Natalie Fraser-Purdy: Director (2011, 2012)
Natalie has been supporting herself as an artist in Ottawa for the past 15 years. She is currently a member of Sanitas Playback Theatre and is touring in a show for kids with autism called Red Kite Blue Sky. This spring she directed Anne of Green Gables and The Wizard of Oz for the Ottawa School of Speech and Drama, where she has taught for 14 years. Natalie is working through Help Age Canada on a one-year grant where she has started a participatory theatre company in which seniors talk to marginalized seniors about neglect, abuse and other seniors’ issues. At the same time she has been working with aboriginal youth on a creative performance for the Wabano Centre’s June Gala.
“Being a part of The Walk is amazing because it is art at its essence in action—our dark world through an eyeglass of beauty shared and accessible to all. Well done, Catherine!”
Natalie has been supporting herself as an artist in Ottawa for the past 15 years. She is currently a member of Sanitas Playback Theatre and is touring in a show for kids with autism called Red Kite Blue Sky. This spring she directed Anne of Green Gables and The Wizard of Oz for the Ottawa School of Speech and Drama, where she has taught for 14 years. Natalie is working through Help Age Canada on a one-year grant where she has started a participatory theatre company in which seniors talk to marginalized seniors about neglect, abuse and other seniors’ issues. At the same time she has been working with aboriginal youth on a creative performance for the Wabano Centre’s June Gala.
“Being a part of The Walk is amazing because it is art at its essence in action—our dark world through an eyeglass of beauty shared and accessible to all. Well done, Catherine!”
Teri Loretto-Valentik: Stephanie (2011)
Teri teaches theatre at Algonquin College and Carleton University and is finishing her MA at the University of Ottawa. A founding member of Plosive Productions, she is directing for that company this fall. You can catch her more frequently onstage, in front of the 'green-screen' for CBC News in Ottawa and in film. Here’s a quote that contains what Teri truly believes should be everyone's rights in this world:
“All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom, justice, honour, duty, mercy, hope.”-Winston Churchill
Teri teaches theatre at Algonquin College and Carleton University and is finishing her MA at the University of Ottawa. A founding member of Plosive Productions, she is directing for that company this fall. You can catch her more frequently onstage, in front of the 'green-screen' for CBC News in Ottawa and in film. Here’s a quote that contains what Teri truly believes should be everyone's rights in this world:
“All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom, justice, honour, duty, mercy, hope.”-Winston Churchill
Moe McIlwain: Peter (2011)
The Walk is a big step forward in my journey as a performer. The Walk is a shocker to the audience, and I love it! On top of that, these events really happened, from the arguments to the horror stories. Overall, it's fulfilling to know that I'm part of a project that is raising awareness of a subject no one really wants to face, Sex Trafficking. I am excited to be part of the project.
The Walk is a big step forward in my journey as a performer. The Walk is a shocker to the audience, and I love it! On top of that, these events really happened, from the arguments to the horror stories. Overall, it's fulfilling to know that I'm part of a project that is raising awareness of a subject no one really wants to face, Sex Trafficking. I am excited to be part of the project.
Dyna Ibrahim: Celestine (2011, 2012)
Dyna is happy and excited to be part of The Walk, playing the role of Celestine; a young Nigerian woman who was trafficked for eight years and escaped, now living in Canada with her son. Going into her third and final year of the conservatory acting program at the Ottawa Theatre School, Dyna hopes to continue doing theatre that shows and affects the lives of real people and real issues. Dyna can next be seen in the production year of the Ottawa Theatre School.
Dyna is happy and excited to be part of The Walk, playing the role of Celestine; a young Nigerian woman who was trafficked for eight years and escaped, now living in Canada with her son. Going into her third and final year of the conservatory acting program at the Ottawa Theatre School, Dyna hopes to continue doing theatre that shows and affects the lives of real people and real issues. Dyna can next be seen in the production year of the Ottawa Theatre School.
Jazmine Campanale: Trafficked Woman (2011, 2012)
Jazmine is currently in her third and graduating year studying acting at the Ottawa Theatre School Conservatory (OTS). In her spare time, she loves to work out and spend time with family and friends. Jazmine is thrilled to be a part of such a talented cast. She is grateful to be working with an incredibly passionate group of people standing to bring an overlooked issue to the foreground. 'The Walk' is Jazmine's Fringe Show debut.
"Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does." - William Jame
Jazmine is currently in her third and graduating year studying acting at the Ottawa Theatre School Conservatory (OTS). In her spare time, she loves to work out and spend time with family and friends. Jazmine is thrilled to be a part of such a talented cast. She is grateful to be working with an incredibly passionate group of people standing to bring an overlooked issue to the foreground. 'The Walk' is Jazmine's Fringe Show debut.
"Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does." - William Jame
Céline Filion: Trafficked Woman (2011, 2012)
Céline is excited to be returning to the 2011 Ottawa Fringe Festival in this production of “The Walk.” Céline is a graduate of the Ottawa Theatre School. Her selected theatre credits include Seeking… (Heat and Hot Water), The Last Goddamned Performance Piece (Blacksheep Theatre), and Peer Gynt (Third Wall). Céline also works in film and has recently wrapped projects including Thunderstorm Return of Thor, (Tom Cat Films) and Killing the Cat (LPP) (winner of Best Actress award in the Montreal 24hr Film Festival). Céline is also appearing in “My Mother’s Daughter,” another fabulous new play in the Ottawa Fringe
Céline is excited to be returning to the 2011 Ottawa Fringe Festival in this production of “The Walk.” Céline is a graduate of the Ottawa Theatre School. Her selected theatre credits include Seeking… (Heat and Hot Water), The Last Goddamned Performance Piece (Blacksheep Theatre), and Peer Gynt (Third Wall). Céline also works in film and has recently wrapped projects including Thunderstorm Return of Thor, (Tom Cat Films) and Killing the Cat (LPP) (winner of Best Actress award in the Montreal 24hr Film Festival). Céline is also appearing in “My Mother’s Daughter,” another fabulous new play in the Ottawa Fringe
Guy Buller: The Man (2011, 2012)
Guy is dividing his time between his day job and the arts, akin to an old time high wire act, and is loving it! As a co-founder of Lead Pencil Productions, Guy continues to develop ideas and write scripts for a variety of stories in his head. Recently he finished shooting a second short film this spring and is wrapped up in a complicated editing software program. He looks forward to roles with Salamander Theatre and Moon Dog Productions.
Guy is dividing his time between his day job and the arts, akin to an old time high wire act, and is loving it! As a co-founder of Lead Pencil Productions, Guy continues to develop ideas and write scripts for a variety of stories in his head. Recently he finished shooting a second short film this spring and is wrapped up in a complicated editing software program. He looks forward to roles with Salamander Theatre and Moon Dog Productions.
Beverley Wolfe: Catherine Anne (2011)
An Ottawa-based actor, Beverley has worked with many theatre companies, including the NAC, GCTC, Third Wall Theatre, Odyssey Theatre, Upper Canada Playhouse and, most recently, Evolution Theatre. She teaches “Writing for the Stage”, part of a graduate program in scriptwriting at Algonquin College. As a playwright, Beverley won the “Best in Venue” award at the 2009 Ottawa Fringe Festival for her one-woman show, “JUMP!” She also won an “Outstanding Individual Performance” award at an earlier Fringe. She is honoured to be performing in “The Walk” – which sadly, reflects an ever-present and growing human tragedy.
An Ottawa-based actor, Beverley has worked with many theatre companies, including the NAC, GCTC, Third Wall Theatre, Odyssey Theatre, Upper Canada Playhouse and, most recently, Evolution Theatre. She teaches “Writing for the Stage”, part of a graduate program in scriptwriting at Algonquin College. As a playwright, Beverley won the “Best in Venue” award at the 2009 Ottawa Fringe Festival for her one-woman show, “JUMP!” She also won an “Outstanding Individual Performance” award at an earlier Fringe. She is honoured to be performing in “The Walk” – which sadly, reflects an ever-present and growing human tragedy.
Nadia Gandhi: Trafficked Woman (2011)
Nadia as been acting in Ottawa for well over five years. After graduating from Dalhousie University (B.A.Theatre) and running away to South East Asia, she's had stints with Tara Players, Orpheus, Ottawa Little Theatre and most recently with NORT. She loves acting quite simply and finds it the best form of therapy! Since she's a little bit off her rocker, she likes to balance things out with yoga and dedicates the rest of her time to her two precious girls, Siena and Maeve. She couldn't have done this play without the constant support of her husband, Jason Daley. Nadia teaches at Nepean HS but still dreams of turning it all in and moving to Greece to lie on the beach. She is grateful and honoured to be performing in “The Walk.” Stop Human Trafficking.
