A Christmas Carol programme

CAST

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Tom holds an MFA (Acting) degree and Postgraduate (Voice & Speech Education) from York University, Toronto and studied at the ProActors Lab. He has taught at York University, Red Deer Polytechnic and the Canadian National Voice Intensive. Today Tom holds the position of Culture Coordinator for the Town of Sylvan Lake and hosts the Workcookie Podcast for SEBOC, USA. He was last seen on stage as Earl in, The Birds and the Bees.

Starlise is delighted to welcome you to the show! A Christmas Carol has been a joyful exploration of characters and singing that truly lights her up. She teaches acting online and at RDP and serves as Co-Artistic Director of Prime Stock Theatre. Grateful to be working with Carrie and Tanya again - over a decade later - Starlise thanks the cast, crew, CAT, her family, and the love of her life, Dustin, for his constant support (even during August Christmas caroling).

Richard is excited to be involved in the production of A Christmas Carol with C.A.T and Sylvan Lake Theatre. A graduate of the Red Deer College theatre and film programs, Richard is committed to helping support the creative arts in Alberta in any way that he can. Aside from A Christmas Carol, you can also catch Richard performing around Central Alberta with Improv Jelly and Bullskit Comedy. Thank you all for attending the show and for supporting the local arts.

Suzanne (she/her/elle) first performed Christmas Carols for a crowd at age four and she hasn’t stopped since. She completed the Theatre Studies program at Red Deer College, then graduated with Honours from Sheridan College‘s Bachelors of Musical Theatre Performance Program. She volunteers with community theatre, fosters kittens, and celebrates and supports arts and creativity as Executive Director of the Red Deer Arts Council. She’s also a Certified Travel Advisor with Shelley’s Sun and Sand Travel, exploring the world and helping others do the same.

Robyn has focused on storytelling all her life. A graduate of Red Deer College’s Theatre Performance & Creation and Motion Picture Arts programs, she has a passion and expertise in working with kids, whether it be teaching or performing. She loves musicals and singing on stage, so she’s thrilled to be a part of A Christmas Carol this year, especially since she has also performed as Edwin Drood in The Mystery of Edwin Drood. She’s collecting Charles Dickens stories! Which one is next?

Jerry is a multifaceted creative known for his compelling novels, including A Good Man’s Crux, The Yoruba Princess, and IronBlood—Book 1 of his Subisolation series exploring divine hubris and industrial oppression. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Motion Picture Arts from Red Deer Polytechnic, giving him strong technical grounding in storytelling. Beyond writing, Ackerman has acted on stage, (Sylvan Lake Theatre Trail). Whether through words or performance, he brings passion and energy to every creative pursuit, captivating audiences with his distinctive voice and multifaceted artistic talents.

Brock has a knack for everything: acting, dancing, singing, writing. If there’s something artistic out there, he takes it on! A seasoned veteran of Central Alberta Theatre, Brock shows no signs of stopping and is eager to take part in his sixth production. A graduate of Red Deer College’s theatre and film programs, he brings both artistic passion and comedic flair, along with a hint of dynamic presence to the stage. He has appeared in several CAT productions, including Dracula, The Gentleman Clothier, and The Lonely Diner.

SETTING;

1843 (past, present and future)

London, England

CREATIVES

Bridget Ryan, playwright of A Christmas Carol, is a comedy and musical performer, playwright, director, creator of film/music vids/musicals, and a children's book author. She performs in Cabarets across the country. Her training includes a BFA for Musical Theatre from University of Cincinnati's College Conservatory of Music. In winter of 2012, Bridget and visual artist Jason Carter opened up The Ca rter-Ryan Gallery and Live Art Venue in Canmore Alberta a place where art and live performance exist happily under the same roof.

Tanya began her career as a professional actor, crisscrossing the country performing plays and musicals. For Red Deer Polytechnic’s Theatre program, she taught Acting, Directing and Voice (25 years). Favourite shows she directed include The Winter’s Tale (a Rock Musical), Pippin, Amadeus, and The Country Wife. As founding artistic director of Sylvan Lake Theatre, she is very happy to be directing, teaching and working within a community who is as passionate about theatre as she is.

A Christmas Carol is Kerry’s first production with Sylvan Lake Theatre. She is delighted to work with such dedicated and talented volunteers. A dedicated music educator since 1997, teaching students from kindergarten through grade 6, as well as leading concert band, choir, and guitar programs. She was honored to conduct the All-State Children’s Choir at the 2023 Missouri Music Educators Association Conference. Her Music Director credits are many and include The Wizard of Oz, Godspell, and Grease. She also conducts two community adult choirs: Sylvan Lake Sacred Massed Choir and Jubilare. Kerry holds a Vocal Performance Diploma, a BA in Cultural Arts Administration, a Bachelor of Music Education, and a master’s in music education from Acadia University.

