THE CULTCH PRESENTS
THEATRE REPLACEMENT’s
East Van Panto: Beauty and the Beast
Theatre Replacement (Vancouver)
Written by Jivesh Parasram and Christine Quintana
Music by Veda Hille
Directed by Anita Rochon
22
NOV
to
07
JAN
About
the Performance
Bright, business-minded Belle has always been different from other kids growing up on the Drive. Her nose is always stuck in a book—a general ledger book that is!
Everything changes when she’s separated from her free-spirited dad Maurice and becomes imprisoned in an enchanted specialty grocery store by a strangely familiar Beast who seems very set in his ways. Time is running out and Belle and her new friends Miso Potts, little Tofu and their Bento Buds must do everything they can to flip the perspective of Belle’s captor and break the curse before the last cherry blossom falls!
Get ready for a hilarious adventure through the neighbourhoods of East Van! Featuring unforgettable characters, pop song parodies, stunning sets, silly costumes, and fantastic performances by some of Vancouver’s best actors, Theatre Replacement’s East Van Panto is an enchanting experience for audiences of all ages!
The 11th East Van Panto welcomes new Panto Playwrights Jivesh Parasram and Christine Quintana and returning Panto Director Anita Rochon (Snow White & Little Red Riding Hood) with music by Panto Composer Extraordinaire Veda Hille. Join new and returning performers: Steffanie Davis, Jason Sakaki, Mark Chavez, Munish Sharma, Maiko Yamamoto, Veda Hille, June Mirochnick and Mishelle Cuttler. Choreographed by Amanda Testini, with design by Alaia Hamer (costumes), Sophie Tang (lights), Brad Danyluk (sound) and Lauchlin Johnston (set). Featuring scenic illustrations by Cindy Mochizuki.
Family Friendly: recommended for ages 5+ and everyone who loves to laugh!
Panto
Partner
Panto
Champions
Song
List
Show
Credits
CREATIVE TEAM
Playwrights:
Jivesh Parasram & Christine Quintana
Director:
Anita Rochon*
Composer / Musical Director:
Veda Hille
Choreographer:
Amanda Testini*
Assistant Director:
Howard Dai
Assistant Musical Director:
Mishelle Cuttler
Assistant Choreographer:
Julian Lokash
DESIGNERS
Set and Properties Designer:
Lauchlin Johnston
Costume Designer:
Alaia Hamer
Lighting Designer:
Sophie Tang
Sound Designer:
Brad Danyluk
Scenic Illustrator:
Cindy Mochizuki
Head of Props:
Heidi Wilkinson & Flying Fox Prop Shop
Assistant Set Designer:
Jenn Stewart
Assistant Costume Designer:
Sarah Sosick
PRODUCTION
Stage Manager:
Emma Hammond*
Assistant Stage Manager:
Jenny Kim*
Apprentice Stage Manager:
Caroline Tang
Production Manager / Technical Director:
Daniel O’Shea
Production Assistants & Child Wranglers:
Samantha Levy & Ethan DeHoog
STARRING
Steffanie Davis* as Belle
Jason Sakaki* as Beast
Mark Chavez as Art Dude / Señor Tamaki / King Skunk
Munish Sharma* as Maurice / Salman Roe
Maiko Yamamoto as Enchantress / Miso Potts
Veda Hille & Mishelle Cuttler on the Keys (alternating nights)
June Mirochnick on Percussion
Emma Abbott+, L Danger+, and Hikari Terasawa+ as the Bento Box Buds & East Van Skunks
PANTO KIDS
Greta Flinn, Mia Lin, Noa Lin, Scout Lobo, Hayden Mangan, Jude Mangan, Loa Martin, Bryony Martyn, Cluny Martyn, Marika MacRae, Marlowe Bea Petten, Tasio Pietropaolo, Jasper Podbrey, Ida Roeliani, Max Tyler-Hite.
THEATRE REPLACEMENT
Artistic Director:
Maiko Yamamoto
Operations Director:
Chelsea MacDonald
Senior Producer:
Katie Roberts
Panto & Associate Producer:
Jamie King
THE CULTCH PRODUCTION TEAM
Production Manager:
Andrew McCaw
Assistant Production Manager:
Siobhan Powell
Technical Director:
Kaden O’Reilly
SHOW CREW
Head Fly / Carpenter:
Darren (DJ) Miller
Head Audio:
Neal Miskin
Head Electrician / Cultch ATD:
Jude Weismiller
Head Wardrobe:
Florence May Barrett
*Appears with the permission of the Canadian Actors’ Equity Association. Theatre Replacement engages professional artists who are members of the CAEA under the terms of the Independent Theatre Agreement. We thank them for their support.
