Bard Company Biographies

the company

Carmen Alatorre Romeo and Juliet: Costume Designer Originally from Mexico, Carmen is a Latinx artist who earned her MFA degree in Theatre Design at uBC (2010) and has lived in the unceded traditional territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First nations (Vancouver) since 2006. Some of her recent design credits were seen in companies such as the Arts Club, Bard on the Beach, Globe Theatre Regina, Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, Citadel, electric Company, Milwaukee Rep, and Chicago Shakespeare. Carmen is an Assistant Professor at the university of Victoria. She is also a recipient of three Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards. carmenalatorre.com

Christopher Allen A Midsummer night’s Dream: Demetrius For Bard: Debut. Selected Theatre: Orphans for the Czar (Crow’s Theatre); Sweat (Canadian Stage); The Birds and the Bees (Arts Club); Antigone: Fong (Young People’s Theatre); The Birds and the Bees (TIP/WCT); Selfie (Young People’s Theatre); The Whipping Man (Winnipeg Jewish Theatre); Julius Caesar and The Comedy of errors (Canadian Stage); and The Adonis Project (Piece of Mine Festival). Selected Film/TV: Coroner (CBC); Murdoch Mysteries (CBC, Citytv); and Workin’ Moms (CBC). Awards: Outstanding Performance ensemble – Dora Mavor Moore Award (2018).

Ghazal Azarbad Romeo and Juliet: Juliet Born in Mashhad, Iran and raised in Vancouver, Ghazal is an actor and creator whose select theatre credits include Bunny (The Search Party); east Van Panto (Theatre Replacement); Being Here: The Refugee Story (Belfry); The Seagull and Innocence Lost (Soulpepper); Shakespeare in Love (Bard); and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the night-Time (Arts Club). TV/Film credits include Float (Lionsgate); Charmed (CW); and Kim’s Convenience (CBC). She is the writer/creator of Dear Konstantin (Spotify) and Tãrof (currently in process).

Zoe Bellis A Midsummer night’s Dream: Assistant Stage Manager Zoe is very excited to be back under the tents this season and is honoured to work and play on the unceded and ancestral lands of the Coast Salish people. Select credits include All’s Well That ends Well, Coriolanus, Timon of Athens, and Lysistrata (Bard on the Beach); east Van Panto: Wizard of Oz and east Van Panto: Snow White (Theatre Replacement); and The Marvelous Wonderettes (Chemainus Theatre Festival). Deep thanks to Mom, Dad, and Chris for the endless support.

Kate Besworth A Midsummer night’s Dream: Titania Kate is a writer and theatre performer who lives and works on the unceded and stolen lands of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First nations. Previous productions with Bard on the Beach: Done/undone, Shakespeare in Love, The Taming of the Shrew, Timon of Athens, Macbeth, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, and The Merchant of Venice.

Emily Bosak A Midsummer night’s Dream: Fairy (Peaseblossom) emily is a dance artist practicing in Vancouver on the ancestral lands of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First nations. She is completing a BFA at Simon Fraser university majoring in dance and minoring in english. emily is interested in translating other dance artists’ work and continually investigates how and when to respect or push the boundaries of her body. She is deeply grateful for the opportunity to dance with Bard on the Beach.

Jessica Bournival Romeo and Juliet: Apprentice Stage Manager Jessica is very excited to be joining the Bard team this year with Romeo and Juliet. Since graduating from Bishop’s university with a degree in drama and business management in 2020, Jessica was the apprentice stage manager for The Twelve Dates of Christmas and Made in Italy (Arts Club), and stage manager for Quelqu’un t’aime Monsieur Hatch (Axis Theatre). She’d like to thank her friends and family for their constant support, and hopes you enjoy the show!

Alexander Boynton Jr. Harlem Duet: Musician If silky smooth is your preferred musical texture, then Alexander's got just the audio flow. An established American/Canadian smooth jazz artist, he is a bassist, composer and producer who has played with some of the most well-known musicians around the world. And with his first solo album Doo Bee Doo Bop, he is primed to take listeners on a jazzfilled journey where fresh melodies lead to intimate connections. He has opened for the likes of Bryan Adams, Super Tramp and Duran Duran, but has never lost his R&B gospel roots, infusing his music with the sounds that shaped his soul.

Ian Butcher A Midsummer night’s Dream: Theseus/Goblin and understudy for Philostrate/Oberon Ian is excited to be back at Bard for his tenth season. A graduate of Studio 58, he has worked extensively throughout europe and Canada, in theatre, film and TV. Selected theatre: Gross Misconduct (Speakeasy); Mortified (Studio 58/Touchstone); Dracula (Chemainus); The Sound of Music (Gateway); and Coriolanus (Coriolanus Co-Op). Selected Film/TV: Billy the Kid, The 100, Riverdale, The Magicians, Supergirl, Motive, Supernatural, and Stargate universe. This one is for mom who loved to come see us under the tents.

