Rusty Toolbox

It’s been a while since I’ve stretched my own acting muscles and I thought that the present would be a good time to attempt to build up some of my old performance habits. With baby number one on the way, The Chronicle Project will morph into something different for a while as I learn to juggle motherhood, wifedom and career. Even as I slow down to take time with the baby, I hope to continue finding ways to work creatively in the community and hopefully share those experiences on Chronicles in Theatre.

Now it’s time to open my rusty toolbox. Actors, like all artists, each have their own way of preparing for a performance. This is my process, and it will definitely change as I discover methods that work even better for me. Feel free to try my techniques on for size and modify as you feel necessary. What works for me isn’t necessarily going to work for you but at least it might give you a place to start.

Here goes nothing…

STEP 1: CHOOSE A PIECE

Sometimes just trying to find a piece to perform can be the thing that holds you up and prevents you from doing anything at all. Finding the perfect piece is like finding a four leaf clover, tedious. It’s easy to give up. Some people have amazing dedication and just keep going and going until something touches them and they have the ‘eureka!’ moment. I, unfortunately, am not one of those people. I have an extremely short attention span and get frustrated when things don’t progress in a timely fashion. This frustration leads me to abandon my mission and head for the next ‘best’ thing. That being said, I rarely finish anything on my own steam. I would like to change that.

I made a promise to myself last night that I would do whatever it took to just perform something… anything, solely for my own benefit and growth. So as I lay awake, staring into the dark void pretending I could see the ceiling, I decided that in the very least I would memorize the Introduction of my new book and turn it into a performance piece, just so I could prove to myself that I could. Luckily I read a little farther this morning and the first chapter will make a much more compelling study than the introduction. 

Disclaimer: This is simply an acting exercise for me, I am not intending on ever putting this in front of an audience other than maybe my husband. (Secretly my inner diva wants to hit the stage with something eventually, but I’ll tackle that hurdle if I get to it.)

So the piece that I start my journey with: Chapter One ‘A Tale of Two Camps’ from the book It Happened in Italy by Elizabeth Bettina.

My hope is that you might also be inspired to take the first tiny step in your own creative journey and choose your practice piece along side me. Let’s not get hung up on the idea of finding the perfect path, let’s just choose a direction and blaze a trail.

Deanna

P.S. If you do take your first step, I would love to hear about it in the comments below.

Very Good, Sir

As a part of Holy Redeemer’s drama department, Brendan came highly recommended, and although only appearing briefly throughout the Secret Garden, he has the ability to weave an intriguing story. Cast as Colonel McGrew, Mr. Roach and the Delivery Boy, Brendan has risen to the occasion and proven that there is no small part in theatre.

The fashion used in The Secret Garden sticks out the Brendan the most about the characters of the show, and rightly so, as his mom is the designer behind all of the fabulous costumes you’ll see on stage.

Simply excited for another chance to act, Brendan was very happy to accept his three roles and I can say with confidence that he would be a bright addition to any show.

Brendan’s favorite line from the show? ‘Very good, sir.’ – Mr. Roach

The Secret Garden runs June 4, 5 & 6, 2015 at the Red Brick Arts Centre. Click HERE for Tickets.

Don't Mess with Medlock

Nicole is so enthusiastic about theatre and delivering a quality performance. She is also responsible for hunting down many of the most difficult-to-find prop and set pieces.

She had originally auditioned for a role in Peter and the Wolf in 2014 but when that show didn’t take off, she went to the top of the list for Mrs. Medlock in The Secret Garden.

When I asked her about what she finds similar between herself and her character, she replied ‘I have been known to take control, I believe in discipline and rules when it comes to children, but I do not do so in such a stern way, and often my feelings take over.’

She also says that although Mrs. Medlock is portrayed somewhat as the villain in the play, she has her own orders to follow and fears that Mary Lennox is disrupting the order of the house and that she may be losing control and maybe her position as head housekeeper.

About the story overall, she believes that it shows what can happen to someone after the loss of a loved one and how much else around them is missed and avoided when they choose to shut down.

I also asked her if she would share her biggest fear about performing. Her reply : ‘Well… after breaking my leg on the same stage in our opening welcome dance with the Ukrainian Veselka Dancers 2 seasons ago, I don’t think it could get much worse.’ Let’s hope not.

Nicole’s favorite Medlock quote: ‘That plain-faced child has bewitched him.’

The Secret Garden runs June 4, 5 & 6, 2015 at the Red Brick Arts Centre. Click HERE for Tickets.

