Meet The Storytellers

Lacey Hill*

Writer & Performer  

This Oneida Wolf Clan, Six Nations born and bred independent singer/songwriter describes her music as “Indigenous Soul” grown from a passion for making music since she was a little girl. There is no denying the amount of heart Lacey Hill bleeds into all 3 of her albums. 2024 is a big year, Lacey completed Indigenous Storytellers Residency at Banff Creative Centre, she started writing her first Children’s Musical called “You Are Not Alone” (Y.A.N.A) and wrote a book to go with it ‘Y.A.N.A’ will also be showcasing in Weesageechak 37 Theatre Festival. As she's writing, Lacey will be acting as herself in the Fall/Winter Tour of "Truth and Illusion Show" which is a story weaving musical.  Lacey ‘Is featured on Igal Hechts’ T.V program “Path to Creation” on YesTV and other channels across Canada. Musically, Lacey is working closely with Silverheels Records and RedDoor Studio for the next singles like "CRAZY 4 U" comes out October 1 with a music video. produced by Shane Powless. To keep up, check her out on Social media or her website laceyhillmusic.com 
​

Matt deKort *(The Magician)

Performer

Matt deKort is an actor, singer, dancer, and writer based in London Ontario. Previous theatre credits include: Prom Queen the Musical, Titanic the Musical (Grand Theatre High School Project), Sweeney Todd (MTP/Allswell Productions), Cymbeline, and Comedy of Errors (Western Summer Shakespeare), Candlewood Lake, Where You Can Find Me (Theatre Sheridan), and Both Sides (Creative Energy Productions). Current student of the Honour’s Bachelor’s of Musical Theatre Program at Sheridan College. He is thrilled to be a part of Truth & Illusion! Many thanks to family, friends, and supporters. 

Hannah Fogel * 

Writer & Performer

From her earliest days, Hannah sang in the Canadian Children’s Opera Chorus and fell in love with the resonance of ensemble casts.

She is a singer/songwriter, comedian and actress who applied the development of Truth and Illusion to her own recovery with the help of June Cupido’s magic. An Addictions Counsellor furthering her studies in Jungian psychology, Hannah has witnessed the transformative role that laughter, creativity, and myth can play in one’s search for meaning. 

Eric Trask*

Writer & Performer

Selected Credits:  
Theatre:  An Italian American Reconciliation (Belfry, Victoria) – Richard The Third (YPT, Toronto) - Hana’s Suitcase (YPT, Toronto/ Canadian Tour) - Major Barbara (Neptune, Hallifax) – Candide/Queen of the Cadillac/Season’s Greetings (ATP, Calgary) - Tartuffe (Theatre Calgary) – Salt Water Moon (Magnus, Thunder Bay) – The Nerd (Drayton Theatre) – The Hobbit (Carousel tour) – Hamlet (Stratford Festival) – Cruel Tears/Mc Gillicuddy (Blyth Festival) – Brigadoon (Royal City Theatre, Vancouver)  FILM/TV:  Pixels (Sandler/Columbus) – Genius (Warner Brothers) – Wolves (Copperheart) – Private Capital (CBC) – The Kennedy’s (History Channel), North of Sixty, Murdoch Mysteries, Covert Affairs, The Border, and coming soon Welcome to Derry.
 
Almost a decade ago June asked me to write a monologue – I wrote a story.  With June, Michael, my wife Lorretta and a host of others we have whittled and weaved a number of journeys into an event that has few precedents.  From the moment we are born our lives travel a trajectory that is intrinsically our own.  We are all individuals, on a unique voyage where ‘normal’ has limited applications. I hope you enjoy this snippet of mine.

Lorretta Bailey *

Writer & Performer

Award-winning actress Lorretta Bailey starred as Eponine in Les Misérables (Royal Alex) Cinderella in Into the Woods (CanStage/Theatre Calgary), and Maria in The Sound of Music (Citadel). She is proud to have developed and performed in the following Canadian productions: June Cupido's: Truth and Illusion (Sheridan, Lowville Festival), Marathon of
Hope (CMTP-Sheridan), Joni Mitchell: River (Vancouver Playhouse), The Wakowski Brothers (Aim for the Tangent, Best of Toronto Fringe), Tweed
the Musical (IANA Theatre). For Smile Theatre she toured Jim Bett’s Extraordinary and premiered Lucy Maud and Anne. She also played Marmee in the Canadian musical Little Women, directed by David Nairn at Theatre Orangeville. Ms. Bailey received an Honors B.F.A. in Acting from the University of Alberta and with Robert Missen, is Co-Artistic Director of
the Lowville Festival. Lorretta loves to mentor aspiring artists, and teaches in the acclaimed Music Theatre programs at St. Clair College and Sheridan. She dedicates this performance to her parents, and family. Love You.

