Laurentian University - Experience Yearbook (Greater Sudbury, Ontario Canada)

Page 170 text:

g l First Flow left to right, Lois Snell, Christine Duport, Suzanne Cotton, Lorry Grannery, Betsy Dec, Janice Godbert, Janet Layace, Lowell Morris. Second Row, Astrid Laramick, Mike Cotton, Gary McKinnie, Ed Balka, Stephanie Flafuse, Sandra Land, Onie Marsh, Lynda Paul, Jennifer Flobson, Chris Sharp. Third Row, Ed Ludwig, Flon Tough, Royal Seter, Chris Barr, Phillipe Pike. Fourth Flow, Steven Crouch, Roger Couvrette, Jean-Marc Jolicoeur, Andrew Stone, Bill Hart.

Page 169 text:

1- 5 ,I . ? , L+' ' is ,xxx Ill THORNELOE PLAYERS THE DIRECTOFPS VIEW Though I have spent most of my worklng llfe as a profes- sional actor and director, I have come during the last decade to gain more and more satisfaction from teaching and passing on my knowledge of theatre. I have long known and loved the sense of gratification that can be achieved in creating a theatrical production. It is a gratlflcatlon that touches all my senses, all my thoughts, and leaves me wanting more and greater challenges. l've long believed that apart from sheer pleasure in achievement, the theatre provides its par- ticipants an unmatched opportunity to explore the boun- darles of their own characters and the characters of the communities wlthln which they live. It is my awareness of this opportunity to enjoy and learn to grow that I wish to share with others. As a professional and as a teacher, I am often asked to describe the traits that I believe individuals must possess in order to become successful participants In the theatre. Most simply, I think they must be sensltlve to the experience of being human. They must know, or at least wlsh to know, what makes people sad, angry, amazed, happy. And they must have a desire to recreate these emotions with care and respect. Llke many direc- tors, I see actors as empty vessels, as persons who never permit their own personalities to interfere with becoming another on stage. Actors wlsh only to be filled by the pIaywrIght's Intentions In such a way that the au- dience sees only characters, not personalities. To me, one of the greatest advantages of working with students In a University setting is that we are given relatively free reln to produce plays that might not be produced In a commercial setting. All good plays are im- portant plays, but often the more Important plays are not winners at the box office. I think the theatre has a moral obllgatlon to enrich Its public, not just to entertain or divert It. The theatre has the peculiar ablllty to challenge and comfort Its audiences In a pleasant sort of way. Bill Hart Director of Drama 155

Page 171 text:

A CULTURAL OFFERING BY THORNELOE PLAYERS On November 26, 27 and 28, the Thorneloe Players performed Thornton Wilder's play, The Skin of Our Teeth as part of Lauren- tian's cultural offerings to the community. The Skin of Our Teeth is a play based on the theme that mankind always makes it through the disasters that plaque its ex- istence but just barely. Wilder's humour and his warm affection for the 'family man', are much in evidence in this production. The play was directed by Bill Hart, and the cast was made up of fine amateur talent, drawn from both the university and the community. lt included Ron Tough, Jennifer Robson and Janet Lagace. The Skin of Our Teeth proved to be a superb play. 167