When The Rain Stops Falling by PostVue Publishing

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By Andrew Bovell CAST – IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER Gabrielle York (Younger) Joe Ryan Gabriel York/Henry Law Elizabeth Law (Younger) Gabrielle York (Older) Elizabeth Law (Older) Gabriel Law/Andrew Price

Bobbi Goddard Christopher Hunt+ David Ley* Nancy McAlear+ Sandra M. Nicholls* Kathleen Weiss* Tim Welham

CREATIVE TEAM Director Set, Lighting and Projection Designer Costume Designer Composer Sound Designer

Megan Watson Lee Livingstone David Lovett Tully Johnson

Assistant Lighting Designer Assistant Costume Designer Assistant Projection Designer

Zsofia Opra-Szabo Hannah Matiachuk Camille Maltais

Voice and Dialect Coach

Elissa Weinzimmer

Directing Advisor

Jan Selman

Stage Manager Assistant Stage Manager

Erin Valentine Kate Quinn-Feehan

Stage Management Advisor

John Raymond

*Equity members appearing without reference to an Equity contract. +Equity members appearing courtesy of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association.

Contents

• 5 Production Team • 6 Director’s Notes • 9 Playwright Bio • 15, 16 Next Season • 17 Mandate • 18 Photos • 20 Awards • 21 Staff / FOH • 22 Donors 3

FEATURES INCLUDE: • DEADEND ADVENTURES • ART OF CAR PACKING • PLAYLISTS • BOOKS ON THE ROAD • CHARTING A NEW COURSE .. ...AND MUCH MORE!

ON STREETS

MAY 15TH 4

Production Manager: Technical Director: Production Administrative Assistant:

Gerry van Hezewyk Larry Clark Jonathan Durynek

Wardrobe Manager: Cutter: Stitcher: Dyer:

Joanna Johnston Ann Salmonson Karen Kucher Kathleen Mulder

Head Scenic/Stage Carpenter: Scenic Carpenter: Head Scenic Painter: Scenic Painters:

Darrell Cooksey Andre Lavoie Kim Creller Bob Gaudet Eden Unger

Properties Master:

Jane Kline

Lighting Supervisor: Head of Lighting: Lighting Technicians:

Jeff Osterlin Kim Creller Jacinda Maxwell Laura Campbell Celeste Birzgalis Bob Gaudet Cheyenne Sykes

Projection Technicians:

Joel Adria Elijah Lindenberger

Sound Supervisor/Head of Sound:

Matthew Skopyk

Running Crew: Lighting & Projection Operator: Sound Operator: Stage Crew:

Celeste Birzgalis Misha Hlebnicov Eden Unger

Acknowledgements: Mel Geary Gary Meiklejohn - Christie Lites

By Megan Watson

Andrew Bovell’s When the Rain Stops Falling is a saturated piece of writing. During the rehearsal process I was continually astounded by the incredible journey that each actor has to walk in order to lift this winding story from the page. The play travels between London and Australia, spans eighty years and four generations yet still maintains a sense of intimacy. Seven actors play nine roles. This means that David Ley and Tim Welham play their own grandsons. Nancy McAlear and Kathleen Weiss play the older and younger versions of the same woman, as do Bobbi Goddard and Sandra Nicholls. The world into which these characters are thrown is shrouded in secrecy. In Gabriel York’s opening speech he says, “The past is a mystery.” But the truth will always reveal itself. It can fester beneath our skin for a while, generations even, eventually it will rise to the surface. The way Bovell’s characters are grappling with the devastating unavoidability of the truth is reminiscent of classical Greek drama. The human need to know, to understand, drives all of us. But how do we carry it once it is revealed? The play loops, weaves and ripples through time and place. The past haunts the future and the future reaches into the past. The structural rules of the play are fluid like water. This is fitting since water is a recurring and persistent symbol throughout the play. You can’t stop water from flowing and eventually it creeps into our clothes and drenches our bones. Bovell’s metaphorical use of water beautifully reflects the emotional life of the play while commenting on the world’s current climate crisis. When the Rain Stops Falling inspires and challenges me and I am so glad that this brilliant company of artists and practitioners have the opportunity to share it with the Studio Theatre audience. I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to my loved ones for all their support and to the faculty for their guidance during this graduate school adventure.

