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Flush Ink Performing Arts Presents

THE ACTORS

It also takes an entire village to put on a show. Ours is growing…

Nike Abbott	Nike Abbott is a native of Kitchener-Waterloo. She spent the 90’s and the first part of the new century living in Toronto. There she worked in film and television casting as well as performing in comedy improv and sketch shows. She was both a writer and a performer and also a stage manager in the theatre scene. The call of the ivory tower drew her back home to Waterloo where she is studying English at the University of Waterloo Nike read for She Speaks 2008.
	SHIRLEY BARRIE (Toronto) Shirley Barrie is a Toronto playwright who has received two Chalmers Awards and a Dora Award for her work. Her newest play, Beautiful Lady, Tell Me…, a vaudeville musical murder mystery, will be produced at 4th Line Theatre, Millbrook in August, 2007.  Other recent productions:  the award winning one-act, Revelation (Alumnae New Ideas, Toronto Fringe), Possession (Alumnae New Ideas) and two new adaptations of old tales:  Hansel and Gretel (Geordie Theatre) and The Girl in the Flower Basket (Japanese Folklore Theatre Productions).  She was in South Africa for much of 2005/06 working as Senior Story Editor on Jozi-H (short for Johannesburg Hospital) , a 13 x one-hour TV medical drama series broadcast on CBC TV in Canada and SABC in South Africa. Shirley was a co-founder of the Tricycle Theatre in London, England and of Straight Stitching Productions in Toronto. Shirley participated in the 2007 readings of She Speaks.
Carol A. Badger	Carol A. Badger is thrilled to be involved with Flush Ink Productions for the first time. A big thank you to Paddy and Grace! She is a graduate of the University of Windsor BFA acting program. Some of her past Theatre credits include ‘Dentity Crises (Alumnae Theatre), Actor’s Nightmare (Alumnae Theatre), Rock around the Clock (Theatre Collingwood), Androcles and the Lion (Edinburgh Fringe Festival), Globe Theatre Tour (Saskatchewan), Crimes of the Heart and The Perfect Manhattan ( Galt Little Theatre) and The Comedy of Errors (Guelph Little theatre). Carol would like to thank Stephan and Matt and Eric for their unconditional love and support. Carol read for She Speaks 2008.will be reading from A Grave Familiarity.
Helen Basson	HELEN BASSON put her acting career on the back burner to pursue the back stages of theatre. She has worked in wardrobe at the Stratford Festival for 25 years...give or take. Helen has always been active in various genres of the arts. She sings with Kitchener/Waterloo’s Philharmonic Choir, and was a Kinder Music teacher for several years. Helen read for She Speaks 2008.
Robin Bennett	Robin Bennett was thrilled to be a part of Asphalt Jungle III. Robin most recently appeared as Stephen in 'Money and Friends'. Other appearances include, the Old Man in Craig Lucas' 'Prelude to aKiss' (Best Supporting Actor 2006), Serge in Yasmina Reza's 'Art',  Doctor Miranda inAriel Dorfmann's 'Death and the Maiden' and the Father in Norm Foster's 'Maggie's Getting Married'. Directing credits include 'Alien Guest', 'The Perfect Manhattan' (Best Production 2005), 'No Exit', 'Keeping Tom Nice', and 'The Woman in Black'. Robin has studied with the British American Drama Academy and the Juilliard School. He would like to thank all those wonderful people who understand a passion must be observed. Robin acted in AJS III.
Kristopher Bowman	Kristopher, a Kitchener native, has been performing since the age of fourteen. His most recent credits include, KWLT’s production of What the Butler Saw, and his several roles in Shaking the Dew from the Lilies. More recently, Kris was in Asphalt Jungle Shorts I & II, performed for She Speaks and played Hamlet in KWLT's production of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead Kris’s passion on the stage include improv, clown work and dinner theatre. “Comedy in any and every form, is so necessary today, I’m only happy to help. If I had a wife and kids, I’d thank them for their support.” Kris has performed in Shaking the Dew from the Lilies, ASJ I, II, III and She Speaks 2007.
