The benefits of theatre

OLGA LIVSHIN

Robots and androids appear aplenty in science fiction films and TV series but not so often on live stage. The new play Broken Sex Doll, a world première presented this year at the Cultch, bridges that gap. The play is a science fiction musical comedy, written and directed by award-winning Vancouver artist Andy Thompson. The leading female role – of the android Ginger 5000 – is played by Vancouver actress Gili Roskies.

“With this play, we hope to attract a new audience to the theatre, younger people who might not have attended theatre before. This musical is sexy and racy and fun,” Roskies told the Independent. For her, Ginger 5000 is alive, a woman looking for love, despite the fact that “she is made of titanium, and eats plutonium.”

In real life, Roskies couldn’t be less android-like. She is beautiful and vibrant, with sparkling brown eyes and a bright, creative personality. She has been interested in the arts and musical theatre from an early age. “I studied piano from about eight,” she said. She also took classes in dance, singing and drama throughout school.

“My parents understood me,” she recalled about those years. “They wanted me to be able to express my artistic side. They are both very musical. But I think they didn’t expect me to make theatre my profession. Both my parents work in the dental industry. When I said I wanted to enrol in a drama program after high school, they were surprised and worried, but they’re very supportive.”

A graduate of the theatre program Studio 58, Roskies is navigating her way through Vancouver’s professional theatre scene. She is especially interested in musical theatre.

“I love music,” she said. “Music informs my decisions on what my characters desire. In musical theatre, songs and dance and music all work together to create a seamless whole.”

Besides music and theatre, teaching and directing also attract her. “I tutored a lot, in high school and even before, in grades 6 and 7. In summer camp, too, I taught drama and directed shows.” As a student of Studio 58, she taught musical theatre for two years at the Richmond Academy of Dance.

“I worked with children from seven to 14 [years of age] and I loved it. I like working with children, with people. I’m thinking, maybe in the future I’ll get more education, go into art therapy or drama therapy. Art and music can be so beneficial to everyone.”

Medicine might also hold her interest. “If I wasn’t an actress, I might have been good as a surgeon,” she speculated. “Sadly, many actors can’t support themselves by acting alone, so they have day jobs. I do, too. I work at an electrolysis clinic for permanent hair removal. Not at the moment but, when I need to, it pays the bills.

“I like the job,” she added. “I’m good with my fingers, doing delicate work, and I like helping people.”

For Roskies, theatre is all about people, about making connections. “It’s very rewarding when you connect on stage, not only with the audience but with your fellow actors and directors. Connection with the public – you feel it. When people laugh, when someone suddenly says ‘Wow!’ it’s great. Although actors can’t see their audience because of the [lights], sometimes people breathe differently and, you know, little things change. But certain moments, you remember them…. It’s especially important when the show runs for a long time. Then you try to keep it alive, shift things, find something new.”

A life in theatre has its drawbacks and challenges as well, especially for a newcomer like Roskies. She came to Vancouver from Ottawa after high school, to study at Studio 58, and she still feels new. “I think it’s harder for female actors. There are more of us, and the competition for new roles is fierce. Not only your talent matters. You have to be lucky and to know people. And your looks are important, too. Some actors are hired for the same types of roles again and again because of how they look.”

She hopes to avoid the trap of typecasting. “I hope to be a character actress, to have a variety of different roles. It’s more fun – to transform into a different character every time.”

Roskies’ recent acting experience definitely leans towards variety. With her zest for unique roles, she recently tried her hand at a couple of indie films. Her most recent engagement last fall was in The Zombie Syndrome.

“It was a multi-location interactive show about zombies,” she explained. “It was on six days a week for the month of October. I played a cured zombie…. The audience had to get a swab sample from me, from my mouth, to be specific, so they could have the cure to this Zombie Syndrome that was sweeping the globe. We performed five shows a night in shifts, so about every 20 minutes we would do our scene for a different group. Needless to say, the younger audience members were extremely excited and sometimes a little scared. A lot of adults got very involved, too. We had wonderful special effects makeup that, I’m sure, added to the creepy atmosphere.”

Broken Sex Doll runs until March 24 at the Cultch. For tickets and information, visit thecultch.com.

Olga Livshin is a Vancouver freelance writer. She can be reached at [email protected].

^TOP