It’s time for another Alumni Spotlight. This time, we’ll talk to Tomek Sysak, who is still an active volunteer for Cappies (even though he is pretty busy as a journalism student now — thanks, Tomek!). Tomek was nominated for Male Critic in 2008 and for Lead Actor in a Musical in 2006, as well as for Ensemble in a Musical in 2008 for Merivale’s production of Bat Boy. Tomek was one of those rare critics who also performed, so he always brought great experience to the critics’ room in terms of helping everyone understand the level of difficulty of a performance. It was no surprise, of course, when Tomek decided to pursue a career in journalism — he was published in the Citizen more than once.
Name: Tomek Sysak
Tomek Sysak was Merivale's Lead Critic in 2007. Photo by Jana Chytilova.
Alma mater: Graduated from Merivale High School in 2008.
Number of years as a critic: Two years. Grade 11 and Grade 12 as a critic.
What I’m studying now: Journalism and history at Carleton University.
My first impression of Cappies: I remember hearing whispers about Cappies from my musical-mates when we were performing Lucky Stiff. I had no idea what Cappies was in Grade 10. I didn’t really know what they were going on about, until those reviews came in. We all sat down in the hall and pored over the reviews. I was so excited to read through and see the honest opinions people had of our show. In that stack there were good and bad reviews, but that’s not what mattered. Those critics had sat in our auditorium, and had felt something. They had bothered to write something about our show. Their honest opinions helped me learn about myself and my show: how it was perceived, what was liked and disliked about it etc. I knew, reading those reviews, that this was the kind of community I wanted to join. A community that is supportive, honest and creative; and I’ve been hooked ever since.
My impression at my final show: When I wrapped up Cappies, I was standing on the stage in Southam Hall, performing as part of the Cappies Chorus. Standing on that stage, staring out into that scarlet auditorium as the curtains came down, I was simply happy. I was happy I had the opportunity to make such wonderful friends, to perform on the Southam stage, to join my school’s musicals, to share my performances outside Cappies with family and friends; really, I was happy with everything I had done. Not often do you get such unbound freedom to be creative as you do in Cappies. It was so much fun. I was happy because I knew I’d always love the time I spent in Cappies.
Most valuable skill I learned in Cappies: Be honest. You’re not doing anyone any favours by being too nice, nor are you being a good critic by being too harsh. Be honest with others, and you’ll get their respect.
The best part about Cappies discussions: Hearing other perspectives on the show. Even the introverts get a chance to speak their minds. You can learn a lot from others if you give them the chance to speak. In one show, a thin and lanky girl played all the musical accompaniment on piano, along with all the sound effects. Everyone in the critics’ room was speaking her praises, until one critic piped up: she told the critics’ room that the piano player was doing it without sheet music. She was improvising the whole show. Everyone was flabbergasted.
Best Cappies food: The best kind of Cappies food is a hearty meal. One year, Earl of March set up an Oklahoma!-themed critics’ room. There was pulled-pork, salsa, nachos, dips, coffee, and all sorts of cakes. Needless to say, I pigged out. All said, the critics’ finished maybe half. It’s amazing how Southern hospitality made that Oklahoma!-themed staff room feel warm and inviting, whereas a staff room with chips and Coca-Cola can feel cold and empty.
Funniest moment in Cappies: Anytime spent around Cappies is sure to end in laughs.
What I miss most about Cappies: Getting the opportunity to see some spectacular shows. Honestly, some of these high school shows have blown professional shows out of the water: the raw, tear-jerking emotion, the hilarity, the wonderful voices and the spectacular acting. I miss it all.
What I don’t miss about Cappies: Trucking out to all sorts of schools in the middle of winter. One dark, windy, winter night I was busing out to Orléans for a show. I had forgotten my map, but I had a rough idea of where I was going. Turning out of my neighbourhood, the bus driver politely told me that this bus was heading straight back to the bus depot. I was told I’d have to get out, in the middle of a corn field, and wait for the next bus. I got off with a girl about my age. We waited in the cold night, as cars whizzed by. The bus didn’t come for half an hour. Worried, the girl and I decided to hitchhike. My shoes were canvas, and I was losing feeling in my toes. Ten minutes with our thumbs out, and a wonderful man named Peter pulled over. He drove us to South Keys. Thankfully, I had left my home early that day (an unusual occurrence). There was a slim chance I’d make it on time; except I didn’t know where I was going. I arrived at Place d’Orléans and stepped out into the neighbourhoods. Twisting and turning down residential streets, in the cold and in the dark, I just kept walking. I couldn’t really feel my feet by this point, only pressure on my foot bones. Some twists and turns later, I looked at the time. I started running. If I didn’t find the school soon, I was going to be late. That, and I’d probably lose my feet. Honestly, it felt like a miracle when the school emerged from behind some houses. I’ve never been so happy to see Saint Matthew High School in my life. (Ed’s note: Don’t. Hitchhike. To. Cappies. Shows. Ever.)
My favourite discussion mentor: I don’t know.
My all-time favourite Cappies show: Had to have been columbinus, put on by Ashbury College. In that small, dark auditorium, I watched electric performers put on a heart-wrenching drama. columbinus is about the Columbine shootings that happened in Colorado. You could look around the auditorium that night and see most, if not all, of the critics crying. I’ve never seen so much heart put into a show.
My most memorable Gala moment: Performing “Rules, Regulations and Respect” in Southam Hall, from our show Zombie Prom. We were nominated for best musical, thus we were performing an excerpt. About 30 of us filed onto the stage, set ourselves up in three rows and began. Sarah Kehler was Ms. Strict and was the lead singer in the song. She put on a spectacular performance with so much energy. I was in the Chorus. I loved it. By the end of it, we were singing and dancing with so much energy that we went off-time from the band. But we rode our energy through to the end. We bulldozed right through the accompanying music and finished the song breathless. I felt like we set the stage on fire that night.
Tomek performs the role of Jonny Warner in Merivale's Cappies show, Zombie Prom, with his co-star, Melin Peng in the role of Toffee. Photo by Jana Chytilova.
My favourite Gala VIPs: Mauler and Rush. Both are radio personalities, and are such great hosts. They’re so funny, so likeable, and so casual. They really help get everyone into a feel-good mood.
Favourite Gala excerpt: I love the Gala excerpts. Honestly, they’re my favourite part of the Gala, and probably my favourite part of the Cappies program. Sitting there in those red, comfy seats at the National Arts Centre, you enjoy a snapshot of the year’s best performances. I always regret not having seen all the shows. My favourite excerpt was in 2006. Earl of March put on Jesus Christ Superstar, and their excerpt included some incredible dancing. Some of the guys were picking girls up like in cheerleading, and the girls were performing up on the guys’ hands. Behind was a chorus line of dancers, all in these fantastic outfits. It was mesmerizing. It was also incredibly intimidating, considering they were in the running for Best Musical with my school.
If I could give critics one piece of advice: Have fun. Not too much fun as to screw up someone’s name, but enough to enjoy the process. In Cappies get to write whatever you want about great shows. Be creative. Enjoy yourself. Embrace the challenge of writing and don’t be intimidated by it.
My Cappies moto, in three words: Go see shows.
Another great shot of Tomek and Melin in Zombie Prom. Photo by Jana Chytilova.
