WCT Show Program | The Fiancee (2025/26 Season) by Western Canada Theatre

THE FIANCÉE

By HOLLY LEWIS

CAST

IVY CHARLES

JAKE KOPYTKO

CHIRAG NAIK

Rose

Dick

Manny

MELISSA OEI Ms. Crotch

KIRK SMITH

ALI WATSON

CREATIVE TEAM

Chester/Clark

Lucy

CAMERON GRANT Director

HANS SAEFKOW* Set Designer

JACOB LIN*

EMILY FRIESEN

SAM JEFFERY

Lighting & Sound Designer

Costume Designer

Intimacy & Fight Director

SUSAN D. CURRIE Stage Manager

ASHLEY REES

Assistant Stage Manager

Approximately 2 hours, including one 20 minute intermission.

WCT is proud to tell our stories in the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc territory within the traditional lands of the Secwépemc Nation.

Produced by permission of Playwright & Marquis Literary (Colin Rivers) www.MQlit.ca

The Fiancée premiered at The Citadel Theatre (Edmonton, AB) in 2021. Daryl Cloran, Artistic Director; Sarah Pocklington, Executive Director.

Western Canada Theatre is a member of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT) and engages professional artists who are members of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association under the terms of the jointly negotiated Canadian Theatre Agreement.

* Indicated designers on this production are represented by the Associated Designers of Canada, IATSE Local ADC659.

Season Illustrations: Jennifer Taylor Paravantes • fieldandsea.com

Program Producer: Western Canada Theatre • wctlive.ca • 250-372-3216

Printer: Wayside Press • waysideco.ca • 250-372-3373

Box Office: Kamloops Live! Box Office • kamloopslive.ca • 250-374-5483

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

PRESENTING PARTNER

COMMUNITY TICKETING SPONSOR

SEASON SPONSORS

GOVERNMENT FUNDERS

SHOW CO-SPONSORS

TITLE SPONSOR

OPENING NIGHT SPONSOR

TEA MATINEE SPONSOR

OVATION SPONSOR

ACCOMMODATION SPONSORS

GUEST SERVICES

MEDIA SPONSOR

PIZZA PRE-SHOW SPONSOR

SPECIAL THANKS

To help ensure a safe and comfortable space for all: Stay home if you are ill or have symptoms of COVID 19. If you cannot attend a performance due to illness, please contact our Box Office to arrange a ticket exchange at 250-374-5483 or klbo@kamloopslive.ca.

For Assistance and Accessibility: Both the Pavilion and Sagebrush Theatres are wheelchair accessible and equipped with wheelchair-seating locations.

Hearing assist listening systems are available at the Sagebrush Theatre Box Office. We’re here to help. If you require assistance, please ask the House Supervisor or one of the ushers.

In consideration of your fellow audience members’ comfort and enjoyment, we ask the following:

Electronic Devices: Please turn off all cellular phones and watch alarms prior to the show. Due to copyright regulations, the use of cameras and other video or audio recording of this performance by any means is strictly prohibited.

Late Arrival and Re-admission: If you arrive after a performance has begun or leave the auditorium during the performance, we will make every effort to seat you at an appropriate interval in the program. Please be advised that this may not be the seat you are ticketed for, depending on its location in the theatre. Once it begins, the performance will be streamed on the screens in the lobby for those who need to step out.

Scent-free Facilities: Please arrive perfume/cologne-free and do not bring flowers into the lobby or theatre.

Children: Some WCT productions are not suitable for children. For specific age recommendations and other advisories, go to wctlive.ca/advisories. Babes in arms are only permitted at Relaxed Performances (wctlive.ca/accessibility).

A MESSAGE FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Longtime audience members at Western Canada Theatre might remember Holly Lewis from her time in Kamloops, when her husband Daryl Cloran sat in my seat. Between the two of them they left quite an impression on this city, and they carried a big piece of it away in their hearts. You’ve known Holly as a versatile performer in Educating Rita, Miss Caledonia and Peter and the Starcatcher. Now we are thrilled to be welcoming her back through her writing, with this brilliant farce, The Fiancée

It’s not often I find myself laughing out loud reading a script, but The Fiancée is the kind of old school farce you don’t see much anymore. It pays homage to all the classic comedic tropes, and gives them all a fresh, modern zing. I’m so excited to see director Cameron Grant and his company of actors bring Holly’s crazy, chaotic world to life. To say any more would spoil the fun, so I’ll leave it there, except to say I hope you have tissues because you may be reduced to tears of laughter.