+Student of Studio 58
A Message
from Heather
As I write this I have just returned from attending the first read through of East Van Panto: Beauty and the Beast. Are you ever in for a treat! We laughed and cheered until our faces hurt. The cast and creative team are remarkable and my heart swelled with gratitude for having these wonderful artists in our East Van community and on one of the Cultch stages.
Looking back on the 50 year history of the Cultch, I can see how the artists and arts workers over the years have built the foundation for the wonderful performances we see today. Our partner, Theatre Replacement, have been a huge part of making a unique environment for creativity to thrive, as have the many other independent theatre companies that make their homes here.
As you will hear in the opening song, many of the independent businesses that make our neighbourhood so special are here too, contributing what they can to this holiday celebration. We are all so lucky.
In this season of blessing counting, each and every one of you are cherished. Whether you give of your time, buy a ticket or make a donation, you are the richness and the soul of our community. Reach out to each other and have a wonderful holiday season.
Heather xo
A Personal Note
from Theatre Replacement
Welcome to our 11th East Van Panto – what an exciting page turn! Some of you know this story, but the very first Panto happened because we wanted to make a show that our kids would enjoy, and where we could hang out with our incredible friends and community. In fact, so much of Vancouver theatre back then was about hanging out and sharing. And because of this little spark of magic, the Panto has grown up to become a show that really feels by and for this place — a show about East Van and the singular-ness of this neighbourhood. Each show is a brand new concoction of special ingredients: local landmarks, fart jokes, songs about food, songs about love and hope, beautiful backdrops, crazy costumes, neighbourhood kids, holiday vibes, and an incredible team — an incredible community — that comes together every year.
Next year is Theatre Replacement’s 20th Anniversary. For over half of the company’s existence, we’ve been building these yearly celebrations. We’ve gone through some big changes, and so has the world, but making Pantos has become a constant joy. It’s that magic trick again – where poof — you laugh, you look behind you, and maybe you shed a tear because something hits home. That’s the power of Panto for you. We also like to think that’s the power of art. If you love this thing we share, and want the Panto to stay weird and wonderful, we encourage you to donate $20 for our 20 years (donate here!). As our extended Panto family, we also think you might also be interested in some of our other projects and programs that run through the year. As we reach this big milestone, we invite you to check them out and to be a part of our ever-growing and wonderful community.
Thanks so much for being here, and enjoy the show!
Xo Team TR
Maiko, Chelsea, Katie and JK
Playwrights'
Notes
Beauty and the Beast – a time honoured classic with the moral: if your partner is super abusive – just wait it out! It’ll probably all work out!
An East Van Beauty and the Beast of course demands a different perspective. More specifically the willingness to flip one’s perspective.
Some people say we live in polarizing times. That may be true, but stubborn times might be more accurate. What keeps a neighbourhood healthy is the willingness to hear each other out, be affected by how we see things, and most importantly- to be open to changing our minds. Because when we hold too tightly onto our own beliefs and shut others out, we just end up locking ourselves away into isolation and solitude. Much like the Beast.
That is the type of neighbourhood we live in – and the one you’re in right now. When you walk this strip you’ll overhear heated debates on coffee shop patios, carnival bands practicing, multiple languages – sometimes you’ll even get hit in the head with some home made pasta tossed lovingly from domestic balconies. Perhaps there’s more than this provincial town of ours – but there’s nowhere we’d rather be.
Jiv and Christine
About
Theatre Replacement
Theatre Replacement (TR) exists to create new, experimental and intercultural works of performance, led by Artistic Director Maiko Yamamoto, in collaboration with resident, associate and collaborating artists. The company’s work is known for its love of formal inventiveness and conceptual play, often drawing from autobiography and biography in making work that searches for playful, immediate and authentic ways of bringing audiences and performances together. The company also supports the practice of making and sharing new work through our public programs — opportunities for mentorship, residency, professional development and networking.
