ABOUT
MARQUEE
Marquee Theatrical Productions was founded in 2003. We are an award-winning, registered charitable, community theatre group and performing arts school, located in Aurora, Ontario. Our goal is to inspire excellence, motivate learning, build confidence and spark a lifelong appreciation for the arts. By helping children develop their artistic talents and coaching them to strive for excellence, we teach them how to achieve – in the performing arts, in school, and ultimately in life.
Marquee offers a variety of educational classes, camps and workshops that through the art of Musical Theatre and Drama are centered on teaching acting and improvisation, voice instruction, dancing, stage movement and theatre etiquette. Through this experience, students will develop many valuable life skills such as self-confidence, communication skills, teamwork, leadership, respect, time management, and responsibility, within a group dynamic.
Mission STATEMENT
Marquee’s Mission is to teach and promote positive, valuable life skills in the lives of the children in our community through our musical theatre based educational programs.
OUR VISION
To nurture each student’s creativity, develop theatre skills, boost self-esteem, and enable students to perform and express themselves with their peers in a safe and supportive environment.
To provide high quality theatre education and mentorship for various levels of experience through our two programming streams: CORE (recreational, no experience needed) & INTENSIVE (audition only, for students with previous experience, looking to develop and challenge their skills.).
To produce performing arts initiatives for the purposes of educating and advancing the public’s understanding and appreciation of performing arts and to educate artists through participation in such events, festivals, performances, and related workshops within our community.
OUR MANDATE
To educate and increase the public’s understanding and appreciation of the arts by providing performances of an artistic nature in public places.
To provide instructional seminars, workshops and blog posts on topics related to the performing arts.
To produce performing arts events, festivals and productions for the purposes of educating and advancing the Public’s understanding and appreciation of performing arts and to educate artists through participation in such events and related workshops.
OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
Marquee Theatrical Productions strives to provide an environment that meets the needs of all children. We believe in the interconnection of physical, mental, social and emotional health and work hard to provide an environment that promotes holistic health and wellness.
As part of Marquee’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion, we make intentional choices in our classroom practices to make sure we are a welcoming space for people with special needs, people of any and all ethnicities, economic status’, sexual orientations, and gender identities. Our program includes need-based scholarships, all-gender restrooms, the use of proper pronouns, and a faculty happy to work with families to meet students’ individual physical, learning, and social needs.
OUR Staff
SHERYL THOMAS
Executive Director
BIO
Sheryl is the founder and Executive Director of Marquee and brings many years of experience in musical theatre both on-stage and behind the scenes. Stemming from an artistic family, Sheryl lives her passion every day through her work and program development at Marquee with the adult and youth educational productions/programs. Sheryl has taught musical theatre in York Region schools through parent council invitations and she also produced the the York Region Celebration of the Arts Talent Search for 12 years. Sheryl continues to work toward serving the community by ensure that Marquee’s productions and educational programs maintain a high level of professionalism and quality, for which it has grown to become so well known.
LINDSAY CROXALL
Operations Manager
BIO
We’re excited to introduce Lindsay Croxall as our new Operations & Theatre Program Manager at MTP.
Her artistic journey began in community theatre and led to a BFA in Music Theatre from the University of Windsor. She gained early recognition at Canada’s Wonderland, winning a BIG E! Entertainment award, and later toured as a production singer and dance captain on ocean liners.
In Toronto, Lindsay joined the original Canadian cast of We Will Rock You (Mirvish), performing with QUEEN’s Brian May and Roger Taylor. Her impressive credits include the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, Ross Petty Pantomimes, and notable regional theatre roles like Miss Stacey in Anne of Green Gables and Bombalurina in Cats.
Lindsay is also a passionate choreographer and director, dedicated to nurturing talent and confidence in students. With extensive experience in production, backstage management, and arts administration, she brings a wealth of knowledge to our team.
CAMERON LEVERDINGEN
Administrator
BIO
Coming Soon!
