Vision & Mission
At KW Youth Theatre and Guelph Youth Theatre, we have a positive vision
of the future on our planet. We see a world full of cooperation, sustainability,
and harmony with our surroundings.
As two of only a hand-full of organizations in southern Ontario devoted to the
development of performing arts education for youth, we have a responsibility
to the people and communities that make our existence possible. In order to
fulfill this responsibility, we integrate as many socially beneficial actions into
our production operations as possible. Here are a few of the values-led activities
we are currently engaging in:
• Producing theatre focused on enhancing, promoting, celebrating, and showcasing
the talent and diversity of our local artists
• Offering programs geared towards waiving tuition fees, so as to provide students
the opportunity to gain hands-on learning experiences in all aspects of theatre
• Ensuring that 5% of all ticket sales are used to help students gain exposure to
and participate in healthy living
• Striving for low-cost seating, making first-rate theatre available for everyone
• Supporting the programs of local youth service agencies
• Seeking out sponsors to provide tickets for underprivileged children
By incorporating a concern for the community, theatre can make a positive impact on
the world in which it operates. "Theatre unites as it delights and educates as it entertains."
Ensemble
 Nicholas Walsh
Artistic Director
Nicholas holds a rich history of experience in and familiarity with KW’s
theatre arts community. He has acted in, written, directed, and produced a
variety of theatre productions throughout the region with credits at the Stratford
Festival, Theatre & Company, JM Drama, Touchmark Theatre, KW Little
Theatre, and KW Children’s Drama. Nicholas recently graduated from the
University of Toronto with an M.A. in English, and will be starting his PhD at the
University of Waterloo in September 2010 with a focus on performance as a mode
of semiotic analysis.
Josh Ashley
Director of Education
Josh graduated from Queen's University with a B.A. in Drama and a B.Ed. in
Drama/History. He has filled many roles in the theatre, working as an actor,
director, playwright, and designer with various theatre companies
in both Kitchener-Waterloo and Kingston. Josh now teaches for the
Waterloo Region District School Board at Huron Heights Secondary School
in the Special Education Program, where he also coaches Improv
and runs a theatre troupe for students across the region with special needs.
Rachel Behling
Ensemble Member
Rachel has had a lifelong love for theatre and dance. At the age of three, she began to study
ballet until her teens, when her focus changed to theatre. Rachel holds a degree in English
from the University of Guelph, and her passion for literature is evident in the plays she has
directed: Charlotte's Web, A Christmas Carol, The Diary of Anne Frank, and The Belle of
Amherst (based on the life of Emily Dickinson). Rachel has acted with companies both on
Vancouver Island and in Ontario, and is currently a homeschool drama teacher in the
Guelph/Elora/Fergus area. She has worked with individuals of all ages, and enjoys being
part of a team that strives for creativity, joy, and togetherness.
Trevor Copp
Ensemble Member
Trevor has been an active artist in KW since graduating from the UW Theatre program
in 2000. He has since acted and choreographed with Theatre & Company, The MT Space,
and the Oakville Festival of the Classics professionally. Most recently, Trevor helped to
create the role of 'Rawad' in The MT Space's The Last 15 Seconds, which performed for
KW's IMPACT.09 Festival and will be featured in the upcoming Magnetic North Festival.
He is also a professional Ballroom/Latin dance, Mime, and Contact dance enthusiast. As a
writer, he is a member of KW's 'Pat the Dog' Playwriting Centre, which is currently
developing his play Journey to the East. Trevor has taught theatre at UW, U of Guelph, and
Redeemer College, and now adds his role as founding Artistic Director of Burlington's first
Mic Dainjah
Ensemble Member
Dainjah is a KW-based actor, writer, musician, and director.
His stage career began at age 7 in his native Trinidad, and eventually
took him to the University of Waterloo, where he studied English Literature.
His resume includes writing and directing two full length films,
Canis Lupis (1999) and 247 High Street (2001), and the musical
How Much For That Soul? (2006). As an actor, he has performed
on film in In Camera (2000) and, most recently, on stage in
Bubbling Brown Sugar (2008). Also an accomplished musician,
having performed across Canada with Jen Militia and The Stone Prophets,
Dainjah brings a 20-year love affair with Othello to this production.
