Teen Musical Theatre presents:
“Footloose, the Musical: Youth Edition
When Ren moves from Chicago to a small town, he is surprised by the ban on dancing instituted by the local preacher, who wants to control the town's youth. When the reverend's rebellious daughter sets her sights on Ren, others try to sabotage his reputation, with many locals ready to believe the worst about the new kid....with its Oscar and Tony nominated score, Footloose celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people while guiding them with a warm hear and open mind.
Friday, August 15 at 7:30 pm;
Saturday, August 16 at 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm; and Sunday, August 17 at 2:00 pm.
Please note that this year’s production will be held at Knox United, 345 Pym Street in Parksville, as the Village Theatre is closed for renovations.
Meet the cast below (in no particular order), and get ready to be dancing in your seats!
ANNIKA WILSON
Ren McCormack
Annika has been participating in musical theatre for seven years. They’ve enjoyed performing on stage as well as working behind the scenes. Off stage they enjoy painting and creating ceramic miniatures. At home they can be found enjoying quiet moments with their dog, Tetris.
BRAD DELMO
Willard
Brad Delmo is new to TMT, but he has been doing theatre for years. Recently he was in Matilda at Headliners; he also performed in Mean Girls and The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon with ECHO Youth Theatre. When he is not at the theatre he is either at work or playing beach volleyball. Brad is happy to have joined TMT and hopes that you enjoy the show.
ASHE DAIGNEAULT
Stevie; Bomont Kid, ensemble
Ashe lives in Powell River. This is her first time participating in live theatre. She is enjoying the challenge of singing and dancing.
CARYS FRIESEN
Wendy-Jo, ensemble
Carys loves to sing, and most recently performed in Shrek the Musical with QBSD. She was also a merited performer at the BC Provincial Arts Festival as a vocalist in June this year. Carys sang with the Eastman Youth Choir for 3 years and is excited to join the new VVVQB Youth Choir this fall. She is very grateful to all her mentors and teachers for their support and encouragement.
AVA TYNDALL
Dani, Choir Member, Bickle, ensemble
Ava is happy to be part of TMT for the first time. She has worked with Hilary and Miranda in their previous camps. Her past roles include Bruce in Matilda, a pirate in Treasure Island, Mama Bear in Shrek The Musical and an ensemble member in Wizard of Oz. She is very excited to be part of this amazing cast!
CHARLYNE TONGSON
Betty Blast, Garvin, ensemble
Charlyne is excited to be part of TMT’s production of Footloose (Youth Edition). This is her first show with Teen Musical Theatre. She also participated in ECHO Youth Theatre’s production of Mean Girls Jr. in May, and performed in The Wizard of Oz and Shrek The Musical with QBSD. In her spare time, Charlyne enjoys other artistic hobbies such as playing the flute, drawing, and photography.
CYRUS WOOD
Urleen, ensemble
This is Cyrus’ second time performing with TMT. She also plays the trombone and the guitar. She is thrilled to be a part of Footloose (Youth Edition) and hopes you attend the production.
GINA BISIKER
Cowgirl Jude, Chicago ensemble, Bomont ensemble
This is Gina’s second year with TMT; they performed in the production of Oklahoma (Youth Edition) last summer. They are excited to be back at ECHO Players, to perform this amazing show for the audience.
LAURA LOEWEN
Ariel Moore
Laura is 16 and has been in a number of productions. She first appeared with TMT in Fiddler on the Roof, Jr., where she played Yente. Laura has also been in Mamma Mia and Grease at BSS; Oklahoma (Youth Edition) with TMT, and Mean GIrls Jr. with ECHO Youth Theatre. She hopes you will enjoy the show.
EVELYN REAN
Eleanor Dunbar, Lyle, Laura Jo, ensemble
Evelyn is a quiet, good spirited individual with a love for music and dance. She adores acting and has been interested in drama for years.
THISTLE WILLIAMS-CARSWELL
Rusty
Thistle is 16, lives in Nanoose, and has been acting for 5 years. She has recently been in Grease at BSS; many roles with ECHO Youth Theatre, most recently The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon; and as Alice in Alice in Wonderland with Parksville Academy for Performing Arts. She is so grateful to work with such a wonderful cast, and hopes you all enjoy this journey back to the 80s.
