WHO IS UNSUNG HEROES
Unsung Heroes Productions is very proud of the creative teams we have assembled. We strive for a balance of seasoned industry professionals, industry newcomers and amateurs from our community. Combined they make for a highly dedicated, collaborative and nurturing team, providing opportunities to foster talent in the creative production process.
CREATIVE TEAM
NEAL DLIN
FOUNDER & ARTISTIC PRODUCER
Most of what there is to know about me can be found by getting involved with our shows. Be in the cast, crew, sponsor or just come and sit in the audience. You will see firsthand the power of these shows, the community it fosters, the entertainment, laughter, music and love it nurtures. It is the embodiment of what my mom passed on to my siblings and I.
Outside of working on these productions, I am the Founder and President of Chorus Tree Inc., a consulting firm focusing on customer experience, employee experience and contact centre excellence. I am a proud father of four amazing kids, Josh, Brayden, Keaton and Lennon, as well as a very lucky husband to my beautiful wife and partner in everything, Jaime Saibil.
WAYNE DAVIS
DIRECTOR
Wayne Davis is the Co-Artistic Director of Charactors Theatre Troupe and City Youth Players(CYP) in Thornhill. With Charactors, Wayne has been directing plays and musicals and working with young performers for over twenty years, and with CYP, he has directed over 35 productions, including musicals, plays and Theatre for Young Audiences.
Wayne has also worked professionally as an actor on both the stage and screen. He has also been the on-set acting coach for two Emmy-winning Children’s television programs. He currently coaches actors from across North America and also runs on-camera acting workshops through his TV/film company, Behind the Scenes Studio.
ANDREW BALL
MUSICAL DIRECTOR, SUPERVISOR & CONDUCTOR
Andrew Ball is a Toronto based performer/musician and a graduate of York University. He has performed in many musical stage productions taking roles such as Roger in 'Rent' (Lower Ossington Theatre), Joseph in 'Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat' (Al Green Theatre) and Stage West Calgary's hit music review '80's Solid Gold'. Andrew has performed internationally, including China, Qatar, and United Arab Emirates with Creativiva Inc., and most recently was on tour with Nickelodeon's 'Paw Patrol Live' show in Canada, France, and South Africa.
Andrew is thrilled to be musically directing his third show with Unsung Heroes, and to be a part of yet another fantastic production.
MARNY FLORENCE
CHOREOGRAPHER
Marny Florence is a professional Dancer, Choreographer, and Host in Toronto! She has had incredible opportunities in the entertainment industry throughout her career thus far; from starring in Alessia Cara's "Scars to your Beautiful" music video, to opening for Prince Harry's Invictus Games, to performing in the MMVA's, to choreographing for The Toronto Rock Cheerleaders at The Scotiabank Arena, to Audience Coordinating at CTV. Whether Marny is hosting the Disney Channel main stage at Girl Expo Canada, choreographing for the Marilyn Denis Show, or teaching Zumba in the Dominican Republic, her favourite part about any experience is getting to meet new people. Marny’s passion for entertainment, community and dance shines, as she continues to spark the energy, inspire, and create memorable experiences that will last a lifetime!
This is Marny’s third consecutive time choreographing for Unsung Heroes Productions.
JULIAN MURILLO PION
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Julian is a former Ryerson theatre production grad and has been a Technical Director with UHP since 2018.
Julian is actively working as a Lighting & Video Designer & Production Manager for different private events and clubs in Toronto. He’s glad to return to the theatre once again, and apply his flair of magic and love for design into this great cause.
Growing up in the east coast, and continuing to grow in the big city, Julian is proud to bring JMP Productions vast expertise and experience to this project and is extremely thankful to Neal for this great opportunity.
Previous select credits include: Summer Hill Players’ production of “La Niege”. Playwork’s York Mills reunion production of “Grease”. Hazygrape production of “Little Shop of Horrors”. Moncton high school’s production of “Into the woods”.
