Introducing the talented creative team behind Frog Belly Rat Bone, based on the storybook by Timothy Basil Ering and adapted for the stage by Chris McGregor. Combining the magic of beautifully handcrafted puppets with an original pop/rock musical score, this production tells the story of a young boy's quest for treasure and the unlikely hero he creates to protect it.

CREATIVE TEAM

Timothy Basil Ering “Frog Belly Rat Bone” Storybook Author and Illustrator

Timothy Basil Ering is an illustrator, a fine artist, a concept artist, and a children’s book author. Along with creating book illustrations, art for gallery exhibitions, art for video game scenics and character concepts, and writing children’s books, Tim has visited schools around the USA, Canada, and as far abroad as Burma in South East Asia that have noted his author/ illustrator presentations as “captivating, inspiring, and motivating.”

Chris McGregor Director & Playwright

Chris is a third generation settler from Scotland and England. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Drama from Bishop’s University and a Masters in Theatre in Directing from the University of British Columbia. He has taught physical theatre, Commedia dell’arte, mask and Red Nose Clown at the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, Bishop’s University and Studio 58. He has directed more than 60 productions across Canada, has won four Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards and been nominated for three Ovation Awards for directing. Chris has adapted the children’s books: Somebody Loves You, Mr.Hatch, Frog Belly Rat Bone, and Cry, Heart, But Never Break into puppets plays for the stage.

Amy Harris Set Designer

Amy Harris recently moved to Vancouver, bringing 18 years of experience working backstage in the theatre industry across South Africa. She has toured internationally with world-renowned Musicals, including Singin’ in the Rain and Priscilla Queen of the Desert across Germany, Korea, and New Zealand, to name a few. Her skills range from designing, puppet making, scenic carpentry, scenic painting and prop making. Amy obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Performing Arts Technology (Cum Laude) at the Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa. Her thesis entailed the production of cable-controlled underwater puppets. Career highlights include lead carpenter and scenic painter for the South African Fan experience of Stranger Things Season 4 (Netflix series) and Deputy Stage Manager for the multi-award-winning Chicago: The Musical world tour. She loves sharing her magic through creating and making one-of-a-kind pieces for stage, film, events and personal adventures.

Erik Gow Music & Lyrics

Erik is an emerging playwright and composer with various credits to his name. He has composed several TYA shows for the Beach House Theatre, two original musicals for Studio 58, and has sound designed and composed for other companies in the Lower Mainland. As a playwright Erik’s original play First Lady has been workshopped and developed by Zee Zee Theatre under esteemed Canadian Playwright Dave Deveau, and director Cameron Mackenzie. His concert adaptation of A Christmas Carol will also premiere this winter at the Metro Theatre. Erik began his writing training at Studio 58, and has continued his studies at Andrew McIlroy studios, and Intersections Media in screenwriting.

Dusty Hagerüd Puppet Design

Originally from Fernie, BC, Dusty Hagerüd is a member of the Ktunaxa/Kinbasket Nations of the Lower East Kootenays. From childhood, he has been enchanted by the world of puppets, and draws inspiration from the animated puppets of Jim Henson, Noreen Young, and Paul Fusco. As the creative director and founder of Color Sound Lab Puppet Makers, Dusty has been performing and designing puppets for 20 years, in a broad range of styles from marionettes, hand and rod puppets to 2-D paper puppets, Bunraku and shadow puppets. He is also one of the co-founders of the Vancouver International Puppet Festival.

Most recently he is in Calgary working on the new Fraggle Rock television series, he won a 2019 Leo Award for Best Art Direction in an Animation Program or Series for the stop motion animated film, Biidaaban (The Dawn Comes), with Amanda Strong, Cat Hayes, and Femke van Delft, which can be viewed in MOA’s current feature exhibition, Shadows, Strings & Other Things: The Enchanting Theatre of Puppets.

Musical Arrangements by Antony Knight
Choreography by Jyla Robinson and Oliver Castillo