Ashley

Cook

Ashley Cook is a Saulteaux / Métis playwright, actor and youth worker based in Treaty 1 (Winnipeg). She graduated with honours from Studio 58’s acting program at Langara College and received the David Pritchard Award for Outstanding Achievement in Stage Management. She has been working in theatre since 2007 where she started her acting career doing high school tours while she was still a high-school student herself. Her teachers let her out of class to go play make believe because she always made sure to get all of her homework done. Ashley now plays make believe for a living, while working with youth and raising two young children

Damion

LeClair

Damion is an award-winning Métis and Two Spirit multi-disciplinary artist and facilitator located on the unceded and ancestral territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and səlilwətaɬ Nations. In 2023, Damion was the recipient of the Bill Millerd Artist Fund (Arts Club). Past credits include: Our Town (Peninsula Productions); Juggle Me Not (Axis Theatre); Th’owxiya: The Hungry Feast Dish National Tour 2022/23 (Axis Theatre); They Know Not What They Do (Native Earth Performing Arts). Upcoming: Jeeves at Sea (Chemainus Theatre); Rougarou (SummerWorks). Damion is currently represented by Kim Barsanti at Lucas Talent. Damion is a graduate of Studio 58.

Emerenne

Saefkow

Originally from the small northern town of Smithers BC (Wet'suwet'en territory), Emerenne Saefkow is a non-binary, multidisciplinary artist who adores almost anything creative and hands-on. Select previous theatre credits include Studio 58’s The Tempest, Blue Stockings and Everybody (Set and Props), Carousel theatre’s The Tempest (Costume Design and creation) and One of a Kind, a zoom theatre piece for the Vancouver International Children’s Festival (Writing and Illustrating). They’re deeply grateful to live and create on the unceded traditional territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. You can see more of their work at EmerenneSaefkow.com

Emily

Friesen

Emily is a multidisciplinary designer, artist, and maker as well as a graduate of the University of Victoria theatre program. It is a pleasure for her to be making her Green Thumb debut. Select design credits include: costume design for KINDRED (Belfry), THE LAST FIVE YEARS, RIDE THE CYCLONE, SALT WATER MOON (BlueBridge Repertory Theatre), METAMORPHOSIS(studio 58), OTHELLO (UVic Phoenix theatre) and set design for IT'S JUST BLACK HAIR (staging equality) and THE CHILDREN'S HOUR (UVic Phoenix theatre). For more information go to http://emilyfriesen-theatredesigner.com/

Erica

Wilson

Erica is a community connector and MAYAA recipient in Treaty 1. They have worked with several companies that align with their values in the arts, community, and culture. In theatre for the past 9 years - as an actor, stage manager, etc. One example is with Raven Spirit Dance Society’s “Salmon Girl” as Assistant SM. They’re also a self-contractor as a Facilitator and Advisor with youth programs such as SEED and Indigenous Youth Roots. Currently as a Board member of the Winnipeg Arts Council and National Screen Institute as Co-Manager for TikTok Accelerator. When not in community, chills with their cat Gunther!

Ethan

DeHoog

Ethan DeHoog is a Vancouver based artist from small town Smithers BC, and a recent graduate of Studio 58. He is grateful for the stewardship of the Wet’suwet’en, Musqueum, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, without which he would not be able to grow, work, or call these lands home. Beyond his performances at Studio he wrote and performed his show Cardboard Boxes and Other Ways to Travel at the Vancouver Fringe. He is beyond excited to work for the first time with Green Thumb Theatre in its tour of 500 Words!

Evan

Ren

Evan is a stage manager and lighting designer based in Vancouver. Graduated from UBC theatre production and design in 2020, her former stage management credits include: Beautiful: the Carole King Musical (ASM, the Arts Club);Rubaboo (ASM, the Arts Club); Forgiveness (ApSM, the Arts Club); Around the World in 80 days (Bluebridge theatre); Cranked: the Remix (Rehearsal SM, Green thumb theatre);Ride the Cyclone (Bluebridge theatre);Yellowfever (ApSM, Firehall Arts Center);‘Da Kink in my hair (ASM, the Arts Club); Mary’s Wedding (ApSM, Firehall Arts Center); East Van Panto: Alice in the wonderland (ApSM, Theatre Replacement); Cariboo Magi (Far from the tree production); Guards at the Taj (SACHA); The Winter’s Tale (ASM, Carousel Theatre); The Drowsy Chaperone (ASM, TUTS).

