Fringe is over

Hi all,

As part of the company The?Collective I had a fantastic time bringing  "Sonder" to the Edmonton Fringe festival; my very first fringe not only as an artist and part of a new company. I met fellow artists with amazing stories and experienced fantastic audiences - a huge thank you for your support. Your help and advice helped me follow my dreams.

Our Fringe poster

Until we meet again......

Good bye

2 weeks to go

The?collective

We've just finished a productive development retreat, including a successful preview performance for a small receptive local audience at the Beaver Regional Arts Centre in Holden AB.  We're now even more excited about opening our show two weeks tonight (April 14th, 10 pm) at the Edmonton Fringe Festival. Before that happens, we have rehearsals in Red Deer and Edmonton, and we need to move our props to Edmonton, have a tech rehearsal and load in to the venue, print posters and handbills, and begin to put up posters advertising our show.  We're hoping to have more support through this indiegogo campaign to help with those expenses.  



Indiegogo link: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-collective-sonder-at-the-edmonton-fringe#home

See you at the Fringe!!  

Meet Sound Master Alex Boldt

And we are back. It's been an exciting time for the collective with the launch of our new website: http://jaketkaczyk.wix.com/theqmc and our indiegogo campaign: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-collective-sonder-at-the-edmonton-fringe#home. Today we have new blog from our Sound Composer Alex. Let's get to it.

Who or what inspired you to pursue a career in technical theatre?

I don't really know if I am pursuing a career in theatre. However, at this unpredictable and passionate time of youth and tomfoolery, I am pursuing a calling. My career is many things that make me money, and my calling is for story telling.

But to answer the question: When I went to High school I took advantage of every arts course I could get my hands on, from graphic design to animation to video, all except for theatre. Naturally I had to find out what I was missing, and after school, I helped out with some shows at the Walterdale theatre and then drifted into the theatre program at RDC. I don't really recall if there was any major event that inspired me to pursue it, but at some point It just felt right.

What are some of the biggest challenges you have recently faced?

Not biting off more than I can chew. So many things interest me, so I have a tendency to want to do it all. For this show I started out with writing music, but now I'm taking photos, editing videos, and designing graphics! Sometimes its easy to forget all the other crap you have to get done in the midst of artistic excitement.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Hopefully alive. If I'm there, I want to be writing and directing films and being a real honest son of a bitch with those I love. Some financial success would be nice but ideally I don't wish to be successful if I don't know who I am.

What's your favorite part about being a tech?

I don't really feel like a tech. No previous show I've worked on as a tech has given so much freedom to ask questions or contribute to the show itself like this one has.

But to answer the question: My favourite thing about being a tech, is watching actors. I love seeing the same lines delivered differently on different nights, or seeing little mistakes happen. Often I'd like to record every performance and then edit together all the pieces with the most beautiful mistakes.

What's something we probably don't know about you?

I love nature, and to dance. Sometimes I cry at movies.

That's it for now but if your interested in learning more about Sonder check out the links above. For more exciting news be sure to check out the links below:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/theqmcollective

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SonderAtFringe?ref=ts&fref=ts

Blogger: http://sonderatfringe.blogspot.ca

Meet Rina Pelletier

And we are back with a new exciting blog post from our very own Rina. Let's get to it.

How does Theatre inspire you?
Everyday theatre reminds me that I can be who I want to be and that I have power in my life. It reminds me and inspires me to enjoy the simple pleasures life brings and to share it with others. Theatre inspires me to: Be who I am, and to Own who I am; it has been a great love of my life and has got me through some of my darkest days.

What role did music, dance, or theatre play in your culture/childhood/family/community?
Growing up I took piano lessons from the age four till I was seventeen. My family and I are all musicians and we would spend hours at the piano or playing our other instruments (trumpet, bass). My favorite past time growing up was singing with my sister. We would pick up a piano book and she would play the whole thing through while we both sang. It was like staging our own little musical in our dining room everyday. Musical theatre seemed like a natural progression and I began performing in shows during my high school years, and for those three years that was my life and still is now. All of my best memories in life involve music, dance or theatre.

What has been the biggest challenge you have come across so far in your theatrical career to date?
The biggest challenge I've come across so far is a really hard thing to pin point for me. I've had so many challenges be it self consciousness on stage, self doubt of my talent and fitness issues. I have to say so far the most pressing issue I had was my fitness level. At some point this year I realized that to do what I love I need to be stronger and healthier. That's a huge battle for me, and it is still. However, I refuse to stand in the way of my own health and happiness.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In ten years I see myself sitting down at the piano, or on stage singing and performing. I see myself doing what I am doing now, on a larger scale and touring the country. The important thing is, in ten years, I see myself still happy doing what I was born to do.

Tell us something we don't know about you?
Something you don't know about me is I write my own music and I am in the beginning stages of writing a fiction novel to go hand and hand with the soundtrack.

Thanks Rina. Who ever thought that theatre would be such a powerful symbol of hope. What does theatre mean to you?

Meet Evan Macleod

Hi guys,

We are back with a fantastic blog from cast member Evan. Let's see what he has to tell us.

