Still Life Stage Reading Cast Biographies

Born in Toronto, Louise Penny graduated from Ryerson’s Radio and Television Arts program and became a journalist. After 15 years with CBC Radio she left to focus on writing.

With the support of her husband Dr. V. Michael Whitehead, Still Life was published in 2005. Louise has written eighteen books in the Armand Gamache series, set in the fictional Québec village of Three Pines. The latest, A World of Curiosities, was published in 2022 and became the top-selling book in North America. 

Translated into 31 languages, the novels have sold millions worldwide, won or been shortlisted for most major crime fiction awards, and topped, among others, the New York Times and Globe and Mail lists. Several of the Three Pines books were made into a TV series for Amazon.   

Louise was awarded the Order of Canada for her contributions to Canadian Culture and has honorary degrees from Carleton and Bishops Universities.  She and her husband founded a Canadian literary prize aimed at encouraging emerging crime writers.  Her novella, The Hangman, is a fundraiser for adult literacy. 

After her husband Michael’s death in 2016 from dementia, Louise started a foundation whose goal is to contribute to dementia care in Canada. A State of Terror, is a political thriller written with former US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. 

Louise appeared last summer in the Knowlton Players production of If Books Could Kill.

Premier prix très grande distinction du Conservatoire d’art dramatique de Québec en 1968, Raymond Cloutier est l’initiateur, en septembre 1969, du Grand Cirque ordinaire. Il écrit la plupart des canevas des neuf tragédies musicales produites entre 1969 et 1986 et en assume la mise en forme.

Parallèlement, il amorce une carrière de plus d’une vingtaine de longs métrages avec Red et La Tête de Normande St-Onge de Gilles Carle,et Two solitude, qu’il continue jusqu’à Mariage et Une vie qui commence Il participe à de nombreuses télé sé ries dont Louis Riel, Duplessis, Montréal ville ouverte, Trudeau et L’Ombre de l’épervier. Il joueBo au théâtre dans, entre autres, La Mandragore, Florence, Qui a peur de Virginia Woolf ?

Metteur en scène, il réalise, Les sept péchés Québécois au théâtre du Trident, Les Nonnes au théâtre de La Marjolaine, Oleanna et Un contrat à Sutton et en tournée dans tout le Québec. Il enseigne l’improvisation de 1980 à 2017 à l’UQAM, l’ENT, et au Conservatoire d’art dramatique de Montréal dont il assume la direction de 1987 à 1995 et de 2007 à 2012.

De 2004 à 2008, il anime des émissions culturelles à Radio-Canada et dirige le Théâtre Outremont de 2012 à 2017.

Auteur de quatre romans, Un retour simple (1998), Le maître d’hôtel (2000), chez Lanctôtn éditeur, Fin seul en (2018) aux Éditions La Presse et L’échéance (2021) aux éditions Québec Amérique, il publie également deux essais Le beau milieu (1998) chez Lanctôt éditeur et L’improvisation retrouvée (2021) aux PUM. Un recueil/disque de ses textes mis en chanson pour le Grand cirque ordinaire, Théâtre chanté (2002) est également publié chez Lanctôt éditeur.

Il continue sa carrière d’acteur et d’écrivain à partir de Sutton où il vit en permanence.

In 1968, after winning the first prize with great distinction at the Conservatoire d’art dramatique de Québec, RAYMOND CLOUTIER initiated, in September 1969, the Grand Cirque Ordinaire. He wrote the structure for most of the nine musical tragedies produced between 1969 and 1986 and assumed their staging.

Concurrently, he began a film career that counts about twenty features today such as Red and Normande, both directed by Gilles Carle, Two Solitudes, and, more recently, Marriages and A Life Begins. He was in many series such as Riel, Duplessis, Montréal ville ouverte, Trudeau, and L’Ombre de
l’épervier. He performed in the plays The Mandrake, Florence, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, and many more.

As stage director, he worked on Les sept péchés québécois, at the Trident theatre, Les Nonnes, at La Marjolaine, Olenna, and Un contrat, in Sutton and on tour all around Quebec. From 1980 to 2017, he taught improvisation at UQAM, at the ENT and at the Conservatoire d’art dramatique de Montréal, where he was director from 1987 to 1995 and from 2007 to 2012.

From 2004 to 2008, he hosted cultural shows on Radio-Canada and, from 2012 to 2017, he was the head of the Outremont Theater.

