Company47
Gracie Sharpe
Gracie is excited to be a part of STF Leap Program this summer.
For the past five years, she has trained with a Pre-Professional Triple Threat team at Nomad Stages and is a proud member of STF Young Company. Her passion for performing began at a young age and has since acted in over 20 musicals and loves dancing competitively.
Selected theater credits include “Matilda”, “Hadestown”, “Beauty and the Beast”, “Adam’s Family Teen Edition”, “The Little Mermaid Jr”, “Lion King Jr”, “Grease”, “Mamma Mia” (Nomad Stages), “Wizard of Oz”, “Honk Jr”, “Seussical Jr”, “Into the Woods” {STF Young Company), and short films “The Mimic” (Dome Video Productions), “No Longer Blue” (CNA Productions).
When not on stage, she enjoys reading and listening to her favourite tunes.
Gracie thanks her family, friends, and mentors for their constant support.
Relax and enjoy the show!
David Walsh
David is a proud Stephenville local and thrilled to be part of this year’s Stephenville Theatre Festival cast!
A lifelong fan of the festival, he’s spent years in the audience and is now excited to take the stage with the company. Past roles include Orpheus in Hadestown, Bruce in Matilda, and Jack in Into the Woods. David has also performed with Nomad Stages and is a two-time Rose Bowl winner at the Stephenville Rotary Music Festival.
He is grateful for the chance to learn and grow with such a talented team.
James Conran
Drums – All Shook Up.
James Conran is a twenty-two year old drummer from Stephenville. Born into a musical family, Conran graduated with a Bachelor of Music with Honors Degree from Saint Francis Xavier University. While having played with many musicians in the Bay Saint George area, it was his post secondary studies that prepared him for playing music professionally. He has played in several concerts and festivals such as the Gathering, the Rotary Music Festival, and the Antigonish Jazz Festival.
Being his first year with STF, James is excited to be a part of this Summer’s performances.
Barrett Lindsay-Botten
Bass player for All Shook Up and Queens of Country.
Barrett is an up and coming bass player in Nova Scotia who’s been playing for 9 years. Currently in between a two year Music Arts program at NSCC, he has continuously explored new genres and musical experiences.
He has played in three musicals; St Luke United’s RENT production, as well as Legally Blonde and Matilda the Musical in high school. This year, he also played in Nova Scotia Youth Jazz Orchestra which performed in Cuba last May.
Barrett loves playing everything from funk and pop to R&B and metal. He aspires to be a full time professional musician.
Holly Meyer-Dymny*
Set and Lighting Designer for All Shook Up and The 39 Steps.
Holly Meyer-Dymny is an award-winning theatre designer, artist, mentor, and educator. They create Set, Lighting, and Projection Designs for theatre, dance, opera, musical theatre, and beyond. They are proud to sit on the board of the Associated Designers of Canada. They are delighted to be joining the STF team for this summer season.
Find more about Holly at: hollymeyerdymny.com
Select Theatre: The Producers (Highland Arts); Winter Moons (Nestuit’asi Storytelling); The Full Monty, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Neptune Theatre); Dance Nation (Keep Good/HEIST); In My Own Little Corner (EveryBODY on Stage); The Wind in the Willows (Two Planks and a Passion); Into The Woods (The Grand Theatre); Pippin, (Sheridan Theatre); Legally Blonde, The Penelopiad, Titus Andronicus (Hart House Theatre); Crypthand (Galeforce/Ships Company Theatre); Tosca, Into The Woods, Phantom of the Opera (Opera on the Avalon); Angel’s Bone (Sound The Alarm, Loose Tea); Llandovery Castle (Opera Laurier), La Traviata (Loose Tea Musical Theatre).
Holly Meyer-Dymny appears courtesy of the Canadian Actors Equity Association.
Evan Brown
Production Stage Manager/Technical Director.
Evan is excited to be working with the Stephenville Theatre Festival for the first time. Prior to coming to Newfoundland (also a first) he has enjoyed a long career in Nova Scotia as a tradesperson in the arts, working as a technical director, scenic carpenter, lighting technician and stage rigger at a variety of venues, from The Bus Stop Theatre to Neptune Theatre, The Ship’s Company to the Atlantic Fringe Festival, and many more.
Kevin Olson*
Production Stage Manager and Stage Manager for 39 Steps and All Shook Up.
