CAST AND CREW
Amanda Barker: writer/producer/"Brenda"
Amanda is a 2019 Canadian Comedy Award Winner ("Best Performance in a Web Series") for her work in A Gay Victorian Affair and an accomplished writer/performer having written plays and musicals that have toured Canada and the US (Little Black Dress, Spank Harder!, Release the Stars: The Ballad of Randy and Evi Quaid); is a contributor to Chatelaine, Food and Drink and Toronto Life magazines and most recently, with Dale Boyer, co-authored the Christmas special “Home for the Holidays with Jann Arden”. Her scripts have been featured at the American Society for Theatre Research, American Theatre Magazine, and has received many grants including the two Ontario Arts Council Theatre Creator’s Reserve Grants for Clotheswap with co author Dale Boyer! Together, they are the current writers in residence for Festival Players of Prince Edward County. She is known for her guest and co-starring roles in various series including The Handmaid’s Tale (HBO), Designated Survivor (ABC), Frankie Drake, Get Set for Life (CBC), Bajillionaires, Star Falls (Family Channel/NBC), Saving Hope (CTV), Dino Dana (Nickelodeon/TVO), Odd Squad (PBS), Good Witch and The Case for Christmas (Hallmark). Her recent films include Paper Year, ZOOM, Tactical Girls, Buffaloed and you can also see her in the online series A Gay Victorian Affair (for which she is nominated for a 2019 Canadian Comedy Award) and The Canadian Comedy Award winning You Got Trumped! She toured the runaway hit SPANK! A 50 Shades of Grey Parody from 2012-2015 and performed in theatres across North America, Off Broadway, and as part of Montreal’s Just For Laughs festival. The performance garnered her 3 Broadway World awards; Nashville’s “Best Actress”, Toronto’s “Best Supporting Actress” & Denver’s “Best Colorado Debut”. www.amandajbarker.com Insta: @amandajbarker Twitter: @amandaisariot
Amanda is a 2019 Canadian Comedy Award Winner ("Best Performance in a Web Series") for her work in A Gay Victorian Affair and an accomplished writer/performer having written plays and musicals that have toured Canada and the US (Little Black Dress, Spank Harder!, Release the Stars: The Ballad of Randy and Evi Quaid); is a contributor to Chatelaine, Food and Drink and Toronto Life magazines and most recently, with Dale Boyer, co-authored the Christmas special “Home for the Holidays with Jann Arden”. Her scripts have been featured at the American Society for Theatre Research, American Theatre Magazine, and has received many grants including the two Ontario Arts Council Theatre Creator’s Reserve Grants for Clotheswap with co author Dale Boyer! Together, they are the current writers in residence for Festival Players of Prince Edward County. She is known for her guest and co-starring roles in various series including The Handmaid’s Tale (HBO), Designated Survivor (ABC), Frankie Drake, Get Set for Life (CBC), Bajillionaires, Star Falls (Family Channel/NBC), Saving Hope (CTV), Dino Dana (Nickelodeon/TVO), Odd Squad (PBS), Good Witch and The Case for Christmas (Hallmark). Her recent films include Paper Year, ZOOM, Tactical Girls, Buffaloed and you can also see her in the online series A Gay Victorian Affair (for which she is nominated for a 2019 Canadian Comedy Award) and The Canadian Comedy Award winning You Got Trumped! She toured the runaway hit SPANK! A 50 Shades of Grey Parody from 2012-2015 and performed in theatres across North America, Off Broadway, and as part of Montreal’s Just For Laughs festival. The performance garnered her 3 Broadway World awards; Nashville’s “Best Actress”, Toronto’s “Best Supporting Actress” & Denver’s “Best Colorado Debut”. www.amandajbarker.com Insta: @amandajbarker Twitter: @amandaisariot
Dale Boyer: writer/producer/director
