Theatre Aquarius,
Hamilton, ON

Buy Tickets

June 21 – 23

Theatre Aquarius,
Hamilton, ON

Buy Tickets

June 21-23

AN AMERICAN HYMNAL

A new musical from Terra Bruce Productions featuring an epic story of love, loss and hope with incredible gospel and rock & roll music.

1955. Chicago. Father Paul Barry has left his home in Ireland to move to America, determined to help others. On the busy streets of the New World he encounters Dinah, an unforgettable jazz singer who leaves a lasting impression. We follow their journeys through an epic story of the 50s and 60s, filled with love, loss, and hope. With incredible gospel and rock & roll music, An American Hymnal is a stunning, original musical from Terra Bruce Productions premiering at The Majestic Theatre, before it tours to Theatre Aquarius in Hamilton, Ontario.

Book by: Stephen Cochrane
Directed by: Courtney Brown
Music Director: Bill Brennan

"

"This is a promising new show with a phenomenal cast." 

– Beau Dixon – Dramaturge

OUR CAST

RUTH ACHEAMPONG

Dinah

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DHARMA BIZIER

Ensemble

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kelly-ann evans

Hazel

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MATTHEW BROWN

Floyd

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CECILLY DAY

Ensemble

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JULIA DUNNE

Jessa

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PHILIP GOODRIDGE

Jake

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JARED HANSEN

Mr. Boyko

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VICKI HARNETT

Mrs. Boyko

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DAKOTA JAMAL WELLMAN

Ensemble

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MARVIN KAYE

Father Maloney

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JADE KIMAYA

Minnie

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CONNOR LUCAS

Father Paul

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STEVE MALONEY

Carter

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JUSTAN MYERS

Ensemble

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MELANIE O'BRIEN

Matty

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ADAM SERGISON

Ensemble

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CREATIVE TEAM

STEPHEN COCHRANE

Book

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COURTNEY BROWN

Director

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BILL BRENNAN

Music Director

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MIKE HERRIOTT

Arrangements & Orchestrations

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VICTORIA WELLS-SMITH

Choreographer

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BEAU DIXON

Dramaturge

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BRIAN DUDKIEWICZ

Set Designer

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SARA HODDER

Costume Designer

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LEIGH ANN VARDY

Lighting Designer

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AMELIA SCOTT

Projection Designer

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KATE DE LORME

Sound Designer

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KELLY-ANN EVANS

Assistant Director

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PRODUCTION TEAM

JAIMIE TAIT

Stage Manager

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SOPHIA MOLNAR

Assistant Stage Manager

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CHARLOTTE PETERS

Assistant Stage Manager

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BRENDAN AGNEW

Production Manager

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DAVID MILLER

Associate Producer

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MEDIA GALLERY

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Theatre Aquarius,
Hamilton, ON

Buy Tickets

June 21 – 23

Contact Info:

27 Mayor Avenue
St. John’s, NL
A1C 4N5

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Bill Brennan

Role: Musical Director

Bill Brennan’s expertise as a pianist, percussionist, composer and producer can be heard on some 125 albums to date. His most recent album Kaleidoscope – Music for Mallet Instruments won the MusicNL award for Classical Album of the Year, and has been nominated for two ECMA awards. Bill has been musical director/composer for CBC’s Vinyl Café, The Nature of Things and for numerous stage productions including Tada’s Rock of Ages, Evita and The Little Mermaid (Theatre St. John’s). University teaching includes Professor of Instrumental Conducting at Memorial University. “Brennan … is a central figure in this country’s music” (Toronto Star).

DAVID MILLER

Associate Producer

Broadway credits include: Paradise Square (Associate Producer – starring 2022 Tony Award Winner Joaquina Kalukango), GM intern for Slylvia, An American In Paris, Eclipsed, Hughie, Fiddler…China Doll starring Al Pacino, Dear Evan Hansen (Off-Broadway), For Terra Bruce Productions: The Wild Rovers (Associate Producer), Toronto: Sousatzka world premiere. Prior to joining Terra Bruce Productions, David was a Talent Agent at The Talent House. Much love to M&D, M, Z, LC.

