ever happened to you? This is going to sound so teenage girl, but I accidentally met one of my friends through a blogging site. We would talk almost every day about our lives and our friends and oh you know also boys and at one point I realized I knew literally everyone she was talking about. It was so weird. Out of ALL the people on the website, we had started talking to each other and WE LIVED IN THE SAME CITY.

Celebrate our APN - Walterdale Partnership by hearing a few new plays

EDMONTON PLAYWRIGHTS’ CIRCLE READINGS

May 6, 2013 7:30PM

Walterdale Theatre Admission by donation

An evening of readings of segments from brand-new plays written by the participants of our 2013 Playwrights’ Circle, facilitated by Conni Massing. 

Always an entertaining evening, please join us in helping these writers take their plays from page to stage for the first time.

The Writers:

Liane Faulder

Alexis Hillier

Gilbert da Silva

The Acting Ensemble:

Amber Bissonnette

Julie Golosky

Richard Lee

Michael Peng

Hope to see you all there!

____________________________________________________

For more information about any of our programs, please go to our website at:

www.albertaplaywrights.com