AISLING FERRIS
Junior Musical Theatre,
Intermediate Musical Theatre
BIO
Aisling is thrilled to be working at Marquee this fall as an artistic director! She has been in she has been in many Marquee productions and assisted in directing last fall for “Shrek Jr” and “Little Mermaid Jr”, before directing this past summer. She is looking forward to sharing her knowledge and love for theatre with students.
ALISSA GOKHSHTEYN
Intermediate Musical Theatre
BIO
Alissa is a Grade 10 student at Aurora High who has been with Marquee since she was 6 years old. She has participated in over 30 youth and adult musical theatre productions and is very excited to be behind the scenes for a change!
BRENDA HILLABY
Costume Coordinator
BIO
Being a part of a fantastic theatre family at Marquee has been a part of Brenda’s life for many years, as she has been a performer (The Sound Of Music, The Wizard Of Oz, Les Miserables, Mary Poppins, The Little Mermaid, All Shook Up, Mamma Mia) Assistant Stage Manager and Head Of Costume Department for numerous adult and youth productions. The drive from Orangeville is well worth it as she loves every moment of her theatre life and theatre family.
CARA CHISHOLM
VOCAL INSTRUCTOR
BIO
Cara brings to the stage more than 30 years in the entertainment business. Versatility has been the key to her success. With a background in Musical Theatre, Cara has performed in the Canadian major musicals, The Phantom of the Opera (Princess/Christine) and the original Canadian cast of Les Miserables, playing both Cosette and Eponine at different times. She also played Ariel, The Little Mermaid, in London, England. Now married with two children, Cara now performs a one woman show all over Canada. Cara will strive to bring out the best in each student through teaching skills in voice technique, confidence building, body language and a lot of positive reinforcement!! She looks forward to sharing her expertise and passion for singing with the wonderful Marquee students. Book your vocal lesson today!
JANINE FUGLERUD
Youth Drama
BIO
Janine has been involved in theatre since 2005. She loves being part of a collective, especially with a creative goal in mind. Her favourite musical is Bat Boy the Musical, which was the first show she was ever a part of. She’s so excited to be a part of the Marquee team and looks forward to learning new skills and making new friends!
Dani Rito
Youth Drama, Private Acting
BIO
JASON SILZER
Youth Drama, Private Acting
BIO
Jason brings decades of on-stage and off-stage experience to Marquee Theatrical Productions. Jason appeared in his first production at the age of 13, and has not stopped being involved in theatre since then. He is an award-winning director, accomplished performer, experienced reviewer, and trained adjudicator. As an instructor, he aims to share his love of theatre with others, and to give people opportunities to learn about the many aspects of theatre production.
Jason sees each production as a chance to try and learn new things. This year, he will be involved again with our youth drama program, as well as our 2024 production of The Little Mermaid.
JILL KOFFMAN
Intermediate/Junior Musical Theatre
BIO
Coming Soon
KATIE MCLEAN
Junior Musical Theatre
BIO
Katie started at marquee as a student when she was only 5 years old and has absolutely loved performing ever since. She’s been in over 30 different shows and has a lot of personal experience to offer these Jr’s. She started stage managing only two years ago when she won an award in a school theatre festival and has fallen in love with the behind the scenes and technical side to theatre. She’s jumped around from lights to stage managing, sound and more!! She is thankful for the opportunity to share this passion with her students and can’t wait to see what comes next!
LAURIE THOMAS
Junior Musical Theatre
BIO
Laurie is a recently retired high school music teacher, with over 27 years of experience teaching vocal, strings, musical theatre and band for the YRDSB. She grew up in a very musical family and was bitten by the “musical theatre bug” in high school when she performed the role of Schroeder in Aurora High School’s first musical production, “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown. Since high school, Laurie has performed in many musical productions with Marquee, Theatre Aurora and St. Andrew’s College. She has also taken on the role of Music Director for many of Marquee’s adult and teen groups. When Laurie isn’t teaching she enjoys gardening, cooking, singing, dancing and playing sports. Laurie is excited to be back on the Marquee team of teachers and is looking forward to sharing her passion with Marquee’s talented youth.
