Lysistrata Program | R G Productions

R-G Productions presents:

Lysistrata

By Aristophanes

Translated by: Ian Johnston

Adapted and directed By: Heather Forgie

Place: Outside of the Acropolis of Athens.

Time: 404 BCE.

Cast in order of appearance

Lysistrata…...............................Cora Fast

Calonice……….......……Heather Forgie

Myrrhine…......................Calum Peppard

Lampito…...................................Kris Diaz

Ismenia.........................Sara Cherrywood

A Chorus of Men................Tim Beaudry

A Chorus of Women.............Ruth Baines

The Magistrate.....................Daniel Piché

Magistrate's Guard.................Greg Funk

Magistrate's Guard..........Hank Koreman

Cinesias.........................Devon Hemmett

Spartan Ambassador...............Greg Funk

Athenian Ambassador......Hank Koreman

Reconciliation...................Crystal Ringach

Costume Design....Heather Forgie

Production Design..The Company

Stage Manager..........John Bent Jr.

Bios

Playwright

Aristophanes (he/him) Known as "The Father of Comedy" and "the Prince of Ancient Comedy”, Aristophanes wrote plays that often dealt with real-life figures and contemporary events in Athens, such as the Peloponnesian War. He has been said to recreate the life of ancient Athens more convincingly than any other author. His plays are characterized by preposterous premises, explicit language, wordplays, and political satire, and his powers of ridicule were feared and acknowledged by his influential contemporaries. It is thought he wrote over 40 plays, but only 11 survive today: The Acharnians, The Knights, The Clouds, The Wasps, Peace, The Birds, Lysistrata, The Women Celebrating the Thesmophoria, The Frogs, The Assemblywomen, and Wealth. Aristophanes died in 388 BC.

Director/Calonice

Heather Forgie (she/her) is the artistic director of R-G Productions, as well as an actor, playwright, and director. Her most recent performances with R-G Productions include: The Savannah Sipping Society (2024), Charming & Rose: True Love, Motherhood Out Loud, Heroine Addiction, Not Medea, Psychopathia Sexualis, The Savannah Sipping Society (2017), Desdemona, Spider's Web, Breadcrumbs, Skirmishes, and Relatively Speaking. Heather has also performed and directed for The BS Comedy Players, directed for The Incantatem Choir, and performed in numerous shows for Merlyn Productions, including: The Blabbermouth-The Puff Monster and the Wolf, Nightingale, Wind of a Thousand Tales, Snow White, and The Brothers Grimm. Heather is a teacher and mother of two boys.

A Chorus of Women

Ruth Baines (she/her) is a Fine Arts Graduate in Dance from York University. Her training continued at the professional program at the prestigious Main Dance School in Vancouver. After completing her formal education Ms. Baines started a Theatre company named Ruthable Productions. She’s toured the Fringe theatre Festivals of Western Canada since 1999 to much acclaim. Her artistic work integrates text and movement, and she’s produced five full-length solo shows. Since moving to Winnipeg in 2001 Ms. Baines has trained in aerial dance and became co-producer for 8 years of Girls!Girls!Girls! an annual fundraiser for The Gas Station Arts Centre, that highlighted the work of local female artists of both stage and easel. In 2016 John Turner of Mump and Smoot came to Winnipeg to do a Pochinko Style clown workshop that started her 4-year journey into understanding this work. Ruth is very excited to be stepping onto the stage in an ensemble production.

Tim Beaudry (he/him) appears for the third time with R-G productions, having previously been seen in Heroine Addiction, and Spider’s Web. A veteran of community theatre stages, Tim’s performances include Captain Ted: Disabled Pirate with Strokes of Genius, Pirates! Musical Mayhem with The Incantatem Choir, multiple shows for HamDad Productions, Merlyn Productions, and several years of The BS Comedy Show.

A Chorus of Men

Sara Cherrywood (she/her) is a long-time Fringe lover and is excited to be working with R-G Productions for the first time. She has previously appeared in The Great Gatsby (Illustrium Creations), As It Turns Out (TBA Productions), Upstart Crow (Shoestring Players), Launchpad Project (Sarasvati Theatre), Farrago (Dark Horse Theatre), Student Body (Beau Theatre Co.) and various short films. She has also performed stand-up comedy and improv. She lives in Winnipeg with her sweetheart, Colin.

