Thank You!

Thank you to everyone who made this year's Theatre on the Edge Festival a success. We could not have done it without the support of everyone involved, and all those who came out to see the productions.

We welcome any feedback you may have.

Feedback?

Have you seen any of the events this week? Let us know what you think! Leave a comment here!

Don't forget, tonight is the last night to see "Bucket," "Patter For the Floating Lady," and "The Zoo Story" at the Mary Oland Theatre in the NB Museum. Also, tomorrow night is "Winging It!" We hope to see you there! Tickets are only $10 for both events!

Festival Passes Still Available

Tonight marks the last performance of "A Dance With Fate." It is not too late to get a festival pass to see all three shows!

Spotlight On... Andrea Cyr

Andrea could be called the busiest little Fate of them all. Andrea is not only tackling the intricate cheorgraphy of "A Dance With Fate" but also has a role in Steve Martin's "Patter For The Floating Lady," which is part of the "Evening of One Act Plays" line up.

Cyr has been involved with the SJTC: Second Stage since January when she was cast in the "Script Happens" production "Fertilicorp." When asked what has kept her coming back, she had this to say:

"A number of things. The people, The love of performing, the people, the fun and interesting shows SJTC takes on, the people, the experience, the people...oh, and did I mention THE PEOPLE!"

A radio news anchor by day, Andrea has been very busy these past four weeks preparing for the two roles. "It's time consuming and physically challenging...but that's half the fun!," says Cyr of the roles. One role pushes Andrea physically with intricate dance steps and movement while the other provides the mental challenge of learning dialogue. Both offer the opportunity to bring a character to life.

"I am thrilled to be involved in something new," says Cyr of the festival and the two extremely different shows. "I can't wait to see how it [Theatre on the Edge] grows over the years."

Audiences can see Andrea tonight and Thursday night at 7:00 pm at the Saint John High Mini-Theatre or Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at the Mary Oland Theatre at 8:00 pm. Tickets are $10 at the door or in advance at the NB Museum lobby. Festival passes are still available for all three TotE productions.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Michelle Williston and Keith Johnson, our two lucky winners of Festival Passes from K100 and CBC. See you at the show!

Spotlight On... Alex Goldrich

This young actor has been making his mark in the company since the fall of 2002, especially in this past year. Audiences may remember Alex's head-turning performance as Reverend Hale in "The Crucible" in May, or perhaps as the dashing Malcolm in "MacBeth" last month, or how about as the emotionally lost Bob in "Moonchildren" in April, or as... You see what I'm talking about!

Alex is loaning his commanding stage presence and extraordinary talents to the role of "Jerry" in Edward Albee's "The Zoo Story" at this year's Theatre on the Edge. He is joining fellow "Moonchildren" alum Keith Dickson in this modern classic.

"The character of Jerry is one of the most challenging parts i've encountered. He's a very complex person, and his life is, in many ways, quite terribly painful, Goldrich says of the role. "It's kind of a scary place to go, to realize that he's not that different from any one of us."

The play centers on Peter, played by Dickson, a middle-class publishing executive while he sits on a park bench, reading. Along comes Jerry, played by Goldrich, an isolated, disheartened man. Jerry intrudes on Peter’s peaceful state by interrogating him and forcing him to listen to his life story and the reason behind his visit to the New York Zoo. It sounds like a simple story, and you may wonder why it fits in the festivals programming.

"The Zoo Story is a tremendously powerful script, at times funny and disturbing and sad and shocking. It's a deceptively simple story - seemingly, just two men talking – and yet as it unfolds their struggle takes on a deeper significance," says Goldrich. "This play is really a perfect fit for Theatre on the Edge. It's a true modern classic, one that has not lost any of its "edginess" in the 48 years since it was written. The themes that it explores are as meaningful now as they were in 1958. The audience will witness a terribly dark moment in two people's lives, but as only great art can, the writing brings beauty to the most painful of experiences."

