By Emilie Stroud
I’ve been enamoured with theatre for as long as I can remember. I spent my childhood involved in all aspects of the performing arts, from attending various dance classes, to prancing around the house in hodgepodge costumes, pirouetting and singing (out of tune, of course) random show tunes, and acting. I was always acting. Creating characters and make-believe stories was how I entertained myself. Fortunately, as an only child, I had a vivid imagination, and I loved nothing more than concocting fantastical situations where I was simultaneously the hero, damsel in distress, and villain.
When I was old enough, I performed in school plays, dance shows and local community theatre productions – this time on a real stage! I was hooked. After each production ended, I looked forward to the next, always the next. Who can I be now? What do I get to wear? How big is the audience going to be? Small stages, large stages, school auditoriums – I ate them all up, eagerly anticipating the next performance. Theatre was my drug, and I was addicted.
When I moved with my family to Huntsville as a teenager, one of the things I was most concerned about was finding a local group with whom I could perform. It wasn’t long before I heard about a new state-of-the-art, custom designed theatre being built right in the heart of my new hometown. Of course, I had to be involved in some way! My wish came true, and I was accepted into the cast of the inaugural musical production, Jesus Christ Superstar. I vividly remember the first time I set foot on the Algonquin’s stage and looked out over the open orchestra pit to the 400-seat house. It was dazzling. That whole production was such a whirlwind of emotions, most notably pride at being a part of history in the making, a pride I still feel whenever I look back on that first show.
Since 2005, the Huntsville Festival of the Arts, in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Huntsville, has produced a musical each spring at the Algonquin Theatre, a show that is arguably one of the most eagerly anticipated theatrical events in Huntsville. Often featuring casts of up to fifty local performers, these musicals are a huge community effort, showcasing the best musical, acting and artistic talent Muksoka has to offer. Since Superstar, I have had the privilege to participate in two other spring musicals. In 2011, I was onstage in “The Music Man,” and in 2012 I was honoured to stage manage “Seussical Junior.” This production gave me an incredible opportunity to interact further with the theatre’s technical crew, headed by the supremely experienced and utterly unflappable Chris Boon. Once again, I was taken aback by the professionalism and talent in Huntsville, the sort of qualities you usually see reserved for major theatres in Toronto or New York. As a performer, I have never had a bad experience with the Algonquin or any of its hardworking and caring staff.
Aside from the annual HFA musical, the Algonquin is also home to various local theatrical productions and a variety of musical acts, both local and international. When I look back over some of the performers who have graced this stage, it’s humbling to realize that I’ve performed on the same stage as the likes of Shania Twain, Michael Burgess, Jim Cuddy and The Arrogant Worms, to name just a few. The Algonquin has brought to Huntsville a world class performance venue, and boy are we lucky!
Emilie Stroud has been on stage and in the audience at the Algonquin Theatre. Now she’s excited to be working front of house and the box office at the theatre she loves.
Performing has always been integral to my life, but it doesn’t always bring food to the table. For several years, I have wandered the job market, dabbling in all sorts. Like many 20-somethings, I graduated university with a degree of which I was very proud, but no real job prospects – there isn’t much call for Ancient Archaeology in Muskoka. So I always felt like I was just marking time, working temporary jobs to pay the bills until I discovered my passion. That old saying, “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life” sounds great in theory, but what if what you love doesn’t pay, or isn’t available in your area? I’ve always loved theatre, but short of moving to Toronto, New York or Los Angeles – a decision not easily made given my husband’s secure job in Huntsville – it always seemed highly unlikely that I would ever work in that industry. Until one day in February 2016, when I heard of a job opportunity at my beloved Algonquin Theatre. I hadn’t really considered going into the administrative side of theatre – front of house and box office – but the prospect of being part of the Algonquin team? I had not wanted anything so intensely since I met my husband in high school and knew he was the one. I knew there would be fierce competition for this job, but I also knew deep down that this was the missing piece in my life. For ten years I had grown with the Algonquin, and the idea of it becoming my workplace quite literally brought me to tears.
I applied and interviewed, and then spent several nerve-wracking days waiting to hear – would my dream of working in theatre finally come true? Eventually I heard that I had got the job. I was beyond ecstatic. I was going to be part of the Algonquin family!
It has now been five weeks since my first day on the job, and I couldn’t be happier. I love my job and my colleagues, and every time I enter this magnificent building I thank whoever it was who first said, “Hey, we should build a theatre in Huntsville.” I am inordinately proud of the Algonquin, and I feel privileged to be part of the team that brings such a professional theatrical experience to our little Northern Ontario town.
With the 2016 HFA musical opening in two weeks, I feel like I have come full circle. I was a part of the first musical housed in the Algonquin, and now, ten years later, I’m a part of the theatre bringing you TEN! For me, it truly will be a celebration of ten years of fabulous music and memories on the Algonquin Stage. Here’s to the next ten!
Originally from England, Emilie moved to Canada in 2003 and has made her home in Huntsville ever since. She has been, at times, a musician, archaeologist, historian, waitress and teacher. A twenty-five year veteran of the dramatic arts, Emilie is thrilled to be able to put her experience and knowledge of all aspects of performance to work at the Algonquin Theatre.
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