A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Spadina Museum: Historic House & Gardens
(Nov 29th - Dec 14th)
“Of all the good days in the year, on Christmas Eve, Scrooge sat busy in his counting-house. Heat and cold had little influence on him—no warmth could warm, no wintry weather chill him. No wind that blew was bitterer than he…”
In this festive tale of transformation, join cold-hearted miser Ebenezer Scrooge on a candlelit journey to redemption. A chilling blend of immersive theatre and traditional vocals, A Christmas Carol invites audiences to explore Toronto’s historic Spadina Museum alongside three unlikely ghosts. In this musical adaptation of one of Dickens’ most beloved tales, follow Scrooge as he uncovers the secrets of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come.
"Will you walk out with me this Christmas Eve?"
Above images by Yuko Yamamori
White Mills Theatre Co. is sponsored by Malabar Ltd. Our production will feature a selection of their theatrical costumes, accessories and makeup.
We thank them for their continued support!
CAST AND CREW
MEET OUR TEAM
JONATHAN WIDDIFIELD
'Ebenezer Scrooge'
RECENT THEATRE CREDITS INCLUDE: Geoff in Cloud with Scapegoat Theatre Collective; Damian/The
Devil in Chasse-Galerie, Red One Theatre Collective and The Storefront Theatre (Dora Award for Best
Ensemble). Three seasons with the Watermark Theatre, PEI: An Ideal Husband, The Rainmaker, Lion in
Winter, The Shore Field. Three seasons with The Shaw Festival: Doctor’s Dilemma, The Devil’s Disciple,
John Bull’s Other Island, and Born Yesterday. Five seasons with the Classical Theatre Project: Hamlet in
Hamlet, Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet (Dora Nominated for Best Performance in TYA). Danny in Danny,
King of the Basement with Roseneath Theatre. Haunted by Daniel Karasik, Summerworks Festival.
TELEVISION AND FILM CREDITS INCLUDE: Murdoch Mysteries (Season 10). Big Pharma (Short-Film).
They’re Here… (Indie-Feature). To the Victor (Indie-Feature). Commercial: Coors, Peoples, Pro Line,
Volkswaggen, Country Style.
“Thank You to beautiful friends and supportive families.”
SCOTT MOORE
'Ebenezer Scrooge'
After training at the Ryerson Theatre School, Scott has performed in numerous shows in Toronto. Some of his most memorable roles include: Friar Laurence in Romeo and Juliet, Cassius in Julius Caesar and Clarence in Richard III (Hart House Theatre); Creon in Antigone and Moon in The Real Inspector Hound (Alumnae Theatre); Baptista in The Taming of the Shrew (Aquarius); Coulmier in Marat/Sade (Soup Can Theatre); Tobias in A Delicate Balance, Hitler in Mein Kampf, and Deflores in The Changeling (Graduate Drama Centre); Master Ford in Merry Wives of Windsor, Dogberry in Much Ado About Nothing, and Bottom in Midsummer Night’s Dream (Alchemy Theatre); Goldberg in The Birthday Party and Ernest in The Anger in Ernest and Ernestine (Rhino Productions); and Strepsiades in The Clouds (Ancient Comic Opera Co.). He is thrilled to be performing in his first production for White Mills Theatre.
ELLA MAZUR
'Ghost of Christmas Past', Illustrator
Ella is an artist, illustrator, and graphic designer based in Toronto. Her artwork focuses on creating beautiful imagined worlds, and she loved using her whimsical and surreal illustration for the poster of Ether. She was actively involved in theatre during high school and university, appearing in a number of school and community theatre productions. Her favourite role was as Theresa Salieri in the Charleston Footlight Player's production of Amadeus. She is thrilled to be marrying her passions working on the design work for White Mills Theatre Co., as well as starring as The Ghost of Christmas Past in this production.
You can see more of her work at www.ecmazur.com.
BRENDEE GREEN
'Ghost of Christmas Present'
Brendee Green is a Toronto based actor and writer. Most recently her play Ether ran during the 2019 Toronto Fringe Festival produced and directed by White Mills Theatre Co. Select past credits onstage include: Indigo in Ether, Portia in a Spada Productions Julius Caesar in London, UK, Rosalind in a Westmount Entertainment production of As You Like It. Select film credits include: Nicole in the recent Netflix release of Recall, the recurring role of Denise on Rookie Blue, and Margot Levine in the Sony Home Pictures film Manson Family Massacre.