A regular to the Saint John Theatre Company: Second Stage, Alex is pleased to see Theatre on the Edge expanded into a festival. "Continually finding new ways to challenge itself and its audiences is how any artistic community stays vital. It's an honour to be a small part of this community."

"The Zoo Story" is part of the line up for "An Evening of One Act Plays" at the Mary Oland Theatre in the NB Museum. The show runs Wednesday, Thursday and Friday night at 8 pm. Tickets are available at the door and are $10 for individual tickets or $25 for a festival pass.

Register Today!

There is still time to register to participate in "Winging It!" You don't have to be a playwrite or an accomplished actor to take part in this event.

Simply complete a registration form and fax, email or drop it off at the SJTC office in Brunswick Square. Show up at 7 pm on Friday, August 18 to get your instructions. The audience there to see "An Evening of One Act Plays" will give your team a line and an object to incorporate into your play. You then have 24 hours to write and rehearse a 10 to 15 minute play that will be performed for a paying audience Saturday, August 19 at 8 pm.

Registration deadline is August 16th. Register today!

Filling "Bucket"

Local photographer, Dan Culberson not only has a creative eye, but a creative pen. "Bucket" is the 5th script by the author that SJTC: Second Stage has produced. In fact, Culberson's "Pants" was in the line up of the very first Theatre on the Edge four years ago.

Co-director Ryan Gilbert recently commented on the SJTC: Second Stage's commitment to local authors. "It's always been great. It's also more of collaboration than commitment in my opinion," says Gilbert. "I tell you, the idea of having locally written pieces performed is something that makes me proud to be a part of [SJTC:] Second Stage, this city and inspires me as a writer."

Willow Edwards, who is tackling the role of "Anna" in "Bucket," agrees. "I appreciate the opportunity that SJTC affords to people who wish to try their hand at play writing. Having outlets to explore and develop one's creativity is so important, and SJTC provides a supportive milieu for doing so. Through SJTC individuals are provided with a venue for exposure of their work at the local level, which may lead to further development of scripts and ideas."

Culberson is known in particular for his theatre of the absurd pieces, and "Bucket" is no exception. His scripts, while outwardly extremely funny, often convey a deeper meaning that will touch audiences. "It gives one something to think about," says Edwards. "It raises questions such as, what am I filling my bucket with? Is it full or is it empty? Is it filled with something good, or is it filled with garbage?"

"["Bucket"] explores familiar issues, one’s relationship with oneself and with others, in a metaphoric way," adds Pauline Cronin, who will be playing "Alicia" in the production.

The production, which opens Wednesday and runs until Friday, also features Allain Roy, Nathan Spavold and Mike Blanchard. Audiences attending the Friday night performance will have the added treat of participating in "Winging It!" preparations.

Tickets are $10 per show or $25 for a festival pass and are available at the door at in advance the NB Museum lobby.

A Dance With Fate

In addition to the perennial audience favorite - its popular evening of one-act plays - Theatre on the Edge will be mounting a unique, provocative performance by its newly formed Dance Collective, entitled "A Dance with Fate".

"My hope for the piece is that it will effectively tell a story through dance and music," says Jennifer Mabey, the show's creator, designer and choreographer. In this intensely creative production, the three fates from Greek Mythology are depicted as the driving force behind the activities that chronicle our daily lives.

"The characters are affected by the fates," Mabey says, "and in the end, they confront their fate, embrace it and learn to work with it."

The cast members all have different dance backgrounds. Michelle Pelrine, for example, is new to the SJTC stage but is really excited to be involved. "Since I'm new to theatre, but have been dancing for several years, it's a way I can give it a try. Seeing Keith [Dickson] have so much fun made me want to give it a shot," says Pelrine. Michelle, along with Melody Tingley and Julie Assaff will be playing the young women with whom the Fates, portrayed by Jenn Mabey, Andrea Cyr and Lisa Flower, toy with. The piece also features newcomers Renee Godbout and Heather Connell.