Rachel Clark	Growing up in the small town of Elmira, Rachel found her true love....performing. The only problem was-she was terribly shy, to the point of remaining completely silent. Her parents then encouraged her to dance at Encore Dance Studio where she trained, competed and taught for many years. In high school this once shy little girl began vocal lessons and achieved her royal conservatory grade 8 voice examination. In the fall of 2002 Rachel landed the role of "Anne" in KWMP's Anne of Green Gables performed at the Centre in the Square. The show proved to be a wonderful success and her happiest moment yet. In the winter of 2003 Rachel was scouted and sent to dance in Hawaii at the pro-bowl half time show. That fall she began school in Toronto at Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts. The summer of 2005 Rachel graduated and moved home out of the city. Currently she teaches dance, and works at group homes with the handicapped, sharing her joy of music with them. This past summer she performed in "With a Song for Hope" at Waterloo Entertainment Centre to raise money for cancer. Rachel is thrilled to be performing with such a knowledgeable group of professionals, one being a memorable teacher from Randolph. She hopes this is only the beginning of her career to act, sing, dance and move people's spirits through the art of theatre. Rachel performed in AJS I.
Jennifer Cornish	JENNIFER CORNISH has most recently appeared as Martha in "Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?" (KWLT), Sally in the premiere production of Dianne Lococo's "Alien Guest", Penny in "Money and Friends" and Alexa in "As Bees In Honey Drown" (Galt LT).   You may also recognize her as the itinerant bongo player from "Asphalt Jungle Shorts III" with Flush Ink Productions. Jennifer peformed in AJS III, and read for She Speaks 2008.
Nicholas Cumming	Nicholas Cumming is a local theatre creator with a BA in Drama and English from the University of Waterloo. He has been a company member of the Multicultural Theatre Space since 2004. He has appeared in Exit Strategy, Yes or No!, Seasons of Immigration, Legion of Memory I + II, Me Here/Me Happy, Motio X Industria, and Three Legged Horse with the MT Space; Tennessee Williams’ I Can’t Imagine Tomorrow with Poor Tom Productions; Asphalt Jungle Shorts I, II & III with Flush Ink; and Mimetic Flesh/Mimetic Hotel, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Spring Awakening with UW Drama. He directed and wrote The Children’s Crusade for the UPStart Fringe 2007, and HE for UPStart 2004.  He is a poet and playwright currently working on several plays with Pat the Dog, KW’s professional playwrights’ development centre. He is also a member of the earthling collective, whose WARMER project is examining the environment and human dynamics in a local context. Nick performed in AJS I, II, III and read for She Speaks 2007.
Deb Deckert	Deb Deckert is a long time member of the Elmira Theatre Company she has been recognized with numerous awards for her acting and directing, most recently winning a coveted spot in the Western Ontario Drama League Festival for her direction of “Ten Times Two”. Some of her favourite roles include Carmen in “Cooking with Gus”, Annette in “Hamish” and Dolly Levi in “Hello Dolly” with Elmira, and Lady Bracknell in “The Importance of Being Earnest” with JM Drama of Kitchener. Deb was also in the award winning production of “Clue, the Musical” with Theatre Guelph and has performed in six of Guelph’s popular Spirit Walks. Deb also loves to sing, performing with the group “Approximately Jazz Deb read for She Speaks 2008.
Andrew Frey	Andrew jumped into theatre seven years ago and has been an enthusiastic participant ever since. Favourite shows include Hamish – Elmira Theatre Company, The Melville Boys and Out of Order – Theatre Three-Eleven, and The Weir – Next Level Theatre. In fact, he liked The Weir so much, he will be appearing in Theatre Three-Eleven's production of it next spring. Andrew performed in AJS III.
