Maggie's Getting Married

Rachel Franco (Maggie Duncan) has a Bachelor of Arts Honours in Theatre and Dance from the University of Winnipeg. She has acted in several theatre productions featured in the Winnipeg Fringe Festival, as well as appearing as a regular cast member of the Tara Players in Winnipeg. Her film credits include CBC's "Nights Below Station Street", Miramax Film's "Shall We Dance?", Cory Bowles' short film "The Scavengers" featured in the Atlantic Film Festival, and Picnicface's "RollerTown". A newcomer to Nova Scotia, Rachel has carved a niche for herself in the theatre and dance community here, and recently performed at the IWK's Comedy Cures as the opening act to Jerry Seinfeld, and has performed as a dancer with musicians from the Symphony Nova Scotia. When she's not acting, Rachel's original dance choreographies appear in schools and companies across Canada including Maritime Dance Academy, Halifax, TILT Sound and Motion, Toronto, and The School of Contemporary Dancers, Winnipeg. Rachel is thrilled to have lost her NS theatre virginity to The Bedford Players, and hopes to be a staple in the community for years to come.

Bonnie Matthews (Cass Duncan) was first exposed to the 'magic that is theatre' in 1995, and has been on stage or involved in a production every year since then. Her last role with Bedford Players was as the doctor in "A Separate Peace". Last year she found herself as Nurse Olga, in the Touch Base Production of "Mulu's Pub & Café". She is a member of the Atlantic Talent Agency and has been involved in commercial work since 2001 for CTV, Global TV, Cenex, Sensix & Eggfilm Productions. For the past two years she has also enjoyed working as a simulated patient for the Learning Resource Centre at Dalhousie University. Bonnie firmly believes that laughter is indeed the best medicine, and hopes that you all sit back, relax and enjoy the show.

Rafael Ziah Franco (Axel Wilkie) is a filmmaker and media artist hailing from Colombia. His work has been shown internationally in film and digital art festivals in North and South America, as well as on television networks. He earned his film-making skills at UCLA Extension, and got his chops working an absurd amount of hours on film sets in Southern California. Rafael's passion lies in creating original content for stage and screen, primarily through the combination of design and live action storytelling. Working mostly behind the camera, Rafael has been involved in the Nova Scotia commercial film industry for the past year, creating commercials, writing scripts and developing television. He has desired for many years to venture into acting, and is thrilled to be a part of one of this year's Bedford Players' production.

Jill Curley (Wanda Duncan) is excited to be back on stage portraying Wanda with such a unique and talented cast. She has performed here in such productions as No Sex, Please We're British, as Barbara, The Odd Couple, as Mickey the Cop, Rumours, as Claire Ganz, and My Darling Judith as Anna Miles together with her most recent and challenging role as Monica in Sinners. Jill studied theatre arts in Amsterdam where she had the opportunity to try her hand at comedic writing, performance poetry and clowning, as well as performing in Shakespeare, Harold Pinter, and Monty Python and her own monologue. Jill is also a member of the Atlantic Talent Agency, having played a nurse in Heaven in Empty, Scar Films and taught Action: The Art of Screen Acting. Her interest in theatre was peaked 20 years ago when she was a Musical Director and Drama Leader for school age children and it has grown ever since. Currently she spends her working days in the field of change management. Jill wishes to thank Stacey for her endless directing energy, and her family for continuing to laugh in their seats while supporting her creative pursuits.

Michael Taylor (Tom Duncan) is quite excited to be appearing with Bedford Players for the first time. His simmering interest in acting came to a boil when a lady who has real talent suggested he audition for a role in this Production. He is very grateful for all the encouragement he has received from friends and family since they heard he was taking the plunge, particularly his wife Lisa, and daughters Hillary and Lindsay. Although it's been years since he last performed, his initial doubts have disappeared, thanks to the talented and friendly cast and crew, with whom he has been lucky to work. He's hoping that his 'performances' in the Courtroom will help him do justice to the role of Tom. (Actually, there's a lot of art imitating life in this role.) Here's hoping everyone enjoys the show!

Curtis Skinner (Russell Macmillan) hailing from Newfoundland, has been residing in NS with his fiancee, Lori Baker, for five years. He has been an actor for 14 years, since the age of 16. He has acted in everything from "King Lear" to "The Odd Couple". He has been away from the stage for awhile and this, his first time with the Bedford Players, is a welcome return. Curtis would like to thank the cast, crew, director and of course, his fiancee for their support and guidance throughout this journey back into acting. "And the rest is Silence" Hamlet Act 5 Sc. 2.

Stacey Fownes (Director) is very excited to be directing again after a ten year hiatus. Although acting is her first love, she acknowledges its narcissistic tendencies and is rather delighted to look at the "big picture" perspective directing provides. Directing credits with Bedford Players include See How They Run, and Amelia Earhart Was Not a Spy (one act). Stacey has also appeared at Bedford Players in such shows as No Sex Please, We're British, Romantic Comedy, There's a Burglar in my Bed, and Who's in Bed with the Butler. Stacey would like to thank her folks, as always, for their unconditional support. Thanks also go out to Michael... he knows why.

Lillian Inglis (Producer) is a "newbee" with Bedford Players, joining late in 2008. The last thing on her mind was to be a Producer, but here she is, and she's enjoying every minute. Lillian was very active as an actor in high school productions and then in church dinner theatres. She says her memory is great, but very short, and so her acting career came to an end. Being told she had a knack for organization, and discovering she could put a story together led to six years of writing, directing, and producing dinner theatres for Knox United Church. Two of her scripts, Graduation Daz and Aunt Dottie's Eighty, were such hits that they have been performed at other churches and in other communities. Bedford Players is a wonderful group of very talented people and Lillian is very honoured to have been part of this production. Break a leg everyone!

Michael Roche (Stage Manager) says prior to his retirement, and subsequent move to Nova Scotia, he spent over 20 years acting and directing in various communities in Newfoundland. For the past 5 years, he has enjoyed involvement with Dartmouth Players and TAG in acting and backstage work. A good friend recommended Michael to Bedford Players as a "source of great camaraderie" and he says this has proven to be so true! Having taken up the task of Stage Manager, it’s been a sheer delight working with such a talented director and cast. Michael is a retired Provincial Court Judge.

Sandy Mitchell (Assistant Stage Manager) has thoroughly enjoyed watching this play's metamorphosis under the guidance of the extremely talented Director and Stage Manager. The cast of this play were a joy to watch as they developed the characters you are about to meet. This is Sandy's third attempt at being ASM, the last time being with Dartmouth Players. As much as she enjoys being 'back stage' she does prefer to 'tread the boards' when the right part comes along. Michael and Sandy first met when they shared the stage at Dartmouth Players in Caught in the Net. Who could forget Michael as the elderly, confused Dad, who constantly 'stole the show' by falling over!!! Sandy sends special thanks to her long suffering husband, Bill!