Beaches the Musical

(she/her) Theatre Calgary debut. Jessica has newly created the character of ‘LUTE’ in the highly-anticipated animated series HAZBIN HOTEL, debuting on Amazon Prime Video at #2 globally. Last summer, she captivated audiences at the MUNY as ‘FLORENCE VASSY’ in Chess. She was previously seen starring in the Atlantic Theatre’s production of The Bedwetter, based on the best-selling memoir by Sarah Silverman. She’s played the famed Carnegie Hall twice in one season, with Get Happy: A Judy Garland Centennial Celebration, after her sold-out solo concert debut there in 2021. You can also catch her back at the famed hall this December, as she headlines with the New York Pops for Christmas. Jessica is an accomplished concert artist, having completed her first 20-city solo concert tour last year. Favorite roles of note: ‘THE NARRATOR’ in the 50th anniversary of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Lincoln Center and at MUNY, creating the role of ‘AUNT VAL’ in the Broadway-bound world premiere of Becoming Nancy; and re-creating the role of ‘FRUMA SARAH’ in the Fiddler on the Roof revival. Notably, Vosk had an acclaimed run as Elphaba in Wicked on Broadway, including the 15th anniversary production. Other Broadway credits include Finding Neverland and The Bridges of Madison County. Vosk’s two albums, Wild and Free and A Very Coco Christmas, debuted on the Billboard and iTunes Charts; she also has a Grammy nod for her work with the San Francisco Symphony. Having started with a career in finance, her one-of-a-kind story has been covered by ABC’s 20/20 and NBC Nightly News, and she has begun recording two new albums this year. Follow along for upcoming news: @jessicavosk

Theatre Calgary debut. Kelli has had principal roles in six different Broadway shows including last year’s Tony-winning revival of Parade (Mrs. Phagan). Other Broadway credits include Wicked (Nessarose), Dr. Zhivago (Lara Guishar), The Royal Family (Gwen Cavendish), Gettin’ the Band Back Together (Dani Franco) and Baby It’s You (Mary-Jane Greenberg). She’s starred in over 30 major television shows and feature films including recurring roles on Netflix’s The Punisher (Maria Castle), FX’s Emmy/Golden Globe-winning series Fosse/Verdon (Liza Minnelli), CW’s Dynasty (Nadia), Paramount’s Younger (Kamila), the musical version of Emma (Emma), and NBC’s Chicago Fire (Reneé Whaley). Off-Broadway she originated the leads in Rock of Ages (Sherrie Christian) and On Your Toes (Frankie Frayne). Her favorite role to date was playing “Eliza Doolittle” in the Michael Arden-directed Bay Street production of My Fair Lady. She’s also a published author, director, Master Certified Life Coach, and Partner/Creative Director for Full Circle Artists agency. When she’s not traveling the globe with her husband (Tony Nominee Jarrod Spector) performing their award-winning cabarets, building shows for Full Circle, or working with clients, you can find her at a poker table. Seventeen years ago Stafford Arima gave Kelli her Equity card and Beaches has always been Jarrod’s nickname for her so this whole thing feels truly kismet. For J, always.

(she/her) Theatre Calgary debut. As a grade four student who loves to sing and dance, Cecilia is thrilled to be joining this incredible production. A ballet student from the age of four, theatre has been an exciting next step in her artistic journey. Past productions: Jemima Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at Storybook Theatre. When not on stage you can find her reading, dancing, studying all things dragons, building lego, and making cool crafts. She sends thanks to the team for their tremendous support and love to her family. Enjoy the show!

(she/her) For Theatre Calgary: As You Like It (Shakespeare by the Bow). Previous credits include: Miss Bennet in Christmas at Pemberley  (Persephone); Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Arts Club); A Midsummer Nights Dream (Bard on the Beach); Home for the Holidays (Lunchbox); As You Like It (RMTC/ Citadel); Once (Citadel); A Gentlemen’s Guide to Love and Murder (Stage West). Emily is also a passionate teaching artist, and has
taught with companies such as the Arts Club, Bard on the Beach, The Performance Studio, and the Calgary Opera. Training: Fiasco Theatre  Conservatory, Arts Club Actors Intensive, Theatre Performance Diploma (MRU), BFA Musical Theatre (PACE University), MFA Creative Writing (UBC). Love to Mini, Bear and Prawn: this one is for you.

(she/her) Theatre Calgary debut. Sierra is a Tkaronto-based performer who is deeply grateful to be able to share art and be in community on this land. She is her biggest and brightest self when she is performing or with loved ones and she is passionate about telling stories that are truthful, human, challenging, and joyous. Past theatre credits: Jesus Christ Superstar (Talk is Free Theatre); Little Shop of Horrors (Capitol Theatre Port Hope); Peter’s Final Flight, The Wizard of Oz (Ross Petty Productions); Ride The Cyclone - choreographer (Tweed Theatre Co.); The Adventures of Pinocchio (Young  People’s Theatre); A Belly Full, Freaky Friday (Theatre Aquarius); Film/TV: The Madness, Accused, Bring It On: Cheer or Die (Jackie), Locke & Key, The J Team, Y: The Last Man. Instagram: @Sierr_uh

(she/her) Theatre Calgary debut. Jillian was the recipient of the 2023 Calgary High School Theatre Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Emma Nolan in The Prom (Central Memorial High School). She was most recently seen in the Canadian premiere of May We All (42nd Street Productions). Some of her other credits include Matilda the Musical (Storybook Theatre); Tobot Galaxy Detectives (Netflix); and an upcoming television series. Jillian has earned admission to numerous workshops and classes in New York City and elsewhere. She is excited to be graduating this year from Central  Memorial High School’s Performing and Visual Arts Program, specializing in Theatre Arts and Dance. She hopes to further pursue her passion for the stage far into the future. Jillian would like to thank her family for their continuous support and being her biggest fans at the theatre and her obligatory audience at home.

