Programme: Once

Guy – Mark O’Reilly

Mark O’Reilly is thrilled to make his stage debut in Once. As a first-time theatrical performer, Mark is immensely grateful for the patience, grace, and incredible heart & soul of his fellow cast and crew, and is honoured to share the stage with such a talented group of wonderful people.

Girl – Miriam Veugelers

Miriam is overjoyed to be making her Walterdale debut as Girl in Once. A recent graduate of MacEwan University, her favourite roles include Yvonne in Sunday in the Park with George, and Mrs. Tottendale in The Drowsy Chaperone (MacEwan University). She teaches performing arts in Edmonton and Sherwood Park.

Billy – Colin Stewart

Colin is grateful to be back on the Walterdale stage: Once is a story that is very near and dear to my heart, it shows us that sometimes all a person needs to do something amazing is for someone to believe in them. If you’re trying to do something amazing, I believe in YOU.

Da – Jeremy Zimmerman

Jeremey is a lifelong Edmontonian who is very excited to be part of the cast of Once. This show has reminded him of the importance of community, the power of music, and the joy of collaboration. Jeremey wants to thank YOU for coming out to support local theatre in Edmonton. 

Ex-Girlfriend – Ivy Ling

Ivy has always dreamt of being an actor-musician in a show like Once. Walterdale credits include Jenny Pang/Erhu Player in King of the Yees, and Assistant Music Director/Keyboard in Austentatious. Ivy sends love to her family and friends. She can’t wait to share this beautiful story with you.

Andrej – Brendan Smith

Brendan is originally from Brantford, Ontario and has been involved with music his whole life. He discovered a new passion in musical theatre debuting in Spamalot in 2019. Brendan is thrilled to get the chance to perform his second show with Walterdale. He would like to thank his family, friends, and music teachers for their support. 

Réza – Sophie Pickett

Sophie is a vocalist, violinist, and actor. She has just finished her second year of musical theater at MacEwan University, but is switching to become a music major. She is excited to get the opportunity to work with such a talented cast and hard-working crew. 

Švec – Chance Heck

Chance is excited to be ending a long hiatus from performing. You’d last have seen him doing repertory Shakespeare in The Winter Shakespeare Festival (The Malachites) and Bard on Bower (Primestock Theatre Co.). His bread and butter is in the realm of fight choreography—he’s recently served as fight coordinator for New Works Festival (2024, 2025) and he’s been choreographing and teaching workshops since 2012.

Baruška – Sally Hunt

Sally is a music director and theatre educator. Recent projects as music director and conductor include Amélie, Miracle on 34^th Street and Matilda Jr.  Favourite Walterdale projects include The Threepenny Opera, Chess, Nine and next to normal. Sally teaches musical theatre at the Citadel Theatre’s Foote Theatre School.

Bank Manager, Set Designer, and Master Builder – Edward Medeiros

After spending recent years working behind the scenes as Director and Production Manager, Edward Medeiros returns to the stage as the Bank Manager in Once. Recent roles include Lefou in Beauty and the Beast, Andrew McLeran in Brigadoon, and Tom Buchanan in The Great Gatsby. He also designed and built the set, proving he has trouble saying “no” to theatre.

Eamon – Cody Boyko

Cody is making his theatre debut in Once and is having a fantastic time. A regular musician in his church band, he brings his love of music—and several instruments—to the stage. When the score calls for the low notes, Cody is always ready to deliver. He hopes you enjoy the show!

Ivanka – Anna DuVal

After performing in many youth theatre productions, Anna is thrilled to be in their first production with adults and an intermission! Anna loves theatre and is so excited to play Ivanka in Once! They thank their mom, dad, and sister for their endless support.

Ivanka – Hailee Keller

Hailee is excited for her first show at the Walterdale Theatre with such an amazing, fun, and talented team. Hailee loves musical theatre, performing, making new friends, and swimming/diving. She feels extremely blessed and thankful for the support of her family, friends, and teachers/instructors. 

Bahar Abhari – Sound Operator

Bahar is a PhD student in Education with a background in Fine Arts. She is currently working as a Sound Operator for Once, where she enjoys being part of the creative team behind the scenes. She loves combining creativity, collaboration, and learning, and is always excited to contribute to meaningful artistic and educational experiences.

Matthew Baker – Sound Designer

Matthew is extremely excited to be serving as Sound Designer for Once! Come see the amazing show that this talented cast, band, and crew has put on. He hopes you enjoy! Recent Sound Design Credits: Waiting For The Parade (Walterdale Theatre) and FC2S Festival (Walterdale Theatre).

