YTYP PRESENTS Hadestown: teen edition!

You might recognize Michael from performing on a stage, setting up sound equipment in a park, or teaching at elementary schools (yes, really). Some of his favourite pastimes include learning instruments just well enough to play them on stage and singing a lot higher than he ought to. In September he will begin his first year in Business at Uvic.

Favourite credits include Javert - Les Misérables (YTYP, 2022), Concord Floral (YTYP, 2022), Victor Von Frankenstein - Young Frankenstein (Guild, 2022), Alice in Wonderland (NLSD, 2023), Gaston - Beauty and the Beast (YTYP, 2023), Roger - Rent (YTYP 2023), and The Squip - Be More Chill (Candlestick Theatre, 2023) and Ricky Potts - Ride the Cyclone (Guild, 2024).

 Ella Laliberty (she/her) has always loved theatre and performing. Throughout high school she attended 3 semesters in the Music, Arts and Drama program, has been part of YTYP since 2019, and has credits with Candlestick Theatre as well! Some of her past roles include Fantine in Les Misérables (2022), Babette in Beauty and the Beast (2023), Mimi in Rent (2023), and most recently, Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof (2024). 

Ella is thrilled to be a part of yet another incredible show with an amazing cast. 

She hopes to see you all at the show!!!

Cohen Ashick-Drainville (he/him) is an actor, singer, and comedian who recently worked like a horse to play Tevye in YTYP's 2024 production of Fiddler on the rood and lit up the stage as Lumière in YTYP’s 2023 production of Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ and brought people to tears as Tom Collins in YTYP's 2023 production of 'Rent.' Cohen also filled the role of Thenardier in YTYP’s 2022 presentation of ‘Les Miserables,’ played the Couch in Jordan Tannahill’s ‘Concord Floral,’ and has performed in YTYP’s ‘Forbidden,’ ‘All Together Now,’ ‘Things I Learned on My Summer Vacation,’ and Disney’s ‘Newsies.’ Cohen is honoured to be playing the role of Hermes in Hadestown as his last production before he goes to university in Victoria. L'chaim!

Bria Lemoine is a dynamic performer who has been with YTYP since its inception, as well as attending 2 semesters of the Music Arts and Drama program during her high school years. With a passion for the stage, she has taken on roles in productions such as Beauty and the Beast, Rent, Concord Floral, Newsies and more! About to enter her second year of university, returning home for the summer and being surrounded by this talented cast and creative team is the only way she would hope to spend it. In the upcoming production of Hadestown Teen, Bria is thrilled to take on the role of Persephone, bringing her energy and charisma to the character. With a love for storytelling and a drive to continually challenge herself as a performer, Bria is on an exciting journey in the world of theatre and can’t wait for you to see this beautiful show and story. 

 Cameron (18) has been involved in the Arts almost his entire life. From the play club at FH Collins, to performing in multiple productions at the Music Arts and Drama program including; “C’est La Vie” and "Greece ". Cameron has also performed in shows with YTYP, where he is the youth steering committee Vice President. He has also been in many YTYP Productions including  “Newsies”, “Les Miseràbles”, ”RENT”, and “Fiddler on the roof.” Cameron also played “Michael” in Candlestick Theatre’s performance of “Be More Chill” and “Emberly” in their performance of “Firebringer.” Cameron is honoured to be playing Hades in this production of “Hadestown,” and is ecstatic to have the privilege to perform with such a talented and hardworking cast and crew!

Menna Zanger has been a part of Yukon Theatre for Young People since the beginning. Her debut in Newsies sparked her love for performance and she's continued to take part in the Whitehorse theatre community ever since. Previously you might have seen her onstage at The Guild Hall (Without Rule of Law, The Wolves, Young Frankenstein ). Or on the Yukon Arts Centre stage performing with Yukon Theatre for Young People, most recently as Maureen in Rent and Madame de la Grande Bouche in Beauty and the Beast. She is grateful for the opportunities YTYP has facilitated during the summers that allow her to take on roles onstage and backstage when she returns home from studying psychology at UBC. Menna is thrilled to perform in YTYP’s production of Hadestown Teen Edition and extends her gratitude to all the amazing people who have helped create this beautiful show!

Ezra (they/them) found their love for the performing arts growing up in a home that was always filled with music and storytelling. They have spent the last few years immersing themselves in the Whitehorse theatre scene in any way they could, doing everything from performing at the Mat Su Arctic Winter Games closing ceremony to co-founding a theatre company (Candlestick Theatre Society) with their friends. 

