Regina Little Theatre presents: "Little Theatre Stories" a new series featuring our members telling their favourite Little Theatre stories! If you have a story about Regina Little Theatre that you would like to share please send it to [email protected]. We would love to hear from you!
Our first story comes to you from the talenteDLyn Goldman
"My involvement with Regina Little Theatre goes all the way back to when I was a teenager – never mind how many decades ago – and I've had many wonderful experiences. One of the most memorable was in 1996 when I was cast in Steel Magnolias along with Carol Gay Bell and Jean Freeman.
Even 25 years ago, the three of us had been longtime friends (and sometimes professional rivals) shattering glass ceilings in the fields of broadcasting, public relations and education. We had a wonderful time in Steel Magnolias, and I guess our enthusiasm showed because Sat Kumar, a local filmmaker who was with the University of Regina's School of Journalism, decided to do a documentary on us and call it “Three Tiger Lilies of Regina.” Sadly, Sat passed away when the project was barely started and the film was never made, but the three of us treasure the memory and our association with magnolias and tiger lilies. In Through the Looking-Glass, the tiger lily tells Alice, “the hard ground has everything to do with the showy flower,” and as professionals, Carol, Jean and I had to plant ourselves in some pretty tough prairie soil in order to bloom." -Lyn Goldman Thank you for sharing your story with us Lyn. We are thankful to have you as part of our Little Theatre family. |
Next up in our Little Theatre Stories Series isJOLAINE HUBER
TAKE IT AWAY, JOLAINE:
"Not all of our plays have roles for everyone. I remember how packed auditions were for the 2016 Christmas show, The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus. All ages were in attendance. The group included experienced as well as first-time actors, and children, LOTS of children. It was standing room only. Most kids were accompanied by a parent, who in some cases assisted with lines as these young participants were not yet strong readers. They might not have had experience, but they sure were enthusiastic.
Soon after auditions, the play was cast. It was quite a large and diverse group. In the beginning we didn’t know each other but the production team provided a safe space for everyone to try new things, learn, and grow. As rehearsals went on, actors shared their individual knowledge, experience, energy, and enthusiasm. Together, we worked, laughed, and learned to trust each other. As we approached performance dates, we took turns leading pre-show warm-ups. Everyone participated. It was great fun and there was a sense of working together as one cohesive team. It is amazing to me how theatre can bring together a group of individuals and create lasting memories and friendships." -Jolaine Huber Thank you for sharing your story with us Jolaine! We are thankful to have you as part of our Little Theatre family. |
For the third installment of our "Little Theatre Stories" Series, we Feature
Braden Schmidt
"One of my most memorable experiences in the theatre happens to be my debut with RLT, in which I had the honour of being a part of the cast of Much Ado About Nothing. This was a brilliant adaptation of the classic tale to a more modernized version, which was performed by an exceptionally talented group of 16 actors and actresses.
In addition to performing at RLT as per usual, we also made the trip to Melfort in which myself and another cast member volunteered to drive the moving truck containing our set. Schedules were tight, so the truck was loaded the night before. Very early the next morning we awoke to discover the rental truck had been treated to a touch of blue spray-paint graffiti. In addition, the weather turned inclement upon approaching Melfort, and several cast & crew members were deathly sick as well. In any case, we managed to pull off a fantastic performance. I’ve since made many more great memories and friends in other RLT productions and theatre continues to be one of my most enjoyable pastimes." -Braden Schmidt (NOTE: Braden is too modest to mention that in this, his first Festival performance, he earned Honourable Mention for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.) Thank you for sharing your story with us Braden! We're glad to have you as part of our Little Theatre family! |
Our next "Little Theatre Story" comes from
Lana de Lint
TAKE IT AWAY, Lana:
"She’s from the one-act comedy Bake-Off by Sheri Wilner. She’s angry, bossy and terrible to everyone, especially Paul, played hilariously by Terry Bell, and the Pilsbury Doughboy, my darling Emily Krieser. I thought Stacey Paus gave me someone horrible when she cast me. She actually gave me redemption.
