Meet some of the Class of 2016
Kasia BRYTAN - BFA Stage Management
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Throughout her time at UAlberta, Kasia has been fortunate enough to work with Amanda Bergen, Chris Bullough, and Brian Deedrick in Ironmistress (2013), Salome (2014), and The Threepenny Opera (2015) respectively. This school year, she is working with the wonderful Glenda Stirling on Beyond Therapy (2015) and then with Hannah Moscovitch in The Kaufman Kabaret (2016); both productions will be featured in the Studio Theatre mainstage season. Kasia is also the General Manager of Toy Guns Dance Theatre, and has had the pleasure of touring the unique works of Jake W. Hastey for the last two summers. They have taken 5-star shows, such as Red Wine, French Toast, and the Best Sex You've Ever Had and Propylene Glycol, Maltodextrin, Retinol Palmitate, and Other Words I Don't Understand Like Love to various festivals, like the Winnipeg Fringe Festival, the Guelph International Festival of Dance, and the Edmonton International Fringe Festival, in addition to a rural tour of Alberta in June 2015. They have also performed in mattress galleries! Apart from theatre, Kasia has done work, acting and producing, with the local Edmonton film industry. She is very excited to see where the wind takes her post-graduation in 2016!
Laura DUGUAY - BA Drama
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Laura Duguay has spent a wonderful 4 years in the BA drama program at the University of Alberta. Writing plays, acting, watching performances, and collaborating with artists and friends have enriched her mind and spirit. The emphasis on performer creation and cooperation has led to much growth as an artist. Through her courses she developed skills in movement, voice and performance for both modern texts and Shakespeare. She also had the opportunity to act in the New Works Festival (Princess and the Sandman) and in numerous 383 and 483 scenes such as Paradise Lost, Love Play, and the Goat. In the community, Laura has been exploring film creation; recently she acted and edited a film for the 2015 EIFF. Though she is sad to be leaving, she is excited to explore the world.
Cristina FALLAVOLLITA - BA Drama
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Cristina Fallavollita began acting when she was ten years old through the Foote Theatre School at the Citadel. She went on to play in multiple school plays at her high school including Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream and The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon. Since starting her education at the University of Alberta, Cristina has taken part in a number of different class related acting projects and has acted in the New Works Festival in her first and third year. Cristina hopes to pursue a career in human resources but hopes to continue acting in the future.
Morgan GRAUMANN - BFA Stage Management
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Morgan is in her fourth and final year of BFA Stage Management, and is excited to work on a medley of Studio Theatre shows this year, and then go forth to enter the world of Musical Theatre and Opera. Upon graduation, Morgan's shows at the Timms Center will include ASM-ing A Dream Play and The Kaufman Kabaret, and SM-ing Iphigenia At Aulis and Or The Whale. As well as working on a few BLT shows, Morgan has apprenticed at the Edmonton Opera on The Magic Flute, and is excited to return this year for Carmen.
Cayley HANSON - BFA Stage Management
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Cayley Hanson is in her fourth year of Stage Management at the University of Alberta. Selected theatre credits include Richard III (Media Room), Miss Julie (Bleviss Laboratory Theatre), Barber of Seville (Edmonton Opera) and Tribes (Studio Theatre). She is excited to be working on Iphegenia At Aulis and A Midsummer Night's Dream this Studio season.
Misha HLEBNICOV - BFA Technical Theatre Production
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Moving to Canada in 2001, Misha Hlebnicov has found a home here in Edmonton, and is now very involved in the arts community, collaborating on theatre productions, concerts, and in various festivals in and around the city of Edmonton. Misha is currently in his fourth year of the BFA Technical Theatre Production program at the University of Alberta. He is excited to open the 2015 - 2016 Studio Theatre season, as Head of Audio for the production of Beyond Therapy. Misha is also a freelance audio technician and sound designer, with several upcoming productions including sound design for Iphigenia (Studio Theatre). Misha is grateful to have worked with such a talented and lively team.
Allison ROBINSON - BFA Technical Theatre Production
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Allison is a fourth-year student in the BFA Technical Theatre Production program, who is excited to graduate this spring! Over the summer she was fortunate enough to work with the Freewill Shakespeare Company as their Production Assistant for their 2015 season, featuring As You Like It and Coriolanus. She was also given the opportunity to work with Patrick Roberge Productions Inc. behind the scenes on the Women's FIFA World Cup opening ceremonies as a props handler. Her recent show credits at the University include; Head of Lighting on Betrayal (BLT), Co-Head of Paint on Miss Julie (BLT), RF Tech for The Threepenny Opera (Studio Theatre), and Assistant Technical Director for The Violet Hour (Studio Theatre). Previously, she enjoyed Stage Managing the Fringe production of Famished! A Victorian Zombie Musical (October People Productions). In her final year, Allison will take on the role of Technical Director for The Importance of Being Earnest (BLT) and looks forward to a props position on A Midsummer's Night Dream (Studio Theatre).
