Paradise Lost

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About the Play

Erin Shields’ Paradise Lost offers us creatures that are in a moment of upheaval. A time of questioning. They are confronting long-held beliefs and systems, and adding question marks to the end of statements that used to be filled with certainty. They are asking: what have I taken for granted? How do I live in relationship to those around me? And most importantly, how do we move forward? Paradise Lost is about creatures grappling with how to be good. They live in a world that doesn’t feel just, and they are fighting to change that. Their methods differ, because they differ. Their hearts beat and break in different ways. But they all have the common goal of searching for a way to live in a world filled with pain and love. ​

Get your tickets

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE​

  • Tuesday, June 22 – 7:30pm ​
  • Thursday, June 24 – 7:30pm ​
  • Friday, June 25 – 1:00pm ​
  • Saturday, June 26 – 7:30pm ​

LOCATION​

Youtube Live Broadcast​

RUNNING TIME​

~ 2 hours​​

COST​

In lieu of admission fees for the performances, the students, staff and faculty of the School of Media and the Performing Arts hope that you will donate to the COVID-19 Student Emergency Relief Fund.

Directed by Eva Barrie*

Eva Barrie

Originally from Okotoks, Alberta, Eva Barrie is a Dora Award-winning actor, director, and creator.

She is currently the Co-Artistic Director of Shakespeare in the Ruff, where she has led the company through new play development and radical adaptation. She directed As We Live It, a site-specific physically distanced collective collaboration, Portia’s Julius Caesar (named one of Toronto’s top 9 shows of 2019) and My Co-Mates & Brothers in Exile, a comedic promenade play following a refugee arriving in Toronto.

Read more of Eva Barrie's Bio

As a playwright, her writing has been supported by the Toronto Arts Council, the Ontario Arts Council, the Canada Council for the Arts, The Theatre Centre, Theatre Smith-Gilmour, Theatre Gargantua, DaPoPo Theatre, Theatrefront, and Factory Theatre. She has been a playwright-in-residence at Theatrefront, Factory Theatre, and is her piece Untamed, a play exploring female misogyny and protest, is currently under commission at Tarragon Theatre. She is also in the Bedrock Creator’s Initiative at Factory Theatre.

In the 2020 season, Eva was the Urjo Kareda Residency recipient at Tarragon theatre, pursuing a residency focused on play development and artistic direction. She has trained with Anne Bogart’s SITI Company in Saratoga Springs, NY and New York City, NY. Eva has taught the Shakespeare Scene Study at George Brown Theatre School and Devised Theatre at Sheridan College.

Eva is a graduate of X University.

About the Play and Director's Notes

Erin Shields’ Paradise Lost offers us creatures that are in a moment of upheaval. A time of questioning. They are confronting long-held beliefs and systems, and adding question marks to the end of statements that used to be filled with certainty. They are asking: what have I taken for granted? How do I live in relationship to those around me? And most importantly, how do we move forward?

Sound familiar?

For me, this play was never about a book written many years ago, or rituals contained to one group of people. Paradise Lost is about creatures grappling with how to be good. They live in a world that doesn’t feel just, and they are fighting to change that. Their methods differ, because they differ. Their hearts beat and break in different ways. But they all have the common goal of searching for a way to live in a world filled with pain and love.

It has been an immense joy working with the graduating class of George Brown Theatre School. I had the pleasure of teaching these students when they were in their first year, and returning to witness their growth, not only as artists, but as humans, has filled me with hope. Yes, the world is painful. Yes, we have so much work to do. But these talent-filled creatures have the capacity, commitment and courage to change the world, and move us all forward in a more just direction.

 

Creatives

Lisa Humber*, Stage Manager

Lisa is a Toronto based Artist, Stage Manager, Producer and Musician.

She is the co-creator, co-producer, and co-host of the online talk show Check in from Away distributed by Mirvish Productions. She is 1/4th of the artistic core of the theatre company bluemouth inc and most recently was the Stage Manager for Mirvish Productions’ Come From Away in Toronto.

