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THEATRE BACCHUS

GALLERY

Welcome to our Theatre Bacchus Gallery!

We will feature cast pictures, behind the scenes shots, and promotional images. Check in often to find images of our past and current shows.

Here, we have a wonderful look at the fabulous casts of our most recent shows, "The Lady Vanishes", "The Watsons", "The Hound of the Baskervilles", "An Evening With Poe", and "A Christmas Carol".

Mark is very happy to finally be live with Theatre Bacchus, after appearing in online versions of The Christmas Carol (Scrooge), Hound of the Baskervilles (Sherlock) and The Watsons (Musgrave). Favourite stage credits include Two Pianos Four Hands, The Importance of Being Earnest, The Mystery of Irma Vep, Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde, and Macbeth. Mark directed Crimes of The Heart and Dark Victory for The Oakville Players and most recently played Alfred Doolittle in Pygmalion and Levene in Glengarry Glen Ross. He also writes and produces TV. Upcoming: Frank in Educating Rita for Theatre Burlington and The Laramie Project for West End Studio Theatre.

A lover of the arts and especially the stage, Tina Kocic has starred in numerous theatrical productions including Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, the Canadian premiere of Dorothy L. Sayers’ Love All, and Theatre Bacchus’ The Watsons. This is her third production with Theatre Bacchus, and she is tremendously grateful to be working with this marvellously talented cast, crew, and Theatre Bacchus’ stellar director. There’s something so sweet about creating other worlds for the audience to experience and there’s nothing quite like the magic of theatre to soothe the soul. Tina invites and warmly welcomes you to enjoy the magic cast by this wonderful ensemble.

Peter has been involved in Theatre Bacchus' online Theatre of the WINE productions since their inception in October 2020 and he is looking forward to finally performing before a live audience. He was last seen on stage in BurlOak Theatre Group`s Drowsy Chaperone and other productions in the Golden Horseshoe area, including: It’s Only a Play; A Man for All Seasons; Pride & Prejudice; Murder in the Cathedral; Strictly Murder; Nurse Jane Goes to Hawaii; Leading Ladies; Run for Your Wife; The Suicide; Fiddler on the Roof; Me and My Friend; The Winslow Boy; Toronto, Mississippi; Good Night Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet); and Arsenic and Old Lace.

Carla is thrilled to return to live theatre, especially in Theatre Bacchus’ first staged production. This is a special time of year, and the play's references to holiday classics like Dickens' A Christmas Carol make it the perfect compliment to the holiday season. Though a comedy, The Canterville Ghost addresses universal themes including the importance of family and forgiveness, living in the moment yet embracing both the past and the future, and the strength and enduring quality of love. Carla has found it such a treat to work with this cast and to be directed again by Lana. She began her theatre career 40 years ago in the Niagara Region; it is wonderful to be back! Lastly, she extends a special thank you to her spouse for his patience, encouragement and support.

Stage Manager - Danielle Letourneau

Director - Lana Borsellino

The Canterville Ghost

Carla has graced the stage as everything from Mrs Bennet in ‘Pride and Prejudice’ to Morticia Addams in ‘The Addams Family’. She is thrilled to return to Theatre Bacchus for another exciting show!

A veteran of the stage, Maxie has been acting for over fifteen years, including four shows with Theatre Bacchus. Select theatre credits include Elizabeth Bennet in ‘Pride and Prejudice’, Laura in the award-winning ‘Goodbye’, and Masha in ‘The Seagull’. Off stage, Maxie is a freelance writer, journalist, award-winning playwright, and passionate fan of goats.

Peter has been involved in the Theatre of the WINE productions from their inception last October. He was last seen on stage in BurlOak Theatre Group`s Drowsy Chaperone and other productions in the Golden Horseshoe area, including: It’s Only a Play; A Man for All Seasons; Pride & Prejudice; Murder in the Cathedral; Strictly Murder; Nurse Jane Goes to Hawaii; Leading Ladies; Run for Your Wife; The Suicide; Fiddler on the Roof; Me and My Friend; The Winslow Boy; Toronto, Mississippi; Good Night Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet); and Arsenic and Old Lace.

He hopes you enjoy the show!

