Our Town

Director

Jane is an Assistant Professor and teaches Acting and Voice for the Actor in the Drama Division of the School of Creative and Performing Arts.  She is the Resident Voice Coach for Theatre Calgary, where she has worked on over 85 productions and is the Associate Director of the annual production of A Christmas Carol.  She has also worked with Alberta Theatre Projects, Vertigo Theatre, The Shakespeare Company, Lunchbox Theatre, and One Yellow Rabbit.  She is a founding member an past-president of the National Voice Association.  

Set, props, and costume designer

SCPA: 

Design for Wagonstage (2022, 2024); co-design Pro Series II: Just Breathe, Okâwîmâwaskiy (2022, 2023); costume design Horse Girls (2022); production design assistant Formations (2022) and We The Same (2021).

Other Credits: 

Assistant lighting and projection design The Lehman Trilogy (Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre); assistant lighting designer Begin Again and Play Cowboy (Winnipeg Contemporary Dancers); apprentice lighting designer The Mountaintop (RMTC); assistant set and props design Casey and Diana and Women of the Fur Trade (Stratford Festival); assistant costume design Murder on the Orient Express (Vertigo Theatre). 

Katriona is a graduate of the University of Calgary drama program. Other work can be found online at @k.dunn.designs

Katriona would like to thank the University of Calgary for this opportunity and their partner for their support throughout this show.

Zakk is studying education and drama at the University of Calgary. Selected acting credit Shakespeare in Love (SCPA). Selected fight direction credits include The Thin Man (Vertigo Theatre); Tosca, Hannaraptor (Calgary Opera); Treasure Island (Central Memorial High School); Victors, Villains, and Vixens (Shakespeare by the Bow); The Elephant Calf (Theatre Encounter); Queenpins of Ponoka (Sour Dog Theatre); Brilliant Traces (Theatre of Consequence); Pistachio Crumble (The Nut house) and Mercurio & Tybalt (Valour and Tea). Assistant fight direction for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (Alberta Theatre Projects); The Lonely Diner, Nine Dragons (Vertigo Theatre); West Side Story (StoryBook Theatre); As you like it (Shakespeare by the Bow); Macbeth, All’s Well That Ends Well, The Three Musketeers (The Shakespeare Company); A Christmas Carol 2016 (Theatre Calgary). 

Neil is a mixed Anglo-Canadian settler from Bawating (Sault Ste. Marie) in Northern Ontario. He is an award-winning, writer, producer, and designer based in Mohkinstsis. He feels blessed, honoured and exciting to be part of Our Town for the SCPA. Neil designed the set for the 2019 production of his play Last Christmas, and lighting for Shopaholic - Husband Hunt. He has designed locally for Lunchbox Theatre - Twelve Days, Last Christmas, and Shopaholic - Husband Hunt, Downstage - And So It Goes, Arm’s Length Embrace, Sia, Goodness, Bone Cage, New West Theatre - The Attic, The Pearls, and Three Fine Girls, An Almost Perfect Things, In a World Created by a Drunken God and The Kitchen Witches, and Making Treaty 7 - Kaahsinnoniks (tour), Okotoks, 509, Napi and the Rock (with CPO)

Mrs. Webb

For SCPA: Magnetic Bodies (in collaboration with the Alchemy Festival and Downstage). For the Festival of Animated Objects: Magpie and Squirrel (ruhycollective) (ongoing) and The 2024 Student Showcase. For other theatres: Danza de los Viejitos (Ignite Festival) and Where Have All the Witches Gone (The Scorched Woman Collective, Calgary Fringe Festival). Further interest: Co-Creator of r u home yet collective, Co-President for the Drama Undergraduate Program, Mask maker for Esperanza (ongoing) and Magpie and Squirrel (ongoing), Senior Student Producer for The Wolves (SCPA), Co-Designer for Good as Gold (Flip Side), Artist in Residence for Sparrow Artspace (ruhycollective), and Lead Scenic Painter for Shakespeare in Love (SCPA). Abby is enrolled at the University of Calgary as a Drama Major with a Visual Studies (Art) Minor. She is on an endless quest to create works that combine her love of visual art and performance in a way that moves people and brings them together.

