Grief & Grace Festival - Company

Aaron Clapperton (he/him) describes himself as a jack-of-all-performing-trades. He's a current member of The Pre-Professional Performance Company at the Tap Dance Centre, under the direction of Elisa Schembre. He is also an actor and singer whose approach spans contemporary, classical, and musical theatre genres. He has appeared on stage at Soulpepper, Buddies in Bad Times, The Musical Stage Company, Hart House, and The LOT. Most recently, he debuted two original works in Toronto, 'Ly(SIS!!!)trata' and 'Not “Conventionally” Talented'.

Adrian Chevalier is a Toronto-based actor born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan. He is a graduate of the University of Toronto/Sheridan College Joint Theatre and Drama Studies Program and was a member of Regina's Globe Theatre School Youth Company for three seasons. Most recently, he has appeared as Tristan in The Caligula Exiles (Alumnae Theatre Company), Romeo in Romeo & Juliet (Sunbeam Theatre Co.), Mr. Phillips in Anne of Green Gables the Musical (Hillcrest Village Players), and Vronsky in Anna Karenina (Theatre Erindale). He was also the associate producer and stage manager for the 2023 touring production of ONE NIGHT ONLY (duhdumduhdum productions), which played at seven Fringe Festivals across seven Canadian cities.

Alexandra is a dynamic and outcome-driven Toronto based multidisciplinary artist, producer and educator. Her work stems in inclusivity and mental healthy advocacy, seamlessly blending the world of performance, education, and leadership. Taken charge of instructional endeavours spanning Durham and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Orchestrated and overseen educational initiatives to diverse audiences, both young and mature. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting Conservatory) from York University and is currently one of the Co-Directors of the Devised Theatre Series at Soldiers in the Arts where she facilitates arts workshops for Canadian Armed Forces Veterans. Her skills extend beyond the classroom, encompassing a wealth of administrative and producing abilities and a portfolio of performances spanning across Film, TV, and Theatre. Some of her credits include; Tunnel at the End of the Light (Soldiers in the Arts), Stranger Things The Experience (Netflix, Fever), Anne with an E (Netflix), Mrs. America (FX), Five Days at Memorial (AppleTV+), Fellow Travellers (Showtime), and I Woke Up A Vampire (Prime Video).

Alison Dickson is an avid nerd who occasionally moonlights as an actor. She spends her days dreaming of the harebrained schemes that she can get her D&D characters into, and sometimes this aids her well in the theater. She is a graduate of Randolph College for the Performing Arts, and last year participated in two different productions of Romeo and Juliet.

Bio Coming Soon!

Bronwyn Keough (they/she) is a multi-hyphenate theatre artist from Newfoundland and Labrador, who moved to “the Mainland” to study at UofT/ Sheridan College and now lives in Toronto. She is a co-founder of No Vowels, a queer-femme improv troupe based in St. John’s, and has debuted many original works at festivals across the Maritimes and Ontario, including: Under Pressure (2017 and 2019), The Haunted House (2019), THE ANYTHING PROJECT (2021), and All 3 of My Feelings (2021). Selected acting credits include: An Enemy of The People (dir. Ray Hogg), Fefu and Her Friends (dir. Brian Postalian) and Romeo and Juliet (dir. Paolo Santalucia) for Theatre Erindale, The Abortion Monologues (dir. Jenn Deon) with PerSIStence Theatre, and A Mummer’s Play (dir. Jordan Vincer) for Riveting Productions.

