Odyssey Theatre has definitely been one of the best choices I have made in a long time. The audition and interview process was a great experience, giving you a feel of maybe not
working on stage but how people get jobs working behind the scene and in the office. Getting cast was a moment of surprise because when I auditioned I was only just the right age limit.

Then the summer programme started and I met all the wonderful people I was going to spend the summer with. One of first tasks I learned was how to make coffee. This really helped me  because there is a lot of down time in the park when your not needed, so offering to make some coffee really helped my popularity.

When the acting began I got to work with the professional actors, learn from them and perform myself. Alongside this, I helped construct the set, prepare the props and stage before every performance and then pack it all away again.

It was very exciting working for a summer season and many of my school friends asked if it got boring doing the same show 38 times and the answer was always no. Doing the show 38 times built a bond with the cast and crew and there was always a different situation or mishap to keep everyone on their toes.  But when the shows were done and dusted and the set was taken down I walked away with about 30 new friends, carpentry and set building skills, many different acting warm ups and more happy memories than I could count.

I would recommend anyone who was interested in the theatre to apply to Odyssey Theatre. It has been an experience of a lifetime and was the best environment to learn performing, practical and life skills in.

by Phoebe Williams ( YAP of 2011)

25th Anniversary newsletter

Michaela Deng – Front of House

They say that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. After participating in Odyssey Theatre’s Youth Apprenticeship Program, I agree. I’ve learned that every little job contributes to the final show, and this show could only be made possible with a full team of everyone… from stage managers to ticket sellers. There are countless people working on this play (half of them, I’ve never even met), and it’s simply magical to see how everybody’s share of work molds into something much bigger than you’d expect.

When I first applied, I honestly didn’t know what I was getting into! I thought it’d be “theatre camp”-ish, where every day, we’d fool around… let our creativity run. But, it turned out to be a true, hands-on, learning experience. I found that the trick was to absorb as much as possible; you learn as much as you want to learn because your will and observation all depends on you. And so, even though I didn’t have the chance to come as often as the others, I learned a truckload. I mean, I hammered my first nail on this set! Something I never would’ve expected to do! I feel privileged to have had this opportunity; it has been enlightening.

Something unique that has made this particular production outstanding is the fact that the play is a classic Italian comedy. Now, THAT is some pretty highbrow stuff. You don’t see many ads for those these days! It is said that theatre is becoming more and more underrated and overlooked. It’d be sad to think that beautiful masks and over-the-top costumes, hearty stories, real charisma, and “all that jazz” is slowly being replaced by plastic screens and “one-hit takes”. I, however, have definitely found a shiny, silver lining through Odyssey Theatre’s production of The Fan. The actors are so honest and raw in every rehearsal, the whole crew is so hard-working and dedicated, and the atmosphere is so down-to-earth and composed, yet totally professional at the same time. The setting, Strathcona Park, is so amazing that even the dozens of mosquito bites I get every night are worth it. As cheesy as it sounds, theatre is my bread and butter… the thing that drives me, and so, the idea of this play being a success so far is uplifting! It feels great to be a part of this marvellous masterpiece that Ottawa has been waiting to see unveiled!

Jay T Schramek, Nicolas Van Burek, Brad Long, Andy Massingham, Rose Napoli, Scott Thomas

Jay T Schramek, Rose Napoli, Nicolas Van Burek

Robin Craig, Andy Massingham

Nicolas Van Burek, Brad Long, Jay T Schramek

Nicolas Van Burek, Robin Craig, Kaitlyn Semple, Andy Massingham, Michael Showler

Madison Hayes-Crook – Front of House

The second week of performances has finally commenced and after volunteering for a month with Odyssey I can honestly say this has been one of the best learning experiences in theater I’ve ever had. Being given the opportunity to take part in the stage management, set construction, front of house and helping the actors in any way possible has proven that it really does take the hard work and dedication of every one in a show; from each individual working back stage and in rehearsals to the actors themselves in order for a show to be successful.  Being able to watch rehearsal was a fantastic opportunity in itself, as an aspiring actor it really set apart professionals at work from amateurs having fun. 

Every actor in the show is tremendously talented and has the ability to take immediate direction and work in a way that is always positive and contributes to the performance. Witnessing this has shown me many desired characteristics in an actor, characteristics that I now hope to learn. Each and every one of Odyssey’s actors in the FAN have work countless hours discovering their characters and analyzing their thoughts, movements and lines to create a performance that will entertain, anyone young or old, and make the most of their theatre experience. Learning about the stage manager’s position in the workshop and seeing the stage manager in action, was an incredible learning curve as well.  I hadn’t realized just how crucial and demanding the stage manager’s job  – have the utmost respect for all of the individuals in the profession. And finally that brings me to my work with the front of house crew.  Everyone is focused, and always willing to help those who ask. Every individual I’ve had the pleasure of working with at Odyssey has been so kind and appreciative of the YAP’s work, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank every one who I have had the chance to work with, and congratulate them on the fantastic show they have created.

