Land Acknowledgement
The Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival creates and performs on the land of the lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples. We respect the relationship they continue to have with the land to this day, and the strength of their generational resilience in the face of ongoing, systemic colonial violence and genocide. We are committed to the continual process of unlearning deeply embedded notions of white supremacy and colonial racism, and to continuing to become better allies wherever we can. We ask that you consider your relationship to this land as well and remember that every settler is responsible for dismantling the colonial genocide that Indigenous people continue to face.
Greetings from Mayor Marianne Alto
On behalf of the City of Victoria, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival! Victorian’s are pleased to host this exciting event that brings together people of diverse ages, cultures and economic backgrounds - to feel inspired by Shakespeare’s works. Festivals like this contribute to our diverse community and foster connections through arts, culture and literature.
Thank you to the volunteers and participants for dedicating their time to make this event possible. We appreciate your commitment to include local businesses, educators and residents to recognize and celebrate the theatre and arts in our community.
I hope you enjoy the theatrical expertise for this year’s 2025 summer season production of Romeo & Juliet!
Marianne Alto
Victoria Mayor
Production Credits
Maddy Kirstein Artistic Producer
Ciarán Volke General Manager
Karin Saari Director
SJ Valiquette Fight & Intimacy Director
Sarah Shepherd Costume Designer
R. Davey Stage Manager
Megs Schneider Assistant Stage Manager
Sophie Taylor Props Coordinator
Rosa Fairley Front of House Coordinator
Board of Directors
Grace Martin President
Cam Culham Treasurer
Asa O’Connor-Jaeckel Secretary
Brooke Gallupe Board Member
Misty Cozac Board Member
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS:
Allison Balabuch, Shona Slack, Ian Case, Lori Fisher
Cast List
Avery Pryzswitt Romeo
Syrah Khan Juliet
Vicki Hargreaves Prince
Eric Barnes Paris
Jenny Robinson Peter/Page
SJ Valiquette Mercutio
Gabriela Mattos Lady Montague/Friar John
Dorothy Eggenberger Lady Capulet
Willow Hayes Tybalt
Levi Jennings Lord Capulet
Gene Sargent Friar Lawrence
August Elzinga Benvolio
Sarah Shepherd Balthazar
Nave Patterson Nurse
Indie Garrett Gregory/Apothecary
Director’s Notes
By KARIN SAARI
What I find so remarkable about Shakespeare’s plays is the contemporary relevance that exists in them. These plays have become a vehicle for urgent social commentary, a canvas for creative interpretation, and a framework for deeply emotional, empathy-building storytelling.
Romeo and Juliet’s social and cultural relevance feels alarmingly close. We have two warring parties that have become so consumed by their hatred that they are willing to sacrifice anything to be right. At the same time we see two young people who embrace love with that same kind of abandon. The extreme duality and inevitability of this play feels like a cautionary tale that beautifully and tragically illustrates what we stand to lose when we embrace violence and conflict as the norm.
Directing this play with this cast and crew has been the highlight of my career so far. We have met challenges collectively, made discoveries by creating a safe and supportive environment that allowed for big, brave choices, and met each other with grace, compassion and generosity. I am so thankful for this team and so very proud of what we’ve achieved.
Synopsis
by KARIN SAARI
Two households, both alike in dignity. What if a feral, desperate struggle for survival is what makes these families alike? When resources are scarce, infrastructure has crumbled, and society has collapsed? The trappings of wealth and status now mean nothing. Placed in a future built from the worst nightmares a civilization can bring on itself, one of the most recognizable love stories in the world still resonates in our hearts. A grudge is a grudge is still a grudge. Power (and the desire for it) still corrupts and destroys. Love is still love.
This new production, set against a backdrop of a dark dystopian possibility, strips Romeo and Juliet to the brutal core of two families willing to destroy each other at any cost in the name of power, legacy, and revenge.
Company Biographies
AVERY PRYZSWITT
Romeo - sponsored by Ann Lindwall
Avery is delighted to perform as Romeo for her first appearance in the Shakespeare Festival! She is a recent graduate of UVic with a BFA in performance and stage management. She relishes (aka can’t decide) between on-stage, in-the-booth, or in front of the camera. Why not juggle them all? Credits include; Twelfth Night, 100 Years of Broadway, The Importance of Being Earnest, Vinegar Tom, Spring Awakening (Phoenix), and Horse Girl (SatCo). Enjoy!
SYRAH KHAN
Juliet - sponsored by Ann Lindwall
Syrah is very excited to be making their GVSF debut with this show and incredible cast! They have a BFA in theatre from the University of Victoria and adore participating in the improv scene here on the traditional territory of the lək̓ʷəŋən speaking peoples. Their recent credits include The Tangled Web I've Weaved (Victoria One Act Play Festival), The Importance of Being Earnest (UVic Phoenix Theatre), and Of Theseus (Timetheft Theatre Society).
