Hideous Hideous
Written by Emil Sher
When an African-Canadian woman falls for a white pianist with Tourette's, nagging questions surface. Does his disorder mask a hidden racism? A tale of interwoven music and misunderstanding.
Visual Story Available here.
Directed by Saccha Dennis
Stage Managed by Mackenzie Cameron
Assistant Stage Managed by Sanne van Mastbergen
Sound Designed by Kate Counsel
Sound Operated by Hussein Esmail
Content Warning: Hideous Hideous contains strong language and conversations about racism and Tourette syndrome that may be offensive or triggering to some viewers.
When an African-Canadian woman falls for a white pianist with Tourette's, nagging questions surface. Does his disorder mask a hidden racism? A tale of interwoven music and misunderstanding.
Visual Story Available here.
Directed by Saccha Dennis
Stage Managed by Mackenzie Cameron
Assistant Stage Managed by Sanne van Mastbergen
Sound Designed by Kate Counsel
Sound Operated by Hussein Esmail
Content Warning: Hideous Hideous contains strong language and conversations about racism and Tourette syndrome that may be offensive or triggering to some viewers.
Meet the Crew & Cast of Hideous Hideous
Saccha Dennis - Director
Saccha was last seen in Mirvish’s hit musical Come From Away as Hannah and Others at the Royal Alexandra Theatre. She is an actor, director and creator. Originally from Montreal, she studied Musical Theatre Performance at Sheridan College. Since then, she has toured Canada, U.S and abroad. Her other acting credits include, Sousatzka: a new musical, Jacob two-two meets the Hooded Fang, James and the Giant Peach (Dora nomination- YPT), Sister Act( Rainbow Stage), Avenue Q (Citadel Theatre), Dreamgirls (Theatre Aquarius, Stage West) Shaw Festival’s Ragtime, My Fair Lady, Sunday in the Park with George and 1st U.S National tour of We Will Rock You to name a few. Saccha’s directing credits include: Legally Blonde-Hart House Theatre, 9 to 5: The Musical, Dreamgirls-LOT. Saccha will also be directing Pippin this spring at Sheridan College. www.sacchadennis.com
Saccha was last seen in Mirvish’s hit musical Come From Away as Hannah and Others at the Royal Alexandra Theatre. She is an actor, director and creator. Originally from Montreal, she studied Musical Theatre Performance at Sheridan College. Since then, she has toured Canada, U.S and abroad. Her other acting credits include, Sousatzka: a new musical, Jacob two-two meets the Hooded Fang, James and the Giant Peach (Dora nomination- YPT), Sister Act( Rainbow Stage), Avenue Q (Citadel Theatre), Dreamgirls (Theatre Aquarius, Stage West) Shaw Festival’s Ragtime, My Fair Lady, Sunday in the Park with George and 1st U.S National tour of We Will Rock You to name a few. Saccha’s directing credits include: Legally Blonde-Hart House Theatre, 9 to 5: The Musical, Dreamgirls-LOT. Saccha will also be directing Pippin this spring at Sheridan College. www.sacchadennis.com
Mackenzie Cameron - Stage Manager
This is Mackenzie’s second year both at York and with VCP. She is making her stage-managing debut for this year’s Radio Play Festival with Hideous Hideous. She previously designed the set for the play, Six Characters and had a lot of fun helping out backstage at VCP last year. Mackenzie would like to thank everyone at VCP as well as the cast, crew, and creatives who have worked tirelessly (and during a pandemic) to put together an amazing show. She is excited to take on this role and hopes you enjoy this year’s VCP season!
This is Mackenzie’s second year both at York and with VCP. She is making her stage-managing debut for this year’s Radio Play Festival with Hideous Hideous. She previously designed the set for the play, Six Characters and had a lot of fun helping out backstage at VCP last year. Mackenzie would like to thank everyone at VCP as well as the cast, crew, and creatives who have worked tirelessly (and during a pandemic) to put together an amazing show. She is excited to take on this role and hopes you enjoy this year’s VCP season!
Sanne van Mastbergen - Assistant Stage Manager
Sanne is an Honours Biology student at York. Known for her lively chatter, shy yet bubbly demeanour and endless questions about everything, Sanne finds joy in learning more about the world around us. This year will be her third year with VCP, working as a Designer and Backstage Crew Member. When she isn’t studying or helping out VCP, she can be found listening to K-Pop or reading fan-theories about her favourite TV shows and videogames.
Sanne is an Honours Biology student at York. Known for her lively chatter, shy yet bubbly demeanour and endless questions about everything, Sanne finds joy in learning more about the world around us. This year will be her third year with VCP, working as a Designer and Backstage Crew Member. When she isn’t studying or helping out VCP, she can be found listening to K-Pop or reading fan-theories about her favourite TV shows and videogames.
