Michel & Ti-Jean

Brian Dooley is an award winning actor and producer. Currently Director of Play Development at the Citadel Theatre and formerly Vice President, Creative for Alliance Atlantis, Edmonton, Brian continues to embrace his first love – the stage. For over thirty years, Brian has worked throughout the country and abroad. His skills include directing, writing, producing and performing in a variety of media including radio, animation, film, television and the theatre. Trained and educated at the National Theatre School and Bishop’s University, Brian Dooley continues a long-standing relationship with the National Theatre School of Canada where he teaches neutral and character mask.  Brian believes passionately in the development of new work and always welcomes the opportunity to lend his support and skills to new plays and playwrights. Brian draws inspiration from the Mexican playwright Victor Hugo Rascon Banda’s fervent  message: “The theatre moves, illuminates, disquiets, disturbs, lifts the spirit, reveals, provokes and violates conventions. It is a conversation shared with society. Theatre is the first art to confront emptiness, shadows and silence to make words, movement, lights and life surge forth.”

Vincent Hoss-Desmarais’ stage credits include Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in Amadeus (Geordie Productions-2004), Jean-Paul in Vimy (Citadel Theatre-2007), Pony in SubUrbia (Persephone Productions-2004), Dr. Lyman Sanderson in Harvey (Geordie-2005), Justin in Prescription for Murder (InfiniTheatre-2007), Brian Mulholland in Cabaret Insupportable (Transthéâtre-2007), both the Player and Hamlet in tableaux of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (National Theatre School-2007), Ritchie in The Man Who Came to Dinner (Geordie-2002), and more recently, the part of Michel Tremblay in the Montreal premiere of Michel and Ti-Jean (Centaur Theatre-2010). Vincent is the ringmaster / ringleader for the international special invents of circus company Cirque Éloize, performing with them across our country as well as in Switzerland, France, India and soon in the United States. His television credits include a recurring lead in 34 episodes of the series Casting (TQS-2005), and roles in the CBC series C.A. (2006), Les Invincibles (2007), Stie (2007) and Les Morissette: Véro (2006), as well as in IFC’s The Business (2007) and Canal Famille’s A Touch of Genius (1991). Selective film credits include Micah in Orgy of Blood (2009), Marius Borodine in Marius Borodine (2010), Agent Hollings in Burden of Evil (2011), and a producer nomination at the 2010 Genie Awards in the Best Live Action Short Drama category for Marius Borodine. Professional affiliations include actor unions ACTRA, CAEA, UDA, writer union SARTEC, and the Quebec Bar. Vincent is honored to be back in Edmonton in order to perform the part of Michel Tremblay again, in the Western Canada premiere.

Bradley is an MFA graduate in directing from the University Alberta. He joined Theatre Network in 1996 to create the multidisciplinary emerging artist festival – Nextfest. In 2014 Bradley accepted the dual role of Artistic & Executive Director for Theatre Network. Some recent productions include: BED AND BREAKFAST, THE EMPRESS & THE PRIME MINISTER, MINERVA – QUEEN OF THE HANDCUFFS, INFINITY, The Sterling Award Winning Production IRMA VOTH, BUST, GORDON, RED, THE LAST FIVE YEARS, ARMSTRONG’S WAR, the Governor General Nominated THE GRAVITATIONAL PULL OF BERNICE TRIMBLE, the Sterling Award Winning LITTLE ONE, DRIVING MISS DAISY, the Governor General Award Winning PIG GIRL, the Sterling Award Winning LET THE LIGHT OF DAY THROUGH, WHERE THE BLOOD MIXES, IN ON IT, MOVING ALONG, TWELFTH NIGHT, PUBLIC SPEAKING, DOG, THUNDERSTICK, BUDDY, ALIAS GODOT, MISERY, CLOSER AND CLOSER APART, the Sterling Award Winning SUMMER OF MY AMAZING LUCK, TRUE WEST, GIRL IN THE GOLDFISH BOWL, HOSANNA, MARION BRIDGE, A SKULL IN CONNEMARA, the Sterling Award Winning glam rock musical HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, and HIGH LIFE.

