But first … stuff you need to know. The board is looking for interested persons to step up and be a part of one of the more successful theatre organizations in Canada. That’s right peeps elections for the board are coming up sooner than you think. With only two more shows left this season, the AGM is just six months away. So far no one has expressed interest in allowing their name to stand for any of the five open positions on the board. If you are interested please email me at wadeemerson@gmail.com  or talk to the general manager of the theatre and submit your name and he will bring it to the Board.

Did you know… that this issue of the Dramatist is somewhat of an anniversary issue? That’s right this issue #20. So, why would I bring this up? Well, as I just said in the previous paragraph, in less than six months the AGM takes place and the responsibility of penning this paper will fall to another member of the board of directors as my tenure comes to a close. You members and you who are interested in this “newsletter” need to step up and continue the work that has been started. While the time commitment is really not all that intensive it does require some dedication to our theatre and our patrons.  So you can look forward to at least 5 more issues, but when the time comes, I will step away and leave this labour of love, to another.

 What’s happened?

Well if you missed Snow White you missed another very successful family show run at Second Street. Kudos to Adrian Tanasichuk and his crew for continuing with another budget met show. This now means that the season has surpassed its goals in 5 consecutive shows and continues to move towards a very promising year.

Fearing and White was yet another very well received show, and chatting with management tickets were three quarters sold out.

What’s up?

Like I said earlierHere On The Flight Path opened on the second of February to some very appreciative crowds.  The show features yet another new face in the acting realm of Grande Prairie aside from a cameo by a rodeo queen. Alexandra Lambright makes her stage debut at SST in the role of Angel. Folks she is treat to watch and you can’t help but be swept up by her energy and pluckiness which she brings in spades to her performance. Bookending her are two top notch actresses in Eunice Friesen and Patty Burritt. Patty shows her brilliant ability to more from different characterizations in this role of the hooker Fay Davidson. Of course I am referring to her role as the spinster in Marion Bridge which she co-starring in last spring. Eunice Friesen’s adaptation of the character Gwen is captivating. She takes this most compelling character and leaves you wondering if she had premeditated all of this or was she in fact led by her heart. Only the skill of a great actress can pull this off and the passing mark from this driving instructor is A+. I won’t comment on John Cummings because it would be inappropriate, but I will say this, I believe he wanted to make sure that Fay, Angel and Gwen were remembered for who they were and for what they brought into John’s life.

Apologies!

The Dramatist wishes to apologize to the readership for the tardiness with which this issue came out. It just proves that while members of the board love to be involved with productions, there is a responsibility to our patrons and members and the readership, to deliver the goods when elected to office.  As a board member my first responsibility is to the board and the business, working, decision makings it needs to have done over the course of a season. To get involved in a production, as attractive as it is, does affect an outcome in one facet of the organization or another. So I wish to apologize to you all. The next edition will be out on March 1^st.

I play the part of Fay Davidson.

Tell us about your character Fay Davidson?

She is a, well, how do I put this….she is a hooker!  A very successful one She is an average person who just happens to be a hooker.  High end variety, so you would never know unless, well, you knew.

What other roles have you done at GPLT?

I played the part of a nun named Theresa in last years GPLT production of  Marion Bridge… No type casting here.

WOW that’s quite a range. Any tips on how to prepare for a acting in a play?

Make sure you have the time to commit to a play.  It is a lot of fun, but to learn the lines, create a character and then rehearse with the others on stage – you need time.  Oh – it helps to be ‘off’ a bubble or two to start with,  that way you’ll fit in with the rest of us!

What do you enjoy the most about volunteering at GPLT?

Get involved! On Stage, Back Stage or Front of House – excellent people who always have a great time!

Here on the flight path is playing at Grande Prairie Live Theatre from February  3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18. Call the box office at 780-538-1616 for tickets.

What made you choose to direct this Norm Foster play?

I directed a Norm Foster 4 years ago called “The Foursome” I like his style of writing. Norms’ characters are extremely complex which gives the actors a lot to work with. This results a deeper more meaningful interpretation of what he writes. “here on the flight Path” Has those same elements. Strong characters which allow the director to build on the script and the actors to become those people on stage which in turn conveys a stronger connection with the audience. This is a funny play.

What is “Here On The Flight Path” about?

This play surrounds the life of John Cummings after becoming divorced John ends up in the Aurora Terrance Apts on the fourth floor. “On the Flight Path” Over the course of four years we witness John’s interactions with his neighbors, three female neighbors!

Tell us about the cast.

