Waitress Program by thegrandlondon

A co-production with Theatre Aquarius

Great theatre lives here.

We are pleased to support the Grand Theatre and the performers captivating audiences with exciting, innovative and entertaining productions. BMO is proud to be the Grand Theatre’s 2024/25 Season Sponsor – Waitress.

There is something about diners that captures our imagination. They are so ordinary and yet they seem to hold an entire world within them. There are the regulars, the passers-through, the kings and queens who know everyone. And there’s the staff entwined in all of that. So many movies and television shows obsess over the diner as the place that

actually began as a movie: a 2007 indie film written and directed by Adrienne Shelly that became a sleeper hit. Going back to watch it now I can see why it captured people. It has its own brand of magic that creates a quirkiness we rarely see on film - theatricality that makes so much sense it would

When the rights for this show became available, I jumped at the chance both to bring it to the Grand and to direct it. I love plays that pepper a certain kind of magic and fantasy inside a world we identify - to me, that is theatre at its best. Our props team was endlessly excited to dive into creating all the pies! We started with a set concept that was a diner, but designer Scott Penner went

back to the work and cracked it open, setting the whole play inside Jenna’s pantry - the place that most connects her to her mother, and where her magic and fantasies happen.

Much of this play is about joy. About friendship, finding your place, and finding your voice. Returning to yourself and making that important. But there are also some dark themes of domestic abuse, poor choices, and suffering. In order to truly tell this whole story we have to inhabit both. To look at how intergenerational patterns play out. How in seeking an escape many people fall into the same trap. About the things that can be key to finding your feet and, in the face of the impossible, make things possible.

It’s not an easy story, but it is an important one. I hope that with a cup of stagecraft and a dash of humour it all mixes into an experience at the theatre that tastes like something special.

RACHEL PEAKE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Welcome to the Grand Theatre

We’re so glad you’re here.

The Grand Theatre acknowledges that we are located on the traditional territories of the Original storytellers and caretakers of this land, and of the Nations, both settler and Indigenous, who continue to uphold the various treaties of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, and Lunaapéewak.

In London, our treaties include the 1796 London Township Treaty and the 1822 Longwoods Treaty. The London Township Treaty was a regional treaty signed by diplomats representing all parties living on the land, which today we know as Southwestern Ontario. The Longwoods Treaty was signed by representatives of the Crown and the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation and covers approximately 580,000 acres in the area.

Locally, there are three First Nations Communities. They are the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, the Oneida Nation of the Thames, and the Munsee Delaware Nation. We would also like to recognize the growing Indigenous urban population, comprised of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people, and afﬁrm our commitment to welcoming these communities to the Grand Theatre, while working to remove barriers to access and participation.

We value the signiﬁcant historical and contemporary contributions of local and regional First Nations, and all of the Original Peoples of Turtle Island (colonially known as North America), and acknowledge the traditional lands upon which we live, work, share, and tell stories together.

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Spriet Stage, March 25 TO April 12, 2025

Opening Night March 28, 2025

a co-production with Theatre Aquarius

Waitress

Music & Lyrics by

Sara Bareilles

Book by Jessie Nelson

based upon the motion picture written by

Adrienne shelly

Orchestrations by Sara Bareilles & The Waitress Band

Music by Arrangement with Sony Music Publishing

Originally Produced on Broadway by Barry and Fran Weissle Norton and Elayne Herrick

David I Berley Independent Presenters Network A.C. Orange International Peter May

Michael Roiff Ken Schur Marisa Sechrest Jam Theatricals 42nd.club/Square I Theatrics Benjamin Simpson & Joseph Longthorne/Shira Friedman Alecia Parker, Executive Producer

Original motion picture produced by Michael Roiff/Night & Day Pictures

World premiere produced by the American Repertory Theater at Harvard University, Aug 2, 2015 Diane Paulus, Artistic Director and Diane Borger, Producer Peter Duchan, Script Consultant for A.R.T. Productions

WAITRESS

Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

audience a dviSory

This production includes depiction and discussion of partner violence and implied sexual intercourse.

WAITRESS runs 155 minutes, which includes a 20 minute intermission.

Photography and video/audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.

mInISTER / EnSEmBlE

SCOTT BEAUDIN

DAW n ELYSIA CRUZ

EnSEmBlE

MEGAN DALLAN ‡

BECk Y STACEY KAY

E AR l / EnSEmBlE

OgIE

LAWRENCE LIBOR

TYLER PEARSE †

JEnnA JULIA MCLELLAN

J OE / En SE m B l E

DR. POm ATTER

EnSEmBlE

PETER MILLARD

KAMYAR PAZANDEH

JULIUS SERMONIA

CA l LEE SIEGEL

nu RSE nOR m A / EnSEmBlE ALI WATSON

JEnnA'S mOTHER / EnSEmBlE

SYNTHIA YUSUF

† DA nCE CAPTAIn ‡ fIgHT C APTAIn

YOUTH COMPANY

lulu FINLEY CAMPBELL

lulu FREYA RAJANI

CHI l D S u PERVISOR LINDA MARTIN

Understudies

CA l / JOE / E AR l SCOTT BEAUDIN

DAW n / JE nn A'S m OTHER

DR. POm ATTER / OgIE / mInISTER

MEGAN DALLAN

JULIUS SERMONIA

BECk Y / fRA nCInCE POm ATTER ALI WATSON

JEnnA / nu RSE nOR m A

SYNTHIA YUSUF

CREATIVE TEAM

DIRECTOR RACHEL PEAKE

muSIC DIRECTOR PATRICK BOWMAN

CHOREOgRAPHER

SET & COST umE DESIgnER

lIgHTIng DESIgnER

SOunD DESIgnER

fIgHT / In TIm ACY DIRECTOR

ASSISTA n T DIRECTOR

ACCEn T COACH

STAgE m A nAgER

ASSISTA n T STAgE m A nAgER

APPREn TICE

STAgE m A nAgER

GENNY SERMONIA

SCOTT PENNER *

MICHELLE RAMSAY *

RICHARD FEREN*

SIOBHAN RICHARDSON

DEIVAN STEELE

ADAM HENDERSON

AL GADOWSKY

MELISSA CAMERON

JULIA LANK

ORCHESTRA

COnDuCTOR / kEYBOARD I

k EYBOARD II

DRumS / PERCuSSIOn

ElECTRIC BASS / DOuBlE BASS

CEllO / guITAR II

guITAR I

k EYBOARD PROgRA mmIng

PATRICK BOWMAN

STEPHEN INGRAM

DAVE ROBILLIARD

JAMIE BESTWICK

MARIANNA GRIGG

FRED SMITH

DAVID ATKINSON

* All indicated designers are represented by the Associated Designers of Canada, IATSE Local ADC659.

The Grand Theatre is an active member of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT). The Grand Theatre also acknowledges, with thanks, the co-operation of the Local 105 and 828 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists, and Allied Crafts of the United States, its Territories and Canada, the London Musicians’ Association Local 279, and the Canadian Federation of Musicians.

Book by Jessie Nelson

Music and Lyrics by Sara Bareilles

Based on the motion picture written by Adrienne Shelly

Pictured: Julia McLellan

Costume Designer: Scott Penner

Photography: Mai Tilson

Music and Lyrics by Sara Bareilles

Costume Designer: Scott Penner

PRODUCTION

CHOREOGRAPHER's Note

Sara Bareilles’ music was first introduced to me when the hit television show So You Think You Can Dance? was at the height of its popularity. A particular piece, choreographed by Mia Michaels with the song “Gravity”, moved me in a way that still brings me to tears at the very thought of it. Sara’s music and lyrics have this seamless poetic balance of breaking your heart open while comforting you with warmth and joy. This made choreographing Waitress so inspiring and exciting for me. The choreography in this show comes with a variety of styles and that always excites me as a choreographer and as a dancer. Each musical number creates an insight into a specific character’s heart which made it so fun to draw from a myriad of dance genres.