The author of four novels, Un retour simple (1998) and Le maître d’hôtel (2000) published by Lanctôt éditeur, Fin seul (2018) published by Éditions La Presse, and L’échéance (2021) published by Québec Amérique, he also wrote two essays: Le beau milieu (1998) published by Lanctôt éditeur and L’improvisation retrouvée (2021) published by the PUM. The Théâtre chanté (2002), a collection/disc of his texts set to music for the Grand Cirque Ordinaire, was also published by Lanctôt éditeur.

Today, Raymond Cloutier still acts and writes from his home in Sutton.

I am very happy to participate in such a special event that aims to donate their proceeds to a wonderful organization like Golden Rescue.

A few years ago, I had asked Louise if I could adapt one of her books for a Radio Play show format. She generously agreed and I adapted two of her books, Still Life and The Cruellest Month.

We had raised funds for the Twin Steeples churches in Georgeville, Quebec and the events had been very successful.

I love reading for Jean-Guy Beauvoir.

My name is Genevieve Lapensée. I am a primary school secretary with a passion for theatre. 

My wonderful husband and two little girls love helping me when I have lines, dances, or songs to learn. I have always had a passion for theatre and was lucky enough to join the Knowlton players in 2019. 

I have since been on stage many times through the years, most recently in The Sound of Music, With Love Johnny, and If Books Could Kill, loving every thrilling minute of it.

Emilee Veluz is a Canadian born Filipina that has been working as a professional theatre, film and TV actor for over 20 years. She and her family are from Montreal and now call the Eastern Townships home. 

Upon graduating from Dawson College’s Professional Theatre Program with honours, Emilee was lucky to tour eastern Canada and USA with Geordie Theatre for several years. While touring with Geordie, she worked with Danny McAuley who was their talented Stage Manager. 

She is best known on stage for her role as June in the Governor General’s award-winning play, Where the Blood Mixes by Kevin Loring and Twinkle in the Montreal hit play, Miss Orient(ed) by Nina Lee Aquino and Nadine Villasin; both produced by Teesri Duniya Theatre. Miss Orient(ed) was voted Montreal Mirror’s (now MTL Blog) Montreal's Best Play and Emilee was voted 2nd Best Local Actress. During the pandemic, she was seen virtually on stage in Talisman Theatre’s production of Habibi’s Angels et la commission impossible. 

Selected television and film credits include, Clouds, The Moodys, 19-2 (English version), Nine Lives, Broken Trust, The Lottery, and CTV’s Transplant. Aside from acting, Emilee sits on the board for ELAN, the English Language Arts Network, and is also proud to be part of the Yamaska Literacy Council team.

Danny McAuley started his theatre career in 1985 as part of the founding company of Theatre Lac Brome. He stayed there for twenty years doing every possible job on and off stage.

Danny also worked for several Montreal companies including Sam Gesser Productions, BullDog Productions, and Geordie Theatre.

He hung up his theatre robes in 2006 to take over Brome Lake Books with his wife Lucy. 

Coming out of retirement in 2013 to work on the remount of Honky Tonk Blue: The Night Patsy Met Hank, The Vagina Monologues at Theatre Lac Brome in 2020, and Home Child in 2023.

As an active member of the Knowlton Players for the past 33 years, Danny has acted in, directed, designed and done the lighting for countless productions including last summers hit If Books Could Kill staring Louise Penny.

Doug is a retired teacher, actor, and writer who has lived in the townships since 1973. While teaching Theatre Arts at Massey Vanier HS, he produced and directed plays for over 30 years including Hamlet, Macbeth, Twelfth Night, The Merchant of Venice, and The Tempest. 

In the early years of Echo Art he played Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar and George in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolfe. 

As Artistic Director of Sunshine Theatre Productions, Doug oversaw several tours including two of Art, by Yasmina Reza in which he played Marc; The Cripple of Innishman by Martin McDonagh where he played Johnnypateenmike; and in The Drawer Boy, by Michael Healey he was Morgan. 

In Theatre Lac Brome’s summer seasons, Doug had roles in Trial by Jury, Buoyant Billions, Mrs. Warren’s Profession, and Star Quality; and in Townships Stage productions at The Piggery he was The Father and Mr. Moir in Susan Coyne’s Kingfisher Days, and in Norm Foster’s The Love List he was Bill.

Doug and his wife, Kate divide their time between Canada (where they have 7 grandchildren) and the UK where they live and ply the rivers and canals of England on a 60’ narrowboat.