Kevin has worked as a professional stage manager for 18 years (as well as occasionally a production manager and an artistic producer). Kevin lives in Kjipuktuk / Halifax, and has worked extensively across North America, including at Neptune Theatre, Kitchen Party TF, Galeforce Theatre, Theatre Orangeville, Lighthouse FT, Port Stanley FT, Theatre Aquarius, Geordie Theatre, JMAR Electric, Canadian Rep Theatre, Smile Theatre, Vancouver Playhouse – amongst many others!
Kevin believes in creating a creative environment where all manner of artistic folks can thrive as themselves, and where the arts is accessible to all. They are thrilled to be joining the Stephenville community for the summer!
Kevin Olson appears courtesy of the Canadian Actors Equity Association
Laura Caswell*
Artistic Director
Director of All Shook Up and 39 Steps.
Laura Caswell has been a professional theatre artist for 25 years appearing on stages and directing across the country. She is so proud to be at STF in her first season as Artistic Director.
Directing Credits include: Frozen Jr, Heathers Teen Edition, Argyle Street Kitchen Party, Almost Maine, Little Women. She has also choreographed and curated many variety shows throughout Ontario and the East Coast.
She trained in New York and London and holds a Masters in Performance. Caswell was the Director of Education at Neptune Theatre in Haifax for eight years. She is passionate about arts education, accessibility, environmental stewardship…and fun. She is the proud dog mama to Bella DaBall.
Laura is grateful to the entire team and the board for their amazing work and dedication to creating this first season at STF.
Enjoy the shows!
Laura Caswell appears courtesy of the Canadian Actors Equity Association
Jamal Weekes
Jamal is an actor, writer, filmmaker, and overall storyteller passionate about highlighting voices that often go unheard.
Born in Barbados, he moved to Canada in 2022 to study Television and Film at Sheridan College. After graduation, he joined Rising Tide Theatre, where he worked as a cinematographer on their exciting Digital and Archival Film Projects (2023–2025); he also performed in their summer show, The Trinity Pageant, in 2024.
In 2025, Jamal took on the role of Samson in Todos Productions’ staging of 76 Centimetres, written by Xavier Michael Campbell and directed by Santiago Guzman. In the spring of 2025, Jamal was selected to participate in the Playwrights Atlantic Resource Centre (PARC) Playwrights’ Retreat with his play, “Stray Shards”, which explores the impact of dementia on an elderly couple’s relationships.
Gwen Dawson
Music Director
Keys – All Shook Up
Gwen is a highly accomplished music director, pit musician (keys), vocalist, teacher, and adjudicator.
Over the past 39 years, she has appeared in theatres across Canada in multiple capacities and internationally as a piano bar entertainer, while also teaching music and theatre from her private studio to universities. Although Halifax (and Neptune Theatre in particular) has been her home turf for a long time, Stephenville is where she grew up and got her start as a professional as The Mistress in Evita under Maxim’s guidance – followed by 36 other shows at STF over the next decade. Gwen’s passion for musical theatre is rooted in the ever-present challenge and variety it holds; her past year alone included working on Dear Rita, Heathers (The Teen Edition), Frozen (Canadian Premiere), Freaky Friday, and Little Shop of Horrors.
Of all of her great adventures though, none is better or more important than the best role she’s ever had – being Sam’s mom!!!
Felipe de Brito
Felipe de Brito is a Brazilian actor, singer and dancer who is thrilled to return to STF after performing in “Let’s Bop!” in partnership with Terra Bruce Productions.
Selected past credits include: “Cool Yule” (Soloist-Dancer / Canada’s Wonderland), “Nine” (Guido / St. Lawrence College), “Cabaret” (The Emcee / St. Lawrence College), “Let’s Dance!” (Peter/ Terra Bruce Productions), “Paging Mr. Darcy”, and “Never Too Late To Celebrate” (Dancer / Hallmark Channel).
He would like to thank all his teachers, family and friends for their support in helping him live his dream.
You can follow him on social media at @felipebritotrin.
Jaden Blasdell
Jaden Blasdell is excited to make her debut on the STF stage!
Jaden is a recent graduate of St. Lawrence College for Musical Theatre with 19 years of dance training in multiple styles. credits include, Nine (Saraghina/ DC), Dir. Alex Herzog. Seussical (Wickersham/Ens.) Dir. Allison Plamondon both SLC. Jaden has participated in workshops, Take Me Back by Kevin Wong/Amir Haidar, Dir. Julie Tomiano (News Reporter/ Apprentice Director).
