Photo Karen Graham.
Zach Newnham, left and Michael Field took a few moments out from a serious rehearsal schedule for the upcoming production of The Cavan Blazers. The pair are clearly enjoying this unique summer experience.
This is Michael Field’s second season at the 4th Line Theatre.
This Crestwood High School student from Millbrook is going all in this season with parts in both plays, and despite a grueling schedule, he couldn’t be happier to spend his days back on the Winslow farm. During much of July, his days began at 8 am with rehearsals for the August production running until 4pm, followed by performances of The Tilco Strike starting at 6pm.
Living a few doors down from the Winslow farm, Zach Newnham is now part of the action as well. The Kenner graduate joins the 50-odd cast of The Cavan Blazers which began this week.
The Cavan Blazers was Rob Winslow’s first play under the 4th Line Theatre banner. Originally performed in 1992, it describes the settler experience in Cavan Township during the mid-nineteenth century where Irish emigrants brought their religious conflicts to their new country. The Cavan Blazers refers to a Protestant vigilante group who tried to prevent the establishment of a Catholic settlement in the area in order to protect their religion and culture. This will be the 7th production of this play.
Both Michael and Zach are volunteer actors who are proud to work alongside the professionals. The 4th Line Theatre experience is unique in that professional actors work alongside volunteers in every performance. These young volunteers have experienced overwhelming support from their colleagues. Questions about how to portray different characters or emotions are generously answered by the professional actors in the group, and successes are shared as a team with the understanding that a good performance happens when everyone works together. As a minor hockey player of many years, Michael appreciates the critical contribution of teamwork in a group success, and does not see the hockey equivalent of “puck hogs” amongst his coworkers at the 4th Line.
The generosity in the production extends to the directors as well. During a scene in The Tilco Strike, Michael was invited to join the live band in a dance scene to play the saxophone. Upon hearing his performance in rehearsals, a sax solo was built into the scene, allowing him a moment in the spotlight.
While Michael finds it difficult to get into a villainous role, Zach enjoys the freedom to embrace a darker personality with lines and actions that he would not normally express. In The Cavan Blazers, Zach is involved in a fight scene, for which he will be ditching his regular mode of travel- a mobility scooter- for the confrontation. He seems excited for the challenge.
Both young men expressed appreciation for the social aspects of their work at the theatre. It is clear that Covid took quite a toll on these young men, and while restrictions are over, the damage from the social isolation seems to linger. Acting involves putting yourself in someone else’s shoes, which they believe is a bit of a lost art these days. Empathy does not seem to abound in a post-covid society. Both believe that the acting experience could be universally helpful to building a more tolerant and supportive society. Heavy thoughts for teenage boys, indeed!
The experience with the 4th Line has given Zach a bit of the acting bug. At the end of the season he will be looking for other acting opportunities as he explores other aspects of his creative talent. He is currently writing a novel and may venture into plays after this experience.
They may have forgone a low-paying job and some weekend camping experiences, but Michael and Zach believe that the experience they have acquired at the 4th Line Theatre will be a unique line in their future resumes. The poise they have developed will no doubt enhance the quality of their interviews. More importantly, their ability to relate to and communicate with almost anyone will serve them well wherever they go in life. Maybe we should all spend a summer on the farm. KG