This season may look on the calendar like it’s in its final stretch, but we have a lot packed into the last few months and I’ll hope you’ll come with us on all the adventures we have in store for you. Before we launch back into our subscription series, we’re bringing back one of your favourite special events, A Broad’s Way Cabaret – celebrating International Women’s Day. On March 6 th and 7th , the Lori Marchand Theatre will be filled with festivity, featuring a variety of performances from local talent. Enjoy a great party and celebrate achievements of women, including cis and trans women, non-binary people, and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

Next up at the Pavilion we are welcoming Kevin Matthew Wong, and his one man play, Benevolence, fresh from its run at the Lincoln Centre in New York. No sooner will that close than we will be opening our final offering of the 24/25 season at the Sagebrush, The Golden Anniversaries. Mark Crawford’s heartwarming comedy traces a couple through 50 years of marriage, and stars two brilliant performers WCT audiences might just be familiar with. And finally, back over at the Pavilion we close our season with Cheyenne Scott's transformative Indigenous thriller, Wolf Cull. And don’t forget to save the date and get your tickets for Breaking Ground, our 50th Anniversary fundraising bash! You’ll see favourites from past seasons and hear from old friends, and then we’ll dance the night away to celebrate this incredible milestone for WCT and for Kamloops. See you there!

PLAYWRIGHT’S NOTES

Kamloops! I am so excited that The Fiancée has come home! Home to this remarkable theatre in this beautiful city where the idea for writing it was born!

I started out my adventures in theatre as an actor. Whenever I was in a play, I would beg the director to let me fall down the stairs; every glass of water was a chance to do a spit take. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched that episode of I Love Lucy when Lucille Ball stuffs chocolates in her mouth as the conveyer belt speeds past her, out of control. Show me a banana peel and I will find a way to slip on it.

But here’s the challenge… funny plays often have men at their centre. Years ago, after watching a particularly popular classic farce, I started to wonder… what would this look like with women at its heart? So I started to build my own. I used to be an engineering student at Queens University but quit to become an actor because of my love of theatre. Well, it turns out engineering is a great background for writing farce. There’s a surprising amount of math and structure involved. As the structure of The Fiancée came together, it was the women that shaped everything.

Those who study plays will probably say, “But The Fiancée isn’t, technically, a farce.” They’re right. It’s a kind of cousin of farce. The cousin that’s not sexist or mean. The cousin you love to visit. The cousin that makes you laugh and asks nothing more in return than your company.

The team at WCT that brings this play to you is amazing. I can’t thank them enough for their energy, their skill, their generosity and their willingness to provide cakes. A huge thanks to Kelli and Matt for inviting the play home and to Cameron for bringing this production to life. Very special thanks to Daryl Cloran, for his incredible eye and for telling me where to cut. And to Rachel Peake, Vern Theissen, the Idea Machine and the actors who participated in the early readings for lending the play your amazing talents, including Liam and Jack.

And thank you for being here. Without you, there’s no laughter and without laughter it’s just a bunch of people covered in cake, slamming doors!

6:30am ’til late daily your go-to destination for brunch, lunch & dinner.

6:30am

SCHEDULE

THURSDAY, MARCH 5

5:30pm – Red Carpet Reception

7:00pm – Youngblood + Post-film Discussion

FRIDAY, MARCH 6

7:00pm – No Other Choice

7:30pm – The Painted Life of E.J. Hughes + Filmmaker Panel

SATURDAY, MARCH 7

8:30am - 4:30pm – Learn About Film Day 1

1:00pm – Family Event

2:00pm – The Wizard of Oz (1939)

