Portal Players Dramatic Society will present The Importance of Being Earnest as their entry in the North Island Zone Drama Festival in May. The News continues its feature on the actors behind the play with Melissa Hazel Lowe.
Melissa Hazel Lowe is no stranger to the stage. Having appeared in many Portal Players’ adaptations, Hazel Lowe is now a recognizable face in the Port Alberni community. She will grace the Alberni Valley with her presence again when The Importance of Being Earnest takes flight in May, portraying Cecily Cardew, the idealistic and naïve country girl in Oscar Wilde’s witty play.
“I loved this script because of the beauty in the writing,” she says. “Period pieces have always intrigued me because of costuming, the set, and then, of course, the writing itself.”
Like Portal Players’ other actors, Hazel Lowe is a volunteer at the theatre. She does not get paid for participating in any of the stage performances in which she has appeared over the past 13 years.
Born and raised in the Alberni Valley, Hazel Lowe works as an early childhood educator when not at the Capitol Theatre, which, she admits, is most of the time.
“I would say that I spend every chance I get at the theatre.
“It is my place to be me and not have to worry about anything. The people there are simply amazing.”
Hazel Lowe seems to have a penchant for contributing to the larger picture; her career is focused upon helping small people develop into worthwhile larger ones, and she cares about the people who share her community.
Case in point, she served as team captain on her Relay for Life team last year, and headed the Staples Stock the Lockers for 2009 and 2010.
“I take huge pride in fundraising,” Hazel Lowe says. “It is important for community and it excites me.”
The Importance of Being Earnest opens May 5 and runs through to May 21 at Port Alberni’s Capitol Theatre on Argyle Street. It is the Portal Players’ entry in the North Island Zone Drama Festival that is being held at Capitol Theatre this year.
The Importance of Being Earnest competes in the festival on May 22.
For tickets, please call the box office at 250-723-1195.