Andie

Lloyd

Andie Lloyd is a queer interdisciplinary artist and community advocate, currently based on unceded Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Territories. She works internationally as a lighting designer and media artist, and is a co-founder of HK House 香港屋 (@hkhouseofficial), a volunteer-powered non-profit based in Vancouver, B.C. As a justice motivated artist, Andie aims to work alongside collaborators in alignment with her values of self-determination, land sovereignty, climate justice, fat liberation, queer liberation and anti-capitalism. She hopes to bring these values into all of her creations through the avenues of radical compassion and respect. Some of her notable involvements include: HAPPY VALLEY/馬照跑．舞照跳（rice & beans theatre) - Projection Design, LOSE MYSELF AGAIN (Music Video, Argel MDR) - Media/Lighting Designer, BQFKN ONLINE! (rEvolver Fest 2023) - Digital Design Director/Lighting Designer, ŪTSZAN (TO MAKE BETTER) (The Cultch) - Projection Designer, CLEAN/ESPEJOS (Neworld Theatre) - Surtitle Designer, WHIP (FakeKnot) - Lighting Designer, and she looks forward to designing for the world premiere of PEACE COUNTRY by Pedro Chamale in Fall 2023. GFHG SDGM.

Ashley

Cook

Ashley Cook is Metis and Saulteaux from Pine Creek First Nation and a 2nd generation urban Indigenous woman, wife and mother currently based in Treaty 1 Territory, Winnipeg. She recently graduated with honours from the acting program at Studio 58 in Vancouver and has been acting in theatre since she was a teen when she got her start touring TYA shows to local high schools in 2007. At Studio 58 her short play Labour Pains was staged in 2018. She was also a recipient of the David Pritchard Award for Outstanding achievement in Stage Management for her work on Mortified (Studio 58). She now is based in her traditional territory in (Wanipigow) Winnipeg and continues to write and act for stage and film, aiming to nurture her practice and bring theatre shows and training to the youth of her community and beyond.

Donnie

Tejani

Donnie Tejani is a Jessie Award winning costume designer as well as the sole proprietor of his costume shop and rental house "In The Wings Costume Co." With several years of dressing experience backstage at the Arts Club he loves to bring his practical knowledge and tricks of the trade to every show he designs. Donnie is also a wig stylist working primarily in the drag scene where his work has been featured on the runway of RuPaul’s Drag Race and all over the world. Recent Credits: Crazy For You (RCMT), Call Me Mother S2 (OUTtv), Anne of Green Gables (Gateway Theatre)

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 BLUE STOCKINGS (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 the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (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/

Erin

Purghart

Erin Purghart is an actor, comedian and producer based in Lower Mainland, BC. Erin graduated with a BFA in Acting from UBC in 2021, and has since worked in theatre and film, and improv and stand-up comedy. Erin is an ensemble member of improv groups People You May Know, QueerProv and Tightrope Impro Theatre, and is the producer and host of That's Gay! Comedy, a queer comedy show. Recent acting credits include: FOR NOW (Green Thumb Theatre), HEART OF GOLD (Noema Productions), AMPHITRUO (United Players), & JUGGLE ME NOT (Axis Theatre). @erinpurghart | linktr.ee/erinpurghart

Issiah

Bull Bear

Issiah is a mixed Blackfoot/Punjabi multidisciplinary theatre artist, originally from Treaty 7 territory, Mohkinstsis (Calgary, Alberta) belonging to the Siksika Nation. Issiah is very excited to be taking part in THE MIXOLYDIAN by Ashley Cook. This will be their second time working with Green Thumb Theatre, first time being The Playwrights Gym. They are also a recent studio 58 Graduate, their previous credits there include: TOMORROWLOVE, CERULEAN BLUE, EVERYBODY, THE ROCKKY HORRY SHOW and their play OLD MAN LITTLE MAN (Six of One: New Play Festival). Their most recent projects include the tour of TH'OWXIYA with Axis Theatre and the world premier of ECHOES OF THE HOMESICK HEART with Western Canada Theatre.

