REQUEST PROGRAMME

Franz Xaver Kroetz

Playwright

Nadien Chu

Nadien Chu (she/her) is thrilled to be returning to NLT for this amazing show!

Nadien is proud to be based in amiskwacîwâskahikan, Treaty 6 territory. Her NLT credits include: Cherish, Fourth Graders Present an Unnamed Love-Suicide, Space//Space, Cleopatra’s Sister and narration for the cardiac shadow. Other recent credits include: As You Like It, The Tempest, Romeo and Juliet, Twelfth Night and many others for the Freewill Shakespeare Festival where she has served as an Artistic Associate and company member for 9 years.

Recently for the Citadel Theatre: Little Women, The Three Muskateers, The Importance of Being Earnest, Network, Pride and Prejudice, The Garneau Block. Nadien has also worked at The Arts Club (Vancouver), The Grand Theatre ( London), Royal Manitoba Theatre (Winnipeg), VertigoTheatre, Alberta Theatre Projects, Theatre Calgary and One Yellow Rabbit (Calgary).

Upcoming at the Citadel Theatre you can see Nadien in The Vinyl Cafe, Death of a Salesman and The Wizard of Oz.

Enjoy the show!

Patricia Darbasie

Patricia is an Edmonton based actor and director; she is a graduate of the University of Alberta’s BFA Acting program and MFA Directing program and is a two time Sterling award winner. Patricia has had the pleasure of working with Northern Light Theatre many times over their 50 years. The first time was the Corporate Nightmare of Rembrant Brown with Jillian Raby and more recently she did Something Unspoken and Donna Orbits the Moon with Trevor Schmidt . Some other Acting credits include: Citadel Theatre: Shakespeare in Love and A Christmas Carol, and Little Women Atlas Theatre: Going to St. Ives, Teatro Live!: The Finest of Strangers. Catalyst Theatre: Until the Next Breath Theatre Calgary: Steel Magnolias and Workshop West Theatre: Unsung: Tales from the Front Line.

Beth Graham

Beth Graham is an actor, playwright and dramaturg. As an actor, she has performed on stages across Canada and toured internationally. As a playwright, she has received the Gwen Pharis Ringwood Alberta Literary Award and has been a finalist for the Governor Generals’ Award in Drama. Her latest play, Mermaid Legs, was published last fall. Recently, Beth was the writer in residence at MacEwan University. She is a graduate of the University of Alberta’s BFA acting program.

Linda Grass

Linda is an Edmonton stage, film, television, and voice actor.  She most recently appeared in Shadow Theatre’s premiere of THE WRONG PEOPLE HAVE MONEY. Previously for Northern Light Theatre, she has performed onscreen in THE LOOK, and onstage in CONTRACTIONS, MISS MARGARIDA’S WAY, THE BEARD, and URBAN TALES 9 & 10.  In addition to working with NLT and Shadow Theatre, she has also appeared in the productions of Workshop West Theatre, Theatre Network, Teatro La Quindicina, The Citadel Theatre, Guys in Disguise, The Unconscious Collective, and Trunk Theatre.

Sue Huff

Cheryl Jameson

Cheryl has worked with Trevor in many other productions, such as 2 Queens and a Joker (Guys In Disguise), Her Mark, Marked, World’s Wife, Destination Wedding, Destination Vegas (Sterling Nominated), Lady Porn, Black Widow Gun Club (Sterling Nominated), Paloma & Joy (Whizgiggling Productions), Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver (closed due to covid) and 4th Graders Present: An Un-Named Love-Suicide (NLT), where she was a Sterling Award recipient. Some favourite local productions include 9 to 5 (Citadel Theatre), Cabaret, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Rock and Roll Era (Mayfield Dinner Theatre), Hey! Countess (Teatro La Qundicina), The Prom (Nuova Vocal Arts) and her own The Best Little Newfoundland Christmas Pageant…Ever! (Whizgiggling Productions). Cheryl would like to thank her backstage crew; Justin, Taj and Trin!

