Meet the Team!
Behind Bug's Backyard
The Board
Bug Maclean-Smith
(he/they)
Founder / Artistic Director
Bug is the founder of Bug's Backyard. They have been in the theatre world for 12 years, their most notable roles being Pugsley; Addams Family, Rocky; Rocky Horror and Bobby; Good News!. They have also directed/choreographed a few shows including Carrie, Ride the Cyclone and Rocky Horror. He is a 2026 graduate of Capilano University’s Musical Theatre program. Before going to Capilano, he studied at JCI in their makeup artistry program.
Dominique Bowden
(she/they)
Assistant AD / VP Development
Dominique is originally from Santa Ana, California and grew up performing in musicals, working backstage and assisting with scenic painting and props. Some of their most notable roles include Jojo; Seussical the Musical, Rosemary; How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and Dorothy; The Wizard Of Oz, all with The Music Room in Orange, CA. After a long hiatus from the musical theatre world, they are thrilled to be performing again with Bug's Backyard!
Robin Folka
(she/they)
Communications
Robin has loved theatre ever since they can remember. In high school, she played as Sour Kangaroo in Seussical and Mike in Theory of Relativity. Robin also has experience with costume design & is excited to do much more!
Annie Burns
(she/her)
Social Media Manager
Annie Burns (she/her) is a 19 year old actor and musician from Southern BC. Annie has worked with various theatre companies across BC, including The Capitol Theatre, Studio 58 School of Performing Arts (one semester), and Art's Umbrella musical theatre troupe. She has enjoyed and participated in the theatrical arts since the age of five. Annie thanks her parents for their endless guidance and support!
Farida Rawdah
(any pronouns)
Performer / Director
Farida is an artist who started pursuing theatre when they came to BC from the US in 2018. They've been with Bug's Backyard since 2022 and have since performed as Constance in Ride The Cyclone (2023) and directed Heathers The Musical (2024), as well as supported other productions from off the stage.
Heather Mislang
(they/she)
Music Director
Heather Mislang (They/She) is a Vancouver-based music director, musician, vocalist, composer, and actress with half a decade of experience teaching voice, vocal ensemble, and piano. She has a diploma from the Canadian College of Performing Arts' two-year performance program as well as twelve years of RCM piano and music theory experience. Prior to post-secondary, Heather excelled as a competitive classical pianist, jazz ensemble pianist, and was a lead singer in a rock band. Heather is ecstatic to be music-directing Bug's Backyard Theatre's production of Carrie.