Both award-winning classics in their own right, timeless spectacle Cats and the ceaselessly quotable School of Rock have been viewed on stages and TV screens by all manner of theatre and film enthusiasts.
And yet, even the most discerning of arts lovers can lay claim to having seen either of them beneath the setting Vancouver sun. Unlikelier still is them having witnessed the productions being led by some of North Vancouver’s very own rising stars.
The seasonal marker Theatre Under The Stars has returned for another summer, bringing yet another wave of fresh faced, homegrown talent to the stage, and a unique viewing experience to Stanley Park’s Malkin Bowl.
Actor, dancer and singer Anthea Lavergne is one of a number of Capilano University musical theatre students featuring in this year’s line up, with a TUTS debut as ensemble character Cassandra in Cats.
Originally from Edmonton, Lavergne’s theatrical resume had comprised school productions and community shows before landing the gig with TUTS. The opportunity to perform on a more prominent stage, to a larger, more diverse audience, is “incredible”, she said.
“I had done a few little things here and there, but this is just so much bigger,” she said.
“It felt absolutely amazing to hear I had the role. I’m new to Vancouver and this was my very first musical that I had an audition for. I’m overjoyed to be able to be a part of that community in another facet.”
With so many other CapU students taking part, many who, like Lavergne, have moved to the city from elsewhere, the friendships made along the way have become the most notable highlights of the production process so far, she added.
“It’s been such an amazing opportunity to meet people who are very like minded – we have so much fun, but we also work quite hard. Everybody puts their energy towards something that’s bigger than themselves, which is awesome to witness and be a part of,” she said. “Everyone’s celebrating each other in their skills and their passion.”
Angella Cody, an ensemble character in School of Rock, described the TUTS experience as almost like a summer camp, where people are thrust together in such a way that friendships blossom very quickly.
“A lot of us have attended school together in the past, but I think doing these TUTS shows brings a special kind of bond between us,” said Cody, who has returned to TUTS for her second season after featuring in The Prom last year.
Like Lavergne, the Surrey-raised actress’ experience had previously spanned small town productions and school shows. Moving to Vancouver for university - Cody will embark on her final year of study in musical theatre in September – opened up a whole new world in more ways than one, she said.
“My first show was last year, and it was the biggest show I’d ever done before. It was almost like a culture shock, going from performing for a 200-person audience for a three-show run to performing all summer at shows that thousands of people come to see,” she said. “I was almost starstruck last year, it’s really exciting.”
Cody said she has already met “so many amazing people” through working with TUTS, especially a number of Equity actors – those represented by a labour union – and stalwart theatre performers.
“They’re role models that we can look up to,” she said.
For the students participating in this year’s TUTS, working with actors of such high calibre and performing a show on stage with classmates brings a certain education that’s rarely found within the confines of a classroom.
“It’s just such a different learning experience from being in school. School’s all about the technique and everything, but you just don’t get this kind of hands-on experience,” said Cody, likening the show to being like a test at the end of the school year, where students can put all the skills and techniques they’ve learned in the classroom to practise on the stage.
Those who pass such a ‘test’ with flying colours entertain the crowd and, if they’re lucky, capture the attention of some notable names in the biz.
“There are lots of different people, representatives from agencies that sometimes come and sit in the audience and then get into contact with people after they see the show. There’s always that chance there, which is really awesome,” said Cody.
While the chance to be noticed by industry bigwigs is tantalizing, ultimately, it is being able to deliver a few hours of frivolous entertainment to a crowd that gets bigger and more excitable every year, added Lavergne.
“It really is just two hours of complete joy and fun.”
Theatre Under The Stars runs at Stanley Park’s Malkin Bowl until late August. Visit the TUTS website for shows and tickets.
Mina Kerr-Lazenby is the North Shore News’ Indigenous and civic affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
