My First Sterlings!

This Monday night I attended the 26th Annual Elizabeth Sterling Haynes Awards which celebrate professional theatre in Edmonton.  I have never gone before, but have known many who do and who have been nominated but I never quite felt that it was something I would feel at home at.  Boy, was I wrong! I was delighted to know at least half of the people in the room, if not more, and to regard those people as friends. That was a delightful surprise.  So why go this year? I went this year because I have seen so many shows this year that I actually felt invested in them. Doesn't that sound weird?  But it's true, having sat in those audiences watching those performances and seeing those effects and production elements, I wanted to celebrate the nominees and the winners.

Everyone looked fabulous.  I am not just saying that.  Edmonton's theatre community is phenomenally good looking.  It is hard to pick a best dressed, but there were some amazingly gorgeous women there.  I wish I had pictures (and if I find some I will post), but my favourites for most stunning include Kristi Hansen, Lora Brovold, host Amy Shostak, Melissa Thingelstad, Shannon Blanchet, Erika Noot, Sarah Van Tassel, Jessica Peverett, and Liz Nicholls.  There were many, many more, but those ones stand out for me.  It was a a beautiful night all around!  The men looked good too, but it's harder for me to list those.  Not only good looking, this is also a community of truly nice people.  I was sitting with my friend, Catherine, and as we would see someone go up or walk by, we would comment on how nice they were.  Either she or I would lean in, "She's such a lovely person", or "He's a sweetheart."  It shouldn't be surprising to me that these talented people are also so generous of spirit, but it was something I noticed when we were all in the room.

I am not going to list all the nominees and winners. You can find that here. I'd rather talk about the evening as a whole!

I loved the authenticity of the winners in their responses to their wins.  Melissa Thingelstad's acceptance speech touched me deeply.  She carried this joy about what she does and that poured from her with good humour and honesty.  I want to feel the way she does about what I do. I will be striving for that this year.  I also loved Ellen Chorley's tickled pink gushing about her wins.  It was lovely to see her celebrating with a spirit of immense gratitude and surprise. Kudos to her, the hardest working person I know out there! Matthew Hulshof was a delight and his speech was a wonderful tribute to the joys of TYA.  Jesse Gervais was just ridiculously funny.  There were jokes about puppies in commercials, Baby Jesse, and fathers who'd disown daughters if they forgot to thank them.  We were treated to fantastic musical performances by Julian Arnold, Kendra Connor, Jason Hardwick, Eric Wigston, Garrett Ross, Maddie Knight and John Ullyatt. There were a lot of wonderful authentic moments.

It's interesting, because although I might have voted for different winners in certain categories, it hit home for me the whole 'it's an honour to by nominated' because as I looked at the nominees for all the categories I could see why each one of them was up there on the list.  Initially I thought there were some curious omissions (e.g. Michael Peng in An Accident, Lorne Cardinal in Where the Blood Mixes) but then I thought, "But who would they replace?" The lists overall were strong and it is a testament to the depth of Edmonton's theatre community that we have this kind of playing field. So I could celebrate those who won, knowing that there was a level of excellence and while I might have chosen differently, comparing theatre is always going to be apples to oranges so it's best to let the accountants do their work and leave it at that.

That said, I was overjoyed at Theatre Network's Let The Light of Day Through winning Best Play and best New Work.  How wonderful to have a New Alberta Work win best play.  As those of you who read my blog know, this was the show that blew me away this season, so it was my emotional favourite.  It was also the winner of the APC last year so we at APN are extremely proud of how well it's done.  It's nice to have something you champion do so well! A wonderful end to a wonderful evening!

I hope to see as much theatre this season so that I can go as informed next year!

When the Boys are Away... The Mom plans her Calendar!

My kids have gone fishing with their Grandpa this weekend up North at Grist Lake.  As a result the house is very quiet.  It feels weird.  I realized that when the kids are home I am always "on" and with them being gone I feel this void of intent.  It was weird this afternoon when I realized that I didn't have to get home at any particular time and I kind of lost focus.  I dream of having time to myself but there I was, with time to myself, and I hadn't planned to do anything so I was just wandering aimlessly... Ha ha ha... If I hadn't been so busy leading up to them going today I might have planned to do some of the things I want to do, like write... It was a lost opportunity but it was also very interesting to see where my brain went without the overriding focus of the kids to power it.

