Artistic Director, Performer, Educational Workshop Developer
Erin Newton, (she/her)
Erin has trained in Dance and Theatre since childhood. During her early education, she received training at local dance and vocal studios, performed as a member of the McMaster Dancers, and took classes at Randolph Performing Arts in Toronto, Steps on Broadway, and the Broadway Dance Centre in NYC. Before pursuing secondary education, she owned a successful chain of three dance studios for ten years.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from McMaster University. Erin also holds a Bachelor of Education and a Certificate in Enterprise Education from Brock University. She is a member of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation and holds an International Baccalaureate Teaching Certification in Dramatic Arts from the International School Theatre Association.
After completing Teachers College, she was honored with the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation Award for Excellence in Teaching Practice. Additionally, she holds a Professional Teaching Certification in Jazz, Tap, and Stage Dance Arts from the British Association of Teachers of Dancing. She has judged dance competitions, taught at dance studios across Ontario
As a professional clown artist, Erin has trained with International School Theatre Association, Bad Hats Theatre, and Red Nose Remedy. She has completed her 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training Certification with additional certifications in Level 1 and 2 of Trauma-Informed Movement Practice. Erin integrates mindfulness practices into every classroom and rehearsal space, and has recently retired after 21 years of arts education with the Hamilton Wentworth District School Board.
Michael Hannigan, (he/him)
Show Director, Performer, Educational Workshop Delivery
A graduate of the Sheridan College Theatre program, Michael has worked on professional stages throughout the province of Ontario, as well as with many of the community groups in the GHA.
He spent several seasons as an Artistic Associate at the Tivoli and Citadel Theatres in Hamilton, where he directed productions of Jesus Christ Superstar, Jekyll & Hyde:The Musical, Deathtrap, Misery, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, Shane, Laughter On The 23rd. Floor, Waiting For The Parade, Mass Appeal, Crossing Delancey, and To Kill A Mockingbird. He also served four years as an instructor/facilitator with Hamilton Urban Theatre’s Summer Shakespeare Camp
He is a frequent Guest Artist in area classrooms with Shakespearience and is an active supporter of the SOF and SAC Declaration of Reasonable Doubt.
His onstage Shakespeare credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twelfth Night, As You Like It, Macbeth, Othello, The Merchant of Venice, Romeo and Juliet, The Taming of the Shrew, Richard III, and Much Ado About Nothing.
Teacher, Performer, Educational Workshop Delivery
Jody Boston, (she/her)
Jody Boston is an educator with 18 years’ experience teaching drama and movement in elementary and secondary schools. She also teaches improv and clown privately and as a guest artist at McMaster University.
Boston has directed Under the Willows for twelve years, training a multidisciplinary teamof artists to deliver outdoor arts, garden, and play programming for children and youth accessing mental health and developmental supports. She has taught courses in Therapeutic Modalities for Mohawk College’s Expressive Arts program and is a community arts consultant.
A certified therapeutic clown practitioner with Red Nose Remedy, her clowns Dr. Kimmy (pediatric) and Ruby (geriatric) work in a variety of healthcare settings. Recent theatre performances include Femme Arts (Farts) Comedy, Decolonize Your Ears (Red Beti Theatre), Eiler’s Dance Theatre, Open Hearts Theatre, the Art Gallery of Hamilton, and FiXT POINT.
Anne Walker, (she/her)
Music Director - Broadway Bound
Anne Walker holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Toronto, majoring in Voice, as well as an A.R.C.T. in Voice Performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Toronto. In her early career, she was a professional vocalist in the Elmer Iseler Singers and performed as a soloist with many choral groups and instrumental ensembles, including the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. She taught in high schools in Toronto, Bancroft, and Hamilton for 29 years and worked as a private voice instructor, as well. Anne brings a lifetime of joyful music-making and a passion for teaching young artists to her coaching!
Cydney London-Speers, (she/her)
Music Director - Broadway Hearts, Little Shop of Horrors
Cydney London Speers is one of Canada’s most respected teachers of voice and piano. Educated at the University of Alberta and Grant MacEwan University, she has taught in Edmonton, Calgary, Phoenix, and Hamilton. Her students have been accepted into top programs like the Glenn Gould School, U of T Opera School, Indiana University, COC’s Young Artist Ensemble, and Berklee, and have gone on to perform internationally. As a pianist and répétiteur, she has worked with The Phantom of the Opera tour, Calgary Opera, the National Ballet, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Martha Graham Dance Company, the Kirov Ballet, and more. She was rehearsal accompanist for the 1988 Winter Olympics and the opening of Calgary’s Jack Singer Concert Hall. Cydney has served in music ministry in multiple cities and currently plays for both English and Portuguese services in Hamilton. She maintains a private studio in Ancaster, teaching voice and advanced piano.