SETTING

Act 1

Rooms in New York City and Union, New Jersey

Homes in Larchmont, New York and Englewood, New Jersey


Act 2

The home in Englewood, New Jersey

A Word from the Director: Amanda Haggett

I think we can all agree families are complicated.

 

Whether the complicated comes from relationships, situation-ships or your odd Aunt Marcie who gifts you porcelain cats and has a water bed is a whole other story. What makes it even more complicated is when you find that unique person who makes you think: “yeah, let’s make both of our separate strange families one family! What could possibly go wrong?”

 

Perhaps you don’t find yourself in a situation as interconnected as the two families in this play, but the relatability transcends the plot. In this story, we get to see relationships in many different forms and from various perspectives. That’s what first drew me in about it; regardless of how heightened the given circumstances of these characters are, I think we can all see ourselves or someone we know in a situation that made us grapple with the very meaning of relationship. Throughout this play, we see these people ask themselves one simple question: “What do I fight for?” It’s an important question, surely. One that leads to many mishaps and hilarious circumstances along the way, but one that helps you see that while it may feel incredibly lonely to ask yourself that question, you are definitely not the only person asking it.

 

The dedication of this cast throughout the rehearsal process was a true gift. We laughed, we danced, we sang and we connected over what it means to be human in these scenarios. This whole production is truly a collective creative endeavor and I am so proud of the story we’ve told. While watching this show, I hope you feel seen, heard, and manage to chuckle at the ridiculousness of the human condition.

Meet the Cast

Dean Dawson (He/Him) - Howard

Dean is proud to be working with Royal Canadian Theatre for the first time. Primarily a voice, television and film actor, he is pleased to be back on stage after a long absence. Highlights of past plays include title roles in The Marriage of Figaro (Greenham) and Peer Gynt (Craigie). Other select credits include: Curse of the Starving Class (Reeve), Blood Wedding (Tarragon), Much Ado About Nothing (Greenham) and Branches (Havana). While studying drama to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, Dean studied improvisation and theater sports extensively. He was also privileged to study intensively with the knowledgeable and distinguished British Theater Director Mike Alfreds at the Banff Center. 

Dean enjoys reading, Zen meditation practices and cultivating orchids. He would like to think that he improves with age and has faith in this quote by Leonard Cohen: “The older I get, the surer I am that I am not running the show.”

Tina Teeninga (She/Her) - Monica

Both playwright and actor, Teeninga is excited to be a part of this crazy comedy with such a wonderful cast! Teeninga was last seen with White Rock Players as Elvira in Blithe Spirit, and as Sherlock Holmes in Baskerville. Other credits: Naomi in Sparrow’s Nest for the New Roots Festival (Pacific Theatre), Sara in The What For and Meredith in No Home Land (Staircase Theatre), roles in Women of Lockerbie (Lock & Key), Agnes of God (Stones Throw/Pacific Theatre), and Wolf at the Door (Otherwise Productions), which she also wrote. She wrote and starred in Saddest Girl in the World, seen all across Canada. Three of Teeninga’s scripts, Tree-Girl, Sparrow’s Nest, and Red Bicycle have been developed by Pacific Theatre, and she is an active member of Vancouver-based playwriting group, Lemon Tarts. Tina’s most intensive project to date, moreover, is parenting two amazing kids with her fantastic partner James.

Colin R Mah (He/Him) - Sam

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, there was a protagonist named Bob. Bob was a very generic and uninteresting character with no discernible personality or motivation. He lived in a bland and uninspired world where nothing exciting ever happened. Okay that was just me trying to use Ai to write my bio, maybe I need to travel more. My real name is Colin R. Mah and as an actor, writer and perhaps a closet comedian, I now embark on this descendible journey through the lives of complete strangers in some odd and peculiar situations. As a father myself,  I understand how things can be misconstrued in our world, especially these days with technology as we can tell.
I studied the arts at Victoria’s Academy of Dramatic Art and ever since I have been in five of these plays, 5 TV commercials, and continue my development into the mysteries of the human condition, and apparently need a life according to Ai. Jeez! I hope you enjoy!

