Peter Hannan - Composer
Peter is a Canadian composer who has written numerous works in both acoustic and electronic media for, among others Icebreaker (London), Vancouver Symphony, Winnipeg Symphony, 40 Fingers Sax Quartet, Pacific Baroque Orchestra, Les Coucous Bénévoles, Hemispheres, CBC Radio, the Vancouver Chamber Choir, Vancouver New Music, Arraymusic, Colin Tilney, Marc Destrubé, and Lori Freedman. He is also very interested in composing for dance, having done full length works for the Karen Jamieson Dance Company in Vancouver, and for choreographer Tedd Senmon Robinson. As a performer he has played throughout North America and Europe performing both early and new music. He is currently active as a performer of live electronic music, particularly in his work with Toronto composer Henry Kucharzyk in the duo PHH!K. He recently appeared at the Ijsbreker Amsterdam with his new work for recorder and live electronics "Raven Highway". In 1998/99 Hannan is writing a new work for Icebreaker, a new full length work for the Karen Jamieson Dance Company, and a music/theatre piece about Theremin and War of the Worlds for theremin and ensemble. His works have been performed at many of the major new music events, series and venues in North America and Europe, including New Music Across America, the World Music Days in Mexico City, the Winnipeg New Music Festival, the Holland Festival, Almeida Festival, Freunde Guter Musik Berlin, the Bourges Electroacoustic Music Festival, New Music Concerts, and Arraymusic and numerous radio recordings of his works have been broadcast by CBC, WDR Koln, VPRO Radio Holland, BRT Belgium, Radio France, Radio Bremen. He has a number of works on CD, including "Trinkets of Little Value" with the Winnipeg Symphony, and "WAM" with "Hemispheres". His CD of new recorder music "Breakdown" appeared in1992. He has also recorded with Colin Tilney for the CBC label and with New World Consort. The duo PHH!K is planning to release its first recording in 1999.
Tom Cone - Librettist
Tom Cone's most recent play "True Mummy" premiered at Northern Light Theatre in Edmonton, directed by DD Kugler in March 1997. In June 1997, "The Gang" (music by Peter Hannan) premiered in Vancouver, produced by Vancouver New Music. In January 1999. He wrote the libretto for "The Architect", composed by David Macintyre and produced by Vancouver Opera in June 1994. In 1992 his adaptation of Moliere's "The Miser" premiered at the Vancouver Playhouse and subsequently aired on CBC's Arts National and recently opened the restored Monument Theatre in Montréal for the National Theatre School. In 1990 Playwrights Theatre Centre premiered his play "Love at Last Sight". Cone was a PLaywright-in-residence at the Stratford Festival for two years where he premiered his play "Stargazing" and his adaptation of Goldoni's, "Servant of Two Masters". His play "Herringbone" was made into a musical (music by Walter Kennon. Lyrics by Ellen Fitzhugh) in 1981 and premiered in Chicago followed by productions in New York, Philadelphia, Edinburgh, London, an award-winning production at the Vancouver Playhouse directed by Larry Lillo, and Hartford Stage starring Joel Grey. His other plays include "Cubistique", "Beautiful Tigers" and "Shotglass". These works have been seen throughout Canada, the United States, England and Anstralia Cone has been the recipierit of the Canada Council Award, the NEA, and the Drama League Award for Playwrighting in New York.
Allen Cole - Music Director/Conducto
Allen has composed, written and conducted new musicals and operas from coast to coast. His musical "Hush" won three Dora Awards in 1990, including Best Production and Best Musical Direction. He also won a Dora award for his adaptation of Pergolesi's "Stabet Mater" and Alisa Palmer's "A Play about the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo". His new musical, "The Wrong Man" will premiere at Theatre Passe Muraille next year, directed by Peter Hinton. Allen recently completely three years as Artistic Director of the Caravan Farm Theatre in Armstrong, B.C.
Peter Hinton - Director
Peter directedthe premiere production of "The Gang" for Vancouver New Music in 1997. Other credits include "The Barber of Seville", "The Beggar's Opera", "Wintereisse", and Allen Cole's "The Crimson Veil". Peter has long been associated with the devekopment of new plays in Canada. He created and directednew play programs for Theatre Passe Muraille, The Canadian Stage Company and The Playwright's Theatre in Vancouver. Currently, Peter lives in Montréal where he is the Resident Dramaturge at Playwright's Workshop.
Karen Matthews - Costume Designer
Karen is the designer of "The Gang" in Vancouver. Her most recent credits include "Wang Dang Doodle", "Two Ships Passing", Travels With My Aunt" and "Joey Shine" - all for the Arts Club Theatre. Other favourite Vancouver credits include "The Architect" for Vancouver Opera and "The Mummy" for Vancouver Playhouse. Her stage credits include work with Italy's Spoletto Festival, New York City's Playwright's Horizon, Dance Theatre Works and Riverside Shakespeare Company. Karen has designed Karen has designed extensively for folm and television with over thirty titles to her credit. She has been nominated twice for the Gemini and Jessie Awards and once for Ace Award for outstanding costume design.