TR has been presented at internationally recognized festivals and venues including: Festival TransAmériques (Montréal), Magnetic North Theatre Festival (Ottawa, Vancouver, Kitchener, Whitehorse), Free Fall Festival and Factory Theatre (Toronto), PuSh International Performing Arts Festival (Vancouver), High Performance Rodeo (Calgary), On the Boards (Seattle), Fusebox Festival (Austin, TX), Noorderzon Festival (Groningen, NL), PAZZ Performing Arts Festival (Oldenburg, Germany), Lókal and Everybody’s Spectacular Festivals (Reykjavik), A! Festival (Akureyri, Iceland), Terni Festival (Italy), Dublin Fringe Festival and Dublin Theatre Festival (Ireland), Foreign Affairs (Berlin), Soho Rep. (New York), Woolly Mammoth (Washington, DC), Portland Repertory Theatre (Portland, Oregon), Mayfest (Bristol, UK), artsdepot (London), Cambridge Junction (Cambridge, UK), foldA Festival (Kingston, ON), BASTARDFESTIVALEN, Meteor Festival (Norway) and the Melbourne Fringe Festival.
Thank Yous
Amanda Sum and Dawn Petten; Corbin Murdoch, James Long, Andrew Wheeler, Charles Demers, Ami Gladstone, Marcus Youssef, Stephen Drover, Laura Zerebeski, Jan Hodgson, Adrian Muir, Barbara Clayden, John Webber, Yvan Morisette, Meg Roe, Sonja Bennett, Yvonne Yip, Joanne PB Smith, and all of the past Panto artistic and production teams; Don and Christine Farion and Bomber Brewing; Courtenay Dobbie, Ruth Bruhn and Studio 58; Jennifer Riedle, Jessica Tan and the Canadian Actors’ Equity Association; Thanks to our Scenic crew: Elia Kirby, Leigh Kerr, Kyle Sutherland, Marnie Hiebert, Laura Tamney, Denique Ali Schaab, Amira Emma Routledge and the GNW Scene Shop; Thanks to Props Builder: Frances Henry and the crew at Flying Fox Prop Shop; Thanks to our Stitchers: Eloïse Pons, Oriana Camporese, Darryl Milot, and Tracey Gauvin; Patrick Davidson and John Fluevog Shoes; Adam Bach, Derek Hamanishi and the crew at CasterTown; Chelsea McPeake and Savage Society; Max Forsyth, Jonathan Ryder, Amy McDougall and Bard on the Beach; The Arts Club Wardrobe Department; Borja Brown and the UBC Department of Theatre and Film; Sean Malmas; Donnie Tejani; Nancy Bryant; Justin Kellam and Anders Hille Kellam; Kevin, Hokuto & Felix MacDuff; Amy Amantea; All of the Panto Kiddos and their families; and Theatre Replacement’s Board of Directors.
Our deepest thanks to Madelene Vale Bird for their legacy gift to our Cultch Connects Program.
By planning a legacy gift to The Cultch, you are securing the future of live performance in East Vancouver and bringing joy to your community for years to come.
To learn more about Legacy Giving, please contact our Partnerships Manager, Pippa Mackie at [email protected]
Cast & Company
Bios
EMMA ABBOTT
Ensemble
Emma del Carmen Abbott is a Latinx artist born and raised in Edmonton Alberta, on Treaty 6 Territory. It was there where she shined her first light on stage at eleven years old, as the Evil Stepmother in her elementary school’s production of Cinderella. Since then, her heart has taken her to many stages, including her high school and two post-secondary theatre programs (MacEwan Theatre Arts and Studio 58 Acting). Her credits include: Ariel (The Tempest, Studio 58), Gwen (The Kitchen, Studio 58), Rhonda/Co-Creator (Girlhood 4 Dummies, Studio 58), Margot (Legally Blonde, MacEwan University), Ensemble (The Crucible, MacEwan University), Catherine (Pippin, MacEwan University), and Shelley (Bat Boy, Citadel Young Company). Emma has now found a home here in “Vancouver”, on the unceded and traditional territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. She hopes to continue to pursue her love for theatre and music (bonus if she can do both at once!) as well as creating her own work, so that she can share all the love she carries with anyone willing to listen.
