A Chorus Line: Cast and Crew

Michael Sheppard

Artistic Director

A graduate of Queen’s University for Theatre Studies, Mike is enjoying his third year in Ottawa with his second production with Lost Baggage Musical Theatre. Mike is the Artistic Director of the Ottawa StoryTellers and is the Executive Director of Sol One Arts Inc, where he creates and develops arts projects and events. A now fastly aging veteran of over 150 theatrical productions, Mike is so excited to continue to share his love for the arts with his new community.

Mathieu Charlebois

Producer | Don

McKenna Mellon

Vocal Director | Richie

As a graduate of Western University’s BMus with Honours in Vocal Performance, McKenna is very excited to be extending her music knowledge as vocal director for this wonderful production of A Chorus Line! This is not her first time as a production member, previous credits include Shrek: The Musical and The Little Mermaid (Greely) as choreographer and BCC: Valentine’s Edition (LBMT) as performance coach. Not only does McKenna get to vocal direct, but she also gets to share the stage with this talented cast as ‘Richie’! Her previous performance credits include Anne & Gilbert (NAC), The Addams Family (LBMT), Annie (Orpheus), Matilda (Orpheus), Fiddler on the Roof (Orpheus), Mary Poppins (ASNY) and much more. McKenna is thrilled for everyone to see this fantastic production! Enjoy!

Kevin Guerette

Vocal Director

Kevin is thrilled to be supporting this fabulous production of A Chorus Line from behind the scenes. This marks his first dive into vocal directing and while it has been a unique challenge it has also been rewarding. Each member of the cast brings such a wonderful energy to the stage. Kevin can’t wait for audiences to witness all the hard work and talent that the cast has to offer.

Alex Smith-Eivemark

Choreographer

Described by her friends as a weird theatre kid who dances, Alex is elated to be making her choreography debut with LBMT! She has been teaching jazz and tap at Dance Fusion Studios since 2019, has been an instructor with Broadway Workout since 2020, has choreographed award winning routines, and has made appearances on CTV Morning Live. When she’s not dancing, she can be found noodling in excel sheets and cuddling her dogs. Congrats to the team, we did it!

Adrian Cosstick

Orchestral Director

Naomi James

Props Designer

With a degree in engineering and a love for all things crafting, props is the perfect place for Naomi to express her creativity. This is Naomi’s first official foray into the world of props design. While this particular production has minimal need for props, Naomi put every effort into making them fun and functional. Naomi hopes to expand her skills and experience in the world of props design and put her skills to use in future productions.

Sierra Clouthier

Makeup and Hair Designer

Adam Barrows

Zach

Adam is pleased to be performing in his second production with Lost Baggage, having played ‘Big Jule’ in last year’s production of Guys and Dolls. He could recently be seen on the Gladstone stage as ‘Michael Shaun-Hastings’ in Late Company (Elevator Theatre Company) and as ‘Richard’ in The Lion in Winter (Phoenix Players). He is a Full Professor in the English department at Carleton University, where he has taught since 2009.

Tara Marcoux-Tynski

Lori

In her 3rd LBMT production and 2nd under the direction of Michael Sheppard, Tara is thrilled to again share the stage with daughter, Laurenne, now as dance captain, Lori. 30 years since she last prompted a-5-6-7-8 to a team of 18, she’s been given a chance to relive those years in a particularly moving way. While ‘What I Did for Love’ reflects the sacrifice every performer makes to pursue this incredible community, it also represents those that support us while we do. Thank you to my family for offering our time together as I pursue this new passion-I love you dearly. Gratitude to cast and crew! Past roles: ‘Sylvia’-Home, I’m Darling (Kanata Theatre), ‘Mrs Phelps’-Matilda! (Suzart) and LBMT-‘Flapper Ancestor’-Addams Family and ‘General Cartwright’-Guys and Dolls.

Laurenne Tynski

Cassie

Laurenne is a retired world-qualifying Irish dancer with select credits including Gotta Dance! with the NAC Orchestra at the National Arts Centre and the Canadian History Hall Opening during Canada 150 at the Museum of History, where she performed for King Charles III. Laurenne first truly explored combining her love of dance and theatre when she choreographed for Dancing at Lughnasa (Three Sisters Theatre, SevenThirty). A Chorus Line marks Laurenne’s first foray out of Irish and theatrical styles and she has enjoyed every step of the journey! Select theatre credits include ‘Sam’ in One Small Misstep (Undercurrents Festival), ‘Janet Van De Graaff’ in The Drowsy Chaperone (ASH), and ‘Hunyak’ in Chicago (LBMT). She is thrilled to share the stage again with her mom! A 5-6-7-8!

Emma Deeks

Sheila

Following yet another 5-year hiatus from performing, Emma is so glad to return to the stage. As a lifelong dancer, A Chorus Line has always held a special place in her heart. Between “retirements”, Emma appeared in over a dozen local productions. Her most recent (but not at all recent) credits include ‘Jetsam’ in The Little Mermaid (ASNY), ‘the Enchantress’ in Beauty and the Beast (ASNY), and ensemble in Mary Poppins (ASNY). She would like to thank her family for their enduring enthusiasm, her husband for his unwavering support, and the cast and crew for making this experience so special.

Tori Highet

Val

Susan Zhu

Diana

Susan is delighted to return to the stage with LBMT’s production of A Chorus Line, after she made her musical theatre debut with the company in 2022. Prior to that, Susan spent many years singing in choirs and playing the violin. A Chorus Line presented a challenge for Susan as an actress, and she is excited to share her love for music, her appreciation for dance, and all that is glorious about theatre with the audience. Select theatre credits include dancer in Puttin’ on the Rizz (LBMT), ensemble in Rent (Suzart), and ‘Fanny’ in Plot Twist (LBMT). Susan is grateful for all the love and unwavering support from her family and friends.

