Chicago Teen Musical Theatre Program Workshop

Ryan is thrilled to be working with so many talented emerging artists through CTORA. An accomplished director, producer, and artist based in Vancouver, BC, Ryan’s directing credits include Pippin, Into the Woods, Godspell, The Drowsy Chaperone, and the upcoming Children of Eden with Play On Words Productions. A graduate of Capilano University’s Musical Theatre program, Ryan is the founder and host of the Broad-WHAT? podcast and the Ovation Award-winning Artistic Director of Play On Words Productions, now entering its eleventh year. Ryan extends his sincere thanks to the CTORA team for this opportunity.

Jacq Smith (she/her) is a Vancouver-based artist whose dynamic performance experience, and versatile background, inform her work in dance, theatre, choreography, and film. Originally from Edmonton, and a graduate of the Edmonton School of Ballet, Jacq continues to develop her craft through training abroad. Jacq is an award-winning choreographer whose interest lies in reflecting the world we live in through her artistic practice. As a performing artist, dance educator and choreographer, Jacq has worked across Canada on both large and small-scale productions, in a variety of disciplines. Select credits: Pippin, Godspell (Choreographer - POW); Artist-in-Residence with Small Stage; Shrek (Assistant Choreographer - RCMT); UNDERTOW (Director/Choreographer); Illuminate (Director/Choreographer); Grease, West Side Story (CTORA); Gateway Theatre; and six seasons with Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular.

Monica Sumulong Dumas is a bassist and award-winning music director based in Pitt Meadows who has performed in over 60 musicals over the last decade. She also performs with various jazz groups throughout the Lower Mainland including The Happiest Big Band on Earth and Sister Jazz. Recent theatre credits include Into The Woods (Play on Words Productions – Music Director), Waitress & Kimberly Akimbo (Arts Club). She would like to thank her village for the constant love.

Chersea is an award-winning multi-instrumentalist, performer, songwriter, and educator with a lifelong passion for music. Classically trained in piano and voice, she also teaches guitar, bass, and trumpet. Her original music has reached listeners worldwide, and she is a dedicated advocate for both mental health and children's music education. Chersea has shared her teaching expertise with organizations including the Telus World of Science, Boss/Roland, and schools across Canada. Drawing from real-world industry experience, she develops confident, versatile performers while preparing the next generation of artists for success on and off the stage. Chersea is thrilled to begin her first season as Vocal Director with CTORA Academy and can't wait to help the company's vocals sparkle and shine!

Glenn began his career at thirteen years old in the boys’ band in The Music Man at Rainbow Stage in Winnipeg. He went on to train in all aspects of the theatre at the Manitoba Theatre Centre. He has worked as an actor, Stage Manager, Production Manager and Designer for theatres across Canada and in the US including The Vancouver Playhouse, Arts Club Theatre, Stratford Festival, Charlottetown Festival and Studio Arena Theatre (Buffalo, NY). He co-produced Torch Song Trilogy at the Cultch, worked in Production Management for Expo ’86 Entertainment Department, Stage Managed the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Calgary Winter Olympics and was Operations Director for BC’s MUSIC ’91. He also works in television and film in set decoration and has over 100 projects to his credit. He sits on the Board of Trustees of PAL Vancouver. He is the recipient of the 2016 Jesse Richardson Award for Outstanding Set Design for the production of Annapurna. Glenn designed sets for The Woman in Black at Jericho Arts Centre, The Ballad of George Boivin, Funny Money, The Triumph of Love, Opening Night and The Importance of Being Earnest for Western Gold Theatre, where he has been General Manager since 2012. He created the stage and set for the Billy Bishop Legion Theatre for Tom Crean, Antarctic Explorer and most recently the sets and projections for The Trials and Tribulations of Whiskey Dick at Jericho Arts Centre and She Stoops to Conquer, Hilda’s Yard and Here We Go for Western Gold. Glenn has been associated with CTORA for four years and has designed Finding Nemo, Into the Woods, Honk, Peter Rabbit and Winnie the Pooh.

Scott F. Thompson AKA "Sneaky Thompson" is one of Vancouver's busiest Audio Artists. Learning from some of the greatest composers and sound designers such as Conrad Pope, Alan Menken, Adam Hurstfield, Gilles Parenteue, Thomas Newman & more. Scott is best known for his sound dessign work for The traveling circus boat Amara Zee and many shows at the Arts Club.