Meet the cast of Cinderella – The Panto! | Sal Figliomeni as Speline Dijon
Posted on December 7, 2024
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We chatted with the hilarious Sal Figliomeni about Cinderella – The Panto!, what are the challenges and rewards of live theatre compared to other forms of acting, what’s the funniest line of dialogue in the play, and what he’d do next if he had a magic wand.
Sal Figliomeni as Speline Dijon in Cinderella – The Panto!
Lighthouse Festival (LF): If you had a magic wand, what would you do next after Cinderella?
Sal Figliomeni (SF): My magic wand would pick “ Mother Goose” the Panto.
(LF): What will the audience laugh at most during a performance of Cinderella?
(SF): The audience will laugh most at the tall, funny, stepsister.
(LF): Without giving anything away, what’s your favorite line of dialogue?
(SF): “Could we? Should we? We Must!“
(LF): What are the challenges and rewards of live theatre compared to other forms of acting?
(SF): The rewards of live theatre, especially Panto, is the audience participation. The more they engage and respond, the better the whole show is for everyone.
(LF): What’s the biggest challenge about taking on this role?
(SF): The biggest challenge about this role is sharing the “Dame” role with someone. It is usually all about me!!! Kidding… Not kidding. LOL.
Giving Tuesday – Illuminate The Future of Lighthouse Festival!
Posted on December 3, 2024
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Dear Lighthouse Patrons,
On this Giving Tuesday, we are reminded of the profound impact art has on our lives. At Lighthouse Festival, we believe that theatre is more than just entertainment—it is a mirror of our shared humanity, a spark that ignites creativity, and a space where voices are heard, stories are told, and communities are united.
Each year, we bring fresh voices to the stage, offering playwrights, directors, and performers the opportunity to craft stories that reflect our diverse experiences, challenge our perspectives, and connect us as a nation. Your donations have made this possible—and together, we can continue to grow.
This holiday season, we invite you to join us in a special mission: to continue nurturing and celebrating Canadian artists, while enriching the cultural fabric of our communities. With your support, we can shine even brighter in 2025 and beyond!
Your Giving Tuesday gift directly supports:
Emerging Canadian Artists: Your donation helps fund the development and production of new plays by Canadian playwrights. These works often start as raw ideas, but with the help of our creative team and your support, they are nurtured into fully realized productions.
Community Engagement: Through outreach, community partnerships, and our annual festival, we provide access to high-quality theatre for people of all ages and backgrounds. Your gift helps make theatre more accessible and meaningful for thousands of audience members each year.
A Thriving Future: Lighthouse Festival is not just about celebrating the present. Your contributions allow us to look ahead with optimism and excitement as we plan new initiatives, expand our programming, and develop the next generation of Canadian talent.
With your support we will continue to have have privilege of welcoming new artists to our festival, and nurturing existing relationships with your favourite talent.
“I’ve been blessed to have been embraced several times as an actor and even once as a writer at Lighthouse. I’m always impressed by the community who is involved, artistically curious, and so supportive of what theatre can bring to their experience and enjoyment of life. It’s a magic place for all of us.” – Deb Hale, ‘Sheree Hollinger’ in The Sweet Delilah Swim Club
Thank you for being a vital part of our journey. Your support makes all the difference, and we are deeply grateful for your commitment to the arts.
Meet the cast of Cinderella – The Panto! | Raquel Duffy as Fairy Godmother
Posted on December 3, 2024
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We sat down for a wee chat with Raquel about Cinderella – The Panto!, how she sees the role of theatre in today’s society, what’s the funniest line of dialogue in the play, and what is the biggest misconception about people who work in the world of theatre.
Raquel Duffy as Fairy Godmother in Cinderella – The Panto!
Lighthouse Festival (LF): How do you see the role of theatre in today’s society?
Raquel Duffy (RD): Many of us live/play/work in an alternate ‘cyber’ world. Theatre allows a shared experience–not only with friends and family, but with complete strangers. In my opinion, that group connection theatre offers is vital to the human experience.
(LF): What’s the funniest line of dialogue for you in Cinderella?
(RD): There’s a bit that starts with “pull my finger”. And yes, I have the same sense of humour as your average 10 year old. That’s all I’ll say for now:)
(LF): What drew you to this role in Cinderella?
(RD): Well–bippity boppity boo!! I grew up reading this story, so to play the iconic role of the fairy godmother is a gift.
