Myth of the Ostrich

June 28- July 15 2023

Barbara Kozicki Beall is thrilled to be part of the 2023 season! Graduate of the University of British Columbia's BFA Acting Program and recipient of the Hnatyshyn Foundation Developing Artist Grant for English Theatre, Barbara was last seen in Stratford as Amy Lee in Here For NoW Theatre's inaugural production of Laundry & Bourbon. An experienced poi performer and Marilyn Monroe impersonator, Barbara is studying mounted archery and serves as co-chair of the UBCP/ACTRA Queer Performers Committee

Frog Song

July 26 - Aug 12, 2023

Darcey Baker is thrilled to be cast as “Riley” and working with the amazing creators and artistic team of Frog Song. A recent graduate of Randolph College for the Performing Arts in Toronto, and an ACTRA apprentice, Darcey sang a solo in TV’s The Handmaids Tale, and is the voice of “Riff” in Thomas & Friends shorts, as well as the voice of “Laya'' in the new Netflix game Laya’s Horizon. Darcey has a passion for Shakespeare and previously portrayed “Helena” in Theatre Orangeville’s 25th Anniversary production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Darcey is grateful for the support of her agent Sandie Newton at Newton Landry Management and her wonderful singing teachers including Jeannie Wyse and Canadian Opera tenor, Mark DuBois.

Margaret Reid

July 12 - July 29, 2023

A Stratford local, Carmen is originally from Tisdale, Saskatchewan, and has been working in Canadian theatre since 1995. Some of her favourite roles have been Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Sheilagh Fielding in The Colony of Unrequited Dreams, Kattrin in Mother Courage and Her Children, and the many, many characters in The Syringa Tree. In 2020, Carmen expanded her education, and now runs a private practice as a Personal Support Counsellor (Bird’s Nest Listening Services). She is so happy and grateful to return to theatre after a bit of a break; this is her Her For Now Festival debut.

Queen Maeve

Sept 6 - Sept 23, 2023

Actor Toronto/Montreal based. Of plays by Judith Thompson, Clare Coulter has performed in the following première productions : White Biting Dog : Tarragon 1984, I Am Yours : Tarragon 1987, Lion In The Streets : Tarragon 1990. Pink : for the Arts Against Apartheid , Royal Alexandra Theatre 1986. In 2022 Queen Maeve, a short,15 minute play, was produced Online by Theatre Ouest End, Montreal, starring Clare Coulter and Ryan Bommarito. Most recent stage production : Planting An Apple Tree by Ukrainian playwright Iryna Harets , a reflection on the conditions under which the Ukrainian people are living : Centaur, February 2023. Recent Films still to be released : We Are Zombies, : Anouk Whissell, Queen Of Bones : Robert Budreau, The Dogs : Valerie Buhagiar, The Drive Back Home : Michael Clowater. Clare played Ruth Zardo in Three Pines, Amazon Prime, 2022.

Myth of the Ostrich

June 28 - July 15, 2023

Third time’s a charm! Lauren is counting her lucky stars that she has returned to Here For Now for her third season, following The Tracks (2021) and Ale Wives (2022). This is truly one of her fave companies to work for, and sharing the stage with her “wife” SJ and ”beer pal” Barbara while under the direction of “I wanna be like her when I grow up” Sheila McCarthy is just too damn delicious. Lauren has performed around the country, with some of her most cherished experiences happening at the Arts Club, Citadel Theatre, National Arts Centre, Drayton Entertainment, Mayfield Theatre, National Arts Centre, & Belfry Theatre. She is a passionate advocate and supporter of Action Canada, both on the national level and international level as part of the UN Sexual Rights Initiative coalition. Lauren co-owns the Great Wall Tea Co., and can often be found sipping a cuppa and watching a horror movie. Thank you for coming to our play and supporting this wonderful company. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Frog Song

Jul 26 - Aug 12, 2023

Megan is thrilled to be a part of this original production Frog Song! The 15 year old ECI student would, like to extend her gratitude for all her mother, family and friends have done for her over the years of embarking on her artistic journey. In the past, Megan has had the honor of working under the direction of David Connally in Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy 2023 production of Legally Blonde and the coaching of Broadway’s Alex Brightman in 2021. She also has had the opportunity to perform with Amanda Kind and Steve Lehman’s KW Glee in 2019-2022. Thanks for coming to see this wonderful show!

