If you love live theatre then you must attend the Alberta Drama
Festival Association Adult One Act Festival, Monday, April 27, 7pm, at the
Keyano Recital Theatre. This exciting
event features some of the best talent in Wood Buffalo. Exceptional artists
competing for five
awards categories including: Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, Technical
Achievement, and Best Overall Production. Winner of Best Overall Production goes
on to compete at the Provincial Festival.
The Alberta Drama Festival Association (ADFA), a volunteer
run, none for profit, was formed in
The Most Massive Woman
Wins, written by Pulitzer Prize nominee Madeleine George, directed by
Mitchell Thorne, designed by Danna Rae Evasiuk, staring Jillian MacDonald,
Diana Moser, Jennifer Townsend, and Jillian Patton is one of the headlining
shows in this years’ festival. The
play features four women of various shapes and sizes sitting in the
waiting room of a liposuction clinic. The women reveal their experiences
dealing with their weight issues through monologues, short scenes, and even
schoolyard rhymes. From painful childhood memories to frustrations with the
opposite sex, these experiences both haunt and empower these women as they
imagine their way to a new vision of themselves as beautiful and whole.
Culture Coordinator Michael Beamish interviewed Mitchell Thorne,
Jillian MacDonald, Jennifer Townsend, and Diana Moser about
the show and what the ADFA Festival meant to them.
Michael Beamish: Why
should people come to the ADFA Festival?
Michelle Thorne: The
ADFA festival is a special event where theatre goers can see some of their
favorite local artists in a variety of roles, exploring a variety of themes and
issues not always appropriate for more large-scale productions.
Jillian MacDonald: This
is true community theatre. Our play has been a true labour of love. We are a
group of women that came together to spread a message of love and respect. Love
and respect each other and yourself. You’re worth it!
Jennifer Townsend: We
can't drag you to the ADFA fest, but I will tell you that you won't regret it
if you spend the measly $15 to show up. There is a lot of talent on that stage,
and a lot of work has been done to give you not only a show worth watching, but
an experience that will hopefully change a perspective or two.
Diana Moser: You
will connect with the story, the actors, the performance, the audience, the
creative expression. You'll have a memory of something unique in time - that's
live theatre.
Michelle Thorne: The
performances are always full of guts and heart where a few surprises are always
in store. You get an opportunity to see
two groundbreaking productions and get a chance to hear adjudication by some of
Canada’s most prestigious theatre professionals.
Michael Beamish: What
has the process been like so far?
Jennifer Townsend: It
has been heart wrenching and eye opening and given me so much. Every day we
aren't rehearsing I'm thinking about how badly I wish we were. During
rehearsal I laugh, I get angry, I cry... And then I'm exhausted. Yet at the
same time I am filled with this inexplicable energy. It really is an honour to
be in one room with five incredible ladies sharing their heart and souls.
Diana Moser: I
feel that the direction and vision has been clear and we all clicked quickly.
We all connect with this show and our characters and that comes across as we
work through it. There's been some emotional rehearsals but its’ all part of
the process. We're in this together and we're there to support each other the
whole way through.
Jillian MacDonald:
I knew most of the ladies going in, but even the ones I just met made me feel
comfortable immediately. What’s so beautiful about this cast is that we knew
we’d have to be vulnerable throughout this process. We've been there
for one another and in a very short period of time have solidified bonds
that will last a lifetime.
Michelle Thorne: Everyone
involved is so dedicated and committed and it has been so inspiring; watching
the actresses bring it every run we do and the incredible work Danna Rae has
put into the design and tech encourages me to make sure I am always on my game
as to not let anyone else down. It has been a very amazing process where each
person ups the stakes not by force, but by example. We have also had some
incredible help from other members of the community such as the amazing Zenon
Campbell who built our set for us, and ACWB who has very generously provided
rehearsal space.
Jillian MacDonald:
This is a true community theatre production. We've been rehearsing
where ever we can find space. Between ACWB, people’s houses, Westwood High
School… don’t be surprised if you find use going through a line run in the
middle of a pub! There have been tons of ups and downs…
and I've loved every second of it. You know when you’re a part of
something special. I've felt that since day one.
Michelle Thorne: We
are all volunteering our time so to have 6 women not only willing but excited
to give up their precious free time to dedicate to this show is beyond amazing. This has been a phenomenal process. It
is a true gift to have a relationship like Danna Rae and I have. She is the Paul Simon to my Art Garfunkle,
and I don’t think I would be able to work without her. I have loved this script
for years and when Danna Rae responded to it as positively as she did I knew we
had to make it happen. We have been blessed with the most incredible cast any
director could ask for. I did not hold auditions as I had pretty clear ideas in
my mind which actresses I wanted to play each role. There are countless
brilliant performers in our community and I am so lucky to have 4 of the best.
