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A note from our director:

The first time I read this script, I sat in awe after I was done. I immediately read it again. Then again. Then I googled “The Red Barn Door Murder” and read all about William Corder, the type of person he was and how he came to be notorious in Polstead. I read, and read, and read, all about William, and very little about Maria. The theme of the play became crystal clear to me after this moment: the victims of violent crime are not focused on enough. We know very little, and we mainly focus on the perpetrator. This is the leitmotif for all true crime, and it needs to stop. The innocent victims of these crimes were people with hopes and dreams, and through circumstances that could happen to anyone, they ended up the victims and were largely forgotten. Beth Flintoff made it possible for Maria to live on, and for storytellers to tell her story. We are those storytellers, you are the audience to continue her story. Listen. Please listen to people who have the courage to speak up, and look for signs of abuse for those who can’t speak up.  

This cast is so special, so talented. To watch them, rehearsal after rehearsal, bring this script to life, in such a raw, honest, and important way, was awe-inspiring. This crew was on board with the vision for the show at the first read-through and brought it to life, and went beyond my expectations! Heap all your praise onto this cast and crew, and I hope you are in awe of them as much as I got to be every single rehearsal. Please enjoy the show!

Shawn Marshall

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Cast

Creative Team

Meet the Company

Bethany Doerksen

Phoebe Stowe / Miss Anvil

Bethany is back once again with Leduc Drama Society! Most recently you may have seen her as Josephine in ‘Big Fish’(Leduc Drama Society), Tessie/Mrs. Snoring Man/Ensemble in ‘White Christmas’(Nuova), Morticia in ‘The Addams Family’(Stageworks), Mrs. Greene in ‘The Prom’(Nuova), Ensemble in Head Over Heels(Leduc Drama Society) and Corrie Bratter in ‘Barefoot in the Park’(Manluk). You can also catch her in Walterdale’s upcoming production of Shakespeare in Love. She wants to thank you for supporting the local arts community. Without you, we would not be able to tell the stories, create or do what we love.

Sarah Gibson

Maria Martin (Alive)

Sarah is thrilled to have The Ballad of Maria Martin her Leduc Drama Society's debut! She is an Edmonton based actor, whose previous show was A Party To Murder at the Walterdale Theatre. Previous credits include Dick Piston Hotel Detective (Nacho Pals Theatre) and The Clockmaker (Shattered Glass Theatre). Though the content of this show is heavy, she hopes you enjoy the show!

Karen Huntley

Ann Marten

Karen Huntley is a theatrical shapeshifter who’s sung, sobbed, and side-eyed her way across stages from Shakespearean tragedy to musical mayhem. Whether she’s belting in a corset, directing chaos from the wings, or narrating a murder with suspicious delight, Karen brings heart, humor, and high notes. Favorite roles include Lady Macbeth (The Black Bonspiel of Wullie MacCrimmon), Lucille (Dearly Departed), and Grace Farrell (Annie). She’s thrilled to play Ann in The Ballad of Maria Marten—a role that lets her unleash her dramatic firepower without breaking into song. (For once.) Offstage, she’s a jazz-trained vocalist, theatre-maker, and proud mama to two brilliant daughters, three cats, and a very confused trio of fish. She shares the chaos and magic of life with her husband. She lives for stories that dig deep, make mischief, and leave audiences just a little breathless.

Michael Leoppky

Peter Matthews

Michael is a husband, a father, and a recent sufferer of “just one more role” syndrome. When he’s not playing chauffeur, therapist, or human calendar for his children, he’s probably on stage pretending to be someone with less laundry. A devoted theatre junkie, Michael’s performance history ranges from Big Fish with Leduc Drama Society, Addams Family with Stageworks, and They Promised Her the Moon with Leduc Drama Society, and yes—he cried at curtain call that one time. It was definitely the fog machine. He brings dad-joke timing, duct tape brilliance, and the emotional stamina of someone who’s survived tech week and teenager mood swings. He dedicates this performance to his incredibly patient wife, his legendary kids, and the theatre gods who make community theatre survivable.

