Bonnie Catterson Kent (she/her) is an actor/writer/director and owner of Kismet Theatre. A member of UBCP/ACTRA, Bonnie received her training at the Canadian College of Performing Arts, The Actors Studio w/Anthony Holland and Catherine Caines, and The Lyric School of Acting (Now Railtown Actors Studio) with Kate Twa, Michele Lonsdale-Smith, John Cassini and Ben Ratner. Her first produced play was a one women show, Hear the Mermaids Singing, dramaturgy by Libby Mason. After working as an actor in Vancouver for the first decade of the 2000’s, she returned to the island and opened Kismet Theatre in 2012. Some of her favourite productions include Danny and the Deep Blue Sea (Kismet Collective/Nanaimo Fringe/Director), Rabbit Hole (Kismet/W.E. co pro/Director) Savage In Limbo (Western Edge/Actor), Venus In Fur (W.E./director) and One Night Stand (W.E./ director). Through Kismet Theatre Collective she wrote and produced several social justice plays, whose proceeds went to local charitable organizations. When I Was, Los Hermanas (writer/actor/director). Be A Man (writer/director) and in 2022, EMERGE (writer/producer) an 2SLGBTQIA+ youth production with support from the BC Arts Council for which she wrote and secured the grant. Last year she wrote and performed in her play Waiting, which made it’s debut as part of Western Edge’s New Waves Festival. She then directed Lauren Gunderson’s I and You, also for Western Edge. It was a career highlight. As a disabled artist, Bonnie strives to create accessible collaborative productions that elevate and amplify underserved and oppressed voices. Art and storytelling are for everyone. Her greatest joy in life is helping others realize their potential.

bonnie@kismettheatrecollective.org

Laura Mudge (She/Her) is a seasoned theatre professional with a passion for nurturing young talent in the world of improv and theatre. With over a decade of experience, she has dedicated her career to coaching and mentoring youth, igniting their creativity and love for the performing arts. Laura's journey in the world of theatre and improv has taken her through various renowned workshops, including invaluable training with Tracy Erin Smith from Second City Toronto and Clair Sinnet in Los Angeles. Not just a coach, Laura Mudge is a multi-faceted artist herself. She graced the stages as a professional actor and model in Toronto. In addition, she has honed her skills by completing certifications in Musical Theatre through Trinity College, further enriching her experiences. Since 2014, she has served as the Director of On The Mark Theatre's youth theatre programs, nurturing and developing young talent into future stars. From 2016 to 2022, Laura was a dedicated coach at RainCoast School of Musical Theatre, where her guidance inspired countless young performers. Laura Mudge was the Artistic Director and Theatre Coach since 2014 until recently for both Spring Break and Summer Camps at the Tidemark Theatre. Her leadership and multi faceted experiences continue to shape the futures of aspiring artists on stage and backstage. Beyond her work with youth, Laura also brings her talents to the as a multi talented technician with a main focus on audio and video. She has used her skills in numerous outdoor events and theatres on Vancouver Island as a member of I.A.T.S.E 168. Her diverse skill set and passion for the arts make her a true asset to the theatre community. Laura Mudge's journey is a testament to her unwavering commitment to the performing arts and her dedication to nurturing the next generation of talented individuals in this field.

laura@kismettheatrecollective.org

Mel Kahan (She/They) is thrilled to be a part of Kismet Theatre. She is a graduate of the Canadian College of Performing Arts in Victoria, BC. Recently, they toured across Canada with the show Love Bomb, written by Megan Gardiner. Before that, she put on her cowboy boots for Classic Country Roads with The Chemainus Theatre Festival. In 2019, Mel was awarded best actress for her portrayal of Anne in NTG’s festival production of The Diary of Anne Frank. Mel has voiced several children’s audiobooks and worked on Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach. Mel is also a singer/ songwriter, her music can be found on all streaming platforms under Melifawn.

melissa@kismettheatrecollective.org