MISHELLE CUTTLER
Assistant Musical Director, Musician
Mishelle is a Vancouver based composer, sound designer, and musician whose work is centred around the integration of sound, music, and storytelling. She had a blast accompanying 4 performances of the Panto in 2022, and can’t wait to play again this year. Mishelle was the sound designer for The Seventh Fire, an immersive audio experience inspired by ceremony created by Lisa C. Ravensbergen, which has recently played at both the Summerworks and PuSh Festivals (Delinquent/Neworld). Other theatrical work includes: Someone Like You (Arts Club), The Mixolydian (Green Thumb), 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 and an adjunct professor in Sound Design at UBC.
Mishelle has an MFA in Musical Theatre Composition from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and a BFA in Acting from UBC.
MARK CHAVEZ
Señor Tamaki, Skunk
Mark Chavez is an actor, writer, and comedian who is originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico and now lives in East Vancouver. Superfans of the East Van Panto might recognize Mark’s name as the writer of Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, and Panto Come Home. You also might remember him from his appearances in Panto Come Home, Alice in Wonderland, and The Little Mermaid. If you don’t recognize him or remember his name from any of the above that either means you’re new to the Panto, or Mark is not very memorable. Or, OR! It means he’s so good at acting, such a chameleon, that you assumed it was different people playing all of these characters. That’s probably it.
HOWARD DAI
Assistant Director
Howard Dai is a Taiwanese actor and theatre artist based in so-called Vancouver whose work has been seen across Canada. His performances and creations have existed in theatre, films, public spaces, Zoom screens, Google Sheets, automated phone calls, interactive websites, and virtual reality. Howard was the Assistant Director and a swing performer for the world premiere of Forgiveness (Arts Club Theatre & Theatre Calgary, 2023). In 2022, he was the digital-artist-in-residence with PuSh Festival (Vancouver, Canada) and Royal Court Theatre (London, UK) with his play 菠蘿麵包Pineapple Bun, supported by rice & beans theatre. Other co-creation/performance credits include: The Five Vengeances (Affair of Honor), Passenger Seat (Library Performance Co.); Collider (Single Thread Theatre); and New Societies (re:current theatre). Howard was mentored by Charles Douglas in movement and performance capture, and is a member of the Five Blessings Collective. Howard is an associate artist with rice & beans theatre, and holds a BFA in Theatre Performance from SFU School for the Contemporary Arts.
www.howarddai.com
L DANGER
Ensemble
L started her artistic journey through her hands in painting, drawing and writing. As she grew older, her artistry reached through her hands and into her body where she fell in love with dance. Then, her artistry grew so much it overflowed out of her mouth and transformed into words and song. L believes that there is no greater gift than sharing love through art with a community. She believes that art is for the whole world to experience and will do everything in her power as an artist to help everyone have equal opportunity and access to it.
Recently, you may have seen L in some of Studio 58’s MainStage productions, such as “A Chorus Line”, directed by Courtenay Dobbie, where she played “Cassie”. Or “The Kitchen”, directed by Amiel Gladstone, where she played “Mangolis”. Most recently L performed as “Ariel” in Shakespeare’s “The Tempest”, directed by Diana Donnelly. L is the most excited about roles where she can push herself physically and challenge what the human body is capable of. She believes in hard work, honesty, and unconditional positive regard. L has the absolute privilege to explore as an artist on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and səlilwətaɬ Nations.
BRAD DANYLUK
Sound Designer
Brad is a Vancouver-based sound engineer who specializes in musical theatre sound design, and acoustic music recording and mixing. His design credits include productions for TUTS, Patrick Street Productions, Urban Ink, Theatre Replacement, Arts Club, Gateway Theatre, Theatre Calgary, Royal Manitoba Theatre, and others. He also works as a sound system design consultant.
STEFFANIE DAVIS
Belle
As a Commercial Drive local and long time fan of the East Van Panto…Steffanie is thrilled to be bringing this wonderfully weird story to life. Steffanie is an actor, singer, dancer and model based here in Vancouver. Earlier this year she was one of ten artists chosen from across the country to participate in the EveryBody On Stage’s “Leading Players Project” in Toronto. Most recently she starred in the world premiere of Someone Like You at the Arts Club Theatre Company. Other select credits include: We Will Rock You (Theatre Under the Stars); Cabaret (Raincity Theatre); Stile & Drewe’s The Three Little Pigs (Carousel Theatre for Young People); Grease (Chemainus Theatre Festival); The Best Laid Plans (Patrick Street Productions). Film & TV: Grease: Rise Of The Pink Ladies, Julie And The Phantoms, and Charmed. Shoutout to da Costa Talent. IG Steffwithanff.
