Production Bios & Headshots

Daniel Gilmour

LUPE

Daniel Gilmour is excited to make his tenth appearance with Merlyn Productions!

He was first seen in “A Tragedian In Spite of Himself” for ChekhovFest 2014. Since then, he has played an ogre, a heroic side-kick, a peasant with scalp disease, and all the male characters in “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”.

Other credits from around Winnipeg include “Radio Night” (2017) and “And Then There Were None” (ChristieFest 2017) with Winnipeg Mennonite Theatre; “Table Manners” (AyckbourneFest 2016) with Broken Record Productions; and “Arcadia” with Theatre Incarnate (StoppardFest 2007).

Daniel also played a recurring role as grumpy teacher Mr Morgan for three seasons on ShawTV's award-winning series, “Millworth”. He received his training at the University of Manitoba, where he was a proud member of the Black Hole Theatre Company.

Offstage, Daniel is an Early Childhood Educator and looks after chases a gaggle of toddlers all day. He is an avid board game player, sports fan, wannabe Karaoke star, and enjoys taking naps.

Daniel thanks his friends and family for all the support.

Maddie Dubois

ORFANA

Maddie Dubois is making her live theatre début with Merlyn Productions!

Maddie enrolled as a Junior Acting student at the Winnipeg Theatre School this past September. Outside of acting, she is a member of Girl Guides and plays flag football.

Maddie loves her school and spending time with her family, as well as reading, and listening to music.

She is also a big fan of frogs and pineapples!

Jensen Glover

POBRITA

Jensen Glover is making her fourth appearance with Merlyn Productions.

She made her community theatre début in “The World of the Brothers Grimm” in 2015, returned to the stage for the 2016 Winnipeg Fringe Festival run, and was most recently seen as Brisa in “Wind of a Thousand Tales” last December. She has additionally studied with the Winnipeg Theatre School as a Teen Acting student for the past three years.

From a young age, Jensen has been involved in musical theatre, jazz, tap, ballet, singing and piano. She has a keen interest in theatre, loves being on stage, and is an eager participant in all her school's productions.

When she can find spare time, Jensen loves reading, drawing, and music.

Krissadie Armstrong

URCHINA

Krissadie Armstrong is making her third appearance with Merlyn Productions.

She previously appeared in both of the 2018 runs of “Puss in Boots” — making her Winnipeg Fringe Festival début during the Summer, after dreaming of being a Fringe performer for many years!

Sadie started acting classes at the age of six, and after performing in “The Perils of Prince Percy of Pomegranate”, was forever hooked! Most recently, she performed in the Canadian premier of “Tuck Everlasting the Musical”.

Sadie has been in competitive musical theatre, tap, and jazz with Shelley Shearer School of Dance since she was seven years old. She has been with The Brady Academy of Irish Dance since the age of six, and can be seen performing annually at the Celtic Ireland Pavilion during Folklorama. She was honoured to be selected as a dancer at the closing ceremonies of the 2017 Canada Summer Games.

Lexie Dubois

LOFANNA

Lexie Dubois is making her fourth appearance with Merlyn Productions.

She was previously seen as Kimberly-Kay in “Wind of a Thousand Tales” last December, and also performed in “The World of The Brothers Grimm” in December 2015, and at the 2016 Winnipeg Fringe Festival.

Born and raised in Winnipeg, Lexie first got into theatre after seeing a local production of “The Cat in the Hat”. After that, she enrolled in the Winnipeg Theatre School, where she is currently in her fourth year of acting classes.

Outside of the theatre, Lexie plays tackle football as a middle linebacker, and basketball on her school's team. She also enjoys drawing, sewing, skateboarding, and shopping, as well as hanging out with her friends, her sister Maddie (Orfana), and of course, her doggy Lucy.

Molly Helmer

GLUTENELLA

Molly Helmer is making her first appearance with Merlyn Productions.

Having grown up in a family of performers and musicians, Molly began her formal training in theatre and musical theatre in grade seven at Grant Park High School.

Now in grade ten, she has since been involved in several productions, most recently including Grant Park's “Anything Goes” as Reno Sweeney, and “School of Rock” with Winnipeg Studio Theatre.

When she is not focusing on performing, she enjoys crafting, Earl Grey tea, and decorating for Christmas too early.

Isaiah Sudlow

FERMIN

Isaiah Sudlow is making his community theatre début with Merlyn Productions!

Isaiah previously acted in high school with his drama class, and has also taken 4 years of dance.

Being used to working with children from his family's business as special event planners, Isaiah clowns around professionally: doing magic tricks and making balloon animals. He can also fire spin.

Theatre goers may recognise him from the Winnipeg Fringe Festival, where he has been part of the live entertainment for 8 years.

Laurel Fife

FABRICA

Laurel Fife is excited for her first appearance with Merlyn Productions!

Laurel first became passionate about theatre in high school at Miles Macdonell Collegiate, where she starred as Mrs Ethel P Savage in “The Curious Savage” and Ms Casewell in Agatha Christie's “The Mousetrap”.

