Almost, Maine is a series of vignettes on the theme of love in "unorganized territory", the almost town of Almost, Maine. Each vignette occurs over the same stretch of time, and each contains an element of the surreal. Says co-director Eric Pettifor, "It's like Neil Simon on a little bit of acid. Just a little bit." Heart warming, funny, at times sad; you'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll want to stay in Almost.

Starring (in order of appearance): Craig McCue, Emily McCourt, Samantha Braitenback, Tanner Desterre, Sonia Deleo, and Ben Francis. With appearances by Eric Pettifor and Amanda Liz Cutting.

Live music performed by Dillon Smiley

Lighting Designer and Stage Manager, Lisa Floyd. Design Consultant, Hanne Loosen. Producer, Michelle McKey.

Artists of Almost, Maine

Amanda Liz Cutting is thrilled to be a part of Almost Maine. Selected credits include: Fat Pig (Helen), Comedy of Errors (Luciana), Macbeth (1st Witch), Rumors (Chris), Frankenstein (Elizabeth), Under Milk Wood (9 Characters), Until the Glass Stops Working (Gillian), and a Poker Girls webisode. She is a Mount Royal University Graduate in Theatre Arts. Amanda played the role of Hope and held the position of Co-Director.

Ben Francis is a recent graduate of the Master Class program at Company of Rogues Actors Studio and is very excited to be working with such a talented group of people. Previous shows include: All in Good Time, All in the Timing, The Rimers of Eldritch, and The Bar Off Melrose. Ben played the roles of Danny and Steve.

Craig McCue is thrilled to be involved with ACT's first show of the season. A 2013 University of Lethbridge graduate, Craig has spent the last year getting accustomed to city living and having fun with all sorts of actor-type things for the stage and screen. Most recently, he appeared in Stick Rag Idols with Red Phone Theatre and in ROCK(S) as part of the Common Ground Festival. Craig played the roles of Randy, Pete and Phil.

Dillon Smiley has been performing music most of his life. A graduate of the Red Deer College Music Program with a major in guitar performance, he has played in many rock and jazz ensembles. He was excited to return to live theatre with ACT's Spring Awakening, and is chuffed to back at it again with Almost, Maine. Dillon held the position of Musician (Guitar).

Emerald Tofte is extremely excited to be producing Almost Maine. Past theatre credits include: The Apple Kingdom (Calgary One-Act Festival) and The Diary of Anne Frank (Morpheus Theatre). She feels privileged to be working with such an incredibly talented and inspiring group of people. She hopes you love the show as much as we do! Emerald held the position of Producer.

Emily McCourt is an actor, dancer, singer, and violinist. Emily’s stage credits include: Bright Lights, Cold Water (Toy Guns Dance Theatre), How To Win Friends And Influence People (Theatre Encounter), and How To Eat Like A Child (Promise Productions). Upcoming film credits include Cut Bank (Kilburn Media), Get Back (Derick Clegg Music Video - Moving Artistry Productions), and Bloodmania (H. G. Lewis/Diabolique Films). She is grateful to be working with such an awesome group of people in Almost, Maine! Emily played the roles of Ginette and Sandrine.

Eric Pettifor directed ACT's inaugural production The Lonely Soldier Monologues in October of 2012, as well as ACT's The Apple Kingdom which won outstanding play at the Calgary One Act Festival (as well as outstanding director, and outstanding actress (Madelaine Suddaby)), and went on to the Calgary Fringe and Fort MacMurray Interplay Festivals. He recently assistant directed Spring Awakening for ACT. He is delighted to be co-directing this wonderful cast with ACT co-founder Amanda Liz Cutting. Eric played the role of Easton and held the position of Co-Director.

Hanne Loosen is extremely excited to be participating in the productions of Artists’ Collective Theatre. As an independent theatre designer she worked for theatre and opera performances in Germany, Austria, Belgium, Russia, the Netherlands and Canada (www.hanneloosen.be). Recent credits in Calgary include: Spring Awakening (ACT), Five by Eleven (Sage Theatre), The Barber of Cowtown (Cowtown Opera) and The Real McCoy (Ellipsis Tree Collective). She is honored that ACT trusted her to follow her ideals as a design consultant. Hanne held the position of Design Consultant.

Lisa Floyd is a graduate from the University of Lethbridge, with a BFA in Tech and Design. She has recently worked closely as a Stage Manager and/or Lighting Designer on the following productions: Calgary Fringe: WILF, Straight on Till Morning, Spring Awakening: The Musical, Stick Rag Idols, Ignite: Dance Series, Opaque, and Shape of a Girl. She is also working with Diabolique Films on the BloodMania Mini Series as an Assistant Casting Director. Lisa looks forward to working with ACT once again on such a beautiful show. Lisa held the position of Lighting Designer and Stage Manager.

Samantha Braitenback has been performing since she was very young. She started her career in community theatre at the age of 12 and has been involved in the arts ever since. She graduated from Mount Royal University in 2010 and studied at Rogues Actors Studio. She was in productions such as Twelfth Night, Rimers of Eldrich and Les Miserables. She is extremely excited to be working with the great cast and crew of Artist Collective Theatre’s Almost Maine. Samantha played the role of Glory, Rhonda and Marvalyn.

Sonia Deleo attended M.R.U's Theatre Performance program in 2003/04 and then found herself in Jasper AB soon after. During her time in Jasper, she co-founded The Jasper Theatre Company, producing and directing several shows with the company. She returned to Calgary in 2013 with a deep desire to return to the stage. Sonia has thoroughly enjoyed working with A.C.T. on this project and is always grateful for another opportunity to create. Sonia played the roles of Marci, Gayle and Villian.

Tanner d'Esterre is a graduate of the Canadian College of Performing Arts and has appeared on stage and screen from Victoria to Toronto. Select credits include Festen, WITforce, Laughter on the 23rd Floor, and Picasso at the Lapin Agile. Tanner is thrilled to have worked on Almost Maine and hopes you enjoy the show!  Tanner played the roles of Chad, Jimmy and Lendall.

Troy Couillard is a Calgary-born stage manager, director, designer and playwright. Selected stage management credits include: The Diary of Anne Frank (Morpheus Theatre), Nine Months is Just an Arbitrary Number (Sage Theatre's Ignite! Festival) and Five Women Wearing The Same Dress (Theatre BSMT). He would like to the cast and crew for an amazing opportunity and the privilege of working for ACT. Up next for Troy is work with both Theatre BSMT and his own company, Search Tower Theatre. Troy held the position of Technical Assistant.