Teen Musical Theatre presents:
Into the Woods JR

Be careful what you wish for! Stephen Sondheim’s and James Lapine’s cockeyed fairytale comes to life in this adaptation of their groundbreaking, Tony Award-winning musical. Into the Woods Jr features all of your favourite characters – Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack (and his Beanstalk) and the Witch – in this rich retelling of Brothers Grimm fables.

Presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI) Al authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.

Join us at the Village Theatre:
Friday, August 14 at 7:30 pm; Saturday, August 15 at 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm; and Sunday, August 16 at 2:00 pm.

Teen Musical Theatre is an intensive three week course for teens under the direction of adult mentors. Meet this incredibly talented cast, crew, technicians and leaders below (in no particular order), and get ready for a crazy ride!

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Many thanks to our returning sponsor:
Ricky’s All Day Grill - Parksville

Check out the Neighbours of Qualicum Beach article - page 12

**BRAD DELMO**
*The Baker*
Brad is 18 years old and has done multiple projects with ECHO in previous years: “Anastasia” (ECHO Youth Theatre), “Footloose” (TMT), and “Mean Girls” (EYT). He has also been involved in other productions such as “High School Musical” and “Matilda” with Headliners.

**CARYS FRIESEN**
*Cinderella*
Carys is thrilled to work with the wonderful cast and crew of TMT, portraying Cinderella. Recent ECHO roles include Anastasia in “Anastasia” (EYT) and Wendy Jo in “Footloose” (TMT 2025). She also played various roles in “Tuck Everlasting”, “Annie” and “Shrek” (Qualicum Beach School of Dance). She would like to thank her artistic mentors: Jennifer Kelly, Lindsey Tromba, and Shari Selva; and Hilary Whelton, Allaina Wager and Hilary Britton-Foster for their hard work and amazing direction!

**CHARLYNE (CJ) TONGSON**
*Milky White*
CJ is so honoured to be playing the role of Milky White in TMT’s production of “Into the Woods Jr.”. She has also appeared in “Footloose” (TMT 2025), and “Mean Girls” (ECHO Youth Theatre); and “Wizard of Oz”, “Shrek”, “Annie” and “Tuck Everlasting” (QBSD). When not performing on stage, she enjoys playing the piano or sewing. She hopes you enjoy the show!

**NORA KAETHLER**
*The Baker’s Wife*
Nora is a soon-to-be grade 12 student at Ballenas Secondary. She loves musical theatre, dance, reading, writing poetry and traveling to new places. You might have seen her recently in “Anastasia” (EYT), or “Footloose” at BSS. This is her first year at TMT and she is LOVING IT!! She hopes you enjoy the show!

**EVELYN REAN**
*Cinderella’s Stepmother*
Evelyn has been in a number of shows in the past, most recently appearing as Eleanor Dunbar, Lyle, and a background dancer in “Footloose” (TMT 2025). She’s having a lot of fun doing this, and hopes you enjoy the show!

**GEORGIA BISIKER**
*Cinderella’s Mother*
This is Georgia’s third year appearing with TMT. She has enjoyed theatre since the age of 14, and continues to enjoy it with all her heart as she helps to bring this amazing performance to the public!

**ISLA SMITH**
*Narrator*
Isla is really excited to take part in TMT’s “Into the Woods, Jr”! Most recently she has performed in “Tuck Everlasting” (QBSD), and “Footloose” (TMT).

**THISTLE WILLIAMS-CARSWELL**
*Jack’s Mother, Steward*
Thistle is 16 and has been acting for six years. She recently appeared as Rusty in “Footloose” (TMT & BSS!), and Ursula in “The Little Mermaid” (PAPA). She also directed this year’s ECHO Youth production of “Anastasia”. She is so grateful to work with such a collaborative cast, and hopes you all don’t get lost in the woods.

**JONAS GOETZEN**
*Wolf, Photographer*
Jonas is an avid Michael Buble fan. He recently appeared in “Footloose” (BSS), and “Anastasia” (EYT). He expresses the world through theatre, and also through his photography and likes to step outside his comfort zone. Jonas did the headshots for all the cast and crew of “Into the Woods”; you can see his other work @like.minded.photography

**JULY BUGG**
*Rapunzel*
July is excited to be a part of TMT this year, and help bring this magical story to life! She has been a member of ECHO and EYT since 2022, hand has been in numerous shows in the community. Recent credits include: “Tuck Everlasting” (QBSD), “Anastasia” (EYT), “Shrek “(QBSD), “A Visit From St. Nick” (ECHO), “Mean Girls” (EYT), and “Matilda” (ECHO).

