Hatter takes big step in upcoming lead role

By KENDALL KING, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on March 10, 2022.

kking@medicinehatnews.com

He has risen from the ranks of local theatre productions to star as Jesus in Bishop’s University’s Godspell the Musical, but Hatter Tyler Casat doesn’t plan to stop there.

The 20 year-old is currently completing his third year of music and musical theatre studies at Bishop’s University in Quebec and believes his experience both on stage and behind the scenes of the upcoming production will aid him as he continues within the field of performing arts.

“When we’re here it’s not just about putting on a show; it’s about learning because we’re studying it,” Casat told the News. “When we’re doing this, we’re super involved with everything. It’s not just blinders on, OK, now I’m acting. We’re acting (but we’re also) involved with the directing, music, choreography, lighting, set design, so we’re learning what it takes to put on a production of this magnitude.”

While living in Medicine Hat, Casat took part in several local performing arts events and productions, which he credits with providing the skills necessary to thrive in his current role.

“I had done a lot of the Rotary Musical Festival competitions and provincials and stuff like that,” Casat said. “I also did a couple Medicine Hat Musical Theatre community shows. I did Les Misérables and Oliver and then, I kind of got roped into joining the Crescent Heights High School theatre program, which was probably the best thing that could have happened to me. That was where I started to get deeply involved with (performing arts).”

“I was lucky (because) in Crescent Heights, I was involved with the choreography and the music, so I had a really good background to prepare me to work in this level of theatre,” he said.

Godspell the Musical will be the first public performance offered by the Bishop’s Musical Theatre concentration – a supplementation of the institution’s drama and music programs – since its establishment in 2020.

The cast is comprised of 14 students, with Casat in the lead, however he remains humble about his part in the production.

“It’s such a communal show, so even thought it may be a bigger role in terms of some aspects, every role in the show – all 14 – are really sizable,” said Casat. “I never feel I’m taking up too much space or am too centre stage. The cast is really well rounded.”

Casat admits he is still mastering the art of acting – having had more experience with choreography and music – however he enjoys the challenge and hopes to continue performing.

“I want to go as big as I can for as long as I can,” he said. “I can maybe see myself settling back down eventually, but I want to work for a while as a touring musician or in the musical theatre industry. I’ve made some great connections here (and) all across North America which I think would be great routes to follow in musical theatre. So, I guess, big stage, bigger audience is kind of the dream.”

Godspell the Musical runs from March 10-13 in Bishop’s Centennial Theatre. The production is currently only in-person. Tickets are available for purchase online at centennialtheatre.ca.

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