(he/him) For Theatre Calgary: Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville (Tully), A Comedy of Errors (Officer/Musician - Shakespeare by the Bow). Born and raised in Calgary, Nathan found his passion for storytelling at the tail end of high school when he fell in love with the communal and magical  process of theatre for the first time. He is a graduate of the Theatre Performance and Creation program at Red Deer College and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Dance Theatre from Brigham Young University. He believes that theatre is simultaneously the most weird and most normal thing he’s ever done. Search Nathan Gibb Johnson on any major music streaming platform to listen to his original album of music, Done With Goodbyes.

(she/her) For Theatre Calgary: A Christmas Carol (2014-18, 2023), The Great Gatsby, An Ideal Husband, Sherlock Holmes. Jamie is an award winning actor, singer, puppeteer and deviser based in Mohkinstsis (Calgary, Alberta). Her creative curiosity and diverse skill set has nourished a twenty-plus year career of performing everything from classics to contemporary fireside shows in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia. She has performed in countless premier productions of new works, devised theatre productions, a one person puppet show in which she sang several duets with herself and  recently as a puppeteer on two seasons of Apple TV+ and The Jim Henson Company’s Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock. Jamie’s work has earned her 5 Betty Mitchell Awards, 2 Robert Merritt Theatre Awards as well as 13 nominations and The Calgary Critics Award for Best Solo Performance for The Floating Mouse with The Green Fools.

(she/her) Theatre Calgary debut. Since she could talk, Hailey has been entertaining her family with her self made musical performances. The  Performance Studio in Calgary is where she has learned musical theatre and has been awarded amazing opportunities to perform on a stage. Recent performances: Elle Woods in Legally Blonde (2023), and Sherrie in Rock of Ages (2024). In 2021, she joined their competitive dance team and has been given more opportunity to work on her musical theatre skills, and other genres of dance. When she is not at the studio, Hailey attends grade eight at St. Alphonsus, a Calgary fine arts school. She had the privilege of playing Matilda in the school musical, Matilda (2023). She loves to be a part of a cast of diverse talent and enjoys being surrounded by others that share her passion. This really is a dream come true for Hailey.

(she/her) Theatre Calgary debut. Kayla is over the moon to be working with Theatre Calgary for the first time! Select performance credits include Candy Cane Kids (Occasional Notes); Footprints 2022 & 2021 (Decidedly Jazz Danceworks PTP); Unplugged (Broadway Dreams); Sister Act the  Musical, Camp Rock (Storybook Theatre); The Hunchback of Notre Dame, RENT (Cappuccino Musical Theatre). Select choreography credits include Tick, Tick, Boom (Forte Musical Theatre Guild); Newsies, The Lightning Thief (Storybook Theatre). Kayla teaches at Decidedly Jazz Danceworks with recent guest instruction for the National Ballet School. A big thank you to all my mentors, friends and family that have supported me along this bumpy and fabulous journey. To the dreamers, there is good news and bad news about being a performer. Bad news is you have no idea what’s going to  happen. The good news is you have no idea what’s going to happen. Keep going!

(she/her) For Theatre Calgary: Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville, Ragtime: A Concert Performance, TC Returns, The Louder We Get, Mary and Max A New Musical. Katie is so excited to present this beautiful show alongside this incredibly talented cast and crew! She is an emerging artist based out of Calgary. When not performing, Katie teaches piano and voice to pass on her love of music and beyond. Big thanks to all of her friends and family for their love and support.

(he/him) For Theatre Calgary: The Secret Garden (Doctor Craven). Brent recently helped lead an all-star cast for Broadway Sacramento as Prince Topher in Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella, a role he previously starred in for the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia. He was an original cast member in the first national company of Broadway’s Pretty Woman: The Musical. Brent starred as Edward Lewis for sold-out crowds in Minneapolis, Cleveland, Fort Lauderdale, and Durham, North Carolina, and played runs in Boston, St. Louis, and Chicago as Philip Stuckey. Last season, he joined a cast of Broadway veterans to star in Sondheim’s Putting It Together for Pioneer Theatre Company in Salt Lake City. Among his many celebrated roles in Canada, Brent starred as Trevor Graydon III alongside Cindy Williams in Thoroughly Modern Millie; and was honored to be part of celebrating Canada’s sesquicentennial with the iconic sketch comedy TV show Royal Canadian Air Farce. @brentthiessen

(she/her) Theatre Calgary debut. Addison is thrilled and honoured to be a part of Beaches. Recent theatre credits include: Chris, Mrs. (Samantha Chris - Boldly Productions); Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Ensemble - Drayton Entertainment), The Sound of Music (Gretl - Brott Music Festival). Training: Tap/Jazz, Musical Theatre - Koogle Theatre, Vocal Coaching - Michelle Wagman. Addison would like to thank her amazing agent Shari and the team at AMI. A special thank you to the entire creative team of Beaches for this incredible opportunity. Hugs and kisses to Mommy, Daddy, family and friends for all of their love and support! Instagram: @addisonwagman

(she/her) Theatre Calgary debut. Alba is a 10-year-old actress/singer, who has graced the screen as Andrew Garfield’s beloved daughter “Caroline” in Under the Banner of Heaven (Hulu/ Disney+) which also filmed in different locations throughout Alberta. Most recently she played Teresa Salming (daughter to Borje Salming) in Borje, a series that follows the life of the iconic Toronto Maple Leafs hockey player who unfortunately lost his battle with ALS. Alba recently competed in Kiwanis Music Festival-Stratford ON, where she placed 1st in Voice-Musical Theatre and Pop, and was asked to attend provincials. She would like to thank her amazing agent Kate Kellner of The George Agency for all her hard work and guidance, as well as her parents, Chris and Summer Weiler, who support her dreams and aspirations. Alba is delighted to be a part of the cast of Beaches the Musical at Theatre Calgary!