BRENDAN AGNEW

Production Manager

Brendan has been with Terra Bruce for the past 3 years. He has worked with companies across Canada including Pacific Opera Victoria, Repercussion Theatre, Carousel Theatre for Young People, the Belfry Theatre, Perchance Theatre, and PerSIStence Theatre Company. He is a graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada and holds a BFA in Theatre from the University of Victoria.

CHARLOTTE PETERS

Assistant Stage Manager

Terra Bruce debut! Other theatre: Wedding Band (Stratford Festival); This is How We Got Here (Green Light Arts); Sweeney Todd (Talk Is Free Theatre); Constellations (Cosmic Fishing Theatre); Back Home for the Holidays, Elf: The Musical, Jack and the Beanstalk: The Panto (Drayton Entertainment); A Belly Full (Theatre Aquarius); Possible Worlds, Beauty and the Beast, Robin Hood’s Latest Adventure (Bishop’s University), and numerous workshops for new Canadian plays. Charlotte holds a BA in Drama and Creative Writing from Bishop’s University and is currently pursuing her MA in Folklore at Memorial University in Newfoundland.

SOPHIA MOLNAR

Assistant Stage Manager

Sophia (she/her/elle) has a BFA from Grenfell’s Technical Theatre Production program at Memorial University. Selected credits include Jewel, The Birds, The SS Ethie, Bingo Ladies (The Gros Morne Theatre Festival), Dear Me: (Workshop), MacBeth (Theatre at Grenfell), How To Make Bread and school tours with Shakespeare Simplified. A big thank you to the American Hymnal team and everyone who has helped me navigate 2024 thus far!

JAIMIE TAIT

Stage Manager

Jaimie has been with the Terra Bruce Productions team since 2019, stage managing their concerts, workshops and main stage productions. An American Hymnal is dear to her heart, and she is thrilled to be a part of the first production. Some favourite past credits include: The Wild Rovers for Terra Bruce Productions, Betroffenheit with Kidd Pivot, Offensive to Some for PerSIStence Theatre Company, and Chelsea Hotel: The Songs of Leonard Cohen for The Firehall Arts Centre. Originally from BC, Jaimie is now proud to call St. John’s her home. Jaimie is a graduate of Studio 58.

KELLY-ANN EVANS

Assistant Director

Based in St. John’s, NL, Kelly-Ann is owner/operator of Rock City Studio & Red Dress Entertainment. She has won multiple MusicNL Awards & is an ECMA nominee. Theatre credits include We Will Rock You (Mirvish), Cabaret & The Trojan Women (Stratford), Into the Woods & Phantom of the Opera (OOTA), Next to Normal (Best Kind Productions), Evita, Rock of Ages, CATS, Chicago and J.C. Superstar (Tada!). Kelly-Ann is a regular featured soloist with the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra and works as a Resident Artist, Music Director, Vocal Coach & Arranger with Terra Bruce Productions.

KATE DE LORME

Sound Designer

Kate De Lorme is a Sound Artist and Audio Engineer from the Okanagan – currently living on the traditional territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and səlil̓wətaʔɬ peoples, aka Vancouver, BC. Kate’s work integrates immersive spatial sound landscapes, technology and sound healing. She holds a BFA in Theatre Design and Production from UBC and has a certification in Audio Engineering. Her live performance sound design has focussed on contemporary dance, and features high caliber recording and editing, composition, programming, live mixing and interactivity. Kate is the Co-Founder and Director of Operations at Lobe Spatial Sound Studio in Vancouver.

lobestudio.ca katedelorme.com

AMELIA SCOTT

Projection Designer

Amelia Scott is a video designer, projection technologist, and new media artist, working in theatre, opera, dance, live music, and beyond. Her focus is in visual storytelling, using animation, film, video, and live cameras to implement nuanced integration of video and projections into live performances. She creates emotional atmospheres, poetic textures, morphing scénography, and editorial interventions. Amelia is also an instructor of Video Technology and Design at the National Theatre School of Canada (a position she has held since 2017) and has been a guest lecturer at Concordia University.

