The Arts

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Two local actors to debut as Rainbow Stage directors

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 12/6/2011 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

THE big news at Rainbow Stage is not the shows it will revive for its 2012 season but the local actors it has chosen to make their debut as directors.

The outdoor summer theatre company will present Footloose June 18-July 8 and Annie Aug. 9-31. Actor Carson Nattrass will make his professional debut as the director of Footloose (Rainbow Stage in 2003), about a young Boston man transplanted to a southern town where dancing and rock music are banned. Singer/actor Donna Fletcher will direct Annie (Rainbow Stage in 1987) and become the first local female to helm a show for the Kildonan Park-based troupe in its 57-year history.

"It's really a big deal for me," says Nattrass, 32. "Faces like mine tend to be directing at the fringe festival not on the big stage."

It's a career break for both performers who are stepping up to bigger opportunities in larger venues.

"I've been bugging Rainbow Stage for over 10 years now, says Nattrass, whose Rainbow credits include Hairspray, Cats, Peter Pan, Good News, Grease (was assistant director) and Miss Saigon. "It's been a while coming. I've been preparing for this for years."

For Fletcher the assignment allows her stage career to come full circle. She and her Annie choreographer Kimberley Rampersad were both in the musical about Little Orphan Annie in 1987.

"It means a lot to me," says Fletcher who has directed with Dry Cold Productions (Sweeney Todd, The Light in the Piazza and Nine) where she is co-artistic director "This is fitting. It's a show I did as a young wannabe. It's the culmination of a journey with Rainbow Stage."

There have been only two other female directors ever at Rainbow, including Toronto's Tracey Flye, who helmed Hairspray last August.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition December 6, 2011 C2

Fact Check

Have you found an error, or know of something we’ve missed in one of our stories? Please use the form below and let us know.

* Required

In which story did you find the error? *
Please post the headline of the story or the title of the video with the error.
What was the error? *
Please post exactly what was wrong with the story.
What should we have written?
Please indicate your source for the correct information.
Who else should we interview to improve this story?
Please include any contact information you may have.
Can we contact you in the future for advice on stories about this topic?
Yes

No
First Name: *
Last Name: *
E–mail Address: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Phone: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Colour:
Are you blue? If you can see this, leave it blank and get some CSS support.
Enter the words that you see: * This is to prevent our forms from being filled out automatically.
You have failed to correctly identify the words in the box above. Please try again.

More The Arts

Undock

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

Have Your Say

New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.