Jordan Campion – Assistant Director and Social Media Content Creator

Jordan is an Edmonton-born mixed European and Indigenous artist and an alumna of the J. H. Picard Fine Arts program, where she began studying stage management. Once is her directorial debut. She would like to thank Bethany for her invaluable mentorship and the cast and crew for being so supportive.

Rebecca Cave – Lighting Operator

Rebecca Cave has been working with Walterdale for nearly nine years and is as thrilled as ever to be a part of this production of Once. She’s delighted to be working with such a committed and considerate cast and crew, and hopes you enjoy the show!

Rachel Haverkamp – Musical Director and Properties Master

Rachel is a Fort Saskatchewan based creative who performs, directs, conducts, designs and more. She is thrilled to be a part of Once as Music Director and Props Master. The music of Once is woven so deeply into the heart of the story. A story about human connection, hope, and the transformative power of music. A reminder of how art can help us find one another in moments of joy, loss, and possibility. It has been a privilege to help bring this remarkable production to the stage. She hopes you enjoy the show.

Bethany Hughes – Director

Bethany Hughes (she/her) is a theatre artist and leader, former Artistic Director of Walterdale Theatre and co-founder of Straight Edge Theatre. Her work includes Assistant Directing Every Brilliant Thing (Citadel Theatre} and The Look (Northern Light Theatre). She sends her love to her “Sunlight Like Gold” and her “Moonbeam”

Sarah Karpyshin – Lighting Designer

Sarah is a theatre design bachelor graduate from the University of Alberta. For the past 12 years Sarah has been working as a freelance theatre designer internationally and for the past 4 years Sarah has been privileged to be the head of props for the Citadel Theatre.

Samantha Ketsa – Choreographer, Intimacy Specialist, and Understudy

Samantha (she/they) is the Artistic Director of multidisciplinary collective Baker Miller Pink. Samantha received her BFA in Dance (University of Calgary). Recent works include Assassins (Uniform Theatre), I’m Gonna Marry You Tobey Maguire, Petrichor, The Painter & The Lake, and (Taylor’s Version) (BMP). Miluji těbe to this team, and Binx.

Julieanna Lazowski – Costume Designer

Julieanna is thrilled to be back at Walterdale. Previously, she was Costume Designer for The Great Gatsby and Boeing Boeing. She is also known for her work with Festival Players’ Charlie & The Chocolate Factory, Cinderella, Narnia, and Alice in Wonderland.

Kamila Moquin – Czech Cultural Consultant

“I am always serious – I am Czech”. Kamila is a Czech-Canadian living in Edmonton and enthusiastic about any activity to bring Czech culture to a broad audience. Involved in activities of the Czechoslovak Society of Arts and Sciences since 2005 and recently with the Czech Heritage Language Society of Edmonton.

Nicole Pontikes – Assistant Stage Manager

Nicole Pontikes (she/her) is an Edmonton-based creative. She holds a BA in Sociology from the University of British Columbia. Stage Manager: The Painter and the Lake, Delta (Baker Miller Pink). Assistant Stage Manager: Fool’s Gold (Light in the Attic). Co-creator: The Witches (Fringe 2025).

Jasper Poole – Live Sound Operator

Bio coming soon!

Cameron Sheehan – Stage Manager

After working on many shows, Cameron is excited to be making their debut as a Stage Manager with Once! Entering their 3rd year of the Theatre Production BFA at MacEwan, Cameron loves theatre and the community it creates. She thanks her family, friends, and partner for their support!

Annique Shields – Assistant Master Painte

Annique is a francophone artist from Edmonton. She holds a BFA in visual art from the University of Alberta and currently works as an English teacher for Edmonton Catholic Schools. Annique is happy as punch to be set painting with other terrific artists!

Jon Shields – Production Manager

Jon is honoured to be part of such an exciting project.  Jon’s selected directing credits include last year’s Amadeus (Initium/Psychopomp), Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat, Sweeney Todd, Brigadoon, and Guys and Dolls (ELOPE) and The Crucible (Horizon Players).  Enjoy the show!

Elaine Vo – Assistant Stage Manager and Master Painter

Elaine Vo is an Artist working in Treaty 6 Territory, grateful to be part of the Once team! Credits Include: SM – Crazy 4 You (STL), DMV (fEarless Joe Theatre), Amadeus (Psychopomp Productions) The Bells (Orpheum Productions). Big thanks to her family and friends for all their love and support!