Fanshawe Faculty on Stage at Blyth Festival

Part-time Fanshawe professor Brad Rudy (right) will appear in two productions at the Blyth Festival this summer. The actor and instructor will appear as Jim in Kelly Rebar's Canadian classic Bordertown Café, directed by Katherine Kaszas, from June 30 to August 14, 2010. From August 4 to September 4, Rudy will appear as Todd in The Book of Esther, a story of faith, farming and family written by Leanna Brodie and directed by Leah Cherniak.

Rudy has worked as an actor for 30 years, starting in Edmonton at Theatre Network and performing across Canada from Victoria, B.C. to Ottawa. He was a member of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival acting company for 22 seasons, and is currently a sessional acting instructor at Fanshawe College as well as St. Clair College in Windsor.

Rudy isn't the only Fanshawe connection at Blyth this season. Former faculty member Michelle Fisk (right) will be sharing the stage with Rudy, playing Maxine in Bordertown Café.

This will be Fisk's eleventh season with the Blyth Festival. She was also a member of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival for 10 seasons, and has worked extensively throughout Canada.

The Blyth Festival is one of Canada's leading creators of original, professional theatre. A stone's throw from the beaches of Lake Huron, the theatre sits in the heart of Huron County. Now in its 36th season, the Blyth Festival is nationally recognized as one of the best off-the-beaten-track performing arts centres in Canada. The Festival also offers an annual Young Company, children's workshops, art gallery, professionally-led choir and orchestra, and unique special events.

The 2010 season, which runs from June 23 to September 4, offers three world premieres and a revival of a play that first premiered in Blyth in 1987. This year's plays include Paul Ciufo's murder mystery, A Killing Snow and Gary Kirkham's Pearl Gidley, a quirky story of unlikely friendships, in addition to Bordertown Café and The Book of Esther. For more information visit the Festival website at www.blythfestival.com.