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She has one of Wate then in her late 305 climbed out of her onto the stage. SIx years ago If anything, she showâ€"shy, earning c} roles in a few school pla But all of that cha ose Ryan wasn‘t a Rhow-uff when she attended high school at Waterloo collegiate in the 1970s. Former Waterioo Vl_la"flflWfll' Still shocked over ongoing stage success imteractive presentation, This is just one of 16 acts that will make up this year‘s list of entertainers, "We reached the far ends of the world for applicants, and we‘ve been bowled over by the response," said Johnâ€" stonâ€"Aldworth, who has played a key role in bringing the festival to Waterloo‘s uptown area for the past 17 years. "We have Dana performâ€" ing with his dog, Lacey, a litâ€" tle Jack Russell terrier," said Iracey Johnstonâ€"Aldworth, one of the volunteers behind the annual August festival, "This is the first time we‘ve had an animal act, so it should be exciting." With Lacey‘s help, Dana‘s show blends fire juggling, Diablo, Chinese rhythm stick, ball spinning, handâ€" balancing. rolloâ€"bollo, hat tricks and cireus arts into an HECHICHVE Droganibun... Another interesting act to man and his dog A:)e one of the head ing acts at the 1 annual Waterloo Busker ( nival. By Anorea Bamey Chronicle Staff Mbletibe Falt ol High wires and hijinks Slage. as since be ‘v, earning chorus few school plays. II of that changed ago, when Ryan â€" ite 308 â€" finally of her shell and ‘"Ce Decome rloo‘s artistic y role in hringing al to Waterloo‘s ra for the past 17 was s dog will headlinâ€" the 18th "Six years ag ed taking some ing classes wit the University more to get us long winter," Ryan, who still loo home. "Bi ar These days she‘s lending her talent to Jeanie Linders® Menopause Out Loud, now playing at the Capitol Theâ€" atre in Toronto. success stories, starring in a variety of productions across the province, includâ€" ing some at the Stratford Festival. continue Saturd 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.1 with busker acts f 10:30 p.m., followe popular lateâ€"nig watch, she said, will be the 21st Century Gargoyles, though she wouldn‘t reveal _ the nature of the show. "They‘re performance artists, but people will have to see the rest for themâ€" selves. It‘s a surprise," Johnâ€" stonâ€"Aldworth said. The festivities will begin tonight with the Festival of Fools gala at the Centre for International Governance and Innovation. The cost to attend is $50 per person, which includes refreshâ€" ments, busker entgrtain â€" ment and a tax receipt for a portion of the cost. The fun continues Thursâ€" day with a community barâ€" becue from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m on King Street, near Waterloo lown Squere. Opening cereâ€" momes will follow on the main stage, with busker acts performing until 1J p.m. Friday is Kidz Day at the _ festival, from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Buskers will perform | from I to 11 p.m.‘ \ Kidz Day activities will / S ago I just start me evening act with a friend a _ explained ill calls Waterâ€" But I found 1 saturday, from . to 5 p.m., along er acts from 1 to . followed by the ateâ€"night adult of Waterloo, through the 47 Day at the 1:30 a.m. to 5 will perform at "After that 1 was feeling a little cocky," laughed Ryan, "so l decided to send my headshot and resume to Stratford (Festival). Well, I‘ll be damned if 1 didn‘t get an audition." Astonished she was noticed, _ Ryan began preparing two Shakespeariâ€" From there she went on to act with some communiâ€" ty theatre groups in Elmira and Guelph, before taking a weekâ€"long intensive training course at Brock University in St. Catharines. really enjoyed it tor more information on the festival and the performâ€" ers, visit www.waterlooâ€" buskers.com. \ DDJTQO "But most of people think it‘s a g which is reflected the generous don see." "It‘s one of the few forms of entertainment that you can vote with your feet," she said. "If you don‘t like someâ€" thing, you can walk out in the middle of it. show at 11:30 p.m. on the parkade pitch stage. The show will include mature content, and is not recomâ€" mended for children, Wrapping up the festiviâ€" ties Sunday will be busker acts from noon to 4 p.m., folâ€" lowed by a family Vaudeville show at 4 p.m. on the parkade pitch stage. Donations collected at the adult show Saturday night and the Vaudeville show Sunday will support the annual carnival; the rest of the donations go directly to the performers. Johnstonâ€"Atdworth said the success of the festival is often dependent on the weather. For 0st of the time k it‘s a great show, flected through ations we nomprtury a But her graceâ€"underâ€"fire approach managed to impress the company, and she went on to spend two seasons with the festival. "Someone with no (postâ€" secondary education) and hardly any experience goes to Stratford and gets hired? That‘s basically unheard of," Ryan thought to herself. the The "I had nothing prepared and I‘d never done Shakeâ€" speare before," Ryan said. But her graceâ€"underâ€"fire an monologues that were required at the audition. Dana Smith, of Berkeley, Ca., al crowd this weekend during the or call 416â€"493â€"1300 ext 395 or email: advertising@metroand com along with his performing dog ne 18th annual Waterloo Buske Rose Ryan, born and raised Jn Waterloo in the Toronto production of Mennnald | 09 4 '"’"Wfimâ€"vfinmu ~_______ 209 dog, Lacey, will isker Carnival. entertain the uptown