Jackson

Wai Chung Tse

Jackson Wai Chung Tse 謝瑋聰 (he/they) is an international award-winning artist, facilitator, and consultant, leading groups since 2003. Active in his community, Jackson has facilitated creative workshops on issues of equity and diversity with the University of British Columbia, Out in Schools, and recently authored an anti-Asian racism and gender-inclusive study guide with Green Thumb Theatre. Jackson holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Queen’s University, a post-graduate teaching certificate from The University of the State of New York, and is an alumni of the National University of Singapore and Simon Fraser University. Born in Hong Kong, he is a settler on the stolen lands of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm, Skwxwú7mesh, and Səl̓ílwətaɬ First Nations. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacksontse/

Kelsey

Wavey

Kelsey Kanatan Wavey (they/them) is a non binary multidisciplinary artist currently based in so-called Vancouver. Kelsey was born and raised in Treaty 1, Winnipeg, and is a proud member of Tataskweyak Cree Nation. Kelsey attended Studio 58 to study acting, and has been working as an actor, writer, director, and curator since graduating in 2019. Kelsey is a singer and is working on self-releasing their work with their Indigenous indie pop duo “EVERB0DY”, as well as sings with an all femme drumming group “M’girl”. Some of their recent theatre acting work includes The Rez Sisters, Women of the Fur Trade (MTC) and 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).

Kevin

Nguyen

Kevin Nguyen is a Vietnamese-Canadian artist based in Vancouver, BC. After falling in love with acting in high school, Kevin decided to further his training at Studio 58’s theatre program. He has co-created and appeared in works such as EVERYBODY (Studio 58), THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW (Studio 58), BLUE STOCKINGS (Studio 58), EAST VAN PANTO: LITTLE MERMAID (Theatre Replacement), ANNETTE IS A BIMBO! (The Women’s Company) and THE BRIGHT YOUNG THINGS (Folding Camera Theatre). Kevin was a part of the 2022 Riotous Youth ensemble at Bard on the Beach, the 2022 recipient of the United Players Andrée Karas scholarship award.

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.

Leslie

Dos Remedios

Leslie is honoured to bring this remount of For Now back to life. Originally from the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, Seneca and the Mississauga of the credit (aka Toronto), she is also a graduate of York University (2008) and Studio 58 (2012). Most recently, Leslie directed BEFORE THEY CUT DOWN OUR TREE by Karter Masuhara for the 2023 Vancouver Fringe and completed a directing apprenticeship with Bard On The Beach working with Daryl Cloran on AS YOU LIKE IT. Leslie also works with Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre (vAct) as their resident dramaturg. Thank you to Rachel Aberle, Green Thumb Theatre and Scott Button for the opportunity to work with wonderful artists in bringing this vital show to the world.

Lully

Villar

Maria Luiza Zenobio de Assumpção Villar Laufhütte is from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and she has been living in Canada since December 2018. Lully (as everybody calls her), is passionate about the arts in general and has been dedicating herself to it since 1994. She graduated from Filmmaking in 2005, and from Interior Design in 2010. Lully is an award-winning interior designer in Brazil. Since then, she has been also working as a Set Designer and a Props Master on TV, films, and plays. Lully graduated from Fashion and Film Makeup Design from New Image College in March 2021, and from Stagecraft and Event Technology from Douglas College in June 2022. In 2022, while studying at Douglas College, she won the International Returning Student Scholarship based on the cumulative GPA. Since July 2022, Lully has been working as an Assistant to the Creative Director at the Vancouver Horror Nights (VHN) which is a haunted attraction that operates at Coquitlam Centre throughout October and November.

Matthew

Rhodes

Matthew is an emerging actor, director, and producer. He is a graduate of UBC’s BFA in Acting and Master of Management programs. Recent performance credits include STILL•FALLING Live stream with Green Thumb Theatre, and various online Shakespeare performances with The Show Must Go Online. He recently directed THIS FEELS LIKE THE END play reading at rEvolver Festival and created HENRY 4: SHREWSBURY at the Vancouver Fringe Festival. He is currently the Associate Producer at Boca del Lupo, and has produced with The Show Must Go Online and Affair of Honor.

Merewyn

Comeau

Merewyn is a multidisciplinary artist born and raised on unceded Wet’suwet’en territory in Northern B.C. Graduating from Capilano University’s Musical Theatre Program, Merewyn now lives and works on unceded Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh territories in Vancouver, B.C. Select credits: Th’owxiya: The Hungry Feast Dish (AxisTheatre), Elephant and Piggie’s “We Are in a Play!” (Carousel Theatre), Les Filles du Roi (Urban Ink), and Sedna (Caravan Farm Theatre). Identifying as Western European settler with mixed Indigenous ancestry, navigating, and reclaiming their paternal lineage is an ongoing journey that continues to challenge, shape, and heal them. Only a decade ago, Merewyn watched Green Thumb Theatre perform in her high school gymnasium and credits those poignant stories as the spark that lit her professional career.