Dale is an actor, writer, improviser and now director based in Toronto. She wrote four mainstage reviews with The Second City Toronto Mainstage where she won a Canadian Comedy award for Best Sketch Show. She has written award winning comedy for “Just for Laughs, L.A. Comedy Fest, Chicago Improv Festival and Toronto Sketch fest. She co-wrote the now published “Night of the Living Dead Live” that went on to win 5 Broadway World Awards including Best Play and Best Actress for Dale. With Clotheswap Dale joins forces again with Amanda Barker to deliver this female driven script that explores the seams of empathy among women during a firey clothing swap. The Clotheswap journey has taken Dale and Amanda to numerous writing weekends, gracefully accepting TWO creators reserve grants and ultimately becoming playwrights in residence at The Festival Players.Other writing credits include. The Canadian Comedy Award nominated web series “Live from the CenTre” which has become a podcast featured on the Sonar network. Fool Canada (The Comedy Network) and Deal With It (The W Network). Dale also currently writes and co-hosts “Hype Night” (Amazon US&UK)- a weekly series which celebrates women in Canada. She also produces the equally popular webshow “Vito’s Basement” (HighBallTV) Dale has been in more than 50 Can/US/Worldwide commercials, yeah, she’s pretty good at selling things in 30 sec increments. A few TV and FIlm credits include Workin’ Moms (Netflix original/CBC), Suits (Showcase), Layla and Jen (CBC), Odd Squad (PBS), Man Seeking Woman (FX) and “Sunset Channel” a short film currently in the festival circuit. Upcoming appearances in Bajillionaires (Family Channel) and Nurses (Global/Corus).
Dale is an actor, writer, improviser and now director based in Toronto. She wrote four mainstage reviews with The Second City Toronto Mainstage where she won a Canadian Comedy award for Best Sketch Show. She has written award winning comedy for “Just for Laughs, L.A. Comedy Fest, Chicago Improv Festival and Toronto Sketch fest. She co-wrote the now published “Night of the Living Dead Live” that went on to win 5 Broadway World Awards including Best Play and Best Actress for Dale. With Clotheswap Dale joins forces again with Amanda Barker to deliver this female driven script that explores the seams of empathy among women during a firey clothing swap. The Clotheswap journey has taken Dale and Amanda to numerous writing weekends, gracefully accepting TWO creators reserve grants and ultimately becoming playwrights in residence at The Festival Players.Other writing credits include. The Canadian Comedy Award nominated web series “Live from the CenTre” which has become a podcast featured on the Sonar network. Fool Canada (The Comedy Network) and Deal With It (The W Network). Dale also currently writes and co-hosts “Hype Night” (Amazon US&UK)- a weekly series which celebrates women in Canada. She also produces the equally popular webshow “Vito’s Basement” (HighBallTV) Dale has been in more than 50 Can/US/Worldwide commercials, yeah, she’s pretty good at selling things in 30 sec increments. A few TV and FIlm credits include Workin’ Moms (Netflix original/CBC), Suits (Showcase), Layla and Jen (CBC), Odd Squad (PBS), Man Seeking Woman (FX) and “Sunset Channel” a short film currently in the festival circuit. Upcoming appearances in Bajillionaires (Family Channel) and Nurses (Global/Corus).
Julia Beaulieu: Stage Manager
Julia is a Dora nominated actor and theatre graduate. She co-founded Theatre Georgian Bay, where she directed, stage managed, produced and performed. Stage Management credits include The Really Real Adventures of Scott Free and Will Do, Alex in Wonderland, Ugly Duckthing (Solar Stage), A Christmas Carol (No Porpoise Productions), Between the Sheets (Theatre Georgian Bay), A Number (Lunar Stage) and many more. She is ecstatic to be a part of this important empowering show. This wouldn't be possible without the support of her fur/scale family or Corey, thank you endlessly.
Julia is a Dora nominated actor and theatre graduate. She co-founded Theatre Georgian Bay, where she directed, stage managed, produced and performed. Stage Management credits include The Really Real Adventures of Scott Free and Will Do, Alex in Wonderland, Ugly Duckthing (Solar Stage), A Christmas Carol (No Porpoise Productions), Between the Sheets (Theatre Georgian Bay), A Number (Lunar Stage) and many more. She is ecstatic to be a part of this important empowering show. This wouldn't be possible without the support of her fur/scale family or Corey, thank you endlessly.
