BWW Interviews: Waiting for the Parade's Krystin Pellerin

 

Soulpepper's newest production, Waiting for the Parade, opened on May 5th to rave reviews. John Murrel's Canadian play about the lives and loves of five Canadian women on the home front during WWII has had many successful incarnations over the years, and the latest exploration from Soulpepper is proving to be no exception.

Soulpepper founding member Joseph Ziegler directs Fiona Byrne (Shaw Festival) and Michelle Monteith in their Soulpepper debuts‚ as well as Krystin Pellerin, Deborah Drakeford and founding member Nancy Palk. Musical director is Mike Ross.

Krystin Pellerin, perhaps currently most recognizable for her work on the CBC television show The Republic of Doyle, sat down to talk with BWW about her return to the stage and her life with the Soulpepper family:

You had fast success on the theatre scene - going directly from the National Theatre School to a production with Megan Follows and Albert Schultz. To what do you attribute your reasonably quick success?

I auditioned to play Debbie in The Real Thing and the audition went very well. I was lucky enough to get in the room and audition with Albert one on one with the director. It was very relaxed and I felt very comfortable and free in the room. They called an hour after the audition and cast me. There is a great sense of family within the company and with that comes a strong feeling of support and encouragement that allows for freedom in the work on stage I think. I feel very lucky to be a part of such a great community of artists.

You started on stage with Soulpepper, and are now a recognized television personality thanks to The Republic of Doyle. Have you enjoyed returning back to the stage (and specifically Soulpepper)?

It's very important for me to come back to the stage. It's where my roots are and the theatre is a place that has always demanded that I stretch myself as an actor. Coming back to Soulpepper provides a great reference point for me, because I can see how much growth has happened in the time that I've been away. I love coming back to familiar faces and to people who inspire me and remind me what is really important in our craft as storytellers.

What is the main difference between doing a show like this and working on Doyle?

It's a whole other set of muscles. You manage your energy in two completely different ways. In television it's hurry up and wait. You can wait for up to 8 or 9 hours to film one scene and when the time comes there is very Little Room for error. It's important to conserve your energy and focus so that you can deliver at a moment's notice. Coming back to Waiting for Parade, I felt out of shape. It's been a year since I've done a play and I had forgotten the amount of emotional and mental stamina that's required and I was surprised at how fearful I was in front of an audience. My body wasn't used to that kind of adrenaline and I had to get used to that all over again. It caught me by surprise.

Have you enjoyed being able to work in an environment that is all women? Certainly a chance from your castmates on Doyle...

I love working with these women. I feel as if I am working with the best actresses in the country right now. I am so inspired by their work and I learn an incredible amount from watching them. Great friendships have formed too. They are all very dear to my heart.

While Waiting for the Parade is set during WWII, it still resonates today due to all the Canadian troops in Afghanistan. Do you think the lessons and experiences the characters share in the show can apply to women whose husbands are currently overseas?

Absolutely. John Murrell has written a timeless story and the messages in the play can be immediately applied to our situation in the world today.

I have noticed that you are quite active with Soulpepper's Facebook page and also various social media websites - which is a growing trend in the theatre community. Do you feel like that is a good way to spread the word to younger audiences?

I love the feeling of being connected and so I am a big Twitter girl and I'm big on Facebook too. It's great free press and it gets people excited. Word of mouth is a very powerful thing.

If you could offer one piece of advice to up and coming Canadian theatre performers, what would it be?

When you find people that inspire you in your work and in your life, keep them close at hand always. They will feed you and remind you of what is important. They will help you to maintain your perspective and give you strength when you need it the most.

When and Where?
Waiting for the Parade
Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill Street, Building 49

Performance Schedule:
Waiting for the Parade runs May 5th - May 29th

Tickets range from $29-$70 and can be purchased in person at the box office, by phone at 416-866-8666 or online at www.soulpepper.ca

$20 tickets are available for 21-30 year olds through www.stageplay.ca StagePlay is sponsored by TD Bank Financial Group

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