Jenna’s journey into motherhood gave me a lot to reflect upon in my new experience as a mother: how maternal instincts kick in in ways that take you by surprise but also remind you of who you are and have always been. When creating most of the movement and vocabulary for the musical numbers, I drew ingredients from personal experiences, added in a dash of the wisdom from the women who have touched my life, and mixed it with my passion for storytelling and life-long love for dance.

For me, Waitress is a show that expresses and showcases acts of love through music, movement, and food - all of which I believe are universal

languages. How could I not be inspired to create from the three elements that build community and ground us as humans?

Thank you to Rachel Peake, and the Grand Theatre for having me back and allowing me to collaborate on this beautiful show.

GENNY SERMONIA CHOREOgRAPHER

Behind-the-scenes in the

DEVELOPERS REHEARSAL HALL

From the cast and crew meet-and-greet until the team moves to its final dress rehearsals on the Spriet Stage, the magic of theatre comes alive in the rehearsal hall.

The joy of making theatre exists long before a company takes its bow at the end of the first performance. From day one of a new project to staging, sitzprobe, and more, the process of creating a new production means turning an idea into reality through creativity, craft, and collaboration in the Developers Rehearsal Hall.

PhotograPhy by Preston Free CooPer

Ali WAtson Elysia Cruz, Julia MclEllan, staCEy Kay

Lee SiegeL & JuLia McLeLLan

Tyler Pearse, elysia Cruz, synThia yusuf

ARTISTS

Scott Beaudin

Minister / Ensemble

fOR T HE gRA n D T HEATRE: Debut.

T HEATRE C REDITS (SE l ECTED): Billy Elliot: The Musical, Little Shop of Horrors, Oliver! (Stratford Festival), The Hockey Sweater: A Musical (Segal Centre/ National Arts Centre), Red Rock Diner, Rock of Ages (Stage West Calgary), Forever Plaid (CAA Theatre, Fallsview Casino), Oliver! (Theatre Aquarius).

f I lm & TV C REDITS (SE l ECTED) : Fellow Travelers (Showtime), Mayday (Discovery), Saving Hope (CTV), Murdoch Mysteries (CBC), My Babysitter's a Vampire (Family Channel), Haven (Syfy), Really Me (Family Channel), Degrassi: The Next Generation (MuchMusic), Ruby Skye: P.I. (web-series).

OTHER: Scott lives in Stratford, ON with his 2 children and partner.

Elysia Cruz

Dawn

fOR THE gRA n D T HEATRE: Debut.

T HEATRE C REDITS (SE l ECTED): SIX the Musical (Mirvish); Christmas Carol Panto (Drayton Entertainment); Jesus Christ Superstar (Theatre Sheridan).

OTHER : Graduate of the Honours Bachelors of Music Theatre Performance program at Sheridan College.

Megan Dallan Ensemble / Fight Captain

fOR THE gRA n D THEATRE: Grow, The Sound of Music.

T HEATRE C REDITS (SE l ECTED): Hodan's Hoedown (Victoria Playhouse); House of Martin Guerre, The Phantom of the Opera (Theatre Sheridan).

f I lm & TV C REDITS (SE l ECTED) : Cruel Intentions (Amazon); Priscilla (Feature Film); Murdoch Mysteries (CBC).

OTHER: Graduate of the Honour's Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance program at Sheridan College, Reciever of Triple Threat Award.

Stacey Kay Becky

fOR THE gRA n D T HEATRE: Debut.

T HEATRE C REDITS (SE l ECTED): Priscilla Queen of the Desert, The Wizard of Oz, Kinky Boots (Drayton Entertainment); Godspell (National Tour).

f I lm & TV C REDITS (SE l ECTED) : Finalist on America's Got Talent (NBC), Golden Buzzer Winner/Finalist on Canada's Got Talent (City TV); Writer on Canada's Drag Race (MTV); Painkiller (Netflix); RENT: The Musical on Fox (Fox); Go Dog Go (Netflix).

OTHER: Music streaming on all platforms! www.staceykaymusic.com

SCOTT BEAu DI n

ElYSIA C Ru Z

TACEY kAY

ARTISTS

Lawrence Libor

Earl / Ensemble

fOR T HE gRA n D T HEATRE: Cabaret.

T HEATRE C REDITS (SE l ECTED): Witness for the Prosecution, One Man Two Governors (Shaw Festival); Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 (Crows Theatre/Musical Stage Company); Maggie (Charlottetown Festival); ONCE (Citadel Theatre); American Idiot (West End, UK).

f I lm & TV C REDITS (SE l ECTED) : Star Trek (Paramount); Take Note (NBC).

OTHER : Instagram @lawrence_libor.

Tyler Pearse

Ogie / Dance Captain

fOR THE gRA n D T HEATRE: Debut.

T HEATRE C REDITS (SE l ECTED): The Wizard of Oz (Canadian Stage), Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 (Crow's Theatre/Musical Stage Co.), Rock of Ages (More Ent./Elgin Theatre), Into the Woods (Ovation Productions), Mamma Mia! (Thousand Islands Playhouse), Peter’s Final Flight, Lil’ Red Robin Hood (Ross Petty Productions), Jukebox Hero (Annerin Prod./Ed Mirvish Theatre), 9 to 5: The Musical (Capitol Theatre Port Hope), Oliver! (Stratford Festival).

f I lm & TV C REDITS (SE l ECTED) : Overcompensating (A24/Amazon), Gen V (Sony/ Amazon), Paw Patrol (Nickelodeon), Ginny & Georgia (Netflix), Murdoch Mysteries (CBC).

OTHER: RBC Apprenticeship for Choreography/Movement Direction (Musical Stage Co.), CGDC Assistants and Associates Program, Sheridan College, Etobicoke School of the Arts. @tylerpearse

Julia McLellan (SH E/H ER)

Jenna

fOR THE gRA n D THEATRE: Debut.

T HEATRE C REDITS (SE l ECTED): SIX the Musical (Mirvish); Kinky Boots (Broadway/Nat Tour/Mirvish); A Chorus Line, Hypochondriac (Stratford); Wizard of Oz (Nat Tour/Mirvish); Kelly v. Kelly (Musical Stage); Mythic (Segal); 9 to 5 (Citadel); First Date (Mayfield); The Last Timbit (Marquis); Priscilla, Newsies, Lucky Stiff, Kings & Queens of Country, Footloose, A Christmas Carol Panto, Snow White Panto (Drayton).

OTHER: www.juliamclellan.com @juliaemilymclellan

Peter Millard (H E/H I

Joe / Ensemble

fOR THE gRA n D T HEATRE: Debut.

T HEATRE C REDITS (SE l ECTED): Member of George Luscombe's Toronto Workshop Productions for 13 years - including Hey Rube!, Ain't Lookin', Letters From The Earth, and the landmark production of Ten Lost Years; Member of the Shaw Festival acting ensemble for 35 seasons. Elsewhere: Fire (National Tour); Middletown (Shaw Festival/Crows); The Last Timbit (Elgin Theatre); The Normal Heart (Bathurst St - Dora Nomination); Little Mercy's First Murder (Tarragon - Dora Award).

f I lm & TV C REDITS (SE l ECTED) : Fellow Travelers; Frankenstein (Guillermo del Toro/ Netfliix); Darkest Miriam (Naomi Jaye); Desginated Survivor.

lAWRE nCE lIBOR T Y l ER P EARSE J ul IA mc l E ll A n P ETER mI ll ARD

By Caroline Smith

ARTISTS

Kamyar

Pazandeh (H E/H I m)

Dr. Pomatter

fOR THE gRA n D T HEATRE: Debut.