4:30pm – Industry Reception — Invite only

6:00pm – Blue Heron

7:15pm – The Secret Agent

9:00pm – Reflection in a Dead Diamond

SUNDAY, MARCH 8

8:30am - 2:45pm – Learn About Film Day 2

11:00am – La Grazia

3:00pm – Kamloops Independent Short Shorts (KISS) Fest

5:00 - 6:00pm – KISS Filmmaker Reception

4:00pm – Orwell 2+2 = 5

7:00pm – The Chronology of Water

7:30pm – Father Mother Sister Brother

MONDAY, MARCH 9

STUDENT NIGHT

6:30pm – Mile End Kicks, pre-show set by Janky Eyed Jury

7:15pm – My Father’s Shadow

TUESDAY, MARCH 10

6:30pm – Resurrection

7:30pm – The Moment

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11

6:30pm – It Was Just an Accident

7:00pm – Arco

8:30pm – Wine-ing Discussion at Cordo

THURSDAY, MARCH 12

1:00pm – Tea & Tunes with Jeremy Kneeshaw

2:00pm – Unfinished Song

6:30pm – The Testament of Ann Lee

7:00pm – Cutting Through Rocks

8:30pm – Brew-ing Discussion at The Noble Pig

FRIDAY, MARCH 13

6:45pm – Pillion

7:15pm – Meadowlarks

9:00pm – Movie Trivia Night

SATURDAY, MARCH 14

2:00pm – Sirāt

2:30pm – Rental Family

6:00pm – Sentimental Value

6:30pm – Deathstalker

8:30pm – Closing Night Party at Delta

DIRECTOR’S NOTE

There’s something wonderful about watching farce. Those who are familiar with the genre know everything will sort itself out in the end, but along the way there will be many opportunities to doubt that. A good farce invites the audience onto a wild ride. It offers outrageous circumstances, hopeless and hopeful romantics, mistaken identities and lots of slamming doors. Quickly we find we are rooting for the loveable characters, empathizing with their poor decision making and validating their loose justifications. We laugh with and at them. We develop quiet commentaries of, “no, don't do that” or, “come on, hurry up before she comes back.” We sigh with relief at hair breath escapes and (hopefully) laugh at the sheer ingenuity (or stupidity) of the seemingly never ending chaos! Holly Lewis has given a really good farce filled with all the wonderful ingredients of a delicious farcical cake! Come on, how does someone end up with THREE fiancées?!!

I think watching a comedy releases something in us. Hopefully a lot of laughter but then something deeper, empathy. No matter how outrageous the circumstances, we are invited to see ourselves in these characters and the situations they find themselves in. We can empathize with Lucy, because we all know what it is like to be in a situation where you just can't say no. And, we empathize with Rose because we all have a “Lucy” in our life, who tests the limits of our love. We all know how it feels to desperately want something that some incredible force seems determined to keep just out of our reach. And we all know how seductive it can be to tell a lie. But deep down we know if we can be bold enough to just tell the truth, if we can trust ourselves and those who love us, we can navigate the curveballs life throws our way. Unfortunately the characters in a farce have to learn that the hard way! Fortunately for us with two strong willed sisters, three fiancées, a desperate door to door salesman and a formidable landlord, there are bound to be lots of curve balls. Buckle up, and enjoy the ride!

Cameron Grant, Director

STUDY GUIDE FROM WCT’S HUB FOR CREATIVE LEARNING

Scan the code or go to wctlive.ca/thehub to see a Study Guide put together by WCT’s Hub for Creative Learning team. These handy guides feature extra information about the shows, their history, the creative teams and themes. These are great for students and curious audience members alike. For educators, there are in-class activities and more.

FULL-BLOWN FARCE: HOLLY LEWIS’ THE FIANCÉE

At Western Canada Theatre, Holly Lewis played lead roles in such plays as Educating Rita and Miss Caledonia in the mid-2010’s, before moving to Edmonton with former WCT Artistic Director Daryl Cloran and their children. Lewis also co-wrote (with Cloran and others) Ubuntu: The Cape Town Project, which WCT produced in 2012. The Fiancée, Lewis’ first solo playwrighting venture, is a different kettle of fish. Farcical elements show up in other Canadian dramaturgy, and Caravan Theatre’s frequent reliance on farce makes it a notable exception, but such a wayover-the-top farce as The Fiancée is a Canadian stage rarity.