IMBD: Brendee Green
EMILY TRACE
'Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come'
In her third year with White Mills Theatre Company, Emily Trace served as a creative associate and actress on ‘The Medium’ and is thrilled to be cast as the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come in this year’s ‘A Christmas Carol’.
A rapacious writer of plays, fiction, articles and reviews of the performing arts, Emily is currently developing a script that explores queer resiliency and trauma recovery through classic horror tropes. An alumnus of the National Ballet of Canada’s Emerging Arts Critics Programme, Emily is also the dance critic for Blue Riband, social media coordinator for Inside Out LGBT Film Festival, and media manager for Against the Grain Theatre. An opera addict, amateur astronomer, and proud cat-mom, Emily is most inspired by the transmutation of horror into healing works of art.
FELICIA VALENTI
'Anna'
From birth, her parents knew she would be a loud child. From her training as an opera singer to her more recent voice acting endeavors in video-games, commercial and animation, Felicia has been singing for her supper her entire life. On stage, she has sung Audrey in James Bond a Convenient Lie (Malfi Productions), Adina in L’Elisire D’Amore (Toronto City Opera), the title role in Martha (SOLT), Barbarina in Le Nozze di Figaro (TSOW), and more. She has also lent her voice to soundtracks, video games, animations, audio-books, VR and AR experiences, commercials and explainer videos. In April she filmed her first feature-length film directed by William Rose. Felicia is a tri-lingual (Italian, English, German) speaker who is also entranced by accents. As a singer, she has studied with Nadine Secunde in Germany, with Norma Burrowes in Toronto and with Maria Pellegrini in Ottawa. More recently, she has trained with Christian Potenza, John Nelles and Ivan Sherry as a voice actor. She is a graduate of York University and has training in speech, movement, pedagogy and voice up the wazoo. A voracious reader, avid crafter and apprentice gardener, she is so excited to be joining White Mills Theatre Co. in her first foray into Fringe. And before anyone else can say it: Bye Felicia.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/felicia_voices
Website: https://www.feliciavalenti.com/
Opera: http://www.feliciamittica.com/
SHELBY HANDLEY
'Shirley'
Shelby Handley is a Toronto-based actor with a focus on film and vocal work. Collaboration has always been an important part of her process, and she is excited to explore a more immersive and interactive form of live performance.
Past theatre credits include:
Sally Brown in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown (Sinclair Theatre), Constanze Mozart in Amadeus (Sinclair Theatre) and Rosalia in West Side Story (Sinclair Theatre).
A Christmas Carol at Spadina Museum will be her Toronto stage debut.
RUSSEL HARDER
'Bob Cratchit'
An alumni of the Atlantic Theatre Company Acting School in New York City and hailing from the small Saskatchewan town of Asquith, Russel Harder is the producer and host of Trivia Club, a Toronto-based game show that began in April of 2012, which has run for more then 700 events across Toronto, and can be found at locations across Canada. Russel, who is very excited to be following the webbed-feet of Kermit the Frog in A Christmas Carol, does not currently have a mustache but is never far away from a bow-tie.
BREANNA MALONEY
'Lizzie Cratchit'
Breanna is a Toronto-based actor, singer, and theatre creator. She is the general manager and co-founder of Skipping Stones Theatre, an independent collective whose mandate is to study, explore, address and express the various forms of mental health through art. Breanna is a graduate of the University of Windsor’s BFA acting program and East 15 Acting Schools MFA acting program (UK). Recent theatre credits include: Crispinella in ‘The Dutch Courtesan’ (Poculi Ludique Societas), Ophelia in ‘Hamlet(s)’ (Skipping Stones Theatre), and B in Sarah Kane’s ‘Crave’ (Pure Carbon Collective). Much thanks to White Mills Theatre Co. and the terrific cast and crew of Ether.
CASSANDRA DAVIDSON
'Tiny Tim'
Cassandra is from the beautiful, small town of Walkerton, Ontario and is now a Toronto based actor and producer.. She graduated from the University of Guelph with a Bachelor of Arts and has recently completed her conservatory training at George Brown Theatre School. She is a stage combat enthusiast and hopes to make theatre and sword fight her way around the world.
Some of her favourite theatre credits include :Paisley (Ether, White Mills Theatre Co.) d’Eon (Monsieur d’Eon is a Woman, GBTS) Rehearsal Zelda (Scott Shorts and Zelda), Iris (The Quest for the Perfect Science Fair Project, Bruce Power Theatre), and The Young One (If We Were Birds, University of Guelph). Cassandra is thrilled to be working with White Mills Theatre Co. again on this beautiful production, and would like to thank all of the wonderful folks who made it happen.