**HILARY WHELTON**
*Producer, Musical Director*
Hilary is a singer and voice teacher who has coached many musicals in the mid-Island with B2B, ECHO Players, PAPA and others. She teaches private lessons in her home studio, and works with children and teens through ECHO’s Performing Arts Programs, most recently, “Anastasia” (EYT), directed by Thistle Williams-Carswell. This is Hilary’s 18th (?) season with Teen Musical Theatre…maybe she’s lost in the woods

**KATIE TYLER**
*Jack*
atie is 14 years old and is excited to part of this year’s TMT production of “Into the Woods, Jr”. She has been a part of the ECHO family since 2023, and has taken part in many productions such as “Tuck Everlasting” (QBSD), “Annie” (QBSD), “Matilda” (ECHO), and so much more! This summer she has taken on the role of Jack and is eager for you to see all of the hard work and life that the whole cast has brought into this show.

**MATTIAS SIU**
*Cinderella’s Prince*
Mattias is thrilled to be in this year’s TMT production. In the past, he played Chuck Cranston in “Footloose” (TMT), as well as various high school plays. During the school year, Mattias keeps himself busy with choir, vocal jazz and band, so he’s no stranger to the stage!

**NICK DAWSON**
*The Mysterious Man*
Nick is thrilled to be in TMT’s production of “Into the Woods, Jr.” this year. With his experience from previous shows – most recently, “Tuck Everlasting” (QBSD) he is happy to share his love for theatre and his fun energy through this show!

**CYRUS WOOD**
*The Witch*
Cyrus is 16, living in Parksville. She has been doing theatre for 6 years with ECHO Youth and with TMT, and most recently played Urleen in “Footloose” at BSS this past winter. She loves drama, and when she’s not in a show, she’s probably making up skits and plays with her friends.

**ANNIKA WILSON**
*Rapunzel’s Prince*
Annika is simply delighted to be playing Rapunzel’s Prince in TMT’s production of “Into the Woods Jr.”. You may have seen them as Sebastian in “The Little Mermaid” (Parksville Academy of Performing Arts); Count Leopold in “Anastasia” (ECHO Youth Theatre), or Ren in “Footloose” (TMT 2025). When off the stage you will likely find Annika creating ceramic critters or petting some horses.

**TUNDRA FLETCHER**
*Granny, Steward*
Tundra (they/she) has always loved the theatre; this is their 8th show in the Village Theatre! They have most recently appeared as The Raven in “Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon”; Grandpa in “Poptart”, and Anna in “Smallbots”. Tundra has also received First Class Honours in the Speech Arts program of the Royal Conservatory of Music. In their spare time she loves writing and voice acting! They hope you enjoy the show.

**AVA TYNDALL**
*Lucinda*
Ava is 13, and has been performing for 4 years, starting with school plays, and then moving on to “Matilda” (ECHO Players), “Footloose” (TMT), “Annie” and “Tuck Everlasting” (QBSD). This year she competed in Speech Arts in the Mid-Island Performing Arts Festival (MIPAF) and won first place in the Junior category; she then went on to Provincials in Prince George and won first in the Junior Shakespeare class. She hopes you enjoy the show!

**ALICIA CARA KLAVER**
*Florinda*
Alicia is an actor based in Nanaimo, whose dream is to go into musical theatre professionally after high school. You may have seen them as Kenosha in “Trap”, Lulu in “Footloose”, Romeo in “Newsies”, Larissa in “Smallbots”, Jetsom in “The Little Mermaid” or Stoat Steward in “The Wind in the Willows”. Alicia is overjoyed to be a part of “Into the Woods, Jr”.

**AMELIA HIRSCHBERGER**
*Little Red Riding Hood*
Amy is so happy to be a part of the making of “Into the Woods Jr”. As a new addition to TMT, she is incredibly grateful to play the role of Little Red and to be able to act alongside so many amazing people. Amy just started to act this year and is most known for her roles in Wellington Secondary’s “Zombie Prom” and “Where the Sky Meets the Sea”.