Life Without

Aug 9- Aug 26, 2023

Sean is thrilled to be making his Here For Now debut this season. Theatre: Dear Evan Hansen (Mirvish) where Sean received a Dora Mavor Moore Award nomination for outstanding performance in a featured role; The Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof (Stratford Festival). Film/TV: Hardy Boys (Hulu/Netflix); Nurses, Taken (NBC); WAYNE (Amazon Studios); Schitt’s Creek, Workin’ Moms, The Detectives, In the Dark, Murdoch Mysteries (CBC/Netflix), Lockdown (Family Channel); Good Witch (Hallmark); Hudson and Rex (CityTV); upcoming film The Players (Hawkeye Pictures) Instagram: @heyimsean Etc: Many thanks to Steve, Jan, and the Here For Now team for the opportunity. Much love to Mom, Dad, Nick, Stephanie, and Luna. Local addiction support services: cmhahuronperth.com

Queen Maeve

Sept 6 - Sept 23, 2023

ALLEGRA FULTON is an award-winning actress whose distinguished career has taken her across Canada, the US, and Europe, where she has also worked as a director. At the Stratford Festival, she has appeared as Adriana in COMEDY OF ERRORS and Penelope, Circe and Helen of Troy in Derek Walcott’s THE ODYSSEY Recent favourites include: Nick Green’s DINNER WITH THE DUCHESS, (Broadway World nomination) Amanda in THE GLASS MENAGERIE, and Mae West’s SEX at The Shaw Festival, BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY, Coal Mine, SWEAT, Can Stage and COPENHAGEN at the National Arts Centre of Canada. She can be seen on screen in MOONSHINE, CHAPELWAITE, THE GOOD DOCTOR, TITANS, SUPERMAN&LOIS, SCHITT’S CREEK , FARGO, THE SHAPE OF WATER, STRANGE BUT TRUE, and CASCADE among many others. www.allegrafulton.com

Queen Maeve

Sept 6 - Sept 23, 2023

CAROLINE most recently appeared in Draw Me Close at Soulpepper Theatre (in association with the NFB). Previously she was seen on stage in New Magic Valley Fun Town with performances at Prairie Theatre Exchange, Tarragon and Neptune Theatre. She is excited to work with Here for Now Theatre on the premiere of Judith Thompson’s Queen Maeve having previously performed in her plays Perfect Pie (GCTC) and I Am Yours (Equity Showcase). Caroline has appeared in theatres across the country including the Belfry Theatre, the Blyth Festival, the Stratford Festival and the National Arts Centre. Her film and TV credits include: Women Talking (Orion/Plan B), In the Dark (The CW) and Mrs. America (FX on Hulu).

Myth of the Ostrich

June 28 - July 15, 2023

SJ is thrilled to be working for HFN again after acting in Take Care and directing AleWives last season. She is over the moon to be exploring this piece with dear friends and artists she truly admires! Gobsmacked! Some acting credits include: Miss Stacey in Anne ,Tanya in Mammamia (Charlottetown Festival); 5 seasons as the Villian in the Ross Petty Panto; Bakers Wife Into the Woods (Neptune & 1000 Islands), Velma in Chicago (Mayfield- Sterling Nom); Dr. Charlotte in Falsettos and Kate in the Wild Party (Musical Stage Co.), Rona in The 25th Annual... (Belfry) ;Mary in Mary Poppins, Fantine in Les Miz, and SJ is proud to be the first Canadian Alison Bechdel in Funhome (Arts Club Theatre); SJ has played Patsy in A Closer walk with Patsy Cline in over 12 productions across Canada. SJ has been an associate director at the Stratford Festival for 2 seasons and a choreographer for 1. She is a Dora nominated choreographer for Eclipse Theatres production of Kiss of the Spiderwoman in Toronto. During the pandemic SJ opened a small business in Stratford ON www.fawnoveryou.ca 13 York Street. This one’s for you Mom!

Corporate Finch

Jul 20 - 22 , 2023

Matthew Ivanoff is based between Toronto and Guelph which are located in treaty 13 and 3 territories, respectfully. As a performer his credits include Lord of the Flies, Of Mice and Men, The Flick, War of the Worlds, Memories, Amaryllis and Corporate Finch. Matthew is an alumnus of the Soulpepper City Youth Academy, where he devised/performed Five. As a theatre studies student at UGuelph, he performed in several projects including Sundried Tomatoes and Radio Shows. He is currently developing a one-person semi-musical exploring anticipatory grief called The Man Who Sold the World. He has also appeared in radio plays/podcasts including Haven, A Shot in the Dark, and an upcoming collaborative project exploring food scarcity in Guelph. Summer 2023, Matthew is excited to play the role of Jacob once again in Taylor Marie Graham’s Corporate Finch and help to bring love and horror to new audiences.

