Almost, Maine Programme
April 22nd, 23rd, and 24th at 7:30 PM
For more details, visit our Eventbrite or Facebook page.
Programme
Acknowledgement
Our works are produced on the traditional unceded territory of the Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) and Mi’kmaq Peoples. This territory is covered by the “Treaties of Peace and Friendship” which Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) and Mi’kmaq Peoples first signed with the British Crown in 1725. The treaties did not deal with surrender of lands and resources but in fact recognized Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) title and established the rules for what was to be an ongoing relationship between nations.
Director’s Word
“The course of true love never did run smooth,” William Shakespeare said. And we have to agree with him, as tonight’s performance will prove. As we explore the town of Almost, Maine, we chart the crazy course of love through 9 individual, stand-alone scenes all taking place on a cool, magical night in. We are excited that you’ve chosen to take this journey with us this evening.
Collaboration was our theme for this show. This entire production was a collaboration of our cast, crew, and other folks coming together, sharing ideas, experimenting, and working side by side to create this real romantic comedy. Many of our cast members have also taken it upon themselves to direct a scene or assistant direct. Even our Stage Manager is also acting!
Putting together a show is never a simple venture, and it’s made even more complicated when producing a show during a worldwide pandemic. Throughout the course of our rehearsals, we’ve felt the effects of the pandemic with many of our cast members and crew falling ill at different times. And yet, because of the commitment of our cast and our mutual love for community theatre, we are so thrilled to be able to stage this show for you all tonight.
We want to thank some folks, without whom this show would not have been possible. This begins with our wickedly talented cast, and we want to say how proud of them we are and how entertained we have been by them through this process…and we just know you will be entertained tonight. Also, we want to especially thank JB Vanier for his assistance with lighting and sound. Hubcity Theatre board member Teagan Anderson Léger has been instrumental with the publicity for this show. And our incredible Stage Manager, Jessica Mackenzie, who has spent so much time and effort behind the scenes working to get our production ready for opening night. Finally, we want to thank you—our audience—for joining us in Almost, Maine. Without you, community theatre doesn’t exist, and we are so grateful for your support.
We hope you enjoy your evening in Almost, Maine!
Your Co-Directors,
Bryna Roper & Cody Bolton
Cast & Crew Bios
Darren Blois
Portraying Dave in Seeing the Thing - Scene Director for Prologue/Interlogue/Epilogue
After four turns in Shakespeare in the Park and several musicals, Darren is enjoying these steps into contemporary theatre, after 2019's Circle, Mirror Transformation, and this year's Almost, Maine. "This is such a lovely, magical play," says Darren, "and I'm really enjoying the group we have put together." This also marks Darren's directorial debut, and he thanks his actors for their enthusiasm, and the lead directors Bryna and Cody for giving him the opportunity.
Monik Richard
Portraying Marci in Where it Went
This is Monik’s first time acting since 1998. She decided to try something she used to enjoy and do more things that are just for her after finishing breast cancer treatments a few months ago. Monik works in the field of marine planning and conservation. In her spare-time she taxis her two lovely daughters to their various activities, plays boardgames with Jeff, sews rhythmic gymnastics leotards and tries to train her Wheaten terrier puppy, Matcha.
John Mackenzie
Portraying East in Her Heart and Daniel in Story of Hope - Assistant Director for Sad and Glad
“Forgiveness is the remission of sins. For it is by this that what has been lost, and was found, is saved from being lost again.” Saint Augustine.
Electra Woodhead-Smith
Portraying Gayle in Getting it Back
Nurse, Mother and lover of Theatre. Previous ventures in writing, improv, acting and promoting. She is excited to take the stage again and be a part of "Almost Maine", as the role of Gayle in "Getting it Back". Hoping to deliver a comedic and heartfelt performance to her audience.
Nadyne Kuhn
Portraying Sandrine in Sad and Glad, and Linda in Getting it Back - Assistant Director for Getting it Back, and They Fell
Nadyne Kuhn [she/her] is happy to be back on stage, playing Sandrine in Hubcity Theatre’s production of Almost, Maine! She has previously worked with Hubcity Theatre as Playwright in Residence; as stage manager for As You Like It; and has acted in Hubcity’s productions of Richard III and of My Town. She was also in Hazy Grape’s musical production of Elf. Nadyne extends a special thanks to Hubcity Theatre, her friends and family for their support. Please enjoy the show, and the awkward run-in of two exes in a bar! What a nightmare, am I right?!
Kelly Tynan
Portraying Hope in Story of Hope, and Jill in Where it Went - Assistant Director for Her Heart, Seeing the Thing, and Where it Went
Realistically, Kelly is too self-conscious and reserved to be on stage… but she’s also really stubborn, and acting is fun, so here we are. Her previous shows with Hubcity Theatre include As You Like It, The Laramie Project, Richard III, and Twelfth Night. Most recently, she appeared in Roundhouse Productions’ comedy The 39 Steps. Kelly sends thanks to everyone involved with this production—especially Bryna for taking on a rookie assistant director!—and to her ever-supportive family.
