Jasmine Case has instantly gained legions of fans for her portrayal of Lucy in The Fiancee, on stage at the Chemainus Theatre until Oct. 22. But mom has always been her No. 1 fan and that admiration only accelerated after seeing her daughter perform in the play.
Case, 25, is a long way from her home in Markham, Ont. for her first major theatrical role and it was comforting to have mom Andrea Morgan, 51, around for a week. Morgan saw the show twice while she was in Chemainus during a Sunday matinee and Thursday evening performance.
“She was brilliant,” enthused Morgan.”We watched her in productions through school, but to actually see the professional experience she brings was amazing.
“I was able to sit there with a full heart, for sure, and seeing what she does best come to life. She made eye contact with me at the end. That was a bit of a surreal moment.”
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Making eye contact and interacting with the audience is just an important part of the experience Case has already developed after seven years of schooling that culminated in graduation from the National Theatre School of Canada in Montreal. To say she’s been eagerly anticipating this role is an understatement.
“With a comedy, it’s so bright in the house and I can see everybody’s faces,” Case said. “I see the eyes.”
When she looks at them, the return gaze is usually one of surprise and “the audiences talk back,” she added.
And, with live theatre, no two performances are ever the same, Case said.
Her connection to the Chemainus Theatre happened back in May after she met with director Jessica Schacht and artistic director Mark DuMez and signed a contract.
That set mom Morgan in motion immediately.
“As soon as she signed the contract, I booked my flight,” she said.
“It’s been seven years in the making. I thought she was wonderful. The timing on everything was just on point. At points, I didn’t feel like she was acting so much. She’s a pretty funny girl. This role, it felt to me was very perfect.”
“The show, it clips along,” observed Case. “There’s never a dull moment in this show.”
With seven shows a week, including two each on Wednesdays and Saturdays, “you’ve got to pace yourself,” she emphasized. “You want to give everything to each performance. They come one time possibly. We want to give them the best they can. It’s a fun show.”
Having two days off each week on Mondays and Tuesdays worked out well for Case and her mom to visit Whistler while she was here.
“We spent a day at the spa, just had a real mom and daughter bonding,” said Morgan.
Not taking anything away from the beauty of their own province in Ontario, “there’s something about the mountains and the air that’s grounding,” she added. “It was amazing.”
Case has been captivated by the surroundings and quaintness of Chemainus itself since arriving and absolutely loves the place she’s staying at near the ocean. She’s also become somewhat of a celebrity around town as people recognize her from the show.
They were at the Owl’s Nest Bakery Bistro the other day and “someone stopped to give her a review of her performance and how great she was,” said Morgan. “I feel like I’m with someone famous.”
The Toronto area is laden with theatres, but both Case and Morgan think it’s remarkable for a smaller town like Chemainus to have a theatre like this.
“You look at the community here, they want to support the artists and that’s lovely to see,” Case pointed out.
“I have a full appreciation for a town that puts so much focus on culture and allows people to experience any kind of show,” praised Morgan. “It’s amazing how the theatre can be the centre of it all and draw people in.”
While she’s proven to be a natural at comedy, Case is looking at diversifying her portfolio and will perform in a more serious role during the Young People’s Theatre production of ‘Truth’ in Toronto in January.
“I want to do it all,” she said. “You want to be challenged in your life.”
Case vows to be back at the Chemainus Theatre for a future role and mom certainly won’t miss a chance to return.
“I could see myself moving here, in fact,” observed Morgan, who also has a son playing college basketball in the United States. “I marvel at the number of people from Ontario who have moved here.”
“You come out here and you have a different viewpoint,” offered Case.
“It really is Island life,” said Morgan.
“Truly, it’s been a gift having my mom here,” summed up Case. “She’s like my best friend. I’m very lucky to have her.”