(he/him) For Theatre Calgary: As You Like It (Swing), Ragtime: A Concert Performance, Million Dollar Quartet, Mary and Max A New Musical, The Secret Garden, Twelfth Night (u/s), Touch Me: Songs for a (dis)Connected Age (TC UpClose w/Forte), A Christmas Carol (2014), One Man, Two Guvnors. Eric is an Alberta based actor and musician. Born and raised in Edmonton he now calls Calgary home with his amazing partner and their two elderly cats. Elsewhere: The Hooves Belonged to the Deer (Tarragon); The Extractionist U/S (Vertigo); Home for the Holidays, In Flanders Fields, Lest We Forget, That Men May Fly (Lunchbox), Naughty but Nice Xmas, Jeremy de Bergerac (Forte); Evil Dead: The Musical (Hit and Myth); Romeo and Juliet, A Christmas Carol (Citadel); The Soul Collector, Vigilante (Catalyst Theatre); Romeo & Juliet (The Shakespeare Company). When he isn’t performing he works as a sales representative for the Alberta based natural wine importer Garneau Block.

Iris is a best selling novelist whose work includes The Boys in the Mail Room, ‘Til the Real Thing Comes Along, I’ll Be There, The Stork Club, Show Business Kills, When I Fall in Love, Some Kind of Miracle and Beaches, which was made into a film starring Bette Midler.

The daughter of Russian immigrants, Iris was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where her father was a social worker in a settlement house. Iris took up an acting career at age six at The Pittsburgh Playhouse. In 1966 she received her degree in theater from the drama department at Carnegie Mellon  University, where she won honerable mention in the BMI awards for the libretto and lyrics she wrote for the varsity musical with composer Stephen  Schwartz. Upon graduation she moved to Hollywood where she survived on small acting parts. Discouraged, she turned to writing as a career.

She wrote episodes for many situation comedies and was hired in 1975 as the first woman writer to write The Sonny and Cher Show. It was during this time when Iris had the idea to write a woman character loosely based on “the no holds barred outrageous person” that she found in Cher. The  character became Cee Cee Bloom in her best-selling novel Beaches, later made into the iconic film of the same name. Iris was a Governor’s appointee to the California Arts Council on which she served for eight years. She was the keynote speaker for four years running at the Governors Conference for Women in California, sharing the bill with Sherry Lansing and Betty Ford. In 1999 Iris was the commencement speaker to ten thousand people at her alma mater, Carnegie Mellon University.

In 2011 the musical The People in the Picture, for which Iris wrote the book and the lyrics with composers Mike Stoller and Artie Butler, ran for ten  weeks at Studio 54 on Broadway, produced by Roundabout.

Iris is married to Stephen Dart, a California businessman with whom she has two adult children and two divine grandchildren.

Mike is one-half of the legendary songwriting team of Leiber & Stoller. Elvis Presley recorded over twenty of their songs, including “Hound Dog,” “Love  Me,” and “Jailhouse Rock.” Leiber & Stoller wrote and produced all the Coasters’ hits, including “Searchin’,” “Yakety Yak,” “Charlie Brown,” “Poison Ivy,” and, with Doc Pomus, “Young Blood.” Their many other hits include “Kansas City,” “Love Potion #9,” “I’m a Woman,” and “Is That All There Is?”; “On  Broadway” with Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil; and “Stand by Me” with Ben E. King. Smokey Joe’s Cafe: The Songs of Leiber & Stoller was nominated  for seven Tony Awards and is the longest-running musical revue in Broadway history.

In 2009, Simon & Schuster published Hound Dog: The Leiber and Stoller Autobiography. In 2011, The People in the Picture, with music by Mike Stoller  and Artie Butler and book and lyrics by Iris Rainer Dart, opened on Broadway, receiving Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle award nominations.  Mike Stoller has partnered again with Iris Rainer Dart for the musical adaptation of her best-selling novel, Beaches, coming to the stage in May of 2024. In 2012, Planned Parenthood dedicated the Stoller-Filer Health center in Compton, CA to Mike and Corky Hale Stoller and civic leader Macy Dean  Filer. In 2013, the Southern Poverty Law Center dedicated The Mike Stoller and Corky Hale Stoller Civil Rights Memorial Theater. In 2017, Mike Stoller founded Music Heals, a trauma-informed, therapeutically-based music immersion experience designed for formerly gang-involved men and women, which is a program within Homeboy Industries.

Pulitzer Prize nominee Thom Thomas is a renowned playwright and TV writer. His first major play, The Interview, directed by José Ferrer, premiered at  the Pittsburgh Playhouse followed by an Off-Broadway run in 1976. His next play, The Ball Game, premiered in New York City at Playwrights Horizons with a subsequent run at the Open Space Theatre in London. Thomas’s comedy Without Apologies premiered at the Pittsburgh Playhouse and the  Dorset Theatre Festival and went on to have a successful Off-Broadway run at the Hudson Guild Theatre, featuring Carrie Nye and Pauline Flanagan.  One of Thomas’ final plays, A Moon to Dance By marked Thomas’s critically acclaimed return to the Pittsburgh Playhouse with Jane Alexander in the lead role.

Thomas has been honored with grants and awards from the American Theatre Critics Association, the Ford Foundation, The National Endowment for the Arts, and most notably a nomination for the Pulitzer Prize in Drama. A distinguished member of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, the  Writers Guild of America West, and the Dramatists Guild of America. His name and legacy carries on in The Thom Thomas Award, an annual grant presented by The Dramatists Guild of America to a promising new playwright.

