Mary's Wedding

It's not often that a person gets to be a part of a project that resonates deep in the core of their being. But when the perfect match does come along it announces itself with a resounding “Yes!” ringing out from the soul. For me the perfect pairing came in the form of a show, Mary's Wedding, by Stephen Massicotte. It is one of those miraculous projects that causes my heart, mind and soul to celebrate the truth and beauty of life with a sort of joyous rapture. It has been nothing short of a gift from God. I knew, from the moment my hands began to lower the script after reading it for the first time, that I must be a part of this show.

You can imagine then the celebration and relief with which I received the news that I had in fact been cast to play Mary. I was, in short, ecstatic. Following quickly upon the heels of this exultation however, was a realization that because this story was so dear to my heart; because it harmonized so well with my own beliefs, passions and convictions that I felt as though its truths somehow laid bare my own soul, my own inner most fears and desires; because of these things I realized that it was desperately important to me that I succeed in telling this story and sharing it with the audience. And that is when the terror set in. It was the terror of somehow failing to honour this amazing story, and the very real history and humanity that it represents.

This terror plagued me for a number of months until the rehearsal process began, at which point it doubled in intensity

We worked hard, and I learned. Oh Lord, how I learned! I learned by hearing and internalizing the insightful and wise words of our director Morris Ertman. I learned from watching and analyzing my dear cast mate, Karl Sine's, process of creation. I learned by taking in and letting go. I learned, I learned, and I learned. And at the end of each day I arrived home exhausted, collapsed on the couch, and with wide eyes staring at my husband asked, “What have I gotten myself in to?”

In all truth, the rehearsal process was actually quite wonderful. I had the privilege of spending every day with Morris Ertman, a man who instills in me a sense of awe; Karl Sine, who is not only a wonderfully talented man but a dear friend to both me and my husband; Alysa Van Haastert, who is such a beautiful young woman everyone should be so lucky as to spend 8 hours a day in her company; and Justin Born, who I am so proud to have known since our first days together as Certificate students, 3 short years ago.

Opening night swiftly arrived, and not since my wedding day have I been so terrified and overjoyed all at once. I took the stage trembling, fearful that I was about to make a gigantic fool of myself. But I soon discovered that audiences love and believe in this story and its characters just as much as I do. And though the terror is still there to some degree, I look forward to each and every show. It will be terribly sad when our little team finally has to say goodbye to Mary and Charlie and Flowers. But we will leave knowing that we have been blessed to be a part of something truly wonderful and what's more, devastatingly beautiful. And who can ask for anything more than that?

Heather Pattengale

Christmas and New Year's

It has come to my attention that it has been quite a significant amount of time since my last blog. So here we go…the third instalment. 

Let’s see, the date is January 15^th. The lush green from the summer has gone away to be replaced with deep snow and cold, cold, cold! I would like to say that it’s unusual, but that might just be me complaining. Well it does mean that I can hole myself up in my house a little longer and I have a little more time to get things done. Having time is nice as I was quite busy this Christmas. 

For Christmas I had the pleasure of being assistant stage manager for Christmas on the Air. What a great thing to be a part of! I had the privilege of working with six talented and dear people. I revelled in the colour of the people and all the colours the show offered: Sylvia in snow white blue, Kitty in sultry red, Yolanda in captivating emerald green, Danny in earnest orange and Percival in classy black. During the show the cast would crowd around a microphone and all their costumes would compliment each other in a Christmas version of a rainbow.

It was strange to do the Christmas show right after Halloween; however at the beginning of November Christmas was anticipated with a freshness that is sometimes hard to find when December finally comes around. And that was when I entered into the whirlwind of another show. This time I was on the other side of the lights. I was very, very busy but to be involved was nice and I didn’t mind the busyness. 

The last performance (always a bittersweet show) was very touching to me. I felt a such a wonderful closeness with those six people; a thing that was sometimes harder to find in the larger group like the thirty or so people who were in Fiddler on the Roof. The cast stood round the piano and warmed up, the stage management team stood with them. We all just looked at each other and laughed and smiled. I think they felt as endearing towards me as I felt towards them and that is a special feeling. 

The Saturday night before the show ended was another memorable time with that group. It was a cast party of sorts, really we were content to sit and hang out. We entertained ourselves with various methods, one of them being throwing boiling water into the air and watching it evaporate before it even hit the ground. Yes it was that cold outside, but it was a very cool effect. We all oohed and aahed. Next we watched the animated version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas.  We all huddled on the couch and thoroughly enjoyed the film. We were all so tired but we preferred to just sit rather then leave each others’ company.

And then came a much needed Christmas break which brings me to the present time period. At the moment I am in Limbo. Thankfully I have not entered into the same madhouse that I left on Christmas Eve…I have been given a bit of repose. Troy Women rehearsals as well as a few final projects are in full swing but the marathon doesn’t truly begin for me until February. We are two weeks away from the international theatre trip to London. We are also going to Dublin!!! I have never been to Europe before and I am very excited. So far every theatre trip had been great so I wonder what surprises are waiting for me on this one. And after that, another show: Lettice and Lovage.  More rehearsals, more theatre, more life!

 Happy 2009!!

Kendra Hutchinson

Mentorship Level 2 student in Acting