How does theatre inspire you?
Theatre is so inspiring to me because it truly represents humanity in it's essence. The act of theatre (done right) is a living breathing entity all in its own. That is what makes it so magical. When a film is made, it is done once, (or twice) but for the most part there is one right way to do it. With theatre, every cast, every night is a different show. Actors bring their experiences into the characters and their unique perspective can bring words to life again and again. The audience also plays a vital role, adding to the presence of the show and upping the stakes of the performer. It is truly inspiring to be a part of an art form that has survived millennia.

What role did music, dance, or theatre play in your culture/childhood/family/community?
Music was a very big part of my childhood. It was my first experiences with performing. It gave me an outlet to express myself artistically, and gave me confidence being vulnerable and watched. Dance wasn't as incorporated in my childhood, but luckily, I am learning fast!

What has been the biggest challenge you have come across so far in your theatrical career to date?
One of my biggest challenges in my theatrical career is just that. A theatrical career. It is a huge risk and demands a huge ambition and an unfaltering confidence. For me, the choice of where to start comes into play. I suppose the future is uncertain, but I know that I am going to give it my all.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I hardly know where I'll be in two years, but projecting onto the future I know that I want to be doing something I love, with people I love. Having a successful career in theatre would be nice too.

Tell us something we don't know about you?

Something you don't know about me is that I play Piano, Alto Saxophone, Tuba well and can putz around on the harmonica and ukelele.

Next time out we will begin introducing the artistic team of Sonder. Stay tuned.

Meet Brittany Martyshuk

We return with a fantastic blog from cast member Brittany. Read on to learn about her love for piano and much more.

How does Theatre inspire you?

That’s a big question for me to tackle. But if I had to narrow it down, how it inspires me, is how it moves me (and yes sometimes literally through movement.) It makes me want to grow not only as an artist, but as a person, and in life. I always keep craving for more, which makes me feel alive. It makes me feel at risk, challenged, and terrified at times. But these feelings only make me strive harder, for a better world, to touch people, and just be myself.

What role did music, dance, or theatre play in your culture/childhood/family/community?

My community didn’t have very many options for the arts, but you just had to look extra curricular. My first love of the arts, was honestly visual. When I was little, I always remembered having something in my hand to draw with, whether it was chalk, a pencil or crayons. Then I found my love of piano at age 12. As for dance, I just cranked the tunes and busted it in our kitchen. These hips don’t lie. Our high school didn’t have a music program, and I ended up throwing myself in our theatre class and drama club. I was extremely shy in junior high, seldom talked really, and then I felt so free when I got up on the stage. I instantly felt empowered and was able to express myself. My family has been nothing but supportive, and my community has supported drama for years. I am so thankful for all of the support; I do not know where I would be without my friends, community and family.

What has been the biggest challenge you have come across so far in your theatrical career to date?

My biggest challenge was myself. During these past couple years in my theatre studies previously at Red Deer College, I can’t tell you how many times when I was down, I wanted to scream, cry, and jump off of a building. We all go a little crazy at times. The biggest challenge was finding myself again. Sometimes you have to lose yourself in order to find yourself first though.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I dislike looking too far ahead. But if I had too, I hope that the me in 10 years, would still be working in her craft, travelling, and most of all, just be happy. I’m not looking for a career, just looking for the things that make me happy in life. Only time will tell where I will be.

Tell us something we don't know about you?

I have been in two life threatening car crashes in past couple years. Let’s just say with my third vehicle, I keep hoping that “3^rd time is the charm” is right. (I have a dark sense of humor at times, something you might also not know about me.)

Thanks Brittany 

Meet Emily Cupples

After a few days we are back with another Q and A with Emily Cupples who is one of the performers in Sonder. Let's get to it.

How does Theatre inspire you?

Theatre always has, and continues to inspire me because it comes in so many different forms, and so much can be done with it. I love that there are so many facets within theatre to explore - improvisation, writing and music are all HUGE in my life, and all of them are a part of theatre as well. From being both a spectator and a performer in this art form, I have learned so much about myself, and those around me. Finding your "raison d'etre" is an incredible thing- and I think both theatre and discovering new things are a part of mine; never stop learning OR doing what you love

What role did music, dance, or theatre play in your culture/childhood/family/community?

I was always doing some type of performance through out- from those weird little family talent shows in my uncle's living room for dessert privileges, to improvising in front of 200 strangers over the weekend. I grew up on amazing music (thanks dad!) and some really incredible films, and when I discovered theatre was a CAREER in seventh grade, it stuck. I eventually saw my first "real" musical when I was 15 years old, and I started becoming more and more focused on making this a reality for myself.

What has been the biggest challenge you have come across so far in your theatrical career to date? Movement. I wish I could come up with an intricate, philosophical, or inspiring answer, but this will have to do. I am 5'10, 20 years old, and still somehow not used to my body yet. I am clumsy to the point of it being (unintentionally!) comedic, but I'm realizing that it's easier to go for it and explain later than to waste time worrying about what you look like up there (unless of course, the director gives you that note...more than once).

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Happy.

Tell us something we don't know about you?

I thought about this question for an hour. Oh, and I love Megan Fox.

Thanks Emily.