T HEATRE C REDITS (SE l ECTED): Come From Away (Gander); Beautful: The Carole King Musical, Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Sense and Sensibility, Jitters, The Piano Teacher, The Men in White (Arts Club); Shakespeare in Love, The Taming of the Shrew, Pericles, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, The Merchant of Venice, Othello (Bard on the Beach); Something Rotten! (TUTS); Cabaret (Raincity); Forever Plaid (Mayfield); Cinderella (Gateway).

fI lm & TV C REDITS: Virgin River, Arrow, Debris, Motherland, Charmed.

O THER : Jessie Award nominee and two-time Ovation! Awad winner. He is a graduate of Studio 58.

Julius Sermonia

Ensemble

fOR THE gRA n D T HEATRE: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Shrek, Beauty and the Beast.

T HEATRE C REDITS (SE l ECTED): Miss Saigon, The King and I, Doctor Zhivago, Jesus Christ Superstar, Contact, Cats (Broadway); Chicago, Tommy, Camelot, Evita, Kiss Me Kate, West Side Story, A Funny Thing…Forum, Cabaret, Oklahoma!, Guys and Dolls (Stratford); Holiday Inn (Shaw); Maggie, Beauty and the Beast (Aquarius) The Play That Goes Wrong (Charlottetown); Frozen, Elf, Mary Poppins (Neptune); Marathon of Hope, Damn Yankees (Drayton); The Little Mermaid, Cinderella (Ross Petty); The Drowsy Chaperone (RMTC); Sweet Charity (StageWest); Hair (CanStage).

fI lm & TV C REDITS: Mother of All Shows (Feature Film); The Boys (Sony/Amazon); Hellcats (CW); The Tony Awards (CBC).

OTHER: @juliussermonia

Lee Siegel Cal

fOR T HE gRA n D T HEATRE: Dreamgirls, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Shrek.

T HEATRE C REDITS (SE l ECTED): Jesus Christ Superstar, Paradise Square (Broadway); RENT, Tommy, Jesus Christ Superstar, Camelot, Fiddler On The Roof (Stratford Festival); Les Miserables, Cats, Miss Saigon, Little Shop Of Horrors, Priscilla Queen Of The Desert, Sister Act (Drayton); Jesus Christ Superstar (Charlottetown Festival); Cats (Neptune); Seussical, Dreamgirls, A Christmas Story (Theatre Aquarius).

fI lm & T V C REDITS: 66th Annual Tony Awards (CBS).

OTHER: Special thanks and love to: God, Mom, Dad, Mike, and Talent House. Socials @Lee_Siegel and @SoulManTheShow

Ali Watson

Nurse Norma / Ensemble

fOR THE gRA n D THEATRE: Debut.

THEATRE C REDITS (SE l ECTED): Beauty & the Beast (Western Canada Theatre); 9 to 5 (Chemainus Theatre Festival); Little Mermaid (Persephone); Cinderella (Gateway Theatre); Little Shop of Horrors, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Arts Club Theatre).

f I lm & TV CREDITS: The MElobies, My Singing Monsters: Fandemonium, iZombia (Netflix).

kA m YAR PAZA n DEH Jul I u S SER mOn IA

lEE SIE g E l Al I WATSOn

ARTISTS

Synthia Yusuf

Jenna's Mother / Ensemble

fOR THE gRA n D T HEATRE: Debut.

T HEATRE C REDITS (SE l ECTED): Disney’s Frozen (Neptune Theatre); Comedy of Errors (Bard on the Beach); Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Persephone); Little Shop of Horrors (Citadel/ Arts Club); Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Mirvish); BLACKOUT (Musical Stage Co.); The Sound of Music (Arts Club).

O THER : Graduate of the Capilano University Musical Theatre program. @synthiayusuf

Finley Campbell

Lulu

fOR THE gRA n D T HEATRE: The Sound of Music.

T HEATRE C REDITS (SE l ECTED): Let’s Dance, Winterlude (North London Dance Centre).

O THER : Finley is an energetic, playful, and adventurous 6 year old who is delighted to be performing on The Grand Theatre stage! Finley trains in dance at the North London Dance Centre, gymnastics at Gymworld, and studies voice/piano at The Voice Studio London. She would like to thank Ryan Kelly at RPK Acting Practice for his wonderful guidance and coaching. Finley sends love and hugs to mom, dad, and her incredible sisters Dilynn and Raya, for their encouragement and enthusiasm!

Freya Rajani Lulu

fOR T HE gRA n D T HEATRE: The Sound of Music.

T HEATRE C REDITS (SE l ECTED): Matilda The Musical, The Little Mermaid, Peter Pan, Finding Nemo Jr. (London Performing Arts Academy)

O THER : A born artist, Freya is constantly crafting and creating, singing and performing. Freya sends love to her family and would like to thank the team at London Performing Arts Academy for their support and coaching. She's beyond excited to be back on the big stage at The Grand and grateful for the opportunity to work alongside such a talented and kind cast and crew.

S Y n THIA Yu Su f fI nl

fREYA R AJA n I

ARTISTS

Jessie Nelson

Jessie Nelson wrote the musical Waitress with music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles. The show played on Broadway for 4 years and moved to the West End in London. Sara and Jessie went on to create the show Little Voice which they Executive Produced with JJ Abrams for Apple TV. Among her other directing credits are Curb Your Enthusiasm and Love, the Coopers with Diane Keaton. Her writing credits include Step Mom and The Story of Us. In London, Jessie directed Alice By Heart which she co-wrote with Steven Sater with music by Duncan Sheik at the National Theater Connections Program and again at MCC in NYC. She began her career as an actress at the Public Theater working with the award-winning experimental theater Mabou Mines and at the New York Shakespeare Festival. She has been the artistic Director of the Sundance Screen Writers Lab.

Sara Bareilles

Sara Bareilles first achieved mainstream critical praise in 2007 with her widely successful hit Love Song, which reached No. 1 in 22 countries. Since then, Sara has gone on to receive seven Grammy® nominations throughout her career, which include Song of the Year, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, and one Album of the Year award for her highly acclaimed third studio album, The Blessed Unrest. Making her Broadway debut, Sara composed the music and lyrics for Waitress, for which she received her first Tony® Award nomination for Best Score and a 2017 Grammy® Award nomination for Best Musical Theater Album. She also made her Broadway acting debut in 2017 by stepping into the lead

role in Waitress. In 2018, she co-hosted the Tony Awards®, was nominated for an Emmy® and Grammy ® for her role in Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert and was awarded with the Songwriters Hall of Fame’s Hal David Starlight Award.

Adrienne Shelly

We celebrate Adrienne Shelly as the writer of the 2007 film Waitress. An actor (Trust) and director (Waitress, I’ll Take You There, Sudden Manhattan) for almost 20 years, she conceived the film while pregnant with her daughter Sophie (Lulu in the film), for whom she wrote it as a “love letter” in just two weeks. Adrienne’s legacy includes The Adrienne Shelly Foundation, created after she died in 2006 to support Women Filmmakers. It’s awarded 60+ production grants to talented women all over the world. Please visit adrienneshellyfoundation. org to honor Adrienne’s memory and support ASF’s critical artistic mission.

Sony Music Publishing

Sony Music Publishing, established in 1995 as a joint venture between Sony and Michael Jackson, is the world's leading music publisher. Sony owns or administers more than two million copyrights, including those from such iconic music catalogs as EMI Music Publishing, Leiber & Stoller, Mijac Music, Motown and Famous Music. Sony represents the copyrights of such legendary artists as The Beatles, Leonard Cohen, Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, Michael Jackson, Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Queen, The Rolling Stones, Sting, The Supremes and Stevie Wonder, among others.

