For any young Island actress, it's the role of a lifetime.
And Rebecca Parent is just getting comfortable with the thrill of it all.
"It is one of those roles Islanders know about and think about as an actor and say 'I'd do it this way' or 'Anne would react this way'," said Parent, sitting just a few feet from the stage she'll grace this summer. "It's exciting to think that I actually get to do it."
The Stratford woman is the new Anne in "Anne & Gilbert", which rolls out its second season at the Harbourfront Jubilee Theatre this year.
In a lot of ways, the 19-year-old is like her character - bubbly and outgoing, but feisty.
"I'm especially stubborn, particularly when someone says I'm wrong," she said with a laugh. "I've always chosen roles that have more spunk to them than most. I like to be the dramatic one."
As a youngster Parent's family moved from P.E.I. to Hull. There, she befriended a young singer - who would go on to become a Canadian Idol. Eva Avila and Parent shared a love of Les Misérables, singing tunes from the production at recess.
What is it about performing that draws Parent in?
"Being on stage is that opportunity to be as energetic as I want to be in front of everyone."
Parent's musical theatre teacher at Acadia University urged producer Campbell Webster to contact the actress to audition. Within weeks of the tryout she was offered the part.
It's Parent's first romantic role.
"The fact that it is gong to be my first time and it is going to be Anne's first time, that sense of unsureness and hesitation will be coming from me for real because this is as new for me as it is for her."
The coming weeks and months will be spent poring over the script and songs before the curtain goes up.
"I don't really see the role as something that will be troublesome for me. I feel as though I have a lot to offer that perhaps the previous performers didn't have. I may not be better but I'll be just as good."
nmacphee@journalpioneer.com
Rebecca Parent lives her dream as the new Anne
Rebecca Parent
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- Published on Febuary 9th, 2007
- Published on June 20th, 2010
- Nancy MacPhee
For any young Island actress, it's the role of a lifetime.
And Rebecca Parent is just getting comfortable with the thrill of it all.
"It is one of those roles Islanders know about and think about as an actor and say 'I'd do it this way' or 'Anne would react this way'," said Parent, sitting just a few feet from the stage she'll grace this summer. "It's exciting to think that I actually get to do it."
The Stratford woman is the new Anne in "Anne & Gilbert", which rolls out its second season at the Harbourfront Jubilee Theatre this year.
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Comments
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- Jodi
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:06:26
I was so pleased to read a local girl got this amzing opportunity. It made the city paper here in Calgary. When I get home this summer I will happily pay for a ticket to see this production as I know other tourists will as well. Congratulations, Rebecca!
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- Charlotte
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:04:50
It's nice to see an Island actress portraying the role that the Island made famous.
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- Susan
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:03:56
I loved reading in the Calgary Sun about a local Island artist making a name for themselves. Here in Calgary, westerners think the east coast consists of Newfoundland.
How very proud I am to to educate them them about P.E.I. and all the beauty, culture and history it has to offer.
Alberta can boast to be the richest province in Canada right now but Alberta's beginnings started in PEI.
Best of luck to Rebecca Parent for her part in putting P.E.I. on the map.