Spencer Laing*

Writer/ Performer

Spencer (They/Them, He/Him) is an emerging artist and academic based in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia.  They grew up on the shores of the Bay of Fundy, but spent four years transplanted to Oakville, Ontario while completing their Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance at Sheridan College in the Spring of 2021. Now researching Community Theatre and how it affects community health, Spencer is so grateful to the theatrical world that raised them. Spencer’s passion for new Canadian theatre work has let them explore the incredible new writers and composers from across this country and is honoured to once again be part of the creation of new work.
Select credits: The Music Man (Thousand Island Playhouse), 13! The Musical (Neptune YPCO), Mind the Light (Eastern Front Theatre).
Special thanks to my family and friends whose support means the world. 
Socials: Instagram: spencer.laing 
Website: spencerlaing.com​​​​​​​​​

KhaRå Martin*

Performer

KhaRå is an advocate, actor, and singer residing in the GTA. After graduating from the University of Toronto and Sheridan college where she majored in Theatre and Drama Studies, she went on to star in shows like Private Eyes, Mrs. America, and What We Do In The Shadows. KhaRå made her summer theatre debut with Intimate Apparel at the Thousand Island Playhouse and hosted the TV show Black Community Mixtapes which went on to win 3 Canadian Screen Awards. In 2023 KhaRå launched her production company KMI Productions and hopes to combine her love for acting, filmmaking, and advocacy work to tell stories for millennial Black audiences across all genres. ​

Christopher Lucas*

Performer

Christopher (he/they) is a multidisciplinary, mixed-heritage artist. A native Scouser, they are a proud alum of The Liverpool Arts Centre where they trained in acting.
Theatre Credits: Charlie and Chocolate Factory (Grand Theatre) Little Shop of Horrors; Othello, The Underpants; (Gladstone Theatre) Avenue Q (Medley Theatre); A Christmas Carol (SoupCan/Three Ships Co.)
Directing Credits: The Merchant of Venice (Red Sandcastle Theatre); Cry Baby,(Gladstone Theatre) Sister Act (Meridian Theatres)
X: @christaslucas  
Instagram: @RealCanaanTheatre

Allison McCaughey*

Writer/Choreography 

Allison received her professional training at Sheridan College - Musical Theatre Performance and York University - MFA Choreography. 
THEATRE: Damn Yankees, Fairground, Shawground, 1922 in Concert (upcoming in 2022), Holiday Inn, Shaw Festival; A Chorus Line, The Hypochondriac, Stratford Festival; Sousatzka, Theatro Proscenium; Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (North American tour), Spamalot, Moon Over Buffalo, Crazy For You, Drayton Entertainment; Elf, Spamalot, Mary Poppins, Cabaret, Theatre Aquarius; Guys and Dolls, Singin’ in the Rain, Mary Poppins, Capital Theatre; Chicago, Stage West Calgary; The Producers, Neptune Theatre; Fallsview High, Second City. FILM/TELEVISION: The Boys, American Gods, Warehouse 13. CHOREOGRAPHY: Marathon of Hope; Sheridan College, Little Mermaid Jr, The Wizard of Oz; Capitol Theatre, The Little Price; Creativiva, School of Rock, James and the Giant Peach; Bravo Academy. 
WEBSITE: allisonmccaughey.com 

Dan Manns

Writer

Dan is a Sheridan Grad in Human Resources Management. He spent several years in senior roles in the areas of employee services, compensation & HRIS, training and development and recruitment with both Staples and Apotex Canada. He moved to American Express where he held several roles in Global Business Travel in the Meetings and Events and Global Advisory Services divisions, overseeing operations in the USA, Canada, Mexico and India.  Currently, Dan is a Career Development Relationship Manager at McMaster University within the Faculty of Science – Science Careers & Co-operative Education Department. Additionally, Dan is also a Life Coach focusing on those in the GLBTQ community who are looking for support, guidance, empathy and compassion in their coming out or everyday journey. Dan values and admires people who also believe in achieving their goals; both professionally and personally. He believes in karma, random acts of kindness and paying it forward.  Dan is an avid runner and practices hot yoga and meditation religiously, he currently resides in Hamilton, Ontario. 

Alison Jackson

Writer

Alison was an inspiring actress from the days when she was in the theatre program at McMaster University to when she did Tony and Tina’s Wedding in the late 1990s.  After that, she returned to school and attended Sheridan College as a student in 2000, and then was hired as an employee in 2005. Alison’s passion is working with students and currently works as an Administrator, and teaches part-time in the Business and Educational Support program since 2016.  Alison also enjoys volunteering at the Mississauga Food Bank.