We acknowledge the province of Newfoundland and Labrador as the traditional territory of diverse Indigenous groups, and we acknowledge with respect the diverse histories and cultures of the Beothuk, Mi’kmaq, Innu, and Inuit of this province. We strive for respectful relationships with all the peoples of this province as we search for collective healing and true reconciliation and honour this beautiful land together.
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy
Based on the 1989 film by Daniel Waters
Director - Timothy Matson
Vocal Director - Kiersten Noel
Instrumental Director / Set and Projections Designer / Piano - Kyle McDavid
Choreographer - Tanya Lasby
Costume Designer - Leigh Ann Ryan
Lighting Designer - Sarah White
Sound Design/Technical Consultation - Pat Dempsey
Stage Manager/Props - Sandra Mills
Assistant Stage Manager - Crystal Laffoley
Intimacy Coordinator - Kelin Boyd
Makeup (Heather Chandler) - Sophie Rowe, Victoria Predham
Graphic Design - Kyle McDavid, Jessie House
Not recommended for under 14 years old due to subject matter and language.
Please note: HEATHERS THE MUSICAL is a dark comedy and exists to combat its own subject matter. Topics include: suicide, gun violence, eating disorders, domestic abuse, body shaming, bullying, sexual assault, and homophobia. We acknowledge these subjects may be triggering for some people.
If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide, this is a mental health emergency, and you are deserving of help. Call the Mental Health Crisis Line at 811 or call your local mental health and addictions office to speak to a counselor or visit the Find Support page at bridgethegapp.ca
Please turn off your mobile device before the show begins.
In March of 2012, following the second ever Best Kind Productions mainstage show (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at the Barbara Barrett Theatre), Kyle and I had a chat about what shows we hoped to do in the future. And many of the shows on that list are shows that we’ve now done: Avenue Q, Urinetown, next to normal.
Confession: Heathers wasn’t actually on that list. In fairness to us, Heathers premiered in Los Angeles in 2013, so we just didn’t know about it yet. It made its Off-Broadway debut in 2014 and released a cast album that year, too, and started its ascent to cultural phenomenon, with teenagers everywhere rediscovering the movie, humming the tunes, and putting the songs as background music on those Instagram story thingies that Millennials like myself don’t really understand or know how to do.
When we first started to learn about and hear the album for Heathers, we instantly knew that we wanted to take on this show (even before it was on Riverdale, in a highly sanitized version). It was immediately on our list. Quirky and outside of the box, a fantastic score, edgy AF, so many opportunities to showcase amazing local performers, and we knew it would be a challenge: all the things we love to see in theatre and love to take on when making theatre.
Bringing this show to the stage and taking on that challenge, has given us a chance to discover the movie for ourselves (most of the Millennial folks on the creative and production teams were in elementary school when the film came out in 1988, so it wasn’t in our regular diet of viewing). It’s given us a chance to appreciate how Heathers inspired other cultural touchstones like Clueless, Mean Girls, Jawbreaker, The Craft, and more.
It’s given us a chance to look back on our own high school experiences, to hear about and explore the high school experiences of our younger cast: to hear about how much things have changed, and, significantly, how much they have not. Cliques are still very much a thing, as are high school power struggles, kids being ostracized, false gossip flying around like wildfire, and adults seeming to just not get the younger generation. Heathers has connected with so many because it is arch and angry and sarcastic, in your face, violent, and unapologetic. All built around the simple question of how we go from being a bunch of kids in grade school who play with everyone so happily, to teens who fight and cry and scramble and struggle to put each other down, lift each other up, or tear each other apart. And all of that because each of us wants to be seen or understood or to feel like we’re simply not alone. And because we all feel like life could be beautiful – whatever beautiful means to each of us.
Whether scrunchie-clad in 1989 or carrying an iPhone or a Stanley cup today, those questions persist. And we all keep seeking a life that is beautiful. (Hopefully without the guns, bombs, cruelly decorated pinatas, cow tipping, and murder.)
Welcome to Westerburg. And enjoy the show.