Ostara Whalen-Richards

Judy

Ostara is thrilled to make her return to the stage as ‘Judy’ in Lost Baggage’s production of A Chorus Line. She has been performing in musicals and plays since she was 10 years old and went on to study drama in high school. Playing the quirky, offbeat, and slightly unhinged ‘Judy’ has been a joy for Ostara, who delighted in every moment of bringing this lovable, neurotic diva to life. Ostara is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this incredible production and hopes you enjoy the show as much as she has enjoyed helping bring it to life.

Grace Grundy

Kristine

Grace is thrilled to be making her musical theater debut in this production! With over 20 years of combined experience in violin, piano, and choir, she has a deep love for music, performance and theatrical storytelling. Stepping onto the musical theater stage for the first time has been an exciting challenge, and she is grateful for the opportunity to learn and dance alongside such a talented cast and crew. She would like to thank her husband, Dan, for his support and encouragement on this new artistic journey.

Sofia Castro

Maggie

As a highschool senior at Lisgar, Sofia is so happy to be finishing her year off with a bang by performing as Maggie in this show. Having over ten years of experience with piano, viola, and choir, she recently got into performing in musical theatre when she performed as ‘Ancestor’ in Addams Family (Lisgar Collegiate), although her love for musicals started much before then. This year, she performed as ‘Dorothy’ in The Wizard of Oz (Lisgar Collegiate), and will be playing the role of ‘Zaneeta Shinn’ in the upcoming Music Man (Orpheus), in May. She would like to thank her family for all their help, and she dedicates this performance to her cat Muffin, her biggest supporter.

Ashley Gillard

Bebe

“5, 6, 7, 8!” Ashley has heard this countless times as an artist. She is an award-winning choreographer and actor who has performed on stages across Canada, USA and New Zealand! Ashley has a rich background in ballet, jazz and modern dance. She enjoys developing a character’s physicality through their movements, emotions, relationships and nuances. She seeks to build an emotional connection with audiences and to transport them into an exciting realm of storytelling. Recent credits include “Anna Watson”: The Girl on the Train, “Esmeralda”: The Hunchback of Notre Dame, “Sister Leo”: Nunsense, “Annie”: Chicago and in the ensemble cast for the professional production of Wicked in Auckland, NZ. When not on stage, Ashley loves to share the performing arts with her preschool students!

Hannah Waye

Connie

Hannah is thrilled to be returning to the stage! This production of A Chorus Line marks Hannah’s first foray into the Ottawa theatre scene after almost two decades of singing and dancing in school productions. Hannah is so excited to portray this short but sweet character and to get to work with this amazing cast and crew! “For dad, Johan and the Baseline Babes.”

Sharon Leger

Michelle

Yan Simon

Paul

Yan is a singer-songwriter, theatre composer, and published recording artist. Since moving to Ottawa in 2023 Yan has had the privilege and joy of re-immersing himself into musical theatre and the local arts community. Select acting credits include ‘Melchior’ in Spring Awakening (Elevator Theatre Co.), ‘Pawn’ in One Small Misstep (Undercurrents Festival), and ‘Jasper’ in Trainwreck (Fringe Festival). In addition to acting, Yan writes and releases original music to streaming platforms. His song “Marathon” has recently been featured in the Bell Fibe TV1 series “Cassandra”. Yan is excited to portray the openly gay character Paul and hopes that his story reminds parents to love their children unconditionally.

Rishabh Sathe

Mark

Rishabh is stoked to take part in his first musical theatre piece outside of high school! After playing ‘Seymour Krelborn’ in Little Shop of Horrors (irrelevant high school in Markham), ‘Lucas Beineke’ in The Addams Family (Lisgar Collegiate), and ‘Scarecrow’ in The Wizard of Oz (Lisgar Collegiate), he is stoked to get typecasted once more as ‘Mark Philip Lawrence Tabori’ in A Chorus Line (LBMT). He is stoked to wish you A happy Chorus Line!

Aaron Penciner

Greg

Aaron is excited to be performing in his second Ottawa community theatre production, after making his debut in the ensemble for Rent (Suzart). Beyond the stage, Aaron has also been involved behind the scenes, working as lighting designer for Guys and Dolls (LBMT). Outside of theatre, Aaron is studying hard as he finishes his final year of medical school.

David Murphy

Bobby

David made his musical theatre return, after a several year hiatus, last year when he performed in LBMT’s production of Guys and Dolls. Shortly after, he had the thrill of playing Lucas Beineke in The Addams Family (LBMT). You can also see David play the role of Michael Dagg in the Bell Fibe TV1 series Cassandra. He can’t wait to introduce the world to the character of Bobby Mills and hopes everyone enjoys A Chorus Line. Which he assures you, you will, because the cast is just that fantastic!

Melodi Uygur

Melodi is thrilled to be a part of her 4th musical theatre production with Lost Baggage Musical Theatre (LBMT)! Melodi has been performing in community theatre since the age of 13, and got her first professional production at the age of 28. Melodi is trained in both professional theatre and voice acting. A previous Canada’s Capital Cappies award winner, Melodi has been asked to audition for the Great Canadian Theatre Company (GCTC) and the National Arts Centre (NAC). Previous roles include: Addams Family, “Grandma Addams” (LBMT); Beauty Will Save the World, “The Artist” (9th Hour Theatre Company); The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, “White Witch” (9th Hour Theatre Company); Scream Queens, “Nadine” (LBMT); Clue, “Detective” (LBMT).

Katherine Kellner

Lighting Designer

Rorey Brown

Publicity Supervisor

Mal Ryan

Assistant Stage Manager

Eliot Van Iterson