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PAST PRODUCTIONS
CURRENT PRODUCTION
LITTLE WOMEN
by Louisa May Alcott
adapted and directed by Joelle Wyminga
From the classic novel by Louisa May Alcott comes the world premier of this adaptation featuring a small ensemble of five, the March sisters and Laurie, and these beloved characters tell their own story the way they so often did in childhood: though plays, music, and laughter. Through unbreakable bonds, misguided mistakes, and heartbreaking loss, they discover what is truly important to a life well lived during a time of political unrest.
"I want to be great, or nothing."
ARTISTIC TEAM
Directed by Joelle Wyminga
Featuring Jenaya Barker, Santiago Henao, Emma Soothill, Sarah Roa, and Shel Wyminga
Set Design by JJ Penaranda
Lighting Design by Lexi Berry
Stage Management by Diyalla Malijian
This is a Canadian Actors’ Equity Association production under the Artists’ Collective Policy.
November 28-29, 2026
The Bez Arts Hub, Langley BC
20230 64 Ave #102
December 1-6, 2026
The Nest, Vancouver, BC
Festival House, 1398 Cartwright St 3rd Floor
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Jenaya Barker (She/Her)
Beth March/Composer
Jenaya is a Capilano Musical Theatre Program graduate and an accomplished actor, vocalist, songwriter, and musician. She is thrilled to be back with Far From the Tree to bring this classic story to life. See her next music directing Little Shop of Horrors (First Impressions Theatre). Stay hydrated, stay humble. Past credits: Western Canada Theatre, Chemainus Theatre Festival, Pacific Theatre, First Impressions Theatre, Kay Meek Arts Centre, Far From the Tree Productions, URP, and TUTS.
Lexi Berry (She/Her)
Lighting Designer
Lexi Berry is a director and lighting designer with a great deal of practice haunting dark rooms and making strange sounds. She is best known for directing Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead twice, and a run of Cabaret in The Nest last year. Her theatrical education in amiskwaciy-wâskahikan encompassed most behind-the-scenes roles, and she is excited to be back behind the lighting board to help the Marches work their magic!
Santiago Henao (He/Him)
Laurie
Santiago is thrilled to play Laurie (and a few others) this winter. Little Women felt familiar from the first page. Growing up with two older brothers, he knew the chaos of a loud house, the swing from sworn enemies to best friends, and the quiet that follows when everyone leaves and you're left to figure it out on your own. He's honoured to bring it to life.
Recent credits include Prince Hal in Bard in the Valley's King Henry IV and (another) Hal in Proof, which earned him Best Actor in a Supporting Male Role from Theatre BC.
Santiago thanks everyone for coming and supporting live theatre! He is represented by Katelyn Spencer at Trisko Talent
Diyalla Malijian (She/Her)
Stage Manager
Diyalla is her name and passion is her game. She completed a BA in Psychology at Simon Fraser University and is considering a minor in Greek history after studying abroad in Greece. Diyalla currently works multiple jobs, including serving as Program Director for a non-profit organization running youth and childcare programs at an elementary school. She also recently stepped into the world of finance and is currently working toward becoming a licensed financial advisor so she can help educate others on navigating the financial systems in Canada. Along the way, she has been fortunate to learn from incredible mentors and advisors who continue to inspire her growth. Diyalla hopes to continue making a positive impact through her multiple career paths while balancing her love for travel and stage management. During her spare time, Diyalla can be found in her room slaying dragons on her PS5. Don’t worry, they are bad demonic dragons.
