Production Team for “A Theatre of Our Own”

Mark Tovey (Producer, Director)	An award-winning playwright, Mark Tovey is the author of Play on Words, and the creator of a one-man theatre history show, How to Become Ridiculously Cultured in One Evening: A short revue of theatre from Pindar to Pinter. Directing credits include Janus, The Perfect Essay, The Illumination of Dr. Bucke, and The Importance of Being Earnest. This production draws on primary-source research from Mark’s paper “The First Stage: The Officers of the London Garrison and the Theatre Royal” (London and Middlesex Historian, vol. 29).
Joe Lella (Lead Writer)	A retired academic, Joe Lella has had extensive ‘night job’ theatre experience. At McGill, he wrote, Willie: A Dream, then played Willie, the great physician, Sir William Osler, across North America. Back in Montreal, as Director, Medicaster Theatre, he staged classic, non-musicals. In community theatre, among other musical comedy roles, he played Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls, and leading Gilbert and Sullivan characters. At Western he has directed Jesus Christ Superstar, and A Modern Day Mikado and was Harold Hill in The Music Man. Recently he played Roy Cohn in Fountainhead’s Angels in America. He sings with London Pro Musica.
Marque Smith (Musical Director)	Marque Smith studied classical piano at The Royal Conservatory of Music and jazz piano at Humber College. Marque has taught music at Royal St. George’s College and has performed at events honouring such world leaders as Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Theatre engagements include Evita with Etobicoke Musical Productions, The Secret Garden with The Work Weston Players and Cinderella and Bye, Bye, Birdie with No Strings Theatre, Nine with Musical Theatre Productions, and Rocky Horror Show with Simply Theatre. Marque is a piano teacher, vocal coach, music director, accompanist and recording artist. He lives in London, Ontario.
Jane Drew (Stage Manager)	Jane Drew is thrilled to be part of such a dynamic and talented cast and crew. Most recently Jane has been writing, producing and directing for Bended Dreams Productions as part of the London Fringe festival. Previous efforts have included “Tess of the D’ubervilles”; writing , costumes and production(London Fringe Festival 2009) and “Little Women” ; writing, costumes (Brickendon nomination) and production (London Fringe Festival 2010). She is currently writing her next gothic romance based on the life of Mary Shelley which should hit stages in 2012. Jane continues to be inspired and supported by her amazing children, Hannah and Harrison.