The Mirror
by Trudy Morgan-Cole
by Trudy Morgan-Cole
October 21-24, 2021 - LSPU Hall, St. John's
Nightly at 8pm
2pm matinee on Saturday October 23
Tickets on sale now. Call the Hall at 753-4531 (ext. 200)
$45 evening shows, $25 matinee
Starring Alison Woolridge as Armine Nutting Gosling
with Terri Andrews, Sharon King-Campbell, Brian Marler, Wendi Smallwood and Bridget Wareham.
Direction by Jenn Deon with Intimacy and Movement Direction by Lynn Panting, set and lighting design by Renate Pohl, costume design by Alison Helmer and sound design by Kathryn Burke.
The Mirror was commissioned by PerSIStence Theatre.
Nightly at 8pm
2pm matinee on Saturday October 23
Tickets on sale now. Call the Hall at 753-4531 (ext. 200)
$45 evening shows, $25 matinee
Starring Alison Woolridge as Armine Nutting Gosling
with Terri Andrews, Sharon King-Campbell, Brian Marler, Wendi Smallwood and Bridget Wareham.
Direction by Jenn Deon with Intimacy and Movement Direction by Lynn Panting, set and lighting design by Renate Pohl, costume design by Alison Helmer and sound design by Kathryn Burke.
The Mirror was commissioned by PerSIStence Theatre.
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The Mirror, a new play by award-winning writer Trudy J. Morgan-Cole, takes the audience into the story and heart of Armine Nutting Gosling, a pioneering reformer and feminist who led the fight for women in Newfoundland to gain the right to vote.
Among her many other causes, Armine also campaigned for better conditions for women and children living in poverty, and fought against cruelty to animals. She also had six children of whom she lost two in infancy. She also supported her husband's career as Mayor of St. John's. And she also struggled with the self-doubt and depression that today is often labelled as Imposter Syndrome among high-achievers. Join us as PerSIStence Theatre tells her story, as Armine measures her own accomplishments against those of her brilliant sister Adelaide and ultimately wonders if any woman's work can ever be enough to truly change the world. |
Content warning: domestic violence, child loss.
CastStarring Alison Woolridge* as Armine Nutting Gosling
with Terri Andrews as Harriet Nutting/Woman 2 Sharon King-Campbell as Woman 3 Brian Marler* as William Gilbert Gosling Wendi Smallwood as Landlady/Woman 1 Bridget Wareham* as Adelaide Nutting Marie Jones as the voice of Emmeline Pankhurst * The participation of these Artists is arranged by permission of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association under the provisions of the Dance Opera Theatre Policy (DOT). Music used in the show composed and performed by Bill Brennan, from his albums Solo Piano and Solo Piano 2.
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Production CommunityDirection - Jenn Deon
Movement and Intimacy Direction - Lynn Panting Assistant Direction - Allison Moira Kelly Set and Lighting Design - Renate Pohl Costume Design & Head of Wardrobe - Alison Helmer Sound Design - Kathryn Burke Production Management - Mara Bredovskis Stage Management - Stefanie Power Technical Direction - Brendan Agnew Head of Props - Susan Jarvis Set Builder - Heather Rumancik Set Painter - Sara Dorey Wardrobe Assistant - Queensley Okuneye Incidental Sound Recording - George Robertson Projections Researcher - Erika Squires Projections Programmer - Trevor Linehan Projections Operator - Fionn Shea Associate Producer - Tiffany Martin Marketing Coordinator - Erika Squires Poster Design - Jessie Meyer |
Author’s Note
Armine Nutting Gosling’s story fascinates me because she was a true pioneer and we don’t learn enough about our feminist pioneers, but also because despite being born over 160 years ago into a very different world, she is in many ways easy to relate to. Her energy and ambition were often at war with her depression and low self-esteem.
In writing The Mirror I imagined how Armine might have compared herself to her accomplished sister Adelaide, and perhaps questioned her own work in that light.
We know that Armine and Adelaide remained close until Armine’s death and supported each other’s work. Their different paths in life gave me a way to explore Armine’s story through lens of a woman asking herself if she can “have it all” – a question that, sadly, remains as pervasive in 2021 as it was in 1921.
Armine Nutting Gosling’s story fascinates me because she was a true pioneer and we don’t learn enough about our feminist pioneers, but also because despite being born over 160 years ago into a very different world, she is in many ways easy to relate to. Her energy and ambition were often at war with her depression and low self-esteem.
In writing The Mirror I imagined how Armine might have compared herself to her accomplished sister Adelaide, and perhaps questioned her own work in that light.
We know that Armine and Adelaide remained close until Armine’s death and supported each other’s work. Their different paths in life gave me a way to explore Armine’s story through lens of a woman asking herself if she can “have it all” – a question that, sadly, remains as pervasive in 2021 as it was in 1921.
Director's Note
Even though The Mirror is set a hundred years ago and more, our hope is that you will find the familiar in Armine's story.
As women of the 21st century, we can also often doubt ourselves and our own abilities. Frustratingly, we still face many barriers to assuming leadership. We, too, struggle to balance all the demands of family, work and community. And some of us also sometimes despair if our work will ultimately make any difference in the world.
Reflections on how we all view ourselves are influenced by the lenses of our partners, our families, our experiences and our environments. In this, we are no different from Armine. Perhaps it is an impossible task to see one's self clearly. Perhaps only perception remains.
