Cast and Crew

CAST

cabiriaCabiria Aquarius (Troublemaker Student): Cabiria is happy to be performing with Amicus for the second time. She was in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde as the girl who was knocked down by Mr. Hyde. Cabiria would like to thank Mary Dwyer for being an amazing director. Cabiria will also be in her school’s year-end dance show.

 

paisleyPaisley Aquarius (Miss Snowe): This is Paisley’s second production with Amicus; her first was as the girl in the pastry shop in Cyrano de Bergerac. Paisley enjoys acting, singing, and tap dancing. She will be performing in her school’s production of The Lion King in May as one of the singing plants.

 

petaPeta Mary Bailey (Harriet/Mme. Walravens):  This is Peta’s first foray into community theatre, and she couldn’t be more thrilled! Everyone at Amicus has been wonderful to meet and work with and she is grateful to all for the opportunity.

 

kianaKiana Brett (Ginevra Fanshawe):  Kiana is a high school graduate taking a gap year. She spends her time teaching children’s drama classes and working on her art-work. In the past, she has participated in her high school’s productions of The Patient and Why do We Laugh?. This is her debut community theatre production.

jeffJeff Burke (Mr. Home/Père Silas):  Jeff has been in community theatre for well over forty years and a member of Amicus for almost 20 years.  He has acted, directed and worked backstage in many positions, and as well, is part of the Amicus executive.  Jeff was last seen on stage in Amicus’ production of Robin Hood.  He is happy to be to be part of a wonderful cast and crew.

chrisChris Coculuzzi (M. Paul): Chris has been involved with community, independent, and educational theatre for over twenty years. For Amicus he most recently directed our first production of the season, Robin Hood. Last year he performed in the title role of Cyrano de Bergerac, as Linus in Sabrina Fair, and Martel in The Madwoman of Chaillot. Chris is also a high school English teacher for the Toronto District School Board.

avivAviv Cohen (Polly/Fifine): Aviv (9 years old) is excited to join the wonderful cast of Villette! Selected Theatre Credits include Michael Banks in Mary Poppins (Lower Ossington Theatre), Little Girl in Ragtime (Etobicoke Musical productions), and Beth March in Little Women (Acting Up/Stage Door Academy). She is currently part of the Youth Music Theatre Troupe at the Bravo Academy. Aviv has won or placed in a number of national talent competitions and was recently awarded a Kiwanis Club of Toronto Foundation Scholarship in musical theatre.

darraghDarragh Cullen (Désirée):  Darragh is a grade 7 student in Toronto. Her other interests include Visual Art and swimming. This is Darragh’s theatrical debut, and she is having a great first acting experience with the wonderful Villette cast and crew.

reneeRenée Cullen (Mme. Beck):  Renee is a high school English and Drama teacher by day, actor by night. Recent roles include Miss MacEvoy in the Toronto Irish Players production of Elvis’ Toenail, and Princess Pavlikov in Noel Coward’s Nude with Violin for the East Side Players. This is her first (and hopefully not last!) time working with Amicus Productions. Enjoy the show!

sivertSivert Das (Graham Bretton/Alfred de Hamel):  Sivert Das is a student at Ryerson University in their Arts and Contemporary studies program. He has appeared as Prospero in The Tempest, Macduff in Macbeth, Putnam/ Cheever in The Crucible – to name a few! He is a veteran of both the Second City and Bad Dog theatre improv programs and has appeared in improv shows for Second City. He is beyond delighted to be making his debut for Amicus productions and would like to thank Amicus and director, Mary Dwyer, for this opportunity.

madelineMadeline Davis (Justine Marie/Student): This is Madeline’s stage debut outside of school, where she was previously part of ensembles in Happily Never After and Report Cards. She also studies dance and visual arts.

 

 

kasiaKasia Lee (Paulina/Almerik):  Kasia is delighted to take part in Villette. She previously played the part of Rita in the Toronto Irish Players’ production of Elvis’ Toenail, for which she won a joint ACT-CO THEA award. Many thanks to the whole Amicus team!

