Instructors
The Junior Repertory final presentations are directed by Rochelle Douris, MFA, Artistic Director of the UCRC. Her creative and educational team includes Ann Weir, BEd, Director of Education, Zoe Sweet, BFA, Acting and Vocal Coach, Maytal Kowalski, dance teacher and choreographer and Corey Payette, singing coach/musical director.
Rochelle Douris
2008's A Midsummer Night's Dream will be the tenth Shakespeare adaptation Rochelle brings to the stage. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in acting from the University of Florida and is the founder and Artistic Director of The Upper Canada Repertory Co. She has acted, written and directed professionally in Canada and the U.S.; including directing Escape Productions’ Grease (Bluma Appel), and UCRC’s Macbeth:Reloaded,and Troilus & Cressida:Redux (Berkeley Street). Other directorial credits include Turks & Infidels (Jane Mallett), and Digging For Fire and Fish Kill On Maria Sanchez (Hippodrome State Theatre, FL.) In summer 2008, she will play the role of Blanche in the Annex Summer Repertory production of A Streetcar Named Desire.
Jade Douris
Jade has been with the company since our very first Shakespeare Zone. During the school year, she teaches acting and dance at Star Potential studio in Etobicoke. At UCRC she teaches improv, dance and acting. During the summer, she is Camp Director for the Broadway Zone, overseeing all full and part-time staff.
Sarra Al-Nowaiser
After years of competitive dance, Sarra is now entering her final year at Ryerson University's rigorous dance program. She began pursuing teaching while still in high school, and is the UCRC's primary choreographer, dance teacher and stage manager. Sarra also teaches for the Sean Boutillier Academy of Dance in Etobicoke.
Corey Payette
Corey Payette has been a featured songwriter on many charity CD compilations. His debut solo CD "Broken Vow" was released in 2004. Since attending York University on scholarship, Corey has been actively composition for film, chamber, and musical theatre projects. He has written the film score to The Great Fear by 24 Film Productions and has had his string works performed in York Showcase Concerts. With certificates in honors in piano, voice, and music theory from the Royal Conservatory of Music; Corey is an active private teacher. He teaches piano and voice at the York Region Conservatory of Music in Richmond Hill. Acting Credits include: Teen Angel- Grease, Harry Houdini-Ragtime: The Musical, and Freddy- My Fair Lady. "Thanks to Ro for making me a part of this project."