Lisa has worked as a Stage Manager internationally and across Canada for over 15 years; selected credits include Strictly Ballroom, The Heart Of Robin Hood, Les Misérables, War Horse, Ghost Stories, The Sound Of Music and Dirty Dancing (Mirvish Productions), Alice in Wonderland (Bad Hats Theatre), Butcher (Why Not Theatre/ Mirvish Productions), It Comes In Waves (PANAMANIA/ bluemouth Inc/ Necessary Angel), Dance Marathon (bluemouth inc) Sleeping Beauty, Peter Pan In Wonderland (Ross Petty Productions), Grey Gardens (Musical Stage Company).

She has been a faculty member at the Banff Centre and is a member of the Professional Advisory Committee for the Theatre Production Program at Humber College.

In addition, Lisa is also working on her first album of music due to be released in the winter of 2021. @lisahumber https://linktr.ee/lisahumber

Jackie Chau, Set & Properties Design

Jackie has worked as a set and costume designer and her work has toured internationally. In addition, she is a production designer and art director for film and television. Selected theatre design credits include: Sexy Laundry (Theatre Aquarius) Annie Mae’s Movement, Almighty Voice and His Wife, Tombs of the Vanishing Indian, From Thine Eyes, HUFF (NEPA), Antigone Insurgency, Talking Masks, Charge of the Expormidable Moose, Ubu Mayor, S/W (One Little Goat), Gas Girls (New Harlem Productions), Romeo and Juliet (TD Dream in High Park/Can Stage), Zadie's Shoes, Lady Sunrise (Factory Theatre), Brown Balls (Fu-Gen), The Swearing Jar (Prairie Theatre Exchange), Fish Eyes Trilogy (GCTC), Canada 300 (Watermark Theatre), Cannibal the Musical (Starvox Entertainment), Twist Your Dickens (Second City Chicago/Toronto), Mini Me Makeover – Designer and Co-host (CBC Kids/Expect Theatre), Moment, Dissidents, Oil (ARC Theatre), Cowboy Versus Samurai, 39 Steps, Oraltorio (Soulpepper) and The Komagata Maru Incident (Stratford Festival). Jackie was named in NOW magazine's Top 10 Theatre Artists of 2009, nominated for the Virginia and Myrtle Cooper Award in Costume Design, nominated for a Saskatoon Area Theatre (SAT) award, 2 Broadway World awards and has received 8 Dora nominations for outstanding set and costume design. This is Jackie's 14th year designing for the George Brown Theatre.

Ina Kerklaan, Costume Design

Ina is delighted to be designing costumes for Paradise Lost for the 2nd time with George Brown. Ina is educated in both Fashion Design through Ryerson Polytechnic University and Costume Cutting through Red Deer College in Alberta. Ina has worked primarily as a cutter and stitcher in theatre wardrobe since 1999. She has worked with The Banff Centre, The Citadel Theatre, Mirvish Productions, The National Ballet Company, the Canadian Opera Company, Soulpepper Theatre Company, The Canadian Stage Company and Young People’s Theatre Company.  Ina joined the George Brown Theatre School in the Fall of 2013 as the Head of Wardrobe.

Jareth Li, LX Design

Jareth is a stage designer based in Toronto, and is thrilled to play in this new online world with the George Brown team. Many thanks to the students in bringing a playful nature, and willingness to explore with him! Select lighting designs include: The Wolves (Crows Theatre and The Howland Company), Punk Rock (Howland); Iphigenia and The Furies (Saga Collectif); Yellow Rabbit (Silk Bath/Soulpepper); Chautauqua (Pearle Harbour); Black Boys (Saga & Buddies In Bad Times); Prairie Nurse (Factory & TIP); Risky Phil (YPT). Jareth is a member of the Associated Designers of Canada, and an instructor at York University. He is also a member of The Howland Company. Online @Jareth.Li

Steafan Hannigan, Video Designer/Streaming Tech Coord.