The Doctor is In

Garrett Robinson was a big surprise when I showed up at Parkland composite High School to sit in on the auditions that he was holding for the show he was directing, Unturned Stone. I wasn’t expecting him to have an audition piece prepared as I was basically crashing the auditions and no one, besides their drama teacher, knew about it prior to my arrival. There was a bit of time between a couple of the auditions and Garrett and I got talking and it came out that he also like to be onstage and when I told him that if he ever wanted to audition for a show he should give me a call. When he told me that he had an audition piece from the last show he was in that he could do for me, I was blown away. He just jumped right up on stage and away he went. I’m super excited to have him in the show as Dr. Craven. He had a couple things to say about the show as well.

Colin’s struggle to be normal intrigues Garrett the most about the show and the way that the Doctor commands authority sticks out the most about his character. Garret is super excited to perform in general and is looking forward to the show opening for audiences.

Garrett’s favorite quote from the show: ‘Very good sir. Thank you sir.’ – Mr. Roach

The Secret Garden runs June 4, 5 & 6, 2015 at the Red Brick Arts Centre. Click HERE for Tickets.

Just Add a Smile

Martha Sowerby will be played by Parkland Composite High’s Shelby Robinson. I had the privilege of seeing her audition for her role in this year’s one acts and thought that she would be perfect for the role. I was right. Her upbeat, professional demeanor makes Shelby very easy to work with, and the character development that she has put into Martha is lovely.

Shelby relates to her character in how they both work hard without being uptight about it. Both are pretty chatty but Shelby describes Martha’s filter as a lot thinner than her own. Martha’s kindness toward Mary, no matter how sour the little girl can be, is Shelby’s favorite part of playing the friendly servant.

The most intriguing aspect of the story is The Secret Garden itself, Shelby says. The mystery and curiosity that surround it hold a beauty that even the tragedy of its mistress’ passing can’t wipe it away.

Looking forward to stepping on set in full period costume, this young actress continues to treck along like a pro.

The Secret Garden runs June 4, 5 & 6, 2015 at the Red Brick Arts Centre. Click HERE for Tickets.

The Light in Her Eyes

Meet Hellen Mohr. Playing a mother in a play seems to be her m.o. these days. She was spotted playing such a role in Holy Redeemer’s production of Miracle on 34^th Street and was thus contacted by myself to play yet another mother in The Secret Garden.

Playing the beautiful Mrs. Lennox, before her untimely end at the beginning of the show, Hellen embodies the vivacious nature of the vibrant socialite.

When asked what she enjoys most about the story, Hellen expressed that she loves how Mary is able to find happiness, hope and healing in nature, as it doesn’t really happen anymore these days.

Excited to work again with her dear friends, Miss Mohr can’t wait to don her beautiful costume and step into the spotlight once again.

‘I only stayed for that silly dinner party. What a fool I was.’ – Mrs. Lennox in The Secret Garden

The Secret Garden runs June 4, 5 & 6, 2015 at the Red Brick Arts Centre. Click HERE for Tickets.

Standing on His Own Two Feet

And here again, is Spencer Blade. After appearing as Wakefield in last year’s production of Whiteoaks, Spencer hit the stage for Pine Grove’s winter production of Into the Woods. It’s been a non-stop theatrical ride for the past few months and Spencer is trooping on like a champ.

Playing the role of Colin Craven, Spencer says he can identify sometimes with the boy’s whiny disposition, but apart from playing the role, we never see that side of him in rehearsal.

To Spencer, the garden has a soul of its own as it wants to be found and tries to be unlocked. Colin’s journey is a similar one, although he doesn’t realize it himself until the end of the story.

As a wobbly, unstable child, Colin must learn to stand on his own two feet and Spencer expresses that even though he is nervous that he might fall down or make a mistake on stage, he is very excited about the opportunity to perform for a lot of people again.

Spencer’s favorite quote:

‘I like my tail shaking, not stirred.’ – Alvin Seville in Chipwrecked

The Secret Garden runs June 4, 5 & 6, 2015 at the Red Brick Arts Centre. Click HERE for Tickets.

Let Me Tell You a Story

Lori Hill is again gracing the stage after her first foray into theatre in The Chronicle Project’s 2014 production of Whiteoaks. This time around, she takes on the story-teller role as the Narrator.

Elegant and poised, Lori had originally auditioned for a role in the cancelled 2014 winter production of Peter and the Wolf, so when this role came up in the spring, she was happy to jump on board.

She’s most excited ‘to see the young people enjoying themselves’ throughout the creation of The Secret Garden and even though she’s nervous that she might trip on a stair, Lori is sure to delight audiences as she draws them into the magic of this classic story.

The Secret Garden runs June 4, 5 & 6, 2015 at the Red Brick Arts Centre. Click HERE for Tickets.

The World Traveler

So, I managed to crash the Parkland Composite High one-act auditions this year and I’m super glad that I did, as The Secret Garden scored several more fabulous performers from them. One of those performers is Sam Pennings.

