Our Team

Richard Beaune: Director 

Much Ado About Nothing

Richard Beaune has performed in every province and territory across Canada in both official languages over a career spanning more than 35 years. His work as actor and director has garnered rave reviews and several awards, including a Dora Mavor Moore Award and a Canadian Comedy Award, and has been seen in Canada’s largest theatres, including the Stratford and Shaw Festivals, as well as the smallest indie theatres and found spaces. Ultimately, his goal in life is to make you smile. www.richardbeaune.com

Jake Tkaczyk: Director The Comedy of Errors 

Jake is an Edmonton-based theatre artist with a passion for creating new and engaging work collaboratively. He graduated from the BFA Acting at the University of Alberta and is currently in the midst of his Ph.D. in Creative Practice from the Transart Institute and Liverpool John Moores’ University. Also a graduate of Red Deer College’s Theatre Performance and Creation program, Jake has worked as an actor, director, creator, and

educator in central Alberta. Jake had the extreme pleasure of working as an Artist Internat Northern Light Theatre for a few years and is currently the Program Coordinator at Theatre Alberta. Jake recently received the AFA Young Artist Prize.

Nigel Lane: 

Nigel has worked with several community theatre groups - Theatre Unique, Keyano Community Theatre (Fort McMurray), Central Alberta Theatre, Red Deer Players, (Red Deer) as well as The Acme Theatre Company and Cursive Writing Productions (Red Deer and Edmonton).

Performance credits include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat (Pharaoh), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Peter Quince), Fiddler on the Roof (Perchik) and Noises Off (Frederick Fellowes). Favourite roles include Juan Peron (Evita) Pellinore (Camelot), Judas/Annas (2 productions of JC Superstar), Tobias (Sweeney Todd), Juror #3 (Twelve Angry Men) and, of course Niles, in the 2019 Edmonton Fringe production of The Thin Grey Line.. Now retired, Nigel likes to tinker with music, abusing his guitar, violin and banjo.

Collette Radau:

Collette Radau is an Alberta-born, Toronto-based performer, dramaturg, and director. She is a graduate of Red Deer College’s Theatre Performance & Creation program and York University’s B.A. Honours Theatre program. Pre-pandemic, she performed in Diorama (Junior Festival 2019) and Post, Like, Share – Beware! (innocent operations). During the pandemic, she directed The End of the Parade by Steven Elliott Jackson for Assembly Theatre’s virtual Operation 24 Festival. She is thrilled to be returning to live theatre this summer with some familiar faces! You can also catch her performing in this summer’s virtual IGNITE! Festival (Sage Theatre) in Death – A Rebirth.

Cameron Freitas:

Cameron (he/him) is a performer based out of Treaty 6 territory (or as is commonly called, Edmonton) . His recent theatre credits include Buddy Holly in Buddy Holly's Happy Days (Jubilations Dinner Theatre), and Adolphus Cusins in Major Barbara (RDC). He is excited and honoured to be performing Shakespeare's wonderful works in such a beautiful venue. Sit back, and enjoy the show! Twitch: wulfegang_gg

Allison Weninger:

Allison is an actor and stage manager currently pursuing a Combined Degree in Drama and Political Science at the University of Calgary. She is thrilled to be performing in her hometown in her first Bard on Bower shows. Previous acting credits include: BED:TIME (Nickel and Dime Theatre); #UNI, When She Was Good (University of Calgary). Stage management credits include: Crave, Machinal, Alchemy Festival 2020 (University of Calgary); SoulSwap (IGNITE! Festival); Goosebumps the Musical (StoryBook Theatre).  Allison would like to thank the Bard on Bower cast and crew for their hard work, and her sister Haley for her enthusiastic support. 

Jayden Baldry:

Jayden Baldry studied a mix of theatre and film acting at Red Deer College. He is starring in the upcoming indie feature film "Worth". He has performed in such shows as "Tony 'N' Tina's Wedding", "Romeo and Juliet", and "The Boor". He is interested in learning puppetry for theatre. Jayden is elated that you decided to spend your day in the park watching some Shakespeare!