Corporate Finch

Jul 20, 2023- Jul 22, 2023

Rainbow Kester is an Anishinaabe actor from Temagami, Ontario. She loves to play music, draw, paint, read, write, and explore nature. She wishes to bring new perspectives into people’s lives by spreading love and understanding with her art. She began her acting journey at Ventura College, CA where she played the role of ‘Mrs. Q’ in No Dogs Allowed in a collection of Shel Silverstein’s shorts. After her first year of post-secondary school, Rainbow transferred to the University of Guelph where she played the role of ‘Narrator’ in her program’s 2022 Fall production of Amaryllis by Pascale Brullemans. Most recently, Rainbow wrote and performed in UGuelph’s ensemble project Sundried Tomatoes and Radio Shows! Rainbow played the role of ‘Finch’ in Corporate Finch by Taylor Marie Graham, in Kitchener’s Unhinged Festival December 2022, and is looking forward to touring the show throughout Ontario, summer 2023.

Margaret Reid

July 12 - July 29, 2023

Bethany is very excited to be part of Here For Now’s 2023 season! She has worked extensively across Canada and the US, including five seasons with the Stratford Festival of Canada: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Beaux Stratagem, Othello, The Three Musketeers, Henry V, Much Ado About Nothing, Richard III, The Little Years, Dangerous Liaisons, Peter Pan. Her American regional theatre credits include Harper in Angels in America Parts 1&2 (Berkeley Rep), Desdemona in Othello (Chicago Shakes) and Emily in Disgraced (Cincinnati Playhouse). Film and TV credits include Divorce (HBO), Murdoch Mysteries (CBC), I Love You But I Lied (TMN). Bethany moonlights as a singer with the rock band Notes from Underground - check out their EP Rock, Pith & Brevity wherever you listen to music!

Frog Song

Jul 26 - Aug 12, 2023

Derek Kwan is an actor, singer, and theatre creator working at the intersection of various forms including opera, clown, and puppetry, based in Toronto. His performing career has taken him across Canada and the globe, from London, England, to performances in Czech Republic, Mexico, Japan, China, and beyond. Derek was nominated for 4 Dora Mavor Moore Awards for his work in theatre and received the Toronto Theatre Critics Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical for his role in Mr. Shi and His Lover. He is also the Artistic Director of Common Boots Theatre, a theatre company based in collaboration and play. Performance highlights include: Chinatown (City Opera Vancouver); The Tempest (Citadel Theatre); The Cave (LUMINATO 2019, 2022); Blood Weddings (Modern Times/Aluna); Mr. Shi and His Lover (Tarragon/NAC); I, Claudia (Theatre Ignite, Taipei); Sweeney Todd (Talk is Free Theatre/London, England).

Frog Song

Jul 26 - Aug 12, 2023

Priya Khatri, who plays the role of Navdeep Gupta, is thrilled to be a part of the Frog Song Opera production and back on stage again! She has just completed a semester abroad at the Conservatoire de Lyon in France and is very thankful to be a part of such a wonderful cast! She is going into her 4th year at Wilfrid Laurier University as a voice performance student continuing to follow her passions. She would like to thank Here For Now Theatre and the tremendous cast and crew for which this would not have been possible.

Life Without

Aug 9- Aug 26, 2023

Robert has worked many seasons with the Blyth Festival and over the years has appeared in almost every regional theatre across Canada, notably creating the role of Owen in Norm Foster's Melville Boys for TNB. Robert worked with the Stratford Festival for over 25 seasons. Robert is the co-artistic director of Alternative Theatre Works along with Brad Rudy and Peggy Coffey. He is thrilled to be working with Here For Now Theatre! Robert makes his home in Stratford with his wife Peggy and their furry family, Sunflower, Bear and Tiff.

Frog Song

Jul 26 - Aug 12 ,2023

Queen Maeve

Sept 6 - Sept 23, 2023

Michael is a graduate of the Bachelor of Fine Arts program at UBC.  Michael has recently appeared in AKoolFilm Company's Cry of Silence, as well as York Lane Art Collective's The Socially Distanced Dinner Party.  His roles onstage include Simon Bright in The Game's Afoot (SMCP), Jack in Into the Woods (PCP), and Younger Brother in Ragtime (TCP New Hamburg).  Here For Now audiences may recall his portrayal of Tim in Penelope Miller's Eigengrau.  He is thrilled and delighted to join with a group of such high-caliber artists to bring you this year's incredible stories.

