YTYP PRESENTS COME FROM AWAY

Aila Massie is a sixteen-year-old high school student who has been performing onstage since she was three. This is her fifth performance with YTYP, the most recent being in “The Wizard of Oz”. The senior show this year, “Come From Away”, is an incredibly impactful and important show, and she is very excited and grateful to be able to bring it to life with such an amazing group of people. As this show speaks to the power of community, she hopes that this performance can remind people of the strength that they have when they come together, and she also hopes that this show will bring people as much joy as its creation brought to her!

Allison Keats is super excited to be apart of Come From Away, and is thrilled to have the opportunity to be back onstage. 20-year-old Allison is especially excited to be apart of this production as her whole family is from Newfoundland, and is happy to feel closer to that throughout the production. She has been apart of YTYP's past productions, including Les Miserables, Beauty and the Beast, and Fiddler on the Roof. This being her first senior production, Allison is thrilled to be back on stage. She hopes that everyone enjoys the show, and 'Welcome to the Rock!'

Annistin-Bree (she/her) is 15 years old and attends FH Collins Secondary School. She attended ballet for many years as a child and has always loved performing. Last year, she performed in her first plays while attending Porter Creek Secondary School, and played in YTYP The Wizard of Oz, which further grew her passion for theatre and the stage. Her favourite musicals are Hamilton, Annie, and The Sound of Music. Annistin-Bree is very excited to be part of this performance and to work with such an amazing group. Enjoy the show!

Asher (he/him) is 17 years old and has been in 6 YTYP mainstage productions and this is his first Senior show. Asher loves theatre and has ever since his first role with YTYP of Les in "Newsies". Other than theatre, Asher loves rock climbing and sailing. He is very excited about this production and hopes you enjoy it!

Ben (he/him) is thrilled to be part of YTYP’s summer production of Come From Away. Ben’s love for theatre began in Grade 9 during his first semester in the MAD program. Come From Away marks Ben’s fifth production with YTYP starting in the ensemble of CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY (2025), then stepping behind the scenes as Assistant Stage Manager for last year’s productions of ANASTASIA (2025), and FROZEN (2026). Ben went back to the stage to play the Cowardly Lion in YTYP’s production of THE WIZARD OF OZ (2026). A fun fact is that Ben has a family connection to this story. His family is from Newfoundland and his mother is from Port aux Basques! Finally, Ben hopes that you enjoy watching this show about  kindness, human connection and a community that came together in the hardest of times. Welcome to the Rock!

Bria Lemoine is thrilled to be playing Bonnie Harris in Come From Away. Born and raised in Whitehorse, Bria has been performing with Yukon Theatre for Young People since 2019, appearing in ensemble roles in Newsies, Rent, Maraise in Beauty and the Beast, Persephone in Hadestown: Teen Edition, and most recently as Anya in Anastasia. When she is not performing, Bria is attending school at the University of British Columbia Okanagan, where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Media Studies with a focus in journalism. She is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to help share this powerful story of kindness, community, and resilience, and, as always, can usually be found with an iced coffee in hand!

Cadence (she/her) is a founding member of YTYP and has been involved in every production since its inception. Long-time attendees will recognize her from her memorable performances as Crutchie in Newsies (2019), Madame Thénardier in Les Misérables (2022), and Joanne in Rent (2023). Cadence has spent the last three years learning the producing side of theatre, mentored by the incredible Angela Drainville. Most notably, Cadence was the associate producer for YTYP’s Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Fiddler on the Roof, Hadestown: Teen Edition, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Frozen, and The Wizard of Oz. She is thrilled to be taking the stage once again and for the opportunity to perform with her friends, who feel more like family. 

