Meet the Team! (Updates ongoing as we approach our Fall 2022 production...) ROY NESS (Writer, Wolf/Judge/Snake)
Roy Ness has lived in Whitehorse, Yukon for over 40 years, where he has written and performed for stage, radio, storytelling festivals and comedy revues. He is the author of Rutting Season, a novel set in the Northern wilderness. Dogtown: the Musical, written by Roy in collaboration w
ith composer Grant Simpson, was first produced in June 2016 for the Magnetic North Theatre Festival. It is based on the true story of Trevor the death row dog, which polarised the community and gained international attention. Dogtown: the Musical explores the human/dog relationship with humour, music and heart. Roy finds time for writing when he is not gardening, fishing, hunting, horse logging or playing with his grandchildren. GRANT SIMPSON (Writer, Music Director)
Born at an early age, Grant deduced that making a living as a musician and composer was far superior to having a real job. This conclusion has kept him firmly locked in the lower income brackets his entire career. Nonetheless, writing Dogtown with Roy Ness (thanks to David Skelton) has been one of the most creatively enriching experiences in his life. He is thrilled to be a part of this team and can't wait to see all those wonderful Yukoners at the show! CLAIRE NESS (Director/Producer)
SHAUNA JONES (Set & Props Designer)
The Yukon is always going to feel like home, and I am so happy to be a part of the Dogteam. Thanks so much for bringing us back for a work visit – Thena and I are thrilled to help bring this show to the Arts Centre (yes, Thena is on her way up, all the way from Winnipeg). Other Credits Include:
Shakespeare in the Ruins (Winnipeg, MB): Much Ado About Nothing; le conte d’hiver/ The Winter’s Tale
Manitoba Theatre for Young People (Winnipeg, MB): Frozen River
The Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre (Winnipeg, MB): Calpurnia; The (Post) Mistress; Women of the Fur Trade; Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley
The Guild Hall: Lawrence and Holloman; The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee; Good People; Prelude to a Kiss
GRAHAM RUDGE (Costume Designer)
Graham grew up in the Yukon, juggling, stilting, and generally clowning around at many community events. With a quilter/sewer for a mum and a knitter/leatherworker for a dad, Graham had many opportunities to develop his weird homegrown tailoring and costume making skills. Having performed in a previous production of Dogtown, and enjoying many different performance gigs with Claire Ness, Graham was thrilled to step up and take on the role of costumer extraordinaire for this production of Dogtown! Now Graham, his partner, and Felix the cat. (scandalous we know! A cat!) just need to find enough room in their 10X12’ cabin for a 3rd sewing machine, and a place to store all the feathers and fur. TORI BEEMER (Stage Manager)
Tori is a multi-faceted creator born and raised in Whitehorse, Yukon. She graduated from the Performance Production program at Toronto Metropolitan University in 2021 and has been busy putting on festivals, events, and performances at the Heart of Riverdale this past year. Tori is so excited to be on the Dogtown team—even though she is allergic to dogs. Good news though because she likes dogs even more than she likes to breathe! MARY SLOAN (Assistant Stage Manager)
Mary Sloan(she, her) is a confirmed dog-lover and long-time presence onstage and backstage in the Whitehorse theatre scene. For 22 years, Mary had the pleasure of serving as a teacher and director in the Music, Art and Drama Program and is delighted to be working on this show with several of her wonderful former students. Additionally, over her 40 years in the territory, Mary has served as an an actor, director and stage manager. Mary is delighted to be involved with Dogtown once again, having played Marnie in the 2016 production of the show. As always, Mary would like to express her gratitude for being able to live in the beautiful traditional lands of the Kwanlin Dün First Nations and Ta’an Kwäch’än Council. JENNY HAMILTON (Production Manager)
Jenny is a local Comedian, Writer, Performer and Producer. She has been performing for over a decade, with only a global Pandemic stopping her from the stage. She has been on CBC the Debaters, Sirius Xm and OUT Tv. You can also hear her on her 1 Topping Comedy album “Kegels Champion” or JFL Originals North. Available anywhere you get your music and podcasts…ieSpotify, Google, Apple/iTunes
MICHELLE FISHERMAYR (Choreographer)
Michelle FisherMayr was born and raised in Saskatoon SK, started dancing at the age of 3 and never stopped. She graduated from the Canadian College of Performing Arts in 2005 and her first gig in the Yukon was performing in the "Frantic Follies". She also did 5 seasons as a can-can dancer at Diamond Tooth Gerties in Dawson City. In 2014 she and her husband Douglas (who she met while choreographing a musical he was starring in at the Guild) officially put down roots in Whitehorse. She is proud to be the Ballet Director at the Heart of Riverdale and loves biking, swimming and watching movies with her three kids, hubby and precious pup Jeronicus. ALYSSA BUNCE (Rigger)
Alyssa is a multidisciplinary contemporary circus artist. She was introduced to circus in Whitehorse, Yukon; and at 16 moved to Montreal, Quebec, where she finished her high school studies and received her collegial diploma from The National Circus School (2019). Her background includes study of acrobatics, various styles of dance, movement improvisation, and theatre. In post-secondary, Alyssa specialized in Aerial Hoop; with minors in contortion, hula hoop, and creative acrobatics. Since 2019, Alyssa has been working in Mexico, Canada, and Europe, creating ensemble shows and developing solo projects. NORAH PATON (Rigger)
Norah Paton works in the arts in many roles. Some highlights include creating and performing her own plays, producing events and installations in various rivers, lakes, parks and the desert, and making some pretty good spreadsheets. She might not love dogs quite enough for this show. Or this town. GREG MURDOCH (Cast - Trevor the Dog)
