Our Team

Alexandra Creedon, Actor, is thrilled to be part of Bard on Bower this year! She is an alumni of Red Deer College’s Theatre Performance and Creation program where she appeared in Major Barbara, The School for Husbands and Tony and Tina’s Wedding. She is excited to bring Shakespeare’s work to life along with her cast mates and she hopes you enjoy the show! 

Alexa Parker, Stage Manager, has been working as a theatre artist for 7 years. She has had the opportunity to work with many touring productions including Cirque du Soleil's Crystal, The Rock of Ages 10th Anniversary Tour, and also had a hand in the set-up of the Canada Winter Games. She is thrilled to be returning to Prime Stock's BARD on BOWER as Stage Manager.

Andrew Armstrong, Actor- I play Ross in Macbeth, and this is my third season of Bard! In addition to the work I’m doing in this play, I can be spotted designing sound effects and marketing artwork, taking photos, drawing, playing the piano, and disturbing sleeping dragons. You can check out more of my work, this August, at the Calgary Fringe Festival, in Kohkum & Me!

Ash Mercia, Actor/Director (Comedy of Errors), is an actor, improviser, writer, and director. She is also a teacher. After discovering the secret to making a regular job and an acting career coexist, she balances on the perpetual tightrope of life. She enjoys watching bees, baking, and taking long bike rides through the badlands.  

Benjamin Blyth, Director (The Tempest), is a Shakespearean director, actor and scholar from London, UK. He is the Artistic Director of the UK’s Shoreditch Shakespeare Company and the internationally-touring Malachite Theatre Collective. Recent credits in Canada include: Macbeth, Twelfth Night, & Henry V (Malachite Theatre, Edmonton). Benjamin holds Master’s Degrees from the University of Cambridge; Royal Academy of Dramatic Art; and the University of Calgary, where he is currently studying towards a PhD exploring site-specificity and collective creation in Shakespeare’s early plays. 

Carson Rafuse, Actor, is seventeen years old and is stoked to be a part of Macbeth! He attends Notre Dame Highschool and will be starting grade twelve in the fall. He would like to give a special thanks to his parents for being extremely wonderful and supportive. He is very excited to be a part of this amazing company, and hopes you enjoy the show!

Chance Heck, Actor, is an experienced actor and fight choreographer based in Edmonton. He also teaches stage combat basics to teenagers in Edmonton’s schools. Recent credits include Marnie Day (Could Be Cool Theatre), Leave of Absence (Walterdale Theatre), and Necessary Evil (Group of Rogues).  Thank you for supporting live theatre!

Christian Goodchild, Actor, was born in Hanover, Germany. He is a graduate of the Theatre Performance and Creation program and currently in the Motion Picture Arts Acting program at Red Deer College. His theatre credits include, Major Barbara, School for Wives, School for Husbands, as well as in television, The Shocking Truth and a national The Brick commercial. 

Daniel Vasquez, Actor, had such a great time touring A Midsummer Night’s Dream last year that he’s back at it again. This time he’s bringing a condensed Comedy of Errors to a cluster of trees and bushes near you. When he’s not performing BARD shows for Prime Stock Theatre you can find him jamming out some spicy improv with Bullskit Comedy. Enjoy the show!

Danielle LaRose, Sound Designer- Originally from Red Deer, Danielle has spent the last 12 years working in theatre and film around the world. Since obtaining a Masters in Musical Theatre from Glasgow’s Royal Conservatoire of Scotland she has divided her time between Canada and the UK, performing in musicals, new plays, and of course plenty of Shakespeare. Danielle also teaches and directs for theatre, but it is her work as a musical director and sound designer that has brought her back to Bard on Bower this summer. Theatre cat Richard Furbage (featured) continues to be her muse, her inspiration, and a source of infinite creative wisdom. 

Ethan Versluys, technician, is a technician with a focus in sound and a passion for theatre. Past credits include Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School's productions of West Side Story and Urinetown, and 8 2019 AHSDFA One Act Shows including The Zoo Story and The Drowning Girls. He is excited to be working with Prime Stock Theatre for this fantastic project. Enjoy the show!

Gwen McCagg, Costume Designer, is happy to be back at Bower ponds for her 7th show costuming for Prime Stock Theatre.

A graduate of the costume cutting programme at Red Deer college, her weakness is collecting interesting costumes through which she has acquired an extensive collection.  Gwen also does costumes for Tree House Youth Theatre and Central Alberta Theatre.  Hope you all enjoy the shows.

Isaac Rice, Actor, is a Red Deer student who has previously worked with Prime Stock Theatre in various Shakespeare themed improv formats. He is in the Secondary Education program at RDC hoping to teach Drama and Social Studies. He has performed with Rapid Fire Theatre, Improv Jelly, and Bullskit Comedy as an improvisational actor. This will be Isaac’s first time performing in a scripted Shakespearean play.

Jayden Baldry, Actor, is thrilled to be a part of Bard on Bower this year! He is currently taking the Motion Picture Arts program at RDC and is working on a web-series with his best friend Christian Goodchild. He now wants a Basset Hound. Two months ago he wanted a French Bulldog. He hopes you enjoy the show!