- Timothy Matson
Kristina Bernardo (Martha Dunnstock) is a mezzo-soprano known for her “poise, grace, and serious power.” She is currently working as a private music teacher at Music Collection and Dance Corner, where she nurtures a passion for music by offering voice and trumpet lessons. Kristina is an alumna of the MUN music program, where she performed with the MUN Opera Workshop, traveled across the island with Opera Roadshow, and crooned with the MUN Jazz Band. More recently, she has been a part of the Jazz East Big Band, performed at the album launch of Doctor Androbox and the Pronouns, and has been actively involved in the local community theatre scene. Some of her favorite roles include Sister Mary Vitus in Sister Act, Tweedle Dum in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, The Witch in Hansel and Gretel, and the Usherette in The Rocky Horror Show Kristina is thrilled to be working with the fantastic team at Best Kind Productions and hopes you enjoy the show!
Kelin Boyd (Ms. Pauline Fleming) is thrilled to be back playing with Best Kind - thirteen years later! Previous theatre credits include: Susan in [title of show] (Best Kind), Ensemble in The Rocky Horror Show (TaDa!), Mary in Salt Water Moon (Neptune), Pamela/Annabella in The 39 Steps (Chester Playhouse), Sir Toby Belch in Twelfth Night (LAMDA) and the title role in Mother Courage and Her Children (MUN). Other favourite performances include two seasons at Festival Antigonish, This is Nowhere (Zuppa), and 7 Stories (MUN). Film & TV: Son of a Critch, Hudson & Rex, Resignation Cove, Chapelwaite, and Haven. Thanks SC for all your support and love. Don’t forget to shine your light, folks!
Ciara Cheeks (Heather McNamara), a young performer from Gander, NL, commenced her music studies at the age of 7. She began her performing arts journey with Beyond The Overpass Youth Theatre Company, learning new skills in classical voice, piano, and theatre under her teachers Leslie Hewlett and Jamie Harding. Since then, she has took on numerous theatre and performance opportunities in central Newfoundland, until moving to St. John’s to study Music at Memorial University. Her role in Heathers will be her first performance in St. John’s, and she is thrilled that it is with Best Kind!
Maggie Coady (Veronica Sawyer) is thrilled to be joining the cast of Heathers! Originally from St. John’s she studied acting at Grenfell before completing an Advanced Diploma in Music Theatre Performance at St. Clair College and is thrilled to be back on the island! Selected credits include being a musician in NFLD Gold, and Sandra in 8 Minutes Left (Grand Bank Regional Theatre), Martha Dunnstock in Heathers, Dian Black in Escape from Happiness, Maxime in Pélagie (St. Clair College), Mrs. Batten in The Sinking of the S.S. Ethie (Gros Morne Theatre Festival). You can catch Maggie back at the Grand Bank Regional Theatre Festival this summer if you feel like taking a trip down the Burin peninsula, she hopes you enjoy the show! Go Rottweilers!
Leah Downey (Ensemble) is so excited to be a part of Heathers as her first Best Kind Productions show! Usually working behind the scenes, Leah teaches theatre classes and summer camps at Courtney Fowler Performance Academy. She has been the stage manager of the studio’s past two shows, “Songs from Broadway” 7 and 8. Some onstage theatre credits include Sun in an Empty Room, Never Swim Alone (GroupHug Productions), Godspell, and Etcetera 25-32 (Etcetera Productions). She has been heavily involved with choirs her entire life and has performed all over the world, most recently being featured in a choir residency in Rochester, England last summer. Leah has had some real “Big Fun” being a part of this show! Working with this incredible cast and crew has been such a joy. Leah would like to thank Tim, Kiersten, Kyle, Tanya, the cast, crew, and everyone who helped make this show possible!
Andrew Hepditch (Ensemble) is a graduate of the Memorial University Faculty of Business, earning honours with a marketing concentration in 2023. He currently works as the Marketing and Communications Coordinator with Skills Canada Newfoundland and Labrador. When he isn’t designing pretty posts in Canva, he likes to fill his free time with as much theatre as possible. Recent roles include ensemble work in Elf (Peter MacDonald Productions, 2023) and Be More Chill (Best Kind Productions, 2019), as well as Ren McCormick in Footloose (O’Donel High, 2018), and the Cat in the Hat in Seussical (Courtney Fowler Performance Academy, 2024). Andrew is so thrilled to be working alongside such an incredible cast, as Heathers has been one of his dream shows since discovering it in high school, during his so-called “emo phase”. He hopes you enjoy the show!