Brittany Hinse:

Brittany Hinse is very excited for her first production with Primestock Theatre! She is an Edmonton based actress, dancer, and singer. She is a graduate of Macewan University's Theatre Arts Program, and is currently studying aerial trapeze and hoop at Firefly Circus Academy. Selected credits include Take it off Broadway with Send in the Girls Burlesque as Sharpay Diem, Joanna in Sweeney Todd with ELOPE, and Marnie in Marnie Day with Could Be Cool Theatre. She hopes you all enjoy the show!

Jennifer Poppe:

Jennifer is a Calgary-based theatre artist and alumni of Ambrose University. Acting credits include: Eleemosynary, As It Is In Heaven (Fire Exit Theatre), The Canadian Badlands Passion Play (6 seasons), Crossing the Line (Heritage Park), Doubt (Nose Creek Players), Agnes of God, 33 Swoons, Confessions (theatre@rocky), Lion (Ambrose University). Though she has been involved in outdoor theatre for seven out of the past eight summers, this is her first time to bring Shakespeare to a live audience. She hopes these shows bring lightness and laughter to you today! When not in the theatre, you can find Jenn drinking tea, running, and spoiling her border collie, Maggie.

Lauren Tamke:

Lauren is thrilled to be performing in her first two Shakespeare plays as part of this talented ensemble. Her recent roles have included Suzanne (Don't Dress for Dinner, East of 60), E.L. (Daddy's Girl, St. Albert Dinner Theatre) and Mona (Queen Milli of Galt, Walterdale Theatre). Away from the theatre, Lauren works as an occupational therapist and freelances in the local film industry as a production coordinator and director.

Sarah Keith:

Currently studying at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, Sarah specializes in classical text and performance, and her passion is creating Shakespearean theatre and film that is accessible and unintimidating. Hailing from Canmore Alberta, Sarah is an avid hiker, dog lover, and compulsive knitter. You can find her on Instagram at @sarahthesockthief.

Previous credits include (selected): Primestock Theatre – debut – Pine Tree Players – Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Hobbit, Robin Hood: Prince of Outlaws – LIPA Productions – A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Forest.

Gwen McCagg:

Gwen McCagg, Costume Designer, is happy to be back at Bower ponds for her 8th show. 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.  Gwen would like to thank her family for all the support and hopes you enjoy the shows.

Caaryn Sadoway:

Caaryn Sadoway is a Stage Manager from Alberta. She graduated from MacEwan University’s Theatre Production Program, and has been working as a Stage Manager since 2018. Select credits include: Off The Beaten Path and Stories of Arlyrus (The Musicals of Tory Doctor, Current), Seeking Freedom (Ariole K. Alei and ArtsPlace, Upcoming), Into The Woods (MacEwan University), Miss Candy’s Variety Show (Theatre Canmore), and The Canmore Summer Theatre Festival 2018, 2019, and 2020 (Pine Tree Players).

Alahna Mallet:

Alahna Mallett (Assistant Stage Manager, Set Painter, & Social Media Manager): Alahna is thrilled to have her first professional production be with Prime Stock Theatre in her hometown. She is excited to really delve into her passion for theatre, and moreover: Shakespeare. The "pure magic" that is a theatre or film production is something Alahna has been missing since she first discovered it in her high school days. Being a part of the Bard team has truly felt like coming home, and she can't wait for what the future is about to bring.

Raiah Wong:

This is the first show Raiah has ever done working on costumes, and it has been a lovely experience. She has been involved in theatre since she was ten years old with Tree House Youth Theatre and recently has been a part of the theatre programs at Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School, but she was an actor in these programs. Bard on Bower was a great new experience for Raiah as she learned so much. She hopes you enjoy the show.