A Couple of Reviews of Albertine in Five Times

From the Edmonton Journal

"You'll see six vivd portraits of distinct women, thanks to committed performances by Kreisel's actors." - Liz Nichols

From the Edmonton Sun

"Albertine's jounrey is heart-rending but intensely dramatic and this adept Walterdale company defy and define the bittersweet moments when we create the stuff that is our lives" - Colin McLean

* photo by Douglas Dollars-Stewart featuring Mary Ellen Perley and Michele Vance Hehir.

Spotlight on Michele and Nathaniel Vance Hehir - Mother and Son team of Albertine at 40 and LX Op. for Albertine in Five Times

There are a couple family connections involved in Albertine in Five Times. The pair of Michele and Nathaniel Vance Hehir brings a long time Walterdale member and a newcomer together to our stage - one on the deck and one in the booth!

What are your roles for this production? What does that entail?

Michele – I play Albertine at 40. Hmmm…the usual actor stuff and getting to work on an estrogen heavy show.

Nathaniel – I’m the lighting operator. Getting the right cues!

What brought you to this production?

Michele – I really wanted the chance to act in a Michel Tremblay play.

Nathaniel – My Mom got me the job.

What is your background in theatre? With Walterdale?

Michele – So many years, my head is crammed with lines right now…ummmm, my first Walterdale show was 21 (gasp) years ago! I’ve acted and directed for Walterdale, as well I was President for a year…favourite shows I’ve acted in here include Dark of the Moon, Footprints on the Moon, Blood Relations and Perfect Pie. Favourite show I directed was Our Town…

Nathaniel – I go to Victoria School for the Performing Arts and I enjoy improv, my film class and band. I was my Mom’s Assistant Stage Manager for her Fringe show last year and I played Laurie this past December in A Little Women Christmas. This is my first Walterdale show.

What is the most enjoyable part of preparing for this production?

Michele – Working with the incredible actresses on the show and the chance to work with MJ again!

Nathaniel – Learning something new.

What is the biggest challenge for you in your role on this production?

Michele – Understanding Albertine.

Nathaniel – Learning how to use the equipment.

What do you think this show will offer to our audiences?

Michele – A chance to see Michel Tremblay’s work.

Nathaniel – My Mom’s in it!

Any other comments you would like to make?

Nathaniel – I hope the audience will enjoy the play.

Michele – Ditto!

*Photo of Michele from Perfect Pie by Douglas Dollars-Stewart

Spotlight on Phil Kreisel - Sound Designer for Albertine in Five TImes

What is your role for this production? I am the sound designer for this show. There are a number of different sounds that make up the soundscape for this show. This show is different than other shows that I’ve done in that the effects are not inserted based on stage directions in the script. Instead, these are inserted in different spots to enhance a sequence or to establish a time/place and create atmosphere. The sounds are designed to enhance the audience’s experience, and not to distract them.

Why did you come to work on this production? I’ve designed over 50 different theatre productions since 2005, so I’m well versed in the art of sound design. The previous director (Wendi Pope) and I had worked together on 3 different productions before this one, so she initially asked me to be involved. With her unfortunate passing, I stayed on when the new director (MJ Kreisel) took over. It’s just a coincidence that the director is my wife.

What is your background in theatre? I started off in theatre as an actor 12 years ago. These days, I’m more known as a sound designer, though I have also established a track record as a playwright (4 productions now) and as a director as well. With Walterdale? I’ve done numerous productions with Walterdale on a regular basis since 2004, mostly as a sound designer. I also produce the newsletter and sit on the theatre’s technical committee.

What is the most enjoyable part of preparing for this production? The biggest challenge? Determining what sounds will work and how they will best contribute to the audience’s overall experience.

What do you think this show will offer to our audiences? An insight into what goes on in our everyday thoughts, and how past events affect what we do in the present and what we might decide to do in the future.

Spotlight on Janine Hodder - Madeleine in Albertine in Five Times

What is your role for this production? Madeleine, Albertine's sister.

