Voice-Over Artist Biographies

Elizabeth Elwood’s early voice studies were with Phyllis Inglis and French Tickner, and her stage training was through the UBC Opera Workshop. She moved on to sing in the Vancouver Opera Chorus and to study for many years with Luigi Wood. She made her stage debut as Claudine in CAN CAN with UBC’s MUSSOC. She was the first recipient of the NSLOS scholarship for most promising performer, and she sang many roles with lower mainland musical groups, including Mi in Lehar’s LAND OF SMILES, Olga in MERRY WIDOW, and Huguette in THE VAGABOND KING.

Highly valued on the local theatre scene, Dwayne is in demand for his talented work as performer, director and designer.   Dwayne has provided the voice of Max, the Ho Hum Husky in numerous Elwoodette shows.  Dwayne makes regular appearances with Metro Theatre and Vagabond Players,and has played lead roles in a variety of shows, including HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES, THE CAT AND THE CANARY, PROMISES PROMISES, CARDS ON THE TABLE, and GASLIGHT.  Dwayne was also recently given a much- deserved CTC Lifetime Achievement Award.

Brian has performed many roles for Vagabonds, Metro Theatre and Langley Players, & has also recorded radio plays for CKNW.  Brian is heard in all 20 shows in the Elwoodettes repertoire. Brian first worked with Elwoodettes Artistic Director, Elizabeth Elwood, when they starred in Langley Players production of WHO KILLED SANTA CLAUS.

Mike has an impressive list of voice-over credits, and has also appeared in plays with Vagabond Players. He has lent his versatile vocal talents to many varied roles for ELWOODETTES.

Isabel has shone in countless shows, such as OUT OF ORDER, MAGGIE’S GETTING MARRIED, SOCIAL SECURITY, BEYOND THERAPY and the world premiere of the comedy, RENOVATIONS. Isabel is a regular performer with Elwoodettes Marionettes, playing a variety of roles, although her regular and favourite role in the naughty cat, Minx, the Manx.

Deb has been nominated for several CTC awards and won best supporting actress for Vagabond Players’ Production of SEDUCED BY MOONLIGHT. Her last performance with Vagabonds was in THE CAT & THE CANARY. Deb made her Elwoodettes debut as the Genie of the Lamp in ALADDIN.

A versatile actress and singer, Jacqollyne has shone in a variety of roles, including Mayoress Shinn in RCMT’s MUSIC MAN, and with NSLOS, The Duchess in THE GONDOLIERS and Lady Jane in PATIENCE. Jacqollyne made her Elwoodettes debut in the title role in THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT. Since then, she has played Fiona in SORCERER PRINCESS. The Easter Bunny in THE EGG DETECTOR and Flavia in THE CHRISTMAS PRESENT OF CHRISTMAS PAST.

Luke made his Elwoodettes debut as Santa and Lepidus in THE CHRISTMAS PRESENT OF CHRISTMAS PAST. Luke’s first acting experience was as Gassy Jack, but since then he has shone in a variety of plays with groups all over the Lower Mainland. He created the role of David in RENOVATIONS, and has played many lead roles since then, including the hilarious actor-manager in MOON OVER BUFFALO, for which he won a CTC Best Actor award.

An experienced and much in demand actress, Yvonne charmed Vagabond audiences when she played Penelope in RENOVATIONS. She made her Elwoodettes debut as the invisible Mrs. McFee in THE SORCERER PRINCESS and followed up by plaing Miss Spry in THE CHRISTMAS PRESENT OF CHRISTMAS PAST.

Bernie has worked with Metro, sings in the Orpheus Choir, and has served on the boards of VOA & Bard on the Beach. For Elwoodettes he has played Robert in THE CHRISTMAS PRESENT OF CHRISTMAS PAST and CB in THE EGG DETECTOR.

Writer, actor and singer, Roy has performed with Footlight Theatre and many other groups. With his fine tenor voice, Roy became a welcome addition to the Elwoodettes team singing in the chorus and playing a series of character parts in THE CHRISTMAS PRESENT OF CHRISTMAS PAST.

Paul is an experienced and versatile performer who has appeared in many shows, including THE LADY’S NOT FOR BURNING, SPIDER’S WEB and NOT NOW DARLING. He performed with Elwoodettes Marionettes as Claudius in THE CHRISTMAS PRESENT OF CHRISTMAS PAST. Paul made his directorial debut with West Vancouver’s award winning murder mystery last year, and he is due to direct MARION BRIDGE for Vagabond Players in 2009. Paul is married to the delightful Mandana Namazi.

Mandana’s lovely soprano has won her many principal roles in musicals such as MY FAIR LADY, THE MUSIC MAN and SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM. She made her Elwoodettes debut singing the dual roles of Panthea & a Lady of Rome in THE CHRISTMAS PRESENT OF CHRISTMAS PAST. Mandana is also a fine actress and has shone in many parts, including the lead roles in SPIDER’S WEB and REBECCA.

