Caught up in the moment

Energy: The most important part of a stage performance. Any given role you're in, energy is key. Besides of course, knowing your blocking and your lines - which should be memorized weeks before you go on, or if the case may be, months.

Having done Max & The Grinch two years in row now, I have yet to come across a show that could be more physically demanding (hey Cirque du Soleil, I'm readily available). In 2008 when acting as The Grinch, I was studying the character by watching the film with Jim Carrey and the classic cartoon as well. Noticing how much Carrey would jump around (with the help of Hollywood's effects, mind you), I wanted to make it as energetic as possible. And I believe I accomplished this.

In 2009, I took it to the next step. There is a box raised 3 feet off the ground. From a standing position behind it, I have to jump on top of it. In 2008 I did this 3 times per show. In 2009, I upped it to 6 times. And yes, this year, in 2010, I'll push it to more - if I can. But it wasn't just jumping on the box that I did.

Last year the box and I spent some time together, getting to know each other, and figuring out our limits of what was safe and what was an accident waiting to happen during a live performance.

I added a leap-frog jump over the box (and Max) as a stunt in 2009, and will likely do that one again this year.

Sometimes though, all of this energy-driven activity gets you caught up in the moment...literally.

There I was in 2009, jumping and leaping and acting as the green Christmas-hater, when I leaped on to the box and went to jump off...when in mid-air I realized the elastic strap on my little green footsies was caught in a split in the top of the box. Awkwardly landing, I kept going as if nothing was wrong. My next move was to spin on the box - which I couldn't do if my foot was caught up in the box...or could I?

I spun myself hard enough that I released my foot from the top of the box, thinking everything was ok....then realizing, I broke off the precious elastic band.

While continuing my monologue, I tucked it in my green boot and kept going. Needless to say, Lucille - who is our amazing costume designer - had it fixed in no time. All was well.

What will 2010 Grinch bring? I'm not sure yet. Haven't thought too much about it. But I'm sure I'll be hanging out with the box and trying more crazy unusual things to do.

However I'll never forget having my foot caught in that box. It was a moment where I truly got 'caught up' in the moment.

A busy end to 2010

Wow.

I am feeling so honored right now. I am honored each and every time I am asked to be in a production. It is extremely rare for me to ever turn a role down. Unless I am overwhelmed with work, I'll always accept a role. Turned down a fringe show this year, and just watched from the outside. It was nice. Got to see some good stuff, but not enough. I wanted to see more. But times were busy. But nothing is going to be as busy as this fall...on stage.

I've been cast in FOUR thats (4) shows between October 25 and December 31, 2010.

The first one is with Fantasy Theatre for Children. To kick off their 30th season (cheers to 30 years!), they are doing The Haunted Castle. I'm playing the castle paige, who has a love interest in the princess. Its a fun role, and I believe it is the first time I've been with Fantasy Theatre for Children and haven't had to go crazy, yell, or use an all-powerful voice. No evil magician or powerful king this time - simply a castle paige - and I love it! Its very different but the cast is so great. I've worked with everyone before so we're going to be a close family as always. This show runs October 25-29 at the Forrest Nickerson Theatre, 285 Pembina Highway. Shows are Monday to Friday at 6:30pm, with added shows at 10:30am and 1:00pm Tuesday.

Then, two weeks later (or so), the cast of the June 2010 production I was in, The Snake In The Bag, re-unites for a scary comedy called Drama at Ye Olde Inn. This is a show that is being produced by Winnipeg's Marketplace Players. I formed a working-relationship with Marketplace Players in July 2009 when I stage-managed their Fringe show, Eddy Recalled. The cast has changed since then but again we've grown as a family together and I'm honored to be back. For this show only, being presented November 12-13 at Aqua Books, 274 Garry Street, I'll have my pet bearded dragon, Rose, on my shoulder. She'll be part of the cast! Never thought I'd get the chance to work with one of my pets on stage...but I know she'll be well-behaved. We start getting this one on its feet this coming Monday so...we'll see how she reacts to a rehearsal.

On November 22-28, I am so, SO thrilled to have the opportunity to reprise the role of The Evil Magician (Jafar) in Aladdin. Though it isn't the true 'Disney' version of Aladdin, it has all the right plot elements like the Genie, the lamp, the Princess and Sultan. This show is near and dear to my heart as it was the first-ever show I did with Fantasy Theatre for Children in November 2007. We brought it back again in October 2009 and are now giving it one last go-around in November. Because of my love for Disney, I look at this role like I'm playing a Disney villain. Which, if you see the way I act, the costume and voice, you'll easily see that its Jafar. I'm already psyched for this! If you haven't seen it in 2007 and 2009...make this the year you come check it out!

