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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1989-06-07, Page 23Entertainment Veteran actor takes new challenge THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 1989. PAGE 23. Lulu’s hosts extravaganza Introducing. BY BONNIE GROPP Peter Smith is the Associate Artistic Director of the Blyth Festival for this season, Peter, along with his wife will act in Bryan Wade’s play “The Right One’’ premiering on July 5. Peterwillalsobeinchargeof the Youth Company this summer. Peter Smith is no stranger to Blyth Festival. With four seasons here already under his belt he definitely is considered one of the family. This year, however, Mr. Smith is returning not only as an actbr but as this season’s associated artistic director. Born in Barrie, Mr. Smith stud­ ied at Brock University then receiv­ ed his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre from the University of Victoria. He attended the Banff Master Class in 1982, where he met his wife, actress Laurel Paetz. Mr. Smith has been working profes­ sionally since 1980, but has just, in the last couple of years, moved onto directing. He has been assis­ tant director in Winnipeg and Blyth and will be directing a show this coming season in Calgary, which is the city that he, Laurel and the couple’s young son Matthew cur­ rently call home. However, as associate artistic director, Mr. Smith explains that the job varies from one theatre to another and frequently the associ­ Family Paradise Snowmobile Club Presents: COUNTRY & WESTERN JAMBOREE Sunday, June 11-1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. $6.00 per person Food Available FAMILY PARADISE DANCE HALL 1:00 - 4:30 - COUNTRY COMPANIONS 4:30 - 8:00 - THE ENTERTAINERS Held under the authority of a special occasion permit Looking for a Family Fun Place to spend your weekends and holidays? Come to Family Paradise Campground. THE BEST TIME YOU’LL HAVE ANYWHERE 527-0629 Proceeds To Ontario March of Dimes ate may never even direct a play. Prior to beginning in Blyth he devised an outline of what he hopes to achieve and what he needs to understand about his duties. It is his desire,to gain experience by watching Katherine Kaszas, the Festival’s Artistic Director, and the directors she has hired. He be­ lieves that discussions on problem solving over what he referred to as “directorial quagmires” will be useful for everyone and himself to gain incite into each other’s philo­ sophies and feelings for directing. For this season, however, with the arrival of Ms. Kaszas’ new infant, Mr. Smith has been thrust headfirst into the administrative aspects of the theatre. This is a new experience for him. He must look after such things as dealing with the board and production manager to auditioning, housing, and set financing. He is required to travel to Toronto for “call-back” audi­ tions as well. Mr. Smith states that though this has been somehwat challenging he is enjoying it. He likened it to ‘trial by fire’ saying that you put yourself against one thing and when that’s accomplish­ ed, move on to the next. Taking new challenges one step at a time he believes you can overcome them more easily. He does not like challenges to be looked upon as obstacles saying he tries to take a positive approach to things as apposed to a negative one. In addition to his behind-the- scenes duties, Peter will be appear­ ing on stage. He and his wife Laurel, will be playing opposite each other in Bryan Wade’s “The' Right One” which premieres on Wednesday, July 5. This is not the first time the couple has worked together having once done three or four plays back-to-back. It is how­ ever, the first time in a long time. Mr. Smith says that working with his wife is really not any different than working with any other actress, though he adds it is “great to work with her.” “We are professionals,” he explains, “and each of us had a different ap­ proach. While Laurel’s method on any project is exciting I don’t think working together makes it any more or less electric. We’re doing our job.” Mr. Smith will also be in charge of this summer’s drama programs at the Festival which are geared for students aged 5 to 20. His interest in children and their wonderful imaginations are the key aspects involved in the workshops. “I would like to make them better story tellers,” he states. Perhaps his inspiration comes from four year old Matthew. “I like to look at him when he’s dealing with reality and illusion; to see the place he’s at,” Smith explains. “Too often we are quick to not listen to our children and what they are saying because it doesn’t really seem like they’re in this world. But their world is real and what they can stimulate through thought is fasci­ nating.” Smith hopes to teach children to believe in what they’re saying, believing they will then emote confidence into their story. “If you have a passion for some­ thing, people will listen,” said Smith. Together, with Ms. Kaszas, Mr. Smith has several other plans for the future that already have “the wheels in motion.” He maintains that they are still pretty loose but hopes to keep coming up with ideas every year for the Blyth Festival. II REGULAR NAMES: 56S.OO PRIZE MAGIC NUMBER BINGO 825.00 EXTRA ON REGULAR GAMES 2 SPECIAL GAMES GRAND $1 PRIZE LOO 0100 each U. NIGHT * BRING YOUR DABBERS* Cards - 85.00, 88.00, 812.00 & 815.00 Extra Cards — Regular Games 3 for 81,OO Jackpot 3 for 82.00 Open: 6:30 p.m. 2 Early Bird Games: 7:30 Bingo Starts 8:00 Admission: 16 Years of Age and Over PROCEEDS TO COMMUNITY WORK The first Country Music Extrava­ ganza will be held Wednesday, June 14 at Lulu’s Roadhouse in Kitchener. Over 25 top Canadian country artists will be performing non-stop country music from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. in support of the new Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame. This exciting show will include live performances by country greats like Carroll Baker, Anita Perras, the Mercey Brothers, Don­ na and Leroy, Terry Sumsion, the Good Brothers, Dallas Harms, Michael Dee, Myrna Lorrie, Gary Buck, Harold McIntyre, Mary Anne Epp, J. Brian Oakes, Yuma, George Pasher, Clare Adlam, Diane Leigh, Vicki Van Dyke, Joe Firth and the Promised Land, Todd Nolan, Susan Tyler, Bobby McGee, Mark LaForme, Carl Kees and the Golden Fiddle Music Company, Michael Carr, and the Walter’s EAT IN OR TAKE OUT 523-9381 Phone 357-1630 for 24 hour movie information Playing from Friday to Thursday, June 9 to 15 Showtimes: Friday and Saturday at 7 and 9 p.m. Sunday to Thursday at 8 p.m. only CLINTON COMMUNITY CENTRE EVERY MOHDAY JUNE 12 TO SEPTEMBER 4, 1989 Family. All the artists are donating heir talents and performance time to the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame. Tickets are $5.00 in advance and $8.00 at the door and are available through Lulu’s ticket outlets and BASS and Ticketron outlets. PIZZA PIZZA PIZZA THURS., FRI., SAT. 5P.M.-12A.M. BLYTH INN