Cassie Cao: "Erin"
Cassie is a Canadian Comedy Award winning (2019's "Best Taped Live Performance") standup comedian and improviser based in Toronto. She was a recipient of the 2018 NBC Second City Diversity Fellowship, and she is now teaching and understudying with the Second City Education Company. Cassie performs standup across Canada with Yuk Yuk’s and has been featured on Sirius XM’s Top Comic, Montreal’s Just For Laughs Festival, Toronto Sketchfest, Big City Improvfest, Camp Wavelength Festival, the Mirvish CAA Theatre, and the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. Her satirical writing can be seen published on CBC Comedy. Follow her on social media @thecassiecaowww.cassiecao.com
Cassie is a Canadian Comedy Award winning (2019's "Best Taped Live Performance") standup comedian and improviser based in Toronto. She was a recipient of the 2018 NBC Second City Diversity Fellowship, and she is now teaching and understudying with the Second City Education Company. Cassie performs standup across Canada with Yuk Yuk’s and has been featured on Sirius XM’s Top Comic, Montreal’s Just For Laughs Festival, Toronto Sketchfest, Big City Improvfest, Camp Wavelength Festival, the Mirvish CAA Theatre, and the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. Her satirical writing can be seen published on CBC Comedy. Follow her on social media @thecassiecaowww.cassiecao.com
Ashley Comeau: "Krimp"
Ashley Comeau is a 2019 Canadian Comedy Award Winner ("Best Live Ensemble") an actor, producer, and writer hailing from Brampton, Ontario. Ashley is a Second City alumna who wrote and starred in three revues which garnered her a Dora nomination and a Canadian Comedy Award nomination. She was named Best Female Improviser from NOW Magazine’s “Best Of Awards 2015” and her comedy troupe The Lusty Mannequins were just named ‘Best of the Fest’ at the 2018 Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival. The Lustys have toured Europe, North America and have been to South Africa three times for the Mama City Improv Festival (which Ashley co-founded!). Select theatre credits include: She The People, Little Black Dress The Musical, People Suck, Songbuster: An Improvised Musical, Noises Off & Girls Night Out! She writes, acts and produces for TV and stage now, used to be a tour guide, and almost became a funeral director. That pretty much sums her up. She’s very grateful to you for coming and to everyone who made this happen. and will take Second City's She The People to Just For Laughs in July and the Lusty Mannequins to the Edinburgh Fringe this August. Social Media: IG: @ashco Twitter: @ashleycomeau
Ashley Comeau is a 2019 Canadian Comedy Award Winner ("Best Live Ensemble") an actor, producer, and writer hailing from Brampton, Ontario. Ashley is a Second City alumna who wrote and starred in three revues which garnered her a Dora nomination and a Canadian Comedy Award nomination. She was named Best Female Improviser from NOW Magazine’s “Best Of Awards 2015” and her comedy troupe The Lusty Mannequins were just named ‘Best of the Fest’ at the 2018 Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival. The Lustys have toured Europe, North America and have been to South Africa three times for the Mama City Improv Festival (which Ashley co-founded!). Select theatre credits include: She The People, Little Black Dress The Musical, People Suck, Songbuster: An Improvised Musical, Noises Off & Girls Night Out! She writes, acts and produces for TV and stage now, used to be a tour guide, and almost became a funeral director. That pretty much sums her up. She’s very grateful to you for coming and to everyone who made this happen. and will take Second City's She The People to Just For Laughs in July and the Lusty Mannequins to the Edinburgh Fringe this August. Social Media: IG: @ashco Twitter: @ashleycomeau
Tarah Consoli: "Geri"