ALAIA HAMER
Costume Designer
Alaia is a Vancouver theatre designer originally from the Gulf Islands. Recent projects she has worked on include costume design for Million Dollar Quartet, The Cull, Beneath Springhill, The Birds and the Bees (Arts Club) East Van Panto: The Little Mermaid (Theatre Replacement), HMS Pinafore, Carmen Up Close and Personal (Vancouver Opera), Beautiful Man (PI Theatre), assistant costume Romeo and Juliet, Coriolanaus, Taming of the Shrew, Macbeth (Bard on the Beach), set design for God Said This (Pacific Theatre), Seventeen (Western Gold). She has worked on a variety of smaller shows through Vancouver and has a passion for costuming dance. Alaia is a graduate of the UBC Theatre Design program in 2017 and holds an English literature degree from 2012.
EMMA HAMMOND
Stage Manager
Based on the west coast, Emma has been working in theatre and opera as a stage manager for 10 years. She has worked throughout BC, and as far as Ontario, at a variety of companies, including; Vancouver Opera, Pacific Opera, The Firehall, Western Canada Theatre, Drayton Entertainment, Thousand Islands Playhouse, and Theatre Under the Stars. Emma would like to thank her parents for sharing their love of Pantos with her since she was young. IT’S BEHIND YOU!
VEDA HILLE
Composer, Musical Director, Musician
Veda Hille is a Vancouver songwriter/composer who is delighted to be trapped in the panto for another year. Other new projects include Veda Hille Sisterhood (a band), The End Of Greatness (a show with Maiko, coming in 2025) and new works with Amiel Gladstone, Niall McNeil, Marcus Youssef, Bard On The Beach, and more. If you see Veda lingering in Fujiya near the cream puffs, say hi!
LAUCHLIN JOHNSTON
Set and Properties Designer
Lauchlin calls Vancouver home and is grateful to be living today as an uninvited guest on the stolen and unceded lands of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
Lauchlin has had the opportunity to collaborate with companies across Canada, and most recently designed scenery for the world premiere of Rosanna Deerchild’s The Secret to Good Tea at the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre in Winnipeg. Other collaborations include Gateway Theatre, Great Canadian Theatre Company, Chemainus Theatre Festival, Theatre Under the Stars, Arts Club Theatre, ITSAZOO, Western Canada Theatre, Firehall Arts Centre, Pacific Theatre, Native Earth and Mortal Coil Performance. Coming up, he is looking forward to designing scenery for Francis Koncan’s Women of the Fur Trade at the National Arts Centre.
Lauchlin is a graduate of UBC holding a BFA in theatre design and production. He has received twenty-two Jessie Richardson Theatre Award nominations and three wins, plus one Ovation Award. Lauchlin is a member of the Associated Designers of Canada and IATSE ADC 659.
JENNY KIM
Assistant Stage Manager
This is Jenny’s debut production working with Theatre Replacement. She is based in Vancouver and excited to be part of the journey of East Van Panto. Jenny is honoured and pleased to be able to work with such talented individuals on this production. Stage management credits include Mahabharata (Why Not Theatre), Henry V, Romeo and Juliet, Coriolanus (Bard On The Beach), Teenage Dick, No Child, Sweat, Cipher (Arts Club Theatre), The Mountaintop (Pacific Theatre), The Café (Aphotic Theatre/Itsazoo Production), Bad Parent (vAct/PTE/Soulpepper Theatre), China Doll (Gateway Theatre). Other credit includes Pachinko (Apple TV).
JULIAN LOKASH
Assistant Choreographer
Assistant Choreographer
Julian is a multi-hyphenate theatre maker and current Musical Theatre student at NYU Tisch School of the Arts. He has performed in Vancouver for over a decade with highlights from James and the Giant Peach when he was 11 (CTYP) to returning to Theatre Under the Stars in Something Rotten! in 2022. As a choreographer, he most recently worked as the Movement Consultant on Arts Club’s Someone Like You as well as joining The Rhythm Room’s faculty this Fall. Special thanks to Amanda for having him be a part of this fantastic team and brilliant production.