(he/him) For Theatre Calgary: The Louder We Get. Broadway: Gabriel Byrne’s Walking With Ghosts, Sunset Boulevard, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, 110 in the Shade, ‘Master Harold’... and the Boys, Sally Marr and Her Escorts, Urban Cowboy, A Class Act. West End: Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill. English National Opera: Man of La Mancha, Carousel, Sunset Boulevard, Sweeney Todd. Off-Broadway: Scotland, PA (Roundabout). Film/TV: the New York Philharmonic’s Sweeney Todd, Company, Camelot, Candide, Passion (Emmy Award), Sondheim: The Birthday Concert! (Emmy Award). Additional television: Sweeney Todd (San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, Emmy Award), Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill (HBO). Documentaries: Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened, Hal Prince: The Director’s Life. Current: New adaptation of Peter Pan (National Tour). This one’s for JMP, with love.

(he/him) For Theatre Calgary: The Louder We Get. Broadway (as Associate Director): Walking With Ghosts, Sunset Boulevard, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, 110 in the Shade. West End: Walking with Ghosts, Man of La Mancha, Carousel, Sweeney Todd. International: West Side Story. National Tour: Peter Pan (Associate Director). Select film and television: Hal Prince: the director’s life (PBS) (Co-Producer) and Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened (Co-Producer). HBO’s broadcast of Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill; SINATRA: Voice for a Century with the New York Philharmonic (Producer and Co-Director); and the Emmy Award winning production of Sweeney Todd. Graduate: UNCSA. Love to LRH.

(she/her) Theatre Calgary debut. Choreography credits include: A Doll’s House with Jessica Chastain (Broadway); Tootsie (Ogunquit Playhouse); Spamalot (Ogunquit Playhouse). Jenn is currently the Dance Supervisor for the North American Tour of Aladdin and the Associate Choreographer for Beauty and the Beast in Australia and upcoming US Tour. She was also the Associate Choreographer for the Broadway and Touring companies of Dear
Evan Hansen. As a performer, Jenn was in the Original Broadway Companies of The Cher Show, Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville, War Paint and Aladdin and made her Broadway debut in Rock of Ages. She was also a Radio City Rockette. For Mike, Carson, and my best girlfriends. I love you so. @jenniferriascannon

Theatre Calgary debut. Joseph is an award-winning composer, conductor and pianist whose theatre and concert works have been performed  internationally. He is the composer of the musicals Was, Harold & Maude, Fall of ’94, Borrowed Dust and Inventions for Piano, and his concert works encompass chamber, choral, orchestral, wind ensemble and vocal music. His ballet, Chasing Home, was recently recorded by Richard McKay and the
Dallas Chamber Symphony and will be released later this year. He has served as music director and/or arranger for Julie Andrews, Liza Minnelli, Patti LuPone, Bernadette Peters, Renée Fleming, Rebecca Luker, Marin Mazzie, Liz Callaway, Sierra Boggess, Catherine Malfitano, Elizabeth Futral, Kristin Chenoweth, Sally Wilfert, Polly Bergen, Faith Prince, Hugh Panaro, Michael Crawford, Howard McGillin, Jason Danieley, Nathan Gunn, Rodney Gilfry, Brian Stokes Mitchell and many more. He has taught music theatre composition at Yale and is a proud graduate of Northwestern University.

(she/her) Theatre Calgary debut. Katie was most recently seen around the US as “Joan” (keyboard player and conductor) in the national tour of SIX. Other recent projects include SIX (Broadway), Aladdin (Broadway), Hamilton (And Peggy Tour), Falsettos (Lincoln Center Production national tour), and Elf on the Shelf (first and second national tours) as well as the development of several new works including Vicky and Frank, and Coming Soon. Katie is originally from the San Francisco Bay Area and a graduate of University of the Pacific’s Conservatory of Music, where she studied piano and trumpet. She is also the host of the podcast How to Succeed in Theater (by sacrificing everything). @kaatiecoleman KatieColemanMusic.com

(he/him) Theatre Calgary debut: Charlie is a Tony Award and Grammy Award winning composer and orchestrator whose music has been heard  worldwide across many stages and screens around the world. Some recent credits include: Broadway: Some Like it Hot (Orchestrations), A Strange Loop (Orchestrations), Be More Chill (Music Sup/Orchestrations), Moulin Rouge (Orchestrations) - (Tony Award), Prince of Broadway (Orchestrations), American Psycho (Assoc MD/Keys), The Visit (Guitar/Zither), Honeymoon in Vegas (Orchestrations), Cyrano de Bergerac (Composer), One Man, Two Guvnors (Music Director, Bass), 13 The Musical (Guitars, Bass, Keys), Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (Assoc. MD, Bass, addl. Orch). Off Broadway/Regional: A Strange Loop (Orchestrations) - Playwrights Horizons; Love in Hate Nation (Orchestrator) - Two River Theater; Broadway Bounty Hunter (Orchestrations) - Greenwich House Theater; A Legendary Romance (MD/Orch) - Williamstown Theater Festival; Miss You Like Hell (Orchestrations) - The Public Theater; The Black Suits - Center Theater Group (MD/Orch).

(she/her) Theatre Calgary debut. Danielle is a NYC based Copyist and Performer. She has done Music Preparation for the Broadway Productions of Be More Chill and Tommy, and a variety of Off-Broadway and Regional productions including the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Hercules (Papermill Playhouse), The Untitled, Unauthorized Hunter S. Thompson Musical (La Jolla Playhouse), Other World (Delaware Theatre Company), Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Children’s Theatre Company), Love in Hate Nation (Two River Theatre), and Broadway Bounty Hunter (Off-Broadway). She has also done music  preparation for the Grammy Award winning 8-Bit Big Band and Tituss Burgess at Carnegie Hall, In addition to her Music Prep work, Danielle often sings with Joe Iconis & Family. She is so grateful to the Beaches team for having her on board, and is excited to be spending time in Calgary this spring!

