Meet the Freedom 85
Creative Team
DEBRA HALE
Freedom 85 Actor/Playwright
Debra's extensive theatre career includes the two-actor shows Sexy Laundry (1000 Islands Playhouse) and Norm Foster's Storm Warning (Lighthouse, Theatre In Port, and Toronto's Walmer Centre). She also starred in the comedy Something Drastic (Tarragon Extra Space) and leapt into the role of Constance Ledbelly in Goodnight Desdemona, Good Morning Juliet (Magnus Theatre). On the serious side -- Debra shone in the title role in Shaw's Annajanska's (Factory Studio) and as spicy Ginger Reed in Lanford Wilson's Book of Days (Toronto). In addition to numerous other theatre credits throughout Toronto and across Ontario, Debra has appeared in a recurring role on CBC's Wind at My Back, as well as in dozens of commercials and in several independent films. A performance storyteller, has also penned and produced three scripts for stage -- the edge-of-your-seat thriller I Won't Tell a Soul, the comedic Heads Will Roll,and the poignant, yet quirky, multi-character Freedom 85 now touring Ontario theatres.
Freedom 85 Actor/Playwright
Debra's extensive theatre career includes the two-actor shows Sexy Laundry (1000 Islands Playhouse) and Norm Foster's Storm Warning (Lighthouse, Theatre In Port, and Toronto's Walmer Centre). She also starred in the comedy Something Drastic (Tarragon Extra Space) and leapt into the role of Constance Ledbelly in Goodnight Desdemona, Good Morning Juliet (Magnus Theatre). On the serious side -- Debra shone in the title role in Shaw's Annajanska's (Factory Studio) and as spicy Ginger Reed in Lanford Wilson's Book of Days (Toronto). In addition to numerous other theatre credits throughout Toronto and across Ontario, Debra has appeared in a recurring role on CBC's Wind at My Back, as well as in dozens of commercials and in several independent films. A performance storyteller, has also penned and produced three scripts for stage -- the edge-of-your-seat thriller I Won't Tell a Soul, the comedic Heads Will Roll,and the poignant, yet quirky, multi-character Freedom 85 now touring Ontario theatres.
ANDREA RISK
Freedom 85 Actor
Some of Andrea's favourite stage credits include Jacqueline in Don't Dress for Dinner and Mary in the Canadian premiere of Caught in the Net with Trevor Bannister (Victoria Playhouse Petrolia); Judy/Mother in The Uninvited Guest (Tarragon's Extra Space); Lucienne in A Flea in Her Ear (Drayton Festival); Maria in Lend Me a Tenor (King's Warf Theatre); Judith in Boeing Boeing with Peter Scolari (Stage West); Rosemary in It Runs in the Family (St. Jacob's Schoolhouse); Susan in Bed Among the Lentils (First Stages); and over 500 performances as Barbara DeMarco in seven separate productions of Shear Madness.
Freedom 85 Actor
Some of Andrea's favourite stage credits include Jacqueline in Don't Dress for Dinner and Mary in the Canadian premiere of Caught in the Net with Trevor Bannister (Victoria Playhouse Petrolia); Judy/Mother in The Uninvited Guest (Tarragon's Extra Space); Lucienne in A Flea in Her Ear (Drayton Festival); Maria in Lend Me a Tenor (King's Warf Theatre); Judith in Boeing Boeing with Peter Scolari (Stage West); Rosemary in It Runs in the Family (St. Jacob's Schoolhouse); Susan in Bed Among the Lentils (First Stages); and over 500 performances as Barbara DeMarco in seven separate productions of Shear Madness.
KATHRYN MACKAY
Freedom 85 Director
Kathryn is an original founding member of the Thousand Islands Playhouse and currently serves as its associate artistic director. For the Playhouse, she has directed The Girl in the Goldfish Bowl (the inaugural Playhouse production for the Firehall theatre), Trying, The Drowsy Chaperone, Perfect Pie, The Red Priest and The Russian Play and Essay. Kathryn is also an associate director of Guerilla Cabaret, an international women's theatre collective comprised of artists from the UK, Canada and the US for whom she has directed Hope (New York) and Between Drinks (Los Angeles). She is the former artistic director and general manager for Theatre Kingston and her directing credits there include How I Learned to Drive, The Passion, The Shape of a Girl, Perfect Pie and The Garbage and the Flowers.