Cooper Marshall

Charlie Stowe

Cooper Marshall has come to theatre and acting naturally, seeing as his parents are the director and assistant director, and his sister is the lead in her junior high play. His breakout role was in Leduc Drama Society’s “They Promised Her the Moon” by Laurel Ollstein. Watching his fellow castmates bring that story to life with such honesty and clarity taught him so much, and he is glad to be back in Leduc Drama Society’s presentation of “The Ballad of Maria Marten” by Beth Flintoff. He loves being involved in the process and is always around to be helpful with a well-timed joke, backstage dance, or prank. Cooper hopes you enjoy the show that his family has worked so hard on. “Get some”!

Willow Marshall

Rhea Stowe

Willow Marshall (she-her) is a young girl fascinated in the exciting world of theatre and fine arts. She loves to read and write stories featuring mythical characters, and is also building her way up to being a children's book author of her own book series for a future career. Willow is also fascinated by Japanese art and reads Manga books for inspiration for future characters in what she hopes to be, published novels and comic books. It was at the Edmonton Fringe festival where Willow found her light in the inspiring productions she watched, and the friendly faces behind the scenes. When she was just seven years old, Willow was in A3 Theatre’s production of Joyride, directed by her dad, Shawn Marshall at the Edmonton Fringe Festival, and since then, has been inspired to dive deeper into the theatre world. In her Junior high’s Musical production of Newsies.jr, she starred as Katherine, she was also proud to be a cast member in They Promised Her The Moon. Willow is extremely excited to be a part of the show, The Ballad of Maria Marten. Courtesy of the Leduc Drama Society. Willow hopes that you sit back, relax, and enjoy the roller coaster ride of emotions during this production.

Ryan Mattila

Thomas Corder / William Corder

Ryan Mattila is running on sheer willpower, too much caffeine, and a suspiciously large water bottle. Recent credits include Brad (Stag & Doe), Elwood (A Party to Murder), and the Miller (Canterbury Tales). In Ballad, he takes on two roles while performing in another full-length production—because sleep is optional, but storytelling is sacred. Known for his sharp instincts and full-bodied physicality, Ryan brings relentless heart and craft to every performance. Beneath the chaos is one of the most committed actors you’ll ever meet—and the spotlight knows it.

Anglia Redding

Theresa Havers / Lady Cooke

When not onstage, Anglia can be found browsing bookstores, writing frantically, or curled up on her couch with a good book (or script). Bitten by the acting bug at a young age, she procured her Visual & Performance Arts diploma from Keyano College in Fort McMurray and has haunted many stages since then, either as an actor or as a stage manager. Anglia was last onstage as Cassandra in Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike (Walterdale Theatre). Select performances include Roberta Crosby in The Cat & the Canary (Paper Crown Theatre), and as Annie in Sheep May Safely Graze (Amir Shah) for which she received an Outstanding Performance award from the Alberta Drama Festival Association (ADFA). She would like to send her love to her husband Jeff, who has been incredibly supportive during this process.

Emily Rutledge

Maria Marten (Ghost)

Emily is currently the Artistic Director of the Leduc Drama Society and musical theatre director for Phoenix Academy of Theatre Arts in Camrose. Previous acting credits include: Claire in “Girls Don’t Play Hockey” (Infinite Imagination), Fletcher in “Freaky Friday” (LDS), and Puck in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (Infinite Imagination). Most recently Emily directed “Crimson Cap Ladies: Catch a Con” (LDS), Musicville (Phoenix), and Lizard Boy: A New Musical at the Edmonton Fringe (Viastrat Productions). Emily has 5 kids and is crazy enough to homeschool them all alongside her supportive husband of 21 years, Doug!