Tarah is an actor and voice performer based in Toronto and Los Angeles. She’s an alumna of the Second City Touring Co. where she performed in The Best of Second City and Abbreviation Nation. She also co-wrote, produced and starred in the Award-Winning web series So Awkward. Selected Film & TV credits: Running Mates (opposite Henry Winkler and DJ Qualls, where she won Best Supporting Actress - MockFest Film Fest), Impulse (NBC Universal/YouTube Originals), Flatliners (Columbia/SONY), The Cat in The Hat Knows A Lot About That! (PBS Kids), Get Blake (Nickelodeon), SuperWhy! (PBS Kids), Crash Canyon (MTV), Breathing Through A Straw, Best Ed, Dan For Mayor (CTV), Train48 (Global), Run Robot Run, and The Ron James Show (CBC). She also lends her voice to the audiobook trilogy Masterminds by Gordon Korman, and R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps. She has performed at various comedy venues in Los Angeles such as iO West and The Upright Citizens Brigade with her improv troupe, Brunch. Tarah is a graduate of York University. She sends love and thanks to her husband Paolo and her two daughters Illiana and Mattea, Butler Ruston Bell, Aligned Entertainment, her parents, and the entire badass dream team that made this show possible. @TarahConsoli
Tarah is an actor and voice performer based in Toronto and Los Angeles. She’s an alumna of the Second City Touring Co. where she performed in The Best of Second City and Abbreviation Nation. She also co-wrote, produced and starred in the Award-Winning web series So Awkward. Selected Film & TV credits: Running Mates (opposite Henry Winkler and DJ Qualls, where she won Best Supporting Actress - MockFest Film Fest), Impulse (NBC Universal/YouTube Originals), Flatliners (Columbia/SONY), The Cat in The Hat Knows A Lot About That! (PBS Kids), Get Blake (Nickelodeon), SuperWhy! (PBS Kids), Crash Canyon (MTV), Breathing Through A Straw, Best Ed, Dan For Mayor (CTV), Train48 (Global), Run Robot Run, and The Ron James Show (CBC). She also lends her voice to the audiobook trilogy Masterminds by Gordon Korman, and R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps. She has performed at various comedy venues in Los Angeles such as iO West and The Upright Citizens Brigade with her improv troupe, Brunch. Tarah is a graduate of York University. She sends love and thanks to her husband Paolo and her two daughters Illiana and Mattea, Butler Ruston Bell, Aligned Entertainment, her parents, and the entire badass dream team that made this show possible. @TarahConsoli
Melissa D'Agostino: Dramaturge
Melissa is a an award-winning actor, writer, and producer well-known for her live performances as the character Lupe in the hit shows Lupe: Undone (Best of Toronto Fringe, Critic's Pick, Canadian Comedy Award Nomination), A Very Lupe X-Mas, and Lupe's Next Top Lupe. In addition to her extensive theatre resume, Melissa can be seen in the newest series from Internext Studios, Prelude to the Six Day Road (2013), and the viral sensation Wolverine vs. Gladiator in: Les Miserables (2012) . Melissa is also an acclaimed satirist, having recently produced the short film Ca$hi - 7 Grains... Lying to You (2012), which garnered much attention during the 2012 US Election in relation to Prop 37 in California. Melissa is a co-creator of Pandemic Theatre's "Daughter", which continues to tour worldwide to critical acclaim and her streaming platform "Highball.TV" has changed the face of Independent Film in Canada and Worldwide.
Melissa is a an award-winning actor, writer, and producer well-known for her live performances as the character Lupe in the hit shows Lupe: Undone (Best of Toronto Fringe, Critic's Pick, Canadian Comedy Award Nomination), A Very Lupe X-Mas, and Lupe's Next Top Lupe. In addition to her extensive theatre resume, Melissa can be seen in the newest series from Internext Studios, Prelude to the Six Day Road (2013), and the viral sensation Wolverine vs. Gladiator in: Les Miserables (2012) . Melissa is also an acclaimed satirist, having recently produced the short film Ca$hi - 7 Grains... Lying to You (2012), which garnered much attention during the 2012 US Election in relation to Prop 37 in California. Melissa is a co-creator of Pandemic Theatre's "Daughter", which continues to tour worldwide to critical acclaim and her streaming platform "Highball.TV" has changed the face of Independent Film in Canada and Worldwide.
