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Nelson White - Headshot

Nelson White

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Guitarist Nelson White is excited to return once again to the STF. Born and raised in Stephenville, Nelson graduated from Saint Francis Xavier University with a Bachelor of Arts in music and he holds a Bachelor of Education degree from Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador. Nelson taught classroom music at Stephenville Primary School for 31 yrs. Over a span of many years he has provided guitar for a variety of main stage productions such as Evita, Man of Lamancha, Godspell, Avenue Q ,We Will Rock You, American Idiot and Rock of Ages. He has also been part of second space and dinner theater shows such as Hank Williams, Billy Joel, The Beatles, Elton John and The Great Canadian Songbook. This year he will be playing guitar for the Sirens of Song dinner theater production.

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Glen McCann

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Glen is a theatre sound designer and engineer based out of Toronto, and they are very excited to be a part of the Stephenville Theatre Festival this year.

They have enjoyed working on many local musicals as well as touring North America with shows like Evil Dead: the Musical and Disenchanted! (Starvox Entertainment). Outside of their own work on shows, Glen enjoys sharing their experiences teaching theatre sound skills to college students and tinkering with programming and electronics projects.

Marty Benoit

Martin Benoit

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Marty is thrilled to be back with STF for its 45 season, as Prop Master. Marty has worked extensively in film with the occasional dab in theatre.

Past credits include Set Decorator, Sweetland (feature) Prop Buyer, Republic of Doyle (TV series) Set Decoration Buyer, The Grand Deduction (feature) and of course with STF a number of years back as TD/ Set Designer for such notable productions as Nunsense, Mamas and Pappas Tribute and A Sculpin Named Sam among others.

Lisa MacDougall

Lisa MacDougall

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Lisa feels so blessed to have been a touring and recording artist, musician, and musical theatre director, in the business for over 25 years. She has toured with such artists as Rita MacNeil, Molly Johnson, and Roger Whitaker, to name a few, and is an ECMA nominated artist for her album TURNAROUND. 

Some favourite theatre credits include Jesus Christ Superstar, Chicago, The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Neptune Theatre, Halifax, NS) Cabaret, Hair, A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline, Vegas Live (Mayfield Dinner Theatre, Edmonton, AB) Bittergirl, Down the Road with Dutch Mason (Charlottetown Festival, Charlottetown, PEI). 

“So very excited to finally to the Stephenville Festival. It’s been on my radar for many years, and I am beyond excited to work with these talented folks!!!! It’s going to be a grand summer altogether!!! Cheers!!!”

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Kobe Lee-Colbourne Moyles

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This will be Kobe’s second summer working with Stephenville theatre festival. He is excited to be returning as this summers assistant carpenter and running crew. Kobe will be returning to Memorial University in September to complete his degree in Technical Theatre Production. Most recently he has worked as props assistant for Grenfell theatre’s production of “She Kills Monsters” .

Thomas Putman

Thomas Putman

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Thomas is an actor, musician, and educator based in Toronto, Ontario. Thomas studied at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow where he obtained his Master of Arts in Musical Theatre Performance.

Select performance credits include: Penny in the award-winning B!tch Island (Hamilton Fringe), Doug (The Quest Musical), Pugsley Addams in The Addams Family (Edinburgh Fringe Festival), Scott Free, Jean-Biff, Andrew, Louis (Solar Stage 2015-2019), and various film and television work.

As a vocalist, Thomas has performed as a part of the Opening Ceremonies of the XX (2014) Commonwealth Games as well as in various bands throughout the GTA playing hundreds of private events and functions with JUNO Award-winning collaborators.

Thomas is thrilled to be making his Stephenville Theatre Festival debut with Rock of Ages & Lucky Stiff.

Raynah Bourne

Raynah Bourne

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A Calgary based Stage Manager, Tour Manager and Production Coordinator; Raynah is absolutely thrilled to be working with The Stephenville Theatre Festival for the first time!

Recently returning from Miami, FL, Raynah had the pleasure of stage managing the spectacular Irish Dance phenomenon Celtic Illusion. For the past 7 years she has had the immense pleasure to work with the Calgary Stampede Grandstand Show as both a Stage Manager and Spotlight Coordinator. Other select credits include; Murder on the Orient Express (Vertigo theatre), Next To Normal (New West Theatre), Screwball Comedy (Stage West Theatre), Stealing Sam (Alberta Theatre Projects), A Dinosaur Tale, We Will Rock You North American Tour (Annerin Productions), and the Southern Alberta tours of Munsch-O-Rama, Hansel and Gretel, and The Three Little Pigs (New West Theatre).

