Stripes: The World Tour Begins

Chester Playhouse AUGUST 23- 26, 2011

2011-08-30T06:05:00.001-07:00

Opening Night In Chester Was Grand

2011-08-23T18:50:00.000-07:00

Photos with Jan Dress rehearsal....(images to follow in another posting.)

Inside the Chester Playhouse.

Opening night with my excellent SM Jen, after the show!

Scott and Sandra Starratt

Betty Lacus my inspiring grade 6 - 7 teacher and Mary Lou Martin AD Chester Playhouse, my outside eye!

Pals: Sue Healy, Laura Napier, Jan Napier, Betty Lacus, Sarah, Cathy Garson and Sandra Starratt.

New Stripes Article Preview in South Shore Now.
http://license.icopyright.net/user/viewFreeUse.act?fuid=MTM3MzQ5MTk=

Opening Chester Playhouse Tonight

2011-08-23T08:38:00.000-07:00

Great preview story in Chronicle Herald today in the Arts section about Stripes!
http://thechronicleherald.ca/ArtsLife/1259641.html

Circus comes to Chester
Performer-playwright juggles seven characters in one-woman show
By ANDREA NEMETZ Entertainment Reporter
Tue, Aug 23 - 4:54 AM

Sarah Hayward performs in Stripes: The Mystery Circus, a one-woman show opening 8 p.m. tonight at Chester Playhouse.

Sarah Hayward draws on the spirit of her grandfather, John McCurdy, as she prepares to enter the ring for her one-woman show Stripes: The Mystery Circus.

"My grandfather was a writer and a friend of Bill Lynch and he was asked to be a circus barker for Bill Lynch’s fair," Halifax-raised Hayward said by phone from Vancouver, where she has lived and worked as an actor for the past quarter century.

"He did it for fun. My grandfather died before I was born, but I can feel that energy of a ringmaster come into me."

For Stripes, opening tonight at 8 p.m. at Chester Playhouse, Hayward creates seven different characters.

There is a bearded lady, a two-headed lady, a juggler, an escape artist, a ringmaster, a tight-rope walker and Pollyhymnia, whose name means many songs and who is "delightfully determined to be part of the circus and prepares all the parts for her circus audition."

"The circus is a metaphor for life," said Hayward, who began creating the show in collaboration with her vocal coach, Marguerite Witvoet, in 2004.

The show blurs the boundaries between physical theatre, cabaret and traditional theatre.

Hayward began touring the 50-minute metaphysical musical in 2006, visiting the Toronto, Edmonton, Vancouver, Victoria and Winnipeg fringe festivals. As well, she has performed Mystery Circus in New York at Cherry Lane Theatre, which she describes as "the thrill of a lifetime," and went to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where she busked with excerpts from the show and did a 10-minute opening for a 78-year-old American actress’s cabaret show.

The Chester performances will be Hayward’s first shows in her native province in more than 25 years. An Acadia University graduate who has been working in film and TV, she last appeared in Nova Scotia at Neptune Theatre as Lucy, sharing the stage with comedian Ron James, who was the title character in You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown.

Hayward grew up in Halifax, where she fell in love with the stage at Gorsebrook Junior High School, touring the province with Modesty Clean Meets the Devil and heading off to the Dominion Drama Festival in Ottawa.

"I was an usher at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium when I was in high school at Queen Elizabeth," said Hayward. "I was determined to create my own show. But I was always more drawn to the theatre, which encompasses emotion as well as the physical. I saw Circus as more of a show."

Stripes, which contains eight original songs, is Hayward’s first one-person show, and she said it is immensely satisfying to speak words she has written.

Among the characters are an escape artist who is eluding romantic capture and a two-headed lady who is a nun and a party girl.

"It’s symbolic of the two sides of myself, the dogmatic side and the party side, the good angel and the bad devil on everybody’s shoulders."

All the stories are drawn from her own life, except the High Wired Act, said Hayward.

"I interviewed a drug-addicted prostitute from East Vancouver and set one of her poems to music."

The show, choreographed by Vancouver’s Tara Cheyenne Friedenberg, who brought her dance-theatre show Nick & Juanita to Halifax in 2006 in a Live Art Dance presentation, is very physical and very vocal, said Hayward.

"I use my life experiences to pay tribute to my family. I wanted it to be about love."

Stripes runs nightly till Friday at 8 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee Friday. Tickets range from $15 to $25. Call 275-3933, 1-800-363-7529 or visit www.chesterplayhouse.ca for information and reservations.

( anemetz@herald.ca)

Arrived in Chester Nova Scotia

2011-08-21T17:25:00.000-07:00

Arrived in Chester. Eric the Administrator / AD of the theatre picked me up in Halifax, then gave me a tour of Chester Playhouse Theatre.
What an amazing theatre!

They still have the HAVEN sign up on the theatre from TV series filming here. Chester is where Haven, the TV show is mostly filmed, they just wrapped on the weekend.

Chester Playhouse with Haven facade taken down.

Went for a swim in the pool and the ocean. The airs smells of salt and seaweed and old fashion roses. Lots of white sails darting across the harbour racing their hearts out.

Went to dinner at the Pub with Jen, the Stage manager and Bob, Head techie. We tech tomorrow.

Then I attended a super concert at the Theatre, great acoustics!

Got settled in my cottage.

Lobster - Fried Clams- Nova Scotia - Chester Playhouse Aug 23-26

2011-07-22T06:31:00.000-07:00

What's Cooking?
More Seafood Please By Jan Napier

When my favourite out-of-town friend, Sarah Hayward, comes “home” to visit the itinerary al- ways includes a very happy reunion with all of her beloved local seafood dishes. So much seafood, so little time. A few tins of lobster tucked in the freezer and we’re ready to whip up some lobster rolls. Deep fried whole clams with a splash of lemon juice are always high on the agenda. A bowl of chowder at Peggy’s Cove is a classic sum- mer holiday treat if you can avoid the bus tour crowds......

Sarah Hayward returns this summer to per- form her one woman show, “Stripes: The Mystery Circus”, at the Chester Playhouse. Visit www.chesterplayhouse.ca for more details.

(Portion of Jan's article from Southender.)