Taylor Hodge-AuCoin (Ram’s Dad, Veronica’s Dad, Principal Gowan) is a graduate of Sheridan College’s Performing Arts Prep Program and Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts Triple Threat Performance Program. Taylor is ecstatic to be back with Best Kind Productions for Heathers The Musical. Past credits include: Jersey Boys, The Rocky Horror Show and Kinky Boots with TaDa! Events, The Comedy Company with St. John’s Players, Hurry Hard with Best Kind Productions, and Matilda and Trummp The Musical with Peter MacDonald Productions. Taylor has been in awe of the caliber of talent within the cast and cannot wait to share the stage with all of them. Taylor thanks his parents, husband and family for being so supportive of his musical theatre career. Love to all and enjoy the show.
Masen Hunt (Ram Sweeney) is so excited to make his Newfoundland debut with Best Kind as Ram Sweeney. He recently graduated from the Music Theatre Performance program at St. Clair College where he played Ram Sweeney in their recent production of Heathers. You can see him next at the Grand Bank Regional Theatre this summer (probably not as Ram Sweeney.) When he’s not on stage Masen loves playing board games, but even more than that he loves buying them, putting them on the shelf and then forgetting they exist. He would like to thank his mom for coming all the way from Alberta so see the show. Go Rottweilers!
Nick Mandville (Heather Chandler) is absolutely thrilled to be back with BKP for this ridiculously “BIG FUN” production of Heathers the Musical! Some past theatre credits include Be More Chill, Second Shot (BKP), Jesus Christ Superstar, La Cage Aux Folles, The Rocky Horror Show (TaDa!), Matilda, Trummp the Musical the Tour, Elf (PMP), The Sound of Music (Opera on the Avalon), A Call to Arms, 9 to 5 (Atlantic Light), Seussical, Godspell, Shrek the Musical (Etcetera Productions), All Shook Up, and Beauty and the Beast (Rennie’s). Nick has also been a part of TaDa’s Our Divas Do Christmas every year since 2015 where he can be found kick-lining and dreaming of finally becoming a Rockette. Nick is thrilled to be part of his own edition of the BKP Cabaret Series this December, “A Very Merry Nick Mandville Christmas,” where he will be performing all of your Christmas favourites as well as some of his favourite musical theatre showstoppers. Since Nick was first introduced to Heathers the Musical almost a decade ago, he dreamed of a production where someone would take a chance and say “Hell, why not cast a man as the most popular mythic b*tch in school?” It came as no surprise that it was BKP who were willing to take that chance. The opportunity to take on this role has been a dream come true and Nick could never thank Tim, Kyle, Kiersten, Tanya, and the entire BKP team for believing he could do this. If you have even half as much fun watching this hilariously dark and twisted tale as we have putting it off, you are in for something special. Enjoy!
Megan Moret (Ensemble/Swing) began musical theatre at the age of 12 when she played young Cosette in Atlantic Light Theatre’s Les Misérables. Since then, she has gone on to perform several different roles, including the teen chorus of Scrooge (Peter MacDonald Productions), Louisa Von Trapp in The Sound of Music (Opera on the Avalon), Annie Woodform in A Call to Arms (ALT), 9-5 Ensemble (ALT), and Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre in Spelling Bee (Gonzaga High School). Megan is also a member of the Quintessential Vocal Ensemble, and most recently took part in Our Divas Do Christmas as a member of the choir. Megan has also been assistant director alongside Best Kind’s Kyle McDavid for youth summer shows James and the Giant Peach and How Do You Get to Jellybean Row. Megan is thrilled to be back on stage to share one of her all-time favourite musicals, Heathers, with you all.
Andrew Preston (he/him) (Jason Dean) is a theatre artist based out of St. John’s, Newfoundland, and has been involved in productions in the St. John’s community and across the province for over seven years. He has enjoyed working for notable companies such as Perchance Theatre and, most recently, Rising Tide Theatre, where he has worked for the past several summers and will be again for this coming season. He has been working with Best Kind Productions and Tim, Kyle, and Kiersten since graduating high school, and he is so excited to be joining them in this production of Heathers! He would like to thank the three of them and everyone in this beautiful cast, band, and crew for working so hard and making this such a positive and rewarding experience. He can’t wait for everyone to see what we have had so much fun creating. Hope you enjoy our show!