Charlotte Di Chang A Midsummer night’s Dream: Costume Design Assistant Charlotte is a Vancouver-based Costume Designer for theatre and film. She is also a bit of a makeup guru that loves sparkles and glitter. Charlotte started her theatre journey at university of the Arts London. After graduation, she worked a year with both large-scale and independent theatres in Beijing and moved to Vancouver to continue her education at the university of British Columbia. Previous credits include Coriolanus and The Changeling (uBC); and Reverie (short film). designcharlottechang.com

Ryan Cormack Romeo and Juliet: Set Design Assistant Ryan is returning for his second season at Bard. He is a graduate of the Dan School of Drama and Music at Queen’s university and later studied set and costume design at the national Theatre School of Canada. Design credits include A Shakesperience (Bard on the Beach); Mr. Burns (DSDM); If/Then and Bring It On! (QMT); and Christina, The Girl King (5th Co). Assistant Designer: Done/undone (Bard on the Beach), Kinky Boots (Arts Club), and Actually and The Great Divide (Harold Green/Obsidian).

Mishelle Cuttler A Midsummer night’s Dream: Sound Designer & Composer Mishelle is a composer, musician and sound designer whose work is centred around the integration of music, sound and storytelling. This is her fourth season at Bard, after designing sound and music for Lysistrata, Shakespeare in Love, and Done/undone. Favourite recent projects: Clean/espejos (neworld/Western Canada); The Herd (Citadel/ Tarragon/nAC); and Made in Italy (Arts Club). upcoming: The Seventh Fire – an immersive audio ceremony by Lisa C. Ravensbergen (Delinquent). Mishelle has an MFA from nYu/ Tisch and a BFA from uBC. www.mishellecuttler.com

Emily Dallas A Midsummer night’s Dream: Helena emily is incredibly grateful to be making her Bard on the Beach debut! Recent credits include As You Like It (Royal MTC/Citadel); Once (Citadel); A Gentlemen’s Guide to Love and Murder (Stage West); and As You Like It (Theatre Calgary/Shakespeare by the Bow). Training: MRu Theatre Performance Diploma, BFA Pace university, Arts Club Actor's Intensive and Fiasco Theater Conservatory. She would like to dedicate her performance to the students of The Performance Studio, who inspire her in everything she does.

Heidi Damayo A Midsummer night’s Dream: Hermia and understudy for Puck Hailing from Treaty 7 Territory, Heidi first auditioned for “Crocodile” in her junior high production of Peter Pan and is thrilled to have somehow ended up here! Select theatre credits include Mustard (Arts Club/Belfry Theatre) and new Canadian Kid (Green Thumb Theatre). She is a graduate of uBC Theatre, FDC Intermediate Actor-Combatant, Wesbrook Scholar and recipient of the Stephen Woodhouse Memorial Prize. After these two long years, she is honoured to be making her Bard debut.

Victor Dolhai Romeo and Juliet: Tybalt/Friar John Third season. Bard: Shakespeare in Love, The Taming of the Shrew, and The Merry Wives of Windsor. elsewhere: Productions with Green Thumb, Pi, Carousel, electric Company, ITSAZOO, Kokoro, Citadel, Banff Centre, Blue Bridge, Chemainus Theatre, Theatre northWest, Belfry, Persephone, Patrick Street, Kaleidoscope, SnAFu, 21 cabarets with Atomic Vaudeville and three seasons at the Stratford Festival. Film and TV: Lost Ollie, Supernatural, Siren, Reboot: The Guardian Code, Raf (TIFF 2019 Premiere) and two seasons of Android employed. Voiceover: Mikko the Yeti in Flash Party.

Malcolm Dow Harlem Duet: Sound Designer Malcolm is an award-winning composer, sound designer, recordist and collaborator working in theatre, film, podcast and music production. He is honoured to be joining the team of Harlem Duet as the Sound Designer for his sixth season at Bard. Malcolm studied music production and audio engineering at Douglas College and is a part time instructor at Langara’s Studio 58. He has received three Jessie Awards and several nominations for his work in the Vancouver theatre community.

Stephen Drover Harlem Duet: Production Dramaturg Stephen is a dramaturg and director who has helped to make over 60 shows and has taught/directed at Memorial university, Douglas College and uBC. He has an MFA in Directing from uBC and is currently pursuing an MA in Theatre Theory and Dramaturgy from the university of Ottawa where he is researching contemporary Canadian Shakespeare adaptation. He is in charge of new Works and Professional engagement at the Arts Club.

Tasha Faye Evans A Midsummer night’s Dream: Creative Consultant Tasha is a Coast Salish dance and theatre artist with grandparents also from Welsh and european Jewish descent. Her career continues to be a collection of collaborations and performances with national and international Indigenous artists. Her most recent projects include Muranko’s Spine of the Mother, Raven Spirit Dance's Salmon Girl and Confluence, and her own upcoming production of Cedar Woman in collaboration with Ocean Hyland.

Genevieve Fleming A Midsummer night’s Dream: Supporting Characters and understudy for Hippolyta/Goblin/Lysander/Snug Genevieve is an actor, director and producer raised on the unsurrendered ancestral homelands of the Mi’kmaq people called Mi'kma'ki. Recent highlights include Clean/ espejos (neworld); The Twelve Dates of Christmas (Arts Club); The Drowning Girls (WCT); and Wet (ITSAZOO). Genevieve is the recipient of two Jessie Awards and several nominations for performance, and the Ray Michal Award for direction. She is a graduate of Mount Allison university and Studio 58.