Karen Parker: "Renata"
Karen Parker is a 4-time Canadian Comedy Award winning/Dora-nominated actor and an alumna of the Second City Toronto Mainstage (Facebook of Revelations, Tazed and Confused, Barack to the Future). Most recently she was the director for the Second City House Company and Assistant Director for their Mainstage productions: The Hotline Always Blings Twice and Party Today, Panic Tomorrow! She is currently starring in She The People at The Second City and at the Just For Laughs festival in Montreal this July. She has performed with theatre companies across Canada. Selected film and television credits include: TallBoys II Men,
Designated Survivor, Odd Squad, People of Earth, Baroness Von Sketch Show, Hemlock Grove, Beauty & The Beast, The Firm, Saving Hope, Being Erica, The Jon Dore Show and Instant Star. When not performing she is an acting and improv instructor at the Second City Training Centre, Making Box Theatre and Social Capital Theatre. Karen also travels the world teaching and performing with The Lusty Mannequins, whose next stop will be The Edinburgh Fringe Festival this August.
Karen Parker is a 4-time Canadian Comedy Award winning/Dora-nominated actor and an alumna of the Second City Toronto Mainstage (Facebook of Revelations, Tazed and Confused, Barack to the Future). Most recently she was the director for the Second City House Company and Assistant Director for their Mainstage productions: The Hotline Always Blings Twice and Party Today, Panic Tomorrow! She is currently starring in She The People at The Second City and at the Just For Laughs festival in Montreal this July. She has performed with theatre companies across Canada. Selected film and television credits include: TallBoys II Men,
Designated Survivor, Odd Squad, People of Earth, Baroness Von Sketch Show, Hemlock Grove, Beauty & The Beast, The Firm, Saving Hope, Being Erica, The Jon Dore Show and Instant Star. When not performing she is an acting and improv instructor at the Second City Training Centre, Making Box Theatre and Social Capital Theatre. Karen also travels the world teaching and performing with The Lusty Mannequins, whose next stop will be The Edinburgh Fringe Festival this August.
Vanessa Wishart: Set/Costume Design
I am an avid observer of social trends, the media, and, of course - fashion. I moved to Toronto to study at the International Academy of Design. This is where I discovered a “boldness” in high fashion that had inspired and liberated my creativity. And as a result, I have made a 20-year career out of my skills and passion. This venture had resulted in the creation of my first luxury collection in 2003 called, 'Vicerra'. My company, that proudly creates clothing from upcycled material. Vicerra is an eco-friendly clothing and accessories line made from recycled, reclaimed and repurposed materials. We thrive on creativity, originality, and social consciousness. Our aim is to provide fashion forward and innovative garments with a social message. My interest in fading artisanal handicrafts and historical costume led me to seek involvement in theatre and film. This experience and continued specialized training had inspired me to launch my second business venture, an ultra-exclusive line of coats and accessories made with shredded currency, called 'LUUT'. This current project is the ultimate in upcycling. On stage, I have woreked with Obsidian Theatre Company, Starvox Ent, Mirvish Productions and Cirque du Soleil. Working on Clotheswap, The Toronto Fringe Festival, and The Textile Museum of Canada is an invaluable resource of inspiration, shared knowledge, and collaboration with like-minded artists who foster and encourage my creativity. Thank You!
I am an avid observer of social trends, the media, and, of course - fashion. I moved to Toronto to study at the International Academy of Design. This is where I discovered a “boldness” in high fashion that had inspired and liberated my creativity. And as a result, I have made a 20-year career out of my skills and passion. This venture had resulted in the creation of my first luxury collection in 2003 called, 'Vicerra'. My company, that proudly creates clothing from upcycled material. Vicerra is an eco-friendly clothing and accessories line made from recycled, reclaimed and repurposed materials. We thrive on creativity, originality, and social consciousness. Our aim is to provide fashion forward and innovative garments with a social message. My interest in fading artisanal handicrafts and historical costume led me to seek involvement in theatre and film. This experience and continued specialized training had inspired me to launch my second business venture, an ultra-exclusive line of coats and accessories made with shredded currency, called 'LUUT'. This current project is the ultimate in upcycling. On stage, I have woreked with Obsidian Theatre Company, Starvox Ent, Mirvish Productions and Cirque du Soleil. Working on Clotheswap, The Toronto Fringe Festival, and The Textile Museum of Canada is an invaluable resource of inspiration, shared knowledge, and collaboration with like-minded artists who foster and encourage my creativity. Thank You!