J ESSIE nE l SOn S ARA B AREI ll ES

ADRIE nn E SHE llY SOn Y mu SIC

ARTISTS

Rachel Peake (SHE/HER) Director

fOR T HE gRA n D T HEATRE: Artistic Director.

Director: The Sound of Music.

T HEATRE C REDITS (SE l ECTED): Ring of Fire, Sense and Sensibility (Arts Club); The Sound of Music (Citadel/RMTC); 9 to 5, The Garneau Block (Citadel); Something Rotten (Theatre Under the Stars); The Contest of the Winds (Caravan Farm); A Christmas Carol (Gateway); Trout Stanley (Persephone); The Snow Queen (Globe Theatre); Green Lake, cool beans, After Jerusalem (Solo Collective).

OPERA C REDITS (SE l ECTED) : Carmen, Marriage of Figaro, La Cenerentola, The Pearl Fishers, La Voix Humaine (Vancouver Opera); Macbeth (Calgary Opera); Phaedra/ Serenade, The Little Sweep (Pacific Opera Victoria).

OTHER: Ovation Award and three-time Jessie Richardson Award-winner; www.rachelpeake.com

Patrick Bowman

Music Director

fOR THE gRA n D T HEATRE: Into The Woods, Million Dollar Quartet.

T HEATRE C REDITS (SE l ECTED): A Christmas Story, A Hamilton Holiday, Home For The Holidays (Theatre Aquarius); A Christmas Carol, O’Flaherty V.C. (Shaw Festival); Grand Hotel, Oh What a Lovely War (Shaw Festival, Assistant MD); Into The Woods (Ovation); Bitter Girl, American Idiot, Honky Tonk Laundry (Stephenville); Cabaret (Theatre Sheridan); Banks Prize Cabaret (Musical Stage Co).

O THER : Graduate of the MMus and BMus programs at Western University (Voice Performance), Vocal Coach and Substitute Keyboardist at Shaw Festival, Voice and Music Instructor at Sheridan College

Genny Sermonia Choreographer

fOR THE gRA n D THEATRE: Choreographer: Grand Ghosts - World Premiere. Performer: Elf.

T HEATRE C REDITS (SE l ECTED): Choreographer: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Gypsy (Shaw); Into The Woods, Follies (Koerner Hall); Disney's Frozen - Canadian Premiere (Neptune); The Last Timbit - World Premiere (Elgin Winter Garden Theare); Little Shop of Horrors (Capitol Theatre); Take The Moment, One Song Glory (Musical Stage Co.); Mary Poppins, The Barbecue King (Theatre Sheridan). fI lm & TV CREDITS: Odd Squad (PBS Kids); Degrassi (Epitome, Asst. Choreographer); McDonald’s, Best Buy Canada. OTHER: @gennysermonia

Scott Penner

Set / Costume Designer

fOR THE gRA n D T HEATRE: Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Elf: the Musical, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Hair.

T HEATRE C REDITS (SE l ECTED): Job (Broadway, Helen Hayes Theater); Dion, A Rock Opera (Coalmine); Guys & Dolls (Arts Club); Fireflies, Intimate Apparel (Northlight Theatre); Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf (Flint Rep); Rasheeda Speaking (Jeff Award Nomination, Shattered Globe); Shirley Valentine, The Extinction Therapist (Aquarius); Cymbeline (Stratford); A Raisin in the Sun, Love’s Labour's Lost, The Merry Wives of Windsor (American Players Theatre); Body Politic, A Few Brittle Leaves (Buddies in Bad Times); Small Mouth Sounds, The Little Prince (Theatre Works); Billy Bishop Goes To War, The Drowning Girls (Globe Theatre).

OTHER: Scott is a member of IATSE local ADC659. www.scottpennerdesign.ca –@scottpennerdesign

R ACHE

DRAW DATES:

DRAW ONE: NOV 4, 2024

DRAW TWO: Jan 2, 2025

Draw Three: Feb 3, 2025

Draw Four: Mar 10, 2025

Draw Five: April 14, 2025

Draw Six: May 26, 2025

ARTISTS

Michelle Ramsay (SHE/HER)

Lighting Designer

fOR T HE gRA n D T HEATRE: Million Dollar Quartet; Titanic: The Musical, The Mountaintop, The Ladies Foursome, Mary’s Wedding

T HEATRE C REDITS (SE l ECTED): Trident Moon (Crow’s Theatre/NAC); Women of the Fur Trade (Globe Theatre/Stratford Festival); Snow in Midsummer (Shaw Festival/NAC); Come Home: The Legend of Daddy Hall (Tarragon Theatre); Bed and Breakfast (Capitol Theatre); Beautiful (Arts Club); Prison Dancer the Musical (Citadel Theatre); The First Stone (New Harlem); The Tempest (Theatre Rusticle).

OTHER: Michelle has received eight Dora Awards, was a finalist for the 2021 Siminovitch Prize and is the Chair of the Board for Associated Designers of Canada.

Richard Feren

Sound Designer

fOR THE gRA n D T HEATRE: Heist, Controlled Damage, Grand Ghosts, Every Brilliant Thing, Timothy Findley's The Wars.

T HEATRE C REDITS (SE l ECTED): Erased (Open Heart Surgery/Theatre Passe Muraille) What The Constitution Means To Me, Sizwe Banzi Is Dead (Soulpepper); Sequence, Mary's Wedding (Thousand Islands Playhouse); The Inheritance (Canadian Stage).

f I lm & TV C REDITS (SE l ECTED): The Understudy (dir. Peter Pasyk); Composed scores for 8 feature films and numerous shorts.

OTHER: Winner of seven Dora Mavor Moore awards; Pauline McGibbon Award; shortlisted for Siminovitch Prize 2012. www.haemorrhage-music.com.

Siobhan Richardson Fight / Intimacy Director

fOR THE gRA n D THEATRE: Actor: The Penelopiad; Fight/Intimacy Director: Heist, Controlled Damage, Room, A Christmas Story, The Hobbit, High School Projects - Les Misérables (Spring 2007), Romeo & Juliet (Fall 2007).

T HEATRE C REDITS (SE l ECTED): Resident Fight and Intimacy Director (Canadian Opera Company); Sex, Getting Married, The Russian Play (Shaw), The Play That Goes Wrong (WMU), Betrayal (Soulpepper), Trout Stanley (Tarragon Theatre).

OTHER: Chalmers Arts Fellowship Award, Arts Response Initiative (Ontario Arts Council); Best Fights in a Martial Arts Short nomination (Action on Film, LA).

Instructor (Paddy Crean International Workshop), SiobhanRichardson.com, @fighteractress.

Deivan Steele Assistant Director

fOR THE gRA n D T HEATRE: Apprentice Artistic Director.

T HEATRE C REDITS (SE l ECTED): Sherlock Holmes and the Vanishing Hour, She Stoops to Conquer, The Tempest (St Lawrence Shakespeare); The Assembly (Theatre Direct, Eastern Front, Crossroads); Ice/berg, Behind the Moon (Tarragon); When Two Stars Collide (Neptune INKubator); Froxeaglousey, Children of the Black Water (Driftwood); Hamlet, Henry V, Wizard of Oz, Cinderelly (Shakespeare by the Sea); Narnia (Manitoba Theatre for Young People/Bad Hats); Romeo & Juliet (YES Theatre); King Lear (Shakespeare BASH’d); rihannaboi95 (Unwrap Theatre); projects in Ireland, Czechia, and South Africa.

OTHER: deivansteele.com

mICHE ll E R A m SAY R ICHARD fERE n

SIOBHA n R ICHARDSOn

DEIVA n STEE l E

ARTISTS

Al Gadowsky

Stage Manager

fOR THE gRA n D T HEATRE: Mamma Mia!