Tara Cheyenne Friedenberg A Midsummer night’s Dream: Choreographer This is Tara’s ninth collaboration with Bard. An award-winning creator, choreographer, performer and Artistic Director of Tara Cheyenne Performance, Tara is known for her unique hybrid of dance, comedy and theatre. When not creating innovative movement for theatre companies, she performs full-length solos and ensemble works internationally, including Body Parts, bAnGeR, Goggles, Highgate, Porno Death Cult, and How to Be. Originally from Calgary, Tara now lives here with her family, on the unceded territory of the xwməθkwəəm, sə̓lílwətaʔɬ, and Swwú7mesh Úxwumixw. taracheyenne.com

Daniel Fong Romeo and Juliet: Romeo Daniel is a Chinese/ukrainian performer born and raised in Moh-kíns-tsis (Calgary) in the Treaty 7 region of Alberta and he is thrilled to make his Bard on the Beach debut. Select stage credits: A Christmas Carol (Theatre Calgary); Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Rosebud Theatre); uS (The Globe); The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, Fortune Falls, and The Circle (Alberta Theatre Projects). Daniel got married during the rehearsals of Romeo and Juliet and it had a much nicer ending!

Rachel Forbes Harlem Duet: Set & Costume Designer Rachel is an award-winning set and costume designer creating for theatre, dance, opera and film. Her work has seen stages all across Canada. She is especially invested in the development of new works and interdisciplinary explorations. Selected credits for costume design: The Brothers Size (Soulpepper, Dora Mavor Moore Award winner) and White Girls in Moccasins (Manidoons/BIBT). Set Design: Calpurnia (RMTC, nAC); Trouble in Mind, Victory, and 1837: The Farmers’ Revolt (Shaw Festival); and The Bridge (2b/ neptune, Robert Merritt Award winner).

Isaac George-Hotchkiss A Midsummer night’s Dream: Snout Isaac is ecstatic about joining Bard for this season. After three years at Studio 58, performing in such shows as Can We Fix It? and (Anon)ymous, he is ready to dive into A Midsummer night’s Dream. This play is sentimental for Isaac, as it’s not only his Bard debut, but was also his last course as a Young Shakespearean. Combined with his three summers as a Riotous Youth, Isaac is happy to be coming full circle with Bard.

Marlene Ginader Harlem Duet: Musician Marlene (she/her) is a musician, actor and writer. Select credits include Fucking A (Signature Theatre); Chelsea Hotel: The Songs of Leonard Cohen (Firehall Arts Centre & WCT); Once (uS national tour and Arts Club Theatre); Beau (ATF Theatre Festival and upcoming feature film); and Bad Hats Theatre’s Peter Pan (CTYP, Jessie Richardson Theatre Award). While she has enjoyed baking, watching reality TV and snuggling her cat nonstop for the past two years, she is delighted for the opportunity to perform live music again. Lisa Goebel A Midsummer night’s Dream, Harlem Duet and Romeo and Juliet: Intimacy Director Lisa is honoured to be joining Bard this year as a committed advocate for equity, safety and consent-based work from rehearsal hall to the stage. Lisa apprenticed with Intimacy Directors International before completing her certification with Intimacy Directors and Coordinators. Her Intimacy work has appeared at Pacific Theatre, Firehall Arts Centre, urban Ink and Gateway Theatre. Lisa also works as an actor, choreographer and producer. She is a graduate of Studio 58.

Cameron Grant Harlem Duet: Directing Apprentice Cameron is a Brampton-based theatre creator. new to directing, he has assisted nina Lee Aquino on the cecil hotel (Theatre erindale) and among men (Factory Theatre), where he is also part of the Factory Foremen training program for directors (2021/2022). Cameron also works as an actor, artist educator and playwright and is currently an Artistic Leadership Intern at The Performing Arts, City of Brampton, supported by the Canada Council for the Arts.

Alaia Hamer Romeo and Juliet: Costume Design Assistant Alaia is a theatre designer and artist located in Vancouver, BC. Recent projects include costume design on HMS Pinafore and Carmen: up Close and Personal (Vancouver Opera); Beneath Springhill, The Birds and the Bees, and assistant costume design for Sweat and The Humans (Arts Club); and assistant costume design for Coriolanus, The Taming of the Shrew, and Macbeth (Bard on the Beach). Alaia is a graduate of the uBC Theatre Design program in 2017 and holds an english Literature degree from 2012.

Marci T. House Harlem Duet: Billie/She/Her Select credits: Coriolanus, Timon of Athens, and Lysistrata (Bard on the Beach); Sweat, Clybourne Park, Disgraced, and Intimate Apparel (Arts Club); The Madness of George III and Dracula (Shaw Festival Theatre); You Will Remember Me (Ruby Slippers Theatre/ Gateway Theatre); Glengarry Glen Ross (Classic Chic Theatre); The Ladies Foursome (The Grand Theatre); Doubt (Rose Theatre); The Last Days Of Judas Iscariot (Pound of Flesh Theatre); In The next Room (or the Vibrator Play) (Tarragon Theatre/MTC); RuIneD (Obsidian Theatre/nightwood Theatre); Hamlet (Honest Fishmongers Co-Op); The Miracle Worker (Playhouse Theatre); and *AFuWA*.

