Rachel Park - Soprano
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Martha Ansfield-Scrase
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Gabriel Macdonald - Tenor
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Alexander Nicoll*
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Singers:
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Rachel Park - Soprano
Rachel is so excited to once again join the cast of the Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular to bring some holiday cheer! Originally from Crowsnest Pass, Alberta, Rachel holds a BMus from UBC and has performed and trained internationally at the Universität Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria as a recipient of the Johann Strauss Memorial Scholarship. Select credits include Bertha in the premiere of Antony Knight’s “Oh Alfred”, Sweeney Todd (Snapshots Collective), Concert soloist (VSO Traditional Christmas Concerts), Zerlina and First Spirit in Mozart’s Don Giovanni and Die Zauberflöte respectively (U/S, UBC). Many thanks to Katy and the rest of the team! Martha Ansfield-Scrase - Alto
Returning to the cast of the Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular is a true Christmas miracle for Martha! She is overjoyed to be back singing Alto among friends old & new and hopes you enjoy the show! Martha hails from ‘jolly old England’, where she trained at the very Dickensian sounding ‘Poor School’ in London. She is often found caterwauling in Greater Vancouver churches with Motet Choir and most recently has been developing the fabulous show ‘Mozart & Her Brother’ with Genuisettes Collective. Credits include 'Mrs Warren’s Profession' at Chemainus Theatre Festival & 'The Cherry Orchard' with Smoking Gun Collective. Love to Christopher, her anchor in all seas strong & smooth. Gabriel Macdonald - Tenor
Gabriel is a Toronto based performer. He grew up in Nelson B.C. where his passion for music and performing began at a very early age. He is a graduate of the Canadian College of Performing Arts, where he received the “Founders Award” for achievement in musical theatre performance. He has since played lead roles in shows such as Les Miserables, Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, Jesus Christ Superstar, Beauty and the Beast, Chicago, and Rocky Horror. As a vocal soloist, Gabriel has toured internationally, performed the baritone role in Carmina Burana and has shared the stage with artists such as David Foster, Rajaton and the Victoria Symphony Orchestra. |
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Alexander Nicoll* - Baritone "The participation of this Artist is arranged by permission of Canadian Actors' Equity Association under the provisions of the DanceOperaTheatre Policy (DOT)".
Alexander is thrilled to be returning to this dazzling production with such a spectacular cast! Growing up in the Comox Valley, Alex is a graduate from Capilano University’s Musical Theatre Program and has since worked in theatres across Western Canada. Selected theatre credits include Once (Vancouver Arts Club and Chemainus Theatre), Jesus Christ Superstar (3 Legged Dog Productions), A Broadway Holiday (Gateway Theatre), Sweeney Todd (Snapshots Collective), The Little Prince (Theatre Calgary), Mary Poppins (Western Canada Theatre). When not working in the arts, Alex works as a Data Analyst and enjoys a plethora of sports. He hopes you enjoy this wonderful show! |
Dancers:
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Jacq Smith - Dance Captain & Dancer Jacq (she/her) is thrilled to return to YPCS for a fifth season! Jacq is a Vancouver-based artist whose dynamic performance ability, and versatile background, inform her work in dance, theatre, and choreography. Originally from Edmonton, and a graduate of the Edmonton School of Ballet’s professional program, Jacq has studied numerous artistic disciplines throughout her life. Jacq has worked across Canada on both large and small-scale productions, in a variety of disciplines, from contemporary dance to musical theatre, and film. Select credits: Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist (NBC), Broadway Melody Soloist in Singin in the Rain (RCMT), Crazy For You (Gateway), Workspace III (the response.), Anything Goes (RCMT), West Side Story (TUTS), and Artist-in-Residence with Small Stage (Movement Enterprises Society). www.jacqsmith.com Kyla Couper-Cruickshank - Dancer
Kyla started dancing at age of four, and her love of dance took her to New York City at age 15 to train for four years at the Joffrey Ballet School. Since graduating with a Certificate in Dance, Kyla has performed with DansArts et al., Ballet Kelowna, Coastal City Ballet, CollabArt Creations, and her own performing company, Coupé Dance & Co. Kyla holds a Bachelor’s Degree of General Studies in Education from Simon Fraser University, and has been teaching dance for five years in the Lower Mainland. Kyla is excited to be back in the Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular for a third season! Nicola Jackson - Dancer
Nicola is delighted to be returning to YPCS this year! Originally from England, Nicola began dance at age 3, she went on to train extensively in numerous styles of dance, graduating Stella Mann College of Performing Arts in London, UK, with a Diploma in Dance & Musical Theatre. Nicola is passionate about the Arts and has performed professionally in Theatres across Europe & North America, aboard Princess, and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Nicola now teaches, choreographs and dances for local projects, and is on the faculty at Tempo Dance Academy. She lives in beautiful Nanaimo with her husband and two energetic little boys! Hannah Bateman - Dancer
