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Our Theatre Family  | Leigh Janson Cooke, Co-Director/Instructor
It is a dream come true for Leigh to be a part of The Children's Theatre. An educator and an actress herself, she understands the tremendous growth and learning that drama education can enable. Leigh has been working with children in many capacities since she was very young and she has never ceased to be amazed at the creativity, insight and passion that children possess and she hopes to empower children using these natural talents. An honors graduate of John Abbott College's Theatre Workshop Program and graduate of Concordia's Child Studies program, Leigh has found that combining education with drama creates a powerful vehicle for children to explore their strengths and conquer their fears as well as to learn about themselves and the world around them. |  | Vanessa Rigaux, Instructor
Vanessa graduated from the University of Winnipeg with a BA in Theatre. She has performed with Adhere and Deny puppet and object Theatre, with Young Lungs Dance Exchange, The art collective The Abzurbs, and bred her own cross-disciplinary work in dance, theatre, and video making which she has performed nationally. She comes to the belle province after 5 years at Manitoba Theatre for Young People (one of the biggest children’s theatres in N. America!!!), where she directed and wrote collective creations and plays, toured Manitoba (sometimes way up north!) and taught children from 4 years to 19 years old. Vanessa trained in physical theatre and clown with Philippe Gaulier (Paris, FR) and with John Turner in Pochinko mask making, impulse and clown work (Manitoulin Island, ON). Vanessa’s experience and enthusiasm in teaching/directing/choreographing/performing for children and adults of all ages and levels of enlightenment gives her tremendous joy. She is currently working on a clown movie about destruction. |  | Jacqueline Van de Geer, Instructor
Jacqueline has taught theatre to children, teens and adults for over 15 years! A graduate of the Willem de Kooning Art Academy in Rotterdam, Jacqui immigrated in 2005 to Montreal and loves to be a part of this eclectic city. She has not only worked in numerous theatre-productions,both as actress and director, but has also studied pantomime, clowning, mime and mask. Her hobbies are dancing the argentina tango,traveling and cuddling with her cat Poekie. |  | Julia Ainsworth, Instructor - Acting and Playwriting
Julia Ainsworth graduated from York University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre studying performing, directing and playwriting. She also holds a Bachelor of Education from the specialized “Artist in the Community” program at Queen’s University. Julia has worked as a performer, playwright, director, producer, and teacher. She is very excited about the new playwriting course. "I've been writing short stories and plays ever since I could write. In grade two I wrote my first play - an adaption of "Dracula" and brought in costumes for the kids in my class to perform in. By the time I got grade eight - I organize a school drama club and we produced a play with over 20 characters called "Poly-Ester". Julia is delighted to be working at the Children’s’ Theatre of Montreal to share her passion for theatre and playwriting with the kids. |  | Heather Solloway, B.F.A., M.A., Instructor
Heather joins the Children’s Theatre family with a wealth of theatrical training and teaching experience under her belt. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Concordia University, with a Major in Theatre and a Minor in Creative Writing. She went on to train at the world renowned American Conservatory Theatre (A.C.T.) in San Francisco and at Harvard University’s Stanislavski Summer School. Heather’s longstanding passion for working with children led her to pursue a teaching career as well which she has integrated into her theatre background. From a Drama Instructor, to an Early Childhood Educator, Heather has worked in a multitude of settings with children ranging in age from 18 months to 16 years old. Heather is currently working towards her Masters degree in Child Studies at Concordia University and is teaching at Hebrew Day School. |  | Cindy Coady M.A., Instructor (special needs)
A graduate herself form The Children's Theater, Cindy is so happy to be back in the fold once again. Drama has always been a fierce passion. Once a child actor, she left the world of performance to learn how to integrate the arts in a therapeutic setting. After working as a drama therapist for 5 years, Cindy opened up her private practice as a Autism specialist and parenting coach (www.autism-montreal.com). She is so excited to be part of the Children's Theater initiative to bring the arts to children with special needs. Giving them the opportunity to explore their world in a whole new way. |  | Michelle Heisler, Instructor
Michelle’s acting career has taken her across Canada, the United States, and Europe. A graduate of McGill University and AMDA in NYC, she has worked on the stage, and on the big and small screens in English, French, and most recently in Yiddish. She’s also voiced characters in such cartoons as Caillou, Mona the Vampire, Arthur, and Miss Mallard Mysteries (Cinar). She recently expanded her career into the realm of directing and teaching at the Segal Centre on the youth division of Montreal's Yiddish Theatre (YAYA). And she is thrilled to join the Children's Theatre to share her passion for theatre with more students. |  | Joanna Gottlieb, B.F.A., Instructor
Joanna graduated with honours from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre. Prior to studying at NYU Joanna trained at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts and The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre (both in New York). She has studied many different acting techniques and performed numerous acting genres. One of the best techniques learned is using your imagination! She has always had a passion for working with children and combining her acting background/training with education. Joanna taught creative art classes to children at the West Side YMCA and spent five years teaching at Claremont Children’s School (both in New York). When working with children, she encourages self-expression through dramatic play, music and movement. Joanna most recently worked as Development Director at Cherry Lane Theatre in New York. She is very excited to be teaching at The Children’s Theatre. | 
| Molly McGivern, Instructor
Coming from Hawaii, Molly is also an actress, musician and singer. She trained at the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco and the Academy of Film in Honolulu. She studied Psychology and Theatre in France and at McGill University (BA). Within 10 years, she has worked with children and drama in the US, Mexico, Japan, Mongolia, Hawaii, and Montreal. Interested in Drama Therapy, she worked with Gypsy youth in Romania with Dr. Sue Jennings. In New York, she joined forces with Augusto Boal through Invisible Theatre. She also taught Autistic children in Hawaii's public schools for 3 years and considers Autism a culture in itself to behold. Molly encourages children to evolve their own cultures by exploring tools provided by an education in theatre.
|  | Donovan King, B.F.A., M.F.A., Instructor
Donovan King is a Montreal-born theatre artist and Drama teacher who has worked extensively in Canada, England, the USA, and New Zealand. Holding degrees in Professional Acting (DEC, John Abbott), Drama-in-Education (BFA, Concordia), and Theatre Studies (MFA,University of Calgary), Donovan advocates Drama as a powerful medium for human development, empowerment, and community-building. Having collaborated with Augusto Boal and other theatre-activists, Donovan also works on behalf of community organizations such as the Quebec Drama Federation, Montreal infringement festival, and NYC-based Theatres Against War. |  | Danusia Lapinski , B. Ed, M.A., Consultant and supervisor
A professional teacher and a Creative Arts Therapist, Danusia was born and raised in Ontario. Before settling in Montreal, Danusia could not get enough of the world. Using theatre as a constant vehicle for communication and education, she spent 10 years teaching, running summer camps and leading teen travel groups through Canada and Europe. She has called the Children's Theatre home for the last six years working as both a teacher and director. She also runs programs at Concordia University's Centre for Arts in Human Development and for Royal Vale School. |
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