President’s Spot – June

Hi Everyone,

Have you noticed how quickly time seems to pass these days – or is it just me? No, I didn’t think so! It seems no time since I sat down to write something for the newsletter last month!

As always the theatre has been very busy getting ready for the next production, “Greenwicks!” – an odd name for a musical indeed, but it is the name of the supermarket in which the play is set. I’ve been fortunate enough to look in on a couple of rehearsals, and to say I’ve been impressed is an understatement. The band alone is worth the price of admission! I do hope you have all booked to see this excellent locally-written production. Your committee is constantly working towards making the Limelight Theatre the best theatre in Perth, and we have been lucky enough to be granted some funds as promised by your newly- elected MLA for Wanneroo, Sabine Winton. This will go towards replacing our stage curtains and upgrading the furnishings and décor in the foyer, so expect to see a ‘face lift’ very soon.
Another group in the theatre work tirelessly each Tuesday morning to help keep the theatre in good working order. We call them the “Tuesday Task Force” and, if any of you would like to join in on Tuesday morning, from around 9am to 12 noon, you’d be very, very welcome….
Coffee and chat around 10am!
See you at the theatre….

Kind regards

Shelley McGinn

Audition Notice for Let The Sunshine

Limelight Theatre’s production of “Let The Sunshine”, a David Williamson play, will be presented in August.

Auditions will be group based to explore interactions between characters. The roles of Rick and Emma will be done from 1:15 – 1:45. Toby/Ros and Ron/Natasha will be done in various groupings from 2:00pm.

Details of audition piece will be given at the read through.

CHARACTERS
TOBY, 60.
ROS, mid 50s. His wife.
RICK, 30. Their son.
RON, late 50s.
NATASHA, late 50s. His wife.
EMMA, 34. Their daughter.

For more information contact Tim Riessen using the box below.

ACTORS WANTED

Actors required for a workshop reading of “Forgetting” by local writer Sean Byrne on Thursday 18th May at 7.30pm at the theatre.

Sean can be contacted for further details on 9404 7843 or 0449 923 292 or byr_sean@hotmail.com

“Forgetting” is a play about Alzheimer’s which looks at three generations of a family and the difference in the relationship between a father and son and a grandfather and grandson.

The characters needed for this initial reading are –
Grandfather 60 +,
Father 45 +,
Grandson 18 – 25
and one female 18 – 25

Please contact Sean directly if you are interested in this workshop so he can gauge the interest in this play reading.

President’s Spot

Hi Everyone,

I hope you all saw “It Runs in the Family” – what a delightful romp! Although farce is not usually my thing, I thoroughly enjoyed this production on the final night with a very appreciative audience. The energy and fun that the members on stage were emitting was infectious and engaging. Thank you all for a wonderful night’s entertainment!

So now, for something completely different, we gear up for our next production – “Greenwicks!” a musical set in a supermarket! Bookings will open very soon, so don’t delay getting your tickets.
Hot on the heels of “Greenwicks!” will be Mater Dei’s production of “Grease”. This is our first joint venture with Mater Dei College and I hope it will not be our last. The young people that these productions bring into our theatre are the future of Wanneroo Repertory, so please support both of these musical presentations.
The first meeting of our new committee in April was a lively one with each member showing their commitment to the future smooth running of our wonderful Limelight Theatre; we are fortunate indeed to have this excellent facility. However, even though we have already made this commitment, the theatre is only as strong as its membership and I hope that when asked, other members will step in and volunteer for the many jobs in our organisation.

All the best

Shelley McGinn

Spotlight on Tim Riessen

Each month we like to spotlight one of the members of the Limelight Theatre community. This month, meet Tim Riessen, actor, musician and soon to be director!

Tim’s first experience of working in theatre was while he was living in Albany, where he was fortunate to land a role in a production of Jesus Christ Superstar. He found this to be a wonderful experience and, caught by the bug, managed to land roles in two other productions. This fuelled a desire to do more, so Tim started looking for further acting opportunities when he moved to Perth.

In 2013, Tim came across an audition notice in a local paper for Limelight Theatre’s production of The Phantom of the Opera. He was cast in a supporting role and hasn’t looked back since! Since Phantom of the Opera, Tim has performed in at least two shows a year at the Limelight, including Pride and Prejudice, The Glorious Old Time Music Hall, Don’t Shoot the Messenger and Blitz!. His favourite role, however, was playing Eli Whitney in 2014’s Anything Goes. ‘He was a fun character to play,’ says Tim. ‘He was a bit of a caricature.’ Tim also enjoyed the challenge of his role in 2015’s Speaking in Tongues, where he played several characters in marital strife.

Tim’s proudest theatrical moment, however, was when he was cast in his first leading role as Pa Larkin’s in The Darling Buds of May in 2015. ‘To carry this off and learn all the lines was definitely an achievement’.

2017 brings about new and exciting challenges for Tim, who will be directing his rst show – next month’s Let the Sunshine. ‘I wanted to direct because it seemed the next natural step,’ he explains. ‘Much as I’d like to have the lead role Jean Val-Jean in Les Mis, I’m probably past that. So if I want to put my stamp on a play and bring to life characters as I see them, then directing is the obvious path.’

And if he enjoys the experience? ‘I would like to direct a musical next. I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience of musicals, the camaraderie, the teamwork, the working together to create something enjoyable for an audience. I want to have a go at bringing something like this to life!’