Mrs. Gibbs

For SCPA: The Wolves

Other projects: Festival of Animated Objects 2024 Student Showcase

Further Interests: Devyn is a fourth year student at the University of Calgary pursuing a dual Drama/Education degree. She hopes to teach at a secondary school level to share her passion for the arts with the younger generations. Outside of rehearsal, Devyn will likely be found playing volleyball or screaming to music in her car. She thanks her family for their love and endless support; and thanks YOU for coming to the show!

Rebecca Gibbs, Lady in the box, Sam Craig, another man among the dead and she is understudying for Emily Webb

SCPA: Lights Out, A Monster Calls, Argonautika and Horse Girls 

Other projects: Elise has been in many other projects throughout her acting career including her upcoming show the epic quest of the damsels in distress (Nose Creek Players), she was also a part of the 2024 student showcase (festival of animated objects), Riverona (Full Circle Theatre)

Further Interests: When Elise is also a part of the University of Calgary chorus and has performed alongside the Bach choir and the Calgary Philharmonic. 

Howie Newsome, Mr. Carter, Baseball player and understudying for Mr. Webb

SCPA: Debut. Other projects: Festival of animated Objects Maks and Mime piece as Paolo. He's ecstatic to make his SCPA debut in this incredible piece. He thanks his Family and friends for their support.

Stage Manager

For SCPA: Illegal Entry

Other Projects: The Container, Green Key, Festival of Animated Objects

Further Interests: Haider is passionate about both playing and watching sports. He also finds himself working on Azure Data Factory creating databases and data pipelines in his free time.

George Gibbs

For SCPA: The Book of Joan, Lights Out, Shakespeare in Love, A Monster Calls, WROL (Without Rule of Law). Other Projects: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical, Bring It On: The Musical (Storybook Theatre), Where Have All the Witches Gone? (Scorched Woman Collective, Calgary Fringe Festival), 2024 Student Showcase (Festival of Animated Objects), Candy Cane Kids (Occasional Notes), Kinky Boots, Mamma Mia! (Front Row Centre Players). Further Interests: Ian is currently completing two degrees, one in psychology and one in drama. He is an award-winning singer, having competed in several vocal festivals. He is grateful for the opportunity to bring such an iconic show to life. He wants to thank his family for their ongoing support, and the cast and crew of Our Town for their hard work. 

Joe Crowell, Wally Webb, Constable Warren. Understudying: George Gibbs

For SCPA: Danza de los Viejitos, Lights Out, Shakespeare in Love. Other Projects: Beyond The Moon (Created by Me), Munsch Ado About Nothing (Directed by Jessica Buchanan), A Number (Directed by Mariza Iturbe-Becerril), Don't Fear the Reaper (Nickel and Dime Student Theatre), Danza de los Viejitos (Ignite Festival), 2024 Student Showcase (Festival of Animated Objects), Stand Up (Nickel and Dime Student Theatre). Further Interests: Andrés has an unsatiable craving for all things drama, including, but not limited to, musicals, improv shows, devised theatre, mask performances, background work, and more recently, puppetry! Outside of the theatre, Andrés loves to play volleyball with friends to stay active, make music, or stay in and play some boardgames. 

Mrs. Soames, Understudy for Mrs. Gibbs

For SCPA: Debut, Alchemy Festival: The Bear directed by Liam Akehurst. 

Other projects: Festival of Animated Objects: 2024 Student Showcase, MTU Calgary Grease the Musical, Perfect Pie directed by Deedra Ladoucer. 

Further Interests: Jessica Nucaza is a fourth year student at the University of Calgary, currently pursuing two degrees in Drama and Education. Outside of school and work, you can find her passionately serving in different ministries within her church, as well as getting herself a sweet little treat every chance she gets! She is extremely grateful for the opportunity to be part of this show, and she thanks her friends and family for all their love and support! 