VICKI HARGREAVES *
Prince
As a newcomer to Victoria, Vicki brings a wealth of acting, directing, and international theatre experience to her first production with GVSF. Credits include working with Theatre Calgary, Wildhorse Theatre in FT Steele BC in Western Canada, Young People's Theatre, Alumnae Theatre, Shakespeare in Action, The Kick and Push Festival in Ontario, and Target Theatre here in Victoria. Vicki is a constant presence at Merlin's Sun Home theatre where she helps usher in new and experimental works. It has been an amazing year of learning about Victoria's theatre and arts scene and she is beyond delighted to be part of the production of Romeo & Juliet.
AUGUST ELZINGA
Benvolio - sponsored by Caroline Ferrari
August Elzinga (they/them) is thrilled and terrified to be doing Shakspeare for the first time! They are a graduate of the Canadian College of Performing Arts’ ‘Company C’ program and received their Bachelor of Performing Arts from Capilano University. Past credits include Starwalker (Urban Ink) and Nothing Crazy’s Gonna Happen (Alectoria). When not performing for the theatre you can find them clowning around as drag thing Bromley B (I love you to the stars and beyond).
SJ VALIQUETTE
Mercutio - sponsored by Caroline Ferrari
SJ Valiquette (she/ they) is an actor, audiobook narrator, and apiarist from Treaty 7 Territory. They have worked with GVSF in many capacities since 2016 and are thrilled to be back with the festival this year. Previous GVSF credits include The Winter's Tale, Twelfth Night, Love's Labour's Lost, Macbeth, Cymbeline, and Much Ado About Nothing.
WILLOW HAYES
Tybalt, Princess of Cats - sponsored by Caroline Ferrari
Willow Hayes (they/she) is a white settler of English, Irish and Welsh background on stolen land, currently living in sxʷeŋ’xʷəŋ taŋ’exw, also known as James Bay. They are, among other things, an artist and administrator with passions including baking pretty loaves of bread, hunting for sea glass to put in an increasingly inconvenient collection of small jars, and befriending the local crows. When they aren’t hyper-focusing on a weird hobby, she can be found enjoying long strolls through the neighborhood with their dog Mija.
Gene sargent
Friar Lawrence
I'm an actor, writer and musician from Victoria BC. I love just about every kind of art there is, and have always been a person of many interests. Only problem is sitting still long enough to get much done.
Dorothy Eggenberger
Lady Capulet
Dorothy is thrilled to make her GVSF debut as Lady Capulet in Romeo and Juliet! A versatile performer, you might have spotted her in Victoria Choral Society’s Carmina Burana at the Royal Theatre, a belly dance show in Victoria, Duncan, or Nanaimo, or from the opening notes of a national anthem at a local game. Some of her favorite past roles include Nellie in South Pacific (Broadway Spectacular, Victoria Symphony & Canadian College of Performing Arts), the Snake in The Little Prince (CCPA), and Maria in 9 to 5: The Musical (Victoria Operatic Society). Offstage, she helps others prepare for real-life drama as an emergency planner at the University of Victoria.
LEVI JENNINGS
Lord Capulet
Beautiful boy blessed by the burden of bearing bad news. Here’s the good news: If you're reading this, I’m dead. Here’s the bad news: I never learnt what the term good news meant.
Gabriela Mattos
Friar John/Lady Montague
Gabriela Mattos is a Brazilian/Canadian artist and is very excited to be performing in her first Victoria Shakespeare Festival show. Her past two years in Victoria BC will forever hold a special place in her heart, and she will carry this show and this island with her in all her adventures. Keep up with her exciting upcoming works on Instagram: @gabi.m.fay
ERIC BARNES
Prince
Eric Barnes (he/him) is a 2025 graduate of UVic’s theatre program where he received a BFA in acting. He is so excited to be performing in his FIRST Shakespeare production. Selected credits include The Killing Game (Phoenix Theatre, 2025) and The Importance of Being Earnest (Phoenix Theatre 2023). You can see more of him on instagram @erricbaarnes.
Sarah Shepherd
Balthazar
Sarah is an actor and theatre creator based in Musqueam, Squamish, and Tseil-Waututh territory, and they hold a BFA in theatre from UVic. Previous acting credits include: Much Ado About Nothing (GVSF), Flight, Die Fledermaus (Vancouver Opera), and Nothing Crazy’s Gonna Happen (Alectoria Productions). Sarah is also an award-winning playwright, and they strive to make theatre that centres queer and disabled voices.
Jenny robinson
Peter/The Page
Jenny is a theatre performer living and working on the traditional Lekwungen territories, known as Victoria. As a recent graduate of the theatre program at UVic, they are excited to debut with the GVSF in the ensemble!
INDIE GARRET
Apothecary/Ensemble
Indie is thrilled to be a part of the GVSF for the first time! Originally from Mission BC she fell in love with Shakespeare and theatre as a whole in high school and later made her way to Victoria to attend The Canadian College Of Performing Arts. Since graduation in 2024 she has been involved with Other Guise Theatre as a performer and admin assistant. Some of her favourite roles she has played includes Luna the Moth (There Will Be Bugs, Other Guise 2024), Kitty/Mrs Tottendale (The Drowsy Chaperone, CCPA 2024), and Page to Paris (Romeo and Juliet, MSS 2019). In her free time you can find Indie making and selling questionable substances to love struck teenagers. She hopes you enjoy this riveting production of R&J!