Sophia Ryan (Ensemble) is a Memorial University student completing a Bachelor of Commerce Co-Op degree focusing in Marketing. When she isn’t studying, working, or playing with cats, Sophia can be found on the stage! Previous roles include “Dance Chorus” in Elf the Musical (Peter MacDonald Productions, 2023), “Mother” in A Christmas Story (Holy Heart Performing Arts, 2018), “Merry Murderess: Annie” in Chicago (Holy Heart Performing Arts, 2018), and of course a couple BKP summer shows back in the day. She is also a dancer with Ignite Dance Company, Memorial University’s Relay for Life Committee Co-Chair, and a Shallaway Youth Choir alumni. Sophia hopes you enjoy this stellar show… it’s going to be SO very!
Roger Samson (Kurt’s Dad, Big Bud Dean, Coach Ripper) - The beauty and absurdity of musical theatre captivated Roger at an early age. Five decades on, he still relishes the genuine joy of acting, singing and dancing his way through life’s tragedies and triumphs. Roger has performed for Theatre Newfoundland Labrador, Beothuck Street Players, Shakespeare By The Sea, RCA (LSPU Hall), Caravan Stage Barge, The Bunch of Crackies, Artistic Fraud of Newfoundland and TaDa! Events. He’s also sung with the award-winning choirs Newman Sound and Quintessential Vocal Ensemble. This is Roger’s first show with Best Kind Productions. He’s thrilled to share the stage with such talented and kind people.
Paige Sargent (Ensemble) is a native of Chicago, Illinois, who moved to Newfoundland when she was a child. She is from Lewisporte, and now lives in St. John’s, where she is going into her 4th year of the Vocal Performance Bachelor of Music program at Memorial University of Newfoundland, studying under Dr. Caroline Schiller. This year Paige has been in L’Enfant et Les Sortilèges as the titular character L’Enfant. This summer she is going to Edmonton to perform in A Little Night Music and Titanic with Opera NUOVA. In the past, she has been in Cendrillon with the MUN Opera Workshop, Sweeney Todd, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, The Marvelous Wonderettes, Peter and the Starcatcher, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee with Beyond The Overpass Theatre Company. She is so excited to be apart of this amazing production of Heathers as the New Wave Girl/Ensemble.
Rebecca Sellars (Heather Duke) is currently majoring in Vocal Performance at Memorial University’s School of Music under direction of Dr. Leibel. Select theatre include Matilda the Musical (Ensemble/Peter MacDonald Productions), Scrooge (Clara/PMP), Sidewalk Dandelion (Sophie/Shallaway’s Lauda ensemble), Kinky Boots (Ensemble/TaDa! Events), Let’s Dance! The Musical (Andrea/Terra Bruce Productions), The Rocky Horror Show (Janet/TaDa! Events), Elf the Musical (Dance Chorus/PMP) and Jersey Boys (Lead Angel/Francine Valli/Tada! Events). She has performed as Wednesday Addams in BKP’s Halloween Spooktacular with the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra and has performed in numerous concerts including Best of Broadway (Theatre St. John’s) and Frosty Festival (TaDa! Events). She is also a finalist for Emerging Artist of the Year 2023 for ArtsNL. This summer, Rebecca will be joining Stephenville Theatre Festival in their upcoming season! Rebecca is represented by daCosta Talent Agency. @rebeccasellars_.
Adam Strong (they/he) (Ensemble) is an actor and improviser from St. John’s, performing with No Vowels Improv and Best Kind Productions for over a decade! They volunteer with the Canadian Improv Games, and is beginning their Masters of Folklore at Memorial in the Fall. They have appeared in such productions as Spelling Bee (Chip Tolentino), BKP’s Pirates of Penzance (Officer Schwenk), Alice in Wonderland (Cheshire Cat) and Freckleface Strawberry (Danny), and is incredibly grateful to be playing Hipster Dork in this production of Heathers!
Lucas White (Ensemble) is a 20 year old singer and performer from Placentia, NL, currently based in St. John’s NL. Lucas has been performing for over 15 years and has worked with various production companies such as Opera on The Avalon, Peter MacDonald Productions, TaDa! Events, Gussied Up Productions, and Placentia Theatre Festival. With these companies he has portrayed roles such as Youngest Scrooge (Scrooge), The Beast (Beauty and the Beast Jr), and Miles (Turn of the Screw), where he worked under composer Vlad Iftinca of the Metropolitan Opera. Lucas has been recognized for his musical talent on many occasions, having received several scholarships for musical excellence, and multiple 1st place awards in Kiwanis Music Festivals across categories such as Solo Music Theatre, Newfoundland Traditional Voice, and Piano. He also worked through the Royal Conservatory of Music to Level 8 in Voice, Piano, and Music Theory and was awarded the gold medal for achieving the highest score in Atlantic Canada in Level 7 Voice. Lucas is currently studying at Memorial University as a Vocal Performance Major under Dr. Jane Leibel.