Ian

Tamblyn

Ian Tamblyn began his professional life as a musician and songwriter at the Bobby Orr Pizza in Peterborough, 1972. Since that time it has been a slice. Forty-five albums, CDs and cassettes later, Ian has recently released a retrospective of his work. Featuring twenty-six songs on the double CD and ten on the vinyl release, the collection is entitled Scenes through a Mirror. In the past year Ian has been busy touring, mostly in Ontario and Quebec. He has also been working on a collection of Arctic stories and reflections that is now in the hands of editor, Season Osborne. One of these adventures will be presented in Haliburton on May 8th. Last year Ian researched a story about his grandmother Vera Baird who was a singer in the lumber camps and towns of North Western Ontario. The project came about when Ian discovered her repertoire of sheet music in a piano bench. The research has developed into a musical play entitled Vera . Carson Beckie, a classical pianist, recorded twenty of these “found” songs. A workshop for this play was held in June with Carson( pianist) ,Sheena Turcotte (Vera), Eleanor Crowder, and director Mary Ellis. Continuing on the theatre front, Mr. Tamblyn is involved with actor/director Maja Ardal bringing Otzi, the Cooper Age Iceman back to life! with an eye to a collaborative production. Workshops began in May. He is also involved in a theatrical adaptation of Brian Doyle’s book “Mary Anne Alice”. Ian has won numerous awards and nominations throughout his career. Most recently Ian was nominated as English Songwriter of the Year by the Canadian Folk Music Awards in 2022.. In the same year he was awarded membership as an Officer of the Order of Canada. This summer Ian will be playing at the Stewart Park Festival in Perth, July19th and the Live from the Rock Festival in Red Rock, Ontario, Aug 10-12. Before the Red Rock festival, Ian will be the guide and host of a five day voyageur canoe paddle from Rossport to Red Rock. This fall Ian will be joined by Fred Guignion ( guitar and lap steel) and Pat Maher (bass, vocals) at the Red Bird Cafe September 26th. For other information about tours and news please visit www.iantamblyn.com

Jamie

King

Jamie King is an awarded theatre director that grew up on the rainy western coast. Previously for Green Thumb, they directed What If? By Katey Hoffman. Recent directing credits: Middletown, The Wolves and LOVE/SICK at Pacific Theatre; Pretty Girls, Blue Stockings and Can We Fix It? for Studio 58, Sunrise Betties for Itsazoo Productions; As You Like It for Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan; The Legend of Georgia McBride for Arts Club Theatre Company; SYSTEM FAILURE, and SPARAGMOS for Caravan Farm Theatre. JK is the current Associate Producer for Theatre Replacement. Check out more on their work at www.jamiekinghere.com

Jamie

Norris

After graduating from the Vancouver Playhouse Acting School in 1987 Jamie worked as an actor, playwright and director throughout Western Canada. Selected acting credits include: The Cripple of Inishmaan (Arts Club), Twelfth Night (Bard on the Beach), Of Mice and Men (Vancouver Playhouse), Popcorn (Sea Theatre). Selected directing credits include: The Palace Grande (Dawson City), True West (Humdinger Productions), Seven Stories (Guild Theatre, Whitehorse), Scraping the Surface (Theatre Terrific), Land of Trash (Green Thumb Theatre). Jamie also served as Artistic Director of Theatre Terrific as well as Associate Artistic Director of the Station Street Arts Centre where he created and directed "The Kids' Series". His play November took home first prize in Theatre BC's Canadian National Playwriting Competition. He has been nominated for six Jessie Richardson awards, winning twice. After directing and acting in a show in Dawson City Jamie decided to shift careers and move North. In 2007 he moved to the Beaufort Delta region of the Northwest Territories where he still lives and works as a Community Counsellor and Expressive Arts Therapist. Jamie is also a faculty instructor at Vancouver Expressive Arts. Over the years Jamie has written six plays for Green Thumb Theatre. He is grateful to the Green Thumb team for providing the opportunity to revisit the character of Derwent and update his story for a new generation of young audiences.