Born and raised in Peterborough, ON, Caillen Lush began dancing at the age of three. From ballet to hip-hop to contemporary, Caillen has been training for eighteen years with dance/theatre instructors in Peterborough as well as the GTA. In 2020, Caillen graduated from the Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School Integrated Arts Program with honours in Dance. Then in 2021, she made the ambitious move to Toronto to attend Randolph College for the Performing Arts, graduating with her diploma in Musical Theatre in August of 2023. Caillen is super excited to be a part of Sunbeam Theater’s Grief & Grace Festival in The Winter’s Tale! She would like to thank her family, friends and teachers for all of their continuous love and support! @caillenlush

Candi is excited to be making her debut with Sunbeam Theater Company and to be performing in Chekov's iconic The Three sisters. Her theatre credits include It's a Wonderful Life, The Prisoner of Second Avenue, The Trip to Bountiful, Enchanted April, La Tragédie de Carmen, M Butterfly, Apartment 3A, The Wizard of Oz, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Anne (of Green Gables). She also performs in film, TV and voiceovers. Candi thanks Meaghan, Rachel and Sabrina for this wonderful opportunity.

Carling is happily returning to Sunbeam after appearing in Romeo and Juliet. Recent credits include Arden of Faversham (Shakespeare BASH'd), Suddenly Last Summer (Riot King), and Emilie: La Marquise du Chatelet Defends Her Life Tonight (The Flare). She has also performed with Village Players, EMP and Scarborough Theatre Guild. As director: Little Women, Marat/Sade, The Russian Play. She is a graduate of Randolph College and McGill University.

Born in Arkansas, then moved to Texas, then to British Columbia, then to the Yukon, and lots of travel throughout. With two archeologists as parents you never stop moving and adapting. Clair has loved storytelling from a tender age and moved to Toronto to make a life of it.

Desmond Lazar (he/him) is an actor, writer and director based out of Toronto Ontario, who graduated from TMU (formerly Ryerson)’s acting program in ’22. His first play, The Fire, was workshopped by Precipice Productions in 2021 and he made is directorial debut the following year with Hunger, a new play by Ben Yoganathan. Other credits include: Snout, Midsummer Night’s Dream (Tottering Biped Theatre); Hookman, Hookman, (TMU) and George in Studio West’s upcoming production of Our Town this march.

Emma Ratcliffe is a performer currently based in Hamilton, ON. A graduate of the University of Toronto and Sheridan College’s joint acting program (2020), she has portrayed roles such as Gollum in The Hobbit (Theatre Erindale), Queen Elizabeth I in The Glove Thief (Theatre Erindale) and Viola in Twelfth Night (Western Summer Shakespeare). When not onstage you can find her sipping tea, cuddling her cat or teaching singing to people of all ages.

Enya Watson was born and raised in Northwest British Colombia on the unceded Territory of the Wet’suwet’en Nation. Her love for theatre eventually brought her to the National Theatre School of Canada in Montreal. She aims to help audiences understand that their experience of the world is both uniquely their own and collectively shared through relaying broad fundamental truths through smaller digestible specifics, and to find a clarity that is impossible to obtain in solitude. Since Graduating in 2022 she has starred in multiple Musicals, and toured around Ontario performing the work of Andrew Lloyd Webber. She is currently in the 2024 cohort of RBC apprentices at the Musical Stage Company, where her original Cabaret written and performed with Shaemus Swets was mounted at Factory theatre last week, and is thrilled to be reading this wonderful new piece today!

Erik Salmon is an Actor from Nipigon, Ontario. He has studied acting, singing, and Dance at both Canadore College and Randolph College. Erik loves long walks on the beach, playing fetch, and messing around with his friends at the dog park. Erik also loves Greek mythology and is very excited to be reading a new play from that mythos. You can catch Erik in the movie Burning Season which is currently touring film festivals around Canada.

Freya Maria (she/her) is a multi-disciplinary artist from the tiny Mediterranean island of Malta. She is absolutely thrilled to be a part of this exciting festival of plays! As a self-proclaimed nerd, in her free time, you can find her either playing video games, fangirling over vintage records and Broadway musicals, or enjoying a poetry book on a park bench! Freya wouldn't be where she is today without the never-ending support of her mother and father, her two sisters Nina and Athena, and her incredible mentors. Selected credits include Last Ferry (Burgundy Dragon Productions); Dark Days Cabaret (Icarus Theatre); The Merchant Of Venice (Real Canaan Theatre); Voices of Tomorrow (Icarus Theatre); Twelfth Night: The Musical (Theatre Sheridan); Tiny Tenements of Terror (Musical Stage Co.) and Concord Floral (Theatre Sheridan). She hopes you enjoy the show!

