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.

Meet Tyler Johnson

Todays blog come from the one and only Tyler Johnson. Let's see what he has to tell us !

How does Theatre inspire you?

Oh lordy, well, I'll put it this way. When I watch theatre, or any form of performance I always enjoy it. You know? It's the community coming together and I think seeing stories being told on stage and having an audience embark on that journey is just fantastic. But more importantly it's that well of feeling you get in your stomach, like right behind your sternum, and when you feel light and heavy all at once. I find that when that feeling comes, and it only comes with theatre, that in itself is inspiring. It makes me want to do things, and gives me the gusto and zealous to want to change the world. I mean I'm a guy who already wants to change the world, and asks questions. But when I see a show and the production asks me a question and I find myself exploring that idea, notion, or question... I mean that's inspiring. It's getting you to think. To stop for a moment and realize how dauntingly big the world, and it reminds you the worlds not just costume and make-up. It's bigger. It needs growth. ... Uh I've gone on a tangent. But it inspires me by getting me to do more, and to be the small minuscule of change in the world. Which I think is wonderful.

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

Well. It's funny you should say that because I was terrified of music, dance, and theatre. I mean I played pretend in the safety of my home with kids when I was growing up, but it wasn't about performing for people. It was about being someone new, and exploring my imagination and running. I mean back then it was me getting to be Tuxedo Mask, but now that I'm older I can look at it this way...

I always loved music. I sang Shania Twain, Backstreet Boys, and Spice Girls till I was blue in the face. Even as a kid I had a firm opinion on music too, and I became addicted to the way music made me feel.

I didn't know what dance was, or if I did it was unimportant at the time. Then again, I was also an art kid, I love drawing and painting, and so for the longest time that was how I envisioned doing art. So my mind was reeling over Tuxedo Mask and drawing then

It wasn't until highschool and then college that all three came and sort of imploded inside of me. So... it served as a subliminal role until it was brought out of me.

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

I remember deciding that I wanted to be a performer, because I remember being an audience member and feeling my guts twist and turn and feeling utterly perplexed that a story could do that. Let alone a story told by a group of people a couple of feet in front of me. Ever since then I wanted to be the most truthful performer I could be, to do what I saw, and it's fair to say that it's terrifying. I could do a little Burlesque number or a monologue and I'm still terrified. And I learned that being terrified can be transformed into excitement or vulnerability and used, and then you really learn how to be present. How to be so real in the moment that it's just earth shattering and real. And I want to be that. I want to get to a truthful presentness, and I can hope I'm on my way. But that's the challenge I'm having... and what a brilliant challenge it is.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I'll be thirty one and hopefully I'll be having a grande old time with still looking young. Because as you know now, or don't... anyway I look really young for turning twenty one - almost sixteen - and so my vanity and logic knows I'll be happy about that. On a serious note though, I think I'll be looking back on the previous ten years, and I really hope that I can recognize the man I was every year leading from now till then. Seeing the change and growth I've come from... because like many people I'm hard on myself.

Do I want to be successful with a nice reptoire of roles plays? Hell yes. So I hope by then I've done some brilliantly complex and challenging roles, explored myself more as an artist, and hopefully I'm sustaining my life as an artist. That'd be wonderful.

Tell us something we don't know about you

I over think everything. Which I mean sounds like everyone does, but I have a bizarre extreme tendency to over think things into a panic. Which first meeting me may not be something you'd ever know. But I am a strange fellow who happens to pick apart his day and mule over things until I'm to tired to function - or until an attack. A simpler thing, is that I'm adopted.

Thanks Tyler

Meet Julia Van Dam

      Hi guys,

      It's time for blog number three with the lovely Julia. Did you know that Julia recently played

      Alice in RDC production Alice Through the Looking Glass? 

How does Theatre inspire you?

Theatre has and continues to inspire me to provoke social and political change through art. Who doesn’t want the audience to leave the theatre reflecting on or talking about what they’ve just seen? Theatre also insires me to do what I love and to live honestly as my own individual. 

