ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

HOPE MCINTYRE, Artistic Director

Originally from Saskatoon, Hope received her BFA in acting at the University of Saskatchewan. In 1996, Hope received a full scholarship and a research award to complete her MFA in theatre directing at the University of Victoria. The following year was spent completing an intensive, multi-media apprenticeship in acting at ARTTS International in England. While in England, Hope wrote several scripts for radio, television and stage. From 1997-1998 Hope worked in Toronto as an associate of Rare Gem Productions, an international commercial theatre producer. During this time, she also became official Artistic Director of Sarasvàti Productions. Since moving to Winnipeg in the summer of 2000, Hope has directed the Young Company and taught playwriting at Prairie Theatre Exchange's Theatre School. She has also continued to work as a director and playwright, with her scripts receiving awards and publication. Hope was also awarded Mount Allison's Crake Fellowship for both the 2001/2002 school terms, was Assistant Professor in Drama at Brandon University in 2003/2004 and currently teaches at the University of Winnipeg. In 2006 Hope was awarded the YMCA/YWCA Woman of Distinction Award for Arts & Culture. She is also currently serving as Past President of the Playwrights Guild of Canada.

 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ROSE-ANNE HARDER, President

Training Co-ordinator -Film Training Manitoba

Rose-Anne graduated from the University of Manitoba ’s theatre program and studied with the Manitoba Arts and Cultural Management program offered through U of W and ACI (Arts & Cultural Industries Association of Manitoba Inc). She has directed, as well as stage and production managed, for Sarasvàti and FemFest. Rose-Anne is also a talented, scenic artist who has worked at PTE and MTC. She was one of the first Scenic Artists to undergo Apprenticeship at MTC. She has also worked at the Manitoba Tourism Education Council (MTEC) where she developed marketing and communication skills.

CHERYL SOLUK, Past President

Business Analyst - Labour Market Skills Division; Manitoba Competitiveness, Training & Trade

Cheryl is the Manitoba Representative for Urban Rural Mission – Canada , a culturally diverse network of community organizers who engage in community building through a culture of story-telling circles. Cheryl’s passion is acting. She has performed with many local companies, and has worked as a film narrator receiving a MMPIA Blizzard Award.

PATRICK MCCAULEY, Secretary

Volunteer Resource Assistant - Seven Oaks General Hospital

Patrick has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Victoria and has applied his peer counseling skills in work with several organizations, the latest being Teen Touch.  Although his expertise is with youth, he also has experience working with people with developmental disabilities. 

ANDREA GEARY, Treasurer
Communications/Membership Coordinator - The Manitoba Society of Seniors
Andrea has worked in communications for 25 years; first as a reporter/editor on weekly newspapers, then in public relations. She has worked in internal and external communications for the Canadian Wheat Board, Manitoba Public Insurance and the Canadian Grain Commission. She earned her diploma in Creative Communications from Red River College and Bachelor of Arts degree (English major) from the University of Manitoba. She is now completing courses towards a certificate in Volunteer Management from Red River College. Andrea has volunteered at the Winnipeg Fringe Festival for many years and has a deep appreciation of live theatre.

KEVIN STEWART BUCKNER, Director

Managing Partner - Stewart Chartered Accountant

Kevin has several years of big four accounting firm experience, as well as experience working on large international engagements in New York and Dublin. A graduate of the University of Manitoba Asper School for Business, he has worked at Manitoba Hydro, Ernst & Young, Health Plus medical Centre and KSB Accounting. Past volunteer experience includes Controller for the Commerce Student’s Association and AIESEC Vice President of Finance.

NOREEN MIAN, Director

Program Coordinator - Manitoba Youth Volunteer Opportunities (MYVOP)

As a member of Generation Y, Noreen is committed to educating community organizations about today’s youth and young adults. Through her work with MYVOP, she has traveled to remote corners of the province promoting volunteerism and teaching young people how to create community projects. Noreen holds a BA in art history from McGill University and when she is not talking youth volunteerism, works as a freelance writer.

JANET TAYLOR, Director
An educator for 35 years, Janet received her Pre-masters and Post Baccalaureate of Education from the University of Manitoba. She was a classroom and resource teacher, a school principal, and an instructor in the Faculty of Education. Her love of theatre began as a young child attending Children’s Theatre performances at the Pantages Theatre. Her interest in the arts has continued through her role as an audience member, and her involvement in school performances and workshops for students in music, dance, drama, and the visual arts. Recently, her interest in theatre led her to 55+ Essential Acting classes. These culminated in the performance of an original work, “Time Boom,” which will be performed again at the 2009, Winnipeg Fringe Festival. Janet has also worked in some locally produced, independent short films, in several movies as a background extra, and played a ‘dead soul’ in MTC’s “Our Town”.

SUSAN TYMOFICHUK, Media Advisor
Susan anchors CTV News at 11:30, and reports live on location for CTV News at Six. Susan began her career at CKX Television in Brandon, and has also worked at A-Channel, CityTV, and Global Edmonton. Susan is a graduate of the Creative Communications program at Red River College.

MARKETING ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Catherine Pate, Program Editor for Evangelical Lutheran Women Inc and Freelance Publicist

Rob Wozny, Sound Strategy Communications

ARTISTIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Kayla Gordon, Theatre Artist and Past Artistic Director of Winnipeg Jewish Theatre

Marsha Knight, Aboriginal Theatre Artist