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My Theatrical 2012 in Pictures
Yes, 2012. I realize I am somewhat late with this post, but my 2012 has thus far involved rehearsals for three shows, two full performance runs plus performances in three events, three jobs, and one adventurous and perhaps somewhat tragic not-a-relationship thing. But those are for NEXT year’s post. 🙂
My Theatrical 2012, in pictures!
Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves (as Wakey Faker at The Metro)
The Mystery of Edwin Drood (as Throttle, with Fighting Chance Productions)
4Villains.org (just helped out on the set for a day during a weekend trip to Victoria)
Some filming with HTVBC in Victoria. SO MUCH FUN to be the villainous henchman, bleeding to death, laughing as he declares that he’ll tell the hero NOTHING! Then collapsing. Cliche and awesome.
Ran a handful of house-party improv workshops! (Image isn’t mine – it comes care of Jayeb333 on Flickr)
A return to Science World centre-stage shows! (With Grossology and Bubbles! And Balloons added in 2013.)
The Great American Trailerpark Musical (as Stage Manager, with Ghost Light Projects)
The Boys In The Band (as Donald, with Ghost Light Projects)
A Shpadoinkle Musical! (as Frenchie, Elder Cunningham, and others, with Rock Theatre Co.)
The Romantics (Playwright, for both The YOU Show and IGNITE! 2012 at The Cultch)
2012 National Voice Intensive
Golf: The Musical (with Viva Musica’s Kelowna Summer Theatre Festival)
Fortune’s Fools (Assistant Stage Manager with Viva Musica’s Kelowna Summer Theatre Festival)
Henry V (a semi-remount with KeepItSimple for Victoria Fringe)
Volunteered as a Rescue Ranger for Vancouver Fringe
Dracula: The Musical? (as Van Helsing! Loved the audience reaction from biting through that clove of garlic every night. With Awkward Stage Productions.)
Closer (as Stage Manager, with Shift Theatre)
Began working with The Justice Institute as an actor
Flora The Red Menace (with Applause! Musicals. So good, I joined their next show as well!)
Awkward Stage fundraiser – Baby It’s Cold Outside (singer)
Revue at the Revue (as Jesus, Santa, a New Kid On The Block, and others, at A New Year’s bash with Rock Theatre Co.)
Okay, a relatively full year. Makes me feel a little more like I’ve been using my time well. (Feel free to compare it to last year: https://adewade.wordpress.com/2012/01/19/my-theatrical-2011-in-pictures/ .) Looking forward to another full year!
Cheers,
Andrew Wade
Is it Career Death to Act in a Panto?
Is it Career Death to Act in a Panto?
I was speaking with a friend yesterday about the Christmas Panto I am performing in, and she replied,
“I have never seen or done Panto because people say where I am from that it is the death of your acting career.”
I found that an odd statement.
I still feel like a fresh, naive face in the landscape, only graduating a short six months ago, so I don’t speak with any experience. Now, granted, I admit that the vast majority of Christmas Pantos out there are community theatre productions and there can be a stigma toward actors who partake in unpaid community theatre as perhaps being less than professional. Technically, this is absolutely true – that actors who aren’t getting paid aren’t doing professional work. If we define ‘professional’ as ‘getting paid for it’.
That an actor whose resume is filled with Arts Club shows will get a closer look than one topped with Fighting Chance and Panto performances is a given. That said, I would much rather work three community theatre shows (as I am midway through doing) than not act at all in that time frame. I hope that consistent performing work counts for something.
But whether or not a Panto on the resume helps me… it’s a very different situation to suggest that having such a show on my record would count against me.
I won’t deny that acting in a panto is stars apart from Chekhov, but every script has its own style. For Pantos, that happens to be in the vein of TYA (Theatre for Young Audiences) shows – big, broad, out to the audience, sharing every moment with the audience. And let’s not forget the best part of Pantos – the improvising between cast and audience when a child pipes up with something adorable, or when something goes wrong onstage. There is a skill in making those side comments while still keeping the show moving; talented performers have a lot to work with in Pantos.
Heck, Pantos never hurt Peter Sellers, and Mickey Rooney seems to get a kick out of them. Alright, yes, this is me cherry-picking celebrities – doesn’t prove a thing. But they make me feel better. 🙂
Again, I have no experience in this area; since graduating in June, I’m still looking for my first paying run in a theatre (outside of Fringe). No time at all in the scheme of things. But I do hope this show isn’t a mark against me, because Ali Baba is genuinely a fun show that delights hundreds and hundreds of children and adults, and while it is in some ways a long step away from how to act in a serious drama, this opportunity to play with an audience in such a direct fashion has been invaluable, the choreography a helpful challenge, and the experience thus far, a pleasure.
What do you think? (leave a comment!)
We run until January 7th if you want to check us out. Here’s the information again:
- Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves – A Christmas Pantomime! – I play Wakey Faker in this silly, funny, family-friendly funtimes pantomime, complete with Dame, singalongs, Oh-No-You-Don’ts, much musical choreography, and an audience encouraged to heckle the actors. Plus, with British parents, I needed to be in at least ONE Panto. Just had to happen. And I get to play a romantic lead! Sort of.
- Venue: The Metro Theatre.
The Metro’s Website. - Show Dates:
Evening shows at 7.00 p.m. – Dec 22 ,23 ,26, 27 , 29 , 30 January 2,5,6,7
Matinee shows at 2.00 p.m. – Dec 26, 27. January 1, 2, 7
Don’t be a stranger,
Andrew Wade
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