 Emily Webb

For SCPA: Danza De Los Viejitos, Talking To Your Kids About Guns!, Lights Out, Shakespeare in Love, A Monster Calls, The Tao of the World. Other projects: Magpahayag, Black Dog: 4 vs the World, 2024 Student Showcase (Festival of Animated Objects), Doubt, Without Rule of Law. Further Interests: Joseri Mae is also the Marketing & Media Coordinator and the Treasurer for the UofC Nickel & Dime Theatre. She is also a playwright and is writing an upcoming show The To-Do List. Joseri also enjoys singing and dancing—she is a member of the ERA dance group. She hates popcorn (except caramel popcorn) and she loves coffee. Joseri is very honoured, and excited to be a part of this touching play and grateful for all the support she got from her family, friends, and her younger self! 

Simon Stimson, Other Cast, Understudying: Doc Gibbs 

For SCPA Main Stages: Lights Out, Shakespeare in Love, Argonautika, Much Ado About Nothing, Tao of the World 

For SCPA Alchemy: Danza de los Viejitos, Talking to Your Kids About Guns, Monster Calls, Horse Girls 

Other Theatre: Danza de los Viejitos (Ignite Festival) 2024 Student Showcase (Festival of Animated Objects), Date Night (Sunflower Collective, Calgary Fringe), Heartache (Reckless Daughter Collective), Kindling (Downstage Stage-It! Program), 10 Minute Play Festival (High Performance Rodeo), Concord Floral (Theatre Junction)

Further Interests: Keith is in his Fifth and last year as a drama student at the University of Calgary. At his time at the university, he was the President and Secretary for the Drama Undergraduate Society, and is the current Artistic Director for the Nickel and Dime Student Theatre. His goal is to create art to honour, highlight and create community for marginalized communities.

Assistant Stage Manager (Props/Sets)

SCPA: Running Crew in Shakespeare in Love

Other Credits: 

Assistant Stage Manager (Wardrobe) for Good As Gold (FlipSide Theatre Collective)

Further Interests: 
Kyle is a second year drama major at the University of Calgary. Her main interests are to improve her skills as an actor and expand her knowledge on Stage Management but is still open to learning other aspects of theatre. As she continues to the future, she hopes to keep experiencing being a part of the creating process of a piece that connects other people. Kyle's grateful for the amount of opportunities presented to her so far and thankful for the guidance of both her mentors and fellow peers.

SCPA: Backstage Crew for Lights Out (2024), acted in U Need FRIES with That (2024).

Other Credits: Assistant Stage Manger Props for Good as Gold (2024).

Laura is an emerging artist currently studying Drama at the University of Calgary. She has been doing some form of theatre since she was a kid, but because of her never-ending curiosity, she continues to explore theatre and all its aspects! She is really passionate about movement, acting, and stage management and has a background in dance, circus and theatre. She is excited to continue learning about stage management and is very happy to be a part of such a great team! 

Stage Manager

SCPA:
Lights Out (2024); U Need FRIES With That (2024).

 Other Credits:
Loves’ Heavy Burden (The Shakespeare Company); Good as Gold (FlipSide Theatre Collective); The Button of Love(DramaOne)

Further Interest: 
Acting in Don’t Fear the Reaper (Nickel and Dime Student Theatre); Lighting Board Operator in Shakespeare in Love (SCPA); Producer in How to Achieve Online Success and Assistant Set & Props Designer in Disco Pig (The Chinese University of Hong Kong Shaw College Drama Club).
 

Lucas is in his last semester of his undergraduate Drama program in the University of Calgary. Looking ahead, Lucas is excited about what's next. Whether it's stage management or anything else in theatre, he's all in. He is grateful for the opportunities he's had so far and can't wait to see where the future takes him next.