Although farce didn’t emerge as a distinct theatrical form until the 15th Century in France and the 16th Century in England (think Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors) its roots are in the 5th Century BCE (think Aristophane’s Lysistrata, in which the women of warring Sparta and Athens unite to refuse sex to their men until they stop fighting). The word itself derives from culinary arts—English adopted it from Middle French with its original meaning of "forcemeat” —a seasoned chopped meat or fish often served as stuffing. The French had first used the term to describe comic shorts stuffed between scenes in religious plays.

Characterized by improbable situations, mistaken identities, wordplay, lots of doors, and general silliness, farce is rooted in a seemingly minor problem that escalates, with each attempt to rectify only exacerbating things.

Lewis’s play nods to farce’s French origins, notably in over-the-top scenes in which both actress-turned-saleswoman Lucy and Rose, her sister, play Lucy reprising the role of Josephine Baker that Lucy played that inadvertently lead to one of her three engagements. Herein lies the catalytic problem: Lucy has three fiancées. Moreover, Lucy is as hapless at managing money as she is at managing men; making cakes is her coping mechanism. Fortunately, she is surrounded by solid female managers.

The Fiancée also nods to Lysistrata. Set at the end of a war—World War II—the play is, importantly, propelled by women. While Lucy’s predicament drives the action, Rose has an independent head on her strong shoulders, and their landlady, Ms. Crotch, a tough nut to crack who, by turns, acts as foil and villain, eventually becomes their sister-in-arms. As in Aristophanes’ classic, there is social commentary (albeit less pointedly): when the men went off to war, Canada out of necessity provided workplace opportunities for women; when the men returned, those women were expected to relinquish the roles they played so adeptly in order that things “return to normal.” The four men who crowd the sisters’ apartment—more acted upon than acting—find their expectations wildly upended.

Fittingly, this unabashedly farcical, sevendoored romantic comedy premiered (at the Citadel in 2021) during the pandemic, when the need for escapism reached new levels. In a world that has not really “returned to normal” since the pandemic, Holly Lewis’ The Fiancée, with its heightened silliness, sates our serious appetite for escapism.

Ginny Ratsoy Professor Emerita, Thompson Rivers University Board of Directors, Kamloops Adult Learners Society

www.kals.ca

The hopes you enjoy the show!

BMO Private Wealth is a brand name for a business group consisting of Bank of Montreal and certain of its affiliates in providing private wealth management products and services. “BMO (M-bar roundel symbol)” is a registered trademark of Bank of Montreal, used under licence.

Molly Mcleod

Kim Warner

Andrew Bromley

COMPANY BIOGRAPHIES

IVY CHARLES – Rose

At WCT: Debut

Elsewhere: Ivy Charles is a Leo, Sterling, and Ovation! Award-winning actor. Select theatre credits: East Van Panto: West Van Story, Pinocchio (Theatre Replacement); Casey & Diana, Someone Like You, Little Shop of Horrors, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Arts Club); Hamlet and Twelfth Night (Bard on the Beach); In My Day (Zee Zee Theatre Company); Beautiful Man (Pi Theatre) which landed her a Jessie nomination; Orlando (RMTC). Ivy is a graduate of Studio 58’s acting program. She was awarded the Hnatyshyn Developing Artist Grant for English Theatre in her final year. Select TV & Film: Novelette is Trying (OUTtv); The Dressing Room (PM Productions); Mild Life (Wolf Pelt Productions); So Help Me Todd (CBS); Mixed Baggage (Hallmark) and Mahalia (Lifetime).

JAKE KOPYTKO – Dick

At WCT: Monsieur D’Arque/Silly girl, Ensemble, U/S Gaston & Lumière - Beauty and the Beast (2025); Ensemble, U/S Lord Farquaad - Shrek (2024); Eugene, U/S Doody & Sonny - Grease (2023); Ensemble, U/S Cowardly Lion - The Wizard of Oz (2022); Peter, Young Cratchit, & Young Scrooge - A Christmas Carol (2010) Elsewhere: Jake is a multi-disciplinary artist born and raised in Kamloops. Jake made his professional acting debut over ten years ago with Western Canada Theatre, on the Sagebrush stage, and is delighted and grateful to be back. Lots of love to family and friends. Thank you for believing in me always, and for your unwavering support. Dad, this one’s for you. @jakekopytko

