The SALON Actors are a talented group of professional actor-musicians who work year-round, writing, producing and performing original scripts and songs for the organization. The heart of SALON, these actors embody our FLUID, FLEXIBLE, PORTABLE Mantra. In this organic, creative fashion, the actors produce plays, vignettes, musicals, walking tours, and full-scale productions for theatre, schools, community halls, shopping centres, parks, and on the streets of Kingston.
Paul Dyck is an actor and musician who grew up in St. Catharines, ON. He is enthused to be ongoing contributor to SALON Theatre over the past two years here in Kingston, the city he currently calls home. Recently graduating from Queen’s University with an honours degree in Drama, Paul has previously starred in The Laramie Project and The Ugly One with Fifth Company Lane Productions and Glengarry Glen Ross with Blue Canoe Productions. Paul also independently produced, directed, and acted in an environmental theatre rendition of Jim Garrad’s Getting Even. He was also in the locally shot independent short film Peculiar Mrs. Perkins that has gone on to honours at the Kingston Canadian Film Festival, Picton Picture Fest, and the Buffalo Film Festival in 2011 and has just recently starred in the independent American-produced short film The Hollow Men (post-production). Paul is extremely excited to be bringing Canadian history to life once again as he joins the cast of SALON Theatre on the road across Canada. In his spare time Paul plays drums and writes in the Kingston-based band Sweet Jets. Paul would also like to extend hearty thank you to Jim and Art as well as his family, friends, and cast mates that have been there for him along the way with love and support.
Anna Sudac is overjoyed at the opportunity to compose a bio for SALON Theatre. She discovered her bio writing skills at an early age, in her hometown of Kingston, where she appeared in many musicals at the Grand Theatre and KCVI. These skills were further developed at Sheridan College’s Music Theatre Performance program, where Anna learned, among other things, that a bio should be concise and comprehensive. Since graduating and moving to Toronto, Anna’s bio writing has been featured in a wide variety of programmes, pamphlets, websites and posters promoting her involvement in musicals, sketch comedy shows, music festivals, weekly bar residencies, play readings and sometimes she just writes bios for fun. Anna is a proud friend of SALON Theatre, and SirJohnA2015.ca is grateful for the wonderful support from all of our partners. SirJohnA2015.ca is supported by all levels of government, corporations, foundations, private donors, media partners, volunteers and advocates.. Love and thanks to everyone involved in this production (and those that came before it!), to Jim Garrard, and to the city of Kingston.
Jesse MacMillan comes from a family of performers and grew up within the arts world in Toronto and he has continued to expand his musical repertoire and artistic skill set ever since. After attending Humber College for Film and Television Production, Jesse has had short films shown at The After Dark Film Festival and The London Short Film Festival where his film Sea Shells won Best Story and Audience Choice in 2011. While following his passion for performance, Jesse continually strives to learn new musical instruments and has played with many musical groups from bluegrass and country bands to his current band, Twin Smith. Being part of SALON Theatre Company has been a wonderful experience and Jesse feels privileged to be involved with such a talented group of performers and crew.
Patrick Downes is an actor, writer, director, and educator who was born at Kingston General Hospital, and has spent the past 22 years based here in Kingston. This past year he graduated with an honours degree in Stage & Screen from Queen’s University, and is presently pursuing a Bachelor of Education, also at Queen’s. Patrick has worked in myriad aspects of theatre and film. Notable credits include; sound and video design for Fifth Company Lane’s The Laramie Project, acting in and directing shows with Queen’s Players, the award-winning, short subject documentary Mom & Dad, and designing, producing, and directing an independent production of Jim Garrard’s Getting Even. Having always been passionate about history in general, Patrick is excited to continue Canadian history education through the arts, and is looking forward to creating new liaisons between teaching and artistic professions. He eagerly awaits the new season, and is looking forward to new material, creations, and historical tidbits!
Lauren Casselman is the newest member of Salon Theatre Productions, having found the company by chance after moving to Kingston last fall. She is a graduate of Carleton University with a Bachelor of Music, majoring in vocal performance. She grew up doing local amateur theatre in her hometown of Winchester, Ontario and from there moved onto productions in Kemptville and Ottawa. Her most noted roles include Miep Geis in The Diary of Anne Frank, Myrtle Mae Simmons in Harvey, Fiona in Shrek and the Ghost of Christmas Present in A Christmas Carol: The Musical. She has competed in many opera, musical theater, and pop vocal competitions, and enjoys performing for charity events and weddings. For three years she worked as a historical musician at Upper Canada Village in Morrisburg. Interpreting history and performing in the Travelling Tilton show, a 1860’s minstrel troupe performing stand-up comedy, melodrama, singing, and instrumental music. Off stage, Lauren acted as the assistant musical director for Orpheus Musical Theatre’s production of White Christmas and has directed two youth musicals with the Dundas County Players. Last year she has also created and lead several youth musical theatre camps near Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. When Lauren isn’t singing, you can find her on her bicycle, at the gym, or drinking tea and knitting in the sunshine.