Kitchener-Waterloo Little Theatre

Selina Russell - Vanda Today's Venus in Fur Meet the Cast and Crew is a double feature, as we get a chance to meet Selina Russell, playing Vanda. How long have you been involved in theatre? My first show was in grade three. Fur or leather? Leather What's the worst audition (or interview) you've had? The time I forgot the lines of my prepared monologue and started ad libbing. Badly. What's your dream role or theatre production? Wicked, although I'd have to magically become a soprano first. What's your favourite line or moment in Venus in Fur? It's a tie between Vanda's vocal warm-ups (trying not to corpse myself and John) and that sweet, sweet German accent during the improv bit.

John Settle - Thomas Our Meet the Cast and Crew series for Venus in Fur is coming to a close and it's definitely going out with a bang! Today we're going to get to know John Settle, playing Thomas in this production. How long have you been involved in theatre? 19 years Fur or leather? Leather What's the worst audition (or interview) you've had? I was once interviewed in character and I realized, about three questions into it, that the interviewer knew more about the character than I did! I had a minor character and hadn't read the rest of the script. If I had, I would have realized that some of my answers didn't even make sense! Most embarrassing! What's your dream role or theatre production? Thomas in Venus in Fur. ;) What's your favourite line or moment in Venus in Fur? Kushemski's "big speech"

"Oh. I thought from the play it had to be porn."

Ryan Bassett - Director Next up, we're going to get to know Ryan Bassett, our director. How long have you been involved in theatre? 8-10 years Fur or leather? Cotton. Comfy cotton. What's the worst audition (or interview) you've had? I've been pretty fortunate that none strike me as having been too bad or embarrassing. I'm climbed up onto a chair in the middle of an audition once because figured the character would do it and it would make me look dynamic. It didn't. I just looked like a guy who wasn't prepared, standing on a chair. What's your dream role or theatre production? As an actor: Iago, Macbeth, all of the four main characters of Waiting for Godot. As a director: Waiting for Godot, Crave, No Exit What's your favourite line or moment in Venus in Fur? "But let me guess about..."

I don't want to spoil too much, because there are so many truly hilarious lines in the show. But I do love that Vanda is continually pulling strange items from her bag- like a naughty Mary Poppins.

Grant Cleary - Producer Committee Liaison First (and least interesting) on the list is Grant Cleary, Producer Committee Liaison for Venus in Fur. How long have you been involved in theatre? Two-ish years? Since Hamlet, really. Fur or leather? Leather What's the worst audition (or interview) you've had? I don't audition or interview for things. What's your dream role or theatre production? I enjoy the role I currently fill: managing communications. :) What's your favourite line or moment in Venus in Fur? Page 24, line 36 (Disclaimer: I have no idea what that line says)

Each of these suitors must choose a casket to try to win Portia’s hand. Will you be led by what you desire or what you deserve?

Once Upon a Mattress starts its second week of shows tonight!  Emily Crawford is the show’s director, having previously played the role of the Jester in a high school production.  She’s been involved in a few KWLT shows recently, on stage in Legally Blonde: the Musical earlier this year and choreographer for last year’s Lucky Stiff.

Another pair of court ladies.  Angela Grigg (left) and Mariah Martin Shein are both new to KWLT.  You may have seen Angela at the Royal Medieval Faire in Waterloo Park, where she’s performed as a stage combat actor.  Mariah’s come back to theatre after a bit of a break; her last role on stage was in Beauty and the Beast at Mount Allison University as a featured dancer.

On to the ladies of the court... Rachel Conway (left) is no stranger to KWLT, having performed in last season’s Legally Blonde: the Musical and Lucky Stiff.  She’s got several parts in this show, including the Magical Nightingale of Samarkand.  Hannah Dunn is making her KWLT debut, also playing several roles in the Mattress chorus; she’s previously performed with Penny & Pound, RCMPI, and Drayton Entertainment.

More knights!  Bilal Raza and Matt Mustin are both relative newcomers to the KWLT stage. Matt (right) is a graduate of the Fanshawe College theatre arts programme, and makes his KWLT debut in this show.  Bilal was last seen on our stage in March Madness 2017; he’s also done shows with FASS and the UW Cabaret Club.

Let’s meet some of the knights of the realm!  Min Ling (left) and Kit Kreider are both KWLT veterans; Min was last seen on our stage as the lead in last season’s Lucky Stiff, while Kit has previously been an ugly stepsister in Cinderella: a Pantomime and a would-be Space Vixen in Saucy Jack & the Space Vixens (making this his first role in a while where he’s dressed in men’s clothing).

Kyle Remington is playing the role of Sir Harry, the noblest knight of the realm.  This is his first KWLT role, following several appearances in FASS.  His claims of being an inter dimensional bounty hunter from the future have so far been inadequately investigated.

Rebecca Davidson makes her KWLT debut as the Jester in Once Upon a Mattress.  Rebecca is a alumna of the theatre arts programme at SUNY Fredonia; this part seemed like a huge challenge for her as her first comedic role, but she’s grown into it as is grateful for the opportunity to play such a fun part.

Another first-timer at KWLT, William Wright is taking on the role of the Minstrel in our production of Once Upon a Mattress.  He’s had one of the most challenging rehearsal schedules, since he lives and works in Etobicoke and has been commuting in for practices.  The Minstrel is our narrator for the show; feel free to chat with him when you arrive at the theatre.

Michael Davenport (just “Davenport” to his friends, and to everyone else too) is back on the KWLT stage as the Wizard, Queen Aggravain’s confidant.  His most recent KWLT role was as a corpse in last season’s Lucky Stiff; while this is a much more active part he still doesn’t manage to get in many words edgewise.

Jessica Carswell returns to the KWLT stage as Lady Larken!  This is Jess’s third MainStage role this year, after playing various roles in Lion in the Streets and starring in Legally Blonde: the Musical last season.  She tell us the biggest challenge for her in this role has been vocal, stretching her range to reach some of the high soprano notes, and that she’s very excited to take the stage with such a talented cast!