We hope that this play lovingly demonstrates our perception of Armine's life and work, with gratitude, from the distance of 100 years later.
We hope that this play also gives you comfort and hope.
“i stand
on the sacrifices
of a million women before me
thinking
what can i do
to make this mountain taller
so the women after me
can see farther
- legacy”
― Rupi Kaur, from The Sun and Her Flowers
Even though The Mirror is set a hundred years ago and more, our hope is that you will find the familiar in Armine's story.
As women of the 21st century, we can also often doubt ourselves and our own abilities. Frustratingly, we still face many barriers to assuming leadership. We, too, struggle to balance all the demands of family, work and community. And some of us also sometimes despair if our work will ultimately make any difference in the world.
Reflections on how we all view ourselves are influenced by the lenses of our partners, our families, our experiences and our environments. In this, we are no different from Armine. Perhaps it is an impossible task to see one's self clearly. Perhaps only perception remains.
We hope that this play lovingly demonstrates our perception of Armine's life and work, with gratitude, from the distance of 100 years later.
We hope that this play also gives you comfort and hope.
“i stand
on the sacrifices
of a million women before me
thinking
what can i do
to make this mountain taller
so the women after me
can see farther
- legacy”
― Rupi Kaur, from The Sun and Her Flowers
Biographies
Technical Director - Brendan Agnew (he/him)
Brendan Agnew is fascinated with people and is intrigued by what drives them. He brings this curiosity, artistry and rigour to his work in technical direction, production management, and stage management. Brendan grew up in Vancouver, BC and has worked with companies across Canada including Pacific Opera Victoria, Repercussion Theatre, Carousel Theatre for Young People, the Belfry Theatre, and most recently making it to the East Coast with Perchance Theatre. Brendan holds a certificate in Production Design and Technical Arts from the National Theatre School of Canada and a BFA in Theatre from the University of Victoria.
Brendan Agnew is fascinated with people and is intrigued by what drives them. He brings this curiosity, artistry and rigour to his work in technical direction, production management, and stage management. Brendan grew up in Vancouver, BC and has worked with companies across Canada including Pacific Opera Victoria, Repercussion Theatre, Carousel Theatre for Young People, the Belfry Theatre, and most recently making it to the East Coast with Perchance Theatre. Brendan holds a certificate in Production Design and Technical Arts from the National Theatre School of Canada and a BFA in Theatre from the University of Victoria.
Woman 2 / Harriet - Terri Andrews (she/her)
Terri has worked in the stage and film industries for more than 30 years as a performer, producer, director and technician on both Canadian coasts. She has directed for several theatre companies, co-produced and technical directed the St. John’s Comedy Festival and the NL Screech Comedy Festival, and developed and directed all of the ever-popular Our Divas shows. In recent years, she’s been busy producing and directing large scale shows with her company, TaDa! Events, including: La Cage Aux Folles; RENT; We Will Rock You (Tech Dir); Jesus Christ Superstar; Rock of Ages; Evita; Chicago; Cabaret; Rocky Horror; Gypsy; Cats; Alice in Wonderland - An Aerial Fairytale; Disney’s Tale As Old As Time; Blues Clues Live; The Vagina Monologues; and White Christmas. In March 2020, her show La Cage Aux Folles was abruptly cut short with the onset of the COVID lockdowns, but it’s with great hope that she just signed on with the St. John’s Arts & Culture Centre present Our Divas Do Christmas this December! Terri is grateful to PerSIStence for helping bring her back to her performing roots this year. Some of her favourite theatre projects as a performer include Steel Magnolias (TaDa! Events); Salvage, Story of a House (Artistic Fraud); Corner Green (RCA Theatre); A Midsummer’s Night Dream (Shakespeare By The Sea Festival); The Failure – Story of A.M. Kline (Readers Theatre); The Crucible (Dick’s Kids); Passion (Bastion Theatre Company); Countess Dracula (Belfry Theatre); and Drumsong Trilogies (UVic).
Terri has worked in the stage and film industries for more than 30 years as a performer, producer, director and technician on both Canadian coasts. She has directed for several theatre companies, co-produced and technical directed the St. John’s Comedy Festival and the NL Screech Comedy Festival, and developed and directed all of the ever-popular Our Divas shows. In recent years, she’s been busy producing and directing large scale shows with her company, TaDa! Events, including: La Cage Aux Folles; RENT; We Will Rock You (Tech Dir); Jesus Christ Superstar; Rock of Ages; Evita; Chicago; Cabaret; Rocky Horror; Gypsy; Cats; Alice in Wonderland - An Aerial Fairytale; Disney’s Tale As Old As Time; Blues Clues Live; The Vagina Monologues; and White Christmas. In March 2020, her show La Cage Aux Folles was abruptly cut short with the onset of the COVID lockdowns, but it’s with great hope that she just signed on with the St. John’s Arts & Culture Centre present Our Divas Do Christmas this December! Terri is grateful to PerSIStence for helping bring her back to her performing roots this year. Some of her favourite theatre projects as a performer include Steel Magnolias (TaDa! Events); Salvage, Story of a House (Artistic Fraud); Corner Green (RCA Theatre); A Midsummer’s Night Dream (Shakespeare By The Sea Festival); The Failure – Story of A.M. Kline (Readers Theatre); The Crucible (Dick’s Kids); Passion (Bastion Theatre Company); Countess Dracula (Belfry Theatre); and Drumsong Trilogies (UVic).