Hannah Bateman, (dancer) resides in Chilliwack BC. She spent her childhood dancing at her local dance studio (Project Dance) in the pre-professional division. She trained extensively in all styles of dance and spent summers in dance residency programs in Los Angeles and Portland. She has toured as a Maximum Velocity Artist with Velocity Dance Convention. Her on camera career highlights include The J Team, Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, Riverdale, Snow Day and the Crazy, Stupid Silly Love music video. She is currently training in Vancouver full-time at Harbour Dance Center where she is a member of the intensive training program. Hannah loves to perform and leave audiences feeling uplifted. Jaime Butler - Dancer
Jaime is so excited to be joining the YPCS cast this season! Jaime is a multi-disciplinary performing artist originally from the Sunshine Coast, BC. By the age of 18, Jaime completed a three-year pre-professional dance program and earned her ISTD Associate Diploma in Modern Theatre. Her love of musical theatre led her to Victoria to study at the Canadian College of Performing Arts, earning two performing arts diplomas. Jaime has also enjoyed teaching dance and musical theatre. A few of her favorite credits include: The Nutcracker (CATS), West Side Story (CCPA), If/Then (CCPA), and Electric Fire (PNE). |
Musicians
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Patrick Courtin - Piano
Patrick Courtin is delighted to return to the Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular! Patrick is a Vancouver Island based pianist, music director, multi-instrumentalist and arranger. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in jazz piano from VIU and Royal Conservatory grade 10. He has played and arranged for professional ensembles in many genres, especially jazz and musical theatre. Selected favourite gig experience includes: three seasons as musical director/pianist/actor with the Theatre Royal in Barkerville Historic Town, regular touring, recording and arranging for tenor Ken Lavigne, and pianist/accompanist for the Vancouver Arts Club and Chemainus Theatre Festival. |
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David Baird - Double Bass & Electric Bass
Dave studied jazz up at VIU. Since then he has performed with dozens of projects in a wide variety of musical styles, ranging from cruise ship lounge bands to touring with rock bands. His latest venture had him performing three shows with Theatre Newfoundland all summer long. Including his debut as an actor where he played the role of Captain English in The sinking of the SS Ethie, for the Gros Morne theatre festival. He teaches bass privately, and is an avid bird watcher in his spare time. |
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Steve Jones - Guitar & Saxophone Steve is a retired career music teacher with 44 years of experience at every level from elementary to university. He leads Decadence, a ten-piece jazz/funk band for which he composes and plays sax. Steve has performed and taught at jazz camps and workshops in western Canada and Yukon and has adjudicated at many festivals and competitions. He has recorded a CD called Chester s Waltz and has received the City of Nanaimo s Excellence in Culture Award. He has performed in the Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular for many years and is pleased and excited to be involved again. |
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Adam Robertson - Drums
Born and raised in Powell River, BC, Adam Robertson is a versatile drummer, percussionist and composer with strong West Coast roots. In 2020 he completed his Bachelors of Music in Jazz Studies at Vancouver Island University and remains an active member of the island music scene as both a performer and educator. Adam can be heard in venues across the island with an eclectic mix of artists and ensembles including Keanu Ienco, Andrew Homzy’s NOLA Nighthawks, free-jazz-noise-rock trio Dry Goods, and modern R&B group Mahogany. Adam is thrilled for the long-awaited return of the YPCS! |
Back-stage
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Shelby Matthews - Stage Manager & Lighting Technician Shelby has lived on Vancouver Island all her life and graduated in 2013 from Vancouver Island University with a degree in Theatre. After graduation she continued to work in the Nanaimo arts community, stage managing for the Vancouver Island Symphony, The Nanaimo International Jazz Festival Association, youth theatre, as well as event manager and board member for The Nanaimo Fringe Festival. Shelby first worked with Razzle Dazzle Productions in 2017 on Nanaimo’s historical show Blackstone’s & Bathtubs and is excited to be back working with them on this years Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular. She hopes you enjoy the show! |
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Joanne Swain - Costume alterations
Joanne is please to be joining this years Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular as Her past experiences have been in the wardrobe department at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the Manitoba Theatre for Young People, and has filled in as properties co-coordinator at Chemainus Theatre. She is currently volunteering as Head of Wardrobe at the Nanaimo Theatre Group where she oversees the costumes and contributes to various productions. After watching the previous Christmas Spectaculars, she’s excited to get up close and to work on the fabulous outfits you see today. |