Apple Time Cast Members (2018/2019)

Alex Bristow (Moose Story)
I am Alex Bristow from Regina, Saskatchewan. I am Deaf Métis. I have two language one is English, the second is ASL American Sign Language. My future is about to study to become a teacher to teach the arts with the deaf kids to improve their language and their education. I want to prevent language deprivation and improve education.  I want to say thank you to my mom, grandma and my teachers for supporting me.

Sable Fink (Huntress Story)
​My name is Sable Fink. I am 19 years old.  I am from Edmonton but now live in Regina. My first language is English. My second language is ASL. I was in a professional award-winning movie called Der Glockner. I want to travel to California. I would like to thank Mooky and Chrystene for all your hard work.

Fatima Tun Nafisa (Tiger-Dragon Story)

I am 17 years old. I am hard of hearing. I am from Bangladesh. I have been here for six years. I speak Bengali, English, and ASL. My goal is to design buildings as an architect when I finish University. I would love to thank my family for allowing me to become an actress, and Chrystene and Mooky for showing us how to express ourselves in theatre.

Richard Pangman (Eagle Story)  
​I am twenty years old.  I am First Nations. I recently graduated high school. I am training to be a welder. I enjoy being involved in Deaf Crows Collective and performing.  I want to say thank you to Mrs Weber and Mrs Grodecki for helping me and supporting me. And also I want to say thank you to Chrystene because I've been in the performance with Deaf Crows Collective and that made me feel great with other deaf people and I really like that so thanks for everything that you doing.

Shayla-Rae Tanner (Eagle/Wolf Story)
​I am 20 years old. I am hard of hearing. I am enjoying drama and working hard for my school and I will never give up! I am graduated in the June 2018. I am planning for College or University but first I would love go to travel before starting College or University at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf in Rochester, New York or Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. I would like to become to Teacher Assistant or Artist.  I would like to thank you Mrs.Weber, Mrs.Grodecki, Chrystene, and Mooky who helped out with Apple Time.

Mustafa Alabssi (Immigration Story)  
My name is Mustafa Alabssi. I am 19 years old. I am  from Syria. My languages are American Sign Language, Arabic Sign Language and English. My goals for the future are I want to be acting. I will be working as a welder soon.  I would like to thank Mrs. Weber, Chrystene Ells and Mrs. Grodecki for their support and patience. In summer 2018 I was lucky to have a role as a Deaf character in a Netflix zombie series called Black Summer. I performed with movie star Jamie King. Watch for Black Summer on Netflix in early 2019.

Kainat Wahid (Needle Story)
 My name is Kainat Wahid. I am 19 year old. I am from Pakistan. My languages are Urdu, ASL and English. I want to become a policewoman or a teacher. Thank to Michelle Grodecki, Joanne Weber, Chrystene Ells and Mooky.

Ilhan Abdi (Boat Story) ​
 My name is Ilhan Ahmed Abdi. I am 21 years old. I am from Somalia. My language is American Sign Language. I want to bring my family to Regina from Somalia so I can spend time with them. I like building things. I would like to thank my uncle for bringing me here.

Allard Thomas - Performer, Deaf Elder & Prop Design
I am the Deaf Elder at Thom Collegiate Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program.  My goal is to encourage Deaf and/or Hard of Hearing students to learn American Sign Language (ASL) in order to gain their English skills as their second language. ASL is a natural language created and used by Deaf people in both Canada and USA, much different from spoken English in grammatical rules and structure. I am involved in various organizations of/for the deaf locally, provincially, and nationally as an advocate and supporter.

Chrystene Ells - Director
​Chrystene Ells (MFA) is an award-winning artist and director of film and theatre, and a certified art therapist. As a hearing person, she is honoured to be so warmly invited into the Deaf Space created by Joanne Weber, Michelle Grodecki, and the Deaf Crows.  Chrystene is looking forward to her upcoming collaboration on Joanne’s one-woman show, ‘1000 Ladders Down,’ presented by Deaf Crows, and is currently in development on her next project, a performative installation featuring handmade wooden puppets and automata.

 Joanne Weber  - Director
 Joanne Weber (PhD)  is a Deaf teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) at Winston Knoll Collegiate.  She earned her B.A. Honours in English Literature and a B.Ed. at the University of Saskatchewan, and a Master’s in Library Science from the University of Alberta.  She also attended a graduate studies program in Deaf Education at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. She is certified by the Canadian Association of Educators of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CAEDHH).  Recently, Joanne obtained her PhD at the University of Regina, specializing in Language and Literacy with a focus on the education of the deaf. ​Her books, The Pear Orchard (poetry) and The Deaf House (creative non-fiction) were finalists in the Saskatchewan Book Awards (2007, 2013). She is currently developing her own one-woman performance. Joanne is also a leader in the Deaf community at provincial and national levels. Her lifelong passion is to improve the quality of education for DHH students. ​

Michelle Grodecki - Director
​Michelle Grodecki is a teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing at Winston Knoll Collegiate.  She earned her B. Ed at the University of Regina and is currently completing her final year of a post-baccalaureate Diploma in the Education of Students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing from York University. She is also the proud mom to twin boys, James and Oscar.  Having a Deaf child herself, Michelle is a strong parent advocate and supporter of Saskatchewan’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community. She currently serves on the board of directors for Saskatchewan Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services and Deaf Crows Collective.

Mooky Cornish - guest director, clown/circus consultant
​Acclaimed physical comedienne Mooky Cornish has performed for over three million spectators Worldwide. A master of physical comedy, puppetry, piano and performance, Mooky is one of the funniest ladies working the international circuit today. Thanks to the Deaf Crows for laughter-filled days and your courageous, generous, revolutionary voices. I am in awe of you.

Tyson Zacharias - Performer/Stage Manager
​My name is Tyson Zacharias. I’m 18 years old and I am a hard of hearing student. I am here in Regina. The languages I use are ASL and English. My dream is to get a job doing computer work or making amazing stuff out of metal for money. I also want to learn more languages and become a translator.  I want to thank Mooky, Chrystene, Joanne Weber and Michelle Grodecki for helping me find a place in Apple Time.

Camry Yasinowski - Prop Design
I’m 17 years old, I am hard of hearing. I am Saulteaux from the Muskowekwan First Nation.  I enjoy reading and art. Designing props has been an enjoyable experience. My dream to be a vet or an artist. I would like to thank my parents for supporting me and Chrystene, Mrs. Weber and Mrs. Grodecki for introducing us to drama and art.

Berny Hi - Tech, Lighting, projections, audio mix
Filmmaker, performer, and visual artist Berny finds working with the Deaf Crows a life-fulfilling experience. Berny is honoured and humbled to be welcomed into their world, to be made part of the beautiful moments of creative explosion from the tenacious human spirit present in each student, and their mentors, Allard and Joanne.