Meet the Bohemians
Justin Myles (Roger)
He/Him
This is Justin's debut with both Theatre Outré & LMT. He has returned from a ten-year hiatus for a serendipitous dip back into the dramatic world he once called his own. His gratitude blooms in abundance for every day of welcoming work with so thoughtful and generous a director and team, as well as the resplendent joy on offer from his talented castmates. He's supported on this journey by the love of two rabble-rousing dogs and his steadfast co-pilot Ava. When not performing he can be found playing cards at his local game store or propagandizing the perfection of Bob Fosse's 1969 film directorial debut musical Sweet Charity.
Samuel Kliever (Mark)
He/Him
Sam is a local Lethbridge musical theatre actor and working professional who loves to sing, dance, and act. He has played roles in Little Women, Newsies, and Footloose, and is looking forward to working with New West Theatre for their upcoming holiday review show this Christmas. Sam hopes to continue developing his career in Musical Theatre as he graduates this year from the University of Lethbridge and dives into the professional theatre scene!
Sebastien Curran (Ensemble - Homeless Man, & Mark Understudy)
He/Him
Sebastien is currently a second year student in Music/Psychology at the University of Lethbridge. Recent credits include: Professor Plum (Clue); Duke (Nice Work, Carriage House Theatre); Lucas (Addams Family, Strathmore Theatre Players); and numerous ensemble roles in shows such as Sweeney Todd (Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra), Dogfight (Little Lethbridge Opera Theatre), and Tuck Everlasting (Carriage House Theatre). In addition to performing in stage productions, Sebastien has also been successful on the competition stage, earning 3rd place at the 2025 Canada West Performing Arts Festival, and continues to be recognized at the local and provincial level. Additionally, Sebastien will be performing alongside Tanner Lapointe, Makaylah Mtasi, and Jaimee Jarvie in the 2026 Christmas by Candlelight. He never thought he would have the opportunity to be in a production of Rent, and, as a queer man, is beyond grateful to be a part of such a talented company and beautiful story!
Jordan Payne-Hunter (Ensemble - Support Group Leader, & Collins Understudy)
They/Them
Jordan is a queer theatre artist from Lethbridge. They graduated in 18' with a BFA in Performance and have been incredibly fortunate to have many opportunities to participate in theatre since! Select credits include "King Lear" (LSPS), "Hedwig" (Outré) and "333" (Outré).
Maxwell Gilchrist (Ensemble - Gordon, & Angel Understudy)
He/They
Maxwell graduated with a BA in Musical Theatre from Weber State University and has attended Actor's Therapy and Open Jar Institute workshops in New York. Maxwell works as an actor, director, and choreographer. Recent credits include: Tuck Everlasting, Sweeney Todd, Mamma Mia, and How to Succeed to name a few. You are most likely to find Maxwell at the Carriage House Theatre in Cardston Alberta.
Monty Lewis-Russell (Ensemble & Benny Understudy)
They/Them
Monty has always loved Rent and is so excited to be apart of this show! They love performing and just recently finished playing the role Billy, in the musical Nice Work If You Can Get It at Carriage House Theatre Summer Festival. Also shout out to my beautiful girlfriend Kaaya who has helped keep the ball rolling!
Zoë Lewis-Russell (Ensemble & Mimi Understudy)
She/They
Zoë (She/They) has been performing since the age of 5 and has been most fortunate enough to work with multiple different theatre companies including, Lethbridge's Playgoers Society, New West Theater, the Little Lethbridge Opera Company, and Cardston's Carriage House Theater. More recent roles have been Winnie Foster in Tuck Everlasting, Hedy LaRue in Nice Work if You Can Get It.., Beth March in Little Women, LadyBug in James and the Giant Peach, and Gingy in Shrek the Musical. They are so excited to finally work with LMT and Theatre Outré and learn from such an amazing cast and crew. (@zoewda2dots on all socials).
Katie Fellger (Ensemble - Alexi Darling, & Joanne Understudy)
She/They
Katie is a Lethbridge-based performer and silly person with a BSc in Psychology. They've been professionally acting since 2019 and have been featured in every single one of New West Theatre's revue shows since. You can also find them performing improv with Theatre Outré or as local drag and burlesque icon, Dunkin Pleasure. Select credits: Yitzhak; Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Theatre Outré), Helen; Carrie the Musical (U Lethbridge), Sarah; The Birds and the Bees, Millennium, Decades, Elf the Musical (NWT).
Darian Bagnall (Ensemble - Mrs. Cohen, & Maureen Understudy)
She/Her
Darian (she/her) is an ADAPT certified dance teacher who works as a choreographer, performer, stage manager, and assistant director. Recent local credits include Dogfight (Rose), Sweeney Todd (Assistant Director, Choreographer, Stage Manager, Onstage Ensemble), To Fran With Love, and Fiddler On the Roof (Hodel, Choreographer). She has been a diehard RENT fan since she was a kid and is so excited to get the chance to share this story with Lethbridge!
Alex Watz (Ensemble - Pam, Joanne's Mom)
They/Them
Alex is very excited to be returning to the stage for RENT! A graduate of the BFA Dramatic Arts program at the U of L they have their hands in many theatrical pots including Acting, Directing, playwriting, and Costume Design. Their recent credits include Eurydice in The Barely Wives Club and Elaine in The Graduate. You can find them on stage next this February for (in)tension, a queer devised show they have created with their theatre partner.
Braden Dalton (Ensemble - Thug, The Man, Mr. Grey, Pastor)
He/Him
When not on stage in RENT, Braden can be found in his classroom or the Knights of Columbus Eggplant Theatre as a Fine Arts and languages teacher at Catholic Central High School. He currently serves as department head and director of the school’s annual spring production of “Into the Woods,” premiering in March 2027. Past directing and acting credits include “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” “Mamma Mia!,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “The Addams Family,” and “Matilda.” His passion for theatre began after his high school English teacher forced him to audition; the rest is history currently being written. Thank you to everyone on the RENT team for making this truly a season of love, to his family and friends for being his support group, and to the audience for celebrating our performance on no day but today.
Ethan Anderson (Ensemble)
He/Him
Ethan is very excited for his first on-stage role out of High School! He is currently enrolled in the University of Lethbridge Cinema and Media Studies program. Previous credits include Shrek: The Musical and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
Hannah Suzuki (Ensemble)
She/Her
Hannah is beyond ecstatic to be a part of Rent and sob her way through the show every night. She had the pleasure to continue theatre through university, including musicals such as Little Women, Newsies, Rock the Halls, Footloose, and looks forward to being in Oliver! in January. No day but today!
Kinley Lathan (Ensemble)
Any Pronouns
Born and raised in Lethbridge, Kinley has always been a lover of theatre and performing. When they’re not working as a full time baker, they love to perform in drag and burlesque under the stage name “Pumpkin”. After taking a musical theatre hiatus in 2018, they are ecstatic to be joining Lethbridge Musical Theatre for Rent!
Makaylah Mtasi (Ensemble)
She/Her
Makaylah Mtasi is a local singer/artist and is so excited to join this production of RENT! She is currently a student at the University of Lethbridge working on getting her BBA in Marketing and BA in Music. Recent credits include: Millennium - New West Theater, Once Upon a Mattress - LMT, Newsies - Phoenix Arts Co. Makaylah is so excited to bring this important story to life with an incredibly talented cast and crew alongside her. She thanks everyone involved for there constant support and hopes you enjoy this season of love:)
Robyn Kalau (Ensemble)
She/Her
As a Lethbridge born theatre kid, Robyn had her introduction to theatre at the age of 7 in LMT’s 1998 production of The Sound of Music. Since then, she has been involved with various community productions around town and is grateful each time she gets to be on stage. This show holds a special place in her heart, and she is especially honoured to be a part of it. If you know you know, and if it’s new to you, welcome to the beautifully tragic emotional roller coaster that is RENT!
Tanner Lapointe (Ensemble - Restaurant & Homeless Man)
He/Him
Tanner Lapointe (he/him) holds both a Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Education - he has been active as a performer throughout Western Canada and is a private instructor at the University of Lethbridge Conservatory of Music, where his students have been recognized on local, provincial, and national stages. In addition to performing and teaching, he is an active member of the JUNO-nominated vocal ensemble, Luminous Voices, based in Calgary.
No day but today. No cast quite like this.
Brenton Taylor (Collins)
They/Them
Performing most of his life, Brenton’s recent stage credits include Archibald Craven in The Secret Garden and Lady Bracknell in Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest. As a queer actor, playing Tom Collins in RENT is deeply meaningful to him. Collins represents the power of love, community, and resilience in the face of adversity, themes that resonate deeply with Brenton’s own life. He is honoured to help tell this story and celebrate the lives and love of a community that continues to endure.
