Skip to content

Director comes home for The Rocky Horror Show

Given Kelly Straughan basically grew up at Sudbury Theatre Centre, it's no wonder the building holds a lot of memories for her. The director of “The Rocky Horror Show” — which runs at the theatre centre Sept. 25 to Oct.
230914_HU_Straughan_RockyHorror_1660
"The Rocky Horror Show" director Kelly Straughan (bottom row, centre) poses with the show's cast. Photo by Heidi Ulrichsen.
Given Kelly Straughan basically grew up at Sudbury Theatre Centre, it's no wonder the building holds a lot of memories for her.

The director of “The Rocky Horror Show” — which runs at the theatre centre Sept. 25 to Oct. 18 — appeared in STC productions throughout her childhood and teen years, starting at the age of six.

It wasn't just a passing interest for Straughan. She never left show biz, going on to become a professional actor and director who's now the executive director of the Toronto Fringe Festival.

“It's interesting, memories kind of pop up,” said Straughan, a married mother of two who now lives in Toronto.

“I remember the rehearsal hall seeming so large to me. I thought it was gymnasium size, because it's my six-year-old brain remembering that.

“Going in now, I realize that no, it's just a regular-sized room. It's not blow-your-mind huge.”

Straughan said she also has fond memories of the late Warna Timlock, the theatre centre's long-time costume designer.

“Sometimes I'd be the youngest kid in the cast, and feel sort of like an outsider,” she said. “(Timlock would) take me in and talk to me when she was sewing. She was so lovely.”

Even though this is Straughan's first STC production in many years, her connection has endured through her mom, Judi Straughan, a retired drama teacher and STC's education co-ordinator.

“I think it's cool,” said Judi Straughan. “I can't think of any other time in the 43 years of Sudbury Theatre Centre history of anybody who grew up from age six in this theatre who has ever returned to direct a show.”

Straughan, who started her post-school acting career in musicals, said she's thrilled to be directing “The Rocky Horror Show” (the live theatre version of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show").

She offered her services in the wake of the departure of STC artistic director David Savoy last winter, thinking the company might need some help. STC's new artistic director, Caleb Marshall, started earlier this month.

“You know what, I don't think I'd be right for all musicals,” Straughan said. “Something like this is different, it's unique, it's sexy and fun. It's not your run-of-the-mill musical.”

Straughan said she took her cast — which, by the way, she said is fantastic — to see a Toronto screening of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”

From there, she ensured the play included the “iconic parts that people are going to expect.”

She encourages people to dress up for the show and do the classic call-outs, but given it's a live production, Straughan asks the audiences not to throw objects, as is traditional with the movie.

Tickets to “The Rocky Horror Show” range in price from $26.64 for Under 30 to $32 Preview (Sept 25), $37.38 Senior and $42.64 Adult. Visit www.sudburytheatre.ca or phone 705-674-8381 for tickets.

Comments

Verified reader

If you would like to apply to become a verified commenter, please fill out this form.




Heidi Ulrichsen

About the Author: Heidi Ulrichsen

Read more