Production Manager - Mara Bredovskis (she/her)
Mara has been with PerSIStence since near the beginning and is super thrilled to be a continued part of the organization. She is often be found hiding in booths and backstages around town. She has worked as a production manager and stage manager (thankfully rarely at the same time) for companies such as Artistic Fraud of Newfoundland, Perchance Theatre, Opera on the Avalon, Resource Centre for the Arts Theatre, White Rooster Theatre, Wonderbolt Circus, Theatre St. John's, and many others.
Mara has been with PerSIStence since near the beginning and is super thrilled to be a continued part of the organization. She is often be found hiding in booths and backstages around town. She has worked as a production manager and stage manager (thankfully rarely at the same time) for companies such as Artistic Fraud of Newfoundland, Perchance Theatre, Opera on the Avalon, Resource Centre for the Arts Theatre, White Rooster Theatre, Wonderbolt Circus, Theatre St. John's, and many others.
Sound Designer - Kathryn Burke (she/her)
Kathryn is an actor, musician, producer, and sound designer based out of St. John’s. She has co-produced a provincial tour of skc originals' Give Me Back, and also sits on the board of Shakespeare by the Sea Festival, and V-Day St. John’s - which produces The Vagina Monologues annually. Sound design credits: The Tempest (SBTS); A Nice Family Christmas, Wit, The Maltese Bodkin (SJP); Noises Off, CLUE On Stage (Nothing on Productions); Original, The Haunting of Margaret Duley (PerSIStence Theatre Company); The Cut of It (White Rooster); and Puffs (Best Kind Productions). In her spare time she is the box office manager at the LSPU Hall and mother to Bakeapple the cat.
Kathryn is an actor, musician, producer, and sound designer based out of St. John’s. She has co-produced a provincial tour of skc originals' Give Me Back, and also sits on the board of Shakespeare by the Sea Festival, and V-Day St. John’s - which produces The Vagina Monologues annually. Sound design credits: The Tempest (SBTS); A Nice Family Christmas, Wit, The Maltese Bodkin (SJP); Noises Off, CLUE On Stage (Nothing on Productions); Original, The Haunting of Margaret Duley (PerSIStence Theatre Company); The Cut of It (White Rooster); and Puffs (Best Kind Productions). In her spare time she is the box office manager at the LSPU Hall and mother to Bakeapple the cat.
Director - Jenn Deon (she/her)
Jenn is a freelance theatre artist who has worked in St. John’s since the early 90’s. With PerSIStence, she has directed Robert Chafe's Isle of Demons (2017) and Berni Stapleton's The Haunting of Margaret Duley (2019). As artistic director with the Shakespeare by the Sea Festival from 1995-2015, she directed many of its productions over the years, including a female-driven production of The Taming of the Shrew (2014) and an all-female production of Much Ado About Nothing (2008). In 2013, Jenn was a recipient of a Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal for her community involvement, and in 2018, the Woman of Distinction Award for Arts & Culture from the YWCA St. John's. Jenn was also a nominee for the 2020 Human Rights Award from the NL Human Rights Commission. She is a founder of and the producing artistic director with PerSIStence Theatre. Jenn is also a CHRC-trained facilitator of Respectful Workplace workshops for arts and non-profit organizations. More at jenndeon.ca.
Jenn is a freelance theatre artist who has worked in St. John’s since the early 90’s. With PerSIStence, she has directed Robert Chafe's Isle of Demons (2017) and Berni Stapleton's The Haunting of Margaret Duley (2019). As artistic director with the Shakespeare by the Sea Festival from 1995-2015, she directed many of its productions over the years, including a female-driven production of The Taming of the Shrew (2014) and an all-female production of Much Ado About Nothing (2008). In 2013, Jenn was a recipient of a Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal for her community involvement, and in 2018, the Woman of Distinction Award for Arts & Culture from the YWCA St. John's. Jenn was also a nominee for the 2020 Human Rights Award from the NL Human Rights Commission. She is a founder of and the producing artistic director with PerSIStence Theatre. Jenn is also a CHRC-trained facilitator of Respectful Workplace workshops for arts and non-profit organizations. More at jenndeon.ca.
Set Painter - Sara Dorey (she/her)
Sara is an independent artist who has been freelancing in St. John’s and surrounding
areas since 2016. She studied Visual Arts at MUN’s Grenfell campus and has been
dipping her toes into various areas of theatre and film production, most frequently
scenic painting. Selected credits: These Are My Mountains (Terra Bruce Productions); La Cage Aux Folles (TaDa! Events); Guys & Dolls, 9 to 5 (Atlantic Light Theatre); Sound of Music, The Phantom of the Opera (Opera on the Avalon); Brazil Square (RCA Theatre Company); The Eyes of the Gull (Rising Tide Theatre).
Sara is an independent artist who has been freelancing in St. John’s and surrounding
areas since 2016. She studied Visual Arts at MUN’s Grenfell campus and has been
dipping her toes into various areas of theatre and film production, most frequently
scenic painting. Selected credits: These Are My Mountains (Terra Bruce Productions); La Cage Aux Folles (TaDa! Events); Guys & Dolls, 9 to 5 (Atlantic Light Theatre); Sound of Music, The Phantom of the Opera (Opera on the Avalon); Brazil Square (RCA Theatre Company); The Eyes of the Gull (Rising Tide Theatre).