As Resident Designer for the RDC Theatre program for over two decades Carrie created set, costume, or lighting designs for nearly 30 productions. Favourites include Cabaret (set); Crazy for You (set); The Country Wife (costumes); Richard III (lights); The Seagull (set); and Lend me a Tenor (costumes). She has designed professionally throughout Alberta and was Art Director for the feature film To The Victor. Carrie holds an MFA in Theatre Design and has been a featured instructor at Victoria School of Performing and Visual Arts, The Citadel Theatre, and the U of A. A Christmas Carol is her second production design for Sylvan Lake Theatre/Central Alberta Theatre. In 2024 she also designed their co-production of The Birds and the Bees.

Lacey is a life-long theatre lover, beginning her formal training at 11 years old and working professionally in the craft for over 25 years since her University graduation. She is in love with “period pieces” so when she was given the chance to do a Double-time period piece involving her two favorite eras, Victorian and Regency, she said yes! She hopes you enjoy the talents of everyone involved who dedicated themselves to this production. It was a collaborative labor.

Dave’s first show with CAT was Babes in Arms in 1996 and after performing across five countries he returned to Central Alberta to attend Red Deer College’s Theatre Technology and Grant MacEwan College’s Arts & Cultural Management programs. An award-winning photographer and writer, Dave runs the board game review website, TheRatHole.ca, and is the host of YouTube programs The Legend of the Traveling TARDIS and Happiness Patrol, as well as co-hosting Spill the Geek Tea and Horses on Film. This is his first time working with the Sylvan Lake Theatre company.

After a full year off, Jordan is excited to be back! Building on the immersive experience of last season’s Dracula, we hope this production will transport you back in time and allow the audience to suspend that disbelief and settle in for a few Bah Humbugs!

Barbara Jean taught drama, musical theatre and theatre tech in Red Deer for over 30 years. She directed and designed 8 musicals, over 50 One Acts, over 200 collective creations, and designed and decorated sets for a variety of shows. Her most recent directing credits are Stag and Doe (CAT), Change, and Until We Meet Again (Sylvan Lake Theatre). She is looking forward to her directorial projects in the spring. Acting credits are long and varied from community to professional theatre. It is an absolute treat to work with CAT and Sylvan Lake Theatre again.

Reina has been volunteering in non-acting roles for Central Alberta Theatre in the past few years and this time, she is stage managing A Christmas Carol. She was in the same role last year with Any Night. She is excited to be part of this co-production. Between Sylvan Lake Theatre and Central Alberta Theatre. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and as per Tiny Tim, “God bless us everyone!”

June is very thankful to Tanya for having been given this chance to assist the wonderful Reina and to work and learn with all the cast and creatives on “A Christmas Carol”. This is her first behind the stage production, as usually June is on stage. Recent roles include Linda in Wardrobe Malfunction in this year’s Sylvan Lake Theatre Trail and Edna in Grief Sandwiches at the 2025 Heartland Regional One-Act Festival. June has film experience as well, including Maestro Pictures The Body and Paramount + / 101 Studios Unspeakable: The Murder of Jon Benet Ramsey.

Production Crew

Set Construction: Bruce Barss (Head of Construction), Tom Lacquement, Scott Kidner

Set Dressing: Carrie Hamilton, Alex Uricaru

Set Painting: Elena Rousseau (Head of Painting), Lynn Olson, Connie Stroud, Pamela Cregg, Debby Allan, Alex Uricaru, Claudette Marie, Barbara Jean Askin

Sound Operator: Jordan Harris

Lighting Operator: Dave Chapman

Music Acknowledgments: J.W. Pepper & Son Inc., Hal Leonard LLC , The Lorenz Corporation, Dean E. Thiessen

Sylvan Lake Theatre Marketing: Norene Reaume

CAT Marketing: Karli Kendall

Special Thanks

Special thank you to Sims Furniture, Dustin Funk, Pamela Cregg Photography, Jordan Galloway, Erin Vanderweg, Reina Jugueta, Red Deer Polytechnic, Morgan McKee, Cheri Kay , Kerry Heisler, Susie Q, Tom Bradshaw, Delaine Engebregston, CAT Artistic Producer: Jeremy Robinson, Marlo Routhier and Jerry Reaume.

We wish to thank any volunteers, including our Front of House team, who may have been missed by our printing deadline. Our volunteers are the heart of our theatre community!

Sponsors Make It Possible

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Volunteers Make It Happen

Thank you to Kathy Bradshaw and all of our elves who baked cookies and helped at our Cookie Walk Fundraiser. Special thanks to those who were a part of the 2025-2026 theatre season. Our success starts with our community, and our volunteers are our true leaders in it. There are many ways to get involved if you’re interested in becoming a volunteer. We have many roles (onstage and off!) available and we would be happy to work with you to find a great fit.

Thank you for your support!