About Coast Shakespeare

Michael Gurney and Lise Kreps started the Sunshine Coast Community Shakespeare Project in 2024, under the umbrella of Driftwood Players. Our productions’ proceeds benefit the Bev Shaw Literacy Fund of the Sunshine Coast Foundation, which supports literacy on the Sunshine Coast and has brought writers into local schools. Bev was the beloved owner of Talewind Books for many years, and a stalwart of the Sunshine Coast Festival of the Written Arts. Thank you for attending and supporting our shows.

Cast Biographies

Richard Austin (Duke Frederick and Duke Senior) is well known to local theatregoers, having appeared in many productions since arriving on the Sunshine Coast in 2006. Richard was in Driftwood Players' The Drawer Boy, Blithe Spirit, Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet) and Blood Relations. With the Sechelt Arts Festival, Syiyaya: our families, our stories gave an opportunity for playing multiple roles, and Voices was a real stretch. Yasmina Reza’s play Art was a personal highlight, as was John Lazarus’ Nothing To Be Done, in which Richard and Micheal Oswald performed "Babel Rap" and combined the script with other absurdist excerpts from Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead and Waiting for Godot. Richard performs Gerard Manley Hopkins’ poetry, and is beloved for his readings at the Sechelt Library of Winnie the Pooh and A Christmas Carol.

Jonathan Bennett (Corin) hails from England and is a veteran of the RAF and the British Forces
Broadcasting Service (BFBS), moving to the Coast from Alberta back in November. He has acted professionally in radio plays, radio ads and as a voice artist on movies and TV documentaries. On stage he has appeared in more plays, musicals and pantomimes than he cares to remember, but hasn’t done any Shakespeare since leaving
school over 50 years ago. He hopes his countryman "The Bard of Avon" will forgive him !

Jim Carson (Oliver) grew up in Edmonton, where he received a B. A. in Drama from the University of Alberta. As an undergraduate, he had a leading role in a mainstage production of William Saroyan’s The Beautiful People. Jim went on to pursue graduate study in English literature, in preparation for a three-decade career as an English professor. He did graduate course work with two important Shakespeare scholars: Stephen Greenblattt and Janet Adelman. Moving to Sechelt in retirement, Jim is re-engaging in his youthful love of theatre.

Melissah Charboneau (Rosalind aka Ganymede) played Olivia in our Twelfth Night and Helena in our Midsummer. She is a lifelong entertainer and passionate stage performer, and has performed with multiple theatre companies on Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast. Past performances include: Driftwood's Body & Soul, and Two Witches No Waiting; and Off the Page's staged readings of Juliet: A Revenge Comedy, ….And Just So Long, 1983, and Up Island. Previous musical theatre productions include Mamma Mia! and Coast Music Theatre’s Guys & Dolls and Pirates of Penzance. Television work includes Murder in a Small Town and Paramount Plus' Happy Face.

Anna Diehl (Jacques) earned a diploma in Acting from Vancouver Film School, played Elsbeth in Driftwood’s Two Witches No Waiting, and appeared in Story Theatre. Other roles include Thelma in Will You Still Love Me In The Morning, Beth in The Dining Room, the psychic in Seance, and the short film Surf and Slam.

Mac Dodge (Le Beau) is excited to return to The Bard. He did the "Henry"s with Brock University, and played the Sea Captain in our Twelfth Night and Duke Theseus in our Midsummer. He also sits in on percussion with the Fairy Band. Thank you Driftwood Players for your support and thank you production crew for bringing this opportunity to the Sunshine Coast.

Ean Henninger (Touchstone) is pleased to be returning to Coast Shakespeare for a third year after playing Malvolio in our Twelfth Night, and Bottom in our Midsummer. His hobbies include improv theatre, being great, achieving greatness, and having greatness thrust upon him.

