Tag: Theatre

I’ve Been Cast

It has been a while since my last post! Living in Ontario, we have been under a tight lockdown, which doesn’t leave much opportunity for new adventures to share with you. Luckily I am now fully vaccinated (yay)! Fingers crossed that travelling and live theatre will soon be back on the table! Until theatre doors open and seats can be filled again, we still have virtual theatre…

I am beyond excited to announce that I am cast in Theatre Bacchus‘s virtual production of Jane Austen’s ‘The Watsons’ adapted by Kathryn Attwood! This radio show is running on the weekends of August 6 and 13. 

A bit about the show…
Emma Watson, raised in luxury by a wealthy aunt and destined to be an heiress, is forced to return, penniless, to her impoverished birth family. And what a family! You’ll meet chauvinistic brother Robert and his appalling social-climbing wife, Jane; garrulous spinster Elizabeth and man-mad Margaret. Not to mention their curmudgeonly pseudo-invalid father and eccentric family retainer, Nanny! With no option but to join her hilariously unsuccessful sisters in their hunt for husbands, Emma soon comes to the attention of charming local playboy Tom Musgrave, his suspiciously shy friend Lord Osborne, along with Lord Osborne’s former tutor-turned-clergyman, Mr Howard. But the path of true love runs anything but smooth and it is a local scandal that finally paves the way for Emma’s – and her family’s – future happiness.

This show has been described as a ‘sparkling adaptation’ of Austen’s work, critics praised this ‘sharp and witty’ script and its ‘beautifully differentiated characters’!

Tickets for this Canadian Premiere are only $10 per household and include a pre-show podcast about Jane Austen with a beautiful musical performance! Grab your tickets now at theatrebacchus.com! Ticket holders can expect to receive a link at showtime (7:30 pm ET), and will only have access to that performance for the following 48 hours!

Cheers,
Melissa

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Acting Updates

I’ve been posting so much about travel and (wedding) life lately that I thought it might be a nice idea to update you on what is happening in the acting world for me!
In Makeup
Since returning to Amsterdam as a married woman, I have had some great opportunities come my way! I was recently in an international phone commercial that is airing in India right now (watch it HERE) and an anti-wrinkle cream infomercial (I guess I’m at that age now haha)! Both times on set, I didn’t feel as excluded as I often do with the language barrier, as both productions were a cast and crew of internationals from all over. That was a welcomed change. It can get a bit lonely on set when you don’t speak the common language.
One Plus Phone Commercial
I am also part of the crew of a wonderful show presented by the InPlayers called ‘An Enemy of the People’, which will be playing late November! You can get your tickets HERE, with more Details below (show poster created by Quin Mero):
An Enemy of the People
Though it can be difficult to find acting gigs for native English speakers in Amsterdam (compared to Toronto), things are slowly starting to pick up. I’m also attempting to make my own work and create my own opportunities with lots of passion projects on the way. I can’t say too much now but stay tuned for more announcements soon!
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Are you acting abroad? Let me know in the comments below!

Cheers,
Melissa

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How to Act

And that’s a wrap on my first play in Amsterdam! Thank you to the amazing cast and crew for making this an unforgettable experience. The thing that was reiterated to me once again about theatre is that no matter what country you are in, theatre translates the same everywhere. It is months of rehearsals, becoming a close knit family, the usual preshow nerves and producing a magical experience for both the actors and audience alike.

Photo credit to Arjen Veldt Photography.

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The show was continuously sold out with wait lists filling up each night. Be sure to stay in the loop for what In Players will be showing next at http://inplayers.org/… And if you are looking to learn the basics of acting yourself, come join me in Amsterdam! I will be teaching an acting workshop on November 18th! Come learn ‘How to Act’!

Let's Celebrate National Sunglasses Day! (4)

Cheers,
Melissa

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My First Amsterdam Play

It’s official! You will soon see me on an Amsterdam stage! I have been cast in the InPlayers production of ‘One Table, Two Chairs’, coming this November. More details to follow, but be sure to check out their website: http://inplayers.org/onetabletwochairs/. Also a note, the play is in English!

“One Table, Two Chairs is about the glimpses into relationships we happen to catch: the fragile beginnings, the tumultuous middles, the bittersweet endings. Inspired by A.R. Gurney’s The Dining Room and Jules Feiffer’s Hold Me, the play consists of short scenes and monologues which take place at a table with two chairs. The setting may be simple, but the problems we see there are complex: sometimes funny, sometimes scary, sometimes tragic.” By Jacquelyn Poplar and Robert Leeds.