For Theatre Calgary: The Louder We Get. Elsewhere: Broadway: Sunset Boulevard (revival), Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, Come Back Little Sheba (revival), A Bronx Tale (revival), A Class Act, Jekyll and Hyde, and many others as well as productions for Tony Randall’s National Actors Theatre, including The Persians, Judgement At Nuremberg, Night Must Fall, The Sunshine Boys, and The Gin Game. Off-Broadway original productions: Frankie and Johnny in the Clair De Lune, Three Tall Women, Full Gallop, Fully Committed, A Bronx Tale (original). James has worked for many NYC theatre companies including Playwrights Horizons, Manhattan Theatre Club, Lincoln Center Theatre, and Roundabout Theatre Company. He has also designed at many regional theatres and Opera Companies across America and for numerous national tours. James is an Associate Professor and Head of the Scenic Design Program at Boston University.

(she/her) Theatre Calgary debut. Tracy has collaborated with Lonny Price and Matt Cowart numerous times, including the Broadway revival of Sunset Boulevard starring Glenn Close, Carousel for London’s English National Opera, Sweeney Todd starring Emma Thompson, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill (HBO film with Audra McDonald) and the premiere of Scotland, PA (Roundabout Theatre). Additional design credits include: Ragtime 25th Reunion Benefit Concert, Anyone Can Whistle (at Carnegie Hall) with Vanessa Williams; Souvenir (Broadway); Arms and the Man (off-Broadway); Betrayal (Ketonah Classic Stage); Love’s Labour’s Lost at the Folger Theater (Helen Hayes nom.); and the recent premieres of Anne of Green Gables (Goodspeed); John Cullum: An Accidental Star (Vineyard); and Kate Hamill’s adaptation of Pride & Prejudice (off-Broadway). Faculty member: Purchase College SUNY and Southern Methodist University for costume design.

Theatre Calgary debut. Ken creates lighting for the theatre, television and architecture. Among his over 100 Broadway shows are the original production of Sweeney Todd, the current Chicago, the longest-running American musical in history, Waitress, Act One, Hugh Jackman Back on Broadway, The Scottsboro Boys, White Christmas, Title of Show, Footloose, as well as revivals of My Fair Lady, Hello Dolly, Sunday in the Park… (twice), Annie (twice), and Fiddler on the Roof (three times). Ken’s has lit such spectaculars as the Christmas Show at The Radio City Music Hall and Fantasmic at Disneyland. Architecture incudes New York’s Tavern on the Green and 54 Below, and awards include the Tony, the Lumen (architecture), and the Ace (television). In 2015, Ken Billington was inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame.

(he/him) Theatre Calgary debut. Broadway: Days of Wine and Roses, Merrily We Roll Along (Tony nomination), Spamalot (co-design), New York, New York (Tony Nomination), Kimberly Akimbo, The Old Man and the Pool, Mister Saturday Night, Head Over Heels, The Band’s Visit (Tony Award, Drama  Desk Award), Amélie, Sunday in the Park With George, Allegiance, Gigi, Fun Home, On the Town, First Date, Follies (Tony, Drama Desk Nominations); and Million Dollar Quartet. West End: Million Dollar Quartet. Other: Peter Pan (Tour); Crazy For You (West End); The Karate Kid (Stages St. Louis); The Bedwetter (Atlantic); Swept Away (Berkeley Rep); Soft Power (Public Theatre, CTG); Marie: Dancing Still (5th Ave); The Light in the Piazza, Candide (L.A. Opera); We Live in Cairo, The Black Clown (ART); Zorro (Moscow; Atlanta); Hinterm Horizont (Berlin); assorted musicals at City Center Encores! and the Kennedy Center. Education: Yale University

Theatre Calgary debut. David is a projection and media designer based in New York City. Selected recent and upcoming designs include: Broadway: Water for Elephants (Tony & Outer Critics Circle nominations), The Thanksgiving Play, 1776. Off-Broadway including: Walk on Through (MCC), Twilight: LA 1992 (Signature - Henry Hewes Award, Drama Desk Nom.); Anthony Rapp’s Without You (New World Stages); Bhangra Nation (Birmingham Rep); Monsoon Wedding (St. Ann’s Warehouse); The Visitor (The Public Theater - Lortel Nom.); Circle Jerk (Fake Friends - Obie Award, Drama League Nom.); Einstein’s Dreams (Prospect/59E59 - Drama Desk Nom.); Van Gogh’s Ear (ERC - Drama Desk Nom.); The Great Leap (Atlantic), Here There Are Blueberries (Tectonic). Regional including: La Jolla Playhouse, A.R.T, Yale Rep, Dallas Theater Center, Alliance. National Tours of: Peter Pan, 1776; Rockin’ Road To Dublin. David was also a 2017-2019 Arts Fellow at the Princeton University Lewis Center for the Arts. MFA: NYU

(he/him) Theatre Calgary debut. Broadway: Mary Jane, Prayer for the French Republic, Purlie Victorious, Good Night, Oscar, Sweeney Todd…, Ohio State Murders, & Juliet, Kimberly Akimbo, Topdog/Underdog, How I Learned to Drive, American Buffalo, Jagged Little Pill, Frankie and Johnny in the  Claire de Lune, Gettin’ the Band Back Together, Bandstand, Indecent, Sunset Boulevard, The Visit, The Real Thing, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill, Motown, Peter and the Starcatcher, The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess, All about Me. Recent Off Broadway: Sally & Tom, Dead Outlaw, Sunset Baby, Jelly’s Last Jam, Once Upon a Mattress.

