To be or not to be...

It's funny. I seem to remember being more of a shy kid growing up, clinging to my mom, weary of others. Somehow I shook that all off as a teenager, began performing in as many ways possible and have never looked back. Whether it was community impro or scripted acting, in high school or at University, I thrived in it. If I was given any opportunity as an actor, playwright, or director, I took it, unabashedly. And I loved (and still love) every minute of it.

I am also very prepared to admit that I secretly dream of playing Leisel in a stage production of The Sound of Music, even though I'm no longer Fifteen going on Sixteen (I know, that was pretty bad). With my music background, musical theatre was a natural choice. So in 2003, when an opportunity arose to join in as an actor in a never before seen, locally-written and produced musical, I jumped at the chance. Being new to the community, this was too good to pass up for I saw this as a great way to meet people. From these humble beginnings grew a three year tour of the show, a CD, a DVD, a CBC documentary for 'Country Canada', with more than thirty thousand people having seen the play in at least 60 performances. And in the sequel of The Pull of the land, my character wasn't killed off! (I consider that a nod.)

Needless to say, this continues to be an awesome experience for we continue to play in large venues and summer festivals. I still aspire to play Leisel somewhere, somehow, but for now, I am quite content to ride this wave. It's nice though, to think that if this little town of Harris can do such big things, what indeed, are the possibilities for the rest of us.