Mr. Craven, is a quiet, brooding man who prefers to wander the far reaches of the earth than remain at home and be reminded of his dear departed wife. ‘I believe I would be very sad if my loved one died,’ Sam empathizes about his character, but how he could just abandon his child and lock away all memories of his wife, are a mystery to the young actor.

It is quite the skill to learn how to portray a role with actions and values you yourself may not share, but Sam has risen to the occasion and created a very compelling character.

Sam really loves being on stage and performing in front of people and will be drawing you into this story of discovery very soon.

Sam’s favorite quote:

‘Father, I’m Colin. You can’t believe it, I scarcely can myself. I’m Colin!’ – Colin Craven in The Secret Garden

The Secret Garden runs June 4, 5 & 6, 2015 at the Red Brick Arts Centre. Click HERE for Tickets.

Give a Little Whistle

As an alumnus of The Chronicle Project's 2014 production, Isaac Ahlf's response to the offer of a role in The Secret Garden was an enthusiastic 'Yes!' And we are very glad to have him as part of the cast again.

Describing himself as mischievous and quick-minded, Isaac has taken on the character of the robin with a smile and a spring in his step. Not being able to whistle himself, Isaac has been working hard to master a small, in-mouth, bird call while operating the beautiful, felted robin puppet that his mom, Lawreen Ahlf, took upon herself to create for the show.

Isaac notes that it is very different to portray a non-speaking character on stage. “I need to rely on something other than words to convey my thoughts and emotions,’ he explains. He also finds that the story of The Secret Garden can show us how our own beliefs can hold us back from experiencing a fuller life.

Enthusiastic from beginning to end, Isaac and his family constructed the rotating garden wall that will be a prominent part of the show’s set and is eager to help with all other aspects of backstage design.

Isaac’s favorite quote:

‘The true sign on intelligence is not knowledge, but imagination.’ – Albert Einstein

The Secret Garden runs June 4, 5 & 6, 2015 at the Red Brick Arts Centre. Click HERE for Tickets.

The Animal Whisperer

The character of Dickon Sowerby has a few differences as well as similarities with the young actor who plays him in The Chronicle Project’s production of The Secret Garden. Thomas Pennings shares that he and Dickon are in fact the same age and approximately the same size, but as Thomas is Canadian and Dickon is English, they do not share the same accent. He particularly enjoys that Dickon is an ‘animal charmer’ and is excited to get out on stage to perform as the boy from the moor.

Thomas was cast straight out of Into the Woods, Pine Grove Middle School’s winter production. Excited to hit the stage again, he admits ‘My biggest fear is forgetting a line.’ This is a common fear for most performers, but after weeks of hard work and countless rehearsals, the words begin to flow smoothly and a wonderful show with beautiful characters comes to life.

‘Laughter is the best medicine, but if you’re laughing without any reason, you need medicine.’ – Unknown

The Secret Garden runs June 4, 5 & 6, 2015 at the Red Brick Arts Centre. Click HERE for Tickets.

What Garden?

I had the opportunity of catching Quinn's performance of 'The Grinch' in Holy Redeemer High School's 2014 winter production of Miracle on 34th Street. For those of you who also had the privilege of experiencing this show, you know what I mean when I say that Quinn has a natural knack for character development and comedic timing as he had the entire audience in stitches. I knew immediately that I had to contact him and see if he would take the role of Ben Weatherstaff, the crotchety old gardener in The Secret Garden.

From Quinn's point of view, the casting process went like this... "I literally walked upstairs, and then there was a call for me." 

Quinn facetiously describes himself as cranky, jerky and old, just like his character, but his mischievous grin proves a different story. He has also expressed that he is the most excited about the people he gets to work with for the show. Well, the people in the show are excited to work with him too.

Me: What intrigues you the most about the story of The Secret Garden?

Quinn: There's a garden... that's a secret.

The Secret Garden runs June 4, 5, & 6, 2015 at the Red Brick Arts Centre. Click HERE for tickets.

Ella in the Garden

Ella is the youngest member of The Secret Garden cast and she is a force to be reckoned with. Playing the lead in the show, Ella's line count is double that of the show's second largest role and she makes it look like a cake-walk.

After her imaginative audition for The Chronicle Project's 2014 winter production, Peter and the Wolf (which was cancelled due to lack of people-power), Ella became the natural choice to play the role of the strong-willed Mary Lennox in The Secret Garden.

According to the young star, she and Mary share sassy personalities and neither like being told what to do. The difference between them is that Ella does not lose her temper and throw tantrums like Mary does. Ella likes how Mary changes at heart as the story progresses, and that 'three people, who were quite mean, learned to love and be nice.'

As this is the first time Ella has played a lead role, she is very excited about getting to have some fun on stage.


Always be yourself, no matter who that may be. - Ella Davi-Digui

The Secret Garden runs June 4, 5 & 6, 2015 at the Red Brick Arts Centre. Click HERE for Tickets.