4th Line Theatre continues its brand of outdoor theatre with Canadian stories and a mandate to preserve and promote our Canadian cultural heritage through the development and presentation of regionally based, environmentally staged historical dramas.

Next on the slate is Beverley Cooper’s ‘Jim Watts: Girl Reporter.’ Directed by Kim Blackwell, the dramatic story (with moments of levity) is billed as a fascinating exploration of the experience of trailblazing youth who illegally flocked to Spain to fight fascism, attempting to stop its march across Europe in the mid-1930s.

University student Jean ‘Jim’ Watts (Katie Ryerson) defies the rules of society at that time. She became a reporter and was the only woman to join Canada’s battalion in Spain, the MacKenzie-Papineaus. The play takes the audience from Toronto to Madrid, from political allies to the Spanish battlefields.

Recently, I had the chance to attend a media call for the upcoming production on the theatre's grounds. I spoke with three articulate young people in the cast—Katie Ryerson, Mikayla Stoodley, and Thomas Fournier—excited about opening night and sharing the story of Jim ‘Jean’ Watts.

Before we even began to speak about playwright Beverley Cooper’s story, I asked these young people what it is specifically about the theatre that draws them in.

All three agreed that it is the communal and imaginative aspect of coming together and working on bringing a story to life, especially one that is Canadian. Being outdoors, there’s something ancient about it, as the words in the dialogue seem to taste better. Katie, Mikayla, and Thomas are singing respectfully Director Kim Blackwell’s praises and are loving their time in rehearsal on the farm. Blackwell has created an ‘amazing’ atmosphere who takes the work seriously and wants the story to remain of paramount importance.

All agree theatre is ephemeral. It takes place and comes to life for a specific time, but the thoughts, questions and comments it can leave afterward are essential.

Is the theatre on life support, as many have said over the years?

Absolutely not, according to these three young and upcoming actors.

The action is live in the theatre and built on community and collaboration between the cast and creative team. In film and television, sometimes artists can get lost in that realm where actors come in, meet the director quickly, do the scene and be ushered out the door immediately after.

Ryerson, Stoodley, and Fournier fell in love with the theatre because of that collaboration. Once again, the three of them refer to their director, Blackwell. She knows her vision and remains confident in its completeness, but Kim was always open to discussion, feedback, and questioning.

Ryerson plays the central character, Jim ‘Jean’ Watts, also known as Myrtle and Eugenia. Katie feels honoured to receive the gift of playing this character. It’s her first time performing at 4th Line, and she calls director Blackwell ‘the best.’ Even though the production is named after the reporter, Ryerson states the production is a large ensemble effort. Stoodley plays Canadian poet Dorothy Livesay, known as Dee. What fascinates Stoodley about the poet is her experience in exploring politics through her art and taking a stand in how she and Jim see things. Watts and Livesay are close friends. Stoodley also shared that through reading some of the letters of correspondence between the two women, their relationship appears to be more than just friends.

Thomas Fournier plays Jim Higgins, a prominent anti-fascist and individualist Peterborough resident, union organizer, and hero. According to Fournier, who read Higgins’ memoirs, he defied his country’s orders of non-intervention and went overseas to brave the potential of being arrested and fight against great military powers. Higgins was a thumb in the face of authority. He was always fighting for the rights and freedom of people.

What messages do Ryerson, Stoodley and Fournier hope audiences will take away upon seeing ‘Jim Watts: Girl Reporter’?

While the play deals with heavy political and emotional themes at times, one thing remains certain for all three artists:

Can one person, just one, make a huge difference in taking a stand? Can making a difference take on different forms and can all of this be impactful? Playwright Cooper’s script also reveals that taking a stand will manifest differently for different people.

It’s also okay if audience members leave with more questions. Theatre does not always have to provide the answers. It is the ensuing discussion that takes place after which is equally as important.

‘Jim Watts: Girl Reporter’ previews begin July 30 and 31. Opening night is August 1 and runs until August 24 at 4th Line Theatre. For tickets: (705) 932-4445 or visit 4thlinetheatre.on.ca