Assistant Director - Allison Kelly (she/they)
Allison Moira Kelly is an actor, sketch comedian, and acting teacher from Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador. Allison has worked for Perchance, PerSIStence, RCAT, Rising Tide, Mindless Theatrics, Artistic Fraud, Whiterooster, Halfhandsome, and more. Allison is one fourth of the sketch comedy troupe Mom's Girls, who are performing their sold out Halloween show next week. Recently, alongside the members of Mom's Girls, Allison co-produced, co-wrote, and starred in the children's television show Tales From The Floordrobe. Allison has acted in Surrealestate; Hudson and Rex; and Republic of Doyle. Having just directed a production of Salt Water Moon for Rising Tide, and wanting to expand their directing credits, Allison is so delighted to be working alongside Jenn and the team as the assistant director for The Mirror.
Allison Moira Kelly is an actor, sketch comedian, and acting teacher from Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador. Allison has worked for Perchance, PerSIStence, RCAT, Rising Tide, Mindless Theatrics, Artistic Fraud, Whiterooster, Halfhandsome, and more. Allison is one fourth of the sketch comedy troupe Mom's Girls, who are performing their sold out Halloween show next week. Recently, alongside the members of Mom's Girls, Allison co-produced, co-wrote, and starred in the children's television show Tales From The Floordrobe. Allison has acted in Surrealestate; Hudson and Rex; and Republic of Doyle. Having just directed a production of Salt Water Moon for Rising Tide, and wanting to expand their directing credits, Allison is so delighted to be working alongside Jenn and the team as the assistant director for The Mirror.
Costume Designer - Alison Helmer (she/her)
Alison Helmer is a multidisciplinary artist who has been deeply and continuously influenced by her studies and experience working on the east coast. Though born and raised on the prairies, she began her theatre education with the Stagecraft program at Grenfell college before completing the Scenography program at the National Theatre School of Canada. With an in-depth knowledge of and interest in historical costuming and costume construction, she approaches the world of both set and costume design through a lens of fantasy, history, and the tradition of storytelling. She is excited by theatre that pushes the boundaries between conventional and experimental, and that seeks to fulfill our human search for truth, escape, and shared connection.
Alison Helmer is a multidisciplinary artist who has been deeply and continuously influenced by her studies and experience working on the east coast. Though born and raised on the prairies, she began her theatre education with the Stagecraft program at Grenfell college before completing the Scenography program at the National Theatre School of Canada. With an in-depth knowledge of and interest in historical costuming and costume construction, she approaches the world of both set and costume design through a lens of fantasy, history, and the tradition of storytelling. She is excited by theatre that pushes the boundaries between conventional and experimental, and that seeks to fulfill our human search for truth, escape, and shared connection.
Head of Props - Susan Jarvis
Susan Jarvis is a circus performer, instructor, and multidisciplinary artist from St. John's, NL. She has been working with the Wonderbolt Circus since 2013, and has also worked as a props and costume designer for several local theatrical productions. Susan has a Diploma in Textile Studies from the College of the North Atlantic and a Bachelor of Arts with a Diploma in Stage and Screen Technique from Memorial University.
Susan Jarvis is a circus performer, instructor, and multidisciplinary artist from St. John's, NL. She has been working with the Wonderbolt Circus since 2013, and has also worked as a props and costume designer for several local theatrical productions. Susan has a Diploma in Textile Studies from the College of the North Atlantic and a Bachelor of Arts with a Diploma in Stage and Screen Technique from Memorial University.
Woman 3 - Sharon King-Campbell (she/her)
Sharon King-Campbell is an actor, storyteller, director and writer. She has worked all over the province with companies such as Artistic Fraud of Newfoundland, Perchance Theatre, Stephenville Theatre Festival, Grand Bank Regional Theatre, Theatre Newfoundland Labrador, and World's End Theatre. Recent stage credits include [title of show] (Best Kind Productions), The Ladies' Foursome (New Curtain), Brazil Square (Girl Power), Jesus Christ Superstar (TaDa!), and PerSIStence Theatre productions, Women Playing Hamlet and Original. Sharon was the 2017 recipient of the Rhonda Payne Award, and her script, Dayboil, won the Arts & Letters in 2020. Her first collection of poetry, This Is How It Is, was published by Breakwater Books in 2021. Sharon holds an MA English and is a current PhD candidate at Memorial University.
Sharon King-Campbell is an actor, storyteller, director and writer. She has worked all over the province with companies such as Artistic Fraud of Newfoundland, Perchance Theatre, Stephenville Theatre Festival, Grand Bank Regional Theatre, Theatre Newfoundland Labrador, and World's End Theatre. Recent stage credits include [title of show] (Best Kind Productions), The Ladies' Foursome (New Curtain), Brazil Square (Girl Power), Jesus Christ Superstar (TaDa!), and PerSIStence Theatre productions, Women Playing Hamlet and Original. Sharon was the 2017 recipient of the Rhonda Payne Award, and her script, Dayboil, won the Arts & Letters in 2020. Her first collection of poetry, This Is How It Is, was published by Breakwater Books in 2021. Sharon holds an MA English and is a current PhD candidate at Memorial University.
