DOUBT: Meet Eric Branget (Father Flynn)

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.

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