Spotlight on Marsha Amanova - Procne in The Love of the Nightingale

What is your role in this production? I am playing the role of Procne, a young Athenian woman whose father weds her to King Tereus in gratitude for his help in winning the war. She becomes queen of Thrace, but has trouble adapting to Thracian culture and becomes desperately lonely. Procne sends her husband back to Athens to bring her younger sister Philomele for a visit, which begins the tragic chain of events.

What drew you to this production? I first read the play a year ago and was interested in the depth of the female characters. They are strong women whose ability to exercise power is limited because of their gender. I like the playwright's retelling of the myth. I was also interested in working with Director Alex Hawkins again!

What is your background in theatre? I've dabbled in theatre since Jr. High, mainly acting. I grew up in small towns and was a bit intimidated by the active theatre community in Edmonton when I moved here in the mid-nineties. I missed being onstage, and eventually joined a troupe of fellow English students and theatre lovers at the U of A. Shortly thereafter my Play Analysis Prof (Alex Hawkins) encouraged me to audition for the play he was directing at Walterdale (Cyrano de Bergerac). I was fortunate enough to be able to join the talented cast of that show, and I enjoyed my experience so much that I stuck around as a member over the years. In addition to acting, I have also dabbled in directing and have been a member of the Board of Directors for two seasons as Front of House Co-Director.

What is the biggest challenge with this production? The most enjoyable thing? Getting into the psyche of a character is always a challenge; fortunately it's also one of the things I most enjoy about acting! Procne experiences a wide range of intense emotions throughout the play, including: joy, fear, depression, frustration, anxiety, and anger. She is sincere in her belief that Athenians are better than others; she's loving, loyal and stubborn, and she spends much of the play in deep denial. While it can be difficult to fully comprehend these traits and the actions that Procne takes, much of the joy of the rehearsal process is finding a way to portray the character onstage in such a way that the audience is able to accept them.

What do you think our audiences will take away from this production? Although this play is not a traditional Greek Tragedy (it is a modern play based on a Greek myth), I still believe audiences will come away from this show with a feeling of catharsis. The myth of Procne, Tereus and Philomele is likely to invoke intense feelings in the audience throughout the play, and I hope that by the end of the show they are able to experience that release. However, I also believe the themes in the play have relevance today, and we don't want our audiences to accept or ignore these ideas. At the end of the show, I simply hope that people leave the theatre wanting to discuss what they have seen with their friends.

Any last comments you'd like to share? It is an honour and a pleasure to work with such a committed and dedicated team, from my fellow thespians to our esteemed production team. It's wonderful to be able to work closely with new friends and old. I ♥ Walterdale!

Spotlight on Quinn Hinch - Male Chorus Member in The Love of the Nightingale

What is your role in this production? My role in this production is as a member of the 2 member male chorus. This role entailed re-structuring the lines for the male chorus. Initially it was not divided up as a two person role. So John (Trehart) and myself had to design our lines to be split between the two of us. This included repetition, dividing up and reading lines in sync. As the male chorus we are "journalists of an antique world, putting horror into words. Unable to stop the events we will soon record."

Why did you come out for this show? What drew me to this production was my previous experience in the Walterdale. I enjoyed my time so much that I knew I wanted to work with this theatre again. Another reason was the director, Alex Hawkins, he had taught me as well as advised me throughout my first 3 years at the University of Alberta (as a DRAMA major). I was drawn to his directing style and wanted the chance to work with him outside of the classroom.

What is your background in theatre? I have been performing since I could walk and been in theatre since grade 6. I had been in school performances all through Jr. High and High School and made my first debut on the Edmonton theatre scene with the Walterdale's production of Rabbit Hole directed by Kristen Finlay last year. It was an incredible experience, I was cast as the understudy for Jason two weeks before the show went up and due to certain events got to perform in more shows than the person originally cast. I enjoyed having the opportunity to perform again. This past summer my theatre company Vagabond Theatre put up our first show called Papa's Got A Brand New Urn. I wrote, directed, produced and acted in this piece which was a great success. We are currently writing another show for the 2012 Fringe called The Complete History of the World in 60 Minutes.

What challenges have you met in this production? What has been most enjoyable? The biggest challenge in this production was re-designing the script to fit two male chorus members. It was a challenge John and myself took head on and although changes are still evolving we feel confident with the decisions we have made. The most enjoyable thing is just being on the stage again, you definitely get that actors' high when you step out on the stage even during rehearsals.