Gilbert Gosling - Brian Marler (he/him)
Born in Alberta, Brian Marler began his acting career in multiple productions at the Edmonton Fringe Theatre Festival, leading to his co-founding the still extant, social-issue-mandated Azimuth Theatre for which he performed, wrote, and produced various original works, and won national recognition for promoting awareness of domestic abuse, teen suicide, impaired-driving prevention and dating violence. He was honoured with an Edmonton Theatre Sterling Award for his portrayal of an isolated teen enduring his step-father’s abuse in the one-man show The Dungeon Master’s Handbook, and an Alberta Film & TV Awards Best Actor nomination for the docu-drama Avalanche: Beating the Odds. Brian graduated with distinction from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting and become an ensemble member of the world-renowned Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, for three illuminating seasons, appearing in Marsh Hay, Hobson’s Choice, Cavalcade, The Seagull, and revelling in the top-tier professional experiences and mentorship. Then came a decade based in Toronto where Brian’s theatre credits include Jaques in As You Like It and Demetrius in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Theatre by the Bay); lead role Theo Maske in Steve Martin’s The Underpants (Theatrefront); A Short History of Night and Toronto the Good (Factory Theatre); Harold Pinter's Betrayal (Theatre & Company); Canada House (Theatre Passe Muraillle) and Canada Steel (Tarragon Theatre); with return trips west to appear in Cosi (Globe Theatre); Weather and The Aberhart Summer (Alberta Theatre Projects); and to play Cliff in Cabaret and Romeo in Romeo and Juliet (Citadel Theatre). In 2009 Brian moved to St. John’s with Newfoundlander spouse (and fellow actor at the Shaw Festival) Alison Woolridge - they started a renovation and remodelling business, MarlerWorks Inc., which still operates successfully and specializes in revitalizing heritage properties. Brian joined Big Brothers Big Sisters and his acting work continued with theatre roles in Falling Trees, the first play in Megan Gail Coles’ trilogy; Artistic Fraud Theatre of NL's adaptation of the novel The Colony of Unrequited Dreams; Ed Riche’s play Hail at the LSPU Hall; Caliban in The Tempest, Monsieur Loyal in Andy Jones’ adaptation of Tartuffe, and Henry in Henry V for Perchance Theatre in Cupids where Brian also sat as Chair of the Board and over-saw the ongoing maintenance of the company’s wooden amphitheatre. Brian’s selected Atlantic screen credits include TV series Republic of Doyle, Little Dog, Hudson & Rex; web series Sex in Cars; films Newfoundland at Armageddon, Cardboard Junction, Touch, Waste It and voice for the animated Impromptu; feature films Black Conflux and Maudie. Now, in tandem with being an ACTRA Councillor (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists), with being a member of the live performance union Canadian Actors’ Equity Association, with sitting on the Infrastructure Committee for The O’Brien Farm Foundation, and with being a Board Member for the Resource Centre for the Arts, Brian is undertaking his next adventure in helping form a new innovative and pedagogic Atlantic theatre company: Xchange Theatre Works.
Born in Alberta, Brian Marler began his acting career in multiple productions at the Edmonton Fringe Theatre Festival, leading to his co-founding the still extant, social-issue-mandated Azimuth Theatre for which he performed, wrote, and produced various original works, and won national recognition for promoting awareness of domestic abuse, teen suicide, impaired-driving prevention and dating violence. He was honoured with an Edmonton Theatre Sterling Award for his portrayal of an isolated teen enduring his step-father’s abuse in the one-man show The Dungeon Master’s Handbook, and an Alberta Film & TV Awards Best Actor nomination for the docu-drama Avalanche: Beating the Odds. Brian graduated with distinction from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting and become an ensemble member of the world-renowned Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, for three illuminating seasons, appearing in Marsh Hay, Hobson’s Choice, Cavalcade, The Seagull, and revelling in the top-tier professional experiences and mentorship. Then came a decade based in Toronto where Brian’s theatre credits include Jaques in As You Like It and Demetrius in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Theatre by the Bay); lead role Theo Maske in Steve Martin’s The Underpants (Theatrefront); A Short History of Night and Toronto the Good (Factory Theatre); Harold Pinter's Betrayal (Theatre & Company); Canada House (Theatre Passe Muraillle) and Canada Steel (Tarragon Theatre); with return trips west to appear in Cosi (Globe Theatre); Weather and The Aberhart Summer (Alberta Theatre Projects); and to play Cliff in Cabaret and Romeo in Romeo and Juliet (Citadel Theatre). In 2009 Brian moved to St. John’s with Newfoundlander spouse (and fellow actor at the Shaw Festival) Alison Woolridge - they started a renovation and remodelling business, MarlerWorks Inc., which still operates successfully and specializes in revitalizing heritage properties. Brian joined Big Brothers Big Sisters and his acting work continued with theatre roles in Falling Trees, the first play in Megan Gail Coles’ trilogy; Artistic Fraud Theatre of NL's adaptation of the novel The Colony of Unrequited Dreams; Ed Riche’s play Hail at the LSPU Hall; Caliban in The Tempest, Monsieur Loyal in Andy Jones’ adaptation of Tartuffe, and Henry in Henry V for Perchance Theatre in Cupids where Brian also sat as Chair of the Board and over-saw the ongoing maintenance of the company’s wooden amphitheatre. Brian’s selected Atlantic screen credits include TV series Republic of Doyle, Little Dog, Hudson & Rex; web series Sex in Cars; films Newfoundland at Armageddon, Cardboard Junction, Touch, Waste It and voice for the animated Impromptu; feature films Black Conflux and Maudie. Now, in tandem with being an ACTRA Councillor (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists), with being a member of the live performance union Canadian Actors’ Equity Association, with sitting on the Infrastructure Committee for The O’Brien Farm Foundation, and with being a Board Member for the Resource Centre for the Arts, Brian is undertaking his next adventure in helping form a new innovative and pedagogic Atlantic theatre company: Xchange Theatre Works.