	PADDY GILLARD-BENTLEY, most recently performed in The Vagina Monologues, Leave Taking, and Pamphilia. Her first play, not counting the backyard extravaganza’s where a blanket clothes-pegged to the wash-line was the stage, was George and the Dragon. She played the Doctor, wearing a stuffed top hat. She was six. Paddy read for She Speaks 2007.
Kate Gregg	KATE GREGG spends a lot of her time as Aunt Dot, dressed in wild outfits and drawing laughter from deep inside children’s bellies. Kate has been a professional entertainer since 1975, performing an excess of 5,000 shows. Kate is also proud to be a busker, a predominantly male dominated profession. Kate read for She Speaks 2008.will be reading Boxing It.
Tracey Kenyon	Tracey Kenyon is proud to be working with Flush Ink Productions Inc. She has been an active member in theatre for the past 16 years. Her favourite stage credits include Flush Inks Productions of “Asphalt Jungle Shorts I, II & III”, Elmira Theatre’s “Ten times Two” (Constance et al), and Theatre in the Trees’ “Funny Valentine” (Zan). Throughout the year, Tracey can also be seen performing murder mysteries and comedy improv shows with the Mysterious Players. Tracey acted in AJS I, II, III and read for She Speaks 2007 & 2008.
Carol Lewis	CAROL LEWIS is delighted to be part of this celebration of International Women’s Day. She is a member of several local community theatre groups. Last summer Carol won an award at a one-act play festival as “The Sweetest Little Mom in the World” for her role as 'Mrs. Spiller' in ‘Autumn Blooming’. Most recently Carol narrated the role of 'Death' in Distler’s ‘Dance of Death’ with the Menno Singers in Kitchener. Carol read for She Speaks 2008.
Katharine Mills	When she was recently asked what her "mode of creative expression" was, Katharine Mills responded, "chocolate." She writes, makes things, and dances whenever possible, and is known for being able to fall asleep anywhere and in any position. She has been acting since she was fifteen years old; recent appearances include "I Can't Imagine Tomorrow" and "Still Life in Leather" with Poor Tom Productions, and "The Children's Crusade" at UW's Upstart fringe festival. She was also in Asphalt Jungle Shorts II. Katharine lives a vagabond life in Waterloo with a posse of three cats. Katharine has performed in AJS II & III and read for She Speaks 2008.
Carolina Miranda	CAROLINA MIRANDA is a performer from Brazil, where she was part of AGORA – CDT, a very active theatre company in her country. She holds a B.A. in Portuguese and English Language and Literature from the Universidade de Sao Paulo. Carolina moved to Canada in August 2003, and has since studied with a number of eminent teachers such as Sue Morrison, Mike Kennard and David Smukler. She joined the MT Space in Nijinsky: through a window and in October 2004. She had her debut on Canadian screens playing the leading role in the short film Moving by Ian Kennedy. She has recently finished shooting Baby by Tijuana Lane. Carolina will be reading from On The Edge.
Douglas Morton	This is Douglas' second Asphalt Jungle Shorts, although she has been heavily involved in local theatre for many years. With KW Little Theatre, she has played the roles of Mort, Brutus, and most recently Guildenstern to Roger Sumner's Rosencrantz (and Kris Bowman's Hamlet) in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. When not acting, she's been doing puppet shows, science shows and modeling nude for Universities and local studios. Having recently realized that she's transgender, Douglas would like to thank the people of KW for being overall very Queer friendly. Yay diversity! Douglas has performed in AJS II & III.
Brian Otto	Brian Otto is a busy actor and singer who currently is an active member of three community theatre groups and The Renaissance Singers, and has worked with most of the other groups in the region in the past 20+ years.  He's also worked extensively as a professional in plays and musicals with theatres around the province.  Currently, Brian is rehearsing "The Merchant of Venice" in Guelph, and producing a musical revue to be staged at the Registry Theatre in September.  He feels really honored to be asked to participate in this festival. Brian read for She Speaks 2008.
