Travis
Friesen is a resident Rosebuddy finally returning to the mainstage after
graduating from Rosebud School of the Arts in 2008. Select Rosebud Theatre
credits include ‘Tent Meeting’, ‘On Golden Pond’, ‘Man of La Mancha’,
‘Christmas in Wales’, and ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'. Recent
projects for film include: CBC’s 'Heartland', 'Painkillers', 'Hell on Wheels', 'The Valley
Below', 'Breakdown Lane', and 'Carl’s Way'. Travis is a member of The Wheatland Band
and the proprietor of Kith & Kin Artisan Wares who has made his home in Rosebud for the past 13 years.
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| Travis Friesen and Alixandra Cowman in Rosebud Theatre's The Spitfire Grill. Photo by Morris Ertman. |
Gimli, Manitoba, home of the Gimli Glider
(1983) and the annual Icelandic festival Islendingadagurinn.
What drew you to Rosebud?
I was living in Montreal taking evening
acting classes, and I asked my coach, “When should I say ‘no’ to a role?” He
told me that I should accept everything or I’m not hire-able, and that didn’t
sit well with me. I decided to pursue a school where I could be surrounded by
the craft every day and [with people] who wrestled with the questions of what
it means to be a performer with a Christian faith.
What have you been up to since graduating?
I graduated RSA in 2008. After graduating,
I spent a stretch of time in both Toronto and Vancouver investigating the film
scene. Most of my days since, have been spent in Rosebud building a home and
business, and pursuing film work in Calgary and Edmonton. I’ve also released
two solo albums, and an EP with The
Wheatland Band.
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| Elinor Holt, Travis Friesen, Cassia Schmidt, & Alixandra Cowman get more than they bargained for in The Spitfire Grill. Photo by Morris Ertman. |
What’s your favorite part about performing, and do you
have a preference for music, film, or theatre?
I appreciate them all for different
reasons.
With music, I enjoy the navigation of a
performance – building a set list that takes the audience on a journey, and
interacting with them. And I love to sing. I’ts the thing that brings the most
joy to my life.
I enjoy the high stakes that comes with
doing film. You show up as a day player on set and have to prove yourself every
time. And the honesty that film demands of you – the camera is right in your
face and (thanks to reality TV) the average viewer sitting at home is trained
to know exactly what’s going on behind the actor’s eyes. There’s no getting
away with disconnected acting. I also love the camaraderie of everyone working
together, each in their own unique role, towards a common goal.
With the theatre, I enjoy the exploration
that is found in the rehearsal hall. In Rosebud we get 4 weeks of rehearsal
time and once the show is open, performing for a live audience is such a
thrill. There’s an instant gratification that happens as the energy from the
audience hits you like a wave. As well, in theatre, you get to do the whole
story – top to bottom – and explore the entire journey of your character
everyday.
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| Sheriff Joe meets Percy (Travis Friesen & Alixandra Cowman) in The Spitfire Grill. Photo by Morris Ertman. |
In ‘The Spitfire Grill’, you’re playing Sheriff Joe
Suttor: a small town guy with aspirations for bigger things than Gilead seems
to offer. Do you identify with him, or were there unexpected
challenges about getting into the headspace of the local lawman?
I think we all have to deal with life not
working out the way we hoped it would at some point on our journey. We all have
different ways of facing disappointment. I believe the local lawman thought
he’d find his piece of happiness in Gilead, with a wife and a home, but as life
would have it, try as he might, that hasn’t worked out. Hopping the train out
of town is a mere smokescreen for him dealing with his disappointment. Joe has
a heart for the people of Gilead and is an advocate for the town. These are all
facets that I identify well with.
You also recently played lawman Constable Jones for
two episodes of the CBC show ‘Heartland’. What’s the difference for you between
film and musical theatre?
Both mediums require hard work and
preparation. If something doesn’t go right in film, you can do it again. If you
start singing the wrong line in musical theatre, there is no going back, you
just have to ride the wave of horror. I’ve learned this the hard way.
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| Travis Friesen (centre) in Rosebud Theatre's Christmas in Wales (2009). Photo by Morris Ertman. |
In addition to creative abilities, you’re a Renovation King! What draws you to projects (you're bringing a
windmill to town and you built a store)? Is there something
that appeals to you about working with your hands?
When I first purchased the property of Kith
& Kin (the old Rosebud Fire Hall), I wanted to build an extravagant post
and beam building with lots of glass and a living roof. But the reality of my
budget made this impossible. Operating on a budget draws out the creativity in
people. The imagination muscle is the same on we use in theatre. You’re
confined to the world within the stage and have limitations there as well, but
that’s often where the magic happens. Renos are another avenue for creative
expression.
What are you listening to these days? Any
recommendations?
I
Will Always Love You – Whitney Houston, Field Behind the Plow – Stan Rogers
What’s Rosebud’s best kept secret?
Travis Friesen. I’m still single. Or, Kith
& Kin. Or perhaps… the best is yet to come… in the form of a windmill…
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| Travis Friesen & Jesse Lynn Anderson in The Triumph of Love. Photo courtesy Rosebud School of the Arts. |
What’s an important piece of advice that’s resonated
with you lately?
Elinor Holt said at a talkback the other
day that there is no expiration date on actors. Everything we do in our lives
contributes to our craft of storytelling. That takes a certain amount of
pressure off me.
On the fictional menu of ‘The Spitfire Grill’, what
makes up the “Travis Friesen Special”?
I do love duck… maybe include an 8” x 8”
chunk of lasagna with peppercorns on top that were hand milled by a hipster.
Resident heartthrob Travis Friesen will warm up your summer with his deep and rich performance in 'The Spitfire Grill'. Smooth your relationship with the Sheriff and get your ticket before September 2. And catch The Wheatland Band, one night only, Friday, September 8. For tickets and
information visit www.rosebudtheatre.com
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