Jennifer

Wilson

Jennifer Anne Wilson is an Alum of the SFU Fine Arts Program, with a focus on Stage Management. After graduation, she spent three years with Princess Cruises working with the entertainment department. Following that, she stage managed many of the smaller stage productions in the Vancouver area, her favourite being Baccio Rosso. She also had the opportunity to travel across Canada with Canada's Ballet Jörgen and it was a great way to broaden her knowledge in stage management and to see our beautiful country. She is very excited to be working in theatre again and hopes that you enjoy the show!

Joan

MacLeod

Joan MacLeod’s plays include Jewel, Toronto, Mississippi, Amigo’s Blue Guitar, The Hope Slide, Little Sister, 2000, The Shape of a Girl, Homechild, Another Home Invasion, The Valley, Gracie and a libretto for a chamber opera based on the children’s novel The Secret Garden. For seven seasons she was a playwright-in-residence at Tarragon Theatre in Toronto. Her work has been translated into eight languages. She is the recipient of numerous awards including two Chalmers Canadian Play Awards, the Governor General’s Award and the Siminovitch Prize for Theatre. Joan worked at the University of Victoria as a Professor in the Department of Writing for 15 years, retiring in 2019; she is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. She also writes poetry, prose and for television. She is currently working on a collection of linked short stories.

Kelsey

Wavey

Kelsey Kanatan Wavey (they/she/he) is a gender fluid multidisciplinary artist currently based in so-called Vancouver. Kelsey was born and raised in Treaty 1, Winnipeg, is 5th generation settler of German/British/Norwegian ancestry and Muskeg Ininowahk (Swampy Cree), and is a proud member of Tataskweyak Cree Nation (Treaty #5). Kelsey attended Studio 58 to study acting, and has been working as an actor, writer, director, and curator since graduating in 2019. Kelsey is also a singer and is working on self-releasing their work with Indigenous indie pop duo “EVERB0DY”, as well as sings with two femme Indigenous drumming group “M’girl” and “iskwew singers”. Some of their recent theatre acting work includes In My Day (Zeezee theatre), The Rez Sisters, Women of the Fur Trade (MTC), Making the Mystics, Break Horizons: a Concert Documentary (Urban Ink and The Cultch). You may have seen their recent directing work in Cerulean Blue (Studio 58) and Gather: Stories in Nature (Neworld and Pacific Theatre).

Kim

Harvey

Kim Senklip Harvey is a proud Syilx and Tsilhqot’in award-winning creator known for her ability to direct bold iconoclastic productions that inspire and delight. Kim was the first Indigenous woman to win the Governor General’s Award for Drama with her play Kamloopa to which she directed the 3-city world premiere. She is the director of 2 feature-length documentary films Break Horizons: A Concert Documentary and Making The Mystics. Kim is a 2-time recipient of a Netflix and Indigenous Screen Office fellowship. She is also currently writing on a CBC mini-series and her pilot Half Way Home is currently in development with Sphere Media. Kim has her Masters in Creative Writing and is currently getting her Ph.D. in Law. Kim’s passion for storytelling lives within its transformational nature and works in service to her Indigenous Nations.

Kimira

Reddy

Kimira Reddy is an accomplished Artist, award-winning Set Designer, and visionary Creative Director shaping the artistic landscape on the unceded Coast Salish Territories. She also serves as the Communications Director of Raven Spirit Dance. Her diverse portfolio spans immersive virtual reality experiences, exhibition designs, and art installations. Originally hailing from South Africa, she earned her MFA in Design from UBC. Her creative journey is enriched by collaborations with UBC, Vancouver Opera, Canada Wild Arts Society, Indian Summer Festival, Zee Zee Theatre, and other prominent organizations. Discover more at www.kimirareddy.com

Matthew

MacDonald-Bain

Matthew MacDonald-Bain is a Vancouver-based actor/sound designer and is honoured to be returning to Green Thumb! He is a four-time Jessie Award nominee and two-time Award winner for Acting and Sound Design. Select design credits include East Van Panto: Pinocchio (Theatre Replacement), Middletown, Bar Mitzvah Boy, The Lonesome West, The Wolves (Pacific Theatre), The Competition Is Fierce (Itsazoo), The Day Before Christmas (Arts Club), Bright Blue Future, Bug, Of Mice And Men (Hardline). Matthew is a graduate of Studio 58.