Why did you audition for this production? I've wanted to work with MJ for a while now. Also, Tremblay throws his actors about emotionally and you really have to be on your toes as a performer. He makes us work for every moment. I was excited for the challenge.

What is your background in theatre? I am a graduate of Grant MacEwan's theatre program a while back. I have dabbled here and there over the years in the Edmonton theatre community but am just now committed to working more consistently. I was on the Walterdale Board of Directors a few years ago. I have worked on the crew for Antony and Cleopatra (light technican) and Crimes of the Heart (ASM). My only time treading the boards here was as the Mammoth in Skin Of Our Teeth.

What is the most enjoyable part of preparing for this production? Working with a diversely trained group of women with phenomenal talent. I feel safe and have been able to enjoy the experience because of the environment created in rehearsals. The biggest challenge? Honestly? Remembering all those darn lines!

What do you think this show will offer to our audiences? I love how different this play is from others I've seen at Walterdale. Watching five women all play the same person is so enchanting. The attention to detail is wonderful.

Spotlight on Rhiannon Perley-Waugh - ASM for Albertine in Five Times

What is your role for this production? My role for this production will be Assistant Stage Manager. I will be aiding the Stage Manager with her tasks as well as helping set and/or making props (food) for the show. I will also be back stage during the show to help actors with entrances, etc. and as such will be a communication medium between the booth and actors.

Why did you come to work on this production? I came on board for this production because of director MJ Kreisel with whom I had previously worked on at Walterdale in Perfect Pie. She invited me to join as ASM and my mother, who is in the cast, was thrilled at the prospect of me joining the production team as well. They both encouraged me to be a part of the show. I thought it would be a great experience seeing as I am looking to go into theatre as a career – I am currently taking a BA in Drama and the U of A.

What is your background in theatre? I have been involved in theatre since I was very young. I took theatre classes at the Citadel and with a film company called Theatre Zocalo. My involvement in productions has involved theatre festivals, independent productions and school projects or plays. Currently I am studying a BA in Drama at the U of A. I got involved with Walterdale about 4 years ago when I auditioned and was cast in the production Black Hearts in the Green Room. Since then most of my involvement at Walterdale has been behind the scenes as lighting operator for two other shows. I’ve also done some Front of House volunteering.

What is the most enjoyable part of this production? The most enjoyable part of preparing for this production is getting to know and making new friendships with the cast and crew. The biggest challenge? I’m going to have to make sandwiches! Eek!

Any final comments? I like how in every show I’ve done at Walterdale you really make a family with the people you work with. In this case, too, I will actually be working with a family member and that is really special. Walterdale provides a really great environment where you can feel the love of theatre bring everyone together.

Spotlight on Amelia Maciejewski - Albertine at 30 in Albertine In Five Times

What is your role in this production? I play Albertine at 30. She is where it all begins - for the play, at least. It's got a little bit to do with rage.

What brought you to this production? I needed to get out of the house! More than that, I really take pride in Walterdale and what it stands for - the people are great to work with and there is a whole lotta love going on - it truly is a community and I embrace any opportunity I can to participate in it. Doing a show with a bunch of awesome women is cool, too.

What is your background with Walterdale? This is my third February in a row doing a Walterdale production where I play a mother with anger issues (Beautiful Thing, and Rabbit Hole). I have a BA in Drama and have puttered about some. I also serve on Walterdale's Board as co-Director of Publicity with May Kharaghani.

What is the most challenging thing about being involved in this production? Finding the time to do everything I need to do - but I don't ride roller-coasters, so this is as close as I will get to the adrenaline rush. What is the most enjoyable thing about being involved in this production? Being able to work with the "gals". This is the first time I've done an all-female show, so we could potentially talk about periods and hemorrhoids without making any men uncomfortable. Although we haven't talked about periods and hemorrhoids. yet.