(LF): What are the challenges and rewards of live theatre compared to other forms of acting?
(RD): I think the challenge is the reward—having to repeat the same thing over and over again and keep it fresh each and every time can be hard, but within that structure, there’s a freedom that exists. The reward is when you hit that sweet spot, even if it’s only for a moment.
(LF): What do you think is the biggest misconception people have about working in theatre?
(RD): That theatre people are always living it up. Most of us are quite regimented due to the physical and mental demands of 8 shows a week. I won’t say that we’re boring, but perhaps not as wildly exciting as people might think.
For Immediate Release: March Break Family Fun at Lighthouse Festival with Dufflebag Theatre’s Interactive Shows
Posted on December 2, 2024
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December 2, 2024 | Port Dover, ON – Get ready for a laugh-out-loud, interactive theatrical adventure this March Break as Lighthouse Festival welcomes the nearly world-famous Dufflebag Theatre for two unforgettable family-friendly performances of Robin Hood and Sleeping Beauty!
These delightfully funny and interactive shows are perfect for kids and parents alike. Tickets are only $17 each, or bring the whole gang with a family four-pack for just $60!
Performance Schedule:
Robin Hood: March 11th in Port Dover
Sleeping Beauty: March 12th in Port Dover, March 13th in Port Colborne
Dufflebag Theatre brings their signature brand of hilarity, heart, and improvisation to these beloved tales. With a twist: audience members are invited to join the cast on stage to become part of the story! Plus, kids and parents are encouraged to dress up as their favourite fairy-tale or adventure characters to add to the fun.
Robin Hood delivers a rollicking ride through Sherwood Forest as our hero battles the bumbling Sheriff of Nottingham along with Maid Marian—all while stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. Expect sword fights, silly jokes, and a few surprises as the audience becomes part of the Merry Men!
In Sleeping Beauty, witness the chaos when a feisty princess, a trio of wacky fairies, and one not-so-frightening villain collide in a timeless tale of true love—with a comedic twist. Will the prince get lost on the way? Will the audience become the fairy-tale kingdom? You’ll have to come to see!
“Dufflebag Theatre is thrilled to partner with Lighthouse Festival to bring these stories to life in the most unexpected and hilarious ways,” said Marcus Lundgren, Artistic Director of Dufflebag Theatre. “The magic of these performances is how the audience helps create the story—it’s live theatre at its most fun!”
Jane Spence, Artistic Director of Lighthouse Festival, added, “This is a perfect way to enjoy March Break with your family. Dufflebag Theatre’s energy and creativity are unmatched, and we can’t wait to see families in our community laughing, cheering, and dressing up for these shows!”
Don’t miss out on this must-see March Break experience. Tickets are available to the public starting on December 5th, 2024 at lighthousetheatre.com or by calling the box office at 888-779-7703.
Media Contact For media inquiries and further information, please contact:
Don Kearney-Bourque Marketing & Communications Manager Lighthouse Festival Theatre Corporation don@lighthousetheatre.com Direct: (226) 290-0070 Cell: (289) 541-7410
Meet the cast of Cinderella – The Panto! | Helen Belay as Prince Charming
Posted on December 2, 2024
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We chatted with Helen about Cinderella – The Panto!, what are the challenges and rewards of live theatre compared to other forms of acting, what drew her to this role in Cinderella, and what she’d do next if she had a magic wand.
Helen Belay as Prince Charming in Cinderella – The Panto!
Lighthouse Festival (LF): If you had a magic wand, what would you do next after Cinderella?
Helen Belay (HB): There are a variety of pieces I’m interested in, sure, but I’ve also found that the most enticing or special experiences of my career thus far have been the pieces I never saw coming. I think one of the beautiful things about theatre is the work we’ve yet to see or even dream of. That said, I also have a soft spot for the classics, so something in the realm of that would be a real treat!
(LF): What will the audience laugh at most during a performance of Cinderella?
(HB): There’s a buffet of laughs to be had, I think! I’m really enjoying watching the many reworked versions of tunes we all know, and the moments of silliness that run on the ethos of, “More! More! More!”
(LF): What drew you to this role in Cinderella?
(HB): The opportunity to make people laugh. I’ve always loved laughing and making people laugh, and it’s been a hot minute since I’ve had the chance to do so.
(LF): What are the challenges and rewards of live theatre compared to other forms of acting?