Jaden is also a passionate dance competition host and choreographer.
Jaden sends a special thanks to her mom and dad for their love and unwavering support in her artistic journey. Also to her support system back home, cheering her on for following her dream!
Jakob Terry
Guitar and Musical Director – Queens of Country.
Born in Corner Brook, Newfoundland and raised in Truro, Nova Scotia, Jacob Terry is joining STF for the first time this year, bringing experience as an actor and a multi-instrumentalist.
In 2023, he made his stage composition debut for Neptune Theatre’s YPCo production of Almost, Maine. He is a member of The Mark Carroll Quartet, a Halifax-based jazz group performing both classic and original works. He also produces MarioKart Live, a live show set to appear on the main stage at Hal-Con this September.
He extends thanks to STF and everyone who has supported his work along the way.
Philip Goodridge*
Philip has worked with RCAT, Artistic Fraud of Newfoundland, Rising Tide, TaDa! Events, Best Kind Productions, and more.
He is a former resident artist with Terra Bruce Productions performing musicals and concerts in NL and across the country. He’s written several plays including Eli And The Death Curse, produced by Untellable Movement Theatre.
He’s a co-founder, writer, and performer with Ladies Who Lunch Productions, producing original horror radio plays for the theatrical stage. Songs from his MusicNL nominated duo The Duds with Melanie O’Brien are streaming everywhere.
Special thanks to his husband Mark and his family for their endless support.
Philip Goodridge appears courtesy of the Canadian Actors Equity Association
Cara Pantalone*
Cara is excited to be back in Stephenville after 14 years!
An actor, singer, writer and teacher Cara calls Stittsville Ontario home. Favourite credits include ; Shorlines( tactics theatre, world premiere, prix Rideau award outstanding production) Into the woods ( Ovation productions) She Stoops to conquer ( SLSF) Cabaret ( Ovation productions) The Tempest ( a Company of Fools) Spelling Bee ( STC) and of course God of Carnage and Songs for a new World right here at the STF.
Cara is currently working on a new adaptation of Romeo and Juliet which received funding from the Ontario Arts Council.
Thank you to Laura and the entire cast and crew at STF. And Logan for his endless support.
Cara Pantalone appears courtesy of the Canadian Actors Equity Association
Violet Cummings
Violet Cummings (she/they) is a Mi’kmaq performing artist born and raised in Corner Brook, NL.
She grew up training as a triple threat with companies such as Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador, Graham Academy, Lock and Keynote Productions, and Dance Studio West. She is approaching her final year as an acting student at Grenfell, MUN. In addition to the various plays and musicals Violet has performed in, she has enjoyed working on an eclectic array of projects.
Some credits include Shanawdithit in the film Shanawdithit: A Beothuk Story, Martha in Newfound Family Drama Company’s dinner theatre tribute shows, and Melania du Jazz in Camber Art’s interactive murder mystery: Blood On The Newfie Bullet.
Jeremy Foot
Jeremy is a multidisciplinary artist based in K’jipuktuk/Halifax, and is thrilled to be working his first season at STF.
Jeremy holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Theatre Performance from Sheridan College. Acting credits (selected): Shakespeare On Trial, Grumpy and Grimm (Neptune Theatre TourCo) The Hydrofoil Mystery (Theatre Baddeck), The Storyteller (No Strings Theatre), Twelfth Night, and Concord Floral (Theatre Sheridan).
Jeremy wrote the book for the musical Train to Nowhere, winning an audience choice award at the 2024 Halifax Fringe Festival.
Jeremy would like to thank his family, blood relation or otherwise, for supporting him wholeheartedly in his adventures thus far.
Helena Elueme
Helena Elueme (she/her) is a playwright, performer, and communications specialist who grew up in Lagos, Nigeria. She left home to find her purpose (whatever that means) and settled in St. John’s, NL. She currently works at WritersNL.
Helena performs her original music with SamtheBand at local events and festivals. Her three plays “Blank Page”, “Tomilola: the Musical”, and “My Universe is me and you” have been performed on several stages around Canada.
When she’s not working on her creative projects, Helena enjoys traveling and reading novels while soaking up the sun at the beach!