What do you hope the audience will take away from this show? The audience will get the myth, with the help of the male chorus providing direction. Our goal is to have the audience take away their own interpretation of the myth and apply it to their own life.

Any last comments? I'd like to thank all my friends, family, cast, and crew for their support and giving me the opportunity to do what I love!

Spotlight on Rowan Hickie - Hero in The Love of the Nightingale

What is your role in this production? In the production I play Hero, who is a member of the female chorus. What I love most about playing Hero and being a part of the female chorus is the fact that we get to interact not only with the characters in the play, but also make direct addresses to the audience. What I think is so magical and powerful about the female Chorus’ ability to speak to the audience and to see the audience, is that they manage to make the issues that occur during the play and make them contemporary and relevant for the audience watching.

Why did you audition for this production? I was in Alex Hawkins’ Theatre History class in the Fall, so that is where I first heard about the auditions. I was also really intrigued by the play itself as I had heard of the playwright, but not the play itself.

What is your background in theatre? I started doing community theatre productions in Calgary before I moved up to Edmonton for school. Currently I’m studying Drama at the U of A and loving every minute of it! My first Walterdale experience was acting in The Wyrd Sisters in Dec 2011, and it was during this production that I fell in love with the whole Walterdale experience.

What is the biggest challenge with this production? The most enjoyable thing?
I think that the biggest challenge with this production is also the most enjoyable part of it, and that would be the content of the play and the many contemporary issues that the play calls into question. I enjoy struggling with my views on certain issues and how to express them onstage while still successfully interpreting those views into my character and the text.

What do you think our audiences take away from this production? What I hope audiences will do after seeing this production would be to talk about it, to discuss the issues seen in the production and see how these issues are still prevalent in today’s society.

Any last comments you'd like to share? Enjoy the show !

Spotlight on Corrine Pelletier - Iris in The Love of the Nightingale

What is your role in this production? I am an actor. I play Iris, one of the 5 female chorus members. This entails a lot of coordination with the other ladies in the chorus.

What brought you to Walterdale for this show? I am a student at the University of Alberta and I had Alex Hawkins as my professor last semester. He invited us to audition. I knew the play from my previous drama class and I loved the story. I was very excited that I received the part of Iris as she was one of my favorite characters.

What is your background in theatre? I have been acting since I was 9 years old. I have done many local productions in my home town of Calgary, but I have not done anything since high school. This is my first production with Walterdale, and my first production in Edmonton.

What challenges have you found with this role? My first thought is that I would have a lot of trouble finding the right flow with the other ladies of the female chorus. However, from the very first read we just seemed to click and I now think that that has become the most enjoyable part of this production. The fact that the entire cast just seems to have an excellent dynamic.

What do you think the audience will take away from this production? There are a lot of little things in this play that foreshadows something to come or reflects back on something that happened previously. And while I doubt that I doubt the audience will notice all of these little thing it is my hope is that they will pick up one. Even if only one person realizes, "Wow, I remembered when that happened previously" or "They totally foreshadowed that" I would be extremely happy.

Any last thoughts? I would like to thank the entire cast and crew for making this productions one of my favorites to work on! I never felt uneasy or nervous or shy through out this process and I believe it is because everyone has been so welcoming.

Back by popular demand ...

Walterdale's Play Reading Social Group!

What: An enthusiastic reading of Dial M for Murder byFrederick Knott

Believing that he has planned the perfect crime, a cold-hearted husband hires a thug to murder his wife. The audience members hold their breath as they watch to see what happens next. Will the husband get away with the heinous deed? Will the wife survive?

When: Friday, March 9th at Walterdale Playhouse. 7-10 pm.

Who: Any member who'd like to come out and partake - whether you'd like to read or just hear the play read.

Roles will be determined on the night from those interested in participating in the reading.

Why: For fun! There’ll be light snacks and much fun conversation.

A Tribute to Marlene Kottke - Today at Walterdale

Walterdale Theatre Associates is pleased to host

A Tribute to Marlene Kottke

This is a celebration of life for Marlene, who passed away January 15, 2012.

All members, past members, friends, and family are invited to attend.

Saturday, March 3, 2012 at 4:30 pm

Walterdale Playhouse

10322 - 83 Avenue, Edmonton, AB T6E 5C3

If you have a story or comment to share about Marlene or your relationship with her,

please send it to either Joan Hawkins at heys@shaw.ca or Geri Dittrich at gmlwd@shaw.ca.

We will compile these notes for presentation at the tribute.

Fellowship and refreshments will follow the program

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.