(he/him) Theatre Calgary debut. Broadway credits include: Mrs. Doubtfire (OBC), Kiss Me Kate, Hello Dolly, Groundhog Day (OBC), Matilda, and Wicked. Other NYC performing credits: The Metropolitan Opera’s La Traviata and Carnegie Hall. Tours: 9 to 5, High School Musical, A Chorus Line and West Side Story. In addition to performing, Travis is currently the Associate Choreographer for the National Tour of Peter Pan, and Assistant
Choreographer for Heart Of Rock and Roll on Broadway. Other associate credits include: Tale As Old As Time, The Last Supper, Matilda at The MUNY; James Taylor’s “River” performed for the Rainforest Benefit Concert at Carnegie Hall; and the film Frances Ha starring Greta Gerwig directed by Noah Baumbach. Special thanks to Matt and Lonny for bringing me on the ride, love you guys! Stay up to date with Travis through his website Twald1.com or through his socials @Waldschmidt__

(he/him) For Theatre Calgary: Ragtime: A Concert Performance, The Louder We Get, Billy Elliot, Mary & Max A New Musical, The Secret Garden, The Great Gatsby. Mark is a JUNO-nominated pianist, composer, and arranger, and frequent collaborator with Theatre Calgary, the Calgary Philharmonic, and multi JUNO award-winning vocalist Caity Gyorgy. He is a graduate of New School University in New York City, and has studied with composers Bunita Marcus (NYC), Laurence Crane (London, UK), and Linda Catlin Smith (Toronto, Canada). His arrangements and orchestrations have been heard in collaboration with Caity Gyorgy, vocalist & playwright Allison Lynch, vocalist Ellen Doty, Kensington Sinfonia, and the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. MarkLimacher.com

(he/him) Theatre Calgary debut. Jeffery is thrilled to join Theatre Calgary for Beaches. A frequent associate to James Noone, he has designed throughout New England New York City and his native Minnesota. MFA Boston University member United Scenic Artists.  www.jeffreypetersendesign.com

(she/her) Theatre Calgary debut. Somie is a New York City based costume designer and wardrobe stylist for theatre, film, and TV. Recent select design credits include: Burning Man: The Musical, Estella Scrooge (Silver Telly Award Winner), Mary Stuart (Henry Hewes Award Nominee), Mélange (MTV/Logo). Recent Assistant/Associate Credits include: Chopped Food Network (Assistant to Kitty Boots), Pay the Writer at Signature Theatre (Associate to David C. Woolard), Love All at La Jolla Playhouse (Associate to Ann Hould-Ward), Ragtime 25th Anniversary Concert at the Minskoff Theater (Associate to Tracy Christensen), A Beautiful Noise at Broadhurst Theatre (Assistant to Emilio Sosa). Check out her portfolio at www.somiepak.com.

(she/her) Theatre Calgary debut. Caroline is excited to be joining Theatre Calgary as Costume Design Associate on Beaches. She is the Head of Wardrobe for Alberta Theatre Projects and was thrilled to also be costume designer for their recent production of The Black Bonspiel of Wullie MacCrimmon. In 2023, she made her costume design debut with The Shakespeare Co. and Hit or Myth’s production of Hamlet presented by Brampton on Stage. This past fall she received her 25-season pin from The Stratford Festival, celebrating her years of work as a Master Sewer II, Wardrobe Show Head, and Wardrobe Attendant. She has worked for many theatres across Canada including Theatre Calgary, The National Ballet of Canada, RMTC, Theatre Aquarius, and Summer at the  Roxy. Caroline would like to thank her friends for their support and encouragement, her family for their nurturing of creativity, and her nieces, Violet and June, for being her two biggest cheerleaders.

(he/him) Theatre Calgary debut. Brandon’s Associate Lighting Design credits include The Who’s Tommy, Thoughts of a Colored Man (Broadway); Disney’s Aladdin (US National Tour, UK Tour, Spain); Peter Pan (US National Tour); The Untitled Unauthorized Hunter S. Thompson Musical (La Jolla Playhouse); Bhangin’ It (La Jolla Playhouse); and Life After (The Old Globe). Assistant on Diana (Broadway); Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville (La Jolla Playhouse); and Almost Famous (The Old Globe).

(she/her) Theatre Calgary debut. Selected Associate Sound Design: Kimberly Akimbo; New York, New York; Mr. Saturday Night (Broadway); A Wonderful World (Tour). Sound Effects Design: Dead Outlaw (Minetta Lane Theatre). Viscerally grateful, deeply indebted, sincerely beholden to friends, family, and especially Kai. Please enjoy!

(they/she) Theatre Calgary debut. Alessandra (Ali) is a Projection Designer and Projection Associate/Animator based in Brooklyn, NY. Projection Design Credits include: Magic Flute (Mannes Opera), Sleeper (The Tank), La Calisto (Mannes Opera), Heisenberg (GableStage), How to Find A Husband in 37 Years or Longer (Under St. Marks), curiouser/CURIOUSER (Friends Seminary), The View (Columbia Lenfest). Associate/Animator credits include Water For Elephants (The Imperial Theatre), Scene Partners (Vineyard Theatre), Inferior Sex (Trinity Repertory), Bhangin’ It (La Jolla Playhouse), A Turtle On A Fence Post (Theater 555), The Mountaintop (Weston Playhouse), Disclaimer (The Public: Under the Radar Festival). Alessandra is a Technical Collaborator for the New York Neo-Futurists. alessandracronin.com

(they) Theatre Calgary debut. Jacqueline is a visual creator. Their work can be seen in the form of vj sets, experimental performances, installations, or theatrical productions. Their latest projects include Angela Dimayuga’s Angels World, The Outsiders Broadway musical, Saks Fifth Avenue/Dior 5ave Christmas display, and Mariah Carey’s LA Pride performance. ~ jqreed.com // project.jq ~

(he/him) Theatre Calgary debut. Gun & Powder (Co-Designer). Tours: 100 days. (Associate Wig & makeup design); Broadway: & Juliet, Sweeney Todd, Kimberly Akimbo, Good Night Oscar, Jagged Little Pill, Getting the Band Back Together. Off-Broadway: Clue, BLKS, Alice By Heart, The Other Josh Cohen.