T HEATRE C REDITS (SE l ECTED): Come From Away (Mirvish); Madama Butterfly, Nabucco, Medea, Carmen, La Traviata (Canadian Opera Company); Maggie (Theatre Aquarius); The Humans (Citadel/Canadian Stage); Crazy For You (Citadel/Theatre Calgary); Anne of Green Gables, Jesus Christ Superstar, Million Dollar Quartet, Mamma Mia! (Charlottetown Festival); Carmen, La Traviata (Edmonton Opera); Matilda The Musical, West Side Story, Alice Through The Looking Glass (Citadel).

f I lm & TV C REDITS (SE l ECTED) : Star Trek Discovery.

Melissa Cameron (SHE/HER)

Assistant Stage Manager

fOR T HE gRA n D T HEATRE: The Sound of Music, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Controlled Damage, Grow, Re:Opening Festival, Chariots of Fire, Once.

T HEATRE C REDITS (SE l ECTED): Maggie, The Play that Goes Wrong, Anne of Green Gables, Munschables (Charlottetown Festival); Maggie (Theatre Aquarius); Sweeney Todd, The Gamblers, The Prince of Homburg, I Claudia, The Last of Romeo & Juliet, Offline (Talk is Free); Miracle on 34th Street (Chemainus); Gin Game, Cottagers & Indians, Crimes of the Heart, Boeing Boeing, Dial M for Murder, Barefoot in the Park (Watermark Theatre).

OTHER: Love to Natalie & Rocky.

Julia Lank

Apprentice Stage Manager

fOR THE gRA n D T HEATRE: Debut.

T HEATRE C REDITS (SE l ECTED): The Comedy of Errors, Measure for Measure (Bard On The Beach); Carmen, Don Pasquale, Le portrait de Manon (Vancouver Opera); Peace Country (rice & beans); How To Believe In Anything (The Cultch); The Hobbit, The Cake, Gramma (Pacific Theatre); The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Jasper in Deadland, Tuck Everlasting (Arts Umbrella); Gertrude and Alice (United Players); Marjorie Prime (ETC); The Cafe (PUSH Fest); Soul Samurai (Affair Of Honor); City of Angels (The PIT Collective).

mE l ISSA C A m EROn Jul IA lA nk

Al gADOWSk Y

Waitress: Top-Tier Canadian Talent is on the Menu

by Vanessa McLeod

Locally made... with Canadian ingredients! Over the past month, Waitress has been expertly prepared, and baked-to-perfection right here in London, Ontario, featuring the top shelf talent of Canadian artists from coast to coast. Among the impressive company is the star-studded trio of waitresses, all of whom are making their Grand Theatre debuts this month.

Arguably among the most impressive jobs in musical theatre is the role of an alternate, especially one in the pop theatre smash Six: The Musical. Julia McLellan was exactly that during the recent Mirvish run and will now trade in the studded platforms and pop diva persona for a pair of sensible white sneakers and an inspirational story as Jenna in Waitress. A Canadian triple threat who’s trod the boards on Broadway (Kinky Boots), McLellan is ecstatic to join the Grand this season to portray a character that allows her to explore all ranges of emotion.

“There are moments of pure joy and laughter, deep heartbreak and fear, and a love story that changes her life forever,” muses McLellan. “You get to flex your comedy muscles, explore some dramatic and dark themes, and experience her falling in love. There are so few roles that let an actor colour with so many different crayons, and I feel really lucky I get to bring her to life. My least favourite thing about it is how much we talk about pieI'm constantly craving pie!”

Elysia Cruz, a Filipino-Canadian triple threat and former Six: The Musical queen, steps into the role of Dawn— Jenna’s shy yet sincere confidante. Reflecting on her character, Cruz shares, “She actually reminds me a lot of my younger self, her shyness, clumsiness, sense of comfort and contentment in her own familiar world full of order, and her fear of the unknown. Despite this, she also has a big heart full of love and care to give to those around her.”

Photo by Preston Free Cooper

ARTISTS

Stephen Ingram Keyboard II

fOR T HE gRA n D T HEATRE: Juno's Reward.

T HEATRE C REDITS (SE l ECTED): Cinderella, Memphis to Motown, Glory Days, Jack and the Beanstalk (Lighthouse Festival), Brigadoon, Gypsy, A Grand Night for Singing, Antigonick (Shaw Festival), Bad Hats Peter Pan (YES Theatre), A Hamilton Holiday, Home for the Holidays (Theatre Aquarius)

OTHER: Graduate of the Music Composition program at Western University. sjingram2523.wixsite.com/website

Dave Robilliard Drums

fOR THE gRA n D T HEATRE: Dreamgirls.

T HEATRE C REDITS (SE l ECTED): Fiddler on the Loose, Good Ol’ Country Gospel, Yesterday Once More (Drayton Entertainment), Starbright Christmas, Camelot, Summer of ’69, East Coast Kitchen Party (Victoria Playhouse Petrolia).

ORCHESTRA l C REDITS (SE l ECTED): London Symphonia, Windsor Symphony, Hamilton Philharmonic, Jeans n Classics Rock Symphony, Niagara Symphony, Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Duo Percussion.

OTHER : Master of Music PerformanceOklahoma City University, Bachelor of Music Performance - University of Western Ontario, Education Artist - Pearl/Adams Drums & Concert Percussion, Education ArtistDream Cymbals & Gongs.

Jamie Bestwick

Bass

fOR THE gRA n D THEATRE: Debut.

T HEATRE C REDITS (SE l ECTED): Cats, Saturday Night Fever, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Evita (North American Tours); A Christmas Story, Hairspray, Mamma Mia!, Beauty and the Beast, Mary Poppins, Legally Blonde (Theatre Aquarius); East Coast Kitchen Party, Starbright 2018 (Victoria Playhouse Petrolia); In The Heights (Theatre Sheridan); West Side Story, Footloose, The Wizard of Oz, Aida, Seussical, Jesus Christ Superstar (Algonquin Theatre).

f I lm & TV C REDITS (SE l ECTED) : Canadian Idol Orchestra for Big Band Standards Episodes featuring Tony Bennett & Paul Anka (CTV/Insight).

OTHER: Honours Alumnus of the Humber College Jazz Program. Love to Carolyn & Family. For Dad. See more at @jbestwick.

Marianna Grigg Guitar II / Cello

fOR THE gRA n D T HEATRE: The Sound of Music, Matilda, Phantom of the Opera, Into The Woods, Grow, Home for the Holidays.

T HEATRE C REDITS (SE l ECTED): Mary Poppins, Pippin (BMT); The Hunchback of Notre Dame (WDCI); Turn of the Screw (UWOpera).

OTHER: Featured Musician at the Bridgerton Live Experience (Netflix/Fever Productions) and London Candlelight Concerts, Graduate of the MMus Program at McGill University, Graduate of the BMus Program at Western University, National Youth Orchestra 20172018, International Symphony Orchestra, Windsor Symphony Orchestra, London Symphonia.

STEPHE n I ng RA m

DAVE ROBI ll IARD JA m IE

BESTWIC k m ARIA nn A g RIgg

ARTISTS

Fred Smith

Guitar I

fOR T HE gRA n D T HEATRE: Debut.

T HEATRE C REDITS (SE l ECTED): Multiinstrumentalist and/or singer: Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Ghost the Musical, Footloose, A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline, Twist and Shout: The British Invasion, Sorry...I’m Canadian (Drayton Entertainment).

f I lm & TV C REDITS (SE l ECTED): Post Production: House of Cards, Umbrella Academy, Good Sam, Titans, Pretty Hard Cases, The Next Step, Son of a Critch, Essex County, Landman, Law and Order, Street Legal, 2012, Beginners, Being Human, Gotham, Killjoys, Mohawk Girls, Republic of Doyle, The Borgias, and Murdoch Mysteries (ADR).

