The Secret Lives of FemFest Artists!

We asked the wonderful artists involved in FemFest 2014 some fun questions to learn what makes them tick. Here are a few of our favourite responses!

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If you weren’t working in theatre, what would you love to do?

Alison Mclean, Playwright Skin Deep: Sometimes I think about starting a magazine, using real-sized women as models and focussing on fashion that is inexpensive and edgy. Maybe I’ll write a play about it instead…

Kaitlyn Kriss, Stage Manager for Cabarets and Shorts: I secured a management position at the ripe age of 20 and have worked 3 fringe shows (all in the same festival) while still holding down a job and not losing my mind. When I’m not working I generally can be found playing Dungeons and Dragons with my friends from 9pm till 6am

Ksenia Broda-Milian, Designer for the Naked Woman and Launched: I can’t imagine not working in theatre! If I couldn’t design, I’d like to direct and continue to teach and work as a scenic painter. I do have a degree in biology as well so I imagine if I had a non-theatre full-time job, I’d maybe be a geneticist, or studying plants

What was the last book you read?

Grant Burr, Actor in The Naked Woman: I just read Dr. Seuss at bedtime tonight!

What superhero would you be if you could? Or what superpower do you wish you had?

Elizabeth Whitbread, Actor in Shorts: I always love flying in my dreams. Give me some wings!

Taesia Scratch, Actor in Launched: Excellent question. Hulk Smash!

 

What do you want audiences to take away after viewing your work?

Rubena Sinha, Playwright and Performer in River: I want them to know that life is painful but it doesn’t have to destroy you. You can always find a way to renourish yourself.

To learn more about the rest of our faboulous FemFest artists and the work they are doing to make this year’s festival our best ever, visit our website, www.femfest.ca Make sure to purchase your FemFest tickets to the productions that interest you before they sell out.

Prose writing, jazz singing and belly dancing in our FemFest Cabarets!

A showcase of new talent, creative masterminds and artistic expression that extend beyond the realm of theatre—the FemFest cabarets are always a festival favourite. This year, our lineup of Opening and Closing Cabaret contributors is stronger than ever – and it’s not just because our festival theme is She’s Got The Power. We are very fortunate to have such a diverse group of musician, actors, visual artists, and more who will showcase their original art on September 13^th and 20^th at the Asper Centre for Theatre and Film. As with almost all of our FemFest events, the Cabarets are only $10.00. But there are so many more reasons than just affordability to attend both of these exciting evenings…

Bizarro Obscure

Last year the wonderful Susan Tymofichuk of CTV Winnipeg hosted our Opening Cabaret. Susan did such a great job that we asked her to host again this year! In fact Susan’s been keeping the action packed evening moving for us for several years. At the other end of things, the hosts of our Closing Cabaret are new to the FemFest scene. Janis and Jujube of Bizarro Obscure—a five star-rated production at this year’s Fringe Festival, are sure to bring their quirky, eccentric presence to the hosting of our Closing Cabaret! We couldn’t be more excited about the super women that have agreed to facilitate these two talent showcases.

Prairie Caravan

Within the Cabaret lineups, audiences will have the opportunity to experience a diverse range of visual art presented by local talents Alison Moore, Pamela Hadder, Janice Kenworthy and Debbie Schon. Continuing on the visual side of things, this year’s cabarets will include the work of female filmmakers Antosia Fiedur and Ali Tataryn and an all-female dance troupe, Prairie Caravan, who will liven up the Opening Cabaret with tribal belly dancing.

Melanie Dahling

 

Melanie Dahling returns with her comic stylings, Teresa-Lee Cooke is back with her wonderful prose writing and you do not want to miss a special musical performance by Tiffany Ponce! Opening will also be your opportunity to see a sneak peek of what will take place during the rest of FemFest as both The Naked Women and Launched will be previewed. During the Closing Cabaret, Comedian and burlesque dancer, Heather Witherden will treat us to a hilarious dose of provocative stand-up. Of course we have not forgotten our tradition of featuring dance and Alexandra Elliot will join us hot off the heels of her Fringe hit, Adi Sara Kreindler is back by popular demand and you do not want to miss the antics of the Talentless Lumps!

The Talentless Lumps

There are so many enticing components of our Opening and Closing Cabarets that you will have to visit our website, www.femfest.ca for all the details. Leave a comment below letting us know what Cabaret act you can’t wait to see. We hope to see you there!

Cast Announced for The Naked Woman!

The Naked Woman, by local playwright, Rebecca Gibson, wasn’t the easiest FemFest production to cast. It takes an extremely dedicated and daring female artist to fit with a character who’s described as an almost naked 84 year-old. We are pleased to announce that we have found the perfect actress to take on this ambitious role and the perfect actor to work alongside her.

Nan Fewchuk in Fefu and Her Friends

Nan Fewchuk, who played Paula in our recent production of Fefu and Her Friends, will step into the non-existent pants of The Naked Woman’s lead character, Helen Schumer. And Grant Burr will play Dennis Rosner, Helen’s deceased husband’s trusted lawyer.

Grant Burr in Flood Control

Now that the cast of this wonderfully bizarre, humorous play is known. You will have to come see The Naked Woman at FemFest to learn how we’ve decided to transform Nan into a naked 84 year old.

Read on for a behind the scenes glimpse at our two performers and make sure to visit www.femfest.ca to reserve your tickets for what is sure to be a popular FemFest production!

Featuring Nan Fewchuk as Helen

Bio:

Nan is terrified to be 84 and as naked as she’ll ever be on stage! Recently, Nan played Paula in Fefu and Her Friends, and she is currently performing in Quo Vadis at the Winnipeg Fringe Festival. Last year Nan assistant directed, Jail Baby, and produced and played Rozetta Stone in the Winnipeg Fringe Hit, Dog Act. Select credits include Peter Pan, Beauty and The Beast (Rainbow Stage), The Merry Wives of Windsor (SIR), Magpie, Fen (Sarasvàti), Or,, Eleemosynary and A Phoenix Too Frequent (Winnipeg Fringe). Nan is grateful to be doing what she loves, and thanks her family and friends.

Fun Facts:

1. If you weren’t working in theatre, what would you love to do?
Wow…I can’t think of anything I love more.

2. What is the last book that you read?
Joni: The Creative Odyssey of Joni Mitchell by Katherine Monk

3. What superhero would you be if you could? Or what superpower do you wish you had?
Maya Angelou reincarnated

4. Anything else you’d like to add:
I like my wings “Naked”.

 

 Featuring Grant Burr as Dennis

Bio:

Grant Burr is excited to again be a part of FemFest, this time in the premiere of The Naked Woman by Rebecca Gibson. The University of Winnipeg honours acting program graduate performed in Flood Control at last year’s festival. Burr is currently appearing at the Winnipeg Fringe Festival in Union Station Theatre’s production of Shadow Spaces. Selected credits include The Cherry Orchard (Theatre by the River and Little Echo Theatre), Celebration (UWTSA), and The Dog It Was That Died (Dimestore Watch Theatre Works). He has appeared previously at the Winnipeg Fringe Festival in Hands On (2006) and Thom Pain (2013).

Fun Facts:

1. If you weren’t working in theatre, what would you love to do?
I would love to travel the world.

2. What is the last book that you read?
I just read Dr Suess at bedtime tonight!

3. What superhero would you be if you could?
Or what superpower do you wish you. I always love flying in my dreams. Give me some wings!