CHIRAG NAIK – Manny

At WCT: Louie in Habib's Unforgettable All Night House Party Elsewhere: Chirag Naik is a theatre, film and voice actor who's worked across Canada. He's worked with renowned companies nationwide including Bard on the Beach, the National Arts Centre, ATP, Citadel, Electric Company, amongst many others. On top of his fervent love for theatre he loves performing in other mediums including film/TV and particularly in voice-over work. Notable film credits include Upload, Rogue, and No Tomorrow. In cartoon form, he can be heard voicing Chip in Luna, Chip, and Inkie, Tom in Talking Tom, Hiko in Momolu, as well as Bread Pudding in Strawberry Shortcake. You may see him soon in Motion 58’s exciting new dark comedy feature Guards of the Grouse Special thanks to his wife and family for their endless support.

January 17 to May 2, 2026

Bree Apperley, Bouquet (detail), 2025, digital photo, 45.7 x 61 cm. Photo courtesy of the Artist

MELISSA OEI – Ms. Crotch

At WCT: Pride and Prejudice – Lydia & Lady Catherine

Elsewhere: Melissa is an accomplished actor based in Vancouver BC and has performed with companies across Western Canada. Some favourite credits include The Mousetrap, Boeing Boeing, She Stoops to Conquer, The Twelve Dates of Christmas (Arts Club Theatre); Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery (Gateway); A Doll's House Part 2 (Western Gold); A Midsummer Night's Dream (Bard on the Beach); Fire Never Dies (Electric Company); Middletown (Sticks & Stones); Beautiful Man, Lampedusa (Pi Theatre); Les Belles Soeurs, The Duchess (Ruby Slippers); Like it or Not, New Canadian Kid (Green Thumb). Melissa is also an emerging director and most recently directed Munsch Ado About Nothing with Project X Theatre here in Kamloops! Thank you to the excellent team at Western Canada Theatre for their dedication and hard work and to the community of Kamloops for the incredible hospitality!

KIRK SMITH – Chester / Clark

At WCT: Kirk has appeared in over 20 productions including Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Hurry Hard, Dracula: The Bloody Truth, Elf: The Musical, Boeing Boeing, Seussical, and Noises Off. He is also the Marketing & Communications Director at WCT.

Elsewhere: Recent favourites include Mary Poppins (RCMT); Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Baskerville, Billy Elliot (The Arts Club); The Rivals (Blackbird Theatre); Don’t Dress For Dinner (Thousand Islands Playhouse); Little Shop of Horrors, Pride & Prejudice, The Importance of Being Earnest (Persephone Theatre). Kirk has appeared in five seasons with Project X, including playing Frank ‘n Furter in The Rocky Horror Show. He also co-produced and appeared in Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me both in Kamloops and Vancouver. Kirk would like to thank Robyn, Lily, and Daisy for being the best.

ALI WATSON – Lucy

At WCT: Rizzo in Grease (2023) and Babette in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (2024)

Elsewhere: Deb/Ensemble in Elf: The Musical (Chemainus Theatre Festival); Francine Pomatter/Ensemble/Dawn US in Waitress (Arts Club); Nurse Norma/ Becky US in Waitress (The Grand/Theatre Aquarius); Roz in 9 to 5 (Chemainus Theatre Festival). Ali is very excited to be back in Kamloops and this time to revisit a play she did in Saskatoon 3 years ago and has been missing being in Lucy's very chaotic shoes since! She hopes you enjoy the show and that you leave tonight craving cake! (And that you learn from Lucy's mistakes...)

CREATIVE TEAM

CAMERON GRANT – Director

At WCT: Debut

Elsewhere: Cameron has worked across the country as an actor, director and playwright. Most recently he directed The Assembly (Crossroads Theatre), for which he received a Dora nomination for Outstanding Direction in the TYA division. He adapted and directed Twelfth Night at Theatre Erindale and has assistant directed productions at Bard on The Beach (Harlem Duet), Factory Theatre (among men), and Theatre Erindale (the cecil hotel). As an actor he has appeared in productions at the Shaw Festival (4 season), Stratford Festival, Imago Theatre, The National Arts Centre, Neptune Theatre, Grand Theatre, Persephone Theatre and Thousand Island Playhouse, Soulpepper, Shadow Theatre and many more. As a playwright, his virtual TYA play, Meet Chloe was produced by Carousel Players and toured into classrooms across the country for 3 years. Cameron was the Artistic Director of Shakespeare in Action, now Crossroads Theatre from 2022–2023. New to BC, Cameron is excited to be making his WCT debut, directing this wonderful, hilarious play with this awesome group of artists!