Kristin Johnston

Kristin is an Edmonton based performer and instructor, and a graduate of the Theatre Arts Program at Red Deer College and the Canadian College of Performing Arts in Victoria, BC.  Her local credits include A Christmas Carol,  9 to 5, and Sense and Sensibility at the Citadel, the latter as part of the Citadel/Banff Centre Professional Training Program. Kristin has appeared in MOB at Workshop West, Helen with Trunk Theatre and Pith, Deathtrap and The Odd Couple at Teatro Live. She’s also appeared regularly with Northern Light Theatre, where her credits include Enough (Sterling Award Nomination), We Had a Girl Before You, Baroness Bianka’s Bloodsongs (Sterling Award Nomination) and Origin of the Species. Kristin’s many Fringe credits include The Black Widow Gun Club, Destination Wedding and Destination Vegas with Whizzgiggling Productions, Mass Debating and Carole Of The Belles with 100% More Girls, Rivercity the Musical and The Unsynchables with Dammittammy Productions and Release the McCrakkin for Accidental Humour Co. Kristin can be seen next in The Vinyl Cafe at the Citadel.

Janelle Jorde

Janelle is a multi-disciplinary artist living and creating in Amiskwaciwâskahikan, colonially known as Edmonton. She is an alumnus of Victoria School for the Arts and the MacEwan University Theatre Arts Program. She has dabbled in all branches of the Edmonton theatre community, from performance, to direction, producing, and education. In 2016, she founded NextGen Theatre with her mom, Liz Allison, with a focus on connecting generations through theatre and collaboration. Check them out at the Edmonton Fringe 2026 where they are debuting a new Canadian play. When not working in theatre, you can find Janelle singing with the Korora Choir Association, analyzing video games, and enjoying our wonderful city. Janelle is in her third season as Box Office Manager for Northern Light Theatre and is excited to step out from behind the desk and onto the stage with NLT for the first time. She sends lots of love to her family and friends, who are truly the best around.

Nimet Kanji

Nimet is so excited to be back in the theatre again as we navigate our way to a new kind of normal. Some of her theatre credits include ‘Contractions‘ (Northern Light Theatre), ‘Victim Impact‘ (Theatre Conspiracy), ‘Sultans of the Street‘ (Carousel Theatre), ‘9 Parts of Desire‘ (The Maggie Tree), ‘Bombay Black‘ (2017 Vancouver Fringe) amongst others. She also works in TV/Film and Voice. Check her out on Imdb.com.

Larissa Poho

Larissa (she/her) is a queer Ukrainian artist living and creating in amiskwaciwaskahikan. A multidisciplinary performer, production designer, visual artist and tattooist (owner/artist at Folk Lore Tattoo), she is also a teaching artist with the Citadel Theatre (musical theatre/dance), and is the former Artistic Director of the Vohon Ukrainian Dance Ensemble. Select performance credits: Once, All Because I’m A Woman, Hits of Broadway (Citadel) ; Infinity (Theatre Network); Canada Rocks: The Reboot, VEGAS LIVE, Canada 151 (Mayfield); ren & the wake (Catch the Keys); 10 out of 12 (WildSide); Ordinary Days (Straight Edge); Assassins (Loose Ends); Dreamer’s Cantata (Plain Janes). Assistant Music-Direction: Jersey Boys (Citadel); Assistant Direction: Evelyn Strange (Teatro La Quindicina). Lighting Design: A Phoenix Too Frequent (Northern Light Theatre); Joni Mitchell’s Songs of a Prairie Girl, Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes (Network); An Homage to Billie Holiday, Les Sylphides (Ballet Edmonton); La Raccourcie, Les Neiges, Simone et le whole shebang (L’UniTheatre); Surveil (Hip.Bang!); Fusion – Harmony in Motion, At the Bazaar (Viter Ukrainian Dancers & Folk Choir). Sterling-Nominated Music Direction for the Canadian national tour of Barvinok (Pyretic Productions). Thanks to everyone who continues to support Larissa on this artistic journey. Much love to Vince and Soaps.