In travel news, we just got back from PARIS! I will be posting all about our adventures shortly so stay tuned! A little teaser… J’aime Paris!!!

 

IMG_1484Cheers,
Melissa

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Nymph Errant

I just spent last week back in the theatre, and it felt great! Though I wasn’t on stage this time, but happily helping out backstage with hair, makeup, etc. Regardless it was fun to be working with such a great cast and crew in a Dutch theatre. The show was ‘Nymph Errant’. It’s the light-hearted story of Evangeline Edwards, who graduates from a finishing school in 1933. She and her classmates are encouraged by their teacher, Miss Pratt, to “experiment”, in the broadest sense possible. What follows is a romp through Europe with plenty of opportunities for snappy Cole Porter musical numbers, interesting dialogue, lots of accents, wonderful costumes, a few dance steps, exotic locations and a good time for all.

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Now that it’s all wrapped up, I’m prepping for my next Dutch audition, so fingers crossed and stay tuned!

Cheers,
Melissa

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First Amsterdam Audition!

Good news, not even a month in and I’ve had my first audition in Amsterdam! Yay! It was such a lovely fun experience, this city is so friendly and welcoming.  Annnnnd I’ve already scheduled my next audition! Fingers crossed!

Apart from acting and work, I’ve had the chance to see more of this beautiful city! From flea markets (which I love, open rain or shine), to unique restaurants, music festivals, and to fascinating historic buildings.

This city has so much for offer any day, any time of day! And so much art everywhere you look!

Stay tuned for updates and hopefully some good news!

Cheers,
Melissa

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Tulips & Theatre; My first week in Amsterdam

I’ve barely been here a week, and already there is so much happening in Amsterdam! This week was the celebration of King’s Day (Koningsdag), formerly known as Queen’s Day. It’s a street festival that happens in the downtown core, all day and night. The population doubles overnight as people dressed in orange come from all over to celebrate. Some photos from the festivities…

I also went to check out the famous Keukenhof! A 79 acre garden, with over 7 million bulbs in bloom. It is so gorgeous and a true work of art.

From garden art to theatre, I had the opportunity to go view Yasmina Reza’s “Art” from Orange Tea Theatre, in Amsterdam. It was thought provoking, real and hilarious all in one. A plot starting from one friends art purchase…

20170428_194302In case you weren’t aware, it was only a year ago this week that my Mom and I were part of the Mothers & Daughters feature in Chatelaine Magazine. Thanks Facebook for the memory! Check it out here:

http://www.chatelaine.com/living/daughters-talk-about-their-mothers/image/6/

Stay tuned for more updates and be sure to follow my social media accounts!

Cheers,
Melissa

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A Canadian in Amsterdam!

It’s official, I am now in AMSTERDAM!

I have landed and am now in the process of getting settled in. During this crazy exciting adventure I plan on blogging more frequently so that you can share this experience with me. I will also continue my pursuit of acting while in Amsterdam, so that should provide some interesting situations for me to share with you! So far I have researched local theatre companies and agencies, have been making contacts, and will be attending my first English speaking theatre show this weekend! If you have any suggestions of places to go and check out, let me know!!!

 Until then stay tuned and enjoy the ride with me! (Speaking of ride, check out my fancy transit pass. You get to use your own photo so… of course it’s a headshot)

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Cheers, Melissa

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When September Ends…

It’s that time of year when we bring out the hoodies, start apple picking and sipping on Pumpkin Spice Lattes.

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Before the summer shorts get packed up, and the boots get laced up, I just want to say how grateful I am for a busy end to the summer. You may have seen on social media that I was recently in London, ON working on the Canadian Country Music Association Awards. You may have also seen my face again this year (enjoying some #breakfastbeer bottom right)…

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Or my name…

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From Country Music to Hockey, I then got to work with an amazing supportive team at World Cup of Hockey Fan Village! What a great way to end the summer! I can’t wait to see what will happen next with this crisp autumn weather, as auditions are already starting to roll in. Stay tuned here, or follow me on Instagram, twitter and Facebook. Links on my contact page!

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Cheers, Melissa

 

 

 

 

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