Having been a student here for over 12 years, Adrienne (often known as Adi) has grown up at CSOPA. Getting to apply their breadth of theatre knowledge from years of learning to the administrative aspect of the field has already proved to be an interesting venture.
As a creative person, Adi enjoys using their creative problem solving skills to help organize and maintain the school records, bookkeeping, social media, and much more. When not in office, they can often be found engaging in several art forms, learning new things, or snuggled in a pile of blankets with their cat. Adi is so thankful for the opportunity to help shape and grow something so important. It is a joy to get to know (and greet!) every incredible person who walks through the door.
Hayley (lovingly known in the CSOPA building as “Bam”) is a theatre technician specializing in set design and stage management. She is currently completing her degree at UFV and working on theatrical projects throughout the lower mainland. As a former CSOPA student, Hayley is excited to be back in the building working with the next generation of artists.
Natasha has been involved in performance work for 27 years and loves the challenge each year presents as a CSOPA instructor. She believes that one of the most important skills we can learn in life is how to present ourselves. Our body is one of our most incredible tools of communication and acting teaches us those skills that benefit us on stage and off.
Kyra started her career in dance very young and started teaching other young dancers when she was just 13. Her adventures in musical theatre and performance led her to her degree majoring in Theatre from UFV. She taught at Yale Secondary as the choreographer for their musical theatre department for 7 years. She did a couple years as the dance instructor for The Arts Club’s summer musical theatre intensives. She also worked as choreographer for The Beauty and the Beast with CSOPA. Her life and love of theatre has led her back to CSOPA and she is excited for new adventures and experiences with this team.
Lauren is an amazing vocalist with her masters in music and voice from UBC. She has an incredible list of credits going back years, ranging from Operas to Concerts to Choruses. Lauren is an incredibly experienced teacher and we’re so grateful she has shared her many talents with CSOPA and is helping to build the next generation of musicians.
Phay (she/they) is an intimacy director/coordinator, theatre director, public speaker, and professional actor. We are so happy she has graced CSOPA with her mad skills as a theatre instructor too. After starting her training in 2016 with Intimacy Directors International, Phay has trained with organisations and mentors across Canada and North America, and helped in the creation of the National Society of Intimacy Professionals, sitting as co-chair from 2021-2023. They earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and English with honours from University of the Fraser Valley.Phay has supported productions all over the Lower Mainland as an intimacy professional in film, television, and theatre.
Shawna discovered a love for Theatre while attending the University of the Fraser Valley. On a whim, she decided to take an acting course as a fun elective and ended up switching one of her Majors to Theatre. She now has a double Major in Theatre and English, a Theatre diploma, a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education. When not at CSOPA, Shawna is an Elementary School Teacher at Leary Integrated Arts and Technology, where she gets to use her Theatre degree every day! Shawna directed CSOPA’s MainStage productions of Cinderella and Descendants, but this year is switching gears and directing the Intermediate Stage program.
This is Noah and he has been performing in CSOPA for 13 years. This is his second year on staff and he’s very excited to be a stage manager! Noah also just recently completed his final year as a Mainstage student at CSOPA.
Hi there! Adison is a high school student who loves theatre, but loves working with kids even more! She has recently completed her final year in the Mainstage program here at CSOPA. While newer to stage management, Adison has been with CSOPA for as long as she can remember. In their free time, they enjoy drawing and writing. Adison is super looking forward to working as a stage manager this year and the chance to pass on incredible skills and experiences they’ve gained here in this amazing space.
This is Maya’s first year as a stage manager, but she has been with CSOPA for 8 years now! When Maya is not preforming you can find her at home drinking coffee, watching movies, or yelling at her cat to get off her clean clothes. If she had one piece of advice to give it would be to try new things because you may find something you enjoy as much as Maya enjoys theatre.
This is Beth’s 9th year with CSOPA, but first year as a Stage Manager. One thing she loves about CSOPA is that everybody acts like they’re part of a family. Her favorite show was SpongeBob because of the confetti and music.
Olyviah has been doing theatre for almost 13 years. This will their sixth year with CSOPA as a student, and first year as a Stage Manager. Olyviah has been on stage basically their whole life, and they don’t plan on getting off it anytime soon.
August is only 15, but she has lived a million lives in her 10 years at CSOPA. From rehearsals after primary school, to joining Mainstage, to meeting her best friends… One thing is clear: She wouldn’t be who she is today without the music and dance that surrounds her. After a stint as a temporary CSOPA stage manager last year, August decided to return for a full year of Stage Managing.
Leon has been performing since five years old! After four years of creating script masterpieces in CSOPA’s Devised programs, Leon has decided to try assisting others in learning the craft. They’re so grateful for the awesome directors and stage managers they’ve worked with, plus all the great friends they have made along the way!
Mason is a CSOPA alumni who cannot seem to escape this place. When not in the building, he can be found 100% completing several video games, listening to musicals, or having a nap with his incredibly temperamental ragdoll cat, Charlie. When IN the CSOPA building, he can be found stage managing, hiding rubber ducks around the studio, and helping Adi carry things that are too heavy.