OTHER: Graduate of Toronto's Humber College Music Program ’82, Fred performed with Bobby Curtola, Jack Scott, Del Shannon, Frankie Ford, Leslie Gore, The Drifters, Ben E. King, The Supremes, Lou Christie, Sam Moore, The Coasters, Spencer Davis, The Platters, Bowzer (Sha Na Na), The Fifth Dimension, Peter Noone, The Platters, Gary U.S. Bonds, The ChiLites and The Mamas and the Papas and more. fredsmithstudio.com

David Atkinson

Keyboard Programmer

fOR THE gRA n D T HEATRE: Debut.

T HEATRE C REDITS (SE l ECTED): Music Director: Hamilton (North American Tour); Boy Falls From The Sky (Mirvish); Associate Music Director: Into The Woods (Koerner Hall); & Juliet (Mirvish); Dear Evan Hansen (Mirvish); Keyboard Programming: Natasha Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 (Musical Stage Company)

f I lm & TV C REDITS (SE l ECTED) : Piano/ Keyboards: 13: The Musical (Netflix / Jason Robert Brown); Over The Rainbow (CBC / Andrew Lloyd Webber).

OTHER: David has also had the privilege of accompanying: Shirley Jones, Brent Carver, Josh Groban, Rufus Wainwright, and more. David is the resident keyboard programmer at the Shaw Festival, and on faculty at Sheridan College. More: www.davidatkinson.ca

f RED Sm ITH

DAVID AT k I nSOn

Driven by the Arts

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Virginia McCallum

Watching the shows is one of the most amazing parts of being a part of the student club. I get to immerse myself in different worlds and hear new stories. I also like the aftershow because I can catch up with my friends from HSP and hear the stories of different artists.

Live theatre helps me come out of my shell, and it gives me a positive boost. I have always been an extroverted person; however, like others, fear gets the better of me. Being able to see artists who have pursued theatre and hear their advice have helped me realize that I could do anything if I put my mind to it.

GRAND Connection: High School Project alumni

I would highly recommend joining the Student club which offers variety of experiences, either with a group or individual. Watching the shows and experiencing the aftershow talk is something I will always hold dear. Student Club has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I hope everyone can enjoy.

and

In the next ﬁve years, I hope to graduate from the university of my choice with a degree in psychology. I plan to stay connected to theatre, whether it is by supporting local theatre, or participating in shows, or both.

Virginia McCallum (she/her)

Wardrobe for The Phantom of the Opera (2023)

Roald Dahl’s Matilda: The Musical (2024).

Photo by Angelina Moses.

Volunteers

Assel Assylbayeva

Liz

Celeste Bondy-Zuk

A heartfelt thank you to the following volunteers who have generously given their time during the 2024/25 season.

Sheila

Sharon Hallam

Susan Ludlow

Dennis Lunau

Cavenagh Gloria Costigan

Carolyn Cresswell

Claire Cunningham

Anne Dale

Jannet Dann

Angela Decker

Suzanne DeGraw

Berniece Dellow

Vicki Dixon

Eva Dlouhy

Reyana Elsea

Lisa Evans

Theresa Fenik

Ardath Finnbogason-Hill

Erin Fischer

Dale Flannigan

Michael Grant

Sue Grant

Al Green

Kay Green

Bev Kari

Reagan Kechego

Joan Kenney

Charlene Kivell

Kathryn Kozell

Mary Kroetsch

Aditi Kulkarni

Denise Kussner-Jajal

Susan Langford

Tak Chi (Jacky) Lau

Arla Longhurst

Debbie Loveday

Marianne Lovenjak

Darlene Medeiros

Newell

Julie Nicholson

Wendy Norton Lenore O'Brien

Paul O'Brien

Leslie Pearson

Lana Phillips

Betty Pietersma

John Pietersma

Norma Poel

Anne-Marie Powell

Anne Ramdhan

Lorraine Richardson

Rick Rumney

George Savage

Suzanne Schruder

Chloe Scripnick

Steve Seguin

Sandra Servant

Jo-Ann Shute

Pat Skidmore-Skuce

Brad Smith

Mariana Somaza

Pauline Stewart

Tom Stuart Chatchon Suwanmanee

Bernardo Tecpoyotl

Mary Tesligate

Henrietta Toll

Jo Ann Van Englen

Dianne Van Leeuwen

Bill Vandewetering

Cathy Vandewetering

Drake Vink

Mila Vrabec

Alice Whitson

Jillian Whitson

Michael Whitson

Janet Wombwell

Deborah Wrack

Karen Young

Liz Yurkiw

Karen Zeleznik

Harmen Spoelstra and Jessica

For more information contact

Heather Siskind-Levite, Director of Development at HSISKIND-LEVITE@GRANDTHEATRE.COM

Curated Events with Executive & Artistic Leadership

Concierge Ticketing Service

Invitation to Early Rehearsal EVENT

Free Access to Reception Space

(once per season)

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(subscription for two + drink tickets)

Season Secrets event

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An 11x17 Show Poster

(one per season, upon request)

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How The Magic Happens EVENT

Two Complimentary Drink Tickets

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Recognition in House Programs

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Tax Receipt

As a charitable organization, we depend on donors, like you, to help us bring world class entertainment to the stage.

Please consider making a donation today to invest in the future of arts and culture in London.

Donor SPOTLIGHT

Why do you choose to support the Grand?

Supporting the Grand is a no-brainer. Donors are so integral to the success of every not-forprofit and I love being just a small part of the Grand's "WORLD CURIOUS, LONDON MADE."

How do you think the Grand elevates our City and Region?

What a dull life it would be without the arts. And today, more than ever, live theatre gives us a rare opportunity to briefly escape reality. It also plays a vital role in the vibrancy of a city. It's no secret that when individuals and businesses are looking to relocate, they also take into consideration the "extra-curriculars" that will fill leisure time. The Grand offers a big component that makes London so attractive.

What connects you to the Grand?

My introduction was the 1985/86 season when a circus on stage caught my interest. I'd see the odd show until it grew to where I became a subscriber. By then I'd fallen in love with this place and wanted to help in any way I could, so naturally that was to become a donor. Every time I walk through these doors I beam with pride over what transpires here. Sometimes we take for granted this true treasure, but its reputation for staging outstanding productions is recognized far and wide.

What is one of your most memorable experiences at the Grand Theatre?

A tough question. So many, from highwire artists with no safety net in Barnum 40 years ago, to runners circling a track out through the audience in Chariots of Fire. But it has to be Vigilante. I saw it 10 times during its two runs here. Powerful.