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ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT: BY LUCY COLLINGWOOD MFA DIRECTING CANDIDATE

Andrew Bovell was born in 1962 in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, and has written prolifically for the stage, film and television. After graduating with a diploma in Dramatic Arts from the Victorian College of the Arts at the University of Melbourne, Bovell received a Literature Board fellowship in 1985. In 1987, he began a residency with the Melbourne Workers Theatre, which would become a longstanding relationship with the company, where many of his early plays were produced, including State of Defense (1987), Ship of Fools (1988), The Ballad of Lois Ryan (1988), and After Dinner (1988). Since their initial production, Bovell has turned both State of Defense and The Ballad of Lois Ryan into novels. Bovell became the writer-in-residence for the Melbourne Theatre Company in 1989. In 1991, he took a residency at the Dar win Theatre Company, and another at the Edith Cowan University in Perth in 1994. He has also written for film and television, including The Fisherman’s Wake and Lust for ABC, and in film, Edge of Darkness (2010), Blessed (2009), The Book of Revelation (2006), and his most recent work, A Most Wanted Man (2014), an adaptation of a novel by John LeCarré. Bovell’s work touches on a wide range of social and political themes. When asked in an inter view with Australian Stage what excites him about theatre, he said: “I feel like there is unmapped terrain in theatre. There are still things to be discovered - ways of shaping and creating work - new modes of expression to be unlocked, boundaries to be pushed. It has the potential to be a radical form of art that can continually question the status quo. On the other hand, if it fails to do this, it becomes deeply conser vative and staid. It’s an interesting time for me - as audiences beyond Australia have become interested in my work. So I guess there is a sense of possibility too.” (2009) When the Rain Stops Falling premiered at Brink Productions in 2008 for the Adelaide Festival for the Arts. It won numerous awards, including the Queensland and Victorian Premier’s Literar y Awards for Best Play, the Sydney Theatre Award for Best New Australian Work, and the Adelaide Critics Circle Individual Award. It has been produced extensively internationally and is arguably Bovell’s best-known work, with its New York production at The Lincoln Center (2010) named Best Play of the Year by Time Magazine.

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BY SALENA KITTERINGHAM

U of A Studio Theatre’s artistic director, Kathleen Weiss, has been busy plotting out the programming for the 2014-15 Studio Theatre season. Between rehearsals for her acting role in When the Rain Stops Falling, Kate caught up with Curious Arts to reveal the show titles for the upcoming season, and share insights on why she is passionate about producing these particular plays here and now. “We are inviting audiences to be curious with us; to dive head and heart first together, with our students, faculty and guest artists, into some big questions. The upcoming line-up of plays will prompt us to examine all aspects of the human experience.” The season begins with Richard Greenberg’s The Violet Hour on September 18 - 27, 2014. The dark comedy is set in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Great Gatsby-era and the main character is loosely based on Fitzgerald: John Pace Seavering, a wealthy Princeton graduate who wishes to be a publisher. “He must decide between two manuscripts for his first venture: his best friend from college’s sprawling masterpiece, or his older, black lover’s compelling memoir. Suddenly a machine arrives at his office...spewing out pages from academic books of the future, detailing the devastating results of his choice. What will his decision be? Can he alter the future? How can he use his power at all, in the face of the alleged facts?” Weiss said The Violet Hour soars of f the page. “The characters are the age of our students - young, beautiful, tormented, creatives that they can relate to. It will be a really appealing theatre experience for the literary lovers on campus, the budding writers in our community - those that aim to publish and those that do the publishing. There’s a lot there to draw in the bookworms and book clubs, to bring in the dreamers and poets, and really anyone with an affinity for the Art 15