Liza Huget Harlem Duet: Magi Liza completed formal theatre training at Studio 58 and attended the national Voice Intensive and vocal training at the Banff Centre. She is also an expressive Art Therapist, Life Coach and vocalist. Recent credits include principal roles on Wendy Williams: The Movie, Motherland: Fort Salem and as Inez in Realwheels' theatre/film hybrid adaptation of no exit. She is an executive board member for uBCP/ACTRA and Chair of their Mental Health and Addiction Committee.

Olivia Hutt A Midsummer night’s Dream: Lysander Olivia is honoured to be playing Lysander in A Midsummer night’s Dream on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Swwú7mesh, and səlil̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ First nations. Seen last as Portia in Bard's production of The Merchant of Venice, Olivia is a Jessie Richardson Award recipient, dramaturg and teacher in the Greater Vancouver area. Thank you for coming together again to see theatre. Graduate of Studio 58.

Pam Johnson Romeo and Juliet: Set Designer Pam started with Bard in 1998 and was instrumental in designing the Bard Village and entranceway. Bard credits include Much Ado About nothing, The Winter’s Tale, Romeo and Juliet, The Merry Wives of Windsor, The Comedy of errors, King Lear, Cymbeline, Hamlet, Twelfth night, King John, Richard II, Titus Andronicus, Henry V, The Taming of the Shrew, A Midsummer night’s Dream, Macbeth, Measure for Measure, Richard III, As You Like It, All’s Well that ends Well, Coriolanus, and Done/undone. Pam has received several Jessie Awards, as well as a GVPTA Career Achievement Award.

Karthik Kadam A Midsummer night’s Dream: Supporting Characters and understudy for Demetrius/Flute/Snout Originally from Bangalore, India, Karthik is a recent graduate of uBC’s BFA Acting program. This is his first season here at Bard and he is thrilled to be a part of this exciting production. For Pacific Theatre: Assistant Direction, Wakey Wakey. For Axis Theatre: Capitano, Juggle Me not. For united Players: Peter Shaw, Silent Sky. For uBC: ensemble, Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again; Mark Rothko, Red; Sergeant Rodwell, Timothy Findley’s The Wars; Oskar, GOLDRAuSCH; and King ethelred, Silence.

Jenny Kim Romeo and Juliet: Stage Manager Jenny’s previous credits at Bard include Coriolanus (Rehearsal ASM), As You Like it, Macbeth and Shylock (App. SM). Recent Stage Management credits: The Mountaintops (Pacific Theatre); no Child (Arts Club); Act of Faith and SeQuenCe (Realwheels); Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook (Snapshots Collective); and I Cannot Lie to The Stars That Made Me (the frank theatre). Assistant Stage Management credits: Cipher and Sweat (Arts Club); Peter Pan (CTYP); China Doll (Gateway Theatre); and Circle Game: Reimagining the Music of Joni Mitchell (Arts Club/Firehall Arts Centre). She graduated from uBC with a BFA Theatre Design & Production. Love and thanks to her family and friends for their everlasting support.

Gerald King A Midsummer night’s Dream: Lighting Designer Lighting designer at Bard on the Beach for 19 seasons. Gerald’s recent credits: As You Like It (Bard/Citadel/Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre/Chicago Shakespeare); Bad Parent and Kuroko (vAct); Matilda (Royal MTC/Citadel/Arts Club); Chariots of Fire (Grand Theatre); carried away on the crest of a wave (national Arts Centre); Faust, Dead Man Walking, and evita (Vancouver Opera); no Child… (Arts Club); Wabi-Sabi (Kokoro Dance); and The Faerie Queen (Royal Winnipeg Ballet).

Joey Lespérance A Midsummer night’s Dream: egeus/Starveling and understudy for Bottom Joey is a bilingual theatre artist established in Vancouver for over 30 years and is thrilled to make his debut at Bard on the Beach. He has been nominated seven times for a Jessie Richardson Theatre Award and received the Best Actor Award in 2015 for his role in Michel Tremblay’s À toi, pour toujours, ta Marie-Lou, produced by Théâtre la Seizième. Joey is presently writing his first solo show and he is looking forward to presenting it to French and english audiences. Joey is a graduate of Studio 58.

Jennifer Lines Romeo and Juliet: Lady Capulet This is Jennifer’s twentieth season with Bard and was last seen as Kate and Queen elizabeth I. Raised on a ranch in Midway, BC, she received her BFA in Acting from uVic. A Jessie Award recipient, her theatre work has taken her across Canada, the uSA, Scotland and Israel. Vancouver is her home with her husband, Haig Sutherland, and her son, Stuart. She is grateful to have spent much of her career under the tents at Vanier Park doing what she loves, acting and gardening.

John “Adidam” Littlejohn Harlem Duet: Composer & Music Director John is a violinist, composer and acoustic hip-hop artist who has toured the world performing as a soloist and one-third of Infinitus, the beatboxing string trio. John is a graduate of the Peabody Conservatory (Johns Hopkins university) and the university of Michigan and has earned an undergraduate and two graduate degrees in violin performance. Music critics have referred to his compositions as “distinctive” (Baltimore Sun), “extremely original” and “magnificently arranged” (VH1).

