Triple threat Celeste Catena’s journey into the arts brings her to Stratford Festival’s A Wrinkle in Time and Rent

Triple-threat artist Celeste Catena, currently performing at the Stratford Festival in A Wrinkle in Time and Rent, has had an abiding passion for performing arts for as long as she can remember. 

In fact, the Kelowna native’s entire life has been one ever-deepening journey into the arts. 

“I began dancing at age 3, and continued through much of my childhood, exploring genres such as tap, jazz, hip hop, and modern, as I learned how to express myself through this medium.” From there, her “next vivid stepping stone into a new area of performing arts was in elementary school, when we did a rousing adaptation of The Three Little Pigs, and I went on in a last-minute flurry as the pig who built their house out of bricks!” 

So formative an experience was this that “I can still remember that little solo I sang, which speaks to the incredible love and respect I have for the craft of singing.” Catena’s dedication to this craft grew in tandem with her advancing education. In high school, she participated in various community theatre productions, including Shrek, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Addams Family, and A Christmas Story. “Life at the theatre quickly took over my extracurricular life,”she recalls, “inspiring me to follow my passion and apply for Sheridan College’s Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance Program, from which I graduated in 2021.”

Lest you see her as an artist and only an artist, Catena also pursues diverse other interests, in order to nourish her creativity. “Outside of my work in the theatre, I am a frequent patron and avid reader at my local library,” she shares. “I also love to do jigsaw puzzles, and hope to pet every dog I see. I think one of the most important parts of being an artist and unlocking new possibilities in my craft is keeping my brain and body engaged and always learning in new ways!”

Catena sees curiosity and bravery as essential both to artistic craft and personal growth. “Having new outlets that will help to nurture our fullest selves can be so rewarding,” she notes – and in keeping with this idea, she is originating the role of protagonist Meg Murry in A Wrinkle in Time, which has been newly adapted from the classic fantasy by Madeleine L’Engle, and is directed by Thomas Morgan Jones. She also plays the role of  Squeegee in Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning musical Rent – which is directed by Thom Allison and choreographed by Marc Kimelman. In a recent interview, Catena shared her insights – and her excitement – about the Stratford productions of A Wrinkle in Time and Rent, and the roles she plays in them. 

Sesayarts Magazine: Stratford Festival’s A Wrinkle in Time is a brand new adaptation of a classic story (which is exciting!). What makes this  production special and also relatable to today’s diverse audiences,  in your opinion? 

Celeste Catena: It has been an absolute honour to be a part of this production. Ever since I first  stepped into the audition room, I knew there was something special brewing, and every  single day of the process was exactly that. I think what makes our A Wrinkle in Time unique is the collective vision, passion, and community that is embedded in our company.  So much of this production was new – from Thomas Morgan Jones’ world premiere  adaptation, original music composed by Deanna Choi, to projection designs by jaymez, to  our beautiful costume, set, and lighting design, there has been immense leadership and  innovation from our creative team. They worked together with such respect, clarity and  cohesion, which I think is reflected in our final product. 

We also built this production  with the capacity of the audience very much in mind. This means that as the protagonists  moving through new planets, our level of ‘noticing’ and curiosity directly translates to  what viewers are experiencing. Therefore, we challenge ourselves every show to keep  discoveries fresh and exciting. How does our pacing of text and action challenge the  capacity of children? We must stay present to their journey alongside us throughout the  show.  

There is truly something for someone of all ages to glean from A Wrinkle in Time.  While the demographic of our matinee and evening audiences can be significantly different, what remains the same is laughter, a love and curiosity for the journey, and the  magic of adventure. Grounded in love, honesty, and wonder, A Wrinkle in Time offers a  heartwarming and at times heart wrenching journey through time and space.  

Sesayarts Magazine: Author Madeleine L’Engle famously attributed the 26 rejections  she got for A Wrinkle in Time to having a female protagonist in a  science-fiction novel. In the 60 years that the book has been in  print, Meg Murry has remained an inspiring figure and powerful  role model in literature. What’s your personal connection to Meg? 

Celeste Catena: Firstly, I love the way Meg thinks. It has always fascinated me that each member  of the Murry family has a unique lens through which they navigate their days. Be it  books, science, ‘special feelings’ or math equations, this less than ordinary family is able  to use what they find comforting to understand the world. This is something I relate to, as  I have always found such solace from jumping into the pages of a novel and learning  about life via new characters. Therefore, the way Meg resorts to these kinds of  mechanisms to help her through her journey r r Dsssssey nitely resonates with me. 

I admire her  tenacity, her hard exterior she shows the world to protect her deep capacity for love, and  her bravery. Meg Murry is a reminder to all that come across her that you don’t always  need a traditional, strong, muscular, or magical superhero to come and save the day; with  love in your heart and support from your community, you can take brave risks and be  capable of exceptional feats…no matter what age you are. 

Sesayarts Magazine: Let’s talk about your other show at Stratford Rent for a bit. It’s  again a familiar story, this time, a classic musical that was  inspired by a classic opera. What aspects of this production  excites you the most, and what are you most excited for the  audience to experience? 

Celeste Catena: What I love most about Rent is the people the story centres around. People who were  pushed to the edges of society, given a difficult hand to survive within the political and  socioeconomic structure, and yet endlessly full of love, wisdom, and joy. Especially in our world  where many are still having to fight for their freedoms or being ostracized for their identity, Rent is a reminder to celebrate our differences and live for each day, as nothing is guaranteed. 

One of  the most special moments of Rent for both audience and performers alike is our AIDS Quilt that  comes out at the end. Filled with names contributed by the community, it is a moment of extreme  care, presence, and humility for us as we lay it down. It remains on the stage after the show ends,  leaving the audience with this very real display of how many lives were loved and lost. It is a  privilege to honour them in this way. 

Sesayarts Magazine: What’s your favourite moment in the musical (whether it’s one  that you perform or someone else), and why? 

Celeste Catena: My favourite moment in Rent is the song Christmas Bells. In the Square on  Christmas Eve, there is a cacophony of people who are not celebrating in the ‘traditional’  ways we have grown to know. It is a moment in the show where every member of the  company graces the stage, which speaks to the rich community that the production  centres around, and the versatility of its performers.

As an ensemble member, it can be  incredibly fun to be in charge of your character’s inner life and live out nuanced  interactions that fluctuate day to day on stage. Moments like this in theatre add a richness  to the overall stage picture, and if we are doing our jobs right, can help the audience to  invest in other storylines and lived experiences that were intentionally written into the  script – in this particular instance, unhoused members of the community, forced to make  ends meet on Christmas Eve as if it were just like any other day. 

Sesayarts Magazine: The final word is yours. What would you like to add? 

Celeste Catena: My final words…be kind, and always tell your people you love them! 

A Wrinkle in Time is on stage until October 29, 2023, and Rent is on stage until October 28, 2023. Reserve tickets online at stratfordfestival.ca.

© Arpita Ghosal, Sesayarts Magazine, 2023