Deco aesthetic of the period.” The Violet Hour is Lucy Collingwood’s MFA directing thesis and her introduction to the professional theatre community in Edmonton. “Lucy is a very smart, literary director and well-suited to take on this stylistically innovative script from American playwright Richard Greenberg. It demands an intellectual literary acumen at the helm and is inherently theatrical in the way that it plays with illusion and reality.” When the capstone BA Drama course, DR 457, produced Moira Buffini’s Welcome to Thebes this spring in the TIMMS Second Playing Space, Weiss said it became clear to her that Buffini speaks to this generation of students like no other playwright. “She’s a satirist. A feminist. So smart, very funny and the students love her.” In response to the great student demand for Buffini, Weiss has boldly programmed a Buffini Festival this fall, producing two of the English satirist’s works, Loveplay and Blavatsky’s Tower on the U of A Studio Theatre mainstage, and a third, Gabriel, in the Bleviss Laboratory Theatre (formerly the Media Room). “By being among the first theatre companies to introduce Western Canadian audiences to the forward-thinking work of Moira Buffini, the University of Alberta is innovating theatre practice in Alberta,” explained Weiss. “Our Buffini Festival presents great acting explorations for the BFA acting class of 2015, and fantastic research opportunities for our faculty directors, Jan Selman and Sandy Nicholls.” Jan Selman directs Loveplay (October 30 - November 8, 2014), a satirical romp that covers two millennia in 90 minutes. “It emerges as a rather breathless mixture of La Ronde and 1066 and All That. Each of the 10 scenes takes place in one London location; over the centuries it moves from Roman

SEASON LINE-UP FOR 2014-15 (...CONTINUED) temple to medieval abbey, elegant townhouse, Victorian studio and 1960s squat, eventually becoming a modern dating agency. The constant factor is the quest, often doomed, for love and sex,” explains Weiss. Sandy Nicholls directs Blavatsky’s Tower (November 27 - December 6, 2014). “This is a metaphysical black comedy; the ultimate soap opera of family life in which an idealistic architect kidnaps his own family and locks them away to protect them from the world he cannot change. It’s like a modern Glass Menagerie with fascinating characters to unravel,” says Weiss. To showcase what she describes as a “very musically talented group of BFA actors” graduating in 2015, Weiss has invited U of A alumnus and former Edmonton Opera artistic director Brian Deedrick to direct The Threepenny Opera by Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill (February 5 - 14, 2015). Deedrick last directed The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby at U of A Studio Theatre in February 2011. “Brecht was an innovator that broke down the fourth wall and the Department of Drama has a great tradition of producing Brecht. Our Brechtian scholar, Piet Defraeye, is teaching a cross-listed Brecht graduate seminar in the Winter 2015 term and I am excited about the potential for cross-Faculty of Arts connections with the Wirth Institute, Modern Languages & Cultural Studies, Economics, History and Music.” This will be the third Studio Theatre production of the great classic The Threepenny Opera in its 65 year history. The ﬁrst production was in 1981 with Drama’s current Assistant Chair, then BFA Acting student Julie Brown in the cast, as well as Francis Damberger, Paul Gross, and Michele Fleiger. It was produced again in 1995, featuring Chris Craddock, Steve Pirot, Vanessa Porteous, Jane Heather and Brendan Nearey. A top-notch creative team of collaborators has been assembled around Deedrick for The Threepenny Opera, including faculty designer 16

Robert Shannon, choreographer Marie Nychka and Alberta Ballet’s musical director Peter Dala, who will lead a 13-piece orchestra in the pit. New directing faculty member David Kennedy will make his Studio Theatre directing debut (March 26 - April 4, 2015) with Strindberg’s A Dream Play, in a potent adaptation by Caryl Churchill, who is “one of the most fascinating contemporary female dramatists right now.” Weiss said programming A Dream Play was driven by Kennedy’s unique vision for the production; he will cast all the females from the 2015 BFA acting class as Agnes, daughter of the Vedic god Indra, who descends to Earth to bear witness to the human experience. “I am very excited about putting this beautiful and complex piece of theatrical magic in the hands of a master director like David Kennedy,” said Weiss. The final U of A Studio Theatre season show in May 2015 remains “to be announced” until the rights to produce are confirmed. It will be Amanda Bergen’s MFA directing thesis project. “Amanda is a director who is very focused on the human condition. She cares deeply about people and their relationship to one another and to society. Her directing reflects this deep engagement with community.” The 2014-15 season subscriptions ($55 student, $80 senior, $100 adult), flex passes (three student tickets $25, three adult tickets $48) and single ticket prices ($11 student, $22 adult, $20 senior) remain the same as last year. See the TIMMS Box Office staff for details. All performances take place at the TIMMS Centre for the Arts. The U of A Studio Theatre showcases Canada’s leading university theatre students in acting, directing, theatre design, vocal coaching, technical theatre production, and stage management as well as faculty and distinguished professional guests from across Canada.