The Fox

Aug 23- Sept 9, 2023

Siobhan is the Managing Director of Here For Now Theatre Company. Selected Theatre Credits: Jessica in Spit, Belle in Post Alice, Rory in A Hundred Words for Snow, Rue in Whack! (Here For Now); Eliza Doolittle in Pygmalion (Guild Festival Theatre); Fanny and Mrs. Parsons in Mary of Shanty Bay (Theatre by the Bay); Mary in Mary’s Wedding, Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Festival Players of Prince Edward County); Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing (The Secret Shakespeare Series); Catherine Givings in In the Next Room, Martha in Spring Awakening, Rosalind in As You Like It, and Yelena in Uncle Vanya (The Lir). Training: Honours BA in Acting, The Lir National Academy of Dramatic Art (Trinity College Dublin/RADA)

The Fox

Aug 23- Sept 9, 2023

New York highlights: Trying at Cape May Stage and Suddenly Last Summer (both directed by Austin Pendleton), See Bob Run at Planet Connections (Winner, Outstanding Performance in a Solo Show), Julius Caesar with Titan Theatre Company (Queens Theatre), Prometheus Within and Angels of Swedenborg at La MaMa ETC. Canadian Theatre favourites include Fire and Anne of Green Gables at the Charlottetown Festival. Choreography highlights include White Christmas, Damn Yankees, and Holiday Inn for the Shaw Festival, The Hills Are Alive! at New York Musical Festival, and the short film, Curfew (Oscar Winner - Live Action Short, 2013).

The Fox

Aug 23- Sept 9, 2023

Callan Potter is a Canadian actor, writer, and artist. Originally from Stratford Ontario, he is thrilled to be making his Here For Now debut as Henry in The Fox, and is continually grateful for the incredible folks at HFN for their dedication to creating spaces for creativity and storytelling. “After nourishment, shelter and companionship, stories are the things we need most in the world.” ― Philip Pullman Film/Television: Workin' Moms (CBC/Netflix), The Swap (Disney), No One Would Tell (Lifetime), Murdoch Mysteries (CBC), The Other Kingdom (Nickelodeon), Bruno & Boots (YTV), ZombieTown (NOW Ent.), Be Mine (Meta) Theatre: Mother Courage and Her Children (Stratfest), The Three Musketeers (Stratfest), Training: National Theatre School of Canada

Life Without

Aug 9- Aug 26, 2023

I am beyond delighted to be here and to return to my first love, theatre. This production is particularly meaningful to me, as it marks the first time I have been invited to "tread the boards" in my chosen hometown since moving here 11 years ago. I couldn't be more proud that it is in Steve Ross's beautiful new play, Life Without, with the Here For Now Theatre company. Thank you to Fiona and Siobhan and Sara-Jeanne - forces of nature, all of you. I couldn't be more grateful that I get to do what I love and then get to go home, hang out with my dog, Clyde, and fall asleep in my own bed. What a thing. Over the years, I've done a bunch of stuff, including playing the Angel in Angels in America and Alison in Trainspotting at Canadian Stage. I had the privilege of being an ensemble member for 10 years in VideoCabaret's outrageous and ingenious Village of the Small Huts, a history of Canada, conceived and written by the inimitable Michael Hollingsworth and the lightning quick-witted Deanne Taylor. Other highlights include playing Stella in local playwright Bonnie Green's hilarious and poignant, Meet My Sister, performing in numerous George F. Walker plays at Factory Theatre in Toronto; I played Lady MacBeth at YPT, and Helen of Troy and Octavia at the Stratford Festival. I have been fortunate to perform in theatres across Canada, the US and Europe. I am also a certified and trauma-informed Somatic Coach within the realm of Sex, Love and Relationships, working primarily with women and feminine-bodied individuals who seek to expand their knowledge of themselves and deepen their intimacy and empowerment within their own bodies. I offer 1:1 coaching sessions and will also be hosting women's workshops later in the fall. For more information, please visit www.pleasurewarrior.com. This performance is dedicated to my mother, Victoria Maria Prytawska, her mother before her, Alice I MacMillan, my Ukrainian paternal grandmother, Mary Prytawska, and the long line of mothers before them. In memoriam and dedication to all the wisdom-keepers that have come before me and that shall come after me. Together we remember. Together we rise. Love to all.

