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.