Dinner With Friends by Donald Margulies

Dana returns to the stage for some drama after spending the last few years exploring improv and comedy as director of DIE-NASTY!- the legendary improvised ‘soap opera’ that recently won the coveted Bluma Appel Award at the 7th Annual Canadian Comedy awards. A Dora Award winning performer, Dana was last seen at the Globe Theatre in
Regina as Ebeneezer Scrooge in A CHRISTMAS CAROL, and the lead in Mike Kennard’s production of THE HOBBIT. He can also be seen as Coach Knoblach in Tim Mc’Cort’s new feature film SURE SHOT DUMBROWSKI. Dana will be involved in the ATPN Network as comedy consultant for THE BLACKLISTED COMEDY SHOW. “My goal for this show is to help Linda Grass win a Sterling,,.,” Dana’s favorite meal to date was standing in the buffet line with Donovan Workun and Charlie Watts backstage at the Rolling Stones’
Bigger Bang Tour in New York.

Linda is overjoyed to be part of this talented ensemble cast performing DINNER WITH FRIENDS, as it is a combination of her three most favorite things (hint- one of them is Trevor). Most recently, she appeared in NIGHT NURSES IN AN INSANE ASYLUM for Northern Light’s URBEN TALES 9, and previous to that as a most competent school teacher in MISS MARGARIDA’S WAY for NLT (with Trevor). This summer she worked with Trevor for Guy’s In Disguise as Zarah Leander in THE NEO-NANCIES: HITLER’S KICKLINE. Linda is the only one in this cast who has not won a Sterling. (Even Trevor has). But she was nominated once for the role of Miss Rose in Theatre Network’s production of GIRL IN A GOLDFISH BOWL. However, Davina has graciously offered to loan Linda one of her own Sterlings because she has so many. Now, THAT’s a friend!

A Sterling Award winning Actress and an Artistic Associate of Teatro La Quindicina Davina spent this past August in New York performing in Stewart Lemoine’s award winning production of PITH! and directing SILLY SOUP for the Edmonton Fringe Festival. Among her other favourite roles have been Hedda in HEDDA GABLER, Agnes in DANCING AT LUGHNASA, Cecily Pigeon In THE ODD COUPLE, Pam in COCKTAIL AT PAM’S, Nina in EVELYN STRANGE, and Theresa in MARION BRIDGE. Davina is also a core company member of the improvised soap opera Die-Nasty which was recently honored with a Canadian Comedy Award. She recently finished work on Peter Wunstorf’s short film, PATIENCES. Upcoming projects include Cathleen Rootsaert’s new play HOUSE OF CATS and the remount of the Guys in Disguise production of BITCHSLAP! Davina’s love of gourmet food grew out of her first job as a clerk on Woodward’s food floor.

George’s first role was in kindergarten, where he played one of The Three Little Kittens Who Lost Their Mittens; he forgot the words to the song, and felt funny wearing a leotard. His mom was watching, which made it worse. He has since rebounded, having appeared on the Roxy stage in The Anger in Ernest and Ernestine (Aarrgghh!! Productions), The Black Rider (November Theatre/Theatre Network), Dinner with Friends (Theatre Buffet Co-op). His play Hockey Stories for Boys was produced at the Roxy by Azimuth Theatre. George promises to remember most of the words, and assures us that he has learned to love the soft caress of a pair of leotards.

Trevor is the Artistic Director of Northern Light Theatre for the past 13 years, and been involved with NLT for the past 18 years as a performer, director, designer, and playwright, as well as being a multiple Sterling award winner. He has been awarded twice as a playwright (THE WATERMELON GIRLS, and CHANGE ROOM), twice for directing (the Canadian premieres of THE 4TH PRESENT AN UNNAMED LOVE-SUICIDE and Carol Anne Duffy’s THE WORLD’S WIFE). He received the Outstanding Fringe Performance award for the one-man show COFFEE DAD, CHICKEN MOM, AND THE FABULOUS BUDDHA BOI, penned by Nick Green which toured to New York as part of the FRIGID FESTIVAL. As an actor, he has been seen in ANGELS IN AMERICA Part 1: Millennium Approaches, LOVE! VALOR! COMPASSION!, WOMEN BEWARE WOMEN, THE BUSY WORLD IS HUSHED (Outstanding Male Lead Actor nomination) and created the role of Bette Davis in the international touring success BITCHSLAP!.  His plays have been produced across Canada and far away as Australia (MABEL STARK!). He has created and choreographed a one-woman dance piece entitled MARKED for the Expanse Dance Festival that was extended and nominated for a Sterling for Outstanding New Work. Most recently, he was awarded the DIALOG Award for Excellence in Artistic Direction as part of the Mayor’s Evening for the Arts. He sits on the advisory boards of the Grant MacEwan University Theatre Arts and Red Deer College Theatre Performance and Creation programme and is an Artistic Associate of GUYS IN DISGUISE Theatre company, where he was last seen in FLORA & FAWNA’S FIELD TRIP!

Liz is totally psyched to be working with these awesome theatre folk. When not stage managing, designing costumes or acting, Liz is busy working on her new career as a 911 operator. “Don’t get hurt or robbed in the next few weeks ‘cause I won’t be there for you!” recently, Liz directed WIND IN THE WILLOWS for the 2006 Fringe, designed costumes for FOOTLOOSE at the Mayfield Dinner Theatre and stage managed URBAN TALES 9: NIGHT NURSES IN AN INSANE ASYLUM for Northern Light Theatre. “Have an awesome New Year!”