@poho.art – Instagram
@poho.art – Facebook
www.larissapoho.com

Vanessa Sabourin

Vanessa is co-artistic producer at Azimuth Theatre, and co-founder and co-producer for The Maggie Tree. Selected acting credits include THE COMEDY OF ERRORS, HAMLET (Freewill Shakespeare Festival); THE CRUCIBLE (Theatre Calgary); NEVERMORE (Catalyst Theatre); THE LAST VOYAGE OF DONALD CROWHURST(GhostRiver Theatre and Alberta Theatre Projects); THE PENELOPIAD (Alberta Theatre Projects); ONCE UPON AN ATOM BOMB (Green Fools Theatre); MONSTROSITIES, FOLIE A DEUX Monstrosities, (The Maggie Tree), BECKETT’S SHORTS, (Surreal Soreal); THE DROWNING GIRLS (Alberta Theatre Projects and Bent out of Shape Productions); DANGEROUS CORNER, WHEN GIRLS COLLIDE,  (Vertigo Theatre); GREASE, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, MEASURE FOR MEASURE, and CHRISTMAS CAROL (Citadel Theatre). Selected directing credits include CLEAVE (Tiny Bear Jaws); 9 PARTS OF DESIRE, THE SUPLINE COBBLER, HROSES, AN AFFRONT TO REASON, SHATTER, A LIFE IN THE DAY, and HUNGER STRIKING (The Maggie Tree).

Nicole St. Martin

Nicole is thrilled to be making her Northern Light Theatre debut. Born in Montreal she attended FACE School for the Arts and performed with Montreal Children’s Theatre where she was scouted to be on Sesame Street when she was six years old.  She has continued to work and train professionally as an actor appearing on stages in Edmonton, Toronto and London England, where she graduated with Distinction from Drama Centre London’s MA in European Classical Acting, a program which included training at Shakespeare’s The Globe and Moscow’s Vakhtangov Institute.  Her appearances on stage include American in 9 PARTS OF DESIRE by Maggie Tree, Elida in THE LADY FROM THE SEA at the Timms Centre for the Arts, Veronica Searson in Theatre Yes’ ANXIETY, Anne Desbaresdes in SUMMERWORKS 2015, World premiere of Marguerite Duras’ MODERATO CANTABILE, the 2014 World Premiere production of Anne Carson’s ANTIGONICK, and Smerdyakov in the 2012 Dora nominated production of THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV. She has also appeared on TV in Lifetime’s “Mommy’s Little Girl”, the series “The Murdock Mysteries” and “Played”.  Nicole is an active leader in ACTRA.  Nicole is very grateful to her family and for making this all possible.

Davina Stewart

Davina (she/her), is an award winning actress, improviser, director and graduate of the U of A BFA Acting program. She’s been fortunate to have worked with many of Edmonton’s theatre companies selected credits include; Sexy Laundry, Deathtrap (Mayfield Dinner Theatre) Cottagers and Indians, Vanya, Sonia, Mash and Spike (Shadow Theatre); Something Unspoken, (Northern Light Theatre); Pia & Maria (Concrete Theatre); Witch Hunt At The Strand (Workshop West Theatre) Cocktails At Pam’s, Pith, The Vile Governess (Teatro Quindicina); Marion Bridge, A Beautiful View (Theatre Network); BitchSlap! (Guys In Disguise); An Ideal Husband (Citadel Theatre).

Most recently she directed The Hunchback Variations, All In The Timing- Sure Thing, Salsa Lesson (Edmonton Fringe), Prettier Woman (Spotlight) and appeared in; It’s A Wonderful Christmas Carol (Spotlight) Woman Caught Unaware (Edmonton Fringe & Victoria Fringe).

Davina is one third of the hit info-tainment extravaganza Hey Ladies! which will be returning to live in person performances in 2022/23 find out more at Hey Ladies! on Facebook.

Melissa Thingelstad

Melissa Thingelstad received her BFA in Acting from the University of Alberta and has worked as a professional actor in Amiskwacîwâskahikan (Edmonton) for over twenty years. Her acting portfolio includes stage work, film work, and voice over. She has had the great privilege of working in Edmonton, Banff, Winnipeg, Washington, DC, London, England, and Halifax and is the recipient of three Elizabeth Sterling Haynes awards for acting. Selected Theatre Credits Include: Slight of Mind, Viscosity, The List (Theatre Yes), Stupid F@#cking Bird and Fatboy (Edmonton Actors’ Theatre), The Fever and Proud (theatre no.6), An Accident (Northern Light Theatre), Unsung, Here There Be Night and Kill Me Now (Workshop West Playwrights’ Theatre), Three Sisters (Broken Toys Theatre), Age of Arousal and The Supine Cobbler (The Maggie Tree).

