Meet Mary Hulbert – one of our 2013 Citadel/Banff Centre Professional Theatre Program participants who will be appearing in Margaret Atwood’s The Penelopiad presented by Husky Energy. After the first week of rehearsals wrapped up – the ladies are getting more comfortable in the world of The Penelopiad.

Mary describes herself as fair, hopeful, understanding, realistic and tall! You may recognize her from either her television role as an Adventurer of Alberta on Let’s Go Outdoors, or as her other role as a substitute teacher. Mary will be appearing as Helen in Margaret Atwood’s The Penelopiad.

1. What are some of your previous acting experiences?
In grade 6 I played the role of Fagin in Oliver. I loved wearing a fake beard and picking a pocket (or two). In theatre school I played Shen-Te/Shui-Ta in The Good Woman of Setzuan. I also wore a fake beard/moustache in that production. I would also like to mention that I played the role of an Avatar goddess in Kevin Kerr’s Spine, where I donned a white unitard catsuit with sassy golden boots. It still is my favourite costume to date.

2. What is your ultimate goal as a performer?
The ultimate goal is to have the audience totally invested in the story. If an audience member checks the time or thinks about doing laundry, or even wonders how much parking is going to cost them – I don’t know if they are entirely captivated. I always love when I’m at a show and I can’t believe that it’s intermission. I have to blink a few times and remember where I am, and then I go get an ice cream bar. I also really love being a hand in getting people to feel things. David Mamet mentions in his book True and False that “A standing ovation can be extorted from the audience. A gasp cannot.” If I can hear random honest expressions from the audience, it makes my day.

3. What do you hope to gain from being a participant?
A personal goal is to strengthen and improve my vocal quality. If I can gain improvement in this area, it would be really satisfying.

4. Do you have any upcoming roles/gigs you would like to share?
The second season of Let’s Go Outdoors premieres mid-February on CTV 2 and Discovery World. I work on this show as an Adventurer of Alberta and get to explore some really fantastic and beautiful sites in our province. Visit www.letsgooutdoors.ca for more information.

5. What is your dream role?
I would love to play the narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. This is not a joke. A lot of people give Webber a hard time, but Heaven help me, I just love the GOGOGO Joseph medley.

6. What is your all-time favourite production and why?
Aside from the fantastic wonder that Donny Osmond offered me as a 9-year-old child in Joseph (he glided over my head as his amazing coat grew in color at the Jubilee Auditorium- I remember crying), I was also completely blown away by a production of Killer Joe (directed by Jeff Page) that was shown in the Media Room at the U of A. I was totally floored and remember saying “Did that actually just happen?” I was also very moved by La Cite’s recent production of La Liste. Sylvie Drapeau moved me to tears. I wanted to run and hug her afterwards…to comfort her because she had me so invested in her character.

7. If your life story was made into a play – what would it be called, and who would you want to play you?
This sounds dumb, but I would probably call it “The Mary Hulbert Story”, it would most likely be a musical, and I would most definitely audition for the role of Mary Hulbert. I don’t know if I would get the part though. Some people would say that Jane Lynch would play future Mary Hulbert.

8. What’s your guilty pleasure?
There are times where I will not say no to a McDonald’s cheeseburger.

9. Do you have any hobbies or collections you can share with us?
I love mugs. I have a collection of mugs (usually local pottery) from places I have been, and every time I have a coffee or a tea, I hold the warm mug in my  hand and think about the time I spent there.

10. What are you most excited about being a part of Penelopiad?
I am really excited to be working with an all-female team. This excites me because I have never done this on such a large or professional scale.

Want to get to know Mary a bit better? Subscribe to our weekly eNews and get the answers to 5 additional questions! Click here to subscribe today!

For more information on the Citadel/Banff Centre Professional Theatre Program here. For a complete list of the 2013 Professional Theatre Program Participants click here.

This season, the Citadel Theatre raised $56,059.41 for Edmonton’s Food Bank at performances of A Christmas Carol, bringing the grand total to $635,806.41 over the play’s thirteen-year history!

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to each and every person who donated over the past thirteen years – our patrons truly are amazing!

Keep up to date on all things Citadel – click here to sign up for our weekly eNews.

The Citadel Theatre is mourning the loss of Barbara Poole, one of Edmonton’s greatest philanthropists, who passed away Monday morning at the age of 83. Barbara was a recipient of Alberta’s Order of Excellence, a prominent figure in fundraising for the Edmonton Community Foundation and the Lois Hole Hospital for Women, and contributed considerable time and unwavering support to the arts, including the Citadel Theatre.