Being on the road has it’s challenges.  It takes a little while to find grocery stores and places to hang out, but this makes for great adventures!  I eat organically as much as I can, and am on a gluten and wheat free diet.  But this hasn’t proved too difficult in this city, which is great!  I just went to Market Organic today, and ate at the Green Door last weekend.  There are a few other places I’ll be checking out this weekend!

Before coming to Ottawa, everyone told me how beautiful it is here in the summer… which has proved to be very true!  I rode my bike to Parliament Hill and was stunned – it is so magical!  I have also sat and read in numerous parks all over the city, and I’m currently sitting by the Rideau Canal.  The Rideau Canal bike path is my favorite path so far.

I bought a bike on the first day of rehearsal, which proved to be the best idea ever.  I love how Ottawa is full of cyclists, and that there are many designated spots on the roads.  Not having a car can sometimes be annoying when you’re in a new city, but having a bike in this city is the way to go!

I’m meeting up with some old friends from high school tonight!  Hopefully they’ll fill me in on more places to check out in the city.  On my day off tomorrow I’m going to check out The Glebe and do a little shopping.

This summer is just flying by.  Our director, David S. Craig, is amazing!  He’s so full of insight and hilarious ideas.  The cast is awesome.  I’m learning so much about comedy and timing and mask work and the baroque era and… I could go on and on .  Plus we’re outside in beautiful Strathcona Park!  I constantly have to pinch myself to remember how lucky I am that this is my JOB!

Thanks Odyssey for this fantastic summer!

Being away from friends has been difficult, but on the other hand… being in Ottawa has allowed me to connect with other friends who have moved here over the years.

As always with our kind of work, being an actor means being away for many important family events.  I’ve missed several, but I also have quite a bit of family in the Ottawa Valley and it’s been nice to re-connect with extended family who I don’t get to see as often.

Being away from my wife is by far the most difficult thing for me.  My wife Kerry and I talk several times a day so Skype is just a God-send.  We will often wake up and have breakfast together on Skype.  Absence truly makes the heart grow fonder.  We really work at making the long distance part of our relationship succeed.  In a way, it makes you value your partner and we are always sending little notes, care packages, texts, and cute voicemails to each other.  After a decade together, we know what it takes to make distance work… but it is NEVER easy.

Pets… this is a hard one.  I am an animal lover.  We have two crazy cats – Simeon & Pandora.  Both of them delight us each day.  Pandora is our newest member of the family, she’s still a kitten but is very smart.  Kerry shares hilarious stories about the silliness with our cats – a daily occurrence.

Here is a video of Pandora – who likes to play fetch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJw2_KtBKZ4

There simply is no bed better than your own.  I’ve stayed in the fanciest hotels, in over-water bungalows in Bora Bora, Sleep Numbers, Tempur Pedic, Posturpedic… the list goes on but, there is no bed that is more comfortable than the one you have at home!

Coming to a ‘home away from home,’ I always take little steps to ensure my comfort.  I always buy a new foam mattress topper and new pillows.  It seems like a small thing, but it makes all the difference in the world.

I am often asked if being away from home is a “nice break.”

I wouldn’t describe Ottawa as a ‘nice break,’ but rather a ‘new adventure.’  I delight in discovering the things about a city that a visitor would overlook if they were staying for only a short period.  Certainly I make the rounds to see all the major attractions, but I also have the time to really discover the hidden gems that locals share with me.  Whenever I travel to work in a new city, I am constantly reminded what a wonderful country we have and how many fantastic people & places there are to discover.

Is being on the road part of the fun or just part of the job you ask?

It is both, of course!  Being on the road often bonds you tighter to a cast – they become your family away from home.  The bonds forged in contracts away from home often become the foundation of friendships that last a lifetime.  Sometimes the ‘Part of the Job’ side can take over.  Performing in Thunder Bay in the winter… at the time it might have had a ‘part of the job’ feel, but the wonderful stories you get from it are often are the only memories you walk away with.

This is my first time in Ottawa for any real duration. I often come to Ottawa to teach dance at the local competitive studios or to adjudicate a dance competition.

It seems every time I come to Ottawa there is a cause for celebration.  The last time I was here was during the Stanley Cup Playoffs when the Sens were playing.  This time it’s the Royals visiting.  Boy, this city knows how to throw a party!

