Edalene Theatre

Happiest of birthdays to two of Edalene Theatre's leading ladies, Samantha Whynot and Jillie Richard !!

It has been a strange experience looking back at the past 15 years and the 4 other productions of this show. What has been wonderful is getting to remember all the fantastic people who graced our production in various ways and seeing where they have gone with their lives. This show has been done in Halifax (2006), Wolfville (2007, 2011) and over seas at an international school-which led to the creative partnership between Keigan Page and myself, and eventually gave birth to R...umours. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Tracy Fritz (Nasson) Fanous. Tracy and I met in the summer of 2005 when we were both instructors at Neptune Theatre School. Over the course of the summer we came up with the story for JUMP! And I wrote the show while we taught, played and grew amongst our fellow Neptune teachers. There were many fellow teachers who offered ideas for characters and then became the actors who played them. I am forever grateful. Early on Matt Amyotte came on board as musical director and contributed some of the song suggestions. It was Tracy, Matt and myself that shaped JUMP! The first few times, but every cast contributed, altered and truly made JUMP! what it is today. Tracy’s choreography cannot be separated from the production and I am so blessed she is consulting with our choreographer and has lent some of her original choreography to the production. I hope that those who know him, feel that Matt’s legacy has lived on through this production in a small way, and some of the proceeds for the digital downloads will go to his memorial foundation at Neptune. Melissa Vidito added a unique arrangement of With or Without You and the second Act medley, Mike Hampson gave us some iconic dance moves and a lift that became canon, Katie McCulloch’s pas de deux remains forever a part of Out of the Blue; Glen Matthews and Johnny Cann made Randy into a physically demanding and acrobat role; Luke Salmon and Carah MacIsaac turned a scene change into comedic gold; Jeremie Saunders infused certain physical comedy which will be used over and over; John Franey turn Chisholm into a potent and pointed lever of change for Snyder; former student and now tattoo artist James Cooke has left a piece of his beautiful graffiti mural; and Mike Butler.well there simply is no Jesse James without Mike. I wrote the role for him and the role is linked to him and only him forever. That is only a small amount of the gifts former cast members have left on the show for our current cast, and I can only image the legacy this cast will also leave. As we prepare for our 15th Anniversary, you will see our 2021 cast introduced and also get to see some of the actors who played those roles before. We are so lucky to have had all of you be part of our history and present and we hope you will be proud of the legacy you left. I hope we get to see it on stage and that this undertaking is a supported, safe and healthy one for all. We hope to see you all at the show in April!

First rehearsal in masks...it was different. What was the same was the overwhelming love and excitement we all felt being back together.

In 2005 I graduated from York University and began working at Neptune Theatre School. While there, I got to know so many incredible human beings, absolutely amazing. These humans inspired me and pushed me to write my first full length musical script which was produced ( Thanks to my Grandma) in 2006. 15 years and 4 productions ( including one international one) later, we are celebrating Edalene, JUMP! And all the people, past and present, who made it possible. If you have Edalene or JUMP! Memories or photos, we want to know! Please consider recording a short video about your experience, and memories of JUMP! Or wishes for the future cast. We would love for you to include where you are now or what you are doing! You can also write us and send photos! We’re So Excited to hear from you! [email protected]

Edalene Theatre invites you to audition for our Spring 2021 Anniversary production of Inspired by the John Hughes Brat Pack films, Jump! Follows a group of high school students who are navigating the difficulties of their schools being combined into one. Featuring some of the most popular tunes of the 80’s, and unpacking the classic high school stereotypes-JUMP! offers a high energy journey through the friendships and relationships we all can recognize from high school. For ...a detailed description of characters, please go to http://www.edalenetheatre.ca/jumpcharacters.php Rehearsals will be on Sunday afternoons starting in November. We ask that all interested actors submit a video singing a verse and chorus of either I’m So Excited, Boys of Summer or I Just Wanna Dance with Somebody along with your character preferences to [email protected] by no later than September 27th. For casting purposes, some actors may be asked to join a google meet to perform a cold read to determine casting suitability. Edalene Theatre is committed to fostering an environment of equity and diversity.We encourage submissions from artists of all genders, ethnicities, abilities and identities. We aim to create an environment of positivity, encouragement and creativity for all. Reminder to get your audition in by the 28th!!