Selections

NTIF Cultural Presentations

Fast becoming a festival tradition is the short cultural performance, presented by our very own NTIF Players.

This year we are celebrating our Canadian Maritime neighbors by highlighting the various Irish connections. New Brunswick and Quebec were second only to New York as destination ports for the Irish fleeing the Potato Famine. Because of very real fears that typhus and smallpox would spread throughout Canada, Grosse Ille, an island off Quebec, was set up as a quarantine hospital post for immigrants suffering from typhus and smallpox. Though many died, several were saved by the humane treatment provided by the Canadian government.

These and other stories of the Irish in the Canadian Maritimes will be presented in images in the Cultural area. This year’s play, "Becoming Necessary", is an original work about women’s changing roles during the Civil War. Set prior to and during the Battle of Bull Run, three women struggle to become independent in a world previously dominated by men and their expectations of female domesticity.

The NTIF Players

Judy Lanahan-Monroe

Judy spent seven years in the American Academy of Ballet, and played Peter Pan in a off-Broadway children’s theater in her first theatrical performance at the tender age of eight. Roles at the University of Texas Theater department included "Ballad of the Sad Café" and several original works, danced the lead in the "Firebird" for Austin Ballet Company. She also worked with the Dallas Ballet, Theater Three, and several community theaters in set construction and lighting.

With NTIF, She has directed eight productions and acted in seven of them, written five original plays, designed the sets, and produced the artwork for the Cultural area.

Alisdair Seth

Alisdair has been acting or stage managing (possibly his real love) with school and community theatre groups for over 50 years and in many countries. Played in varied pieces from "Shakespeare to Shaw" and "The Mikado" to "Kiss me Kate". Favourite roles probably Professor Higgins with The Embassy Players in Bonn Germany and Koko from the Mikado in Caracas. A combination of these roles might be considered typecasting. Rumour has it that he is an (old) pedantic clown.

Gary Fulton

Gary has been acting here and there since he was 12. First role was the back of a horse. Community theater, college and summer stock, church acting companies. Favorite roles: Tommy in the "Hasty Heart", Wilson in "Harvey", Francis Flute in "A Midsummernight's Dream", Grandpa in "You Can't Take It With You" and Giles Corey in "The Cruicible". Most fun: Bus Stop Theatre Arlington, Irish Revue NTIF Festival.

Sandi Hebley

Sandi has been in productions in high school and college including "Under Milkwood", three productions with NTIF as Grania O’Malley in "Grania", the Irish Revue, and the Mother’s role in "Oh Say Can You See". In addition, she has many public speaking credits in the health care field.

Katie Gibbs

Katie has been involved in technical theater in high school, performed in three productions at NTIF, "Starry Flag/Starry Skies", "Dark of the Moon", and "Oh Say Can You See".

Frank Delaney

In addition, world famous author and broadcaster Frank Delaney will read excerpts from a number of his many books, including the recently published Shannon. He will also be available for book signing during the weekend.

Details will be announced in December or early January.