She has collaboratively written and performed shows in the Manitoba Drama Youth Festival and Festival Théâtre Jeunesse, as well as appearing in several short films.

Laurel is currently enjoying student life at the University of Winnipeg in the Theatre and Film program. She also dances and plays piano.

Jordan Phillips

BROCADARO

Jordan Phillips is thrilled to be making his fourth appearance with Merlyn Productions. He previously appeared as the Doctor in “Ernie's Incredible Illucinations” for AyckbournFest 2016, and in “The World of The Brothers Grimm” in both 2015 and 2016.

Jordan is an actor, director, singer, musician, and playwright. Having fallen in love with theatre at a young age, his desire to perform eventually grew so large that he decided to pursue it as a career. He studied acting at the University of Winnipeg, graduating from their Honours Acting program in 2013.

In the years since, Jordan has performed around the city with companies such as Sick+Twisted Theatre, R-G Productions, Shoe-In Productions, and the North Kildonan Community Players. Recent credits include “Psychopathia Sexualis” with R-G for ShanleyFest 2018, and “Once On This Island” with Shoe-In.

He has also staged four productions in the Winnipeg Fringe Festival with his theatre company, Sheep On A Mission: the most recent being “Your Brain On Anxiety” in 2018.

Musically, Jordan has released three albums under his stage name, iFollow.

Tim Sayeau

GASBAGGIO

Tim Sayeau is making his seventh appearance with Merlyn Productions, and was most recently seen in both of the 2018 runs of “Puss in Boots” — making his Winnipeg Fringe Festival début during the Summer!

He has also appeared as Bluster in “Wind of a Thousand Tales”, The Announcer in “The Princess and the Pea”, multiple roles in “Ernie's Incredible Illucinations” for AyckbournFest 2016, and as a Director of the Bank in “The Anniversary” for ChekhovFest 2014.

In 2014/15, Tim took a year of Adult Acting classes at the Winnipeg Theatre School, with which he portrayed both a layabout and a philanthropist in Dramatic Showcase 2015.

His previous experience included being a page in a grade 1 production of “Cinderella”, and a lobster salesman in the film “Exiles”.

Chantal Best

PANDAROLLA

Chantal Best is making her second appearance with Merlyn Productions, having first joined the company for the November 2018 run of “Puss in Boots”.

Previously, she appeared in “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” with Kiss the Giraffe Productions for SondheimFest 2013.

Chantal loves performing in such things as women's barbershop singing groups and musical theatre.

She thanks her family and friends, and even more-so her handsome husband Shaun for being supportive of her talent and love of theatre!

Sandy Marie

GRINDELLA

Sandy Marie is making her fifth appearance with Merlyn Productions, and was most recently seen in both of the 2018 runs of “Puss in Boots” — making her Winnipeg Fringe Festival début during the Summer!

Sandy has studied as an Adult Acting student at the Winnipeg Theatre School for the past four years. She was previously seen as Delores Biggs (“the actress”) in “And Then There Was One” for ChristieFest 2017, and as Princess Anna in “Wind of a Thousand Tales” in December.

As a child, Sandy was always ready to put on a show with extravagant self-made costumes, starring her siblings and friends. Their most popular production, “The Phantom of the Opry” spoof, was a parody of a parody of the famous musical.

Sandy has a passion for musical theatre, and in addition to her acting classes, is also taking vocal and piano lessons. Her other skills include gymnastics, Irish tap dancing, and skating.

Coming from a family of musicians, Sandy's dad calls her his “little globe-trotter”, as she is always ready to pack and go on a new adventure. Her favourite destination is New York City: the dream place for theatre lovers.

Ardyth Johnson

LAUNDRETTA

Ardyth Johnson is making her fourth appearance with Merlyn Productions.

Previously, she was seen as Queen Bessie in “The Princess and the Pea” (2017), Auntie May in “Ernie's Incredible Illucinations” (AyckbournFest 2016), and Nastasya Fyodorovna Merchutkina in “The Anniversary” (ChekhovFest 2014).

Ardyth first trained with mime artist Adrian Pecknold at the Manitoba Theatre School in Winnipeg. Then receiving a scholarship from the Manitoba Theatre Centre, she graduated from the Mime Unlimited School of Physical Theatre (Jacque LeCoq) in Toronto.

She is a graduate of the Second City Conservatory, and also holds a B.A. in theatre studies from the University of Winnipeg. Additional studies include master clown and buffoon with Philippe Gaulier.

Ardyth has toured throughout North America with Mime Unlimited, Theatre Beyond Words, and many other companies. When not performing, she is busy teaching physical theatre all over Canada and internationally.

Rachel Coll

POTSAPANNA

Rachel Coll is making her Canadian theatre début with Merlyn Productions!

Rachel was very active in the world of speech & drama growing up, which developed into a keen interest in acting during her late teens.

She was part of a small amateur drama group in her home country of Northern Ireland, and performed in three plays with them. She studied the Extended Diploma in Performing Arts at Belfast Metropolitan college, and then took a break from acting when she moved to Canada.

