ADVENTURES FROM THE VENDING MACHINE
Attention Manitoba Teachers!
Adventures from the Vending Machine is hitting the road again this spring, with space to visit 50 Manitoba schools.
This fun, interactive theatre experience is designed for Grades 3 to 5 and is FREE, thanks to our collaboration with Recycle Everywhere.
It’s a half day of programming that begins with a short performance and is followed by classroom eco-drama workshops exploring the concepts behind -and importance of- recycling and the circular economy.
Contact admin@wildrootstheatre.com to reserve your spot!
Here’s the team of amazing folks behind this program:
​Playwright - Wren Brian
Dramaturg - Heidi Malazdrewich
Director - Heather Russell-Smith
Cast – “Can” - Aileen Audette
Cast – “Bottle” - Maggie Koreen
Cast – Understudy - Mario Lagassé
Assistant Director - Eric Rae
Stage Manager - Eric Rae
Designer - Brenda McLean
Design Assistant - Aileen Audette
Set and Props Builder - Rachel Baziuk
Graphic Designer - Ash Marie Singh
Tour Booking and Admin - Ava Darrach-Gagnon
Tour Booking and Admin - Emily King
Consultant - Hannah Foulger
Consultant - Seraph-Eden Boroditsky
Consultant - Jessica McGlynn
Producer - Daina Leitold
PLAYWRIGHT
WREN BRIAN
Wren is an award-winning Canadian playwright currently based in Scotland dedicated to creating characters that can be played by actors of any gender, ancestry, ability, and/or age while exploring complex themes. Born and raised in Whitehorse, Yukon (territory of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation & Ta'an Kwäch'än Council) she also lived and worked in Winnipeg, Manitoba on Treaty 1 territory for over 12 years. Production credits include: Bystander (Gwaandak Theatre), Situation (Gwaandak Theatre), When (Climate Change Theatre Action 2021), Now (Climate Change Theatre Action 2023 & 2025), The Investigator (Yukon Digital Theatre Collective), and Billie and the Moon (Manitoba Theatre for Young People). She also won the Harry S. Rintoul Award for Best New Manitoba Play at the Winnipeg Fringe in 2017 for Anomie and was shortlisted for the John Hirsch Emerging Manitoba Writer Award in 2022. She is also a dramaturg, arts administrator and producer. For more information see: wrenbrian.com
DRAMATURG
HEIDI MALAZDREWICH
Heidi is a director, intimacy director, dramaturg, and theatre educator who has worked with theatre companies across Canada. An Assistant Professor in the Department of Theatre and Film at the University of Winnipeg, Heidi holds an MFA in directing from the University of Calgary and recently completed a PhD through the University of Manitoba. Heidi is also the mother of an incredible three-year-old who is constantly teaching her about nature, make-believe, and storytelling!
CAST- "CAN"/DESIGN ASSISTANT
AILEEN AUDETTE
Aileen is a graduate of The University of Winnipeg's Honours Theatre and Film program and has been a professional Make-Up Artist for 10+ years. She is a Vancouver Film School Make-Up and SFX alumni and she has designed make-up with Prairie Theatre Exchange, Winnipeg Independent Theatre and Rainbow Stage. A founding member of the clown troupe The Talentless Lumps, she has toured and taught theatre with Green Kids and Manitoba Theatre for Young People. This is Aileen's second tour with Green Kids, having co-written and toured Wild Wild Wilderness across Western Canada.
To me sustainability comes from compassion, waking up every morning and choosing compassion whether it's for the environment, animal welfare, or your neighbor. The future of sustainability wouldn't be possible without first considering the art of how we interact with each other and life on a daily basis. I love this show because it is bringing that art to a future generation through fun and make-believe. How might an aluminum can feel if it was thrown into the garbage?
Jumping into my Green Kid shoes again reminds me that no matter how old you are there is always room to grow and learn. Also there is no age limit for playing with cardboard boxes!
DIRECTOR
HEATHER RUSSELL-SMITH
Born in Virden, raised in Brandon, and a graduate of Brandon University and The University of Winnipeg, Heather (she/her) is a Manitoba-grown theatre artist living in Treaty 1 Territory. Heather has worked for many of Winnipeg’s professional and independent theatre companies as an actor and director, and she loves helping young people discover the joy of theatre in her work as a drama educator. Heather’s first professional acting contract was with Green Kids, and she has been grateful to work for this impactful, fun, and creative theatre company ever since!