Associate Producer - Tiffany Martin (she/her)
Tiffany has over twenty years of experience in arts administration and a lifetime of love and commitment to the St. John's arts community. She has worked for RCA, NIFCO, Pope Productions, Artistic Fraud of Newfoundland, and the St. John's International Women's Film Festival just to name a few. Tiffany is one of the most loyal, caring, and supportive co-workers anyone could ask for. She is tickled pink to be able to combine her love for the arts with her beliefs in social justice with Persistence Theatre Company!
Tiffany has over twenty years of experience in arts administration and a lifetime of love and commitment to the St. John's arts community. She has worked for RCA, NIFCO, Pope Productions, Artistic Fraud of Newfoundland, and the St. John's International Women's Film Festival just to name a few. Tiffany is one of the most loyal, caring, and supportive co-workers anyone could ask for. She is tickled pink to be able to combine her love for the arts with her beliefs in social justice with Persistence Theatre Company!
Playwright - Trudy Morgan-Cole (she/her)
Trudy Morgan-Cole is a writer and educator who is passionate about telling women's stories and amplifying marginalized voices. She is the author of several novels focusing on women's experiences in Newfoundland history, including By the Rivers of Brooklyn; A Sudden Sun; and A Roll of the Bones; and Such Miracles and Mischiefs. In her day job, Trudy works with adult learners at The Murphy Centre in St. John's. Bringing Armine Nutting Gosling's story to life for the stage combines her love for feminist storytelling, community activism, and theatre. Learn more on her website.
Trudy Morgan-Cole is a writer and educator who is passionate about telling women's stories and amplifying marginalized voices. She is the author of several novels focusing on women's experiences in Newfoundland history, including By the Rivers of Brooklyn; A Sudden Sun; and A Roll of the Bones; and Such Miracles and Mischiefs. In her day job, Trudy works with adult learners at The Murphy Centre in St. John's. Bringing Armine Nutting Gosling's story to life for the stage combines her love for feminist storytelling, community activism, and theatre. Learn more on her website.
Wardrobe Assistant - Queensly Okuneye
"Queensley Okuneye is my name, you can call me Queensley. Ok let’s talk about me. I am the creative designer / fashion entrepreneur of Apekee Couture Inc, a Newfoundland and Labrador based business that is also reaching out to all across the world. I have been professionally involved in fashion designing for over 14 years, having worked with the likes of Nordstrom, Dillards, and Moore’s Clothing for Men in the capacity of Alteration Specialist/Tailor. I was also featured on some fashion runways like the 2019 Black History Month in Ottawa, and Nigeria Fashion week in 2014 in Abuja, Nigeria. My passion is to see clothing trends that speak of inert desire to be fulfilled and happy. My daily drive is to see my customers happy."
"Queensley Okuneye is my name, you can call me Queensley. Ok let’s talk about me. I am the creative designer / fashion entrepreneur of Apekee Couture Inc, a Newfoundland and Labrador based business that is also reaching out to all across the world. I have been professionally involved in fashion designing for over 14 years, having worked with the likes of Nordstrom, Dillards, and Moore’s Clothing for Men in the capacity of Alteration Specialist/Tailor. I was also featured on some fashion runways like the 2019 Black History Month in Ottawa, and Nigeria Fashion week in 2014 in Abuja, Nigeria. My passion is to see clothing trends that speak of inert desire to be fulfilled and happy. My daily drive is to see my customers happy."
Movement and Intimacy Director - Lynn Panting (she/her)
Lynn Panting is a Newfoundland-based artist, arts educator, and arts advocate known for creating innovative and accessible dance works. Lynn is deeply committed to the growth of creativity and self-confidence through movement and holds a Master of Arts in Philosophy from Memorial University as well as a Master of Humanities concentrating in performance, dance and the body. Recent collaborations include choreography for A Midsummer Nights Dream (Perchance), Rise and... with Any Jones (LPD for the Festival of New Dance), The Law The Letter Music Video (LPD for Sean Panting), and choreography for the Discovery Channel's Frontier. Lynn is the owner and Artistic Director of Lynn Panting Dance, the Artistic Director of Isle Aux Mort Theatre Festival, The Artistic Director of Untellable Movement Theatre, and a founding member of Ladies Who Lunch Productions. lynnpantingdance.com
Lynn Panting is a Newfoundland-based artist, arts educator, and arts advocate known for creating innovative and accessible dance works. Lynn is deeply committed to the growth of creativity and self-confidence through movement and holds a Master of Arts in Philosophy from Memorial University as well as a Master of Humanities concentrating in performance, dance and the body. Recent collaborations include choreography for A Midsummer Nights Dream (Perchance), Rise and... with Any Jones (LPD for the Festival of New Dance), The Law The Letter Music Video (LPD for Sean Panting), and choreography for the Discovery Channel's Frontier. Lynn is the owner and Artistic Director of Lynn Panting Dance, the Artistic Director of Isle Aux Mort Theatre Festival, The Artistic Director of Untellable Movement Theatre, and a founding member of Ladies Who Lunch Productions. lynnpantingdance.com
Set and Lighting Designer - Renate Pohl (she/her)
Renate is a Set, Lighting, Projection and Costume Designer with a background in performance and social theatre facilitation. She feels honoured to be working on The Mirror with Persistence Theatre Company. She has worked with multiple theatre companies in Newfoundland including RCA Theatre Company, Arts and Culture Centres, She Said Yes!, NAX, White Rooster, C2C Theatre, Artistic Fraud of Newfoundland, Opera on the Avalon, and Theatre Newfoundland Labrador. Outside of Newfoundland, some of her credits include work with Eastern Front Theatre in Nova Scotia, Mixed Company and Nightswimming in Toronto; Old Earth Productions and Free Will Players in Edmonton; and Union Theatre, Greenwich Theatre, Bush Theatre, New Ambassadors Theatre, Arcola Theatre, and Heart and Soul in London, UK. Renate is a Resident Designer and Associate Professor of Technical Theatre Production in the Theatre Department at Memorial University of Newfoundland, Grenfell Campus. Her work also includes research in applied creativity for STEM education and the space industry as well as staged holography. This includes creative works for the UpRoute Space Program with the Canadian Space Agency and JP Aerospace as well as the European Astronaut Centre for the European Space Agency and International Space Station.