Anyhow, I took the time to map out the calendar for my upcoming theatre and other things. It's all on my iPad but it needs to be transferred to the Big Calendar.  I have Freewill Players Lear and Midsummer, Walterdale's Anything Goes, rehearsals for Death Comes to Auntie Norma (Fringe) and production meetings for Proof. It sounds like a lot, but it's spaced out nicely and hopefully this kid-free weekend will help me relax as I enter summer.

Maybe I will see you at some of the shows?

Checking in with the Girls at Full Monty...

Yesterday was a grumpy day for me.  Some emails turned a lovely day into a really annoying one.  I mastered the delete button and tried to keep it at bay, but the 'issue' was literally something that would have been solved in less than 5 minutes by anyone in the building (that's how long it took me to do it after I drove across the city). Anyhow, now I am getting myself worked up again. It's a lump in the oatmeal... I'll survive!

Anyhow, after that I attended a fabulous meeting of the Fringe Artist's Relations Committee.  I am excited for this year's festival and the team has some great energy and ideas that I think will be great for both artists and audiences!  Best new thing - a Fringe iphone App! Look it up - Edm Fringe.  A lot of the information is forthcoming as schedules are not finalized, but you can already tell how awesome this is going to be in application! Play in a Day is also returning - yay! I really liked the energy in the room as we talked of awards, and closing ceremonies and artist accessibility for feedback.  Also in the works are workshops and forums and all sorts of good things!

The day was rounded out by a date with the lovely ladies, Anne Marie Szucs and Sally Hunt, to see The Full Monty. It was great to hang out and visit with AM and Sally.  AM was at the Tony Award Ceremonies in NY so we got to hear about that (how incredibly exciting!) and the shows that she saw. Sally and I haven't seen each other since Spelling Bee closed so it was great to see her and talk about potential future projects.  I still miss the Bees! The three of us had fun - chair dancing during the scene changes and figuring out when to cover our eyes so we didn't see any of the 'bits'. Show highlights? I absolutely loved my friend Francie Goodwin-Davies as the chain smoking Jeanette.  I swear, with Francie in that role, you could base a whole show on that character.  She was hysterical and literally stole the show for me.  I was also blown away by Orville Charles Cameron as Horse.  Not only did he have amazing vocals, but an incredible stage presence.  His number, Big Black Man, was outstanding.  The third highlight for me was David Johnston as the awkward Malcolm singing You Walk With Me at his mother's funeral.  I have worked with David before and know that he has no trouble going big, but it was this beautiful, tender and quiet song that really impressed me.  It is not easy to take it down and have it pay-off as an actor in a musical, but he did, and it is simply lovely.

Date Night with Martin Dubé, oh, and my husband...

This past Monday, we received tickets from our Investor's Group Rep to go see Martin Dubé, an Impersonator.  Mark and I had seen Mr. Dubé perform in Fort McMurray years ago at one of the Keyano Galas and we remembered him as being quite entertaining so we did a bit of transportation juggling so that we could catch the show.  It was in the beautiful Winspear Centre and we got exceptional seats (4th row centre!) so we sat back and enjoyed the show.  Now, for those of you who know me, an Impersonator is not my usual cup of tea.  Many years the Investor's Group show is a Stand-Up Comedian and I usually pass on those (Mark still went but he would bring a friend instead of me), but because I remembered the show being fun from before and because mark and I haven't had a chance to go out much together lately I made it happen.

Anyhow, about the show... It was very good and tight. I watch this kind of a show the way you would a Cirque du Soleil show.  It is not about the character arc, or story or connection, but more about just saying "Wow! How do they do that?!?!" There is a very cabaret feel, and some of the jokes are a bit cheesy, but it isn't the punchlines that bring you to a show like this.  It is the 5 octaves and extreme malleability of Mr. Dubé's voice.  He goes further than just the vocal acrobatics, like all truly good impersonators, incorporating in physical mannerisms and dance moves.  This is a guy who can go from Willie Nelson, to Louis Armstrong, to Celine Dion, to Maria Callas to Josh Groban in mere seconds.  It was pretty impressive.