Carolyn Smith - Costume Desinger
Carolyn's designs have been seen across Canada and in the United States with productions ranging from "Les Miserables" for the Neptune Theatre and "Buddy" on Broadway. Credits include work for the Shaw Festival, The Grand Theatre, The Vancouver Playhouse and two seasons with Alberta Theatre Projects presenting new Canadian plays in their playRites Festival.Recent productions include "One Flea Spare "(Nightwood Theatre) and "Picasso At The LapinAgile" (Grand Theatre / Vancouver Playhouse). Carolyn was the recipient of a Jessie Richardson Award for outstanding costume design for the premiere production of "Scary Stories". She is a member of Associated Designers of Canada.
Bonnie Beecher - Lighting Designer
Bonnie's other designs for Autumn Leaf Performance include WX created by John Oswald and Holly Small, and the Urge collectives "I Had an Urge...", "She Promised She'd Bake A Pie" and last year's production of "Down Here On Earth". Other recent work includes "One Eyed Kings" for Tarragon, "Still the Night" for Tapestry Music Theatre and Alberta Theatre Projects, "Harlem Duet" for Canadian Stage and Nightwood Theatre, "The Conjuror" for Theatre Rom, "End of Season" for Theatre Direct, "Romeo & Juliet" for Canadian Stage's "Dream in The Park", and "The Two Mrs. Carrolls" for The Shaw Festival. Recent rojects include "The Shop at Sly Corner" for the Shaw Festival, "Lawrence and Holloman" for Tarragon and a new work by Dominique Dumais for the National Ballet of Canada. Bonnie is a member of Associated Designers of Canada.
Tom Arntzen
Tom is a singer, keyboardist, composer, ,arranger, producer and actor. He recently released his debut jazz CD, "The Turning". Tom just completed a record-breaking run of over 200 performances at the Arts Club as Musical Director of "Red Rock Diner". He has played keyboards on sessions produced by Kat Hendrikse and Michael Conway Baker for the Nostalgia Network in the U.S. and composed TV and radio jingles aired globally. He is the leader of four bands, including The Tom Arntzen Group, an original jazz ensemble, has written music for the films, "Double Lo-Fat Latte", "The Touch" and "Searching for Balance" and been the Musical Leader for "Forever Plaid" and Musical Director for "Cheatin' Hearts" at the Arts Club. His stage credits include "Brigadoon", "South Pacific", "Carousel" and "A Closer Walk With Roy Orbison".
Christine Duncan
Christine's singing career began at the age of five, performing solo and harmony vocal parts in gospel shows on stage across North America. A minister's daughter, she had performed around the world with her musical family, "The Duncan's" into her teens. After exploring a solo career, she met up with jazz pianist, Bob Murphy. Both started performing together which culminated in a highly successful first CD, "I Have A Dream". Christine has also performed with Kenny Wheeler, Dave Young, Hugh Fraser, Ray Charles, Paul Horn and many others. In 1997, she released her second CD, "Different Standards" in collaboration with Sam Masich. Her energized performance style combined with strong song-writing have made her appearances at the Vancouver Jazz Festival sell-outs. Christine has new CD's in the works with Paul Plimley, Bob Murphy and Sam Masich as well as some exciting concerts, including with her own R&B band.
Mo Field
Mo is thrilled to be involved with such a tremendous cast and crew. Becoming a ‘Gang' member is a seemingly logical inclusion in a serpentine musical career. In the beginning there was mom, the piano, nomadic familial tendencies, catholic choirs, talented spawn and the resultant ‘whole lot of shakin' going on'. A diet of musical diversity later, Mo is an arranger and published songwriter performing original works on stages from Maui to Montreal, and has most recently enjoyed success in an internationally active a cappella quartet dedicated to the study and performance of 20th century North American vocal art forms. "It is truly inspiring to be one of ‘The Gang'".
Randi Helmers
Randi's credits include "Megatropolis" (Die in Debt), "The Martha Stewart Projects" (Buddies in Bad Times), "Colours in the Storm" (Tapestry Music Theatre), "The Beggar's Opera" (Caravan Farm Theatre), "Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang" (Young Peoples' Theatre), "Ballad for a Rum Runner's Daughter" (Blyth), "Spinners of Starlight" (Ardeleana) and "Hush" (Theatre Passe Muraille). Randi takes pride in workshopping new Canadian pieces, most recently "Fed by Fairies" by Sabina Fella and John Millard, "Pelagie" by Allen Cole and Vincent de Tourdonnet, and "The Wrong Son" by Allen Cole. "The Gang" is Randi's first production with Autumn Leaf Performance.
Peter Hurst
As a performer composer teacher or musician and half time father, Peter is most comfortable crossing performance borders. The last year has seen him performing with Karen Jamieson Dance Company's production of The River in Vancouver. He studied classical piano with the Toronto Conservatory and also attended Capilano College and Vancouver Community College music programs. As well as an extensive list of workshops in voice and acting improvisation, his latest passion is Contact dance and Yoga.