Sereana Malani Romeo and Juliet: Directing Apprentice Born in the Fiji Islands and raised in Coquitlam, Sereana received her BFA in Acting from the university of Alberta. Select credits include A Midsummer night's Dream, Pericles, and The Winter’s Tale (Bard on the Beach); You Will Remember Me (Ruby Slippers); Valley Song (Gateway); Clybourne Park (Citadel); and Gross Misconduct (Speakeasy). Most recently she assistant directed Hey Viola! (WCT), which is currently touring across Canada. When not onstage she is a full time Mum to eli and Tevita. Billy Marchenski A Midsummer night’s Dream: Philostrate/Oberon Billy graduated from the School for the Contemporary Arts at SFu. He was a founding member of the indie company, Screaming Flea. Billy has worked for indie theatre and contemporary dance companies for over 20 years. In 2014, he was awarded the Sydney J. Risk Prize for his play, slowpoke, based on his travels to the Chernobyl exclusion zone. His short film light-bearer won for Best experimental Film at the Cannes World Film Festival last fall.

Laura McLean A Midsummer night’s Dream: Directing Apprentice Laura is a Jessie Award–winning director and producer. She’s directed with Pacific Theatre, Rumble Theatre, Arts Club Theatre, united Players, Birmingham Repertory and the Bristol Old Vic. Laura is the co-founder and co-Artistic Producer of Delinquent Theatre. Previous credits with Delinquent Theatre include never the Last, STATIOnARY: a recession era musical and Our Time. She has her BFA in Theatre from uBC and her Masters in Directing from the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.

Andrew McNee Romeo and Juliet: nurse Born and raised in Vancouver, Andrew has been working in theatre, film and television for the past 20 years. Theatre has taken him across Canada, to europe and the uK. Some recent theatre credits include Buffoon, noises Off, The Taming of the Shrew, Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Twelfth night, Boeing-Boeing, One Man, Two Guvnors, Misery, and Mustard. Select film and television credits include being murdered and blown up in all sorts of locally filmed shows and movies. Your kids may have heard him as some pony, robot or alien in one of their cartoons. Andrew is a graduate of Studio 58.

Emma Miebach A Midsummer night’s Dream: Fairy (Cobweb) emma began her dance training at the age of five studying ballet at the Sonoma Conservatory of Dance and the American Ballet Academy. She is currently attending Simon Fraser university, majoring in Dance and minoring in Kinesiology. emma is a dance instructor at Artistic edge and a company member with Coupé Dance & Co. emma also performed in the music video Identivacation, written and directed by John Voth.

Rebecca Mulvihill Harlem Duet: Stage Manager Rebecca is returning to Bard for her seventh season. Most recently for Bard: Assistant Stage Manager on Done/undone. Favourite credits elsewhere: Bunny and The Father (The Search Party); As dreams are made (Music on Main); Anywhere But Here (electric Company Theatre); Topdog/underdog and The Shoplifters (Arts Club); La Traviata (Vancouver Opera); and Fall Away Home (Boca del Lupo). Rebecca holds a BFA in Theatre Production and Management from uVic.

Mariana Munoz Harlem Duet: Apprentice Stage Manager Mariana is a BIPOC bilingual interdisciplinary artist based in Vancouver, BC. She continues to work as a performer and stage manager in the city with recent credits at rice & beans theatre with the production of Peace Country, neworld Theatre with Clean/espejos and east Van Panto with Alice in Wonderland, all as an Apprentice Stage Manager. Mariana holds a bachelor’s degree in performing arts and is a proud alumnus of Studio 58.

Richard Newman A Midsummer night’s Dream: Peter Quince Richard has been making theatre in Canada for over 50 years. Previously at Bard, he has particularly enjoyed playing Shylock (2011) and Sir Andrew Aguecheek (2013) among other roles. At other times, in other theatres, he has appeared as King Lear, Claudius, Hortensio (twice), Benvolio, Malvolio, a Dromio, Brabantio and The Scottish General, to name a few.

Hina Nishioka Harlem Duet: Lighting Design Assistant Hina is an emerging lighting designer and lighting board programmer/operator who is from Japan. Her recent lighting design credits include Wabi-Sabi (Kokoro Dance); Kwê (Jeanette Kotowich); and Summer Bucket List (Collectivus Theatre). Her assistant lighting design credits are Bad Parent (vAct, LD: Gerald King); Wabi-Sabi (Kokoro Dance, LD: Gerald King); and Othello (university of Victoria, LD: Michael Whitfield). She holds BFA in Theatre from the university of Victoria.

Ashley O’Connell A Midsummer night’s Dream: Supporting Characters and understudy for Theseus/Goblin/egeus/Starveling/Peter Quince BFA in Acting at uBC, 2006. Some credits: All’s Well That ends Well, Much Ado About nothing, The Winter’s Tale, and Richard II (Bard); Flare Path* and A Doll’s House (Slamming Door); Spamalot, Blood Brothers, and The Graduate (Arts Club); Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me* (Dancing Monkey); A Few Good Men (Citadel); Of Mice And Men (Blue Bridge); The Full Monty (Persephone); and The Pillowman* (Wild Geese). Film/TV: Riverdale, Turner & Hooch, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, Supernatural, Watchmen, and Stargate: Atlantis. Four Jessie Award nominations and one award* (2017).

