Dear Evan Hansen

Andrew Preston is a theatre artist based out of St. John’s, Newfoundland, and has been involved in productions in the St. John’s community and across the province for over eight years. He has had the pleasure of working at notable companies around the province such as Perchance Theatre and Rising Tide Theatre where he has spent the past five summers performing. Some theatre credits include; Gabe (Next to Normal, Rising Tide Theatre), J.D (Heathers, Best Kind Productions), Willie (Maiden Voyage, RTT), and Jeremy (Be More Chill, BKP). He is so excited to be playing the role of Evan and would like to thank Tim, Kyle and Krysta for the opportunity to help tell this beautiful story. He would also like to give special thanks to his partner, Mallory for their support and for showing him that we all, truly, will be found. Please enjoy our show!

Erin Johnston (She/Her) is a performer and music educator who holds a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from Western University. Trained in both classical and musical theatre styles, she further developed her craft at the NYU Musical Theatre Intensive. Erin teaches private piano and voice lessons at Halliday Music Studio and Sounds of the Cove Music Studio. Since 2010, she has appeared in a wide range of theatre and opera productions. Select credits include: Legally Blonde, Mean Girls, and Finding Nemo (Majestic Theatre YPC); Godspell (King’s Players); Let’s Bop (Terra Bruce Productions); Working (DWFOM); 9 to 5 and A Call to Arms (Atlantic Light Theatre); Falstaff and L’elisir d’amore (Western University Opera). Erin is grateful to be working with Best Kind Productions and The Majestic Theatre again and to share this story with audiences.

Masen is a theatre artist from St. John’s. Originally from Alberta, he studied Music Theatre Performance at St. Clair College in Ontario before moving to Newfoundland. You may recognize him from Best Kind’s recent production of Heathers or Rising Tide’s most recent production of Maiden Voyage here at the Majestic. Masen would like to thank all of his friends and family for supporting him, but most of all he wants to thank you for coming to the show and supporting the arts in our community!

Kiersten Noel is a performer and educator from St. John’s, Newfoundland. She has worked with many theatre companies across the province including Atlantic Light Theatre, Tada Events, Best Kind Productions, Opera on the Avalon, Theatre St. John’s, and Kitchen Party Theatre Company. Most recently she appeared in Tada Event’s production of Disney’s Frozen and as a member of the Gander company of Come From Away. Concert performances include appearances with the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra, Theatre St. John’s, Best Kind Cabarets, and as a soloist with Our Divas Do Christmas for many holiday seasons. TV/Film credits include Republic of Doyle, SurrealEstate, and Hudson & Rex. A graduate of Memorial University and New York University, she also teaches private voice and has served as a voice adjudicator in festivals across the province. She is thrilled to be part of this cast and telling this incredibly powerful story. www.kierstennoel.com

Melanie holds degrees from Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ) and the New England Conservatory of Music (Boston, MA). She performed throughout the U.S. and Canada, most notably with the Canadian Opera Company, before returning home to NL. Since moving home, Melanie has appeared in numerous productions including, No Change In The Weather with Terra Bruce Productions; Into the Woods, Ours, and The Phantom of the Opera with Opera on the Avalon; Fun Home with Best Kind Productions; and Sister Act with Atlantic Light Theatre.
In addition to performing, Melanie takes great joy in teaching at her private voice and piano studio in the Paradise area, helping students of all ages achieve their musical goals. She also frequently adjudicates at Kiwanis and Rotary Music Festivals throughout the province. She is absolutely thrilled to be returning to Best Kind Productions and The Majestic Theatre!

John Williams is a St. John’s-based musician, instrumentalist, and performer who is a regular presence on local stages. He has appeared in numerous productions and live events throughout the city, combining a strong musical background with a passion for storytelling and performance. Recent credits include TaDa! Events’ Our Divas Do Christmas and Jersey Boys, and he continues to perform regularly with Spirit of Newfoundland. John is delighted to be returning to the stage with Best Kind Productions and looks forward to sharing this production with audiences.

As a professional singer, Conor has worked with numerous companies in the province and has travelled as far as Europe as a performer. With a Bachelor of Music with Honours, Conor continues to work, build & connect with companies in St. John’s. Recent theatre credits include; Henry in Next to Normal (Rising Tide Theatre), Kurt in Heathers (BKP), Frozen (Ensemble/Kristoff US), Jersey Boys, & Cabaret (Tada Events). Conor is happy with be apart of the cast of Dear Evan Hansen and would like to thank his family, friends & fiancé Rebecca for all their support. Enjoy the show!