Border Official/Sound Designer - Robert Laszcz

Matthew is thrilled to be appearing in his second Theatre Bacchus production. He is an emerging artist from the Hamilton/Halton area and is an alumnus of the ALERT program. Matthew attended the Marylin I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts at Brock University, where he earned a BA in Dramatic arts. During his time there, he had the opportunity to train at both the Shaw Festival and the Stratford Shakespeare Academy. He has also earned Advanced Actor Combatant certification from the Academy of Dramatic Combat. Previous credits include The Watsons (Theatre Bacchus), Martians and Martinis (Chasing Shadows Productions), Pride and Prejudice (Village Theatre Waterdown), Gormenghast and Finger Food (Marylin I. Walker Theatre). Matthew can be reached at Mattlazaris-brunner@bell.net.

Catherine has been performing since she was a child. This, of course, has not changed much since she remains a child. Her sister’s words. A singer, writer, actor and pretty mean hockey player, she is thrilled to be in her second Theatre Bacchus production along side her actual sister, Shelagh. She is also ecstatic that, as an older sibling, she was cast as a “younger” sister. Catherine is very happy to be part of such a talented cast.

Shelagh is thrilled to return for her second collaboration with Theatre Bacchus after performing in their summer production of “The Watsons”. Shelagh Hughes studied at University of Toronto (UTSC) under Paula Spordakas and Michael Schomberg, and has been acting professionally since the age of 17 when she made her debut at The Shaw Festival as Evelyn Munn in “The Childrens Hour”. She continued theatre study and collaborated on projects that took her to Studio Epsilon in Prague and finally moving for the greatest summer of her life to Manitoulin Island, where she co-wrote and acted in “The Indian Affairs” for Debajehmujig Theatre Company.
After taking a short hiatus for a few years to have three sons, her greatest productions! Shelagh returned to the stage. Some of her favourite credits are Beatrice in “Much Ado About Nothing” and “Lizzie Borden” in Blood Relations for Theatre Aurora, and Mollie Rollston in “The Mousetrap” for Markham Little Theatre.

This is Mark’s third appearance with Theatre Bacchus, after humbugging his way through Scrooge in The Christmas Carol and deducing as Sherlock in Hound of the Baskervilles. Favourite stage credits include Two Pianos Four Hands, The Importance of Being Earnest, The Mystery of Irma Vep, Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde, The Offering and Macbeth. Mark directed Crimes of The Heart and Dark Victory for The Oakville Players and most recently played Alfred Doolittle in Pygmalion and Levene in Glengarry Glen Ross. He also writes and produces TV.

David is a Hamilton area theatre artist. He has stage managed, produced, and appeared in numerous shows for many theatres, including his own Notapom Productions. Huge thanks yous to everyone involved in "The Lady Vanishes" for the good times, excellent performances, and brilliant post-production work. As an aspiring voice actor, he is excited to hear the final production.

Kate is a Hamilton based actress and award-winning playwright. She has been a part of the local theatre community for over two decades. You may have seen her in A Man for All Seasons, Music Hall or Calendar Girls. While deeply missing the stage during 2020, Kate has had the honor of performing in multiple online radio shows including the Twisted Tales of Poe and the Ugliest Woman Alive.

A lover of the arts and a theatre regular, Tina Kocic has starred in numerous theatrical productions including Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and, recently, the Canadian premiere of Dorothy L. Sayers’ Love All. She is tremendously grateful to be working with this marvellously talented cast and Theatre Bacchus’ stellar director. There’s something so sweet about creating other worlds for the audience to experience - given the past year, which has humbled us all, there’s nothing quite like the magic of theatre to soothe the soul. Tina invites and warmly welcomes you to enjoy the magic cast by this wonderful ensemble.

What an extraordinary opportunity for me to join a multi talented troupe, under the guidance of Lana. I grew up in a family of creative thinkers, musicians, artists, actors, writers with a skit always in the making. Singing in the church choir and improv classes gave me the kind of experience I needed to portray this intriguing character.

Harriet Karch is a GTA actress.
Most of her background and work is in the world of musical comedy.
Her most recent roles have been in the female version of The Odd Couple as Vera and and the housekeeper in Pygmalion. Her favourite role was and will always be , Adelaide in Guys and Dolls.
Harriet is thrilled to be returning and performing in this radio version of The Lady Vanishes with Theatre Bacchus. Enjoy the show!

