Welcome back! I do not know if there can be anything as exciting as being back in the Eggplant Theatre at CCH – well aside from the production you are here to see! While some things haven’t changed, there are definitely a few new faces and moving parts around the building that you may or may not recognize. Part of those changes are with great thanks to the Knights of Columbus of Lethbridge, who have been an integral part of our newest project at CCH: a new lighting system. We cannot thank the Knights enough for their generous support and I can officially welcome you to the K of C Lethbridge Eggplant Theatre!
Stepping into the helm as director (and many other jobs here and there!) this year, I cannot begin to tell you of where my head has been. I reflect upon my experiences in the Eggplant: Mr. Mueller forced me, as a student, to audition after Grade 10 and I never left, having taken part in four productions. After completing my education degree, Mrs. Mitchell coyly asked if I was the “twin who did musicals in school” and graciously roped me in as Stage Manager for six and a half shows and one more role in Matilda before COVID shut down the world. Coming out of the pandemic, Mr. Mikuliak kindly invited me back to help stage-manage the student led production of ReWritten, and by the end of that production, I had sealed the deal as the next director.
Where does that bring us? Well, after being introduced to the theatre world, learning about the importance of creating a family on- and offstage, and realizing that I am fortunate to GET to do this, not HAVE to do this, the lessons I have learned in my decade of drama have culminated in this little production back on the CCH main stage.
I think everyone grew up on The Addams Family in some iteration, and in spite of some hiccoughs in their episodic lives, each member of the family – “living, dead, or undecided” – reflect upon those same important lessons as I have: they all recognize the need for a flair for the dramatic, the importance of being a family, and realization that they get to always come back home where they know they will be welcomed.
The people involved in this show have been working hard for what feels like an eternity to put together our return: from cast putting in the hours in acting, singing, and choreography rehearsals to the crew learning the ins and outs of working behind the scenes in the tech booth and backstage, they are a creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky bunch of kids whose level of weird almost outshines that of the adults working alongside them. Everyone in this show has picked up their shovel and been digging in to what I hope will be a grave – whoops, I mean great time for you – “Full Disclosure.”
To my family – thank you for everything that you have done and continue to do, for the late nights and dinners and weekends put off, and for always being my pillars.
To my mentor – thank you for the other late nights and idea-bouncing and everything that you have done for me since cornering me in the hall to help with The Sound of Music. I literally could not have done this without you.
To the cast, crew, and production staff – thank you for every effort you have made to bring this show to new heights. You continue to strive to do your best and, in the end,, that is all that matters.
Finally, to you, the audience – thank you for having faith in the process and for enough applause and laughter to wake the dead. If this is your first time in the Eggplant, welcome! If this is your “I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve been here” time in the Eggplant, welcome home.
Braden Dalton, director