Winnipeg Fringe Festival 2011

2011-07-18T07:25:00.000-07:00

Exerpts of Reviews from Winnipeg Fringe

Stripes: The Mystery Circus
Posted by Kelly Stifora, CBC Review Crew, Aug 2011
Details
Company Name: Stripes: The Mystery Circus
Origin: Vancouver, BC
Venue: 2 - MTC Up the Alley

"Despite its title, Stripes: The Mystery Circus is more retro-cabaret act than big top confection. It's a compelling piece of fringe theatre, but not one that I would recommend for children.

Pollyhymnia, whose name means many songs, auditions for us, the circus administration, by demonstrating her ability to fill each in a roster of three ring roles. As she embodies the two-headed woman, the strong lady, etc. we are treated to a glimpse into her past in the form of Weill-esque songs sung operatically by Sarah Hayward.

The character that emerges owes as much to Gloria Steinem as she does to Mary Poppins. Pollyhymnia is torn between her fierce independence and her overwhelming desire to be loved and accepted. She's played many roles in her life, and if she gets into the circus, maybe she can have them all.

Hayward's performance is at turns hilarious and heartbreaking…"
----------------------------------------------------------------------

" …Hayward’s onstage energy and the play’s message of self-discovery and celebration help this musical end on a high note."
— Lindsey Wiebe - Winnipeg Free Press 2011

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Hanging out at Fringe Central MTC with fellow Fringe performers John Grady (Fear Factor: Canine Edition) and Una Aya Osato (Recess), both based in New York. Second to last photo I'm standing with Tara Travis from Houdini's Last Escape.

Winnipeg Fringe Festival 2011

2011-07-14T07:45:00.000-07:00

Had a few rehearsals in the Can West Theatre and Flim building seen in photo behind me. My lovely new stage manager James Moore booked the space and found me a chair and black box for my set and yesterday we had a tech run of the show in Venue #2 Up The Alley Theatre MTC.

My friends Lianne Judt and Richard (that I haven't seen in about 8 years) helped me put up posters and took me for dinner at the Kings Head Pub a popular fringe hang out.

My billitor and old friend Renee and I saw TJ Dawe Show - Lucky 9 last night and it was great! Had a tour of the childrens Hospital Life Centre that Renee runs, producing an in hospital tv show for the kids in Hospital which they appear on. Games and toys to prepare them for their hospital proceedures, it's an amazing program complete with huge fish tank with a big albino frog (one of the most amazing creature I'v ever seen.)

Meeting other Fringe performers, having a great time in Winnipeg. Going to see my friend John Grady's show today Fear Factor: Canine Edition, which I saw in New York and wept buckets and then hopefully see Curriculum Vitae and Happy Slap Venue #10 and This is Cancer Venue 16.

Gals from "The Seminar" - Sarah & Mellissa - met at Media Showcase.

Arrived in Winnipeg for Fringe 2011

2011-07-11T16:35:00.000-07:00

Picked up at the Winnipeg airport by my old friend Renee Ethans. We took her excellent labradoodle Bear for a big walk around Assinaboine park, looked at all the sculptures...miles of sculptures..caught up on many years since we were at Laval University.
Then we put up a few fringe posters and she gave me a Winnipeg orientation, had an excellent burrito at her husbands restaurant.
Today did RIng Master character for the media event the fringe organized and met some others enthusiastic fringe performers...Penny, Sarah, Melissa, Carly....photo's to follow. Winnipeg free press there taking photo's, global tv and Jenny Review.
Rehearsed with my new Stage Manager James Moore, very competent SM got through general tech notes quickly.
Tonight its the Big Top review out door stage...Ring Master will be there.

2011-06-21T18:49:00.000-07:00

Attended the Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards in Vancouver last night. Danced up a storm with my friends Joey Lesperance and Derek Whelan.
Moving tribute to our friends who left us this year during the John Moffat Larry Lillo Award...which went to my friend Susan MacFarland to produce her new play.

Stripes Heads for the Winnipeg Fringe July 15-24

2011-06-01T20:46:00.001-07:00

Winnipeg Fringe announced it's Venues today...Stripes will be in:

Venue 2
MTC Up the Alley
174 Market Ave.
Entrance on John Hirsh Pl.

Times:
Fri July 15th 9 pm
Sat July 16th 2:45pm
Sun July 17th 4:30 pm

Tues July 19th 10:15 pm
Wed July 20th 3:30 pm
Thurs July 21rst 5:50 pm
Fri July 22 2:15 pm

Sun July 24 8:15 pm

CHESTER PLAYHOUSE AUGUST 23- 26, 2011

2011-05-18T08:02:00.000-07:00

Thrilled to announce that I will be performing at the Chester Playhouse in Nova Scotia! August 23- 26, 2011
My flight is booked and I am very excited to be returning to my old stomping ground, Nova Scotia.

Closing night at Evergreen, run of 6 shows this week!

2011-04-10T10:09:00.000-07:00

Great run in Coquitlam!

Inside Evergreen Double Bil Program

2011-04-09T11:00:00.000-07:00

Excellent Program for EVERGREEN Double Bill

2011-04-09T10:55:00.000-07:00

Had a great audience last night at Evergreen, they had such touching things to say after the show.
Two more shows today.

Opening Night Evergreen Cultural Centre Coquitlam

2011-04-07T16:11:00.000-07:00

Mayor Richard Stewart & Councillor Reimer supporting Theatre in Coquitlam - Opening Night Evergreen Cultural Centre.
Thanks to David Mann (far right) the man responsible for inviting us to his wonderful theatre.

Sarah Hayward, MLA Diane Throne, and Veenesh Dubois . The Opening night of our Double Bill was well received.
Kim and Miranda brought me lovely boquet. Thanks to all who attended.

The Tri-City News - Stripes honours her family

2011-03-30T06:43:00.000-07:00

The Tri-City News - Stripes honours her family

Hi Sarah,
The story is now online at www.tricitynews.com. Good luck with your performance.
Janis Warren
The Tri-City News

Eight years ago, Sarah Hayward started to take voice lessons in Vancouver.

And she found that her coach, Marguerite Witvoet, not only had an talent to bring the best out of her students but to turn their daily lives into song.

At the time, Hayward was ferrying back and forth to Victoria to care for her ailing mother and, during one visit at the extended care, Hayward saw first hand the power of music when she began to sing to her sick parent and other folks in the home. “I could see them waking up and the memories in their eyes.”