LEIGH ANN VARDY

Lighting Designer

Leigh Ann is from Corner Brook Nfld and lives in Halifax. She designs lighting for theatre, dance, and opera across Canada. Recent credits: Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead (Neptune, Mirvish), The Lehman Trilogy (Belfry), Guilt, A Love Story (Tarragon), Richard II, Hamlet 911 (Stratford), The Breathing Hole (NAC), Fall on Your Knees (Canadian Stage, NAC, Vita Brevis), Come From Away (Arts & Culture Centres, Michael Rubinoff), For A Look or a Touch (Pacific Opera). Leigh Ann teaches and coaches at the National Theatre School of Canada.

SARA HODDER

Costume Designer

Sara Hodder has been working with fabric and costumes for over 15 years. A graduate of NSCADU, she developed her small business, SECH Design, while living in Montreal. Locally, Sara has worked with several theatre companies, film and television projects and in the wardrobe department at the St. John’s ACC. She took a small detour to study carpentry and spent several years building houses. Sara is proud of her design and renovation work on the Terra Bruce Studio/ MOTH Recordings and The Majestic Theatre/ Theatre Hill Bar + Café. Sara lives in St. John’s with her husband and two sons.

BRIAN DUDKIEWICZ

Set Designer

Brian is an award-winning designer whose work has been seen across Canada, the United States, and in Asia. Recent credits include designing with such companies as Neptune Theatre, The Grand, Theatre Aquarius, Musical Stage Company, Mirvish, Theatre Calgary, Alberta Theatre Project, The Segal Center, Harold Green, 1000 Island Playhouse, Drayton Entertainment, Buddies in Bad Times, and many shows Off-Broadway in NYC. Brian holds an M.F.A. in Set Design from Yale University, and a Bachelor in Architecture from McGill. Love to Andrew, Sawyer and Margot. @briandud1

BEAU DIXON

Dramaturge

Beau is a self-taught, multi award-winning actor, composer, playwright, sound designer and music director. Theatre: Guys ‘n’ Dolls, HMS Pinafore (Stratford Festival); Ghost Quartet (Crow’s Theatre); Marjorie Prime, The Father (Coalmine Theatre); The Colour Purple (Neptune); Hamlet, (Tarragon Theatre). Writing: Bloom: A Rock ‘n’ Roll Fable (4th Line Theatre); Beneath Springhill: The Maurice Ruddick Story (Arts Club/ Festival Players). Musical direction; Stop The World (Talk Is Free Theatre); Pippin (Sheridan College); Freedom: Spirit and Legacy of Black Music, (Stratford Festival). Sound design: The Big Sleep (Vertigo). Awards: Two Dora Mavor Moore Awards, Two Toronto Critics Awards, Calgary Critics Award.

www.beaudixon.com

VICTORIA WELLS-SMITH

Choreographer

Victoria Wells-Smith has worked as a producer, director, choreographer, writer and actor across the country. She has worked on the rock for CBC, Rogers Television, Rock Island Productions, RCA Theatre, Theatre St. John’s, The New World Theatre Project, and most recently as a producer, writer and choreographer for Terra Bruce Productions with Let’s Dance! and Let’s Bop! Canadian credits include Nomadic Pictures, The National Ballet of Canada, Alberta Ballet, Ballet Jörgen, Bard on Bower and Roles for Womxn.

MIKE HERRIOTT

Arrangements and Orchestrations

Mike Herriott has shared the stage with a host of luminaries, including Maynard Ferguson, Doc Severinsen, Arturo Sandoval, Michael Bublé, Seth MacFarlane and more. Musical Theatre credits include: West Side Story (Edmonton/Calgary, 2005), Guys & Dolls (Winnipeg/Edmonton/Calgary, 2006 and Stratford, 2017), Jersey Boys (Dancap Prod, 2008-2010), Come Fly Away (First National Tour, Japan Tour, 2011-2012), Anything Goes (Toronto, 2013), Aladdin (Toronto, 2013), Wicked (Toronto, 2014), Kinky Boots (Toronto, 2015), Matilda (Toronto, 2016), Bodyguard (Toronto, 2016/2017), Beautiful (Toronto, 2017), Bat Out of Hell (Toronto, 2017), An American In Paris (Toronto, 2018).

