As part of Chessfest 2019, we are proud to present the original play, Caïssa, a chess clown play

A chess player is desperate to win. She tries all kinds of antics to avoid losing. When she does lose things get messy, but even when she wins it’s not a pretty scene. In a dream she meets Caïssa, who invites her to play in a different way.

Written by:
Rose Tuong and Calder Hutchinson

Director/Stage Manager:
Anthony Raymond Yu

Sound:
Dustin Woods-Turner

Cast:

Hannah Ehman

Child/Chess Enthusiast/Elderly Person/Caïssa played by Hannah Ehman

Originally from Porcupine ON, Hannah is an actor, singer, dancer and graduate of the University of Toronto Mississauga and Sheridan College joint theatre program. She works in musical theatre, devised movement based theatre, clown, TYA tours, film and over a dozen national commercials. She is also the national spokesgal for Oxford Wild Blueberries.

Sharilyn Johnson

Player played by Sharilyn Johnson

Sharilyn has previously donned a red nose for performances in Lunacy Cabaret and the Toronto Festival of Clowns. She toured her solo storytelling show, Fake News Fangirl, to fringe festivals across Canada, and has studied improv through Second City, Bad Dog Theatre Co., and the Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theatre.

Anthony Raymond Yu

Helper/Observer played by Anthony Raymond Yu

Anthony is a Queer Asian- Canadian actor, director, and producer based in Toronto. Since graduating from the University of Toronto- Sheridan College program in Theatre & Drama Studies, he has acted with Carlos Bulosan Theatre, Pirate Life, and most recently Roseneath Theatre. He has also trained with Hamilton Fringe’s ALERT Program. CAÏSSA is his third directing piece, after DOG SEES GOD at the 2017 Hamilton Fringe, and the 2018 Toronto Festival of Clowns