(HB): I think the challenge of theatre lies in the essence of it being live — where there are no second takes, where mistakes must not only just be forgiven, but arguably, celebrated and where the pursuit of spontaneity and “aliveness” are perpetual — but that’s also what’s beautiful. I was once told that if we’re all doing our job right, the hearts of everyone onstage and offstage, in the audience, are in sync. Is there anything cooler than that? That has to be one of my favourite parts of the theatre — feeling and hearing the ensemble and audience, and getting to a place of ease where that dynamic is a dance.
(LF): What’s the biggest challenge about taking on this role?
(HB): Not corpsing when receiving the bounty of delightful offers from the rest of the cast, and not judging myself when heaving my own into the mix! P.S. For those who might not know, corpsing isn’t anything serious — it just means bursting into laughter when you shouldn’t! In answering this, I learned that it’s called that because the worst time to burst into laughter is when you’re playing a corpse, hahaha.
It was a panto. It is different than other plays. You are participating in the story.They ask you questions and you yell things back.
The stepsisters were very, very, funny. I really liked the tall sister and my brother liked the short one.
I liked that there were a lot of jokes. There was also a lot of dancing.
I really liked the music. They took songs that you knew and changed the words.
They help tell the story. I like how they sang a song about bananas
The actors came right up to people in audiences and interacted with them. I heard a lot of people laughing the whole time. I like that the audience was singing and dancing.
I Loved Cinderella. If you want to have a good time for a family night I would suggest going to see Cinderella. It plays in Port Dover until December 7th.
Next December there is another panto and it is the Wizard of Oz. I can’t wait to see it.
Thank you Lighthouse Theatre for inviting me to review Cinderella.
A very BIG thank you to Abby and her family for coming to Lighthouse Festival today and reviewing our holiday panto! We really appreciate it and we’re so glad you enjoyed the show! – The Staff at Lighthouse Festival
Tickets to our 2025 Community Show are now on sale!
Posted on November 28, 2024
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A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder promises a laugh-a-minute, musical extravaganza!
Tickets to our ever-popular community show are now on sale lighthousetheatre.com and we can’t wait to share this hilarious musical with you this spring.
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder is like a delightfully twisted game of Clue, but instead of figuring out who the murderer is, you’re cheering them on! Set in Edwardian England, this witty musical comedy centres around Monty Navarro, a penniless chap who discovers he’s ninth in line to inherit a posh title and a fortune. Of course, there’s a small hiccup – eight family members stand in his way. So, what’s an ambitious fellow to do? Well, murder, obviously, but in the most charming, creative, and downright hilarious ways possible!
Monty’s problem-solving techniques are less “whodunit” and more “whodone-it-again,” as he systematically (but oh-so-politely) bumps off his distant relatives, all while keeping his love life as complicated as humanly possible. He’s juggling two women: Sibella, who’s more interested in status than love, and Phoebe, who’s pure-hearted and ready to make Monty her own gentleman. But love, murder, and climbing the social ladder don’t mix easily – especially when they’re happening all at once!
Throw in the fact that one incredibly versatile actor plays all eight doomed family members, from the doddering old Lord to the slightly-too-eccentric Lady, and you’ve got a recipe for non-stop laughs, tasteful (and tasteless) music, with plenty of sharp wit and slapstick to boot.
Perfect for fans of dark humour, quirky characters, and murderously good fun, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder proves that in the race for wealth and love, sometimes you have to get your hands a little dirty – while keeping your manners impeccable, of course!
With a cast filled with local favourites and a bunch of new faces, we promise you’ll leave with a sore stomach from laughing too hard.
Meet the cast of Cinderella – The Panto! | Allan Cooke as Shania
Posted on November 25, 2024
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We sat down with Allan to chat about Cinderella – The Panto!, what’s the most rewarding part of his job, and what are the challenges and rewards of live theatre compared to other forms of acting.
Allan Cooke as Shania in Cinderella – The Panto!
Lighthouse Festival (LF): How do you see the role of theatre in today’s society?
Allan Cooke (AC): A lot would depend on the type of show you’re seeing. There’s still great theatre that challenges you to think and see the world in a different way and we need that. But just as important is Panto and comedy and musicals providing pure escapism and entertainment. We probably want more of the latter these days if we feel the world is getting worse!
(LF): What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
(AC): On this gig it’s a tie between having a blast with the cast in the rehearsal room; coming up with silly bits, trying out ideas; and getting on stage, connecting with the audience and getting those laughs.
