HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1989-09-13, Page 23Lucky girl
For ushers like Cheri Taylor of Londesboro, working at the
Blyth Festival provides a unique opportunity to not only enjoy
watching theatre but to become involved. Cheri hopes to work
her way up to working at the Festival.
THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1989. PAGE 23.
Free theatre, meeting people
among the privileges of ushers
BY USA BOONSTOPPEL
Some volunteers in the area have
it really good. They get to meet
new people, see famous actors,
watch sold-out performances when
others are begging for tickets and
learn about theatre. Who are these
lucky people? They are the ushers
at the Blyth Festival.
At every performance, there are
several volunteer theatre-lovers
who escort ticket holders to their
seats. They can also be seen at the
front of the Memorial Hall tearing
up tickets or selling refreshments
at the Festival.
“It’s interesting,’’ said Cheri
Taylor who has been ushering
guests at the Festival for three
summers now. Cheri started at the
tender age of 11 because she
thought it would be an experience
to meet people. During her time
there she has met thousands of
people.
“I was nervous about meeting
people at first,’’ she said, but she
discovered that the job has helped
her in dealing with the public.
Trudy Passchier, the part-time
House Manager at the theatre said
that the theatre is a good outlet for
locals who want to meet people. “It
really helps them develop their
people skills,’’ she said.
Ms. Passchier added that the
volunteer work looks great on a
resume for the students who will
soon be starting out in the work
force. Cheri added that the usher
ing she does now may give her a
better chance to climb up the
theatre ladder to the position of
House Manager. In fact, that was
how Ms. Passchier did it. She has
been with the theatre for over 10
years and has ushered many thea
tre goers into the hall.
Along with these benefits, the
ushers get to see the acting at the
theatre first hand. Every perform
ance the ushers work at, they
witness the play from special seats
reserved for the crew at the back of
the theatre. “I really enjoyed the
play ‘Dreamland’,’’ said Cheri
who is interested in acting and
theatre although she isn’t sure if
she will go on to that field.
But she does know that she will
continue ushering for the theatre
which keeps her busy about once or
twice a week. At the end of the
season, Cheri will be able to see
another play for free when theatre
management take all the volun
teers out to a play for the evening.
So for theatre enthusiasts of any
age, this experience is open to
anyone at the Blyth Festival.
PIZZA PIZZA PIZZA
THURS., FRI., SAT.
5P.M.-12A.M.
BLYTH INN
EAT IN OR TAKE OUT
523-9381
Friends and Neighbours of
JOHN AND GERRIE BOS
are invited to an
OPEN HOUSE
To help celebrate their
25TH WEDDING
ANNIVERSARY
September 23, 1989 at the
Auburn Community Centre
From 2:00-4:00 or 7:00-9:00
FRI.-THURS., SEPT. 15-21
FRI. & SAT. 7 & 9 P.M.
SUN.-THURS. 8 P.M.
Fiddlers, dancers win
prizes at Thresher Reunion
Visitors to Blyth’s 28th Annual
Thresher’s Reunion this past week
end had several opportunities to
enjoy some good old-fashioned
entertainment.
The Fiddle Jamboree that was
held on Friday evening in the
arena, according to co-ordinator
Gladys van Egmond was filled to
capacity. Fifty performers took part
in the event and each had the
chance to play two selections. The
program started at 7:30 and pro
vided the audience with five hours
of non-stop music.
Saturday afternoon, 27 contest
ants took part in the Fiddle
Contest. First, second and third
place winners in each category
were as follows: 65 years and over -
George Gagne of Sombra, John
Farrish of Listowel, Norman Lloyd
of Harriston; Beginners (playing
for five years or less) — Carly
Huitema of Stratford, George Lor-
angerofOwen Sound, Sharon Leno
of Nottawa; 19 and under - James
Bickle of Tavistock, Murray Per
kins of Dobbington (no third place
winner in this category); 20 - 49
years of age - Ian Hamilton of
London, Glen Eden of Owen
Sound, Ken Cook of Dorchester; 50
- 64 years of age - Alf Leno of
Nottawa, Pat St. Ong of Windsor,
Morris Desjardine of Dashwood;
Open class - Todd Thompson of
Petrolia.
The judges of the contest were
Doug MacNaughton of Stratford
and Gerald Bailey of Sarnia.
On Sunday afternoon, 31 step
dancers and eight groups partici
pated in the step-dancing contest.
The winners are: nine and under -
Crystal Hulley of Clinton, Traci
Taylor of Varna, Janielle Wood of
Seaforth; 12 and under - (reel)
Lindsay Anderson of Blyth, Jason
Dalton of Londesboro and Vicki
Rau of Zurich; 12 and under (clog,
jig and reel) Jessica Weiler of
Ariss, Craig Wolfe of Kitchener,
Andrea Harvey of Goderich; Open
class - Carol Ann McQuaid of
Seaforth and Chad Wolfe of Kitch
ener.
The Junior Group was won by
Step Above from Goderich, Dun
gannon and Londesboro. Next fol
lowed by Tip Tap Toe of Clinton
and Goderich and Three’s Com
pany of Harriston, Class Act of
Seaforth, Goderich and Zurich and
Just Kids from Varna, Clinton and
Brucefield. Sweet Dreams from
Londesboro won the Open Class
with Buck Fever Steppers from
Kitchener and Friends 4-ever from
Londesboro and Holmesville taking
second and third respectively.
Judges for the step-dancing com
petition were Norm Irving from
Brunner and Gladys Hopper of
London.
Mom & Dad
Love the Kids
& 'Dae
for Cathy Hart and
Dan Thompson
SAT.,SEPT. 23,1989
Brussels Legion
Music by D. J.
Lunch Provided
$5/person 9-1
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fjYW'TOI WBATBS |
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Phone 357-1630 for 24 hour movie information
Playing from Friday to Thursday, September 15 to 21
Showtimes: PLEASE NOTE: Friday and Saturday at7:00and9:30p.m.
Sunday to Thursday 8:00 p.m. Each Evening.
ROBIN WILLIAMS
He was their Inspiration. He made their lives extraordinary. J
DEAD
POETS
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AdultSeries Children’s Series
3showsforS25 3showsfor$12
FESTIVAL OF
ENTERTAINMENT
ADULT SERIES
Sal., Oct. 14/89,8p.m. - BIG GIRLS CRY - A
delightful comedy.
Sun., Nov. 12/89, 8 p.m.-
THE ROMANI ACS-A musical smorgasbord
Sat., Dec. 9/89, 8 p.m. - SECOND CITY -
Improv comedy at Its best.
CHILDREN’S SERIES
Sat., Nov. 4/89, 2 p.m.-ROBERT MINDEN
ENSEMBLE - Story-telling Music Makers
Sat. Nov. 18/89,2 p.m. -GLENN BENNETT
Popular children’s entertainer.
Sat. Dec. 2/89, 2 p.m. - KALEIDOSCOPE
STORY THEATRE - Exciting theatre for