Writer

Peter's plays have been translated into 14 languages and presented in 24 countries.

He has had two shows in London's West End and productions in many of the world's great cities, including Cape Town, Helsinki, Prague, Warsaw, Amsterdam, Montreal, Toronto, Chicago, Auckland, Melbourne and Sydney.

Peter now lives in the Canary Islands, but he was born in England, beginning his working career as a television presenter for the BBC. His first play was an all-female comedy Respecting Your Piers (published by Samuel French) and he followed this with a musical adaptation of Oscar Wilde's The Canterville Ghost which played a number one tour of the UK starring Ron Moody. The following year, he made his London West End debut with a comedy about the pop industry BoyBand. The show played a summer season at the Gielgud Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue and later enjoyed success in South Africa, Denmark and on a 60 venue tour of the Netherlands.

In 2005, Peter had his first big international hit with End of the Rainbow - a musical drama about the final months in the life of Judy Garland. It premiered to rave reviews at Sydney Opera House in Australia (winning Caroline O'Connor two Best Actress awards) and also had an award-winning run at the 2006 Edinburgh Festival. The following year, Joop van den Ende presented a new Dutch production which played to packed houses on a seven month tour and the show has since enjoyed runs in the Czech Republic, Finland, Poland and New Zealand.

Glorious! also received its debut production in 2005, opening at the Duchess Theatre in London's West End, starring the beloved comedy actress Maureen Lipman and produced by Michael Codron. Glorious! was an instant success, running for over 200 performances. It was nominated for the prestigious Laurence Olivier Award as Best New Comedy.

Glorious! made its North American debut at Theatre Calgary (starring Nicola Cavendish) and had its first foreign language production at Helsinki City Theatre, under the title Suurenmoista! It has since delighted audiences in a long and ever growing list of theatres across six continents. It is currently playing a number of different cities in Germany, Canada and the USA and in the coming year will have its first performances in Italy, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, South Africa, Croatia and Brazil.

Peter's first screenplay, The Coogan Act (a dark comedy about the world of celebrity) was recently filmed in Poland and has just been screened on state television there. He is currently promoting his new stage comedy, Duets which has been created for a cast of only two actors.

» Author's Notes

Artistic Producer

Welcome to Theatre by the Bay's seventh season. We are very excited with our stellar line-up this year. Our main production is the hilarious and inspirational musical Glorious!. This is the true life story of Florence Jenkins, an aspiring opera singer who does not let her inability to sing stop her from singing at New York's famed Carnegie Hall.

Our Young Company returns for its 6th season with the always crowd pleasing Cinderella's Magical Holiday. This year is also very special because we are introducing an intermediate company made up of some of our Young Company alumni from Barrie. They will be presenting the classic, Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, taking place outdoors in an open park, in the true form that it was intended to be played.

At Theatre by the Bay, we believe that the arts are an integral part of a strong community. With Barrie's rapid growth in population over the past few years, the arts community has also flourished. We are very proud to be a part of this exciting time in Barrie's cultural growth.

Thank you for supporting live theatre, an essential element in any community.

Associate Producer

Glenn Coulson has been a part of every aspect in the Canadian entertainment industry. His vocal group “V.I.P.” has performed all over the world to audiences of thousands. They have won a 1999 Canadian Radio Music Award for Best New Group and a 2000 Genie Award for Best Original Song. Glenn is a general partner of V.I.P.’s record label VM/Popular/EMI and for After Tuesday, his country vocal group's label ATP/Royalty Records. With After Tuesday's initial release still charting nationally at radio, Glenn is currently writing for their sophomore release with co-writers from Nashville, Vancouver and Toronto.

Glenn's TV appearances include, Mike Bullard, Canada AM, Vicki Gabereau, Muchmusic, and YTV Hit List to name a few, in 2002 he was cast in a leading role in Disney's The Music Man starring Matthew Broderick, in 2005 he was cast a leading role in the YTV/Disney TV series Monster Warriors co-starring Sean Cullen and in 2006, Glenn lent his vocal talents to the hit animated show Postcards From Buster, playing the lead character Carlos.

