Upper Island Cove arts troupe capitalizing on the local talent

By Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Olivia Bradbury

It is said that art can bring people together. This is a belief held by Walled City Entertainment (WCE), a not-for-profit formed by Upper Island Cove residents who hope to support their community and foster connection.

The organization’s name was inspired by Upper Island Cove’s longstanding nickname, The Walled City, a reference to its location at the bottom of steep cliffs.

Director of Public Relations Nancy Lieff said the board members are people who love their community, recognize the wealth of talent in their town and the surrounding area, and want to strengthen community spirit and raise money to go back into the town.

All seven board members live in Upper Island Cove, with more than half of them having been raised there.

“To be honest, a lot of the people on our board and who are involved with the acting, you can tell entertainment is in their blood,” said Lieff.

Lieff has always been interested in the arts, playing musical instruments and enjoying creative writing and drawing from a young age. She majored in English literature before deciding to study addiction science and become a therapist. After spending time in Alberta, she returned home to Newfoundland to raise her family. She connected with several board members through their involvement in St. Peter’s Anglican Parish, where Lieff serves as organist.

WCE got its unofficial start four years ago when the members organized a comedy show to raise money for the church. Following this, the members began to think they would enjoy performing themselves. The next two years they put on their own plays, recruiting others from the area to join the cast. They realized they might be able to support other institutions and hoped to encourage youths to join WCE and give them experience and the confidence to perform. This year, WCE became an official not-for-profit.

Lieff praised the talent of those in her hometown. “I think people from Upper Island Cove are literal born entertainers,” she said.

WCE currently focuses on musical performances and theatre. The members hope to collaborate and work with local talent, and this is not limited to Upper Island Cove. They also welcome performers regardless of their level of experience.

“You don’t need to be fully experienced. You just need to love arts, and want to try, and be committed,” said Lieff. “We’ve got people from all backgrounds.”

Cast members range in age from 12 to over 80, and includes neurodiverse individuals.

When asked why groups like WCE are important, Lieff said, “It cannot be said enough, in my    opinion, the need for belonging and the need for connection. And that makes people well…  You want to keep your town strong and have a lot of sense of pride. People from Upper Island Cove are known for having a strong sense of community pride and ingenuity, very original thinkers and creative people. So, I think that’s why groups like Walled City Entertainment exist.”

WCE’s board consists of Lieff, President Brent Peddle, Vice President Robert Clarke, Treasurer and director of production Darren Mercer, director of arts Sharon Spry, director of grants and funding Nicole Walsh, and Secretary Janean Peddle.