LUKE DIERINGER
Uncle Wes, Jeter, ensemble
Luke has done backstage work, props and set painting for three productions at ECHO Players, but this is his first time acting. In his free time he loves doing ceramics, petting his cats and dogs, and taking care of his geckos.
DEZZY DESVAUX
Reverend Shaw Moore
Meet Dezzy, a 16 year old actor. They have been doing theatre for 5 years, and have been in plays such as The Little Mermaid with BSS; Oliver! With QBSD, and many more. They can’t wait for you to come in and enjoy the show.
HILARY WHELTON
Vocal Director, Producer
Hilary has been with TMT since its inception, about 17 (?) years ago… She loves working with Miranda and Caron, and watching these wonderful young people develop new skills, new confidence, and new friendships.
LILLIAN ROSE GISH
Principal Clark, ensemble
Lily is 17; this is her second time performing in a play.
VANESSA GOETZ
Vi Moore
Vanessa is delighted to be performing again at TMT! An avid martial artist and dancer, she has also performed with ECHO Youth Theatre, QBSD, PAPA, and, later this year - with Courtenay Little Theatre. Vanessa would like to thank everyone for their endless support and hopes you “CUT FOOTLOOSE”!
ALICIA KLAVER
Lulu, Cowgirl Bonnie, ensemble
Alicia Klaver is an aspiring actress, and is thrilled to have the experience to work with ECHO Players Teen Musical Theatre in Footloose (Youth Edition). With a passion for acting since the age of seven, Alicia has existed to share their passion with the audience.
MAX COWLES
Travis, Cowboy Chet, ensemble
Max has been involved in theatre and in music for quite a number of years. They especially like bands with somewhat theatrical presentations, such as Ghost BC.
DEVON OCARANZA RICHARDSON
Cowboy Bob, Cop, ensemble
Meet Devon; they have been in productions like Mamma Mia, Oklahoma and Footloose! They hope you enjoy the show!
CARON BYRNE
Costumes
Caron has been involved with costuming for many years, and happily costuming TMT for the past 2 years. Getting to know many of the students over several productions is part of the fun. Caron’s most recent costume adventures was ECHO Players’ Kinky Boots, but past favourite shows include B2B’s Hairspray and Little Shop of Horrors.
MATTIAS SIU
Chuck Cranston, ensemble
Mattias is proud to join the cast of Footloose (Youth Edition). With choir, vocal jazz and band experience, Mattias is no stranger to performing in front of others. On those rare quieter times, he enjoys sketching, reading sci-fi fantasy, and listening to diverse musical genres. Matthias is excited to bring his big personality to the stage for the very first time - very certain not to be his last.
TUNDRA FLETCHER
Coach Dunbar, ensemble
Tundra wants to thank the many generous and talented teens they have had the pleasure of working with in the many shows they have been in, including The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon with ECHO Youth Theatre; The Best Little Theatre in Town with Summer Youth Theatre, and many more. They would also like to thank Amanda Cutting for helping them learn and develop more challenging works for their recent test with the Royal Conservatory of Music. Tundra looks forward to many more stage productions in their future.
EVANIA SMITH
Ethel McCormack
Bio to come
ISLA SMITH
Lindsay, Bomont Kid, ensemble
Isla is 13 and is so excited to perform Footloose (Youth Edition) as her first show with ECHO Players Teen Musical Theatre. In the past two years she has performed in Frozen Jr, Oliver!, The Wizard of Oz and Shrek the Musical with QBSD.
MIRANDA MURPHY
Director, Choreographer
Miranda Murphy is a graduate of the Sheridan College Music Theatre Performance program in Toronto, Ontario. Since returning to Vancouver Island she has been heavily involved in onstage and off with many local theatre groups such as Bard to Broadway, Schmooze Productions, ECHO Players and Nanaimo Theatre Group. She is thrilled to be working on Footloose this year with such a talented group of teens. Hope you all enjoy the show!