The Nutcracker

For some people it is a family tradition, and for others it is a new experience. But no matter what, the Nutcracker is one Christmas theatre performance that you don’t want to miss.

Christmas is a great time to go out to the theatre. There are many theatrical performances that do wonders to get you into the Christmas spirit. But the Nutcracker is always a classic.

Based on the story by E.T.A Hoffman, the Nutcracker has many different versions. Many, theatres perform the Nutcracker in their own unique way during the Christmas season, but personally, I have always wanted to see the ballet.

The National Ballet of Canada has very good reviews for their Nutcracker from last year. The Toronto Star said that “National’s Nutcracker never fails to captivate.”

Christmas is probably the one time of year when people have the opportunity to get out to the theatre. Some of my friends have a family tradition where they always go once a year. I personally think that the main reason why people only go once a year is because it is so expensive. Many people just can’t afford to go more than once a year. This is the unfortunate truth about theatre.

Performing Arts Schools

Sometimes it is difficult for high school graduates to find a school to fit their needs and interests; even with the help of guidance counselors. Schools in Canada.com is a great website that can help high school graduates find a good postsecondary institution to suit their needs.

When pursuing the performing arts, it is important to attend a well known school with a good program. This can help you to get a good manager who, in turn, can get you into the career field. As with many professions, the more appealing your resume is, the greater chance you have at succeeding.

The Stratford Festival

Every year there is a great celebration of theatre, drama and music in Stratford, ON. The Stratford Festival is unforgettable.

Directors choose the best talent in Canada to come and act in a series of contemporary theatre, musicals, and, of course, several of Shakespeare’s plays. In the 2010 season, three of William Shakespeare’s comedies will be performed, along with the musical Evita, and many other contemporary performances.

As a major tourist attraction, the Stratford Festival does wonders to help the market of the performing arts. Not only does it give actors and actresses the opportunity to perform for a decent length of time in the year (to help pay the bills), but stimulates respect and acknowledgment of their existence. The town comes alive with tourists coming to watch the plays and musicals.

Speaking from personal experience, the Stratford Festival is something that you do not want to miss.

Interview with Janey Godley

I recently had the privilege of conducting an e-interview with an actress/comedian/writer from the UK. Janey Godley is the author of an award winning blog, which started in 2004. Godley stated by owning a bar and stumbled into the performing arts after she got tired of the bar scene. She worked as a comedian and discovered that she was, in fact, very talented.

Due to the fact that the performing arts business is so competitive, performers must find ways to market themselves effectively. Godley found that her blog was one of the best ways to publicize her performances.

“My blog is posted on 170 sites weekly and gathers thousands of readers. I also use twitter and facebook to advertise my shows/videos/blogs, etc.” says Godley. Clearly the internet revolution has done wonders to help advertise the performing arts.

Godley always loved the theatre and dreamed of going on stage. She started by watching performances at the Citizens Theatre in Glasgow, and then she “got involved in amateur drama.”

Janey Godley is the author of the critically acclaimed memoir, Handstands in the Dark; a story of her life of poverty, gang violence and child abuse. One of her most difficult performances was the night after she had been in court all day describing the sexual abuse that she had suffered as a child.

“Comedy was hard after that horrific daytime event,” says Godley, “but comedy helped me overcome all of my fears and it worked.” For more information please refer to Godley’s memoir.

Leading a life of performing arts is never easy, but the evident payoffs are extraordinary.

Unknown Connections

One of my first assignments for my journalism course was to do an interview with one of my peers and publish it on my blog. It was our job to try and figure out what topic that our peers will be writing about and then write an introduction their blog.

This was when I met Cassie Liviero. This is what she thought:


It is my first week of University, and I’m scared out of my mind. So of course I was less than thrilled when we were assigned partner work. After searching around the room for a recognizable face, I realized there was no hope in that. I was assigned to be partners with C.S. began with general questions to get to know her. We shared a passion for writing without worry of page or detail constrictions.

After I was getting comfortable, we came to the part of the interview where I discover the topic that C.S. is an expert in….performing arts. Say what? Oh no! My interview that was going so smoothly just halted abruptly and took a nose dive. The clock at the front of the room seemed to tick a little faster and louder. I now had to concentrate and ask appropriate questions on a topic that I am the last person you would call an expert in.