"A Dance with Fate" is breaking new ground for the Saint John Theatre Company. This is the company's first production focused entirely on dance.

"Saint John's theatre scene is thriving right now, so there is definitely an outlet for interpretive dance, as well as anything that is very expressive and artistic. I think that when audiences see how cool and creative "A Dance with Fate" is they will want to be involved in future projects like this," says Assaff about the production.

"Far too often dance performances are segmented routines where one has very little to do with the other," says Mabey. "Telling a story exclusively through dance and movement is what I love about this collective. It’s an opportunity to use dance a means of expression rather than just a showcase of technique."

The cast members feel it will be much more accessible to audiences than what the city has previously been exposed to because it is different. "It's not a recital," says Flower. "People who don't normally like dance shows will enjoy this because of the story telling aspect."

"The whole production is just plain FUN!" says Cyr. "It's so innovative, the music is fantastic and the dancers really bring the wonderful creativity of Jenn's choreography to life!"

The innovative piece will be staged at the Saint John High School Mini-Theatre on August 14th, 15th and 17th at 7 pm. Tickets are $10, available at the door or at the NB Museum. "A Dance with Fate" is also included on the $25 festival pass.

Spotlight On... Willow Edwards

Willow Edwards, a social worker who works with adolescents, will be tackling the role of Anna in Dan Culberson's "Bucket." This is her second Culberson production, having played Maude in "Death & Babies" as part of the 2005 "Script Happens."

Willow first became involved with the SJTC in January of 2003. She had learned about the company while visiting in the fall for a job interview and knew that she wanted to become involved once she'd settled in our fair city. Since then, she has been a regular, both on and off stage. When asked why she keeps volunteering with the company, Willow had this to say:

"A number of reasons, but "the people" is what comes to mind first," says Willow. "I appreciate the encouragement, openness to try things and dedication displayed by various people I have worked with, whether in their capacities as directors, actors or on the costume crew (These being the areas I've been directly involved with.). There is a lot of positive energy in SJTC. The Company is very well organized, with lots of attention to the little details as well as "the big stuff". "

SJTC: Second Stage has become known for its commitment to quality productions even though their ventures tend to be smaller scale than the SJTC mainstage productions. But Edwards likes these more intimate productions. "The smaller venues for Second Stage productions tend to give a sense of the immediacy of the audience. It's like they're right there with you. This can assist in providing a sense of connection with the audience."

Willow will have the opportunity to make another connection with this upcoming role in "Bucket." "Even though I'm a person whose preference is for realism rather than edginess, "Bucket" appeals to me because it does make a point," says Edwards. "It gives one something to think about. It raises questions such as, what am I filling my bucket with? Is my bucket full, or is it empty? Is what's in there something good, or is it garbage?"

Edwards has been enjoying the challenge of the role. "I also like the creative process involved in bringing the character on paper to life on stage. Seeing the play come to life is a challenge and fun!"

While Willow wouldn't necessarily describe her ongoing interest in theatre as a passion, she certainly enjoys the opportunities it provides. "Being a character in a play allows me to get outside of myself and learn what it may be like to be someone else, to walk in their shoes. This results in me learning about both the character and about myself." Willow's favorite role to date was Jo-Jo in the SJTC: Second Stage's first full length production "The Attic, The Pearls and Three Fine Girls."

When asked about her feelings on Theatre on the Edge being expanded to a festival, Edwards had this to say:

"I think it's great that SJTC is expanding Theatre on the Edge to a week long festival. It provides opportunity for other types of performances to be staged and keeps the spotlight on theatre for a longer period of time. It will be interesting seeing what additions are made in future as the festival expands. I expect it will provide an opportunity for some pretty innovative performances."

"Bucket" will be performed Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, August 16 to 18, at the Mary Oland Theatre in the NB Museum as part of the Evening of One Act Plays. Tickets are $10, or audiences can purchase festival passes for $25. Tickets are available at the NB Museum lobby or at the door.