During the pandemic, Raynah learned how to crochet and spends her spare time making cute stuffed animals for her loved ones.

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Andrew Dunphy

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Andrew Dunphy is from St. George’s NL and is currently entering his fourth year at Memorial University for a Bachelor of Music degree. Due to his passion for playing the guitar, he chose this as his principal study area for his degree.

This past semester, Andrew enjoyed being a member of the Memorial University Jazz Orchestra under Juno-award winning jazz pianist and composer Florian Hoefner. Recently, he has also completed his 3rd-year performance jury.

Andrew is greatly looking forward to working with STF this summer for their 45th season!

Shane ORegan

Shane O’Regan

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Shane O’Regan (He/Him) is a Pianist/Musical Director/Instructor based in Toronto. Originally from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Shane studied piano with Oksana Zotova at the Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts. He is a graduate of both the Randolph College for the Performing Arts in Toronto and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s MA Musical Theatre Performance program in Glasgow.

Recent work on the piano includes The Rocky Horror Show (St. Lawrence College), Mission Totally Possible, She the People (The Second City), Lig & Bittle, The Incredible Adventures of Mary Jane Mosquito (Carousel Players), The Hobbit, The Last Five Years (RBC Chrysalis Project Participant – Neptune Theatre) We Will Rock You (Starvox Entertainment), We Will Rock You, Piano Man, Avenue Q, Urinetown, Rocket Man, The Marvelous Wonderettes (Stephenville Theatre Festival).

Nico Diamant Boustead

Nico Diamant Boustead

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Nico is very excited to be returning to the Festival this year after having so much fun in 2019.

She lives in Toronto, where she mostly works building sets for television, working on shows like What We Do in the Shadows, The Boys, Star Trek: Discovery, Sort of, and others with IATSE local 873. She can otherwise be found playing music or riding a bicycle.

Jeremy-Brunton

Jeremy Brunton

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Jeremy is thrilled to be making his STF debut as Harry Witherspoon in Lucky Stiff! Past performances include Ren in Footloose, Warner in Legally Blonde, and Motel in Fiddler on the Roof. Jeremy grew up in Campbellford, Ontario and now lives in Toronto.

Jeremy wants to say thank you to Melmo.

Corina Schuler Headshot

Corina Schuler

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Born and raised in Manitoba, Corina is a graduate of the musical theatre program at Sheridan College, and a true Prairie girl at heart. Having camped and explored the Pacific coast she is thrilled to be performing out east, and most importantly, living next to the ocean. Recent credits include Penelope Pennywise in Urine Town! The Musical (Theatre Sheridan), and Patricia/Swing in “In Studio With Britta Johnson” (Theatre Sheridan).

Thank you to her entire family for their constant love and support, to God be the Glory!

Émile Auger

Émile Auger

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Émile Auger began his artistic journey as a member of the music program and jazz band of St-Luc’s high school in Montréal. He also participated in extracurricular productions such as Grease and The Music Man. He then decided to pursue his training at Lionel-Groulx’s professional musical theatre school, where he graduated in spring of 2022. He also was part of the Conservatory of Music and Dramatic Arts’ choir throughout his training. Émile Auger just finished his first year as a musical theatre student at Sheridan College Oakville, Ontario. This multidisciplinary artist has a great passion for acting, singing and dancing. He has without a doubt a promising future ahead of him.

Justine Grimes

Justine Grimes

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Justine attended Ryerson University’s dance program and is a graduate of Randolph College for the Performing Arts.

Her favourite theatre credits include: Kate/Lucy in Avenue Q, Extraordinary Girl in American Idiot (STF), Iris Kelly in Fame (Dubai Tour), We Will Rock You (Fallsview Casino), Brooke Wyndham in Legally Blonde, Miss Stacy in Anne of Green Gables, u/s Narrator in Joseph…Dreamcoat (LOT).

Huge thanks go to her husband, family, and friends for always supporting the dream!