Lisa Horne (Phoebe & Audrey) is joyously returning to Coast Shakespeare for a third year after playing Fabian in our Twelfth Night, and Egeus in our Midsummer. In her teens and early twenties, she was very active in high-school drama, after-school plays, and musical theater. In her (very) late 30s she bowed to a great outpouring of public demand to return to the stage (and never to sing in public again). When she is not on stage you can find her reading out loud to her two cats and one dog, playing ukulele with the Mother Pluckers, reading quietly while in a cuddle-puddle with her pets, walking her dog on the trails, doing book reviews on TikTok and Instagram, and reading some more.

Pat Hunt (Adam) is delighted to be back on stage after many years with this fine, supportive theatre family. A long-time member of Driftwood Theatre, Pat studied theatre at Bishops University, where she played Paulina in Shakespeare’s Winter’s Tale. She performed with Camelot Little Theatre and Theatre 2000 in Ottawa, and played Cleopatra's handmaiden in Antony and Cleopatra at the National Arts Centre. From handmaiden to old manservant! Thanks to Michael and Lise for the opportunity to bring Adam to life.

Kim Patrick Jensen (Charles & Lord #4 in the Forest) acted and sang number of roles with the North Shore Light Opera, including Lord Mount Ararat in Iolanthe and Colonel Calverley in Patience, both by Gilbert & Sullivan, as well as appearing with the Footloose Theatre Company in Burnaby.

Julia Lannon (Celia aka Aliena) is happily returning to the stage after a long hiatus. She grew up in Newfoundland, surrounded by a culture steeped in music and the performing arts. Inspired by our Twelfth Night, she jumped at the chance to dive back into her childhood passion for theatre.

Anna Lattanzi (Lord #3 in the Forest) is a new member of Driftwood Players, and is joyfully returning to community theatre after a 15 year hiatus. She previously worked with Leaping Thespians theatre troupe in Vancouver, and participated in musical theatre. You may spot her in Driftwood's Story Theatre this summer.

Elisabeth Lyle (Amiens) played Feste in our Twelfth Night and Hermia in our Midsummer. She has appeared in many Driftwood Theatre School and SynergyAtPlay productions, and studies acting and voice with Varya Moysey-Rubin.

Zoe McGregor (Page at Court) played the fairy Cobweb in our Midsummer, and Glinda in Wicked.

Kali Miller (Dennis) just finished Grade 9 at Chatelech High School. Kali has been in several plays in the past. He thanks Lise and Michael for the opportunity.

Rod Olafson (Lord #2 in the Forest) has always enjoyed theatre, music, and the visual arts. He sang with the RenFriends for our Twelfth Night, sings with A Capella Strait, and appeared in Coast Music Theatre’s Guys & Dolls and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Having spent many years working as a stage hand, he has enjoyed being involved behind the curtain in all aspects of production. Now retired, he is enjoying the chance to try his hand at performing on stage. It is great fun to be in a play by William Shakespeare … thanks for the opportunity!

Derry Oshust (Orlando) studied acting, singing, ballet, tap, and jazz dance at the Canadian College of Performing Arts. He played Sir Toby Belch in our Twelfth Night, Joseph in Coast Music Theatre's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Frederick in Pirates of Penzance, as well performed in their summer highlights shows.

Kimerica Parr (Lord #1 in the Forest) has spent a lifetime on stage, performing in Shakespeare, musical theatre, opera, and concert works. She first discovered Shakespeare as Cobweb in A Midsummer Night's Dream at age 12, later returning to the Bard as Desdemona in Othello. Favourite roles include Eliza in My Fair Lady, Magnolia in ShowBoat, and Lily in The Secret Garden. A longtime devotee of opera, she also performed professionally in various roles with Michigan Opera Theatre. When not on stage, Kimerica serves as Department Head of Speech Arts and Drama and Director of Choral Studies at Vancouver Academy of Music. She is delighted to be part of the Lords ensemble in her first production with Driftwood Players and the Sunshine Coast Community Shakespeare Project.