Lana is to very proud of and grateful for the cast and crew of this production! I am always amazed at the versatility of these actors to embrace each new role and deliver such convincing characters! Theatre Bacchus has benefitted from the creative minds of so many involved in this production, from the music, the sounds and visuals and the tastes! All of this in a VIRTUAL production is what makes a Theatre Bacchus production stand out as an experience unlike any other and one not to be missed!

The Lady Vanishes

Catherine Hughes almost began her career at 3 years of age when she was offered a Heinz Ketchup commercial. She promptly replied “I don’t do commercials” much to her Actor Parents’ chagrin.
Her acting career began in earnest at age of 12 on stage, screen and on air.
Catherine studied at the University of Toronto. Upon graduation she studied improv at The Second City. Dramatic training continued under the tutelage of the late great Jennifer Phipps. For music The Royal Conservatory of Music and the Julliard School of Music with continued study with David Dunbar and the late Michael Burgess.
All the while, she created the persona “Diva in the Rough” who performed throughout Southern Ontario singing and telling off colour tales while accompanied by her long suffering piano player, Don Guinn with whom she released a CD and toured extensively to promote it. She is now commissioned by museums, music halls, theatres, cultural centres and historical societies to create original shows which she writes, performs, produces and directs.
She is thrilled to be in “The Watsons” and very happy to be working with the very best cast at Theatre Bacchus.

A lover of the arts and a theatre regular, Tina Kocic has starred in numerous theatrical productions including Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and, recently, the Canadian premiere of Dorothy L. Sayers’ Love All. She is tremendously grateful to be working with this marvellously talented cast and Theatre Bacchus’ stellar director.
There’s something so sweet about creating other worlds for the audience to experience - given the past year, which has humbled us all, there’s nothing quite like the magic of theatre to soothe the soul. Tina invites and warmly welcomes you to enjoy the magic cast by this wonderful ensemble.

This has been a very enjoyable and special experience for many reasons. First, it is always a pleasure to be part of a Theatre Bacchus production; to work with familiar colleagues again and to forge new relationships with others with whom I have not worked. Second, I am an admirer of the novels of Jane Austen; this is the second play I have done based on an Austen novel and it is such a treat. Third, it was wonderful to plan and play in a “mini salon recital” much like those in Austen’s day, joined by my cousins Celeste and Cynthia Konopka. Music and drama have always been my passions and it is not often that I am able to do both in the same production. Thank you Lana for giving me this opportunity.

Matthew is excited to be part of Theatre Bacchus’ production of The Watsons. He is an emerging artist from the Hamilton/Halton area and is an alumnus of the ALERT program. Matthew attended the Marylin I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts at Brock University, where he earned a BA in Dramatic arts. During his time there, he had the opportunity to train at both the Shaw Festival and the Stratford Shakespeare Academy. He has also earned Advanced Actor Combatant certification from the Academy of Dramatic Combat. Previous credits include Martians and Martinis (Chasing Shadows Productions), Pride and Prejudice (Village Theatre Waterdown), Gormenghast and Finger Food (Marylin I. Walker Theatre). Matthew can be reached at Mattlazaris-brunner@bell.net.

This is Mark’s third appearance with Theatre Bacchus, after humbugging his way through Scrooge in The Christmas Carol and deducing as Sherlock in Hound of the Baskervilles. Favourite stage credits include Two Pianos Four Hands, The Importance of Being Earnest, The Mystery of Irma Vep, Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde, The Offering and Macbeth. Mark directed Crimes of The Heart and Dark Victory for The Oakville Players and most recently played Alfred Doolittle in Pygmalion and Levene in Glengarry Glen Ross. He also writes and produces TV.

David is a Hamilton area theatre artist. He has stage managed, produced, and appeared in numerous shows for many theatres, including his own Notapom Productions. Huge thanks yous to everyone involved in "The Watsons" for the good times, excellent performances, and brilliant post-production work. As an aspiring voice actor, he is excited to hear the final production.

Nick is delighted to be working once again with Lana in this new format. Nick has been performing since 1992 with various companies of the Oakville Drama Series and companies of the Encore Series at Meadowvale Theatre
. At Century Church Theatre in Hillsburg Nick has performed in several traditional Pantomimes and “Fox on the Fairway”, “Gaslight”, Spitfire Dance”. Of late Nick has switched hats and side of the footlights to direct “The Premature Corpse”, “Fatal Attraction” and “The Dixie Swim Club” for CCT.