MixTape: The Field Sessions

July 4- July 9, 2023

Zorana Sadiq is an award-winning Toronto-based actor and classical musician. A multidisciplinary artist of Pakistani descent, Sadiq’s work is wide-ranging, spanning theatre and television as well as chamber music, modern opera and new music and broadcast radio. Recent appearances include: Into the Woods (STC), Wildfire (Factory Theatre- Dora Mavor Moore for Outstanding Production) Towards Youth (Crow’s Theatre), CHILD-ISH (Summerworks Lab), Eleven Moons (Boston Musica Viva) Helen’s Necklace (Canadian Rep Theatre), The Enchanted Loom (Cahoots Theatre), Bend it Like Beckham (Starvox), Sultans of the Street (Young People’s Theatre- Dora Mavor Moore for Best Ensemble), as well as appearances with Necessary Angel Theatre, Soulpepper’s Global Cabaret, Vancouver’s Turningpoint Ensemble, Soundstreams Canada, The Tanglewood Music Centre, Banff Summer Arts Festival, Calgary Symphony, Vancouver Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic and Boston Musica Viva. MixTape was nominated for three Dora Mavor Moore Awards including Outstanding Performance and will appear on CBC’s Play Me podcast this season. In 2019, Sadiq was named one of the Top Ten Theatre Artists in NOW Magazine.

Frog Song

Jul 26 - Aug 12, 2023

Ben (he/him) is thrilled to be a part of this ribbiting new show. Born and raised in Kitchener, ON, Ben was bitten early on by the theatre bug and worked up to attending Sheridan College for Music Theatre (Class of '20). Past credits include Tok in Wizard of Oz: The Panto, Leslie in It Runs in the Family (Drayton), And I Never Stopped Dancing (Smile Theatre), Forever Plaid (Starvox Entertainment), Boatman in Sunday in the Park with George (Eclipse Theatre Company), Sam in Every Silver Lining (Toronto Fringe/Next Stage), Newsies, Hendrix in The Stars of Mars, The House of Martin Guerre (Theatre Sheridan). Big love to Mom, Dad, Alex, Ethan, and the Talent House gang! Instagram: @ben_the_skipper

Frog Song

Jul 26, - Aug 12, 2023

Lucy Sanci (ensemble) is very excited to be making her Here For Now Theatre Company debut! She has had a blast hopping around Stratford in the new children's opera Frog Song and wants to thank her friends and family for always being so supportive and driving across Ontario to see all her shows! Her favourite credits include: #25 (The Wolves), Sarah (C-O-N-T-A-C-T), and Lost Boy (Peter Pan The Musical). She wants to say a huge THANK YOU to you for coming out and supporting new Canadian works! Learn more about Lucy at lucysanci.com or @lucy_sanci

Queen Maeve

Sept 6 - Sept 23, 2023

Cait is a member of the Stratford-based modern Celtic band The Bookends, playing whistles and flute. She has always had a passion for music, starting with the piano in childhood and later exploring other genres and instruments including death metal on organ, big band on baritone sax, and African singing and drumming. Cait studied music and linguistics at Carleton and York Universities and after working in film and commercial production in Toronto, she returned to Stratford with her husband. In April 2020 The Bookends released their debut album Chapter One and followed-up in 2023 with their second album A Celtic Celebration: The Bookends with the Stratford Symphony Orchestra. The band has performed and toured with the multiple award-winning artist Loreena McKennitt and appears on her 2022 album Under A Winter’s Moon. In August, The Bookends will be performing with Loreena at multiple summer music festivals throughout Ontario. Cait loves sharing the magic of music with others and is thrilled to be part of the world premiere of Queen Maeve this season with Here for Now Theatre. thebookends.ca @thebookendsceltic @caitplayswhistle

Margaret Reid

July 12 - July 29, 2023

Louriza Tronco is so grateful to be making her debut with Here For Now Theatre. Originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba, she moved to Victoria B.C. to attend The Canadian College of Performing Arts at the age of 17. She got her film and TV start on her first series regular role on Nickelodeon's musical comedy series, "Make It Pop", starring an all asian female cast (the first of its kind) which consisted of 42 episodes. Louriza Tronco starred as fan favourite ‘Gabrielle Dupres’ in Netflix’s fantasy/horror drama series THE ORDER, and also starred opposite Eric McCormack in comedy feature DRINKWATER - earning her a place in the prestigious ‘STARS TO WATCH’ program at the 2021 Whistler Film Festival. The Filipino/Canadian actor previously appeared on hit CW show SUPERGIRL and Netflix's THE IMPERFECTS. Feature credits include the indie drama BADGE OF HONOR with Mena Suvari and Martin Sheen, NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB and Disney Channel original feature ZAPPED opposite Zendaya. Although a consistent actor in the LA and Vancouver film/TV markets, her heart has always been with the theatre and she is so excited to be back with her roots through the force that is 'Cora' in Margret Reid.