Michelle Todd

An Edmonton native, Michelle has been active in the arts community as an actor, writer, and choreographer since graduating from Grant MacEwan’s Theatre Arts program.  Michelle has performed her own one-woman show nationally, and been fortunate to work with organizations, post secondary institutions, local and provincial schools through theatre on social justice issues surrounding bullying, diversity, and racism.  With discussions around empowerment, promiscuity, slut-shaming, sexuality, and stereotypes, Brenda McFarlane’s play, SLUT is gratifying to explore.  Michelle can’t wait to work with the wonderful team at NLT and is grateful for Bob and her boys who encourage her to do so!

Holly Turner

Holly trained at the Neighborhood Playhouse and performed in New York and regional theatres before moving to Edmonton. After a career in law, Holly has performed with Northern Light Theatre, the Freewill Shakespeare Festival, L’Uni Théâtre, the Citadel, and Wishbone Theatre. Her Fringe performances in The Year of Magical Thinking and Love Letters were particularly well received. She received a Sterling nomination for her performance in the NLT production of Testament of Mary. Thanks to Don for his unfailing support.

Alex Dawkins

Ellie Heath

Ellie Heath is a multidisciplinary artist based in Treaty 6 Territory, whose decades in comedy and theatre have shaped her distinctive voice as a songwriter and performer. A founding member of the award-winning sketch troupe Girl Brain and a solo theatre creator, her piece Fake n’ Bake earned critical praise across Canada and three Sterling Award nominations. She has performed on stages across the country and in the United States.

Now turning her focus to music, Ellie releases her debut album Pushing Forty, produced by Hawksley Workman and co-written in part with Workman and Tristan Konkle (Tapes in Motion). Featuring collaborations with Colleen Brown and VANCAMP, the record pairs Heath’s wit and warmth with songs about love, courage and chasing your dreams well into middle age and beyond.

Learn more at www.ellieheath.com.

Instagram handle: @ellieheath

TikTok handle: @theellieheath

Andrea House

Marissa K

Marissa K is an Edmonton-based singer-songwriter known for her imaginative, theatrical style. Inspired by her background in dance and theatre, she focuses on storytelling to transport listeners into a vibrant, unique world. Her music draws on the nostalgic piano-pop of artists like Vanessa Carlton and Sara Bareilles, with a distinctive flair all her own. She released her debut self-funded EP, Postcards, in 2017. In 2025, Marissa released her first full-length concept album, Train to Lviv. This deeply personal project explores her Ukrainian heritage, blending traditional folk music with her signature piano-pop style. Inspired by a 2019 tour of Ukraine and the subsequent invasion in 2022, the album is a journey into her dual identity as a Canadian and a Ukrainian, offering comfort and a sense of belonging to listeners who feel culturally displaced. Marissa’s music has also been recently featured on CKUA, CJSR, and CBC Radio 1 on the Provincial Playlist.

Be sure to catch a show on her tour this summer starting in Edmonton (June 5), Vegreville (July 3-5), Vancouver (August 9), and Regina & Saskatoon (Aug 20-21).

@marissakmusic
Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook, Twitch

https://www.youtube.com/marissakmusic

www.marissakmusic.com

Marissa K Music on Spotify

Holly Sangster

Holly Sangster is a saxophonist, vocalist, composer and educator whose atmospheric sound draws the listener into a vast and imaginative musical landscape. With a voice that feels both personal and expansive, Holly creates music that lingers long after the last note. A recipient of Jazz YYC’s Tune-in Tune-up scholarship for young women in jazz, she is an active facet of Alberta’s music scene, playing with groups such as the Brasstactics, Funk the Matriarchy, Saint Idiot, the Oilers Brass Band, Cikwes, the Edmonton Jazz Orchestra and is the bandleader for Edmonton’s MUNT Cabaret. She has also played with Juno nominated artists such as Audrey Ochoa, Feven Kidane, Allison Au, and Aretha Tillotson. Along with her performing, Holly is an emerging music educator, adjudicating for Edmonton’s Jazzworks festival and a member of MusiCamp Alberta’s Jazz faculty. Currently, Holly is channeling her cross genre influences into her debut EP, set to release in September 2026. 