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To provide sterling training and educational opportunities for BFA acting, technical theatre and stage management students, and MFA design, directing and MA dramaturgy students

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To provide research / creative activity opportunities for the Department of Drama’s faculty directors and designers

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To provide opportunities for connections with departments across campus through the choice of plays which have cultural, through the choice of plays and their cultural, literary and historical signiﬁcance

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To provide opportunities for the community at large to engage with the Department of Drama through guest artist collaboration and attendance as audience members Kathleen Weiss, Artistic Director U of A Studio Theatre and Chair Department of Drama

FACE ECAF to

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The Faculty of Arts celebrated excellence in teaching, research and service with an awards ceremony at the Faculty Club on the evening of May 6, 2014. Please join the Department of Drama in warmly congratulating each of our award recipients. The University of Alberta’s Teaching Unit Award was awarded to the BFA Acting Teaching Unit. This award recognizes teaching excellence that occurs as a result of the collaboration of the following acting instructors: Sandra Nicholls, David Ley, Betty Moulton, Lin Snelling, Michael Kennard, Kathleen Weiss, Kim McCaw, Jan Selman, Marie Nychka, Jan Henderson, Kim Mattice-Wanat, and Jean-Pierre Fournier. Sandra Nicholls was awarded the Faculty of Arts Undergraduate Teaching Award and also awarded the Rutherford Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching. Sandy teaches in the BA, BFA Acting and MFA Directing programs and students across programs regularly cite her as the teacher who had the most impact on them. Jessy Ardern was honoured with a 2014 Roger S. Smith Undergraduate Research Award, receiving $5000 to cover 15 weeks of research-based activity over the summer for his project “Corday/David: Towards a New Play.” David Prestley, TIMMS events coordinator and theatre administrator was recognized for his outstanding service as a staff member. David has been the face of the TIMMS Centre for the past seven years, administrating our six play Studio Theatre season and looking after all the facility’s rental event details with class. Three of Drama’s graduate student teachers were awarded with teaching awards: Brendan Nearey is an outstanding teacher in our production area, teaching stage carpentry, production crew and production labs. Students appreciate his hands-on approach and how he blends theory with problem solving and practice. Val Planche teaches acting and theatre practice across Drama’s programs. Her students say she is an inspiring professional who cares deeply about them. Megan Watson is a promising young director who has taught three acting and play analysis courses in Drama. She is a master at giving articulate and meaningful feedback to her students.

This Playbillis Published By

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Administrative Staff Kathleen Weiss: Chair, Department of Drama Julie Brown: Assistant Chair Administration David Prestley: Theatre Administrator / Events Coordinator Jonathan Durynek: Box Office Coordinator / Events Assistant Ruth Vander Woude: Graduate Advisor / Chair’s EA Connie Golden: Undergraduate Advisor Helen Baggaley: Office Coordinator With assistance from Faculty of Arts staff: Salena Kitteringham: Fine Arts Communications Lead Terah Jans: Fine Arts Marketing Specialist Kyle Ireland: Fine Arts Recruitment Coordinator

Production Staff Gerry van Hezewyk: Production Manager / Administrative Professional Officer Larry Clark: Technical Director, Timms Centre for the Arts Darrell Cooksey: Head Carpenter Jonathan Durynek: Production Administrative Assistant Joanna Johnston: Costume Manager Jane Kline: Property Master Karen Kucher: Costumer, Fine Arts Building Don MacKenzie: Technical Director, Fine Arts Building Ann Salmonson: Cutter Matthew Skopyk: Second Playing Space Coordinator / Sound Supervisor