COURTNEY BROWN

Director

 Courtney is from Musgravetown, NL. In addition to her work with Terra Bruce Productions, Courtney has also worked with the National Arts Centre, Soulpepper, Artistic Fraud, Mindless Theatrics, c2c theatre, Rabbittown Theatre Company, RCAT, the Women’s Work Festival, newfoundlandartistx, Rising Tide Theatre, Red Sky Performance, and Project Humanity. She holds a BFA in Theatre (Acting) from York University.

STEPHEN COCHRANE

Book

Steve’s stage credits include: Birthday Balloon (NextStage/RCAT/Rising Tide) No Mummers ‘Llowed In (RCAT) The Innocence of Catherine Snow (Rising Tide) the upcoming Sailor, Bishop, Drunkard, Star, and The Current Climate. His television work includes Law & Order CI: Toronto, The Hardy Boys (HULU), Ransom (CBS), Lost Girl (Syfy), Taxi: Brooklyn (NBC), Endgame (Shaw/HULU), Somewhere Between (ABC), The Imperfects (Netflix). Steve was series director of the acclaimed comedy Three Chords from The Truth which won the Gemini for Best Ensemble. Steve wrote and directed an interactive gaming experience for Endgame, winning the Digital Emmy for Best Cross Platform Fiction at Cannes.

ADAM SERGISON

Role: Ensemble

North American Tour: The Wizard of Oz (Mirvish & Troika), Saturday Night Fever (Northcore). Theatre: Step By Step, Spamalot (Stage West); Rock of Ages (More Entertainment); Damn Yankees, Chitra, White Christmas & Holiday Inn (Shaw Festival); Otello, (Canadian Opera Company); Elf (Theatre Aquarius); Jesus Christ Superstar, Anne of Green Gables, (Charlottetown Festival); West Side Story (Neptune, Vancouver Opera) 9 to 5: The Musical & Music Man (Drayton). Choreography: Assistant – Mary Poppins (Sheridan College); Associate – Kelly v Kelly (Musical Stage); Choreographer – Aqsarniit & Assistant – Jesus Christ Superstar (Charlottetown Festival). Special thanks to the Talent House team! @adamsergison

MELANIE O'BRIEN

Role: Matty

Melanie is a singer, songwriter & actor based in St. John’s, Newfoundland. She is a Sheridan College Honours Graduate & scholarship recipient and MusicNL award winner. She is a solo recording artist as well as part of the pop/folk duo, The Duds with Philip Goodridge. Their music is available on streaming platforms along with her solo work. Melanie has been a resident artist with Terra Bruce Productions since 2020 and recently played Princess Hiya in the new musical, “The Wild Rovers”. Melanie is thrilled to play the role of Matty! Thank you to her family and Zac for everything.

JUSTAN MYERS

Role: Ensemble

Justan is a queer, Indigenous performer based out of Toronto. He is a proud graduate of the St. Clair College Music Theatre Performance program. Recent credits include: De Brie in La Bête, Simon Douglas in Tales of an Urban Indian (Talk is Free Theatre), Henrik Egerman in A Little Night Music (Royal Conservatory of Music), Sloane Sherman in Killing Time: A Game Show Musical (Toronto Fringe/Mixtape Projects – Patron’s Pick), Sparky in Forever Plaid (Starvox Entertainment). Justan is also a proud cat dad and Dungeon Master to many a D&D adventure. Big love goes out to his husband, Ethan.

STEVE MALONEY

Role: Carter

Steve Maloney is a musician and actor hailing from St. John’s, NL. Maloney spent years touring his own music across Canada, with a stint as songwriter in residence at the Dawson City Music Festival. He now finds himself (mostly) home composing for film/television and playing drums/singing with local songwriter friends. Winner of multiple MusicNL awards, and the Borealis Music Prize. As an actor Maloney enjoys stage and screen, credits including; Roger in Rent (TaDa), supporting episodic characters on Hudson & Rex, and SurrealEstate, Johnny Power in No Change in the Weather, and Billy in The Wild Rovers (Terra Bruce).