MEGAN DAVIS
MUSICAL DIRECTION
For over twenty-five years, Megan has gained a wealth of experience inspiring and musically directing young people and those young at heart. For the last twenty years, Megan has been the co-owner of Charactors Theatre Troupe in Thornhill. She is also the co-Artistic Director and Musical Director of City Youth Players (17 seasons) where she is so proud to be training and mentoring remarkable young performers. Megan is also a guest instructor in the Regional Arts Program at Westmount CI and Baythorn Arts Elementary School.
MATEO CHAVEZ LEWIS
MUSICAL COMPOSITION
Mateo is a Toronto-based singer, actor, pianist and composer. He is best known for writing Quarantine Songs, a collection of songs about different characters dealing with the pandemic, which had its premiere online on YouTube in 2020, featuring talent from Stratford, Shaw and Mirvish stages. As a performer, he recently appeared as Jinx in Forever Plaid at the Fallsview Casino. He has Music Directed everyone from students (De La Salle College, Lock & Keynote Productions, etc.) to professionals, in Boys Don't Cry (2019 Toronto Fringe), Bubble Babz (2022 Toronto Fringe) and onstage at the 2022 Pride Festival to name a few. He is very humbled and honoured to be helping raise money for this noble cause with Unsung Heroes. Music can change the world. For more information, visit www.mateochavezlewis.com
MATT CRAIG
SUPPORTING MUSICAL DIRECTION
A suburbanilly-renowned high-school physics teacher and out-of-work ballroom dancing instructor, Matt began training in classical piano performance when he was 6 years old. Inspired by a piano-teacher who could sight-read the Theme to Superman, Matt worked tirelessly at home and up through the ranks at the National Music Camp of Canada to become the faculty music theater accompanist. From there, he has music directed, accompanied or conducted countless shows around Toronto with many companies including Bravo Academy, Children's Arts Theater School Mainstage Productions, No Strings Theater, First Act Productions, several Unsung Heroes shows and more. Matt regularly accompanies professional classical, jazz and theater performers, and he also performs classical recitals for seniors who would rather hear Gershwin.
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JOHN BRIAND
STAGE MANAGER
Hailing from Kjipuktuk | Halifax, John is an emerging performing arts creator and practitioner. While his passion focuses on Lighting Design and Live Sound, he often finds himself in a myriad of roles that call upon his creative and technical aptitude.
Recently, he enjoyed time back home as a Lighting Technician (Spatz Theatre) and Permittee (IATSE Local 680). He is currently the Theatre and AV Production Lead at The Bishop Strachan School, occasionally pursuing select freelance work. John is delighted to be in Tkaronto | Toronto, continuing his journey in the performing arts as the industry continues to regain momentum.
John’s credits in design, management, and technical support include the Moyter-Fancy Theatre, Live Bait Theatre, Spatz Theatre, and various freelance opportunities across the Maritimes. Notably, “Fun Home” (Lighting Design, Motyer-Fancy Theatre); “MURMUReS” (Production-Stage Manager, Tintamarre); and “Broadway Highlights” (Technical Director, TRHS).
MICHELLE DIAMOND
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER
Michelle is excited to once again be involved with support the Unsung Heroes team from behind the curtain this time rather than performing. Supporting this cast and creative team is an honour and this show is full of talent and heartwarming numbers. Having been involved as both a performer and ASM in past Unsung Productions, she knows how much work and dedication goes into the productions of these shows and is looking forward this being the best one yet!
VIVIAN KALFON
PROPS
Vivian is delighted to be back as a member of the production team, for this year’s Unsung 9 “Memories” in support of Alzheimers and Dementia, Research and Treatment at Baycrest, as the prop mistress. This role has helped her better understand and appreciate what goes into the creative process of a production from a backstage perspective. Vivian is the proud mother of Nathan a third year university student who also enjoys theatre. She would especially like to thank the amazingly talented cast and crew, and you the audience for supporting such a worthy organization.