IG: cassnova5000
AARON DURAND
'Fred'
Born and raised in 100 Mile House, British Columbia. Last seen in (selected): Pandora (FAWN Chamber Creative), Pomegranate (Buddies in Bad Times), Ours (Opera on the Avalon), The Overcoat: A Musical Tailoring (Tapestry Opera/Canadian Stage) and others. Aaron holds a M.Mus from UBC, and is co-founder of an irreverent classical music company (Tongue in Cheek Productions). Most recent accolade: cutting his coffee intake by half. When not performing, Aaron can be found hiking something or reading a book by Alan Watts.
MICHELLE DANESE
'Belle, Chorus, Thief'
This year marks Michelle’s fourth collaboration with White Mills Theatre Co. Previously she sang the role of Monica in both productions of Giancarlo Menotti’s 'The Medium,' as well as Mrs. Fiorentino in the company’s adaptation of 'Street Scene'.
An artist of diverse musical and theatrical prowess, Michelle’s opera roles include: the Vixen (The Cunning Little Vixen), Despina (Cosi fan tutte), Calli (world Premiere of Pandora’s Locker), Rebecca (La Didone), Celeste 1 (Sunday in the Park with George), Barbarina (Le Nozze di Figaro), Hope Harcourt (Anything Goes) and Maria (West Side Story), Fatima (Abu Hassan), Miss. Silvertone (The Impresario), Bastienne (Bastien and Bastienne) and Ännchen (Der Freischütz).
As an actress, she appeared on CW’s TV series, Reign, in the feature film Dr. Cabbie, and on CTV’s The Listener. Her vocals can be heard in the film Dr. Cabbie as well as Indie film I Wish You Love.
Born in Toronto, Michelle holds a B.F.A Honors in Music from York University, and a Post-Bachelor Artist Performance Diploma in voice from The Glenn Gould School of The Royal Conservatory of Music. She continues to study in the studio of soprano Norma
Burrowes and is currently signed to Catherine Knights’ roster at Catalyst Talent Creative Management.
WILL FORD
'Fezziwig, Headmaster, Chorus, Thief'
William Ford is a graduate of the University of Toronto Opera Diploma program and has enjoyed a wonderful career in opera both on and off-stage.
Operatic performance highlights include Basilio/Don Curzio in Le nozze di Figaro, Alfred in Die Fledermaus, Ferrando in Cosi fan tutte, Mayor in Albert Herring, Goro in Madama Butterfly, Monostatos in The Magic Flute, Ralph Rackstraw in H.M.S. Pinafore, Mr. Owen in Postcard from Morocco, Tito in La Clemenza di Tito, Tom Rakewell in The Rakes Progress, and Mr. Fiorentino in Street Scene.
William has also appeared as a soloist in performances of Handel’s Messiah, Schubert’s Stabat Mater, Dvorjak’s Stabat Mater, Mozart’s Requiem, Saint-Saens’ Christmas Oratorio, Hayden’s Creation, and Charpentier’s Messe di minuit.
William is a recurring member of the award winning Canadian Opera Company Chorus directed by Sandra Horst.
SARAH MARCHAND
'Fanny, Chorus, Thief'
Sarah is an award-winning performer, producer, and founder of Alma Matters Productions. She studied at the University of Toronto (MA Theatre) and Concordia University (BFA Honours Acting and English Lit). Since 2018, she has worked in partnership with Sheena’s Place to explore self-healing from eating disorders through comedy.
SELECT CREDITS: The Handmaid’s Tale (Crave TV), The Umbrella Academy (Netflix), Drink of Choice (Factory Theatre) Swim Team (SummerWorks Performance Festival).
UPCOMING: Winter of ’88 (Next Stage Festival)
www.sarahmarchand.com
@sarahamarchand
@almattersprod
COLE LARSON
'Topper, Philanthropist, Chorus, Thief'
Cole Larson has been living his dream of being a performer for most of his life, ever since the age of ten. When he’s not mixing drinks and bartending across the city, Cole dedicates all his energy in giving the best performance he possibly can. He has performed in multiple musicals in his hometown of Thunder Bay, including RENT (Applauze Productions), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (BOUNCE Productions), The Drowsy Chaperone (Applauze Productions), Jesus Christ Superstar (Migliazza Productions), and the Canadian premiere of The Green Room: The College Musical (REJECT Productions).
