Jennifer Carroll is a 21 year old actor and writer. She first began writing for the Uxbridge Cosmos in 2007 when she had the opportunity to share her experiences as a Canadian ambassador for an international conference for women in Dubai. At the beginning of 2008, she moved to Ireland to pursue a career in theatre and film. Far From Home is her monthly account on living and working in Dublin.
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Plalying Maud
What a week! The flurry up until Saturday evening took my breath away, and I was thrilled to still be standing at the end of the night with the close of LMMSO's Centennial Conference. I wrote last month about getting back on the theatre horse. Though she bucked a few times, my mare and I are once again quite well acquainted, and I feel I know her more intimately than ever. At one point, it was all I could do to hold onto the reins, but by Saturday night with my performance of Maud of Leaskdale, we were galloping in perfect harmony.
Riding a horse is most definitely not easy, and not simple. It requires discipline, determination, resilience and an emotional investment in your animal. I have been lucky enough this time to have something else extremely valuable - my very own horse whisperer… so to speak.
I have known and worked with Conrad Boyce since the ripe old age of seven. He always seemed to have his eye on my ability to tell stories on stage. He knew, much earlier than I did, how perfectly I belonged under the hot lights. Seventeen years later I was excited, though nervous, to trot on stage once again under his direction. I put the reins in his hands and let him lead my wild, untamable horse around the ring.
He guided me with calm and confidence. When I began to tremble with the thought of climbing into the fickle, slippery saddle, he gently calmed my nerves and gave me a boost. When I wanted to climb down, he convinced me to stay put and murmured to my mare in a voice I couldn't make out. Whatever he said to her in their private exchange, it seemed to work. He led me slowly out of the paddocks and with ease and patience brought us up to a canter.
Conrad is a horse whisperer - or should I say director - of profound ability and talent. His passion for and fidelity towards the theatre is admirable. And I know that this past weekend would not been what it was without his long, hard hours and enduring patience and ardour. I felt Maud channel through me under those brief lights, I felt her gently put her hand on my heart to calm it as I glided through the years she spent in our beautiful town. But as I stepped shakily off of the stage Saturday night with an audience clapping behind me, relieved and enlightened, I realized it was Conrad's love and passion for the work that made the play come so alive.
And if I needed any reassurance over my conviction, it came on Sunday afternoon as I sat in the audience of Emily, the musical also directed and produced by the man himself. As I watched with delight at the beautiful piece that afternoon in Leaskdale, I could sense his gentle patience, delicate touch and endearing humour permeate from every crevice of the play.
Conrad's gift is one he has generously shared with our fortunate community for years. He has enriched countless souls and ignited limitless ambition. His steadfastness has ensured a continuous river of theatre and inspiration to flow through our town. He is a man to be noted and thanked.
So, as you walk down the now blustery roads in town and see the man who wanders the cosmos, please offer your hand to him and thank him for his invaluable contribution to our community and his continued inspiration for countless young theatre souls, searching for someone to believe in. And tell him I say hello.
