Theatre PEI

Mostly Local Cast at Watermark this Summer
 
Five out of the seven actors hired by Watermark for this summer’s productions of Steel Magnolias and Gaslight are from PEI. Gracie Finley, Marlene Handrahan, Benton Hartley, Kristena McCormack, and Marlane O’Brien are all local PEI actors. Sharleen Kalayil (Halifax) and Risha Nanda (Toronto) complete the casting for the summer.
 
“Every year we try to cast as many local actors as possible and this year worked out really well”, says Artistic Director Robert Tsonos. “There’s so much talent right here on the Island. I’m always thrilled when we can give local actors work.”
 
Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling will run from June 27^th to August 26^th and will be directed by Samantha Wilson. A group of Louisiana women bond and gossip at a local beauty shop while following the marriage and motherhood of one of the customer’s daughters. As the title implies, these ladies can be as delicate as magnolias – and as tough as steel. When tragedy strikes, they draw on their underlying strength and love. Steel Magnolias is an iconic play that continues to speak to audiences all over the world about hope, love, loss, and friendship. Gracie Finley, Marlene Handrahan, Sharleen Kalayil, Kristena McCormack, Risha Nanda, and Marlane O’Brien are all performing in Steel Magnolias.
 
Gaslight By Johnna Wright and Patty Jamieson, based on the play Angel Street By Patrick Hamilton will run from July 7^th to August 25^th and will be directed by Martha Irving, who directed last summer’s hit production of Educating Rita. The thriller that spawned the term ‘gaslighting’, Patrick Hamilton’s 1938 play gave us the word we now use for an insidious form of mental abuse. Bella Manningham hears strange sounds and the gas lights dim for no apparent reason. But is she losing her grip on reason, or is it being loosened for her? Bella thinks she’s losing her mind. The truth might be far worse. Marlene Handrahan, Benton Hartley, Kristena McCormack, and Risha Nanda will be performing in Gaslight.
 
Ticket Passes (4 Pack, 6 Pack) are now on sale at http://www.ticketwizard.ca or by calling the box office at 902-963-3963.
 
All single tickets will be put on sale soon. Fall and winter programming will be announced in the next few months.
 
For more information please contact Lara Dias at 902-963-3963 or admin@watermarktheatre.com

Theatre PEI

REMINDER: Deadline to apply is Feb 17th

Call for Proposals for the NTS Atlantic Drama Festival.

The Festival will be held in-person at the Watermark Theatre in North Rustico, PEI in May 2023. (This will be the first in-person Festival since 2019, hurray!)

The NTS Atlantic DramaFest is a non-competitive, three-day high drama festival held at the Watermark Theatre in North Rustico, PEI. This year’s dates are from Friday, May 19th to Sunday, May 21st 2023.

The purpose of the Festival is to provide a showcase for participants to demonstrate their unique theatrical work with a maximum running time of 50 minutes. Performances are adjudicated by experienced theatre professionals and workshops are offered to the students throughout the festival weekend. The Festival is open to students from Grades 9 to 12 from all four Atlantic Provinces.

All school groups will be chosen by submitting a proposal by February 17th, 2023. The cost per participant is $50 for PEI residents and $100 for non-residents of PEI. This includes all meals while at the Festival, travel costs from off the Island of PEI, and accommodations for three nights for off-Island groups at a nearby motel/hotel.

The maximum number of participants from each school, including teachers or chaperones, is 15. All groups must include a student stage manager.

For an application form please contact Artistic Director Robert Tsonos at artisticdirector@watermarktheatre.com

Theatre PEI