The Snow Must Go On - Artist Details - Western Canada Theatre

Artist Headshot and Bios

	Gaelan Beatty BC's Backyard White Christmas (Video Editor/Performer) Gaelan previously worked at Western Canada Theatre on Vimy back in 2018 and is a BC native, having grown up in Vanderhoof BC until the age of 20 and then North Vancouver until the age of 30. He’s performed in theatres across the country from Whitehorse and Vancouver to Toronto and Montreal along with stops in between in Saskatoon, Regina, Edmonton, and Calgary. He also had the privilege of performing Off-Broadway in New York in Nevermore back in 2015. He is having the time of his life spending the christmas season with his girlfriend Kate in Panorama.
	Dawn Bergstrom Sheldon & Dawn's Musical Sleigh Ride (Performer) Dawn has been the Producer at WCT for almost three years and has dusted off her performing roots for The Snow Must Go On. Some of Dawn’s favourite performing experiences include The Last Resort, All Shook Up, Nunsense and Guys and Dolls. Cherished holiday memories include her mom playing countless Christmas albums and singing along to every song, getting a new book on Christmas morning and reading the whole thing that day, and eating Nutchos, which are sadly no longer sold.
	Sheldon Bergstrom Sheldon & Dawn's Musical Sleigh Ride (Performer) Sheldon has appeared on the WCT stage as Santa in ELF – The Musical and as The Big Bopper in Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story. Originally from Saskatchewan, Sheldon has performed in theatres across the country in such favourite shows as Fiddler on the Roof, Shrek The Musical, The Producers, All Shook Up, Seussical, A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline and many more. Sheldon is a fan of the movie Scrooged, tinsel and yule logs.
	Kate Blackburn BC's Backyard White Christmas (Choreographer/Performer) Kate is a musical theatre artist originally from Edmonton, AB. She spent many years in Vancouver, and grew up skiing in the mountains of Panorama, BC. Kate has performed all across the country. Select credits include: Shrek The Musical/Globe Theatre, The Hockey Sweater/National Arts Centre, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder/Stage West Calgary. Kate is so excited to be spreading some Holiday joy, and is thankful to Western Canada Theatre! And thanks to Gaelan for being such a handsome dance partner.
	Jessica Buchanan At Home With Stage One: Holiday Edition (Instructor/Performer) Jessica Buchanan was born and raised in beautiful Kamloops, BC. A graduate of the theatre program at TRU she first fell in love with theatre by attending shows at The Sagebrush Theatre. She has had the privilege of being involved in several Western Canada Theatre productions including Bird Brain by Vern Thieesen, as part of a WCT/TRU Co-Production, Francine & Frankie B Make Art and Sleep No More: The Musical as part of WCT’s Highwire Festival. Jessica is a recent graduate of The Second City Toronto Conservatory Program, Advanced Writing Classes and The Improv for Actors Studio. In light of the recent pandemic, she has moved back home to her previously held position as Head Instructor and Assistant Instructor with WCT’s Stage One Classes. She hopes you enjoy these videos and a Happy Holiday Season!
	Cassius Ford The Alex Ward Trio Plays Songs From A Charlie Brown Christmas (Youth Chorus) Cassius got his first (and so far only) taste of professional theatre with last year’s WCT production of The Sound of Music, hitting the high notes as Kurt Von Trapp. Cassius just turned 12 and is in grade 7 at Williams Lake Secondary. His off time is spent balancing a busy schedule with his multitude of passions; his artistic side being fulfilled with classical voice training, piano, and dance classes, and his athletic side coming out as a rep goalie for the Williams Lake U13 hockey and lacrosse teams. His favourite part of the holidays is waking up early Christmas morning and drinking hot chocolate with his family while waiting excitedly in the glow of the tree for everyone to open their presents.
	Anna Hahn The Alex Ward Trio Plays Songs From A Charlie Brown Christmas (Youth Chorus) Anna is 10 years old and attends grade 5 at Pacific Way Elementary school. She loves to perform and express her creativity through singing, dancing, drawing and playing musical instruments. Anna has taken part in WCT’s Stage One Theatre school and has been in two WCT productions: Elf and The Sound of Music (as Marta). This year, she was also involved in the video commemoration of Remembrance Day with WCT. Her favorite thing about the holidays is spending time together with family. She hopes this special Christmas holiday video series brings joy and happiness to many people.
	Jeremy Kneeshaw Bonus Video - I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm (Performer/Editor/Director/Producer) A songwriter, and Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc band member from Kamloops B.C, Jeremy became a full time musician in 2015. From early beginnings in piano at age 2, Kneeshaw is an established multi-instrumentalist - playing Guitar, Piano, Drums, Bass, Mandolin, Banjo, Accordion and more. Jeremy has played at venues of all sizes throughout western Canada, with bands ranging in genre from funk, to country. Kneeshaw released his first album at 19, the self titled 'Jeremy Kneeshaw Album', with all instruments recorded himself. In November of 2016, he won the Akedamia Jazz/Funk/Fusion award for his song 'Summer Love', and was given a spot at the Akedamia Awards Ceremony at the Rosebowl Stadium in LA. In May of 2019, Kneeshaw released his second self-titled album 'Jeremy Kneeshaw Album Vol. II', to Apple Music, Spotify, and other streaming services. The following year in April, Jeremy's instrumental single, 'Mother' was released.Kneeshaw then dropped the single, 'You Know What I Mean', on May 22, 2020 to all streaming platforms. The song hit radio waves in western Canada after it was chosen as a Subway Fresh Track on 98.3 CIFM in Kamloops. This was followed by an EP release on June 5, 2020, titled 'Jeremy Kneeshaw Album Vol. III'. The collection quickly became his most streamed work, led by songs such as 'Tennessee', 'Break My Heart', and 'Blueberry Wine'. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Kneeshaw has been working on a fourth album and developing a recording studio.