Conor Whittle (Kurt Kelly) is a 4th year voice major at MUN School of Music studying under the direction of Dr Schiller. He has done numerous summer shows with Best Kind Productions including Honk! and James and the Giant Peach. He was also a part of Sidewalk Dandelion with BKP and Shallaway’s Lauda ensemble. He has been in Scrooge, Matilda the Musical (Peter MacDonald Productions), numerous productions with Opera on the Avalon and was most recently in Jersey Boys with TaDa! Events. Conor was a part of the world winning chamber choir at Holy Heart High School and toured to numerous countries and cities with Shallaway Youth Choir. Conor is also the frontman of the band Shep outside of productions. Conor is pumped to be a part of this stellar cast and hopes you enjoy the show! Punch it in!!!
Timothy Matson (Director, Co-Producer) is a director, actor, teacher, and Co-Artistic Director of Best Kind Productions. His directing credits for Best Kind include Second Shot – the Curling Musical (premiere), Be More Chill, Fun Home, Impresario (premiere), Next to Normal, Urinetown, 13, Avenue Q, Spelling Bee, and Fuddy Meers. Outside of Best Kind Productions, he has directed for Rennie’s River Fall Musicals, Ghostlight Theater Camp, and Mount Pearl Senior High. As a performer, some recent credits include Oz & others in Come From Away, Prince Eric in The Little Mermaid (Theatre St. John’s), Peter in Jesus Christ Superstar (TaDa! Events), Enjolras in Les Misérables (Atlantic Light Theatre), Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz (Peter MacDonald Productions), Phil Davis in Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (TaDa! Events), and Jeff in [title of show] (Best Kind Productions). Musical writing credits include Girls From Away (Kitchen Party Theatre Festival), Second Shot – the Curling Musical (Best Kind Productions), Zombie Shed Party (BKP/ MPSH), all written with Kiersten Noel. They are currently developing a new play with music called ‘hope.’
Kiersten Noel (Vocal Director) is thrilled to be vocal directing another exciting Best Kind show, having previously worked on Fun Home, Be More Chill, Second Shot – The Curling Musical, and more. Some favourite performing credits include Hope Cladwell in Urinetown (Best Kind Productions), Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof (QVRRDF), Fantine in Les Miserables (Atlantic Light Theatre), Betty Haynes in White Christmas (Tada Events), Meg March in Little Women (Theatre St. John’s), Sister Mary Robert in Sister Act (Atlantic Light Theatre), The Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods (Opera on the Avalon), Bridey in Girls From Away (Kitchen Party Theatre Festival), and Cassie in Second Shot – The Curling Musical (Best Kind Productions). Kiersten is a voice teacher and composer. Along with her husband Timothy Matson, she wrote Second Shot - The Curling Musical, Hope, and the score for Girls From Away. Enjoy the show!
Tanya Lasby (Choreographer) is so VERY ... excited to be apart of the production team of Heathers! Tanya is grateful for the opportunity to share her love of dance and performance as choreographer; a title, of which, is her second foray with Best Kind Productions. Typically Tanya finds herself on the stage in productions such as The Rocky Horror Show, Our Divas Do Christmas, Evita and Chicago (TaDa!), Mary Poppins and Grease (Theatre St. John’s) to name a few. You can also find her in the studio teaching and creating pieces for competition dance. A big shout out to the cast and team behind Heathers. You are all so fun and supportive! And special thanks and gratitude goes to her own cheer section, Hudson, Rowan, Arwyn, and the amazing Dan. Enjoy the show!