Hadley is a multidisciplinary artist with a background in dance, music, and devised theatre. They are passionate about 2SLGBTQIA+ representation and decolonizing traditional theatre spaces to foster brave and compassionate storytelling. They also never left their emo phase and do not apologize for it.

This is Hannah's first work with Sunbeam Theatre and she's so excited and grateful to be working with such talented friends. As a multi disciplinary artist, Hannah has enjoyed exploring various interests, but is excited to be back on a stage, and hopes you enjoy the Grief and Grace Festival as much as her.

Jona Villa is a Filipino-Canadian actor, singer, and creator based in Toronto. She is a graduate of Humber College Theatre Performance Program, specializing in Physical and Devised Theatre. Her work includes a dedicated advocacy to diverse, intersectional and inclusionary art-making and increasing the number of opportunities for minorities both on stage and on screen. Jona is passionate about telling stories that are challenging, ugly, and joyous. Selected credits include: Migraaaants (Two Thousand Feet Up Company); If We Were Birds (Alumnae Theatre); Pin Pin The Eggsplorer (Twisted Dog Theatre) and Ride the Cyclone (The Playhouse Collective)

Joseph (he/him) is a dynamic Actor and Collaborator bringing a wealth of theatrical experience to Toronto from Halifax NS. With a B.A. in Theatre from Acadia University, Joseph has showcased his talent in a diverse range of productions. His repertoire spans from classic masterpieces, such as Tartuffe and A Doll's House (Acadia Theatre Company) to cutting-edge, innovative Canadian works like Knitting and Other Life Hacks (Halifax Fringe) and Smokeville (Alumnae Theatre).

Joseph is excited to share these classic tales with an amazing cast and crew!

Josephine is a Toronto/Edmonton based artist who is delighted to get to be a part of this wonderful festival. She is a graduate of Randolph College for the Performing Arts here in Toronto. Most recently she was in Sunbeam's production of Romeo & Juliet as Lady Capulet. Other credits include: Songs for a New World (Soloist), Concord Floral (Rosa), Fiddler on the Roof (Hodel), Into the Woods (Baker's Wife), and Singin' in the Rain (Dora Bailey/Ensemble). Up next, she will head back to Alberta to take on the role of Pamela in Head Over Heels. Josephine is grateful to get to work and play with such amazing artists and to have the opportunity to help showcase these wonderful up-and-coming female directors.

Julianna Marie Docherty is incredibly grateful to be able to participate in Grief and Grace with Sunbeam Theatre. Julianna believes theatre is a beautiful form of storytelling, and is unbelievably excited to share the story of Three Sisters as Natasha with this amazing Cast and Company. Julianna would like to thank their family, and Kaelee, for always supporting them in their love of theatre and performance. Previously; Vern in 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche (Unit 6 Collective), Archidamus/Cleomenes/Mopsa/Mariner in A Winter’s Tale (Dandelion Theatre), Borachio/Ursula in Much Ado About Nothing (Louie The Goat Productions).

Notorious for their handsome and gentle nature, Juliet (Jules) Spizzirri is a multidisciplinary artist who specializes in writing, directing and performance. As an emerging artist, Juliet is interested in learning more about every single aspect of theatre. They have most recently taken an interest in the technical side of theatre and she is hoping to learn more about aspects of design, particularly lighting design. They have performed for multiple UofT drama coalitions, playing Betty 4 for UTM's EDSS production of "Collective Rage," and Roy Cohn for SMC Troubadour's "Angels in America." Juliet stretches the boundaries of the gender binary with their performances, and loves to embody big personalities.

Katelyn Doyle is a classically trained Canadian actor, based in Tkaronto. Her arts asks questions about the landscape of humanity and the fear that it evokes. Why do humans act the way they do? She loves that she gets to be a part of Sunbeam's feminist landscape, and is excited to share some new perspectives on what grief and grace look like through Chekhov's 'Three Sisters'.