The cast has some veterans and a newbie! Patty Burritt plays “Fay” a consultant. Fay is a very private person in some aspects yet she is a people person. She has a very set standard of how she deals with love and men. Alexandra Lambright Plays “Angel” (our Newbie) Angel is how can I say this has more enthusiasm than Mike  O’Connor if that is possible. You will enjoy this character and her interpretation of it. Eunice Friesen plays “Gwen” Gwen is a mixture of complexity and  simplicity and innocence. Yet there is more! Wade Fleming plays “John Cummings” A very troubled man with no direction. He has some foibles and issues that come out as the play progresses. Wade has to carry this play with over 1284 lines.

What was the most challenging aspect of directing this play?

The Challenges were not many. Timing is always a challenge when you are doing a play especially comedy. We started taking time off in the last few days and you should see a fast paced play with great timing.

What other things have you done for GPLT?

I am a past President. I have directed The Mousetrap, The Mumberly Inheritance, The Chess Game, You Can’t Dance to Mozart, The Foursome,  What Mildred did. I acted as Charlie Brown in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Felix in the Odd Couple, A rooster in Bremman Town Musicians, Rosencrantz in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, Cletus in Lonestar, Woody Allen part in “Play it again Sam” and others.

Here on the flight path is playing at Grande Prairie Live Theatre from February 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18. Call the box office at 780-538-1616 for tickets.

Here on the Flight Path directed by Mike O’connor opens at Grande Prairie Live Theatre February 2-18, 2012. Call the box office at 780-538-1616 to reserve your ticket.

A children’s play by Marian Jonson
First produced at the Portland, Oregon, Junior Civic Theatre, this version of the famous fairy tale broke all box office records for two years.  The prince and the mirror, both enchanted by the Dark Queen, (who sends Snow White to perish in the forest), are involved in the action from the beginning.  The prince, disguised as a jester, finds the courage to break the spell, and, with the help of the Seven Dwarfs, saves Snow White.

This month’s issue we’ll read about;   What happened in December?  What’s coming up in January?  Who’s new in Who Ville? Another calling!

But first;   I need nominations!  The following awards are up for grabs this year. The Short But Sweet Award is for outstanding short term contribution.  The criteria that need to be met to nominate someone for this award are as follows: 1) consistent work on behalf of Grande Prairie Live Theatre during a season. Or, 2) making a major contribution to the success of a season by extensive commitment of time and energy. Or, 3) being recognised and respected for having had a significant, positive impact on the success of Grande Prairie Live Theatre through organizational and/or production activity during a season. The Jennie Tetreau Award is for consistent long term contribution. The criteria that need to be met can be any of the three following: 1) continuous involvement in the activities of Grande Prairie Live Theatre over a period of five or longer. Or, 2) an unselfish commitment of time and energy in a variety of capacities such as,  board member, producer, director, actor, stage manager, production assistance or fundraising. Or, 3) recognized and respected for their contribution among members of Grande Prairie Live Theatre and in the broader community of Grande Prairie and Alberta. The Rising Star Award is normally awarded to a first or second year actor who has displayed outstanding stage work in any theatrical discipline. These could include acting, voice, dance or production.

Email me with your nominations and the category in which you are nominating them in. You do not need to offer a bio of the nominee.  All emails will be in strict confidence and will be presented to the awards selection committee by the seasons end.  

 What happened in December?

Beau Jest closed it’s very successful run on the 17^th of December. The buzz from this show was outta sight! Long-time theatre goers were giving this Monty Haughian show two big thumbs up. Light, funny and very well acted; Beau Jest continued the 2010-2011 seasonal success. This production team can hold up their collective heads high as they surpassed their projected budget by a very comfortable margin. Kudos to all!

What’s coming up in January?

Coming up this month you have a bill of fare that should meet any of your needs. On the evening of the 8^th, GPLT’s Movie Series presents, The Whistleblower. Based on Kathy Bolkvac’s experiences as a peacekeeper in the post-war Bosnia, this hard-hitting drama exposes sex-trafficking, government corruption, political intrigue, and diplomatic cover-ups. Tickets are a 10 spot at the door for adults and a 5er for students.

Opening on the 12^th is Marion Jonson’s, Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs, directed by Adrian Tanasichuk. This family orientated show will allow moms and dads to bring the kids along to experience a taste of community theatre. Tickets of this show are reduced across the board making it affordable for all families. Also note that this play has three matinees so the dates are as mentioned, the 12^th, 13^th, 14^th, and 14^th,, 15^th matinee, 19^th, 20^th, 21^st and closes on the 22^nd after the matinee.