Mark and I also had a great time out.  The last 10 minutes of the show had us up on our feet dancing and being pretty silly.  He had a tough day and I think the evening out made up for it.  And while this isn't my usual or preferred entertainment option, I did enjoy myself.  I am also happy that the kids are getting older so that we can do these couple things more often without shelling out a tonne for babysitters.

Do You Like Improv?

So when I was in Toronto, my sister took me to an Improv Show at the Soul Pepper Theatre.  The performers were from The National Theatre of the World and I had a great time.  I forgot how fun Improv can be.  You see, I get so busy with my theatre and play-going, that I haven't gone to Improv for a long time.  Which I know is sad, considering I live in the same city as Rapid Fire Theatre.  Now that the kids are getting a little older, I am going to try and make it out to some!

So, for those of you who like Improv, or for those of you who have never gone, I encourage you to check out Improvaganza put on by Rapid Fire Theatre which starts tomorrow and runs until the 29th of June. That's 10 DAYS of Improv! Every year at Improvaganza, Rapid Fire Theatre hosts improvisers from across Canada, North America and beyond. Rapid Fire Theatre hosts the best comedy acts they can find, plus Theatresports matches, radio shows, workshops with amazing artists, and tons of social events too.  It sounds like a lot of fun!

New Projects - Death Comes to Auntie Norma and Proof!

The other evening we had our first real rehearsal for the Fringe show I am directing, Death Comes to Auntie Norma.  As I inherited the majority of the cast from a previous production it was also a bit of a meet and greet for me.  I love beginning a new project and it was fun to read it through with the cast and hear their voices in the roles.  I wrote notes in my script and ticked off places where I got ideas and generally it got me charged up about it which is a very good thing! I have to admit that with the completion of my last two projects and then my trip out East I kind of shut off my drive so the read was just what I needed to get myself geared up.

After the read through - we started working.  I used the system that my friend AM taught me that she learned from her time at Seacoast Studios with Scott Swann.  It is always fun to start this process with people who have never tried it before.  There is a look of fear at the beginning and then by the end of the rehearsal everyone is just playing and trying new things and listening and revelling in making discoveries.  I think this foundation will be a good place for which to work as it is a strange thing to come in after another Director and re-direct a show.  I am not sure how much will change, but I do know that I am doing more than just recreating what has happened before, otherwise there is not much point to having me there! I would like to make a contribution...

Spurred by the creative energy of that night I took another look at my Audition Notice for Proof at Walterdale Theatre.  It will go out in a a few weeks after the Dracula Auditions finish up so I wanted to make sure that they were all in place. I am excited to have a pretty full team of great people who I know will make my life easier! I am still looking for an Assistant Director so if anyone is interested...

This Simplifying Stuff Takes A Lot of Time!

Since returning from my trip I started work on a project that has been a long time coming - purging the garage!  It's a complete mess as it has become the repository for any stuff we just need to move out of the house.  It's also complicated by the fact that someone in our house likes to buy stuff that they think they might need someday and that person also has a philosophy of if one thing is good, three must be better.  Let's just say they are wrong on that.  So, periodically, to counter-act the accumulation of stuff I do some culling.  It has been far too long, however, since the last cull and the accumulation is troubling.  However, I did some good work this week.  I took a bunch of things to Goodwill and threw out a bunch of other things and actually managed to clear some shelf space (yay!). There is a lot more to do.  I think when I have done my culls in the past I have primarily focused on my own things to reduce, and this has been an error as I wasn't really the problem (except for purses, but I am working on that). Anyhow, I can see it is going to take a lot more time, but I think that I have made a good start.

The thing that kills me when I do this is the amount of duplication we have in there.  We know we own something - a tool or some such - but we can't find it, so another one gets purchased.  So know we have two.  Also, I am frustrated by the waste.  I have found food items dated 2007 and although they might have been a good deal at the time of purchase, 6 years later they are just garbage.  Sigh. I am working on it. There is a limit to how much I can do each day because the dust starts to kill me after a few hours, but I am making progress.

So this is the goal: By the end of summer have a garage that has stuff in it, but stuff that you can find and access so that multiples are not purchased.  It's a big goal and the biggest thing will be training someone not to buy more stuff, but they may find me giving it all away on the sidewalk if they keep doing that so I advise a change in behaviour.