Grenfell theatre alumna Robyn Huxter and alumnus Craig Haley were among the cast of the 2016 Gros Morne Theatre Festival production "Our Frances." Photo by PB Productions
Our acting and technical theatre students in the Fine Arts theatre program are always looking for new ways to practice their art. Our graduates from the time period of this report have received local, national and international acclaim with their endeavours. Here are just a few examples:
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While at Grenfell Campus, Stuart Simpson of St. John’s and Andrew Tremblett of Gander founded "Halfhandsome," a sketch comedy troupe. In 2018 the group travelled to New York City to be part of NYC Sketch Fest in New York City. They’ve met with great success and continue to wow audiences with their unique brand of comedy.
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Leah Dawn Hiscock of Corner Brook founded the Swan Players, a group that performed in 2017 and 2016 with productions of "Shakespeare’s Shorts" and "Twelfth Night." The great thing about these productions? They happened outside at Margaret Bowater Park. And they were accessible to all ages, all walks of life.
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Meanwhile Una Hill McMullin of Wolfville, N.S., has been a mainstay at Gros Morne Theatre Festival, run by Theatre Newfoundland Labrador. From the local story of "The Wreck of the S.S. Ethie" to the Irish production "Fly Me to the Moon" to, most recently, Newfoundlander Robert Chafe’s "Tempting Providence," Una has been a heartwarming, thought-provoking influence.
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Ian Locke of Corner Brook has rooted himself firmly in the Corner Brook and area theatre community. His work with Gary Graham Academy has seen him teach, produce, direct and act in various shows. In addition, he has played a pivotal role with Gros Morne Summer Music, having co-written, directed and acted in the locally famous "Train Show," performed at the historic site in Corner Brook’s Humbermouth area. He also has contributed as an actor to productions by the community theatre group Off-Broadway Players, as well as an interviewer for "Stage Door," an arts program on Rogers Cable.
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Sheldon Downey of Mount Pearl, N.L., Opera on the Avalon, OBP, Beyond the Overpass, Shakespeare by the sea, LSPU Hall, Perchance.
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Robyn Huxter of Steady Brook, N.L., played the lead in the inaugural Theatre Newfoundland Labrador production of "Our Fanny," an extraordinary play celebrating the life and heroism of Frances Cluett, VAD.
There are so many more examples! If you would like to know more about the theatre program, visit www.grenfell.mun.ca/theatre.