(he/him) For Theatre Calgary: Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville, Crazy For You, A Christmas Carol, Swing Dance Choreographer for Forgiveness. Elsewhere: Spamalot, Young Frankenstein, Screwball Comedy, Priscilla: Queen of the Desert (StageWest); Choreographer for Something Rotten, Elf: The Musical and Honk! (Storybook Theatre). Brigadoon (The Shaw Festival); Newsies, Shear Madness, The Rainmaker, The Drowsy Chaperone, Beauty and the Beast, Rock of Ages, Thoroughly Modern Millie, It Runs in the Family, White Christmas, The Music Man, The Little Mermaid, Footloose, Damn Yankees, Legally Blonde, Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music (Drayton Entertainment); Ghostlight (Off-Broadway/Signature Theatre); Spring Awakening, title role in Hamlet (The Roxy). Training: BFA in Musical Theatre from The Boston Conservatory. Love and gratitude to Scott, Mom, Dad, and Bob for their unconditional support and for allowing me to follow my dream. IG: @yoga.with.greg yogawithgreg.com

(she/her) Theatre Calgary debut. Jennifer is an Australian-born performer and creative. Selected performance credits include: Harry Potter and The Cursed Child (Mirvish); Saturday Night Fever (National Tour); The Drowsy Chaperone, Rock Of Ages (Drayton Ent.); Guys And Dolls (The Rev); West Side Story (Rainbow Stage); Singin’ in the Rain (Capitol Theatre); Masters of Illusions (Season 2/CTV). Her choreography credits include Disney’s Newsies (Assist. Dir/Choreo, Forestburgh Playhouse); Joseph And The Amazing… (The LOT); the Toronto Pan Am Games (Assist. Choreo, Cirque du Soleil). She has choreographed segments for The Marilyn Denis Show (CTV) as well as corporate events for Honda, Reebok, Scotiabank & Sony Music and is a founding member of the Canadian Guild of Stage Directors and Choreographers (CGDC). Huge thanks to Jenn R and this incredible team and big love to her husband Brent! @jenniferclarethiessen

(she/her) For Theatre Calgary: Assistant Director - A Christmas Carol (2023), Resident Voice Coach – More than 80 productions since 2000 including: Selma Burke, Meteor Shower, The Mousetrap, Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville, Forgiveness, Little Women, The Importance of Being Earnest, Million Dollar Quartet, Steel Magnolias, 12 seasons of Shakespeare by the Bow and 15 years of A Christmas Carol (incl. playing Mrs. Cratchit from 2001-02). Additionally, Jane adapted and directed the 2022 Shakespeare on the Go production of The Merry Wives of Windsor. She has also worked for ATP, Vertigo, and The Shakespeare Company, and coaches Voice and Presence through her business Voice Activated. She has taught Voice for the Actor and Acting at such institutions as York University, Harvard University, Southern Methodist University, MRU, UofA, and is currently on faculty in the Drama Division in the School of Creative & Performing Arts at UCalgary.

(he/him) For Theatre Calgary: Jimmy Buffet’s Escape to Margaritaville, Little Women. John is a Mokhinstsis/Calgary based theatre artist and educator. He is a Certified Instructor and Fight Director with The Academy of Fight Directors Canada. Elsewhere: Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson Apt 2B, The Girl on the Train, Sleuth (Vertigo); Carmen, Filomena (Calgary Opera); Much Ado About Nothing, Julius Caesar (The Shakespeare Company); Between Us (Handsome Alice); Hookman (Chromatic Theatre & SCPA); Shakespeare in Love, A Monster Calls, Illegal Entry, This is War (UofC, SCPA); No One’s Safe (Banff Centre & Against the Grain); Wolf on the Ringstrasse, All In The Timing & Fifteen Minute Hamlet, A Streetcar Named Desire (Spiritfire Theatre). He thanks Eva for all of her love and support.

(she/her) For Theatre Calgary: Selma Burke, Meteor Shower, Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville. Anastasia is a queer, certified intimacy director and coordinator. She is a founding member of Principal Intimacy Professionals (PIPs) and an instructor for PIP’s SAG-AFTRA accredited intimacy training program. Select credits include: The Immaculate Perfection (Body Cube Arts/High Performance Rodeo), Stage Kiss (Pine Tree Players), Bombay Black (Alberta Theatre Projects), Frankenstein (Jupiter Theatre), Hurry Hard (Western Canada Theatre), Brontë (Studio Theatre UofA), A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Measure For Measure (FreeWill Shakespeare), Genesis: The Mary Shelley Play (Edinburgh Fringe). Special thanks to her PIPs Pals and loved ones for their ongoing support.

