CAST
KATIE GRAHAM (Hilda Blake): Katie studied at the Fountain School of Performing Arts where before receiving her B.A. in Theatre with an Honours in Acting, she got to enjoy many roles such as Strom/Hannelore in The Piper, Allerleira & Mother in The Secret in the Wings, and Cathos in The Ridiculed Romantics (FSPA). She starred in the feature film Creepy Crawling as Allie (Winter Light Productions), which was an official selection at FIN: Atlantic International Film Festival. Katie most recently played Viola/Cesario in Dartmouth Players production of Twelfth Night. When she is not acting, she is either working her full-time job or playing volleyball!
JUSTIN MOZEL (Robert Lane): Justin has been previously seen as Mr. Green in Clue, Rabbit #2 in The Velveteen Rabbit, and Jonathan Brewster in Arsenic & Old Lace (Bedford Players). Most recently, Justin was Sir Toby Belch in William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night (Dartmouth Players). Justin is now excited to bring you Robert Lane in The Murder of Mary Lane. Justin is always pursuing a live audience, be it through theatre, stand-up comedy, or pretending to like his day job.
BRYN ROWLANDS (Police Chief James Kinney): Bryn is ecstatic to be part of the gifted troupe presenting this wonderful play. He is a veteran of community theatre, and you may have seen him last as Elvis/John in 4 Weddings and an Elvis (Bedford Players), the stiff in Lucky Stiff (Dartmouth Players), or at the Fringe in DIY Surgery. He also has directed 12 plays, his last full run being Jitters at Bedford that ended its run just as the plague hit us. Thanks to Chris for providing me the opportunity for this, the greatest of my 6 police roles. And thanks to you our patrons for feeding our passion.
JOHN O'BRIEN (Alex McKay): John is an actor and independent filmmaker who made his stage debut in 2017 in Mrs. Purcell’s Girls, a community theatre production parodying the sitcom Mrs.
Brown’s Boys. As an actor and assistant director, John has worked on over two dozen films and portrayed the sinister Hansie Johannes in Israel Ekanem’s acclaimed film Kill Your Masters. John has his own podcast series, Lexicon of Dread, in which he narrates classic horror stories. Most recently, John produced Theatre Arts Guild’s audio production of Behind the Beyond, written and directed by J. Clayton Law, and based on the works of the Canadian humourist Stephen Leacock.
Brown’s Boys. As an actor and assistant director, John has worked on over two dozen films and portrayed the sinister Hansie Johannes in Israel Ekanem’s acclaimed film Kill Your Masters. John has his own podcast series, Lexicon of Dread, in which he narrates classic horror stories. Most recently, John produced Theatre Arts Guild’s audio production of Behind the Beyond, written and directed by J. Clayton Law, and based on the works of the Canadian humourist Stephen Leacock.
NATALIE FOURNIER (Mary Lane and Various): For someone who chose broadcasting as a career, it was only natural that Natalie would pursue theatre. She has been in several Halifax Fringe productions from musicals to comedies and is thrilled to be back with The Murder of Mary Lane. Most recently, Natalie has appeared in Twelfth Night and Love, Loss and What I Wore (Dartmouth Players). When she’s not on stage, Natalie hosts the My East Coast Experience Media Our Guest Is podcast, highlighting the experience of immigrants to Atlantic Canada in their own words. She’s had a 15+ year career in front of and behind the microphone/camera in both radio and television and currently works in marketing and promotions for a regional news station.
MARGARET HILD (Jessie McKay and Various): Last seen in Portia's Julius Caesar at Hart House Theatre in Toronto, Margaret is thrilled to have returned to the Atlantic Provinces to set down new roots with the theatre and performance community here. The Murder of Mary Lane will be her Halifax debut and she couldn't have asked for a nicer group of people to work with. With teacher certification from Breathexperience Canada, Margaret also offers performers and non-performers an integrated, breath-led approach to movement, vocal, and emotional work.