Joyce Pedder	Joyce Pedder is originally from Manchester, England. She is a member of  K.W. Silver Stars Theatre Group. Productions Joyce has appeared in include: Canadian Eh!, Silver Stars Shine, The Attic, Eileen Vale in Waiting for Heaven, Cleo in Just Ordinary People, and Bag Full of Miracles  (upcoming in May 2008). Joyce has appeared in Elmira Theatre and Company productions At the Mall and Dear Ruth. She has also acted out various characters with  the Harmony Interage Theatre, an elder abuse drama and mime group, and enjoys ice dancing and singing with the " Merry Melodies". When not involved with theatre, she enjoys square dancing and studying Bible Prophecy. Joyce read for She Speaks 2008.
Shelagh Ranalli	Shelagh loves the idea of taking theatre to the streets, literally!   Asphalt Jungle Shorts offers Shelagh a great opportunity to connect with former cast mates and artists after a 3 year hiatus. Previously, Shelagh has acted in productions with Waterloo Stage Theatre, KWMP and Theatre & Company.  Her most favourite production was Paddy Gillard-Bentley's renown creation, Shaking The Dew From The Lilies, where she had the honour of portraying the intoxicating Aja. Shelagh resides in Kitchener with her lovely children, Charlotte and Joseph." Shelagh performed in Shaking the Dew from the Lilies, AJS I & II, and She Speaks 29-007.
Brendan Schaefer	Brendan is glad to be back on stage after years of absence from the limelight. Brendan completed his bachelors degree in Theatre Arts at the University of Arizona in 1990, and spent a number of years with Theatre & Company in Kitchener in the 1990s, when it was still a small ensemble of dedicated starving artists. Roles from that period include Johann in The Shunning and Trisotin in The Sisterhood, as well as the role of Technical Director, Production Manager, Box Office Manager, Lighting Director, and Chief Cook & Bottlewasher in many other productions. Most recently (although not that recent) Brendan has appeared in a few "short works fest" pieces, including the legendary 5 minute Bonkers in the Bank Queue (not its real title) penned by the venerable Andrew Lakin. Brendan currently works for Habitat for Humanity Canada, and lives with his wife, Sarah, and two boys, Aidan & Faolan, in a quirky old farmhouse outside of New Dundee. Brendan performed in AJS I & II.
Emily Schooley	Emily Schooley is an actor/writer/photographer/perfectionist, and is absolutely thrilled to return to theatre to be a part of She Speaks. Recently, she has acted with several local film companies, including K - Drew Productions, Mars on Mars Productions, and FBN Multimedia; with the latter, she is working on an upcoming TV series, A Shadow Shall Fall. When not out and about doing creative things, she lives in half a Victorian house with five cats and a supportive partner, who serves as a useful alibi for any claims of "crazy cat lady." Emily read for She Speaks 2008.
Brigitte Schuster	Brigitte (Gita) Schuster is the owner of Growing In The Arts where she is a Therapeutic Expressive Arts Facilitator who has been engaging children & adults through the arts for 22 years. She is a Theraplay® Practitioner, a recognized supporting member of the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association & spent 5 years as a Child & Youth Worker. GITA spent 12 years as Artistic Director of Playing On the Moon Children’s Theatre Arts Centre where her students have won over 200 first place awards at the Kiwanis Drama Festival & can now be seen in major movie, stage and T.V. roles. Currently GITA is the director of the children’s drama department at the Waterloo Community Arts Centre/The Button Factory. GITA is a two- time nominee of the KW Woman of the Year Award & a three-time nominee for a KW Arts Award; all in recognition for her outstanding contributions to children in the arts. However, GITA’s greatest creation to date is her beautiful & smart 11-year-old daughter MacKensey and twin 8-year-old boys Eric and Quinn. ‘Gita’ read for She Speaks 2008.