Michelle

Olson

Michelle Olson is a member of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in FirstNation and the Artistic Director of Raven Spirit Dance. She studied dance and performance at the University of New Mexico, the Aboriginal Arts Program at the Banff Centre and was an Ensemble Member of Full Circle First Nations Performance. Michelle works in areas of dance, theatre and opera as a choreographer, performer and movement coach and her work has been seen on stages across Canada. Selected choreography/theatre credits include GATHERING LIGHT (Raven Spirit Dance), SALMON GIRL (TYA - Raven Spirit Dance), MAP OF THE LAND, MAP OF THE STARS (Gwaandak Theatre), FROST TREES EXPLODING MOON (Raven Spirit Dance), MOZART'S MAGIC FLUTE (Vancouver Opera), THE ECSTACY OF RITA JOE (Western Canada Theatre/National Arts Centre), DEATH OF A CHIEF (Native Earth Performing Arts/National Arts Centre) and EVENING IN PARIS (Raven SpiritDance). She is currently teaching at Langara’s Studio 58.

Mishelle

Cuttler

Mishelle is a Vancouver based composer and sound designer whose work is centred around the integration of sound, music, and storytelling. She was the sound designer for Green Thumb’s Jabber in 2017. Recent projects include: Hedda Gabler (Stratford Festival), Someone Like You (Arts Club), The East Van Panto (Theatre Replacement), The Seventh Fire by Lisa C. Ravensbergen (Delinquent/Neworld), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Bard on the Beach), and Clean/Espejos (Neworld), as well as assistant sound design for Prince Caspian at the Shaw Festival. She is the Programs Manager for the Greater Vancouver Professional Theatre Alliance. Mishelle has an MFA in Musical Theatre Composition from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and a BFA in Acting from UBC.

Nyla

Carpentier

Nyla Carpentier (Tahltan, Kaska, French, Scottish) is a multifaceted performing artist currently residing in North Vancouver. She’s a new mom, a powwow dancer and workshop facilitator. Theatre acting highlights: Battle of the Birds (Savage Society), The Flats/Les Flats (Prairie Theatre Exchange and Theatre Cercle Moliere), The Berlin Blues and Ipperwash (The Blyth Theatre Festival) and Busted Up: A Yukon Story (Openpit Theatre). Nyla performed her solo show Dissection of a... Mixed Heritage Woman at the Victoria and Vancouver Fringe Festival. She is currently working on a second solo show and her first full length play.

Renae

Morriseau

Renae Morriseau is Nêhiyawi/Cree, Nahkawiniw/Saulteaux. Since the 80’s Renae has worked individually and collectively on Indigenous stories in music, theatre, film and television. Much of her work is about art created with, for and about the hopes of a good future for Indigenous people on their lands and in the cities of Turtle Island. She has worked across Canada and internationally with her singing group, M’Girl. Renae is currently recording her songs in both traditional and contemporary sounds. Quest Out West, a documentary APTN Television series will debut its 4th season in May, 2023. She directed 5 episodes on this Syilx/Okanagan food sovereignty show. She directed a new work by Rosanna Deerchild, THE SECRET TO GOOD TEA at the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre and right after, the late Taran Kootenayhoo’s, White Noise at the Firehall Arts Centre in 2023. She currently teaches at Capilano University in Indigenous Film Studies.

Sam

Bob

Sam Bob (traditional name-Tulkweemult’) of the Snaw-Naw-us First Nation on Vancouver Island has performed nationally in television, film, radio, and theatre. He is a Jessie Richardson Theatre Award nominee for Best Actor in 2004 and 2022, nominated for Best Actor by Edmonton’s Dreamspeaker’s Film Festival in 1998. Mr. Bob has an extensive body of theatre work across Canada. He can also be seen in film and TV in Blackway with Anthony Hopkins, Monkey Beach, with CBC, Loudermilk on Amazon Prime. And recently shot a pilot called Canoe Journey in Lummi territory near Bellingham. Sam has taught free community theatre classes at the Vancouver Friendship Centre for several years and finds putting young people on stage a particular joy.

Samantha

Pawliuk

Samantha is grateful to the Squamish, Musqueam, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations on whose land she lives, and to the people who make up Green Thumb Theatre for so many opportunities to work, play, and grow.