Tyley Ross
Tyley is an Ottawa native who now calls his suitcase his home. Most recently he appeared in "Aladdin" at the Elgin Theatre. Other credits include; "Forever Plaid" (Toronto), "Miss Saigon" (Toronto, New York), "Tommy" (Dora Award, Toronto), "Joey Shine" (Jessie Nominee, Vancouver) and Tyley Ross in Concert (Harbourfront's Magnificent 7 Series). Last year marked the release of his first CD "Treading Water" (available by calling 1-888-88-INDIE) and he currently recording his second CD, which will be released this spring. Tyley will be appearing this year as Tony in "West Side Story" at the Stratford Festival. For more information visit Tyley's website - www.geocities.com/SoHo/Workshop/9281.
Jennifer Scott
Jennifer is a Vancouver born vocalist specializing in Jazz, blues and her own original compositions. She has been described as an important addition to the long list of fine Canadian jazz artists. Jennifer's live experiences have been varied. She has performed at Jazz Festivals from Victoria to Quebec City, including many appearances at Vancouver's du Maurier Jazz Festival. She recently toured the Western States, and performed with the Alan Matheson Big Band and Denzel Sinclaire, as well as performing at local clubs such as the Cotton Club, the Blue Note and Monk McQueen's Upstairs where she is presently the featured performer. She has been spotlighted on Jazzbeat and Hot Air (CBC) and was selected to appear on Jazzwords, a CBC produced CD and later profiled on "The Creators" on the Women's Network. Jennifer has two CD's currently out, "Something to Live By" and "Interactive". She performed in the premiere of "The Gang" with Vancouver New Music in June 1997.
Richard Theiss
As Otis, Richard is again enjoying the challenge of "The Gang"'s textual and musical complexity. The holder of a Diploma in Operatic Performance from the University of Toronto, Richard's recent work includes creating the role of the rakish fop "Silango" in "Le Cinesi" by Gluck and the role of "Lelio" in "Scipione" by Handel, both with the Modern Baroque Opera Company. Past engagements include "Silvano" in "Un ballo in maschera" with Pacific Opera Victoria, Schubert's "Stabat Mater" with the Vancouver Chamber Choir and "Frederic" in the Greater Vancouver Operatic Society's production of "The Pirates of Penzance". In addition to teaching voice, Richard frequently performs as lead singer / keyboardist with his dance band where he has developed a variety of vocal styles, some of which he employs in "The Gang". He is looking forward to performing in London, England this spring where "Le Cinesi" will be remounted.
Allen Cole - Keyboard
See "Creative Team" Above
Blair MacKay - Percussion
Blair leads an eclectic performance career. As a percussionist and drummer his work has been highlighted in a wide range of musical contexts. He is frequently performing for radio, television, and film soundtracks as well as performing and recording with many orchestras and small ensembles in Toronto. In 1988 Blair completed his Master of Music degree in performance at the University of Toronto. Since 1994 Blair has toured with the Dangerous Kitchen Ensemble performing the music of Frank Zappa in the United Stated and Canada. He has also been a featured soloist premiering new works for drum set in a variety of instrumental contexts. Blair is committed to the development of his musical expression not only as a percussionist but as the artistic director of the Evergreen Club, Toronto's finest gamelan ensemble, and as co-leader of and co-composer for Mosaic.
Rick Sacks - Percussion
Rick Sacks holds a Masters of Music from S.U.N.Y. Stony Brook. He performs with many ensembles including ARRAYMUSIC, The Evergreen Club Gamelan, the Glass Orchestra, New Music Concerts and The Canadian Opera Company. Upcoming performance dates include appearances in Florida, Paris, Vienna, and Taiwan. Rick also composes and creates sound design for theatre and contemporary dance. He was a Dora award nominee for his sound scores of 'Pinnochio' (YPT) translated by Maristella Rocca and "Gravity Calling" (Tarragon) written by Diane Flacks. He conducts educational workshops in performance technique and improvisation, digital audio design, soundscapes and composition. Rick has recently completed "World on a String", a 60,000 word interactive web-based SciFi and "The MetaMOOphosis", a permanent installation of interactive theatre based on Kafka's 'Metamorphosis'. You can also visit Rik's Café Canadian, an internationally accessible World Wide Web site focusing on Toronto's rich cultural resources - www.vex.net/rikscafe.
Ron Samworth - Electric Guitar
Allen Stiles - Keyboard
Allen is a freelance pianist who performs with many of Vancouver's musicians. He is a founding member of "Joe Trio" with whom he has been heard throughout North America in cincerts and on the CBC. Recently, Allen has become involved in musical theatre, playing in productions such as "Phantom of the Opera", "Ragtime" and Jeff Hyslop's revue "Feet First". He also the founding member of the Little Chamber Music Series That Could Society.
Brian is happy to be working with Autumn Leaf Performance. His stage management credits include productions at the Stratford Festival, Canadian Stage, Tarragon Theatre, Theatre Passe Muraille and Native Earth Performing Arts. Following "The Gang", Brian will stage manage "The Alchemist" at the Stratford Festival.
Mark Callen - Production Manager