The therapeutic technique prompted Hayward to collaborate with Witvoet for her theatrical one-woman musical, called Stripes: The Mystery Circus, which will presented as part of a double bill with Veenesh Dubois in Coquitlam next week.

In Stripes, the character of Pollyhymnia is so eager to get into the circus that she portrays every act, including an escape artist and a high-wire walker.

The circus, Hayward said, is a metaphor for life. And while she goes through many zany journeys to reach her destination — mixing physical and traditional theatre with cabaret — Hayward said the play has a message: Be authentic.

“It’s about using your life experience as a creative medium,” she said, recalling some of the lyrics: “Stripes are what’s inside your cloth/Chose a habit that you like a lot/Stripes are what’s inside your cloth/Stripes be brave, bar none.”

“It’s about not trying to please everyone but doing what you really want to do.”

Ultimately, Stripes is Hayward’s way of paying tribute her family.

“If I want to do something night after night, I want it to be about love,” she said. “That was my impetus for creating it, wanting to honour that life we had together.”

Hayward has earned high praise for her show. Last month, she was doubled-up with Dubois at the Surrey Arts Centre — as in Coquitlam — and, over the past few years, she toured the Canadian fringe circuit and gave excepts at showcases in Berlin, Edinburgh and Nova Scotia.

Last year, Stripes appeared at the New York Fringe Festival and, this July, Hayward will be at the Winnipeg Fringe Festival.

jwarren@tricitynews.com

Stripes: The Mystery Circus and Under The Mango Tree

2011-03-11T17:34:00.000-08:00

Krista Edwardson from the Evergreen Cultural Centre designed this great poster for our upcoming shows at the excellent Evergreen Cultural Centre Theatre in Coquitlam.

On to Evergreen Cultural Centre April 5-9th

2011-02-25T08:46:00.000-08:00

After a great time at the Surrey Arts Centre we are getting ready for Evergreen Arts Centre in Coquitlam April 5-9th. Made up a new flyer and Jennifer Copping encouraged me to stuff them in her programs for her production of Almost Maine ( really enjoyed their show ).

Great Reception at Surrey Arts Centre

2011-02-20T08:17:00.001-08:00

Double Bill at Surrey Arts Centre went very well. Barb Wolfe the AD was amazing to invite us to perform in her wonderful theatre.
The crew Evon, Erica and Dave were greatly helpful and thanks to Angela and my excellent Stage Manager Shawn Sorenson things went very smoothly! Audiences were very warm and receptive to both of our shows.

Double Your Pleasure with a Double Bill

2011-02-16T16:53:00.000-08:00

Vee and I did a TV Pitch for the Spotlight Series with Janet Law on the Delta Cable channel for our upcoming Double Bill at the Surrey Arts Centre.

Double Bill at Surrey Arts Center

2011-02-16T16:51:00.000-08:00

Stripes: The Mystery Circus presented as a Double Bill with Veenesh Dubois' Under the Mango Tree at the Surrey Arts Centre Friday Feb 18th and 19th.

Nun blesses Gartside Boat Yard in Shelburn N.S.

2010-10-01T08:29:00.000-07:00

Nun visits Paul, Bess, Nettie and the excellent cat "Balto". Blessing of the Boats and Gartside Boatyard & cove.

Nun Blessing Dory Factory, Shelburn N.S.

2010-10-01T08:22:00.000-07:00

Blessing of the Dory Factory, Shelburn.

Lobster Poutine

2010-09-30T17:22:00.001-07:00

Lobster Poutine, unbelievably delicious - The Grill - Halifax NS

For the awesome Jan Napiers Blog and more Lobster - Nova Scotia adventures please go to....

http://www.jnapier.ca/Welcome/Blog/Blog.html

www.jnapier.ca/Welcome/Blog/Blog.html

Nun contemplates the power of the wind & sea

2010-09-30T16:56:00.001-07:00

Nun by the Sea, Peggy's Cove N.S.

2010-09-30T16:36:00.001-07:00

Habit in the Wind, by the Seaside, Peggy's Cove N.S.

Nun Frolicking at Peggy's Cove

2010-09-30T16:33:00.001-07:00

Peggy's Cove

2010-09-30T16:17:00.001-07:00

Nun visits Peggy's Cove.

2010-09-23T17:10:00.000-07:00

Nun stops at Citadel Hill in Halifax to see the sights on her way to Contact East 2010 in Antigonish N.S.

Arrived in Nova Scotia

2010-09-22T06:01:00.001-07:00

Visiting friends in Halifax on my way to Cantact East. Dog walking in Point Pleasant Park with Jan.

New York Review- Stripes

2010-09-18T07:30:00.000-07:00

Review by Daryl Glenn
www.nitelifeexchange.com

"The joyously authentic and unusual Sarah Hayward performed her self-penned one woman show “Stripes: The Mystery Circus” to an enraptured audience who were, myself included, basking in the glow of a completely original, never seen anything like it before treat of theatrical wizardry. Suffice to say that the action all centers around kooky,
desperate and oddly endearing Pollyhymnia and her hilarious, genuinely touching and off-kilter attempts to join the circus. Taking her cue from famous illustrious acts of the past she turns each into her own version, taking the general idea (or title anyway) and evolving them into variations that you and I could certainly never imagine on our own that made one actually feel another persons often insane and yet insanely logical and involving world view. Clever, smart and funny she never lost our attention through any number of character and costume changes (all handled rather brilliantly and expediently!) and a host of deliciously strange and beautiful songs that transported us to another world entirely. This was a lovely show and a completely successful tribute to it’s obviously impassioned creator! Brava Sarah!"

http://www.nitelifeexchange.com/review/theatre/1389-on-the-fringe-my-final-analysis.html
ON THE FRINGE: MY FINAL ANALYSIS
www.nitelifeexchange.com

Nova Scotia for Contact East 2010

2010-09-17T08:18:00.001-07:00

New Adventure....packing for Nova Scotia, my old stomping grounds. Getting ready to head to Nova Scotia to perform an edited 20 minute version of Stripes: The Mystery Circus for Contact East 2010, the east coast Arts Market. Sept 22-26 in Antigonish NS.
My showcase is Sept 25th at 11am.

