April 17 to May 4
Meet the Cast and Crew of
“THE REVOLUTIONISTS”
Written by: Lauren Gunderson Director: Brian Mather
Four badass women lose their heads in this irreverent, girl-powered comedy set during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror. Playwright Olympe de Gouges, assassin Charlotte Corday, former Queen Marie Antoinette and Haitian rebel Marianne Angelle hang out, murder Marat and try to beat back the extremist insanity in 1793 Paris. This grand and dream-tweaked comedy is about violence and legacy, art and activism, feminism and terrorism, compatriots and chosen sisters, and how we actually go about changing the world.
Meet author Lauren Gunderson, along with the amazing cast and crew.
What a team. It really takes a village…
Director BRIAN MATHER returns to Village Theatre to bring us The Revolutionists…
LAUREN GUNDERSON
Author
Lauren Gunderson's works heavily focus on female figures in history, science, and literature.She is one of the top 20 most-produced playwrights in the country,and has been America's most produced living playwright since 2016. She has had over twenty plays produced including, I and You, Émilie: La Marquise Du Châtelet Defends Her Life Tonight, Parts They Call Deep, and Background.
BISOLA ALABI
Marianne Angelle
Bisọla Alabi is a happily married and loving mother of three. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Ibadan and moved from Nigeria to Nanaimo 24 years ago. She went back to school and got her Master’s degree in Communications from the University of Alberta. She has extensive experience in stage performance and TV production; including hosting her own show on Shaw TV. Her love for the stage is a forever thing and she is looking forward to playing Marianne Angelle with her wonderful cast mates.
OLIVIA HYDE
Charlotte Corday
Olivia is a University of Toronto Honors graduate in English and Theatre. She has performed in shows such as The Trojan Women and Harlem Duet. This will be Olivia’s third production with ECHO Players. She is grateful to have been a part of Matilda and Treasure Island and is excited to join them again in The Revolutionists. She is thrilled to get the chance to “assassinate” the role of Charlotte Corday.
KELLY BARNUM
Olympe de Gouges
Kelly is a director, actor, and educator who currently teaches performing arts at NDSS in Nanaimo. She last appeared at the Village Theatre as Mrs. Phelps in Matilda and is excited to perform alongside frequent collaborator Sarah Kielly. Favorite productions include their original dance works Terezin and Going Under as well as Into the Woods. Kelly has also directed multiple ECHO productions, including Mary’s Wedding and Grace and Glorie, and looks forward to directing next season’s opener, The Melville Boys. Thanks to the cast and crew for this journey and to Jason for always supporting her adventures.
SARAH KIELLY
Marie Antoinette
Sarah is a performer, choreographer, and dance teacher from Nanaimo. Sarah is frequently seen behind the curtain choreographing Matilda(ECHO), Mamma Mia (3LDP) and Stage Managing Mary’s Wedding (ECHO). This spring Sarah is shaking it up and taking on this wonderful and challenging role. Favourite productions include original dance works created alongside frequent collaborator Kelly Barnum, Going Under & 90 Seconds (NDSS Dance). Most recently seen this fall in Cabaret as Texas (3LDP), Sarah is excited to put back on her performer hat and share the stage with this incredible group of women.
BRIAN MATHER
Director
Brian was five years old when he had first role - in a walk on part in a high school show. (His dad was directing it!) Now, over seventy years later, he still gets that adrenaline rush at show time. He often says that theatre, especially directing, feeds his soul. This is his third show with ECHO. The first was Narnia in 2021, the second was Matilda in 2023. He also directed Jenny’s House of Joy and Just the Ticket for B2B and many musicals and plays for Courtenay Little Theatre and as a high school drama teacher. This is his first play for and he has so enjoyed the time working with four very talented and dedicated actors. They have made rehearsals a true adventure while discovering the essence of their characters. Thanks go to the invisible support from set designers, builders and painters to costume creators to lighting, sound and props people, and of course, the stage management team and producers who all poured their time, talent and skills into creating this exciting piece for your enjoyment.
JUDI ANDREWS
Producer
Judi hadn’t had anything to do with theatre since high school until coming to the Island. We had been to theatre at the Citadel in Edmonton but only as patrons. Judi and husband Mike first attended the Village Theatre in 2007 and thoroughly enjoyed it. Shortly after she became a box office volunteer. Since joining the ECHO Players she has become the program coordinator and a producer of many plays, just recently producing Deathtrap.
JENNIFER KELLY
Vocal Director & Sound Design
CALVIN TYNDALL
Sound Operator
RICK LARDNER, WAYNE KEHLER, RON STOLTZ, MIKE ANDREWS, SVEN SANDER, DON PUNTER (LEAD) MISSING: RICHARD NUESCH, JULIAN PACKER & CLIVE FIELD
Construction Team
JILL DASHWOOD
Makeup
TRISTAN POELZER & AVA PADLEY
Stage Manager and Assistant Stage Managers
JEANNE ACKLES-CARDINAL, ROXY KEHLER & KAREN DONALD
Scene Painters
OCEA CORFIELD
Wigs/Hair
SHEILA HALEY
Props, Costumes, Window Decoration
Many thanks to our sponsor
JAY CROWDER
Set Design
STEPHEN DONAGHY, KELLY BARNUM & NOAH ROSNAU
Lighting Design and Operators
MARY WARDEN
Set Furnishings, Props & Decor
LORNA McLELLAN & CARON BYRNE
Costumes