Oct 12 - 29, 2023
Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Doubt: A Parable, is a courtroom built to question your understanding of integrity.
Join us for
“Talkback Sessions”
with the Director and Cast
after each Sunday
Matinee performance
Jocelyn Dickson on her character Sister James
Writer John Patrick Shanley talks about Doubt: A Parable
Doubt can be a bond as powerful and sustaining as certainty.
DEAN CHADWICK
Father Brendan Flynn
Distinguished artist, Dean stands as an award-winning actor and cultural leader, leaving an indelible mark on audiences throughout the province. His career is a tapestry woven with iconic characters, including the enigmatic Brother XII, the haunting Sweeney Todd, the endearing Tevye from Fiddler On The Roof, and the poignant Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar. Dean’s extraordinary versatility is evident as he seamlessly embodies roles like the spirited Max andTito in Lend Me A Tenor, the lovable Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz, the charismatic Billy Flynn in Chicago, the introspective Archie Craven in A Secret Garden, and the poignant Otto Frank in the Diary of Anne Frank.
However, among this rich tapestry, one role holds a special place in Dean’s heart - that of Father Flynn in Doubt. From the actor’s perspective, this complex character offered an intriguing challenge, allowing Dean to delve deep into the nuanced layers of doubt, morality, and human nature. The role provided a canvas for Dean to explore the intricacies of a man grappling with his own beliefs and the uncertainties of a changing world. This portrayal stands as a testament to Dean’s dedication to his craft and his ceaseless pursuit of roles that resonate on a profound level.
BETH DEVOLDER
Sister Aloysius
Beth’s passion for writing and theatre was ignited at 10 when she was chosen, along with a small group of middle school students, to work with Canadian composer Norman Symonds to write the operetta Laura and the Lieutenant (1972). She was cast as Elizabeth in its debut, a co-production of the CBC and the Wellington County Board of Education. Since that time, Beth has gone on to publish well over 60 songs as a recording artist and lyricist/composer for several award-winning children’s projects including the rollicking children’s musical Ichabod (ShoeString Theatre, 2009, 2010). In 2018, Beth won Theatre BC’s Best Actress award for her role as Ruth Steiner in Echo Players production of Collected Stories. A professional staged reading of The Last Frontier, a musical she wrote with Michael Armstrong (directed by Kevin McKendrick and Nico Rhodes) is showing at the Roxy Theatre in Victoria on September 9th, 2023. Tickets on sale now.
Vancouver Island credits include: Bema Productions’ 17 Stories (ASM), The Best Meal (SM), The Grandkid (SM), and Fiddler On the Roof (Fruma-Sarah), Roaring Heart Theatre’s The December Man (SM) and Western Edge’s Run in Fields (ASM).
JOCELYN DICKSON
Sister James
Jocelyn is a Nanaimo-based actor, singer, and designer. She received her training in Theatre at Vancouver Island University, and since graduating has been a performer in a multitude of local theatre productions. Some of these include as The Witch in VIU’s Into the Woods (2018), Tracy Turnblad in Bard to Broadway’s Hairspray (2019), and as Martha in ECHO Players’ The Secret Garden (2020). Working on Doubt has been an incredible experience for Jocelyn, and she is grateful to the entire team for the thoughtfulness, hard work and care that made this show happen.
ADELIE SIMSON
Mrs. Muller
Adelie Simson is thankful and excited to be participating in and working alongside the cast and crew of Echo Players production of Doubt. Adelie has most recently been in the Comox Valley Youth Music Centre’s productions of The Prom’ in the role of Dee Dee Allen.
Adelie has been in many shows such as Courtenay Little Theatre’s production of Cinderella directed and choreographed by Susan Bradshaw, and Three Legged Dogs Into The Woods directed and choreographed by Alex Nichol. This is Adelie’s first show with Echo Players.
She has also previously worked with Bard to Broadway in their past production of Hairspray. Adelie would like to thank her family and friends for the continuous support and encouragement. She would also like to thank her fellow cast and the production crew of Doubt for all their hard work and time in making this possible. Lastly she’d like to thank the viewers and audience for their support to the arts and the people in the arts. This is a special show and she hopes you enjoy all you witness. Thank you.
JENNIFER KELLY
Director
Originally from Dublin, Ireland, Jennifer is delighted to have found roots on Vancouver Island. After graduating with a degree in Drama and Vocal Performance from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, she enjoyed working as a theatre manager, actress, and feature singer for several cruise lines. Jennifer later had the opportunity of performing for Theatre Aquarius under the direction of Max Reimer. Jennifer has the pleasure of performing with local theatre companies and has earned North Island Theatre Zone awards, and also received best director at the Vancouver Island One Act Play Festival. Recent directing roles include My Fair Lady and Beauty and the Beast with the Qualicum Beach School of Dance, where she has been the director of Musical Theatre since 2015. She also had the opportunity of directing the theatre program at Southridge Independent School in Greater Vancouver. Jennifer directed Second Chances, the Canadian premiere musical by Nico Rhodes and David Jewell, and The Secret Garden for ECHO Players. Jennifer’s most recent performance was at the Sid Williams Theatre in Courtenay this past March where she played the Witch in The Three-Legged Dog Productions of Into the Woods. She is currently a Performing Arts teacher for District 69, where she instructs Musical Theatre, Acting, and Speech and Dramatic Arts. Jennifer feels extremely fortunate to teach, perform and direct in this vibrant arts community.
MICHAEL ARMSTRONG
Set Designer
Michael is an actor, playwright and director who has worked with community theatre companies across the province. He has adjudicated for Theatre BC on numerous occasions including Mainstage in 2016. He has directed for ECHO on several occasions and will directing his own play, LONGING, for the spring. In recent years he has done set designs for Western Edge, Yellow Point and Roaring Heart Theatre in Nanaimo.
Construction Crew: Wayne Kehler, Ron Stoltz, Rick Lardner and Mike Andrews
Producers: Judi and Mike Andrews
Stage Managers: Liz Tarkowski and Keith Roger
Costumes: Lorna McLellan and Caron Byrne