After auditions in Victoria, Nanaimo and Port Alberni, the 2011 Tin Pants Theatre Company cast has been chosen.
Artistic director, Kerry Robertson, had a large number of applicants to choose from. The results from these auditions was the selection of a five-member troupe.
“I believe that they will bring a whole lot of talent, enthusiasm, and energy to this summer’s season at McLean Mill National Historic Site,” Robertson said.
Cast members hail from as far away as Ontario, and of course, as close to home as Port Alberni. This year’s members are: James Brook, Marie Franceschini, Jonathan Greenway, Joseph Jeffrey and Demi Pedersen.
Franceschini is from the farthest away, but she is no stranger to Port Alberni. She is, in fact, a returning member from the 2009 Tin Pants Company and brings back to the show her beautiful singing voice, two and a half years of experience in the industry and her love of McLean Mill.
Jeffrey hails originally from Smithers and is presently enrolled at the Canadian College of Performing Arts in Victoria. He is an amazing “triple threat” actor (singing, dancing and acting) and is very much looking forward to broadening his performance experience by being part of Tin Pants.
Greenway is from Nanaimo, where he is presently enrolled in theatre at Vancouver Island University. For many years he has come out to McLean Mill to see the Tin Pants show and enjoy the Millwarts School of Magic events. Now it’s his turn to be part of the company and he can’t wait to being part of all that entails.
The two home-grown members are Demi Pedersen and James Brook. They both have a strong passion for improv, for the Alberni Valley, and for the opportunity to be part of the company. Like Greenway, they grew up enjoying McLean Mill and often volunteered their time out on the site.
Pedersen is presently completing her first year of theatre at V.I.U. and Brook is heading up the “Improv Army” at the Capitol Theatre.
The troupe will entertain, interact, guide, interpret, and improvise out at McLean Mill seven days a week this summer season.