Selected credits include: 'BLANK', a new Canadian play written and directed by Evander Jack Dewar; 'The Stranger Things: Experience', an immersive theatrical experience; the short film, 'GOOD LUCK' (directed by Debby Friday & Nathan De Paz Habib); the short film, '#BOSSBABE' (written & directed by Kassy Gascho).

For a detailed outline of Katelyn’s work and credits, check out her website at www.katelyndoyle.com. She cannot wait to share this work with you!

Kenneth is a Canadian-American actor based in Toronto, ON. A graduate of UofT and Sheridan College's joint Theatre and Drama Studies program, he has traversed both stage and screen as clowns, kings, and everything in between. Recent credits include Tyler in Eli Roth's "Be Mine" (Crypt-TV, Facebook Metaverse), Crush in "Between Hands" (Humber), and Derek in "One Day" (Hometeam Films). Kenneth is excited to be performing with Sunbeam's Grief and Grace Festival this year!

Kira Kulha-Ralls (She/Her) is overjoyed to be making her Sunbeam debut in Alcestis Is Going To Die, as Alcestis (Body). Her previous credits include: Martha; The Secret Garden, Joly/Ensemble/Vocal Captain; Les Miserables (Theatre Orangeville), Wiser You/Writer/Creator; Color Me Good, Schlomo/costume assist./assist. MD; FAME The Musical (Randolph College). Kira has been training for stage since childhood, and eventually began coaching others in acting and voice. A recent graduate of Randolph College for the Performing Arts, she has also trained in The King's Company at The Stratford Festival and is currently completing a bachelor of music (voice) at Humber College.

Madeleine Storms (they/she) is a multidisciplinary actor and artist residing in Tkaronto. Recent credits include The Seqret City (DopoLavoro Teatrale), Romeo and Juliet (Sunbeam Theatre), and This Earth of Majesty - An Adaptation of Richard II (Dauntless City Theatre). As a lifelong mover, shaker, and dance creator, Storms seeks to plumb the depths of precise physicality and find the joy in movement in all their theatrical endeavours. You can find them at @madeleinestorms on Instagram.

Madi Morelli is a queer woman based out of Toronto who plans to someday publish a romance novel, a poetry collection, and a two-act play. Her work can be found in Wild Greens Magazine, Spell Jar Press's latest anthology and @musiing.more on Instagram. She is incredibly grateful for the opportunity Sunbeam Theatre has given her to shamelessly cast herself in things, and to Cheyenne, who makes all her dreams come true. She is currently singing in public.

Mason Sheaves is a professional pretender, part-time wandering poet, and lover of thrifted book scents. Mason's abundant passion for theatre has earned him a Broadway World Toronto nomination. Spurring from his performance as Voltaire in Emilie La Marquise Du Châtelet Defends Her Life Tonight. A Performance bolstered by his years of training at the UWindsor BFA acting program. Which elevated him to other credits such as Richard III, Gloucester, Young Werther in On The Edge and Over, Professor Charlie Sharpe in Sweet Science of Bruising, and The Captain in Case Study: IREC-A59 by Nightlight Productions. Mason would like to thank his friends and family for tolerating his absurdity.

Nell Khayutin (they/them) is a Nonbinary first-generation Canadian actor and multidisciplinary creator based in Tkaronto. They have recently completed the joint Theatre and Drama Studies Program as well as a Creative Writing Minor at the University of Toronto and Sheridan College. (Recent Credits: Bee in Hair Care, Sibyl/Vanity in The Gray, Betty 5 in Collective Rage: A Play In 5 Betties, Cecilia in Fefu and Her Friends, and The Bleeding One in If We Were Birds)

Nick was born and raised in Brampton and has always had a passion for theatre, consistently participating in plays from elementary school, all the way up to university.

His most recent performance was as the role of Metellus Cimber in Portia’s Julius Cesar at the University of Waterloo in 2023.