Upon moving to Toronto, Cole has since acted in a Humber College student film, Constitution Check, been a pirate sailing with Pirate Life Toronto and performed in The Most Humorous and Tragic Tale of William Shakespeare’s Shakespeare (Now I Am Dead Productions). He’s very thankful to his parents and his friends for their support and love. He’s also thankful for getting to perform with such a talented cast and to perform for all of you.
JOCELYN REGINA
'Eleanor, Chorus, Thief'
Jocelyn hails from a musical family in Haliburton ON where she began classical training for voice and piano at an early age. She then studied musical theatre at Sheridan College and went on to complete an MA in musical performance from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. After some years living abroad as an actor turned fashion photographer, she moved back to Canada 3 years ago and returned to her music roots. These days you will find her teaching music, running choir, knitting and performing across Ontario with her band, Lunar Bloom (@lunarbloomband).
Theatre Credits include: Proof, Sylvia, Butterflies are Free, The Foreigner, The Fantasticks, The Perilous Pirate’s Daughter, The Sound of Music (Highlands Summer Festival), Company, Towards The Moon (Edinburgh Fringe), Amadeus, Once Upon a Mattress, Happy End, Anything Goes, Carnival (Theatre Sheridan)
SHANNON MILLS
'Madeline, Chorus, Thief'
Director, Producer, Musical Director
Shannon Mills earned her Master of Arts with distinction in Music Performance from California State University, Fresno, as well as a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Vocal Performance from the University of Lethbridge. Inspired by the achievements of her academic mentors, Shannon has gone on to instill a love of opera in children—previously working as a Program Assistant with the Canadian Opera Company’s After School Opera Program. With this in mind, Shannon is driven to produce engaging work for fellow artists within her community. Recognizing both the wide range of talent and few performance opportunities in Toronto, Shannon founded White Mills Theatre Co. to bring her fresh perspective to the stage. As Managing Director, she reimagines classic libretti to produce original theatre projects and newly relevant opera, creating fulfilling work for herself as a soprano. Shannon’s extensive musical training has been an asset in her ventures as a theatre director, working closely with actors to develop the cadence and musicality of spoken text.
BRANDON WHITE
Director, Producer, Costume & Set Designer
Brandon White is an interdisciplinary artist whose passion for queer theory and theology recurs throughout much of his body of work—both thematically as a director and visually as a designer. A graduate of York University’s comprehensive Theatre program, Brandon specialized in Devised Theatre, with an emphasis on collective creation, directing, and design. A wearer of many hats, Brandon’s numerous interests are integrated into a singular vision as Artistic Director of White Mills Theatre Co. His original work has toured throughout much of Central America, earning him a Bernice Adams Memorial Award nomination at an early age. More recently, he has collaborated with the City of Toronto to animate local heritage sites, working together with his creative partner, Shannon Mills, to stage an immersive adaptation of Menotti’s The Medium at Spadina Museum: Heritage House and Gardens. An active participant in the Toronto theatre community, Brandon creates inclusive opportunities for performers of diverse backgrounds, skill levels, and experience.
DANIEL TOFACH
Production Assistant
Daniel Tofach received his BFA in Drawing and Painting from OCAD University in 2010. As a visual artist, Daniel’s work has been featured in Small Works—Small Space (Gallery 1313), Experiencing Perspectives (Mercedes-Benz Financial), Canadian Landscapes Juried Exhibition (Agnes Jamieson Gallery), and Masterworks (Peterson Art Gallery). Although known for his expressive landscapes, Daniel’s most recent work explores the nature of portraiture—capturing the abstracted interplay of light and darkness on the plains of the human form. With this in mind, his work has been known to make its way to the stage in the form of set dressing. A frequent collaborator with White Mills Theatre Co., Daniel has assisted at various stages in production development—as an artist, sound technician, and production assistant
KATE ABRAMS
Dramaturg
Kate Abrams is a dedicated and passionate theatre artist who has a great deal of experience in both theatrical production and arts administration. She holds an undergraduate degree in Theatre Studies from the University of Guelph and a Master of Arts degree in Drama from the University of Toronto, as well as a certificate in Acting in Shakespeare & Contemporary Theatre from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, England. Throughout her career, Kate has been involved in various theatrical productions in multiple capacities, including acting, writing, script supervisor, dramaturgy and stage management. She recently acted as Script Coordinator for the world premiere of Hannah Moscovitch’s Other People’s Children.