Artist Meets Industry Van fringe Talk

2010-09-17T08:12:00.000-07:00

Attended interesting Vancouver Fringe Professional Development Talk...Artist Meets industry with Justin Sudds of S.L. Freldmann & Associates (Manager agent) and TJ Dawe.
Notes from this session:
Discussed: the importance of Social Media Component for artist Justin looks for big presence in social networking, twitter, facebook fans etc.
Mentioned opportunities for artists: corporate touring, PACtouring, Contact showcases for artists (BCTC, Capacoa, Contact East)
Recommended sites: Gigsmacked.com for tips and advise for performers,,,ie: Here’s what a cold call email should look like.....
Postsecret.com Justin and Kahlil Ashanti (Basic Training) taking blog and making it into a show.
Spoke of difference between a soft sell ticket, like a fringe or subscription and a hard sell ticket one you just sell on your own name.
Agents: Looking for world class shows...best writer, best physical performer best expressive performer with a body of work. If you are looking for a producer to rep your show? Look on the posters of the super successful artists, for the names of their reps.
Edinburgh....don’t go thinking you will make money.....average audience 8 people...$10,000 TO 20,000 expenses. Great for big industry exposure if you have top show and you flyer your tail off.
Vital importance to your show success...title of your show...sometimes that is all a person reads about your show.
Publicist also very important!

More Scenes from New York, Including Bern

2010-09-07T14:32:00.000-07:00

Explored NY, Little Italy for stuffed artichoke, Little Night Music with Bernadette Peters...amazing show.

Wrapping up at Cherry Lane Theatre

2010-09-07T14:21:00.000-07:00

It’s a wrap on the FringeNYC. Dennis Simpson came closing night and brought his gorgeous sister Gloria. Had a reviewer there Daryl Glenn who said he will write a glowing review. I am full of gratitude to the wonderful team of people helping me with the show...AJ, JJ, Rosie and Peggy....super volunteers and a great venue.

"Stripes: The Mystery Circus is a wonderfully bizarre one-woman show. Part musical, part burlesque, it is reminiscent of Side Show at the Shore in Coney Island. An outcast works through her demons and along the way summons the confidence to live her dream. Spectacular!"

Michelle R.
Artistic Director

www.queensdancefusion.com

Closing Night New York Fringe

2010-08-30T21:12:00.000-07:00

John Johnson my excellent ARC (acredited company rep) took these photo's with his camera...two outside Cherry Lane Theatre after last show and one at the Fringe Closing Night Party.

After the show- Cherry Lane Theatre - by Jess

2010-08-26T08:07:00.000-07:00

Jessica Earnshaw took this photo at the Studio @ Cherry Lane Theatre last night after the 6:15 show Wed 25th Aug 2010.

Stripes in New York City

2010-08-25T19:53:00.000-07:00

More Stripes in NY.
Fringe Gals out for unbelievably delicious thin crust Pizza.

Stripes: The Mystery Circus, After show a

2010-08-25T11:28:00.000-07:00

This video begins with Me waiting outside Cherry Lane Theatre before show with Peggy, then has audience comments following the show on Tuesday night. Had a great night stayed for the next Fringe show The Birds and went to an open mike with Kimmleigh and Jill.

Scenes of New York

2010-08-24T07:59:00.000-07:00

Tonight will be my third show. Firt two were matinees tonight it's at 8pm. Things are going well...seeing some sights in between shows. In this video scenes of NY...Washingtn Square, Unity of New York, Singing with Franka at Duplex in Greenwich Village, Flat Iron Building, Friend Clams and outside the Cherry Lane theatre with my friend Rosie and stage manager AJ.
From NY review in Theatremania...

“…Stripes: The Mystery Circus benefits from an engaging performer and a unique premise…What ensues is a series of songs, stories, and comic bits that aim to show that life is a circus, and we're all performers in striped costumes….
”Meredith Lee “Theatermania”

Opening Show Stripes: The Mystery Circus

2010-08-20T19:21:00.000-07:00

Stripes opened to an enthuiastic Friday afternon audience.

Nun Strolling in Central Park

2010-08-18T16:58:00.000-07:00

Strolling through Central Park with my entourage...Peggy, Rosie and Rosie's Mum.
Earlier in the day I was filming CBS Early Show with the rest of the FringeNYC gang...when I was required to remove my Nun habit before they went to air..."No Politics or Religion for our viewers", I was told. Bummer, I guess I learned there is no freedom of expression on morning TV.

Nuns Everyday Life

2010-08-17T16:27:00.000-07:00

Nun performs everyday tasks, recycling, exercise, lying on balls to release shoulder tension, exercise cycle, meditation in the garden.

Nun makes Music.

2010-08-17T15:02:00.000-07:00

Yesterday's trip to Battery Park. Saw Statue of Liberty's flame burning from across the water. Danced on the music sculpture. It must have been a rain dance as a huge thunder and lightening rain storm began.

Two Headed Lady in Times Square

2010-08-17T14:46:00.000-07:00

John Chen a tourist we met in Times Square took this photo with his excellent camera!

Nun and Sailor Time Square

2010-08-16T18:31:00.000-07:00

Kissed in Times Square!

2010-08-16T09:24:00.000-07:00

The nun gets kissed . . . by a sailor, no less!

More Nun in New York

2010-08-15T20:11:00.001-07:00

Nun on Videotron in Times Square and at Opening Ceremonies FringeNYC

2010-08-14T13:36:00.000-07:00

Opening ceremonies, watching the other shows perform previews after I did 5 mins of Nun.

2010-08-14T13:24:00.000-07:00

Opening Ceremonies FringeNYC, Times Square Nun

2010-08-14T13:20:00.000-07:00

Saturday 14 August....Opening of Fringe New York at Spring and Layfette outdoor stage previews....Sarah and Rosie stop for photo op with Mary Poppins on the way.

New York Fringe

2010-08-14T03:51:00.000-07:00

Rosie arrived from Vancouver to help me with the postcard distribution. We are seen here in front of the Washington Square Arch with our matching Stripes t-shirts.
During the preview at Bloomingdale I gave away a tshirt to the little girl who named three bad habits...(seen in photo above).
She was at Blooomingdales with her Mum who is in Hip Hop High, another FringeNYC show that previewed at Bloomies Soho. My stage manager Jana is their director. It's a high energy hip hop show and their energy is off the charts.
Found Cherry Lane Theatre....seen in photos above.
Opening Ceremonies this morning. Performing Nun number then going to Times Square to busk.
Saw first fringe show last night...PJ Walsh Over There, great show, about his experience as a Medic in the Marines and later as dental technition to the president and then comedien entertaining the troops in Afghanestan. I predict it will be a big hit with HBO Special to follow!

