Putting to bed a generation!

Oh the sadness of closing a show. It's crazy to think after such a short run, all the time spent and sweat poored that it's over. I leave "Waking Up A Generation" with a heavy heart. I have learned so much, and I'm so greatfull for the opportunity to stretch my creative muscles, and to perform again. But I am also very sad to leave, and to have such an emotional ride. I haven't felt this way since my very first show. I'm so happy with some of the personal relationships that I have forged with some of the cast and crew, but saddened by others relationships which have turned for the worst. I hate doubting that I'm a good person. But I am more confused then I have been in a long time. All I can hope is that time can help with the doubts, and that I can be a little happier again. And all I can think is that it was my fault. Thanks to everyone that came to support us, I'm more appreciative then I can ever express. I hope we can do a show again soon as Ignite!

After Opening Night!

Opening night! Wow, as much as we had prepared for tonight, I never really imagined actually stepping foot on the stage, and doing the show. There is something very surreal seeing something you created up there being said by actors. I think the show was very well received, and everything came together in the end. I’m so proud of everyone involved, everyone shined, and I’m so happy that they were open to doing this show, and working through all the changes along the way. I hope that we have a good audience tonight for the second show, and that they are at least as warm as opening night. After such a crazy day yesterday, it was so nice to just sleep in this morning. Thanks to everyone who came last night, and if you haven’t see it yet, please come tonight or tomorrow!

WAKING UP A GENERATION

Here is the show that we are doing at the end of August - come and check it out!

The show is a musical revue that features songs from newer musicals, such as "Wicked," "Light in the Piazza," "The...Spelling Bee," "Songs for a New World" and more! There is some amazing talent in the show, see bios and pics below...

COMPANY BIOS

Scott Carpenter (Frank) – Born and raised in Lethbridge, Alberta, Scott has been acting since he was a child. Originally a stage actor working in local community theatres, then as a professional actor with New West Theatre, he has performed in over 30 of their review shows. Scott moved to Vancouver 5 years ago and since then has starred in many musicals including “Cabaret” and “Jesus Christ Superstar” (Uncle Randy Productions), “The Music Man” (Royal City Musical Theatre), “Crazy for You” (Theatre Under the Stars), “Chess” and “The Bakers Wife” (Applause! Musicals), and “Working” (Footlight Theatre Company). Scott is thrilled to be involved in this collaborative production with these amazing actor and singers.

Shira Elias (Co-producer/Maria) – Shira is a 20-year-old performer whose passion is musical theatre and can be seen on stages through out Vancouver. She was most recently seen as Donna Marsala in Hoarse Raven’s Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding. In addition to musical theatre, Shira writes her own music and records in her spare time. She recently returned from training in New York and is attending the University of California at Irvine next fall for musical theatre.

Sarah Gay (Laurey) – Sarah has just completed her first year of life in Vancouver, and she is pleased that her life no longer includes freezing snow or stifling humidity. That’s right- she moved here from Toronto! While there, she attended RAPA for musical theatre performance and was seen in shows like Cabaret (New Yorker Theatre), As You Like It (CanStage), Really Great Hats (Alumnae Theatre), and at the Toronto Fringe Festival. In Vancouver, she has appeared twice with Applause! Musicals and performed at their Ovation Awards. This August she played Reno Sweeney in Pipedream Theatre Project’s production of Anything Goes. She can be seen this December in Gateway Theatre’s production of Emily.

Christopher King (Co-producer/Joey) – An avid singer, songwriter, and music teacher, Chris has performed for such companies as Gateway Theatre, Applause! Musicals in Concert, Theatre Under the Stars, Footlight Theatre, and Uncle Randy Productions. Past credits include Jackson in Pump Boys and Dinettes, Peter in Company, Reuben in Joseph, Ozzie in On the Town. In addition to performing, Chris also teaches voice and has been musical director for Footlight Theatre for their last four shows. His most recent works include: Flower Drum Song (Applause! Musicals in Concert) and Seussical the Musical, and the upcoming Fiddler on the Roof (Footlight Theatre).