ELLEN OLDFORD (Mrs. Stripp and Various): Since moving to Halifax in 2008, Ellen has been treading the boards with Bedford Players and Theater Arts Guild (TAG) or dabbling in film projects for excitement. This is Ellen’s second performance with the Fringe festival, and she’s crossing all fingers and toes that nothing halts this festival! Her latest roles include Phyllis in Double Indemnity (TAG) and Claire in Rumors (Bedford Players). When not acting, Ellen spends her time outdoors gardening, hiking, running, swimming or simply sharing walks with her furry feline friend, Mr. Jetson. Ellen works with the provincial government and occasionally with Dalhousie’s collaborative education center.
MICHAEL STACK (Rev. Laurie and Various): Michael’s acting experience includes DIY Surgery at the Dartmouth Players and Halifax Homicide on BELL TV, as well a number of short films. He attended the Improv Conservatory at Neptune Theatre and is active as a performer and writer in independent film as well as stand-up comedy. He has done four stage productions with Bedford Players: Jitters, Bank Withdrawal Symptoms, Clue, and Four Weddings & an Elvis. Mike is currently President of the Bedford Players Executive Council. A marketing & communications professional by trade, he currently works as a Communications Manager with Bide Awhile Animal Shelter with a bunch of cool cats.
creative
CHRIS COCULUZZI (Writer/Director): Chris has been participating in independent, community, and educational theatre for more than 30 years. Between 2001-2005, Chris was the writer-director behind five shows at the Toronto Fringe that were a hybrid of Shakespeare and sports (Upstart Crow). He co-adapted an outdoor production of Cyrano de Bergerac and played the title role (Red Letter, 2004), performed the title role of Christopher "Kit" Marlowe in It Was Kit by Allison McWood (Triple Take, 2006), and co-wrote and directed Piecing Together Pauline, a historical drama exploring the life of 19th century opera singer Pauline Viardot (Fire and Air, 2012). Chris last performed as Petruchio in an outdoor production of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew (Aquarius Players, 2019). Chris has also written adaptations of Jean Giraudoux's The Madwoman of Chaillot, Charlotte Bronte's Villette, as well as a play about the Halifax Explosion called Quiet Courage, inspired by the true story of the Jackson family. Chris is a member of the Playwrights Guild of Canada, and in 2018 he was quite grateful to see his play Shakespeare's Rugby Wars (co-written with Matt Toner) translated into Italian and performed in Montichiari, Italy. Chris is also a high school teacher of more than twenty years.
DAVID HOWSE (Set & Lighting Designer): David is a graduate of the Theatre program at Concordia University with a specialization in Design for the Theatre. He has been involved in independent and community theatre for thirty years in Toronto, working as a Technical Director, Designer and Stage Manager for many groups such as Upstart Crow Theatre Group (co-founder), Village Playhouse, and Amicus Productions. He is pleased to be a part of AP's Halifax Fringe production.
KATIE FERGUSON (Stage Manager): Katie studied medical science and social work at Dalhousie but she has recently made a career change and is planning to go to law school next fall. In the past year Katie decided to pursue creative interests such as theatre and learning to play guitar as she had always wanted to get involved in the arts but never had the time to do so before. This is her first production and she is excited to work with such a wonderful team! In her free time she loves reading, hiking, and horseback riding.
JACK DAWSON (Assistant Stage Manager): Jack studied Economics and Geographic Information Systems at Saint Mary’s and NSCC. Jack has loved theatre from the time he first saw a play almost two decades ago. When he isn’t at rehearsal, Jack spends his time tending to his vegetable garden, reading, going on walks to explore new neighborhoods, and working. This is his first production, having joined the team after his good friend Katie (Hilda) told him a synopsis of the play, peaking his interest. Learning ‘how the sausage is made’ has only made him enjoy theatre more, and he is excited to work with such a talented team!