Cohen (he/him) is grateful to have the opportunity to be part of the cast of Come From Away. Cohen has been part of the YTYP MainStage Company since 2019’s Newsies (ensemble) and has since performed in Les Miserables (Thenardier), Beauty and the Beast (Lumiere), and Fiddler on the Roof (Tevye), and three Senior Summer Productions, including Rent (Tom Collins), Hadestown (Hermes), and last year’s Anastasia (Vlad). Cohen was also fortunate to perform in YTYP’s production of Disney’s Frozen (Kristoff) this year. Cohen is also proud of his work as part of the cast of Stonecliff (Young Michael Heney) and performed with both the Heart of Riverdale Musical Theatre Program and the Frantic Follies Vaudeville Camp. Cohen is entering the YNTEP Program at Yukon University in the fall, and works as an Early Childhood Educator at The Heart of Riverdale.

Declan Wise (he/him) went to Newfoundland one time. He did not get screeched in, as he was 9 years old. He is playing the role of Oz in the show. In the past, you’ve probably seen him in a whole bunch of other shows. In the fall, he’s starting the Music and Computer Science program at Uvic. He hopes you enjoy the show. Or don’t. It’s your choice.

Ella Laliberty (she/her) is an actress and singer, born and raised in Whitehorse. Throughout high school, she attended the MAD program, has been part of YTYP since 2019, and has credits with Candlestick Theatre and The Guild as well! You may have seen her throughout the years, as she takes every opportunity she can to get onstage. Past credits include Fantine in Les Misérables (2022), Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof (2023), Eurydice in Hadestown: Teen Edition (2024), Countess Lily in Anastasia (2025), Elsa in Frozen (2026) (YTYP), and most recently, Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors (Guild).

Elora Wheeler (she/her) is 16. She moved from Haines Junction to Whitehorse in August 2024 to attend the MAD program. She is going into grade 11. Her first production with YTYP was "Fiddler on the Roof," where she was part of the ensemble. She was then cast as a reporter in "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" before being cast as Countess Gregory/Paulina in the senior cast production of "Anastasia". She was cast as part of the ensemble in "Disney Frozen" and "The Wizard of Oz". She is looking forward to many more productions with YTYP. Outside of rehearsal, she enjoys playing the fiddle, swimming with the Glacier Bears, singing, dancing and archery.

Twenty-one year old Ezra Baker (they/them) is an American-Canadian performer and theatre teacher who made Whitehorse their home in 2019. Since then, they have tried to immerse themselves in the theatre scene in any way they can. Ezra's most notable acting credits include Pabbie in 'Frozen', 'Count Leopold in 'Anastasia', Fate 3 in 'Hadestown', and Mrs. Potts in 'Beauty and the Beast!

Their family has personal connections to the events of 9/11, making involvement in this production especially meaningful to Ezra. They are honoured to work with this amazing group of people and to be part of telling this meaningful and powerful story.

Finnean Sward has performed in multiple YTYP productions and is hoping to help capture the magic of the former shows. Finnean is extremely excited for this summers production of Come from away and is hopeful that he will be able to do justice to this story

Jeremy Deziel is thrilled to be apart of Come from away !! As his first YTYP show he cannot express his excitement. Jeremy has been apart of many shows like his most recent Pirates of Penzance and many original MAD Production. He hopes you enjoy the show!

Lillian is 16 years old and is about to enter Grade 11 at Porter Creek Secondary School. She is very proud to say that she has appeared in every YTYP Main Stage show since she played Young Cosette in Les Misérables, as well as finally being old enough to be a part of the senior show Anastasia last summer. Lillian is forever grateful for the lessons YTYP has taught her and the future lessons she is sure to learn. She is so incredibly proud of the fantastic cast and artistic team, working very long hours to put this beautiful show on the stage. She hopes you all buy tickets and can’t wait to see you there!

Luca is very excited to play Kevin T! He’s done lots of shows with YTYP before and always loves working with them! He played a snowman once!

