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our creative teamERICA ANGUS - directorErica is thrilled to be bringing this Wonderland Panto to lifewith this incredible team of local actors and creators! She hasbeen the Executive Director of Theatre Collingwood for 13years of her 25 years working in professional theatre,collaborating with Canada’s finest artists. She is passionateabout the transformative power of the arts in fostering mentalhealth, community, and economic growth. Erica hopes this"tea-riffic" production fills your festive season with laughterand joy. Special thanks to Anne!Jim Roe - Stage ManagerAfter an extraordinary 45-year career in Canada’s arts andentertainment industries, Jim is now channeling his passioninto community arts initiatives. He served as General Managerof the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts and held key roles withMaple Leaf Sports and Entertainment and Sky Dome. Honoredwith the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012, Jimremains a tireless advocate for the performing arts,contributing locally as vice-chair of Theatre Collingwood andthe Collingwood Arts Centre Steering Committee.Greg Gibson - Musical Director/ArrangerGreg is a skilled music director, pianist and arranger with acareer that spans Canada, the United States, and beyond. Hiswork with Theatre Collingwood includes productions such asThe Last Resort, Side by Side by Sondheim, and Billy BishopGoes to War. Greg has collaborated with respected theatrecompanies like The Shaw Festival, Talk Is Free Theatre andThousand Islands Playhouse, among others. He has traveled theglobe as a musical director, most recently conductingproductions of Beetlejuice: The Musical, Kinky Boots, andJersey Boys for Norwegian Cruise Lines.Melissa James - ChoreographerMelissa is a professional dancer and dance educator withInternational experience across New Zealand and the UK. Nowliving in Collingwood, Mel is well-known as a dance teacherand choreographer and participates in many local events. Shehas many credits as a dancer and choreographer, with one ofthe highlights being The X-Factor (NZ). With a wealth ofindustry experience, Mel is passionate and committed tosharing a love for movement to as many humans as possible.
our creative teamCatsue McBroom - Costume DesignerCatsue is a gifted Costume Designer, Theatrical Milliner, andArtist Educator who brings creativity to life! Known for herdazzling Town Hall window displays, she led the décor team forthis year’s magical Starry Night Gala. Catsue has also delightedaudiences with her stunning costumes for TheatreCollingwood’s annual A Christmas Carol reading. Thrilled to bepart of this homegrown production, Catsue continues tosprinkle her artistic magic throughout our community!Garion Allen - Sound & Lighting DesignerGarion has been perfecting his skills as a theatre techniciansince he was 15 and has been an integral part of TheatreCollingwood since 2013. A devoted theatre enthusiast, he evenproposed to his wife during a Leisa Way show! From runningsound at our Porchside Festival to ensuring our artists alwayslook and sound their best, Garion’s expertise truly shines. Funfact: his debut (and final) stage role was as a mouse at age 8 inAustralia’s Sunnybank Theatre!Anna Posta - Assistant Stage manager/Kid Wrangler/Props BuilderThis is Anna’s first show with Theatre Collingwood! Anna justgraduated from Sheridan College’s Technical Production forthe Performing Arts program where they specialised in propsand wardrobe. Some production credits include Twelfth Night,Jesus Christ Superstar, Urinetown, Mary Poppins, and recentlyMuch Ado About Nothing. Anna is very excited to be workingwith TC and loved working with the Youth Ensemble. Theysend out special thanks to Anne and Erica for inviting themaboard, and to their Dad for helping them out with the props!Deb Fitzsimmons - Additional VocalsRobert Hodgson/Sledgehammer Building Solutions - Set Pieces BuilderKimberly Vincent Photography - Headshots & Marketing PhotosKatherine's Chateau - Tea Party Photo SiteKatherine Huycke - Set Pieces PainterDaniel Shaw & Jennifer Belanger - Animations & ProjectionsFrank Posta - 3D Printing and Various PropsHarold Bickerstaff - Donated RV Dressing RoomSobeys, Brightside Deli, Fruit Obsession - CateringBoston Pizza, Collingwood - It’s a Surprise!special thanks also to:
Director’s NotesWelcome, and thank you for joining us for today’s performance!This production is a milestone for Theatre Collingwood as we celebrate our 40thAnniversary by bringing a beloved tradition back to our stage—a “Christmas Panto,”produced in-house.The British pantomime, or “panto,” is a festive theatrical treat filled with music,dancing, slapstick comedy, and a sprinkle of cheeky humor. It thrives on audienceparticipation, clever in-jokes, and colorful storytelling inspired by traditional fairytales—though it rarely has much to do with Christmas itself!We are thrilled to shine a spotlight on our extraordinary local talent in thisproduction. Actor and playwright Anne Raciunas leads the way, supported by GregGibson as Musical Director and Melissa James as Choreographer. Our stunningcostumes, sets, and props were crafted by local designer Catsue McBroom, with thehelp of Anna Posta and Katherine Huycke. This entirely local cast and creative teamhas poured their hearts into this project, and I couldn’t be more inspired by theirdedication. Just imagine what we could create if we had a proper arts center to workin—hint, hint!From all of us, may your holiday season be filled with joy, wonder, and just a touch of Alice’s magic. Thank you for celebrating with us.With warmest wishes,Erica Angus
our castChelsea Coulter – The DuchessChelsea is delighted to be part of this production alongside somany talented individuals! A lifelong Theatre Collingwoodenthusiast, Chelsea grew up backstage as an ASM and Head ofProps before sharing her passion as a March Break DramaCamp Instructor. Last year, she performed in the stagedreading of A Christmas Carol. Chelsea proudly serves on theBoards of Directors for both Theatre Collingwood and GaslightCommunity Theatre Productions. Outside of theatre, she is afull-time Special Education Resource Teacher and enjoyssinging with her local band, goldenhour. Her most cherishedrole, however, is being mom to Lawton and Lennon! Claire Cunsolo – AliceClaire is 15 years old, from Wasaga Beach, and a proud studentof Collingwood Collegiate Institute, where she shines as a leadsinger of the CCI Jazz Band. A true triple threat, Claire bringsher passion for singing, dancing, and acting to life withheartfelt emotion. Previous favourite productions are Narnia:The Panto and Sleeping Beauty: The Panto (Sandcastle Theatre)and School of Rock, Willy Wonka, and High School Musical(Wasaga Beach Community Theatre).Shirley Joost - Chester the Cheshire CatShirley is over-the-moon (and slightly down-the-rabbit-hole)to be part of this FUNtastic Panto! This past year has been awhirlwind of theatrical mischief, including storytelling in avariety show, learning & then teaching improv, winning theGeorgian Bay Story Slam, and performing in ThornburyCommunity Theatre’s The Dining Room. Shirley is a visual artistand the proud creator of @FreeLittleArtGalleryNottawa. Shelovingly dedicates this performance to her mom, “Wildflower,”who made her childhood feel like Wonderland!Tara Kivlichan – The Caterpillar & EnsembleTara is a seasoned actor with a long history in theatre. Inrecent years, she has brought her talents to the local stage,quickly making a mark in the community. Audiences mayrecognize her from performances with Thornbury CommunityTheatre, Gaslight Productions, and Theatre Collingwood’sstaged reading of A Christmas Carol. Known for her engagingstage presence and dedication to storytelling, Tara continuesto captivate audiences and bring characters to life.
our castMichael Molloy - The Mad HatterHello! I am a local in Collingwood and I’ve been away from thetheatre atmosphere for quite some time. I have been gettingmy toe wet in some film roles recently. Rediscovering passionfor drama, I am now super excited to join forces with all thelovely people who are a part of this year’s production. They’veall taught me so much, and although this role came into my lifeunexpectedly I am so grateful it did! Hope you enjoy!Anne Raciunas – Playwright, AssociateProducer and the Queen of HeartsAnne has been a cornerstone of Theatre Collingwood for 10years, serving as Box Office Manager and now AssociateProducer. As a member of the Theatre Georgian Bay Collective,the director for Gaslight Productions 'Page to Stage' program,and the coordinator of Theatre Collingwood's Drama Educationprograms, Anne is dedicated to enriching her communitythrough theatre. She would like to thank an overwhelmingnumber of people for their support, but especially her motherKathryn and her brother Jonathan.
our YOUTH ENSEMBLEmaevetreanorHelen MurphyThaddeusGoganparkerharringtonpaytondifrusciakaylee teetermaireaddennis-gordonevathompsonemilyproctor-sellorsevieboltonzarajenningsdryden maney
Erica Angus - Executive DirectorAnne Raciunas - Associate ProducerValerie O’Brien - Business Development ManagerLinda Milthorpe - Administrator/Volunteer CoordinatorMary Beth Sharpe - Bookkeeper (Volunteer)Ginny Gilbert - Development Assistant (Volunteer)Garion Allen - Computers & Production TechnicianTara McLellan - Graphic DesignerKimberly Vincent - Social Media CoordinatorAdministration team'2024 season presenting sponsor