HANS SAEFKOW – Set Designer

At WCT: Design for Gaslight and The Sound of Music; Scenic Painter/Carpenter for Disney's Beauty and the Beast, The Wizard of Oz, Dracula: The Bloody Truth, and Serving Elizabeth Elsewhere: Hans is excited to be back at WCT. Most recent credits include: 9 to 5, Footloose, Jeeves at Sea, Gaslight and Ghost the Musical (Chemainus Theatre Festival); Other recent notable wok includes: Round the World in 80 Days and Ride the Cyclone (Blue Bridge Theatre); Stones in His Pockets (Persephone Theatre); Isitwendam (An Understanding) (Bound to Create’s collaboration with Native Earth Performing Arts in Toronto); Romeo and Juliet, Chicago, and Mamma Mia! (Smithers Secondary Arts Academy); The Drum is Calling You Home (Sunset Theatre); Its a Wonderful Life and The Drowning Girls (Theatre North West). Portfolio at hanssaefkow.com

JACOB LIN – Lighting & Sound Designer

At WCT: Debut

Elsewhere: Prodigal, Heroes of The Fourth Turning, The Wrong Bashir (Crow's Theatre). Other Theatre: Fat Ham, My Name Is Lucy Barton (Canadian Stage); The House That Will Not Stand (Shaw); Old Times (Soulpepper); a profoundly affectionate, passionate devotion to someone (-noun), Withrow Park (Tarragon); Dead Korean Girl Comedy Show (Seagull Collective/Aluna Theatre); Doubt (Thousand Island Playhouse); Otihew (Shakespeare in Action); ABFE47 (Summerworks). Guilt, Post-democracy, The Hooves Belonged to the Deer (Tarragon Theatre); It's a Wonderful Life (YPT); Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo (Modern Times/ Crows); Ghost: The Musical (Starvox); Cast Iron (Obsidian/ Factory Theatre). Upcoming Projects: Clydes (Canadian Stage); Ohio State Murders (Shaw Festival). Website: jacoblin.ca Instagram: @jacoblin.jpg

Presents:

Romance and Strumming

Duo Promessa

Siobhan Raupach, soprano and Kevin Robinson, guitar

Join us for an evening of Spanish and French songs.

Saturday, March 14, 2026

Concerts at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church 7:30 pm

Information and tickets available at chambermusiciansofkamloops.org or at the door

EMILY FRIESEN – Costume Designer

At WCT: Debut

Elsewhere: Emily is a multidisciplinary designer, artist, and graduate of the University of Victoria theatre program. She is delighted to be making her WCT debut. Select credits: Ms Holmes and Ms Watson - Apt. 2B (Gateway Theatre); If You Could Read My Mind: The Songs of Gordon Lightfoot, Kindred (Belfry); Women of the Fur Trade (Firehall Arts Centre); We Are Boy Band, Metamorphoses (Studio 58); The Last Five Years, Ride The Cyclone, Salt Water Moon, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (Blue Bridge Repertory); Great Works Festival (Puente/ BBRT); The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Allihipporhinocrocodilligator (Kaleidoscope); Snow White (Carousel); The Mixolydian (Green Thumb); Othello, The Children’s Hour (UVic Phoenix Theatre); and It's Just Black Hair (Staging Equality). Website: emilyfriesen-theatredesigner.com

