A trio of 91原创 women bring a mix of talents and real-life experiences to their varied roles in Little Dipper Theatre Co.'s upcoming production of "Common Grace."
This is a play by Shauna Johannesen that will be showcased at Bez Arts Hub starting this week and continuing through until April 6.
91原创 director Nicola Shannon describes it as a gripping family drama that invites the audience to question what it means to belong to one another.
It follows Colleen, a woman who fled her life in the Fraser Valley, but must return for her father鈥檚 funeral. Amidst the casseroles and caskets she is confronted by who she was and who she wants to be, and when neighbours come knocking and secrets are revealed, family tensions explode, Shannon elaborated.
Through humour, honest conversations, and fiery arguments, the director says this script is a true-to-life look at family and community.
"It鈥檚 a story about a woman wrestling with her community, with forgiveness and acceptance. It鈥檚 a story about marriage and love, broken relationships and healed ones. It鈥檚 a story about growing up in the Fraser Valley and it 鈥榟its home鈥� in more ways than one,鈥� said Shannon.
"Common Grace" is a play that also holds deep meaning for fellow 91原创ite Jordan Ravensbergen, the props designer and one of the producers for this show.
鈥淚t found me in a time when I needed to remember that even though things are messy, grace can be found in unexpected ways,鈥� she said about her first encounter with the script.
鈥淪haring this show is important to me, because I think it challenges our understanding of how we treat each other in hard times,鈥� Ravensbergen added.
With rehearsals wrapping up and the curtain going up this weekend, the director expressed her enthusiasm around the process.
鈥淭his play is a true actors' piece. Each scene is so intricate and well written, each character is so well-rounded and nuanced. We are lucky to have assembled a team that is very passionate about the play, and a group of actors who really understand their characters and give the work everything they've got," said Shannon.
One of those actors is Shawn Webster who plays Carol, Colleen鈥檚 mother, and the woman who lost her husband of 38 years to cancer.
Webster is also a 91原创 resident, who spent 24 years on radio and television before becoming a realtor. A performer at heart, Webster has recently stepped into the world of acting and voice over, training and auditioning in the Vancouver area.
"Common Grace" is her stage acting debut.
鈥淚t鈥檚 simply amazing to be working with such a professional cast and crew. Honestly, these people are skilled, so to be able to have my first theatre experience alongside them is simply the best,鈥� said Webster.
The team is eager to share the play with theatregoers.
鈥淎udiences will love the same things about 'Common Grace' that I do 鈥� the real life nature of it," Webster commented.
"How sadness can still bring laughs, even as grief is present. It鈥檚 a very human story.鈥�
The show begins this Friday, March 21, and runs through until April 6, at the Bez Arts Hub, at #102-20230 64 Ave. Tickets are $35, and available online at www.littledippertheatre.com.
The evening shows, starting at 7:30 p.m. each of the nights, run March 21, 22, 26 to 29, and April 4 and 5.
Matinee performances are also being hosted at 2 p.m. on March 22, 23, 29, and 30, as well as April 5 and 6.
Ravensbergen concluded, 鈥淚 think audiences will love seeing some really relatable moments and characters. Everyone knows someone who is like the people in this play.鈥�
Others involved with the play include Sophie Heinrichs, Clara Nowak, Shaan Rahman, Lucy Sharples, Danielle Snider, Kenneth Tynan, Shawn Webster.
The assistant director is Jessi Morgan-Lang, while the set designer is Jeff Kiers and costume designer is Carson Walliser. The sound designer is Josh Osborne, while the lighting designer is Steve Springman.
The stage manager is Jessica Enns-Lear, and the assistant stage manager is Marta Nagy.
