A WONDERHEADS Christmas Carol – Program

I saw A WONDERHEADS Christmas Carol three years ago—and I fell in love with it—!

I confess, when I realized that it was nonverbal, I couldn’t imagine how they could possibly tell the story. So much of Dickens’ novella is filled with complicated ideas and
images. But not only do the WONDERHEADS succeed brilliantly in conveying the story through movement—they have also made some changes that, frankly, improve it—!

And then there are those “wonder-ful heads”—! and puppets—! and playfulness—! And an overflowing compassion that fills our hearts with joy—!

Victoria is a richer community since The WONDERHEADS became a localcompany—and I’m thrilled to welcome them to the Belfry stage—!

Wishing you all the blessings of the season—

Michael Shamata

Welcome! It is such a pleasure to share with you this beautiful story performed with such exceptional craft by the WONDERHEADS.

When we look around the theatre tonight, we see many young people enraptured. I see the enchantment in their eyes, their minds racing, as they piece together the world of the Christmas Carol, and it reminds me once again why I love the theatre. I am delighted that the Belfry has the steadfast support of generous theatre patrons, volunteers, and donors such as yourselves so together we can share this magic.

All the best.

Isaac Thomas

Andrew Phoenix – Co-creator, Director, Set and Puppet Designer

Andrew (he/him) is a theatre creator, actor, director, teacher, producer, builder, designer, and Co-Founding Artistic Director of WONDERHEADS Theatre. Motivated by a passion for collaborative theatre-making, he completed his BFA at Texas State University before relocating to Northern California to attend the Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theatre. At Dell’Arte, he earned his MFA in Ensemble Based Theatre and discovered his love for mask performance. He worked across a range of roles in acting and set carpentry until 2009 when he teamed up with Kate Braidwood to create Grim and Fischer, marking the inception of WONDERHEADS. The company has since produced five award-winning productions that tour to performing arts centres and festivals throughout Canada, the US, and beyond. When not on the road with WONDERHEADS, Andrew can often be seen walking his dog Charlie through the streets of Fernwood.

Kate Braidwood – Co-creator, Assistant Director, Mask Designer, Sound Designer, and Cast (Ebenezer Scrooge)

Kate (she/her) is a theatre deviser, performer, director, mask maker, sound designer, teacher, producer, and Co-Founding Artistic Director of WONDERHEADS Theatre. Kate holds an MFA in Ensemble-Based Physical Theatre from the Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theatre and a BFA in Acting from the University of Victoria. In 2009 she co-founded WONDERHEADS with Andrew Phoenix and she is a lead contributor to the company’s devising process, as well as a principal performer and the company’s mask maker and sound designer. With WONDERHEADS she has created and toured five productions throughout North America: Grim and Fischer, LOON, The Middle of Everywhere, The Wilds, and A WONDERHEADS Christmas Carol.

Peter Balkwill – Dramaturgical Collaborator

Pete is one of the founding co-artistic directors of the Old Trout Puppet Workshop in Calgary. He is also the founder and co-education/artistic director of the Canadian Academy of Mask and Puppetry. A recent addition to all of this is his appointment as Assistant Professor of Drama at the School for Creative and Performing Arts at the University of Calgary. He has known the WONDERHEADS since their early work emerging out of Blue Lake and can recall bellowing at Kate in 3rd-year movement class at UVic where he utilized the immortal words of Kaz – “just go like bloody hell!”

Jessica Hickman – Devising Collaborator, Props Designer, and Cast (Marley, Fred, Tiny Tim, Belle, The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come)

Jessica Hickman lives in Esquimalt, BC and is a director, choreographer, teacher, performer, and puppet maker. In 2019, Jessica was honoured to perform and collaborate with the Heads for the premiere of AWCC and has been touring with this gorgeous show ever since! Jessica is the co-artistic director of Open Pit Theatre: Busted Up: A Yukon Story (Belfry Spark Festival), Trophy Hunt (Victoria Fringe), and Radio Silence (Intrepid). You may have seen her choreography here at the Belfry in A Christmas Carol, Puttin’ On the Ritz, and Mom’s the Word. Jessica is a proud CCPA alumni/faculty member and will be directing Anne of Green Gables at the McPherson this spring. www.jessicahickman.net

Sarah Robertson – Cast (Coroner, Mrs. Cratchit, Mrs. Fezziwig, The Ghost of Christmas Past)

Sarah Robertson is a multidisciplinary performer with a background in theatre, dance, mask, and clown. A graduate of Rosebud School of the Arts and a protégée of the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Mentorship Program, her past credits include Every Brilliant Thing (Rosebud/Burnt Thicket Theatre), Radio Silence (Open Pit Theatre), The Skin of Our Teeth; The Miracle Worker; The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (Rosebud Theatre), Proof (Leonard’s Corner Productions), Dr. Frankenbean’s Halloween and other science demos (TELUS SPARK Science Centre). This is her third WONDERHEADS Christmas Carol, and she considers herself downright lucky to be in on the magic!