JUNE MIROCHNICK
Percussion
June Mirochnick is a drummer and multi instrumentalist originally from Winnipeg, MB, Treaty One Territory. They are thrilled to be back for their eighth East Van Panto. June has toured and recorded with many artists, locally and internationally including Veda Hille, Great Aunt Ida, Neko Case, and a bunch of others. They have also performed in many musical theatre works incl. Do You Want What I Have Got? A Craigslist Cantata (Hille/Gladstone/Richardson); Onegin (Hille/Gladstone); King Arthur’s Night (Neworld); Made in Canada- An Agricultural Operetta (Rice and Beans Theatre); and most recently participated as backup drummer for Bard on the Beach’s 2023 production of As You Like It. Upcoming projects include next week’s crossword and de-cluttering the living room.
CINDY MOCHIZUKI
Scenic Illustrator
Cindy Mochizuki creates multi-media installation, animation, drawing, audio fiction, performance, and community-engaged projects. She has exhibited her work in Canada, US, Australia, and Japan. Recent exhibitions include the Prince Takamado Gallery, Nanaimo Art Gallery, Surrey Art Gallery, Vancouver Art Gallery, Burrard Arts Foundation, Frye Art Museum, and Yonago City Museum. She received the Vancouver Mayor’s Arts Award in New Media and Film (2015) and the Jack and Doris Shadbolt Foundation for the Visual Arts VIVA Award (2020). She has contributed animation, illustration and scenography design for Arts Club Theatre, Amanda Sum, Lisa Mariko Gelley, Little Onion Puppet Co., Rumble Theatre/Veronique West, Theatre Replacement, and Theatre Calgary. Her illustrated children’s book Things on the Shoreline was published with Access Artist Run Centre in 2016.
DANIEL O’SHEA
Production Manager / Technical Director
Daniel is a familiar sight backstage of TR’s shows working with Maiko and James on technical execution and bringing their shows to life. His film and theatre training at SFU in devised practices and collaborative creation make TR a great fit. He also works with other artists and companies in Vancouver’s dynamic experimental Theatre and Dance community as a designer, collaborator and facilitator. He is a cofounder of the experimental performance collective, A Wake of Vultures.
JIVESH PARASRAM
Co-Playwright
Jivesh Parasram is a multidisciplinary artist of Indo-Caribbean descent. Jiv grew up around Kijpuktuk (Halifax), and spent over a decade in T’karonto (Toronto) working throughout the Independent theatre sector in various capacities including as the Associate Artistic Producer for Theatre Passe Muraille. He is also a founding member of the acclaimed (and unfortunately titled) socio-political theatre collective “Pandemic Theatre” – where he has developed and produced most of his creative work, usually in collaboration with co-founder Tom Arthur Davis. Just about 5 years ago, after many visits, Jiv relocated to East Van here on Unceded MST to take on the position of Artistic Director for Rumble Theatre. As a playwright he has been published with Playwrights Canada Press, and Sirocco Drama. Notably, his solo show “Take d Milk, Nah?” was nominated for the Governor General’s Literary Award.
Select Past Credits: Someone Like You (Arts Club), Take d Milk, Nah? (Pandemic/Rumble), Szepty/Whispers (Rumble/V.West/Pi), Victim Impact (Theatre Conspiracy)
Upcoming: Sound of The Beast (PuSh Festival), Measure for Measure (Bard)
CHRISTINE QUINTANA
Co-Playwright
Christine is an actor, playwright, co-Artistic Producer of Delinquent Theatre, and artistic associate of Neworld Theatre, living on the unceded lands of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh people. Winner of a LA Drama Critics’ Circle Award, Dora Mavor Moore Award, Jessie Richardson Theatre Award, Tom Hendry Award, a Governor General’s Award nomination, and the Siminovitch Protégée Prize for Playwriting, Christine’s works have been translated and performed in Spanish, French, German, and ASL. East Van audiences might recognize Christine from East Van Panto: Wizard of Oz as Dorothy, from this season’s premiere Someone Like You at the Arts Club, or for Clean/Espejos, produced by Neworld Theatre and premiered at the Cultch. She is currently working on a commission for the Manhattan Theatre Club, when she is not hanging around East Van with a cappuccino. Christine is a graduate of UBC’s BFA Acting Program.