Kate Counsel - Sound Designer
Kate Counsel is a second year Devised Theatre and Playwriting student and was thrilled to be the sound designer for the Radio Play Festival! Despite it being her first time working with sound. She welcomed the challenge and thinks it turned out pretty good for what the corona season has given us. She hopes that everyone is as excited to see the shows as she is!
Kate Counsel is a second year Devised Theatre and Playwriting student and was thrilled to be the sound designer for the Radio Play Festival! Despite it being her first time working with sound. She welcomed the challenge and thinks it turned out pretty good for what the corona season has given us. She hopes that everyone is as excited to see the shows as she is!
Hussein Esmail - Sound Operator
Hussein is a second-year Computer Science student at the Lassonde School of Engineering, and this is his second year at Vanier College Productions. Before his current role of Technical Director, previous roles include Lighting Designer (Spelling Bee), as well as 3 years of lighting and sound operation in high school. When Hussein is not working on schoolwork or helping at VCP, he is usually reading, coding or playing with his dog. He is eager for a long and eventful future here.
Hussein is a second-year Computer Science student at the Lassonde School of Engineering, and this is his second year at Vanier College Productions. Before his current role of Technical Director, previous roles include Lighting Designer (Spelling Bee), as well as 3 years of lighting and sound operation in high school. When Hussein is not working on schoolwork or helping at VCP, he is usually reading, coding or playing with his dog. He is eager for a long and eventful future here.
Danny Sylvan - Andrew Burns
Danny Sylvan is a theatre actor, playwright, director and producer. His acting credits include Albert/Kevin in Clybourne Park, Angel/Ensemble in Rent, and most recently, Dan Goodman in Next to Normal. Danny studied Theatre and Performance at York University, with a specific study in playwriting and new play dramaturgy. During his studies, Danny was Company Manager for Vanier College Productions in their 47th season. Most recently, Danny has worked with Angelwalk Theatre as Assistant Producer and co-host of their variety talk show Backstage Tea. Danny is thrilled at the opportunity to work on this insightful piece, and thanks Saccha Dennis in her amazing direction of it.
Danny Sylvan is a theatre actor, playwright, director and producer. His acting credits include Albert/Kevin in Clybourne Park, Angel/Ensemble in Rent, and most recently, Dan Goodman in Next to Normal. Danny studied Theatre and Performance at York University, with a specific study in playwriting and new play dramaturgy. During his studies, Danny was Company Manager for Vanier College Productions in their 47th season. Most recently, Danny has worked with Angelwalk Theatre as Assistant Producer and co-host of their variety talk show Backstage Tea. Danny is thrilled at the opportunity to work on this insightful piece, and thanks Saccha Dennis in her amazing direction of it.
Davis Okey-Azunnah - Brian Marchand
Davis is a Toronto-based performer whose love for the stage and performance dates back to “As long as he can remember”. Born and raised in Lagos Nigeria, he moved to Toronto in 2017 where he began performing professionally. While a student at York University, he was a part of Vanier College Productions for multiple seasons and has since then moved on to work with other theatre groups and production companies around Canada; including Theatre Scarborough, On its Way MP, Hart House Theatre, We are Here Productions, Starvox Entertainment and Stage West Calgary. He is excited to be working with VCP once again on yet another beautiful piece and he hopes you enjoy the show.
Davis is a Toronto-based performer whose love for the stage and performance dates back to “As long as he can remember”. Born and raised in Lagos Nigeria, he moved to Toronto in 2017 where he began performing professionally. While a student at York University, he was a part of Vanier College Productions for multiple seasons and has since then moved on to work with other theatre groups and production companies around Canada; including Theatre Scarborough, On its Way MP, Hart House Theatre, We are Here Productions, Starvox Entertainment and Stage West Calgary. He is excited to be working with VCP once again on yet another beautiful piece and he hopes you enjoy the show.
Hannah Rocca - Anya Ranevsky
Hannah Rocca is a second year devised theatre and English student at York University. Born and raised in Moncton, New Brunswick (which happens to be where she is quarantined), she realized that she loves to entertain others whilst performing in her kindergarten graduation ceremony. Hannah did community theatre lessons and productions until high school, at which point her primary focus was high school theatre. She performed with the Canadian Improv Games through high school, and joined the VIC in her first year of university, where she remains now. Hideous Hideous’ Anya is her first non-improvized role with VCP. She's thrilled for you to see the show.
Hannah Rocca is a second year devised theatre and English student at York University. Born and raised in Moncton, New Brunswick (which happens to be where she is quarantined), she realized that she loves to entertain others whilst performing in her kindergarten graduation ceremony. Hannah did community theatre lessons and productions until high school, at which point her primary focus was high school theatre. She performed with the Canadian Improv Games through high school, and joined the VIC in her first year of university, where she remains now. Hideous Hideous’ Anya is her first non-improvized role with VCP. She's thrilled for you to see the show.