	James MacDonald A Christmas Carol: Parts One & Two (Performer/Adaptation) James is the Artistic Director of Western Canada Theatre, where he has also directed The Sound of Music, Vimy, GLORY, A Christmas Carol, and Million Dollar Quartet. Earlier, he directed 36 productions at Edmonton’s Citadel Theatre, including Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Venus in Fur, and Billy Bishop Goes to War. Other highlights include Julius Caesar (Stratford Shakespeare Festival); The Old Ladies (Shaw Festival); A Few Good Men (Citadel/Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre), Miss Shakespeare (Escape Artists, Vancouver), As You Like It, and Much Ado about Nothing (Canadian Stage, Toronto). James is the founding Artistic Director of the River City Shakespeare Festival and the former Program Director of the Citadel/Banff Centre Professional Theatre Program.
	Macenzie Marisco The Alex Ward Trio Plays Songs From A Charlie Brown Christmas (Youth Chorus) Macenzie is 14 Years Old, a grade 9 student at St. Anns Academy. She has participated in WCT Stage One Theatre for 2 Years performing in Here We Sit, and The Audition. She was part of the Production Elf the Musical in 2018. She loves Dancing, Music, Acting, Reading, Singing and Volleyball. Macenzies favorite thing about the holiday is baking cookies, sledding and peppermint hot chocolate.
	Brittney Martens At Home With Stage One: Holiday Edition (Instructor/Performer) Brittney Martens has been involved at WCT for the last 2 years, she started with being a Stage One Instructor, then was recruited to take part in a scenic painting apprenticeship, and she just wanted to be around even more, so she started helping out working bar and concession with the front of house staff,. and right before the pandemic hit she tried out box office! This has brought her to her current position as the Creative Intern, where she gets to try a bunch of different things around the company - including jazzersizing as a reindeer (the proudest moment of her career).Brittney started out as an actor, and though she still loves being on stage- she's psyched to learn all about the ins and outs of backstage and beyond!
	Terri Runnalls At Home With Stage One: Holiday Edition (Instructor/Performer) Terri is the Director of Education and Outreach at Western Canada Theatre. Terri loves to instruct in both our Stage One Theatre School and Adult Acting Classes. When she is not in a reindeer leotard, she loves to act. Terri has acted with WCT, CBC, Kamloops Players and is the co-founder of Saucy Fops Theatre Company. Terri has seven year old twins who teach her everyday about love, creativity and imagination.
	Eva Tavares BC's Backyard White Christmas (Director/Producer/Performer) Eva Tavares is a proud Canadian performer currently residing in the Shuswap! Most recently starring as Christine Daae in the North American Tour of Phantom of the Opera. She is a graduate of the UBC Opera Program, the LAMDA Shakespeare Short Course and the Banff/Citadel Theatre Professional Training Program. Previous credits include: Marta in Kiss of the Spider Woman, Maria in West Side Story, Anne in A Little Night Music, Harry in Albert Herring, Dew Fairy in Hansel and Gretel and the world premiere of Sousatzka starring Victoria Clark. Originally training as a dancer, Eva is also active in the dance community, most recently choreographing Die Fledermaus for Vancouver Opera. When she isn’t performing or choreographing, Tavares continues to work as a coach and mentor across North America and the UK.
	Mandisa Volo The Alex Ward Trio Plays Songs From A Charlie Brown Christmas (Youth Chorus) Mandisa is happy to have been involved in Elf:The Musical and Sound of Music at WCT, as well as various Stage One performances since she was a child. Mandisa is 14 years old and is in 9th grade at Kamloops School of the Arts, where she enjoys drama class and choir. Outside of school Mandisa enjoys swimming, baking, reading, and playing the guitar. She especially enjoys writing her own songs. Mandisa’s favourite things about the holiday season would have to be spending time with her loved ones and eating a lot of holiday themed desserts!
	Carys Williams The Alex Ward Trio Plays Songs From A Charlie Brown Christmas (Youth Chorus) Carys is eleven years old and in grade six at Beattie Elementary School. She has attended Stage One acting class with WCT and is happily anticipating more WCT auditions in the future! She loves horseback riding, swimming and hanging out with the family cat, rats and dog. Carys likes to bake and go crazy decorating the house for Christmas.
	Jonathan Winsby BC's Backyard White Christmas (Audio Editor/Performer) A first time collaborator with WCT, Jonathan is a familiar face on the stages of his hometown, Vancouver, and has had the immense pleasure to perform on stages across North America and the globe. His most memorable productions include:Jesus Christ Superstar (2012 Broadway Revival); Carousel,Camelot,JCS,Pericles, andSouth Pacific(all with the Stratford Festival - Ontario); Les Misérables (Mirvish - Toronto); Sousatzka(World Premiere - Toronto); and numerous productions with the Arts Club Theatre (Vancouver). Jonathan was in France when the pandemic struck, working on a production ofSouth Pacificat L'Opéra de Toulon, and feels very fortunate to have made it home before the spring lockdown. Thanks to Eva and James for brainstorming this fun project and to Kate and Gaelan for jumping on board. Happy Holidays wherever you may call home!
	Lukas Woods The Alex Ward Trio Plays Songs From A Charlie Brown Christmas (Youth Chorus) Lukas performed in WCT's 2018 Christmas Performance of ,Elf, as a member of the children's chorus and as the narwhal. He has participated in WCT's Stage One Theater program for two years. He is 13 years old and is in grade 8 at Kamloops School of the Arts. He loves dancing, playing music, and exploring a variety of different kinds of instruments. His favourite things about the holiday's is the atmosphere and the smell of cinnamon buns on Christmas morning.