David Short (Sir Martext) has been acting since 1962 in community theatre, and professionally since 2000. A playwright and author, he has directed for Driftwood Players and Elphinstone Secondary School. David appeared as Philostrate in our 2022 staged reading of Midsummer at Winegarden Park.

Sean Steele (Lord at Court) played Second Officer in our Twelfth Night and Snug (Lion) in our Midsummer. Thanks to my family.

Amrita Watts (Page #2 in the Forest) has studied acting, musical theatre, tap and world dance in Vancouver, before recently moving to the Coast. She looks forward to exploring all aspects of theatre both on and off stage on the beautiful Sunshine Coast.

Ro Zubeck (Silvius) appeared in Murder in a Small Town, as well as Coast Music Theatre’s Guys & Dolls, Joseph & the Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Pirates of Penzance.

Producers, Directors, Stage Manager's Biographies

Marisa Alps (Producer, Graphic Designer, House Manager) is the Artistic and Executive Director of the Sunshine Coast Festival of the Written Arts (SCFWA), celebrating its 44th year here in the Pavilion Aug 13-16. Marisa was a Board Member and volunteer for the Festival for many years before taking its helm. She is a 30-year veteran of the publishing industry, starting out at Harbour Publishing. The Festival supports literacy events around the Coast, including the Celebration of Authors, Books and Community (CABC) and bringing Writers in Residence into schools, in collaboration with School District 46. She has been involved with the Shakespeare Project since its inception. More info about Marisa here.

Bill Forst (Producer) has been an actor, producer, treasurer, and general wizard for Driftwood Players for many years, since retiring from his career as a school counsellor. He has been involved with the Shakespeare Project since its inception.

Michael Gurney (Director, Producer, Set & Lighting Designer) is best known as the busy Arts reporter for the Coast Reporter newspaper. He is also an actor and lighting designer (Driftwood Players, Harbour Theatre Society), singer (Coast Music Theatre's Guys and Dolls, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Pirates of Penzance), and writer (Sunshine Coast Writers and Editors Society's Art & Words Festival), and involved with many worthy causes. More info at www.michaelgurney.com.

Lise Kreps (Director, Producer, Dramaturge, Music Director, musician - recorders, flute, bass viola da gamba, voice) has wanted to do this since she was 11 years old and first played Shakespearean music on the recorder. Lise studied Renaissance music and drama for her Bachelor’s degree. For 50 years she has played early instruments and sung in choirs, including Suncoast Phoenix, Coast Messiah, Gallery Singers, MOTET, Tallis Scholars & Canadian Renaissance Music Summer Schools, and Coast Music Theatre (Pirates of Penzance, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat). Since 1992 she has designed sound and music for theatre, including Utah Shakespeare Festival's Tony-award-winning season, Seattle Shakespeare Company, and Driftwood Players (Waiting for the Parade, Two Witches No Waiting, Timepiece, and Story Theatre). More info at www.transcenturyradio.com

Jenny Margueratt (Stage Manager, Set Designer, Props) was the Stage Manager for our Twelfth Night and Midsummer, as well as for Coast Music Theatre's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Pirates of Penzance.

Costume Crew

The Chapman Art Studio Costume Group is a collaborative team of volunteer makers, sewists, and designers creating costumes, accessories, hats, and puppetry for Driftwood Theatre's production of As You Like It. Working together over several months, the group combined sewing, textile arts, costume construction, and creative problem-solving to bring the characters of Shakespeare's forest world to life.

Costume Group Members:

Stage Crew & Specialists

Gabriel Barinbaum - Videographer
Ingrid Bilton - Makeup Assistant
Tara Blasco - Acting Consultant
Gabriel Leonard Ditmars - Dance & Fight Choreographer
Cath Jackel - Dance Choreographer
Sarah Kushner - Stage Hand
Sara Margueratt - Stage Hand
Linda McTurk - Driftwood Costume Shoppe Manager & Costume Consultant
Annie Rodgers - Publicist
Evelyn Schimmel - Makeup and Hair Designer
Serena J. Trinder - Graphic Artist whisperedland.com

Musicians' Biographies

Karen Baxter (violas da gamba) played in the Fairy Band for our Midsummer and Twelfth Night. She is active in Suncoast Viols, the Sunshine Coast Community Orchestra, and the Coast Messiah Orchestra.