 Jewels KraussEnsemble Member
Passionate about theatre, creating art, and building community, Jewels is very
excited to be part of Guelph Youth Theatre! Born in south-west Germany,
she found her way to the beautiful and vibrant city of Guelph, where she
now resides. She has been involved in several productions both behind the scenes
as well as on stage. Recent credits include Having Hope at Home
(Elora Community Theatre), Much Ado About Nothing (Guelph Little Theatre),
and The Merchant of Venice (KW Youth Theatre). Jewels combines the ideas
of bringing students together to perform a play, while at the same time creating
a loving, respectful, and supportive environment, where students feel empowered
to explore their talents and themselves.
 Doran Damon OkkemaEnsemble Member
Doran couldn’t be more thrilled to be working with KW Youth Theatre,
a team of dedicated and passionate individuals. Now a full time actor/director,
Doran has been performing since the tender age of six. Past stage credits
include A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Eastwood Collegiate),
An Ideal Husband (Theatre & Company), and more recently Twelfth Night
and Falling: A Wake (Lost & Found Theatre). His film credits include
appearances on numerous Canadian television shows and the
independent feature Lucky 7 , which was released Fall.08.
Pam Patel
Ensemble Member
A recent graduate of WLU's music program, Pam studied voice under Laura Pudwell
and Marianne Bindig. As a frequent performer with The MT Space, her past shows
include The Last 15 Seconds, Across the Veil, and The Other End of the Line. Pam also
collaborates with artist/architect, Cesar Forero, and dancer, Michelle Moylan, in a
multimedia installation piece, The Maze, including a performance at this year's
Nuit Blance in Toronto. For the past two years, Pam attended the Vancouver Creative
Music Institute, and had the opportunity to collaborate with world-renowned
improvising musicians. Excited to be joining KW Youth Theatre, Pam hopes to
continue exploring the boundaries of her instrument and collaborating with artists of
various backgrounds to produce multidisciplinary works.
 Michael RobinsonEnsemble Member
Michael has been
associated with the stage and theatre for the last twenty-five years.
He graduated from Auckland University with a degree in Performing Arts
in 2005
and has since directed numerous youth productions within Kitchener-Waterloo.
He has been an
accompanist for Advanced Improvisation, co-written and performed
theatre adaptations and enjoys writing youth fiction.
 Deb Stanson Ensemble Member
Moving back to the KW area after ten years in Windsor,
Deb is thrilled to return to find a vibrant arts community!
A graduate of the University of Waterloo, Deb has been involved in theatre
for over twenty years. She is a lifetime member of the
Elora Community Theatre, was founder and Director of the
Wellington Youth Theatre Projects, and has served on the board as
President of Theatre on the Grand, a professional summer theatre company.
In 2003, Deb became the Artistic Director of the Riverfront Theatre Company,
now entering its fifth season, with over 100 children and youth participating.
Kalene Ticknor
Ensemble Member
Kalene, trained in ballet, pointe, jazz, and modern dance, studied under
the direction of Heidi Churchill, Ruth Priddle, and Laura Prada at the
Carousel Dance Company. As a student at Ryerson University, she was accepted into
The School of Toronto Dance Theatre, where she had the opportunity to perform
in works by many professional dance artists. Kalene currently teaches dance at the
Carousel Dance Centre, is co-director of the Carousel Dance Company, and is the
resident choreographer for The Singers Theatre, working with their Junior Ensemble,
camp programs, and Intensive Workshops. She is very excited to be joining the
fantastic team at KW Youth Theatre, and looks forward to a great season
with the many talented people involved.
 Miroki Tong
Ensemble Member
Miroki is a graduate from the University of Waterloo Arts and Business Program
with a BA (Hons) Drama, English minor. She is interested in circus theatre,
cinema/digital media, multicultural theatre, and interdisciplinary theatre. Primarily
an actor, recent credits include: Flavia's Grandmother and Housepainter in Mad Forest;
Mother in Surface Tension; Woodcutter and Dwarf in Snow White the Remix; and,
three productions with The MT Space for its Theatre for Social Change projects.
Most recently, she was Artistic Director of The Lightbulb Company, a start-up theatre
collective for emerging artists in Toronto. Other notable experiences include stage
managing, musical directing, and costume design/fabrication.
David Trinh
Ensemble Member
With an extensive background in martial arts, dance, and technical theatre training,
David has found himself traveling, studying, and teaching around the world with various
dance and events production companies. Now back in the Waterloo Region, he is currently
training and producing live 1930's vintage swing dance shows with the Royal City Big Band
for all ages. From this diverse background, David bring an abundance of experience and
knowledge to his teaching of body movements to the stage and dance floor.
This webpage was last updated May 12, 2010.
Site content: ©2010 | 
