PRESENTS:
ON A FIRST NAME BASIS
by Norm Foster
June 13th-25th, 2023
This performance runs approximately 2 hours, including intermission.
About Theatre on the Ridge
Theatre on the Ridge is a not for profit registered charity and believes in the power of theatre as a universal language and medium of entertainment, self-expression and communication to broaden understanding and empathy between individuals and communities.
We commit to telling our individual and collective stories through high calibre productions, the creation of new plays and the development of new artists. We tell these stories in live and digital formats and are adaptive and attentive to the impact of heritage and change. We increase accessibility to theatre and, through our stories, contribute to our community’s sense of well-being and connection.
Land Acknowledgement
Scugog is situated on treaty land that is steeped in rich indigenous history. We acknowledge that we are gathering on the traditional territories of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, situated within the Williams Treaties. The Mississaugas of Scugog Island are a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation, which includes the Algonquin, Ojibway, Mississauga, Chippewa, Odawa, Delaware and Potawatami peoples. We recognize and deeply appreciate the historic Indigenous connection to this land and recognize the contributions First Nations, Metis, and Inuit peoples have made, both in shaping and strengthening this community in particular, our province and country as a whole.
We also recognize that land acknowledgements are not enough. We must pursue truth, reconciliation, decolonization and allyship in an ongoing effort to make right with all our relations. In our work and actions as artists, residents and members of our community, we seek to honour the generations of Indigenous peoples, Elders and knowledge keepers who have gone before us, as well as those yet to come.
Message From the Artistic Director/Director
This production comes at the end of my first 10 years as artistic director of Theatre on the Ridge and the start of our 9th summer season, our fourth season of outdoor theatre, our second season at Scugog Shores museum and the first under our glorious new performance tent. As I write this, I realize that, very much like David and Lucy in On A First Name Basis, many of my life’s milestones over the past decade, have been marked with plays and theatre seasons as signposts. Standing here on my own “unfinished wall” I can look back with pride, and only a few regrets, but unlike David and Lucy, I look back and am very aware of all the people in my life who have been with me on this journey that is now Theatre on the Ridge. Many of these people have been with me since the beginning and many have joined me for a short time only, but I am grateful for the time shared with them all. Together, we have accomplished something here, something that has influenced my life immeasurably. Rehearsing under the tent with the rain pattering outside, I am content. And in that moment, this show becomes a cherished milestone in my theatre journey.
I would like to thank Barb, Geoff and Amanda for taking this singular journey with me and for sharing Norm Foster’s lovely play about two people discovering each other and themselves, by telling their stories. We all would like to have our stories told, and to have someone to tell them to. It’s a difference we all can make in each other’s lives, knowingly or otherwise. It’s how we leave an imprint in the world – telling stories. Storytelling is at the heart of all good theatre and Norm does it so well. Sit back, make yourself comfortable and enjoy.
Carey Nicholson
Artistic Director, General Manager, Director
CAST
David Geoff Coulter
Lucy Barb Clifford
Production Team:
Director Carey Nicholson
Stage Manager Amanda Cook
Production and Patron Services Natasha Miles
Box Office Coordinator Michael Saunders
Sound Design & Technical Operation Lyle Corrigan
Lighting Technician Colin Hughes
Digital Production Coordinator Jana Tolmie
Social Media Coordinator Melissa Rada
Venue Manager Andy Williamson
ON A FIRST NAME BASIS premiered at Theatre Orangeville in Orangeville, ON, in April 2013.
ON A FIRST NAME BASIS is staged by arrangement with Pam Winter, GGA, www.ggagency.ca.
CAST
Geoff Coulter is an award-winning actor, singer, director, and arts educator. He has performed on stages in the GTA and the U.S. for more than three decades.
Favorite acting credits include: The Creature (Frankenstein), Manningham (Gaslight), Harold (A Bench in the Sun), Merelli (Lend Me A Tenor), Victor (Private Lives), Frankie (Forever Plaid), Stanley (Run For Your Wife), Wilf (Quartet), Vito (It Had To Be You), Dr. Craven (The Secret Garden), Walter (CHESS In Concert), Capt. Smith (Titanic-The Musical), Ewan (Maud: The Musical).
Geoff is thrilled to be joining Theatre on the Ridge this summer and teaming up with his dear friend, Barb Clifford.
Barb Clifford is an award-winning actress and has performed across the GTA and Durham in film, television, voice, and stage.
Selected credits include Violet in August: Osage County (WCT), Rose in Les Belles Soeurs and Nurse Ratched in One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest (OLT), Margaret in Northern Lights (Theatre on the Bay), Carla in Surrender, Dorothy (Alumnae Theatre), The Actress/Lizzie in Blood Relations (ESP), Janet in Waiting for the Parade (SP), Florence in The Odd Couple: Female Version, Adrienne in A Bench in the Sun, Theda in It Had To Be You, & Lexie in The Sweet Delilah Swim Club (HG).
Barb is delighted to be part of Theatre on the Ridge in their upcoming summer season and especially to team up with her great friend Geoff Coulter in this wonderful Norm Foster play!
PRODUCTION
CAREY NICHOLSON is a graduate of George Brown College and the School of the Toronto Dance Theatre (STDT) professional dance programs, and a past faculty member at STDT. She has been involved with community and professional theatre companies in Durham, York region and elsewhere in many capacities, primarily as board member, producer, director, choreographer, performer, instructor, set and costume designer. Her past, and ongoing, theatre studies include programs and courses with George Brown College, Toronto Dance Theatre, Tarragon Theatre, the Stratford Festival, Off The Wall Theatre Alliance, and as an auditing director with Obsidian Theatre in 2018.
Carey is currently the artistic director and co-founder of Theatre on the Ridge (www.theatreontheridge.ca), Durham region’s not for profit, professional theatre company. As resident of Scugog for over 20 years, Carey is also a founding member of the Lake Scugog Studio Tour and META4 Contemporary Craft Gallery. She is a past president of Scugog Council for the Arts and was the SCA’s first executive director from 2009 to 2012.
Carey has received several awards for her work in the performing arts, including a Durham Art of Transition Creative Award in 2014 for her contribution to theatre in Durham. She is also an independent theatre adjudicator, arts educator and arts management consultant.
Amanda Cook
(She/Her)
Theatre on the Ridge: Willow Tree Quartet, “Something From Nothing” Play Workshop
Elsewhere: You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Godspell (SM- SMT), Beauty and the Beast, West Side Story, Legally Blonde and others (SM- OLT), Fun Home (SM- Theatre Aurora), 39 Steps, Spitfire Grill (SM- Onstage Uxbridge)
Although Amanda has been onstage performing ensemble and lead roles in musicals, farce and Shakespearian productions, she is much more comfortable backstage or in the booth. In the real world, Amanda is an elementary school teacher. Theatre is a family pursuit, and Amanda would like to thank Mary Beth and Dianne for starting her love for drama. A big hug and eternal gratitude for husband Phillip and their son Jeremy for sharing a theatrical passion.