Steafan was born and raised in Belfast, Northern Ireland and moved to Canada nearly 12 years ago.

He has a background in theatre and has held many interesting positions: Technical Director, Musical Director, Head of Props, Head Carpenter, Lighting Designer, Sound Designer, and actor. Previously he worked as a Technical Director for many companies including Jumblies Theatre, Education Arts Canada and Festival Players.

He has also had an interesting career as a musician having composed the music for a 24-episode animated series which aired worldwide in 2015, worked with a diverse range such as Bjork, Depeche Mode, Loreena mcKennitt and AfroCelts He has also appeared on MTV, BBC and CBC. Along with his wife Saskia, he was hired to work on developing the hit theatre show “Come from Away”.

And yes rumours are true, he arranged music for and appeared on the hit T.V. series “Friends” – the one with Ross’s wedding, acted in Canadian show “Coppers” and been a session musician on “Black Harbour”, “Relic Hunter ” and “Earth Final Conflict”.

He is an author of “The Bodhran Book” and “The Low Whistle Book” both best sellers in their genre. He and his family also formed a band called Clan Hannigan

He regularly volunteers for ArtsCan Circle, working with Indigenous communities in Northern Ontario, specializing in working with the Pikanjikum First Nation and Project Journey.

Nick Andison, Video Designer/Streaming Tech Coord.

Nick designs lighting and projections for theatre, dance, opera and corporate productions. Some of his recent work includes lighting design for: Electric Messiah (Soundstreams); Cottagers & Indians, Bunny, Mustard, Midsummer (Tarragon Theatre); The Snow Queen (CCOC); DAS DING (The Thing) (Theatre Smash); associate lighting and projection design for A Christmas Carol (Shaw Festival) Lighting & Technical Director for: EUNOIA (Fujiwara Dance Inventions).

Nick has also recently worked as an assistant lighting designer with many theatre companies and individual designers, some of which include The Shaw Festival, The Canadian Opera Company, Mirvish Productions, Soulpepper Theatre Company, Tarragon Theatre and many others.

When not busy with design, Nick works as a technical director and site manager for large corporate events and festivals, with past projects including the MLB All-Star Game, various NHL outdoor hockey games, SuperBowl LIV, Taste of Toronto and The Big Feastival Canada. Nick also enjoys his work as a mentor and Technical Director for the Regional Arts Program productions at Cawthra Park Secondary School, where he studied before his theatre production studies at Ryerson University.

Sarah Flanigan, Assistant Stage Manager

Sarah is a Toronto based Stage Manager/Assistant Stage Manager. She is a graduate of Queen’s University with a BA Honours degree in Drama, and is thrilled to be back at work as an ASM for George Brown. Favourite credits include: Concord Floral (Theatre Kingston/Queen's University), Crow Hill: The Telephone Play (4th Line Theatre), and Carmel (4th Line Theatre).

 

Cast

Headshot of Aaron Macpherson
Aaron MacPherson - Mammon/Uriel

Aaron Macpherson is a Toronto-based actor and musician originally from Guelph Ontario. Having discovered his love of theatrics through cartoons and silly voices, he pursued his passions at George Brown Theatre School where he is entering his graduating year. Some of his favourite theatre school credits include: Cheryl’s Dad (Planet Munsch), Flores (Fuente Ovejuna), Miss Prism (The Importance of Being Earnest), and Murderer 2 (Richard III). Recently completing the Voice Acting Foundations certificate at George Brown College, Aaron aspires to one day voice a superhero. He spent much of quarantine producing his own original cooking show, and is actively writing his first play. Aaron has a love of children’s theatre, touring productions such as Treeboy (Theatre Orangeville) and New Canadian Kid (John F Ross CVI). Aaron is interested in exploring the world of film and TV and hopes to one day have a lego minifigure of himself. Instagram: @aaron.macpherson1.