C.S. begins to explain her love for the performing arts, as she has been involved in theatre groups and musicals – what she explains as the best time of her life and how she feels it is undervalued in society. As I become entranced by her passion, I want to know more about how to improve the value of this industry in the eyes of society. C.S. feels there would be a world of difference if there were more fundraising, advertising, and if there were more ways to introduce people to the intense challenges involved in performing arts. I left the interview with a wealth of knowledge on an unknown, but now more appreciated topic, and a new friend.

I look forward to following ‘The Cost of Fame’ Blog by C.S. One may break a budget pursuing goals; but passion is priceless.

Author's Note: When Cassie uses C.S then she is referring to me.

Theatre in Brantford

There are always opportunities to participate in the performing arts. Even in small cities there are ways to get involved. Brantford’s Sanderson Centre is a gorgeous theatre that has a variety of different shows all year round.

And if that is not enough, there is often an amateur community theatre or two. ICHTHYS Theatre Productions in Brantford has several different workshops and events going on.

Although the it is a difficult industry, the performing arts is not a dying one. As long as there is theatre, whether amateur or professional, then there will always be opportunities for people who like to view, or who are willing to participate.

Open Mic Night

On Fri. Nov. 13, Laurier’s own Hawk Team hosted an Open Mic Night at the Piston Broke Pub. Students from all over campus came out to see Laurier students as they performed for Brantford locals at the Pub.

Featuring anything from poetry readings, to comedy, and, of course, live music, members of the audience at the Piston Broke enjoyed a variety of different talents performed by both current Laurier students, and former Laurier students.

The first performance was a comedic routine written and performed by former Laurier student, Tony Massi. Massi was a student at Laurier Brantford for 5 years in the contemporary studies program and graduated with two minors in psychology and children’s development.

Massi says that he would, “love to do this” (comedy) as a career, and if he “could do it then [he] would.” However, Massi recognizes the competitiveness of the performing arts and feels that “it’s a trying time” for the industry.

Another memorable performance of the night was one by a band called Safe, Then Sorry featuring Alex Maich, Chris Tanaka-Mann, and Ryan Luke. The three second year students at Laurier performed four songs, three of which were originals.

“We love playing and if we’re going to be a band, the best way to practice is to perform…it makes the experience worthwhile” says Maich.

The event was hosted by Alex Pinheiro; a first year student from Hawk Team. Pinheiro not only introduced the events and kept the audience pumped up, but she also gave a surprise performance of Iris later in the evening, while accompanied by Maich on the guitar.

Pinheiro says that Laurier students can look forward to another Open Mike night on Tues. Feb. 2, 2010.

The Phantom of the Opera

One of the most brilliant musical theatre composers of all time would have to be Andrew Lloyd Webber. He has composed two of my favorite musicals; Cats and the Phantom of the Opera.

What most people don’t know about Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera, is that some aspects of the story are based on a book called Phantom, by Gaston Leroux. The following is the very beginning of the prologue in Leroux’s Phantom:

“The opera ghost really existed. He was not, as was long believed, a creature of the imagination of the artists, the superstition of the managers, or a product of the absurd and impressionable brains of the young ladies of the ballet, their mothers, the box-keepers, the cloak-room attendants or the concierge. Yes, he existed in flesh and blood, although he assumed the complete appearance of a real phantom; that is to say, of a spectral shade.”

Webber’s version of the musical is in fact, very different from the book. However, there was an earlier version of the musical written by Maury Yeston before Webber’s version. Yeston’s version was significantly less popular than Webber’s version but it followed the books version of events.

Due to the popularity of Webber’s Phantom of the Opera, especially with the movie in 2004, Webber has contributed significantly to raising awareness of musical theatre.

For those of you who do not know about the story of the Phantom of the Opera, I strongly suggest that you take the time to watch the movie or read the book. It is an amazing story.

Coffee House

Cof·fee·House: A restaurant where coffee and other refreshments are served, especially one where people gather for conversation, games, or musical entertainment.

One of the greatest accomplishments of the 21st century would have to be the invention of the coffee house. A place where artists thrive, poets become inspired and performing arts are truly appreciated.