Kyle McDavid (Instrumental Director, Co-Producer, Set & Projections Designer, Graphic Designer, Piano) - As Founder and Co-Artistic Director of Best Kind Productions, he has produced 40+ events over the past 13 years, wearing many hats both on and off stage in mainstage musicals (Fun Home, Next to Normal, [title of show], Avenue Q, 13, Urinetown, Be More Chill, Second Shot: The Curling Musical, and more), outdoor kids musicals at the Bowring Park Amphitheatre (James and the Giant Peach, The Pirates of Penzance, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The SpongeBob Musical, and more), cabarets, readings, and workshops. Kyle is a composer/pianist for Ladies Who Lunch Productions, Untellable Movement Theatre, Neurodynamic Theatrics and has created scripts for the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra’s family pops concerts and 2022 Labrador Tour, as well as The 18 (The Singing Network/Shallaway). As a musical theatre writer/composer, he has written original musicals including Impresario, based on the life of St. John’sborn Broadway legend, John Murray Anderson, which was produced through the Resource Centre for the Arts in 2017, How Do You Get to Jellybean Row?, Sidewalk Dandelion (commissioned for Shallaway Youth Choir’s neurodiverse ensemble, Lauda), Red Rock, Sunset Flip, and Giddy Up Jingle Horse (for Mount Pearl Senior High) with Dan Lasby, and Isobel Gunn with Timothy Matson. Love to Megan, Annika, Lachlan, and Rosalie.
Pat Dempsey (Sound Designer, Technical Consultant) is a Theatre Practitioner based out of St. John’s, NL. For the past 25 years, he has taken on a wide variety of roles in the theatre and film scene both on and off stage. Recent design credits include Video Design for Song Seekers, Remnants (White Rooster), Alice and Other Wonderlands (Kittiwake Dance Co.), The Strange Case of Madame D (RCAT/Wreckhouse Theatre), and Be More Chill (Best Kind Productions), Light Design for The Strange Case of Madame D (RCAT/Wreckhouse Theatre), and Drinking Again (NAX), and Sound Design for Men of Misfortune (RCAT), Be More Chill, Fun Home, Next to Normal, Urinetown: The Musical, and Avenue Q (Best Kind Productions). Pat happily worked for 14 years as the Associate Technical Director for the LSPU Hall and was the Technical Director for Terra Bruce Productions, where he was in charge of all the technical aspects of restoring the Majestic Theatre. Pat also applied his skills in technical theatre by teaching for 10 years at the Memorial University of Newfoundland. Pat is currently the Production Manager for Come From Away, which will be returning to its second year to Gander, NL. Upcoming work includes Video Design for DRIVE directed by Petrina Bromley and Everything Has A Hole by NAX. He would like to send this one out to his father, Jim.
Sarah White (Lighting Designer, Technical Director Associate for LSPU Hall) is a theatre artist from the west coast of the island who has made St. John’s her new home. Some of her most recent work includes Supper Club (ASM - RCA Theatre Company), Second Shot (LX Associate - Best Kind Productions), Let’s Dance/Let’s Bop (Touring TD - Terra Bruce Productions) and several seasons as the Production Manager of the Gros Morne Theatre Festival in Cow Head, NL. Sarah is very excited to once again join Best Kind Productions in another round of fun!
Leigh Ann Ryan (Costume Designer) is an educator and advocate for the transformative power of music. As a Music Specialist with NL Schools and the Artistic Director of the NL Deaf Choir, she orchestrates experiences that transcend barriers, fostering an inclusive environment where every note offers a chance for change. Leigh Ann holds a Master of Arts in Musicology from uOttawa, a Bachelor of Music from UPEI, and a Bachelor of Music Education from MUN. Leigh Ann’s roots are deeply embedded in the theatre, and although it’s been 15 years since her last curtain call as an actor, singer, musician, or musical director, the essence of theatre has never left her spirit. Recently, Leigh Ann has channelled her creative energies into the realm of costume design with PMP’s production of Elf: The Musical. Now, her excitement knows no bounds as she takes on the role of Costume Designer for Heathers: The Musical. Above all, Leigh Ann’s most treasured and life-affirming role is being a mother to her daughter, Grace. It’s in this personal encore where she finds her greatest joy and inspiration.
Sandra Mills (Stage Manager, Props) is an actor, singer, and theatre maker working in St. John’s; this is her second Best Kind show, having appeared onstage as Glynis in Second Shot: The Curling Musical. Previous stage management credits include The Best Brothers (Playgroup Theatre), Barracuda, an original work by Jon Aylward (St. John’s Shorts), and Closer (SignPost Players). Additional crew credits include lighting and projections designer for War of the Worlds: The Panic Broadcast and These Shining Lives (St. John’s Players), the latter for which she won Best Lighting Design at the 2024 Provincial Drama Society Festival. Sandra is the General Manager for Shakespeare by the Sea Festival, works at Memorial University (and sometimes in retail), sings at funerals, and occasionally talks about TV on CBC Radio and TikTok.