Renate is a Set, Lighting, Projection and Costume Designer with a background in performance and social theatre facilitation. She feels honoured to be working on The Mirror with Persistence Theatre Company. She has worked with multiple theatre companies in Newfoundland including RCA Theatre Company, Arts and Culture Centres, She Said Yes!, NAX, White Rooster, C2C Theatre, Artistic Fraud of Newfoundland, Opera on the Avalon, and Theatre Newfoundland Labrador. Outside of Newfoundland, some of her credits include work with Eastern Front Theatre in Nova Scotia, Mixed Company and Nightswimming in Toronto; Old Earth Productions and Free Will Players in Edmonton; and Union Theatre, Greenwich Theatre, Bush Theatre, New Ambassadors Theatre, Arcola Theatre, and Heart and Soul in London, UK. Renate is a Resident Designer and Associate Professor of Technical Theatre Production in the Theatre Department at Memorial University of Newfoundland, Grenfell Campus. Her work also includes research in applied creativity for STEM education and the space industry as well as staged holography. This includes creative works for the UpRoute Space Program with the Canadian Space Agency and JP Aerospace as well as the European Astronaut Centre for the European Space Agency and International Space Station.
Stage Manager - Stefanie Power
Stef is from Corner Brook, NL, and is a graduate of the Technical Theatre Program at Grenfell. She’s a Theatre Assistant and House Manager at the Corner Brook Arts and Culture Centre. Recent credits include Stage Managing The Anger of Ernest and Ernestine at the Rotary Arts Centre, and The Sinking of the S. S. Ethie with Gros Morne Theatre Festival.
Stef is from Corner Brook, NL, and is a graduate of the Technical Theatre Program at Grenfell. She’s a Theatre Assistant and House Manager at the Corner Brook Arts and Culture Centre. Recent credits include Stage Managing The Anger of Ernest and Ernestine at the Rotary Arts Centre, and The Sinking of the S. S. Ethie with Gros Morne Theatre Festival.
Woman 1 - Wendi Smallwood (she/her)
Wendi Smallwood is a St. John’s based writer, director, producer, and actor. She has performed with many local theatre and film companies and has directed for Graveyard Shift Productions, Short & Queer II, V-Day St. John’s, and Shakespeare by the Sea Festival. She is the founder and artistic director of SW|FT (St. John’s Women’s Festival of Theatre) and writer/performer of the one-woman shows Barely Mary and Resurrecting Mary. Wendi was a Toronto Dora Mavor Moore Award nominee for her performance of Sandy in Judith Thompson’s Crackwalker and is a past recipient of the Rhonda Payne Theatre Award from Arts NL.
Wendi Smallwood is a St. John’s based writer, director, producer, and actor. She has performed with many local theatre and film companies and has directed for Graveyard Shift Productions, Short & Queer II, V-Day St. John’s, and Shakespeare by the Sea Festival. She is the founder and artistic director of SW|FT (St. John’s Women’s Festival of Theatre) and writer/performer of the one-woman shows Barely Mary and Resurrecting Mary. Wendi was a Toronto Dora Mavor Moore Award nominee for her performance of Sandy in Judith Thompson’s Crackwalker and is a past recipient of the Rhonda Payne Theatre Award from Arts NL.
Marketing Coordinator - Erika Squires (she/they)
Erika Squires is an actor, writer and arts administrator based in St. John's, Newfoundland. She holds a BA in English with a specialization in Theatre and Drama, and the Diploma in Film in Stage Technique from MUNL. In her graduating year she was honoured to receive the Dick Buehler Award for Theatre, the Geoff Seymour Sr. Memorial Bursary, and the Michael Cook Scholarship for excellence in her program. Selected acting credits include Horatio in Hamlet (Perchance Theatre), Brooke in Be More Chill (Best Kind Productions), and Constance in Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet) (MUNL Drama). Erika's new play Baby is currently in development, with dramaturgy by Robert Chafe, and her play Hush recently premiered as a part of the Ladies Reading Room, produced by PerSIStence Theatre as a part of the Votes for Women 100 series.
