the ring » Theatre department rallies around much-loved instructor living with ALS
Theatre department rallies around much-loved instructor living with ALS

Vukovic standing in front of an original WWII Spitfire during filming of “Piece of Cake,” a 1988 Masterpiece Theatre production.
By Adrienne Holierhoek

Actor, director, producer and UVic theatre department instructor Ned Vukovic has worked with the best in the business, from Shirley MacLaine, Peter O’Toole and Peter Ustinov to Jon Voight. This internationally recognized actor and in-demand dialect coach has an extensive list of acting credits for stage, television and film, including seven Academy Award-winners. He was a member of both the Royal Shakespeare Company and Royal National Theatre.

But Vukovic is known for giving this same level of professional coaching to his students. “I bring as much care with my students as I do with the professionals—whether a first-year, or Ted Danson—I always give my best effort,” says Vukovic. Since coming to UVic in 2004, he has taught all the first-year acting classes and either directed or was the dialect coach for an unprecedented nine of the 15 main-stage productions. “I feel I can teach almost any accent to any actor,” says Vukovic.

Vukovic is also living with and fighting ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. ALS is a debilitating neurological disorder that affects control of voluntary muscles in the limbs, as well as speech, and leaves the five senses and mental capacity untouched. Vukovic now uses a scooter and a walker to get around and hopes to enlist the help of a computer speech program to assist his communication.

Recently, the students, faculty and staff at the theatre department came together to pay tribute to their colleague and instructor and help raise funds for the increased costs of living with the disease. “Ned’s Night,” a surprise event held March 30 at the Phoenix Theatre, featured student and faculty performances with tributes to Vukovic’s career. Together with a silent auction supported by many members of the local business and arts community, the event raised over $8,000.

“It was a bit of an emotional evening, but a great feeling,” says Vukovic. “One of the few benefits of having this disease is that people are telling me now how much I have meant to them, how much I have helped them. I do feel I’ve made an impact. If I was 70 years old, I would say this is the way to go! Unfortunately, I’m only 52, but I feel lucky to live my life.”

Vukovic will continue to teach first-year students this fall. Another benefit event will be held on June 24 at Theatre Passe Muraille in Toronto. For more information visit nedvukovic.com
http://ring.uvic.ca/07may03/theatre.html

“NIGHT FOR NED”



Ned Vukovic is a highly respected theatre artist living and struggling with ALS/Lou Gehrig’s disease, a neurodegenerative disease that usually attacks both upper and lower motor neurons and causes degeneration throughout the brain and spinal cord.



Currently teaching Dramatic Arts at the University of Victoria, Ned, originally from England, is a member of the Royal Shakespeare Society and has spent thirteen years in Toronto directing, writing, teaching, performing, running several theatres and all the while raising a young family with his lovely wife Lindsey, herself an accomplished actress, dancer and teacher.



On Sunday June 24 beginning at 7:00PM a fundraiser and tribute will be held at Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson Ave., Toronto., ON. Following the performance will be a reception with buffet as we wrap up a silent auction.



The expense involved in caring for Ned is enormous. The mechanical chair alone that Ned will soon require in order to continue teaching runs upwards of $30,000. Anything we can do to help alleviate these costs will be deeply appreciated by Ned, his wife and daughters Francesca and Grace.



Ned’s many theatre credits include “Dial M for Murder” at the Grand Theatre, director: Derek Goldby, “Othello” with Lovers and Madmen, “Salome” with Horizontal 8, “The Fool” with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Director: Howard Davies, “Noises Off” at the Manitoba Theatre Centre, “Strife” with the National Theatre, and “Journal of Anais Ninn” at the Roundhouse Theatre, London.



Ned’s directing credits were many and varied. He pulled the performance of a lifetime from Donald Carrier as Montgomery Clift. He got Marlon Brando and John Wayne from Jeffrey Max Nichols, rest his soul. Before our very eyes he turned his wife Lindsey into Elizabeth Taylor and Anaya Farrell became Marilyn Monroe in the Horizontal 8 production of the “The Misfit”.


Ned Vukovic is a jewel in the crown of Canadian theatre. An internationally regarded dialect coach, Ned is actively sought for engagements by known players around the world. His coaching includes “Hitler: The Rise of Evil”, “That Touch of Pink”, “Jasper, Texas”, “Salem Witch Trials”, “Escape from Sobibor”. During his stint in Toronto Ned created “Lovers and Madmen” and helped found Horizontal 8. He ran Solar Stage for several years and was co-artistic director in Peterborough with Brian Richmond.



The “Night for Ned” event will run like a variety show of short, high-octane performances interspersed with film footage and photos of Ned—his work, his life as well as pre-taped and live tributes from both star players and close friends alike. An informal post show atmosphere will encourage attendees to meet and greet and spend time with Ned.



Much help will be needed to make this event possible. If you are a stage manager, a top entertainer, a technician, a producer, a publicist or chef and would like to volunteer your services, please jump in. The water is perfect. Contact Michael Copeman @ m.copeman@yahoo.ca. Performers interested in contributing to the line-up are asked to get in touch with our director, Hrant Alianak at halianak@sympatico.ca.



A web page in support of this enterprise is now running at www.nedvukovic.com. Donations of art works and other items for the silent auction are being sought and will be displayed as they arrive. The line-up will also appear on the site as confirmations are received.



Tickets to the ‘Night for Ned’ are $50.00 and can be purchased through the Passe Muraille box office by calling 416-504-7529 or through www.artsboxoffice.ca. Can’t make the show but wish to show your support, donate directly at CIBC 0630-78-71937.



We would like to congratulate the University of Victoria Faculty of Arts for a successful and jam packed “Night for Ned” held March 30th. Over $10,000 was raised.


http://nedvukovic.com/