WELCOME TO THE NEPTUNE THEATRE SCHOOL PRODUCTION OF
THE NEPTUNE THEATRE SCHOOL PRODUCTION OF
N E P T U N E T H E AT R E . C O M
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@NEPTUNETHEATRE Neptune Theatre is located on sacred land that has been the site of human activity since time immemorial. We are in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq, and we acknowledge them as the past, present and future caretakers of this land. As artists, we are grateful to work and build community here. As stewards of culture, we commit to continuing to improve our relations with Indigenous people and upholding values of collaboration and inclusivity in all that we do. We recommend that masks be worn in our venues. As our theatres place the audience so close to the action on stage, masking helps protect not only audience members but also the actors, who cannot wear masks when performing. By keeping them safe, we all can help prevent COVID-related performance cancellations. Any videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited. The use of cameras, cellular phones, paging devices and all other recording devices is strictly prohibited in the theatre. Please ensure all cellular phones and watch alarms are turned off. Neptune Theatre is a scent-free environment. Neptune Theatre is a member of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres and engages, under the terms of the Canadian Theatre Agreement, professional Artists who are members of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association. Neptune Theatre engages professional technicians represented by IATSE Local 680.
Neptune Theatre acknowledges the support of our government partners:
The Company Director’s Message Executive Director’s Message About the Play Biographies
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This show is comprised of a cast of young performers through Neptune Theatre School’s Youth Performance Company. This show is approximately 2 hours, including an intermission. This show will contain some flashing lights.
THE COMPANY
CAST Alex Annis Alex MacDonald Bridget Carrigan Conor Pottie Isabelle Foster Jessy Peters Jimmy Gold Joel Chiasson Jordan Angevine Joseph Salah Kalan McKay MJ Massey Natalie Webber Neve Lohnes Sabine Morris Sivan Nurilov Sol Miller Solène Gadbois Rae Steeves Rowan Charman Vera Dunlop Vaillancourt
MARVALYN PETE SANDRINE DAVE GINETTE SUZETTE / TOWNSPERSON STEVE PHIL EAST JIMMY LENDALL WAITRESS RHONDA GLORY MA DUDLEY/ TOWNSPERSON SHELLY MAN GAYLE MARCI DEENA HOPE
SPECIAL THANK YOU’S Neptune Staff Alistair Symms Lucas Arab Julia Topple Amanda Burnett and the Parent Squad Freeman’s Pizza
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CREATIVE TEAM Laura Caswell* Ryan Wilcox Brenda Chicas-Duran Jakob Terry Ryan Rafuse Karen Bassett* Samantha Wilson* Maddie Maitzen Sara Courtney
Director Set & Lighting Designer Costume Designer Musician/Composer Sound Designer Fight Director Intimacy Director Stage Manager Assistant Stage Manager
*The participation of these Artists are arranged by permission of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association under the provisions of the Dance Opera Theatre Policy
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DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
I have had the pleasure of living and working in many small towns over the years and some of my favourite memories are of simplest moments on cold winter nights; snuggling with a loved one on a park bench, stargazing and engaging in deep conversations in an abandoned field, confessing secret feelings in a dark dingy basement. These seemingly simple events are the ones that have paved my path and changed the course of my life. Almost Maine grabbed me for that reason; a play about everyday people exploring regular relationships, expressing new feelings and being surprised by life’s quirky magical magical moments. How are these people changed? What will happen next? Much of this is left for you to consider as you leave the theatre.
Our company of twenty one youth and our incredible emerging artist creative team have created a wonderful world, a world where you love each and every character and are constantly surprised by what happens next. Snuggly, silly and sometimes sentimental, we hope you are reminded of a special moment in your life. We are so excited to share this production with you - our first YPCo play since 2020. Jeezum Crow! We know you will love it. Laura Caswell
Director of Almost Maine
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE I am thrilled to welcome you to the Youth Performance Company’s production of Almost, Maine. This is the first play the YPCo program has been able to schedule since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, and it’s fantastic to welcome these young thespians back to the building.