Albano Berberi (nyckelharpa, virginals) played in the Fairy Band for ourTwelfth Night. He recently earned his Masters Degree in Harpsichord Performance from UBC.

Jon Eriksson (recorders, bassoon, trombone, voice) played in the Fairy Band for our Midsummer and Twelfth Night. He is active in the Creek Big Band and sings in the RenFriends, A Capella Strait, and Suncoast Phoenix choirs.

Heidi Kurtz (harp, recorder, flute, voice) played in the Fairy Band for our Midsummer and Twelfth Night. She performs with the Shamrockers and sings in the RenFriends and A Capella Strait.

Joya Muma (lute, viola da gamba) played in the Fairy Band for ourTwelfth Night. She is completing a Masters Degree in Musicology at UBC.

Juliet O'Keefe (percussion, harp, voice) played in the Fairy Band for our Midsummer and Twelfth Night., and sings with the RenFriends and Suncoast Phoenix Choir.

Julie Rutter (soprano recorder) is a well-known flutist and registered music teacher on the Sunshine Coast. Often heard on CBC radio in her duo Gemini with her identical twin sister, Val, they have been featured soloists with the Vancouver Opera Orchestra and the Victoria and Edmonton symphonies.

Valerie-Anne Rutter (recorders) is a well-known pianist and registered music teacher on the Sunshine Coast. She has enjoyed an extensive performing career in Europe and North America, given 20 world premieres, commissioned many new works, and collaborated in many master classes with great artists including Jaqueline du Pre. Often heard on CBC radio in her duo Gemini with her identical twin sister, Julie, they have been featured soloists with the Vancouver Opera Orchestra and the Victoria and Edmonton symphonies.

RenFriends Singers (voices) are an ad-hoc collection of vocalists (some of whom are also instrumentalists), who enjoy getting together in each others’ homes to sing (and sometimes play) Renaissance music and eat yummy snacks - just as people did for fun in the 16th century. If you are interested in joining us, please email Lise [ @ ] transcenturyradio.com.

All the music is from Shakespeare’s time (except one song, which you might recognize!). All the music titles and lyrics refer to the forest, plants, or deer. Where the original tune was unknown, Lise set the words to another popular tune of the time; Youtube Playlist of the original tunes.

2026 PRESENTER & SPONSORS of As You Like It

Please help us thank them for their generous support:

Special Thanks To:

Jutta Angus
Phyllis Argyle
Coast Recital Society
Sara Douglas & Coast Music Theatre
Kris Fleerackers
Lisa Furfaro & Gibsons & District Public Library
Simon Gidora & Isabella Perron duomycelia.ca 
- in the Rockwood Pavilion July 17

Andy Johnson and the shíshálh Nation
Irene Kyle
Courtney & Tom Lamb
Len Wrays Moving & Storage
Peggy Mason
Lynn McDonald
Sarah Poon & BC Viols
Diana Popowycz
Erin Storey, Emmie Hendricks, & the Sunshine Coast Foundation

Sunshine Coast Arts Council
Alton Toth
Graham Walker
SCFWA Volunteers for our Front of House staff
Karen Weatherington, Marisa Alps, & Wardens 
of St. Hilda’s Anglican Church
Generous Anonymous Donors
Our fabulous cast, designers, crew, and musicians 
for volunteering so many hours of their time and talents, and our families, friends, and audience for your support!


Sunshine Coast Community Shakespeare Project

coastshakespeare ( at ) gmail.com

We are fortunate and grateful to work and play in ch'atlich (Sechelt), on the unceded ancestral lands of the shíshálh Nation.

© 2024–2026 Sunshine Coast Community Shakespeare Project
Contents updated