Raised in Texas, George Rideout moved to Thunder Bay, Ontario at the age of sixteen. He lived in several different provinces before settling for good in the Eastern Townships of Québec. Many of his plays reflect his fascination with cross-cultural relationships, particularly as they exist in times of great social change. Those plays include Texas Boy (which has had more than thirty different productions), The Longstreth Line, Walking on the Moon, 689 Spadina Ave., The Austin Texas Twist Championship, Dead Together, The Tall Girl, An Anglophone is Coming to Dinner, Columbia Days, and Michel and Ti-Jean.

Special thanks from the playwright to the three singularly talented artists who are heading up the Theatre Network production of Michel and Ti-Jean: artistic director, Bradley Moss, for bringing Michel and ti-Jean to a western Canadian audience; Brian Dooley, for his support of the play and for taking on the role of Jack Kerouac; Vincent Hoss-Desmarais for once again stepping into the shoes of the young Michel Tremblay.

Cory is an award winning designer, currently residing in Charlottetown, PEI. His set, costume and lighting designs have received both national and international recognition. His work has been seen throughout Canada, as well as throughout Europe and Russia. Cory earned a degree in Architectural Studies from Carleton University before studying design at Ryerson Theatre School in Toronto. He also holds a MFA in Theatre Design from the University of Alberta. Recent Designs: EVANANGELINE, BITTERGIRL THE MUSICAL (Charlottetown Festival) LIBERATION DAYS (Theatre Calgary/WCT), PETER AND THE STARCATCHER, LES MISERABLES (WCT); MARY POPPINS, NEXT TO NORMAL, (Theatre Calgary/Citadel Theatre); MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, VENUS IN FUR, ROMEO AND JULIET, SPAMALOT, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW (Citadel); LAST 5 YEARS, MICHEL AND TI-JEAN, and LET THE LIGHT OF DAY THROUGH (Theatre Network). www.corysincennes.com

Matthew Skopyk is an Edmonton based Sound Designer and Composer. Recent Design/Composition credits include: PALACE OF THE END, Theatre Network; RICHARD III, Free Will Players; SPREEPARK THE MUSICAL, Mischief and Mayhem and SOMETHING RED, Vault. A past graduate of the U of A Technical Threatre Production program (B.F.A Graduate 2006 With Distinction), Matthew excels at software/hardware manipulation, allowing for new realms of possibility in the theatre through manipulation of data. New works include: wireless performer-worn sensors; allowing for performer control over technical aspects of a production, a glove-based three-dimensional-panner for Sound Designers and a MIDI Cello. Matthew has worked as a FOH mixer for companies such as Free Will Players and the Catalyst Theatre. Matthew currently resides as the Head of Audio for the Drama Department at the University of Alberta.

Cheryl is really happy to be working on Collin’s beautiful new play and with everyone involved in this production. Cheryl’s Stage Management credits for Theatre Network include: IN ON IT, MICHEL & TI-JEAN, THUNDERSTICK, (co-production with Persephone Theatre), BUDDY, ALIAS GODOT, CHOKE and A BEAUTIFUL VIEW. Other shows Cheryl has Stage Managed over the years include Theatre Yes’ production of RACE, Bent Out of Shape’s THE DROWNING GIRLS, Workshop West Theatre’s THE BLUE LIGHT, MARY’S WEDDING, THE RED PRIEST and APPLE. Free Will Players HENRY V and A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, The Citadel Theatre’s productions of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD and OF MICE AND MEN (co-productions with the Manitoba Theatre Centre) as well as EXTINCTION SONG and POPCORN. The Mayfield Dinner Theatre’s productions of SHEAR MADNESS and SEXY LAUNDRY, Alberta Theatre Projects THE LEISURE SOCIETY and GET AWAY. And Catalyst Theatre’s THE BLUE ORPHAN and CARMEN ANGEL to name a few. Cheryl also Stage Manages two annual outdoor music festivals each summer.