2010-08-11T20:11:00.000-07:00

Cherry Lane Theatre, New York.

New York First Two Days

2010-08-11T19:41:00.000-07:00

First night in New York, two and a half hours sleep, took red eye (now I really know what that means ...red eyes). Met Rod Menzies for coffee and a tour to Tish NYU rehearsal space, on Broadway at 8th St. which he very kindly arranged for me through a friend.
Performed 5 minutes of the show, the Nun character - 'Habits' song, for a Fringe Preview and fund raiser for Generations Theatre Project. Gave away a free Stripes t-shirt to a man who answered a skill testing question...name three bad habits (his answer were doozies). My ACR (Acredited Company Rep) John Johnson was there to help promote and distribute postcards for the show.

Closest corner to Cherry Lane Theatre Greenwich Village...where I open Stripes: The Mystery Circus on Aug 20th, in The Studio.
Had my first rehearsal with my Stage Manager Jana, AJ. She is super organized and masterful...she is also directing a play in this Fringe Festival- Hip Hop High and just finished directing a film called Afirmative Action. She has taken my prop suitcase home tonight to make some repairs. We have a second rehearsal tomorrow then a preview performance at Bloomingdales Dept store in Soho.

Taking off for New York...The Nun is Flying

2010-08-09T20:15:00.001-07:00

Do you think Blogging was invented so we would have something to do with the three hour wait time at the airport?
I am very excited the day is here when I take off for New York City and FringeNYC. I'm all checked in, ready to go to the International Fringe Festival NYC. It was a year ago I started this blogg with the prompting of my good friend Peggy...we decided to call it Stripes The World Tour Begins, a wishful thinking kind of start, little did i know I'd be headed to NY year later.
Had a very busy day today, Birkam yoga at 8, Marguerite for two hours vocal brush up, then met with Tara for a little choreo and pep talk! Then Rolfing with Steven. I was so tired I actually fell asleep on the rolfing table, and that's hard to do what with the pain and all.
Speaking with Marguerite and Tara I was remembering one of my inspirations for creating Stripes, it was something Peter Gzowski said on the CBC, years ago, when asked if there was one thing he could do, but it was not possible, what would it be? He said it would be to take his mother to lunch. Fortunately my own mother was alive at the time and so I took her to lunch as often as I could remembering Peter's words, and consciously grateful for our delicious time together.
Some of the material in Stripes that was written from my own experience and allows me to do just that, re-visit my family again and re-experience some of those times.
I am so thankful to all those people who encouraged me, coached me and helped Stripes move forward. I'm heading to the Oyster Bar in Grand Central Station to take a big bite of the Big Apple.

Rehearsals Going Well

2010-07-30T19:45:00.000-07:00

Had a great rehearsal today with James Fagan Tait at the Roundhouse. Went over costumes with Marguerite yesterday at her studio and cuts for song for Opening Ceremonies. Meeting Tara tomorrow to go over Choreography. Met with Peggy last night to discuss NY publicity, press release, press package, program, Facebook and web pages.
Very excited about opening in New York @FringeNYC at the Studio @ The Cherry Lane Theatre August 20th at 2pm.

Article in Behind the Fringe.com @Fringe NYC

2010-07-28T10:45:00.000-07:00

http://behindthefringe.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=124:faqs-qstripes-the-mystery-circusq-new-york-international-fringe-festival-&catid=34:fringe

FAQs: "Stripes: The Mystery Circus" @ New York International Fringe Festival
Wednesday, 28 July 2010

Sarah Hayward answers our Fringe Asked Questions on her solo play "Stripes: The Mystery Circus" which can be seen at The Studio @ Cherry Lane Theatre, New York City from August 20-28. Ticket info and performance times are available here.

BTF: Will you tell us about your show?

SH: Stripes: The Mystery Circus is a 60 min solo play with songs. People-pleasing Pollymnia [named for Greek Muse of song] will do "anything" to get into the Circus. She brazenly reinvents eight iconic circus acts, including The Two-Headed Lady, The High-Wired Act and The Bittersweet Bearded Lady. Secret theories, mysteries and Leonard Cohen are just a few of Pollyhymnia’s passions.
[STRIPES: THE MYSTERY CIRCUS (image by Jessica Earnshaw)]

STRIPES: THE MYSTERY CIRCUS (image by Jessica Earnshaw)

BTF: How and when did it come about?

SH: The germination for "Stripes: The Mystery Circus" began at The Banff Centre for the Arts, at the International Extended Voice Workshop with Richard Armstrong. It began as a personal archeological dig and with the help of my vocal coach, Marguerite Witvoet, who teaches with Richard. We turned-stories into songs. I call it a play with songs because it’s not a traditional musical. For example, the juggler "juggles" work, medication, hospital visits, extra fluids, wheelchairs. The Halloween Party at the Old Folks Home was created from an experience when I dressed my mother as a bride for the Halloween party at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital.

BTF: What's your story?

SH: I grew up in Halifax Nova Scotia, and loved theatre from an early age. My mother was named one of the 10 best-dressed women in Canada in the 50’s so I had a big dress up trunk to play with. After graduating from Acadia University, I went to theatre school in Montreal at the Dome Theatre School. When I was 13 years old, I played Modesty Clean in a modern morality play about pollution, Modesty Clean Meets the Devil. We toured to National Arts Centre. I guess that early theme of "The Devil" continues to influence my work now coming through my Nun character in Stripes: The Mystery Circus. The Nun refers to Stripes as "The Devil’s cloth". I worked part-time at the Vancouver Public library and acted in film and tv as I created Stripes: The Mystery Circus. I’ve always loved solo shows and wanted to create my own traveling show. Performing in New York is a dream come true. Barely making the application deadline, I was thrilled to be accepted to participate in the FringeNYC and look forward to a great adventure at the historic Cherry Lane Theatre.

