Actors
ABOUT THE TEAM
We are so thankful for the unique and dynamic environment in the Or Festival rehearsal spaces, sparked by ongoing dialogues occurring between professional, emerging, and new actors.
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Taylor PALMER
TAYLOR PALMER
Actor
Taylor Palmer is an actor, improviser, and writer who lives and creates on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh peoples. They regularly perform with The Improv Centre’s Mainstage Ensemble and their improv troupe The False Creek Fools, and recently originated the role of Maggie in Shared Space (Bramble Theatre). They are thrilled to be performing in their first Or Festival.
KEVIN NGUYEN
KEVIN NGUYEN
Actor
Kevin Nguyen is a Vietnamese-Canadian actor born and raised in Vancouver, BC, on the unceded traditional territory of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. A graduate of Studio 58, Kevin was part of the 2022 Riotous Youth cohort at Bard on the Beach and received the Andree Karas Scholarship that same year. His stage credits include work with Theatre Replacement, The Women’s Company, Green Thumb Theatre, Pacific Theatre, and Ruby Slippers Theatre. On screen, he appeared in the short film The Official Guidebook to Lying, which played at both the Toronto and Vancouver Asian Film Festivals. His feature film debut,Thanks to the Hard Work of the Elephants, premiered at the 2025 Vancouver International Film Festival.
BRENDA-LEE BOUBARD
BRENDA-LEE BOUBARD
Actor
Brenda-Lee Boubard (She/Her) is a Mètis (Cree/Ojibwa) Artist. She was born in Winnipeg, MB then moved to Calgary, AB then to Vancouver, BC. She is currently writing a graphic novel titled Apocalypse/fantastic. Brenda attended the Youth Canada Tournament for the Deaf (YCTD) in 2013 and 2017, The Flying Hands in 2016 and more. She loves drama and stories. Her dream is to see her graphic Novel/ comic adapted into a TV series one day. She wants to make this dream come true.
JADE FOX
JADE FOX
Actor
Born and raised in Vancouver, Jade Fox is a artist who is bilingual in American Sign Language and English. She is passionate about storytelling, creativity, animals, and books. As an actor, Jade enjoys pursuing challenges, characters, and experiences that bring new perspectives to the acting world. In 2025, Jade was starred in the short film called “No Barrier” directed by Anh Plam which was premiered in Reel Asian Film Festival in Toronto.
Clovis bernard
CLOVIS BERNARD
Actor
I am a small ‘d’ deaf/Hard of Hearing person born in Hong Kong and raised in Vancouver. I have been interested in storytelling since a young age and had been involved in creative writing, improv, and public speaking for hobbies, including five years at Toastmasters culminating with Advanced Communicator Gold. My deafness has influenced how I perceive and interact with the audiocentric world around me, and I want to explore that. Currently I am a student at Vancouver Community College’s ASL and Deaf Studies program after the pandemic lockdown caused me to explore what communication and access means to me. With eyes on trying out a different medium of storytelling in American Sign Language, I am grateful for the opportunity to perform on the stage after dreaming about it for so long!
ANDRES COLLANTES
ANDRES COLLANTES
Actor
Andres Collantes is an Ecuadorian-Canadian actor that grew up in New Jersey. With over a decade of acting experience across Film/Tv and Theatre he’s just happy to be here doing what he loves.
AINSLEE DALZELL
AINSLEE DALZELL
Actor
Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Ainslee is grateful to be working and creating art on the unceded and ancestral territory of the Coast Salish peoples. Some recent theatre credits include Jo March in Christmas with the Marches (Hidden Stages), Lucinda in Into The Woods: In Concert (Play on Words), The SpongeBob Musical, and Beth Graham’s Weasel (Blueshore Theatre), June July August, and Cabaret (Arbutus Studios). Since graduating with a Diploma in Musical Theatre from Capilano University last year, you’ll most likely find Ainslee reading, writing, or talking about trains!
ANNA CRAN
ANNA CRAN
Actor
Anna Cran is a writer and comedian based in Vancouver, BC. She attended Langara College, where she studied Creative Writing by way of writing confusing and alienating poetry. She has since performed with Unnamed Sketch Show, Riot Comedy, and co-produces Clay Pigeons comedy. Her work has been seen on some stages, most likely.
ASHLEY KIM
ASHLEY KIM
Actor
Ashley is thrilled to be part of the Or Festival in the production of On the Way Home as Ingrid. She is a graduate of the Acting for Stage and Screen program at Capilano University and works in both stage and screen. A history lover, she speaks English, French, and Korean.
Recent credits include A Christmas Carol and One Man, Two Guvnors at Capilano University. Ashley is currently represented by Lloyd Talent and is thrilled to work with amazing people while continuing to explore new characters.