 

 

maureenMaureen Lukie (Mrs. Bretton/Producer): A founding member of Amicus, Maureen Lukie directed A Month in the Country for the company, and appeared as Marjorie in The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife and Mrs. Banks in Barefoot in the Park. Most recently, she played Mrs. Kelly in Elvis’s Toenail for the Toronto Irish Players. She hopes to direct again for her next outing in the theatre.

matthewMatthew Payne (Dr. John):  Villette marks Matthew’s debut with Amicus Productions. Born and raised in Australia, previous roles include The Narrator/Fred in A Christmas Carol, Jim Farrell in Titanic, Blake Barton in Bells Are Ringing, The Voice of the Book/Mr Gatch in How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying, Mike Dillard in Working and Justin in Money and Friends.

janiceJanice Peters (Miss Lucy): Originally from P.E.I., Janice has performed throughout Toronto and the Maritimes. For Amicus: Madwoman of Chaillot, Cyrano de Bergerac, All My Sons, and Anne. She won a Thea Award for her stage management work on Apartment 3A. Selected other credits: Dying City, Guys & Dolls, Ruthless The Musical, Sit On It, The Vic, and The Heidi Chronicles.

paulettePaulette St-Amour (Lucy): This is Paulette’s fifth production with Amicus following The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife, The Voysey Inheritance, Scotland Road and Robin Hood. In Ottawa, she performed or choreographed at the Little Theatre, Orpheus and Lakeside.  Favorite parts: Anita in West Side Story, Suzy in Wait Until Dark. Toronto: The Curious Savage, Painting Churches and various roles with Act II Studio. She volunteers for PAL Reading Services.

CREW

maryMary Dwyer (Director):  As a Brontë fan, Mary was delighted to direct this adaptation of Villette. Other Amicus productions include directing last season’s Cyrano de Bergerac. After studying drama at the University of Toronto and an apprenticeship in Germany, Mary founded Gabriel’s Theatre Company and produced and directed its debut production The Marriage, as well as productions at SummerWorks of The Singular Life of Albert Nobbs and Greenland. Mary has directed several Fringe shows, including Lear’s Daughters, as well as directing for the Alumnae Theatre and the Toronto Irish Players.

davidDavid Liotta (Stage Manager): David Liotta is a Toronto born-and-raised stage manager, designer, and “get-things-done”-er. This is his second show with Amicus, after stage-managing last season’s more stab-happy Cyrano de Bergerac. (Unfortunately the Lucy-Ginevra swordfight was cut from this show). Favourite stage management credits include The Killing Game (Art & Lies Productions), The Mousetrap (Lower Ossington Theatre), and The Princess of Porn: The Musical (Me and Snow White Productions). When he’s not doing theatre, David’s day job is in the travel industry, making even more people’s dreams come true.

lindsayLindsay Forde (Costume Designer): In her past life as a freelance designer and costume technician Lindsay worked for Mirvish, Stratford, COC, Soulpepper and many others. Amicus: Barefoot In The Park, A Chorus of Disapproval (costume designer) and Sabrina Fair and Cyrano as costume design mentor. Others: The Playboy of the Western World, Hairspray, The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee.

arashArash Eshghpour (Set Designer): Arash is happy to work again with Amicus, Mary and Chris. His other designs for Amicus’ productions include Having Hope at Home, The Voysey Inheritance, A Month in the Country and Cyrano De Bergerac. Arash is an architect and he completed his degree at the USTI, Tehran in 1996.

Sam Ferguson (Sound Designer): Sam Ferguson was born and raised in Toronto and moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, when he has seventeen to train with acclaimed electro-acoustic music composer, Berry Truax. Upon returning to Toronto, Sam became involved in theatre professionally with Freedom 85. Shortly after that Sam was accepted into the Yale School of Drama’s sound design program where his credits include Thunderbodies, Mexico Play, Cloud Nine, Measure for Measure and Romeo and Juliet.

natashaNatasha Kornienko (Lighting Designer): This is Natasha’s first production with Amicus. She has previously done Lighting Design for Cabaret (Stageworks Toronto), Set Design for Passion of Dracula and Richard III (Trinity College Dramatic Society), and has over five years’ experience working as a Theatre Technician at the George Ignatieff Theatre.

sarahSarah Covert (Production Assistant): Sarah Covert is new to Amicus and community theatre in general, bringing her skills as a maker to the production team. Trained in furniture and fashion design, she can usually be found in the workshop covered in paint or sawdust creating something weird and wonderful.

daveDavid Fitzpatrick (Photography): David is delighted to return to Amicus for another season as the Photographer for Villette. Some of David’s Amicus credits include: Having Hope at Home, Tale of the Allergist’s Wife, and Barefoot in the Park to mention a few. David can be reached at 416.993.3283 or at dafitzpatrick@gmail.com for all your photography needs (wedding, portraits, head shots, etc…).