Scott Knight (Musical Director) – Scott has been making music for more than 30yrs. He has studied at Cap. College, U.Vic., U.B.C., N.U.O.V.A. school for advanced studies in opera, and Tapestry New Opera in Toronto. He has worked for U.B.C. Opera, Burnaby Lyric Opera, Vancouver Academy Opera and toured with Vancouver Opera as Music Director and Pianist for over 250 performances of the Barber of Seville and La Cenerentola. In the world of Musical Theatre Scott has been Music Directing and teaching for more than 12yrs. Some of his favorite credits include Assassins and The Fantasticks with Quintessence Musical Theatre, conducting Carousel with Royal City, Hello Dolly with the Vancouver Playhouse, as well as West Side Story, Guys and Dolls and Cabaret. He has taught Music Theatre at Capilano College, Gateway Theatre, Arts Umbrella, C.Y.M.C. and the Chilliwack Academy of Music. He was nominated for a Jessie Richardson award for ‘Best Musical Direction’ for his work on Falsettos with Skycorner Productions. Scott is also a freelance pianist and enjoys working with many other groups including the Canadian Tenors and the V.I. Symphony. He is very proud to be a co-founder of A Little Knight Music, a Piano/Vocal studio on the North Shore of Vancouver.

Robert Markus (Billy) – Robert is thrilled to be a part of Ignite!’s first production! Robert was recently accepted into the University of Victoria’s 3 year Acting specialization program. Past performances include: Billy Crocker in Anything Goes with Pipedream, Ray in Tears of a Dinosaur for SATco Productions and Nick in BIG; the musical and Footloose with Theatre Under the Stars. Other Credits include: Present Laughter, Talk to Me Like the Rain…, 42^nd Street and Bye Bye Birdie. He is also a member of the performing group Showstoppers. Besides studying theatre, Robert is currently a student at the Victoria Conservatory of Music. Upcoming performances include: Father in Grimm Tales for SATco Productions and Dorset in Richard III at the Phoenix Theatre.

Eric Nelson (Tony) – Eric is thrilled to perform with a talented cast on a show with truly awesome contemporary music! Hailing from Regina, Saskatchewan, Eric moved to Vancouver last year after completing the Enriched Performing Arts Certificate Program at the Canadian College of Performing Arts in Victoria. He feels privileged to be living in a city rich with natural beauty and culture! Favourite roles include: Bob in The Saturday Night Club (Souris Valley Theatre), Dean Martin in Lost Vegas Live! (Aumentare Productions), and Swan in Cannibal! The Musical! (Three Schooner Productions). He would like to thank his wonderful family and friends for all of their ongoing love and support.

Nicole Stevens (Kim) – Nicole Stevens is 20 years old and recently spent a year in Victoria, where she studied at the Canadian College of Performing Arts. Her most recent credits include Seussical (Random Entertainment), Big the Musical (TUTS), and On Broadway (CCPA). Nicole also loves working with children. This past year she taught at the Lindbjerg Academy of Performing Arts and also worked with such high schools as Riverside Secondary and Centennial Secondary on their yearly musicals. She would like to thank her friends and family for all their love and support. Enjoy the show!

Jennifer Suratos (Co-producer/Nancy) – Jenn is a veteran in Vancouver community theatre, having performed on several stages in the Lower Mainland. She was last seen as the Sour Kangaroo in Seussical for CentreStage and Random Entertainment. Past credits include Linda Low in Flower Drum Song (Applause!), Tina Turner in Lost Vegas Live (Ovation Award Nominee), Soul Girl in Jesus Christ Superstar (Uncle Randy, and a gospel-singing Angel in The Most Happy Fag in the World (Raving Theatre). Jenn is preparing to enter the Masters in Theatre program at UBC this fall.

David Warburton (Stage Manager)