I’ve just begun my adventures here.  So far I’ve been to the Byward Market, biked all over downtown, traveled the beautiful network of bike paths, and celebrated on Odyssey’s 25th Anniversary (speaking of parties!).  By far the most fun has been working alongside such a talented cast and the team at Odyssey.  There are so many people bringing all their talents to this production.  Every day we laugh, we learn, and we revel in the process of mounting this production.

I always love trying new places to eat & have a drink when I am in a new city.  Finding the hidden gems takes some work, but it always pays off.  I have only just started to get my feet wet with this kind of thing here in Ottawa… recommendations are always appreciated!!

I DID have one of the best burgers of my life at “The Works.”

Fortunately some of my friends who I performed with in Mamma Mia are from Ottawa, so I will be connecting with them while I am here.  I’m also guest teaching at Greta Leeming Studio of Dance while I am here for the summer.

I hope you will come out to enjoy our show!!

Dayna Loeper – Stage Management

When I first signed up for the Youth Apprenticeship Program, I was thinking that it would be a fun way to spend my summer. I thought that I would sit in the park, observing actors, and doing what the stage manager told me. I was wrong. It is 100 times better than I had originally presumed it would be. I didn’t think that I would learn so much, work so hard and meet such great people.

When we were first introduced into Youth Apprenticeship Program, we were told that there is so much to learn by just observing, and I really have. Watching the rehearsal process that these professional actors go through is really fascinating. It was interesting to watch how the actors took direction, and the choices they made. When the director would give a note to one of the actors, the actor would take the note and really bring it to life, which was just so intriguing to watch. Also the very first day all the Youth Apprentices read through the script. The script was funny, but watching the actors act out the script, and seeing the decisions they made with how they said the lines, how they moved, and with their characters made it hilarious.

Another aspect of the Youth Apprenticeship Program that I was not predicting was the amount of work we have been doing. We have made scaffolding; moved flats, and painted, all in the insane heat. It may be hard work, but it is so rewarding. I know how to build scaffolding now! It’s amazing! Also, seeing how our hard work pays off is such a great feeling. The set is almost finished now, and knowing that I was a part of creating it, makes me very proud.

Working with Odyssey on a professional show is an amazing opportunity that I could have never expected. I have learned so much and it’s only been three weeks. We’ve gotten the chance to be a part of a very educational stage management workshop, and we’ve gotten to understudy characters in the show. These are just some of the benefits of this program.

Ben Murchison – Administration

Three weeks ago I started at Odyssey Theatre as a Youth Apprentice, and three weeks ago if you asked to send a fax, build scaffolding or do any sort of odd job I would not have any idea how to even start the task. Now, three weeks later I can proudly that I can do most jobs quickly and efficiently. When I first started working in the office I thought it was just going to be a boring desk job, I had no idea that it would turn out to be a fun experience, I enjoy getting up and going to work everyday, knowing that what awaits me in the office will both educate me and put a smile on my face. I have always been interested in theater, both the acting and production sides. The Youth Apprenticeship Program has given me the opportunity to expand both horizons. I have learnt an unbelievable amount about: Costumes, Set design, light design, Front of House and anything that goes in to a production. One of the main ways I have learnt these things is not by any lesson, or instruction but just by observing these professionals at work. For example I have learnt an unbelievable amount about stage management just by observing, the way they can call show it is truly spectacular; a true art form. Acting is the other aspect of theater that Odyssey has helped me with. I can honestly say that just by watching these actors perform one scene you learn an exponential amount. The cast is truly spectacular and they are so open to questions, that it makes the experience that much better. So far Odyssey has given me so much more than I had anticipated, three weeks ago I thought I was going into a boring office job, but I now realize that I could not have been more wrong. From building sets to typing emails, Odyssey has given me  an experience far beyond than I could have ever hoped for, the skills and memories that I have gained so far this summer and will continue to gain, will stay me for the rest of my life.

Phoebe William – Performance

Though the last 2 week’s or so i have learned so much that i never even expected to learn. and do thing that i wouldn’t even thought about doing.

Being a YAP is a hard job. But I know  that what I am doing is what needs to be done weather I  want to or not its what makes every thing run smoothly. I am really enjoying working with the cast and the crew. I have had a blast watching the actors seeing how the manipulate the mask in to art. I loved working on the set I helped paint build scaffolding and moved lumber. 

I am also enjoying being an under study for one of the actors parts. learning their lines and blocking is a very fun job watching learning and then doing what the actors are doing.

Now that I am looking back at the past 2 weeks I have realized  that the amount of things I have learned is huge just watching the director, the actors, the stage manager, the lighting and sound guys, the set making crew really shows all the components you really need to put on a show. I am looking forwarded to the shows there will be lots to learn seeing them.