When SaskExpress takes to the stage in our community later this summer, audiences will be treated to a talented troupe who no doubt will delight, but many eyes will be on Madeline Codling, the young woman from Outlook who is part of this year鈥檚 cast.
Madeline grew up in a very musical family. Her parents met as members of the University of Saskatchewan鈥檚 Greystone Singers and Madeline said in their home 鈥渢here was always music playing, and always dancing and singing around the kitchen.鈥�
She sang with her dad, who has his own jazz band, was a member of the church choir, and participated in whatever opportunities arose in elementary school. When she was in grade 5 her school held auditions for the Christmas musical and Madeline assumed everybody would want to take part, so she was surprised to discover she was one of few. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 the moment I realized I might be different,鈥� she said, 鈥渁nd that maybe this isn鈥檛 something that just anybody can do.鈥�
More opportunities came with the Saskatoon Fireside Singers including productions of Les Miserables and Fiddler on the Roof, and this affirmed where her heart was. 鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 passionate about sports or school,鈥� she explained, 鈥渂ut very passionate about the arts and theatre.鈥�
When the family moved from Langham, SK to Outlook when she was in grade 9 Madeline was thrilled to discover her talents could continue to develop. 鈥淚 was surprised actually at how many opportunities there were in the arts in Outlook,鈥� she remarked. As an LCBI student she was in the choir, took part in talent shows and musicals, and was a member of GO Teams which are ensembles that toured to promote the school. She also competed in the Outlook and District Music Festival, sang with worship teams at church, and last year was cast in the title role of Equinox Theatre鈥檚 production 鈥楾he Little Mermaid鈥�. 鈥淚 kind of had my foot in every arts thing I could,鈥� she explained.
After auditioning earlier this winter, Madeline was selected to be a member of SaskExpress, a group of performers touring the province this summer with a show called Reel Music; a journey through iconic movie anthems. Madeline says audiences can expect everything from old movie music right up to recent showstoppers from blockbusters such as The Greatest Showman and La La Land.
The singers and dancers in SaskExpress will present a show packed with some of Hollywood鈥檚 favorite soundtracks. Madeline smiled and said, 鈥淭here may or may not be a dinosaur and super heroes and princesses, but also older sophisticated movie characters as well.鈥�
The SaskExpress season kicked off with a gala performance in June and will continue through the summer taking the team to places all around the province, including Outlook on August 22. 鈥淚鈥檓 very excited that we are coming to Outlook,鈥� Madeline said. 鈥淚 thought it might not be possible since we鈥檙e a small town, but I mentioned it to an Equinox member and she said she would see what we could do.鈥� The Town of Outlook, Outlook and District Arts Council, and Equinox Theatre are working together to bring this special performance to Outlook. 鈥淚t鈥檚 exciting because I want people even from the smallest of towns to know that Saskatchewan can be a place for the arts,鈥� she remarked.
In the fall Madeline will be at the Canadian College of Performing Arts in Victoria, BC, studying for a diploma which will prepare her for future work in the theatre. But for the next few weeks she is focused on touring with SaskExpress and hoping to inspire other young performers as well. 鈥淚 hope that kids with a dream, who wonder if there are resources in Saskatchewan to help them pursue that dream, will see that there are.鈥�
