Blackberry at Red Betty Theatre

Molly Mutch

I’ve been an actor ever since I was probably 9 or 10. I’ve been performing here and there ever since then, and have come to the conclusion that acting/performing is my calling. In Blackberry, I play the role of Fiona, a 17 year old mixed girl from Hamilton, ON. Fiona is somebody who has endured a lot of pain throughout her life and because of that, she has become a very soft person on the inside with a very thick shell on the outside. Fiona’s a tough gal, but at the same really enjoys the little things in life. The “beautiful” things in life. I feel as though I relate to Fiona in a lot ways, and sometimes can feel her pain when I’m portraying her character. I’m so grateful to be apart of this project, and I am so eager to see where this production heads in the future!

Jason Chung

Born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario, Jason Chung is an extraordinary actor/musical artist coming from a background of being involved in Theatre Aquarius since he was 8 years old and now 19 starring in Blackberry. Jason started acting in elementary school and realized that this was the career he wants to pursue for the rest of his life. Graduating from high school with the actor of the year and the musician of the awards, Jason is transitioning into university to an acting program to pursue his dreams and make it big. Jason was involved with Theatre Aquarius, Young Company, and now Red Betty Theatre's "Blackberry". He's hoping to make an impact in the world with his talent and become an inspiration for others, not to give up on their dreams and create a name for himself. Prepare yourself for Jason's next move entering the industry.

Rylan Bomberry

Rylan Bomberry, is an actress from the Mohawk Nation, Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. She’s been acting and performing for many years with experiences of acting on Film. She’s hosting a TV show called “WILD CHILD” on Bell Fibe TV, performing for countless music shows, appears in music videos, and is playing the role YVONNE in Blackberry.. She graduated Branford’s School of Performing arts In 2014 with the certificate for acting on TV and Film along with a new certificate for Film and Television.

Paul Smith

Paul Smith (he/il, they/iel) is a Thursday-born actor, creator, and facilitator from Stittsville, ON., based in Toronto, ON. Since graduating from the DAN School of Drama & Music at Queen’s University, Paul uses performance to explore how narratives that center marginalized bodies can be adapted into stories of reclamation, innovation, and protest. In addition to working with PACT, his recent projects include The First Stone by Donna-Michelle St. Bernard (New Harlem Productions), Halal by Kais Padamshi (Tarragon Theatre), BLACKPenTHER (Cahoots Theatre), and the Artist Mentorship Program (Black Theatre Workshop & the National Arts Centre). When he’s not rehearsing as Salim in Blackberry, or thinking about the symbiotic relationship between theatre and lm, Paul is developing his practice through the principles of Sankofa, building his autobio-myth "Anansi v. God(s)" (2023), and listening to Frank Ocean (on repeat).

Mike Jensen

Mike Jensen is an actor in Hamilton most recently seen in Emerson Arts’ Mom’s Moving, Hamilton Theater Inc’s - Welcome Back Showcase, and HTI - Matilda. He also owns Mikey’s Cream Pies in Hamilton!

Radha S. Menon

Artist in Residence at McMaster University’s School of Arts (2019/20), recipient of the City of Hamilton’s 2020 Arts Innovation Award and the 2016 Theatre Award, animal fanatic Radha Menon began performing in British theatre and television in her youth. Stateless until age seventeen, Menon emigrated to Regina, Saskatchewan in 1995 where her performance career abruptly ended, and her writing career began. Her plays, which have been produced at theatre festivals in Canada, the US, UK and India, include Blackberry, Sita’s Revenge, Ganga’s Ganja, Rukmini’s Gold, Rise of the Prickly Pear, The Circus & The Washing Machine. Red Betty Theatre (RBT), Hamilton’s first feminist IBPOC (Indigenous, Black and People of Colour) theatre company was founded by Radha in 2011. Supported by a Canada Council for the Arts Digital Now Grant, 5 of Radha’s plays were adapted and produced as podcasts in 2021 by RBT. Winner of Toronto Fringe New Play Contest 2015, Hamilton Fringe Critics Choice Award 2015, 2020 Sanhita Manch National Playwriting Contest, Sultan Padamsee Playwriting contest 2020 & Herman Voaden Playwriting award 2021 Finalist, Rukmini’s Gold was published by Scirocco Press in 2022. In addition, Menon is a filmmaker and production designer for art house films, including Nayan & The Evil Eye, (Design Award, Here Be Dragons Int. Film Festival 2015) & Finalist of Cayle Chernin Media Award, magic realism short film, The Sail Tree. Radha is currently developing a suite of goddess plays, Devi Triptych. Menon holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Guelph. She is based in Hamilton and is editing her first novel, Death Cry of a Peacock.

Alison Wong

Alison Wong 黃巧文 is a director, performer and producer based in Treaty 13 territory. Her work in opera and theatre, with a focus on intercultural and plurilingual storytelling, has taken her across Canada, to the United States, Italy, India, and the Netherlands. Recent directing credits include The Circus (RBT), nowhen (Canadian Stage/SummerWorks), Cloudless (Periphery/11ours/Canadian Stage), Revolt. She said. Revolt again. (York University), Stormy Weather (IN Series, Washington DC), La fedeltà premiata (Royal Opera House, Mumbai India), and The Bremen Town Musicians (Canadian Opera Company). In 2017, she concluded a five-season term as Artistic Producer with b current, a Toronto-based company of 30+ years dedicated to developing new Canadian performance works by BIPOC artists.

Samantha Vu

Samantha Vu (She/Her) is a multidisciplinary performer and producer. Growing up in the beautiful mountain-lined town of Calgary, Alberta, Samantha fostered a love for all things performance from a very young age. Samantha is a do-it-all artist who is always ready to take on new challenges, play and learn. Samantha is passionate about being a part of projects that have a meaningful impact on the community. After graduating from Randolph College for the Performing Arts, Samantha quickly became immersed in the Toronto Theatre world. Samantha has worked for many companies around Toronto including The Theatre Centre, Groundling Theatre, Modern Times Stage Company, Aluna Theatre, Red Betty Theatre, Tarragon Theatre, and Nightwood Theatre. Aside from theatre Samantha loves music, photography, beautiful things, mountain climbing, fancy food, and is a hopeless romantic and adventurer! Peruse her website www.samanthaavu.com or follow her @sam.vuu!

Marcel Stewart

Marcel is a father, award-winning theatre maker, director, writer, educator, and arts administrator who serves as an Associate Artist for FOLDA (Festival of Live Digital Art). Marcel's curiosity about history and lineage - beyond the context of colonialism - is at the basis of his artistic practice. He holds a degree in Dramatic Arts from Brock University, was a member of the Soulpepper Academy, and completed the Theatre Enhancement Program (as a Directing Foreman) through Factory Theatre. Some of Marcel’s Acting Credits include: The Brothers Size (Soulpepper); The Drawer Boy (Festival Players); Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (Soulpepper); Father Comes Home From the Wars (Soulpepper); We Are Proud To Present… (The Theatre Centre); Toronto the Good (Factory Theatre). Marcel has directed the podcast play Toronto Pigeons (Factory Theatre); the digital play Meet Chloe (Carousel Players) and the live theatre production of Serving Elizabeth (Thousand Islands Playhouse). Marcel often returns to the questions: Who am I? How am I? How did I get here? Who have I lost? What is my purpose?

Flávia F. Martin

Flávia F. Martin (she/her) is a Portuguese Assistant Stage Manager making her debut as the production manager for Blackberry with Red Betty Theatre. In the fall she will be returning to working as the assistant stage manager for Beautiful Renegades with Peggy Baker’s Dance Company. Other past credits include The House of Bernarda Alba (Modern Times and Aluna Theatre), Songs for a New World (Randolph College For the Performing Arts), Lätt Lûtf (Teatro de Creación Remota), Never In the Room (Mixed Company Theatre) and The Cherry Orchard (Modern Times Theatre). Flávia would like to thank Red Betty Theatre for giving her the opportunity to try out this new role.

César el Hayeck

César el Hayeck is a production designer recently re-established in Toronto, after a successful career in Dubai and the MENA region. His experience in the film industry spans over a decade and across different formats, such as commercials, feature films and televised series. Recently graduated from York University with an MFA in Design for performing arts, he is seeking new challenging projects and endeavors in both theatre and film.

Chris-Liz

Hello! My name is Chris-Liz and I’m a multi-disciplinary storyteller with a focus in music, sound, poetry and theatre. I have a deep interest in our inner world: the thoughts we’re afraid to think, the sounds we only hear when it’s too quiet, and our relationship to control. Recent credits include: House Key Project (Sound Designer/Engineer) with Porchlight Theatre, Three Ordinary Men (Sound Designer/Composer) with Cahoots Theatre, Morning After (Sound Designer) with Indomitus Theatre. Insert Clown Here(Sound/Lighting Designer with Precipice Productions ), Balance (Producer) at Toronto Fringe Festival, The Reaper & The Whale (Playwright, Co-director at Davis Shakespeare Festival.

Abriana Lashley

Abriana Lashley is a Barbadian Performing Artist and an emerging Arts Administrator, currently residing in Toronto. She is a recent graduate of York University, holding a BFA in Theatre specializing in Performance, Creation, and Research in Fall 2021. While at York she served as the President of V-Day at York and the Theatre Students Association as well as Student Council. Abriana recently worked with The Musical Stage Company as a Production Coordinator for their Marquee Season, and is currently a Front of House Representative for the 2022 Toronto Fringe Festival. She is excited to bring together young IBPOC communities in Hamilton to hear and share in this important story.

Samantha Wu

Samantha Wu is a writer, editor, and photographer with a background in journalism and theatre. Formerly an editor for Mooney on Theatre, she now writes for Broadway World and Parton & Pearl. She also writes about and shoots live music for The Spill Magazine. She is a proud advocate for BIPOC individuals in the arts and a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. She can be found on Instagram at @says_samanthawu.

Lea Kaplan

Lea is a graphic designer, writer, creative storyteller, and purveyor of the arts. Whether she's making something by hand, on the computer, or in her imagination, Lea believes in a world where beauty and practically go hand-in-hand. As part of Blackberry, it is Lea's job to create the poster, program, and marketing materials that make the sweet story come alive before the actors ever grace the stage. She is proud to be a part of this lovely community and to tell stories that matter. She is a recent graduate from the University of Guelph and is just starting to make her way into the theatre world. She is thrilled to get the opportunity to work on this show with an amazingly talented group of people!