BTF: How bare bones is your show?

SH: Two Suitcases, one filled with props and another with photographs and one chair, plus some inventive costumes.

BTF: Do you have any influences?

SH: Artistic influences include: Nigel Charnock, the astonishing solo show artist and triple threat from London, Fred Curchack who has written and performed over 52 one man plays, and Richard Armstrong and Marguerite Witvoet, who encourage their students to "release into action".

BTF: If you were meeting your prospective in-laws for the first time, how would you describe the work you do?

SH: I’m an Intern of the Intangible. Perhaps that is why I’m still single.

BTF: What shouldn’t an audience expect from you?

SH: An audience shouldn’t expect any real circus acts…most of my acts are unexpected interpretations, reinventions of traditional circus acts. Stripes: The Mystery Circus is more of a "Mystery".

BTF: If this is your first festival, what do you think you’re in store for? If you’re a pro, what is it you’re in for?

SH: Adventure, travel, fun at FringeNYC! I toured the Canadian Fringe Circuit in 2006-2007. I expect lots of handing out postcards, seeing shows, meeting amazing creative people…quick changes. I look forward to finding my people, people who love theatre, who create theatre, who attend theatre, who promote theatre, who volunteer to help make a Festival happen...they will be the highlights of FringeNYC. That and I’m looking for a producer to present my show at the Edinburgh Festival next summer!

behindthefringe.com

Postcard: Times, venue, details New York Fringe

2010-07-23T16:32:00.000-07:00

Sarah's Nun Character in ELLE Magazine, August Issue

2010-07-23T15:12:00.000-07:00

Strange but true I'm in ELLE Magazine! Dressed as my Nun character from Stripes: The Mystery Circus promoting the New York Fringe Festival(FringeNYC) ELLE, Page 28 August Issue.
Fringe Tickets go on sale today!
I am so excited to be heading to NY in a couple of weeks to start strolling the streets of NY in my giant Nun costume.

Fringe Venue: The Studio @ Cherry Lane Theatre

2010-07-04T09:18:00.000-07:00

We were just given our Venues and times by FringeNYC. I'm very excited to be performing my show Stripes, in the Studio at Cherry Lane Theatre, 38 Commerce St. Greenwich Village.
The Cherry Lane has quite a history.
"A landmark in Greenwich Village's cultural landscape, Cherry Lane Theatre serves as a lab for the development of new American works. As New York's oldest, continuously running Off-Broadway theatre, the Cherry Lane has helped to define American drama, fostering theater that is fresh, daring, and relevant, for over 80 years."
"In 1924, a group of artists, all colleagues of Edna St. Vincent Millay, commissioned famed scenic designer Cleon Throckmorton to convert the box factory into the theater called Cherry Lane Playhouse. It fueled some of the most courageous experiments in the chronicles of the American stage. The Downtown Theater movement, The Living Theatre, and Theatre of the Absurd all took root at the lively Playhouse, and it proved fertile ground for scores of the twenieth-century's seminal theatrical voices." (From The Cherry Lane Theatre Web site.)

It was the one theatre I tracked down while I was in NY in June and found it tucked away in the winding Streets of Greenwich Village.

Times are still not official til after the 10th of July, but so far mine are:
Fri August 20th @ 2pm,
Sat Aug 21 @ 2pm,
Tuesday Aug 24th @ 8pm,
Wed August 25th @ 6:15pm and
Sat August 28th @ 7:15pm.

Exploring New York

2010-06-23T20:34:00.000-07:00

Had a great time in New York. Attended Fringe Town Meeting, explored Greenwich Village, did Hellraiser Documentry interview, met fabulous new friends, reconnected with old friends. Had a rehearsal / meeting with my new stage manager, AJ and meetings with John Johnson, ACR (A-credited Company Rep).
Fell in love with Grand Central Station.

Dashed through the Metropolitan Museum of Art, saw special fashion exhibit and Piccaso exhibit and finally found 5 Modigliani's.

Went to a few shows, Red, Race, Fela and Everyday Rapture. Waited in huge line ups for half price show tickets at TKTS...all the shows were sold out, packed houses. That's encouraging.

2010-06-08T21:14:00.000-07:00

Sarah and Peggy at last years Vancuver Jazz Festival.
Peggy nudged me to go out busking/advertising the Stripes Havana Production.
A tremendous friend and supporter, Peggy has encouraged the forward movement of Stripes all along the way. She sugested I keep a blogg, she designed a new Web Site for Stripes and has had biweekly meetings with me for the PR for the New York Fringe and Moberly Arts Centre productions, as well as doing box office for all three Moberly shows. Cheers to Peggy, undying gratitude.

2010-06-08T21:08:00.000-07:00

2010-06-08T20:55:00.000-07:00

1" x 1" Icon for New York Fringe Program, by Neil.

Moberly Production of Stirpes: The Mystery Circus, May 2010

2010-06-08T20:50:00.000-07:00

New Photo's by Jessica Earnshaw of Moberly Production of Stripes: The Mystery Circus, May 28-30.
The Ring Master, Pollyhymnia (named for the Greek Muse of Song) and The Two-Headed Lady.

2010-06-08T20:37:00.000-07:00

New poster designed by Neil for New York Fringe.
Waiting at YVR for my flight to New York to attend Fringe Town Meeting and hang out with my friend Mimi.

Cannon D 5

2010-05-30T09:34:00.000-07:00

Photo's by Jessica Earnshaw. We rented a Cannon D 5 camera. Decided against the tatoo tights after seeing the photos, back to the striped tights.

Second Show at Moberly Arts Centre 29th May 2010

2010-05-30T09:02:00.000-07:00

Second Show best one so far, Jimmy, Susan, Leslie & Gavin, Misha and Laura were there laughing their heads off.
Taped the show with my flip high definition video recorder and recorded sound with Susan's digital voice recorder.

Opened at Moberly last night, nice crowd!

2010-05-29T12:16:00.001-07:00

Photo by Jessica Earnshaw.

Grand opening last night at the Moberly Arts and Culture Centre. The Theater looks beautiful. Miles Provincer, is here from Victoria as my stage manager. He was my stage manager for the Victoria Fringe in 2008 when he was 14 years old. Amazing guy.
I'm grateful for good friends that helped out with opening: Peggy, Vee and her family, Wendy, Cyndy, felt very supported.

