Interview with Sandra Lawn (Part Five)

Sandra S. Lawn

Festival Chair

St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival

It would be remiss of me not to ask Sandra about her favorite performer was. She goes on to say that … “I also love how we incorporate music into every performance. Kris Josef in addition to being a great actor also did an amazing rendition of Bob Dylan – about whom I knew little – now it seems that every morning on the CBC they play at least one song that I loved from our festival. I cannot really say I have a favourite performer – they are all so unique and put so much talent into it. I may know certain actors more than others and have a special relationship for a variety of reasons. One reason is the way a certain actor has really turned around the life of the person she was billeted with – it is so heart warming to witness this sort of interchange with the wonderful people of this small town”. Some of the fun for THE INSIDE SCOOP is collecting special anecdotes to share with you. Ms. Lawn indeed did have something to share with us … “One of my own favourite anecdotes took place on closing night of Romeo and Juliet when my young grandson (he must have been about five) at the curtain call, ran onto the stage and threw his arms around Perry Mucci. This boy wants to be an actor because of Perry; he never wants to miss a play when he visits frequently from Ottawa”. With this response my final question to Ms. Sandra Lawn was if the St. Lawrence Theatrical Company/St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival encouraged the youth of today to attend performance? Again, I was not surprise by her response … “For some of us, children and youth are why we do this. Children 12 and under are admitted free and youth are always at a lower rate. My husband, a retired educator, is fervent about the attendance of youth. Our artistic director does as much outreach in the schools as possible. We hold the Young Artists training program every summer and then showcase them as part of the Sunday Series. At the Connect Youth forum at South Grenville District High School, we sign up volunteers and let our regional youth know more about why this is not just educational and enriching but a lot of fun too. Those of us who are in the community year round work at convincing parents and grandparents that this is critical for their offspring’s future and we truly believe it!!”