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Playwright boosts South Simcoe Theatre’s annual showcase

June 1, 2016   ·   0 Comments

Playwright Braden Wright is excited to present his own two-act farce at The South Simcoe Theatre in Cookstown.
Photo by Rosaleen Egan

By Josh Scott
Loretto’s own Braden Wright is one of six local playwrights featured in the South Simcoe Theatre’s upcoming Four Play series of play readings. The series runs Thursday, June 2, through Sunday, June 5, and closes out the company’s 50th anniversary season.
The versatile Wright’s own two-act farce, “The Old Pros,” hits the stage Saturday, June 4 at 8 p.m. When the ownership of a long-time talent agency changes hands under questionable circumstances, its roster of aging actors does whatever it takes to keep it alive in this cleverly written farce, directed by Rae Smith.
Wright brings with him a ton of experience in stage, film and television. He acted on General Hospital and was a publicist for Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. He’s acted, written, produced and even worked as a senior photo editor with Walt Disney Studios.
“I’ve loved theatre and performance since I was a kid—my elder sisters were skaters and I got taken the rink when my mom was driving them for the local ice show in Unionville and I got the bug. Highlights for me have been skating at Madison Square Garden (I had the audience to myself for five minutes to open the second act), seeing the mascot I created in University be embraced and make people smile and laugh. Also ‘firsts’ for me, like my first time appearing on General Hospital, the first film I worked on as a unit publicist (Moonstruck), and the first play I had performed making people laugh and feel good,” Wright said.
“Creativity is often a singular pursuit, rewarding in the doing but incredibly different and extraordinary when others have a chance to connect, share and enjoy. That’s bonus gold.”
Theatre not only holds a special place in his heart, it’s quite popular today.
“There are so many screens in our lives and theatre busts through all of them, including even your own direct experience. Theatre helps us step out of time for those moments. It’s live and that adds to the dramatic experience because anything can happen—and does. The audience participates just by being present. It’s a kind of co-creation even if there isn’t direct participation. There’s nothing like it. While I think theatre ought to be a cultivated habit because it’s so easy to sit in a chair and turn on a device, it’s also so often rewarding in ways that surprise people.”
A play reading, Wright explained, is a way to experience a script by hearing actors read the parts, in the same way you’d hear it in a regular performance, only without the blocking and movement. They are lined up with scripts and you get to hear the exchanges, the timing, the emotions while seeing separate actors bring those characters to life. “It’s a step beyond hearing a radio play or an audio book because it’s live and you pick up actors’ looks and visual cues.”
Plays need a place to connect with audiences and for playwrights and readings are vital to bringing plays towards production, Wright stressed.
“I applaud the SST for their dedication to theatre. It’s fantastic – even more so in an era where entertainment companies often choose only to produce known works in order to save on marketing. I’m honoured that they loved the script, that there is such an excellent director, Rae Smith, and such a great cast. I’m indescribably excited to hear the characters come to life, and so thankful for everyone at the SST – it takes a LOT of people to make anything like this happen and for that I am extremely grateful.”
Alberta-born Wright has travelled all over the world, and his move here is a coming home of sorts.
“I’ve been accused of sounding too poetic when I say this, but Ontario answers my soul. My wife and I both appreciate the kindness and support of people here and we’re thankful to have this homecoming. I’ve heard you can travel outward if you know the place you come from and sometimes you have to journey elsewhere to find that centering place. Great place, great people … we’re happy we’re here.”
Four Play kicks off Thursday June 2 (tonight) at 8 p.m. with John Kenwell’s contemporary response to Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice, “Shylock or The Christian of Venice.”
Friday brings a double-bill that starts at 8 p.m. with “ETD” – the product of Oro’s past Four Play contributor Martha Morris – and closes with former Theo Award winner Robert Newby’s “Outside the Box.” Braden Wright’s own “Old Pros” hits the stage Saturday June 4. Sunday, June 5 begins at 2 p.m. with the talented young Alliston-born Quentin Stuckey’s “Visitor: A Portrait of the Modern American Family,” and closes with Rosaleen Egan’s second Four Play production, “As The Wind Blows.”
Tickets for all shows are only $5, and available either at the door (of the Cookstown Old Town Hall Theatre, 1 Hamilton Street) or by calling the SST box office at 705-458-4432.

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