If you’re interested in supporting our Theatre School, you can contact Director of Education Laura Caswell at lcaswell@neptunetheatre.com Kimberlee Stadelmann Executive Director
The young actors who make up our YPCo program are dedicated, talented, and driven - all traits that will serve them well moving forward. The Theatre School is a leader in inclusive programming, and has been the leader in bringing ASL interpretation, audio description, and Relaxed Performances across our audiences here at Neptune.
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ABOUT THE PLAY
On a cold, clear winter night, under the northern lights the residents of Almost, Maine find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and hilarious ways. Knees are bruised and hearts are broken in this delightful midwinter night’s dream
“Romantic, poignant, and hilariously funny” The Edmonton Sun
“A whimsical approach to the joys and perils of romance. Magical happenings bloom beneath the snowdrifts” The New York Times
“Theatrical, surprising and engaging throughout, balancing sweet and tart” The Los Angeles Times
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THE CAST
MARVALYN
PETE
SANDRINE
dave
Alex Annis
Alex MacDonald
Bridget Carrigan
Conor Pottie
east
JIMMY
LENDALL
WAITRESS
Jordan Angevine
Joseph Salah
Kalan McKay
MJ Massey
Ma Dudley / Townsperson
SHELLY
MAN
Sivan Nurilov
Sol Miller
Sabine Morris
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GINETTE
SUZETTE
STEVE
PHIL
Isabelle Foster
Jessy Peters
Jimmy Gold
Joel Chiasson
RHONDA
GLORY
MARCI
DEENA
Natalie Webber
Neve Lohnes
Rae Steeves
Rowan Charman
GAYLE
HOPE
Solène Gadbois
Vera Dunlop Vaillancourt
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CREATIVE TEAM LAURA CASWELL ROLE: Director Laura has been the Director of Education for the Neptune Theatre School for eight years. She trained in New York and London, UK and is an accomplished performer, director and choreographer. Other directing credits for Neptune have included Argyle Street Kitchen Party, Little Women, Frozen Jr, My Side of the Country, Fall Out and Forest in My Room. You can catch Caswell as “Georgie” in Neptune’s upcoming production of The Full Monty in Spring 2024. Laura is the proud dog-momma to @belladaballdog.
RYAN WILCOX ROLE: Set / Lighting Designer Ryan Wilcox (they/them) is a Transfemme theatre creator and settler in Kjipuktuk, and a graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada’s Production Design and Technical Arts Program. They are passionate about reforming the performing arts industry to be more accessible and inclusive of the diverse communities across Mi’kma’ki. Ryan recently returned to Kjipuktuk from a summer in Gander, NL, where they were the assistant lighting designer on Come From Away.
BRENDA CHICAS-DURAN ROLE: Costume Designer Brenda has been in the show business for 14 years wearing many hats in each department. She earned a BFA in Theatre Production and Design at York University and has worked all over the GTA as a designer and technician. Since living and working in Nova Scotia, she’s won the 2023 Wes Daniels Design Merritt Award. She is extremely thankful for all the support from family and friends. Her recent theatre credits: Downed Hearts ( Ships Company Theatre / EFT), Pinocchio/ Romeo and Juliet (Shakespeare By The Sea) Mischief/ Colonial Park ( YPCo,Neptune Theatre), Miracle on 31st Street ( Saint John Theatre Company), Glass Menagerie ( ARC), Beyond the Sea ( Victoria Playhouse), #iamthecheese (HTFYP/EFT), Fat Juliet( EFT).