“The entire Citadel family is deeply saddened by the news of Barbara Poole’s passing,” said Bob Baker and Penny Ritco, Citadel Theatre’s Artistic and Executive Directors. “Edmonton has lost an incredible woman, a selfless philanthropist full of endless kindness and a deep passion for the arts. On behalf of the Citadel Board of Governors, Board of Directors, and our staff, our thoughts are with her family in this time.”

Barbara, with her husband John, established a legacy of generous support in the service of the Edmonton arts community. Together, they donated untold millions of dollars to arts organizations and have quietly and privately helped individual artists as well. They made major gifts to the Edmonton Community Foundation and the following funds: Edmonton Art Gallery Fund, NUOVA Fund, Pro Coro Canada Choir Fund, Brian Webb Dance Company Fund, Alberta Ballet Fund, Citadel Theatre Fund, Edmonton Symphony Society Fund, Edmonton Artists’ Trust Fund, Edmonton Opera Fund, Stanley A. Milner Library Fund, and Special Arts Fund for Smaller Cultural Organizations.

Barbara was active on the Citadel Theatre Board of Directors from 1976 to 1984 and the Board of Governors until recently. Barbara and the Poole family were integral in contributing funds to establish the Citadel/Banff Centre Professional Theatre Program, now entering its fifth season.

The Citadel Theatre’s upcoming production of Margaret Atwood’s The Penelopiad, featuring the 2013 participants of the Professional Theatre Program, will be dedicated to the memory of Barbara Poole.

Former Program Director at Fringe Theatre Adventures announced as
Promoter, Audience Development

photo from Avenue Edmonton

The Citadel Theatre is pleased to announce that Thomas Scott, the former Program Director at Fringe Theatre Adventures, has joined the Citadel as a Promoter on the newly created Audience Development team.

Scott came to Edmonton six years ago after years of promoting theatre in Toronto and New York and revitalized the structure of the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival during his time as Program Director. In his new role, Scott will be responsible for developing new audiences, with a special focus on Beyond the Stage programming and booking events for the recently launched Club at the Citadel.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Thomas Scott to our team,” said Bob Baker, Artistic Director at the Citadel Theatre. “Thomas’ experience at the Edmonton International Fringe Festival for the past six years will be invaluable when it comes to ensuring the success of our new Club and all Beyond the Stage programming.”

Scott was recently featured as one of Avenue Edmonton’s Top 40 Under 40, where he was quoted as saying “I’m a natural born promoter… I love getting people excited about anything regarding creativity.”

Tis the season to be jolly! Due to popular demand, we’ve added a matinee performance of A Christmas Carol on Saturday December 15^th.

If you’re looking for great tickets to Edmonton’s favourite holiday tradition – December 15^th is your best bet.

Call the Box Office at 780.425.1820 today and book your tickets or click here to get your tickets online.

A Christmas Carol
Now playing
Tickets start at just $35
Click here for more on A Christmas Carol
Recommended for Children 7+

We would also like to take this time to extend our sincere congratulations to the following members of the Citadel family as they are recognized here in Edmononton and across the globe for their contributions to our theatre and community!

Bob Baker, Citadel Theatre Artistic Director – Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal

Marianne Bouthillier, Citadel Theatre Associate Executive Director – Citadel Theatre 20 Years of Service Award

Trina Davies, Playwright – Governor General’s Award for Drama nominee

Joyce LaBriola – Citadel Theatre Director of Marketing and Development – Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 under 40

Arliss Miller, Citadel Theatre Board of Governors – Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal

Mieko Ouchi, Playwright – Banff Centre Playwright in Residence

Eric Rose, Director – Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Emerging Artist Award

Amy Shostak, Artistic Director, Rapid Fire Theatre – Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 under 40

Jann Smith, Citadel Theatre Associate Executive Director – Citadel Theatre 20 Years of Service Award

Robert Thomson, Lighting Designer – Siminovitch Prize

Dr. Robert Westbury, Citadel Theatre Board of Governors – Alberta Order of Excellence

Ralph Young, Citadel Theatre Board of Governors – Newly appointed Chancellor at the University of Alberta

Congratulations to all of you – we are thrilled to have worked and will continue to work alongside such amazingly talented people.

Servus Credit Union and the Citadel Theatre invite you and your family to don your most festive Christmas sweaters for your chance to win a family pack of tickets (4) to see the Servus Pay-What-You-Can performance of Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol.

Everyone in the Servus Pay-What-You-Can line up, decked out in their Christmas sweaters, will be eligible to participate and enter the draw for tickets!

Join us at the Citadel Theatre on December 2 between 1:00pm and 3:00pm for some Christmas Carol fun!  

Plus, bring by a non-perishable donation to Edmonton’s Food Bank for your chance to win your Christmas dinner, courtesy of Servus Credit Union*!

*Please note restrictions may apply.