(LF): What drew you to this role in Cinderella?
(AC): I knew working alongside Sal again it’d be a Master’s Degree in Subtle, Nuanced Restraint, and I’ve been proved right – so much fun. Also, Jonny always gathers a great cast and garners a generous atmosphere for these things and once again he’s pulled the rabbit out the hat.
(LF): What are the challenges and rewards of live theatre compared to other forms of acting?
(AC): On both counts it would be immediate feedback from the audience. They’ll laugh if you’re funny, clap if you;re good, and quickly bring the tumbleweed if it all goes to pot.
(LF): What do you think is the biggest misconception people have about working in theatre?
(AC): Tough one. It might be that people think it looks easier than it is. But then, that’s our job, to make it look effortless, so who’s complaining? In rehearsals, if it does feel like hard work, even as we’re pouring our hearts and mind into it as we do, we might not be doing it right, because the best stuff tends to come from knowing how to play, how to love the process as you engage with it and embracing even the steeper learning curves!
Bylaw officers caught hundreds of people breaking the rules at the Port Dover beach over the summer. But the offenders did not pay a dime in fines.
The man in charge of enforcement says that was by design.
“The intent behind this was compliance,” Jim Millson, Norfolk’s manager of bylaw services, told councillors at Wednesday’s meeting.
Instead of issuing tickets, Millson explained, private security guards and Norfolk’s bylaw staff educated beach goers about what is not allowed on the privately owned beach.
Beachgoers enjoy a sunny Saturday on the sand in Port Dover. The owners of the private beach are in favour of welcoming tourists back next summer. Spectator file photo
Warnings and one-on-one discussions worked to change visitors’ behaviour “100 per cent of the time, or very close to that,” Millson said, adding repeat offenders were rare.
“Once the message is passed (on), then everybody is aware,” he said.
This past summer at the popular beach was “generally uneventful,” Millson told councillors, with an average of 18 daily interactions between security personnel and visitors.
Of the approximately 1,200 infractions reported, 515 were warnings to people who wanted to set up an enclosed tent, which are forbidden under the terms of the county’s lease agreement with the beach’s owners.
Another 276 people were told to get their dogs off the beach, while 191 warnings were issued for smoking or vaping, and 141 people were asked to take down large beach umbrellas blocking the view of Lake Erie.
A few dozen complaints covered people drinking alcohol or barbecuing on the sand.
County staff met last month with the beach’s owners, who confirmed they want to continue the lease agreement next summer, albeit with more garbage pickup and security on-site until Sept. 30 rather than Labour Day.
“In general, the feedback was positive and the 2024 season was deemed to be an improvement over previous summer seasons and a success,” Millson’s report read.
Norfolk paid a hair under $78,000 to run the beach this summer. Security was the highest single expense at $20,300, followed by cleaning the beach and renting garbage bins.
Next summer the price tag for bylaw enforcement will jump to $26,600.
Mayor Amy Martin said she understands the education-based approach, but wondered aloud if that commits the municipality to a hefty security bill every summer without seeing any of the cost recouped through fines.
Chief administrative officer Al Meneses said as visitors get the message about what behaviour is acceptable, the need for full-time enforcement on the beach “will likely go down” and the security budget can drop accordingly.
“Compliance seems to be getting better year after year. I think the approach is working,” Meneses said.
“That’s what we felt all along — if people knew the rules, they would abide by the rules.”
J.P. Antonacci’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative. jpantonacci@thespec.com
Call for Submissions – Lighthouse Festival Theatre Box Office Lobby Art Exhibit
Posted on November 16, 2024
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Call for Submissions: Indigenous Artists for 2025 Season Art Exhibit
Lighthouse Festival Theatre is pleased to announce a Call for Submissions for artwork created by an Indigenous artist to be displayed in our Box Office Lobby Gallery throughout the 2025 season. We are particularly interested in showcasing the talent of local Indigenous artists, and we welcome a variety of mediums, including sculpture, paintings, beadwork, and more.
We are looking for 8-15 large or medium-scale pieces that will be installed in January 2025 and remain on display until December. The exhibition provides a unique opportunity to share your work with the over 60,000 people that walk through our doors each year.
If your work is chosen, it can be available for sale, and we are proud to support our artists by taking no commission—all proceeds go directly to you. To ensure continuous display, we encourage artists to provide additional pieces that can be kept on-site, should a work be purchased and collected before the end of the season.