What do you think audiences will experience if they come to this show? There is a new trend going on in regards to the reality of parenting, made popular with books like "Go The F*ck To Sleep"... where it is becoming okay to talk about the frustration and inadequacies you feel as a parent, so I would expect the audience to relate a little bit to Albertine's struggle. It also will make you think, if you could go back in time and meet your former self, what would you say? Would you like yourself? Would you beat yourself up? Would you try to warn yourself?

Any other comments you would like to share? If you need to cast a 'mother with issues' for your play, feel free to give me a call.

Spotlight on Mary Ellen Perley - Albertine at 50 in Albertine in Five Times

What is your role for this production? I am playing Albertine at 50 and besides the inevitable learning of lines (which when working with Michele Tremblay is fantastic) and hours of rehearsal, I get to 'play' with 5 other terrific women on stage! I also get to play with a great team on the other side of the footlights. I am blessed to have such a team and to be able to work in the theatre with my daughter just makes the whole adventure sweeter... Living the dream!

Why did you audition for this production? When I saw that this play was up for the season at Walterdale I knew that I would be out for auditions with all my fingers and toes crossed. Tremblay is one of Canada's premier playwrights with an understanding of women and women's position in society which is so clear and truthful. This play for me is also a metaphor for Quebec through the years of the Albertines. So the research work we have all done has not only clarified my understanding of Albertine at 50, but for all the Albertines and for Quebec.

What is your background in theatre? I have taught drama/theatre studies for more than 25 years, written, directed, choreographed and designed shows for my students each year of my teaching career. In the early '80's I was an active member of Walterdale as a stage manager for 4 productions and a member of the play reading committee. Then the demands of teaching and doing major theatre events at school necessitated my pulling back. But now I am no longer teaching and have the time to devote to Walterdale: on the board as co director of FOH, on committees, as a stage manager and actor.

What is the most enjoyable part of preparing for this production? Coming together with the other women to explore the play, its meaning and nuances. Working with a great team of people who have a passion like mine!

What is the biggest challenge for you in your role on this production? The biggest challenge is getting my head around the split times and figuring out just to whom I am listening and why and to whom I am not listening and why.

What do you think this show will offer to our audiences? An in depth look at a woman's life.. a woman who may not be all that dissimilar from many women sitting in the audience. What events in one's life work to shape us, what personality characteristics push us in a certain direction and the importance of reflecting on our lives to see the patterns and pitfalls. Maybe it is never too late to change?

Any other comments? I really appreciate the opportunity Walterdale gives those of us with a passion for the theatre to find an outlet for that passion. Coming to the theatre each night of rehearsal and each night of performance is liking being given another life, and I thank the family, which includes my own daughter, I am so fortunate to being working with on this production for being there to support and encourage.

Spotlight on Stephanie Bahniuk - Costume Designer for Albertine in Five Times

What is your role for this production?My role for this production is Costume Designer. This role involves involves many different responsibilities as there are many stages to the design process. First, I had to do a lot of research because each character exists in a different decade spanning from 1942-1982 and this required looking at old photographs and researching vintage clothing trends and styles. I have to attend meetings with the director and the rest of the production crew to make sure my costume designs fit into the overall vision of the production. I was also responsible for presenting final drawings of each costume that clearly illustrate my designs and provide a visual for the actors and crew. I am also responsible for buying fabric and organizing a team of volunteer stitchers who are going to build some of the costumes as well as sourcing and buying costume pieces that are not being built.

How did come to work on this production? I have been interested in working for Walterdale for awhile now and by chance, my Mom met someone at her work who has been involved with many Walterdale productions and was able to recommend to me to the Production Manager for Albertine in Five Times.

What is your background in theatre? This is my first production with Walterdale but I have been working in theatre, particularly with costumes, for about 5 years now. I started off designing and building costumes for Archbishop Jordan Theatre productions in high school and I was lucky enough to be accepted into the BFA Theatre Design program at the University of Alberta a year and a half ago. In the program we learn design for sets, costumes and lighting and I am hoping to continue to design for theatre as my career.