Headshot of Isaiah Wagner-Chazalon
Isaiah Wagner-Chazalon - Astoreth/Urania

Originally from the trees and lakes of Muskoka, Ontario, Isaiah is a Toronto-based actor, singer, songwriter, and stage-combat enthusiast. Having been involved in a number of shows and improv troupes (including 3 nationally competitive teams) during his time in cottage country, Isaiah spent two years studying acting and theatre history at York University before making the shift to George Brown Theatre School. He is very excited to continue working and studying techniques of acting and stage-combat in both theatre and film. His selected George Brown highlights include: Gerald (A Woman of No Importance) Don Pedro (House of Desires) Cassius (Julius Caesar) Dauphin (Saint Joan) and the Dragon (Planet Munsch). Isaiah has nothing but endless praise and thanks to give to his family, friends, and instructors at George Brown Theatre School.
Instagram: @isaiahwc 

 

Headshot of Adrian Marchesano
Adrian Marchesano - God the Father

Adrian hails from Oakville, Ontario and is excited to be performing in his final year at George Brown Theatre School. For as long as he can remember, the arts have always been a part of his life; from his beginnings in community theatre to professional productions, Adrian continues to pursue his passion as an actor. Before George Brown Theatre School, he had studied Dramatic Arts at Brock University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts. Some of his favourite roles include: Pantalone (Pantalone’s Palace), Nicholas (One for the Road), John Worthing (The Importance of Being Earnest), and Archbishop (Heresy of Love). Adrian would like to thank his family and friends for their unyielding love and support.

 

Headshot of Aiden Holden-Jones
Aidan Holden-Jones -Moloch/Michael

Aidan is a Toronto-based actor, part-time singer, and full-time goof, originally from London, Ontario. She is so honoured and excited to be performing alongside this amazing cast of people she calls family! Aidan is so lucky to have been around the theatre her whole life, and cannot thank her parents and partner enough for their endless support (and a special thanks to Mum for her guidance and wisdom). Aidan has a deep love for voice work and animation, as well as classical theatre, and has a huge passion for dialects! She hopes someday to complete a master's degree to become a dialect coach.

Some of her favourite roles at George Brown include:

  • Marcella (Don Quixote)
  • Doña Ana (House of Desires)
  • Lady Windermere (Lady Windermere’s Fan)
  • Hermia (A Midsummer Night’s Dream)

Another huge thank you goes to the coaches and teachers at George Brown who have helped her grow and learn so much over these hectic years. IG: @aidanhojo

Headshot of Davin Babulal
Davin Babulal - God the Son

Davin (they/them) is an enthusiastic all-rounder fuelled by their curiosity. They graduated from McMaster University with an Honours B.Sc. in LifeSciences but was also an honorary theatre kid and even got the opportunity to assistant direct and co-compose music for McMaster’s 2017 Fall Major Production, Women and Servants.

Some select theatre credits include: Leading Player (Pippin, MMT); Perchik (Fiddler on the Roof, MMT); Tybalt (Romeo and Juliet, Notapom Productions). Some of their favourite George Brown credits include: Richard (Richard III, Dir. Eva Barrie); Bayard Rustin (Seat Next to the King, Dir. Tanisha Taitt). They’re so grateful to be collaborating with such dedicated peers and facilitators.

They have a million hobbies but lately, they've been skateboarding, embroidering, whittling, and laying in the dark listening to albums all the way through. If you want to see what else they're up to, check out @darwinbibs on Instagram.

Headshot of Elyssia Giancola
Elyssia Giancola - Satan

Elyssia is thrilled to (finally!) be performing this season with her most wonderful colleagues. Born and raised in Brampton, ON, Elyssia got her first acting role when she was cast as Rover the Dog in her elementary school’s production of Cinderella. She’s since gone on to win a Brampton Arts Council Award for her portrayal of Shelby in Steel Magnolias and earn a Bachelor of Arts in English and Professional Writing from York University.

