BIOS The Importance of Being Earnest

Barbara Larose, Director  
Barbara studied theatre at Concordia University in her home town of Montreal and has worked as an actor, director, dramaturge, and acting coach for many years.  Barbara has directed numerous productions at the Alumnae Theatre including Sharon Pollock's Blood Relations, and Oscar Wilde's Lady Windermere's Fan. Recent directing credits also include Seeking Refuge by Rick Jones and Life in the Raw which she also co-wrote, both at the Toronto Fringe Festival; and Evelyn Strange by Stewart Lemoine and Mr. Pim Passes By by A.A. Milne  at the Village Playhouse. 

 Cast

Nicholas Koy, ​Jack
Nicholas is thrilled to be performing in one of his favourite comedies as a part of his Alumnae Theatre debut.  A graduate of Concordia University and LAMDA, he recently appeared at the Hart House Theatre as Rev. Hale, in The Crucible.  He would like to thank his friends and family for their continued support and forgives his cat for not offering any. 

​Sean Jacklin, Algernon
Sean is an actor/musician/technician/writer from Perth, Ontario.  He is delighted to play Algernon in one of his all time favourite plays. Recent credits include: Cyrano in Cyrano de Bergerac (The Leslieville Players), Brian in Turtleneck (emerGENce), Marchbanks in Candida (The Classic Theatre Festival), Walter in His Girl Friday (Bygone Theatre), Deputy Gov. Danforth in The Crucible (Kindling Collective), and Eric in An Inspector Calls (The Classic Theatre Festival.)  Look for the Leslieville Players next summer as they hope to mount multiple shows after their breakout first season.

Laura Meadows, Cecily
Laura Meadows is Toronto based actor who was born and raised in the UK.  She graduated from York Universities Acting Conservatory Program (BFA) in 2015.  Laura is so excited to be working with Alumnae Theatre. Recent Theatre credits include Sarah Kane’s CRAVE (Tarragon Theatre); Aemilius/Nurse in Titus Andronicus (HartHouse Theatre); Kate Hardcastle in She Stoops To Conquer (Guild Festival Theatre); Don John in Much Ado About Nothing (HartHouse Theatre); Silenced (HERstory Counts Theatre Company); Tina in This is My Last Transmission (New Ideas Alumnae Theatre) and the Nurse in Romeo and Juliet (Guild Festival Theatre).  Enjoy the show! 

Kathryn Geertsema, ​Gwendolen
Kathryn is a Toronto-based actor born in South Africa and raised in Singapore. In 2018, she graduated Summa Cum Laude from York University’s Acting Conservatory.  Kathryn’s previous work includes All of Me (2018 Toronto Fringe), Dido, Queen of Carthage (Peter Hinton), Deportation Cast (Keira Loughran), and Post National (Deborah Pearson, Ross Manson, Kate Alton).  Kathryn is thrilled to be playing Gwendolen, and to be working with the female-led Alumnae Theatre. She would like to extend her thanks to her friends and teachers, to Alumnae, and to her family on the other side of the world.

Tina Mcculloch, Miss Prism
Tina has done pretty much everything in theatre (except design) at one time or another, and is delighted to bust out her inner priss on Alumnae’s Main Stage as Miss Prism.  She most recently appeared in The End Is The Beginning (Gay Play Day 2018 – in Alumnae’s Studio).  Other favourite stage roles include:  Mother in Lemons from Life (Ryerson New Voices 2018); Bertha in After Mrs. Rochester and Ruth in Cosi (Alumnae Theatre Company); Mary in Mauritius and Rose in Enchanted April (Village Playhouse); and Jane Eyre (Amicus Productions).

Tricia Brioux, Lady Bracknell
Tricia is excited to be back at the Alumnae stage after a longish hiatus.  Previous favorite roles at the Alumnae have included Martha in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Gina Mae in Beautiful City, Lady Torrance in Orpheus Descending, and Claire in A Delicate Balance.  Tricia has dabbled in film and TV, but found her real calling as a voice over artist.  She has voiced numerous TV and radio campaigns as well as gaming and animation.  She currently works as a full time voice over talent (www.triciasvoice.com).  Tricia is thrilled to be working with her favorite director, Ms Larose, once again!

