Youth working backstage in KTG production of "Ten Times Two"

By: Liz Dadson February 1, 2015 1041

Youth working backstage in KTG production of "Ten Times Two"

The three actors on stage may be Kincardine Theatre Guild veterans, but behind-the-scenes, there are youthful, new faces helping out with the production of "Ten Times Two," which opens Thursday, Feb. 12, at the Kincardine Arts Centre.

Director Rob Millar of Kincardine has his 13-year-old daughter, Slayde, working with him as assistant director.
"She worked with me through the audition process and helped me cast the play," says Millar. "She also helped decide how we would tackle this show."
This is Millar's second time directing, but his first time was over a decade ago. Having spent more time on stage over the past 10 years, being back in the director's role has given him a new appreciation for what actually happens behind the scenes.
"As a director, you're involved in a bit of everything," he says. "When we started rehearsals, everyone got their pieces of the pie and now that we're altogether, we have to make those pieces all fit together."

Slayde says being assistant director is fun.
"I get to say what I think about the parts," she says. "The casting was difficult. I had to think what the characters could be not what they are. A significant number of people auditioned, and I think we chose well."
Slayde enjoys working with her father, but says directing is a lot harder than she anticipated, especially as opening night gets closer.
"It's very different than being on stage," says Slayde who performed in "Oliver, the Musical." "As an actor, you take on a role and perform. Backstage, there's a lot going on, a lot of questions and you have to find the answers."
She would like to do more acting and theatre, and she wants to become a teacher, like Alanna Boucher.

Maia Hinchberger, 12, of Kincardine is joining her aunt, stage manager Shari Storms, as a trainee.
"I like theatre," says Maia, who was part of the chorus for "Meet Me In St. Louis." "I wanted to see how things worked backstage. It's a lot more work than I thought."
This is Storms' first time as stage manager; she was assistant stage manager for "Storm Warning," four years ago.
"During rehearsals, we follow the script, calling the cues, and Maia is the line prompter," says Storms. "It's very busy and a little stressful."

"You have to focus," says Maia, "but it's interesting to see how it all comes together."
Both are having fun and like working together.

Also new to backstage, is Dan Holm of Kincardine. He is also new to the theatre guild, having just helped with sound for "Meet Me in St. Louis."
"I'm part of the lighting crew for this play," he says, "working with lighting director Meg Kiernan."
Holm and his wife, Darene Yavorsky, moved to Kincardine in August and he always wanted to get involved in community theatre.
"We were living in Hensall and two years ago, my wife came here for the Kincardine Summer Music Festival," says Holm. "She had such a great time that we decided when the time was right, we would move here, and we did."
Holm likes working backstage and has no designs on becoming an actor. "I like the technical stuff, that's where I'm comfortable and where I'd like to stay."

Paula Dietrich, 15, of Bonn, Germany, is an exchange student staying with Jutta and Ralph Splettstoesser since the end of August. She helped with the lighting for "Meet Me in St. Louis," and is working the lights for rehearsals of this show until she has to return home this month.
"I have enjoyed it very much," she says. "I have had a great time here in Canada. It's very different, especially the school system. We have no school buses there so it was strange to ride one to school."
She lives on a farm near Bonn, and says when she finishes high school, she wants to become a radio announcer.

Pearce Taylor, 14, of Kincardine is also helping with lights, which he says is cool.

"Ten Times Two" features Matt Harvey as Ephraim, Alanna Boucher as Constance, and Chris Mercanti as The Host. The play tells the story of Ephraim, an evildoer, who is cursed with immortality, and falls for a barmaid, Constance, in 1399. It is the start of a romantic pursuit spanning the Middle Ages to Modern Times. But in order to win the heart of his reincarnated beloved, the villain makes a pact with The Host and must learn to become a human being.

Because the story spans seven centuries, props and costumes are vital. And the costume team has just lost one of its own, Judy Knickerbocker, who died suddenly Jan. 16. Saturday's gala performance will be dedicated to her memory.

The show will be licensed and have cabaret seating which is the director's choice.

"Ten Times Two runs Feb. 12-14 and Feb. 18-21, at 8 p.m., with one matinee Sunday, Feb. 15, at 2 p.m. The Gala Party follows the Feb. 14 performance at which patrons, for a small fee, may enjoy snacks and a drink while meeting the cast and crew.
Tickets are available at J'Adorn in downtown Kincardine or by calling 519-396-9000.