The Society for the Destitute Presents Titus Bouffonius by Colleen Murphy

Colleen Murphy was born in Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, and raised in Northern Ontario. Her play PIG GIRL won the 2016 Governor General’s Literary Award for Drama as well as the 2014 Carol Bolt Award. THE DECEMBER MAN / L’HOMME DE DÉCEMBRE won the 2007 Governor General’s Literary Award for Drama, the CAA/Carol Bolt Award and the Enbridge Playwrights Award.  Other plays THE BREATHING HOLE (shortlisted for the Susan Blackburn Prize, U.S.), BRIGHT BURNING, ARMSTRONG’S WAR, THE GOODNIGHT BIRD, BEATING HEART CADAVER (shortlisted for the 1999 Governor General’s Literary Award for Drama), and THE PIPER.  Libretti include FANTASMA (c. Ian Cusson), OKSANA G., (c. Aaron Gervais) for Tapestry Opera, and MY MOUTH ON YOUR HEART, (c. August Murphy-King) for Toy Piano Composers and Bicycle Opera.  Colleen twice won prizes in the CBC Literary Competition.  She is also an award-winning filmmaker and her distinct films have played in festivals around the world. Colleen has been Writer-in-Residence at ten theatres and universities including the Lee Playwright-in-Residence at the U of A and Finborough Theatre in London UK. In 2017, Colleen was awarded a Canada Council New Chapter Grant to write a six-hour play GEOGRAPHY OF FIRE / LA FURIE ET SA GÉOGRAPHIE about The Battle on the Plains of Abraham in 1759, and in 2019 she received the Playwright Guild of Canada’s Lifetime Membership Award for her body of work.

Robert was in Theatre Network’s WHERE THE BLOOD MIXES, as well as the Roxy Series shows THE REALISTIC JONESES and 10 OUT OF 12 (Wild Side). In Edmonton, he has worked with Freewill Shakespeare, most recently in THE WINTER’S TALE and TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA; Firefly Theatre & Circus (INFERNO); Citadel (A CHRISTMAS CAROL & SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE); Blarney (TRAGEDY: A TRAGEDY & SCARAMOUCHE JONES); & Edmonton Actors Theatre (Terry and the Dog & Stupid Fucking Bird). He’s also done some other stuff, in some other places. “When in doubt, try kindness; myself, I’m always in doubt, and I’m always trying.”

Helen Belay is an actor and storyteller that has been playing with words and obsessed with all things beautiful since she was a wee babe in Bedford, England. Thrilled to making her Theatre Network debut, she would like to thank her family and friends for their love and support. Credits include:  CINDERELLA (The Globe), VIDALIA (Teatro la Quindicina), MIDDLETOWN, ALL FOR LOVE, LENIN’S EMBALMERS (Studio Theatre), CONCORD FLORAL (Edmonton Fringe), OFF’D ON WHYTE (Found Festival), and THE GOOSEBERRY (Nextfest).

Hunter is an actor and Indigenous myth-architect. He is Co-Founder and Director of Story at Naheyawin, an agency based in Edmonton, Alberta, that serves as a bridge between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. In 2018, he was recognized by his community as Edmonton’s Best Actor and awarded a place in Edmonton’s esteemed Top 40 Under 40 class of 2018. In early 2019 his first play, Lake of the Strangers, co-written with his sister and co-produced with Fringe Theatre, premiered to critical and popular acclaim.

Bobbi is tickled to be back at Theatre Network and making a bloody mess with Titus. The world is on fire, so why not dance in the flames?  A proudly prairie artist, Bobbi was born in Saskatchewan, raised in Alberta, and is a graduate of the U of A’s BFA Acting program and Mount Royal’s Theatre Arts Performance program (RIP). Select Credits: THE BALLAD OF PEACHTREE ROSE (Workshop West Playwright’s Theatre), WHAT A YOUNG WIFE OUGHT TO KNOW (Sterling Award Best Supporting Actor, Theatre Network), 4 seasons with the Freewill Shakespeare Festival, DEAD CENTRE OF TOWN X, XI (Catch the Keys), PAPER SONG and CONSENT (Concrete Theatre). When she’s not acting, Bobbi can be found teaching English, coaching dialects, and talking about Shakespeare. Or in Mexico searching for the perfect burrito. Upcoming: QUILER CUIN in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Marguerite is thrilled to be making their Theatre Network debut with Titus Bouffonius. They recently graduated from the U of A BFA acting program (2019). Marg is also a senior performer with RapidFire Theatre, performing in troupes like OFFBOOK: THE IMPROVISED MUSICAL, SPHINXES, MURDER AT MAKEOUT POINT, and more. They write and perform sketch comedy around town both as a solo act, and with Chuckle Ruckus. Marg just finished a tour of Beth Graham’s WORKING IT OUT with Alberta Worker’s Health, and RFT’s first annual Christmas show THE BLANK WHO STOLE CHRISTMAS. Huge thanks to Brad, Mike, Gina, the rest of the whole brilliant team, and most importantly, the tax payers.

