Ada Smith-Sparling is a forth year Theatre student at Brock University. She will be performing the role Medea in Brock’s November mainstage production Medea. Last year at Brock she performed a scene from Othello in the Humanities Showcase. She has also helped some of the St. Catharine’s area theatre companies with the technical aspects of their shows. Before transferring to Brock, Ada spent a year working as an actor in a Science Museum. She has Associates Degree in theatre from Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) in Harrisburg Pennsylvania. While at HACC she was cast in several productions including: 'The Little Girl Who Lived Down the Lane', 'The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe', 'The Merchant of Venice', 'Song of Survival' and 'The Boys Next Door'.

You will be able to see Ada this month in the Brock University's School of Fine and Performing Arts Mainstage Production of Medea happening November 13th - November 15th. The play will be happening in the Sean O'Sullivan Theatre at Brock.

For more information about the show click here.

To purchase tickets, click here.

Bryan:
What has been your favourite production to be involved with to date and why?
Ada:
I have worked on some amazing productions but I can easily say that Medea has become my favourite. Medea is by far the most difficult and complex role that I've been given the opportunity to tackle. I love a challenge and from this experience I feel I've grown both professionally and personally. Also, the creative team is extraordinary. I have never worked on a show of this scale or with so many gifted people who are genuinely interested in the process and well-being of a student actor. I feel very supported and that makes a role like this easier to handle.

Bryan:
What has been the biggest challenge thus far with working on Medea?
Ada:
For the longest time my challenge was simply learning and understanding the logic of the lines. Her lines are tricky because she tends to argue with herself and as her arguements intensify, she becomes harder to empathize with. I've had a hard time understanding her emotional journey.

Bryan:
What are your plans for after you graduate from Brock University ?
Ada:
I'm not quite certain of what I'll be doing yet. I am interested in further schooling but right now I feel more of a pull towards trying to see if I can get hired as an actor. I'll probably try that for a year and if it doesn't work I'll go back to school.

Bryan:
When eating an oreo cookie, how do you eat it?
Ada:
I go right for the icing. I like to take the top off and not lick it, but instead remove the icing with my teeth. Then, I'll eat the cookie part... but it's really the icing I am after.

Bryan:
Do you prefer Velcro shoes, or lace-up?
Ada:
I'm a huge fan of Velcro. I love a good pair of Velcro shoes - laces take too long to tie up.

Bryan:
If you could be in any production, with any cast, what would it be and who would you be acting with?
Ada:
Oh. ... Honestly, I would just simply be honoured to be hired as an actor. However, I can list a few plays that I would love to be a part of and some people I would be thrilled to work with. I would love to someday be cast in: The Heidi Chronicles, Othello, Proof, a Tennessee Williams play, As You Like It, Betrayal, and Educating Rita. I would be thrilled to someday work with: Cate Blanchett, Mamie Gummer, Gary Oldman, Kevin Kline, Kate Winslet, Amanda Bynes and James McAvoy.

Bryan:
Thank you Ada, Break a leg in Medea!