Charlene Crawford (She/Her) - Grace

Charlene holds a BA in Theatre from TWU. While a new face for RCTC, she has spent the last 20 years stage managing, production managing and designing for theatre. Once in a while she even finds herself on stage. Acting Credits include Belinda Blair/Flavia Brent, Noises Off (Theatre in the Country); Ensemble, Hunchback of Notre Dame (Theatre in the Country); Lottie Wilton, Enchanted April (Gallery 7 Theatre); Marilla Cuthbert, Anne (Gallery 7 Theatre). Her next project will be directing The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime. All her love to her supportive partner and kiddos.

Juliet Logan (She/Her) - Michelle

Juliet Logan is ecstatic to be a part of this innuendo filled comedy, Cheaters. Juliet is a graduate of Capilano university’s Acting for Stage and Screen program. You may have recently seen her in The Royal Canadians Theatre Company’s Pantomime, Snow White, where she played the principal boy, Prince Charming. She was recently in Vagabond Players production of Our Town, TrudeauMania in last year’s fringe festival, and will soon be in Langley Little Theatre’s production of Sisters where she plays the lead nun, Mary. Juliet constantly finds herself gravitating towards the comedic roles, as they are an outlet for her to let loose, and this show, along with Michelle’s ultimatum is notorious for letting loose and having fun.

Aryan Verma (He/Him) - Allen

Aryan Verma is thrilled to make his Vancouver theater debut in Cheaters. A recent graduate of Vancouver Film School, he studied Acting for Film and Television. Originally from New Delhi, India, Aryan discovered his love for performing arts in high school, making an impact with his lead roles in street plays. Now, with a diverse background and skills from film school, he adds a unique touch to the Vancouver stage. Born and raised in India, Aryan’s journey showcases his passion for acting and blending cultural influences as he steps onto the theater scene in Vancouver.

CAST LIST

Monica

Tina Teeninga

Howard

Dean Dawson

Grace

Charlene Crawford

Sam

Colin R. Mah

Michelle

Juliet Logan

Allen

Aryan Verma

 

Meet the Crew

Amanda Haggett - Director

Amanda (she/her) is beyond excited to be returning to the stage in this delightfully funny show. Pre-pandemic, Amanda received her BFA in Acting as well as took part in bringing to life many shows in different creative roles: including acting, directing, playwriting and hot-glue gun extraordinaire. Select acting credits include: Imogen in Cymbeline (Shadows & Dreams), Gerda in The Snow Queen (SAMC Theatre) and Diana Barry in Anne of Green Gables: The Musical (SAMC Theatre). A big thank you to this marvelous cast, crew, my stellar partner Tiff, and to Patricia for letting me keep my purple hair. Enjoy the show!

Tiffany Kanda - Stage Manager

Tiffany is a local theatre enthusiast who holds a BA in Theatre from Trinity Western University. She has trained in various forms of dance while competing all over North America. Tiffany has also spent many years teaching dance as well as choreographing for competitions. Her new passion includes mixing the world of dance and theatre together. Previous theatre choreography credits include: Alice in Wonderland (RCTC), Snow White (RCTC), Anne of Green Gables: The Musical (SAMC theatre) and The Drowsy Chaperone (SAMC theatre). Tiffany would like to thank her partner Amanda for being willing to have her test out all her choreography on her first. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Nigel Brooke

Nigel Brooke - Lighting Design

Nigel began his theatrical career with a critically-acclaimed turn as ‘Tree’ and ‘Candy Cane’ in Hansel and Gretel at age five. More recently (and relevantly), he has designed lights for dozens of productions around the Lower Mainland, including Screwball Comedy, Ghost of a Chance and The Snow Queen for the Royal Canadian Theatre Company, where he is the resident lighting designer, Holy Mo and Spew Boy and Murder on the Orient Express for Gallery 7 Productions, Henry V for Stone’s Throw Productions / Pacific Theatre, and many more. He also occasional performs and directs, appearing recently as ‘Adam Lucas’ in Ghost of a Chance for RCTC, ‘Sir Rupert’ in Jeeves Intervenes for Gallery 7, and directing As You Like It for Shadows and Dreams, which he is a founding member of. In real life, Nigel is a computer programmer, and, oddly enough, does this for “fun”.