Maggie Furey is a Canadian Soprano currently completing a Bachelor of Music at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador where she studies with Dr. Caroline Schiller and Dr. Jane Leibel. A passionate performer, Maggie’s performance experience spans choral, opera, and musical theatre repertoire. She is a committed member of the St. John’s music community, participating in Ladycove Women’s choir, Shallaway Youth Choir, local musicals and festivals, and much more. Maggie has performed as roles such as Susanna in Memorial University’s Opera Workshop production of Le Nozze di Figaro, and performed in Shallaway Youth Choirs original musical Sidewalk Dandelion as Mimi. Driven by a commitment to give back, she views music as a tool for collective healing and a bridge between communities.

Leah Downey is so excited to taking part in her second show with Best Kind Productions! Usually found working behind the scenes, Leah taught with Courtney Fowler Performance Academy. Some onstage theatre credits include Sun in an Empty Room, Never Swim Alone (GroupHug Productions), Alice by Heart (CFPA), Godspell, Seussical (Etcetera Productions), and Heathers (Best Kind Productions). Leah would like to thank Tim, Kyle, Krysta, and everyone who helped make this show possible. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Erin Lee is a soprano and triple threat with a passion for opera and musical theatre alike. Originally from St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Erin most recently appeared as Fiona in Brigadoon at the NUOVA Vocal Arts Festival in Edmonton. Other credits include Elsa Understudy/Ensemble in Frozen and Angel/Ensemble in Jersey Boys (Tada! Events), Fairy Godmother in La Cinderella (MUN Opera Workshop), and Glinda in The Wizard of Oz (Holy Heart Theatre).
Erin holds Honours degrees in Music and Business Administration from Memorial University, having graduated from the first double-degree program of its kind in Canada. As a Vocal Performance major, she studied under Dr. Jane Leibel. She received the Dorothy and David Peters Scholarship in Music (2021) and was also the winner of the Memorial University Concerto Competition (2022). Erin is grateful to be part of a story that reminds us we’re not alone. Enjoy the show!

Jacques St-Pierre is thrilled to be making his debut with Best Kind Productions as a member of the ensemble of Dear Evan Hansen. A graduate of Sheridan College’s Music Theatre program and now an elementary school educator, Jacques is also known throughout Newfoundland and Labrador as drag performer Barbra Bardot. Earlier this year, Jacques appeared as the Cat in the Hat in Seussical with Etcetera Productions and spent the summer performing in Next to Normal with Rising Tide Theatre. Recent credits also include writing, directing, and starring in the original production Becoming Barbra at The Majestic Theatre, as well as Hans in Frozen and Lola in Kinky Boots (TaDa Events), Let’s Dance (Terra Bruce Productions), and Mamma Mia! and Crazy For You (Port Hope Festival Theatre). Jacques lovingly dedicates this performance to Brian, a cherished friend whose memory and impact continues to be felt every day.

Max Stringer is a 4th year psychology honours student at Memorial University who has been performing with Etcetera Productions for over 10 years. Max has studied voice and musical theatre with Megan Barnes and Justin Goulding, and has appeared in numerous Etcetera shows: Etcetera’s 29 through 38, Godspell (2019), Epcot’s Candlelight Processional (2019, 2024) and is excited to return this year as a Wickersham Brother in Seussical the Musical. Recent credits include ensemble in Frozen (2025 – TaDa Events), Declan in Pieces of Resistance (2025 – St. John’s Shorts), Jack in Into the Woods (2023), and ensemble in How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2025 – Peter Macdonald Productions). Max is so excited to be making his Best Kind Productions debut in Dear Evan Hansen and is grateful to be part of this production!

Timothy Matson is a director, actor, teacher, and Co-Artistic Director of Best Kind Productions. His directing credits for Best Kind include Heathers, Second Shot – the Curling Musical (premiere), Be More Chill, Fun Home, Impresario (premiere), Next to Normal, Urinetown, 13, Avenue Q, Spelling Bee, and Fuddy Meers. Outside of Best Kind Productions, he has directed for Rennie’s River Fall Musicals, Ghostlight Theater Camp, Kitchen Party Theatre Festival, and Mount Pearl Senior High, including MPSH’s recent productions of Into the Woods, Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella, and last spring’s production of Hadestown – Teen Edition at the Majestic Theatre. As a performer, he has performed with Atlantic Light Theatre, Peter MacDonald Productions, the Majestic Theatre, Elevator Pitch, Tada Events, and Best Kind Productions. Most recently, he played Oz and Others in Come From Away (Gander). A dedicated arts educator, he is currently Drama/Theatre Arts teacher at Mount Pearl Senior High.