Rob Candy, Rev. Chasuble
Rob is excited to be appearing on the Alumnae stage again.  Previously, he has performed in August: Osage County, Blood Relations, The Lady’s Not for Burning, The Killdeer, Delicate Balance, The Real Inspector Hound/After Magritte, as well as the New Ideas and Fireworks Festivals.  Elsewhere, recent appearances have included Mr. Pim Passes By and Tainted Justice (Village Players), Sense and Sensibility (Amicus) and Joyful Noise (East Side Players) and the 2018 InspiraTO Festival.

Lisa Lenihan, Lane
Lisa is a classically trained actor hailing from Montreal.  She has toured extensively with Montreal’s Repercussion Theatre’s Shakespeare in the Park and has sat on the board of the Montreal Fringe Festival.  She has played queens, duchesses, French Canadian madmen and a burlesque house madame.  And she can fence without doing injury to herself or others.  Mostly.  Alumnae audiences may know her from Sweet Mama and the Salty Muffins done here for the New Ideas Festival and its remount done for the D’Arcy Symposium.

Barbara Salsberg, Merriman
Barbara is thrilled to be back on the Alumnae stage as part of the talented cast and crew of “The Importance of Being Earnest”.  She previously performed there in “In Her Golden Years” as part of the 2018 Inspirato Festival.  Other favourite shows she has appeared in include “Les Belles-Soeurs” and “Mr. Pim Passes By” at the Village Playhouse, “The Council” and “D-Cup” at the New Ideas Festival and “Nude with Violin” for East Side Players.  She sends love and gratitude to her family, especially Wyatt, Austin, Sam, Cole and Thea who always remind her how to play.

 Production Team

Ramona Baillie, Producer
​Ramona writes for both film and stage.  Some theatre credits include: A Better Place (Factory Theatre), A Little Happiness (Edmonton International Fringe/Alumnae Theatre), You Have to Earn It (FireWorks), I’m Still Here (Central Alberta Theatre/New Ideas Festival/Arts & Letters/Heliconian Club), Babies (Central Alberta Theatre) and I’m Still Here, Drowning My Sorrow (Heliconian Club).  Ramona’s film scripts are produced internationally and have won various awards.  She was Artistic Director for the past two Arts & Letters’ Spring Revues and is an HRPA Honorary Life Award recipient.  This is her sixth stint as a producer for the Alumnae Theatre Company.

Alison Smith, Associate Producer  
​Alison initially joined Alumnae Theatre to be part of the New Play Development group and to explore a style of writing that’s different from her work in government communications. Alumnae likes to make the most of its members, though, and Alison was soon recruited to work the box office, help with fundraising, do social media, join the marketing team and most recently to produce.  She is excited to be part of The Importance of Being Earnest production team and feels inspired by Oscar Wilde’s wit as she endeavours to write a play of her own.

Isabel Meharry, Associate Producer
​Isabel has always been passionate about theatre.  Previously, her love of theatre was reflected in attending many diverse plays with her family and/or friends. Isabel has stepped out of her comfort zone - contributing to the production of a live play is completely new territory! Isabel is enjoying the experience and plans to continue her involvement in theatre production, and she might even consider auditioning for onstage roles. She is currently a corporate director and recently retired from a career as a business executive.

Ellen Green,​ Assistant Director 
Having directed musicals and comedies including favorites Into the Woods and Noises Off, Little shop of Horrors and Anything Goes, Ellen is thrilled to be working with Barbara, Margot and Ramona once again. Ellen is earnestly delighted to join with our fabulous design team and excellent cast on this wonderful play. Ellen has enjoyed various roles with The Alumnae Theatre Company including directing, assistant directing, and assistant stage managing and producing.  As always, thanks to family and friends for their never wavering support.