Cayley Thomas

Cayley Thomas is an Edmonton-based artist whose practice spans music, theatre and film. A graduate of the University of Alberta’s BFA Acting program, she has spent decades working across creative disciplines, following whatever feels most alive for her. At her core she is a seeker, interested in deepening her understanding of the human experience through art.

Cayley’s song ‘In A While,‘ featured in Request Programme, was written for her big brother Alex, who the world lost to suicide in 2012.

Lindsey Walker

Lindsey Walker is an award-winning singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and theatre performer. Lindsey’s music has been described as “achingly sincere”, and “cinematic”. As a theatre creator, Lindsey wrote the score and lyrics for ren & the wake, an original semi-immersive musical that she created with Catch the Keys Productions, as well as creating the music and lyrics for the one-man political musical Amor de Cosmos with Richard Kemick. Selected sound design work: Bea (Shadow Theatre – Sterling Award Nominee), Re:Construct (Donkey Dog Theatre), In My Own Little Corner (RISER Edmonton), The Debut (Hoy! Productions), and was nominated for a Sterling Award for her contribution to the sound design for The Spinsters (Small Matters Productions). When not dallying in music spheres, Lindsey can be found writing and performing in her sketch comedy troupe Sketchy Broads, as well as performing with the live improvised soap opera Die-Nasty!. Lindsey is currently working on her latest EP, Something Real, which will be out later this year. Follow all her exploits on social media here: @lindseywalkermusic

Kaeley Jade

Kaeley is a Métis multidisciplinary artist based out of Amiskwaciwâskahikan/Edmonton, Alberta. A recent graduate of the BFA Acting Program at the University of Alberta, Kaeley is very excited to be making her NLT debut. Select theatre credits: REVOLT. SHE SAID. REVOLT AGAIN., CHYSOTHEMIS (Studio Theatre), ROMEO & JULIET (Theatre Calgary/The Shakespeare Company). Select film credits: SMILE: It’s Only the End of the World (Guerrilla Motion Pictures), NO APOLOGY (Link to the Past Productions).

Alongside her theatre and film careers, Kaeley has also been making waves as a folk-pop singer/songwriter under the name, “Kaeley Jade”. An SSIMA nominee, Kaeley has performed at events including the Taste of Edmonton, Tkaronto Music Festival and Big Valley Jamboree. An alumnus of RBCxMusic’s First Up Program and Indigenous Music’s Market Builder Residency, her music has been featured in editorial playlists across streaming platforms, in several film and television productions, and in publications from around the world including Tinnitist (500k+ Twitter followers), SAY Magazine and The Gate.

Dana Wylie

Patricia Zentilli

Patricia Zentilli (she/her) is an actor, singer, and visual artist who has performed across Canada. Her CD “Feels Like Home” which she recorded in 2008 with Toronto pianist Patti Loach. was the winner of the New York Cabaret Hotline best 2008 Fusion Cabaret CD. Edmonton  Theatre credits include The Pink Unicorn ( NLT) , Legally Blonde, Vinyl Cafe, A Christmas Carol, 9-5 The Musical, Almost A Full Moon, Mamma Mia, Alice Through The Looking Glass, and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime ( Citadel Theatre) , The Last 5 Years, The Gravitational Pull of Berenice Trimble ( TN), Mack and Mabel ( Plain Jane), Matara ( WWT), Spelling Bee, Little Shop of Horrors, First Date, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, I love you, You’re Perfect, Now Change ( Mayfield) Other Canadian credits include Little Shop of Horrors ( dora nomination), Urinetown ( Canstage) Billy Elliot, Hamlet, Of Mice and Men, Grease, Nunsense, What The Butler Saw, Member of the Wedding, Rabbit Hole, Sincerely, A Friend ( Neptune Theatre) Spelling Bee, Closer Than Ever ( WCT) For film and tv credits see IMDB

Upcoming: Footloose ( Mayfield) Annie and Come From Away ( Citadel)

