February 15-19, 2012 – Red Sandcastle Theatre, Toronto

February 15-19 @ 7:30pm, Tickets $10
Valentine’s Day PWYC Preview, February 14 @ 7:30pm

Red Sandcastle Theatre
922 Queen St East
Toronto, ON

Following the “Shape of Things” and “Fat Pig”, “Reasons to be Pretty” by Neil LaBute is the final installment in his trilogy focusing on modern day obsession with physical appearance. We follow four young, working-class friends and lovers who become increasingly more restless and dissatisfied with their dead-end jobs and relationships.

Directed by Erin Kehoe

Assistant Directing Jamie Maczko
Stage Management by Ruby Bantok
Set and Costume Design by Alex Mancini
Lighting and Sound Design by Travis Lahay

Featuring: Sarah Brose, Rob Renda, Andrew Loder, Sarah Jurgens

Cast and Crew Bios

Erin Kehoe is a recent graduate of York University’s Acting Conservatory. After a brief hiatus from “the scene”, Erin is back and ready to rock. Recent acting credits include The Herald (Marat/Sade dir.Leah Cherniak), and John (A Play About the Other Play dir. Claire Calnan). She has had the pleasure of directing Danny and the Deep Blue at Hamilton’s 2010 Fringe Festival (WildSound Productions).

Jamie Maczko received his BFA in acting from York University.
Select Stage credits include: Macbeth in “Matchbox Macbeth” (NOW Magazine Top 10 Shows of 2010) Directed by Matt Walker (Litmus Theatre), Fred in “Saved” (2011 Toronto Fringe Festival Best of Venue at Factory Studio Theatre) Directed by Jack Grinhaus (Bound to Create Theatre), Marat in “Marat/Sade” Directed by Leah Cherniak (Theatre@York), Kennedy in “Table Talk” Directed by Ross Manson (Theatre@York in association with Volcano Theatre), and Danny in “Danny and the Deep Blue Sea” Directed by Erin Kehoe (Wilsound Theatre). Upcoming:
Film/TV/Voice credits include: “A Girl Named Jack” at The Canadian Film Centre, “Flashpoint” on CTV/CBS, and “Afghanada” on CBC Radio 1.

Rob Renda is a young motivated theatre artist and aspiring Fight Director. A recent graduate of York University’s Acting Conservatory earning a BFA, his past theatre credits include: Capitano in The Travelling Salesman and His Magical Suitcase of Desire (Awarded Best of Fringe Festival 2011, dir. Teodoro Dragonieri) Witch/Banquo in Matchbox Macbeth (Awarded NOW Magazine’s Top 10 Theatre Productions of 2010, dir. Matthew Thomas Walker), Kokol in Marat/Sade (dir. Leah Cherniak), Joel in Table Talk (dir. Ross Manson), Ferdinand in The Tempest (dir. Paul Muir), Sir Toby in Twelfth Night (dir. Glen Gaston), Theramine in Phedre (dir. Heather Davies) and The Cab Driver in The Blue Room (dir. Alan Dilworth). Rob is also a certified Intermediate Actor-Combatant with Fight Directors Canada, working towards his Advanced Level next spring. Rob would like to thank his family, friends, and everyone who has taught him a life lesson throughout the years. I could not have done it without you.

A recent graduate of York University’s B.F.A program, Sarah Brose is particularly interested in collaborating in the development of original works with a strong social conscience. Recent endeavors include Anne Ratcliffe in The Witch of Edmonton, Old Woman in Ti-Jean and His Brothers, Marie-Sol in The Naked Ethnographer as well as performing in the 2011 Toronto Clown Festival. Current projects include bringing together arts and education with The Pomegranate Project and directing Miriam Fernandes in her original piece Cat and Mouse, recently featured in Theatre Passe Muraille’s Buzz Festival. Sarah is excited to join Theatre Bassaris and investigate her very own Reasons to be Pretty.

‘Reasons to be Pretty’ is Andrew Loder’s third production with Theatre Brassaris since leaving the York University Acting Conservatory. He  would like to thank his family and friends for their love and continued support. Recent Credits Include: Theatre: Coulmier –Marat/Sade (York University), Michael- Table Talk (Volcano /York University), Bottom – A Mid Summer Night’s Dream (York University), Chuck Willey- The Jeremy Hinsman Project (Bound2create), Pete-Saved (Bound2Create/ Theatre Brassaris).  Film/TV:  Pte. Bird – Storming Juno (E1/History), Steve- Until You Break (Medlar Productions).

Sarah Jurgens is an actor, creator, and clown. She most recently finished shooting her first feature film, Two Hands To Mouth and is currently working on the production of Sasha Singer-Wilson’s play, Little Tongues (the blood projects). Her most recent credits include Two Hands To Mouth (Black Walk), Lost Girl (ShowCase), Edward (Major St. Productions), The Penelopiad (Nightwood Theatre’s Director Summit Workshop), and The Bewitched (Theatre@York). You also might see her clowning around the city as the vivacious and incredibly awkward LouLou the clown from time to time. Sarah has a BFA in acting from York University.

Ruby Bantock is an emerging queer theatre artist based in Toronto. She is a recent graduate of York University’s BFA Theatre program where she received training in Playwriting and Stage Management but finds herself working in all aspects of the theatrical realm. Some of her recent credits include: Asst. Director for Bordeaux (Pathos Theatre), Stage Manager/Production Manager for the 18 Monks Collective’s Anthology of Endurance, Artistic Director of the 2011 playGround Festival (Theatre@York), Playwright/Performer for The Ashley Plays and Telling Tales Out Of School (Judith Rudakoff).

Production Photos

Photography by Lauren Passander