The wheels of tour van Betty White are back on the road, this time heading to Saskatchewan with the touring team of The Troll Grandfather. Read more about the team on tour below!

TEAM ON TOUR

Valeria Ascolese Sandy Nardini

Valeria is a Peruvian-Italian artist and educator based in Vancouver, BC. Some of her previous credits include Sleight of Mind (Western Canada Theatre), Ladies & Gentlemen, Boys & Girls (Carousel Theatre for Young People), Theory (Rumble Theatre), and the upcoming premiere of Fire Never Dies: The Tina Modotti Project (Electric Company Theatre). As a teaching artist, she works for Bard on the Beach, Carousel Theatre for Young People, and numerous public and private schools creating accessible drama curriculum for kids of all ages. Valeria is a graduate of Capilano University. She's so excited to share the very special story of The Troll Grandfather with you! 

Holly Collis Handford Sparky/Accordionist

Holly Collis Handford (she/her) is an actor, singer, and musician working in Vancouver on Coast Salish territory. She has performed with Renegade Arts, Curious Creations, United Players, Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival, Theatre Under the Stars, and the Vancouver Fringe Festival. Holly has also composed music for Six/Ten Productions, UBC Players Club, and NTS’s Art Apart. Holly played Isabella in Juggle Me Not during Axis Theatre’s “Commedia in the Park'“ program and is an ensemble member at The Improv Centre. She has a BFA in Acting from the University of British Columbia and an Associate Diploma (ARCT) in Voice Performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music.

Tanner Zerr Gren (Grandpa) Nardini

Tanner Zerr (he/him) is an actor, singer, and musician. He grew up on a farm just outside the small town of Langenburg, Saskatchewan, the traditional territory of the Cree, Ojibwe, Saulteaux, and Métis First Nations. Tanner is a recent grad of Studio 58 where he received his Diploma of Performing Arts in Spring 2021, as well as the Carol Chrisjohn Scholarship for demonstrating passion and joy in the art of theatre. Some of Tanner’s recent work includes Mary’s Wedding at FireHall Arts Centre, We Will Rock You at Theatre Under the Stars, and Stiles’ and Drewe’s The Three Little Pigs at Carousel Theatre. Tanner is ecstatic to be touring with The Troll Grandfather, and feels very lucky to be a part of this team of artists.

Jillian Perry Stage Manager

Jillian has been touring with Axis Theatre since 2018 and is thrilled to be their new Tour and Production Coordinator!  She is a Jesse Richardson award winning Artist for Significant Artistic Achievement: Outstanding Stage Management in Theatre for Young Audiences. She holds a BA from the University of the Fraser Valley.

Axis Theatre: Touring Canada, the USA and China with Somebody Loves You Mr. Hatch; Touring BC with Th'owxiya: The Hungry Feast Dish and across Canada and the USA with Robinson Crusoe and Friday. Past job highlights include touring across Canada with 5 seasons of Chelsea Hotel, The Songs of Leonard Cohen, Only Drunks and Children Tell the Truth, Dead Metaphor, Proud, Urinetown: The Musical, Circle Game (Firehall Arts Centre and Tour with Arts Club). Terminus and Visions of Vancouver (Pi Theatre) Elbow Room Café (Zee Zee Theatre, The Cultch), 5@50 (Zee Zee Theatre, Ruby Slippers), My Funny Valentine, Nelly Boy and Whale Riding Weather (Zee Zee Theatre).

CREATIVE TEAM

Written by Clem Martini
Directed and Dramaturged by Chris McGregor
Set, Costume, and Props Design by Jessica Oostergo
Puppet Design and build by Dusty Hagerüd
Original Music and Sound by Patrick Boudreau