SAM JEFFERY – Intimacy & Fight Director

At WCT: Grease, Gaslight

Elsewhere: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Comedy of Errors, Measure for Measure, Julius Caesar, As You Like It, Henry V (Bard on the Beach); The Mousetrap, Jersey Boys, Sexy Laundry, Red Velvet, Elf: The Musical (Arts Club); Fire Never Dies: The Tina Modotti Project (Electric Theatre Company); Ce que je sais de vrai (Théâtre la Seizième); Carmen (Vancouver Opera); Sunrise Betties (ITSAZOO); Dooja Ghar (Monsoon Festival); Macbeth, Julius Caesar, Twelfth Night, Henry V (Malachites); Brick Shithouse (Fenceless Theatre) - 2024/2025 Elizabeth Sterling Haynes Award for Outstanding Fight Direction and Intimacy Direction. Website: samjeffery.com

SUSAN D. CURRIE – Stage Manager

At WCT: Sleight of Mind

Elsewhere: Welcome to the Show! Susan is a BC based Stage Manager and because they love road trips, they travel from West Coast to East Coast to work. They have worked previously with Chemainus Theatre Festival – The 39 Steps, Million Dollar Quartet, The Foreigner ; Festival Players - Ontario – Hippolyta’s Wedding, Mary’s Wedding; Firehall Arts Centre – This is How We Got Here, Ernestein Shuswap Gets Her Trout, The Ecstasy of Rita Joe, Refuge, SH*T, The Nether ; Mitch and Murray Productions – Heroes of the Fourth Turning, An Intervention, Instantaneous Blue, Snowflake, Lungs, Body Awareness; Victoria Playhouse, Petrolia, Ontario – Tuesdays with Morrie; Watermark Theatre, PEI - Dear Jack Dear Louise, The Woman In Black ; Other Theatre – From Broadway with Love, Beggar’s Opera, Million Dollar Quartet, Anne of Green Gables, Footloose, Angels in America-Millennium Approaches, Angels in America-Perestroika, Hamlet, King Lear, Coriolanus… to name a few.

ASHLEY REES – Assistant Stage Manager

At WCT: Stage Manager: Casey and Diana, Assistant Stage Manager: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

Elsewhere: Stage Manager: Kiuryaq (Akpik Theatre); The Full Monty, Kiss Me Kate (Drayton Entertainment); The Ballad of Georges Boivin, Countries Shaped Like Stars (Lunchbox Theatre); The House of Bernarda Alba (Sage Theatre).

Assistant Stage Manager: Peril in the Alps, Deadly Murder, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Murder on the Orient Express, The Extractionist (Vertigo Theatre); The Sound of Soul, Fiddler on the Roof (Drayton Entertainment).

BRAVO TO OUR DONORS!

Western Canada Theatre gratefully acknowledges the following government agencies, corporations, foundations, and individuals for their generous contributions through sponsorships and/or charitable donations. We thank everyone who plays their important part in helping us to bring the highest quality of work to the broadest possible audience. Listings based on annual contributions, July 01, 2025 – January 18, 2026.

PRESENTING PARTNER

Kelson Group, Ron and Rae Fawcett

TITLE SPONSOR

Sandman Hotel Group

COMMUNITY TICKETING

SPONSOR

British Columbia Lottery Corporation

SHOW SPONSORS

BrewLoops

Comazzetto Group at BMO Private Wealth

Newgold New Afton Mine

Thompson-Nicola Regional District

Watson Engineering Ltd.

Yellowstone Traffic & Safety

SHOW CO-SPONSORS

IdeaLever

Vivid Orthodontics

MEDIA SPONSORS

98.3 CIFM

B100

New Country 103.1

Radio NL

K97.5

InfoTel

SEASON SPONSORS

Castanet Kamloops

CFJC TV

Home Hardware

Stone Hazell & Company

Wayside

FUNDERS

Canada Council for the Arts

Government of Canada

The Province of BC

BC Arts Council

The City of Kamloops

OPENING NIGHT

THANK YOU!

