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MEET THE THEATRE SCHOOL FACULTY
At StoryBook Theatre, we have an incredible faculty of kind, qualified, and experienced Teachers and Teaching Assistants who are passionate about sharing their love of theatre with our Theatre School students!
JUMP TO A SECTION TO MEET THE TEAM:
MEET THE TEACHERS
Amanda Iandolo McClocklin (she/her)
Position: Teacher
At SBT Since: 2015
Spring Class(es): Acting for Kids (Sat)
What is your favourite play or musical? Mama Mia
What is a dream role you would like to play? "Jo from Little Women"
About Amanda:
Amanda Iandolo McClocklin, is an actress here in Calgary, acting in both film and theatre. This is Amanda’s ninth year teaching at StoryBook Theatre, and she could not be more excited to be back! Amanda, graduated from the University of Calgary in 2017, with a BFA in Drama and a BEd in Secondary Education. She studied abroad in New York City (Broadway and Jazz) and at Leeds University (British Literature), in England. She enjoys training in ballet and various actor movement techniques. Amanda also enjoys dialect training and practicing French, when she isn’t acting or teaching. Amanda is currently teaching Drama and English with the Calgary Catholic School District, as well as acting/directing in Calgary. She wishes to thank the entire team at StoryBook Theatre, for their support in fostering theatre education in Calgary.
DANELLE WHITE (she/her)
Position: Teacher, Director/Acting Coach
At SBT Since: Summer 2023
Winter Class(es): Acting for Kids
Dream role to play:
Rapunzel!
Favourite play or musical:
Barefoot in the Park by Neil Simon
About Danelle:
Danelle White is ecstatic to be part of the Storybook Theatre School team. She has been working as a theatre educator for 6+ years and has worked with over 2000 students all over Alberta. While she holds a BFA in Drama from the School of Creative and Performing Arts at the University of Calgary- her degree is focused on Directing, Performance Creation and Acting. She cannot wait to inspire and encourage your young budding performers.
Evelyn Marie Long(she/he/they)
Position: Director, Acting Coach
At SBT Since: Summer 2022
Winter Class(es): Spotlight for Teens (Sat)
Song or album on repeat right now: Fiona Apple Fetch The Boltcutters
The thing Evelyn is most excited about in the upcoming session: "Building an amazing chorus for the show"
About Evelyn:
Evelyn is a theatre director, composer and writer who spent 8 years in Toronto developing multiple plays and musicals focused around mental health, gender identity and empowering women in theatre. They went to school for Triple Threat performance at Randolph College but transitioned into direction and dramaturgy under their own company The Creation Coffin. Evelyn's show have been featured in multiple festivals including The Fireworks Festival, Outfest , InspiraTO and won Patrons Pick in the 2019 Toronto Fringe Festival (Omen: The Musical). In Calgary Evelyn has left professional theatre to pursue a career in music with their band Sunstrokes but absolutely teaching with Storybook and helping inspire the next generation of artists.
HILDA LEE (she/her)
Position: Teacher, Music Director, Vocal Coach
At SBT Since: Spring 2023
Winter Class(es): Musical Theatre for Teens, Spotlight for Young People
About Hilda:
Hilda Lee's musical journey began at the age of 7 when she received vocal training as a choir member with the international renowned Hong Kong Children's Choir (HKCC). Since then, she has gained valuable competition and international performance experience. She had completed the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) Advanced Level Voice Exam Certificate with First Class Honours. She was also the Gold Medalist recipient for the province of Alberta. She is now a full time Voice Teacher teaching privately and also teaching in Storybook Theatre (SBT) as Music Director for Spotlight for Young People and Vocal Coach for Musical theatre for Teens.
Hilda is passionate about studying voice science and vocal health training. She studied at the Voice Study Center (Suffolk, UK) for modern vocal pedagogy with Voice Scientist (Kerrie Obert, M.A., CCC-SLP). She attained the Vocal Pedagogy Certificate with Distinction. Hilda has strong analytical skills in assessing vocal needs and structures her curriculum with knowledge of respiratory and vocal sciences, linguistics and physiology.
Besides teaching, Hilda is a performing artist and event producer. In 2023, she played the female lead in the original musical “Button of Love” produced by DramaOne Vancouver, with three full house performances. In 2024, Hilda is involving in an original musical written in Cantonese “Harmony The Musical” being the Executive Producer and Vocal Coach. This is a non-profit municipal and grant funded project to commemorate the 100th of The Chinese Immigrant Act.