NAVE PATTERSON
Nurse - sponsored by Erica Mitchell
Nave Patterson (they/them) is a genderqueer, unpredictable artist with a flair for chaos and creativity. A graduate of the University of Victoria’s acting program, they haven’t performed since 2020 and are excited to return to the stage. As a drag artist, Nave is eager to bring elements of drag into their portrayal of the Nurse, infusing the role with humour, heart, and larger-than-life energy in this production of Romeo and Juliet.
Maddy Hooson-Kirstein
Artistic Producer
Maddy (any/all), a theatre artist specializing in community-centered stage management and immersive storytelling, aspires to create spaces that give artists the strength and support to share their art. In 2018, they established the Alectoria School of Magic, a live-action roleplaying camp designed to create a safe environment and inspire creativity among young people throughout Vancouver Island. The camp's emphasis was on teaching youth that embracing magic can liberate their expression in spontaneous and joyful way. Now, you can find them running between errands as they produce shows with Alectoria Productions and the GVSF.
CIARAN VOLKE
General Manager
Ciarán Volke is a performing artist, director, writer, and producer based in unceded Lək̓ʷəŋən Territory. He is the co-founder of the award-winning comedy duo COWBOY, and the co-founder of the Calgary-based theatre company Three Cheese.
Ciarán is the recipient of the 2021 OUTStages Residency in 2021, where he began creation on his solo-musical Saturn Return. He also participated in Downstage Theatre's StageIt Producing Mentorship in 2022, and Impulse Theatre's Admin Cohort in 2024.
Ciarán has worked with the Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival in a multitude of capacities, including performer, volunteer, and most recently as a staff member. He is beyond grateful for the opportunity to continue supporting this festival, and to bring it forward into a new radical future.
KARIN SAARI
Director
Karin is a Vancouver Island based theatre director. They began their theatre career as an actor and has worked and studied in Vancouver, London, New York, Toronto, St. John’s, Victoria, Edinburgh, and Edmonton. Karin is committed to building creative spaces that prioritize safety, equity and transparency; believing that provocative and empowering art can be achieved through generosity, collaboration, and kindness.
Karin is incredibly grateful to be working with GVSF for the first time and thankful to have been given so much creative freedom and encouragement.
SJ Valiquette & WILLOW HAYES
Fight and Intimacy Directors
SJ Valiquette (she/they) is a performer, poet, photographer, and beekeeper from Treaty Seven Territory. They are very excited to be back with GVSF for their fourth season. Willow Hayes (she/they) is, among other things, an artist and administrator with passions including baking pretty loaves of bread, hunting for sea glass to put in an increasingly inconvenient collection of small jars, and befriending the local crows.
R. DAVEY
Stage Manager
Davey is a stage manager, livestream artist, and writer who loves bringing organization and care to the creative process. They recently graduated with a BFA from the University of Victoria, where they stage managed the Phoenix Theatre’s Twelfth Night. Davey is thrilled to jump into another iconic Shakespeare work with such a wonderful group of humans. She hopes you enjoy Romeo and Juliet!
Megs Schneider
Assist. Stage Manager
Megs (they/she) is a Cree theatre artist from treaty 6 Mohkinatis territory. Since moving to Victoria in 2018 to begin their BFA in theatre Megs has developed a diverse toolkit, and taken a liking to site specific and outdoor theatre, most recently as associate producer of Alectoria Productions (Nothing Crazy’s Gonna Happen). They are absolutely thrilled to be making their festival debut with their favourite Shakespearean comedy. Ever grateful for the experience, she hopes you enjoy the show.
Sarah Shepherd
Costume Designer
Sarah (any pronouns) is a theatre creator originally from Algonquin Territory and Treaty 7 Territory. This is Sarah’s second show with GVSF, and they are so excited to be here! They are passionate about accessible theatre, ‘queering’ Shakespeare, and pushing the boundaries of what theatre can be and accomplish. Previous credits include: Nothing Crazy’s Gonna Happen (Alectoria Productions), Phantom Pains, (WAFTCo) Bruised Fruit (Iuvenis Productions), Vinegar Tom (Phoenix Theatre), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Green World Theatre Company). To see more of Sarah’s work, come check out the Nothing Crazy’s Gonna Happen remount with the Victoria Fringe Festival in August!
sophie Taylor
Props Coordinator
Fi Taylor (they/she) is a theatre artist currently residing in Victoria (lək̓ʷəŋən territory). She recently finished up her third year in the Performance sector of the UVic Theatre Department, but also has a passion for prop creation and design, especially when it comes to the 1920s! Some of their previous prop-related credits include Pepe (2023, Theatre Inconnu), The Importance of Being Earnest (2023, UVic Phoenix Production), and Spring Awakening (2022, UVic Phoenix Production). They feel very honoured to have worked on this show, and hope people love it as much as they do!
* The participation of this Artist is arranged by permission of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association under the provisions of the Dance•Opera•Theatre Policy.
This play includes references to sex and depictions of violence and death. Should you need a more detailed description of the content please email info@vicshakespeare.com
Some language and pronouns have been changed to accommodate and support the needs of our production and cast.
