LEGS CROSSED HANDS ON YOUR LAP
YAEL SIRLIN: Playwright
Yael’s formal training includes the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Pasadena, California and HB Studio in New York. Her short play, Nice To Meet You was selected for the Makor Ten Minute Play Festival in 2005 and received a staged reading at the 92nd Street “Y” in New York. Nice To Meet You was produced in Toronto by the Cabbagetown Theatre Company in the 2010 version of No Sweetheart Required. Yael’s one act play, Windows, Walls and Doors was successfully produced at the Toronto Fringe Festival in 2007. Legs Crossed Hands On Your Lap, in the 2015 Toronto Fringe Festival, is a love letter to the dedicated teachers who care about their students…
WILLIAM CORDON TAYLOR: Director/Dramaturge
William is a Toronto native and a recent graduate of the MFA Directors’ Program with The Actors’ Studio at Pace University in NYC. Directing Credits: Star Spangled Banner, Mourning Becomes Electra and a social media on-line version of Troillus and Cressida staged at an Internet Cafe in Greenpoint, Brooklyn for the Brooklyn Fringe 2014. Legs Crossed Hands on Your Lap marks William’s first contribution here at The Toronto Fringe. Deepest Thanks to Yael, Tom and the wonderful cast and crew.
CAST
DEBRA HALE: Actor
Debra’s extensive theatre credits include On The Other Side Of The World (Next Stage Fest.) the two-actor shows Sexy Laundry (1000 Islands Play., Port Hope Festival); Storm Warning (Lighthouse, Magnus, Theatre In Port, and Walmer Centre) and her script Freedom 85! which premiered at Toronto Fringe 2008 and journeyed to NYC’s Frigid Fringe before touring seven Ontario theatres. Other Toronto shows include Something Drastic (Tarragon Extra), Windows, Walls and Doors (Fringe 2008), Shaw’s Annajanska’s (Factory Studio) and Book of Days (Helen Phelan Gardener Play.) Last summer she premiered her latest script, The Real Meatballs, at the Hamilton Fringe to critical success. Upcoming as Connie in “The Ladies Foursome” at the Orillia Opera House and Bluewater Summer Festival. www.hi-dtheatre.com
JAMILLAH ROSS: Actor
Jamillah Ross has appeared in many hit television shows such as Orphan Black, Lost Girl and Flashpoint. Look for her in the up coming Syfy series, Killjoys, and CBC’s Fool Canada alongside Will Sasso. You’ll also be able to catch Jamillah in the upcoming thriller Pay The Ghost, starring Nicolas Cage. Jamillah is an alumnus of Toronto’s Second City Mainstage, performing in three shows with the celebrated troupe.
STEVIE JAY: Actor
Stevie Jay acts, clowns, and writes. Performing has taken him around North America. Graduate of The University of British Columbia. Some locales of study: HB Studio in NYC, Scholarship for Improv and Writing at Second City Chicago, and Philippe Gaulier (in Toronto). Stevie began clowning by studying with Mike Kennard, becoming part of Mike’s The Hollow and has appeared in 4 out of the last 6 Toronto Festival Of Clowns (including his One-clown play “Kornhol’s Kabn”). He was an ensemble member for Cabaret Vulgare, at Buddies. In 2012 he was included in NOW Magazine’s Toronto Fringe “Outstanding Ensembles” for his performance in the 2-hand version of “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardobe”. Stevie Jay also appears in film, television, and commercials. Last year Stevie Jay was the lead in the award winning feature film “Blood Empires”, and just recently he has returned from Kelowna, where he was supporting lead in the feature film “Writing Kim”, the directorial debut from Continuum’s Luvia Peteresen. Also, the short “Farewell” (Stevie co-stars and co-wrote), is touring world festivals from Ireland to Niagara Falls, including being part of Telefilm Canada’s ‘Not Short On Talent’. And, immediately after Fringe, Stevie is doing a role for the feature “FMWBH”. Stevie would like to thank his family, his friends, his mentors, and the audience. www.steviej.ca
KATHERINE BIGNELL: Stage Manager
Katherine Bignell has been involved in film, TV. and theatre, in various positions for the last 38 years. Most recently, Katherine has called such shows as The Love List & Remember, Maggy? for Encore Entertainment. There Goes the Bride, Bedside Manners & Too Many Cooks for Theatre Etobicoke and Barefoot in the Park for Mississauga Players. Her past experience with Toronto Fringe shows have been Jew For A Day, A Silent Ache, Killcreek and Salvador.
SAM FERGUSON: Sound Designer
Sam Ferguson was born in Toronto and moved to Vancouver when he was seventeen to train with acclaimed electroacoustic music composer, Berry Truax. It was around then that Sam became involved in theatre professionally and Sound Designed his first play Freedom 85 with Legs Crossed‘s own Debra Hale. Sam was later accepted into the Yale School of Drama’s Sound Design program where he studied under Professors David Budries and Matthew Suttor. Some of his most recent credits include Cloud Nine, Measure for Measure, Thunderbodies and Antigonick.
