Volunteer profile:
Gina & Andre Paradis – Lifetime Members
Paradis is a name synonymous with drama in Chatham-Kent and the community has January 16, 1981 to thank for this. A show called “Night of January 16” brought the Paradis family to the theatre to celebrate their oldest son’s birthday and the rest is history. Although the special birthday was the day they will never forget, the person who really gave Gina the push was Audrey Hummelen. Gina and Audrey were working together at the Developmental Centre and Gina recalls that Audrey would talk about TK everyday. The Paradis’ had to find out what the fuss was all about!
Gina’s first show was “Mousetrap” in 1982, where she helped with props and Andre started helping with set changes shortly thereafter. The couple fondly recall how their experiences enlightened them about how the magic on stage happens. They learned all of the “ins and outs of a production” and discovered how to search second hand shops, antique stores and families’ basements for the perfect set pieces and props. The most unusual prop that was ever requested was for dead bodies.
Something that both Gina and Andre are proud of is their involvement in the Sears Ontario Drama Festival. This began around the year 2000. It’s clear that the theatre bug led them to be a part of their involvement with young thespians because their TK experiences. Gina also worked with young actors at John McGregor Secondary School in the 1980s. Both Gina and Andre have always promoted Theatre Kent and have encouraged many young people to audition for TK and to be involved in productions to earn volunteer hours. They’ve seen many of these ones continue on their own after graduation.
Gina and Andre fondly recall their sons, David and Craig, sleeping on the floor during rehearsals. As the boys got older, Gina and Andre would alternate participation in shows so the boys would have someone to take them to their practices and games. So many TKers can probably relate to juggling their busy home lives with their theatre involvement.
Favourite memories through the years:
1985 – Andre made his stage debut in “Whose Life Is It Anyway” as the lawyer. The show went on to perform in Burlington for the WODL festival.
1986 – Gina recalls sitting on the floor at the CCC drawing “key” borders on togas for “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.” The same toga was used 33 years later for the 40th celebration show!
1988 – Gina made her stage debut in “Sound of Music” as Frau Schmidt. She was also head of costume, so she recalls wearing the buns that Robert Laidlaw put in her hair and running up and down the stairs at the CCC to get to the stage or back to costume work.
1990s – Gina and Mary McGrath rocked out to Jimmy Buffet while making costumes in Mary’s mom’s basement. They even got to use electric scissors!
1993 – Gina’s first lead role as Kate Jerome in “Brighton Beach Memoirs.”
1995 – Gina was head of set construction for “Death of a Salesman” and then played Norm McLeod’s wife in “My Three Angels.”
1996 – Gina was Grandma Kurnitz and stage mom to Dennis O’Neill, Norm McLeod, Barb Perkins, and Audrey Hummelen!
2006 – Gina played Bessie in “Marvin’s Room” and her son, Craig, was her delinquent nephew, Hank. This show also went to WODL festival held in Owen Sound that year.
2007 – “The Crucible” was awarded WODL Best Costume (Gina Paradis and Barbara Masse)
Gina is probably best known as a stage manager despite her involvement in almost every other aspect of show production. She can’t pin down one stage managing experience that is her favourite as she loves all of her large musical experiences. The reason she loves these most is because managing a large cast feeds the “control freak” in her! Along with large musicals, she also recalls some of the more dramatic shows as being incredible to stage manage. These include “A Few Good Men”- 2005, “Doubt” – 2014 and “Of Mice and Men” – 2015.
Other stand out memories the couple has is in taking a show on the road for WODL Festival to perform for an audience of fellow community theatres from across Southwestern Ontario and serving on the TK Board of Directors. Andre was the building manager for many years and Gina held various positions (Community Liaison, Technical Department, Vice-President and President for several terms). Both Gina and Andre currently hold positions on the WODL Board of Directors.
Both Gina and Andre are enjoying being grandparents and have slowed down in their involvement although they both admit that it’s in their blood and that they have a hard time being away from their Theatre Kent family.
Gina’s most recent involvement was as stage manager for both “40 Years – The Sound of TK” and Mamma Mia.” Andre’s last official post was in 2015 for “Of Mice and Men,” but he has been roped in as curtain puller or ASM several times since then.
“We keep coming back because of the friendships that we have made throughout the many years – TK is our family and when we lost our building a few years back it was like losing a member of the family – Andre and I and our boys swung hammers working on that building way back when and we spent many long hours there rehearsing, building sets, creating props and costumes.” – Gina & Andre
When Gina and Andre were interviewed for this profile, they were asked what they would like to share with the membership. Here is their answer:
“Please consider getting involved with Theatre Kent! Whether you want to perform on stage or help out in one of the many ways backstage! We’re always looking for people for many degrees of commitment and expertise – no expertise is really necessary – just a desire to be part of something amazing and different!
There are many other stories I could share but get involved in a production and make some of your own!” – Gina & Andre