Marisa Scarbeau

Sarah Stowe / Mrs. Woodstock

Marisa (she/her) is an Edmonton born actor, writer, and self-love advocate. Past credits include: 'Your Voice Matters' (LDS, 2025); 'The Most Massive Woman Wins' (Bears with Knives & LDS, 2024); 'Diary' (Defiance Theatre); 'Dying to be Thin' (Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival); 'Seven Stories' (Keyano Theatre); and '27 Wagons Full of Cotton' (ADFA). In 2005 Marisa's one-act show, 'Labels', received the ADFA's Outstanding New Work Award, for playwriting and directorial debut. She has also been recognized by the ADFA for her performance in 'Dying to be Thin', winning awards for Best Actress and Outstanding Production. In 2014 the I Matter Foundation honored Marisa with the Inspirational Diamond Award - for her dedication in using theatre to promote healing & social justice, and her volunteer work with the Canadian Mental Health Association. Marisa is thrilled to be back on the Maclab Centre stage in the North American premiere of 'The Ballad of Maria Marten'. Her hope is that the audience will take some of Sarah Stowe's sass out into the world and start fires of their own. She would like to thank her friends and family for their continued love and support! You can follow Marisa off-stage in her journey of writing, fashion, motherhood, self-love, and fat positivity on Instagram: @fiftyshadesofmarjor

Lee-Anna Semenyna

Lucy Balhaam / Lady Pettigrew

Lee-Anna Semenyna is a storyteller, stage nerd, and mom of two with a soft spot for vulnerable characters and messy truths. Acting credits include Jerrie Cobb (They Promised Her the Moon), Suzanne (Miracle on 34th Street), and the Host (Canterbury Tales), as well as recent stage management work on Crimson Cap Ladies Catch a Con and Lizard Boy. She’s currently producing, writing, and directing her original play Hearts Left Open for the Edmonton Fringe. She’d like to thank caffeine, vulnerability, and her husband for getting her through every creative process—with minimal emotional casualties.

Afrah Collier-Potts

Stage Manager, Costume Design & Lighting Design

Afrah has had a blast stage managing, costume designing and designing lights for the ballad of Maria marten. Her background is in costume designing, hair and makeup but she has fallen in love with all roles theatre has to offer. Most recently assistant master painter for King of the yees at walterdale theatre she loves to try new things. You can catch her creating with Nacho Pals theatre, who are excited to tackle fringe again this year after the exciting premiere of Dick Piston Hotel Detective at Edmonton fringe 2024! See her upcoming directing debut at Walterdale Theatres cradle to stage May 20-25.

Shawn Marshall

Director, Lighting & Sound Design

Shawn Marshall (he/him) has been performing his entire life, graduating from the University of Alberta’s Education program with a Drama major and an English minor. Since 2012, he has been heavily involved in the theatre scene in Alberta, writing, directing and performing in 7 plays for The Edmonton International Fringe Festival with his theatre company A3 Theatre. His latest was called Flicker, and it garnered a 4/5 from the Edmonton Journal when it premiered in 2023. It was also handpicked to be a part of the Springboards Festival in 2023. His newest script The Chart was one of the five finalists for the EdmonTEN festival, presented by Alberta Playwright’s Network in 2024, as well as being chosen for the From Cradle to Stage Festival at Walterdale Theatre for their 2024 season. A second draft was chosen for the 2025 version of Springboards New Works Festival, from Workshop West Playwrights’ Theatre, for the Cabaret evening. Last year, he directed They Promised Her the Moon by Laurel Ollstein for the Leduc Drama Society. He is currently the Festival Coordinator for the From Cradle to Stage festival for the Walterdale Theatre. The Ballad of Maria Marten by Beth Flintoff is such a wonderful and important script, and this cast and crew have been an absolute dream to work with. Shawn hopes you enjoy this powerful piece of theatre!

