A famous black light puppetry theatre troupe from Toronto came to Nipawin to give a few performances.
The Famous PEOPLE Players did a variety show that contained a medley of genres, including dance and oldies.
“There was no real theme to it,” said Joanne Dupuy, the artistic director, about the May 6 shows. “It was just get the audience pumped, let them use their imagination, make them laugh, make them cry, get them dancing.”
The Players, who are a non-profit organization that employs people with physical and intellectual disabilities, came to support HandiWorks.
“HandiWorks came to us to ask them to help with a fundraiser for the good work that they do and so we were just so pleased that they wanted us here that we drove the three days to get here,” Dupuy said. “If we can help out HandiWorks in any way possible, absolutely, we’re here.”
Ginny Young is one of the performers. She joined when her support worker brought her to meet Diane Dupuy, the theatre’s founder.
“I started from the workshop to going to [Toronto’s] Broadway. From Broadway, they taught me little by little about performing,” she said. “I’ve been with the company 25 years and I love it so much.”
In Toronto, the Players own and operate a dinner theatre where they do their own cooking, serving, dining room management and performances. Those interested apply. Usually they like it if applicants volunteer with them first.
“We have an exceptional achievement program that if you are accepted, it’s a three-year program and it teaches the performers life skills, whether it’s learning to cook in the kitchen, or if it’s to serve in the restaurant, or be a host and eventually perform on stage,” Dupuy said. “After that, you can leave and you can have the life skills to work in other fields.”
Michael Hagley’s parents brought him to the Toronto theatre to see shows. Later, he was brought for an interview for a position.
“Once I started as a part-time [worker], it took me a while to get used to the routine,” he said. “After a while, they accepted me as a full-time [worker]. Now, the work can be a little stressful, but if you ignore the distractions, you’ll be able to get the job done.”
Being a performer is something Hagley enjoys very much.
“One important factor that I find is that you have to work as a team, otherwise nothing will go right for you.”
It was Diane Dupuy who came up with the idea for Famous PEOPLE Players back in 1974.
“She was bullied a lot in school, she was called names, people thought she was different,” said Joanne Dupuy. “The only person she could relate to was her mother with her imagination.”
Back then, those with physical and intellectual disabilities weren’t integrated into society. So Diane Dupuy’s idea was to put on a show in such a way that people didn’t know who was doing the performance and then have everyone reveal themselves in the end so that the audience would judge them on how well they did.
Michael Bandler would come to see the Players’ shows as a kid with his mother and worker, who had it in the back of their mind that it could be a good place for him.
“ When I was in high school, one of my good friends volunteered here as a co-op student. She was like, ‘no, I don’t like it.’ So, I followed her into it, I said no.’”
“Years later, I said, ‘you know what? I made a mistake. I wanted to keep trying. I love the people, I love the stage, I’m interested in acting.”
So Bandler tried it again.
“I love it because it’s like a family. We all support each other, meet new people, show what we can do.”
He added he also has great support from his family.
Dupuy said she and the company have been having a good time in Nipawin.
“I love it. The people here are extremely nice, it’s peaceful, it’s quiet – being from the big city,” she said. “It was a nice break, the three days travelling.”
The artistic director said the Players try to get out of Toronto to perform whenever they can.
Michael Piasecki had his friend introduce him to the company.
“He taught me where the place was, I got there, I saw how he performed and after that the director got me into this show and I’ve been performing, this coming October, six years,” he said. “I love it very much. It’s tough, but it’s fun. It’s also fun because we travel everywhere.”