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

Growing up, my parents surrounded me with music (I have a huge love for classic rock) and through my childhood into my teens I took singing lessons and learnt how to play the clarinet. Every year I had the opportunity to compete in the Red Deer and Lacombe Music Festivals. My first glimpse of the theatre came when I performed in the children’s choir in Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat at Lacombe Composite High School. I was in love. After that I modeled locally around the area, tearing down my confidence but also building it up at the same time. Theatre became a much bigger part of my life when I took Musical Theatre at Lacombe Composite. I loved being on stage and sharing my love of acting with others who supported it and felt the same way. From there I was led to one of my best decisions so far: attending the theatre program at Red Deer College. I feel very lucky to be twenty years old and be certain of what I want to do for the rest of my life.

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

Being present in the moment.  

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?  

Who can say! My next year or two are going to be dedicated to traveling Europe and developing my craft within each country I visit...After that, I plan on attending the two year program at the William Esper Studio NYC. Whatever I do, I know that art is my first love and forever will be. I hope in ten years I’ll be able to say I am happy.

Tell us something we don't know about you

I love nature! I’m so happy when I get to spend time outside in the sun and around the energy of plants. It grounds me

Thanks to the fantastic Julia and keep checking back as we meet more of the people that are apart of the journey.

Meet the lovely Collette Radau

           Hi guys,

It's time for blog number two with the fantastic Collette Radau. Did you know that Collette is 

our Dramaturge for this show.

How does Theatre inspire you?

That’s a tough question. I guess I would say that what inspires me the most, and what really made me want to do theatre was that it gives you the ability plant ideas and stories into peoples’ minds. To be able to change someone’s mind or give them a new perspective on a situation through the power of storytelling is incredible. Theatre has so much potential for artists and audiences. Also love the bond and memories that are created in an actor-audience relationship during a show. Each experience is unique, and that’s why any kind of live event, including theatre, still holds to be some of the best moments of my life, both as an performer and an audience member.

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

I danced for ten years prior to theatre school. I performed in the styles of jazz, tap, and musical theatre. I had always loved musicals, but being able to perform in that style made me love musicals and theatre even more. I really only ever saw live theatre once or twice a year growing up, but always loved going. I loved how magical and transformative the actors were. In Grade 11, I started took Art class, and I haven’t stopped doing art since. When I got to Grade 12 and I realized that I had no clue what I wanted to after high school. I tried to figure what I wanted in life. That was when I had the epiphany that what I wanted was to be happy. And some of the happiest moments of my life were performing or watching people perform. I didn’t have the physique to be a professional dancer (and my dance teacher warned me that there was no money in a dance career), so I decided to try out acting. I acted in a community dinner theatre play before I started in the Theatre Performance & Creation program at Red Deer. That was the only play I had ever performed in prior to college.

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

Well, there definitely has been a lot. Two years ago, I was terrified of public speaking, I hated my voice, and I had no experience. Now that I think about it, I have no idea why at the time I thought going to theatre school was a good idea. But I overcame those challenges. I think the biggest challenge in the first year of my theatre career (and even now) was not being afraid to jump into everything with two feet and not being afraid looking stupid or not doing something perfectly. This past year, my most challenging feat was accessing my vulnerability and being able to share with an audience. It is incredibly difficult, but I knew I needed to figure out how if I really wanted acting to be my passion and career. Being able to turn that obstacle into a tool was probably one of the most rewarding experiences that I gained coming out of college.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? And Tell us something we don't know about you.

Oh god, I don’t know, I have even thought past the next five years! That’s a terrifying thought – being out of college and out in the “real world”. I think I’m terrified of facing reality because I’m scared that I’ll lose my sense of play. I don’t ever want to lose my sense of wonder and magic that I have always loved about theatre. Ultimately, I hope that I will be a working artist (like every artist wishes) in a city that I love, and that I’m doing everything that I love. I hope that I will be happy. 

Tell us something we don't know about you?

I’ve had a few grey hairs since I was 13. Shh! Don’t tell anyone! ;)

Come back soon to learn more about the other members of Sonder.