Past Projects

The Unsatisfactory Supper


by Tennessee Williams
Part of The Tennessee Project. 

The Cast:

Sarah Grange as Baby Doll

She's just a small town girl... who came to Toronto to attend the Triple Threat program at Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts. While there, Sarah appeared in a number of roles, including 'The Nurse' in Romeo & Juliet, 'Agatha' in The Children's Hour, and 'The Witch' in Into the Woods. Since graduating, she has acquired a taste for stand-up comedy and considers taking part in the Fresh Meat showcase at Second City and taping segments for XM Radio's Laugh Attack, as a couple of her finest achievements in the field of comedy thus far. Sarah plans to continue developing her skills in the many areas of show business she has taken a shine to and thereby, one day, leave the restaurant industry permanently.


 

Neil Brown as Archie Lee

A proud Bishop's grad, Neil started acting, directing and playing improv as a high school student in Kingston. When he's not off exploring the world he likes to get together with like-minded people and make art. Past credits include Harold in Black Comedy, The Man in Seven Stories, Eddie in Indian Blood and Yock in Quiet In The Land. He would like to thank all his friends and family for making him feel at home in Toronto.

 




Erin Hamilton as Aunt Rose

Erin is a graduate of Bishop's University with an honours B.A. in Drama.. She has appeared in a variety of roles including Amelia Madras in The Madras House by Harley Granville-Barker, Mrs. Gradgrind in Hard Times by Charles Dickens and Fabian in Twelfth Night. She was a part of Socratic Theatre's inaugural season, playing Horatio in Hamlet: Princess of Denmark and Ismene in Ismene by Jeremy Menekseoglu - which was part of the Ismene Project, an international initiative to raise money and awareness for breast cancer support organizations. Most recently she had the honour of playing Soula in DANFORTH, part of the 2011 SummerWorks Festival and The Young Woman in The Story of Mrs. Winchester.






The Crew: 
 
Rebecca Young Hart - Director

Rebecca is a graduate from the theatre program at Bishop’s University. After a few nomadic years living in Sherbrooke, Vancouver and Fredericton, Rebecca is happy to be in her native city settling her artistic roots with Black Tea Productions. Selected past credits include acting with Big Kid Entertainment and directing The Laramie Project, Long Ago and Far Away, He Said and She Said, Starting Over, DANFORTH and The Story of Mrs. Winchester.






 
Melissa Wright - Stage Manager

Melissa, a graduate of Bishop's University with a focus in liberal arts and philosophy, is excited to be back in the Toronto theatre scene. Past credit's include: La Duchesse de Langeais (Apuka Theatre, 2011 Fringe Festival), Pride and Prejudice (Bishop's University Drama Dept). Melissa would like to thank Black Tea Theatre for reuniting and introducing her to this amazing cast and crew. Raise a toast.


 



Katie Munden - Costume Designer

Katie Munden is a graduate from Bishop’s University where she studied Art History, Fine Arts and French. She is currently working in Toronto as an assistant personal shopper at Holt Renfrew. However, these are all minor details. The most important thing to know about Katie is that she was born on Halloween and inherited the magical gift of being the craftiest costume maker ever. The details and inventiveness speak for themselves.

 





Courtney Mulligan - Set Designer

Courtney hails from Toronto originally, but strayed from home to graduate from the University of Windsor with a BA honours in Drama. A photography, art and sports enthusiast, she has always had an interest in the technical side of the theatre, which resulted in some incredible experiences. Selected credits include Arcadia, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Noises Off, Picnic (University of Windsor), and Grease (St.Clair College) as the lighting designer. She also stage managed Heartbreak House and And Then There Were None (University of Windsor), and was the set designer for Scorched (Joan Hatch Studio Theatre). Courtney currently works as a lighting technician at Metalworks Production Group, and is excited to be back in the theatre world with Black Tea Productions. Thanks to all who love me!





The Story of Mrs. Winchester
By Adam Hunter Collier
Adapted by Black Tea Productions
 
Following the untimely death of her husband, William Wort Winchester (of the Winchester Riffle family) and her baby, Annie, desperate for answer Sarah Winchester seeks out the aid of a Psychic Medium. Upon a successful conversation beyond the grave with her husband - she determines the only answer is to head to the East Coast and start building her new home. 

Based on the story of Sarah Winchester, the owner of the famous Winchester Mystery House, Black Tea Productions created an extra-sensory delight to stimulate and intrigue the senses. Held at the unmatchable Loft 404 and featuring music by the unbelievably talented Justin Fauber, this was a night that wont soon be forgotten.