Finally, I'm reprising the role as The Grinch in Max & The Grinch! This is another show I have done before. 2010 will mark the third consecutive year I've been part of it. In 2008 the role was split with myself and veteran-Grinch Matt Stefanson. In 2009 I took on the role myself and there is no word at this point if we'll be splitting it again or not. But just the chance to do even a few shows again means so much! A lot of the reason is because Jess is coming to Canada over December holidays (likely, anyhow) and I get to perform as The Grinch live for her - which doesn't happen often!! From what I've heard there will be a lot of the same cast for this one, too. Showtimes are still to be announced, and it is showing at Forrest Nickerson Theatre, 285 Pembina between December 26-31.

If you want to see The Haunted Castle, Aladdin, or Max & The Grinch, call (204) 944-0581 to reserve tickets (and get complete show-time information).

Ticket information for Drama at Ye Olde Inn will be posted at StoriesFromTheStage.com as soon as possible.

Being part of two new shows, The Haunted Castle and Drama at Ye Olde Inn and having the chance to once again act in Aladdin and Max & The Grinch is such a thrilling opportunity. To the directors and fellow actors, I can't thank you enough. This is going to be one busy but amazing fall...bring it on and raise the curtain!!!

Going blank

It's every stage actor's worst nightmare: Drawing a blank.

After weeks or months of rehearsals, you're all set to go on stage and perform for the paying audience. Your adrenaline is pumping before the show, your props are set; you've double-checked them..maybe even triple checked them. The curtain opens, the lights come on, and everything is going smoothly...until you completely forget what you are doing.

Oh, it's happened to me alright. After years of having a bad dream before almost every show I've done t he nightmare became a reality. Prior to this I looked at it almost as a ritual. I'd be in the middle of a deep sleep, when suddenly my dream would take me to the stage with me forgetting every word I had memorized. Each time it was so real. But then I'd wake up, realizing it was only a dream. I just wish that was the case from December 2008 while performing as The Grinch in Max & The Grinch.

There I was, performing the Christmas-time show on stage at The Forrest Nickerson Theatre in Winnipeg. Everything was going well as The Grinch. I was jumping up and down, as animated as any Grinch could be, when I spun around to say "NO!" in Little Cindy Lou Who's face. Oh the, "NO!" came out fine - but the rest did not. I was eye to eye with Faith, who played Cindy. And my mind went completely blank. Fear and terror took over me as I looked at her, through my half-prosthetic face with eyes that screamed to her, "I FORGET MY LINES!". Of course being The Grinch, there was not a split second to lose, not a split-second to slow down. So I kept saying "no!" "there's no way!" while trying desperately to figure out where I should be and what I should be saying.

But suddenly it came back. I remembered where I was supposed to be. I kept going. And so did Cindy as she made her way to the box where I was and kept going. It was at that moment I realized I skipped a page - at least - of the script. As I tried to figure out a way to go back and do the part I missed, I realized that I couldn't - it'd be too complicated. Plus the parts that I skipped was just extra Grinch banter that didn't hinder the story at all.

Needless to say the audience never caught on. And neither did Max, the Grinch's 'humble companion'. Glad at least one of us knew the script! Just another moment of major adrenaline in the world of live theatre.

Reflecting on Gimli's Tenor

I remember it so well: August 5, 2005. The day had arrived. It was time to get in to my opera costume, afro wig, and yes - tights, and go out on stage once again as Max, for Ken Ludwig's Lend Me A Tenor. Theatre Amisk of Dauphin, which I'm part of, took their April 2005 show on the road to Gimli for shows on Augsut 5th-7th 2005. The theatre was small. But it is amazing how much of this I still remember to this day.

We got up around 8am on Thursday the 4th of August and I walked to the Arts Centre, with Van Halen's JUMP blaring in my headphones. The theatre gang, minus George and Genny (who were coming the following day to Gimli) were outside getting the final parts of the set in to the truck. I helped out a bit, and then Dave and I drove to my apartment to get the famed couch. After a bit of a struggle getting it out the door, we managed to haul it in to the truck. We went back to the Arts Centre and everyone wished each other happy and safe driving. I got in the passenger seat of Tammy's car, Karen was in the back seat.

We stopped at Tim Hortons and got some donuts and stuff for the road. Dave finally came from behind us in his truck, yelling "DON'T PANIC" (see, he was about 15 minutes and we didnt know where he was. The 'dont panic' that Dave yelled referred to a line that he said in the play. He tends to do this a lot when it comes around to 'showtime'.