Melissa Oei A Midsummer night’s Dream: Hippolyta/Goblin and understudy for Helena/Titania This is Melissa's Bard on the Beach debut. Most recent acting credits include Lampedusa and Beautiful Man (Pi Theatre); The Twelve Dates of Christmas (Arts Club); The Composer is Dead (VSO); Like it or not and new Canadian Kid (Green Thumb); Les Belles-soeurs (Ruby Slippers); The Open House (Sticks and Stones); and A Beautiful View (naked Goddess). Melissa is an emerging director who recently made her professional debut at her alma mater, Studio 58. This fall, she will direct the world premier of 90 Days with Western Gold Theatre.

Amir Ofek A Midsummer night’s Dream: Set Designer Born and raised in Israel. Graduated from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design and Brandeis university (MFA, Theatre Arts). Amir designed productions in Tel Aviv, London, Boston and Durham, nC. In Vancouver, Amir designed for La Voix humaine and Orfeo ed euridice (Vancouver Opera); The Father and Bunny (The Search Party); and numerous productions for the Arts Club Theatre Company. Previously with Bard on the Beach: Pericles and Othello, 2016.

Polina Olshevska A Midsummer night’s Dream: Fairy (Peaseblossom) Polina is a third-year Contemporary Dance major at Simon Fraser university. Born into a family of dancers, Polina’s passion for dance stems from watching her mom perform and teach ukrainian dance. Recently she was a member with the AMOK project, under the direction of Carol Mendes. Polina has been dancing for 10 years and was primarily trained in ballet. Her goal as an artist is to share her passion through performance for the rest of her life.

Margaret Onedo Harlem Duet: Costume Design Assistant Margaret is a multi-medium artist based in Vancouver. When she's not acting (Travelers, 2016 and C.A.R.e: A Guide to Bystander Intervention, 2019), you can find her creating custom wardrobe pieces for drag artists in the city, organizing community events and making everything from coasters to wigs to candles. Margaret is a proud graduate of Studio 58 and credits her time there for having developed a strong artistic process.

Joelysa Pankanea Romeo and Juliet: Composer & Music Director Originally from Kenya, east Africa, Joelysa is a multi-award-winning composer based in Vancouver, BC, and a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in composition, musical direction and sound design. Her music has been featured in multiple theatre productions, short and feature films, as well as chamber orchestras and choirs. In the realm of theatre, Joelysa has composed dozens of theatre shows, multiple large-scale musicals and sound designs. www.joelysa.com.

Tom Pickett Harlem Duet: Canada Tom has appeared in numerous Vancouver theatre productions and makes his seventh season appearance at Bard. His recent film/TV credits include the Tailor on The Good Doctor (ABC); The 27-Hour Day (Hallmark); and Christmas Time Is Here (GAC Family). Tom received a Jessie Richardson Award for Best Supporting Actor for the role of Sam in “Master Harold”… and the Boys (Pacific Theatre, dir. Morris ertman). Tom hails from Berkeley, California, and now resides in Tsawwassen, BC.

Matthew Piton A Midsummer night’s Dream: Lighting Design Assistant Matthew has an MFA in Design and Production from uBC and a BA in Theatre from uFV. He specialises in Lighting and Set Design. Matthew is a Professor of Theatre at the university of the Fraser Valley and a member of the Associated Designers of Canada. Recent productions: Associate Lighting Design, noises Off (Arts Club); Lighting Design, The Wars (uBC); and Lighting and Set Design, The Rocky Horror Show (Alchemy Theatre). www.matthewpiton.com

Jonathan Hawley Purvis A Midsummer night's Dream, Harlem Duet, and Romeo and Juliet: Fight Director Jonathan is a fight director, actor, choreographer and stunt performer. Select fight direction credits include As You Like It, Macbeth, The Taming of the Shrew, and Shakespeare in Love (Bard on the Beach); As You Like It (Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Milwaukee Rep); Antony and Cleopatra, The Three Musketeers, Julius Caesar, and Romeo and Juliet (St. Lawrence Shakespeare); The Silver Arrow, Shakespeare In Love, West Side Story, Romeo and Juliet, The Penelopiad, and A Midsummer night’s Dream (Citadel Theatre); and I Am For You (Concrete Theatre). www.jonathanpurvis.com

Marsha Regis Harlem Duet: Amah Originally from Haiti, Marsha has grown up in Port-au-Prince and Ottawa. Marsha is thrilled to be making her Bard on the Beach debut! Marsha’s theatre work includes productions with the Arts Club Theatre, the Grand Theatre, the Company Theatre, and Canadian Stage. Most recently, Marsha has worked on Jocelyn Bioh’s off-Broadway premiere production of nollywood Dreams at MCC Theatre. Marsha has also gathered numerous TV and film credits over the years. MFA from Actors Studio Drama School. www.marsharegis.com

Christine Reimer A Midsummer night’s Dream: Costume Designer Christine has designed over 100 productions in live theatre, opera, kids’ theatre and living historical events across Canada and the uS. Favourite designs for Bard are The Tempest, Macbeth, Much Ado About nothing, Shakespeare’s Rebel, and Titus Andronicus. Other recent designs: Buffoon and noises Off (Arts Club); Kuroko (Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre); Alice in nightmareland (Stanley Park Ghost Train); and King Arthur’s night (neworld). upcoming: costumes for three boutique operas. www.christinereimerdesign.com

Sarah Roa A Midsummer night’s Dream: Puck Sarah is a Filipina Canadian actress grateful to be living and working on the unceded territories of the Tsleil-Waututh, Squamish and Musqueam nations. She holds a Theatre Diploma from Douglas College and a BFA in Acting from uBC. Selected performance credits include In Wonderland (Alberta Theatre Projects); The Turn of the Screw (Aenigma Theatre); Robinson Crusoe + Friday (Axis Theatre); The Drowning Girls (Theatre northWest); and Pride and Prejudice (Arts Club).