Joseph Allan
Portraying Pete in Prologue/Interlogue/Epilogue
Joseph Allan is excited to be involved in his first stage performance, playing Pete in Hubcity Theatre's production of Almost, Maine. By day he is a professional engineer, amateur musician, and feared cribbage adversary.
Jess MacKenzie
Portraying Ginette in Prologue/Epilogue, and Waitress in Sad and Glad - Stage Manager
This show holds a lot of firsts for Jessica - her first time acting in a play, her first show with Hubcity theatre, her first time as a stage manager. Jessica has spent all of her adult life directing and producing high school theatre and music programs and has been endlessly inspired by the students and teachers she’s gotten to work with over the years. With her recent move back to her hometown after 8 years living and teaching abroad, Jessica is grateful to have found a home with such a great theatre community so quickly. She hopes she can make her former theatre students, who performed this very play in 2019, proud.
Gisele Clements
Portraying Glory in Her Heart
Other than her profound love for Tacos, Gisèle has loved performing since she was young, starting with dance. In school she fell in love with musicals with Pirates of Penzance as her first one and as an adult fell in love with Improv!
Gisele performed with Buffalo ComedySportz, Buffalo NewYork beginning 2012-2018. Then moved on from there to WNYImprov 2018-2021 where she loved being involved with Murder/Mystery Dinner Theatre and improv shows. This is her first time performing with HubCity Theatre and is thrilled to be part of this Theatre group.
Hillary Bushell
Portraying Rhonda in Seeing the Thing - Scene Director for This Hurts
Hillary Bushell has been active in the theatre community since she was young. Trained in Clown and having graduated from the theatre program at Bishop’s University, she followed her love of theatre to the East Coast where she performed everything from farces and Shakespeare to Halloween horrors and dramatic reproductions. Since her time on the East Coast Hillary has been touring the globe bringing her love of theatre to audiences young and old, teaching the art and craft of theatre to children. You can currently find her in Moncton belting Shakespearean sonnets to whoever will listen.
JB Vanier
Portraying Steve in This Hurts, and Randy in They Fell
JB Vanier is the Artistic Director for Hubcity Theatre. He is pleased to be returning to the stage and handing the directing reins over to his colleagues for this lovely production of Almost, Maine. He has also been involved with productions from Roundhouse Productions, The Capitol Theatre, Power Productions, McSweeney's Dinner Theatre and many more. Make sure to join us this summer for Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor!
Matt Kinney
Portraying Jimmy in Sad and Glad, and Chad in They Fell - Scene Director for Story of Hope
Hubcity Theatre debut! Credits include: Oliver!, Mary Poppins, Beauty and the Beast, Rocky Horror Show (Capitol Theatre); Grease, Forever Plaid, Bringing Back Broadway, Elf the Musical (Hazy Grape); Kiss the Moon, Kiss the Sun (Hairy Tease Productions); and Last 5 Years (1890 Junction Theatre Co.). He would like to thank his family and friends for their continued support. Follow him @maknny
Kate Fahey
Portraying Marvalyn in This Hurts
Kate Fahey is thrilled to play the part of Marvalyn in her first production with the Hubcity Theatre group. She is married with two children, is a teacher with the Anglophone East School District, and has been involved in drama clubs and productions for a bakers dozen years.
Cody Bolton
Show Co-Director - Scene Director for Sad and Glad, They Fell, and Getting it Back
Having been involved in theatre since he was a small child, Cody’s love of theatre and stagecraft continues to this day as he serves on local theatre company Hubcity Theatre’s Board of Directors. Almost, Maine marks Cody's second show in the chair of director and it's been an exciting experience. Previous roles include: Richard Hannay in The 39 Steps, Silvius in As You Like It, Horatio in Hamlet, and Tony in Dial M for Murder.
Cody thanks you for coming out to this unique show and know you are in for a treat.
Bryna Dickson Roper
Show Co-Director - Scene Director for Her Heart, Seeing the Thing, and Where it Went
Bryna Dickson Roper is a passionate educator who loves creating theatre. She has directed children's musicals (Aladdin Jr., High School Musical Jr., and Shrek The Musical Jr.) as well as plays in both French and English. In 2020, she directed adults for the first time as part of Live Bait Theatre's online Social Distancing play festival. Bryna has acted and stage managed with Hubcity Theatre and has also performed with Hazy Grape and Roundhouse Theatres.
Rory Smith
Assistant Stage Manager
Rory Smith is a Riverview High School student who loves theatre and history. They’ve been in the Hazy Grape productions of Grease and Elf as well as the Atlantic Ballet Theatre productions of the Jungle Book, Peter Pan and multiple productions of the Christmas Carol.