Trevor Schmidt

Director & Set Designer

Trevor is the Artistic Director of Northern Light Theatre as well as a performer, designer of set and costume, a published playwright and a multiple award winner. He has been awarded twice for playwrighting (THE WATERMELON GIRLS, and CHANGE ROOM),for directing the Canadian premieres of Carol Anne Duffy’s THE WORLD’S WIFE and Sean Graney’s THE 4TH GRADERS PRESENT AN UNNAMED LOVE-SUICIDE and the outstanding production award for the Canadian premiere of Elise Forier Edie’s THE PINK UNICORN. For Guys In Disguise, where he is an Artistic Associate, he has also performed the one-man show COFFEE DAD, CHICKEN MOM, AND THE FABULOUS BUDDHA BOI, penned by Nick Green in New York as part of the FRIGID FESTIVAL for which he also received the award for Outstanding Performance, and the Outstanding New Fringe Play (co-written and created with Darrin Hagen) for FLORA & FAWNA’S FIELD TRIP (both at the Sterling Awards), and Outstanding Touring Production at the Critic’s Awards in Calgary. Also for Guys In Disguise, he received an Orlando Fringe award for his performance for Bette Davis in the much-lauded BITCHSLAP.

Dave Clarke

Sound Designer

Dave is a musician, actor and writer. He has composed music and produced sound designs for theatre, film, dance and multi-media for three decades. Watch out for the 2024 Western Canadian tour of his family musical performed in spoken English and American Sign Language, SONGS MY MOTHER NEVER SUNG ME (Concrete Theatre).

Previous designs for Northern Light Theatre include ENOUGH, THE CARDIAC SHADOW, WISH, SPACE/SPACE, THE ECSTATICS and 6.0 – HEAP AND PEBBLE. Other recent designs include AFTER FAUST (Invisible Practice), DEAFY, THE ROYALE (Citadel Theatre), and ALL THE LITTLE ANIMALS I HAVE EATEN (Shadow Theatre).

Liam Weeks

Lighting Designer

Liam Weeks is a queer emerging theatre artist hailing from Amiskwciwâkahikan, colloquially known as Edmonton, Alberta. They are a recent graduate of the BFA Theatre Production: Design program at the University of Alberta. Their passions for performing art and comedy have led them to the wondrous world of design and they are absolutely thrilled to get to share their creations with you! When not lurking around the theatre you can find Liam writing Letterboxd reviews, sewing, or watching trashy reality tv. Recent credits include Sanctuary City (Bleviss Laboratory Theatre 2026, Set & Costume Design), Antigone (Bleviss Laboratory Theatre 2025, Lighting Design), Waiting for Godot (Bleviss Laboratory Theatre 2024, Costume Design) and One Man, Two Guvnors (ABBEDAM 2024, Lighting Design).

Larissa Poho

Lighting Designer Mentor

Larissa (she/her) is a queer Ukrainian artist living and creating in amiskwaciwaskahikan. A multidisciplinary performer, production designer, visual artist and tattooist (owner/artist at Folk Lore Tattoo), she is also a teaching artist with the Citadel Theatre (musical theatre/dance), and is the former Artistic Director of the Vohon Ukrainian Dance Ensemble. Select performance credits: Once, All Because I’m A Woman, Hits of Broadway (Citadel) ; Infinity (Theatre Network); Canada Rocks: The Reboot, VEGAS LIVE, Canada 151 (Mayfield); ren & the wake (Catch the Keys); 10 out of 12 (WildSide); Ordinary Days (Straight Edge); Assassins (Loose Ends); Dreamer’s Cantata (Plain Janes). Assistant Music-Direction: Jersey Boys (Citadel); Assistant Direction: Evelyn Strange (Teatro La Quindicina). Lighting Design: A Phoenix Too Frequent (Northern Light Theatre); Joni Mitchell’s Songs of a Prairie Girl, Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes (Network); An Homage to Billie Holiday, Les Sylphides (Ballet Edmonton); La Raccourcie, Les Neiges, Simone et le whole shebang (L’UniTheatre); Surveil (Hip.Bang!); Fusion – Harmony in Motion, At the Bazaar (Viter Ukrainian Dancers & Folk Choir). Sterling-Nominated Music Direction for the Canadian national tour of Barvinok (Pyretic Productions). Thanks to everyone who continues to support Larissa on this artistic journey. Much love to Vince and Soaps.

@poho.art – Instagram
@poho.art – Facebook
www.larissapoho.com