Elyssia has continuously trained as a dancer and is a certified instructor in both jazz and tap dance. When she is not performing, Elyssia loves reading mystery novels and playing along with Jeopardy! from the comfort of her living room —especially the Shakespeare categories!

A giant thank-you to all the faculty that have guided heron this wacky and wonderful journey. GBTS performance highlights include Doña Leonor (House of Desires), Beauty (The Bandit Queen), Goose (Planet Munsch), and Elizabeth (Richard III).

IG: @elyssia_g/Twitter: @ElyssiaG

 

Headshot of Samer Dagher
Samer Dagher - Adam

Born in Beirut, Lebanon and raised in Amman, Jordan. After moving to Toronto in August 2017, Samer decided to pursue his passion for acting and theatre. He develops and hones his love for performance and storytelling through different mediums, such as writing and spoken word poetry in Arabic and English. He also enjoys exploring the roots and traditions of both Eastern and Western culture and applying them to his work and activism. He is endlessly grateful and thankful for the continuous support and love of his mother.

Favourite Scene Study Highlights include:

  • Ilhan (Boy Play)
  • Man (The Treatment)
  • Lord Goring (An Ideal Husband)
  • Zeal (Divine Narcissus)
  • Duke Octavio (Don Juan and The Trickster of Seville)

 

Headshot of Chanelle Larabie
Chanelle Larabie - Sin/Zephon

Chanelle Larabie is a bilingual actress from Kapuskasing, Ontario. She has stood out from her peers since day one; while the other kids kept busy with sports, Chanelle would transform into different characters and put on shows for her friends. She had always assumed she just didn’t fit in until she was cast at the age of thirteen in a local theatre production of La Meute by Esther Beauchemin. Then Chanelle knew that she had the blood of an actress. Since the North didn’t offer many acting opportunities, Chanelle turned to pageantry to keep her performing needs met. In this world of glitz and glamour, she was able to showcase her singing and guitar skills, but most importantly she was able to build her self-confidence earning her the title of Miss Teen Ontario North. Today she is making her acting dream a reality by studying at the George Brown theatre school.

Favourite GBC scene study highlights include:

  • Desdemona (Othello)
  • Sara (Stop Kiss)
  • Religion (The Divine Narcissus)
  • Kendra (Gloria)

She has also particularly loved being in the role of Cat in the GB kid’s show Planet Munsch. Chanelle looks forward to her career and is aiming for television and film roles in her near future. She would love to thank her supportive parents Cindy & Dean and all the wonderful GB theatre school personnel. Follow her journey on her Instagram @chan_lara33.

 

Headshot of Olivia Cameron
Olivia Cameron - Eve

Olivia Cameron is a Toronto-based actor originating from Brantford, Ontario. Her introduction to the arts began at the age of seven where she studied classical piano until entering high school where she was introduced to the world of theatre. Following high school, she took a year off and took part in the Paprika Festival where she co-wrote a play that she then performed in for the festival. Following that amazing experience, she permanently relocated to Toronto and began at George Brown.

Some of her favourite George Brown credits include:

  • Cecily (The Importance of Being Earnest)
  • Sancho (Don Quixote)
  • Hamlet (Hamlet)
  • Odessa (Water by the Spoonful)

She is honoured to be graduating with the class of 2021 and incredibly grateful to have worked alongside them during her time at George Brown. She would also like to thank her family for their continuous support and generosity. IG: @oliviacameron_99

 

Headshot of Kaitlin Condie
Kaitlin Condie - Beelzebub/Gabriel

Born and raised in Toronto, Kaitlin has also spent a fair share of her life in nature. She is thrilled to be part of a supportive and cohesive cohort at GBC Theatre School where she has been especially inspired by Kawa Ada, Tanisha Taitt and Keith Barker.