Ralph Holland

Diane Florence

Don Kinasewich

Ms. Donna Hunko

Ms. Elaine Andrews

Feldsted Family

Erica Roy

Frances Seaton

Ms. Gail Lawson

Gillian Gaiser

James MacDonald & Tracey Power

Jamie Fecteau

Jane Reed

John Weller

Judy Basso

Karen Albiston

Karen & Hardy Grey

Kristi Ardell

Ms. Liz Murray

Lorraine Romanin

Mary-Jane Reid

Ken & Marylyne House

Merilee Hamelock

Nancy & Brian MacKinnon

Nicholas McKenzie

Nicole Bremner

Ms. Rhonda Pedersen

Sara Kathryn Hilliard

Ms. Sharlene McIlwain

Mrs. Sheila Doherty

Shelley Singular

Sue Northcott

Susan Rolston

Trevor Pratt

Trisha Watkinson

Grant's

Wanda Johnston

Wendy Krauza

To donate or learn about the many other ways to support WCT go to wctlive.ca/support

WCT STAFF

KELLI FOX Artistic Director

MATT EGER Executive Director

ARTISTIC ADMINISTRATION

MORGAN BENEDICT Producer

FINANCE

JORDAN PIPER Finance Associate

JASPREET SINGH Finance Associate

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

KIRK SMITH Marketing & Communications Director

AMIRA ALAM Marketing Assistant

LAURA MICHEL Indigenous Community Engagement Coordinator

DEVELOPMENT

STEPHANIE McLEAN Development Director

EDUCATION

TERRI RUNNALLS Education & Outreach Director

PRODUCTION

DANIEL JEWISON Production Director

BRITTNEY MARTENS Head of Properties

SABRINA STACE Head of Wardrobe

ASHLEY HIIBNER Assistant Technical Director

CORY HOPE Head of Carpentry

JAKE KOPYTKO Part-Time Technician

ELIO STEPHENSON Part-Time Technician

CASUAL PRODUCTION STAFF

(JAN 06, 2025 – JAN 29, 2026):

SELIN JAFARI, FAEN LINS, TERESA DONCKMATLOCK, ADRIAN HARLAND, ALEX WILDS, SEREN WILLIAMS

VENUE SERVICES

Rentals & Facilities

MARTA ORANIEWICZ Interim Venue Services Director

GREG BROWN Front of House Manager

SHADE ARENDT Assistant Front of House Manager

House Staff

REESHA BROWN, GRACE CASSIDY, DENISE CLEVELAND, HELENA DESCOTEAU, SOPHIA DIMOPOULOS, MATTHEW HARDY, NATASHA HOLOWAYCHUK, MAGGIE JONES, LINDA KASSIS, JAKE KOPYTKO, BEN JOHNSON, KELSEY LAUNIER, LUCAS LOCHRIE, JULIA MCKIBBON, MALLORY

MOGG, REM MURRAY, JESSICA REID, BLAKE REIMER, ELIO STEPHENSON, JANE VIVENTI

Head Ushers

MARY AULIN, WENDY CUMMER, BARB DUBOIS-PAYNTER, KAREN FERGUSON, TRUDY GOOLD, KELLY JEFFERY, GEORGINA KNIGHT, WENDY MATHESON, MELODIE PIKE, GREG SAWATZKY

Kamloops Live! Box Office (KL!BO) MICHELLE CHABASSOL KL!BO Director

STEPHEN FINLAY KL!BO Supervisor

Box Office Representatives

AVIE CACHELIN, NATASHA HOLOWAYCHUK, KELSEY LAUNIER, BETH MILBURN, MEGAN POLACIK

Sagebrush Theatre

LIAM BEFURT Venue Technical Director

BENJI LLOYD Theatre Technician

BRYCE CRICHTON Theatre Technician

JENSEN SCZEBEL Theatre Technician

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

At time of printing (January 29, 2026)

CHRYSTIE STEWART President

SUNNIE ROTHENBURGER

Vice President

DIANA SKOGLUND Secretary

SHELLY SANDERS Treasurer

ALICIA ASHCROFT

JENNIFER BILLINGSLEY

MONICA MACAULAY

ROBIN NICHOL

BARBARA REA

COLLEEN RYAN

GREG SAWATZKY

JOHN SCOTT

RADHIKA MAIRA TABREZ

SARA WOLFE

David Ross †

Tom Kerr ‡

Judge T.W. Shupe §

Francis Barnett *

Grant Chu *

D. Michael Dobbin *

Sharon Frissell *

Peggy Gilmour *

Mike Latta *

Anne Manson *

Maureen Marshall *

Lanni Shupe *

Tim Rodgers *

† Honorary Life Artistic Producer ‡ Founding Artistic Director

§ Honorary Life Chairman

* Honorary Life Member