JACKIE THURBER (she/her)
Position: Teacher, Dance Coach
At SBT Since: 2019
Spring Class(es): Spotlight for Young People, Musical Theatre for Young People (Sat), Musical Theatre for Teens
Favourite play or musical:
Wild Party - Andrew Lippa
Dream Role in a Musical:
Ursula in The Little Mermaid
About Jackie:
Jackie is very excited to be back at theatre school! Jackie begun her performing journey here at Storybook Theatre School when she was nine years old. After graduating from the Musical Theatre Program at Capilano University in Vancouver, Jackie has been working as a performer and educator in Calgary for the past four years. When not performing Jackie works as an Early Care Educator as well as a Dance Teacher. Jackie has been a part of ten productions here at Storybook, most recently Something Rotten, Peter and the Starcatcher and Disneys Descendants. Jackie has a deep passion for dance and acting and loves the opportunity to work with all these young performers and share the magic of theatre!
Kayla MacKenzie(she/her)
Position: Teacher
At SBT Since: 2022
Spring Class(es): Musical Theatre for Adults
Song or album on repeat right now: The Cranberries
The thing Kayla is most excited about in the upcoming session: "Meeting new students and watching them grow"
About Kayla:
Kayla MacKenzie is an award-winning performance artist and choreographer from Calgary, Alberta. She has been training and performing across North America for well over a decade while completing two years with the Professional Training Program at Decidedly Jazz Danceworks and her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Calgary. Alongside performing Kayla MacKenzie has been an educator of the arts since 2013 teaching, all ages, disciplines such as voice, acting and dance. Kayla has been a guest teacher with numerous companies across Canada including Canada’s National Ballet School, CDA, various public and private CBE school residencies and Maven Movement. She currently teaches Theatre Dance and Diva Styles at Decidedly Jazz Danceworks as well as Advanced Hip Hop for their Youth Training Program. CHOREOGRAPHY CREDITS: Tick Tick Boom (Forte Musical Theatre), Newsies, Percy Jacksons’ the Lightning Thief, Beauty and the Beast Jr. Spotlight, Adult Musical Theatre Program ’22/’23 (Storybook Theatre), Candy Cane Kids (Occasional Notes), Battle of the Bands 'Born this Way' (Maven Movement), Entr'Act (Chorus Foundation of the Performing Arts) PERFORMANCE CREDITS: CARIFEST ’22 (Carifest Calgary), Footprints 2022, Footprints 2021, Lightning in a Bottle (DJD/Michele Moss), Broadway Dreams (Calgary/New York), Sister Act the Musical, Miscast, Camp Rock (Storybook Theatre), The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Great American Trailer Park Musical, RENT (Cappuccino Musical Theatre) Candy Cane Kids, If The Shoe Fits (Occasional Notes) Brush up your Broadway (Simply Theatre), West Side Story, Miss Saigon, Chicago, Seussical the Musical (University of Calgary), Fame (Youth Singers of Calgary CAST Program) For upcoming workshops/shows follow Kayla on her Instagram @kaylacmackenzie
LORI GOODS (she/her)
Position: Teacher
At SBT Since: 2016
Spring Class(es): Musical Theatre for Kids (Saturday & Sunday)
Favourite thing about Theatre School at SBT:
"The amazing students that bring their incredible enthusiasm and creativity to our classes as well as the inclusive, safe and creative teaching environment that Storybook Theatre fosters."
Album or song on repeat right now:
"Three Little Birds" cover from the Shark Tale Movie Soundtrack!!"
About Lori:
Native Calgarian Lori Goods discovered her love of dance, theatre and performing at a young age and trained in a wide number of dance disciplines from childhood right through university, completing top level exams, competing locally as well as internationally and seizing any performance opportunity she could!
Alongside her dance training, Lori also trained in theatre and voice from a young age and always felt a particular connection with musical theatre as an art form and the MAGIC that occurs onstage when dance, theatre and singing are combined.
Lori's love of the arts and performing led to a twenty year career teaching dance in the city of Calgary which has also ignited other, related passions, of teaching drama and musical theatre to Calgary youth, obtaining her Early Learning and Childcare diploma and, most recently, completing her Bachelors of Education Degree.
Lori is thrilled to be back teaching Musical Theatre for Kids at Storybook this session and is looking forward to meeting all her new and returning students and making some musical theatre MAGIC once again!!!
MEGAN BALDREY (she/her)
Position: Teacher
At SBT Since: 2021
Spring Class(es): Acting II For Young People
Favourite thing about Theatre School at SBT:
"The Community!"