Nadia as been acting in Ottawa for well over five years. After graduating from Dalhousie University (B.A.Theatre) and running away to South East Asia, she's had stints with Tara Players, Orpheus, Ottawa Little Theatre and most recently with NORT. She loves acting quite simply and finds it the best form of therapy! Since she's a little bit off her rocker, she likes to balance things out with yoga and dedicates the rest of her time to her two precious girls, Siena and Maeve. She couldn't have done this play without the constant support of her husband, Jason Daley. Nadia teaches at Nepean HS but still dreams of turning it all in and moving to Greece to lie on the beach. She is grateful and honoured to be performing in “The Walk.” Stop Human Trafficking.
Melody Louie: Stage Manager (2011)
Melody is a graduate of York University where she completed her BFA in Theatre Design and Production and her MA in Theatre Studies. She is happy to be stage managing two shows at this year’s Fringe: Glitch by David Hersh and The Walk by Catherine Cunningham-Huston. Past Fringe credits include: Who You Callin’ Sweetheart? (Lead Pencil Productions, 2010), The Death of Tybalt (Salamander Shakespeare Company, 2010), and A Dollar (Ottawa Theatre School, 2009). Recent stage management credits include: Beauty and the Beast (Ottawa School of Speech and Drama), Murmel, Murmel, Mortimer, Munsch and Twelfth Night (Ottawa Theatre School), Le Sortilège (Théâtre de la Planète Sauvage), Red Kite Blue Sky (Chicago Children’s Theatre, MASC, OSSD), Inséparable (Arts Court Productions), and Romeo and Juliet (Salamander Shakespeare Company). Melody also works as a lighting designer, a piano accompanist and teacher, and a performance coach.
Melody is a graduate of York University where she completed her BFA in Theatre Design and Production and her MA in Theatre Studies. She is happy to be stage managing two shows at this year’s Fringe: Glitch by David Hersh and The Walk by Catherine Cunningham-Huston. Past Fringe credits include: Who You Callin’ Sweetheart? (Lead Pencil Productions, 2010), The Death of Tybalt (Salamander Shakespeare Company, 2010), and A Dollar (Ottawa Theatre School, 2009). Recent stage management credits include: Beauty and the Beast (Ottawa School of Speech and Drama), Murmel, Murmel, Mortimer, Munsch and Twelfth Night (Ottawa Theatre School), Le Sortilège (Théâtre de la Planète Sauvage), Red Kite Blue Sky (Chicago Children’s Theatre, MASC, OSSD), Inséparable (Arts Court Productions), and Romeo and Juliet (Salamander Shakespeare Company). Melody also works as a lighting designer, a piano accompanist and teacher, and a performance coach.
Sonia Awad: Choreographer (2011)
Sonia Awad has been performing around the globe for 18 years. A graduate of Ottawa’s Arts Canterbury High School, she trained in dance, vocal and acting at George Brown College, Toronto, receiving a certificate in Commercial Dance Studies in 2004. Sonia has also completed examinations in Jazz, Ballet and Tap. She has taken workshops and classes in Toronto, New York, Washington, and Boston, and has competed in the United States and Canada. Sonia has been performed with a number of dance companies in industrials, fundraisers and corporate events. She was one of Canada’s representatives at the Music and Arts Festival in Beijing, China.
Sonia Awad has been performing around the globe for 18 years. A graduate of Ottawa’s Arts Canterbury High School, she trained in dance, vocal and acting at George Brown College, Toronto, receiving a certificate in Commercial Dance Studies in 2004. Sonia has also completed examinations in Jazz, Ballet and Tap. She has taken workshops and classes in Toronto, New York, Washington, and Boston, and has competed in the United States and Canada. Sonia has been performed with a number of dance companies in industrials, fundraisers and corporate events. She was one of Canada’s representatives at the Music and Arts Festival in Beijing, China.
Mike Berrigan: Drummer (2011, 2012)
Mike has been playing drums and percussion as a serious passion and hobby for the past 10 years. He currently plays drums in the hard rock/metal band Dead Culture Society, and has also performed and recorded with a wide array of musicians. A graduate of Carleton University and Algonquin College, he has many influences and divides his time between work and the arts. He is excited to be a part of such a passionate and unique play.
"The most beautiful music of all is the music of what happens" - Irish proverb
Mike has been playing drums and percussion as a serious passion and hobby for the past 10 years. He currently plays drums in the hard rock/metal band Dead Culture Society, and has also performed and recorded with a wide array of musicians. A graduate of Carleton University and Algonquin College, he has many influences and divides his time between work and the arts. He is excited to be a part of such a passionate and unique play.