JAKOB TERRY ROLE: Musician/Composer Jakob Terry is a 19 year old multi-instrumentalist and composer from Truro, Nova Scotia. Performing since the age of 4, Jakob started playing Irish traditional music on the fiddle, but quickly moved towards jazz on the alto saxophone and then eventually into musical theatre. Having been a part of Neptune theatre programs in the past, Jakob is very excited to make his theatre composition debut where he learned to hone his performing skills. ALMOST MAINE 17
CREATIVE TEAM RYAN RAFUSE ROLE: Sound Designer NEPTUNE: Little Women The Musical, Elf The Musical, Billy Elliot The Musical, The Play That Goes Wrong (Tech Crew) OTHER THEATRE: The Cunning Little Vixen (Set, Lighting, and Sound Design), The Tamer Tamed (Lighting Design), Peer Gynt (Lighting Design), People, Places & Things (Sound Design) [FSPA]. OTHER SELECT CREDITS INCLUDE: Cosi Fan Tutte (Opera Nova Scotia | Scenic, Lighting Design), Rain on the Parade (Villains Theatre | Sound Design and Mixer); Watch Over Me (Mulgrave Road Theatre | Lighting, Sound Design & Technical Director) OTHER: 2023 graduate with a Bachelor of Arts, First Class Honours in Design and Technical Theatre from Dalhousie University.
KAREN BASSETT ROLE: Fight director NEPTUNE: The Play That Goes Wrong, Billy Elliot the Musical, Ballad of the Motherland, Misery, the Color Purple, Shakespeare in Love, Hamlet, In a World Created by a Drunken God, What a Young Wife Ought to Know, Masked, Stag and Doe OTHER THEATRE: Numerous credits with Theatre New Brunswick, Ship’s Company Theatre, Festival Antigonish, Villain’s Theatre, Two Planks and a Passion, Shakespeare by the Sea OTHER: Big thanks to my personal trainer and son, Isaiah Reade, and my trusted collaborator, Theofani Pitsiavas.
SAMANTHA WILSON ROLE: Intimacy Director NEPTUNE: Misery, Cradle and All (actor); Rocky Horror Show, In Lieu of Flowers (ID), Shape of a Girl, Liars (director) OTHER SELECTED THEATRE: Downed Hearts, Dayboil, Odd Ducks, Tuesdays and Sundays (Ship’s Company Theatre); Steel Magnolias (Watermark Theatre); When it Rains (2b Theatre); Where You Are, Sexy Laundry (Theatre Baddeck) The Roaring Girl, In The Next Room (Sheridan College), Women of Troy, The Secret in the Wings (Dalhousie University); Strawberries in January, The Paris Crew (Live Bait Theatre); Really Really, Unity 1918 (Mount Allison); Marion Bridge (STC) SELECTED TV/FILM: To The Moon, Look at Me, Diggstown, Moonshine, Night Blooms, S&V, Trailer Park Boys, Haven, Queer as Folk, Legends and So Close. TRAINING: Samantha holds an MFA from York University and has taught and directed at Sheridan College, Mount Allison, York, Acadia and Dalhousie University. OTHER: Forever and always; thanks to Peter, Jack and Nick for their love and support.
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MADDIE MAITZEN (SHE/HER) ROLE: Stage Manager NEPTUNE: Les Miserables, Frozen Jr, Little Women OTHER THEATRE: The Drowsy Chaperone, Jesus Christ Superstar (Citadel High School), Dido and Aneas, A Northern Lights Dream, The Cunning Little Vixen (Fountain School of Performing Arts). OTHER: Maddie works at the Neptune Theatre School as an administrator and instructor. She has a passion for classical, musical theatre, and pop music as well as stage management.
SARA COURTNEY (SHE/THEY) ROLE: Assistant Stage Manager NEPTUNE: Runaways, My Side of the Country, Les Misérables OTHER THEATRE: The Firebird (Terra Novella), Into the Woods (Alive Theatre), Mind the Light (EFT Stages Festival), No Clue (Grafton Street Dinner Theatre), Project Arc (Mite Theatre) OTHER: Sara has been working with the theatre school for the last six years, as an instructor of classes for all ages.
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PRODUCTION SPONSOR
Nova Scotia Teachers Union
Nova Scotia Teachers Union
FOUNDATIONS
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THEATRE PARTNERS
GOVERNMENT PARTNERS
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TIM MARGOLIAN AND DAWN FRAIL FOUNDATION
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