Heather Kao (Violin) From St. John’s, Heather Kao is the concertmaster of the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra and first violinist of the Atlantic String Quartet since 2015. She studied violin performance at Memorial University. Heather has been a guest performer on countless recordings, as well as on TV and radio. She has enjoyed playing in many different styles, performing on stages with Rod Stewart, Hey Rosetta!, Cory Tetford, and Ennis Sisters, to name a few. She has played in pit orchestras for well over 30 musical and opera productions in St. John’s.
Nick Howlett (Bass) is a recent graduate of the MUN school of music, and performs regularly with the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra, having been a member of the double bass section since 2019. He has been involved in many theatrical productions across the province as a musician, actor, and technician. Selected credits include: We Will Rock You, Avenue Q (STF), Grease, Mary Poppins (PWC), Into the Woods, Little Shop of Horrors (MPSH), and Second Shot: The Curling Musical (BKP).
Liam Kovich (Keyboard 2) Originally from Rockwood, Ontario, Liam Kovich is a lifelong musician. He has performed solo and accompanied vocalists of all genres for over a decade. In 2019 Liam co-formed Pots & Pans, a small-town folk band that performed in various music festivals across Southern Ontario. He has also composed original music for several plays and, more recently, has branched out into the world of jazz. Liam is a classically-trained pianist currently completing a Performance/Jazz Studies degree at the Memorial School of Music. He has performed with numerous ensembles around St. John’s and is a regular member of the Quintots and the MUN Jazz Orchestra.
Pete MacDonald (Guitar) Born and bred on the colourful shores of St. John’s, Newfoundland, Pete wears many hats – musician, writer, and producer. With a bachelor’s degree in music production from the prestigious Berklee College of Music, he’s now fully immersed in the arts world at his own Clyde Avenue Studios. Pete’s solo musical projects and contributions with the band “With Violet” have earned multiple MusicNL and ECMA nominations. Pete is overjoyed to be sharing the stage with Best Kind once again! www.withvioletband.com
Beto de la Paz (Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Piccolo Trumpet) is a born and raised Mexican trumpet player that came to NL to finish his master’s degree in trumpet. He has performed worldwide as an orchestra trumpet player, but in this new phase of his life in Newfoundland, he decided to focus on Latin American music and rhythms, founding projects such as the NL Latin Band. With a mission to bring diversity to the Newfoundland music scene, his newest project is the De La Paz Latin Quintet. He has performed with: the Orchestra of the Estate of Mexico, the Orchestra of Panamerican University, Mun Jazz Band and La Esquina del Son, among many, many others.
Andrew Small (Drums) is having BIG FUN playing drums and percussion for Heathers and is proud to be doing another Best Kind Productions show with this incredible cast, band and crew. Andrew has completed session recording work at Clyde Avenue Studios, is a member of Young Manics and That 90’s Band and has performed with Peter MacDonald Productions, Atlantic Light, Shallaway and Craig Sharpe. Past BKP credits include Impresario, Fun Home, Red Rock, Be More Chill, and Second Shot
Reg Hoskins - Technical Director
Sarah White - Technical Director Associate
Phil Winters - Theatre Technician
Laura Williams - Interim Artistic Animateur
Nicole Smith - Interim Artistic Associate
Suzanne Mullett - General Manager
August Carrigan - Communications and Marketing Manager
Kevin Woolridge - Operations Manager
Ian Campbell - Volunteer Coordinator
Ren Follett - Box Office Manager
Jen Fleming - Box Office Supervisor
Brandon Cave - Box Office Attendant/ Bartender
Allie Duff - Box Office Attendant/ Bartender
Cheney Emberg - Box Office Attendant/ Bartender
Paul Warford - Box Office Attendant/ Bartender
Arts & Culture Centre / Maria Foley Academy Canada
Andrew Small
Amy Wilson Small
Lynn Panting Dance
Prince of Wales Collegiate / Terry Howlett
Mount Pearl Senior High
Coastal Dance Company
TaDa! Events / Terri Andrews
Memorial University Faculty of Education
Meghan Keating
Katie Sullivan
Kate Healey
Dale Lambe
Daniel Dumaresque Correa
Kathy Conway-Ward
Dan, Hudson, Rowan, & Arwyn Lasby
Megan Morrison
Annika, Lachlan, and Rosalie McDavid
Grace Ryan
Noel & Fiona Matson
Drew Small
