Zoe is a recent graduate from the University of Victoria’s Phoenix Theatre, and she is excited to be wading into the Vancouver theatre community. Select credits include: The Incredible Glowing Woman (hapax theatre), When Was the Last Time You Said Hello? (SATCo), and various historical plays with the British Columbia Legislature’s Parliamentary Players. 

Shaughn is a Canadian writer and performer based in Vancouver. Born and raised on the shore of Lake Superior in small-town Northwestern Ontario, his writing explores outdoor mores inspired by the distinct natural and cultural landscape of his home. Shaughn graduated from York University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre where he specialized in performance creation and research, playwriting, and directing. His first full length play, BLANKET FISH, premiered in audio-drama format at the 5290 New Play Festival in August, 2021. Shaughn is currently working to complete his MFA in Creative Writing and Theatre at the University of British Columbia and fights wildfires in his spare time.

Sophia is an actor, musician, and playwright originally from St. John's, Newfoundland, now based in Vancouver. She holds a BFA in Theatre (Performance) from the University of Victoria. She is so excited to be participating in this festival for the first time! Select acting credits include Much Ado About Nothing (Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival, The Guardsman (Blue Bridge), Shakespeare's Women (Phoenix Theatre) and Hey There, Mr. Moon (Periluna Collective). 

Tristen is a theatre artist originally from Winnipeg now based in Vancouver. He studied theatre at the Universities of Winnipeg and Alberta before graduating from the Conservatory Acting Program at Studio 58. He hopes to continue developing as a playwright and director in addition to acting and any other creative projects he might stumble his way into. When not acting Tristen is passionate about public transit, cinema, politics, and sleeping in.

Sandrine is a French-Canadian performer originally from Montreal. She is excited to be part of the Brave New Play Rites Festival.What she likes the most about performing is to inspire people.Her previous credits include Pearl Krabs in SpongeBob the musical (Blueshore stage, Capilano University).

Shaye is a multidisciplinary artist whose work spans acting, dance, and visual arts. Raised on the Gulf Islands, she immersed herself in local theatre from a young age. A graduate of Studio 58 at Langara College, Shaye blends diverse artistic influences to craft deeply personal and innovative performances.

Ayda (she/they) is a Qashqai-Irani queer femme currently residing on the unceded, stolen territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh peoples (so-called “Vancouver”). She is the poetry editor for PRISM International, was a finalist for The Bridge Prize (2024), and has work forthcoming in an anthology by Guernica Editions (“Woman, Life, Freedom: Poems for the Iranian Revolution"). Her work explores Iranian diasporic subjectivity, love, and relational autonomy. She is currently completing an MFA in Creative Writing at UBC and also holds an MA in Philosophy from UC San Diego.

Elysia is in her first year as an MFA candidate in the Creative Writing department at UBC. She is a part of the Belfry Theatre’s Creators Circle and Incubator Project in Victoria, where she will be workshopping and producing her full length play, Four Children. She loves to write dramadies infuenced by Jewish tradition and culture. She is a graduate of UVic's Phoenix Theatre. 

Claire is a local theatre artist, producer, and dancer. Recent credits include: The Last Resort (Dreamqueen Collective), I, Claudia (Guild Hall), and 30 Neo-Futurist Plays (Bramble Theatre Collective). Claire is also a co-founder of Bramble Theatre Collective, an emerging theatre company focused on creating opportunities and community for people seeking artistic growth. In her spare time you may find her playing cooperative board games, planning themed parties, or cuddling other people's pets.

Blair is celebrating their second BNPR and second year in Vancouver! Other theater: This Emancipation Thing (REDCAT LA), Above Us (FringeNYC), The Waste Land (Edinburgh Fringe). TV: Spring Street, Lucifer, The Blacklist. Film: Prime Matter, Overwhelm the Sky, Joker (SAG Award nominee). BFA, CalArts. @blairbrienza

Gabriel is a local actor, comedian and singer with more than 34 plays and 17 film credits. They also produce the dead pony comedy shows and perform in various stand up comedy clubs and shows in the city and abroad. 

Mercury is an experienced actor and writer who is participating in BNPR for the third year in a row. He is a student in the CRWR BFA program and enjoys studying the poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, stage and screenplay formats. As an actor, he enjoys working in a range of genres, including comedy and drama.

Kristianna (Kristie) is a 2nd year BFA Acting student at UBC. She started acting at six years old, and she loves film, TV, and the theatre. Kristie enjoys singing at open mics, events, in choir and a cappella, and she plays instruments in her free time (ukulele, piano, and guitar).

Kassandra is a professional actor in her second year of UBC's acting program! She's had a lifelong love for all things performing, from singing, to playing instruments such as guitar and ukulele, but her main pursuit has been acting for the stage and screen.