The Province Newspaper Article May 27, 2010

2010-05-29T11:57:00.000-07:00

Story by Stuart Derdeyn of The Province. We met for a friendly coffee at Our Town Cafe on Braodway and Kingsway. Speaking about my excitement in going to perform in the New York Fringe, I said "this place is the closest I've come so far to performing - on Broadway". (I performed at Our Town Cafe in Marguerites' student concerts.)

The actual article can be found at: http://www.theprovince.com/Hayward+circus+show+York+bound/3076756/story.html

2010-05-18T08:49:00.000-07:00

Alfred Depew interviewed me last week for a story. We had a great hour long chat on the telephone, thanks to Peggy's Press Release.
See link below.
http://www.vancouverobserver.com/blogs/betweenus/2010/05/16/sarah-hayward-and-stripes-mystery-circus

Vancouver Theatre Listings May 2010

2010-05-06T08:06:00.000-07:00

Happy surprise! Vancouver Theatre Guide www.gvpta.ca/vancouver-theatre-guide included Nun photo (by Jess Earnshaw) in their May-August Listings. Thanks you Susan and Sandra.

2010-05-05T22:44:00.000-07:00

Big Nun photo in Time Out New York Magazine this week May 6 - 12 for Summer Arts Preview!

2010-05-02T08:19:00.000-07:00

Working on my Siamese Twin painting for backdrop to go along with Coco's painting.

My 'Nurse Rachette' character was on TV series FRINGE this week, in flash back to 40's sequence.

Established contacts in New York this week. Cara Yeates (tremendous solo show artist) introduced me to John Johnson begin_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting who worked as a producer/ ACR for her friend John's show in NY. John introduced me to Jana who is a great tech person. I'll meet with them in June to plan a strategy for August FringeNYC.
Booked June trip, staying with Mimi B. for a few nights. Mimi is a New Yorker I met in Banff at Richard Armstrong International Voice Workshop, she is a cartoonist and lives in Dobbbs Ferry 45 min from Manhattan.

Out of the blue...also in June in New York, I will also be interviewed for a documentary by Anthony Masai. He is making a documentary on Clive Barker and his Cenobites. I played a Cenobites in Hellraiser VI, Stitches, years ago. It was quite a thrill because I had a kissing scene with Dean Winters (Ryan O'Rielly from the tv series OZ)....ok so I was wearing a rubber mask...it was still thrill.

Great rehearsals last week with Marguerite and Tara Cheyenne (she's performing Goggles at Shadboldt this week). Excited to begin coaching sessions with Jimmy Tait this week as I rehearse for the last weekend in May performances of Stripes at Moberly Arts Centre.

Nun in London

2010-04-27T05:12:00.000-07:00

Nun sees London, Trafalgar Square 2009.

Nun in Prague 2009

2010-04-27T05:08:00.000-07:00

Nun goes to Prague....scattering seeds for the World tour!

Royal Mile, Edinburgh 2009

2010-04-27T05:04:00.000-07:00

Busking on the Royal Mile, Edinburgh last August 2009.

Vee's Show Under The Mango Tree - Moberley Arts & Culture Centre

2010-04-18T06:42:00.000-07:00

Vees' show is up and running at the Moberely Arts Centre. I saw the show twice and was touched many times in each performance. The school show on Thursday morning was an amazing experience, to witness such a moving performance in the company of a culturally diverse group of children, grades 6 & 7, and see the wonder in their eyes. After the show at the talk back one young boy asked "Why is there just one of you?"
Another adult said "It is especially memorable for me, as an immigrant, it brings back all the memories of my relationships at the time I immigrated to Canada. It was a beautiful show." Audience members were visibly moved as they left the theatre.

Details of Back Drop for Stripes

2010-04-02T08:59:00.000-07:00

Coco is still working on the backdrop...here are more close up details.
The Strong Lady is ballencing all the different circus characters atop a teeter totter, the juggler is juggling cats, the high wire act, two headed lady, the pirate all waiting for their turn to spring into action!

Coco's Painting Back Drop for Stripes

2010-03-31T06:53:00.000-07:00

The amazing artist Coco Fralic holding her new painting - backdrop for Stripes.

Contact 2010 BCTC- BC Touring Conference

2010-03-31T06:07:00.000-07:00

Veeneesh Dubois and Sarah Hayward in front of our Booth at BCTC, where we pitched our shows as a Double Bill...Under The Mango Tree and Stripes: The Mystery Circus.
We shared 5 minute pitch session!
Met lots of great people and made some good contacts for future touring possibilities, learned a great deal.
We are both excited about our upcoming productions at The Moberley Arts Centre, Under Mango Tree April 16-18, Stripes May 28-30th.
New circus theme backdrop for Stripes painted by the amazing Coco Fralic, seen partially, draped over the back curtain.

FLAMMING NUN

2010-02-27T08:29:00.000-08:00

FIRE AND BRIMSTONE

Photo by Jessica Earnshaw, Olympic Flame, Vancouver, B.C.

Nun packs suitcase for New York

2010-02-26T14:30:00.000-08:00

Sarah as Nun from Stripes: The Mystery Circus
Photo by Jessica Earnshaw

Solo Show Workshop Creation with Tara

2010-02-20T08:55:00.000-08:00

Creating solo show workshop with Tara Cheyenne Friedenberg (http://taracheyenne.com/)
The marvelous Tara, gold medal winner for getting her freak on, sharing her workshop recipes with me.

Double Bill!

2010-02-19T14:53:00.000-08:00

Vancouver performer and playwright, Veenesh Dubois took the Vancouver Fringe by storm with her sellout show, Under the Mango Tree, which won ‘Pick of the Fringe’ 2009 and is now headed to Victoria for four special performances at the Intrepid Theatre Club.
Dubois’ enchanting semi-autobiographical play tells the story of her families’ struggle to immigrate to Canada from their small village in Fiji.
“An emotional rollercoaster”, Sheryl MacKay CBC Radio
Dubois' performance of Under the Mango Tree focuses on her family's staggered immigration to Canada from their native Fiji.
"It's about a daughter's love and yearning for her father," Dubois said of her play's plot line. "The father lives in a small village and wants to find fame, fortune and better opportunities, so he leaves his family behind and emigrates to Canada. The story follows the letters that the daughter and the father exchange between one another."
Veenesh Dubois and Sarah Hayward have teamed up to present a double bill of their two original one woman shows, to present as a full length evening for 6 performances April, 2011 5-9th at the Evergreen Cultural Centre in Coquitlam and also in February 2011 at the Surrey Arts Centre. Both shows will be produced at the Moberley Arts Centre, Under The Mango Tree in April 16-18th and Stripes: The Mystery Circus in May 28-30th, 2010.