BREE BARTON
BREE BARTON
Actor
Bree Barton is a writer by day, an actor by night, and also a writer by night because wow writing is hard. She’s the author of four award-winning novels published in six languages and ten countries, and her essays and short fiction have been published in The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Slate, McSweeney’s, and The Iowa Review. Her IMDB page may be old, but her soul is youthful. She is currently an MFA candidate in Creative Writing at UBC.
ELIZABETH ABABIO
ELIZABETH ABABIO
Actor
Director, screenwriter and actress Elizabeth Ababio has been working in the film industry in both principal and background roles for over 10 years. She recently starred in Shakespeare Sings, an original musical based around Shakespeare’s most popular stageplays at the 41st Vancouver Fringe Festival.
RAVJOT MANN
RAVJOT MANN
Actor
Ravjot is an actor and artist, who has been professionally acting for 5 years in several productions theatrically as well as in film and television. Ravjot enjoys storytelling as it brings people together and she hopes to make an impact with her art. She is extremely excited to be joining the Or Festival as Dorothy and hopes you enjoy the show.
RAPHAEL TOLENTINO
RAPHAEL TOLENTINO
Actor
Raphael Tolentino (any pronouns) is an up and coming queer performer originally from the Philippines. With lifelong appreciation of dance and musical theatre, Raphael is very thrilled to take part in a staged play for the first time and very grateful for the opportunity to celebrate the art created by diverse artists from the lower mainland. Select stage credits include Ensemble+Ripper/Mongo US – High School Musical (Align Entertainment); Benjamin – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat (Metro Theatre); Various Characters – Sapin-Sapin: Filipinx Art Festival (NPC3); Disciple – Godspell (Play on Words Production); “All the love to my fiancé Brendan, for always rooting for me and my art. Thank you to my family and friends for the continuous support, and to the whole team behind Or Festival for having me!
WILL COLLISSON
WILL COLLISSON
Actor
Will is a multi dimensional stand up comedian, actor, writer, radio show host, and improviser. Known for mixing witty observations with a sense of silliness that keeps his takes refreshing and enjoyable. By exploring character work on stage he has been able to bring characters to life in theatre and on screen
LEYSAN TIMIRBOULATOVA
LEYSAN TIMIRBOULATOVA
Actor
Leysan Timirboulatova is an actor, writer, and creator whose work explores femininity, challenges power, and inspires transformation. With a background in both screen and theatre, she brings bold physicality and emotional depth to her performances, often blending comedy with raw, intimate storytelling. She is the creator and performer of Bitch, Save Yourself, a movement-based solo piece that examines devotion, illusion, and the reclamation of self. Her recent screen work includes OUTtv’s upcoming web series One Baby, Please!, where she brings her signature mix of humor and intensity to the role of Amy
ROBERTO JOSE ESPINOZA
ROBERTO JOSE ESPINOZA
Actor
Roberto Jose Espinoza is a deaf Canadian from BC, whose journey from hearing to deafness has been a transformative one. Despite his challenges, Roberto is a dreamer and a creative storyteller, often weaving tales about a Mystery boy while exploring mountains around the globe. When not hiking, you can find him streaming live on Twitch, indulging in horror and puzzle games, or dominating in Call of Duty MW and Valorant. His love for storytelling extends to movies and TV shows like Coda, A Quiet Place, Marvel’s Echo, and Dancing with the Stars featuring Daniel Durant. Roberto aspires to work as an actor, aiming for roles in productions by Disney, Netflix, and Paramount. He’s eagerly anticipating his upcoming performance at Or Festival 5, where he’ll showcase his talents in a 10-minute play, with his sights set on advancing to the next stage or landing roles in Marvel movies.
KELSI JAMES
KELSI JAMES
Actor
Kelsi James (they/she) is a white queer and asexual theatre creator, producer and performer, who works most often from the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh (Vancouver), and from Tkarón:to (Toronto). Kelsi has composed and/or written plays for Sheridan College (First Drafts), Driftwood Theatre, Talk Is Free Theatre, Theatre Rusticle, Coquitlam Heritage, Paprika Festival, Arts Club Theatre (LEAP), Tarragon Theatre (NYPU), Sound Off, Rumble and the frank. From Oct 2024-2025, Kelsi facilitated a monthly community choir with Dreamwalker at Morrow. Kelsi is particularly interested in: the intersection of theatre and community gathering, queer accessibility and inclusion, and low-barrier, joyful music-making. @kelsilindajames
EMMA GELEYNSE
EMMA GELEYNSE
Actor
Emma Geleynse trained at AMDA College of Performing Arts in Los Angeles. She is an active member in the Vancouver theatre scene, most recently seen in The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane with the Royal Canadian Theatre Company. She is represented by All Heart Talent.
JEREMY PARNELL
JEREMY PARNELL
Actor
Jeremy Parnell is a Vancouver-based actor from Halifax, Nova Scotia. His work includes commercial, voiceover, and motion capture performance. With a background in improvisation and comedy performance, he enjoys exploring complex and offbeat characters. This production marks his stage debut.