FIRE EXIT THEATRE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Director at Large
Bill was born to missionary parents in Chad, Africa and grew up in Toronto, Ontario. He has pastored for just under 16 years in Alliance Churches in Ontario and Saskatchewan and served for 26 years as Professor of Pastoral Theology at Ambrose University in Calgary, Alberta. He retired as Professor Emeritus of Practical Theology in June of 2019. Bill has authored two books, Sacred Space for the Missional Church, published in February of 2011 and Four Essential Loves: Heart Readiness for Leadership and Ministr y, published, May 2013.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of the Board
As a child, Brenda dreamed of acting in, directing and producing Nancy Drew movies. But she ended up pursuing, instead of theatre arts, the practical field of business (of all things)! God, in His wisdom, has used that to enable Brenda to become a patron of the arts, including theatre, ballet, opera and symphony. After a two year hiatus, Brenda rejoined the Board and is glad to once again know what goes on behind the scenes at Fire Exit. Brenda considers herself an avid supporter of the arts and Fire Exit Theatre in particular, is near and dear to her heart.
Cheryl was born in Vancouver, moving to Calgary at age 9. She's been a singer and sometime actor since elementary school participating in plays, musicals and currently leads worship at her church. Cheryl currently works at Pineridge Community Center as well as with her dad in his business. She loves photography - a camera of some sort is always in her hand - as well as scrapbooking. Cheryl loves to travel, with Paris (actually anything French) being her first love. She also enjoys watching hockey, tennis and building her family genealogy. Cheryl enjoys working both on the box office team and the board to help bring our stories to life.
Christine was born and raised in Alberta and moved to Calgary after high school. Christine and her husband were married in 1987 and together they enjoy travel and new adventures, often with their daughter and son-in-law. She started her career in the banking industry in Calgary and continued it in Ottawa where she relocated with her husband for 10 years. After 15 years in banking, she took some time off to stay at home with her daughter. Christine then joined the oil and gas sector and has spent 23 years in operational accounting and is currently an Operations Analyst. Christine has spent many years as an avid member of the theatre, ballet, music and film audience in our city, and during travels, and she looks forward to contributing to the rich creative environment of Fire Exit Theatre.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Director at Large
Denis was born Kazakhstan and has been living in Canada since 2013. He has a bachelor's degree in linguistics and education and a master's degree in clinical social work. When not working Denis enjoys playing music, walking with his dog JoJo and spending time with his friends. Denis is always on the lookout for a good story - a play, a song or an album, a book, a painting or a conversation with a friend.
An engaging storyteller, singer-songwriter and performer, three-time JUNO Award nominee Don Amero has been tirelessly touring, performing and speaking across Canada for the last decade, earning the respect and attention of hte Canadian Music industry and fans alike. With a proven ability to effortlessly and genuinely connect with his audience, Amero's talents have been much sought after, and in early 2019 he became a part of the MDM Recordings Inc. roster.
Amero, who is of Cree and Metis heritage, has been recognized for his advocacy work within Indigenous communities and beyond, and this year he was named the first ever advisor and Chair of the CCMA Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
Amero's 2020 EP "The Next Chapter" highlighted his more tender side and, with uplifting beauty across seven albums, he leaves a lasting impression. His recent national TV appearances include The Marilyn Denis Show, ET Canada, and the 2020 CCMA Awards Broadcast.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Director at Large
Trained as an actor, Frank holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Simon Fraser University. Since 2019 Frank has worked with Arts Management Systems as part of their leadership team, working with arts leaders from North America to increase revenues, build best practices and lean into what comprehensive CRM ticketing systems can do to leverage patron data. Before that, Frank was the Executive Director at Rosebud Centre for the Arts. Prior to moving to Alberta, he served as the Production Manager, Business Manager and ultimately the General Manager of Pacific Theatre, a small 120-seat theatre company in the heart of Vancouver, BC. During his time in the arts, Frank served on the Finance Committee of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (2 years), and was the winner of the 2015 John Hobday Award in Arts Management from the Canada Council for the Arts.