Marguerite is thrilled to be making their Theatre Network debut with Titus Bouffonius. They recently graduated from the U of A BFA acting program (2019). Marg is also a senior performer with RapidFire Theatre, performing in troupes like OFFBOOK: THE IMPROVISED MUSICAL, SPHINXES, MURDER AT MAKEOUT POINT, and more. They write and perform sketch comedy around town both as a solo act, and with Chuckle Ruckus. Marg just finished a tour of Beth Graham’s WORKING IT OUT with Alberta Worker’s Health, and RFT’s first annual Christmas show THE BLANK WHO STOLE CHRISTMAS. Huge thanks to Brad, Mike, Gina, the rest of the whole brilliant team, and most importantly, the tax payers.

Michael Kennard received his BA in Drama from the University of Guelph, after which he studied Clown and Mask at the Theatre Resource Centre in Toronto. His remarkable professional career as co-creator of the clown duo Mump & Smoot has included touring to international acclaim for over 30 years. Awards for MUMP & SMOOT include Dora Awards (Best Production, Best Director), 2 Canadian Comedy Awards (Best New Comedy Play), L.A. Drama-Logue Awards (Best Actors), Boston Theatre Awards (Outstanding Production by a Small Visiting Company). Besides his work with Mump & Smoot, Michael is an Associate Professor and researcher in physical theater at University of Alberta. He is also a solo performer, director and collaborator of new theatrical productions.

Tessa Stamp is an Edmonton born theatre professional, entrepreneur, and found object artist.  A dancer first, Tessa has made her career in technical theatre.  She has traveled the world as a pirate, ran away with the circus and in 2008 landed back in Edmonton to play with these clowns.  Tessa works in set, lighting and costume design and stage management.  Recent credits include BED AND BREAKFAST, Theatre Network (Costume Design), SLIGHT OF MIND, Theatre Yes (Stage Management and Set Design), LAKE OF THE STRANGERS, Naheyawin (Set Design and Production Management), WHAT A YOUNG WIFE OUGHT TO KNOW, Theatre Network (Set and Costume Design) METIS MUTT, One Little Indian Productions (Set and Lighting Design and Stage Management).

“Now is a time to storm; Why dost thou laugh? It fits not with this hour.” Recent Design credits include BED AND BREAKFAST (Theatre Network), EDAY (Serial Collective), Minerva Queen of the Handcuffs (Ghost-writer Theatre), THE EMPRESS & THE PRIME MINISTER, WHAT A YOUNG WIFE OUGHT TO KNOW, INFINITY (Theatre Network), TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA, THE WINTER’S TALE, HAMLET, A COMEDY OF ERRORS (Freewill Players), 9-5, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (Grant MacEwan University). Scott is resident Production Manager for Theatre Network and Nextfest, and is a founding member of Edmonton band Captain Tractor. “Why, I have not another tear to shed.”

Darrin Hagen is the Artistic Director of Guys In Disguise, which is celebrating over three decades of creating drag comedies that have toured across North America. He has received 7 Sterling awards for his work in the Edmonton theatre scene, and over 40 Sterling nominations. His writing debut in 1996 was the award-winning THE EDMONTON QUEEN (transformed into book length and published by Brindle & Glass Publishing). Other plays by Darrin include WITCH HUNT AT THE STRAND (nominated for Outstanding New Play); BUDDY (nominated for Outstanding New Play); With Bells On (nominated for Outstanding New Play); BITCHSLAP!; THE NEO-NANCIES: HITLER’S KICKLINE!; TORNADO MAGNET: A SALUTE TO TRAILER COURT WOMEN (published by Brindle & Glass); as well as TYPHOON JUDY (co-written with Christopher Peterson); and PILEDRIVER! (co-written with Wes Borg). His plays have been produced across Canada, in the U.S. and as far away as Ireland.

Recent Stage Management credits include: THE EMPRESS & THE PRIME MINISTER and THE LAST FIVE YEARS for Theatre Network; OH CHRISTMAS TREE for the Roxy Series; THE COLOR PURPLE for The Citadel Theatre; THE BAD SEED, SHOCKER’S DELIGHT and THE SALON OF THE TALKING TURK for Teatro La Quindicina; and WITCH HUNT AT THE STRAND for Workshop West Playwrights’ Theatre.