Bryan Figueroa (Angel)
He/Him
Bryan Figueroa is a queer Latino actor based in Lethbridge, Alberta. He is a 3rd year Addictions & Mental Health Counselling and Psychology student at the University of Lethbridge. He is beyond honoured to tell this story of friendship, struggle, addiction, advocacy, and love, and to bring this unapologetic character to the stage for Lethbridge to see. Bryan is so grateful for the chosen family he has found with this cast. Recent credits include Dogfight, Sweeney Todd, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Newsies, Fiddler on the Roof, and Peter Pan: The Musical.
Carter Popielarz (Benny)
He/Him
Carter is an actor and playwright having recently graduated from the Dramatic Arts - Performance program at the University of Lethbridge. He was most recently seen as Oberon in the UofL’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Other credits include Paradise Lost, Jesus Christ Superstar, and TomorrowLove (University of Lethbridge) and Pants (TheatreXtra, Experience Theatre) As a playwright, his produced work includes Ketchup (TheatreXtra) and Honk If You’re Lonely (Experience Theatre). He is extremely grateful and excited to be part of this wonderful show with this fantastic group of people.
Laura Bran Castro (Mimi)
She/Her
Laura is a Latina actress based in Lethbridge, Alberta. She is a third-year Drama Performance major at the University of Lethbridge. Laura is beyond excited to share this beautiful show with an audience and honoured to the play the role of Mimi Marquez! Recent credits include Orlando, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Newsies, Ketchup, Footloose and Jesus Christ Superstar.
Achilles Friesen (Joanne)
They/Them
Achilles Friesen is a loud, proud, and perpetually curious University of Lethbridge graduate with a BFA in Dramatic Arts and a minor in Philosophy. A lover of all things art, Achilles is passionate about the many ways people can come together to make something unique- whether through improv, playwriting, devising, or even a touch of clown! A lifelong musical theatre lover (particularly of the rock genre!), Achilles is thrilled to be taking the stage as Joanne in RENT. When they aren't onstage themselves, Achilles can be found sharing their passion for song and dance with the next generation of performers as a youth Musical Theatre teacher with New West Theatre, now in their third year. Select credits include Algernon in FTC’s The Importance of Being Earnest, Moth in the Shakespeare Performance Society’s Love’s Labour’s Lost, and Drae in Theatre Outré’s The Sissy Duckling. Achilles is so so excited to be part of this incredible company and help bring this beautiful story of love and loss to life!
Brooke Fitzhenry (Maureen)
She/Her
Brooke Fitzhenry is a performer, teacher, and student in Lethbridge that is currently working towards getting her BFA at the University of Lethbridge. Brooke is a passionate, local, performer with recent credits including Rock the Halls, Millennium (New West Theatre), Footloose (Lethbridge Musical Theatre), Fiddler on the Roof, Dogfight (Little Lethbridge Opera), Newsies (Phoenix arts co.). She was also a dancer at Danceworks from ages 3-19 and is now working as a teacher. She is beyond thankful to be a part of this incredible cast and can’t wait to share this beautiful story with Lethbridge.
Matthew Clark (Ensemble & Roger Understudy)
He/They
Matt is new to the Lethbridge theater scene with this being their first show in the city taking on many ensemble roles and understudying Roger. Growing up in Cardston Alberta they performed in many productions in his youth and only recently returned to the stage last year. Credits include The Prince of Egypt (Aaron), Peter Pan, Beauty and the Beast, The Wizard of Oz, Oliver.
Every song carries a little piece of us.
Jillian Bracken (Keys/Conductor)
She/Her
Jillian Bracken (she/her) is an active Lethbridge-based singer and pianist recently engaged as a performer or music director with New West Theatre, Little Lethbridge Opera Theatre/Lethbridge Symphony, Theatre Outré, Lethbridge Musical Theatre, Phoenix Performing Arts Co., and at the University of Lethbridge. Jillian has previously worked with Tallahassee Little Theatre and Theatre a la Carte (Tallahassee, FL), Quincy Music Theatre (Quincy, FL), and Musical Theatre Productions (London, ON). She found her love for musical theatre performing in community productions while growing up in Lloydminster, AB, and remains an avid supporter of accessible, community-focused performance opportunities.
Bringing RENT to life in Lethbridge has been a wonderful experience from start to finish. At its core, RENT is a musical about acceptance, love, and embracing life to the fullest. The show's name says it all: we are "renting" our places in this world and we would be foolish to ever take that for granted. Working with all of talented creatives on and off stage to tell this important story has been an experience Jillian will never forget. A special shout-out goes to the amazing band that gives this production of RENT its musical wings. (Taking flight with you each night is a true honour!)
Jillian sends love and gratitude to her family: Bryn, Trudy, and James. Sharing these musical adventures with you makes them so meaningful, and your support is greatly appreciated.
Evan Schaaf (Keys/Guitar)
Josh Nicol (Guitar)
He/Him
Josh is a recent graduate from Berklee College Of Music where he studied Game and Interactive Media Scoring. He has worked as a composer on several indie game projects, and is currently working as a private music teacher at the Lethbridge Music Academy. RENT is his first program as a professional guitarist, and could not be more excited about joining the crew.
Keely Evanoff (Bass)
She/Her
Keely recently graduated from the University of Lethbridge with a bachelor in music. She plays double bass with the Lethbridge Symphony and tuba with the LCBS Gold Band. She has played electric bass for LMT’s productions of Full Monty (23’), Footloose (25’) as well as the University’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar (25’).
Lyndsay Labrecque (Drums)
She/Her
Known professionally as Rabbyt, Lyndsay is an electronic music producer and DJ with national and international accolades for sound design and visual effects design. She received the award for Best Sound Design at the International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival for Like Orpheus (2019), as well as Outstanding Projection Design in Nova Scotia for Princess Pride and Joy (2021). Lyndsay has been involved with Theatre Outré since 2015, working both onstage and behind the scenes. Her most recent theatrical performance as a drummer was Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2023). She also plays drums in the Celtic punk rock band Clover Overboard. Whether through music, dance, or theatre, Rabbyt is a familiar presence in Lethbridge’s arts community.
Meet the musicians bringing it all to life.
The People Behind the Art
It takes a village to bring the East Village to life
Deonie Hudson (Director)
She/Her
Deonie has been working theatre for more than 25 years, filling a variety of roles. She attended the University of Lethbridge where she took a BFA in Dramatic Arts focusing primarily on the technical side of theatre, making her well versed in every aspect of bringing a show to life. Deonie also worked for a number of years on the technical end of numerous touring shows such as Cats, Riverdance, Alice Cooper, Nickleback, Elton John, Motley Crue and many more. She has directed several stage shows including Blood Relations, Hairspray, Peter Pan and Hedwig and the Angry Inch. She also worked as a designer for Raymond Playhouse Theatre, Carriage House Theatre, Lethbridge Musical Theatre, Center for Indigenous Theatre, University of Lethbridge and Theatre Outré on shows such as The Wizard of Oz, Apaanii, A Streecar Named Desire, 333 and Tidus Andronicus. She also has an extensive background in costume design and construction which can regularly be seen at various Comic Conventions in addition to on stage. Deonie is currently the Resident designer for Theatre Outre where she has expanded her credits to include set, costumes, props, makeup and even on stage hosting Queer-prov monthly. She won the award for "Best Technical Aspect" at the Dublin Gay Theatre Festival for her work on Like Orpheus.
Jillian Bracken (Music Director)
She/Her
Jessica Ens (Choreographer)
She/Her
Jessica Ens is a choreographer, educator, and performer based in Lethbridge. She is thrilled to be working on Lethbridge Musical Theatre’s upcoming production of Rent. Previous LMT credits include choreography for Footloose and The Full Monty. Recent creative work includes co-vocal director and producer for Catholic Central High School’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, as well as choreographer and co-director of New West Theatre’s Soundtrack: Remixed.
Jessica teaches high school fine arts at Catholic Central and shares her love of movement with young dancers through her work with Pre-Primary, Tiny Tot, and Kinder Tot classes at VanDance Studio.
Dallas Evans (Stage Manager)
She/Her
Dallas is a recent graduate of the University of Lethbridge Dramatic Arts program. She works as a stage manager, director and budding intimacy coordinator. Select credits include Millennium, Orlando, Eurus, Romeo and Juliet, Jesus Christ Superstar, A Seussified Chrsitmas Carol and Never Swim Alone. Dallas is very excited to be a part of this show and hopes everyone enjoys and finds comfort in it.
Mackinley Miles (Assistant Stage Manager)
He/Him
Mackinley is a proud graduate of Lethbridge College (Polytechnic) from the Digital Communications & Media program! He has been working in marketing and communications roles in a wide variety of industries for the past decade. The opportunity to work on RENT has been a wonderful way for him to get back into the arts given his love of writing, especially due to the nature of the messages and themes of the project. Coming from a background in film, broadcast, and theatre paired with a desire to be a part of a community, he has loved getting to know this group of amazing and talented individuals on the cast and crew. In the future, Mackinley hopes to continue to work with them in the future.
