Two well-known Canadian actors have relocated to Saint Andrews – proving that post-COVID the landscape of how the industry operates has changed.
John Ralston, who some might recognize from Life with Derek, and Karen Waddell, who played Ingrid Rowley in CTV’s The Bomb Girls, are now residents of Charlotte County.
Ralston is originally from Miramichi, with his father growing up in St. Stephen. Over time, he explained, the kids moved out. His parents passed and he always felt a sense of connection to the East Coast.
“Karen and I got married, although we got married here, by the way,” he said in an interview. “We came back here to get married in the Anglican Church with Reverend Matheson, who’s still here to this day.”
He said Matheson remembered them when they returned to Saint Andrews.
“Just through a series of circumstances, we were debating about a move back east,” he said. “Well, also, too, COVID happened, right? Even though actors need to be based in Toronto for a lot of the work, when COVID happened, all of a sudden, we couldn’t go down and do our auditions at the regular facilities where we usually go. Everything became online.”
Ralston explained that changed the game for himself and Waddell.
“We just said, if we’re both online, why do we have to stay in the place that we really don’t want to be?” he asked.
The two decided to take a chance and purchased a home here in June.
“But the minute we arrived here, it just felt right,” said Waddell. “We were meant at this time of our life just to come back. It was the right time to come back.”
Waddell said Saint Andrews is a special place and one that feels like home.
“And the people, oh my gosh, the people we’ve met,” she said. “We’ve met so many new friends here, and I’ve just enjoyed everyone. Everyone’s so kind.”
But the two said the foundation of an acting career begins in the theatre. The two are settling in and finding their way, with Waddell offering guided meditation in the community.
And the couple has some advice for aspiring actors.
“Sometimes you’re on your own a lot, and you have to make these kinds of decisions about what are right choices in your performance,” she said. “And it’s the theatre background that will help you in that. And not only theatre, but theatre encompasses a lot of things, right? There’s musical theatre, there’s drama, there’s comedy, but there’s also improv.”
Waddell said improvisation is essential, bringing you the ability to think quickly on your feet.
Ralston also recommends spending time observing people out in public to help examine behaviours, which he said will help when you’re developing a character.
“You have to develop yourself, and you have to find your own voice,” he said. “A musician has to find their own voice. You end up copying a lot in the beginning and imitating, but eventually, you end up finding your own voice as an actor, as a musician does on their instrument.”
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