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Manami Hara (she, her, hers) Instructor Manami is an actor, playwright, instructor, interpreter/translator, dramaturge, and director originally from Tokyo, Japan. She has worked with companies across Canada including Arts Club, The Cultch, Gateway Theatre, and many more. She is a Jessie Richardson Award winner and nominee for her acting and collaborative creations. Most recently she was seen in Marjorie Chan’s China Doll at Gateway Theatre and vAct’s production of Tetsuro Shigematsu’s Kuroko at the Cultch. She feels extremely privileged to be part of the awesome Instructors and Education team at the Gateway Academy as she is passionate about teaching youth the magic of theatre-making, acting, storytelling, and ensemble spirit.
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Nathan Kay (he, him, his) Instructor Nathan is a Vancouver based actor and instructor, and is very excited to be teaching at Gateway Academy. Nathan is a graduate of Studio 58's acting program in 2016 and has appeared in shows across Canada and in 2019 travelled to Hong Kong with Neworld Theatre's King Arthur's Night. Nathan's work as an instructor has centred around making sure everyone's ideas are honoured and respected as well as challenging students to find what they love and go after it!
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Emily Jane King (she, her, hers) Instructor Emily is a voice and speech coach, performer, musician, and multi-disciplinary theatre artist. A graduate of the Studio 58 Acting Program, she has performed in shows such as Infinity by Hannah Moscovitch, Mx by Lili Robinson, and Spirit of Christmas Past with Gateway Theatre. She teaches voice at Vancouver Film School and Viva Voce Speech Arts Studio. Emily believes in learning and educating through play, and is passionate about finding joy and connection through theatre. |
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Eri Kikuchi (she, her, hers) Accompanist Eri is the piano accompanist for the musical theatre program on Saturdays. Eri's piano training was at the Arts Connection School in Steveston, following the Royal Conservatory of Music program, both of which gave her opportunities to perform on the piano at the Gateway Theatre. She graduated with a Bachelor of Business degree and a Diploma in Expressive Arts Education. She teaches piano in Vancouver and is involved in composing music for another theatre production called the Rizal Intercultural Theatre. Eri looks forward to playing the piano to give the children's stories a musical layer!
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Magda Ochoa (she, her, hers) Instructor Magda is an actress, drama teacher, and director, and she is excited to begin teaching at the Gateway Academy for the first time. Originally from Mexico, she performed as an actor and taught acting at a professional level for many years. She later moved to Canada and studied theatre at Université Laval, in Québec. In 2019, Magda became the artistic director of Le petit théâtre at Alliance Française of Vancouver, putting on a Feydeau. In March 2022, she directed a community francophone play De la plume à la scène, a project collaboration with La Boussole of Vancouver. Currently, she teaches drama in a francophone high school in Vancouver. Magda is a passionate educator and strongly believes acting is a wonderful tool to develop at any time, at any age—previous experience not required.
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Malissa Palliyaguru (she, her, hers) Instructor Malissa is an actor, choreographer, singer and performing arts educator, and is very happy to be teaching at Gateway Academy! She has performed across BC, as well as overseas, in musicals, operas, and theatre productions and has spent the last 10 years teaching community theatre and dance to children and adults from all walks of life. Malissa is a firm believer in the powerful and transformative nature of theatre - where everyone's differences are celebrated and accepted in a supportive, inclusive, accessible, and exciting community where everyone has a voice that deserves the space to be heard.
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Darylina Powderface (she, her, hers) Instructor Darylina is a digital media artist, storyteller, actor, writer, filmmaker, and producer. She graduated from the BFA Theatre Performance Program at SFU and performed in Tophilia directed by her mentor and Professor, Steven Hill. She taught youth at the RayCam Community Centre, hosting a kids’ theatre workshop, as well as devising in Dream Machine with Leaky Heaven. Darylina also taught in the Acting for Film and Television Program at the Vancouver Institute of Media Arts (VanArts), and directed Between Spaces. As an Artistic Associate at Savage Society, she is inspired and working to create spaces for aspiring and established Indigenous artists and storytellers. Darylina hopes that her teaching inspires more Indigenous youth to pursue their desires and reach their goals.
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Sarah Roa (she/they) Instructor Sarah is a Filipino Canadian; an actor, creator, producer, teaching artist and arts administrator. She holds an Acting Diploma from Douglas College and a BFA in Acting from UBC. Sarah made her Gateway Theatre debut in the production In Wonderland, as the role of Alice. Other theatre credits include: A Midsummer Night's Dream (Bard on the Beach), Mary's Wedding (The Firehall Arts Centre), Robinson Crusoe + Friday (Axis Theatre), The Drowning Girls (Theatre North West), and Pride & Prejudice (Arts Club). Sarah is committed to uplifting and inspiring young minds by creating a space where they feel valued and honored.
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Daniela Santi (she, her, hers) Instructor Daniela is a musical theatre artist and instructor and is teaching at Gateway Academy for the first time. Daniela is from Argentina, where she got her degree in Musical Theatre. She moved to Los Angeles in 2017 and has performed in many shows including Beauty and the Beast, Little Mermaid, Sister Act, among others. Daniela believes that theatre is a safe space for everyone to express themselves, have fun, and stay connected to our inner child.
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Julia Ullrich (she, her, hers) Instructor Julia is a musical theatre artist and educator returning for her third year at Gateway Academy. She graduated from Capilano University's musical theatre program in 2013 and went on to gain her Bachelor of Education from UBC in 2017. She has performed in such roles as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, Maria Rainer in The Sound of Music, and Katherine Plummer in Disney's Newsies! Across B.C. Julia loves empowering students to take charge of their own learning experiences while also pushing them to take risks and try new things. |