Chelsea has a variety of acting and directing credits and has directed many shows, including WHEN THE REAPER CALLS in 2004, HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES and PERFECT WEDDING She made her Elwoodettes voice-over debut as Aggrippina in THE CHRISTMAS PRESENT OF CHRISTMAS PAST.

Claire’s was outstanding in Vagabond Player’s production of THIS YEAR, NEXT YEAR, North Shore’s SWEET CHARITY and United Player’s THE LADIES OF THE CAMELLIAS. She made her Elwoodettes debut as the young Nero in THE CHRISTMAS PRESENT OF CHRISTMAS PAST.

A former president of Vagabond Players, Lynn was delighted to return to the club and the world of theatre to provide the voice of Brandy, Max’s best friend,in THE CHRISTMAS PRESENT OF CHRISTMAS PAST.

Andrew regularly performs in school productions. He has provided voices in three Elwoodette productions: a mouse in THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT, Bob in THE EGG DETECTOR and a sheep in THE CHRISTMAS PRESENT OF CHRISTMAS PAST.

Anna, who is not only a fine actress but also a highly talented graphic artist, has played lead roles in A TOMB WITH A VIEW and BEYOND THERAPY. She made her debut with Elwoodettes, playing Max, the Ho Hum Husky’s girlfriend, Miss Brandy in THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT.

Miles keeps busy with both film and stage work. He has performed and directed for many lower mainland theatre groups. Directing credits include NOT NOW DARLING, THE CAT AND THE CANARY and ACCOMMODATIONS, and he has played lead roles in THE HOLLOW, OFFICE HOURS, and WILL YOU STILL LOVE ME IN THE MORNING, just to name a few.

Megan made her stage debut at Metro Theatre in the charming comedy, GOODNIGHT, MRS. PUFFIN. Her most recent Vagabond appearance was in the hilarious OFFICE HOURS, and she made her Elwoodettes debut providing the voice of Jenny, the housemaid who wins Bingo’s heart in THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT.

The late David Mendenhall charmed us all when he joined us to provide the voice of Santa Claus during our recording sessions for THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT. David was a warm, witty and wonderful gentleman, and provided a tremendous amount of support for the Vagabond Players over the years. He will be greatly missed.

Bethan made her Elwoodettes debut with ALADDIN and went on to provide voices for CINDERELLA CAPER and KING JOHN’S CHRISTMAS. Bethan, who works in a veterinary hospital, has experience in both music and theatre. She has performed with Metro Theatre and she sings regularly with the Western Swing Band, Noodles.

Master of Marionettes, Dirk Oetel, was delighted to lend his rich baritone to the role of the Sultan in Elwoodettes ALADDIN. For years, he has performed around BC with his own company, Dirk’s Marionettes, and he is renowed for his authentic and atmospheric re-tellings of Grimm’s Fairy Tales. He is a skilled theatrical performer, and a long-time member of the German Theatre Company. He first met Elwoodettes’ Elizabeth Elwood when they performed together in FORTUNE IS MY LADY, and he is still remembered for his delightful performance in CARNIVAL at Metro Theatre.

Georgia made her Elwoodettes voice-over debut as the Queen of Persia in THE SORCERER PRINCESS. Georgia has appeared live on stage in A CHORUS OF DISAPPROVAL and she created the role of Stephanie in the world premiere of Elizabeth Elwood’s play, RENOVATIONS.

George is a seasoned performer, having played many roles with local theatre groups. His directing credits include REHEARSAL FOR MURDER and NIGHT OF THE FOOLISH MOON. George played Jonathon in the world premiere of RENOVATIONS and he made his Elwoodettes debut as the King of Persia in THE SORCERER PRINCESS.

Garey first performed with Vagabond Players in REHEARSAL FOR MURDER, and in the summer of 2003, charmed audiences as the young apprentice, Mark, in RENOVATIONS. His most recent appearance was in PERFECT WEDDING.

Barbara made her Elwoodettes debut as The Heavenly George, the acid-tongued angel cat who keeps Max in place, in THE CINDERELLA CAPER. Barbara has performed major roles with community theatres and has shone in many plays, including THE HOLLOW, BORN YESTERDAY and OUT OF ORDER.

Caroline was an early participant with Elwoodettes Marionettes in the days that it was a family endeavour, and she was an integral part of the first major show that was created. BABES IN THE WOOD was originally performed as a fund-raiser for Canuck Place with a group of Second Street Community School students. Caroline’s voice is still heard on the BABES soundtrack in the part of the butterfly.

Katie was also involved in the early production of BABES IN THE WOOD, but she continued to participate as a voice-over artist, playing the main character in KATIE’S HALLOWEEN ADVENTURE, and providing the voice of the cat, Pyewicket, in THE WITCH FROM DOWN UNDER and the prince in THE UNHAPPY LITTLE PRINCE.

Bob is a seasoned performer on stage and in film and television. Some stage credits include JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, PROMISED VALLEY and PRESENT LAUGHTER. Bob provided the voice of Robin Hood in Elwoodettes Marionettes BABES IN THE WOOD.