Artist Headshot and Bios

Gaelan Beatty

BC's Backyard White Christmas (Video Editor/Performer)

Dawn Bergstrom

Sheldon & Dawn's Musical Sleigh Ride (Performer)

Sheldon Bergstrom

Sheldon & Dawn's Musical Sleigh Ride (Performer)

Kate Blackburn

BC's Backyard White Christmas (Choreographer/Performer)

Jessica Buchanan

At Home With Stage One: Holiday Edition (Instructor/Performer)

Cassius Ford

The Alex Ward Trio Plays Songs From A Charlie Brown Christmas (Youth Chorus)

Anna Hahn

The Alex Ward Trio Plays Songs From A Charlie Brown Christmas (Youth Chorus)

Jeremy Kneeshaw

Bonus Video - I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm (Performer/Editor/Director/Producer)

James MacDonald

A Christmas Carol: Parts One & Two (Performer/Adaptation)

Macenzie Marisco

The Alex Ward Trio Plays Songs From A Charlie Brown Christmas (Youth Chorus)

Brittney Martens

At Home With Stage One: Holiday Edition (Instructor/Performer)

Terri Runnalls

At Home With Stage One: Holiday Edition (Instructor/Performer)

Eva Tavares

BC's Backyard White Christmas (Director/Producer/Performer)

Mandisa Volo

The Alex Ward Trio Plays Songs From A Charlie Brown Christmas (Youth Chorus)

Carys Williams

The Alex Ward Trio Plays Songs From A Charlie Brown Christmas (Youth Chorus)

Jonathan Winsby

BC's Backyard White Christmas (Audio Editor/Performer)

Lukas Woods

The Alex Ward Trio Plays Songs From A Charlie Brown Christmas (Youth Chorus)

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Sagebrush Theatre

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