A Decade in Review - Theatre, More Theatre and a whole lot of THE BOSS!

It's been way too long since I blogged. But bah, I have been to busy. However I was inspired by my friend Nadine’s posting on her blog and wondered if I could remember what I did in the last decade. I decided to do my own Decade in Review 2000-2009. Boy I saw BRUCE a lot.....kind of sad actually.

2000
My Grandfather passed away suddenly in the spring however this was a good year besides that. My good friend Maureen Smith and I started our own adhoc theatre company to produce The Drowning Girls for the Ottawa Fringe Festival. Not knowing what to expect, it was an amazing experience, in which by the end of our run we sold out and made money. Maureen went on to do shows at GCTC and NAC due to her reinstating Equity Status. My brother got married, and Tim and I got engaged. Saw Bruce Springsteen for the first time on the Reunion Tour. Finally understood what Tim and his friend gushed about.

2001
Tim and I travelled to Europe for the first time going on a cruise in Mediterranean (Greece and Italy) and passed through New York City for the first time. We didn’t get to see much of the town since we were just flying out from JFK airport but noted we had to go back. We booked the wedding and started planning stuff and bought our first house in the ‘burbs leaving our great Sandy Hill apartment behind (sigh, I loved that place).

2002
Got into Fringe again and started working on original show with Mo, Tim, and the fab Teri Loretto, but due to script not coming fast enough we cut our loses. But it was The year of love. Wedding planning – it was a theatrical event including posters as invitations, programs done in theatre style and for our guests to get us to kiss, they had to act out small scenes. People still talk about our wedding and what a great time it was – a brunch and a big party at our house and we spent minimal amount of money. Honeymooned in Stratford and Williamsburg Virginia. My cousin Geoff got engaged. Was called in last minute to fill in Thirdwall’s Julius Caesar. Saw Bruce Springsteen that year for The Rising Tour. (Cleveland) Wasn't great but you could see the tour would blossom.

2003
Started off the year with my first leading role in Moo for Sockin’ Buskin. A fun part. Living in the suburbs turned out to suck and we slowly kept thinking there is no way we could survive out there. Researched dog breeds, and waited for a litter of puppies to finally come and got our first dog Abby (a very needy Wire Fox Terrier), it sure was a lot of work. Tim wanted to give her back numerous times but I kept talking him out of it. Springsteen concerts this year = 2 (Rock-cha cha, and Ottawa – both STELLAR)

2004
Started Dog obedience with Abby, and discovered I loved being a crazy dog person. Joined Agility classes in the summer. Performed the lead in Hide and Seek at OLT where I met Jerome Bourgault for the first time.

2005
Busy busy year. Performed in the multiple award winning OLT production of Proof with Jerome again, in which I played Catherine (to which Alvina called my performance beautifully nuanced and I was nominated for multiple acting awards). Went to Belleville for Theatre Ontario Festival with the show. We also moved to Manor Park in the house of our dreams. I continued to do Agility with Abby, and by the end of the year joined another dog sport called Flyball. Abby loved to show off. Was disappointed to learn later that year that the breeder was not going to breed her. We were so looking forward to not having to deal with the “heats”. Travelled to Nova Scotia and New York City. Saw Bruce twice solo (Ottawa, Albany). Not a great year for our very good friends though as their son was diagnosed with Cancer. We were often worried about them all.

2006
Abby was finally bred to a beautiful male Wire Fox in Orangeville and we made the 10 hour return trip to pick her up. She had her litter of 7 at our breeders and Tim and I picked out Guinness the first week as he was cuddling up to his mommy. The puppies made me squeal. So cute. I continued to do Flyball, but found it hard to drive out to Carp for our 7am practices. In the fall got cast in what was to be a turning point role for me, it was Vision Theatre’s The Anger in Ernest and Ernestine. When saw the posting I said to Tim “that is MY part, it’s MINE”. And it was. Saw Springsteen twice with Seeger Sessions band in outdoor venues – Saratoga Springs and in Boston.

2007
Great year theatrically and friendship wise as I did the amazingly FUN show that I mentioned above with Vision, met Riley, Marsha and Sam. Got called 3 days before a play opened at New Edinburgh players to fill in for a sick actress and was on book. Was also rehearsing and performing in one woman show, Jewel at Ottawa Fringe under Maureen’s and my company. Quit Flyball as it was too much work. Took Guinness to Agility class and discovered as much as I loved it, it was too hard for me to do well. Got involved volunteering with Tototoo Theatre. Celebrated our 5th yr wedding anniversary with a 3 week trip to France in Paris and then south of France. Went to New York city Again to see….a Springsteen tribute at Carnagie hall in which the man himself showed up and I heard Rosalita live for the first time. It was awesome. Saw him again with Magic tour in Ottawa. Seeing a trend here and discovering we have a Bruce addiction.

2008
Got a squealing call from Maureen that I, the show (The Anger in E and E) and the director had been nominated for the first ever Rideau Awards. Got to do the very fun one acts at Fringe with Vision Theatre where I met the very talented Ken Godmere and cast him in a show Tim and I were directing for Tototoo Theatre, The Soldier Dreams (got to meet Daniel MacIvor). Also performed in Playing Bare with Evolution Theatre. Travelled to PEI for first time to do an acting intensive but fell in love with the Gentle Island. Tim’s photography started to take off with me as his pimp. Asked by Nadine Thornhill if I would direct her upcoming Fringe show should she get in. I was scared. I’d never directed an original show but I really liked Ned. Saw Springsteen in Rochester on Magic Tour.

2009
Performed in Life After God with Vision Theatre. Approached by Ottawa Little Theatre to direct the January show Drinking Alone (opens in a couple of weeks by the way). Nadine informed me she got into Fringe and sent me first draft of Oreo, to which is said “I’d love to direct this”. Met my new friends Sterling, Robin , the aforementioned Nadine, Colleenand got to get better acquainted with the lovely JP Chartier – then got to meet Wayne Current. Oreo went on to some success and Team Oreo had a blast! Did Birth fundraiser and new Laramie Staged reading. Convinced Tototoo to submit remounted Soldier Dreams into EODL One Act Festival – got Wayne on board. We won 3 awards. Got Sterling to do Tim’s original script – they won an award too. Joined the Artistic Committee at OLT under revamped theatre as co-chair of Learning and Special Program committee, got offered another show to direct for 2010 season opener. Now the EODL One Act Festival 2010 Chairperson. Saw Springsteen twice – once in State College PA , and the GREAT STADIUM show at Giants Stadium in Jersey!

2010
My show I am currently directing opens January 12th. Planning a trip to PEI again this summer. Organizing EODL festival at OLT for Fall, as well as staged reading with Peter Hinton for Play competition winner (being announced Jan 30th). Directing this summer – Crossing Delancey. Don’t think Springsteen is going to tour which makes me sad.