Anyway we finally pressed on to Gimli (or as we were all saying, 'Jim-lee'). The drive out there was pretty fun, we went through lines from the show and I slept for a little bit as well. Though that is hard to do with Tammy's boystrous laugh.

Skipping ahead a few hours, we arrived in Gimli aroanud Noon and decided to go out for lunch - but not before making a stop at the theatre. We went to the theatre and I was shocked. I knew the stage was going to be small, but I had NO IDEA that it would be THIS small! It was about 14 feet wide and 10 feet back. Very, VERY small! But we knew we would make it work. We went to our hotel, the Viking Inn, and dropped off our bags. I stayed with Mark, the co-director of the play. Dave was staying at the Lakeside Inn - the huge, luxurious nice hotel in Gimli. We went over to that hotel and everyone had lunch on the patio. I had a Corned Beef Sandwich with fries, was very good and I recommend it if you ever get out to Gimli.

After lunch it was set up time. We had to build the set. Kelly, Tammy and Kelly's son Kyle helped out with that. They did an amazing job at making it look almost idential to the way it looked in Gimli. Any smaller, and we aren't sure if we could pull it off. But the shows were all sold out - which was the first time a show was sold out at the Gimli Theatre Festival. We were the 4th week of a 6 week festival where theatre groups from around the province would put on shows.

We worked hard all afternoon on the set and then practised doing some scenes including the curtain call. We went for dinner to a small deli and had sandwiches there. They were good. I forget the name of the restauraunt though. Anyway Dave came up to me after and again started talking lines from the show: "Chris, if there is a problem, I need to you call me immediately.....I'll be at the theatre..."....see thats probably not funny to anyone else but I'm just jotting down my memories.

Anyway, later that night we rehearsed more and headed back to the hotel. Mark and I were nearly asleep. Tammy was acting VERY strange. She wanted our hotel room. So for whatever reason, we switched hotel rooms. 1/2 hour later Tammy with Yvonne decided to invite Mark and I for wine in their room. Strange, becuase she was apparently sick earlier this evening. Oh well, we went over and had some snacks and then went to bed.

The next day it was Friday, our first show was in the evening. I was nervous and excited. Little did I know that this would be the first time I pull off a major mistake in a play!

We went out during the day, shopping around Gimli and walking on the beach. It was a nice weekend. I stayed around the theatre and practised a few lines.

Skipping ahead to about 7pm,. we were all backstage ready to go on in an hour. Putting on several layers of makeup, I was realizing that the 'fun' had returned again. Hey not that I like putting on makeup BECAUSE I DONT LOL. Its just that I was becoming 'Max' again, and it was a good feelng that it was again time to perform.

An hour rolls by fast, as we were practising lines backstage (mostly me and Dave), and we went on. I wish at this point I could say our show went flawless. It did - well, not really I guess - especially on my part. I forgot to do my goodluck hug to everyone before the show, and I was jinxed on stage. I had to change in about 2 minutes in to an opera costume, from a full suit and tie. Unfortunatly during my change, my tie got stuck looped in my shoe. I couldn't get it out on time as it was right around the heel of my foot. Charlene, who was helping me change, whispered 'ok, wait one sec'....sorry Char, I didn't have a minute. So there I went, on stage, with my tie stuck in my shoe. I could see several people in the audience laughing at it and pointing. Other actors on stage luckally for me noticed it, and didnt make me trip on it. Thankfully! During intermission I was able to take out the tie. All the other actors thought it was hilarious! I remember I was worried Yvonne and Mark were gunna yell at me for it, but they could only laugh.

After the show I recall seeing some of my Mom's co-workers there who approached me and said they liked the show. The entire cast signed a few autographs and we went out to the Lakeside Hotel's bar at night - and I was in Heaven at the time. EVERYTHING was Crown Royal - this was my drink of choice back then. We stayed there for a few drinks, and then departed for our hotel rooms for the night.

The next morning we all met for breakfast around the corner from the theatre. Good time. Yvonne and Mark told me during this one scene tonight, to make Dave beg to me for as long as possible without my laughing. It was a set up prank that we were gunna do, and it was hilarious when it happened later that night.

I went for lunch later in the day with George to Subway, who actually put on his Italian accent while giving his order to the employee. It was hilarious, because George looks anything BUT Italian! Good times. I was going to do it too but yeah - a red head guy with an Italian accent? That doesn't make much sense either.

