DIRECTOR

Miles began his career in Toronto in the 70’s creating new plays with Theatre Passe Murraille (The Farm Show, 1837) and spent the next 50 years working across Canada in virtually every regional theatre, including 18 shows for Manitoba Theatre Centre, all of Stratford's stages and 3 commercial shows for Mirvish Productions (Medea, Drawer Boy, Orpheus Descending). He was given a Toronto Dora award (Drawer Boy) and a Vancouver Jessie award (Taming of the Shrew). He feels privileged to have worked with most of Canada’s leading theatre artists over the years; buy him a N/A beer and he’ll tell you some stories.

PLAYWRIGHT

Beverley is an award-winning playwright, dramaturge and teacher. Her plays include; The Lonely Diner;Janet Wilson Meets the Queen (nominated/Prix Rideau Award) and If Truth Be Told. Innocence Lost: A Play about Steven Truscott was a finalist for the Governor General’s Literary Award. Last year she had two premieres: The Trials of Maggie Pollock (Blyth Festival) and Jim Watts: Girl Reporter (4th Line Theatre). Beverley is the 2022 recipient of the Bra D’or Award, recognizing her support for women playwrights. She holds an MFA from the University of Guelph and directs audiobooks for Penguin Random House. She lives in Toronto. www.beverleycooper.com

as EVALYN TRAYNOR

From the Maritimes, it was the practice of Music Theatre that brought Martha to Ontario where she graduated from Sheridan College’s Music Theatre Performance Program.  She was a member of the Stratford Festival’s acting company for nine seasons and has worked in theatres throughout the country.  More recently, she furthered her craft of teaching and coaching with the Stratford Festival’s Professional Development Program, supporting artists in their work.  Martha is delighted to be back on stage with Here For Now this summer.  Love to friends and family, near and far. 

as LEO PAYNE

Gregory is an award-winning actor, writer, and director, excited to debut at Here For Now. Recent acting credits include Casey and Diana (RMTC/Theatre Aquarius), The Bidding War (Crow's Theatre), A Streetcar Named Desire (Soulpepper), The Inheritance (Canadian Stage), and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Mirvish). He was part of Soulpepper’s acting company for many years, performing in over 40 productions. As a writer and director, he’s known for De Profundis: Oscar Wilde in Jail (Soulpepper/Dora Award, Toronto Theatre Critic’s Award) and Bremen Town (Next Stage Festival). He’s currently working on a musical adaptation of The Chrysalids for Bad Hats Theatre. More info: gregoryprest.com

SET DESIGN

COSTUME DESIGNER

Rebecca is a costume/set designer and maker from Tkaronto. Select design credits: Costume design Stick around, Humour me (Here for Now Theatre) – Rapunzel: a Merry (Hairy) Holiday Panto (Capitol Theatre Port Hope). S and costume design – Paul and Linda Plan a Threesome (Here for Now Theatre), Associate costume designer – Something Rotten! (Stratford Festival), costume and set design - Cymbeline, costume design - Shakespeare’s N**** (Langham Directors' Workshop, Stratford Festival), costume and set design - ECHO (A FRONT COMPANY). Assistant design credits, Stratford Festival: assistant costume and set designer - Monty Python’s Spamalot, Les Belles-Soeurs, The Miser; assistant costume designer Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Every Little Nookie. Website: rebeccachaikin.com Instagram: @rebeccachaikin.

LIGHTING DESIGN

Louise Guinand is a lighting designer who has designed lighting for over 600 shows. Her work has been seen on stages across Canada. She delights in the ever changing nature of the theatre and the discoveries every new space and production brings. 

Louise is pleased to be part of Here For Now’s first indoor season in a brand new theatre. 

SOUND DESIGN

Having enjoyed living in Stratford for periods over the years, Keith is thrilled to finally be a permanent resident! Feeling blessed and grateful, his life in the theatre as composer, musical director, song writer, actor, singer, and sound designer has included 28 seasons at The Stratford Festival and has taken him across North America and overseas. Keith is especially excited to be a part of the amazing HFN team! Albums on Spotify and other streaming platforms: Music for Theatre by Keith Benedict Thomas.

Website: keiththomas.cA

STAGE MANAGER

Sam is proud to be back at Here For Now for another season after stage-managing Paul and Linda Plan a Threesome and The Saviour in 2024.  Previously, he stage managed Where the Heart Is at the Victoria Playhouse Petrolia. A Mitchell, Ontario native, Sam is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in English at McGill University in Montreal. He has made the rounds of McGill’s theatre scene, acting in several student plays and recently directing a production of Company. He would like to thank the HFN team and his family for their support.