Ezra’s most notable acting credits include Mordcha in ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ (YTYP), Jemilla in ‘Firebringer’ (Candlestick Theatre Society), and Mrs. Potts in ‘Beauty and the Beast’ (YTYP). They are so excited to be a part of telling this story as one of the Fates and are so grateful to have the opportunity to work with such an amazing team of people.

Eighteen-year-old Sofia is a singer and actor, born and raised in Whitehorse. She has always had a love for theatre and is thrilled to be a part of another YTYP show. In the past, she has preformed with YTYP in Disney’s Beauty And The Beast as ensemble (2023), and most recently, Fiddler on The Roof as Hodel (2024). She has made many lifelong friendships and memories, and is excited to preform in another YTYP production as one of the Fates!

Sofia is very grateful to be surrounded by such an incredible cast and crew, who were able to make this show come to life!

Finnean Sward is a 18 year old Yukon born  performer. Finnean has preformed in multiple YTYP productions as is hoping to make this show just as great as former shows. Finnean is extremely excited for YTYPs main stage production of Hadestown and is giving his all to make it a great show for everyone.

Ellie Pond is a mainly self-taught 16-year-old performer with a strong passion for the arts. She is grateful to those who strongly encouraged her to join YTYP and is enjoying the experience after her first role as Jane Doe in the Guild Hall’s production of Ride The Cyclone. She is happy to be working with the wonderful cast and crew that makes up Hadestown Teen Edition and is looking forward to being part of more theatre productions in the future. 

Sam (they/them) made their theatrical debut a little over a year ago now as one of the main characters in MAD's production of PUFF’s as Oliver Rivers. Sam feels that Oliver will always be the role that they are the most proud of. In Sam's MAD year they were also meant to perform in “The Spice of Life” a MAD variety show, but opening night of the show Sam found out that for the last 3 months they had been dancing, acting, rehearsing and performing on a broken hip! They ended up being pulled from the show and had an emergency surgery. Recovery has led to some difficulties with continuing their acting career but that hasn't stopped Sam from trying! Last year Sam performed in YTYP's production of RENT, as well as their Variety show; Randomonium. Sam also played a character in FH's holiday play this past Christmas. Most recently Sam got to try out some backstage work and ended up being the follow spot operator for the Guild halls production of Ride the Cyclone. While Sam enjoyed being backstage it doesn't compare to being on stage so Sam knew that they had to be a part of Hadestown when they saw the audition list. 

Although Sam is still struggling with complications of an injured hip they are still thoroughly enjoying working on this show and hopes that you enjoy seeing it as much as they did making it!

Hadestown Teen is Mary’s first production in association with YTYP. Although, she started her career in theatre in the MAD program at Woodstreet Centre in 2022. Mary was in ‘A Very Shakespearean Holiday Tale’, an original play by Matthew Brown, then continued for another year in MAD. 

Jean-Paul Lefebvre is a singer and actor and has lived in Whitehorse most of his life. Jean-Paul fell in love with theatre at his previous school, the Seminary of Christ the King in Mission, BC, when in grade 8 he received the main role of Moses in The Prince of Egypt. Since then, he has played many important characters such as Apemantus in Shakespeare's Timon of Athens and the evil villain Bill Sykes in Oliver. Jean-Paul is now looking forward to acting in his first YTYP show as a member of Hades' hard-working crew of workers in this awesome musical.

Taking to the stage once again, Lucas Taggart-Cox is thrilled to be performing in another YTYP show! Bringing many Mmm’s, Ooh’s, A-Ooh’s, Huh’s, and Kkh’s to the ensemble roles he has, Lucas has thoroughly enjoyed every moment in the creation of this show. This music heavy show has been a hard yet rewarding experience for Lucas. His past music experience includes 10 years of classical violin, 9 years of jazz piano, roughly 1 year of singing lessons, an unknown amount of Rotary Music Festival appearances (probably in the billions), and playing with the Okanagan Youth Symphony Orchestra. This fall, Lucas will be returning to McGill to start his 2nd year of Mechanical Engineering.

Notable theatrical credits include his involvement in the MAD Production of Mary Poppins at age 9, Enjolras - Les Miserables (YTYP, 2022), Cogsworth - Beauty and the Beast (YTYP, 2023), Ensemble - Rent (YTYP 2023). 

Hailey Woodford has found her love for theatre in the past three years and hasn't stopped since. Her grade nine year she attended her first semester of MAD and played Galoo in oddly animals (2022). As well as participated in YTYP’s beauty in the beast (2023). Hailey is no stranger to the stage, she's been dancing at NLSD for the past eleven years of her life. She has spent the past two years specializing in commercial and tap. She is so grateful for everyone she's met along these few months of rehearsal and is so excited to continue future projects with YTYP.