Now settled in Winnipeg, Rachel is keen to get involved in theatre again, and looks forward to being a part of Merlyn Productions as well as exploring other avenues.

Outside of acting, Rachel loves coffee shops, nature, reading, singing and art.

Alison Kolisnyk

RHODENTIA

Alison Kolisnyk is making her ninth appearance with Merlyn Productions, and was most recently seen in both of the 2018 runs of “Puss in Boots”.

She first appeared as the historical Alice Liddell in “Through the Looking-Glass (And What Alice Found There)” in 2014. Since then, Alison has played the Shoemaker's Wife in two runs of “The World of The Brothers Grimm”, Mum in “Ernie's Incredible Illucinations” for AyckbournFest 2016, multiple roles in “Wind of a Thousand Tales”, and the Chorus in “Nightingale”.

In 2015 Alison joined R-G Productions, making her Winnipeg Fringe Festival début as Kokum/Narrator in “Breadcrumbs”. Other R-G shows include “Spider’s Web” for ChristieFest 2017, “Psychopathia Sexualis” for ShanleyFest 2018, and “Desdemona” for both the 2017 Winnipeg Fringe Festival and the 2016 A-Spire Theatre Festival in Gimli, to which she returned last August in “The Savannah Sipping Society”.

Alison began studying acting, musical theatre, and dance as hobbies in her adult years. Recently, dance has been her primary recreational activity, and she has taken classes in various styles including jazz, tap, hip hop, modern, and African.

Offstage, Alison's “real world” revolves around hospitality, coordinating her front desk team in one of Winnipeg's upscale Polo Park hotels. Her other interests include travel, photography, horseback riding, and Zumba.

Robert Hewitt King

FRANCESCO

Robert Hewitt King is making his fourth appearance with Merlyn Productions.

He was previously seen as The King in “Wind of a Thousand Tales”, King Handsome in “The Princess and the Pea”, and Inspector Horatio Miles (not a king) in “And Then There Was One” for ChristieFest in 2017.

“I always enjoy working in a Merlyn production. This is my fourth, and the first time I have played a 'sane' character. I’ll see if I can make that stretch.”

Brooke Munford

TOWNSPERSON

Brooke Munford is honoured to be making her community theatre début with Merlyn Productions.

Being the passionate theatre kid in high school, Brooke hopes to take her dream & love of drama with her into an eventual career in the performing arts, through the pursuit of a Theatre degree at the University of Winnipeg.

In her free time, she enjoys musical theatre, singing, volunteering, and working with kids & youth.

She cannot wait to share this amazing experience with you!

Kendra Bauer

TOWNSPERSON

Kendra Bauer is making her third appearance with Merlyn Productions.

She was previously seen in “Wind of a Thousand Tales” in 2018 and “Ernie's Incredible Illucinations” during AyckbournFest 2016, while having been enrolled as an Adult Acting student at the Winnipeg Theatre School for the past 5 years.

Kendra has wanted to be an actress since she was very young, doing three musical productions in high school and one in middle school.

She hopes one day she'll be on Broadway or in Hollywood. Kendra's dream place is New York City.

Steph Blanchette

STAGE MANAGER

Steph Blanchette is excited for her first show with Merlyn Productions.

Steph spends her days working as an EA and enjoys socialising with family and friends. While shying away from being on stage in the spotlight, she finds passion working behind the scenes, shining the spotlight as stage manager.

Steph's beginnings in theatre came in the form of “The Spikey Series” in 2008. Since then, she has been part of dinner theatre fundraisers, Folklorama, and community theatre groups. She has also ventured into film projects.

Steph co-produced “Mulligan’s Island” (Winnipeg Fringe 2015) and “Once On This Island” (Shoe In Productions 2017). Other highlights are “Weirder Thou Art” (Winnipeg Fringe 2016, Toronto Fringe 2017), “Eastport” (Winnipeg Fringe 2017), “Italian American Reconciliation” (ShanleyFest 2018), and “Your Brain On Anxiety” (Winnipeg Fringe 2018).

Most recently, Steph has joined Bush Party Productions working on YouTube streaming comedy “One Great City”, and Protagonista Productions for “How I Learned To Drive” (2019).

Steph enjoys working with a variety of people, learning something from everyone she meets. She is always looking to be part of the next project.

John Chase

DIRECTOR

John Chase is the Artistic Director of Merlyn Productions Theatre Company, and the current Chief Instructor at the Winnipeg Theatre School. As a Winnipeg actor, director, producer and stage manager, he has worked on more than 125 productions to date.

John is a veteran of theatre for young audiences, having produced classic children's titles for the past ten years, and worked extensively with Fantasy Theatre for Children for twenty seasons (1991 – 2011).

An alumnus of The Theatre School, John studied acting and directing in the 1990s under founder Tony Frost, from whom he inherits his methods today. While at FTC, he also directed multiple shows for its adult arm, G.D. Productions.

John began producing local theatre with his own company in 1997, and has staged a full season of plays with Merlyn Productions each year since 2009.