Donald Sales Harlem Duet: Othello/He/Him Originally from the united States and with a background in professional dance, Donald now calls Vancouver home and can be seen in a myriad of television productions. Most recently, you’ll see Donald in Ryan Reynold’s netflix feature, The Adam Project, directed by Shawn Levy; opposite Margaret Qualley in John Well’s limited series, Maid; and as a very memorable character in Kung Fu. He’s also played a recurring role on A Million Little Things, to name just a few.

Elyza Samson A Midsummer night’s Dream: Fairy (Mustardseed) elyza is a graduate of the Arts umbrella Dance Company and VCC’s Dance Diploma Program. She has collaborated with world-renowned artists Crystal Pite, Gioconda Barbuto, Lesley Telford and Sidra Bell. elyza is currently a Dance major student in her third year at SFu’s School for the Contemporary Arts. She is thrilled to be joining Bard on the Beach this season and can’t wait to perform live again!

Ishan Sandhu Romeo and Juliet: Paris Ishan is an actor and writer from India. He currently resides on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territories belonging to the Squamish, Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh nations. He is a graduate of uBC's BFA Acting and BA economics program. Selected theatre credits: Men express Their Feelings (Zee Zee); The Triumph of Love (Western Gold Theatre); Commedia Dell’arte, The Wars, and The Changeling (uBC); and The Here and This and now (united Players).

Tanya Schwaerzle Harlem Duet: Assistant Stage Manager Tanya is over the moon to be at Bard! Selected credits: Chelsea Hotel (Western Canada); noises Off, The Birds and the Bees, Mom’s The Word, Mamma Mia!, and Topdog/ underdog (Arts Club); Talking Sex on Sunday, Chelsea Hotel, and Circle Game (Firehall); Peter Pan and Charlie Brown (CTYP); and The Winter’s Tale and Much Ado About nothing (Bard on the Beach). Tanya is Manager of Agriculture at the Pne. She received her BFA from the university of Alberta. Adam, “I miss you”.

Munish Sharma A Midsummer night’s Dream: Flute Munish is excited to be back at Bard and working with such wonderful people! Originally from Regina, Munish has called Vancouver his home since 2007. Munish is currently bringing his next show, Danceboy, to full production and was recently in the world premiere of Himmat (Theatre Conspiracy) and Men express Their Feelings (Zee Zee). Recent credits: A Thousand Splendid Suns, The Orchard (After Chekhov), and The Matchmaker (Arts Club); All’s Well That ends Well (Bard); Bombay Black (Raghupriya Arts and Culture); and Victim Impact (Theatre Conspiracy). Instagram @munisharma.com0

Joanne P.B. Smith A Midsummer night’s Dream: Stage Manager Joanne is delighted to be able to return to work at Bard on the Beach for this much awaited season. For Dad.

Advah Soudack A Midsummer night’s Dream: Snug and understudy for Hermia Advah is thrilled to be making her Bard debut with this production of A Midsummer night’s Dream. Selected theatre credits: The House at Pooh Corner and touring production of GLORY. Recent screen credits: Love, Lights, Hanukkah! and The Christmas Contest. Selected animation credits: My Little Pony, Polly Pocket, Lego Friends, and Beyblade Burst evolution. A special thank you goes out to eema, Abba, Aviam, and Josh who have loved and supported me, always. For Abba.

Jennifer Stewart Harlem Duet: Set Design Assistant Jenn is a multidisciplinary theatre artist. Design credits include Hamlet (Honest Fishmongers Co-op); Selfie (Théâtre la Seizième); Wilderness (Studio 58); Wet (ITSAZOO); Redpatch (Hardline); and Blond eckbert (Vancouver Opera YAP). Film credits include edward and Adventures in Public School. She studied at Studio 58 and recently completed her Masters in Theatre Design and Production at uBC. Jenn is a member of the Associated Designers of Canada (IATSe659). www.jenniferannstewart.com Romeo and Juliet: Assistant Stage Manager Jenn has had the pleasure of working in a range of backstage roles: ASM, Production Manager and Technical Director. She has done multiple seasons with Theatre Replacement’s east Van Panto and at Caravan Farm Theatre, and several shows with electric Company. This is Jenn’s eighth season with Bard on the Beach. She studied at Studio 58 and just completed her Masters degree at uBC. She is a member of CAeA.

Carly Street A Midsummer night’s Dream: Bottom Carly has appeared on stages across Canada and the uS, including Crow’s Theatre, Mirvish Productions, Tarragon Theatre, The Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Pittsburgh Public Theater, Cincinnati Playhouse, and four productions with Roundabout Theatre Company on Broadway. She made her Broadway debut in the Tony Award–winning production of Clybourne Park. Most recently, she appeared in the title role of Brecht’s The Resistible Rise of Arturo ui at Canadian Stage in Toronto.