Sarah

Conway

Sarah Conway (she/her) is an actor, writer, and comedian. Select credits: Dian/Various (Eyes of the Beast, Neworld Theatre), Performer (Tamasha-O-Tamasha, Resource Centre for the Arts), Diana Hudson (The Bright Young Things, Vancouver Fringe), Amanda-Lynn (The Flying Doctor, Perchance Theatre), Stephano/Boatswain (The Tempest, Perchance Theatre), Jackie Coryton (Hay Fever, Perchance Theatre), Reporter & Local Reporter (Son of a Critch), Elizabeth Welsh (Blue Stockings, Studio 58). Her play Budding premiered as part of the Six of One: New Play Festival at Studio 58. Sarah wrote and directed her first short film Jenny the Goblin earlier this year. She has performed at the Ottawa, Montreal, and Baltimore improv festivals. Sarah is a graduate of Studio 58. sarahconway.ca

Sewitt

Eden Haile

Sewit Eden Haile (she/her) is an emerging performer and writer thrilled to be making her Green Thumb debut! Her recent credits include: Mother - Blood Wedding (Studio 58), Ruby/Playwright - The Raft (Risky Nights/Studio 58), Sewit/Playwright - One of A Kind! (Vancouver International Children's Festival), Ensemble - East Van Panto: Robin Hood (Theatre Replacement). Her play pretty girls premiered at Studio 58’s FourPlay festival and she was a recipient of the 2024 Studio 58 Writing Award. Sewit is privileged to be living on the unceded, traditional homelands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations/"Vancouver". As of December 2024, Sewit is a proud graduate of Studio 58!

Sharifah

Marsden

I am an Anishinaabe (Ojibway) artist from the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. Since early childhood I have been directed toward a life of art and culture. I draw on my Ojibway roots and knowledge of the Woodlands style to create unique works that include everything from acrylic painting to beadwork, jewellery engraving and murals. One of my fondest memories is of my mother and I sitting at the kitchen table painting late into the night, the house quiet, little ones sleeping. This is where I fell in love with painting.When I began my academic path, which would come to include the Fine Arts Program at Langara College, the Jewellery Arts Program at the Native Education College and the Diploma Program in Jewellery and Object Design at Vancouver Metal Arts School, my mother said to me “you go to those schools, but you bring your culture into every project you do.” http://www.sharifahmarsden.com/

Sophie

Tang

Sophie Tang is an award-winning lighting and set designer working in Theatre, Opera and Dance. She has worked with companies including Stratford Festival, Shaw Festival, National Arts Center, Electric Company Theatre, Vancouver Opera, Pacific Opera, Artsclub Theatre, Bard on the Beach, Citadel Theatre, Canadian Stage, Theatre Replacement and so on. Recent set design credits: "Cinderella"( Gateway Theatre), "My Little Tomato"( Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre), "Kitchen", (Studio 58), "Bad Parent"(Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre x Prairie Theatre Exchange x Soulpepper Theatre),"The Rez Sisters"(Stratford Festival). Recent Lighting credits: East Van Panto: Robin Hood (Theatre Replacement), The Lehman Trilogy (Theatre Calgary), Jersey Boys (Artsclub Theatre), Salesman in China (Stratford Festival), Three Musketeers (Citadel Theatre x Artsclub Theatre), Twelfth Night (Bard on the Beach), Portfolio website: sophieyufeitang.com

Toonasa Jordana

Luggi

Toonasa Jordana Luggi (Wet’suwet’en & Dakelh) is a photographer/artist/educator and a member of Stellat’en First Nation. Toonasa was raised in Stellako, a Dakelh village in BC’s northern interior. They graduated from Emily Carr University with a BFA in Photography in 2014. From 2019-2022, they worked as the Education Specialist at the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art. Toonasa has always been passionate about education and the arts, especially collaborative projects. In 2022, a childrens’ picture book ‘Majagalee: The Language of Seasons’ by Shawna Davis (Gitxsan) was published with Toonasa’s photography. Toonasa currently lives and works in Vancouver BC.

potatoCakes_digital

potatoCakes_digital is the award winning multimedia design and technical services company of Emily Soussana and Andrew Scriver. Formed as a collective in 2018, and officially incorporated in 2021, they have been unofficially working together for over six years as an all-encompassing artistic and technical team offering dramaturgy, management, and technical direction--as well as designing video, lighting, sound, set, and costumes for live performance, installation, and digital art in Tiotia:ke and across Canada. Recent credits include designing lights and video for Kim Senklip Harvey’s Kamloopa at Soulpepper in Toronto (2022), and the Break Horizons: A Concert Documentary (2021). potatocakesdigital.ca