Jennifer Marshall

Assistant Director & Sound Design

Hello beautiful people, and thank you for coming to see The Ballad of Maria Marten. Jennifer was sucked into the wonderful world of theater thanks to her wedding vows. When your husband is an actor, writer and director, it’s only a matter of time before you find yourself amongst very talented people playing make-believe. Thrown into the deep end, Jenn’s first foray as assistant TO the director was at the 2023 Edmonton Fringe Festival with Flicker. She fell madly in love with the entire process and has been hooked ever since. In 2024, she stage-managed They Promised Her The Moon, with the Leduc Drama Society. Now, finally, she has graduated to Assistant Director and couldn’t be any prouder of her cast and crew. She would like to thank her family for their support and patience, her children for being the amazing little theatre rats they are, and finally her husband, Shawn, for showing her a life she never could have dreamed of. She hopes you sit back, enjoy the show, and allow yourself to be immersed in this very important folktale.

Kendra Nordstrom

Props Master, Production Assistant & Photography

Kendra is excited to have the opportunity to work on The Ballad of Maria Marten. Kendra has a background in photography and makeup but just recently dove into the world of theatre. Her hobbies have included embroidery, crafting and painting. All of which have come in handy on this production as Props Master, Kendra also did the photography for Ballads promotional shots that appeared on global news. Recently Kendra was part of the set build and paint crew at Walterdale theatre for King of the Yees and Stag and Doe and is looking forward to future opportunities and growth.

Fiona Rutledge

Assistant Stage Manager

Fiona has been involved in many different areas of theatre over the many years she's been doing things. She loves to perform musical theatre mostly, and has since she was 7 years old, but recently she has also started to stick her toe in other arenas. This show she gained experience in assistant stage managing which was a cool experience with the amount of details put into this show. Previous credits include Musicville- set design (Phoenix Academy), Addams Family- ensemble/understudy (Stageworks), A Midsummer Night’s Dream- Starveling/Moonshine (Infinite Imaginations).

Trina Samotej

Production Assistant

Trina is excited to be a part of her second production with Leduc Drama Society. She was previously a production assistant with Shawn and Jenn in They Promised Her the Moon. When she's not helping backstage you can find her with her two children or on the volleyball court. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Sarah Spicer

Intimacy Coordinator

Sarah (she/her) is an Edmonton based Fight and Intimacy Choreographer. Select past credits: A Midsummer Night's Dream: The 70's Musical (Citadel Theatre), Pirates of Penzance (Foote in the Door Productions), Dick Piston: In Prague-Nosis (Nacho Pals Theatre). Sarah also works as an actor and director and is also the producer behind Shattered Glass Theatre.

Owen Bishop

Dialect Coach

Bethany Doerksen

Musical Arrangements

Len Marshall

Master Builder

Cyndi Wagner

Costume Design

Multimedia

Community theatre is just that - a community, and the community around this show has been massive. It was all hands on deck to bring this absolutely stunning, haunting and groundbreaking show to life. Along with all the cast and crew, and please peruse those lists closely, there are a handful of people that really stepped up in so many ways.

Special thanks to Cyndi Wagner and Val Teskey for the beautiful costume pieces you made.

Len Marshall for the hard work and incredible design of our barn.

Bryan and Janet Nordstrom for generously allowing us to borrow their personal property as set pieces.

James Seabrook of Two Bodies of Water Productions (esquire) for help with our sound effects.

Keith Wagner for looping our music and making it so we had enough to last through the scenes.

Lee-Anna Semenyna for the incredible marketing plan!

Stephanie Swensrude for hooking us up with our Global visit.

Laura Eschak for help with all the costume pieces.

Megan Wagner for executing the marketing.

Riseup Society of Leduc and Shelter Movers, thank you for helping us in the lobby and sharing your very important mission with our audience.

Debbie Tyson, the props master, for helping us procure so many props and set pieces for our show.

Walterdale Theatre Associates for facilitating their department heads to help us with costumes, props and set pieces. 

And you, our friends and family, without you, we are purely dramatic humans performing to hear the sound of our own voices.

You make it real.

You make us better.

Enjoy the show.

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