Glenn resides in Barrie with his wife Kareen and twin daughters Emma and Lauren. He holds great interest in promoting the continued growth of the arts in Barrie and throughout Canada happy to return as Theatre by the Bay's Associate Producer.

Associate Producer/ Administrator

Erica is excited to be Theatre By The Bay's Full time Administrator and Associate Producer for 2008! Since Erica has always had a passion to promote the educational aspect of theatre to students of all ages, she has returned to be the coordinator of the successful Shakespeare to the Classroom program for her third consecutive year.

With years of college and community theatre experience and strong conviction to arts education, Erica feels that the theatre experience is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children, nurturing the ideals of confidence, communication and bold imagination. Being involved with Theatre by the Bay in every possible way in the past, Erica is now coordinating the volunteers, Shakespeare to the Classroom program, the group tours and all box office administration duties.

While constantly busy with theatre, she still is able to make time for her husband and three beautiful and talented children. She has a fun-filled summer planned for Theatre by the Bay, looking forward to one of the best seasons yet!

Director

Allison has been Artistic Director of Theatre Athena in Waterloo for the past two seasons. She was a member of the Stratford Festival Acting Company for 7 seven seasons between 1982 and 1996, most notably as Julie Jordan in Carousel. She also appeared in many of Brian Macdonald's Gilbert and Sullivan productions.

Directing credits include: Bach at Leipzig, Private Lives, Masterclass (Theatre Athena), A Meeting of Minds (Canstage), Smokey Joe's Cafe (Stagewest Calgary), Carmen, Don Giovanni (Opera Ontario), Le Italiana in Algeri (Opera du Montreal), Cosi Fan Tutte (Vancouver Opera), Double Double, The Long Weekend, When The Reaper Calls (Showboat Festival Theatre).

Choreographic Credits: Operas and Musicals with The Canadian Opera Company, Edmonton Opera, Vancouver Opera, Florentine Opera in Milwaukee, Hawaii Opera Theatre, Kentucky Opera, Theatre London, Showboat Festival Theatre. Allison also teaches, directs and choreographs at the Opera Division of the University of Toronto.

She will be Choreographing Eugene Onegin for the Canadian Opera Company in 2008, as well as Ariodante for the University of Toronto Opera School.

Musical Director

Born in Maryland and singing ever since, Edwina sports ARCT's in both teaching & performance. Adjudication, private voice lessons, accompaniment and live performance are her cup of tea. Edwina has directed numerous music productions over the years and was the creator of Bravado!

Most recent musical director positions include Guys and Dolls (Kempenfelt Community Players) and The Music Man (KCP). This spring Edwina looks forward to her role as musical director in South Simcoe Theatre's production of Man of La Mancha. Make sure to catch her performing in Leading Ladies (aka- The Clutchbags) and her brand new high energy vocal group Marmalade.

Edwina also is thrilled with her role as musical director for Glorious! and is happy to be back for her fourth season with the Young Company in this summer season's production of Cinderella.

Set Designer

For over ten years now Tim has been producing murals and artwork for hundreds of stores, restaurants, hospitals, and hotels. He has installations from coast to coast in North America, and internationally as well. Regular clients Second Cup, Ben Moss Jewelers, Novotel, Sheraton, Cara Foods, Swiss Chalet and his newest client, McDonald’s, display his work in many of their locations.

Tim has designed and painted sets for The Gravenhurst Opera House, Touring Players Productions, The Canadian Children’s Opera Chorus, The TLN Network, Deerhurst Resort, Theatre Muskoka, The Straw Hat Players, Theatre Aquarius, and The Drayton Festival. He was also designer in residence for two seasons at the Sunshine Festival in Orillia. His artwork is prominently featured in the Art Deco restoration of the Stirling Festival Theatre.

Costume Designer

Misha is thrilled to be returning for another season with Theatre By the Bay. Her credits include: Costume Designer - Cinderella's Magical Castle (Casa Loma), Robin Hood (Theatre By the Bay - Young Company); Assistant Costume Designer - Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night's Dream, as well as costume construction and wardrobe for Much Ado About Nothing and As You Like It (Theatre By the Bay).

