It’s a Wonderful Life

Design Team

Mark DuMez

Mark has served as Artistic Director at the Chemainus Theatre Festival since 2009, where directing credits include The Sound of Music, Silent Sky, Hilda's Yard, Mousetrap, Ring of Fire, Amadeus, A Shayna Maidel, A Christmas Carol, Jeeves in Bloom and Jeeves Take a Bow. Favourite acting roles include playing Muskrat in Lumberjacks in Love, as well as roles in Queen Milli of Galt, Mass Appeal and Streetcar Named Desire (CTF), John Gabriel Barkman (Theatre X) and the Dauphin in Henry V (Kentucky Shakespeare Festival). He has developed new work and adaptations for children and adults (Pet the Fish, Little Women) and glad to be working on this show at the Chemainus Theatre Festival and with the many exciting and talented artists who come to play on our stage.

Hans Saefkow

Hans is excited to be headed into the Christmas season with this classic show. For Chemainus Theatre Festival: Ghost - the Musical and Gaslight which recently was remounted at Western Canada Theatre. Recent other work includes Sleight of Mind, Around the World in 80 Days, Ride the Cyclone, Stones in His Pockets, Isitwendam (An Understanding), , Romeo and Juliet, Chicago, Mamma Mia, The Drum is Calling You Home and The Drowning Girls. Portfolio at hanssaefkow.com.

Michael Hewitt

Michael is a multi-disciplinary designer with a focus on Lighting and Sound. This is his 2nd show with Chemainus Theatre Festival. Michael has worked through the province and beyond. His award-winning designs have been used with companies such as: Arts Club Theatre Company, Bard on the Beach, Firehall Arts Centre, Pacific Theatre, Rosebud Theatre and more. Michael has also mentored students at Capilano University as well as Douglas College.

Michelle Lieffertz

A seasoned actor and costume/production designer, Michelle holds a performance MFA earned in London (UK) and has worked in theatres and film/television on both sides of the Atlantic, in both performative and design roles. She currently focuses most of her time in Barkerville, immersed in the 1860’s Goldrush. She’s delighted to be back at CTF for Christmas, grateful for dear friends, and hopes for the ringing of many bells this season!

Joel Stephanson

Joel is pleased to be back in Chemainus after many years in Vancouver and rural Alberta. He first apprenticed at Pacific Theatre and now divides his focus between acting and making music. Past credits include Fiddler on the Roof (Chemainus), The Buddy Holly Story (Globe Theatre, SK), Godspell (Pacific), and many shows at Rosebud Theatre: Bright Star, Freud's Last Session, The Gifts of the Magi, and Cotton Patch Gospel were among his favourites.

Jessica Schacht

Jessica Schacht is a theatre artist gratefully living on Quw’utsun territory, Vancouver Island. As a stage manager, dramaturg, and director, she has worked with companies across theatre, opera, and dance. Recent credits with Chemainus Theatre Festival include: The Fiancée (Director), A Tiny Christmas Carol (Co-adaptor) & Little Women (Assistant Director). Other credits include Gather: Stories in Nature (Dramaturg), The Incredible Adventures of Mary Jane Mosquito (Director).

Jalisa Gonie

A versatile theatre artist, Jalisa works hard to balance stage management, writing and acting. They hold a BFA from the University of Saskatchewan and training from the Manitoulin Conservatory for Creation and Performance. Their work has brought them to stages and parks throughout Saskatchewan, Alberta and now to Vancouver Island. Recent work: The Unplugging (ASM, The Belfry), Velveteen Rabbit (SM, Persephone Theatre), Zero Gravity (SM, SUM Theatre).

Cast

Scott Carmichael

Scott is genuinely thrilled to be back in Chemainus! Previous with CTF: Ring of Fire: Project Johnny Cash, Elf the Musical, and Million Dollar Quartet. Selected recent credits include Tom in The Ballad of Stompin’ Tom (Capitol Theatre), Grease (Western Canada Theatre), Man of La Mancha (GTP/Magnus Theatre), The Foursome (Foster Festival), and Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (Mayfield). Much love to son Jaden and partner Cecily.

Abraham Asto

Making his second Christmas appearance at Chemainus (Miracle on 34th St. as Fred Gailey), Abraham enjoys spending this special season in the arms of this town. Though Covid limited the amount of work, recent theatre and tv productions include Sense & Sensibility and A Thousand Splendid Suns (Arts Club), Wild Cards (CBC, CW), Reacher (Amazon), Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies (Paramount Plus), and Love, Classified (Hallmark).

Forsberg, Kaden

Kaden is delighted to return to the Chemainus Festival Theatre for this holiday classic! Recent theatre credits include: Cabaret (Ovation), Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Sh-Boom (Drayton Entertainment); Almost a Full Moon (Citadel Theatre); One Day (Segal Centre, Playwrights’ Workshop Mtl); Naked Radio, Classic Country Roads (Chemainus Theatre Festival); Little Women, Candide, Fiddler on the Roof (NUOVA). Film/TV: March Hare/Card #2 in The Garden of Alice.

Kirsten Van Ritzen

Kirsten has performed for theatre, radio and TV across Canada & the US. She is also a comedienne, dancer, playwright & producer. Based in Victoria, she is delighted to make her CTF debut. Island credits include The Last Frontier, Blackstones & Bathtubs, Emerging Voices; plays at Kaleidoscope Theatre, Theatre SKAM, Gotta Getta Gimmick, Sin City Improv Serial, & more. Nominations include: Ovation Award Outstanding Actress, Best Solo Comedy Artist (L.A.), Canadian Comedy Award. www.kirstenvanritzen.com

Kate Dion-Richard

Kate is grateful to be back in Chemainus! Previous CTF credits include GLORY and Jeeves Takes a Bow. A graduate of UVic and Central School of Speech and Drama, Kate has acted on stages across Canada and the UK. Some favourite local theatre credits include Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley and The Odd Couple (Arts Club); The Flick and Brighton Beach Memoirs (BlueBridge) and the national tour of GLORY with Western Canada Theatre. Love and gratitude to hubs and our wonderfully wild toddler.