Michael Beamish: What
has the show given you as artists?
Diana Moser: The
chance to work with people I haven't yet before and to learn from them. The
show is small and intimate, and even though it is short, there is so much
emotion and depth in the characters. I've learned so much about myself as an
actor and it is wonderful to get to know more creative and interesting people.
It's another step on my journey.
Michelle Thorne: This
show has given me an incredible opportunity to work with and bring together
some insanely talented people. This show
has also given me an opportunity to cast actors in some really great
characters; characters with a lot of layers and depth which is always a treat
for any performer. One of the best parts of directing is watching your actors
plunge head first into their characters and create these really fascinating and
genuine people who are so captivating.
Jillian MacDonald: I’m
so grateful that Michelle saw something in me to play this character. Cel (my
character) is the polar opposite to me in every way – but I can relate to her
feelings of insecurity. I feel privileged to tell her story; no matter how
different and misunderstood she is. That’s a huge responsibility and one I
don’t take lightly. With any show, this has given me the opportunity to express
my creativity and share a message.
Jennifer Townsend: It's
funny how I have training as an actress, but am able to take so much away from
this experience. Being vulnerable was always something I knew had to be done in
Theatre, but never have I been able to share this much of myself in one show.
It taught me to be brave, and to remember that your cast members are always
there to lift you up.
Michael Beamish: What
does this show mean to you as women?
Diana Moser: I
think as women we want to be "strong", so we do what we think we have
to in order to be whatever that is, but it's in acknowledging our fears, what
we think make us weak, that gives us a better understanding of what strong is.
Michelle Thorne: I
believe women today set an unrealistic standard of perfection for themselves, as
well as a very boring, one-note definition of “beauty”. What we forget is that each of us is unique
and it is within our uniqueness that true beauty lays.
Diana Moser: It's
being aware of yourself and listening to yourself, as hard as that can be
sometimes.
Jennifer Townsend:
Whatever issues I had with my self-image, and not even just my BODY image, have
subsided. I need to choose to see myself as beautiful in every way if I want
the ladies all over the world to feel the same. And ladies, YOU ARE GORGEOUS.
Michelle Thorne: Being
involved in this show has asked me to question the impossible standards I set
for myself and where I need to break down my own walls and barriers that keep
me from seeing my own beauty; why is it we always see beauty in others and
never in ourselves? I believe the messages and themes in this show are
important for women of all ages, shapes & sizes and also for men as well.
Jillian MacDonald: I
think that every human can relate to this show on some
level. We've all felt insecure and not good enough at some point
in our lives. Society has become so judgmental. We are judged by the number of
likes we get and we've forgotten that who we are on the inside is
what really matters.
Michelle Thorne: We need to spend more time loving ourselves
and less time criticizing.
Jennifer Townsend: This
show has made me HAPPY. I am fulfilled from working with the incredible women I
get to work with in rehearsals. I've realized that all of us ladies everywhere,
fat, thin, young, old, we are ALL struggling with ourselves and we don't need
to be.
Diana Moser: This
show is about women starting on their own personal journeys of this discovery
and that really speaks to me.
Jillian MacDonald: It's taught me to embrace our differences
instead of alienating each other because of them. We all have a story.
Michael Beamish: What
can the audience expect?
Michelle: A
unique, fast paced blend of realism and surrealism, thought provoking themes
and questions, and incredibly real and passionate performances by four very
brave local actresses.
Jillian
MacDonald: I think the audience can expect to laugh, cry, gasp, and
celebrate. It’s raw. The stories of these women will cut you to the core. This
show really covers a lot in a short amount of time. So jump into your seats and
enjoy the ride!
Diana Moser: Stories
that are familiar, in one way or another. I think each of us, whether man or
woman, has gone through many of the emotions in this play sometime in our
lives. Plus there's some really cool technical design and actors who are
pouring their hearts out on stage.
Jennifer Townsend: THE
AUDIENCE SHOULD EXPECT TO BE BLOWN AWAY. I hope they change their minds in
regards to how they view themselves as well as how they view others. Judgments
should be reserved for...no where. Shut up about your thighs touching. Stop
looking at your so-called flabby arms, and start realizing how much you've
accomplished, what you're capable of, and how EXTRAORDINARY you are.
The Most Massive Woman
Win’s, playing as part of the ADFA, Adult One Act Festival, Monday, April
27th, 7pm, Keyano Recital Theatre. Tickets $15.00 available at the
Keyano Box Office, 780-791-4990, or online, www.keyano.ca/theatre.
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