Album or song on repeat right now:
"Stick Season - Noah Kahan"
About Megan:
Megan Baldrey is multi-passionate artist and adult spelling bee winner based out of Calgary, Alberta (Mohkinstsis). An honours' graduate of Mount Royal University's Theatre Performance Program, Megan works as a professional voice actor by day and a playwright, arts educator and theatre, film and television actor by... later that same day, probably! If she's not in the booth or the theatre, you can usually find her doing yoga, working on her first novel, petting cats or enjoying an iced coffee.
RÉJEAN CAMPBELL (he/him)
Position: Teacher
At SBT Since: 2022
Spring Class(es): Musical Theatre for Adults
About Réjean:
Réjean Campbell is an experienced singer, clinician and, award-nominated conductor with a passion for live theatre. He is Artistic Director of Blend Vocal, an auditioned women’s choir who focus on popular music, and is a longtime member of the Calgary Opera chorus, performing in 20+ operas over the last decade. A passionate coach, Réjean loves sharing what he’s learned and helping others achieve their musical goals. He’s a clinician at Mount Royal Conservatory, and teaches private voice lessons at Asylum for Art.
Réjean earned a Bachelor of Music from Queen’s University. He is an avid skier and hiker and prefers his lobster cold and al fresco.
SHAYLA FIVELAND (she/her)
Position: Dance Coach
At SBT Since: 2022
Spring Class(es): Spotlight for Teens, Musical Theatre for Young People (Sun)
Song or album on repeat right now:
Every single Taylor Swift Era
The thing Shayla is most excited about in the upcoming session:
"Getting to meet all the lovely students!"
About Shayla:
Shayla is so happy to be back teaching this spring! Shayla has been dancing and performing since she was only 3 years old. She has graduated from Randolph College for the Performing Arts, as well as recently completed her Disability Studies Diploma Program at Bow Valley College. She is very passionate about creating an inclusive and accessible space in the performing arts. You may have seen her in some recent Storybook shows such as Something Rotten and Newsies! When she is not performing or teaching at storybook, she is also teaching private voice lessons. Shayla loves to share her love of theatre with the young emerging artists at theatre school and she looks forward to meeting all the students this upcoming session!
MEET THE TEACHING ASSISTANTS
ALEXANDRIA LEE (she/her)
Position: Teaching Assistant
At SBT Since: Winter 2023
Winter Class(es): Spotlight for Teens
Album or song on repeat right now:
"Show yourself" from Frozen 2
Favourite thing about Theatre School at SBT:
"Meeting everyone and having fun!"
About Alexandria:
My name is Alexandria, and I am beyond thrilled to be able to assist with Spotlight. I grew up at Storybook starting my acting career here doing Spotlight myself. As someone who has done this program for 4 years, I am excited and hopeful that I am able to provide the same joy that Spotlight has brought me growing up. I have been in some Storybook shows such as Peter and the Starcatcher. My most recent theatre credit has been being apart of the young company in Theatre Calgary’s A Christmas Carol 2023. I can’t wait to have lots of fun this session!
BRADY HILLMAN (he/him)
Position: Teaching Assistant
At SBT Since: Winter 2023
Winter Class(es): Musical Theatre for Young People (Saturdays)
Favourite play or musical:
Wicked
The thing Brady is most excited about in the upcoming session:
"The brand new Spotlight: Behind The Scenes program!!
About Brady:
Brady is extremely thrilled to be returning to the Theatre School team this term! Being a dedicated performer, leader, theatre technician and stage manager, he is so grateful for this opportunity to pass on the knowledge, skills and advice he’s acquired to the next generation of young artists, and support them in their shared passion for the arts. Select performance + stage management credits include: Honk!, Elf the Musical, The Spongebob Musical (StoryBook Theatre), Candy Cane Kids (Occasional Notes Productions), The Time Machinist (La Cirque de la Nuit/Jupiter Theatre), Ride The Cyclone (BrownCow Collective), We Are PR (Holy Fools Theatre, *CAT Award Nominee - Best Production of a Play). Brady is very much looking forward to witnessing the theatre magic these young artists will make!
HAYLEY WALDENBERGER (she/her)
Position: Teaching Assistant
At SBT Since: Winter 2023
Winter Class(es): Spotlight for Young People
Favourite play or musical:
Mamma Mia
Album or song on repeat right now:
"Daylight" by David Kushner
About Hayley:
Hayley has been with StoryBook for over a year and has enjoyed every minute of it from assistant stage managing for ELF the musical and for Peter and the Starcatcher. She also has enjoyed being a TA for the summer camps here at StoryBook and is so excited to TA this fall!
