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 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.

Meet the talented Erin Pettifor

Hi guys,

Today we had a question and answer session with the cast of Sonder. Through the next week we will be sharing there thoughts on the questions asked of them. Let's start with Erin.

How does Theatre inspire you?

The ability to act well in theatre demands a lot from an individual. It requires great focus, an ability to empathize in specific amounts and at specific times, physical finesse, a deeply rooted yet open minded sense of self among skills that require the ability to tell a story artistically and poignantly. I find it incredibly inspiring that actors can be so imaginative. The form of theatre can take many shapes, however, I am most touched by it when it is authentic even in its most nonsensical forms. It inspires me to work at my craft. The stories told by theatre also mould my attitude and furthermore change my every day choices.

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

I took ballet as an extra activity when I was about four. I did not listen to the instructions given by the teacher; I basically danced on my own. I think I only stayed for three classes until my mom took me out of the class. My dad always enjoyed singing and playing guitar. He took guitar lessons into his adulthood and my brother also learned how to play guitar as well. When I was 12 my dad played a part in Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat. I think that was one of the first musicals I saw. Since I was nine I competed in the Red Deer Kiwanis Music Festival that took place at Red Deer College. I competed with a classical and musical theatre voice repertoire for several years. I didn’t look forward to the competition every spring until I got over my intense nervousness. My experience there helped me to shape what I have to offer of professionalism , acting through song, time management skills, RDC main stage performances and most prominently, an ability to sing classically. The arts helps people to keep an open mind. I can’t imagine where I would be if my community didn’t offer the artistic opportunities that it does. I graduated high school from Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High school. It offered me many opportunities to fail in the arts and grow from there. I studied improvisation, chamber choir, jazz choir, Art IB, philosophy and musical theatre. I was presented with what challenged my perception of creativity and art. I was presented with the opportunity to take massive risks and as well to use my time and energy to reach a level of high standing in the arts. The arts have always been a place where I feel most comfortable creating. I wouldn’t want to create an engine. Or the pills you get at a pharmacy. I am intrigued by music, dance and theatre because it can be perceived subjectively. Growing up, visual and performing arts were a way to show human experience and although that remains to be true, it’s impact on myself and others grows broader.

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

I have yet to let go of my tendency to ‘get it right’. Growing up, I viewed the creative process in black and white, which it is not. Just because I do X, Y and Z doesn’t mean I will reach a level of perfection. Besides, in my first year of theatre, I’ve learned that if I sense that I am ‘getting it right’ I am not in the moment, and therefore being unsuccessful at acting. Furthermore, I hope to maintain acting that is experienced moment by moment so that after the performance is done, I won’t remember what happened. The drive to reach perfection (perfection in anything doesn’t exist; change is inevitable) is my current dragon.

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

I am quite ambitious, so I imagine myself playing the part of at least four characters in theatre. Maybe I have low expectations and maybe they are too high. I’ve learned that a lot of success in this business requires a good first impression, strong connections, motivation, commitment and developed skills. If said aspects of a successful career are kept on my radar then I see the potential for at LEAST four characters in my future. I am hoping that at least of of those characters will be a sultry female because I am absolutely terrified of bringing out that side of me in front of anyone, including myself. I want to be well on my way to creating a change in how the youth view themselves and how they define gender. What you may not guess about me is that I am bisexual and I’ve recently discovered it is nothing to be ashamed of.

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