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DOUBT: Meet Niki Richardson (Sister Aloysius)

1/24/2018

Niki Richardson as Sister Aloysius in John Patrick Shanley's DOUBT.

February 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17 2018 @ 8:00 PM.
Doors open 7:30.
The Shadowbox Theatre (103B-1501 Howard Ave, corner of Howard and Shepard).
Tickets $20 at postproductionswindsor.ca or at the door.

PHOTO BY THE HEADSHOT COMPANY

Who are you, how did you get into theatre, and where might audiences have seen you before?
My name is Niki Richardson. I started doing improv and murder mystery dinner theatre in the '90s while a stay-at-home mom. That led to 10 straight musical productions with Theatre Alive (1997-2006) and 6 seasons with Theatre Windsor at the Market Square on Ottawa (2007-2012). I also won a WODL award for Best Actress in 2011 for portraying Martha in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Most recently I was seen as Barbara in Theatre Ensemble's August; Osage County (2015), Mother in Ghostlight Players' award winning Voices of Vimy (2016), and Sonia in Korda's Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (2017).

What can you tell us about Sister Aloysius?
Sister Aloysius Beauvier is the principal of a religious school in the Bronx in 1964. She is a straightforward, no-nonsense and determined woman. Once married, she lost her husband in World War II prior to taking her vows and becoming a nun. She is comfortable in her position and serious regarding her responsibilities. During the course of the play, she becomes compelled to confront a situation with nothing but her own certainty to draw upon, only to realize afterwards that perhaps she was not so certain after all.

Why did you want to play Sister Aloysius?
A role like Sister Aloysius is a serious personal challenge. Being any part of a Pulitzer Prize/Tony Award winning piece is a fantastic chance to grow as an artist -- and taking on such a part with a director and cast that I do not know is a wonderful opportunity. The people in a cast and crew always leave their unique thumbprints on my process, providing new voices and ideas to collect for use in future productions. New collaborators keep things fresh and exciting. Technically, this character has the majority of the dialogue, but the least amount of movement. The costume is one of the most restrictive I have experienced and the specific nuances of her accent are new to me.

How is Sister Aloysious important to the plot and theme of DOUBT?
The character of Sister Aloysius IS the title. She is Doubt. Mr. Shanley leads you to believe it is only Sister James, or even the faithful reader/audience member who represents Doubt. It is not realized until her last line that it is also Sister Aloysius. The deception is masterful. She is presented as certain and unwavering for nearly the entire play. Her doubt may ultimately be of a different nature than that of Sister James, but when it emerges it leaves the audience breathless -- with no assistance from the author to process or categorize it.

What do you hope audiences get from seeing DOUBT -- both at The Shadowbox while they're watching, and when they think about it afterwards?
I hope that our audiences can get lost in the story, lost in the intimate nature of the set and the space. I hope they formulate opinions and then want to change their minds again and again with each passing scene. When it's over, I want long discussions, ending with people agreeing to disagree -- even with themselves maybe.

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DOUBT: Meet Eric Branget (Father Flynn)

1/17/2018

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Who are you, how did you get into theatre, and where might audiences have seen you before?
I’m Eric Branget, an artist born and raised in Windsor. Although most of my artistic work has been in acting, I’ve recently begun to take on directing and writing projects. I’ve been involved in theatre, T.V., and film ever since my first play, The Wizard of Oz, in 8th grade. Since then you may have seen me on stage in University Player’s production of Twelfth Night, Confidential Music Theatre’s performance of Company! and my one-man Windsor Fringe Festival debut, Life of Len. I have also appeared in commercials for Visa and Oxford Notebooks as well as the television shows Evil Encounters and Scariest Night Of My Life.

What can you tell us about Father Flynn?
I’ll be playing Father Brendan Flynn in this production of Doubt. Father Flynn a teacher at St. Nicolas’ School as well as an active priest at the parish. He is someone who very much agrees with and pushes for the modernization of the Catholic Church. He believes religion should not only be understood by all but also accessible to all. He is known for his poetic, yet relatable sermons, as he attempts to build a bridge between the Church and the faithful.

Why did you want to play Father Flynn?
Ever since I came across this play during a scene study in university, I have wanted to play the role of Father Flynn. The character is written in such a way that it leaves so much for the actor and director to interpret and explore. There is so much room for us to explore this character’s motivations as well as the secrets he keeps. Every time I reread this play and go into rehearsal I discover something new about this character and for an actor there is nothing more exciting than that.

How is Father Flynn important to the plot and theme of DOUBT?
In terms of the themes in Doubt, Father Flynn represents the sweeping change and reform that is coming to the Church. He supports modernization and openness when it comes to the Church’s relationship with its parishioners. He also represents the potential cost that massive amounts of change in a short span of time can have. His approachable and kind demeanour stands in direct contrast to Sister Aloysius but throughout the play his teaching tactics with children are called into question as scandal slowly closes in around him.

What do you hope audiences get from seeing DOUBT -- both at The Shadowbox while they're watching, and when they think about it afterwards?
During and after audiences experience Doubt I hope that as each scene unfolds their exceptions are broken over and over again. As the play twist and turns I hope that impressions of the character will change several times within a scene as Shanley has created a play that keeps you guessing until the very end.