Job Titles:
- Head Carpenter & Shop Foreman
Kacie is happy to be celebrating her 12th season with Fire Exit Theatre. Since graduating from Red Deer College's Theatre Studies in Technical Production program in 2010, she has dabbled in the theatrical areas of Stage Management, Scenic Design, Properties and Scenic Carpentry; working with such companies as Theatre Calgary, Red Deer College's TCRE Program, the Canadian Badlands Passion Play, Ambrose University, and more. Even though she was trained for theatre, Kacie has had years of opportunity to hone her skills in two of the city's largest churches: Centre Street Church (May 2012-current) and First Alliance Church (2012-2019), where she has collectively designed and built over 100 sets for them. Her hope is that you'll be drawn deeper into the story ahead through the transformation of environment before you.
Kaitlin Williams is an interdisciplinary theatre artist. She was named Artistic Director of Pacific Theatre in 2020. She has also worked with Bard on the Beach, the Arts Club, the Belfry Theatre, ITSAZOO, Delinquent Theatre, the Electric Company, Chemanius Theatre, Western Canada Theatre, Touchstone Theatre, Rumble Theatre and many others.
Kaitlin has been nominated for multiple Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards and her Pacific Theatre shows have received 8 nominations, including "Outstanding Ensemble" (Almost, Maine) and "Outstanding Production and Direction" (Kim's Convenience). Kaitlin is a community Builder and she believes theatre is one of the best ways we can commune together-to bear witness to what it means to be human, grow in empathy, and collectively attempt to gain a deeper understanding of the world around us. kaitlinwilliams.com
Karla Adolphe is excited to be joining the Fire Exit team and brings a blend of creativity, strategic thinking, marketing and leadership experience that spans 23 years. Karla's superpower is helping creative ideas and creative teams come to life.
She has a BFA from Providence College and Theological Seminary and has most recently worked as Integrated Media Manager at Compassion Canada, where she led a hybrid creative team of designers, content creators and videographers. Karla is an award-winning independent recording solo artist best known for her grief album Honeycomb Tombs, as the top-streaming artist in the Enter the Worship community and as founder of roots duo Jacob and Lily. Over the years, Karla has served as a Brand Consultant for Routes Media, Artistic Director and Founder of the Foothills Folk Club and as a Marketing Consultant for various artists and non-profits throughout North America. Val also forced Karla to perform in Nativity in the City in 2015 and co-parents Karla's dog Reuben the Schnoodle.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Director at Large
Stephanie is a communications and marketing professional with a three-decade career in senior leadership at higher education institutions. She holds a bachelor's degree in art and two graduate degrees in literature and technology, which together inform her focus on quality communications. At home in the arts community, she and her husband Murray seek out ways to support the various showings and performances, whether through subscriptions or sponsorships. They moved to Calgary from Washington State in 2020, at which time they met Val Lieske, a colleague at Ambrose University. They have been fans ever since, both of her artistic vision and the unique (for Calgary) ethos she creates through Fire Exit Theatre.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- President of the Board
Tom Daumler has been a mortgage professional in Calgary for the past 21 years. He and his wife are both from Manitoba and moved to Calgary in 1998. Tom played Jack Frost in a grade school play and passed his talent onto 2 of his 5 daughters who have carried on his legacy and pursued performance art. He is looking forward to encouraging businesses to embrace the arts and support Fire Exit Theatre.
Job Titles:
- Artistic Director
- Director
- Executive
- Founder
Val is the founder and Artistic Director of Fire Exit Theatre. She has a BA in Theatre & Speech from Trinity Guild University (UK) and is a member of the Playwrights Guild of Canada. Val helped to start the theatre program at Ambrose University and is an instructor with Alberta Bible College. She also works as a freelance, writer, educator, performer, and public speaker. Her writing credits include SUNNY SIDE UP, DUTY TO WARN, COFFEE TALK, GOD'S ATTENTION, BRUISED NOT BROKEN, PAST TENSE, FLESH & BONES and ABSENCE winner of 2006 CAT Best Original Script. Directing credits include ELEEMOSYNARY, SACRAMENT, NATIVITY IN THE CITY, GOD'S MAN IN TEXAS, HOLY MO & SPEW BOY, THIS WAKING MOMENT and GOD'S FAVOURITE. She has taught her class How to Tell a Good Story With Your Life to CEO's, drama teachers, Executive Directors, pastors and stay at home moms. She is a Chaplain to the arts community and enjoys nothing more than drinking strong coffee with creative people.