Kyle McDavid (Music Director) is a musician, producer, director, writer/composer, educator, and graphic designer. He is the communications manager for Shallaway Youth Choir, marketing manager for HarbourVOICES! festival, and graphic designer for the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra. As Founder and Co-Artistic Director of Best Kind Productions, he has produced 40+ events over the past 16 years, wearing many hats both on and off stage. Select music direction credits include Dear Evan Hansen, Avenue Q, Urinetown, Fun Home, Heathers, Little Shop of Horrors, Chicago, Billy Bishop Goes to War, and more. He has led ArtsSmarts projects, creating original school musicals with K-7 students, and composes for Ladies Who Lunch Productions and Untellable Movement Theatre. As a musical theatre writer/composer, he has created original musicals including Impresario, How Do You Get to Jellybean Row?, Sidewalk Dandelion, Lightkeepers, and has created scripts for the NSO’s family pops concerts.

Krysta Rudofsky could not be happier helping to bring this beautiful show to the stage for the first time in our province. She is a theatre and music lover living out her dreams helping to bring as much art and culture to The Majestic Theatre stages as possible. Krysta loves collaboration and has spent many years in TV, film, marketing, and the arts. In past years she was a performer and now prefers to be in a supporting role. As the Executive Director of The Majestic Theatre, Krysta leads an amazing team of talented humans.

Sandra Mills is a theatrical multi-hyphenate thrilled to be back with Best Kind Productions, for whom she previously stage managed “Spooky Christmas Town”, “A Very Nick Mandville Christmas”, and “Heathers: The Musical”, and appeared onstage as Glynis in “Second Shot: The Curling Musical”. Other production credits include lighting and projections designer for “Vincent”, “Accidentally Brave” and “These Shining Lives” (St. John’s Players), the latter for which she won Best Lighting Design at the 2024 Provincial Drama Festival. Sandra continues in her mission to be in two places at once, as she is currently rehearsing to appear as Dilber in Peter Macdonald Productions’ “Scrooge”. Thanks to Tim, Alexis, and the whole team for making the dream work! Sandra is the Vice-Chair of the NL Drama Society, and offstage, Sandra works at Memorial University, sings at funerals, and talks about pop culture on CBC and social media.

Katey is excited to be joining this production as Props Manager! Having previously worked as Props Manager for two school productions, as well as taking on the role as stage manager, she has developed a love for the creativity and collaboration that comes with bringing a show to life. This production marks her first experience working outside of high school theatre, making it an exciting new chapter in her theatre journey. She is grateful for the opportunity to be part of this production and looks forward to helping bring it to life, one prop at a time!

Michelle LaCour is an ECMA-nominated and MusicNL award-winning audio engineer based in St. John’s. She holds a Bachelor of Music from Memorial University and a Masters of Music from McGill University, where she worked as an audio engineer, teaching assistant, and webcast director. Michelle has worked as a recording, mixing, and mastering engineer; a videographer, producer, and livestream engineer; and as a live sound engineer and technical director for Sound Symposium, Lawnya Vawnya, the Tuckamore Festival, and the 21st Century Guitar. She works in film, television, and theatre as a sound designer and mixer. Formerly on faculty at the College of the North Atlantic, Michelle can be found giving lectures, mentoring emerging audio engineers, and leading workshops on a variety of sound-related topics. She is currently the executive director for Sound Arts Initiatives, and maintains a practice as a musician and a freelance sound engineer. www.michellelacour.com

Daniel Dumaresque Correa is a fourth-year Bachelor of Music student at Memorial University, studying piano and composition. He is an active member of the St. John’s music community, playing with the MUN Wind Ensemble and Jazz Orchestra, serving as a Choral Scholar with Shallaway Youth Choir, and working as Assistant Conductor for Calos Youth Orchestras. Daniel also grew up heavily involved in musical theatre, performing with Peter MacDonald Productions, Best Kind Productions, and Courtney Fowler Performance Academy. As much as he loves being on stage, he also thoroughly enjoys playing in the band for musicals. Some of his recent band credits include Mamma Mia! (HHM, 2026), Ordinary Days (CFPA, 2025), Kinky Boots (TaDa! Events, 2025), and Second Shot (BKP, 2023).
Daniel is beyond excited to play keyboard in one of his favourite musicals and is extremely grateful to the Majestic Arts Centre and Best Kind Productions for this wonderful opportunity!

