Andrew Phoenix – Co-creator, Director, Set Designer, and Puppet Designer

Andrew (he/him) is a theatre creator, actor, director, teacher, producer, builder, designer, and Co-Founding Artistic Director of WONDERHEADS Theatre. Motivated by a passion for collaborative theatre-making, he completed his BFA at Texas State University before relocating to Northern California to attend the Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theatre. At Dell’Arte, he earned his MFA in Ensemble Based Theatre and discovered his love for mask performance. He worked across a range of roles in acting and set carpentry until 2009 when he teamed up with Kate Braidwood to create 'Grim and Fischer,’ marking the inception of WONDERHEADS. The company has since produced five award-winning productions that tour to performing arts centres and festivals throughout Canada, the US, and beyond. When not on the road with WONDERHEADS, Andrew can often be seen walking his dog Charlie through the streets of Victoria, BC.

Kate Braidwood – Co-creator, Assistant Director, Mask Designer, Puppet Designer, Sound Designer, and Cast (Ebenezer Scrooge)

Kate (she/her) is a theatre deviser, performer, director, mask maker, sound designer, teacher, producer, and Co-Founding Artistic Director of WONDERHEADS Theatre. Kate holds an MFA in Ensemble-Based Physical Theatre from the Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theatre and a BFA in Acting from the University of Victoria. In 2009 she co-founded WONDERHEADS with Andrew Phoenix and she is a lead contributor to the company’s devising process, as well as a principal performer and the company’s mask maker and sound designer. With WONDERHEADS she has created and toured five productions throughout North America: Grim and Fischer, LOON, The Middle of Everywhere, The Wilds, and A WONDERHEADS Christmas Carol.

Peter Balkwill – Dramaturgical Collaborator

Pete is one of the founding co-artistic directors of the Old Trout Puppet Workshop in Calgary. He is also the founder and co-education/artistic director of the Canadian Academy of Mask and Puppetry…and he is also an Associate Professor of Drama at the School for Creative and Performing Arts at the University of Calgary. He has known the WONDERHEADS since their early work emerging out of Blue Lake, and can recall bellowing at Kate in 3rd year movement class at UVic where he utilized the immortal words of Kaz – “just go like bloody hell!”

Jessica Hickman – Devising Collaborator, Props Designer, and Understudy

Jessica Hickman lives in Esquimalt, BC and is a director, choreographer, teacher, performer, and puppet maker. In 2019, Jessica was honoured to perform and collaborate with the Heads for the premiere of A WONDERHEADS Christmas Carol and tour with the show for four years. She is thrilled to pass the torch along to a new performer and happy to be supporting as understudy! Jessica is the Co-Artistic Director of Open Pit Theatre: Busted Up: A Yukon Story (Belfry Spark Festival), Trophy Hunt (Victoria Fringe), and Radio Silence (Intrepid).  www.jessicahickman.net

Sarah Robertson – Cast (Coroner, Townsperson, Mrs. Cratchit, Mrs. Fezziwig, The Ghost of Christmas Past)

Sarah Robertson is a multidisciplinary performer with a background in theatre, dance, mask, and clown. A graduate of Rosebud School of the Arts and a protégée of the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Mentorship Program, her past credits include Every Brilliant Thing (Rosebud/Burnt Thicket Theatre), Radio Silence (Open Pit Theatre), The Skin of Our Teeth; The Miracle Worker; The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe (Rosebud Theatre), Proof (Leonard’s Corner Productions), Dr. Frankenbean’s Halloween and other science demos (TELUS SPARK Science Centre). This is her fourth A WONDERHEADS Christmas Carol, and she considers herself downright lucky to be in on the magic!

Pedro M. Siqueira – Cast (Bob Cratchit, Townsperson, Mr. Fezziwig, The Ghost of Christmas Present)

Pedro M. Siqueira is a Brazilian actor, musician, dancer and producer currently based in Victoria, BC. He has been working on and off camera as an actor, and he feels very honoured to be able to work with the WONDERHEADS again. Latest artistic theatre credits include 9 to 5: The Musical (Chemainus Theatre Festival), The Wilds (WONDERHEADS). You will see Pedro on the upcoming production of If You Could Read My Mind: The Songs of Gordon Lightfoot (Belfry Theatre). Instagram: @pedro.msiqueira

Emily Case – Cast (Marley, Townsperson, Fred, Tiny Tim, Belle, The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come)

Emily Case (she/her) is a Vancouver based artist, grateful to have the opportunity to work and live on the unceded and ancestral land of Esquimalt and Songhees Nations, and Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. She is a graduate of Studio 58. She has been performing since her wee years in shows such as Like It Or Not (Zoey), Urinetown: The Musical (Little Sally), and Anonymous (Calista). She is thrilled to be back working with the WONDERHEADS again this year. She wishes you all a very happy holiday, especially her incredibly supportive friends and family.

