Manuel Ortega
New to our WMT stage is Manuel Ortega, who plays the role of “Father” in The Open House. “Not

only am I excited to collaborate on this project, but I am also enthusiastic to play this particular

character who is not the greatest role model but is, however, memorable (for better or for worse).”
 

Manuel gives credit to his high school teacher, Mr. Sandy White, for inspiring him to see the beauty

of theatre. “He was one of those teachers who steered away from treating his students as kids to

more as adults, which led to holding higher expectations of them. His classes involved a lot of

discussions involving the content of plays, various styles of theatre and life in general. He was

great and I'm fortunate to have had him as my teacher.”

After high school, Manuel was able to learn more about his craft from some great professors and

directors at the University of Manitoba’s Black Hole Theatre Company such as Drs. Chris Johnson and Bill Kerr. “Yes, their plays were a part of school, but the stakes were much higher, and they helped students understand what a professional theatre really felt like—especially when you made mistakes. Not only did everyone handle many responsibilities, but we always learned much more than just the lines.”

Ortega feels very fortunate to be working with his fellow cast members on WMT’s current production. “Everyone seems to come from all walks of life. But one thing they have in common—they're all great people…and I'm sorry for insulting all of you in the play so much!”

 

Marijus Timmerman

Veteran actor, Marijus Timmerman, returns to our WMT stage to play the role of Uncle. “As I have been away

from the stage since performing in WMT’s  production of The Bald Soprano, I find this experience both a joy and

a challenge as it has revived the excitement of preparing for a live performance with a team of energetic

performers and it also brings with it the work and focus required to bring a role and story to life.”

 

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Timmerman explains his connection to live performances at an early age. “In my life, opportunities to be on stage

always seemed to find me out. In the early years, I was encouraged to recite poems or sing songs as part of the ​

Lithuanian Community. In time, teachers encouraged participation in school theatre. Then, Rock and Roll

beckoned for a time. In subsequent years, the stage continued to call—be it the Winnipeg Fringe Festival or

Winnipeg Mennonite Theatre. These theatrical organizations provided me with the opportunity to perform and

share ideas.”

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Marijus explains the joy he gets from being a creative contributor—both as an actor as well as a writer. “Part of

the pleasure of doing theatre is the process of creating – the writing, the building of the character, the rehearsal

process, etc. This is why a production titled Alias My Foot, a play performed at the Fringe Festival, stands out as a

highlight in my theatre experience. I had the privilege of being involved with that production as Mark Twain from its inception to the final curtain.”

 

Another highlight is Mr. Timmerman’s work with the Folk Arts Council of Winnipeg. “I had the honour of writing the theme song for the 25th anniversary of Folklorama and to perform it with a packed Rainbow Stage audience singing along.”

Although he has no theatre projects on the horizon following The Open House, Timmerman will be preparing to perform as part of the House Band at the St. Mark’s Coffee House in June.

But before that engagement, Marijus is excited to be experiencing and seeing the continued work and creativity put into excellent local community theatre and encourages everyone to see this latest WMT production directed by Jeff Madden.

 

Connor Hopper

Connor Hopper plays the role of "Son" in this “happy little family.” According to our veteran WMT actor, “There’s a

lot under the surface, but the character struggles to speak up.” He describes some of the challenges in playing this

role in The Open House. “A challenge for me is how to be meek and defeated by the family's more toxic traits

without completely tuning out and becoming invisible. It's a fun challenge to be small, yet seen, especially as a

bigger guy. That all may change as the story develops but you'll have to come see for yourself!”

 

Hopper discusses his entry into the world of theatre. “It was always fun doing little plays at my elementary school

in rural Manitoba. When my high school teacher, Monica Reis, suggested I audition for the drama club I didn't

believe I'd be a good fit at first; but, when I gave it a try, I was instantly hooked—particularly with the

community/family feel of making a production happen as a team.” 

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He has fond memories of acting with one of his current co-actors in an earlier WMT play. “I am acting with a

certain person in The Open House who years ago made a fun little game of whispering things in my ear backstage

right before we entered to see if we could get one another to smile at the wrong time. For as much fun as acting

can be, the extra thrill of being just a little mischievous (never too much!) backstage is a perk. The extra adrenaline

of stifling a giggle as you walk on stage as a serious character will never get old.”

 

“In the same vein, I also make it a fun personal challenge to eat as much as possible on stage, while never disrupting or upstaging the scripted action. I'll never forget Dan Gilmour's authentically incredulous -yet in-character- gestures when he attempted to eat some on-stage snacks only to discover they'd all been polished off a couple of scenes prior with no one else the wiser. The heart of the fun is performing in a way that only the attentive audience members may see some unique nuances and subtextual subplots of the show.”

 

Like many of our actors and production crew, Connor’s connection to WMT is through his high school.

 

It was that very same high school drama teacher, Monica, who let me know of an audition opportunity after I had graduated. By that time she had been involved with WMT for around 20 years. This time, for me, there was no reluctance; I was hungry for any opportunity to continue acting! That collaborative, community feeling was and is alive and well at WMT. No matter who is cast and crew, going to a WMT show feels like an ever-growing family reunion.”

 

After this current production, Hopper will be involved in the show Cactus by Dan Gilmour. “It will be my first major role in a Fringe show and I'm very excited to see how it feels to be properly involved in the festival atmosphere.”

Connor has a message he would like share with all theatre-goers. “Community theatre is the pinnacle of art and culture. There is no fame and no pay. The thankless struggle to do one's best is an authentic form of love for the craft itself. The selflessness of a community theatre production is something I hope more people can appreciate and be drawn to. The wider world needs more collaboration and I continue to see a perfect little microcosm of who we need to be at every rehearsal. Long live the arts!”