And finally on the 22^nd at 7:30pm Folk-Blues-Roots presents another not-to –be –missed concert. Fearing & White will hit the Second Street stage! That’s right Steven Fearing and Andy White along with guest percussionist Ray Farrugia will bring their “collection of marvellously crafted and wonderfully eclectic and melodic roots material, to our warm venue. If your into name dropping these three gentlemen have been associated with; Peter Gabriel; Sinead O’Connor, Van Morrison, Blackie and The Rodeo Kings, Merle Haggard, Shawn Colvin and Junkhouse just to name a few! Only 28 bucks advance or 30 at the door. Get your tickets early for this one.

Who’s New in Who Ville!

Well it’s that time of the year when I introduce our newest members of the GPLT fold. So, in no particular order we want to welcome the following folks who have assisted in making this season up to his point in time, a great success!

Production team members; Wendy & Richard Comeau; Andrew Ryder; Tallis Robertson; Michael Varley; Oksanna Termeer; Reinisa MacLeod; Bethany McMurray; Jessie Tolway; Dr. Alan Segal; Christina Weiss; Tim Jones; Jesse Lempriere; Trevor Wilson and Jennifer Morgan.

Entertainers; Georgina Roche; Vanessa Laprairie;  Daniel Landry; Cora Lee Terry; Devon Burbank; Mitch Christenson; Mike Lawless; Conner Munroe; Christian Milanovic; Kaylee Norn; Jamie Craig; Brendon Chandler; Angie Maksymetz; Tim Trepanier; Jason Mestinek; Rory Mells; Tairas Fournier; Nathan Cooke; Toni Leanne Urlacher; Kyra Taylor-Gagne; Delaina Moug; Devon Side Walker; Malcolm Camsell; Bryce Burge; Brittany Hammond and Chris Thiessen.

Another calling.

This from Wayne Ayling, chairman of GPLT’s 50 Anniversary Season Selection Committee:  The selection committee is looking for directors for different types of plays for next year. They will be doing a full season of full length plays including plays for adults and plays for children and families. They will be doing 10 minute plays and selections from musicals and plays from our past five decades. There are opportunities to direct a full length play or shorter scenes. There are opportunities to be an assistant director   or to shadow direct. Directors or those interested in directing can submit plays they want to direct. Or they can match an interested director with a play. If you are interested call the box office at 538-1616 and ask to speak to any member of the 50th Anniversary Season Selection Committee. The season will be finalized by the end of January so call now to be part of next season’s excitement!

In “Beau Jest” you play the role of  Chris Cringle. What other volunteering have you done over the years at GPLT?

Most recently I was the lighting tech for “Songs For A New World”, a chorus member for “Chicago”, and most memorable, Francis Flute in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (at the end of the play I had to wear a dress)

 Monty Haughian the director of Beau Jest says you play a sobriquet. What are your thoughts on that?

A sobriquet is a nickname or alias, and I don’t really know what he means by that. If I think about it though, I can understand where he might be coming from. This is a bit of a stretch, but I guess I could be our culture’s alias. None of us in the play knew much about the Jewish traditions or why they held them, so I guess I was the alias for what we all know and understand. Sarah is searching for a way to connect with her parents, and to understand where they are coming from. And, in the end, what she was searching for, cultural normality, is thrown out the proverbial door and she sticks with her own culture and background. I’m the escape for a normal life, but normal isn’t what Sarah is looking for. Again, that whole explanation is a bit of a stretch, and maybe Monty had something else entirely in mind when he said that, but that’s the only thing I can think of that makes sense of how I’m playing a sobriquet.

Tell us about your character Chris Cringle?

Chris is 23-24ish, and a Christian. He is an account supervisor for the advertising agency Leo Burnett. Sarah and him have been dating for one year. Outside the script, he has a brother and sister and his parents live in Chicago. He’s led a pretty easy life with no real obstacles. He has a close-knit family that gets together each year for Christmas, and I’m not really sure if he loves Sarah in the way he’s supposed to.

How has the experience of Beau Jest been so far? Anything stick out for you?

The whole thing has been something of interest. There hasn’t been just one single moment that stuck out for me; it’s been a fun ride with lots of laughs. The kind of laughs where you don’t really know why you’re laughing, but you’re having too much fun laughing that you just keep laughing. We’ve all had those moments of not knowing why we’re laughing, but whatever the reason, it’s hilarious!

Beau Jest plays Thursday, Friday, and Saturday starting at 7:30 at Grande Prairie Live Theatre from December 1-17, 2011.