Cast & Crew 

Sarah Grange as Sarah Winchester

She's just a small town girl... who came to Toronto to attend the Triple Threat program at Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts. While there, Sarah appeared in a number of roles, including 'The Nurse' in Romeo & Juliet, 'Agatha' in The Children's Hour, and 'The Witch' in Into the Woods. Since graduating, she has acquired a taste for stand-up comedy and considers taking part in the Fresh Meat showcase at Second City and taping segments for XM Radio's Laugh Attack, as a couple of her finest achievements in the field of comedy thus far. Sarah plans to continue developing her skills in the many areas of show business she has taken a shine to and thereby, one day, leave the restaurant industry permanently.

Erin Hamilton as Woman

Erin is a graduate of Bishop's University with an honours B.A. in Drama.. She has appeared in a variety of roles including Amelia Madras in The Madras House by Harley Granville-Barker, Mrs. Gradgrind in Hard Times by Charles Dickens and Fabian in Twelfth Night. She was a part of Socratic Theatre's inaugural season, playing Horatio in Hamlet: Princess of Denmark and Ismene in Ismene by Jeremy Menekseoglu - which was part of the Ismene Project, an international initiative to raise money and awareness for breast cancer support organizations. Most recently she had the honour of playing Soula in DANFORTH, part of the 2011 SummerWorks Festival.

Patricia Garnett-Smith as Mr. Carrol

Patricia Garnett-Smith has performed in the theatre and on TV. Her performances include: Mrs. Toothe in Everything in the Garden; Mrs. Edwards in Kind Lady; Inspirato Festival: 2010 Mira in Touch of Beauty, 2011 Tesse in Life After Life; psychiatrist in Starting Over and Director's Assistant in Catastrophe. Having had such a blast in Starting Over, I'm ecstatic to be working with Rebecca and the talented cast and crew.

Justin Faubert as Ghost


Neil Brown as Head Carpenter/Chorus
 
A proud Bishop's grad, Neil started acting, directing and playing improv as a high school student in Kingston. When he's not off exploring the world he likes to get together with like-minded people and make art. Past credits include Harold in Black Comedy, The Man in Seven Stories, Eddie in Indian Blood and Yock in Quiet In The Land. He would like to thank all his friends and family for making him feel at home in Toronto.







Kelly Van der Burg as Carpenter Tom / Chorus

Kelly Van der Burg is a recent Bachelor of Arts graduate from Bishop's University and is now an aspiring actor in Toronto. Some of her previous roles include Elizabeth Bennett in Pride and Prejudice, Nora Helmer in A Doll's House, Viola in Twelfth Night and Cinderella in Cinderella. This is her first post University production and she is thrilled to be working again with some old friends from Bishop's as well as meeting some new ones.



Peter Jarvis as Carpenter Randy / Chorus

Peter Jarvis is an actor and recent Bishop's University graduate with an honours in Drama.  Past credits include: The Prince in Cinderella, Feste in Twelfth Night, Bill Sikes in Oliver Twist, Nils Krogstad in A Doll's House, George Wickham in Pride and Prejudice and the Stage Manager in Our Town. Peter would like to thank the wonderful cast and crew for their hard work and dedication to this project.




Jordan Gray as Carpenter Jim / Chorus

Jordan has recently moved here from New York City where he trained at Circle in the Square Theater School and was doing off off broadway shows. Originally from Vancouver and trained in Film acting, he learned quickly the importance of doing live theater for an actor. This is his first show in Toronto and he would like the thank this theater group for allowing him to be apart of this interesting script. He's very excited to be back in Canada and to continue his career here for awhile.
 






 Adam Hunter Collier - Playwright

Adam lives in Cabbagetown. And, is grateful to have the same friends now as in elementary school.






Rebecca Young Hart * Director/ Producer

Rebecca is a graduate from the theatre program at Bishop’s University. After a few nomadic years living in Sherbrooke, Vancouver and Fredericton, Rebecca is happy to be in her native city settling her artistic roots with Black Tea Productions. Selected past credits include acting with Big Kid Entertainment and directing The Laramie Project, Long Ago and Far Away, He Said and She Said, and Starting Over.





Erin Hamilton * Producer

Erin is a graduate of the Theatre program at Bishop's University. Upon completion of her degree, she returned home to Toronto to get into the theatre scene. After a few years she was reunited with Becca when they worked on Starting Over by Adam Hunter Collier. This experience was far too good not to repeat, which is when Black Tea Productions was born.

Melissa Wright  * Stage Manager

Melissa, a graduate of Bishop's University with a focus in liberal arts and philosophy, is excited to be back in the Toronto theatre scene. Past credit's include: La Duchesse de Langeais (Apuka Theatre, 2011 Fringe Festival), Pride and Prejudice (Bishop's University Drama Dept). Melissa would like to thank Black Tea Theatre for reuniting and introducing her to this amazing cast and crew. Raise a toast.