Brinnameade SMITH - BA Drama and Film Studies
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Brinnameade Smith is graduating with a double major in Drama and Film Studies from the U of A. She has enjoyed many fantastic opportunities with the Drama Department in her time here, such as stage managing and directing with the New Works Festival (Afloat and Princess and the Sandman), teching, acting, and set designing with projects for Drama 457 (Great Expectations and Killing Game), and working on set design and dramaturgy for productions with ABBEDAM (Angels in America, Part I: Millennium Approaches and Orestes 2.0). Outside of the department, Brinna has expanded her experiences with the Edmonton creative community to include an executive position with The Last Alliance: University of Alberta Tolkien Society, been a member of the Citadel Theatre's Young Theatre Production Company, and of Catalyst Theatre's Youth Advisory Board. She hopes to continue finding new and unexpected ways to pursue theatre and storytelling in her "post-grad world."
Eric SMITH - BA Drama
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Eric feels he is in debt to all the friends and profs that he has met along the way on his journey in University. The diversity of knowledge and learning that he was able to achieve at the University is beyond anything that he could have ever imagined. He is excited to look towards the future and see what is out there waiting for him after graduation. Also a huge thank you to my family, without their support, I wouldn't be where i am today.
Ashley SHIELDS - BA (Drama)/BEd (Secondary) Combined Degree Headshot
Ashley Shields is currently in her fifth year of the Bachelor of Education Program, majoring in Drama and minoring in English. Ashley started gaining her theatrical experience at John Maland High school, including Cats (Andrew Lloyd Webber), Peter Pan (Mark Charlap), creating their own class written production called One Wild Wedding, and many more. This then led Ashley on to her Drama career at the University Of Alberta where she has enjoyed gaining her skills in productions, such as directing Love and Unidentified Human Remains (Brad Fraser), and smaller directing/acting projects. Ashley has completed her Introductory Field Experience (IFX), and in the Winter term 2016 is looking forward to her Advanced Field Experience (AFX), marking the end of her journey. She is thrilled to enter into teaching full time, to gain new experiences and long lasting relationships. She would like to thank all professors and peers that inspired her through this unforgettable adventure.
Cheryl VANDERGRAAF - BA Drama
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Cheryl is graduating with a double major in Drama and English with the hopes of pursuing playwriting and/or publishing. Throughout her schooling, she has earned much more than two degrees. She has had the opportunity to work under the direction of world renowned professionals, gain experience in the field of drama through programs such as writing, performing and producing the New Works Festival, as well as be involved in improv and sports communities. Becoming an actor and drama teacher has opened her eyes to things that cannot be taught with books, and can only be taught through experience. She is happy to say that the University of Alberta has equipped her with ample tools to succeed in her fields of study.
Mark VETCH - After Degree in Education. Maj. Drama Min. English
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Mark is an actor, director, and improviser born and raised in Edmonton. He holds a BA in Drama Honors from the UofA and a Physical Theatre and Ensemble certification from Dell Arte, California. Mark primarily works on developing new works in Edmonton and has a passion for physical comedy and improv. He is the Director for Grindstone Theatre's The 11 O'Clock Number and is an artistic associate for Thou Art Here Theatre. Mark has worked and performed with many other companies including: The Citadel Theatre, Capitol Theatre, Studio Theatre, DieNasty! and Dell Arte International (California). Having taught workshops with Trickster Theatre, Grindstone Theatre, The Robbins Academy, Edmonton Children's Dance Theatre, Yerba Buena Arts Center (San Fransisco), GeriActors, and several high schools in Edmonton, Mark is currently working towards his education degree and hopes to inspire students to pursue their passions just like he has.
Jessica WATSON - BA Drama
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Jessica is currently in her fourth year as a BA Drama Major in the Department of drama. She is very excited to be moving on, but will definitely miss the U of A and the wonderful opportunities she has had. Select Credits include Young Franksenstein, the New Works Festival's Afloat, ABBEDAM's Mad Forest and Spring Awakening. Jessica is pursuing an acting career, and is excited to see where her path leads! Thanks to her family, friends, and all of the faculty members who have supported her in her crazy endeavours at the University.