Matt Kinney
Earl – All Shook Up,
Hannay – 39 Steps.
Matt is thrilled to be making his STF debut!
Theatre credits include Oliver!, Mary Poppins, Beauty and the Beast, Rocky Horror Show, Wizard of Oz, Sound of Music, The Little Mermaid (Capitol Theatre); Anne & Gilbert (Island Theatre Festival), Last 5 Years (1890 Junction Theatre Co.); Jesus Christ Superstar (Hubcity Theatre); Forever Plaid, and The Play That Goes Wrong (Hazy Grape).
Direction credits include Rock of Ages (Rogue Productions); Anne & Gilbert (Island Theatre Festival).
Thank you to the too many people in my life for their support and for Stephenville accepting a mainlander for the summer!
Evelyn Hecht
Sandra – All Shook Up,
Keys – Queens of Country.
Evelyn is thrilled to be making her STF debut!
Previous credits include “Dear Rita” and Lucilla in “Anne of Green Gables” (Tweed and Co.)
Evelyn is from Toronto, and is a recent graduate of Sheridan’s Music Theatre Performance program, appearing in “Great Comet”, and “Armchair Confidential” as Shepherd. Her cabaret titled “What the Hecht” won Sheridan’s Excellence in Creative Cabaret Award, and her work on “Ima Mama” a song cycle about mother-daughter relationships, won Sheridan’s Achievement in Writing for Music Theatre Award.
Evelyn would like to send thanks and love to her family, friends, teachers, Shari and the AMI team!
Dan Rider
Head Carpenter
Dan is pleased to be spending his second season as Head Carpenter for Stephenville Theatre Festival.
Dan has been working in theatre production and design for 25 years or so, mainly in and around Kingston, Ontario. He currently lives a short trip up the St. Lawrence River in Gananoque Ontario.
Cauê Garcia
Cauê Garcia is thrilled to be returning to the Stephenville Theatre Festival this year!
A recent graduate of Queen’s University, his past credits include Pippin and Marry Me a Little (St. Lawrence College), SpongeBob: The Musical (Mansfield Entertainment), The Lancashire Lass (Watershed Festival), Rent (Blue Canoe Productions), and most recently, JD in Heathers (Queen’s Musical Theatre).
Cauê is deeply grateful for the support of his friends and family, and he hopes you enjoy the show!
Amanda Spencer-Parent
Head of Wardrobe, Costume Design for Queens of Country, Made in Canada.
Amanda Spencer-Parent is an emerging artist from Mount Pearl, Newfoundland who has just graduated with a BFA in Technical Theatre from Grenfell Campus. They are a sewing, prop builder, painter, and designer.
Some of their recent highlights include being assistant costume designer for The Trojan Women by Anne Carson and The Birds by Yvette Nolan, being co-head of props for She Kills Monsters by Qui Nguyen (Theatre at Grenfell), and being a featured artist in CB Nuit 2023 (Puppet Parade).
Amanda is excited for their second year here at STF!
Matthew Samms
(Sound Designer/Head of Sound)
Matt Is Thrilled to be back for another season as the head of sound with STF after finishing up an amazing time with Nomad Stages as their designer and teaching music.
Selected Credits (Saudade! GMTF) Bingo ladies (GMTF) Legally Blonde (STF) Next To Normal (STF).
Matt is a graduate of the Fine arts program in technical theatre from Grenfell campus, as well as a graduate from the Orbital Sound academy in London, UK.
Noah Mercer
Drums – Queens of Country.
Noah Mercer is a 20 year old from Stephenville NL who is thrilled to be returning for a fourth season with STF.
Noah began in the arts several years ago as a sound technician working for Hughie Macneil. Throughout his time at STF Noah has worked on shows such as 9 to 5, Disenchanted, Rock of Ages, and Lucky Stiff.
Noah is looking forward to taking the stage for the first time as the drummer of the Queens of Country Dinner theatre.
Kobe Lee-Colbourne Moyles
Assistant Technical Director.
This will be kobe’s third year working at STF and is happy to return with the role of ATD and production assistant.
He’s just finished the technical theatre program at grefell campus and is excited to continue working in theatre with a new role! Career highlights consist of being Head Carpenter for ‘Picnic At Hanging Rock’ and Head of Props for ‘The Trojan Women’ and ‘The Birds’, produced at Grenfell Campus. Outside of theatre he is the creator of the puppet ‘Sir dan’ as seen in ‘the puppet parade’ as part of CBNUIT 2023.