LESYA MARTIN (she/her)
Position: Teaching Assistant
At SBT Since: 2022
Spring Class(es): Acting for Kids (Sat)
Favourite play or musical:
Kinky Boots
The thing Lesya is most excited about in the upcoming session:
"The kids and learning and helping"
About Lesya:
Lesya is a second year student in earlyhood childhood education and development. She has worked with the Musical Theatre for Teens class for over a year and she is excited about being a Teacher Assistant this year. She is happy to be helping the school early and hopes we have an fabulous fantastic year ahead!!
PEARL NKOMO (they/them)
Position: Teaching Assistant
At SBT Since: Summer 2023
Spring Class(es): Acting for Young People (Sat), Musical Theatre for Young People (Sun), Musical Theatre for Teens
Favourite play or musical:
"My favourite musical is Hamilton, and my favourite play is Almost Maine!"
The thing Pearl is most excited about in the upcoming session:
"Getting to work with new students and meeting new teachers and teacher assistants! And making theatre magic!"
About Pearl:
Pearl Nkomo is a performer first, and a technician second. They have been involved with theatre since they were in grade 5. They were a student at Central Memorial High School in the PVA program and have since worked on shows in both community and professional theatre. Most recent credits include: The Yeomen of the Guard (Morpheus Theatre), Pippin (Storybook Theatre), Something Rotten (Front Row Centre) and the Common Ground Festival (Pumphouse Theatre). They are currently enrolled at SAIT in the journalism program and are set to graduate in June 2024. They will be attending the University of Calgary in the fall!
Chloe Zhu (she/her)
Position: Teaching Assistant
At SBT Since: Spring 2023
Spring Class(es): Spotlight for Teens, Musical Theatre for Kids (Sun)
Favourite play or musical:
The Greatest Showman
About Chloe:
Chloe is back for the spring session and is super excited! She has been working with Storybook since the spring of 2023. Since then, she has done multiple camps and seasonal sessions. She is currently working as an ASM in Storybook's The Music Man. She shines backstage in the more technical parts of theatre such as makeup and costumes. She is currently studying at UofC for her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a minor in Drama. Her passions go beyond just theatre as she is also passionate about dance and music! Chloe is super excited for the Spring Session!
Sarah Patton (she/her)
Position: Teaching Assistant
At SBT Since: Winter 2024
Spring Class(es): Musical Theatre for Kids (Sat)
What is a dream role you would like to play:
Ursula from the Little Mermaid
About Sarah:
Sarah has always loved the stage! Whether in a play, singing in a choir (or solo) or playing in a band, performing arts has been a part of Sarah's life since she was a child. In her younger years, Sarah participated in many plays (both on stage and back stage), bands, and choirs, receiving distinctions in both Music and Drama at the end of high school. In university, she continued to work on her artistry in both music programs and theatre programs. She graduated in 2011 from Université Sainte-Anne in Nova Scotia with a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education.
As a Middle School teacher, Sarah taught Dessert Theatre (two productions per year) and has created programs for her students in Theatre, Glee and Acapella at two different schools. She has also written shows for middle school students (two musicals and a play). She has taught beginner guitar, acapella, beginner music theory and beginner voice in her home studio for kids, teens and adults. She is a singer-songwriter, having played at farm markets, farm festivals, open mics and weddings. In the past year, Sarah has really embodied her love of learning and growth mindset and has taken classes in dance, acting, voice and musical theatre. She is currently cast in the Storybook Theatre Production of The Music Man in the Adult Ensemble. Sarah is excited to be continuing to work with the Spotlight for Young People Program, the Musical Theatre for Kids Program and the PD Day camps as Teacher’s Assistant.
Humphrey Asante (him/he)
Position: Teaching Assistant
At SBT Since: Winter 2024
Spring Class(es): Acting For Young People (Sun)
If you had to pick one: Acting, singing, or dancing?
Acting
About Humphrey:
Humphrey Asante, a first-year student currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Education program at the University of Calgary. My academic pursuits are complemented by a deep interest in cinematic and musical arts, as well as various forms of expressive media. My dedication to physical well-being is evident in my passion for basketball, a sport I actively engage in. In addition to my commitment to maintaining a positive and comedic outlook on life, I invest time in social outings.