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The community Dream

Whistler’s Angie Nolan joins Midsummer Night’s Dream
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Even amongst a crowd at the Whistler Theatre Project’s launch party last week, the actor representing Whistler in the Whistler Theatre Project’s summer stock production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream was evident. Only a Whistlerite would wear a toque on a balmy day for the announcement of the production’s Emerging Artist Apprentice Program cast list.

A toque-clad Angie Nolan joined the group of artistic directors and two cast members for a picture at MY Millennium Place after the official announcement of the outdoor, tented production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream from August 2 to September 3 at Ross Rebagliati Park.

Residents and guests may be unfamiliar with the Vancouver crew, but Nolan’s friendly face is a well known one around Whistler.

Like all Whistlerites, Nolan keeps her hands in a myriad of cookie jars: Canadian Snowmobile Adventures, the Whistler Film Festival and Whistler Resort TV. She co-founded the performance showcase ArtDrenaline and screens her films at multiple competitions around town.

Nolan will play a rude mechanical, The Clown and fairy, in Night’s Dream. Not too far reaching from the buffoonery roles she is famous for in Short Skirt Theatre’s annual pantomimes.

“I spent my whole career playing fairies and clowns,” she laughs. “I think it was a bit of type casting.”

While a community theatre junkie in the present, Nolan hauls an extensive credited past up the Sea to Sky highway with professional theatre and television accolades to her credit, along with a formal education in the arts.

She studied theatre and film at Capilano College and the University of Victoria. Her last bow on a professional stage was with Deep Cove Theatre in the 1995 production of ‘Twas A Dark and Stormy Night. The bulk of her creative career was devoted to assistant directing positions on television series and films such as The Beachcombers Head Over Heels Needful Things .

While there are no shortages of amateur endeavours to get involved with in Whistler, a formal professional theatre group provides a new creative outlet for Nolan.

“I haven’t done Shakespeare since university,” she says.

She also hasn’t played the flute in a long time.

The Whistler Theatre Project is adding an unusual element of live music and song to the production. There is no formal band or orchestra. Instead the performers themselves will play the music with a raw sound reminiscent of medieval times.

Nolan was handed sheet music at the launch party.

“I am going to need to start practicing right away,” she says, smiling.

The Whistler Theatre Project presents an opportunity for Nolan to utilize skills otherwise closeted up in a flute case.

“Theatre is a natural fit in Whistler,” says the community theatre advocate. “(Professional theatre) is something that should have started up a long time ago. I love Whistler so much. I love to do both (sports and arts). I love to have a creative outlet. I don’t have to leave Whistler to fulfill that passion.”

Passion also fuels the efforts of the Whistler Theatre Project’s artistic directors Zaib Shaikh and Todd Talbot. Two years later, what began as a kitchen-table discussion has now come into fruition: professional summer stock theatre in Whistler with aspirations to become the West Coast equivalent of the Stratford Festival – which contributes $50 million a theatre season to Ontario’s economy. There are decades of productions ahead of the Whistler Theatre Project team to reach that lofty dream, but with the number of sponsors on board even before the opening night curtain call the group is optimistic.

“It is so great to read out all those names,” said artistic director Zaib Shaikh of the long list of corporate sponsors and supporters. “The amount of support for the arts is wonderful.”

Numerous local corporate sponsors have jumped on board including Carney’s Waste Systems, Cutting Edge Signs, Delish Café and Catering, The Grocery Store, Howe Sound Brewing, Kearns & Company, Maurice Young Millennium Place, Rental Network, Mountain FM, Resort TV Network, Slope Side Supply and Whistler Water. Canadian companies include the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company, The Vancouver Sun, Global Media Services, Clearsight Wealth Management, Avis, Wayside Press and Sonora Ranch.

The North Shore Credit Union Foundation presented a cheque for $10,000 and the RBC Foundation $3,000 to the Whistler Theatre Project at the opening event. The Resort Municipality of Whistler’s Community Enrichment Program also provided funding along with the 2010 Olympics grant program ArtsNow. Supporters behind the program include Events Whistler (which includes Tourism Whistler, Whistler Blackcomb and the RMOW), the Whistler Arts Council, Marshall Arts Productions, the Four Seasons Resort, Fairmont Chateau, Hilton Resort, Coast Hotel, Pan Pacific and Westin Resort.

“The support of arts and culture is critical to Whistler’s success,” said Whistler Mayor Ken Melamed at the launch party. “I want to offer best wishes and hopes for great weather, a great turnout and a successful season.”

While the bard takes the limelight this year, future Whistler Theatre Project endeavours will include contemporary productions and musical theatre in addition to classical texts.

A Night’s Dream cast includes 14 actors from across Canada. Three of the cast, including Nolan, are a part of the Emerging Artist Development Program, which affords cast and crew just breaking into the industry an opportunity to build resume and skills.

The Project also includes a Youth Theatre Conservatory: two seven-day intensives devoted to acting and musical theatre classes.

Tickets are now on sale for the August 4 to September 3 shows with performances running Tuesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Two preview performances are also slated for August 2 and 3.

Preview tickets are $25. Regular tickets are $35 for adults and $25 for students and seniors. Family packs are $89. To keep theatre accessible to all income levels, Tuesday night shows are pay what you can.

Tickets can be purchased by calling 604-938-2769 or on line at www.whistlertheatreproject.com.