Kim Verrier, Costume Design Assistant- Usually seen as the Exhibits Coordinator at the MAG (Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery), this is Kim’s first time helping with a theatrical production.  She is looking forward to assisting Gwen in digging through the ‘costume racks’ and learning some of the behind the scenes tricks and terminology. 

Layne Zazalak, Actor, is an aspiring actor who is thrilled to be working with Prime Stock Theatre and its cast once more. The Bard’s stories and poems have spoken to Layne for many years. He hopes that Shakespeare can speak through him and give the audience just as much joy as he himself has found in the work of the most produced playwright of all time.

Lowen Carlson, Lighting Designer, attended at Red Deer College, studying Theatre & Entertainment Production. Currently, he works with Lunchbox Theatre in Calgary, as Technical Director. Getting his start in community theatre, Lowen now gives back by working with community theatre groups and high schools in his spare time. Outside of theatre, he is an avid player of Magic: The Gathering and pocket billiards. Lowen would like to thank you for supporting the Performing Arts in Alberta and hopes you enjoy the show!

Maggie Salopek, Actor, is excited to perform with BARD on BOWER! She's an actress from Edmonton and she studied drama at the University of Alberta. She volunteers with the GeriActors, a seniors’ theatre company. Recent credits include Creatures of Impulse (Jenny), Guenevere (Guenevere), and The Importance of Being Earnest (Gwendolen Fairfax). She’d like to thank her friends and family for their support. 

Rachel Huedephol, Dresser, returns triumphantly as Costume Assistant and Dresser for this season of BARD on BOWER.  Her recent news includes: being a current Central Alberta Theatre (CAT) Member through Improv Jelly, having happily Back-Stage Managed the dinner theatre productions of Crimes of the Heart, and working on Ignition Theatre’s recent productions of It's a Wonderful Life, and Gruesome Playground Injuries. She hopes you enjoy the shows!

Rick Knievel, Set Construction- Having previously worked as Technical Director for  BARD on BOWER in 2015, Rick returns this season to construct the set for BARD . Also the resident Technical Director at Red Deer College, Rick manages the scenic shop and provides strong mentorship to upcoming stage technicians. Working with a talented team of theatre colleagues, he brings years of teaching experience at Notre Dame High School before accepting work with RDC.  Rick’s past experience includes Stage carpenter for the Badlands Pasion Play and for Theatre Calgary. 

Sarah Karpyshin, Set/Prop Design, graduated from the UofA with a BFA in Theatre Design and has a Diploma of Fine Art from Grant MacEwan. Sarah believes that theatre is a great and powerful force. She strives to create a space that transports the audience into a new world and hopefully a change in thinking. She enjoys working with creative minds and collaborative souls.

 

Shelby Reinitz, Actor, is excited to be working with this incredible team. Select acting credits include Nora Helmer (A Doll’s House: Wild Rose – DIY Theatre), Lady Capulet (Romeo & Juliet – Canmore Summer Theatre Festival), Gravedigger (Haunted House Hamlet – Artists’ Collective Theatre). Much love to her ever-supportive family and friends, who do their best to keep her sane. 

Thomas Usher, Actor/Fight Director/Director (Dream), continues to astound himself when asked to ‘do one more thing’ – this year its ‘acting’ again.  Working with Prime Stock Theatre for 25 years, he is proud to have helped foster the live professional arts in the community, and to present vibrant programming across central Alberta.  Also teaching at RDC, Thomas teaches directing, stage combat, mask, theatre history and acting.

Tom Bradshaw, Actor/Vocal Coach, is an instructor in the Film, Theatre and Live Entertainment program at Red Deer College. 

He is delighted to be returning to BARD on BOWER where he has previously played the roles of Claudius (Hamlet) Lear (King Lear) Sir Toby (12th Night) and Snug (Midsummer).  Tom also works as an executive coach in voice and presentation skills and as a voice artist. 

Victoria Wells-Smith, Director (MacBeth)- As Director: Resurrecting Mary (Roles for Women/St. John’s Shorts); Tickle My Bedroom Fish (God Complex Theatre); Newfoundland Songbook (Stephenville Theatre Festival); Black Box (God Complex Theatre/Lovcetera Productions); Battle of the Bruised Peach (More Love Media). As Actor: Nerissa/Jessica - The Merchant of Venice, Mistress Quickly/Earl of Douglas - Henry IV Part i, Titania - A Midsummer Night’s Dream (New World Theatre Project); Ensemble - Mary Poppins, Patty Simcox - Grease, Lily St. Regis - Annie (Theatre St. John’s). Juliet - Romeo and Juliet, Hero - Much Ado About Nothing (Shakespeare by the Sea).

Vina Nguyen, Actor, is an Edmonton-based artist and is tickled pink to be a part of BARD on BOWER this year! She would like to thank everyone involved for their amazing work and to those special people in her life who keep her sane and laughing - you know who you are. Enjoy the show!

Print | Sitemap
© Prime Stock Theatre Co Society