Production Bios & Headshots

The Princess and the Pea

Forrest Nickerson Theatre, October 18 to 22, 2017

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Jump To:  Tim SayeauEthan LapkinArdyth JohnsonRobert Hewitt KingTanner LysackCora Fast

Headshot for Tim Sayeau

Tim Sayeau

ANNOUNCER

Tim Sayeau is making his third appearance with Merlyn Productions. He previously played multiple roles in “Ernie's Incredible Illucinations” for AyckbournFest 2016, and appeared as a Director of the Bank in “The Anniversary” for ChekhovFest 2014.

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

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

Headshot for Ethan Lapkin

Ethan Lapkin

LESTER THE JESTER

Ethan Lapkin is making his second appearance with Merlyn Productions, and is thrilled to be back! He previously appeared as Presley York (“the singer”) in “And Then There Was One” for ChristieFest 2017.

When he was younger, Ethan was quite shy and his parents convinced him to try a theatre camp for one week during summer vacation. It was love at first scene!

Ethan lives to perform, and has been studying theatre for 6 years in various classes and ensemble groups. He is also into film acting, and has enjoyed being part of several local productions.

When he isn't on stage or camera, Ethan is an avid reader, dabbles in coding, and plays the trombone.

Headshot for Ardyth Johnson

Ardyth Johnson

QUEEN BESSIE

Ardyth Johnson is making her third appearance with Merlyn Productions. She was previously seen as Auntie May in “Ernie's Incredible Illucinations” for AyckbournFest 2016, and as Nastasya Fyodorovna Merchutkina in “The Anniversary” for 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 Le Coq) 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.

Headshot for Robert Hewitt King

Robert Hewitt King

KING HANDSOME

Robert Hewitt King is typecast at last! (Woo Hoo!)

He previously appeared with the company as Inspector Horatio Miles in “And Then There Was One” for ChristieFest 2017.

Robert – who expounds his past credits as “hanging around the community theatre scene in Winnipeg for a good many years” – is very pleased to be back at Merlyn for another show.

Headshot for Tanner Lysack

Tanner Lysack

PRINCE HANDSOME

Tanner Lysack is making his first appearance with Merlyn Productions, and is honoured to be part of this production.

His previous theatre credits include “The Cassilis Engagement” with the University of Winnipeg, and “Relatively Speaking” with R-G Productions for AyckbournFest 2016.

Tanner is a graduate of the University of Winnipeg with a degree in Theatre and Film.

He thanks his family for supporting him in his theatrical endeavours, as well as the cast and crew of “The Princess and the Pea” for putting together such a wonderful show and letting him be a part of it.

Headshot for Cora Fast

Cora Fast

PRINCESS JASMINE

Cora Fast is making her fourth appearance with Merlyn Productions. Most recently, she played the title role in “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” for Spring Break 2017. She was previously seen as Princess Aurora in the 2015 production of “Sleeping Beauty”, and as Princess Genevieve in “Puss in Boots” at the 2014 Winnipeg Fringe Festival.

Recently, Cora helped to establish a small theatre company based in Steinbach, which performed “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged” in the 2016 Winnipeg Fringe Festival.

Cora is a graduate of Providence University College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre, and was also a finalist in the 2012 MAP Scirocco Drama Manitoba Highschool Playwriting Competition. She is an experienced improviser, and has been a performing member of the Crosseyed Rascals since April.

On screen, Cora has appeared in student films at the University of Winnipeg, and has done a fair amount of extra work. This year, she landed larger roles in a couple of True Crime Documentaries, as well as a couple of upcoming web series. One of her favourite roles remains that of a girl-gamer in the pilot episode of a mini-series mockumentary, “Into the League”.

Offstage, Cora is a waitress/bartender, and on occasion a nanny as well. She enjoys reading, singing, and virtually any sort of brain-teaser or puzzle that you can throw at her.


See Also: Playbill & Credits

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