Christinequintana.ca
ANITA ROCHON
Director
Anita directs The Chop in Vancouver with Emelia Symington Fedy, which has produced many new works for the stage including KISMET one to one hundred, Pathetic Fallacy and How to Disappear Completely. She directs in a range of styles – including Pantos! She collaborates with some of the country’s exceptional companies including Electric Company Theatre, Bard on the Beach, Théâtre la Seizième, The Shaw Festival and Belfry Theatre. She is a graduate of Studio 58 (Acting) and the National Theatre School of Canada (Directing). She adores Theatre Replacement and has toured nationally and internationally with their BIOBOXES and co-directed Dress me up in your love with Maiko Yamamoto. This is her third East Van Panto after having directed Little Red Riding Hood and Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.
JASON SAKAKI
Beast
Jason is beyond stoked to be joining the Panto this year! Recently, he’s performed with Bard on the Beach, Arts Club Theatre Company, Urban Ink, Citadel Theatre, Green Thumb Theatre, Gateway Theatre, and Vancouver Moving Theatre. You can also see him in TV and Movies on Disney+, Disney Channel, CW, Warner Bros, Netflix, AMC, Hallmark, GAC Family and Paramount+. Jason is a teaching artist with Bard on the Beach, a youth acting coach, and a photographer. He also really loves sushi.
Instagram & TikTok: @jasonsakaki
MUNISH SHARMA
Maurice, Salman Roe
This is Munish’s first Panto and he’s excited to be part of the team and for it to be Beauty and the Beast, one of his favorite stories growing up. Thank you for coming out. Let’s have some fun. Hugs to his family, and friends. Mahabharata, Whynot Theatre; Henry V, Bard on the Beach; #34, Globe Theatre; A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Bard on the Beach; Himmat, Theatre Conspiracy; Men Express Their Feelings, Zee Zee Theatre; A Thousand Splendid Suns, Arts Club. All’s Well That Ends Well, Bard on the Beach; The Cherry Orchard: After Chekov, Arts Club; The Invisible Hand, Pi Theatre. TRAINING: University of Regina.
SARAH SOSICK
Assistant Costume Designer
Sarah is so excited to be back assisting with costumes for her fourth Panto! Costume design: Maps of Utopia (the frank theatre). Assistant costume design: Stupid F*cking Bird (The Search Party), Starwalker (Urban Ink), The Kitchen (Studio 58). Head of wardrobe: How Black Mothers Say I Love You (the frank theatre). For film, Sarah has worked on productions such as Fakes: Season One (Netflix) and Creepshow: Season Four (Shudder). She holds a BFA from the University of Lethbridge in Dramatic Arts – Technical/Design.
JENN STEWART
Assistant Set Designer
Jenn is a multidisciplinary theatre artist working on the unceded territory of the The xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples. Selected credits include: Hamlet (Honest Fishmongers, set), Selfie (Seizieme, set and costumes), Wet (Itsazoo, set), Kuroko (vAct, props), Redpatch (Hardline, masks) and Blond Eckbert (Vancouver Opera YAP, set and costumes). She has been part of the stage management team at Bard on the Beach since 2013 and worked in various roles at Caravan Farm Theatre. Jenn is thrilled to be back for her 6th East Van Panto. She studied at Studio 58 and holds a Masters in Design from UBC. She is a member of CAEA and the Associated Designers of Canada.
www.jenniferannstewart.com
CAROLINE TANG
Apprentice Stage Manager
Caroline Tang (she/her) is an emerging stage manager born and raised on the traditional lands of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. Caroline recently graduated with a BFA in Theatre Production and Design from the University of British Columbia in May. She is super excited to join the East Van Panto: Beauty and the Beast team and work alongside an amazing cast, crew, and creative team! Caroline is very grateful for the opportunity to be an apprentice on an amazing SM team. When she’s not puttering around backstage you can find Caroline chomping on carbs at local bakeries or tackling her tower of books to read. Past stage management credits include Before They Cut Down Our Tree (J to K Productions), The Lightning Thief (CTORA), The Identity Bureau (Some Assembly), Tosca (UBC Opera), Chinatown (City Opera Vancouver), and Newsies (Theatre Under the Stars).