CONNOR LUCAS

Role: Father Paul

Connor grew up in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island and is delighted to be making his Terra Bruce debut. Selected credits include: Ghost (Chemainus Theatre Festival); Damn Yankees (Shaw Festival); Pinocchio (Young People’s Theatre); Mamma Mia! (The Grand Theatre); and five wonderful seasons with the Charlottetown Festival. “Getting to work on this material with this group of people has been a dream come true. Love to the Talent House and my family for all their support!”

JADE KIMAYA

Role: Minnie / Ensemble

Jade Kimaya, a Toronto-based actress, singer, and dancer, aims to truthfully navigate the intricacies of existence through her artistic endeavours. With 10 years of classical and musical theater training, including studies at Armstrong and LB Acting Studios, she recently achieved honors in Royal Conservatory of Music’s level 8 exams. With a background in various dance styles and choreography, Jade advocates for equal rights, mental health support, and social change, aspiring to collaborate with organizations like the NAACP and UN. Her work, a symphony of exploration, invites audiences to journey beyond the mundane and revel in their own authenticity.

MARVIN KAYE

Role: Father Maloney

Marvin Kaye is a seasoned actor, writer and director with 25+ years in the entertainment industry. His play “They Have Mayonnaise in Montreal” evolved into the acclaimed TV series “Less Than Kind,” garnering recognition during its HBO Canada run. Marvin’s writing career includes projects like “Insecurity” and “Mr. D” for CBC. Notable on-screen appearances encompass Guillermo Del Toro’s “The Shape of Water,” SUITS, Murdoch Mysteries, and HULU’s The Hardy Boys.

DAKOTA JAMAL WELLMAN

Role: Ensemble

Dakota Jamal Wellman is an actor originally from Port Hope (ON) and currently based in Montreal. He is an alumni of Bishop’s University (B.A. Drama, 2015) and Black Theatre Workshop’s Artist Mentorship Program (2015-2016). Past Theatre: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Segal Center/RMTC), Fall On Your Knees (Canadian Stage/Neptune Theatre/National Arts Center/Grand Theatre), Pool (No Water) (Persephone Productions). Film/TV: Witchboard, The Christmas Checklist, Terror Train, The Naughty Nine, About Sex. Dakota is excited to be working with Terra Bruce! Thank you to Mom, Dad, Kenzie, Jess, and Kevin.

VICKI HARNETT

Role: Mrs. Boyko

A passionate and proud supporter of new musical theatre, Vicki is thrilled to be part of the cast of An American Hymnal. Most recently featured in Terra Bruce Productions’ The Wild Rovers, previous credits include No Change in the Weather (Terra Bruce Productions) Fun Home (Alison, Best Kind Productions), and Fear of Flight (Artistic Fraud of Newfoundland). Many thanks and love go out to her nearest and dearest, and to her fellow cast mates, with whom she is grateful to share the joy of singing these well-loved and timeless songs.

JARED HANSEN

Role: Mr. Boyko

Jared Hansen (he/him) could not be more elated to be making his Canadian regional theatre, and Terra Bruce debut in An American Hymnal. Originally from Utah, Jared has spent the last 20+ years performing with the Walt Disney Company; Tokyo Disneyland, Disney Live US Tour, Disneyland, and Disney Cruise Line. Many thanks to friends, chosen family, and an extra big thank you to Dave for changing my world. IG: @jaredscotthansen

PHILIP GOODRIDGE

Role: Jake

Philip is a York University graduate and has been a resident artist with Terra Bruce Productions since 2020. He is a co-founder and head writer with Ladies Who Lunch Productions (ladieswholunchproductions.com), performing original horror radio drama live on stage. He is a member of the MusicNL nominated folk pop duo The Duds (duds4life.com) along with Melanie O’Brien. Their music is streaming on all platforms.