JJ Penaranda (He/Him)
Set Designer
JJ Penaranda is excited to be a part of this production of Little Women. His design credits include A Concrete Jungle Book, Hadestown, Anne of Green Gables, Peter and the Starcatcher, The Paper Bag Princess, The Theory of Relativity, and The Sound of Music (StoryBook Theatre); Be More Chill (XoXo Theatre Company); Camp Goneaway (Ragamuffin Productions); Ride the Cyclone and Hair (BrownCow Collective); Naughty But Nice (Forte Guild) The Rocky Horror Show (Ryver’s House); Outside of theatre, JJ is completing his degree in Architecture at UBC. Check out his portfolio at jjpenaranda.com
Sarah Roa (She/They)
Meg March
Sarah is a Filipino Canadian actor, creator, teaching artist, and Festival Director of rEvolver Festival. They hold an Acting Diploma from Douglas College and a BFA in Acting from UBC. A Jesse-nominated actor, their selected performance credits include Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Bard), Mary’s Wedding (The Firehall Arts Centre), In Wonderland (Alberta Theatre Projects), Turn of the Screw (Aenigma Theatre), Robinson Crusoe + Friday (Axis Theatre), The Drowning Girls (Theatre North West), and Pride & Prejudice (Arts Club). As a BIPOC artist, Sarah is passionate about uplifting new and emerging artists and creating spaces where they feel valued, supported, and honoured. Love always to Shawn & Isla. Missing you forever, S & G.
Emma Soothill (She/Her)
Amy March
Emma Soothill is a performing artist and Studio 58 graduate. Some recent theatre credits include: Peerless (Ensemble Theatre Company); BFF-less (Roomie Productions); Camp Goneaway (Ragamuffin Productions). At Studio 58: Caliban in The Tempest and Sheila in A Chorus Line. When she’s not acting, you can find Emma reading anything she can get her hands on and trying to remember to water her plants.
Alina Quarin (She/Her)
Intimacy Director
Alina (she/they) is an award-receiving Intimacy Director and Coordinator working on the
unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples. She is currently working towards her certification as a Sexual Health Educator through Options For Sexual Health and has extensive training in areas such as gender and sexuality inclusivity, anti-racism, bystander intervention, anti-harassment, mental health first aid, and conflict resolution. Select Intimacy Director credits
include Time Stands Still (Curious Cats), Be More Chill (xoxo), Arms and the Man, Network (UP),
Grease (CTORA), CITYSONG (Vital Spark), Shakespeare In Love, Sinners (Metro), Heathers
(Sherwood). Alina is passionate about setting a precedent in creating safer work spaces that
allow artists of all abilities and professional levels to express themselves freely.
pleasureedwithal.com
Joelle Wyminga (She/Her)
Director/Adaptor/Producer
Joelle is a multidisciplinary theatre artist based in Vancouver, BC, and is one of the founders of Far From the Tree Productions. Through her work, Joelle tells stories that examine the complexities of humanity in all its forms and delve deep into what makes people inherently human while exploring “theatre magic” and testing the limitations of the audience’s imagination. A history and literature buff, Joelle particularly likes to tell stories surrounding historical events through innovative reimagining, while opening the floor up for all to discuss our triumphs and downfalls of our past. Past credits include: Reflections on Crooked Walking- Ensemble(Firehall Arts Centre), A Christmas Carol Radio Play- Director (Pomo Players), Shakespeare in Love-Costume Designer (Metro Theatre), Metamorphoses- Costume Designer (United Players), Julius Caesar- Brutus, The Marvelous Misadventures of Boofus and Schmoozle-Creator and Performer, The Pink Unicorn- Director/Producer, Little Women (workshop production)- Script adaptor/Director/Producer; Cariboo Magi- Director/Producer (Far From the Tree); Nosegate- Director (Vancouver Fringe); King Lear- Edmund (Promethean Theatre).
Shel Wyminga (They/She)
Jo March/Producer
Shel was born purple from asphyxia and couldn't cry for the first several moments of their life. Thankfully, they soon managed to catch their breath and haven't shut up since. Primarily an actor, Shel has enjoyed the freedom to dabble in many facets of storytelling, working additionally as a director, writer, and producer. They are the co-founder and Artistic Director of Far From The Tree Productions.
Shel is a SOVAS and One Voice Award nominated actor, recognized for their role as Lilith Hall in MechWarrior 5: Clans (Piranha Games). Favorite theatre credits include Agnes Gillies in Snatched (Van Fringe 2025 and 2026), Mark Antony in Julius Caesar (Far From The Tree), Jo/ Trisha in The Pink Unicorn (Far From The Tree), Edgar in King Lear (Promethean), and King Henry in Henry V (Stone's Throw Productions).
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