Jessamine Manchester

When Scott Thompson’s character Buddy Cole emerged onto television with The Kids in the Hall, he described himself as "actor, singer, dancer, model, Canadian." In the four decades since, Buddy Cole has proven to be much more. This persona has transcended mediums, including television, autobiography, webseries, and live performances, while always remaining both bitingly honest and larger than life. This surrealist satire has mired Buddy (and his creator) in frequent controversy, yet Buddy never seems to stay down. As Scott Thompson repeatedly introduces this creation into changing cultural landscapes, it leads one to ask, “What makes Buddy Cole a problem? (and, more often than not, his own solution?)”

On August 5, 2023, auditions were held for the independent produced horror film entitled “Her Nightmare” — the story of a young couple who come to realize that their dream house is haunted. Alas, the film was never produced. Casting director Roger Ehren invited several actors to audition for the roles, and made a conscious decision to have the actors read all of the key narrative scenes in the screenplay. This allows for a reconstruction of the film, suggesting what it might have been.