"DANFORTH"
by Adam Hunter Collier

















Illustrated by David Collier

'DANFORTH' is a play inspired by the small Greek neighbourhood playwright Adam Hunter Collier grew up in. It follows a tight knit group of gino's through their fantasies, friendships and regular everyday lives. It seems like they could all be happy carrying on like this forever until George, a 23-year old waiter, starts to wonder if his life on the Danforth is enough.

 Illustration by Ed Piskor
 

CAST:

Nick: Andreas Pilios
Andreas has completed the basic improv study program at Second City and is about to graduate from the conservatory program in a few weeks. Andreas has performed at the Summit: Toronto's Festival of Improv 
with the silent film troupe, "Walkie Talkie", having performed at many comedy stages and venues in the city. He is currently a part of improv troupes: IMPROVINATOR, Huckleberry Funn, 11th Commandment & Cosmos Voyages. Also he has co-produced the show, “Legends of Zelda’s”.










George: Lex Tan
 Lex performed with the 500 Voice World Youth Day Choir in 2002, and arranged a medley of World Youth Day that was performed for the opening day and for the welcome of Pope John Paul II.  250,000 people were in attendance along with the Pope himself. He also shared the stage with Ma-Anne Dionisio, Toronto's Kim from Miss Saigon. He starred as Satan in Fusion Dance Crew's The Passion: A Hip Hop Drama, which was performed for 4500 people at the Ricoh Coliseum. He attended Humber College for 2 years in their vocal music program, and completed an Honors B.A. in Drama at the University of Toronto at Scarborough.





Kostas D:  Christian Mattia Orue
Orginally from Italy, growing up in Woodbridge has helped keep his Italian and Argentinean roots intact. Currently an undergraduate student at York University, Christian Mattia Orue is about to begin his 3rd year of York's Theatre program, specializing in Devised Theatre and Playwriting.  His recent exploration of creative collaboration, directing and writing has given Christian the perfect playground to grow as a performer and theatre maker. He starred in  High School Musical 2:On stage, which has performed at the Toronto Centre for the Arts. This year, He had the opportunity to workshop an  original  piece of work entitled "Do You See Me?"  at York University's Playground Festival and appear in This is Not a Play as a part of York's TheatreLabs.    







Angelo: Anesti Danelis
Anesti Danelis is a recent Architectural Technician graduate from George Brown college, and will be starting fresh in Ryerson’s Business Management program this coming September. Anesti has always had a passion for performing, and plans to pursue it during school, and then take it on full time after his graduation from Ryerson. He recently appeared in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee as William Barfee, and Mr. Ostrovsky. He is very excited to be a part of the Danforth crew because it is a great showcase of everyone’s talent, and because it is a greatly written and hilarious new play. Anesti would like to thank his family and friends for their support, and the cast for making this a great show to be a part of.





Peter K: Mena Massoud
Mena currently trains at the Ryerson Theatre School in Toronto where he is pursuing his B.F.A. in Performance Acting. He is extremely excited to be a part of Danforth and to be playing the character of Peter K. He would like to thank his family and close friends for all their patience and support.
Theatre Credits include: All Fall Down (Ryerson Theatre), Twelve Angry Men (Scarborough Theatre), Romeo and Juliet (BACHS). Film and Television: Combat Hospital (ABC/Sienna Films), Poser (Rogers TV), Nikita (Warner Bros.), The 99 (Endemol UK).    








Soula: Erin Hamilton
Erin Hamilton is a graduate of Bishop's University with a B.A. in Drama and a current student at the Cindy Tanas Acting Studio. She has appeared in a variety of roles including Amelia Madras in The Madras House by Harley Granville-Barker, Mrs. Gradgrind in Hard Times by Charles Dickens and Fabian in Twelfth Night. This year, she was a part of Socratic Theatre's inaugural season, playing Horatio in Hamlet: Princess of Denmark and Ismene in Ismene by Jeremy Menekseoglu - which was part of the Ismene Project, an international initiative to raise money and awareness for breast cancer support organizations.  




Voula: Christina Santos

Christina has studied with various acting coaches throughout Toronto, including Lewis Baumander, Miriam Laurence and Tom Melissis.  She has participated in a number of independent projects and recently played a lead role in the short film My Little Eye for the Toronto 48-hour Film Challenge.  This is her first theatre production, and she is excited for this new experience.





Mary: Sofia Gian
Sofia Gian is a graduate of Ryerson University with a B.A. in Radio and Television Arts and holds a Theatrical Performance Certificate from Seneca.  She is also currently studying acting at Odyssey Studio and the Professional Actors Lab in Toronto. You may have seen some of Sofia's projects in film, television or on the web. Sofia was featured in a role in the movie Anchor Baby which has received various film festival accolades. Next up for Sofia, she is staring in a webseries comedy called Smiley's which will be due out in November 2011. Her passion for the acting industry continues off screen as she blogs about her adventures in film and television business at http://www.actressconfessions.com/