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Grace Holmes

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Grace Holmes is thrilled to be returning to STF this summer! She is currently in her fourth year at Queen’s University studying Music Theatre – Performance. Her credits include Rock of Ages and The Great Canadian Songbook Challenge (STF); Theory of Relativity and The Rocky Horror Picture Show (St. Lawrence College); and The Addams Family (Queen’s Musical Theatre). She wants to thank her family and friends for their support.

EJ Candelaria - Headshot

EJ Candelaria

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EJ is a Filipino-Canadian originally from Calgary, AB (Blackfoot name: Moh-kin-stsis).

He is currently in the Honours Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance at Sheridan College. Select credits include: Absinthe, Bourbon, Vodka & Sake (Calgary Fringe), Ragtime: A Concert Performance (Theatre Calgary), The Spongebob Musical, Annie the Musical, and Curious George (Storybook Theatre). He is excited to be making his STF debut this Season! | @ejcandelaria

Robert Popoli headshot

Robert Popoli

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Robert Popoli is a Toronto based performer, composer and content creator. He is a graduate of the Bachelor of Music Honors Performance (Voice) program at Western University. Robert’s TikTok and Instagram pages, Rob’s Rec Room (@robsrecroom), feature his “Pop Goes Musical Theatre” video series.

Selected stage credits include Luigi Gaudi in Lucky Stiff, Mr. Christian/Mayor in Rock of Ages (Stephenville Theatre Festival); George Bailey in It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play (Simcoe Street Theatre); Riff Raff in The Rocky Horror Show (The Historic Gayety); Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast, Rooster in Annie, J. Finch & Others in Puffs (Canadian Premiere) (The LOT).

Kate Sanders

Kate Sanders

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Kate is thrilled to be joining STF for her third season! Past credits include Rapunzel in “Disenchanted!”, ensemble/Candy striper in “Nine to Five”, Marcy park in “The 25th Anual Putnam County Spelling Bee” (STF), Texas/Dance Captain in “Cabaret”, Fastrada in “Pippin”, Rumpleteazer in “Cats” (St. Lawrence College), and Debra in the workshop production of “Let’s Bop!” (Terra Bruce Productions).

Kate wants to thank her amazing family for their continued support.

Ben Dunphy

Ben Dunphy

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Ben is very pleased to be returning to STF for his 9th season.  Beginning in 2014 he has enjoyed his years with the festival in many rolls including production assistant, musician, and head of sound. 

Sound tech by day, musician by night Ben is looking forward to playing bass guitar in “Rock of Ages” and “The Great Canadian Songbook Challenge” this year. 

Elizabeth Perry

Elizabeth Perry

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Elizabeth Perry works as the Head of Wardrobe at Memorial University based out of Corner Brook, NL. She is a graduate of the Dalhousie University Costume Studies program. Theatre credits include work at Neptune Theatre and The NS Tattoo in Halifax. She has designed for Festival Antigonish, Halifax Theatre for Young People, Halifax Opera Festival, Neptune Theatre School, and Rising Tide Theatre.

She spent three seasons as the costume director for Symphony NS production of The Nutcracker. She is the recipient of the 2019 Wes Daniels Design Award and was nominated for outstanding costume design at the 2022 Theatre Nova Scotia Merritt Awards.

Chad M 2024

Chad McNamara*

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Stephenville Festival: Rock of Ages, Great Canadian Songbook, 9 to 5, Disenchanted, American Idiot, Bittergirl. Elsewhere: Workshop(s) Lets Dance and Let’s Bop (Terra Bruce); Anne and Gilbert (Island Theatre Festival); Be More Chill (Canadian Premiere/Bravo Academy); In Common -A new Musical (Canadian Playwrights); 9 to 5, Superstars – A diva Revue, Legally Blonde (SLC Music Theare). Performer/Selected:

Sister Act, Damn Yankees, Legally Blonde, Rock n Roll Legends (Drayton Entertainment); Ryan Evans in High School Musical, La Cage aux Folles (Neptune Theatre); Happy Days…the Musical (Stage West) Plaid Tidings (Magnus); Mamma Mia

(Mirvish). TV: 3 seasons/Rooney Doodles -Series Lead, The Doodlebops (CBC/Disney).

@chadmcnamara

This one is for my son, my little superhero, Pace Eli.