Nick is a recent graduate from the University of Waterloo Bachelors of Mathematics program and hopes to become an Oscar winning actor one day.

Nick would like to thank Sunbeam Theatre Company for this opportunity, as well as the cast and crew for their incredible talents.

Rayhan Jabbar is an actor and comedian from Scarborough. He works in theatre, film and tv while also performing sketch comedy all over Toronto with his troupe Small Friend Tall Friend. Rayhan cherishes the power of story telling as a radical agent of social change and also deeply values making art for arts sake. SELECTED FILM & TELEVISION: Doin It (Likely Story/Unicorn Island), BlackBerry (Zapruder Films), True Dating Stories (CBC), Workin Moms (CBC), The Detail (CTV/ION), Condor (MGM). SELECTED THEATRE: Do You Think You're Better Than Me (Toronto Fringe/Small Friend Tall Friend), Hombros (Caminos/Factory Theatre), The Baltimore Waltz (UC Follies/Factory Theatre), Letters From Cuba (VCDS/Alumnae Theatre), The Crack of Doom (Toronto Fringe/Bravo Academy), One Small Step (Toronto Fringe/Edge of the Sky).

Rebecca Lashmar is an actor, writer and intimacy director with a passion for unapologetic storytelling. She graduated from the University of Windsor’s B.F.A Program in 2019, and holds a graduate diploma in Arts Administration and Leadership from Queen’s University. Rebecca recently finished her MA at the Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies, focusing on how intimate stage directions are written, interpreted and staged. Previous selected credits include; The Second City Conservatory, A Midsummer Night's Dream (Dramatic Hat Productions), Henry V (The Edge Productions), God of Carnage (University Players).

Sam is ecstatic to be part of Sunbeams production of The Winters Tale. Sam grew up performing in many choirs, festivals, and musicals all over Vancouver Island before moving to Toronto in September 2022 to study at Randolph College. He is now in his Fifth term at Randolph and is excited to see what life is like after graduation in August. Some past role highlights of his are Martin in the workshop of Jethro the Runaway Dog (Louise Pitre, Joe Mattheson, Diane Leah), Crutchie in Newsies (Cymc), Lefou in Beauty and the Beast, (CMS) and (VOS), IQ in Hairsrpay (B2B). Catch him in Randolph College's production of 12 Angry jurors at the end of March. Break a leg everybody involved with Grief and Grace!

Sarah is an actor, singer, creator, and ongoing searcher of more things to add to this list of what she is. She is a recent graduate of George Brown Theatre School, where she consolidated her love of acting and her passion for classical text. Since graduating she, unexpectedly, took a turn from acting on stage to acting in films and has been in several short films and starred in the feature film Domestic Fowl. Theatre still remains her first love and recent credits include Of a Blank Canvas (The Èlan Collective); New World, The Children’s Hour, Low Pay? Don’t Pay!, Anatol (George Brown Theatre School). Sarah couldn't be more excited to return to theatre through one of her favourite characters in all of Shakespeare’s collection. When not performing she is on a personal mission to discover all of Toronto’s hidden gems, so please share your recommendations with her.

Saskia Muller is a multidisciplinary artist in the following order: 1) Actor, 1.5) Kazooist 2) Writer, 3) Puppeteer, 4) Clown (who lost her nose), 5) Director, 6) A pleasure to have in class.

She loves work that pushes the bounds of what she thought was possible, reminds us why we left our comfy places to sit in a room together and how we aren’t nearly as different as we all might have thought. Everyday she ventures out her comfort zone and sets out to be brave in this great city she calls home: she's found herself hosting and writing radio shows (Program Sound), puppeteering in Dufferin Grove Park (Clay and Paper Theatre), writing and devising for “Hair Care”, (Recclamation Media,) or participating as a workshop actor in the Artistic Accomplice Program (Outside the March) and eveyday she attempts this thing one could call "art."

And don't worry. She doesn't bite, (not really.)