Watch our short video "Development of a Play"for more information on our production process: https://youtu.be/ILqe69n3Y6k

Just a few of the very positive audience testimonials we received during our June public readings of the play:

-"Absolutely amazing. The acting, the music and the storyline hit so many stories and feelings. Well done! - R.D., Nanaimo"
-"Heart-wrenching! - J.P.D., Nanaimo"
-"Amazing! Go for the Big Time! The Country! The World! - A.D., Nanaimo"
-"Superb! Perfectly formed and consummately characterized. I loved the comedy too!! - V.S., London, England"
-"Absolutely amazing and touching, very well done! - E.McK., Nanaimo"
-"Thanks again for an amazing experience Friday night. You have a winner here. You could sell it around the world. It will translate to every culture. - J.R., Burnaby"
-"A brilliant, clever, poignant and necessary subject. Thank you so very much. - L.W., Lantzville"
-"Please do it AGAIN and AGAIN! - Mrs G. N., Courtenay"
-"I was one of those [caregivers]! - Mr G. N., Courtenay"

About the Team

Joëlle Rabu – Concept creator, Co-author, Actor, Singer  (Nanaimo, BC)

Joëlle Rabu has enjoyed a dynamic 40-year career on the stage, highlighted by a diverse array of theatre roles, including leads in ‘Cabaret’, ‘Irma la Douce’, ‘John Gray’s Don Messer’s Jubilee’, ‘Anything Goes ’and ‘Marion Bridge’, to name but a few. Her critically acclaimed portrayal of Edith Piaf has enjoyed a long run and re-runs, with over 2,000 performances across Canada and the US. Beyond the stage, Joëlle has made significant contributions as the host and writer for Knowledge Networks ‘Arts Edge’ and was featured in the documentaries ‘Passeport Musique’ in Mali and Moncton. She also played a role during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics as host and writer for the French CBC's live radio show ‘Correspondances’. Joëlle's expertise extends to directing and writing for special events, and she has served as a creative consultant on more than a dozen projects, including the acclaimed ‘Symphony of Sound and Light Reflections of Canada’ which played on Canada’s Parliament Hill for 5 years.

Her awards include two Jessie Richardson Theatre wins plus a third nomination; a Juno nomination; the ‘Ambassadrice Culturelle’ de la C-B, a BC Touring Artist award, and most recently, the BC Governor General 'Queen Elizabeth’s 70th Jubilee Excellence in the Arts and Music' award among others. Joëlle, who lives on Vancouver Island, is passionate about world cultures, speaks several languages, and has traveled throughout 5 continents.

She is also a recording artist with eight independent albums to her name. She is looking forward to retirement when she can complete her three, as of yet unpublished, children's books.

 "I Don’t Belong Here" is Joëlle’s second full-length play and holds a special place in her heart for two reasons: the stories are thoughtfully fashioned in collaboration with Kelly, her best friend of close to 55 years, and the supporting music, by the late great Harry Nilsson, is faithfully shaped by the intuitive talents of her son, Nico, arranger and music director. Joëlle was born in Manitoba and at age 12, moved to Vancouver Island where she now resides. https://joellerabu.com/ 

Kelly Wyatt – Co-writer, Actor, Singer   (Victoria, BC)

Kelly has always had a natural gift for telling stories, writing with  honesty, heart, and having the ability to illuminate the essence of human nature. A lifelong friend of Joëlle Rabu for over 55 years, she was a natural choice to collaborate on this project. In her early years, Kelly explored modelling and film in Vancouver before devoting herself to family life and a long career in the Victoria school system. Now, she returns to one of her first passions, the stage, where she embodies her half dozen characters with grace and charm, while adding rich vocal harmonies to the ensemble. Kelly is celebrating two exciting 'firsts' this year: co-writing and acting in a play and seeing her debut novel published.  'I Am Enough' by Kelly L. Wyatt was released in September of 2025 to rave reviews and is available through major online platforms and her website: www.kellywyattwrites.com

Nico Rhodes – Music Director, Arranger, Artistic Direction  (Ladysmith, BC)

Nico Rhodes is a genre jumping, multilingual musician who collaborates with other artists and art forms to experience and explore music in as many styles as possible. Growing up touring around the globe surrounded by artists and the world of theatre – he is equally comfortable playing jazz, classical, funk or roots music, orchestrating a symphony, writing musicals, and conducting choirs.

Nico Rhodes is one of the most in demand young arranger/musical directors in Canada, with 50+ stage musicals to his credit. He’s written 400 original compositions, four original musicals and arranged two symphonic pops concerts.

He’s been nominated for two Jessie Awards and five Ovation Awards and in 2019 was honoured with Nanaimo’s Emerging Cultural Leader Award. Nico composes for stage, screen, and media, collaborates with multiple choirs, enjoys playing with several jazz trios and solo concert singers. In addition to his roles as producer, director, and writer, Nico’s most recent creation, ‘Piano Heist’, has been met with such exuberance that he and his childhood friend and co-creator, Patrick Courtin, have tours scheduled over the next two years, and are already working on a sequel to their hit show. https://nicorhodesmusic.com/ 

Kymme Patrick – Director (Comox Valley, BC)

Kymme Patrick is an award-winning actor, a playwright, director and teacher. She graduated from the American Academy of Performing Arts in Pasadena, California and has toured with professional theatre companies. While in Toronto, Kymme worked and performed in theatre, film and commercials. She also founded her own casting agency and a children’s theatre company. She created the TheatreWorks Centre For Performing Arts to provide quality theatre programs for youth and she has been instrumental in using theatre as an educational tool with schools and organizations in the Comox Valley. These have become valued for the positive skill development and personal growth that students experience in the original and creative productions mounted each summer. In 2015, Kymme was presented with Theatre BC’s Donna Lamb Award for her outstanding work with youth and contributions to the development of community theatre on Vancouver Island.