Marguerites' Music Studio

2010-02-17T22:20:00.000-08:00

Marguerites' voice studio, where the invisible is made audible.

Collaborator, conspiriter and vocal coach exra-ordinaire!

2010-02-17T22:03:00.000-08:00

Worked with my vocal coach and Stripes collaborator, Marguerite Witvoet today, as I do at least once a week. My creative musical fix, my playground of invention, vocal workout, improvising and stretching sounds, articulating the future...I left flushed, newly inspired with great ideas to spin into my plan.

"The voice is the muscle of the soul", the Roy Hart / Richard Armstrong defination...is fully explored with Marguerite.(http://www.margueritewitvoet.ca/)

Nurse Rachette strikes again.

2010-02-17T21:52:00.000-08:00

Played a Nurse on TV series FRINGE last week. Luckily my film editor friend Christian, who lives in Berlin, refered me to Louise Fletcher, the original Nurse Rachette, so I could get the hair right!

New York Here I come! My show bags are packed! Really, I bought a new suitcase last week and packed it just in case a trip came my way.

2010-02-17T21:28:00.000-08:00

CONGRATULATIONS! Your production has been ACCEPTED, and on behalf of The Present Company, and the other volunteer staff of The New York International Fringe Festival (FringeNYC), we want to welcome you to FringeNYC. We have chosen you to participate because we believe you will make an invaluable contribution to this year’s festival. It is our goal to make FringeNYC the most dynamic festival possible, and we invite you to help make this happen.

This will be the Fourteenth Annual New York International Fringe Festival, continuing the overwhelming success of the first thirteen. The festival will begin on Friday, August 13th and continue through Sunday, August 29th. The interest in the Festival grows every year and last year 75,000 people came to downtown Manhattan to support the performing arts. The response from the press was tremendous and the community rallied around FringeNYC in an extraordinary way. And we all had a great time!

Received the good news today, my show Stripes has been accepted into the New York Fringe Festival, providing my visa comes through.
I am totally thrilled.

Strategic Planning Meeting Peggy and Sarah

2010-02-12T13:38:00.000-08:00

Peggy and Sarah planning World Tour.

Strategic planning meeting at Peggy's to discuss PR and social networking,
for upcoming Stripes performances.

Vee and Sarah team up to make a double bill of our shows! Feb 9, 2010

2010-02-12T13:25:00.000-08:00

Stripes The Mystery Circus and Under The Mango Tree...
Double Bill, April 2011.
Meeting in Coquitlam with Veenesh Dubois and David Mann at the Evergreen Cultural Centre to discuss producing our two show together next season at the Evergreen Arts Centre. The dates are for April 5-9...2011 both shows, in tandum for six performances! Hurray.

Both Vee and I are performing our shows this spring at the Moberley Arts Centre, 7646 Prince Albert St. One block east of Fraser at 59th.
Under The Mango Tree...April 16th-17, 8pm and Sunday 18th 2pm.
Stripes: The Mystery Circus, at the Moberley Arts Centre, May 28-29, 8pm and Sunday 30th, 2pm. 2010

CBC News - Books - Celebrated poet P.K. Page dies at 93

2010-01-16T05:54:00.000-08:00

CBC News - Books - Celebrated poet P.K. Page dies at 93

New York, New York Nov 09

2009-12-05T13:07:00.000-08:00

On a recent trip to NY, I checked out some performing possibilities....Fringe, Blueberry Pond, Clubs. Visited friends, Mimi, Jo Bruno, Susan & Tillman and Martin.

Did a lot in two days. Found New York Finge office: 520 8th Ave 3rd fl, visited Galleries Frick, Gugenheim, Folk Art, and Moma. Went for dinner with Susan, Tillman and Martin at La Voce on Madison and 26th Ave and had traditional St Martins Day Goose dinner. Stayed with Mimi, in Dobbs Ferry 45 min train ride outside NY on the Hudson River.

Saw great show- verbatium monologues on US Health Care, "Let Me Down Easy", Anna Devears Smith....very inspiring. My next show will be a Verbatium show...I've already started, with interviews from Cassandra Project and now playwrights workshop writing exercises with Marcus.

Toasting Betty Parsons

2009-09-01T14:14:00.000-07:00

Sept 1 / 09

2009-09-01T10:40:00.000-07:00

Home again to my Oscar and Gizzyboy, hurray. Nothing like coming home.

Took a cab to Richmond and James' Mum Judy was there to welcome me back with open arms and tea and rasberry crumble. A lovely warm reception. She also gave me carrots, beets and a piece of cheese bread for the road so I'd have some food when I got home.

London was a whirl wind of people and sights and then two days in the countryside- Surrey, Leatherhead and my visit with Betty Parsons. At 93 she is still the gracious hostess, looking after all her guests as they pass through London. She is full of wisdom and good advise, I took notes.

I left at 5:30 am and she had another guest from Austrilia
arriving at 3pm, then family arriving later that day.
So now to prepare for the Victoria show of Stripes: The Mystery Circus for Aug 12th.

Trafalgar Square London , The Accusation

2009-08-27T09:37:00.000-07:00

London 27th Aug 09

2009-08-27T09:25:00.000-07:00

Speakers Corner Empty

Striped Fashion is IN

London August 27 09

2009-08-27T09:00:00.000-07:00

London Aug 27 09

2009-08-27T08:45:00.000-07:00

London Aug 26th 09

2009-08-27T02:28:00.000-07:00

Nun see`s London .
Had a great day running around London with my friend Nick Sparks, who took these photo`s. Went to National Gallery, Portrait Gallery, walked around Picadilly Circus, went to a pub in Leicester Square, ate lunch at a delicious chinese buffet in London`s China Town and topped the day off with Phedra, at the Royal National Theatre staring Helen Murren....fabulous.