JULIA DUNNE

Role: Jessa

Julia is Resident Artist with Terra Bruce Productions, from Mount Pearl, NL. She’s a graduate of Sheridan College with an Honours Bachelor’s Degree in Music Theatre Performance. Recent credits include: Jo in The Wild Rovers (TBP), Assistant Choreographer for Come From Away (Gander), Belle in Beauty and The Beast (QVRRDF), Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins (Rubarb Productions) and Sophie in Mamma Mia! (Theatre St. John’s). Julia continues her training in commercial dance as a company member of Red Hot Productions. She is passionate about health & wellness and runs her own online coaching business @journeytojoywithjulia Enjoy the show!

CECILLY DAY

Role: Ensemble

Cecilly is thrilled to be making her debut with Terra Bruce Productions. A graduate from The University of Victoria, Cecilly has recently worked on productions such as Little Shop of Horrors (The Citadel Theatre); Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Sound of Music (Arts Club Theatre Company); Escape to Margaritaville, Ragtime (Theatre Calgary). Cecilly has also engaged in Vancouver’s vibrant film and TV scene on series such as Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, Animal Control; and movies such as Prom Pact and Love Hard. Being the typical Vancouverite, Cecilly is excited to explore St. John’s and all the beauties of East Coast living.

MATTHEW BROWN

Role: Floyd

Terra Bruce: Debut. Elsewhere: Three Sisters (Soulpepper, Obsidian), The Real Mccoy (Blyth), Is God Is (Obsidian, NAC), Appropriate (Associate Director, Coalmine), Intimate Apparel (Belfry), Billy Elliot, Little Shop of Horrors, To Kill A Mockingbird, Twelfth Night, (Stratford Festival), Calpurnia (Nightwood), Wizard of Oz, Cinderella: A RATtical retelling, I Think I Can (YPT), Jersey Boys (Dancap, Dodgers). Selected Film & TV: Fellow Travelers (Showtime), Pretty Hard Cases (CBC), Pinkalicious & Peterrific (PBS Kids), Hailstorm (CFC) Instant Star (CTV). Upcoming: Look for Matthew in the feature film Mother, Father, Sister, Brother, Frank. Training: Randolph College, CFC Actors Conservatory. IG & Tiktok: @ItsMrMGB

PETRINA BROMLEY

Role: Hazel

Theatre Credits (Selected): Song Seekers: The Greenleaf and Mansfield Story (White Rooster); Clue (Royal Manitoba Theatre Company/The Grand Theatre); Come From Away (Broadway); As You Like It (Stratford); Enron, Tartuffe, The Sound Of Music, Metamorphoses (National Arts Centre). Film and TV Credits (Selected): Son Of A Critch (CBC); Surreal Estate (SyFy); Snook Out On Bail (Bell Fibe). Other: Meta @petrinabromley

DHARMA BIZIER

Role: Ensemble

Dharma is so excited to be making her Terra Bruce debut! Past productions include Maggie (Theatre Aquarius/Charlottetown Festival/Savoy Theatre), Matilda! (Linus Hand Productions), and Shout (Magnus Theatre). She was voted Broadway World Toronto’s Best Performer in a Musical for her role in Maggie in 2023. She was also the opening act for Johnny Reid’s Love Someone national tour. She is so grateful to her friends and family and the gang at TH. Check out her podcast Not Your Mother’s Book Club wherever you listen!

RUTH ACHEAMPONG

Role: Dinah

Ruth Acheampong was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario. Identifying as a crossover artist, Ruth enjoys performing classical music and musical theatre. Her most recent professional credits include Uptown Singer/Shirelle in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Segal Centre/RMTC), Marian in The Music Man (College Light Opera Company), Jeannette in L’amant anonyme (Voicebox: Opera in Concert) and Irina in Lost in the Stars (Annapolis Opera). Ruth holds a Master’s degree in Voice and Opera and a Graduate Diploma in Voice Performance from McGill University. She is very excited to be a part of this production and explore St. John’s!