I spent the rest of the afternoon searching for Mike Robinson, who was north of Gimli at his cabin, who said he would come in for the show. Problem was, they didnt have a phone. But I was determined to find him. After talking simoltaniously to his parents at their work places, and about 2 hours of driving around alone in Tammy's car, I actually found a grey Kia Rio (Mike's car) about 1/2 hour north of Gimli! It was shocking. I went to the door of the trailer/cabin and knocked, when an elderly lady answered. I thought it was some crazy lady...not the right place....but it was, it was just Megan's Grandma that answered. Mike drove to Gimli, following me in his car. We went and walked around the beach and stuff, and then went to the theatre where I had to say bye for now, but I would see him during the show.

Dawn, Genny, George, Karen and I went to the Viking Inn's Chinese food restauraunt for dinner, it was very good. We got to the theatre, costumed up, and ready for the second show. The only flaw this time is that fellow actor, Jen Balchen, had her daugher in the audience. During a scene where I was supposed to be very sad, because a friend of mine had 'died', I gave a small smile because her daughter blasted out laughing for no reason (she is 4 and didnt know exactly what was going on. The audience ended up laughing at her and thats when I broke character for about 1 second. Mike said after the show that he caught it. Oh well. Life moves on.

During this performance, the audience was amazingly responsive. There was even a guy in the crowd that was yelling stuff out to the actors such as myself like "he's not really dead!"...I never broke character from that guy.

After the show I said bye to Mike, and after getting changed, most of the cast, including me went to the Viking Inn and had some drinks. We only stayed for 1 or 2 and went to our hotel rooms. Jen came in and Karen and I were watcfhing Booty Call on tv. She encouraged us to come back to the bar, but we said we were to tired. But Jen came back in a few minutes and said, "You're both GOING to the bar!" We were dragged down, but hell it was a great time. I remember Karen and Jen both buying me Orange Creamcicle Bacardis. Never the less, they got me pretty drunk that night and I remember it was a very good time.

The next day was the day of the final show. I wasnt feeling great, as a lot of the cast weren't. But wer got to the theatre early for a 3pm showtime. Andrews family were able to come up (with Andrew ofcourse) and watched the show. We had to put their rabbit in the dressing room bathroom downstairs because they were going up to their lake right after the show. It all worked out.

I met up with my family at the Lakeside Hotel restauraunt where we were the first afternoon. It included Mom, Dad, Grandman and Grandpa Rogan, Katie, Joanne, and Harvey, along with my sisters boyfriend Dan and his family.

The show went flawless this time. Which was a great time for a 'final, FINAL performance'. I had only wished that the audience had been more responsive. But we got it on DVD as my Dad taped it and it was perfect.

I will never forget taking down the set later in the evening. It was devastaing once again. I was in tears the whole time, and I couldn't help it. It was my favorite lifetime event so far, and it was over again. As much as I tried to prepare myself by trying to remind myself that this was IT, it was our second go at the show but it was NEVER going to happen again, I guess that just never registered until it happened.

The entire cast and crew went to a good fish and chips restraunt for dinner. Karen and I walked in the beach for a few minutes while the food was being prepared. Picked up some rocks I remember (Karen collects nice ones). We went back and had dinner with the cast and crew. We headed back to Dauphin later that night, I drove Tammy's car because she was 1) still acting weird and 2) falling asleep....and sleep talking too....very strange, trust me.

All in all, this was a memory I will never forget. This has taken 3 hours to type out for me to recall all of the events. I will forever love the cast, love the crew, and love the play. I would love to perform it again sometime but it would NEVER be the same. To all the friends that I have met in it, thanks for giving me the chance to do the play. It truely was an amazing experience. I tried my best and I hope I impressed at least a handful of people.

I am still a member of Theatre Amisk as I paid my membership for the year, even though I reside in Winnipeg.

Theatre Amisk, thanks for the hundred of memories you have given me. I will cherish them forever!

Bracing myself

I've often touted acting as a mental skill. Sure it's a mental skill, you have a LOT to remember if you're on stage. Depending on the length of the show, you may have 1 or 100+ lines. You have to know your blocking. But acting on stage is just as much physical as it is mental. Body language is everything. And because of this, a stage actor needs to make sure to take the proper steps to protect themselves while performing.

There is one role in particular that stands out as being extremely physical - The Grinch. In 2008 I had the chance to experiment with the role, and the hardest thing was to jump on to a 2.5 foot high box from a standing position behind it. After you've mastered that, you're well on your way.