*appears courtesy of the Canadian Actors Equity Association

Robin Peters

Robin Peters

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Robin Peters is a theatre artist from St. John’s currently completing a BFA in Technical Theatre from Memorial’s Grenfell campus. Since first getting involved in theatre in high school Robin has dipped her toes in just about every area of theatre production.

Some recent highlights include stage managing The Winter’s Tale (2022) for theatre at Grenfell, and sound design for Animosity (Dir. Cassandra Munroe). This will be Robin’s second year working with STF and she is looking forward to another great summer of theatre.

Seanna Kennedy

Seanna Kennedy

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Seanna is delighted to be back for her fifth season with STF! Seanna is a director, performer, puppeteer and photographer who holds an Hon. BMUS in voice from Wilfrid Laurier University and is a graduate of The Randolph College for the Performing Arts. As a director she has worked with companies including The Stephenville Theatre Festival (Avenue Q, Neverland, Balloonacy!, Alice in Wonderland), Marion Abbott Productions (The Blue Castle,Moving Day), St. Lawrence College (wrote and directed Snowed in for Christmas, directed Red Letter Day), and The LOT, where she helmed over 30 productions, including the world premiere of The Elmer Show and the Canadian premiers of Avenue Q and Puffs: The Play. Performance highlights include: The Dora nominated Old Man and the River (Theatre Direct), The national tour of Thank You for Being a Friend (JP Presents), Blood Brothers (Thousand Islands Playhouse), 9 to 5, We Will Rock You, American Idiot (STF), The Rocky Horror Show, Hair, Fancy Nancy, Beauty and the Beast (The LOT)

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Jason Lemmon*

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Jason is thrilled to be back for his second season at STF!

A graduate of the Randolph College for the Performing Arts, Jason is a multidisciplinary artist now based out of Toronto. Past theatre credits include 9 to 5 The Musical (Stage West), 9 to 5 The Musical, Neverland (Stephenville Theatre Festival) The Urban Jungle Book, A New Brain, The Little Mermaid, Titanic, Cinderella (Storybook Theatre), City of Angels, More Light (RCPA). Past film credits include The Christmas Quilt, Molt, Send Pic? and Finding Your Rhythm.

When Jason isn’t performing you can find him traveling or at the park with his dog Romie. @jclemmon

*appears courtesy of the Canadian Actors Equity Association

Elora Sarmiento

Elora Joy Sarmiento

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Elora is overjoyed to be joining STF this season! She is going into her final year of studies in the joint Musical Theatre program between St. Lawrence College and Queen’s University, and is so excited to be onstage partaking in the magic of live theatre this summer. Her favourite past roles include Ella in Bells are Ringing and Urleen in Footloose. Elora couldn’t be more grateful to the entire STF team, her friends, and her family for their endless support and encouragement.

Ben Pittman

Benedict Pittman

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Ben is an award-winning published playwright of over thirty plays and a professional theatre artist with twenty-five years of experience working on stages throughout the province, Ben is thrilled to be back in his hometown and serving STF as its General Manager. Most recently, Ben finished his first novel “Wonderful Grand” and also the new play “The Orca and the Wolf” both with support from ArtsNL. His musical “Harry Hibbs Returns!” was staged at Rising Tide Theatre’s Summer in the Bight – Trinity from 2012-2018 and in 2019 he performed an original piece, “Sky Pilot” for the Alcock and Brown Centenary Celebration supported by Aviation History NL. Ben spent ten seasons with STF between 1994 and 2007 and you may remember his plays “A Sculpin Named Sam” and “The Tuckamore Club” or his performances as Bosie Douglas in “Oscar Remembered” or “Kenickie” in Grease. You can also hear Ben perform traditional Newfoundland music with the band DARESAY. Ben is over the moon to be once again helping to bring top drawer theatre to Bay St. George.

Amelia Hironaka

Amelia Hironaka*

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Amelia is thrilled to be returning to Stephenville for her 6th season with STF! She is a performer and choreographer originally from Calgary, and now calls Corner Brook home.

Since last summer she has been on tour in Western Canada and performing in Vegas Live (Mayfield Theatre) and Escape to Margaritaville (Theatre Calgary).