FOR THE GRAND THEATRE

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Rachel Peake

EXECu TIVE DIRECTOR

Lyndee Hansen

ARTISTIC ADMINISTRATION

PRODuCER

Christine Gruenbauer

A SSOCIATE PRODuCER

& COmPA n Y m A nAgER

Vanessa Spence

A PPREn TICE

A RTISTIC DIRECTOR

Deivan Steele *

EDUCATION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

DIRECTOR

Breanne Ritchie

ADMINISTRATION

IT DIRECTOR

Barb Whang

TESSIT u RA ADmIn

Britt Duncan

EXECu TIVE & ADmIn A SSISTA n T

Ben Leibovitz

OPERATIONS

BuIlDIng m A nAgER

Mike MacDonald

ASST. BuIlDIng

m A nAgER

Aaron Simmons

Housekeeping

Patricia Sexsmith

Ben Storie

Security

Ankit

Shannon Goneau

Marty Peterson

Luke Morrison

John Whitty

FINANCE

SEnIOR m A nAgER

Magdi Osman

fInA nCE ASSOCIATE

Loraine Oluwadairo

fInA nCE COnSulTA n T

Ansel Tempral

MARKETING & DIGITAL STRATEGY

DIRECTOR

Lia Karidas

COmmunICATIOnS &

P.R. m A nAgER

Melissa Mae Shipley

Maria Siabato

DIgITA l m AR k ETIng

STRATEgIST

Rana Bajandooh

m AR k ETIng PROJECT

m A nAgER

Allison Birs

COn TEn T m A nAgER

Preston Free Cooper

BRA nD A mBASSADORS

Chiedza Gondoza

Diegra Kambamba

Mya Matos

DEVELOPMENT

DIRECTOR

Heather Siskind-Levite

DIRECTOR Of BuSInESS

DEVElOPmEn T

Monica Coddington

BuSInESS DEVElOPmEn T & R En TA lS COORDInATOR

Jacob Wiley

InDIVIDuA l gIVIng

COORDInATOR

Farrell Tremblay

PATRON services

front of house

m A nAgER

Ali Samuel

ASST. m A nAgER

Indrani Mahadeo

SHOW m A nAgER

Haley Helm

BAR & BEVERAgE

Jordann Atha

Mackenzie Bishop

Jewel Boerkamp

Ahri Diaz

Eden Eidt

Mariana Hrnjak

Gabi Kowalski

Haleigh Paschink

Sabrina Sa

Emma Semple

Sabrina Stewart

Hannah van-Alphen Fyfe

Landon Wright

Lisa Wright

Box office

Su PERVISOR

Denise Hay

REPRESEn TATIVES

Trinity Harrison

Brittney-Lee Lowey

Karen McDonald

Cheryl Willison

Production

DIRECTOR

Paul Fujimoto-Pihl

TECHnICA l DIRECTOR

- SCEnIC

Julia Callon

TECHnICA l DIRECTORSTAgE

Sonja Niedermaier

PRODuCTIOn DRIVER

Jim Doucette

Properties

HEAD Of PROPS

Natalie Kearns

PROPS BuIlDER/Bu YER

Natalie Tsang

PROPS BuIlDER

Kassidy Noble

WARDROBE

HEAD Of WARDROBE

Lisa Wright

Cu TTER

Elisabeth Mastrandrea

SEWER

Morgan Cameron WIgS

Jacqueline Robertson Cull

ASST. TO THE HEAD

Of WARDROBE

Meghan Choma

WARDROBE A PPREn TICE

Courtney Fleming *

SCENIC CARPENTRY

HEAD SCEnIC CARPEn TER

John-Michael Plester

fIRST CARPEn TER

Zac Barker

SECOnD SCEnIC CARPEn TER

Jonathan Tschirhart

SCENIC ART

HEAD SCEnIC ARTIST

Richard Lawler

SEnIOR SCEnIC ARTIST

Craig Guthrie

SPRIET STAGE

HEAD STAgE CARPEn TER

Rory Leydier

HEAD Of Au DIO

Aaron Ouellette

HEAD Of flYS

Jared Whitty

HEAD Of lIgHTIng

Liam Arbogast

HEAD STAgE WARDROBE

Sarah Tracy

In TERIm HEAD DRESSER

Sherry Williams

DRESSER

Mary West

WARDROBE

mAIn TEnA nCE

Tasse Koumoutsidis

Alex Telfer

Mark Jovanovich

STAgEHA nD

Ken Scott

Bonnie Szeto

AUBURN STAGE

HEAD TECHnICIA n

Steve Allen

Grand Theatre Board of Directors

PRESIDEnT

Matt Parr

VICE-PRESIDEnT

Nicole Blanchette

PAST PRESIDEnT

George Kerhoulas

TREASuRER

Jamie Campbell

SECRETARY

Anne Toal

DIRECTORS

Christopher Alleyne

Sukhveer Bains

Robert Bierbaum

Carl Cadogan

Blair Fantillo

Alexis Gordon

Ron Koudys

Jennie Kraehling

Tyler Reavell

Jane Scholes

Jennifer Slay

Dr. Robert Sokol

Grand Theatre Foundation Board

PRESIDEnT

Ron Koudys

VICE-PRESIDEnT

Jamie Crich

TREASuRER

Bill Assini

SECRETARY

George Kerhoulas

DIRECTORS

Tom Burnett

Dianne Cunningham

Elizabeth Drewlo

Chris Jackman

Peter Markvoort

Matt Parr

Bob Schram

Anita Shah

Thank You TO OUR DONORS

Your gift makes a difference. Arts and culture invigorate and ignite a community in a way that is profound and uplifting and the Grand Theatre is proud to lead the way. By supporting the Grand you acknowledge, further, and champion arts in Southwestern Ontario.

This listing recognizes the much-appreciated gifts we received within the last twelve months. ($100+ donations from Mar 11, 2024 to Mar 11, 2025.) To inquire about your current giving level, please contact Farrell Tremblay, Individual Giving Coordinator, by phone at 519.672.8800 x246 or at ftremblay@grandtheatre.com