Favourite roles include:

  • The Bandit Queen (The Bandit Queen)
  • Temina (Planet Munsch)
  • Faye (Skeleton Crew)
  • Hester (A Woman of No Importance)

Aside from acting, Kaitlin spends her time in artistic activities including cake decorating, photography, and cosplay costume design and creation. She is prepared to live on ramen noodles until her acting vision comes to life! kaitlin.condie@gmail.com IG @bluebird1027

 

Headshot of Casey Spector
Casey Spector - Belial/Raphael

Casey Spector resides in Toronto, as an actor and singer who loves to dance! Casey grew up performing musical theatre and attended Alexander Mackenzie High School for their Theatre arts program to continue her training. Casey is thrilled to be a part of the George Brown Theatre School graduating class of 2020 and is forever grateful for the training she’s received from all the coaches, teachers and directors and for all the experiences she’s had with her fellow thespians.

George Brown credits include:

  • Skunk (Planet Munsch)
  • Mrs. Arbuthnot (A Woman of No Importance)
  • Loureen (Poof)
  • Sarah (Stop Kiss)
  • Paulina (Winter’s Tale)

IG @caseeyy.s

 

Headshot of Kay Wong
Kay Wong - Death/Ithuriel

Kay is a Chinese-Canadian actor, singer, and writer born and raised in Scarborough, Ontario. Kay began his love affair with the performing arts as a member of the Canadian Children's Opera Company, singing classical choral works in the city and on tour in Europe as well as acting in productions such as East o' the Sun and West o' the Moon and A Dickens Of A Christmas. He would later also grow to love improv, competing in the Canadian Improv Games and working a co-op with the Second City facilitating school shows and co-leading improv workshops. Recent GBTS highlights include:

  • Chorus and Contributing Musician (Three Sisters & Co.), The Crow and The Prince
  • (Planet Munsch), Father Antonio (The Heresy of Love), Jack Worthing (The Importance of Being Earnest).

The theatre community has always helped Kay to grow both as a professional and as a person, and he is excited to give back as well as push the boundaries of what's possible for Asian-Canadian artists.

Say hi to Kay at KayWongBusiness@gmail.com or @kaywongofficial on Instagram.

 

Credits & Acknowledgements

Production Staff​

  • Assistant Stage Manager: Sarah Flanigan​
  • Properties Master: David Hoekstra​
  • Stitcher: Victoria Banjavcic ​
  • Movement Coach: Jack Rennie​
  • Voice Coach: Christina Pastor​
  • Speech Coach: Geoffrey Pounsett​
  • Musical Coach: Stephan Ermel​
  • Alexander Technique Coach: Victoria Heart​
  • Fight & Intimacy Director: Simon Fon​
  • Social Media Coordinator:​​ Olivia Cameron

Staff for George Brown Theatre​

  • Chair: Trent Scherer​​
  • Program Coordinator: Sue Miner​​Support Coordinator: Michael Longstaff​​
  • Production Manager/Technical Director: Scott Banks​
  • Production Assistant: Tim Moore​
  • Head of Wardrobe: Ina Kerklaan​

Special thanks to our generous donors​

  • The William & Nona Heaslip Foundation  
  • Sonja Koerner and the Women’s Art Association  
  • Loretta Bogert-O’Brien  
  • Esther Farlinger  
  • Larry LaForet  
  • Audrey J. Murdoch  
  • Ray Wares  
  • Lu-Ju Chou
  • George Brown Seniors’ Association  
  • Cindy Larable
  • Debbie Read 

Thank you to our friends in the community​

  • Cindy Bautista and the George Brown College Marketing Department​
  • Ashley Harychan, Vibalin Padua, Yun Lin, and Arleen Prudenciado (George Brown College Accounts Payable)​
  • Megan Woods and Soulpepper Theatre Company​
  • Robert Scott (Canadian Actors’ Equity Association)​

*The participation of these Artists is arranged by permission of the Canadian Actors’ Equity Association under the provisions of the Dance.Opera.Theatre Policy (DOT).​