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Rachel - KPB Theatre Core Member
Kayoko - KPB Theatre Core Member
1/13
THE CORE
Our new troupe of players
KPB Theatre
One of the things that have driven KPB Theatre for the last 10 years is the strength of the team. It is our pleasure to announce the first Core members of the new KPB Theatre troupe.
As a troupe with a core of players we can continue our strong tradition of telling stories with a stronger sense of identity. The Core Members work hard to support, train and inspire each other throughout the whole creation process.
KPB Theatre Core Members
Virginia Turner
Actress
"Love your family and your friends and live your life to the max!" - Virginia
BIO:
''Virginia Turner is an Actress & Voice Artist. Hailing from Los Angeles, she now calls Japan her home. Leah is a diverse actress with a talent for character creation, accents and singing. Leah first appeared in KPB Theatre's original musical "Jukebox Paradise" and stole our hearts. She showed her dark side when she appeared in "The Boxer" in 2017. She then played the comedically vicious doctor in KPB's original musical "Gerry in the Attic". Most recently she played the starlet in "Double Agents" which toured in Kanazawa prefecture.
David Alcock
Actor
"So far you’ve survived 100% of your worst days. You’re doing great." - David
BIO:
''David is really excited to be a part of KPB Theatre’s latest production, arriving in 2023!
He has recently worked in plays and musicals with a number of theatre companies across Nagoya.
His recent credits include KPB Theatre’s musical 'Jukebox Paradise' (as Michael), as well as the Nagoya-based musical 'Transit' (Mike).
He has also appeared in productions of 'Romeo and Juliet' (Mercutio), 'Treasure Island' (Israel Hands), war-time courtroom drama 'Nagasaki Dust' (Alex), ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ (The Watch), and as an Australian Rules football club manager (Laurie) in 'The Club.'
When he isn't on stage, he can usually be found in the pub.
He would like to thank family, friends and the people of Nagoya for supporting and promoting community theatre in the city. Long may it continue.''
RACHEL LYNN SWEENEY
Actor
"I don't act for fame, fortune or recognition. I act to tell a story in the hopes that someone out there in the audience doesn't feel alone, even if it's only for a few hours." - Rachel
BIO:
''Originally hailing from Evansville, Indiana, USA, Rachel Lynn Sweeney has almost two decades worth of theatre experience and education under her belt. Bitten by ''the bug'' in elementary school, she performed in various school productions before pursuing a B.A. in Theatre at Murray State University. From there she moved to Los Angeles where she had the pleasure of working in TV behind the camera while also taking classes at ''The Actor's Gang'' and ''The Groundlings''. While acting is her first love, she also has training in and a passion for costume/make-up design. After a 4 year hiatus, she is thrilled to be back on stage once again, this time in a completely different country, and in her first KPB production.''
Noe
Actress
"Acting should be an escape from life. ItY's bigger, better, badder and it doesn't live by the rules we expect." - Noe
BIO:
''Her first time to act on stage with KPB Theatre was when she played one of the evil shadow characters, Chu’a in “Dreamcatcher” (2013). Since then she has been training in singing skills, Noe sang a particularly powerful solo song in the “Gerry in the Attic” Musical as her character Molly. She has been acting in Kabuki for over 10 years as a member of official female Kabuki company in Nagoya. Now she spends her time as a KPB Theatre Core member and a Professional musical coach at a youth theatre company.''
JEFFREY CLAPP
Actor
"It's the fun that gets me everytime" - Jeffrey
BIO:
Well, it's been a long time since the Mickey Mouse Club tap dancing show in kindergarten and it has also been a long time (about 10 years) since the epic day Steve ask Jeff to play Russell in Nagoya's first foreign original (written in Nagoya) new play "The Elevator." That’s a little over 10 years ago, and it has been an AMAZING JOURNEY being involved with EVERY KPB production to date! He is very proud to be a core member and very much looking forward to the continuing journey and to what the future with KPB will bring. Thanks sooo much to everyone who has come out to our shows in the past. If looking back is any indication of what lies ahead, Jeff says that he has no doubt it should be extremely entertaining to say the least!
YOSHI
Actor
"Train every day and prepare for an opportunity that you never know when it will come." - Yoshi
BIO:
''When he was a teenager, he watched the James Dean movie EAST OF EDEN and immediately become interested in acting. 45 years later he watched the KPB Theatre production of "GERRY IN THE ATTIC" and his passion for acting was re-kindled. He made contact with KPB theatre and to his surprise was asked to join the cast of "DRUM TOWN GIRLS". Fast forward 2 years and he is proud to be part of the KPB core with the amazing other members from this theatre company.''
Valeriya
Actress
"Be part of a team" - Valeriya
BIO:
''Hailing from overseas Valeriya has long been a performer on the stage. Originally from a high level dancing background, she came to Nagoya to find something new. In KPB Theatre she finds herself working with actors, teaching dance and body movement. But it's not all backstage for Valeriya as she takes to the stage in 2024s KPB Theatre Musical.
Lea
Actress
"Don't blink, or you will miss the best parts of life." - Lea
BIO:
"Hailing from over seas, Lea, a keen actress found KPB Theatre and was immediately welcomed as part of the team. She brings, courage and a wide range of acting with her to the KPB stage. Lightbulb is her first production whilst she studies here as a student in Japan."
Kayoko
Actress/Tickets & Production Manager
"Be brave" - Kayoko
BIO:
''Theatre has been a big part of family life and since we started in 2009 we have enjoyed lots of creation. During Covid, she felt that something was missing and that it was necessary to bring the group back together as soon as possible. She is most happy to be a part of the new troupe both behind the scenes and on the stage."
Rafael Guedes
Actor
"Pause a moment so you may capture the moment" - Rafael
BIO:
''For many years painting, photography and art have been my passion. On a warm morning I got a call from a dear friend, inviting me to jump into the world of theatre. Before I knew it, I was crawling around on all fours like a cat. Lightbulb is my first show and I am proud to call myself a member of the KPB Theatre Core."
Leoni
Actress
"Give it a try" - Leoni
BIO:
''Leoni, a talented voice was searching for the opportunity to make her stage debut. Luckily we at KPB Theatre found her and will help her show case her talents in 2023 KPB Theatre production of "Lightbulb"
Gordon Rees
Actor
"There is nothing quite like the feeling of celebrating a successful performance with your cast mates after having spent months putting your body and soul into preparation for battle" - Gordon
BIO:
''Gordon comes from a sports background and has played many team sports throughout his life. Stage acting to him is a lot like team sports. There is nothing quite like the feeling of celebrating a successful performance with your teammates (castmates) after having spent months putting your body and soul into preparation for battle."
Mariana
Actress
"Experience is the key to growing" - Mariana
BIO:
''Mariana came to theatre straight out of school. At first she was interested by the workings of theatre, over time she has started to dream of the possibilities of the stage. KPB Theatre is her first troupe."
Stephen Pottinger
Director
"It was there so I reached out, it grabbed me, pulled me in and I was hooked. That's my experience with Theatre." - Stephen
BIO:
''Performance has always been a big part of Stephen's life. From a young age he was performing as a Chorister in England. This experience with performance and music led Stephen to co create, with Gary Beaubouef a group called KPB Theatre. He and Gary wanted original voices to be heard and are at the heart and soul of promoting local writers and talent here in Nagoya."
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