UNDERSTUDY
MARIO LAGASSÉ
Mario is a Winnipeg-based Métis multi-disciplinary artist, working professionally in music, film, and theatre, both onstage and in-studio. Mario splits his time between producing original works and teaching from his St. Vital-based music program, Teenstop Jeunesse, which provides free musical education to youth ages 8 to 17.
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CAST- "BOTTLE"
MAGGIE KOREEN
Maggie is a queer multidisciplinary artist based on Treaty One territory in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Her work moves between stage and screen, with credits including Finality of Dusk, Testament, and The Neighborhood Watch. For the past four years, Maggie has worked as a theatre educator with youth, valuing learning rooted in creativity, kindness, and inclusivity. As a classical percussionist and multi-instrumentalist performing primarily in chamber ensembles, she is drawn to spaces where movement and rhythm blur- an approach shaped by her hearing disability and guiding her toward inventive, expressive ways of connecting with audiences and collaborators alike.
DESIGNER
BRENDA MCLEAN
Brenda is a theatre artist living and working on Treaty I Territory in Winnipeg; she has been thinking about, training in, and making theatre for 30 years. Brenda creates, designs, directs, teaches, and produces for theatre and interdisciplinary theatre/dance productions. She specializes in movement, physical theatre, clown, and costume design.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR/STAGE MANAGER
ERIC RAE
Eric is an actor, director, and activist. They've been involved with various climate justice groups over the years including the Manitoba Energy Justice Coalition (MEJC), Manitoba's Climate Action Team (CAT), LeadNow, 350.org, and Decolonial Solidarity. They've been working with Green Kids for roughly ten years in various capacities, and believe strongly that a better world is possible through grassroots organizing. They try to be sustainable in their everyday life, but are also working on internalizing the idea that we can't solve the climate crisis with changes to our personal behaviour alone. We don't need a handful of people doing zero-waste perfectly, we need foundational cultural and systemic change.
GRAPHICS DESIGNER
ASHLEY MARIE SINGH
Hi, I’m Ashley—but feel free to call me Ash. I’m an illustrator and motion graphic designer with a deep love for all things creative. I find joy in the little things and draw inspiration from the world around me—especially my kids, who spark my imagination daily.
I’ve had the pleasure of being a long-time collaborator with Green Kids, with workshops and outdoor events that bring creativity and community together. Working with their team and watching ideas come to life has been one of the most rewarding parts of my journey.
Here’s to more inspiring collaborations ahead!
SET AND PROPS BUILDER
RACHEL BAZIUK
Rachel attended the University of Winnipeg where she received her Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Production and Stage Management. She recently has been back at the U of W where she works as the master carpenter's assistant in the theatre department.
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Rachel has worked with other theatre companies in the props department across the city such as Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, Winnipeg Studio Theatre, Winnipeg Jewish Theatre, and Sick and Twisted Theatre.
As a local props artist, Rachel loves being able to find a new life for thrifted and vintage items that come her way. Not only does she appreciate the unknown stories carried through these pieces, she loves the ability to reuse and repurpose them. "
TOUR BOOKING AND ADMIN
EMILY JANE KING
Emily is an actor, musician, teaching artist and administrator based in Treaty 1 Territory (Winnipeg, MB). A graduate of the Studio 58 Acting program, she also studied Voice Pedagogy through a specialized mentorship at the school. She is passionate about accessible arts education and has taught voice with Realwheels Acting Academy, Vancouver Film School, Arts Club Actors Intensive, and more. She has taught drama with Green Kids Inc, Aim4All, MTYP, and Gateway Acting Academy. Acting credits include Waabishkizi in White Girls in Moccasins by Yolando Bonnell, The Collector in Mx by Lili Robinson, Sarah Jean in Infinity by Hannah Moscovitch. She is the director of Sick+Twisted Theatre’s drop-in community choir.
TOUR BOOKING AND ADMIN
AVA DARRACH-GAGNON
Ava is a bilingual, Winnipeg-based artist passionate about growing her craft. A graduate of the University of Winnipeg’s Acting: Honours Program, she has performed professionally in theatre and film for over ten years. Alongside acting, Ava has begun training and working as a theatre director. She also performs stunts in films and teaches as a theatre educator, aiming to inspire a love and joy for theatre (and the planet!) in the next generation.
“All of my endeavors fuel my passion for the artistic process, and I strive to bring this positive energy to every project I take on. I'm continually developing my artistry, aiming to create complex and meaningful work that contributes positively to our community.”