Joshua Kilimnik - Winston Tooms
Joshua is delighted to be returning to VCP in his second year! He’s entirely indebted to the companies and creative teams that have made up the festival for their collaboration and their friendship. Selected theatre credits: World premiere of HAGS (York University), My Favourite Year as Benjy Stone (Vanier College Productions), Into the Woods as Wolf/Cinderella’s Prince (Wavestage Productions), Les Misérables as Jean Valjean (Mackenzie Music Productions), The Mystery of Edwin Drood as Durdles (Mooney/Cooley) Film/TV credits: Odd Squad as Odd Todd (PBS Kids/Sinking Ship Productions), the Bruno and Boots movie trilogy as Elmer Drimsdale (YTV/Aircraft Pictures), Backstage as George Gladwell (Family Channel/DHX) and Winner of “Best Student Film” at the 2019 Vaughan Film Festival for My Strange Addiction.
Joshua is delighted to be returning to VCP in his second year! He’s entirely indebted to the companies and creative teams that have made up the festival for their collaboration and their friendship. Selected theatre credits: World premiere of HAGS (York University), My Favourite Year as Benjy Stone (Vanier College Productions), Into the Woods as Wolf/Cinderella’s Prince (Wavestage Productions), Les Misérables as Jean Valjean (Mackenzie Music Productions), The Mystery of Edwin Drood as Durdles (Mooney/Cooley) Film/TV credits: Odd Squad as Odd Todd (PBS Kids/Sinking Ship Productions), the Bruno and Boots movie trilogy as Elmer Drimsdale (YTV/Aircraft Pictures), Backstage as George Gladwell (Family Channel/DHX) and Winner of “Best Student Film” at the 2019 Vaughan Film Festival for My Strange Addiction.
Le Nguyen - Dave Greenblatt
Le Nguyen is a first-year Theatre student, though this is her second year at York and with VCP. Past VCP roles include The Boy in Six Characters in Search of an Author and being an ensemble member in My Favorite Year. This year, while busy playing Otis Sheridan in The Radio Play Disaster and Dave Greenblatt in Hideous Hideous, Le has learned better ways to tie a tie. She would like to thank her family and friends for their support and care.
Le Nguyen is a first-year Theatre student, though this is her second year at York and with VCP. Past VCP roles include The Boy in Six Characters in Search of an Author and being an ensemble member in My Favorite Year. This year, while busy playing Otis Sheridan in The Radio Play Disaster and Dave Greenblatt in Hideous Hideous, Le has learned better ways to tie a tie. She would like to thank her family and friends for their support and care.
Leyondra Lobert - Annie Burns
Leyondra is a first-year student majoring in sociology and education with a minor in acting. This is her first year with the Vanier College Productions and she is looking forward to many more. She studied under the regional arts program in high school and is looking forward to gaining more acting experience while in university. She will be playing the role of Annie in the radio play Hideous Hideous by Emil Sher in the Radio Play Festival this year!
Leyondra is a first-year student majoring in sociology and education with a minor in acting. This is her first year with the Vanier College Productions and she is looking forward to many more. She studied under the regional arts program in high school and is looking forward to gaining more acting experience while in university. She will be playing the role of Annie in the radio play Hideous Hideous by Emil Sher in the Radio Play Festival this year!
Luke Barton - Jeff Linden
Luke is in their third year at York university and is a history student who gets way too invested in niche subjects for study to be worth asking about. When he isn't standing on furniture out of excitement and explaining how important gravy was to winning WWII, he is often found playing DnD which is kind of like having acting experience, right? This is their first year with VCP and their first time acting and honestly they are just happy to be involved.
Luke is in their third year at York university and is a history student who gets way too invested in niche subjects for study to be worth asking about. When he isn't standing on furniture out of excitement and explaining how important gravy was to winning WWII, he is often found playing DnD which is kind of like having acting experience, right? This is their first year with VCP and their first time acting and honestly they are just happy to be involved.
Shanika Walters - Clara Burns
Shanika is a third year Business and Society student at York and it's her first time with Vanier College Productions. She plays Clara in the radio play Hideous Hideous, Annie's mother, who supports her daughter no matter what. Shanika enjoys writing songs, poems, and aspires to be a songwriter one day. Joining Vanier College Productions in her final year at York has encouraged and prepared her for what is yet to come.
Shanika is a third year Business and Society student at York and it's her first time with Vanier College Productions. She plays Clara in the radio play Hideous Hideous, Annie's mother, who supports her daughter no matter what. Shanika enjoys writing songs, poems, and aspires to be a songwriter one day. Joining Vanier College Productions in her final year at York has encouraged and prepared her for what is yet to come.