Julia is an experienced actor, improvisor, singer, and theatre educator. Recent credits include “The Perfect Bite Vancouver - A Dinner Experience Inspired by Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” (Secret City Adventures in collaboration with NETFLIX), “Sigma Acapella” (Rushed Productions), and “The Marvelous Wonderettes” (Vagabond Players). When she isn't on stage or teaching, Julia also works as a recreation leader and freelance writer. Julia loves Taylor Swift, musicals, dogs, and tea. 

Kelly is an actor, multidisciplinary artist, and arts educator. Select performance credits: One of a Kind (VICF/The Flame), Come Away: A Shakesperiment (Bard on the Beach), Dissected (Or Festival), and Bog Body (Foolish Productions). Kelly is currently a playwright in the Arts Club LEAP Playwriting Intensive.

Jessica is a theatre performer and producer passionate about creating opportunities for all artists. Some recent theatre highlights include Eyes of the Beast (Neworld), The New Canadians (vAct), Before They Cut Down Our Tree (Vancouver Fringe), and The Prom (TUTS). When not acting, she also works as a co-founder of Bramble Theatre Collective (@brambletheatreco). 

Hannah is a recent graduate of the UofT/ Sheridan College Theatre and Drama Studies program. Past credits include Lady Macbeth in the Scottish Slay’s Macbeth, Tartuffe in Tartuffe, Death in Everybody and The Dog in The Witch of Edmonton with Theatre Erindale. She also participated in BNPR last year!

From Indonesia and the Philippines, Adit is a third-year International Relations student at UBC. His fourth production for the Players Club, he is incredibly excited to share with you the many plays that they have been exploring. His four loves are acting, food, running, and his corgi. Credits: Sunny’s Gifts & Things, Cobalt (Brave New Play Rites), Theatre Review (Festival Dionysia), Head Over Heels (MainStage), Emergency Contact (Ignite Youth Arts Festival), Emergency Contact (Festival Dionysia).

Aria is in grade four at False Creek Elementary School. She loves writing stories, which is what made her interested in being a part of this play. She is also part of the False Creek Co-op Kids' Theatre Group, and she has done lots of musical theatre at Arts Umbrella. 

Ana is an 11-year-old Canadian-Ecuadorian girl with great enthusiasm for performing arts. A passionate dance student at Arts Umbrella and a dedicated violinist with the Saint James Music Academy Seniors Orchestra, she has already made her mark on stage, voicing "Chiqui" in the puppet show Division Infinity Saves The World (Neworld, 2023) and performing as "Tigrita" in To The Other Side (Pedro Augusto Meza, 2024). Ana Victoria enjoys eating her favourite foods, from sushi and seafood to Ecuadorian corviche, and embraces her playful nickname, Ana Chifle (a nod to Ecuador's beloved green plantain chips), with laughter and pride. With her multicultural roots, boundless creativity, and kind spirit, Ana Victoria brings joy and inspiration to her family and friends. 

Deniz was born in Vancouver. He’s  a grade 7 student in False Creek Elementary. He likes musical theatre, coding, geography and reading. He lives with his parents, his twin brother and his cat Miso. 

Felix [Jun] Fang, is a sketch comedy writer, performer, and improviser. And a student currently at Kitsilano Secondary. He has been actively participating in performing arts for over six years. With his experience, both on stage and behind the scenes as a writer. Felix [Jun] was honoured with a nomination and award for the 𝘓𝘶𝘤𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦 𝘗𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘺 𝘓𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘤𝘺 𝘍𝘶𝘯𝘥 for the sketch, 𝘍𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘕𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘓𝘪𝘷𝘦 (2022). And performed live in 𝘞𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘎𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘧, 𝘈𝘳𝘵, 𝘋𝘦𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 (2024), participating in live shows at AU Expression Festivals, Winter Shorts, and at the Improv Centre with talented Improvers. Felix [Jun] has taken the initiative behind the scenes to immerse himself within technical theatre. And is excited to continue creating and contributing to impactful and memorable sketches on the stage.

Soda (they/them) is in Grade 8 at Lord Byng Secondary School, where they are a member of the Visual Arts Mini School and the Art of Our Earth Club. Outside of school, Riley enjoys drawing and crafting, and has more recently developed a passion for filming and editing videos. They also attend the Arts Umbrella Sketch Comedy and Improv Intensive program at Arts Umbrella (taught by the wonderful Matt Clark!) which they have been a part of for three years.

Frankie is in grade five at False Creek Elementary School. This Winter, she was part of the Arts Umbrella Eco-Theatre Project where she devised and performed a short play about wildfires. She is part of the False Creek Co-op Kids’ Theatre Group where she enjoys playing games and devising theatre with her friends and neighbours. Frankie will be doing the film acting intensive at Arts Umbrella this Spring Break.

Parker is in kindergarten at False Creek Elementary School, where she enjoys gym, library and recess. Outside of school, she takes flute lessons and swimming lessons, and has done acting classes at arts Umbrella with her teachers Sarah Kelen and Seamus Fera for one whole year.