Ash Thomson (Assistant Stage Manager)
She/They
Ash is thrilled to join the production team for RENT! A familiar face on Lethbridge stages, Ash is new to the production world. Select credits include Millennium (Co-Director, New West Theatre) and Rossum’s Universal Robots (Sound Technician, Folding Time Collective.) You can catch her back on stage this Christmas in New West Theatre’s Holiday Special. Love and gratitude to Alaya and the wolf pack!
Kirby Bartz (Costume Design)
She/Her
A self-proclaimed RENThead, Kirby has spent the last twenty years travelling to see RENT whenever the opportunity arises, catching nine productions across five cities and two countries along the way. Having spent years designing the costumes for this show in her head, she is elated to finally bring that vision to life alongside an extraordinarily talented cast and production team. RENT has been near and dear to her heart for over two decades and getting to share her love of the show with audiences in her hometown is truly a dream come true. In a fitting coincidence, RENT marks Kirby’s 30th theatre production in the show’s 30th anniversary year. Kirby has previously worked with New West Theatre and the University of Lethbridge, among others, but this is her first time working with LMT and Theatre Outre. She holds a Fashion Design and Marketing Diploma (Honours) from Lethbridge College and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Design (Honours) from the University of Lethbridge. Kirby is the owner of The Alteration Shoppe and loves working with the Lethbridge community. She was also named one of the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce’s Top 40 Under 40 this year. Thanks to Mark and the boys for all their love and support — but most importantly, “Thank you, Jonathan Larson” for this enduring story.
She/Her
Lyndsay Labrecque (Projection Design)
Megan Fennell (Props Master)
They/She
Megan Fennell (she/they) will find her way into the arts through every window and door available! When she’s not daring Theatre Outré to request a prop that she can’t build, she writes (both under her own name and as part of the dynamic duo V.F. LeSann), acts, paints, and plays Taiko drums. She is also the very proud co-editor of the recently published horror anthology ‘Carpe Noctem’.
Lee Burkes (Set Design)
Jason Eveleigh (Sound Design)
Rob Stanford (Light Design)
Brent Clark (Intimacy Choreographer)
Theatre Outré (Social Media)
Shelby Reed (Production Manager)
Tara Cryderman (Front of House Manager)
D.A. Smurlick (Set Assistant)
Lyle Boswall (Set Construction)
Leslie Van Zwol (Set Construction)
Isa Rodrigues (Sound Running Crew)
Scarlett Robichaud (Makeup/Hair Crew)
Lena Kozak (Props Running Crew)
Anna McBryan (Vocal Coach)
From our Director, with love:
30 years ago, a young playwright passed away the day his magnum opus RENT was set to premiere on Broadway. Jonathan Larson never got to see what his exploration of a group of artists struggling to find their way in the East Village against a backdrop of the growing AIDS epidemic would do to audiences around the world. The music and characters he created have resonated with people in the years since, myself included. The power of found family, the heartbreak of loss, the messiness of life and the beauty of love are what has drawn me to this show. We can see ourselves in these characters. We feel their struggles. We know their loss. We celebrate their joys. Beyond the music, this is a slice of life of what it was like for people who were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in the late 1980's/early 1990's. There was a huge stigma associated with it. People were shunned and ostracized. People were not
allowed to be with their partners in their last moments because same sex relationships were not recognized. We have chosen with this production to honor our own history of those we have lost to AIDS. Each performance, the names of the characters in the Life Support group reflect real Canadians who passed away from the disease. We recognize the world has come far but we also recognize that we still struggle with addiction, poverty, LGBTQ+ rights, and many other social issues. It has truly been an honor to lead this incredibly talented group of people through the journey to bring this production to the stage. I hope you enjoy what we have created for you. I hope you see yourself reflected in one of the characters. I hope you recognize the beauty of this show is that it is imperfect and therefore perfection in the way real life is.
To my fellow RENT-heads...Viva La Vie Boheme!
Our Amazing Sponsors
Thank you to our amazing 2026 sponsors! Without your support, we couldn't do this!
Extra Special Thanks to:
Theatre Outré, Kaela Hawker, Hummelbee Photography, New West Theatre, The DCM Program at Lethbridge Polytechnic, Stephanie Savage, Laurie & Gary Mitchell, Eddie Caruso, Aaron Luigi Villegas, Evy Dickens, Cupper's Coffee & Tea, Gas King Lethbridge, PepsiCo, Frito Lay, The City of Lethbridge & Yates Theatre Staff, Daniel Hennessey, David Burton, Jessica Ens, and Erin Richards.