Join us September 28, 29 and 30th as we celebrate Alberta Culture Days as Edmonton’s Feature Celebration Site.

For Alberta Culture Days we’ve planned a weekend full of events the whole family can enjoy!

Click here for our complete schedule of the weekend’s events — many events are FREE!

Click here for more on Alberta Culture Days

THE WINNERS:

	Death of a Salesman – Outstanding Production of a Play
	Red – Outstanding Director – Kim Collier Outstanding Set Design – David Boechler Outstanding Lighting Design – Alan Brodie
	The Rocky Horror Show – Outstanding Musical Director – Don Horsburgh
	A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role – Julien Arnold for his role as Bottom

The Citadel’s prop master Jim Meers won the Sterling for individual achievement in production.

To check out the Edmonton Journal’s article for a full list of Sterling Award winners click here.

The Citadel Theatre would also like to congratulate our current Director of Play Development, Brian Dooley, who won the award for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role for the role of Jack Kerouac in Michel et Ti-Jean.

DORA NOMINEES:

In Toronto, the Dora Mavor Moore Awards were also presented at a special ceremony. Ride the Cyclone, coming to the Shoctor Theatre in 2013, won a Dora for Outstanding Touring Production.

The Citadel Theatre would like to congratulate and thank the entire theatre community for what was an unforgettable theatre season, on and off stage.  From Penny Plain to The Sound of Music, our 2011/2012 season would not have been possible without such a supportive community.

The Citadel Theatre’s 2012/2013 season is on sale now at www.citadeltheatre.com and by phone at 780.425.1820.

Hello Friends!

The Spring Awakening cast has been very fortunate to have a few days off before really indulging in the long final hours of never ending rehearsals. We are just gearing up for tech week and the show is approaching way faster than any of us expected it to. I hope you have already bought your tickets! This week we decided to do a photo blog to give you a new perspective of what us crazy Young Company kids are really up to these days. I decided to give you a little behind the scenes peak of what our recent rehearsals have looked like!

	Behind my very tattered script, you can see almost half the cast of Spring Awakening listening to notes after a very exhausting run through. Today we learned a great lesson on how to approach rehearsals at this point in the process of creating a production. Our beautiful and talented director, Bridget Ryan, reminded us how healthy it is as actors to constantly remember our performance is for the audience and this is the one opportunity we get to share with them. Now that we are used to performing Spring Awakening for the same three directors over and over again, it is easy to fall into auto-pilot and skim through the show. Our greatest challenge right now is to still discover new moments in every scene and interaction even though nothing changes in our text or blocking.
	The foreground of this picture is the wonderful Harley Morrison who you may recognize from the other Young Musical Company blogs. In Spring Awakening Harley plays the confident and clever Hanschen Rilow. In the back left corner you can spot our brilliant music director, Ryan Sigurdson, passionately giving us notes on the run through we had just done. That, or he is giving me heck for taking pictures of Harley instead of taking notes… Although the one note I did pick up from Ryan today was a very important lesson about musical theatre. Ryan explained how it is the actor’s job to play the intelligence in the text, and the accompanist’s job to play the emotion in the music. One of my favourite aspects of this entire Spring Awakening process is how in the midst of creating a production, we are also picking up extremely valuable lessons to apply to all theatre!
	When you see Spring Awakening you will get plenty of time to see the fabulous cast members of this year’s Young Musical Company, but here is a glance of the genius minds on the other side of the stage who have helped us piece together our show! We are beyond blessed to have such a strong artistic team building Spring Awakening with us. On the left is Trent Crosby, our stage manager who so diligently chases the actors down after every rehearsal for accidentally stealing Spring Awakening props in our pockets. In the middle is the lovely Bridget Ryan who has directed us together to create this marvellous production. And on the right is our choreographer, Cindy Kerr, who we can blame for the whiplash and sore muscles, but she has taught us to be rockstars!
	This is a shot of the Spring Awakening actors in our natural habitat while we should have been “warming up” before our run through!
	This is a flash back to the Christmas party the Young Musical Company had this year. Looking back on this photo I am astonished how much each of us have grown as artists and best friends this year. Funny enough, this photo was taken the same week we were begging our instructors to let us do Spring Awakening for our final show. (Fun fact, when I was in the Young Musical Company a few years ago, we endlessly requested to do Spring Awakening for our show too!) Now three years later, the Young Musical Company Gods have granted our wish and are finally fulfilling my dreams of doing Spring Awakening!

Catch Cynthia along with her fellow Young Musical Theatre Company in Spring Awakening
June 2 and 3.

Tickets are only $20 – get yours today! 
Call 780.425.1820 
or
click here to buy yours online.

Wanna join next year’s YOUNG COMPANIES?  Apply here now!