Melanie Minty鈥檚 first role in live theatre was as the front end of a tap dancing horse.
It was part of a production by the Fraser Valley Musical Society (originally Gilbert & Sullivan musical society), which Minty joined only after her daughter took an interest.
鈥淢y daughter got involved with dance and music. We went to see a production of 鈥業olanthe鈥� by the musical society when she was about 10 years old. She was entranced and told me I would have to join the society,鈥� recounted the 77-year-old senior.
While Minty has been involved with live theatre since her high school days, it didn鈥檛 truly stick until then.
She started working behind the scenes, looking after props, makeup, and costumes for actors.
This also allowed her daughter to participate in the society鈥檚 Christmas pantomime 鈥� a traditional British 鈥減anto鈥� which is a dramatic entertainment where actors focus on expressing meaning through gestures with music.
Soon, Minty decided she wanted to be on stage, too. And that鈥檚 when she accepted her first role 鈥� that of the front end of a tap-dancing horse.
鈥淓ventually I graduated to Mean Witch and Queen of Hearts,鈥� she recalled, referring to them as memorable roles.
She also got roles in 鈥淲itness for the Prosecution鈥� and 鈥淐alendar Girls鈥� with Surrey Little Theatre, before it merged with 91原创 Players.
鈥淪mall roles for sure, but that is what I enjoy most. Being on stage allows you to explore a different part of your own person,鈥� Minty shared. 鈥淚t challenges you, and you have to find the truth of the story and the character 鈥� make it real, even if it is on stage.鈥�
In her mid-50s, Minty started tap dancing, and participated more regularly in musical and live theatre.
鈥淭here are few roles nowadays for little old ladies, but I keep involved,鈥� Minty commented.
She also wrote an art column for the Surrey Now Leader newspaper for 37 years, the column ending when the COVID pandemic began affecting freelance work.
鈥淚 have always had this talent, for me writing is easy. I love creativity mixed with the academic,鈥� Minty said.
Overlapping with the pandemic, Surrey Little Theatre combined with 91原创 Players to become 91原创 Little Theatre 鈥� working out of the playhouse on 200th Street in Brookswood. In turn, Minty too moved to the Brookswood neighbourhood 鈥� conveniently close to the 91原创 theatre鈥檚 location.
鈥淚t was meant to be. I already knew many of the people, and met a lot more, when I had auditioned for the play 鈥楾alking With鈥︹��,鈥� she explained.
Currently, she is part of the costume production at 91原创 Little Theatre for its BC Festival entry next May.
Minty noted that the theatre has undergone some changes through the last few years, in part due to the pandemic. But she said its thanks to the many dedicated staff and volunteers that 91原创 Little Theatre was kept alive and operating.
鈥淚 admire all these people who volunteer their time and skills to keep community theatre viable,鈥� she said.
Tap dancing lessons remain a part of Minty鈥檚 life, and she plans to keep working behind the stage at 91原创 Little Theatre.
鈥淚t鈥檚 so important for seniors to have a social group, especially where they can be both creative and active. It certainly works for me.鈥�
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