Freedom 85 Director
Kathryn is an original founding member of the Thousand Islands Playhouse and currently serves as its associate artistic director. For the Playhouse, she has directed The Girl in the Goldfish Bowl (the inaugural Playhouse production for the Firehall theatre), Trying, The Drowsy Chaperone, Perfect Pie, The Red Priest and The Russian Play and Essay. Kathryn is also an associate director of Guerilla Cabaret, an international women's theatre collective comprised of artists from the UK, Canada and the US for whom she has directed Hope (New York) and Between Drinks (Los Angeles). She is the former artistic director and general manager for Theatre Kingston and her directing credits there include How I Learned to Drive, The Passion, The Shape of a Girl, Perfect Pie and The Garbage and the Flowers.
JILLIAN REES-BROWN
Freedom 85 Stage Manager
Adding insight to her work as an actor and director, Jillian's stage management credits include To Distraction by Michael Ripley (this summer's Toronto Fringe Festival); On the Verge (Magnetic North); Rex Deverell's Across the River; and I Oughta Be In Pictures. Jillian was also production stage manager at Stephenville Festival in Newfoundland (six productions; one which she also directed) and sings with the a cappella trio Daughters of the Rock with whom she celebrates her Newfoundland heritage.
Freedom 85 Stage Manager
Adding insight to her work as an actor and director, Jillian's stage management credits include To Distraction by Michael Ripley (this summer's Toronto Fringe Festival); On the Verge (Magnetic North); Rex Deverell's Across the River; and I Oughta Be In Pictures. Jillian was also production stage manager at Stephenville Festival in Newfoundland (six productions; one which she also directed) and sings with the a cappella trio Daughters of the Rock with whom she celebrates her Newfoundland heritage.
JENNIFER KASPER
HI-D Theatre Production Manager & Lighting Designer
Resident LX, SM and TD for Hi-D Theatre including Freedom 85 (New York) and Something Drastic (Tarragon), for 30 years Jennifer has been building it, lighting it and giving it sound -- mostly on cue! She has toured North America extensively and recently did the LX design for TBW's Gifts from the Heart (Courthouse Theatre).
HI-D Theatre Production Manager & Lighting Designer
Resident LX, SM and TD for Hi-D Theatre including Freedom 85 (New York) and Something Drastic (Tarragon), for 30 years Jennifer has been building it, lighting it and giving it sound -- mostly on cue! She has toured North America extensively and recently did the LX design for TBW's Gifts from the Heart (Courthouse Theatre).
STEVE COLLINS
Freedom 85 Co-producer/Media Contact
In addition to his full-time gig as supervising E.N.G. editor at CTV News, Toronto, Steve has co-produced and assisted with media relations for Something Drastic (Tarragon Extra Space) and Storm Warning (Walmer Centre Theatre).
An avid theatre-goer, Steve has an extra special connection with Freedom 85 -- the show was inspired by his mother, Sybil Collins, who was an ATS driver in WW II Britain.
Freedom 85 Co-producer/Media Contact
In addition to his full-time gig as supervising E.N.G. editor at CTV News, Toronto, Steve has co-produced and assisted with media relations for Something Drastic (Tarragon Extra Space) and Storm Warning (Walmer Centre Theatre).
An avid theatre-goer, Steve has an extra special connection with Freedom 85 -- the show was inspired by his mother, Sybil Collins, who was an ATS driver in WW II Britain.
LIZANNE MADIGAN
Hi-D Theatre Communications Consultant
Attributing much of her career success to a skill set originally honed in theatre, Lizanne is a seasoned communications and media professional with a passion for working with creative and visionary minds. An accomplished editor, writer and photographer, she is widely published in regional and national business and lifestyle publications.
Hi-D Theatre Communications Consultant
Attributing much of her career success to a skill set originally honed in theatre, Lizanne is a seasoned communications and media professional with a passion for working with creative and visionary minds. An accomplished editor, writer and photographer, she is widely published in regional and national business and lifestyle publications.