(she/her) For Theatre Calgary: Little Red Warrior and His Lawyer, One Man, Two Guvnors, Skydive. Angela is thrilled to be part of the Beaches team and returning to Theatre Calgary. Some of her other favourite theatre experiences include: Hey Viola!, Musical TheatreWorks; Elf the Musical, Kinky Boots, Thanks For Giving, Hand to God, One Man, Two Guvnors, Venus in Fur, The 39 Steps, It’s A Wonderful Life, Blood Brothers, Arts Club Theatre; Urinetown, The Musical, Firehall Arts Centre; Kill Me Now, Sex in Heaven, Lion in the Streets, Touchstone Theatre. In June 2008, Angela received the Mary Phillips Prize for her work behind the scenes. All my love to SJT, forever in my heart.

(she/her) Theatre Calgary debut. Liz is thrilled to be working on this production of Beaches and with Theatre Calgary for the first time. She is a Saskatchewan-born, BC-based stage manager who graduated from the now unfortunately defunct Mount Royal University theatre program. Some favourite credits include The Unplugging (Belfry); Elf, Hand to God (Arts Club); Once, Mamma Mia (Chemainus Theatre Festival); Grease (Western Canada Theatre); Trout Stanley (Persephone Theatre); The Last Wife (Globe Theatre); The Unplugging (Gwaandak Theatre); Cymbeline (Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan); and Pericles (Stratford Festival). She spent the lost years working as the Operations Manager for the Victoria Symphony. Liz has run one marathon and had one major mountain biking crash. She cares to repeat neither.

(she/her) For Theatre Calgary: Stage Manager – A Christmas Carol (2023), Little Women, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2019, 2012), The Two Gentlemen of Verona, As You Like It, Hamlet (Shakespeare by the Bow). Assistant Stage Manager - Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville, Steel Magnolias, A Christmas Carol (2019), Billy Elliot the Musical, The Humans, Skylight, The Light in the Piazza, Bad Jews. Other selected credits: The Dark Lady, Raising Stanley/Life with Tulia (Lunchbox); Undressed, Stealing Sam (ATP); Heist, Misery, Clue, Murder in the Studio, 39 Steps, The Haunting, Our Man in Havana, I’ll Be Back Before Midnight (Vertigo); The Children, A Doll’s House Pt. 2 (Belfry Theatre); Smoke (Downstage). Carissa would like to thank her husband, Myles, and her parents for their continued support.

(she/her) For Theatre Calgary: Made In Italy. Raynah is absolutely delighted to be working with Theatre Calgary on such an extraordinary production! Recently, Raynah was “screeched in” as an honorary Newfoundlander and spent her past summer working at the Stephenville Theatre Festival as Production Stage Manager for Rock of Ages and Lucky Stiff. She recently worked in Miami, FL on the Irish Dance phenomenon Celtic Illusion with Annerin Productions. Other select credits include; Heist, Murder on the Orient Express (Vertigo theatre), Elf the Musical, Next To Normal (New West Theatre), and Stealing Sam (Alberta Theatre Projects). Raynah dedicates her time on Beaches to her best friend, Kevin. You will forever, and always be “My Best.”

(he/him) For Theatre Calgary: Selma Burke (Projection Design), The Importance of Being Earnest (Asst. Projection/Lighting Design), Little Women (Asst. Projection Design). Brendan is beyond thrilled to be joining Theatre Calgary for the world premiere of Beaches. Select credits: Vertigo Theatre: The Girl on the Train (Projection Design); Alberta Theatre Projects: The Jungle Book (Projection Design). Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity: Serena Ryder in Concert (Projection Design), Opera in the 21st Century (Projection Design), Twin Flames in Concert (Projection Design), Indigenous Choreographers Lab (Projection Design), Banff Musicians in Residence (Projection Design), Evolution Classical (Projection Design), Indigenous Singer Songwriter Residency (Projection Design). Thank you Mark for always being my guiding light and to my family for always supporting my passions. Instagram: @mrbrendanb, Web: brendanbriceland.com

(she/her) For Theatre Calgary: Selma Burke and Meteor Shower (Voice & Dialect Mentee), A Christmas Carol (2023), Ragtime: A Concert Performance. Jessica discovered her love for the performing arts at a young age, and believes sharing her passion through acting or teaching is one of the best experiences in life. She is very proud to be an award-winning choreographer for the Youth Singers of Calgary, as well as teaching students from across the city to discover their passion for the performing arts through classes and private lessons. She is a Betty Mitchell Award nominee, and has had the pleasure of performing across Canada, the United States, Europe, and South America. She holds a performance diploma from Mount Royal University and BFA from Concordia University. Jessica is very thankful for the entire team at Theatre Calgary as well as her loved ones and supporters.

Jennifer is a Tony and Emmy Award winner with a long history in the entertainment industry. Jennifer’s Broadway producing credits include Spring Awakening (winner Tony & Drama Desk Award), American Idiot (Tony & Drama Desk Award nomination), Rock of Ages (Tony Award nomination), and Legally Blonde (Drama Desk nomination). She also produced Broadway’s Superior Donuts, Chita Rivera: The Dancer’s Life, and the Off-Broadway hit, I Love You Because. Jennifer was honored by the New York Musical Theatre Festival as one of three “Broadway producers under 40 making their mark on Broadway.” She received accolades for producing 110 Stories, a play featuring a star-studded cast (Samuel L. Jackson, Katie Holmes, Kathleen Turner, Cynthia Nixon, and many others) to commemorate 9/11. Jennifer produced over 1,700 hours of television as the Coordinating Producer of As the World Turns. Her producing team won the 2001 and 2003 Emmy Awards for Best Drama Series (nominations 2002 through 2006). Jennifer is the Co-Founder/CEO of Next Table Entertainment & Media; along with her Co-Founder/COO Rachelle Fender, their mission is to produce world-class entertainment that invites more people to take a seat at the table. Jennifer is grateful every day for family and friends that inspire her. None of this is possible without the love and support of her husband Joe.