COQUITLAM THIS WEEK

‘In Conversation with Director Mason Fouks

By Brady Ehler, Coquitlam Rep.

This week, I caught up with Douglas College student
Mason Fouks, a young director who is currently working
on his third theatre production, The Adventures of Super
Captain Mr. Dude-Man. Fouks’ new play is a comedic super-
hero parody, filled with action, drama, crazy plot-twists,
and more silliness than you can shake a stick at.

During the interview, I was able to get an idea of some
of the obstacles the young director has to face, and what
motivates him to succeed.

BE: So, who IS Mason Fouks?

MF: That’s a big question...would you like me to re-count

my childhood?

BE: No just the nutshell version.

MF: Well, when I was a kid, I had a friend who got
leukemia (cancer of the blood). That’s partly why ’m

doing this show—and have done two others in the past. I

grew up and now consider myself an actor, writer, and

comedian.

BE: I see. What is the play about?

MF: What is it about thematically or plot-wise? Because its

_ two different things...

BE: Both.

_ MF: Thematically, it’s about confidence. While working on
the script, it seemed to fit so nicely I couldn’t believe I did-
n't think of it before. Not only that, confidence is an
important issue that I struggled with to a degree and that
everyone between 11 and 20 deals with, to one degree or
another. Plot wise, it’s about super heroes.

BE: You mentioned one of the reasons you are doing this
play is because of your friend with leukemia. Did your
friend’s experience affect the script?

MF: Td like to say yes, but honestly it didn’t. His tragic
experience is the reason for the script going into produc-
tion, but not the story, characters, or plot.

BE: How so?

MF: I promised myself I would do something after he
died. Actually, I promised myself I would help cure cancer
after he died—as a scientist of some sort, but after I real-

 

ized I didn’t like science (nor had the grades for-it), I
changed that promise to “do something.” It’s a little more
vague and gives me more freedom to contribute in other
ways.

BE: So the proceeds are going to charity?

MF: The Terry Fox Foundation.

BE: You appear quite young for a veteran director. How
old are you and what are some of the challenges that you
have faced putting on productions?

MF: I’m nineteen. There are lots of challenges. First,
there’s the perception of community theater. Apparently
because we’re not “professionals” or “getting paid” our
work will automatically suck. People seem to think people
like us have no idea what we’re doing. We actually do. Not
only that, but people quit. They quit often. They drop like
flies at a Raid party...in fact, the other day one of my cast
members called me up and said, “Mason, I quit.” After I
said, “What?!!?” she told me she’s just joking and my coro-
nary stopped. Then, there’s the venues...yeah, we have to
get /ots of venues since we want to tour the show around
locally. And there’s promotion and dealing with the tech,
props, costumes...and the actors! I mean, they’re awesome,
but sometimes they don’t learn their lines and some add lib
excessively. Can you ask another question now? My heart
rate is increasing...

BE: Sorry. Being as how your budget is essentially nil, how
are you able to secure rehearsal space and props? How do
you entice actors to participate?

MF: We’re rehearsing out of a high school I’m quite
friendly with. Also, the actors are high school student
actors who are eager to do anything. Plus, I know their
teachers and asked them to push the auditions and make it
sound fancy and great ‘cause otherwise they'd figure it’s a
crappy no-budget play. Not only that, but we’re officially
connected to a cause. We even have an event number! As
for everything else, it’s kind of like Men In Black...it techni-
cally doesn’t exist until we see it.

BE: Fair enough. Here is your space to plug. Go.

MF: “The Complete Adventures of Super Captain Mr.

 

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Dude-Man”’ is an original play about a nerd who discovers
he has super powers. Since he doesn’t have confidence, he
sucks ass with spoon. Regardless, he is the only one who
can save his best friend, the girl of his dreams (who carries
his weakness around her neck), his friend’s girlfriend, and
his city. Even worse, he’s up against his father’s murderer,
The Evil Kitty Captain Obvious!

Herbert’s (the nerd) adventure spans two years and lots
of craziness. Will he save the day? Who knows? Plus, it’s
filled with comic book (and comic book movie) references
up the wazoo, so die-hard nerds will like it. It also has a
good story and all the elements of the classical paradigm
that everyone else likes.

BE: Sounds thrilling. One last question, with a name like
“Fouks” did you catch a lot of flack in high school?

MF: Not as much as one would think... I mean, my initials
make MF! Actually, lately, Pve been getting people miss-

pronouncing my name in ways that make me go, “Oh
God, I wish.”

For more information, e-mail Mason at masonwilliam(@ hotmail.com,
subject line: Dude-man info