Sophie Tang Harlem Duet and Romeo and Juliet: Lighting Designer Sophie is an award-winning lighting and set designer working in theatre, opera and dance. She has worked with companies including Stratford Festival, PuSh International Performing Arts Festival, electric Company Theatre, Arts Club Theatre, Bard on the Beach, Citadel Theatre, Theatre Replacement, and more. Recent credits: Do you mind if I sit here? (Theatre Replacement); Being Here: The Refugee Project (Belfry Theatre); The Rez Sisters (Stratford Festival); and At the Statue of Venus (City Opera). www.sophieyufeitang.com

Shäolin Temrick-Young A Midsummer night’s Dream: Fairy (Mustardseed) Shäolin, a contemporary dance artist, trained with Arts umbrella Dance Company for 10 years, graduating from the VCC/Arts umbrella Dance Diploma Program in 2021. She has created, performed and worked with renowned artists including Crystal Pite, Lesley Telford, Sidra Bell and Victor Quijada. Currently, Shäolin is enrolled as a third-year student at SFu’s School for the Contemporary Arts BFA program. She is delighted to be dancing with Bard on the Beach this season!

Cecilia Vadala A Midsummer night’s Dream: Set Design Assistant Born and raised in Italy, Cecilia has a background in Philosophy and Art History. A recent uBC graduate from the MFA program in Theatre Design and Production, Cecilia designs for the stage and the screen, focusing on the scenic design practice. As a designer, Cecilia considers herself a visual storyteller. Her aesthetic is suggestive and evocative. In her work the space is another character that evolves and tells a story on its own. www.ceciliavadala.com

Sara Vickruck Romeo and Juliet: Mercutio/Apothecary Sara is excited to be back at Bard for their second season. As an award-winning multidisciplinary queer artist, Sara works as a performer, singer-songwriter, sound designer, producer, creator and writer. Select acting credits include Coriolanus (Bard on the Beach); Fun Home (Arts Club); Poly Queer Love Ballad (co-created with Anais West); Circle Game (Firehall Arts Centre); and Love Bomb (shameless hussy productions). Sara was given the 2020 CAeA Stage West - equity emerging Theatre Artist Award. saravickruck.ca

Anna Wang-Albini A Midsummer night’s Dream: Fairy (Cobweb) Anna is a dance artist based in Vancouver currently studying dance at SFu’s School for the Contemporary Arts. They have been in works choreographed by Tin Gamboa and Mikela Vuorensivu; and have studied under Justine A. Chambers, Rob Kitsos, and more. Anna is currently exploring their identity in dance by expanding their scope of what a creative practice constitutes, their personal definition of dance and seeking new opportunities wherever they may arise. It is Anna's first season with Bard and they could not be more excited!

Kelsey Kanatan Wavey Romeo and Juliet: Directing Mentee Kelsey (they/them) is a theatre artist currently based in so-called Vancouver, from Treaty 1 Winnipeg, and member of Tataskweyak Cree nation. Kelsey attended Studio 58 and has been working primarily as an actor since graduation, but is also a playwright, director and associate producer at Savage Society.

Anita Wittenberg Romeo and Juliet: Friar Laurence Anita is happy to join Bard for the first time in this beautiful story. She has performed for many theatres including the Arts Club, The Belfry, Thousand Islands Playhouse (Ontario), Western Canada Theatre, Theatre northwest, Chemainus Theatre Festival, Center Theatre (Chicago), Stage One and Kentucky Shakespeare Festival (Louisville, KY). Most recently: Mother of the Maid (Pacific Theatre, 2020 Jessie Award nominee) and White noise (Firehall/Savage Society). Recent TV: Riverdale, Supergirl, The Good Doctor. For C.

Sharon Wu A Midsummer night’s Dream: Apprentice Stage Manager Sharon is thrilled to be back with Bard for a full season. Her select apprentice stage management credits include The Boy in The Moon (Cultch/neworld Theatre); east Van Panto: Pinocchio (Theatre Replacement); and Coriolanus (Bard on the Beach, rehearsals). She is grateful to be collaborating with artists in the community and is endlessly thankful to her loved ones for their constant support. She is a graduate of Capilano university’s Technical Theatre program.

Harika Xu Romeo and Juliet: Lighting Design Assistant Harika is a lighting and projection designer, graduated from uBC’s Theatre Design and Production Program. Lighting designs include Tuck everlasting (Arts umbrella); Mom’s the Word (Theatre northWest); So Damn Proud (Holy Crow Arts); Done/undone (Bard on the Beach); and Madama Butterfly (Burnaby Lyric Opera). Assistant lighting design: Bad Parent (vAct, LD: Gerald King). Projection designs: Irreparable Harm? (Heart of the City Festival); and Chimerica and enROn (united Players). harikaxu.com

Angus Yam Romeo and Juliet: Benvolio/Balthasar Angus is a Hong Konger-Canadian artist based in Vancouver, BC, on the unceded traditional Indigenous territories. He graduated from Studio 58 this spring and is incredibly excited and grateful to be working with the Bard family for the first time. Some recent acting credits include east Van Panto: Alice in Wonderland (Theatre Replacement) and The Rocky Horror Show (Studio 58). Special thanks to his dearest Mama, little hater, and friends. Glory to God!