Margot Devlin, Stage Manager

Monique Danielle, Assistant Stage Manager
Monique is so excited to be working with Alumnae Theatre on such a great production. Working both onstage and off, Monique’s most recent credits include assistant director to Peter Hinton for York University’s “Dido, Queen of Carthage,” Sweet Annie Black in NAGs Player’s “The Ashes of Forgotten Rain” and rehearsal stage manager for InspiraTO’s “Santa Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.” 
​Grab a cucumber sandwich and enjoy the show!

Krishelle Pereira , Assistant Stage Manager
Krishelle has a passion for bringing a story to life and for the theatre.  She brings forth acting, writing and set experience from drama groups and throughout school, and is excited to explore more and be a part of creating thought-provoking and entertaining displays.

Margaret Spence, Costume Design
Margaret has taken many off-stage roles at the Alumnae Theatre over a sixty year association.  None exercise her creative bent as much as costume design.  She is enjoying this latest production and the opportunity it affords for creating period costumes. Prior to this, her designs have been seen in many Alumnae shows. Among them, ‘Lady Windermere’s Fan’, 'Private Lives', 'The Lady's not for Burning', 'Blood Relations' and last season's 'Obsession'.

Peter DeFreitas, Associate Costume Designer
Peter has created a successful career in the Clothing Industry in Canada and the U.S for over 25 years.  Designing for the Alumnae Theatre began at the request of his producer cousin for The Sisters Rosensweig in the ’90’s.  Other works at Alumnae include Divine Wrecks,  I Am Marguerite, Closer, February, Trojan Women and Guillaume Bernardi’s production of Progress of Love.   Also with Bernardi: Six Characters in Search of an Author, Duos and Il Furiosi Baroque.  Their collaboration continued abroad with L’Isola Disabitata, Through Roses and Il Nozze di Figaro, all for Opera Frankfurt in Germany.

Theresa Arneaud, Costume Builder
Theresa is most often seen doing costumes for The Village Players, so she's very happy that the Alumnae Theatre has allowed her east of  Yonge to work once again with the fabulous Margaret Spence and all the crew of Importance!

Leslie Rennie, Costume Assistant

Marysia Bucholc, Set Design and Build
Marysia has been designing sets for small Toronto theatres for many years.  Her most recent designs were for Treasure Island (Solar Stage), Thirteen Hands (Alumnae Theatre), Motherland (Toronto Fringe Festival) and The Gut Girls (Alumnae).  She received a Dora nomination for her design for Kafka and Son (Theaturtle). Marysia is currently an Academic English Tutor at Centennial College, narrates audio books for the CNIB Library, and rejoices in her wonderful family.

Zie Souwand, Set Build Assistant
​Zie is going into his second year as a theatre production student specializing in carpentry and set design at York University.  He has just recently wrapped up stage managing the show Bakersfield Mist for Toronto Fringe. Zie has been an actor for both stage and film for most of his life and has been an ACTRA member for nearly 14 years.  Select acting/production credits include Les Miserables, Trojan Women, The Three Musketeers, Jane Eyre, Rebel Without a Cause, The Jon Dore Show, The Tracey Fragments, and Dido, Queen of Carthage.

Mark Cope, Set Build Assistant
Mark is an artist living and working in Toronto, with a primary focus on painting and illustration. 
​Past work has included design and photography, props and sets in film and theatre, cartooning and storyboards, murals, private commissions and sculpture.  Common themes of history, evolution, astronomy and pop-culture remain prevalent in his work.  Recently Mark was Graphic Artist for the production of A Better Place at Factory Theatre.  He has been assistant set designer for the 2015 FireWorks Festival and set painter on Blood Relations, I Am Marguerite and Rabbit Hole for the Alumnae Theatre.

Rick Jones, Sound Design
Rick is a performing artist with diverse interests in acting, writing, composing, choreography, and sound design.  Designs at Alumnae include Lady Windermere’s Fan, Pride and Prejudice, The Queens, Drowning Girls, The Kildeer, Blood Relations, and Yeats In Love. Elsewhere, Willow Quartet, Aromas, A Better Life, Evelyn Strange, and Mr Pimm Passes By.  He has been seen on the Alumnae mainstage in Queen Marie, Wit, The Real Inspector Hound, and Pride and Prejudice.  His writing/composing credits include the musicals Seeking Refuge (Paul O’Sullivan Prize), Millennium Madness Sale, and Life in the Raw (co-written with Barbara Larose) all at Toronto Fringe.