Brian Scott	BRIAN SCOTT will be taking his first steps on stage since High School during A Grave Familiarity. Brian has spent the past 15 years supporting cultural production in and around Kitchener, helping many, many artists realize their dreams. Brian read for She Speaks 2008. Note: Brian is the moving force behind the amazing shift in Kitchener’s Art Scene. He has been the spring-board for many events and organizations that otherwise would have been dead in the water. ~paddy
Kathleen Sheehy	Kathleen is a founding member of Lost & Found Theatre, and prior to that was a member of the ensemble at Theatre & Company. Most recently she appeared as Sir Toby Belch in Twelfth Night in a collaborative project with UW’s Dept of Drama, and just before that, in Falling: A Wake by fellow L&F member Gary Kirkham. Favourite roles include Dorothea in Eleemosynary, Bubbie in Crossing Delancey, Claire in A Delicate Balance and Stacy in Some Assembly Required. Her free time is filled with reading, cooking for friends, and her faithful Lab, Piper. Kathleen performed in AJS I.
Lindsay Stewart	Lindsay Stewart has an amazing bio, but unfortunately, he hasn’t sent it to me yet. Nor has he sent me a photo, so I’ve opted for this lovely portrait of him, dressed as a Vampire for Come As You Were. When he sends me a bio and a more recent and less gruesome picture, I will alter this space. Lindsay read for She Speaks, 2007.
Roger Sumner	Roger has dabbled in acting, stage combat and stand-up comedy for almost two decades, and he's just starting to get the hang of it. He leaped at the chance to hit the pavement with the Asphalt Jungle crew. An expert rapier duelist and professional writer, Roger's favorite stage roles include Renfield in Bram Stoker's Dracula (KWLT), Albert in Terry Pratchett's Mort (KWLT), and Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet (UWDrama). Roger lives uptown in Waterloo with no cats, no rats, and an anthropomorphic crow. Roger has performed in AJS I, II & III.
Arlene Thomas	ARLENE R. THOMAS is a local actor and producer and co-founder of Shadow Puppet Theatre. She is a graduate of the University of Windsor’s B.F.A-acting program and since then has appeared in numerous productions both in and outside Waterloo Region. Past productions include Asphalt Jungle Shorts I, II and III, Zazztrozzi, and Shadow Puppet Theatre’s Macbeth for which she was both performer and producer. She is now hard at work on Shadow Puppet Theatre’s next project, Faust, which is being produced in conjunction with The Centre for German Studies and for which she has received a grant from the Region of Waterloo Arts Fund. Arlene has acted in AJS I, II, III and read for She Speaks 2007 & 2008.
Tanya Williams	Tanya Williams has been directing, facilitating & performing dance & theatre for over 15 years and draws on her experience in physical theatre, forum and environmental theatre, movement and sound improvisation, choreography, modern dance, aikido, contact improvisation, clown, and Alexander Technique movement education.  Her adventures have found her creating dance films on the shores of Ireland and in the canyons of Utah, and collaborative community theatre and dance on school buses, in ruined mills, malls, and inner city alleyways.  Most recently, she performed with The MT Space in Season of Immigration to the West, and with Friends of the Floor, as part of Nudge: The Something Spintacular. Tanya has performed in AJS II & III.
Bruce Wolff	Bruce Wolff was more surprised than anyone to be among this group of actors in the first Asphalt Jungle Shorts. Since then, he’s participated as an actor in She Speaks, Asphalt Jungle II and now he is back again, and feeling quite at home on the stage, wherever the stage might be. He still holds a secret dreams of a return to the glory years of writing, producing and acting in high school productions.   His day job (which he won't be quitting anytime soon) at Wilfrid Laurier in the Biology Department gives him plenty of opportunity to practice his oratory skills. It is most likely that work, time with his kids and friends, and traveling will provide sufficient incentive to keep the stage an enjoyable avocation. Bruce has performed in AJS I, II, III and She Speaks 2007.

THE PLAYWRIGHTS

THE DIRECTORS

THE CREW

FLUSH INK PERFORMING ARTS ~ BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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