LINDSAY CROXALL
Teen Intensive
BIO
Lindsay Croxall’s artistic journey began in community theatre, later earning a BFA in Music Theatre (University of Windsor). She started working professionally at Canada’s Wonderland, where she received international recognition with a BIG E! Entertainment award. Lindsay globetrotted as a production singer, dancer, dance captain, and company manager on world-cruising ocean liners. Returning to Toronto, she joined the original Canadian cast of ‘We Will Rock You’ (Mirvish), sharing the stage with Brian May and Roger Taylor of QUEEN. Her extensive repertoire spans the Stratford Shakespeare Festival and regional theatres across Canada, as well as film and TV. Favourite roles include playing the titular role of ‘Evita’, ‘Miss Stacey’ in Anne of Green Gables, and ‘Bomballurina’ in Cats! Beyond performing, Lindsay’s passion extends to choreography and directing. She’s equally devoted to nurturing talent and confidence in students of all ages, sharing her profound love for the arts.
MIKAYLA SANDLER
Stage Manager
BIO
STEPHANIE CORREIA
Intensive Intermediate and Teen
BIO
Stephanie is a choreographer, director, and actor. She is the former owner and Artistic Director of Vision Dance Academy, and Past President of Healthy Dancer Canada. Stephanie holds an Honours BFA Double Major in Dance and Kinesiology & Health Science from York University. She is also certified by Dance Masters of America, the International Academy of Dance Adjudicators, ADAPT and Acrobatic Arts.
As an award winning choreographer, Stephanie’s credits include choreography for the comedy sketch group “Fade to Brown”. Beyond her dance achievements, Stephanie is an accomplished actor, with recent credits in the short film “I Wanna Be Famous,” the TV Series “See No Evil,” and a national commercial for Ocean Spray.
Currently Stephanie is directing the musical review Unsung Heroes that will hit the stage this fall. Her versatile talents and unwavering dedication continue to make Stephanie a formidable presence in the performing arts, striving for excellence in every endeavour she undertakes.
SYDNEY HALL
KinderStages
BIO
You will find Sydney working with the youngest of performers. Sydney has a degree in Child Development and has over 10 years of experience working with children of all ages. She has always loved musical theatre and acting and even attended Marquee as a teenager.
Sydney strives to create a safe space where children can learn and foster skills in singing, dancing and acting. In her classes you will find lots of laugher and fun where everyone has a chance to shine!
She is excited to be apart of the Marquee family!
TERENCE VINCE
Teen Musical Theatre,
Intensive Intermediate,
Intensive Teen, Private Vocal
BIO
Terence is a Toronto based musician, musical director, music instructor, and composer. An accomplished pianist, Terence has recently joined the roster of True North Dueling pianos, a musical group that provides dueling piano performances across North America. In addition, he is a resident pianist at the Madison Avenue Pub Piano Bar. For the past five years, Terence has been the musical director for The Children’s Theatre Project, a Richmond Hill based performing arts School, working with their prestigious Master Class program. Some favourite Musical Director Credits include Heathers: The Musical (CTP), and the Canadian Premier of Fugitive Songs. As a composer, Terence created Lovelash, a RomCom Musical set in the 90s which has had premiers in Toronto, Vancouver, and London. Currently, he is working on a metal symphony based on Homer’s the Iliad. Outside of theatre, Terence is the owner/operator of Entr’acte Studios, a mobile music lessons studio.
T'NIA PARKS
Junior Musical Theatre
BIO
T’nia is very excited to be choreographing for the kinderstages program and Directing for the Junior program. She has been training as a performer at Marquee for a number of years and has been in many Marquee productions. This past summer, she had the pleasure of being on the Summer Camp team this past season. T’nia is grateful for this experience and ready to take on this new journey!
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Marquee Theatrical Productions is a charitable organization
Charitable # 876749300 RR0001