Eric Branget as Father Flynn in John Patrick Shanley's DOUBT.

February 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17 2018 @ 8:00 PM.
Doors open 7:30.
The Shadowbox Theatre (103B-1501 Howard Ave, corner of Howard and Shepard).
Tickets $20 at postproductionswindsor.ca or at the door.

PHOTO BY THE HEADSHOT COMPANY

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DOUBT: Meet Carla Gyemi (Sister James)

1/9/2018

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Carla Gyemi as Sister James in John Patrick Shanley's DOUBT.

February 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17 2018 @ 8:00 PM.
Doors open 7:30.
The Shadowbox Theatre (103B-1501 Howard Ave, corner of Howard and Shepard).
Tickets $20 at postproductionswindsor.ca or at the door.

PHOTO BY THE HEADSHOT COMPANY

Who are you, how did you get into theatre, and where might audiences have seen you before?
I got involved in theatre after seeing a local production of Annie many moons ago and saying to my parents "I want to do that!" Since then,I have had the privilege of performing in Windsor for many years now. Recent roles include Roz in 9 to 5: The Musical, The Baker's Wife in Into the Woods, Demeter in Cats, Tiger Lily in Peter Pan(to), and Agnes (a nun in-training!) in The Divine Sister.

What can you tell us about Sister James?
I am playing Sister James in Doubt: a younger nun who recently started teaching at St. Nicholas School. Those who know the play and character have heard Sister James called 'innocent,'and perhaps 'sweet' or 'enthusiastic,' but in this production I have enjoyed exploring Sister James' analytical and thoughtful side, which she utilizes greatly throughout the major conflict in the play.

Why did you want to play Sister James?
I knew this character would be a challenge for me. I have not played a role quite like this and knew it would be a chance for me to grow and stretch my acting chops. Finding my interpretation of the character would take some exploration on my part and guidance from the director -- and I truly welcomed the opportunity. I also knew I would learn a lot from the other actors in the cast, as all the characters in this play have so much depth and layers to them. I was excited about that opportunity as well -- to also observe the rest of the cast coming into their characters and seeing their method and choices.

How is Sister James important to the plot and theme of DOUBT?
Sister James is the one who comes to Sister Aloysius with information on Father Flynn that -- to Sister Aloysius -- confirms her suspicions about him and sets a chain of events that fuel the remainder of the play. Sister Aloysius then has Sister James stay involved as a witness as she confronts Father Flynn. You certainly see Sister James experience doubt herself in many moments during the play, as she tries to sort out this situation she finds herself roped into -- a situation she does not desire to be in, nor has experienced before.

What do you hope audiences get from seeing DOUBT -- both at The Shadowbox while they're watching, and when they think about it afterwards?
Like any production of Doubt, my hope is that we have done our job of not swaying audiences too far in favor of one outcome over the other...and that during the show they experience doubt themselves on which character to believe, and leave the theatre talking about their experience and 'evidence' they observed to confirm or deny certain theories. Essentially...I hope we leave them in doubt!

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Doubt: Meet Jennifer Cole (Mrs. Muller)

1/3/2018

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Who are you, how did you get into theatre, and where might audiences have seen you before?
My name is Jennifer Cole. I've been involved in theatre since I was about 7 years old. Although I performed in church plays and school plays, I didn't become serious about acting until I reached high school. If you are from the Metro Detroit area you might have seen me performing with the Detroit Repertory Theatre in their production of Firepower, or you might have seen me play Portia in the Shakespeare in Detroit production of Merchant of Venice. If you're from Windsor you might have seen me performing with my band One Man Out at Cosmos in the casino.

What can you tell us about Mrs. Muller?
I am playing the role of Mrs. Muller, the mother of Donald Muller. Strong, poised, and focused -- it is definitely a joy portraying her.

Why did you want to play Mrs. Muller?
I've always wanted to play this character because I feel that she has so many levels. She has an awesome way of getting her point across without giving away her position.

How is Mrs. Muller important to the plot and theme of DOUBT?
Mrs. Muller is the first and only character you get to see outside of the church. She also gives the audience its only chance to take a look into the life of Donald Muller. Through Mrs. Muller the audience gets great insight into the nature of Donald, and she gives the audience something more to consider.

What do you hope audiences get from seeing DOUBT -- both at The Shadowbox while they're watching, and when they think about it afterwards?
While the audience watches the show at The Shadowbox I hope they see just how amazing this cast is and how brilliant the choices are that they are making. I absolutely love working with them. This is a captivating show. I hope that while the audience goes on this journey with these characters who question their moral certainty it will make them reflect on their own moral certainties as well.

Jennifer Cole as Mrs. Muller in John Patrick Shanley's DOUBT.

February 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17 2018 @ 8:00 PM.
Doors open 7:30.
The Shadowbox Theatre (103B-1501 Howard Ave, corner of Howard and Shepard).
Tickets $20 at postproductionswindsor.ca or at the door.

PHOTO BY THE HEADSHOT COMPANY

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DOUBT: Meet Niki Richardson (Sister Aloysius)

DOUBT: Meet Eric Branget (Father Flynn)

DOUBT: Meet Carla Gyemi (Sister James)

Doubt: Meet Jennifer Cole (Mrs. Muller)

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