**ASHE DAIGNEAULT**
*Cinderella’s Father*
Ashe is happy to be a part of her second theatre production, “Into the Woods, Jr”. You may have seen her in last year’s TMT production of “Footloose”. She hopes to be part of more productions in the future, and to gain more experience with theatre.

**ALLAINA WAGER**
*Director, Choreographer*
Allaina has been involved with theatre in Qualicum for over 10 years. She has worked on productions with the Qualicum Beach School of Dance and ECHO Players both on and off the stage. She is a recent graduate of VIU with a Bachelors of Education. She is thrilled for the opportunity to work with such talented individuals, and to teach a subject she holds near and dear to her heart.

**LUKE DIERINGER**
*Assistant Stage Manager* (*ASM)*
Luke is 15, and has been involved in theatre for 3 years. Recently, he played Prince Eric in “The Little Mermaid” (PAPA), Jeter/Uncle Wes in “Footloose” (TMT), and various technical roles within ECHO Players. When not on stage, backstage or in the booth, he enjoys creating ceramic art and reading novels.

**MARCUS LABRECQUE**
*Running Crew*
Marcus is excited to be working on the costume team for “Into the Woods”. He loves learning about design and working on the costumes which bring the characters to life. He’s very grateful to be part of this production and all the friends he has made so far!

**MARKUS SIU**
*Props/Sets*
Markus had absolutely no idea his mom signed him up for musical theatre. He had no formal tech training, but he eventually learned more about everything around him. Not so long ago, he delivered newspapers to most of the neighbourhood with another friend, but nothing else had him more focused than TMT. Now, he sits at the computer, typing away for a bio everyone can see. As you can tell, he’s got it pretty good.

**MAX COWLES**
*Running Crew*
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.

**NATHAN THOMSON**
*Followspot*
Nathan has been interested in theatre for three years, and has worked on “Oklahoma” (TMT), and “Shrek” (QBSD). He likes to make 3D models; design, and animation. He loves hands-on activities like building sets and creating props.

**CANTON LABRECQUE**
*Sound Operator*
Canton is excited to be joining the tech crew at ECHO Players Teen Musical Theatre this summer. The youngest in his family, he loves spending time outdoors hiking and exploring with his dogs. This fall, he’ll be starting high school and is looking forward to new adventures. Canton is especially enjoying learning about sound design, an interest he shares with his dad.

**CONNOR SMYTH**
*Sound Mixer*
Connor is excited to dive into this summer production of “into the Woods”, building on his creative journey with previous shows like “Tuck Everlasting” (QBSD) and “Anastasia” (EYT).

**GEORGIA OTT**
*Props Master*
This is Georgia’s first time doing tech; she also loves acting. She has most recently appeared in “Alice in Wonderland” and “The Little Mermaid”, with the Parksville Academy of Performing Arts (PAPA). She loves dragons, art, reading, and hanging out with her friends.

**JENNA FRIESEN**
*Costumes*
Jenna is 15, and excited to have this chance to be part of the tech crew! This is her first time as a tech; her previous experience has been as an actor in “Tuck Everlasting” and “Annie” (both QBSD). Special thanks to Caron Byrne and Hilary Britton-Foster for their encouragement and guidance.

**LAUREN LITTLE**
*Fly Person*
Lauren lives in Qualicum Beach; she has previous experience on stage, most recently in a production about a summer camp. These days, she is more interested in “behind the scenes” work, doing technical support, set and costume design.

HILARY BRITTON-FOSTER
Technical Director, Instructor

Hilary has worked in technical theatre for over a decade, serving as a technical director, lighting designer, and mentor to the next generation of theatre makers. She is delighted to be part of “Into the Woods” with Teen Musical Theatre and especially proud of the incredible dedication shown by the technical theatre students. Their hard work, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn have made this production a truly rewarding experience. Hilary is grateful to work alongside such a talented team and hopes you enjoy the adventure that awaits beyond the woods.

Teen Musical Theatre presents: Into the Woods JR

Teen Musical Theatre presents:
Into the Woods JR