Past credits with STF include: Blue Champagne (Dot), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Ensemble), Rock ‘N’ Fables (Choreographer), Urinetown (Soupy Sue), We Will Rock You (Bruce Springsteen), Avenue Q (Choreographer), Cinderella: A Rat-ical Retelling (Choreographer), Pianoman (Choreographer), Rocketman (Choreographer), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Choreographer), Honky Tonk Laundry (Katie Lane Murphy), Keep An Eye On Summer: The Music of The Beach Boys (Choreographer), 9 to 5 (Ensemble), One Hit Wonders and All Time Greats: The Dinner Theatre Game Show (Choreographer).

Big love to Ben, Alli, Andrew, Heather, Mom, Dad, Cat and the entire DaCosta team for their unconditional love and support! A huge thank you to the Dunphy’s for making it feel like coming home every summer! Thank you to the cast and crew for all their hard work and passion in making these shows come to life! Enjoy the season!

*appears courtesy of the Canadian Actors Equity Association

Anna B

Anna Barrett

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Anna Barrett, a recent graduate of Manhattan School of Music is thrilled to be returning home to Newfoundland for her 4th season with STF! Notable credits include: Regina (Rock of Ages), Bettina (The Hills Are Alive!), Wendy (Neverland), Schwarzy (Spelling Bee), Snow White (Snow White).

Performing for the incredible community in Stephenville has been a constant joy for her these past summers and she wishes to thank the West coast for their continued support of theatre!

Thank you for the music, Mr. G

SOUTTERAndrew-General Auditions (photo)

Andrew Soutter*

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Originally from Kingston Ontario, Andrew is a multidisciplinary performing artist and graduate of Sheridan College and the University of Toronto Mississauga’s joint Theatre and Drama Studies acting program. Past Toronto credits include Bert – Mary Poppins, Mushnik – Little Shop, Princeton/Rod – Avenue Q, Moritz – Spring Awakening, Lord Farquaad – SHREK, Angel – RENT, Patsy – Spamalot (The LOT); Nick Piazza – Fame, Professor Bhaer – Little Women (Firstact); as well as Bobby Strong – Urinetown (Stageworks). Credits from Kingston and the surrounding area include Enjolras – Les Miserables, Kurt Von Trapp – Sound of Music, Baby John – West Side Story (Grand Theatre); and Oliver – Oliver! (Thousand Islands Playhouse). Other regional credits include Buddy Holly – We Will Rock You, Tunny – American Idiot, Barfaee – Spelling Bee, Hertz – Rock of Ages and Vinnie – Lucky Stiff (Stephenville Theatre Festival). Andrew is excited to be back for another season!

*appears courtesy of the Canadian Actors Equity Association

Faith Young

Faith Young

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Faith Young is thrilled and grateful to be returning to STF for another great summer of live theatre!

Select credits include: Head of Props – Hedda Gabler and The Winters Tale (Theatre at Grenfell), Touring Stage Manager – To The Girls (Stephenville Theatre Festival), Stage Manager – Balloonacy and the Great Canadian Songbook Challenge (Stephenville Theatre Festival)

As a lover of all things technical theatre, Faith is excited to shift gears from Stage Management and showcase their props skills as Head of Props this summer!

Heather Braaten 2023 (1)

Heather Braaten*

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Heather is honored that 2024 is her eighth season as the Artistic Director of STF and is thrilled to present this exciting season! An award-winning professional theatre director and playwright, Heather has specific interests and expertise in the fields of musical theatre, new play development, large ensemble physical theatre as well as devised theatre. She has directed over 50 professional productions across North America and has held upper management positions with several companies during her career. most recent direction credits include: Rock of Ages, Lucky Still, Lets Bop, Let’s Dance, 9 to 5, Disenchanted, The Theory of Relativity, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Honky Tonk Laundry, American Idiot, The Last Five Years, Spring Awakening, We Will Rock You, Little Red Riding Hood, Urinetown, Cinderella a Ratical Retelling, For The Pleasure of Seeing Her Again, and Evita. Heather has extensive experience in the areas of artistic direction, company management, tour management and producing. She has also directed and taught post secondary theatre students at St. Lawrence College and The Randolph Academy. Heather thanks the STF Board of Directors for their amazing contribution to live theatre in NL. She is extremely excited about the brilliance of our incredible 2024 cast and crew, with a special thank you to her alumni collaborators and cast members who have returned time after time throughout her tenure, to be part of the STF team!

*appears courtesy of the Canadian Actors Equity Association