"The most beautiful music of all is the music of what happens" - Irish proverb
Brie Barker: Peter (2012)
Brie has been involved in the Ottawa theatre scene since he moved here from Toronto in 2008. Since his role on stage as Howie in Gladstone Theatre’s 2008 production of Rabbit Hole, Brie has focused his theatrical work primarily on his roles of Founder, Artistic Director and Conductor of Sanitas Playback Theatre (www.sanitasplayback.com). Playback is an improvisational form of theatre that honours the real-life stories of its audience members and serves to illuminate our connections in community. Brie worked as a founding actor of Toronto Playback Theatre from 2002 to 2008 and was awarded the 2004 International Fellowship from the School of Playback Theatre in New York. Since beginning his actor training at Toronto’s Ryerson Theatre School in 1989, Brie has performed in a wide variety of dramatic and comedic roles, both on stage and in film. A few of his favourites include: The Woodcutter in Rashomon, Sgt. Troughton in the British farce Run For Your Wife!, The International All-Star Theatresports Jam in San Diego with Keith Johnstone and, most recently, his lead role in The Phoenix, by Ottawa filmmaker Carmello Zucco. Brie has served as a faculty member of the Ottawa Theatre School’s Acting Conservatory Program and as an instructor for the Ottawa School of Speech & Drama. Brie has worked on a wide variety of projects as a scriptwriter for clients that include the Government of Canada, Future Shop and the Royal Ontario Museum; currently, he is writing his first full-length play.
Brie also designs and delivers theatre-based training programs for organizations throughout North America through his company Creative Presence (www.creativepresence.ca). Brie holds a B.A. in Creative Arts/Theatre from York University and holds the belief that theatre has the power to change the world; he’s happy to back treading the boards in The Walk.
“Extra love to J/F/C!”
Brie has been involved in the Ottawa theatre scene since he moved here from Toronto in 2008. Since his role on stage as Howie in Gladstone Theatre’s 2008 production of Rabbit Hole, Brie has focused his theatrical work primarily on his roles of Founder, Artistic Director and Conductor of Sanitas Playback Theatre (www.sanitasplayback.com). Playback is an improvisational form of theatre that honours the real-life stories of its audience members and serves to illuminate our connections in community. Brie worked as a founding actor of Toronto Playback Theatre from 2002 to 2008 and was awarded the 2004 International Fellowship from the School of Playback Theatre in New York. Since beginning his actor training at Toronto’s Ryerson Theatre School in 1989, Brie has performed in a wide variety of dramatic and comedic roles, both on stage and in film. A few of his favourites include: The Woodcutter in Rashomon, Sgt. Troughton in the British farce Run For Your Wife!, The International All-Star Theatresports Jam in San Diego with Keith Johnstone and, most recently, his lead role in The Phoenix, by Ottawa filmmaker Carmello Zucco. Brie has served as a faculty member of the Ottawa Theatre School’s Acting Conservatory Program and as an instructor for the Ottawa School of Speech & Drama. Brie has worked on a wide variety of projects as a scriptwriter for clients that include the Government of Canada, Future Shop and the Royal Ontario Museum; currently, he is writing his first full-length play.
Brie also designs and delivers theatre-based training programs for organizations throughout North America through his company Creative Presence (www.creativepresence.ca). Brie holds a B.A. in Creative Arts/Theatre from York University and holds the belief that theatre has the power to change the world; he’s happy to back treading the boards in The Walk.
“Extra love to J/F/C!”
Christine Hecker: Stage Manager (2012)
Christine moved to Ottawa from Piapot, Saskatchewan and has since then graduated the Theatre Arts program at Algonquin College. Keen on technical theatre, in the last two years she has been stage manager for The Shadow and Speed the Plow (Plosive Productions); ASM on Secrets of a Soccer Mom (Arts Court Production); stage manager for Life (Life Productions, Ottawa Fringe Festival); stage manager for The Sorting (Youth Infringement Festival); and ASM for Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean (Toto Too Theatre). Also a performer, she has played the roles of Guildenstern in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (Algonquin College) and Liz in Night of the Living Impaired (Galloping Coconuts, Ottawa Fringe Festival). Right now she is also working as the junior producer for the 2012 Youth Infringement Festival.
Christine moved to Ottawa from Piapot, Saskatchewan and has since then graduated the Theatre Arts program at Algonquin College. Keen on technical theatre, in the last two years she has been stage manager for The Shadow and Speed the Plow (Plosive Productions); ASM on Secrets of a Soccer Mom (Arts Court Production); stage manager for Life (Life Productions, Ottawa Fringe Festival); stage manager for The Sorting (Youth Infringement Festival); and ASM for Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean (Toto Too Theatre). Also a performer, she has played the roles of Guildenstern in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (Algonquin College) and Liz in Night of the Living Impaired (Galloping Coconuts, Ottawa Fringe Festival). Right now she is also working as the junior producer for the 2012 Youth Infringement Festival.
