Get to know Roomies
New play from Hubcity Theatre explores themes of friendship, music and living with a disability KEN KELLEY TIMES & TRANSCRIPT May 17, 2016 One of the themes central to Roomies, the latest production staged by Moncton’s Hubcity Theatre, is rarely tackled in modern theatre or television. The production is inspired by the real-life challenges faced by the production’s playwright and actor, Paul Power. Power is physically disabled, and uses leg braces and crutches to assist with mobility issues stemming from a rare form of spina bifida. In the time leading up the writing of Roomies, Power noted that there were few, if any, productions that dealt with the topic head-on. “When I was writing Roomies, I had noticed there were not a lot of opportunities out there in terms of minority characters. There weren’t roles that called for disabled characters, and, for those that were available, it focused on the disability issue, which can make that population feel segregated,” Power says.“With Roomies, my disability has been integrated into the piece, which makes for a more realistic portrayal on virtually all fronts. It demonstrates what it’s like to live with a disability but never overshadows the overarching theme of the production.” The play is set in the 1960s., Power plays David, a clean-cut student who lives with a disability. The play’s other primary character, Nick, played by Steve Ryan, is more of a James Dean, rebel type of character who is also rather selfish and manipulative. “David and Nick are assigned to the same dorm room,” Power says. “The play chronicles a time period of one school year during which the audience gets to witness the friendship that blossoms between them.” A native of St. John’s, Newfoundland, Power graduated from Memorial University with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in theatre. It was at Memorial that he discovered his love of theatre. “The first time I participated in an acting class, I absolutely loved it,” he says. “Following that, I routinely went after roles, and was actually fortunate that directors were willing to look past my disability and cast me in a number of productions.” Power went on to attend Ryerson University in Toronto, eventually working as an associate producer with TVOntario. Following a three-year stint as president of Calgary’s Liffey Players Drama Society. Power’s partner received a work transfer to Moncton in 2010. It wasn’t long after that Power became involved with Moncton’s Hub-city Theatre, landing roles in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Dracula, before moving on to assume the role of artistic director in 2013. He credits the Hubcity Theatre as having made him feel welcomed right off the bat. “In Moncton, I found a forward-thinking group that totally accepted my disability and never once hinted that it was a hindrance,”he said. “That total acceptance isn’t as common as people might like to think it is. I had the opportunity to attend a conference at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa where disability issues were discussed at length. It is a sort of hot topic, but what I realized was that the Hub-city Theatre is really ahead of the game compared to a lot of their peer groups across the country.” Roomies director Cody Bolton joined the Hubcity Theatre in 2010. He also co-founded Crandall Spotlight Theatre at Crandall University. Bolton notes that the transition from stage actor to a behind the scenes role of director has been an interesting one, but is also something he feels fortunate to embrace. “I have been acting for most of my life,” he says. “Ever since I was a kid, I loved the stage. It was something I was naturally drawn to. Directing Roomies has been a great experience, however. Of course, much of that has to do with the great team I am overseeing. I just happen to be the glue that helps hold everything together.” Bolton notes that those interested in trying out for Hubcity Theatre should not let a lack of experience deter them; ultimately, it is the spirit that each person brings to the role that matters. “If someone steps through the door without experience, we don’t consider that a bad thing by any means,”he says. “We are more interested in passion for the role and a genuine willingness to learn.” Thus far, Roomies has been warmly received by audiences in Fredericton and Halifax, the reception exceeding Power’s modest expectations for how the production might connect with theatregoers. “We … have heard a lot of great comments after the show,” Power says. “Roomies is all about that big emotional payoff at the end. For many, there were a lot of tears, which tells us we are hitting the right comedic and dramatic notes with the audience.” Providing musical entertainment at Sunday’s Moncton performance of Roomies is Hone The Craft. The group has been cutting their teeth through many of Metro Moncton’s clubs, boasting a diverse repertoire of music from the Eagles, The Bangles, Blue Rodeo, Blind Melon and more, earning them a devoted fan base. Their performance in Roomies features a musical repertoire suited to the era in which the show is set. “We were thrilled when Hubcity Theatre came and asked us to participate,” says Hone the Craft vocalist Laura McPhee. “It’s a great show that also lends itself to incorporating live music. It’s a great opportunity for us to play for our fans in a unique setting and context.” |