Casey is a classical guitarist born and raised in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Primarily a classical guitarist, Casey recently completed his undergraduate in music under the instruction of world-renowned guitar virtuoso Christopher Parkening, at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. Casey has competed in both local and national-level music competitions, and has given over forty classical guitar performances in the past two years alone. Although he has played in a wide variety of genres, including Jazz and Rock, this is Casey’s first time in a pit band for a musical! Casey is overjoyed to be back home in St. John’s doing what he loves as part of such an amazing cast and crew! (Casey would also like to thank his family for having to listen to this musical on repeat through only the guitar part and rehearsal tracks while he was learning it).

Brett graduated from the Memorial University of Newfoundland School of Music in 2003 with a Bachelor of Music in Classical Guitar. A versatile multi-instrumentalist, he plays guitar, piano, bass, percussion, mandolin, bodhrán, and violin across diverse styles. His career spans work as a session player, producer, arranger, and actor.
An accomplished educator and composer, Brett has earned accolades from the Royal Conservatory of Music, various songwriting competitions, and business awards for his teaching and recording studio, The MusicBox. His composition portfolio spans commercial radio spots, solo guitar works, full-feature film scores, pageants, and four full-length musicals. Brett is honoured to be a part of the DEH Band! Hope you enjoy the show!

Elias is a second year graduate violin performance/pedagogy student at MUN. Born and raised in Las Cruces, New Mexico, Elias started playing the violin at four years old. In addition to performing on the violin, they also play viola with the MUN Chamber Orchestra. Since first performing in the pit of their high school’s productions of Sister Act and Guys and Dolls, Elias has developed a fondness for performing in musicals and operas and looks forward to future opportunities to play such Gesamtkunstwerke. Outside of music, Elias enjoys hiking, playing Minecraft, hanging out with friends, and will cook the most delicious meals you’ve ever tasted —whenever they have free time. Elias would like to thank their Mom for her immense support in their journey as a violinist and to their late father, a clarinet professor who instilled their love for music in the first place.

Sydney Chislett is a Newfoundland-based cellist. She studied with Christina Smith and Nathan Cook, making her Sinfonia debut at 15 with ‘Metamorphosen’ by Strauss, soon after playing the works of Prokoviev, Schumann, and Holst as a section cellist for the NSO. She represented Newfoundland at the National Music Competition in 2021, and won the Kiwanis Rose Bowl in 2023.

Nick Howlett is a musician based St. John’s. In 2022 he completed a bachelor of music degree in double bass at Memorial University. Since 2019 he has performed regularly in the double bass section of the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra. He has been involved in many theatrical productions across the province including: Heathers, Second Shot: The Curling Musical (Best Kind Productions), Our Divas Do Christmas (TaDa), No Change in the Weather (Terra Bruce), Avenue Q, We Will Rock You (STF), and multiple recent performances with Spirit of Newfoundland Productions.

Emily Pynn holds a degree in Piano Performance/Composition from Memorial University. She is the owner of Pathways Music Studio in Paradise where she teaches students grades K-12 piano, runs recitals, and has co-created/directed summer camps. She also has many years of experience accompanying and has been the pianist for the Chamber Choir, Trebles Choir, and Low Notes Choir at Holy Heart since 2022. Choir and singing are both big passions for Emily, and she has several years of experience doing both; she spent a decade studying voice with Ronalda Hutton-MacDonald, was/is a member of the Holy Heart Trebles Choir and Chamber Choir, Quintessential Vocal Ensemble, MUN Festival Choir and Chamber Choir, and Lady Cove Women’s choir. Outside piano and voice, she is also a violist in the NSO (sub list!) and a percussionist in the MUN Wind Ensemble and the Scruncheons Percussion Ensemble.

Andrew Small (Drums) is excited to perform this beautiful music with an incredible cast, band and production team. Previous musical theatre credits include Heathers, Second Shot, Fun Home (Best Kind Productions), Legally Blonde (Majestic Theatre Young People’s Company), Scrooge, Elf, How The Grinch Stole Christmas (Peter MacDonald Productions) and various performances with Spirit of Newfoundland Productions. Andrew is also a member of various bands around town including All Your Favorite Bands, That 90’s Band, and DJ Nu Rock and The Funky Drummer. Today is going to be an amazing day! @biggie_smalls_drums