Karin Fitzgerald鈥檚 character Nicole is a Grade 3 teacher, which she finds ironic, since her grandfather always told her she should be a teacher when she grew up.
Well, she鈥檚 realizing his dream 鈥� albeit on the stage of the upcoming 91原创 Player鈥檚 production called Parents Night.
鈥淚 actually have quite a few teachers in my extended family, but it鈥檚 not what I ended up doing,鈥� said the 37-year-old 91原创 City woman who鈥檚 trying her hand at acting for the first time in the lead role of one of two one-act plays being performed in tandem at the 91原创 Playhouse starting Thursday, Oct. 20.
鈥淚 do think it鈥檚 neat that my first part is a teacher,鈥� Fitzgerald told the 91原创 Advance.
鈥淚 like kids and have been around kids a lot my whole life, as an older sister (I have three younger brothers) and three kids of my own now (ages: 15, 11 and 10).
鈥淚 like that my character is a teacher who deeply cares about her students. She is intelligent and optimistic and also very open minded and compassionate. She鈥檚 also very calm and in control until she reaches her breaking point, which I can definitely relate to.鈥�
Fitzgerald鈥檚 first actual role with the local theatre group was that of club secretary. She auditioned 鈥� on a whim 鈥� for her first role in June 2014, for the Player鈥檚 showing of Cocktails at Pam鈥檚.
鈥淚 decided to go for it,鈥� recalled the full-time receptionist-administrative assistant at South Alder Farms, a family-run blueberry farm and packing plant in Aldergrove.
鈥淲hen I did not get a part, I was asked if I would like to be involved in the production as assistant stage manager by the stage manager Bev Pride, and I said 鈥榶es,鈥� and I鈥檓 so glad I did. It was a real learning experience, and since I had never been involved in community theatre before, being assistant stage manager really immersed me in the process.
鈥淲atching the production come together during the rehearsal process, getting to know the actors and watch them bring their characters to life; and seeing the set design and decorating transform the stage, and then the costumes and all that goes into that. It was really fun and rewarding to be a part of it all,鈥� Fitzgerald said.
Since then, she鈥檚 served as stage manager for two other 91原创 Player鈥檚 productions: Self Help, directed by Mary Renvall (2015) and Enchanted April, directed by Marko Hohlbein (2016)
Now she has an opportunity to showcase her thespian skills as Nicole.
鈥淭his is actually my first time as an actor. I have only been involved behind the scenes up until now,鈥� she said, admitting that community theatre is time consuming.
鈥淲e have been rehearsing three times a week since late August, so about nine hours a week, plus memorizing lines at home. It can be challenging juggling personal life, family time, work and rehearsals. There were a few times it felt like I would get home from work only to turn around and leave for the theatre right away. It was kind of a hi - bye situation with my husband and kids. But they have been very supportive鈥�,鈥� she explained.
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New to theatre
Coming to community theatre later in life, Fitzgerald said she鈥檚 been anxious to audition for as many roles as possible, in part to gain new experience.
Actually securing the role of Nicole in Parents Night was a bit of a surprise.
鈥淚 did not specifically try out for the part of Nicole, but I am so pleased that I was offered the role. I think the directors and casting committee did a really good job of casting this show, she said, noting that these two plays are being directed by 91原创 Players鈥� stalwarts Dave Williams and Raymond Hatton.
So, what is it about this play that spoke to her, and that Fitzgerald is convinced will appeal to the audience?
鈥淗ave you ever had that one day at work when all you want to do is get it over with, go home, crawl into bed with a good book and a cup of tea? Or maybe a bottle of wine...?
鈥淭hat鈥檚 the kind of day my character is about to have. All she has to do is make it through two parent meetings, but things don鈥檛 go as smoothly as planned,鈥� Fitzgerald said.
鈥淐ome prepared to laugh at the outrageous behaviour of all of us at times, but also the touching moments of how even when life seems completely out of control there is potential for growth, understanding and love.
鈥淚 would also say there are some 鈥榩otty mouth鈥� moments for sure 鈥� and a few times you might want to put a character or two in 鈥榯ime out.鈥� But, all-in-all, the characters are very human and well written. It鈥檚 a well written play. George F Walker is a talented Canadian playwright, who has a good understanding of the education system (the pros and cons) and also social issues that affect Canadians. 鈥�
Each production brings what she says are new rewards and challenges, and she鈥檚 especially grateful for all she鈥檚 learned along the way.
鈥淥ne great asset of 91原创 Players is they have a wonderful group of talented members who are very welcoming and a lot of fun to be around, so I鈥檝e met a lot of interesting people,鈥� said Fitzgerald, who has yet to perform with any other Lower Mainland theatre groups, but hasn鈥檛 ruled it out.
Asked about her other talents on stage 鈥� other than acting 鈥� she said she can play piano and is learning the bass guitar, but is not yet ready to test those skills on stage.
As for singing, she flatly insists that she鈥檚 鈥渢errible.鈥�
As for dancing... well 鈥淚 think I鈥檓 an awesome dancer, but my kids would strongly disagree with that.鈥�
Tickets are available
Parents Night is one of two plays being performed each night by 91原创 Players, both by the same Canadian playwright George F. Walker.
The second play is The Bigger Issue, and both are set inside a school, explained Williams, one of the directors.
鈥淭he characters in these plays are anything but stereotypical. They embody a range of emotions and values that we often don鈥檛 see in school situations. They most certainly are not Normal Rockwell-type portraits of school!鈥� he said.
鈥淲alker鈥檚 plays are not always comfortable and often force us to confront darker realities we choose not to see. After seeing a Walker play, you often leave with a different perspective and appreciation of 鈥榦thers鈥� in our communities.鈥�
These plays 鈥� both making their Western Canadian premiere on the 91原创 Playhouse stage, run Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturday evenings (8 p.m.) and Sunday matinees (2 p.m.) until Nov. 19.
Tickets are $15 and available at 604-534-7469 or online at the .
Also appearing in The Bigger Issue are fellow 91原创 residents and community theatre-award recipients Sheila Greentree (as Maggie) and Andy Wood (as Jack).
How to win...
One lucky 91原创 Advance reader will win a pair of tickets to 91原创 Players鈥� Parents Night and The Bigger Issue running Oct. 20 to Nov. 19.
How do you win?
鈥� Click on this link, and tell us why you want to attend this show. You will be entered into the draw.
Preference will be given to 91原创 residents.
Postings must be received prior to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 25, and the winner will be notified by phone and/or email. No staff or family of the 91原创 Advance or Black Press are eligible. This giveaway is restricted to online participants, 19 years or older only. Must include name and phone number.