Patricia Brooke - Costume Design

When not working as a high school drama teacher, I am the co-founder of Shadows and Dreams Theatre Company, where I’ve directed Romeo and Juliet, Midsummer Night’s Dream and Love’s Labour’s Lost. For RCTC, director of Ghost of a Chance and assistant director for The Last of the Red Hot Lovers. As a writer I adapted “The Snow Queen” for the stage and wrote an original play “The House” for Trinity Western University. I am the recipient of the Betty Lambert Playwright Award and made the longlist for the Voyage YA First Chapters contest.

Stephanie Bruce (She/They/Them) - Technical Director & Sound Design

This season, Stephanie has properly moved into the position of Technical Director, and Sound Designer, as well as continuing as Company Stage Manager. So is therefore far too busy building the sets, sourcing props, gathering various comedy noises, and wrangling the rest of the Stage Management team, various casts, and assorted production staff, to write a highly detailed bio, for whichever program is before you. Not even quite sure which month, or even day, it currently is. But, whenever you’re reading this, the show you’re about to see is incredibly hilarious. So sit back, relax (not that much!), and enjoy!

*And remember to breathe!*

Jordan Ravensbergen - Prop Designer

Jordan signed up for theatre school because she wanted to have a job that would be ever changing, with each show presenting its own unique challenges so she would never get bored. Now, she is drawn to theatre for its special brand of magic in the creation and immersion of the world of a show. While she isn’t shy of performing, she prefers to support shows backstage through Stage Management or Design. You may have seen her Jellyfish in Wild Light (Little Dipper Theatre Co.), or impressionist dipped props in Our Town (Little Dipper). Jordan gives “props” to the fabulous team behind the scenes of Cheaters and hopes you enjoy the show!

Kerri Norris

Kerri Norris - Artistic Director & Scenic Design

Kerri is an Actor, Director, Costumer, Producer and sometime Dramaturg as well as being an Instructor at SAMC Theatre.. She has an MFA in Acting from CalArts in Los Angeles. Recent Directing credits include You Can’t Take It With You (SAMC Theatre), Blithe Spirit (RCTC) and Henry V, (Pacific Theatre – Stones Throw).

Crystal Weltzin - Marketing and Production

Crystal has been working for the Royal Canadian Theatre Company since 2010, first as a performer and then behind the scenes. Any Facebook, Twitter (X) or Instagram posts come from her as well as the monthly newsletter. You may have seen Crystal as Candice: How to Survive the Apocalypse without Really Trying (Capricorn Theatre Prod), Lesa: Snow Queen (RCTC), Fluellen: Henry V (Pacific Theatre), Benvolio: Romeo and Juliet (Shadows and Dreams Theatre Co), or directing Something Borrowed, Everyone Blue and Slow Food. Enjoy the show!

CREW LIST

Director

Amanda Haggett

Stage Manager

Tiffany Kanda

Assistant Stage Manager/Technical Director/Sound Design

Stephanie Bruce

Production/Marketing Manager

Crystal Bunch

Lighting Designer

Nigel Brooke

Intimacy Coordinator

Tara Teng

Costume Designer

Patricia Brooke

Scenic Painter & Set Design

Stephanie Bruce & Kerri Norris

Prop Designer

Jordan Ravensbergen

 

THANK YOU’S & Board of Directors

A special thank you to:

  • Trinity Western University

Board of Directors:

President: Nigel Brooke

Vice President: Amanda Haggett

Treasurer: Sharon Haasdyk

Secretary: Charles Johnson

Director at Large: Greg Peterson, Vera LeFranc & Kulwinder Saini

 

Want to join our Board of Directors? Email us at info@rctheatreco.com

“Cheaters” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com

A big thank you to our Sponsors! Without them, we wouldn’t be able to entertain you. Please support them as you have supported us.