Production Bios & Headshots

Megan Wilson

FANCY ("FANCY FREE")

Megan Wilson now appears in her second show with Merlyn Productions, having played opposite John Chase as Josephine Paris in the company's 2009 Winnipeg Fringe Festival production of “THE VALIANT”.

As a student of Tony Frost, Megan has studied at Fantasy Theatre for Children and The Theatre School for the past seven years. She has appeared in various productions on the FTC mainstage, as well as with RGI International at the Winnipeg Fringe Festival.

In May 2009, Megan travelled with NewStage Productions to Guernsey, U.K., where she appeared in two plays by Winnipeg author Ron Blicq at the GADOC 61st Annual Theatre Festival: “Sudoku Fever” and “You Will Write, Won't You?”.

Chace Zelinsky

ALFRED ("FANCY FREE")

Chace Zelinsky is appearing in his first show with Merlyn Productions, and has been into theatre and acting for as long as he can remember.

Chace has previously appeared in several independent student films. He held a principle role in “4-1-0 Heat” and a role in “Director's Cut”, both directed by Eric Neufield. He also appeared in “Fallen Angel”, directed by Andrew Luczenczyn. All can be found on YouTube.com under the usernames 'NeufNumbahOne' and 'cutyourmullet9801', respectively.

“FANCY FREE and THE STEPMOTHER” is Chace's first live theatre production in over 3 years. He is currently represented by Performers Canada Talent Agency, and hopes to continue in both theatre and film in the future.

Kevin Hamill

ETHELBERT ("FANCY FREE")

Kevin Hamill has been performing on Winnipeg stages for over a decade, and has dozens of shows to his credit. In February, he joined the Merlyn Productions Company Staff as Technical Director, and has performed in the March, April, and May productions.

Kevin has worked both onstage and off with a variety of local companies, including C.G. Productions, Merlyn Productions, and primarily Fantasy Theatre for Children. With FTC, he has appeared in numerous children's productions, starred in several plays with G.D. Productions (FTC's adult arm), and become an alumnus of The Theatre School.

As one half of Chase & Hamill on the local comedy scene, Kevin can be found portraying funny man Lou Costello of Abbott & Costello fame, alongside performing partner John Chase (Bud Abbott).

Kevin made his solo directing début in the 2009 Winnipeg Fringe Festival with “CINDERELLA! CINDERELLA!” – the first Chase & Hamill venture not related to Abbott & Costello, which won “Best of the Fest” for the Kids Fringe.

Laura Chan

DELIA ("FANCY FREE")

Laura Chan is working with Merlyn Productions for the first time, and is thrilled to be in her first stage production in “way too long”!

Originally from “outside Toronto”, she hopes to make a home (and perhaps a name) for herself in the Smallest Big City in the World. However, her years of community theatre, live jazz performance, and other creative endeavours could not have prepared her for the task she describes as “being the newbie all over again”.

Laura thanks the members of Merlyn Productions for making her return to the stage a much easier one, and letting her in the door. She also thanks Clay for his support and sense of humour.

To our audience: “Enjoy the show!”

Kris Diaz

CORA PROUT ("THE STEPMOTHER")

Kris Diaz is appearing in her first show with Merlyn Productions, but is certainly no stranger to the stage.

For the past eight years, Kris has served as the Drama Teacher at Lord Selkirk Regional Comprehensive Secondary School. Productions she has directed there include “Grease”, “Alice in Wonderland”, “Oliver”, “The Crucible”, “Odd Couple” and “Annie” – as well as “Footloose”, which won the Performance Award from Rainbow Stage.

In the past year, Kris has sung in both the “Lord of the Rings” Mass Choir and the “I Believe” Mass Choir with the WSO. You may also recognise her running through a library yelling in the Regional Big Dollar commercial.

Kris is currently producing and directing the comedic farce “The Matchmaker” by Thornton Wilder, to be presented at LSRCSS in March 2010.

When she is not busy on stage, Kris enjoys working out, gardening and spending time with her loved ones. She thanks her family and friends for their constant support and love – “I couldn’t do the things I do without you”.

Victor Enns

ADRIAN PROUT ("THE STEPMOTHER")

Victor Enns is appearing onstage with Merlyn Productions for the first time, but has been chasing roles since he was a kid.

Raised in Grunthal, MB, he tried community theatre in his area once out of high school. The more fantastical the role, the happier he was.

In 1997, he moved to Toronto – NOT to pursue any type of acting career. It was around 2002 that he accidentally formed an improv group called “We Got Next” and re-discovered his love for theatrical performance.

Upon moving back to Manitoba, Victor looked for any foothold in theatre that opened itself up – mainly in the Steinbach area. He found his new passion then in writing plays and trying different media. Currently, he co-produces an online series called “bench” on YouTube.

Having not partaken in a Winnipeg theatre production since Shakespeare in the Park fourteen years ago, Victor is “stoked” about his role in “FANCY FREE and THE STEPMOTHER”.

Tim Beaudry

THOMAS GARDNER ("THE STEPMOTHER")

Tim Beaudry is appearing in his second show with Merlyn Productions, having made his theatrical début as Warden Holt in the company's 2009 Winnipeg Fringe Festival production of “THE VALIANT”.

Offstage, he is an accomplished photographer, and has been part of the Winnipeg Folk Festival Photo Crew for 11 years.

Tim enjoys paddling competitively with his dragon boat team, “Boogie’s Draggin Butt”, and has helped them win two Championship trophies, among others.

Leila Marston

CHRISTINE FEVERSHAM ("THE STEPMOTHER")

Leila Marston now marks her first full year as a performer with Merlyn Productions. Leila's other work during the year has included stage management, costuming, and sound, and she looks forward to learning more next season.

After her initial step onto the stage with Chase & Hamill in their 2008 Winnipeg Fringe Festival production of “HEY ABBOTT! - A Classic Comedy Tribute Show”, Leila decided to pursue theatre in earnest, and joined the Merlyn Productions Company Staff as Production Assistant in February.

She has performed in three shows this season – including the lead role in “SACRED BLOOD” (May 2009) – and also appeared as the Fairy Godmother in the much-acclaimed Chase & Hamill production of “CINDERELLA! CINDERELLA!” at the 2009 Kids Fringe.

Leila adores her current role of Christine Feversham, and offers her performance to her two teachers, John Chase and B. Pat Burns, with many thanks for their insights and patience.

Offstage, Leila enjoys yoga, cynicism, and – much like Christine – has a taste for writing and delivering lengthy spiels full of multisyllabic words.