SOPHIE TANG
Lighting Designer
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, Electric Company Theatre, Vancouver Opera, Arts Club Theatre, Bard on the Beach, Citadel Theatre, Canadian Stage, Theatre Replacement and so on. Recent credits: Michel(le) (Théâtre la Seizième), Fairview (The Search Party), The Apple Cart (Shaw Festival), Henry V (Bard on the Beach), Legend of Georgia Mcbride (Arts Club Theatre), Midsummer Night’s Dream (Vancouver Opera), Undeveloped Sound (Electric Company Theatre), Choir boy (Canadian Stage and Arts Club), The Pearl Fishers (Vancouver Opera).
Portfolio website: sophieyufeitang.com
HIKARI TERASAWA
Ensemble
Hikari Terasawa (she/her) was born and raised in Nagano, Japan. She came to Canada in 2018 to pursue her performing arts career. She is grateful for the privilege to create and perform as an actor and dancer on the unceded traditional lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. She holds great pride in being a bilingual multidisciplinary artist who always remembers where she comes from. Recent credits include Ariel (The Tempest, Studio 58), Violet, Ensemble, Dance Captain, Ballet Solo Choreographer (A Chorus Line, Studio 58) and Anna, Choreographer (Ikigai, Halfie Films).
AMANDA TESTINI
Choreographer
Amanda loves the EVP!! Amanda Testini (she/her) is an Italian-Canadian performer, choreographer and director based on the unceded and ancestral territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations. Amanda has worked with Arts Club Theatre Company, Bard on the Beach, the Cultch, Theatre Replacement, Firehall Arts Centre, Belfry Theatre, Opera Kelowna, Gateway Theatre, Savage Society, Theatre Under the Stars, Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre, Carousel Theatre for Young People, shameless hussy productions, Neworld Theatre, Speakeasy Theatre, Electric Company, Vancouver Opera, Axis Theatre and the Glimmerglass Festival. She is a graduate of Studio 58’s acting program and is a Jessie Award nominee. Recent projects include Teenage Dick at the Arts Club Theatre Company (movement director), The Birds at TheatreUBC (movement coach), The Kitchen at Studio 58 (choreographer) and la Boheme, The Rip Van Winkles at Glimmerglass and Magic Flute at Vancouver Opera (assistant director).
For more info check out www.amandatestini.com or www.stratagemartists.com/amanda-testini.
HEIDI WILKINSON/FLYING FOX PROPS SHOP
Head of Props
This is Heidi’s 7th show with the East Van Panto. She has been the head of props for Bard on the Beach for 28 years and is the owner of Flying Fox Prop Shop in East Vancouver. She’s the recipient of 5 Jessie awards (11 nominations) and 2 Leo Awards (art direction for children’s programming, Scout and the Gumboot Kids). Heidi also works in film, tv and commercials.
MAIKO YAMAMOTO
Miso Potts, The Enchantress
Maiko Yamamoto is the Artistic Director of Theatre Replacement (TR), and has created, performed and directed several of the company’s signature performance works, many of which have toured to festivals and venues around the world. Recent works include: Best Life, MINE and Town Choir. She performed the role of Jack in the very first East Van Panto: Jack and the Beanstalk; played Gretel in East Van Panto: Hansel and Gretel; and co-directed and performed in Panto Come Home!, our live streamed edition of Panto (2020). Maiko also works as a freelance director, and mentors artists for a range of different companies and organizations, as well as individually, both in Canada and abroad. She holds a BFA in Theatre from Simon Fraser University’s School for the Contemporary Arts and a Masters of Applied Arts in Visual Art from Emily Carr University of Art + Design. She was the co-recipient of the 2019 Siminovitch Prize in Directing, with TR’s co-founder, James Long. Up next, Maiko is creating a new work with Panto composer and TR Associate Artist, Veda Hille. She is super grateful to the entire Panto Company and Team TR for this incredible opportunity to join in on the East Van Panto fun this year!
Holiday
Gift Guide
For the Comedy Fan
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Give tickets to Juliet: A Revenge Comedy, an award-winning, fast-paced, action-adventure comedy for everyone!
For the Theatre Lover
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For the Playwright of Their Own Destiny
Give a gift certificate to The Cultch!
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