What has it been like preparing for this production? I was extremely excited after reading this script and finding out that the costumes would all be vintage inspired. I really enjoyed looking at old pictures and researching styles from the past. The biggest challenge for me as the Costume Designer was finding a way to make five very different women, look like the same woman in five different stages of her life.

What do you think this show will offer to our audiences? I think this show will offer an escape into the mind of someone else for a couple of hours and allow the audience to feel an array of emotions in that time. This play has mystery, drama and passion that will keep the audience engaged. The playwright, Michel Tremblay, is simply a fantastic story-teller.

Stephanie's Website:
sbahniuk.carbonmade.com

Introducing the Cast of Albertine in Five Times

The Cast of Albertine in Five Times by Michel Tremblay is announced! After 2 days of auditions followed by callbacks the cast was narrowed down to the following:

CAST

Albertine at 30 - Amelia Maciejewski-Duplessis

Albertine at 40 - Michele Vance Hehir

Albertine at 50 - Mary-Ellen Perley

Albertine at 60- Syrell Wilson

Albertine at 70 - Ruby Swekla

Madeleine - Janine Hodder

The show goes right into rehearsal and goes up in February 2012, and it is brought to you by the following skilled Production Team:

PRODUCTION TEAM

Director - M. J. (Mary Jane) Kreisel

Production Manager - Sarah Valois

Stage Manager - Catherine Wenschlag

Set Designer - Bob Forrow

Lighting Designer - Roy Jackson

Sound Designer - Phil Kreisel

Costume Designer - Stephanie Bahniuk

Hair & Make-up Designer - Coralyn Whitford

Master Builder - Pierre Valois

Set Dressing/ Props - Alli Ross

The team is still looking for ASMs, Lighting Ops and Sound Ops. Contact Walterdale Theatre if you are interested.

Auditions - Albertine in Five Times

Albertine in Five Times

by Michel Tremblay

Translated by Linda Gaboriau

PERFORMANCE DATES: February 8th – 18th, 2012

AUDITION DATES: October 16th & 17th, 2011; Times: 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.

at Walterdale Playhouse (10322 83 Avenue)

CALL-BACKS: Thursday, October 20th, 2011; Times: 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.; Location: TBA

Director: Mary Jane (M. J.) Kreisel

Production Manager: Sarah Valois

Stage Manager: TBA

What would you say to yourself thirty years ago? Would you ridicule your earlier decisions? Laugh at your earlier self? Michel Tremblay’s haunting Albertine in Five Times, with five actors playing a woman in different decades of her life, explores memory, regret, consequences, and shows how extraordinary an ordinary life can be.

SIX ROLES:

Albertine at 30 – age range: late 20s to late 30s

Albertine at 40 – age range: late 30s to late 40s

Albertine at 50 – age range: late 40s to late 50s

Albertine at 60 – age range: late 40s to late 60s

Albertine at 70 – age range: mid-50s to late 70s

Madeleine – age range: late 20s to mid-40s

Please note: ages are relative and relational and never specifically mentioned in the script. We are concerned more about how old you will read in relationship to the rest of the cast and onstage in costume and make-up.

The auditions will comprise of readings from the script – no memorization is required. Readings can be emailed out to people in advance of their auditions. Please indicate the role(s) in which you are interested. You are also recommended to familiarize yourself with the script.

Copies of the script are available for reading from Walterdale. Contact Kent Sutherland, Theatre Administrator at walterph@telus.net or 780.439.3058 to sign one out. Copies are also available at Theatre Alberta – please call ahead.

Rehearsals will begin late October and will break for two weeks over the Christmas holiday season, resuming again the first week in January.

Please bring the following to the audition: your résumé and headshot as well as availability times and any conflict dates you may have.

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

To book an audition or for further information, email M. J. Kreisel at mjkreisel@gmail.com

(Drop-ins will be accommodated as time allows)