Andrea Nesbitt, Sound Operator
Andrea is an artist, storyteller and teacher. She has always been excited by working in large spaces, creating immersive environments, and is thrilled to do this in a team environment with the wonderful folks at the Alumnae Theatre.  Her work encourages play, finding light in our darkness, and re-establishing a curiosity of and connection with our inner worlds and the environments we find ourselves in.

Madison Madhu, Sound Operator
Madison is a theatre production student in her final year at York University, specializing in lighting & media design. She is excited and grateful for the opportunity to be working with Alumnae Theatre. Recent production credits include Lighting Designer & Builder forEVREN (So That Was Fun! Theatre & Yuffa Fringe, 2018); Programmer for EdFestQuest (REKdTech & Yuffa Fringe, 2018); Lighting Designer for Ashley Burton’s Ode to Isadora and Carol Anderson’s Allegro Mysterioso (York Dance Ensemble, 2017); Lighting Designer for The Vagina Monologues (V-day at York, 2017).

Michelle Righetti, Sound Operator
When she isn’t working in the booth, Michelle can be found acting, singing, directing or producing with her company Odd Opera, local theatres or on film and tv.  She teaches yoga, Suspension Yoga, reiki and is the owner and CEO of Clairvida, a wellness organization. By day Michelle also works as a studio coordinator at Toronto Yoga Mamas. In her time off, Michelle loves to spend time with her dog (Shakespeare), going on adventures with her partner Randolph and making a delicious mess in the kitchen.

Liam Stewart, Lighting Design
Liam works in the film industry as an Electrician, laying cable and powering lights. He learns from the best on set, bringing new insight to the stage.  Constantly testing equipment to create new emotions and atmospheres. He also enjoys leisurely strolls through the park and plans to overthrow a democratically elected country one day.

Nicki Wu, Lighting Assistant
Nicki studies Psychology at U of T, learning how behaviors and personality are developed through social conditioning and brain functions.  Constantly striving for mutual understanding between individuals, Nicki believes theater can bring people together through the ability to provide multiple new perspectives.  She assists the lighting designer and learns best with hands-on work on set, appreciating the guidance and support provided by those around her.  Nicki is also a foodie and plans to open a stand-up bar restaurant one day.

Fotini Paraschos, Props Master and Set Build Assistant
This is Fotini’s sixth production at Alumnae Theatre. Other credits include- Alumnae Theatre; Thirteen Hands, Prop Coordinator; Alumnae Theatre-Fireworks festival; Motherland, Prop Coordinator. Bloor-west Village Playhouse; Les Belles Soeurs, Prop Co-odinator.  Bloor-west Village Playhouse; Foxfinder, Prop Co-odinator. Alumnae Theatre; FireWorks Festival 2015, Assistant Prop master.  Alumnae Theatre; I am Marguerite, Assistant to Set Designer. 

John Fleming, Dialect Coach
John is a dialect coach for film/tv/theatre/video games/commercials/convincing-that-server-at-that-new-restaurant-that-you're-Australian.  Some credits, respectively, include Transylvania, In Contempt, RedOne's After Miss Julie, several Assassin's Creed games, Bell Media, and the Mexican restaurant near his house.  He also acts, and has been known to buy and sell fascinating old things.  However, to look beyond the capitalist/consumerist world view of what people do to make money, he also grows mint, brews kombucha, flirts with strangers, and does other hippie things which he'll leave to your imagination.

Jennifer Johnson, Movement Coach
Jen has created and performed her unique blend of theatre and dance across Canada and internationally for many years. More recently, Jen has turned her focus to teaching youth in her position as a drama teacher at Crescent School in Toronto. She has directed numerous productions, creating fantastical worlds and rich acting experiences for her students.  Jen is a founding Co-Artistic Director, and is on the Board of Kick Start Arts Society, a not-for-profit that empowers youth and adults through the creative process.  Jen is honoured to be working as a movement coach with the Alumnae Theatre once again.

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