On his free time he is often practicing game design, by curating a table top game called ‘Meridia’.
Grace Holmes
Grace Holmes is so excited to be returning to STF this summer!
She grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and just finished her Bachelor’s Degree at Queen’s University/St. Lawrence College in the Music Theatre Performance program.
Her credits include Legally Blonde, Sirens of Song, Rock of Ages and The Great Canadian Songbook Challenge (STF); The Rocky Horror Picture Show and the Theory of Relativity (St. Lawrence College); and Heathers: The Musical and The Addams Family (Queen’s Musical Theatre).
She wants to thank her family, friends and all those who have supported her throughout the years. Enjoy the show!
Elizabeth Perry
Costume Designer for All Shook Up.
Elizabeth Perry (she/her) is the Head of Wardrobe and Guest Designer at Memorial University in Corner Brook, NL. She has worked with many theaters and festivals across the maritimes where she works as a costume and set designer. Her work can be seen on theatrical stages, music stages, TV and in museums. She is a proud member of The Associated Designers of Canada and she’s been nominated for two Theatre Nova Scotia Merritt awards for costume design and was recipient of the 2019 Wes Daniels design award.
Zachary Green
Zachary has always enjoyed the arts which lead him to complete a two-year program in Digital Animation at the College of the North Atlantic. There, he was trained in 3D and 2D animation as well as image editing, video production, and design.
After working in the simulation industry for 6 years, Zachary moved back to the west coast of Newfoundland where he received a BBA degree (honours) from Memorial University, Grenfell campus.
Now, Zachary works as marketing manager for Indian Head Solutions, a Commercial Office Space for Lease company in beautiful Bay St. George.
This will be Zachary’s fourth year working with STF and he is thrilled once again to see it provide the best live musical theatre on the island!
Kylie Cook
Costume Designer for The 39 Steps.
Kylie Cook has previously been a costume designer with STF for 5 years as well as other off season STF performances.
Her two favourite shows that she’s designed were Chicago and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Kylie is originally from Stephenville and has been working with the Arts & Culture Centres for many years. She is also a graphic designer and painter.
Thank you to STF for opportunity to work on a super fun show!
Elizabeth Scott
Liz and her husband moved back to the island several years ago for a slower pace of life.
She has been practicing Bookkeeping for the past 30 years and couldn’t be happier than to be working with STF.
Benedict Pittman
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*
Creative Associate,
Creator of Dinner Theatre Queens of Country,
Choreographer for All Shook Up.
Amelia is thrilled to be returning for her 7th season with STF. Originally from Calgary, AB she now calls Western Newfoundland her home! Her summers spent in Stephenville made her fall in love with this beautiful province and its people. When she is not performing or choreographing she can be found in the studio teaching theatre and dance to young people!
Some past credits include: Anne of Green Gables: The Musical, Jersey Boys (Charlottetown Festival), Honky Tonk Laundry, Urinetown, We Will Rock You, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Blue Champagne, 9 to 5 (STF), We Will Rock You Nat’l Tour (Annerin), Evil Dead: The Musical Nat’l Tour, Disenchanted Nat’l Tour (Starvox).
She would like to extend a huge thank you to Laura and the whole STF team, Cat and the whole DaCosta team, Mom, Dad, Alli, Ben, Don, Christine and Suzie for their unconditional support and love. Without whom she never would’ve been able to pursue her dreams.
We can’t wait for you to get All Shook Up with us!
Amelia Hironaka appears courtesy of the Canadian Actors Equity Association
Faith Young
Head of Props, Production Liaison, Assistant Stage Manager All Shook Up,
Stage Manager Queens of Country.
Faith Young is thrilled and grateful to be returning to STF for their sixth consecutive summer season!
Faith is a Stephenville local and has completed a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Theatre at Memorial University of Newfoundland, Grenfell Campus. As a multidisciplinary theatre artist, Faith enjoys working in a variety of technical departments to help bring a show to life, primarily focusing on Props, Paint and Stage Management.
Select credits with STF include: Head of Props – Legally Blonde, Next to Normal and Pinnochio (2024), Touring Stage Manager – To The Girls (2023), Stage Manager – Balloonacy and the Great Canadian Songbook Challenge (2023)