Theatre School: History & Alumni

Originally "THE THEATRE SCHOOL": our brand of training was an integral part of Fantasy Theatre for Children and The Theatre School since its inception in 1981.

At FTC for 30 seasons, The Theatre School trained thousands of performers aged 7 to 70. Students achieved a high profile in film, television, and stage, with a level of excellence well-recognised across Canada.

After the FTC mainstage closed in 2011, The Theatre School (TTS) was re-branded the Winnipeg Theatre School (WTS) at Merlyn Productions, in a cooperative transition between the companies.

See our Current Courses & Classes!

Founder

The Theatre School was founded in 1981 by TONY FROST (1939-2013), who oversaw its operation for 30 years as FTC's Artistic Director.

After moving to Winnipeg in 1965, Mr Frost acted and directed for both stage and television. Locally, he directed more than 300 productions for both children & adults, and was responsible for establishing theatre for young people in Manitoba.

Chief Instructor

The current Chief Instructor is Merlyn Productions Artistic Director JOHN CHASE: an alumnus who studied acting and directing at The Theatre School in the 1990s, and has worked on more than 130 productions as an actor, director, producer, and stage manager.

Mr Chase was mentored by and inherits his methods from the school's founder – under whose direction he served for 20 years at Fantasy Theatre for Children – and is likewise a proponent of the theatrical teachings of Constantin Stanislavski and Richard Boleslavsky.

TTS Alumni at Merlyn Productions

It would be an impossible task to compile all the names of those who studied at The Theatre School during its first 30 years at FTC; however, we are pleased to acknowledge the following 16 alumni of TTS who have performed on the Merlyn Productions mainstage to date:

Adam Jennings, Carolyn Lutes, Ev Darrach, Faith Marcial, Harmony Light, Jazmyn Shell, Jesse Boulet, John Chase, Jordan Hrynkiw, Kevin Hamill, Matthew Stefanson, Megan Wilson, Ryan Offenloch, Sam Kowaluk, Scott Austin, and Sheycee Edel.

List of WTS Alumni

Junior Acting  (Winter 2018)

• Cameron Baggley
• Mae Rohde
• Scout Simkulet

Teen Acting  (Winter 2018)

• Brontë Simkulet
• Jensen Glover
• Miloš Simkulet

Adult Acting  (Autumn/Winter 2018)

• Colin Howe
• Jenny Collins
• Justin Bueckert
• Kendra Bauer
• Sandy Marie
• Stephen Roberts

Junior Acting  (Autumn/Winter 2018)

• Anison Cranwill
• Arah Cohen
• Kennedy Korell
• Maddie Dubois

Teen Acting  (Autumn/Winter 2018)

• Adrian Barraza-Luna
• Chloe Crockford
• Lexie Dubois
• Liam Greyeyes
• Reed Cohen

Adult Acting  (Autumn/Winter 2017)

• Al Shpeller
• Dean Duncan
• John Dyck
• Kendra Bauer
• Sandy Marie

Junior Acting  (Autumn/Winter 2017)

• Lexie Dubois
• Liam Greyeyes

Teen Acting  (Autumn/Winter 2017)

• Arielle Balmana
• Ceridwen Nord
• Frances Herrera
• Jensen Glover
• Reed Cohen

Introduction to Acting - ADULT  (Autumn 2017)

• Deborah Gural
• Karen Barkhouse

Junior Acting  (Winter 2016)

• Rooj Ali

Teen Acting  (Winter 2016)

• Charlie Nord
• Sheycee Edel

Adult Acting  (Autumn/Winter 2016)

• Andrea Kitano
• Calvin Miller
• Kendra Bauer
• Mylisa Teague
• Sandy Tirleroux

Junior Acting  (Autumn/Winter 2016)

• Benard Agupitan
• Filip Petrovski
• Lexie Dubois
• Liam Greyeyes
• Reed Cohen

Teen Acting  (Autumn/Winter 2016)

• Arielle Balmana
• Camilla Opida
• Emily Swithenbank
• Faith Marcial
• Jensen Glover

Junior Acting  (Winter 2015)

• Camilla Opida
• Rooj Ali

Teen Acting  (Winter 2015)

• Anne-Marie Afanasev
• Jensen Glover

Adult Acting  (Autumn/Winter 2015)

• Kendra Bauer
• Sandy Marie Tirleroux

Junior Acting  (Autumn/Winter 2015)

• Filip Petrovski
• Lexie Dubois
• Liam Greyeyes
• Reed Cohen

Teen Acting  (Autumn/Winter 2015)

• Cassidy Adams
• Emily Swithenbank
• Faith Marcial
• Jordan Hrynkiw
• Mikaelah Marie Ramos
• Sheycee Edel
• Taylor McConnell

Adult Acting  (Autumn/Winter 2014)

• Birnie McIntosh
• Erin Johnston
• Erin-Brie Warwick
• Kendra Bauer
• Tim Sayeau

Teen Acting  (Autumn/Winter 2014)

• Alicia Moore
• Cassidy Adams
• Faith Marcial
• Jordan Hrynkiw
• Sheycee Edel
• Taylor McConnell

Introduction to Acting - ADULT  (Autumn 2014)

• Maria Pluschnik

Junior Acting  (Winter 2013)

• Cassidy Adams
• Taylor McConnell

Teen Acting  (Autumn/Winter 2013)

• Alicia Moore
• Brody Boulay
• Faith Marcial
• Jordan Hrynkiw
• Sheycee Edel

Junior Acting  (Autumn/Winter 2012)

• Alicia Moore
• Maeve Kehler

Teen I Acting  (Autumn/Winter 2012)

• Brody Boulay
• Faith Marcial
• Harmony Light
• Jordan Hrynkiw
• Sheycee Edel

Teen II Acting  (Autumn/Winter 2012)

• Jazmyn Shell
• Khylie Graham
• Samara Bouchard
• Sarah Vandale
• Scott Austin

Teen II Acting  (Winter 2011)

• Abbey Delaney Ruchkall
• Johise Namwira
• Sarah Vandale

Teen I Acting  (Autumn/Winter 2011)

• Jordan Hrynkiw
• Victoria Steele

Teen II Acting  (Autumn/Winter 2011)

• Jazmyn Shell
• Samara Bouchard
• Scott Austin

Junior Acting  (Winter 2011)

• Maeve Kehler

Junior Acting  (Autumn/Winter 2011)

• Alicia Moore
• Anne Leveille
• Faith Marcial
• Harmony Light
• Kelsey Chin
• Sheycee Edel

STAGE ONE: Adult Theatre  (Spring 2011)

• Bailee Woods
• Barbara Zaleski
• Brian Dougherty
• Carolynn Primeau
• Jennifer Reaburn
• Selene Paul