The Beaux’ Stratagem  at Stratford - Wonderful Restoration Comedy - August 2014

by Heather Dick, Artistic Director

                                                                      Date:  August  2014

I saw THE  BEAUX’  STRATAGEM at Stratford recently and thoroughly enjoyed it.  It was a sparkling production with sumptuous costumes, a beautiful set, and a strong cast led by Colm Feore as Archer and Lucy Peacock as Mrs. Sullen.  Although this restoration play was first produced over 300 years ago in 1707, the story felt modern and fresh and my daughter and I were engaged from the very first moment. 

Martha Henry’s delightfully comic performance as Lady Bountiful was splendid and the moment she ran on stage wearing a breast plate and brandishing a broad sword, ready to defend her home from highwaymen, was priceless.  What joy!  

And be sure to pay close attention during the numerous set changes, too.  Don't look at your program or someone in the audience.  Watch for the little relationships between characters.  They add another dimension to the show and will keep you thoroughly entertained.  You might even wish that some of those changes could take just a little bit longer.  I know I did.

Here’s a link to Richard Ouzounian’s review.  He thoroughly enjoyed it too.  http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/stage/2014/08/16/the_beaux_stratagem_a_funny_blissful_ride_review.html

As a Designated Linklater Voice Teacher My Journey is Just Beginning

by Heather Dick, Artistic Director

                                                                      Date:  August 5, 2014

On July 19, 2014 I was accepted as a Designated Linklater Teacher or a DLT as voice teachers say. The last stage of my training took place at the newly built Kristin Linklater Voice Centre on the beautiful Orkney Islands of Scotland and was a special moment for all of us. Our small group of 14 dedicated teacher trainees was the very first group to graduate from this wonderful new home for voice exploration and training. 

As a young actor, more than 30 years ago, I studied voice with David Smukler at Equity Showcase Theatre in Toronto.  While I couldn’t know, at the time, how important this training would become for me, I did recognize that it profoundly affected my work as an actor.  I moved more freely, was less tense and more directly connected to impulses.  Vulnerability became my acting strength, my moment-to-moment work was truthful, vibrant, and powerful and, most of all, my voice became more deeply connected to all of me.  In truth, isn’t that what we strive for as performers - to be honest, transparent and authentic in every moment on the stage or in front of the camera?  More work started coming my way as I won more auditions and show reviews were good.  What was equally exciting was that this work spilled over into other areas of my life so that my connections with friends and family became deeper, richer and more honest. 

Lasting change never happens over night though, does it?   So, it’s no surprise that all this wonderful growth, which was both subtle and gentle, took place gradually over the course of several years.  In January 2011 during a month of intensive study with Shakespeare & Company in Lenox, Mass. I was re-introduced to Kristin's work and the series of exercises that she calls The Progression.  Because of the growth that I experienced in my own work and observed in my fellow actors during that month, I knew that I wanted to share this work with many others.  That was the start of my journey on the road to becoming a Designated Linklater Voice Teacher.  

And so, after embodying this method as an artist for more than 35 years and training for 5 years to teach it, here I am, a DLT .   I see this as the beginning of the next phase of my work as an Artist Educator.  

This method is for everyone who would like their voice to be more powerful, direct, resonant and truth-filled.   Are you curious and willing to be more connected to who you are, to your authentic self?   If you are, please get in touch with me.  I’m happy to see if I can help.  I can be reached at info@siriustheatrical.com

Thank you to Christine Berg , David Smukler, Andrea Haring, Dennis Krausnick, and first and foremost, Kristin Linklater, for your support, encouragement and training over the years.