Kate is a founder member of Sunshine Theatre Productions and has been involved in multiple roles at Theatre Lac Brome since the theatre was founded. 

Now living between Cambridge, England, and Sutton, Kate is delighted to be back to inhabit the eccentric character of Ruth once again. 

Actor, producer, and costumer designer for Sunshine Theatre Productions, her enthusiasm led to great success at Theatre Lac Brome with the Townships community. 

he worked as Cultural Coordinator for Townshippers’ Association and was the administrator for 18 Townshippers’ Days, festival events in a new town each year. She represented the Townships arts community at the English Language Arts 

Network based in Montreal. Kate directed professional touring productions of The Drawer Boy and Art. Kate was an extra in both Still Life and Three Pines TV series and is well acquainted with the characters who live there. 

Kate volunteers for the Cambridge Literary Festival and is delighted to contribute to this charitable and literary event in Knowlton.

Lucy’s enthusiasm for all things theatrical and musical started early in the annual Georgeville Revues founded by her parents. Then while doing post-secondary studies, she joined the Montreal West Operatic Society. It was there that she experienced her first “on-stage mishap”. As one of the chorus of fairies, while they were “Tripping Hither,” she tripped thither….. flat on her face.

After finishing her Fine Arts bachelor's in music and while being “encouraged” by her mother to help backstage with the Echo Art Production of Jesus Christ Superstar, she met her husband, Danny. Smitten with both Danny and theatre, Lucy joined the Knowlton Players. She has been involved in 35 Knowlton Players productions. Most recently, she directed The Sound of Music. Last summer, she was in If Books Could Kill alongside Louise Penny. She got to play a batty character who was protesting literature. This time, she is so proud to be playing Myrna, owner of the local bookstore. 



In her free time, Lucy co-owns the local bookstore with Danny. She is also an executive director of The Knowlton Literary Association and The Canadian Independent Booksellers Association. Oh yes! She has three adult sons, Watson the dog and Charlie the Tortoise.

Before co-founding the annual Georgeville Revues, John’s theatrical experience was one line in one play at Wellington school in England some thirty years earlier. While being part of the revues and the subsequent Midwinter Laughs, John became known for his knack of undressing under a mackintosh, extraordinary facial expressions and his uncanny resemblance (in looks only) to Benny Hill.

John was an instrumental force in the Georgeville Troup including the original production of this radio play of Still Life.

Since moving to Knowlton, he has enjoyed acting with the Knowlton Players including Mama Mia where his daughter, Lucy cast him as one of three Greek men. 

John has sung all his life. He met his wife singing Christmas carols on Charing Cross Station. He is still her favourite tenor after 62 years of marriage.

Jim Ferrier grew up in Montreal, spending summers and weekends at his grandparents’ house in Knowlton. He moved to the Eastern Townships full-time in 2001, living first in Knowlton and then moving to West Bolton. 

Jim has been involved as a volunteer and board member in community radio and in the wilderness conservation movement in the Eastern Townships since before moving here. He now also does volunteer work with Knowlton Players, the Mount Echo Conservation Association and Appalachian Corridor, among others.

A writer, translator and editor by trade, he also enjoys identifying and photographing plants, animals and animal sign for a planned photographic field guide, practicing karate, and hiking the gorgeous wildernesses that surround us here in Brome-Missisquoi. 

Justin Morin grew up around theatre, TV and film. As a child, he has done several voice works and one of his most memorable projects was lending his voice to Teesri Duniya Theatre’s production of the Governor General’s award-winning play, Where the Blood Mixes by Kevin Loring and directed by Lib Spry. 

He also played one of the Indian Boys in Shakespeare-in-the Park’s 25^th Anniversary production, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. 

He recently graduated from Massey-Vanier High School and was proud to be part of the Drama program. Justin was one of the recipients of the Phyllis and Eugene Jousse Memorial Award amongst others. He has started studying Social Sciences, specializing in Criminology at Champlain College Lennoxville and hopes that one day he can use his artistic talents in the legal world.

Dorothy Moffat

Knowlton is a great place for the arts!

This is my second time participating in theatre in Knowlton, the first was: Mamma Mia.

I am so fortunate to be involved in Radio Plays in Georgeville, as well as other plays in Georgeville and the Haskell Opera House.

Singing, dancing, acting and my family are my joys in life.