Front of House Staff: Bonita Akai, Danielle Dugan, Al Gadowsky, Becky Gormley, Caitlin Gormley, Tasreen Hudson, Marie-Andrée Lachapelle, Laura Norton, Faye Stollery, Cheryl Vandergraaf, Catherine Vielguth Volunteers: Jessy Ardern, Debbie Beaver, Oleg Bogatryrevich, Susan Box, Franco Correa, Sarah Culkin, Joan Damkjar, Alana De Melo, Jonathan Durynek, Mary and Gene Ewanyshyn, Terri Gingras, Ron Gleason, Darcy Hoover-Correa, Marie-Andrée Lachapelle, Don Lavigne, Sareeta Lopez, Bronwyn Lucenko, Tom and Gillian McGovern, Marlene Marlj, Conner Meeker, Jennifer Morely, Joe Perry, Alice Petruk, David Prestley, Leila Raye-Crofton, Jane Voloboeva 21

Heartfelt thanks to the individuals, foundations and organizations listed below for recognizing the importance of the arts by directly investing in the Department of Drama’s innovation and leadership in theatre training and performance. A round of applause to our supporters! Baha and Sharon Abu-Laban Kevin Aichele Janet Allcock Anonymous (9) Doug and Mary Armstrong Douglas and Annalisa Baer Vera Apletree Roderick Banks Jim Barmby William and Carole Barton Karin Basaraba Jim and Barb Beck Lindsay Bell Joan Bensted Rhoini Bhatia-Singh Alan Bleviss Morley Bleviss Richard Bowes David Brindley and Denise Hemmings Julie Brown and Joe Piccolo Kathryn Buchanan Adolf and Kathleen Buse Brent Christopherson Rachel Christopher Penny Coates Faye Cohen David Cormack Lesley Cormack and Andrew Ede Brian Crummy Daniel Cunningham Brian Deedrick W Gifford Edmonds Jim and Joan Eliuk Larry and Deborah Ethier John and Bunny Ferguson Renee Fogel

Shirley Gifford Sheila Gooding Melvina Gowda Bohdan and Elaine Harasymiw Murray and Pauline Hawkins Christopher Head Stephen Heatley Steven Hilton Pavel and Sylvia Jelen Philip Jensen and M Kathleen Mitchell-Jensen Joan Johnston Marco Katz and Betsy Boone Katz Gerald Kendal Michelle Kennedy Matthew Kloster Patricia Langan Nicole Mallet John and Peggy Marko Gordon and Norma McIntosh Rod and Heleen McLeod Pamela Milne Rod and June Morgan Betty Moulton Peter and Elaine Mueller Audrey O’Brien Dale Olausen Jack and Esther Ondrack Josephine Pilcher Cormack Ronald Pollock Owen and Celia Ricker Patricia Rocco Helen Rosta Kenneth and Joan Roy Valerie Sarty Alan and Ramona Sather

Alison Scott-Prelorentzos Jan Selman and Curtis Palmer Albin Shanley Phillip Silver Daryl Springer St. Peter’s Anglican Church ACW Allan Stichbury Richard and Rita Taylor Sheryl Turner Thomas Usher Gilda Valli Henriette van Hees Sonia Varela Earle Waugh and Mary-Ellen Perley-Waugh Carlye Windsor Deborah and Jerry Yee Stephen Yorke Gifts-in-kind Anonymous Erica Boetcher David Jones Vincent and Eileen Kadis Rosalind Kerr Ron Lavoie David Lovett Brian and Lorraine McDonald Philip and Kathleen Mulder David Prestley Robert Shannon Karen Swiderski Kathleen Weiss

This list includes those who donated to various Drama funds from October 2012 - January 2014. List compiled January 15, 2014. Apologies for inadvertent omissions or errors. Contact 780-492-2271 for corrections.

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