Max McLarnon (he/him) is thrilled to return back to YTYP after a three-year hiatus before entering his final year for the Musical Theatre program at Capilano University. You can find him next transported back in time to 1895’s London, England, as he plays the role of Algernon Moncrieff in CapU’s production of The Importance of Being Earnest this November. He extends thank you’s to all who joined us on this journey be it from the locals to the come from aways. payitforward911.org

Past YTYP adventures include RENT, Concord Floral & Les Misérables. Other credits: Mustard (Guild Hall), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Theatre Under the Stars), Love’s Labour’s Lost (CapU Theatre); The Perelandra Project with Wapanacahkos; Strange Joy & UZUMAKI  (Simon Fraser University). maxmclarnon.com

Come From Away has been a fun way to keep busy this summer for MGT, who now lives in Victoria and just closed Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, and Spare Parts: an original robot space musical. Earlier this summer, Yukon audiences saw him in the independently produced Punch Up. While in Whitehorse, he works in marketing and communications for YukonU, and during the year he studies Economics at UVic. Awesomely, in september, MGT will begin rehearsals for VOS’s Into The Woods in the role of Jack.

Other musical credits include: Legally Blonde [VOS], Frozen (Hans), Anastasia (Dmitry), Hadestown (Orpheus), RENT (Roger), Beauty and the Beast (Gaston), Les Misérables (Javert) [YTYP], Ride the Cyclone (Ricky Potts) [Guild Hall], and Be More Chill (The Squip) [Candlestick Theatre].

Katie Avery-music director, fiddler, and stand-in for approximately 20 other instruments that don’t exist in the territory. You may remember her from such local spectacles as: Tosca, the Candlelight Concerts, and facing her fear of public speaking by signing up to host the main stage at the Kluane Mountain Bluegrass Festival. Her favourite pass-times include drinking tea, wearing plaid, and making strangers sing along to songs they don’t know. As such, she feels right at home on the set of Come from Away! 

Scott Maynard is delighted to be back working with YTYP on Come From Away, his third show with the company; he also worked on Hadestown and on Newsies, the very first YTYP production back in 2019. True fact: Newfoundland is the only Canadian province or territory that he has not yet visited. Scott is also involved in the upcoming debut production of an original Yukon musical with the Guild, and is touring nationally with the Climate Change verbatim theatre project.

Originally from Stratford, Ontario, Wyatt Best began playing guitar amidst the rich cultural history of his hometown. In 2008, he moved to Toronto, where he studied jazz and contemporary music at Humber College, alongside many of Canada’s top young musicians. Incorporating elements of blues, rock, jazz, country, and avant-garde, Wyatt developed a style of playing which is unique, while being firmly rooted in the tradition and history of American music. While living in Ontario, Wyatt worked with notable Canadian artists like Evan Redsky, Chilina Kennedy, and Mackenzie Jordan. Wyatt was also a member of Redsteps, a Toronto-based folk/rock group from 2010-2016

Currently residing in Whitehorse, Yukon. Wyatt’s skills as a guitarist and pedal steel player remain in high demand. As a busy sideman, Wyatt has performed with Kim Beggs, Brigitte Jardin, The Lucky Ones, Country Josh, Sarah Hamilton, Dutch Handsome & The Ransom, Fawn Fritzen, and Andy Slade. Wyatt is currently a member of Muster Point; a jazz/new music ensemble that features innovative collaborations with a diverse range of local artists, as part of an ongoing series of performances.

A classically trained percussionist and self-taught drummer, Michel has gradually transitioned from profane metal headbanger to jazz fusion sophisticate. Over the last several years, he has been gratefully pulled into the orbit of performing arts collaborations.

As a drummer and percussionist, Jerome has played all kinds of styles and genres. Raised in a large family of musicians with Irish and French Canadian roots, he was introduced to traditional Irish music at an early age. When he is not walking his dog or riding his bike, he can often be found playing the bodhrán with local Celtic groups and other musicians wherever the opportunity arises—whether on stage, at a kitchen party, or in a lively session.