UFV Theatre department newsletter
Vol 25 No. 3
Jan. 2010
Comments or suggestions? Email us at: theatre@ufv.ca
Editor: Rick Mawson
Layout: Sandy Tait
PHENOMENALLY SUCCESFULL PAPER WHEAT RETURNS
AS SECOND SHOW OF THEATRE SEASON
The second production of our 2009/10 season will be a remount of the phenomenally successful musical production Paper Wheat. First presented by The Chilliwack Theatre Festival in 1982, Paper Wheat played to packed houses before transferring to Vancouver and The Harrison Festival of the Arts with equal success. A cooperative creation by the 25th Street House theatre of Saskatchewan, Paper Wheat follows the struggles of early homesteaders in Western Canada and their gradual realization that isolation and economic helplessness could best be overcome by cooperation in institutions such as the Wheat Pool and the CCF.
Paper Wheat will be directed by former mayor of Chilliwack Clint Hames, who also directed the 1982 show. In an interesting twist, this production will feature members of the original 1982 show, performing alongside UFV Theatre students. Original cast members appearing in this production include: Ian Fenwick, Rick Mawson, Sabine Quiman, and Lynne Wells. Director Hames will also make a cameo appearance. Paper Wheat also features a four-piece country style band, including two members from the first production: Barry Giesbrecht and Jack Loewen, joined by newcomers Cathy and Wayne Giesbrecht. UFV theatre students cast in this production are: Joel Colbourne, Caroline Davies, J. Dueckman, Tim Howe and Cassandra Tracy. Costume design is by Heather Robertson, with set design by Evan Hutchinson, lighting design by Jennifer Kennedy, Sound Design by Mark Sutherland , Music Director is Paula DeWitt- Krause and stage manager is Rebekah Brisco.
Paper Wheat opens on Friday, January 22 at 7.30 p.m. in the theatre on the Chilliwack campus, with half price previews Wednesday and Thursday January 20 and 21 and plays January 23,28,29,30 and February 5 and 6 with matinees Tuesday, Jan 26 at 12 noon and Sunday January 31 and February 7 at 2 p.m. The January 31 matinee performance is a special pay- what-you- can event with a recommended minimum price of only $8. Regular ticket prices range between $12 to $18.
For more information and reservations call 604-795-2814, email: theatre@ufv.ca or visit our website at www.ufv.ca/theatre
F.O.T.T. Fundraiser a Success and a Rerun is Scheduled for Paper Wheat
The recent Friends of The Theatre fundraiser, organized by long-time member Audrey Neufeld, was very successful, raising over $500 towards much needed items for the department. Thirty eight people attended the spaghetti and theatre event Thursday, Nov. 12, which began with dinner at Bozzinis restaurant and then moved to the UFV campus theatre to attend a preview production of Schoolhouse, the opening production of our 2009/10 season. All involved seemed to really enjoy the experience, as did a further group who attended a spaghetti only evening, again at Bozzinis on Tuesday, Nov. 19. Because of this success another theatre-dinner fundraiser evening has been scheduled for our upcoming production of Paper Wheat. This time there will only be the one night, not two as before.
This will be on the Thursday preview night of Paper Wheat on January 21, 2010 again at Bozzini's Restaurant between 5 and 5:30 pm. The menu will be spaghetti dinner or vegie stir-fry on ricecost : $ 24.00 Then attendance at the performance of Paper Wheat at 7.30 p.m. in the theatre on the Chilliwack campus. For more details on how to reserve your tickets for this event please contact Audrey Neufeld at 604-792-4434 or Email. Our thanks go out to Audrey and The Friends of The Theatre for their valued and continuing Support.
Pre Paid Parking Vouchers Popular
Our decision to initiate a new pre paid parking voucher system for our theatre patrons has been, to say the least, very well received. Our first batch of tickets sold like hot cakes and a new supply has been ordered. If you want to reduce the hassle of UFV parking and join the growing group of happy parkers, purchase your vouchers ahead of time and avoid the crush. Call 604-795-2814 for details.
Poetry Slam Fun Returns To Theatre Lobby
Last year’s inaugural Poetry Slam was such a great success, with standing room only attendance, we thought we would bring back local poets for another evening of competition and fun. Poets who would like to take part can sign on to strut- their-stuff at the reception desk before 7 p.m. on the evening of the event. The list of readers is normally limited to 12. Contestants are allowed to present two poems and these are adjudicated by a team of judges assisted by audience reaction. Prizes for the winning entrants are presented at the end of the evening. If you want to just watch and enjoy the fun, get there early to be sure of getting a seat on Friday, Feb 12 at 7 p.m. in the Chilliwack campus theatre Rotary lobby. There is no entrance fee for participants or audience members.