First and foremost Shelagh is an embarrassingly huge fan of Jane Austen and playing in “The Watsons” has been just one more role to cross off her bucket list. Shelagh Hughes studied at University of Toronto (UTSC) under Paula Spordakas and Michael Schomberg, and has been acting professionally since the age of 17 when she made her debut at The Shaw Festival as Evelyn Munn in “The Childrens Hour”. She continued theatre study and collaborated on projects that took her to Studio Epsilon in Prague and finally moving for the greatest summer of her life to Manitoulin Island, where she co-wrote and acted in “The Indian Affairs” for Debajehmujig Theatre Company.
After taking a short hiatus for a few years to have three sons —her greatest productions! —Shelagh returned to the stage. Some of her favourite credits are Beatrice in “Much Ado About Nothing” and “Lizzie Borden” in Blood Relations for Theatre Aurora, and Mollie Rollston in “The Mousetrap” for Markham Little Theatre. Shelagh also never refuses to be apart of a Diva in The Rough production.
She is thrilled and elated and completely nerding out about being in the Theatre Bacchus production of “The Watsons” and is very happy to be part of a tremendous cast.

Peter was last seen - actually on stage! - in BurlOak Theatre Group’s Drowsy Chaperone. His other productions in the Golden Horseshoe area include: It’s Only a Play; A Man for All Seasons; Pride & Prejudice; Murder in the Cathedral; Strictly Murder; Nurse Jane Goes to Hawaii; Leading Ladies; Run for Your Wife; The Suicide; Fiddler on the Roof; Me and My Friend; The Winslow Boy; Toronto, Mississippi; Good Night Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet); and Arsenic and Old Lace. Involved from its inception, Peter considers himself fortunate to continue to be involved in the Theatre of the WINE productions and hopes you enjoy the show!

Melissa Verwey is an international actress, performing in 20 plus plays over the past decade. She also has numerous credits in production and marketing, within the arts and entertainment sector. You can join Melissa on her various adventures by watching her YouTube channel Mellie Telly, perusing her blog, or following her on social media. Melissa is thrilled to be back working with Theatre Bacchus on their Canadian premiere of The Watsons. You may recognize her voice from their holiday show 'A Christmas Carol'.

This is Carly’s first show with Theatre Bacchus and she couldn’t be more excited to be playing the ever-chatty Elizabeth! Previous acting credits include Mary, the blue fairy in BOTG’s “Sleeping Beauty – a Holiday Pantomime”, Ensemble roles in “Footloose”, “The Drowsy Chaperone”, and “The Little Mermaid – a Holiday Pantomime”. She is very thankful to Lana for the opportunity to be a part of such a talented cast!

This is Maxie’s third show with Theatre Bacchus, and fourth under the wonderful direction of Lana Borsellino. A veteran of the stage, she has been acting for over fifteen years. Select theatre credits include Elizabeth Bennet in ‘Pride and Prejudice’, Laura in the award-winning ‘Goodbye’, and Masha in ‘The Seagull’. Off the stage, Maxie is a freelance writer, journalist, award-winning playwright, and fan of cute fruit bat pictures on Instagram.

A staple of Theatre Bacchus, Robert created the music and soundscape for The Watsons as well as lending us his voice as the show’s announcer, narrator, and in the role of Mr. Smith.

Lana is so excited to be working on another Theatre of the WINE audio drama for the summer! Although the pandemic has delayed Theatre Bacchus’ live theatre plans, she is thrilled to see the great reception that this audio drama series has received! It has been really rewarding to work with such talented actors in new ways. While Theatre of the WINE will continue into the future, she is hoping that audiences will be able to take in LIVE Theatre Bacchus shows at wineries soon!
Lana is an award-winning actor and director in the GTHA theatre community where she has been acting and directing since 2004. With an honours degree in Dramatic Arts from McMaster University, Lana earned her Specialist in Drama in Education at Stratford from OISE. Recently retired from a 30 year career in education where she has always been a strong advocate of the arts in education, she has also presented at several major conferences about the importance of creativity and the arts in ALL areas of the curriculum.

The Watsons