Born and raised in Whitehorse, Yukon, Greg is a professional actor, and singer. His career began performing in his family’s business, the Frantic Follies Vaudeville R***e. Greg played Stevey and a Raven in the 2016 production of Dogtown, and is so thrilled to come back and work with this amazing group of people again. Greg has spent the last 3 years at the Canadian College of Performing Arts, attending classes and working with his friends to put on several shows. Other credits include Jack in Newsies (YTYP), and Gaston in Beauty and the Beast (VOS Theatre). STATIA BENNY (Cast - Sara Silver)
Statia Benny is a French Canadian theatre artist based in Vancouver. She recently graduated from The Canadian College of Performing Arts in her hometown, Victoria, where she completed their three year multidisciplinary intensive program, honing skills in acting, singing, and dance. At the college, she gained experience in set design and costuming, both of which she hopes to continue exploring alongside her performing endeavors. KATIE AVERY (Cast - Marnie)
Katie can’t remember the first time she stepped on stage. Growing up with performing parents meant the opportunity came around a lot. But her first true theater experience came at the age of 11 in a production of Oliver! in Guelph, Ontario. She’s been hooked on singing and dancing ever since. KEVIN RAY (Cast - Darrell Fogg)
Kevin Ray is a very good boy who couldn’t be happier to be reprising his role as Darrell Fogg in Dogtown: The Musical. Not only can Kevin lie down, and roll over, but he has even been able to speak on command in several plays and musicals here in Whitehorse. Notably the role of Charlie Brown in Dog Sees God and Scott in Evil dead the Musical, both produced at The Guild Hall. Kevin hopes that you can sit, stay, and enjoy the show! BRANDON WICKE (Cast - Raven 1 and Stevey)
Born in rural Ontario, educated in Montréal, and living in Whitehorse, Brandon got his start performing at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in his hometown of Stratford Ontario. Since then, he has been working as an independent Playwright and Theatre-maker, his plays having been produced across Canada, the United States, and the UK. Living and working in Whitehorse since 2015, he currently serves as General Manager of the Guild Hall community theatre. PAULINA GONZALEZ (Cast - Raven 2)
Born in Mexico, currently living in Whitehorse. Went to Arts School back in Mexico specialized in dancing(classical ballet, contemporary, jazz and regional Mexican dance). Danced for 14 years before changing paths to Veterinary Medicine. The return to the stage happened last winter after getting casted as a can can dancer for the Yukon Rendezvous Can Can Line. During the day I’m also a fish farmer at Icy Waters Ltd. JORDAN KALTENBRUNER (Cast - Raven 3)
Jordan calls Kwanlin Dün and Ta’an Kwaa’chan Council traditional territory home. She is a q***r performer, theatre producer, radio show co-host, artist and dancer. It feels important to her that art honours our resilient spirits and connection to something greater, and for that, she feels at home here, inspired by the works of artists in Whitehorse and the people who live here. Jordan studied Feminist Performance Art at Quest University on Squamish Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw land three years ago and called Whitehorse her home since. Jordan is so excited to be onstage, part of Dogtown with this awesome team and to (finally) learn how to fly!! CALVIN LAVECK (Cast - Vet, Crackhead, Lawyer)
Yukon born, Calvin graduated from the Musical Theatre Department at the Sheridan Institute in Ontario, Canada. Stage credits include; Spring Awakening, Chicago, Merrily We Roll Along (Sheridan Theatre); Leading Singer (Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines); Dogtown (Nakai); Million Dollar Quartet (Magnus Theatre); Once (Neptune Theatre); Million Dollar Quartet (Thousand Islands Playhouse); Million Dollar Quartet (Sudbury Theatre Centre), Pure 90’s (Stage West) Belle Darling Klondike Queen (Alumnae Theatre). Since being back home, Calvin has been in Syphilis: A Love Story (The Guild Hall), The Resurrectionists (Larrikin Theatre) and directed YTYP’s production of Les Miserables (Yukon Arts Centre). Calvin is excited to be back on stage with Dogtown with this all star cast and crew! HOLLY MCCOURT (Cast - Monica, Stevey Puppet, Chantal, Jingles)
Holly is thrilled to be performing in Dogtown: the musical. She fell in love with the Yukon while living in Dawson City and performing at Diamond Tooth Gerties for the past 3 summers. She is excited to be in Whitehorse working on this show after her six month stint singing and dancing at Iberostar Resorts in Mexico. Other credits include: A Forever Frozen Story, Shopkins Live!, The Little Mermaid: The Musical, and Pirate Life. Thank you to the wonderful cast and crew for this beautiful experience. ANNIE AVERY (Band - Piano)
Annie is thrilled to be part of the Dogtown team. Raised on the Prairies, and schooled in horsemanship, music, and education, Annie has been riding, playing and teaching in the Yukon for more than a third of a century. Believing that music is a tool to exude joy, she shapes her playing and educating to follow this principle. It is a special treat to work with this cast and crew, and Annie is delighted to be reunited with her Two Piano Tornado buddy Grant Simpson for this run. ROB BERGMAN (Band - Bass)
Standup and electric bass player and guitar. Come from a musical family but didn't start playing till I was sixteen (rock and roll). Played trumpet and tuba in high school. Been involved in a few styles of music over the past 40+years and currently in about 4 different bands. Love most styles and looking forward to being in the show. CAMERON DENBY (Band - Drums)
Cameron is a Métis percussionist, teacher, and project director. He holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Manitoba, and a Professional Studies Diploma from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Since returning to Winnipeg in 2019, Cameron has been creating and directing concerts and projects, including the Fresh Blood Project, an ongoing collaborative initiative between composers and percussionists. Working in a variety of circles, Cameron has performed many local organizations, including the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the Little Opera Company, and the Winnipeg Police Pipe Band. Outside of performance, Cameron teaches private lessons on drumset, marimba, and percussion.