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Catherine & Charles Barnum

Cathy & Dennis Barr

Anne & Bruce Barran

Nino Basacco

Ethne Beeckmans

Janet Beldman

Beverly & David Bell

Pat & Rodney Bell

Janis & Henry Bens

Ingrid & Monica Betz

Julie Bevan

Joy Birch

Carolyn & Colin Botten

Geoff Bouckley

Marjorie & Daniel Braatz

Carol Breen

Suzanne Brett Welsh

Veronica Brett

Susan Bryant & Mike MacDonald

Lucy Buck

Budget Carpet & Tiles

Shelley & Al Bulckaert

Bill Burdick

Sharon & Bill Burns

Linda & Larry Burt

Dorothy Byrne-Jones

Mildred F. Caldwell

Patrick Callon

Madeline Campbell

Blaine Carter

Paul Cavanagh & Amy Lee

Catherine R. Charlton

April & Peter Choma

Gordon Clark

Evelyn & William Cockburn

Paul Cocker & Trish Fulton

Kayla Coddington

Myra & Gary Collins

Karen Connor

Hugh John Cook

Mary Louise & Bruce Cooper

John & Beverly Ward

C J Cornhill

Larry Cornies

Kenneth Cossoy

Grace Coutinho

Anne Crunican

John Cuddie

Jennifer Curry

Linda Damore

Paul David

Cecilia & William Davies

Don & Suzanne De Jong

Joanne Dow

Guenter & Kathy Draudt

Vicki & Gord Drimmie

Tara Driver

Mary Dryden

Alanna & Adam D'Silva

Phil Dwyer

Frances Dyson

Susan Easterbrook

Mary & Frank Eisan

Susan Elliott-Ziegler

Doris England

Liz Etherington

Richard Eyles

Kim Eyre

Laura & Doug Fairbairn

Mary-Lou Falla

Laurie Farquharson

Mary Margaret Farrow

Jean Faulds & Doug Smith

Barb & Bruce Fearnall

Rick Fehr

Nate Fehrman

June Ferguson

Linda & Louis Ferraro

Sabina & Irwin Finestone

Linda Fischer

Felix Fisher

Yvette & Chris Fliesser

Lorie Forwell & William Clark

Jim Frederick

Rhonda & David Freeman

Adam & Rachel Fremeth

Paul Fujimoto-Pihl

Anita Gaffney

Jeffrey Gandz & Elizabeth Spracklin

Haley & Ryan Gauss

Michael Gibson

Patricia & Steve Gould

Alexandra Grant

Mandy Greenfeld

Kelly Haagsma

Rhonda Hallberg

Karen Hamilton-MacDonald & Jim MacDonald

Lyn Harrison

Najet & Hanny Hassan

Lois & Glenn Hayter

Glenna Hemphill

Lynn Hendershot

Gail & Rick Hoevenaars

Bernadette & John Holman

Nancy & Martin Holmes

Linda Hoover

Rebecca Howse

Michaela & Robert Huras

Brenda & Morrison Hurley

Heather & Paul Huston

Jenna Hutchison

Patricia & Richard Hutchison

Barbara Hutton

Matthew Creighton

Brenda & Robert Innes

Rosalie & Levi Irvine

Susan Isaacs

Wayne Jamieson

Christopher Jefferies

Peter Jensen

Allan Johnson

Johnstone & Cowling LLP

Ann Judson

Heather & David Keast

Rhonda & Gene Kelly

Terence Kernaghan

Sheila & Stan Kogon

Vasso Pupukna & Claude Kortas

Susan & John Koval

Lesley Kribs & Stewart Kribs

Margaret E Laird

Tori Laird

Jacqueline Lawrence

Jennifer & Wayne Lawrence

Siobhan Lawrence

William & Shirley Lawrence

Gail McHardy-Leitch & Donald Leitch

Clark Leith

Cheryl Letheren

Marie Liddell

Rebecca Liddiard

Karen Lilley

Mary & Roger Lillyman

Frank & Bonnie Littell

Ann & Kevin MacDonald

Patricia MacPherson

Jen MacRae

Suzanne Majhanovich

Melissa Maloney

Wendy Mansbridge

Gianna M. Manzerolle

Stephanie Marentette

Sharon Marks

Lynn Marshall

Judith Mathany

Gwen McCall

Cheryl & Jamie McCallum

Jill McCartney

Karen McDonald

Nancy & Ian McDowell

Karen McEwin-McConnell

Ken McGuffin

Sheilanne Lindsay & Ian McIlraith

Dianne & Ian McIntosh

Nan McIntyre

Kandice McKee & Desi Brownstone

Luella & Paul McKnight

Lara Yovetich & Mark McLean

Gail McNeil

Marilynne McNeil

Sean Noguera & Michelle McNeill

Allan McPhee

Jana McQuarrie

Katherine & William Meath

Beverley & Paul Mills

Allan & Constance Mitchell

Debra Jared & John Mitchell

Shelly Moffat

Mary Anne Morrison & Terry Rushton

Brett Morritt

Dawn Munday & Paul Carson

Eva Munoz

Wendy Mukerji

Museum London

Michelle Mylemans

Mike Nagle

New Era Grafix

Catherine Nichols

Celia Nichols & Cam Johnston

Sheila Nicol

Joanne & Volker Nolte

Jeffrey O Rumble

Colleen O'Brien

Karan O'Donovan-Schalk

Alma Oliarnyk

Optimist Club Of Oakridge

Acres Inc.

Ina Pakkert Migneron

Rob Panzer

Barry Parker

Nancy Paterson

Ileana Paul

Doreen & Ron Paulger

Ingrid Pawley

Allan Payne

Sandra & Robert Pearson

John Peebles

Lea Pender

Pat & Dale Pettit

Ann Pinchin

Elizabeth Place & Peter Calvert

Ann Pogue

Laura Potter

Wesley & Wilma Prescod

Diane & Gary Alan Price

Maxine & William Chiu

Corrine Rahman

Gail & Gary Rains

Mark Rayner

Susan Wallace & James Stewart Reaney

Tyler Reavell

Bonnie & Peter Regier

Kathryn Reid

Anne Reuber

Jan Reynolds

Rheo Thompson

Kathleen & Douglas Richards

Paul Richardson

Pat Rioux

David Roberts

Barbara & William Robins

Nancy & Jonathan Romsa

Joanne Ross

Dianne & Rick Rumney

Lynda & Howard Rundle

Patrice Rush

Louise Sabourin

Cathy Saunders

Jennifer Schiffner

Georgina & Ralph Schinkel

Anabel Schloesser

Jane Scholes

Jenny Schreff

Mary Margaret Scott

Catherine & Gordon Sellery

Elisabeth & Todd Shaddick

Valerie & John Sharpe

Alon & Sari Shatil

Cheryl Shavalier

Pirkko & Douglas Sheldrick

Brenda & Derek Shipley

Margaret & Robert Shirley

Terry Sicular

Anne & Tom Siess

Nicholas Skinner

Sandy Snider

Darlene Snyders

Judith & Robert Southcott

Mariann & Randy Southen

Jacqueline & Erich Specht

Apollonia Steele

Susan & David Steven

Sarah Stewart

Curtis Sullivan

Joan & Ken Sumnall

Kevin & Brenda Switzer

Janice Thielenhaus

Robert & Ann Thomas

Denise Thompson & Ron Kilgour

Diane & Steve Thompson

Alan & Jeannette Thomson

Jane & Tom Tillmann

Elizabeth A. Timmermans

Joanne & Brian Timney

Diane & Jonathan Townsend

David & Michelle Traher

Gerry Treble

Cathie Turner

Scott & Dawn Turner

In memory of Ian Underhill

Lisa Uptigrove

Mary Joan Vallis

Elizabeth Van Dongen

Christine & Jake Van Dyk

Alexis van Logtenstein

Mike Varanelli

Kathryn Varey

Catherine Vermue

Linda Vurma

David Wake

Judith Walker

Beth-Anne & Alex Wasko

Susan Waugh

Dorothy Weatherstone

Lynne Weaver

Marlaine Weber

Kelly & Paul Weber

Viola & John Weil

Dennis Weir

Linda & Tim Wharton

Margaret & Mark Whitley

Lynn Williams

Faye & Rod Willis

Sandra-Pat Willis

Vanessa Willis

Cheryl & Mark Willison

CORPORATE SPONSORS

In Memoriam

Janet & Paul Willoughby

Ian and Mary Wilton

Ailene Wittstein

Mike Wojtak

Mark Wolforth

Andrew Wright

Sharon Wright-Evans

Richard Allan Yake

André Young

Michelle Young

McCormick • NorthMoore Catering • Horizon Solutions • Bronnenco Construction • Sportswood Printing

Thank you to those who gave in memory of Noreen Davis, Eleanore Reynolds, Shirley Brown, Vivian Deleary, Mary Loncke, James A. Ross, Robert Swartman & Lister Waugh, Pamela & Joseph Samuels, cherished friends of the Grand who are dearly missed.

Housing Partners

Thank you to the following members of our community who welcomed visiting artists into their homes:

Barb MacDougall • Jill Ellis-Worthington • Bob Ward & Susan Yerema • Aaron & Josh Swan • Leon Melville • Peter Markvoort • Denise Hay • Cam Quinn • Brian Baillargeon • Neila Lawson • Delilah Cummings • Becca Beith • Denise Jung • Janet McAllister • Julie Ryan • Francine Rheault • Wendy Sanderson-• Sergey Bornow • Ingrid Johnsrude • Songbird & Leaf • Preston Free Cooper • Cathy Page • Candace Banack • Bill & Maryanne McGrath • Bob Mitchell • Bonnie Delanghe • Jan & Peter Vogel • Anita Shah • Heather Heathcote • Lia Karidas • Christine Tithecott & Joan Beaune

Proscenium Society (Planned Giving)

We are deeply grateful to the compassionate individuals who have made the important and thoughtful decision to make a planned gift to the Grand Theatre. We honour them through their membership in the Proscenium Society. Their legacy will help ensure that the Grand continues to flourish:

Barbara Belbeck

Hazel E. Bell

Marista Ateena Brooks (Mikolaski)

Carson Bruce McIntosh

Robert Crawford

Buck A. M. Cuddy

Theresa Cutler

Lynn Davis

Helen Ann Day

Walter R. (Wally) Duffield

Cathy & James Dunlop

Innis Hammond