The Singer and the Songwriter – Composers/Musicians

The Singer and The Songwriter is the musical duo of queer, Xicanx vocalist/songwriter/poet Rachel Garcia, and Vietnamese-American guitarist/songwriter Thu Tran. Their multi-cultural backgrounds bring depth and diversity to the rich tradition of American folk music. Since 2009, they’ve released 5 critically acclaimed music collections (including 2023’s In The Bleak Midwinter, a holiday album including music from A WONDERHEADS Christmas Carol), performed hundreds of shows across the US, and had their music placed in television and commercials. In 2022, they were named finalists at the prestigious Kerrville Folk Festival’s New Folk Song Competition, as well as the 21st Annual NewSong Competition in Asheville, NC. They currently live in the California Bay Area. www.thesingerandthesongwriter.com

Katerina Sokyrko – Stage Manager and Sound Operator

Katerina Sokyrko is thrilled to be stage managing her first WONDERHEADS show!  Her home base is Victoria, BC, but she works as a stage manager and ASM across Canada. Recent shows include Jersey Boys, Anne of Green Gables (Charlottetown Festival); Hurry Hard (Chemainus Theatre Festival); Hamlet-911 (Stratford Festival); Snow White, Selfie (Young People’s Theatre); Cabaret (Grand Theatre); Onion Skins and Peach Fuzz, The Real McCoy, Liars at a Funeral, Jumbo, The Team on the Hill (Blyth Festival); and 13 operas with Pacific Opera Victoria.  

Chelsea MacEwan – Cast (Understudy), Assistant Stage Manager

Chelsea is a local theatre artist/dance instructor from Sidney, BC. She graduated from The Canadian College of Performing Arts' “Company C” program in 2020. It was at CCPA that she found her own artistic voice which has led her to create many artistic works of her own; including two mini-musicals. She has worked and danced across BC, and most recently has been seen onstage performing and creating with Victoria's Atomic Vaudeville. She has also danced in Seattle, Portland, and Disneyland. She is so excited to be involved in the magic that is A WONDERHEADS Christmas Carol.

Hilary Britton-Foster – Lighting Designer, Head LX

Hilary has been immersed in technical theatre for over a decade, honing her skills as a passionate and innovative lighting designer. A longtime admirer of WONDERHEADS, she is thrilled to join the team and bring her creative vision to a production she has cherished for years. This opportunity marks a meaningful milestone in her career, and she looks forward to collaborating with the WONDERHEADS team to bring their vision to life. She hopes you enjoy the magic of A WONDERHEADS Christmas Carol - and reminds you to leave the “Bah, humbug!” to Scrooge!

Jason King – Projection Designer

When he’s not shooting photos and videos for Camosun College, Jason works as the Technical Director for Langham Court Theatre and Stage Manager and Projection Designer for Ballet Victoria. Other projects this season include projection design on 39 Steps with First Impressions Theatre and Cinderella: A Magical Pantomime with the Deep Cove Stage Society in Vancouver, as well as Anastasia: The Musical with the Yavapai College of Performing Arts Department in Prescott, Arizona.

Hannah Case – Costume Designer

Hannah is a designer and illustrator based in Vancouver, BC. She has designed costumes for Zee Zee Theatre, Touchstone Theatre, Ruby Slipper Theatre, and Outpost 31. She enjoys telling tales of the spooky and supernatural, and is thankful for the chance to help spin this timeless story with the WONDERHEADS!

Hannah Ockenden – Costume Designer

Hannah is always happy to work with the delightful team that makes up WONDERHEADS. As a multidisciplinary artist Hannah has had the eye-opening joy of working in many settings and countries. Some costuming highlights over the years include several seasons for The Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival, Radio Silence for Open Pit Theatre, working with students on several productions at The Canadian College of Performing Arts, and more recently The Funeral Plot with Bragi Theatre. She hopes you enjoy this show as much as she always enjoys working on it!

Christache Ross – Character Illustrator (Cratchit family portrait, Locket, Letters)

Christache is an artist, an actor and a teacher. With a background in theatre, he has a special love for collaborating on creative projects that combine visual art with highly aesthetic performing artists like the Wonderheads. He lives in Vancouver with his partner and 3 cats. Online at www.christache.com