David and Sheryl receive the 2017 Duval Lang Award from...
All about Trickster
Trickster Theatre is a not-for-profit organization based out of Calgary, Alberta. We create fun, engaging and effective learning through physical theatre.
History
Our journey began in the early 80’s when our founders, David and Sheryl Chantler, hit the road to bring a theatre show to schools and festivals across the country. Audiences adored the shows because of their fun, improvisational nature and audience interaction!
Since that time, we have developed our unique Artist-in-Schools Residency Program. Over the years, we gathered artists to our ranks with different backgrounds and training in a variety of performance styles such as clowning, physical theatre, improv, and dance. As a result of our combined experiences, the company has gained strength and vibrancy. The name Trickster Theatre reflects our clown roots and the fun and innovative process that we have formed over the years. We continue to add new theatre styles and techniques every year.
The company currently has 2 companies touring the province. In the past 34 years we have done more than 1300 week-long residencies. We have done them in more than 75% of all the communities in Alberta, including over 120 residencies in 25 different Indigenous communities. More than 350,000 Albertans of all ages have spent a week creating theatre with Trickster. The company is the largest provider of Artist in School Residencies in Alberta.
The company is also focused on the creation of theatre based tools for learning, especially in the areas of Science, Storytelling, and Global Issues and we have been involved in Educational Research with the U of C and the Rozsa Foundation. We are proud to have played a significant role in the development of the Arts in Education sector in Alberta.
Our Team
Office
DAVID CHANTLER
Producing Director
David founded Trickster in 1980. He trained in clowning, mime, improv and devised theatre in Canada, Mexico, San Francisco and Denmark. He has directed and produced hundreds of shows for Trickster Theatre. David is the recipient of the 2017 Rozsa Award for Excellence in Arts Management, as well as co-recipient of the 2017 Betty Mitchell Award for Outstanding Contribution to Theatre for Young Audiences, and in 2022 was awarded the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee award for Outstanding Service to the province of Alberta.
Sheryl Chantler
FOUNDER IN RESIDENCE
Sheryl has been with the company since 1982 and has a dance degree from Scripps College in California. She has trained with Alvin Ailey and Martha Graham in New York, with Richard Fowler at the Odin Theatre in Denmark, and with Whoopi Goldberg in San Francisco. Sheryl is the originator of our version of many of the big physical theatre styles that are so popular with schools – like Black Light and Shadow Theatre. Sheryl is the co-recipient of the 2017 Betty Mitchell Award for Outstanding Contribution to Theatre for Young Audiences.
Siroun Heal
Financial Accountant
Siroun is a Certified Professional Accountant (CPA) who has been with Trickster since 2007. She has worked in many different industries focussing on charitable organizations over the last 24 years. Siroun was introduced to Trickster when they visited her children’s school in 2005. A lover of the arts, Siroun became an integral part of our creative Trickster Team.
Advisory Board
FRAN MUNOZ
VIVIA DIGITAL FILMS
Having over 40 years of technical, management and executive experience in the information technology industry prior to becoming a filmmaker, Fran brings an interesting perspective on storytelling in the field of digital imaging and video production. Fran is a co-founder of Vivia Digital Films, a video production company serving Southern Alberta producing corporate promotional films, documentaries, and short narrative films. With over 10 years as a filmmaker on hundreds of projects, Fran is experienced in all aspects of production; from script development and production planning, to directing and principal photography, through to post-production editing, audio processing, colour grading, VFX compositing, final finishing and delivery. He has conducted workshops and presented to professional associations, sharing his in-depth understanding and experience in every facet of film production.
SHALOME HOPE
INDIGENOUS CONSULTANT
Shalome Hope, Cree, Thunderchild FN, uses she/her pronouns, is an artist, Metis cultural dancer/performer, a mother, de-colonizationist, Indigenous language advocate, mobilizer for Indigenous Midwifery, and anti-racism activist. Alongside educational and consulting work, Shalome’s work in film began in 2009, locally, and currently works internationally to tell and retell stories through the arts. 2018 marks Shalome’s theatre debut and inception into Trickster Theatre Company. Other work includes modelling at Otahpiaaki; Indigenous Fashion Week, Metis Jigging workshops/performances, and curriculum design at Mount Royal University. Things to look forward to include co-instructing an Indigenization/right-relations course at MRU and most importantly, raising her children to be happy, healthy, strong and conquering.
Artists
Awards
Trickster founder, David Chantler, is the recipient of the 2017...
ALEX ALLEN
A local Calgarian artist, with years of experience both in theater and childcare, Alex is a seasoned TYA (Theatre for Young Audiences) Actor and presenter, working with Trickster Theatre to bring their programs directly to schools.
Mostly working with youths from Kindergarten to grade 6, Alex has taught theater, acting, Dungeons and Dragons, and more recently- science, to all ages.
AUTUMN STROM
Autumn Strom (they/them) is a queer theatre artist based in amiskwaciwâskahikan. They are a recent graduate of the University of Alberta’s BFA in Acting program, and work around Alberta as both an actor and sound designer. Autumn is particularly interested in new and developing plays, and any work that centers queerness.
