If you've seen or heard our current production advertised; anywhere, be sure that it is due to the work of Bonnie!
As our Publicity Manager, Bonnie says all you need is a computer, enjoyment of communication &
talking with people; oh, and it helps to be a persistent "nag".
Where else but theatre can you step aside from your own world and take on the life of a
doctor, a judge, a "dame", or whomever you're challenged to become, step out of your comfort zone, and work with
others to create a "masterpiece"! Ya gotta love it!!
To manage our Publicity, it helps to have a committee to share the job. There are some meetings required,
a couple of planning evenings with the committee, monthly meetings with the Bedford Players' Executive Council
and with the Production committee. This is where you get a lot of valuable support, ideas and encouragement.
Bonnie keeps her eyes open for new advertising possibilities all year long; but the real work begins two to three months before a show opens; first with sponsorship, then notifying the media with press releases. After that there are weekly check-ins and follow-ups. As the opening night draws near, posters have to be delivered individually or by mail.
I’m so happy that we concentrate on comedies here. People need to laugh and escape their
"world", if only for a short time. It's definitely the best medicine.
Publicity is not Bonnie's only involvement with Bedford Players. She has been very active with our group since
2002, when she auditioned for her first Bedford Players' play. She loves meeting and greeting the audience when
working the Front of House. However, Bonnie has loved being on stage; especially making the audience laugh, every
year but two since 1996 and pretty much goes into "withdrawal" when it's not part of her life. Her favourite
role here was that of Ethel in "Barefoot in the Park". She had just as much fun off the stage as on the stage!
I love this theatre group and appreciate all the time, effort and passion involved to entertain the community.
The plays here are very professionally done, and I feel proud to be even a small part of it. The people in it are
like an extended family, and I feel very accepted.
Bonnie's advice to anyone interested in joining Community Theatre:
We'd love to see you!
Bonnie has been active at other venues as well; at Dartmouth Players, the Chester Playhouse, and other independent
companies over the years such as; Drimindown Enterprises, Downstage Productions, Toadstool Productions and Touch
Base Productions. This year she will be participating in two on-stage productions of the Halifax Festival:
"Until The Violence Stops". This is the first time it has been produced outside of the United States, so Bonnie
is pretty excited to be a part of that.
When she is not busy with the Performing Arts; and one may wonder where she finds the time, Bonnie is self-employed as a contract transcriptionist, mostly in the medical field. She also works at the Learning Resource Centre at Dalhousie as a simulated patient and enjoys commercial and film work through Atlantic Talent Agency, Film Works and local production companies. In her spare time Bonnie enjoys creative writing for children, volunteering at Nova Institute for Women, piano, gardening, golfing, canoeing, and spending time with her husband, children and grandchildren.