During rehearsals I remembered a quote from the great Alan Rickman: “If you judge the character, you can’t play it.” OK. I needed to understand Rita, a woman forced into traditional female roles and hating a life of restrictions. “Know your place, little lady, and play nice when it is invaded.” Essentially that’s what a man competing in the bake-off told her. It broke Rita’s last nerve and her pain came in an overwhelming barrage of insults and physical threats with ridiculously funny results. I gave Rita my best. She killed my doubts about my abilities and made me stronger. But Rita, by standing up for herself, was telling the story of so many women. So precious were the same two words from a few ladies after each performance: “Thank you.” Quietly, gently, came this gift, and I think of them often. You stay with me." -Lana de Lint Thank you for sharing your story with us Lana! We're glad to have you as part of our Little Theatre family! |
This "Little Theatre Story" FEATURES
KELLY KACSMAR
TAKE IT AWAY, KELLY:
"I've been a part of a lot of shows, with so many good memories, friendships made, and they were all experiences I could not imagine missing out on. Regina Little Theatre, to me, has been such an accepting organization and it holds a special place in my heart, which I will carry always.
One of my favourite memories is my introduction to RLT in the 2011-2012 season. I was only 20 years old (I’m just about 30 now, yikes!). I joined the show Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some), directed by Dallas Duffus. This show was an absolute joy to be a part of. The fast-paced, quick costume change and overall insanity and hilarity was exactly why I do community theatre – it’s such a good outlet to escape our everyday routine. The production crew and my castmates were a dream team. They all took me under their wings and taught me so much about theatre and more - from new acting skills and theatre etiquette to patience, community, and friendship. This remained true in 2014 when we all revived the show for Theatre Saskatchewan. This show and those involved will always hold a special place in my heart. Thank you RLT for being a part of my story. Love always." -Kelly Kacsmar Thank you for sharing your story with us Kelly! We're glad to have you as part of our Little Theatre Family. |
This "Little Theatre Story" FEATURES
justin mozel
now here's justin:
"I had just moved to the city from a small town called Odessa and got wind of Regina Little Theatre's December 2013 production of The Velveteen Rabbit. I was nervous; this was my first real audition! A few days later, I got the call: Rabbit No. 2! I was ecstatic to be on stage and the friendships I made during this show have stuck with me throughout all these years.
My next show was Arsenic & Old Lace. What a show! That was the first time I fell in love with a character. (Talk about post-show doldrums.) I still have a scar on my finger from the rehearsal where I broke a wine glass. We kept the scene going even though we should have stopped, but the energy was too high to drop. I really do put my blood, sweat and tears into my performances. Theatre has always been my way of coping with this crazy universe we all occupy. It is a way for me to get to know myself and a way for me to make sense of it all. From The Velveteen Rabbit to Marjorie Prime, I wouldn't trade my time at RLT for anything." -Justin Mozel Thank you for sharing your story with us Justin! We're grateful to have you as part of our Little Theatre Family. |
This "Little Theatre Story" FEATURESDavid Hopkinson
here's David:
"Accents! In high school I learned that accents were not my acting forte. I couldn’t manage an English accent of any region if my life depended on it and my attempt at a French accent for a highschool one act audition sounded rather strongly like Apu. So 15 years after highschool when I went to my very first RLT audition, it was quite a surprise when I was given the role of Doc Baugh in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Turns out, excepting the word ‘malignant’, I can handle a southern drawl. An accent can be such an integral part of a character. And since then I’ve got to attempt a few more accents - from a nervous Yorkshire photographer in Calendar Girls to an Irish Pub owner living in Scotland in the play The Lost Boy. Did you know the word “Ursula” is a weird one with an Irish accent? I can’t wait to see what parts and accents future RLT plays have in store for me!"
-David Thank you for sharing your story with us David! We're grateful to have you as part of our Little Theatre Family. |