Erin Newton (she/her)
Artistic Director/Theatre Artist/Educator
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 College of Teachers, 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 adjudicated dance competitions, and taught at dance studios across Ontario.
As a professional clown artist, Erin has trained with the International School Theatre Association, Bad News Days 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)
Theatre Artist & Educator
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.
Jody Boston (she/her)
Theatre Artist & Educator
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.
Molly Hill (she/her)
Dance & Movement Facilitator
Molly Hill is a lifelong dancer, performer, choreographer, and recent graduate of Brock University, where she earned an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Forensic Psychology and Criminal Justice.
Molly has trained extensively in jazz, tap, ballet, musical theatre, lyrical, contemporary, improvisation, and hip hop, developing into a versatile and dynamic performer. Throughout her time at Brock, she was a proud member and choreographer with the Brock University Edge Dance Team, where she continued to develop her skills as both a performer and creative artist.
Known for a stage presence that lights up the room, Molly brings energy, musicality, strength, and personality to everything she performs. She is also an exceptionally skilled turner, with impressive technical control and precision. Her passion for movement extends beyond dance to fitness, weight training, Pilates, and yoga, giving her a strong appreciation for the importance of strength, balance, and whole-body conditioning.
As a dance and movement instructor, Molly brings her love of performance into the studio, helping actors develop the strength, coordination, technique, body awareness, and confidence they need to become more capable and expressive movers.
Molly is thrilled to share her passion for dance and movement with the next generation of performers at Big Hearts Little Theatre.