Women Who Wrangle Goats
Just in case you hadn’t noticed, goats are in right now. For example, a major motion picture starring George Clooney entitled Men Who Stare at Goats, is currently playing in cinemas across the land and a cute baby goat is front and centre in the latest Telus ads. Never let it be said that the UFV Theatre Department lags behind the times, due to a local manifestation of this national trend in the form of goat performers Sarah and Peep, who starred in our recent production of Leanna Brodie’s Schoolhouse. Sarah and Peep are seasoned performers, appearing regularly at the Kilbey Heritage Site in Harrison and were loaned to us for the duration of Schoolhouse by their owner Carol Funnell. The script of Schoolhouse called for the appearance of a goat at one point during the action and Sarah and Peep took turns each night in filling that requirement. They took up residence in a special trailer ( pen ) in the workshop area of the theatre complex for about four weeks and were fed, watered and exercised by UFV Theatre students and department members. UFV Theatre graduate Tanya Schwaerzle was given the executive responsibility for Sarah and Peep and received the title of Chief Goat Wrangler for her services. Tanya was a perfect choice for the job, as she was brought up on her parents Farm in Agassiz and has been a member of the Four H, an organization with an agricultural origin, that aims to promote life-skills and help young people to become contributing, self- directed members of society, for 16 years. For the past two years she has been awarded the Senior High Aggregate distinction, for being the most accomplished member of her district. Tanya took good care of our two star performers and saw them safely home before continuing with her latest directorial duties at the Chilliwack Alliance Church – see below.
Mackenzie and Schwaerzle Co Direct Alliance Christmas Show
UFV theatre graduates Megan Mackenzie and Tanya Schwaerzle recently took on joint directorial duties for The Chilliwack Alliance Church Holiday presentation Dec . 11 and 12 of The Mystery of Christmas. The play wriien by Church member Ali Cumming, is about a woman who, despite her initial disbelief, is eventually brought to embrace the mystery of Christmas by her family and friends.
Megan Brooking in Panto Wars
Megan Brooking ( Laura: The Glass Menagerie, Jan 2008 ) Was involved with the Holiday Pantomime production of Panto Wars at the Presentation House Theatre in North Vancouver during December. She worked to help construct set and props. However, her main involvement, was on stage as part of the ensemble cast. The show parodies the original Star Wars movie and Megan played a "Storypooper" in the show (a version of Stormtroopers). Megan said the whole experience was a lot of fun and the show was very well received.
Galbeka and Kneale meet in Camera, Woman
UFV Alumni members Lesley Galbeka ( Celia: As You Like It, March,1998 ) and Michelle Kneale ( Stage manager : Much Ado About Nothing, March 2005 ) recently met for the first time while working on the same theatre production for Urban Curvz Theatre in Calgary. The play entitled Camera, Woman ran December 10 to 19 and is described as “More than an insightful look at the gender politics behind the cameras of cinema’s golden age” and examines the career and life of Dorothy Arzner, one of Hollywood’s few women directors. Lesley states that she is having such a marvellous time working with the show’s star Denise Clarke, who is one of the founding members of Calgary's One Yellow Rabbit ensemble. Clarke is a theatre icon within Calgary’s Theatre community, and Lesley says she has been feeling quite star struck since the beginning of rehearsals. Michelle Kneale is Dramaturge for Camera, Woman and it was a pleasant surprise and coincidence for her and Lesley ( whose paths did not cross at UFV ) to find out that they hailed from the same theatrical background while working on this original project.
Maguire directs Horror Show
Kurtis Maguire ( Richard 111: Richard 111, March,1999 )Does not let the proverbial grass grow under his feet: Kurtis will direct The Clubhouse , one of a trilogy of one act plays under the heading of DEAD ENDS 666 to be presented by Vancouver’s Spectral Theatre. This presentation of creepy stage fare - which is described as being in the tradition The Twilight Zone and Tales From The Crypt - takes place Wednesday through Saturday, February 10 to 28. For tickets and information contact Kurtis at punksdweller@hotmail.com Also : his independent feature film HAPPY TO BE HERE is had it's premiere on Tuesday, December, 15th at the Rio Theatre on Broadway & Commercial Drive. Next stop after Vancouver is a Seattle premiere. Go for it Kurtis!
Sadness at Former Employee’s Passing
It was with great sadness that we recently learned of the death of former UFV Theatre department employee Dan Easy. Dan passed away peacefully, in his home in Agassiz, after a long fight against kidney failure. Dan worked with us as a carpenter between 1994. And 2002 and constructed sets and props for many main-stage productions. The quality of his work was exceptional and he always had time for a joke, despite his debilitating condition. Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family and widow Sharon. Rest in peace, Dan.
Brush up Your Shakespeare with UFV'S Elder College:
Maximizing Your Dream Experience : A special course for Seniors offered on the Chilliwack campus
$38, Thursdays, Feb 11, 25, Mar 4, 25
9-11 am, 4 sessions, Rm A110
Join the UFV theatre department as they explain the elements of putting together William Shakespeare’s best loved romantic comedy - A Midsummer Night’s Dream . Examine the play and its themes and ideas. Learn how a play transforms from script to the stage and how everything comes together for the live production. Fee includes a ticket to the play.
Contact Bev. Bryson at:
604-702-2611
Email: Elder.College@ufv.ca
Web: www.ufv.ca/eldercollege