In 2009 when I played The Grinch once again, I added every possible physical move I could. From a spring board over the box, to jumping onto it 5 times each show (once while spinning in mid-air), I made it the most physically-demanding role I could. And I couldn't have done it without the help of one thing (no, not the prosthetic that was glued to my face with the most potent spirit gum one could find).

A knee brace. It has helped me through shows for the past five years now. Wearing it whenever I can (costume permitting), it has saved me from twisting my knee out of joint during a show. I've dislocated my knee before; I know what it feels like. I'd probably stop on stage and whine like a baby. Actually that's not true - because the one time my knee DID dislocate during a show, I painfully kept going.

It was in 2005's Lend Me A Tenor, from Dauphin's Theatre Amisk up in the Parkland region of Manitoba. As many can recall, I had to fall to my knees each show, and I'd be so wrapped up in-character, that I'd just let them fall hard to the ground each time -- not realizing when I got up, one of them would go out of place. Luckily for me, it was right before intermission. I had to smile my way through 'bowing' and 'waving' to the audience in the scene. I collapsed backstage, but felt my knee slip back in to place. This show is pretty physical too, expecially at the end - performing the ENTIRE show in 85 seconds.

Since then, I bought a knee brace (which is now showing some wear) and it has helped me through shows such as Brothers In Arms, Hey Abbott!, Max & The Grinch and many others.

This morning (the day of dress rehearsal for The Snake In The Bag), I woke up with my knee feeling funny. Taking no chances, I'm going to get a brand new brace to wear under my costume for the show.

Its amazing how one little brace will help carry you through the show. With, of course, the help of your fellow actors, too!

A slap of adrenaline

Remembering more from our 2009 production of Aladdin, I was reminded by the victim, Jordan, about a time that caught me - and him - off guard, live on stage.

It was close to the end of the show in September 2009. While playing the bad guy in the show, my character was happy, possibly even giddy to finally marry the Princess (played by Zoey).

When I come out from behind the set, I sing, "I'm getting married in the morning!" as only a guy that can't sing, can sing. Well after that line, I looked at our Mime (played by Jordan) and whacked him on the back with my hand fairly hard. I remember it hurt my hand, so it probably left a long finger mark on his back. I looked at him for half a second, he looked at me, clearly puzzled. I nearly broke, but held it together. I don't know what caused me to do this to him, but it garnered a laugh from the crowd - which was encouraging.

This is one of those things that happens when you get too much in to character. You're not 100% in the role - you're 110% in the role, and completely transformed in to someone else. In my case, an evil bad guy that wanted a lamp and the Princess.

What caused me to slap him on the back? The fact that my character was so delighted and happy to be marrying royalty. He slapped Pico the Mime ont he back as kind of a, "Hey, buddy, guess what I'm about to do?!".

I believe the slap came back for the performances to follow. But the greatest part is, I had no idea a second before that I was going to do that. I wasn't waiting behind the set thinking, "I'm gunna slap him on the back!". No. It just came at the very split-second before it happened.

Who knows why - but it's another one of those things that makes live theatre a wonderful, unpredictable affair.

Oh - and sorry, Jordan.

The case of the missing prop

There we were. September 2009, getting ready for a mid-run performance of Aladdin. I have had the pleasure of playing the bad guy in that show twice now - and it is by far one of my most favorite roles to play. As per the usual routine, we were all getting ready backstage, whether it be putting on make-up, stretching, or setting our props. Everything was done and we were all ready for another performance.

Or so we thought.

You see, at the beginning of the show, a group of gypsies decide to put on the show 'Aladdin'. When one of the actors, we'll call him Sam, said his line, "I've been reading this book...."....he realized the book wasn't there.

I could feel everyone on stage mutter an, "Oh $%#@" in their minds. Tensions were high as we needed to improv - and quickly.

I knew where the book was, suddenly: right behind our set. The crucial part for having the book on-stage is all of the actors could say (while pointing to the pages), "I can play this role, you can play that role!". Well, it was clear, no one was going to play a role until we got that darn book on stage!

I burst out of nowhere, "Hey I think I've read that too...doesn't it have a Sultan in it?" Sam replied and we carried on.

Scott, who was playing Aladdin once this mess was figured out, told the mime, Pico (played by Jordan) to go look for the book. We carried on with the improv until Pico saved our worrying minds by getting the book for us.

The best part is, no one in the audience ever knew this happened. No one!

This is one of the greatest things about theatre. You can't get this stuff in film. In film it'd be a "cut, lets do it again." But talk about a major adreniline rush.

Another reason why the thrill of live theatre can't be matched by any other form of entertainment.