Cast

Geoffrey Armour is the Dead Clown:

Geoffrey has been an active theatre artist since the age of twelve. He received his training working with various artists during his six years as a member of the Blyth Festival Young Company. Geoffrey then graduated from the George Brown Theatre School Classical Repertory Training Program in 2006 and continued his studies in Paris, FR at l’École International de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq where he graduated from their professional program (2008-2010) and afterwards L.E.M. (Laboratoire des Études de Mouvement, 2010-2011). In his career, Geoffrey has been a founding member of four theatre companies, Actors Without Equity (Goderich), Gairbraid (Goderich), Théâtre de la Feuille (Paris, France) and Made the World Over Theatre (Paris, France) During his time overseas, Geoffrey was fortunate enough to have played in France, Italy, Croatia and most recently in the Seoul Performing Arts Festival in South Korea with the company YJK Dance in The Last Wall. Geoffrey is ecstatic about working with Zanni Arte and hopes that you enjoy the performance of A Funeral for Clowns as much as he enjoyed the creation of it.

Valerie Cina is Millie:

Valerie is a graduate of the UCDP at the University of Toronto. She is a certified educator and actor. Valerie appeared as Columbina in the 2011 Best of Fringe hit, The Traveling Salesman and his Magical Suitcase of Desires. She is thrilled to be working with such a lovely cast of clowns.

Joanne D’Angelo is the Professional Mourner:

Joanne performed a one-woman show in the 2001 Toronto Fringe play The Perfect Gift and was mentioned in Now Magazine as the “artist to watch”. Joanne also played Tartaglia in the 2011 Best of Fringe hit, The Travelling Salesman & His Magical Suitcase of Desires.

Marcel Dragonieri is The Funeral Director and the Procession of Clowns:

Marcel is one of many actors who lives and works in Toronto. He tours shows extensively at home and abroad and is lucky enough to get paid for it. He has also performed in numerous events and festivals including: Luminato, Nuit Blanche and Carnival: The Spirit and the Soul. He has written, directed and performed for former sketch comedy giants Colonel Mustard and The Bob: Canada’s Longest Running Sketch Comedy Revue. He likes to improvise with anyone who’s willing, so long as it’s fun and without rules. Marcel has also developed and taught drama classes, specializing in mask performance, mask making, and character work. Favorite Credits: Tjorvi the Flaccid (Pandemic Theatre), The Misanthrope (The Red Light District), The Travelling Salesman and his Magical Suitcase of Desires (Zanni Arte Productions), Politically Correct Bedtime Stories (Pheasant Plucker’s Mates).

Isaac Kessler is Poppa:

Isaac is a celebrated comedian, actor, improviser, producer, writer, lover, and fighter. Isaac performs regularly with two of the hottest Canadian acts around. As one half of improv/sketch sensation 2-MAN NO-SHOW , Isaac and Ken Hall have wowed audiences and critics at North America’s top Comedy Festivals, and performed a full run at the 2010 Edinburgh Comedy Festival. They are proud to be nominated for a 2012 Canadian Comedy Award as Best Improv Troupe. Isaac’s second comedy mistress is the fabulous foursome, S&P. They were selected as one of the top five improv troupes in North America by the acclaimed NYC Friars Comedy Club, and were invited to perform at the UCB Theatre in New York. Isaac teaches, coaches, and performs improv all over Toronto, playing with the Bad Dog Theatre, ITC, Second City, Revel Theatre Collective and other amazing independent productions around town. He has studied with some of North America’s finest improvisational instructors, as well as Bouffon & Clown with the world-renowned Philippe Gaulier. Isaac loves the whole cast and crew dearly, and is grateful to be in his first play since he made moms and aunts shed tears of joy with his performance in Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins. When he was 8.

Kat Letwin is Noaman:

Kat is a Brantford-born, Toronto-based actor/comedian who didn’t quite graduate (slash didn’t graduate at all) from the University College Drama Program at the University of Toronto. Kat has played a multitude of roles for a multitude of companies, and her performances have been described as “balls-to-the-wall” (My Entertainment World, The Herald in Marat/Sade [Soup Can Theatre, 2011]), “a laugh riot” (The National Post,Acaste in The Misanthrope [Mirvish/the red light district, 2009]) and “the cast includes” (The Varsity, Squeaky Fromme in Assassins [UC Follies, 2010]).  Kat also writes and performs with her sketch troupe Rulers of the Universe on a regular basis. She can be seen next at the Edmonton Fringe Festival as The Mother in I Will Not Hatch! (Steady State Theatre Project).

Mirela Pilaf is the Musician:

Mirela, is a graduate of the Romanian Conservatory of Music “G. Dima” with a double degree and certification in violin/vocal performance and pedagogy who currently teaches Instrumental and Vocal Music at Dante Alighieri Academy, Toronto. In 2005, she graduated on the President’s Roll of Scholars from the University of Windsor with a Canadian Bachelor of Education. As an affiliate teacher of the Toronto RCM, she maintains an exquisite and busy private Music Studio teaching Violin, Piano, Voice and Theory. She also enjoys her performances as a violinist and choir member of the St. Elisabeth Scola Cantorum Chamber Choir. She has acted as a vocal coach and music advisor for Dante’s Drama students taking part in the Sears Ontario Drama festivals. This is her first time playing violin in a funeral for a dead clown!