After nearly six years in New York, Richmond native Greg Pember has come to take part in the Vancouver Fringe Festival.
"I decided to come home for the summer, and I had mentioned to my actor friends here that I wanted to do some theatre," said the 24-year-old. "A friend was already cast in Riverview High so I set up an audition."
He snagged a role in the ensemble as Jason, as well as assisting the choreographer.
"As the captain, I assist the choreographer to make sure that the dances are clean and everyone is together on the moves," said Pember. "We only have rehearsals once a week, so it's really fast-paced because the play is an hour and 20 minutes long."
Riverview High is loosely based on the Archie comic books. It's a classic tale of boylikes-two-girls - the sweet blonde and the sexy brunette - and which does he choose. Although the production doesn't use the characters names from the Archie series, it's a spin off of sorts. (In Archie the girls are Betty and Veronica; in Riverview High they are Cathy and Erica.)
"It's set in anywhere, USA in 1996, and they are the class of '96," said Pember. "It begins with Alex asking both girls to the prom and when they find out, they make him choose.
"There's lots of singing and dancing - it's really an entertaining and fun show with lots of energy."
Pember has performed in other Fringe festivals. What he likes about them is that "the Fringe Festival takes a lot more chances with the material, and it really is a celebration of new works."
"We, as a cast, need to be excited about the new work," he added. "These festivals aren't as much about winning, rather it's about inviting people to get involved in local theatre and support it on a very personal level."
Since he's been back in Richmond, the young actor also took part in a cabaret revue at Langley's Township 7 Winery.
"We performed for two weekends in a row. There were nine of us, and we all took turns singing solos," he said.
He believes Vancouver has a long way to go to match the enthusiasm that New Yorkers feel about their theatre.
"In New York and even Toronto, theatre thrives and is really well attended," said Pember. "It's vital for Vancouver to support the theatre scene."
He has appeared in many productions in New York City, including an off-Broadway production, Ghostlight.
"To call my parents and tell them I'm appearing in an Off-Broadway production on 42nd street was pretty cool," he said of the tap dance production.
He also performed his most difficult role to date, Hamlet, in Nashville, Tennessee.
"That is my biggest and most challenging role so far," he said. "It took me half a year to prepare, so that role holds a strong place in my heart."
He studied at the Boston Conservatory and graduated in 2010 with his bachelor of fine arts in musical theatre.
"I call myself an actor first, then singer and dancer, and I continue to train in all disciplines," he said.
Pember said he misses the buzz and energy of the Big Apple.
"In New York, I audition one to three times a day, so you really have to be at the top of your game all the time," he said. "Here, because there aren't that many shows, auditions are few and far between."
Joining Pember on stage is fellow Richmondite, Ranae Miller. She performs in the ensemble as Sophie. A graduate of the Capilano University's Musical Theatre program, she was honoured with a 2011 Ovation Award for the Most Outstanding Newcomer.
Riverview High will make its premiere on Thursday, Sept. 6 and runs until Sept. 16 at the Firehall Arts Centre. For more information, visit www.riverviewhighthemusical.com.
