Theatrix Faculty & Teachers
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
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Deborah Solberg - Award-winning actress, producer and director, Deborah Solberg has a BA/B.Ed in Theatre, and is currently working on a master's degree at SFU. Deborah has been the Artistic Director of Theatrix Youtheatre Society since 1991. Owner of SunCity Productions Deborah offers programming at Place Des Arts, Fraser Valley Homeschooling Association, THE ACT in Maple Ridge, schools in School District #43, and organizes community events in Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam and Port Moody. She is the author of over 50 original musical productions, and mentors the next directing generation of Theatrix. She enjoys helping children have fun being the 'stars' they are! |
COMPOSERS
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Peter Abando - is an SFU graduate (B.Ed. and BFA) who simply doesn't want to grow up. He's been making music since he was 5 (thanks Mr. I!), and continues to perform, accompany, conduct, direct, compose, and teach music whenever and wherever he gets the chance. Easily lured by fine pianos and beautiful voices, he's recently taught overseas (South Korea and England). He was the first to receive the Charlotte Lonneberg Scholarship, and is a two-time recipient of SFU's Service Award (Contemporary Arts). His compositions have been featured in numerous Theatrix presentations. Previous appearances include Lead Keyboards for Youth Day 2000 (G.M. Place), orchestra director/pianist for The Wizard of Oz, pianist for Godspell, Cinderella, and Bye Bye Birdie, and musical director for Les Miserables (The Centre for Performing Arts). This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it |
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"Mr. I" Yurgen Ilaender - studied music at the Vancouver Community College Music School, UBC, University of Calgary and University of Washington in Seattle. He has been teaching music to children aged three to nine since 1980. He currently teaches his excellent program, the MUSICAL RAINBOW, at Place des Arts, the Chilliwack Academy of Music and at several Montessori schools. Along with teaching, Mr. I is a children's performer and recording artist. He currently (2004) has 15 CDs of entertaining and educational music recorded for children and families. Check out his colourful website at www.childmusicmri.com. Mr. I is an accomplished guitarist and vocalist. He can perform many different styles of music. He also plays flute, saxophone, clarinet, recorders and other assorted wooden flutes and tin whistles. Along with his songwriting partner, Gary Huntbatch, they have written songs for about a dozen Theatrix productions over the years. |
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Graham Roebuck - Graham started writing music when he was five years old. At the same age, he began singing and acting with Four Seasons Musical Theatre. He remains an avid performer on piano, trombone, mandolin, wood flute, and a vocalist in solo and choral settings. A two-time 1st place winner in Canada Music Week’s Music Writing Competition and recipient of the Helen Dahlstrom award, Graham is grateful to his piano and music theory teacher Pamela Smirl. He recently received a BFA in Theatre from the University of Victoria. |
CHOREOGRAPHERS
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Alexandra Cox has a BFA in Theatre Performance - Dance from Ryerson University. She is also a certified acrobatics instructor with the Canadian Dance Teachers Association. Recently she has performed as a soloist in Flora and Zephyr, a contemporary dance piece choreographed by Matjash Mrozewski of the National Ballet of Canada and HSM 2 live on stage in Toronto. Her most recent choreographic work Taiko was filmed by director Thierry Loa for a CBC dance documentary. Alexandra is known for her innovative and expressive award winning choreography. She has a strong passion for teaching and works with ease to engage and influence her students. Currently Alexandra balances teaching at Front and Centre Dance Academy, choreographing for workshops and performing with LR Productions in Toronto. *For more information about registration, dance classes or levels please contact: Alexandra Cox : This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it |
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Nicole Roberge - loves her "work" as a choreographer, performer, advocate and Drama teacher and is currently on sabbatical working on her Master's Degree from NYC. Ms. Roberge grew up in Coquitlam, got her B.F.A. from UVic, is an avid traveler, has taught hundreds of young people around District #43, recently toured Western Canada with dance company Grupo America, and would be the first to admit that she "can't sit still". Coco also co-founded ArtQuake: Adventures in Circus, Dance and Drama to create and offer bilingual shows and workshops all around BC. She is proud of the Theatrix performers for their hard work...and 5, 6, 7, 8!" . This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it |
VOCAL DIRECTORS
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Elizabeth Cushnie - Soprano holds a diploma of Music Performance from Kwantlen University, and has studied with technical voice master Helga Tucker through the Royal Conservatory of Music, the Manhattan School of Music in New York, and was a member of the University of British Columbia Opera Ensemble. She has also worked with Maureen Forester, Marilyn Horn, Mignon Dunn, Martin Katz, Joan Caplan, Warren Jones, Dale Throness, Nancy Hermistan, and Heather Tomas. In 1997 Elizabeth was awarded first prize in the Provincial Senior Voice completion. In 1999 she was featured on CHBC Television showcase as a “Okanagan Young Achiever“. In 2000 Elizabeth was the single representative for BC at the Canadian National Voice Competition. In 2001 she won the New York Metropolitan National Arts Council competition for the Western Region. Elizabeth is the current Voice Director for Theatrix Youtheatre since 2009, with an award winning voice studio in Coquitlam. Elizabeth teaches a classical foundation in sound production, helping each student work towards their performance dreams, and building self-esteem and confidence through a variety of performance opportunities. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it |
ACTING/DIRECTING
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Stacee Copeland-Kerr - has over 35 years experience dancing and acting onstage, with 18 years experience working in film and television - both in front of and behind the camera. She has successfully produced many theatrical productions in Vancouver and founded a long-running actor training group for Lower Mainland performers. Stacee holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from McGill University and has trained with world-renowned acting, voice and movement coaches from Montreal to Los Angeles. She has taught children in many capacities, from coaching basketball to choreographing dance, and teaches improvisation to elementary school students for the last year in both English and French. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it |
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Lauren Dutchak - Starting in local youth theatre programs at the age of ten, I have been involved in the theatre community for more than half my life. In high school I participated in over fifty plays in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario through many of our local community theatres. I then went on to receive a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Acting from the University of Windsor, receiving multiple credits from the Stratford Festival when I studied there. While completing my degree I took over running the theatre programs that I once frequented, teaching classes in movement, voice, improve, clown, scene study and in particular, introducing Shakespeare to young actors. Now I’m focused on bringing my talents out west to pursue my dream of acting while continuing to educate younger minds on the craft as well. |
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Dolores Drake - A graduate of Studio 58, Dolores has worked for 24 yrs. in film, television and theatre. She has worked with directors Costa Gravas, Joel Schumacher, Bill Forsythe, and Anne Wheeler. Film credits include New Cardiff, MVP I & II, Trixie, Carpool, Mr. Magoo, Marriage, Termination Point, and Fatal Kiss. Extensive television credits include principal, lead, and starring roles in Mentors, Beggars & Choosers, Breaker High, Adventures of Shirley Holmes, Ice Angel, The Spiral Staircase, and Aliens In America. Dolores has worked for theatres such as The Citadel, Theatre North West, The Gateway, Persephone and The Arts Club. She has been teaching for 12 years through the Vancouver Youth Theatre, Theatrix, and Crichlow Actors' Studio and is in demand as a private coach. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it |
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Diana Grochowicz has been involved with Theatrix for several years where she started off as a performer. A recent graduate from Simon Fraser Universities Education, History and PDP program, Diana is a certified teacher and enjoys working with children and youth. She spent 4 months teaching English and music to students in Oaxaca, Mexico. Diana is launching her business 'Be a Star', hosting themed birthday parties for children in partnership with the City of Port Coquitlam. Diana also composes children's vocal music on the guitar and is the Tiny Trouper director. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it |