For the past six years, Misha has enjoyed running her local sewing business, Innovative Sewing Solutions, where she makes historical costumes as well as custom drapery and home décor.

Lighting Designer

Paul is thrilled to have the opportunity to continue to be a part of Theatre by the Bay. Paul graduated with a BFA from Ryerson University where he majored in Theatre Production; Paul has also received post graduate Certificate in Architectural Lighting Design from Ryerson University. Theatrical Lighting design credits include: Assistant Lighting Design for A Midsummer's Nights Dream, Lighting Design for Treasure Island and Robin Hood (Theatre by the Bay). Lighting Design for Mass Exodus (Ryerson School of Fashion) Lighting Design for Deathtrap (South Simcoe Theatre). Other credits include Technical Director for Romeo and Juliet and As You like It (Theatre by the Bay).

Paul is currently working for Mulvey+Banani International as an Architectural Lighting Designer. Recent architectural projects include: Windsor Casino expansion, Renaissance ROM, Bay Adelaide Centre, Telus (25 York Street), Jewish War Veterans Memorial (Toronto), Dubai Marina, (UAE) and Doha City Center (UAE).

Technical Director

Alan has been a freelance theatre and television technician since his graduation from the University of Windsor in 2003. With a bachelor's degree in Drama and Communications, Alan has had the privilege of working with such companies as Motus O dance theatre, touring as their technical director throughout Ontario, Canada's East Coast, the United States and England. He has also had the opportunity to create lighting designs for Motus O's productions of Carmina Burana, East of the Sun West of the Moon, and A Christmas Carol.

Alan has also had the opportunity to work as a lighting and stage technician for Markham Theatre for the Performing Arts, one of the busiest roadhouses in Canada. Since joining their team in 2004, Alan has been able to work on a large list of professional shows, and community shows. A couple of the most memorable have been the Smothers Brothers, and Tower of Power.

Alan lives and works in Markham. He is excited to be returning to Barrie as technical director for a third season with Theatre By The Bay, past shows included Much Ado About Nothing (2006), and Pump Boys and Dinettes (2007). Alan looking forward to another great summer and would like to thank Larissa, Nick, and the entire Theatre By The Bay family for their continued support, and employment! Oh, and he REALLY loves his job!

Stage Manager

Lindsay is honoured to be back for her fifth season with Theatre By The Bay, previous seasons include Pump Boy and the Dinettes, Much Ado About Nothing, Comedy of Errors and As You Like It. Other theatre credits include Benevolence, Wild Mouth (Tarragon) The Finger (Theatre PANIK), Escape for Happiness, Better Living, Apple (Factory Theatre) and Cabaret (Sudbury Theatre Centre). Lindsay graduated with a BFA from the York University Theatre program. She looks forward another wonderful summer in Barrie.

Assistant Stage Manager

Shawndra White is thrilled to be spending her summer working at Theatre by the bay as the Assistant Stage Manager for Glorious! This will be her first show with the company and she couldn't be more excited about it! Other credits of hers include Jerome Kern, A Musical Review (Theatre Sheridan), The Barbecue King (Theatre Sheridan), Tour Manager for Charlotte's Web and New Canadian Kid, with Touring Players, Entertainment Supervisor for Twistin' to the 60's at Canada's Wonderland, Stage Manager for the Aerial Acrobatic Ice Skating show at the 2006 CNE, and the Stage Manager and Set designer for The Tale of Piglingbland at the 2006 Toronto Fringe Festival.

When Shawndra is not Stage Managing she is teaching and designing costumes for Marion Abbott's Performing Arts Studio in Brampton. She is also a Set Painter at various theatres throughout Southern Ontario.

Dresser

Lorraine is very happy to be back for another season at Theatre by the Bay. Her previous experience includes Much Ado About Nothing and Comedy of Errors, as well as Wolf Works production of Alice in Wonderland. She has also served on several arts boards both in Barrie and provincially and is well acquainted with administrative and organizational work. Lorraine is constantly amazed by the creative process and pleased to be a member of the team.

Lorraine lives in Barrie with two dogs and her husband, Jerry. She would like to thank her friends for their encouragement and Jerry for his continuing support.