The Crimson Cap Ladies

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A Message from Our Director

When LDS received a generous donation from the former Calmar Prairie Players, I knew we would use it to pay homage to the former club; choosing one of the local playwright Chris McKerracher's Crimson Cap Ladies capers was my task, and I thought "Catch a Con" would be a blast to bring to the big stage at the Maclab Centre. The process has been a whirlwind and a joy! I cast the show in early summer, but with vacations, Fringe, and general summer busy-ness, we didn't start full rehearsals until September. This entire production came together in a record-breaking time for our club, and I am so proud of and impressed with the commitment and passion of the cast and crew to make it happen. I hope you enjoy the show and share many laughs with us!

~ Emily

Thank You

Our Cast

Production Team

Meet the Company

Asael Bonilla

Don

Asael is excited to join the Leduc Drama Society for the first time. He began his acting journey with a production of The Golden Mean at MacEwan University. After taking a break to attend acting workshops and advance his career, Asael is honoured to be part of this amazing production with an extremely talented cast. Using his experience in jujitsu and boxing, he looks forward to entertaining audiences with the story of The Crimson Cap Ladies.

Janet Hinkley

Mrs. Garnet

Janet began her journey acting in community theatre with the Leduc Drama Society many years ago and is thrilled to return to her first theatre home once again. Her current theatre home is with the Manluk Theatre in Wetaskiwin where her most recent roles include "Calendar Girls" (Ruth), "Dearly Departed" (Raynelle Turpin), and "Steel Magnolias" (Clairee). Janet is thrilled to be back acting with new and old friends in her former "home" and has enjoyed bringing this play to life with such a talented cast as well as the best directing team headed by Emily and Lee-Anna, and all of the behind-the-scenes crew! Welcome to a Crimson Cap Ladies meeting and tell me it isn't fun!

Michelle Niwa

Esther

Michelle is really excited to perform in her second Crimson Cap Caper and is loving portraying a new character this time around. Michelle adores her grandchildren and great grandchildren and loves spending time with them and her daughter and son in law. She is so thankful for the people who have supported her decision to give acting another try.

Kirsten Milner

Grace

Kirsten’s thrilled to celebrate her 39th year with LDS in such a fun role with this talented team. She began with LDS and Black Rock Project’s joint production of Jesus Christ Superstar (1985) and was most recently seen in Clue (2023). She’s forever grateful for the opportunities LDS has provided to nurture her passions for music and theatre, and for the friends she’s made along the way. Enjoy the show!

Megan Reti

Chrys

Megan is very excited to be part of her first production with Leduc Drama Society. She enjoys both the on-stage and design aspects of theatre. She has previously appeared in Come Again Another Day (Walterdale Theatre).

Anne-Marie Smyth

Millie

Anne-Marie is an active member of the Edmonton Region acting scene. Her recent pilgrimage to Canterbury took place during this year’s Edmonton Fringe, where she transformed from a Hag to Beautiful (well almost) woman in front of your eyes. Anne-Marie thinks Millie is a joy; who else finds a free carpet cleaning as big a win as winning the lottery? Anne-Marie thinks we should all be a little more like Millie and find the joy in life!

Sam Woolsey

Leona

Sam has always wanted to be a star in L.A. and this is her big break! She is tickled pink (or is it red?) to be in her first production with the Leduc Drama Society. She hopes you will enjoy this fun show and sincerely thanks you for supporting community theatre!

Kurt Vanderhoef

Eunice

Kurt was born at a young age, and always knew that he had the need to act on stage or on camera. Though often considered calm, collected and almost painfully shy, he was determined to step out of his comfort zone to play the unique role of Eunice in The Crimson Cap Ladies Catch a Con. This is his first time working with the Leduc Drama Society and he is hoping it isn’t the last.

Emily Rutledge

Director

Emily Rutledge is a local actor, director, theatre arts instructor, and self-confessed drama queen; who has been working in the theatre world for over 2 decades. She is currently the musical theatre director for the Phoenix Academy of Theatre Arts, in Camrose and is also the current Artistic Director of the Leduc Drama Society. She has most recently performed as “Fletcher” in Freaky Friday: The Musical (Leduc Drama) and as “Puck” in A Midsummer Night's with Infinite Imagination. When not on stage she can be found homeschooling her five children on their family acreage alongside her supportive husband of 20 + years!

Lee-Anna Semenyna

Stage Manager

Lee-Anna is excited to stage manage The Crimson Cap Ladies Catch a Con. She has experience both on and off stage, with recent performances in Canterbury Tales and They Promised Her the Moon, and stage management roles in The Reluctant Dragon and LizardBoy. When not in the theatre, Lee-Anna stays busy as a mom of two, a volleyball player, and an aspiring writer.

Ava Cole

Student Director

Ava is a Leduc based artist. While she is brand new to the art of directing, she has done numerous projects in the acting department. She also trained with the Citadel Theatre’s Young Preforming Company. Select acting credits include Performer in “Is My Microphone On” (Citadel Young Company); Cheryl in “Bathers”, Gretchen in “Mean Girls”, (Leduc Composite High School); Helena in “The Clover Report” (MusicalMania!). She is very excited to be shadowing Emily and learning about the process of directing and working on the other side of the rehearsal table! Love to Mom, Dad, Ashy, Maddison and everyone else who has always supported me. Thank you so much.

Jas Meyer

Student Stage Manager

This is Jas’ first time working behind the scenes of a show! They have been an active member of LDS since 2016 when they were casted in the ensemble for Sleeping Beauty. Jas has also performed in Symphony Jones, Freaky Friday and recently Head Over Heels. When Jas isn’t on stage they are working on their business and volunteering with the Leduc Arts Foundry. Enjoy the show!

Fiona Rutledge

Set Design

Fiona has been in the theater world for as long as she can remember, from summer camp to main stage performances she has done a little bit of everything. Her involvement with this show is her creativity in set design. She has had opportunities before to set design but for this show she had a little more room to work and let her creativity run free. She hopes you enjoy the show, and take an extra peak at the work she put into the set.

Karen Huntley

Master Builder

Karen brings extensive experience both on and off stage. Her directing credits include Arsenic and Old Lace, Shenanigans Improv, and Music Co-Director for Annie. Some of her many notable acting roles include Merchant in Canterbury Tales, Garbo Girl in Spy!, Shelby in Steel Magnolias, and Lucille in Dearly Departed. Behind the scenes, she’s worked on set design and props for Tuck Everlasting, South Pacific, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Karen is thrilled to be part of this production.

Behind the Scenes

Behind the Scenes

The cast and crew would like to thank the Leduc Drama Society for their support and encouragement through this process.

We would also like to thank all of you - our friends, families, and everyone who has come to support us in this production. Without an audience, we look like a bunch of crazies. Thank you for coming with us on this wild ride!

We appreciate every one of you.

Thank You