Once installed, we will host an opening event to showcase the artwork that includes an invitation to the public, food, champagne and music, likely in February or March of 2025.
To participate, please follow the link below to fill out the Call for Submission form. Should your work be chosen, we ask that you provide an artist bio, along with a description of 1-3 pieces you are submitting. Descriptions should include the title, price, medium, and the date of creation, and will be displayed alongside your artwork.
This is a wonderful opportunity for Indigenous artists to share their stories and creativity in our community space. If you are interested in being part of this exhibit, please complete the form below.
We are excited to celebrate the rich, artistic traditions of Indigenous cultures and look forward to showcasing your work in our theatre lobby.
For further questions, please contact Don Kearney-Bourque, Marketing and Communications Manager, at don@lighthousetheatre.com.
The whimsical spectacle of Cinderella: The Panto will bring the magic of the holiday season to Port Dover’s Lighthouse Festival Theatre’s stage from November 28 to December 8. Following on the successful heels of LFT’s 2023 first Panto: Jack and the Beanstalk, Jonathan Ellul has returned to direct this Panto “where glass slippers meet pumpkin chariots and a Fairy Godmother moonlights as a life coach for mice.”
The Cast & Crew of Cinderella – The Panto! at Lighthouse Festival
A British Christmas tradition dating back to the 18th Century, Pantos are designed to entertain the entire family and all ages whether you have kids to bring or not. Cinderella: The Panto, created by playwright Ken MacDougall, is a skewed, fractured and raucous couple of hours; somewhat unpredictable, Jonathan told the Maple Leaf in an interview last week. Jokes are two levels of humour, Artistic Director Jane Spence said, appealing to adults and children alike. The two explained Pantos are generally based on Fairytales because they are in the public domain, they star iconic characters and the cast can play with it. Jonathan said the cast comprises very experienced actors who are enjoying the improv nature of a Panto. He jokingly suggested “the script of Cinderella is written for the Muppets but we got hold of it.” Every production depends on the personalities of your cast and the ideas that percolate with them, he said. It will be unique, Jane added. You won’t see it again because each production is specific to its year.
Over the years, Jonathan has performed in many Pantos, including Jack and the Beanstalk, Snow White and the Seven Vertically Challenged Dwarfs, Aladdin, and Cinderella. Jonathan remembered last year two women walked out of the theatre arm in arm and said the Panto “was so corny; just loved it.”
It’s a heightened, stylized show with the addition of an extra live musician to lift things up, Jonathan shared. This format was precursor to cartoons/looney tunes and uses all the tropes that a Panto can take from a classic story and make it so funny. There are jokes and innuendos that will be funny to adults and over the heads of kids, he said. And yes, in this staging, “the clock strikes midnight, but not before Cinderella swaps the ballgown for tattered rags,” LFT shared. “The ugly stepsisters compete in a high stakes dance – off and the Prince insists on using a GPS to find the mysterious shoe owner.” There are talking mice, disco balls and a pumpkin spice carriage.
It’s promising a great night, Jane said. “It’s fun for every age. A family tradition.”
The cast comprises: Helen Belay as Prince Charming; Allan Cooke as Shania; Raquel Duffy as Fairy Godmother; Katie Edwards as Cinderella; Sal Figliomeni as Lustyria; Steve Gauci as Dandi; Brad Hart as Drummer; and Stephen Ingram as Buttons. The Creative Team includes: Eric Bunnell, Set Designer; Alex Amini, Costume Designer; Steven Lucas, Lighting Designer; Kiri – Lynn Muir, Choreographer; Daniele Guillaume, Stage Manager; Ben Tuck, Assistant Stage Manager. For tickets, contact the Lighthouse Festival Theatre Box Office at www.lighthousetheatre.com , by calling 519 – 583 – 2221 or visit at 247 Main Street, Port Dover.
Last year, Southern Ontario’s Lighthouse Festival brought an old tradition to a whole new audience: A holiday pantomime. The risk paid off.
“It was like baby turtles to the sea,” said Jonathan Ellul, the director of 2023’s panto Jack and the Beanstalk, in an interview. Ellul returns to Lighthouse this fall to helm 2024’s panto, Cinderella.
“About 10 minutes in, everyone was right on board opening night,” he continued. “During the reception, a man came up to me. He was a dad with little kids, and I could see that his parents were with him too.