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.

Mikenzie

Page

Mikenzie Page (she/they) is an actor, singer, and educator based on the unceded and ancestral territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. Mikenzie has performed across Alberta and BC with their original works being performed across the two provinces. Mikenzie is a recent graduate of Studio 58 and has been fortunate enough to collaborate, work, and learn from companies across Canada such as Carousel Theatre for Young People, the Arts Club Theatre Company, Bard on the Beach, Blue Jeans Theatre, Handsome Alice Theatre/Vertigo Theatre, Swallow-A- Bicycle Theatre/ IGNITE! Festival, Out In Schools, and many more! Mikenzie’s artistic practice is based in silliness, imagination, kindness, trust, and community building. When not creating theatre, Mikenzie can be found singing, gardening, and making silly noises!

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: The Seventh Fire by Lisa C. Ravensbergen (Delinquent/Neworld), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Bard on the Beach), The Herd (Citadel/Tarragon), 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. Next up: Someone Like You (Arts Club), Made in Italy (Theatre Calgary), and The East Van Panto (Theatre Replacement). 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.

Rachel

Aberle

Rachel is a theatre artist born and raised in various parts of the Greater Vancouver area, on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh-ulh (Squamish), səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), S’ólh (Stó:lō), Stz'uminus, Qayqayt, sc̓əwaθenaɁɬ (Tsawwassen), Kwantlen and kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) Peoples. For Green Thumb: STILL•FALLING, THE CODE (Playwright), CRANKED: The ReMix, CRANKED - Digital Adaptation, LIKE IT OR NOT, NOT SO DUMB (Director), THE MIXOLYDIAN, FOR NOW, LIKE IT OR NOT (Dramaturge), PEOPLE LIKE VINCE, SOUVENIRS (Performer). Other select credits: I KNOW WHAT I SAW - Studio 58 (Director), CHELSEA HOTEL - Firehall Arts Centre, EAST VAN PANTO: LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD - Theatre Replacement and The Cultch, THREE SISTERS - Only-Child Collective, IN LIKE A LION, OLD NICK - Caravan Farm Theatre (Performer). Rachel is currently working on a commission with The Belfry Theatre on her new play, THE MASTER LIST.

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.

Riley

Hardwick

Riley Hardwick (he/him) is an actor, improviser, and Jessie Award-winning sound designer based in Vancouver, BC, on the unceded territories of the Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam Nations. He is thrilled to be a part of Green Thumb's season and working with such a talented team. Recent design credits include THE KITCHEN (Studio 58), 4 CARDINAL DIRECTIONS (Rumble Theatre), COURAGE NOW (VACT), STAGE WRITE (Globe Theatre), SIX OF ONE (Studio 58) and MARY'S WEDDING (Firehall Arts Centre). Riley is a graduate of Studio 58 and a current cast member at The Improv Centre on Granville Island.

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.

Sarvin

Esmaeili

Born in Tehran, Iran, سروین /Sarv Star is a tender queer multidisciplinary theater artist with the intention of creating stories that make theatre a spiritual, experimental, and process-based experience. Sarv has worked as a theatre creator and actor with companies like vAct, Rice and Beans, Rumble and Blackout. She recently produced her play Hair Hair Everywhere at the vActory series. Sarv co-created Maman do you love me? A series of songs and poetry In Farsi with no English translation at the Polyphonic Residency. In June 2023, they acted and puppeteered in Mayor’s Dilemma at the International Theatrical Festival VALISE in Poland. Sarv is a graduate of Studio 58. سروین, a moon lover, dreams of holding a full moon ceremony where they sing, pray and meditate with their soul family. Sarv is beyond grateful to be part of the tour of Green Thumb’s Mixolydian project. Feel free to connect at sarvin.freedom@gmail.com

Scott

Button

Scott Button is an award-winning creator of theatre and television. He’s worked in the writer’s room of FAMILY LAW (CW/Global); theatre credits include FOR NOW (Green Thumb Theatre) and NIGHT PASSING (Arts Club Theatre Company – narrative podcast), among others. Scott is an alumnus of the Pacific Screenwriting Program and has a BFA from UBC. Represented by Meridian Artists. www.scottbutton.ca

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/

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