Ismenia

Lampito

Kris Diaz (she/her) found her voice at Actor Showcase (now MTYP) when she was 12 and has been performing and supporting performance ever since. She has performed at the Winnipeg Fringe Festival in The Distance between Trees, Law and Order: Nursery Rhyme Unit, and Snow White. She has also performed with Merlyn Productions in Woman’s Honour and The Stepmother.  Kris has sung in both the 2008 Lord of the Rings and the 2009-2010 I Believe Mass Choirs (2nd Soprano) with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.  In 2014, she had the privilege of singing I Believe again, in New York at Lincoln Centre and with Jann Arden (2017) in a choir for her Holiday show with the WSO. She received her BA and B.Ed from the University of Winnipeg and has directed many successful productions during her time at Lord Selkirk Regional Comprehensive Secondary School where she teaches Theatre, Film and Production. Kris keeps herself busy with her minion, Sadie, photography (portrait and commercial) and marriage commissioning. She is deeply thankful for the support of her friends and family, who support her with their words and actions. 

Lysistrata

Cora Fast (she/her) is delighted to be returning to R-G Productions, having previously been seen in Charming & Rose: True Love, and Psychopathia Sexualis. Past productions with other companies include: Write, Rewrite, Repeat for Crosswalk Productions (which she also wrote), Your Brain On Anxiety for Sheep on a Mission, The Complete Works Of William Shakespeare: Abridged for Blackout Productions, several years with The BS Comedy Players, and numerous shows with Merlyn Productions. Cora has been a performing member of Piper Pride Productions since 2019, performing in shows such as Newsies, Dogfight, Legally Blonde, and many others, including their upcoming fall production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dream Coat. As an accomplished improviser, Cora is a performing member of The Crosseyed Rascals who are also performing at this year's Fringe here at Venue 23.

Greg Funk (he/they) is thrilled to be making their Fringe debut with R-G productions this summer. Performing in a variety of plays and dinner theatres over the years, Greg has most recently performed in the Winnipeg Improv festival. Having taken improv classes with Stephen Sims as well as others, Greg values honing their skills and exploring new ways to express themselves and interact with the world around us. And having a riotous blast doing it, of course!

Spartan Ambassador/

Magistrate's Guard

Cinesias

Devon Hemmett (he/him) has been an enjoyer, participant, and purveyor of the Arts for most of his life. He greatly enjoys finding new perspectives from his various roles and stepping into new shoes whether they be comedic or dramatic. Enjoying music and theatre from a young age he took his passion into his profession graduating from Brandon University in 2021 with a Bachelor degree in Music and Drama with an Education After-Degree. Working currently as a Music and Drama teacher in Pinawa, Devon always tries to find opportunities to continue practicing what he teaches having taken part in many choirs, community bands and theatrical productions. Off the stage Devon has also assisted various music and theatrical shows in their sound/light production. Most recently Devon has performed with groups such as the Pinawa Players, Interesting Theatre, and Illustrum Creations in Fringe 2024.

Hank Koreman (he/him) is absolutely delighted to be making his debut with R-G Productions. He was a member of BS Comedy Players for many years. He has appeared in the background of many Hallmark Productions as well as acted on True Crime Shows. Hank would like to thank his partner Diane Isfeld for her Love & support throughout this experience. Hank looks forward to making this a wonderful experience with this Talented cast.

Athenian Ambassador/

Magistrate's Guard

Calum Peppard (she/her) is very excited to take part in her first R-G Productions show, Lysistrata. She recently worked with An Seanchaí Theatre Company in The Towpath and during last year's Fringe, played both Gloria the Bridesmaid in The Social with Dark Horse Theatre and Catherine in The Great Gatsby for Illustrium Creations. She hopes everyone enjoys the absurness of Lysistrata and wants to thank her Mum and Sister for being her biggest fans!

Myrrhine

Daniel Piché (he/him) A long-time Fringe fanatic, Daniel returns in Lysistrata as the indignant Magistrate—trying to restore law and order while peace talks get steamy. He’s learning that justice wears more than a robe! He’s also appearing as pressure-cooked Chef Gaston in Rob & Jenny’s First Date by Dark Horse Theatre (Venue 1). Previous roles include The Great Gatsby with Illustrum Creations (Fringe 2024), You Can’t Take It With You with Winnipeg Mennonite Theatre, and Elf the Musical with North Kildonan Community Players.

The Magistrate

Crystal Ringach (she/her) is excited to be back working with Heather and the R-G Productions team, previously being seen in The Savannah Sipping Society (2017) as Jinx. Crystal studied Theatre and Education at the University of Winnipeg. In her role as Teacher, Ms. Ringach has directed and produced several plays. Crystal is also a devoted mom.

Reconciliation

Special thanks to:

1310 Archibald Apartments

Lord Selkirk Regional Comprehensive Secondary School

Brian Dougherty

Mitch Krohn

Megan Gunn

Steph J Blanchette

Alison Kolisnyk

Allison Loat

The Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival

The Staff at One88