Understudying: Rebecca, Professor Willard

For SCPA: Debut

Mackenzie is a second year student at the University of Calgary, majoring in drama. Mackenzie is an emerging artist who is passionate about exploring the arts in all aspects. She is incredibly excited about being apart of Our Town and is extremely grateful to have been given this opportunity. 

Stage Manager

SCPA

Drama: 
Lights Out
MFA Directing Projects

Dance:
TransFORM (2024)

Outside SCPA:
Harmony the Musical
Festival of Animated Objects 2024 Student Showcase

Other Interests:
Assistant Lighting Million Dollar Quartet
Dancer (Hip Hop/Breakdance and Contemporary)
Singer and Musician (solo project: hmsf)
Audio Engineering and Music Production Certificate from SAE

Mr. Webb

Within the University: Shakespeare in Love, A & B, Much Ado About Nothing. Other projects: A performer in the Festival of Animated Objects, Othello - A Staged Reading, Legally Blonde! The Musical, Grease. Outside of acting, Oli is a playwright. Most recent works include a new play FEED, produced by Nickle and Dime Theatre. Other interests include: Stage management, and two lovely dogs named Boomer and Murphy. 

Understudying: Joe Crowell Jr, Howie Newsome, Wally Webb, Belligerent Man, Simon Stimson, Constable Warren, Si Crowell, Baseball Player, and Mr. Carter

For SCPA: Much Ado About Nothing, The Fog Experiments, Shakespeare in Love, The Final Chorus

Further Interests: Ryan is in their third year of study, pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drama with a minor in psychology. They're deeply passionate about sharing stories through their acting, and hope one day to inspire others the way their favourite characters inspired them. Outside of theatre, he loves cheering on his favourite hockey teams, epic car karaoke sessions, and taking their roommates on spontaneous sight-seeing adventures. Sometimes he just can't ignore the call of a clear night sky and the cool mountain air!

Professor Willard, Joe Stoddard, Baseball Player, and Man Among the Dead. She is understudying for Mrs. Soames. 

For SCPA: The Wolves, Magnetic Bodies (in collaboration with Downstage Theatre), A Monster Calls, Argonautika, and The Bus Stop. 

Other Projects: Esperanza (Festival of Animated Objects),  2024 Student Showcase (Festival of Animated Objects), Othello, and Dr. Voynich and her Children. 

Further Interests: When Kali is not acting she enjoys playing sports and finds herself busy working as a Kinesiologist. She also enjoys writing and fashion/costume design. She has a cat named Billu who she loves very much. 

Dr. Gibs 

For SCPA: Girl on Parade (Upcoming) The Wolves, Magnetic Bodies (In collaboration with The Alchemy Festival and Downstage) Lights Out, Shakespeare in Love, and The Little Forest (Wagonstage). Other Projects: Where Have All the Witches Gone? (Scorched Women Collective-Calgary Fringe Festival), 2024 Student Showcase (Festival of Animated Objects), HOME, Absence, The Container, Green Key (Saeid Asgarian-Roommate Art Company and Ignite Festival), Unplugged, The Hits Reimagined (Broadway Dreams Theatre Calgary). Further Interests: Sophia is an ambitiously interdisciplinary artist. They love to create and share stories and have a deep love for playwriting and directing. They also have quite an attraction to the piano, if they see a piano, they must play it, and often only play by ear. You may catch Sophia memorizing their lines in aggressive thought or sipping on some sweet sweet iced tea. 

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Woman in the box, baseball player, woman among the dead, Understudy Mrs. Webb

For SCPA: Debut

Other projects: Festival of Animated Objects

Further interests: Willow is in her fourth year working to complete her BFA degree. Over the past four years she has enjoyed growing as an artist and a person in the beautiful city of Calgary. Willow is from Ontario and was drawn to UofC due to the close proximity to the Rockies and her love of snowboarding. As much as she loves it here she misses her parents, brothers and her adorable puppy back home. Willow will be graduating this spring and is looking to continue her education here in Calgary. Willow hopes to achieve her B.Ed and share her love for theatre with younger generations in the future.

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