On Wed, Nov. 11, Laurier University residence students gathered in the basement of Grand River Hall to support their peers as they performed at the coffee house.

While sitting in comfy chairs or wrapped in blankets, sipping coffee or tea, and eating the assortments of sweets that were provided by BRC (Brantford Residence Council), residence students enjoyed watching the various talents that their fellow students had in store for them.

The evening began with a comedic BRC skit introducing the coffee house, followed by a moment of silence for Remembrance Day.

Although the night was packed with very talented performances. Some of the highlights included an original poetry reading by second-year Don, Cale McCormick, the Thriller dance performed by two Zombies and a very colourful performance of Don’t stop Believing performed by all of the Dons.

The best part about the coffee house was the fact that students were able to go out and perform in front of a very supportive audience. It is always stressful to get up and perform in from of people, but at the coffee house it is a relaxed environment where everyone is supportive.

Laurier Students can look forward to many other events that BRC is planning, including potentially another coffee house in the New Year.

Glee

Today I just finished watching the very first episode of the Fox TV show called Glee. When the show first aired in May, I was a little skeptical of it. Normally I don’t watch a lot of TV, and when I do, I always watch shows that I have already seen before. But when all of my friends wouldn’t stop telling me about Glee, I decided to check it out.

I have to say that I was impressed. So far, I LOVE the music; but everything else about this show reminds me of High School Musical. The characters in Glee, however, are new and unique, which is something that, in my opinion, High School musical was lacking.

The story is all about a high school Spanish teacher (Mr. Schuester played by Matthew Morrison) who decides to go out on a limb and run the “Glee” club; a go-nowhere choir club that everyone in the school views as losers. It is a challenge, not only because of poor public opinion about the choir club, but Schuester has to overcome an OC (obsessive compulsive) wife (Terri Schuester played by Jessalyn Gilsig), and a school that is facing funding cutbacks.

Needless to say, there is not a lot of participation at all. But after a short time, Schuester cons a jock (Finn Hudson played by Cory Monteith) into joining Glee club. A beautiful transformation occurs when Finn saves the kid in the wheelchair (Artie Abrams played by Kevin McHale), also part of Glee club, from being beat up by the football team.

All in all, I really liked this first episode, but I’m hoping that this show gets a little better. If it weren’t for the great music rumored to be involved, I don’t think that it would be something that I would normally watch.

Click here to watch the Fox TV show Glee online.

Missing Friends

Lately I have been missing a lot of my old friends from Perth; many of which I haven't spoken to in over three or four years.

When I was younger; I used to go to these acting workshops at the Perth Academy of Musical Theatre. The workshops were designed for children and young teenagers to learn about how to put on a theatre production; and work on their acting, dancing and performing skills while they were at it. (Personally, I wasn't very good at it; which is why I went into journalism instead!)

The Perth Academy of Musical Theatre, or PAMT, is only a small part of an even larger company called the Myriad Centre for the Arts. The Myriad Centre for the Arts also includes an adult amateur theatre company called Orion Theatre and a Myriad Cinema.

Because of the limited market for the performing arts, many of these little theatre groups go forgotten. Everyone seems more interested in Hollywood gossip and movies rather than experiencing the theatre. I can't say that I blame them. The theatre is expensive, and you can rent almost any movie for about $5 at a rental store. It is unfortunate that so many people miss the experience of the theatre because there is so much talent out there that is going to waste.

New Fame Movie

"Ma, I'm talented!" he said.
"And who in the world told you that you were so special?"
"You did."
-Fame 2009-

On September 25, 2009, the movie called "Fame" was released into theatres. Although I have yet to see the movie; the story in itself is a very good depiction of the things that I wish to write about in this blog.

The movie is based on the musical "Fame" and there have been several different versions of the movie over the years. Personally, I think nothing can top the Fame movie made in 1980 starring Irene Cara. The story to "Fame" is a very good representation of the challenges that people involved in the performing arts face on a daily basis.

The movie is all about a performing arts high school in the heart of New York City. Students study academics for one half of the day, and performing arts for the other half. In other words, "you don't get off easy because you're talented, you work twice as hard." (Mrs. Sherwood, Played by Anne Meara, © 1980 by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.)

If you haven't seen the movie fame, I strongly suggest it. It really helped to put the performing arts into perspective for me.