Lori Jean Hodge: Stephanie (2012)
The Walk marks Lori Jean’s first appearance with Moon Dog Theatre. She is a graduate from the Ottawa Theatre School and is also an accomplished singer and composer. Recent credits include ensemble actor – multiple characters in Einstein’s Bicycle (Ottawa Fringe), 1940s singer in The Radio Show: It’s A Wonderful Life (Plosive Productions), chorus fairy in A Midwinter’s Dream Tale (Company of Fools), Judy in The Soldier Dreams (Toto Too) and Agnes in Dancing at Lughnasa (Ottawa Little Theatre). In another life, Lori Jean has worked with women in crisis and holds this play dear to her heart.
The Walk marks Lori Jean’s first appearance with Moon Dog Theatre. She is a graduate from the Ottawa Theatre School and is also an accomplished singer and composer. Recent credits include ensemble actor – multiple characters in Einstein’s Bicycle (Ottawa Fringe), 1940s singer in The Radio Show: It’s A Wonderful Life (Plosive Productions), chorus fairy in A Midwinter’s Dream Tale (Company of Fools), Judy in The Soldier Dreams (Toto Too) and Agnes in Dancing at Lughnasa (Ottawa Little Theatre). In another life, Lori Jean has worked with women in crisis and holds this play dear to her heart.
Rachel Eugster: Catherine Anne (2012)
An actor and singer, Rachel balances both passions across two countries. Comfortable in a wide range of genres, she has premiered several leading roles south of the border, in a musical comedy setting of Jane Austen’s Persuasion; in the Arthurian drama Avalon; and in Conventional Behavior, a send-up of science fiction conventions. In Ottawa, Rachel has appeared as Daphne in Momma’s Boy at the 2011 Fringe Festival and as Mercedes in the Gladstone’s Farndale Christmas Carol. As a soprano soloist, she has sung with the Ottawa Brahms Choir, the Parkdale Orchestra, and a massed Harmonia/StatsCan Choir. Rachel also serves as music director for Salamander Shakespeare Co. and GNAG Theatre, and as associate music director for Parkdale United Church. Rachel holds a Master of Music in Applied Voice from the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University, a BA with Honors in Music and Theater from Marlboro College in Vermont, and an AFTRA Conservatory Certificate.
An actor and singer, Rachel balances both passions across two countries. Comfortable in a wide range of genres, she has premiered several leading roles south of the border, in a musical comedy setting of Jane Austen’s Persuasion; in the Arthurian drama Avalon; and in Conventional Behavior, a send-up of science fiction conventions. In Ottawa, Rachel has appeared as Daphne in Momma’s Boy at the 2011 Fringe Festival and as Mercedes in the Gladstone’s Farndale Christmas Carol. As a soprano soloist, she has sung with the Ottawa Brahms Choir, the Parkdale Orchestra, and a massed Harmonia/StatsCan Choir. Rachel also serves as music director for Salamander Shakespeare Co. and GNAG Theatre, and as associate music director for Parkdale United Church. Rachel holds a Master of Music in Applied Voice from the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University, a BA with Honors in Music and Theater from Marlboro College in Vermont, and an AFTRA Conservatory Certificate.
Shirley Manh: Trafficked Woman (2012)
Shirley is thrilled to be appearing on stage with the talented cast and crew of The Walk - her first in Ottawa! Shirley is fairly new to the city, having moved here in July, and is happy to be back on stage and writing in the third person again. Before moving to the Capital Region, Shirley has appeared on stage with Kitchener-Waterloo Little Theatre, the Wilfrid Laurier University Fringe Festivals, Markham Youth Theatre and went on tour for two months as a cycling thespian with The Otesha Project. During the day, Shirley spends her time working with the fine folk of Otesha, a charitable organization that runs cycling tours around the country to deliver sustainability education programs to students using theatre.
Shirley is thrilled to be appearing on stage with the talented cast and crew of The Walk - her first in Ottawa! Shirley is fairly new to the city, having moved here in July, and is happy to be back on stage and writing in the third person again. Before moving to the Capital Region, Shirley has appeared on stage with Kitchener-Waterloo Little Theatre, the Wilfrid Laurier University Fringe Festivals, Markham Youth Theatre and went on tour for two months as a cycling thespian with The Otesha Project. During the day, Shirley spends her time working with the fine folk of Otesha, a charitable organization that runs cycling tours around the country to deliver sustainability education programs to students using theatre.