Terry Fox secondary grad Blake Sartin portrayed Fender at Malkin Bowl this summer in Theatre Under the Stars’ smash hit Hairspray.
As a council member on the Corny Collins dance party, Sartin suited up every other night as a straight-laced talent on the fictitious 1962 television show. Next week, though, the Port Coquitlam-raised triple threat will sport a get-up that’s the complete opposite.
Sartin is in the ensemble for The Rocky Horror Show, a production that’ll see him wear crazy costumes, plenty of makeup and, of course, hairspray. “It’s a gas, for sure.”
The cult classic is being presented by Exit 22 Productions and Capilano University, where Sartin is a student in the musical theatre program.
Sartin said his passion for music and drama started in Grade 4 when he joined a choir. Before he graduated from Fox last year, theatre teacher Dan Tilsley cast him in the lead role of Chad in the American jukebox musical All Shook Up. Although high school didn’t prepare him for the “raunchy” parts in Rocky Horror, his training at Fox did help him get ready for a life on stage. “Getting out there and performing as much as you can, that’s what really helps,” he said.
Sartin said Rocky Horror has also pushed him out of his comfort zone, which is necessary as he builds his portfolio. He expects to graduate from Capilano next year and pursue a career close to home. “All of this experience, I hope, will lead to jobs either on the stage or the screen,” he said.
• Tickets for The Rocky Horror Show are $22/$15/$10 by calling 604-990-7810 or visiting tickets.capilanou.ca. The preview is Oct. 13 with shows on Oct. 14 and 15 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 16 and 17 at 7:30 and 11 p.m. at Capilano University ( 2055 Purcell Way, North Vancouver).