Pedro M. Siqueira – Cast (Bob Cratchit, Mr. Fezziwig, The Ghost of Christmas Present)

Pedro M. Siqueira is a Brazilian actor, musician, dancer, and producer currently based in Victoria, BC. He has been working on and off camera as an actor, and he feels very honoured to be able to work with the WONDERHEADS again. Latest artistic theatre credits include New Earth Bandits (SNAFU), Rebel Rhythm (Theatre SKAM), Good Night Desdemona, Good Morning Juliet (Blue Bridge) and Fado, The Saddest Music in the World (Puente Theatre and Fire Hall). Instagram: @pedro.msiqueira

The Singer and the Songwriter – Composers/Musicians

The Singer and The Songwriter is the musical duo of queer-mixed-race-Mexican-American vocalist/songwriter/poet Rachel Garcia, and Vietnamese-American guitarist/songwriter Thu Tran. Their multi-cultural backgrounds bring depth and diversity to the rich tradition of American folk music. Since 2009, they’ve released 3 critically acclaimed albums, performed hundreds of shows across the US, and had their music placed in television and commercials. In 2022, they were named finalists at the prestigious Kerrville Folk Festival’s New Folk Song Competition, as well as the 21st Annual NewSong Competition in Asheville, NC. They currently live in the California Bay Area.

Becca Jorgensen – Stage Manager and Sound Operator

Becca is a Vancouver Island-born and raised Indo-Canadian Marathoner. As a Stage Manager, Becca has supported teams across Canada including The National Arts Centre, Theatre Calgary, The Shaw Festival, and Pacific Opera Victoria. She is overjoyed to be creating and working with the Belfry Theatre for her 7th Season. Becca is a graduate of the University of Victoria and is most proud of her dog Larry.

Emily Case – Cast (Understudy), Assistant Stage Manager

Emily Case (she/her) is a Vancouver-based actor who graduated from Studio 58 mid-pandemic. She has been performing since her wee years in shows such as Like It Or Not (Zoey), Urinetown: The Musical (Little Sally), Concord Floral (Bobby James), and Anonymous (Calista). Since graduating, she performed her original one-woman show Curiosity at last year’s Victoria Fringe Festival as part of The Sci-Fi Sampler. She is so excited to be working with such talented people and to be expanding her knowledge of physical theatre and assistant stage management.

Hina Nishioka – Lighting Designer

Hina is a lighting designer based in the lower mainland of BC (the ancestral and unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples). Originally from Japan, she enjoys exploring projects with a variety of cultural backgrounds. Her selected lighting design credits include Yaga (Touchstone Theatre), Blue Stockings (Studio 58), and Kwê (Jeanette Kotowich). Her most recent assistant lighting design credits are As You Like It and Julius Caesar (Bard on the Beach 2023) and East Van Panto: Little Mermaid (Theatre Replacement). She holds a BFA in theatre (2020) from the University of Victoria. More information about her work is found at her website https://hinalighting.com/.

T. Erin Gruber – Projection Designer and Scenic Illustrator

T. Erin Gruber is an award-winning set, lighting, costume, and projected media designer. She works professionally across Canada and her work has been toured and exhibited nationally and internationally. She is a member of the board of directors of the Associated Designers of Canada and is currently an instructor at the University of Victoria. Award-winning projects: Métis Mutt (One Little Indian Productions, Sterling Award for Outstanding Production), The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (Citadel Theatre and RMTC, Sterling Award for Lighting Design). Category E (Production Design, Maggie Tree Collective, Sterling Awards for Lighting and Projected Media Design). Online at: eringruber.com

Emily Trepanier – Assistant Projection Designer

Emily Trepanier is a recent graduate of the University of Victoria’s Phoenix Theatre where she focused in theatrical lighting design and technical theatre. For the Phoenix: The Waste Land, Lighting Designer; Love and Information, Assistant Lighting Designer; and The Sound of a Voice, Lighting and Set Designer (MFA project). Other recent credits include Vigil, Assistant Lighting Designer (Belfry Theatre); The Birds, Assistant Lighting Designer (Pacific Opera Victoria); The Addams Family, Lighting Designer (Shawnigan Lake School); It’s Just Black Hair, Lighting Designer (University of Victoria). She is thrilled to be working with the WONDERHEADS and hopes you enjoy this magical show.

Hannah Case – Costume Designer

Hannah is a designer and illustrator based in Vancouver, BC. She has designed costumes for Zee Zee Theatre, Touchstone Theatre, Ruby Slipper Theatre, and Outpost 31. She enjoys telling tales of the spooky and supernatural and is thankful for the chance to help spin this timeless story with the WONDERHEADS!

Hannah Ockenden – Costume Designer

Hannah is very happy to be back working with the delightful team that makes up WONDERHEADS again this year. As a multidisciplinary artist, Hannah has had the eye-opening joy of working in many settings and countries. Some costuming highlights over the years include several seasons for The Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival, Radio Silence for Open Pit Theatre, working with students on several productions at The Canadian College of Performing Arts, and most recently The Funeral Plot with Bragi Theatre. She hopes you enjoy this show as much as she always enjoys working on it!

Christache Ross – Character Illustrator (Cratchit family portrait, Locket, Letters)

Christache is an artist, an actor, and a teacher. With a background in theatre, he has a special love for collaborating on creative projects that combine visual art with highly aesthetic performing artists like the WONDERHEADS. He lives in Vancouver with his partner and 3 cats. Online at www.christache.com