“He took my hand and thanked me,” said Ellul, “because [his family] had just emigrated from England, [where the panto tradition originated], and in his mind he’d accepted that they weren’t going to see any more pantos. He welled up with tears and told me, ‘To see my kids and my parents sitting together having a wonderful time has made my whole Christmas.’ So that was my personal win.”
“I was born in England,” said Jane Spence, Lighthouse Festival’s new artistic director, in a separate interview. “When we came to Canada, [pantomime] was a tradition my mother sought out. It was magical, because I’d never gone to theatre where you could interact before.”
Concept art for this year’s pantomime gives a sneak peek of what audiences can expect this holiday season. Photo courtesy of Lighthouse Festival Theatre.
As per panto tradition, Cinderella will feature audience call-and-response, topical zingers, and loving nods to the local community, framed by an irreverent retelling of a classic fairytale. Jack and the Beanstalk’s playwright, Ken MacDougall, will once again pen the script for the show.
“Ken is brilliant,” said Ellul. “He’s very funny, and if he knows the actors [in the panto] — if he’s seen their work, or he’s worked with them — you can actually hear their voices in the lines he gives them.”
Like its predecessor, Cinderella willfeature an all-star cast whose comic chops fit the panto tradition like custom-made glass slippers. The ensemble includes Helen Belay (Come Home: The Legend of Daddy Hall) as Prince Charming, Raquel Duffy (Appropriate) as the Fairy Godmother, and Katie Edwards (Jack in the Beanstalk) as Cinderella. Sal Figliomeni — who played last year’s pantomime dame — and Allan Cooke will play Minnie and Brobby, Cinderella’s stepsisters.
There to highlight the actors’ tomfoolery is drummer, singer, and instrumentalist Brad Hart, who recently released his first solo album, Notes Like Ghosts. Hart will play live on stage and “is going to become a kind of commenter on the show,” said Ellul. “My hope is, as the show goes on, he’ll become more and more involved until he’s practically a full character: the reluctant drummer who gets wound up in the chaos.”
Ellul first became involved with panto as a young actor, via the Stirling Festival Theatre in Hastings County, Ontario. In 1998, Stirling’s then-artistic director and founder Caroline Smith hired Ellul, as well as MacDougall, to perform in Stirling’s own version of Jack and the Beanstalk. Ellul continued performing in pantos at Stirling Festival into the 2000s, as well as in Ross Petty’s touring production of Aladdin in 2006.
“Having done pantos myself, I know that [the best] ideas come out of rehearsal, where the actors are just playing,” Ellul said. “Part of directing is reminding myself to graciously accept new ideas and willingly let go of what I’d had in mind.”
In her interview, Spence noted that Ellul’s comic prowess as an actor makes him the perfect match for panto’s generous spirit. “I had the pleasure of watching Jonathan when he did The Foursome [by Norm Foster] here,” she said. “He was so funny that, several times during the show, the other actors had to wait for the audience to stop laughing long enough to say the next line. I think he’s a comedic genius.”
Spence’s predecessor, Derek Ritschel, was the driving force behind bringing panto to Lighthouse. It was Ritschel who asked Ellul to direct Jack and the Beanstalk, in another risk that more than paid off: Although Ellul is a veteran actor, last year’s pantomime was his first experience directing.
“It was really not even on my radar,” said Ellul. When Ritschel asked, “‘Would you consider directing?’ I was like, ‘Hell yes.’ The words just came out of my mouth. [I thought,] I can help anybody feel confident and tell a story in that style. That’s my comfort zone, my wheelhouse.”
Reflecting on it now, “I’ve been directing for a long time in other ways,” shared Ellul, who also works as a photographer and portrait artist. “I really want to make people feel confident and comfortable in front of the camera.””
Still, “it was Derek who helped bring [directing] to the surface in me,” Ellul said. “I didn’t realize he saw me as a leader. I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn.”
Ellul remembered that Ritschel told him, “‘You don’t have to be the director with all the decisions made ahead of time. Think of yourself as the extra artist in the room, keeping everyone safe and keeping fun at the centre, at the heart.’ That was the best advice I’ve ever heard.”
Cinderella runs at the Lighthouse Theatre in Port Dover November 28 to December 8, and at the Roselawn Theatre in Port Colborne December 12 to 15. Tickets are available here.
Nathaniel Hanula-James is a multidisciplinary theatre artist who has worked across Canada as a dramaturg, playwright, performer, and administrator.
