 KW Youth Theatre is Waterloo Region's only organization devoted to the
development of performing arts education for youth
in our community. In achieving this standard, we
• Produce theatre focused on enhancing, promoting, celebrating,
and showcasing the talent and diversity of our local artists
• Offer educational programs that fill the need for hands-on learning
experiences in all aspects of theatre including workshops, seminars,
and summer camps
• Strive for low-cost seating, making first-rate theatre available for
everyone
• Support the programs of local youth service agencies
Design Winner: Ken McCuen Design Winner: Sanjay Singh
• Seek out corporate sponsors to provide tickets and scholarships
for underprivileged children
• Help build vitality and spirit in our community – “Theatre can
speak to us all; it unites as it delights and educates as it entertains.”
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 2009 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.
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
Michael 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.
Andrew Griffith
Ensemble Member
Andrew, a recent graduate of St. Mary's High School, has experience
both on and off stage. Favourite on-stage roles include a Spanish sailor
in ends of the earth and a sexist detective in Agatha Christie's The Hollow.
The last few years, however, have seen Andrew migrate to behind-the-scenes
where he finds his true passion, and can make that special connection
between the actors and the crew. As ASM for both Romeo + Juliet and
A Midsummer Night's Dream, he hopes to continue his involvement with
KW Youth Theatre as SM for Macbeth in Fall.09. Andrew aspires to attend
Humber College for their specialized program in Technical Theatre.
 Stephanie JonesEnsemble Member
Stephanie is currently a Gr. 12 student at Eastwood Collegiate,
where she is heavily involved in technical theatre. Some previous
credits include: Little Shop of Horrors (KWMP) as ASM;
Rags and Miss Saigon (Singers Theatre) as ASM/stage crew;
and, Guys & Dolls (Eastwood) also as a member of stage crew.
In KW Youth Theatre's inaugural season, Stephanie was Stage Manager
for Romeo + Juliet, Lighting Designer for The Tempest, and ASM for
A Midsummer Night's Dream. She hopes to continue working with our
community's talented artists in the future.
Andrea Kerswill
Ensemble Member
Andrea has been involved with the Performing Arts in the
Kitchener-Waterloo area for over ten years. She is a graduate of the
University of Waterloo, holding a B.A. in English Language and Literature,
and also attended the Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts
programme. Recent theatre credits include Dangerous Liaisons,
As Bees in Honey Drown, and Moonchildren. Andrea is thrilled to be a part
of KW Youth Theatre, and is looking forward to the 2009-2010 season.
Kari Kokko
Ensemble Member
Kari earned her B.F.A. in theatre production at York University. She has
worked in various technical and administrative capacities with a variety of
theatre companies and arts organizations, including Lost & Found Theatre,
the Multicultural Theatre Space, Theatre and Company, Theatre Athena,
Drayton Entertainment, George Brown Dance, Theatre Collingwood,
Flush Ink Productions, the Open Ears Festival, and the Canadian Stage
Company. She is very pleased to be working with this fine group of people
through KW Youth Theatre's 2009-2010 season.
Giancarlo Lisi
Ensemble Member
Giancarlo is currently completing his Bachelors of Music degree in Voice at
Wilfrid Laurier University, studying with Leslie Fagan. He has been an active
member in a variety of arts programs in KW, as well as being a strong advocate
of music and the performing arts within the student community. His on-stage
experience includes: Pirates of Penzance (2007), and the WCDSB production of
Les Miserables (2005) and 42nd Street (2008). Giancarlo's experience in both
dramatic and vocal performance will lend a great hand in KW Youth Theatre's
upcoming stage productions. He is extremely excited to work with this team
of amazing artists during the 2009-2010 season through
musical composition and direction.
Ken McCuen
Ensemble Member
Ken creates images for people, and utilizes a combination of paint, ink, and digital marks
to accomplish his work. He is a graduate of Sheridan College's illustration program,
and currently draws out of Toronto. In addition to KW Youth Theatre, Ken has
contributed illustrations to such clients as Desire2Learn, Girl Guides Canada,
The Easter Seals, Toronto Dance Salsa, Kodak Canada, and Labbatt. Check out
 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.
 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.
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.
Jane Watson
Ensemble Member
Jane is an actress who has also worked as a director at venues such as
The School of Performing Arts at the Centre In The Square,
Binghamton University - NY, The Delaware Theatre Company, Dean Armstrong's
Players Workshops, and the Prep School of Upper Canada College, both in Toronto.
She curently balances teaching Broadcast Performance at Conestoga College
in the School of Media and Design, along with occasionally teaching high school
in the Waterloo Region District School Board, and offering small group
classes in TV and Film performance through Evening Swan Productions,
the production company that she runs with her husband, John.
John Watson
Ensemble Member
John's theatrical career so far includes several seasons with the Stratford
Festival and being an original company member of Toronto's production of
Beauty and the Beast. He has spent many more years working in Toronto's busy
film, TV, commercial, and voice industry. At the same time, he has taught
over 10,000 students in several school boards and in every environment from
the toughest urban schools to one of Canada's most prestigious private
schools. He has experienced a very wide cross-section of students, teaching
diverse subjects and, in the process, has learned some rather interesting things.
This webpage was last updated January 16, 2010.
Site content: ©2010 |
