Beets, Laundry, & Nerves - Our Interview With The Delightful Miss Anna Gooden

It's not everyday you get the pleasure of a future superstar dropping by your office. But today we at the Bridgeman Creative HQ were busy at work the delightful and always charming Anna Gooden, holder of some of the most memorable roles in Bridgemans history, popped in for a quick chat between running to the gym to muscle up for her new role as Mary Magdalene in the upcoming Production Redemption. Enjoy, and get ready to fall in love all again!US: As one of Bridgeman Coc's Veteran stage stars, how was the audition process for you?
AG: It was a bunch of fun! Seeing everyone up there giving it their best shot and knowing that not only does everyone share a love for acting but a passion to see people's lives changed through the arts was inspiring.
US: Going into a church audition do you rely on your natural talent, or your knowledge of what the director (who happens to be a close friend) wants?
AG: In no way should my friendship with the director be used to my advantage in an audition. And in no way does my doing his laundry or cleaning his house have anything to do with that either.
US: Do nerves play a part for you at all?
AG: All professionals get nervous. Except me, I get excited.
US: You're playing the role of Mary Magdalene, Congratulations on that, what do you think you can bring to her?
AG: First of all, thank you! I've always admired Mary Magdalene, coming from such a shady background to being transformed by the love of Jesus. I think a lot of people today can relate to her story of redemption. I'm excited to see what I can bring to the role.
US: We've been told that to prepare yourself for the role you watched passions of the christ. Is this true, did it help?

AG: Pah! Who told you that? I may have happened to watch passions of the Christ just after I discovered I got the role, but it honestly was a coincidence! Honestly... Come on... Who can blame me for being excited :)
US: You've been lucky enough to read the script, what do you think?
AG: It is one of Mike's finest. I laughed in parts and got goosebumps in others. I think this production is really going to speak to the hearts of people and what they can find through the love and power of Jesus Christ.
US: What do you think people can expect?
AG: A transforming experience. Not to mention superb acting from everyone involved.
US: Mike is known for his use of humour, so naturally there's a little concern of his handling of serious subject matter, how do you think his transition went into the world of Drama?
AG: Naturally Mike's quirkiness made it's way into the script in some parts, however I think people will be surprised at how easy he seems to have made the transition from comedy to drama. Something like the Easter story needs to be done tastefully and I think Mike has really done it justice. 
US: Do you think Luke Normans influence in the script writing process helped the two focus? What do you think it would have been like to have been locked away writing with them?
AG: Those two creative minds in a room locked away together? Why do you think the script is so brilliant?... But no... I would not have liked to have been there. It would have been like staying at Dwight Shrute's beet farm for the weekend- Unnatural, scary and disturbing. (If you've watched the office you know what I mean).
US: How long have you been acting?
AG: Since I was able to walk and sing the Lion King to my parents.
US: What was your first production?
AG: I played a sewer rat in the Pied Piper. But my first main role in a production was Olivia Twist. We changed it from Oliver to Olivia because I'm a girl.
US: Any embarassing stories?
AG: Many. I played a scots man once and forgot kilts tend to fly up over your head when you fall off the stage.
US: If you could have any role in film history who would it have been and why?

AG: Any historical heroine. From cleopatra to Elizabeth Bennet or even Annie Reed in Sleepless in Seattle.
US: What is a must for you in any green room?
AG: A mirror and water. And a couch and chocolate and a phone with games on it and fresh flowers and an oversized gorilla and a bird that constantly says "good job good job good job". I need positivity in my life.

US: What would you love to see as the next production?
AG: A huge biblical musical. With dancing. I'd love to see some spirit fingers in there.
US: Why should people come & see redemption?
AG: It'll be like nothing you've ever seen at Bridgeman C.O.C, I guarantee it's going to be extraordinary!

Consider yourself charmed! You can catch Anna Gooden and the rest of the cast on the 17th of April at Bridgeman COC for Redemption!

Hope to see you all!

The Story Of The Christmas Story

King Herod & His Wife

So with only 39 sleeps to go until this years BIG production, we at Bridgeman Creative think it's time to release some of what you can expect to find in this years Christmas Spectacle!

In many ways this years production can be looked at very much as a "best of" writer and director Mike Kalinowski, told us. "I've taken the best bits from the last three years and rolled them into one jam packed show."

But don't worry Christmas fans, the story is staying true to the heart of the message, and isn't all just entirely a copy of the previous years. Mike has infact assured us, that the story is new with quite a nice twist, A bunch of favorite charcters have returned, along with what he thinks is a host of new zany characters to flesh out the world.

But none of what is going to happen would have been possible without the wealth of talent acting in the show this year. The strongest cast ever, makes certain that this production is not to be missed! So the story???

Without giving too much away, we can reveal that King Herod (Returning this year, and played once again by Mike) Has enlisted the help of his most loyal subject Quintus (Chris Micklewright) in gathering together all of the prophecies found in the Torah (Old Testament) About Jesus' birth, in order to get a head start in plotting the future kings downfall.

But as is befitting possibly the maddest king in all of history, nothing goes quite to plan, and when an argument with his wife Mrs Herod (Anna Gooden) goes sour, it is decided that a troop of actor's under the world renowned Pandercott (Beck Davies) will act out the story of the christmas story to Herod and his court.

Complete with Mary, Joseph, talking donkey, wise men, shepherds and angels, King Herod's throne room is thrown into all sorts of crazy. From wandering sheep, to an angel that sings all her lines from christmas carols (Rosie Henselin) the cast of the play within a play, take on King Herod to protect their soon to be Born king of the Jews, and saviour of the world.

But not all is fine and dandy, as Mrs Herod starts to get a bit suspicious about the activities, leaving the ending as unpredictable and intense as we have ever seen.

So truley this year is a year to invite the friends and family, and experience together a whole lot of laughs, a whole lot of fun, and the bold message of Jesus Christ the saviour of the world unashamedly proclaimed from the stage!

THE CAST!!
King Herod - Mike Kalinowski
Mrs Herod - Anna Gooden
Steven - Zac Vains
Quintus - Chris Micklewright
Attendant - Alison Bakker
Narrator - Robyn
Cornelius - Fred Porter
Amos - Roxanne Gusterson
Theodore - Caleb Sheppard
Mark - Josh Russell
David - Jos Wilson
John - Ethan Graham
Ruth - Maddy Szymanski
Pandercott - Beck Davies
Angel - Rosie Henselin
Mary - Hannah Lucas
Joseph - Jeremy Cake
Donkey - Paul Chadwick
Pilate - Jackson Canuto

So be a sport and leave them some comments, and some well wishes as they tirelessly work to put on the biggest and best show ever seen at Bridgeman Downs!

Oh and 'Be Prepared' for King Herod... if you know what we mean.

OUT!!!