Erika Squires is an actor, writer and arts administrator based in St. John's, Newfoundland. She holds a BA in English with a specialization in Theatre and Drama, and the Diploma in Film in Stage Technique from MUNL. In her graduating year she was honoured to receive the Dick Buehler Award for Theatre, the Geoff Seymour Sr. Memorial Bursary, and the Michael Cook Scholarship for excellence in her program. Selected acting credits include Horatio in Hamlet (Perchance Theatre), Brooke in Be More Chill (Best Kind Productions), and Constance in Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet) (MUNL Drama). Erika's new play Baby is currently in development, with dramaturgy by Robert Chafe, and her play Hush recently premiered as a part of the Ladies Reading Room, produced by PerSIStence Theatre as a part of the Votes for Women 100 series.
Adelaide Nutting - Bridget Wareham (she/her)
Bridget is from St. John’s Newfoundland and a graduate of Memorial University, National Theatre School of Canada and Ryerson University. She has been working in theatre, film, television and voice over for over a decade. Recently, she finished her second season with Perchance Theatre Company where she played Gertrude in Hamlet and Phoebe/Duke Frederick in As You Like It. Select theatre credits include: Cassius in Julius Caesar (Danielle Irvine/Perchance Theatre Company) and Portia in Merchant of Venice (Jeannette Lambermont Morey/New World Theatre). Film/tv credits include: Business Ethics (dir. Nick Wernham), Hunting Pignut (dir. Martine Blue), Orphan Black (Space/BBC America) and Rookie Blue (ABC/ Global). Favourite voice work includes voicing the feral character Ursula in Teletoon’s 2015 George of the Jungle. She is delighted to be part of this production and to portray such an influential woman.
Bridget is from St. John’s Newfoundland and a graduate of Memorial University, National Theatre School of Canada and Ryerson University. She has been working in theatre, film, television and voice over for over a decade. Recently, she finished her second season with Perchance Theatre Company where she played Gertrude in Hamlet and Phoebe/Duke Frederick in As You Like It. Select theatre credits include: Cassius in Julius Caesar (Danielle Irvine/Perchance Theatre Company) and Portia in Merchant of Venice (Jeannette Lambermont Morey/New World Theatre). Film/tv credits include: Business Ethics (dir. Nick Wernham), Hunting Pignut (dir. Martine Blue), Orphan Black (Space/BBC America) and Rookie Blue (ABC/ Global). Favourite voice work includes voicing the feral character Ursula in Teletoon’s 2015 George of the Jungle. She is delighted to be part of this production and to portray such an influential woman.
Armine Nutting Gosling - Alison Woolridge (she/her)
For over forty years Alison has performed in theatres from Vancouver Island to her native Newfoundland and in the US and Ireland. A Shaw Festival company member for six seasons (1993-98), in the Toronto company of Mamma Mia for three years (2001-2004), Alison has also
originated several new Canadian musicals. Her selected stage credits include Richard III, Henry V, Merry Wives, When We Were Singing, Jacques Brel, Educating Rita, Trafford Tanzi, The Winslow Boy, 1949, Artistic Fraud’s Oil and Water, The Colony of Unrequited Dreams (national tours) and has directed Girl Meets Tuba and Garden by Mattel. Alison was a member of the National Arts Centre 2015/16 English Acting Ensemble, appearing in Adventures of A Black Girl in Search of God (Centaur), Anne and Gilbert, Twelfth Night. She was also in the NAC’s 2017 provincial tour of Tartuffe. Selected screen credits include Street Legal, Republic of Doyle, PSI Factor, Danny, Crawlspace, Away From Everywhere, Newfoundland at Armageddon, Sex in Cars, Malignant, C Sharp, Audience of Chairs, Little Dog, Body and Bones, Hudson and Rex, Under the Weather, Ennis Sisters
video “California Wine” for the Alzheimers Society, Little Orphans, the CBC Gem pilot The Existence of Magic, Tarragon Theatre’s radio play Leaving Home, Terra Bruce’s web series These Are My Mountains and a recurring role in The Surrealtor.
For over forty years Alison has performed in theatres from Vancouver Island to her native Newfoundland and in the US and Ireland. A Shaw Festival company member for six seasons (1993-98), in the Toronto company of Mamma Mia for three years (2001-2004), Alison has also
originated several new Canadian musicals. Her selected stage credits include Richard III, Henry V, Merry Wives, When We Were Singing, Jacques Brel, Educating Rita, Trafford Tanzi, The Winslow Boy, 1949, Artistic Fraud’s Oil and Water, The Colony of Unrequited Dreams (national tours) and has directed Girl Meets Tuba and Garden by Mattel. Alison was a member of the National Arts Centre 2015/16 English Acting Ensemble, appearing in Adventures of A Black Girl in Search of God (Centaur), Anne and Gilbert, Twelfth Night. She was also in the NAC’s 2017 provincial tour of Tartuffe. Selected screen credits include Street Legal, Republic of Doyle, PSI Factor, Danny, Crawlspace, Away From Everywhere, Newfoundland at Armageddon, Sex in Cars, Malignant, C Sharp, Audience of Chairs, Little Dog, Body and Bones, Hudson and Rex, Under the Weather, Ennis Sisters
video “California Wine” for the Alzheimers Society, Little Orphans, the CBC Gem pilot The Existence of Magic, Tarragon Theatre’s radio play Leaving Home, Terra Bruce’s web series These Are My Mountains and a recurring role in The Surrealtor.