Select performance credits include: The Games of Love and Chance (Primestock Theatre), The Comedy of Errors (Theatre Calgary), The Lobbyists (Azimuth Theatre), Play That One Again (Lunchbox Theatre), and Mary’s Wedding (Shattered Glass Theatre).
Select sound design credits include: Creature of Habit (Expanse 2023), MINE (RISER 2023), @interWEBBED (HEYwire Theatre), New Mythic Works (Thousand Faces Festival), and The Parade (Honest Bandits Theatre).
BRENNAN CAMPBELL
Brennan is a theatre and dance artist from Edmonton. He is a graduate of the Grant MacEwan Theatre Arts program and Zen Zen Zo Physical Theatre’s internship program (Brisbane, Australia). He has been involved in more than eighty productions on four different continents. Previous work includes writing and directing all ofSmartyPantz Entertainment’s live Escape Room experiences (Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary), assistant directing Pericles for Bard On The Beach (Vancouver), performing with the legendary Butoh dance groupDairakudakan (Tokyo), touring his original plays to nearly every Fringe Festival in Canada, pretending to be a giant moth at Chester Zoo (UK), and playing the corpse of Toby in Lucifer Season 2, Episode 16.
BRIDGETTE BOYKO
Bridgette Boyko is an actress, singer, dancer, and teacher dedicated to the art of storytelling. She graduated from Vancouver Film School’s Acting for Film & Television program as Valedictorian in 2021. Not only does Bridgette’s education aid in her performances, but so does her drive for fun and imagination which allows her inner-child to shine through and creates positive experiences for all. Bridgette has experience working with Puddle of Mud Productions, The Edmonton International Fringe Festival, and Glass Slipper Entertainment (just to name a few!). Her heart keeps her onstage but she continues to expand her range. Bridgette is known for her vibrant personality, dedication, and her ability to spread a little magic wherever she goes.
CHRISTOPHER GAMBLE
Christopher Gamble is a versatile artist who focuses on acting, directing, and producing. His career in the arts started at Treehouse Youth Theatre in the early 90s. He received formal training at Red Deer College and continued seeking workshops and intensives to enhance his skills, particularly in physical theatre and alternative comedy. Notably, he studied clowning in New Zealand under Allen Clay and the Pockenko style of clowning with Mike Kinnard.
Christopher’s dedication to his craft led him to further his education at Diana Fleysher’s School for Comedy Beasts and the London School of Clown in the UK. He recently attended a Master Class led by Fraiser Hooper, a clowning and mime expert.
Focused on theatre for young audiences (TYA), his earlier self-produced works include ‘The Problem with Winslow,’ ‘Happy Birthday to the End of the World,’ ‘And the Odd-yessy.’ Additionally, he has enhanced artistic messages through directing, dramaturgy and teaching physical theatre.
He has made significant contributions to the artistic community, including co-founding the Calgary Clown Society and serving as the Creative Director for the Calgary Clown Festival. Christopher’s artistic philosophy emphasizes magic realism and challenging audience expectations.
EMILY SMITH
Emily Smith is a non-binary theatre creator currently based in Edmonton AB, they recently graduated in the first BFA musical theatre performance class at MacEwan University. Their primary crafts are acting, playwrighting and clown . Their recent credits are Soloist in Identity Cabaret, Toby Belch in Twelfth Night and Enid Hoops in Legally Blonde.
ERIC REGIMBALD
Eric is skilled in many areas and has had success as an Actor, Producer, Director and Writer in many plays and shows throughout his career. Eric has starred in countless stage shows such as: Uncle Vanya, Cyrano de Bergerac, Frankenstein, Noises off, and Adam Rapp’s Blackbird which he also produced.
Eric has garnered success as an actor and voice over artist in countless: TV/ Web commercials, radio dramas, film and theatre for over 22 Years, with no signs of slowing down. Academy of Dramatic Arts (VADA). He is most honoured, privileged and passionate about lending his Experience and Knowledge of the craft to Trickster Theatre, and empowering youth in Alberta schools to tell stories via the magic of the theatre!
JONATHAN TOP
Jonathan Top (He/Him) is a writer, director, musician, and actor located in Calgary Alberta. He has numerous acting credits, including shows with Imagine Theatre, Fire Exit Theatre, The Calgary Fringe Festival and more. He’s also an experienced theatre divisor and art maker, having worked alongside other creators connected with Ambrose University, Trickster Theatre, and even the Wilder Institute Calgary Zoo. For Jonathan, there aren’t many things more powerful than laughing with people, a thing he endeavours to do with every audience he performs for. He’s particularly fond of theatre for young audiences, and how acting can be used as a tool for learning, self expression, and just plain old fun!
LARISSAH LASHLEY
Larissah Lashley is a singer, actor, dancer, and musician based on Treaty 6 Territory in
Amiskwaciwâskahikan (Edmonton, Alberta). Larissah is a graduate from the Bachelor of Fine
Arts in Acting program at the University of Alberta. Presence, relationship, and breathing with
people are major values in her artistic practice. Larissah was also the recipient of the Dr. Dasha
Goody Memorial Foundation Scholarship for her work in musical theatre. You can see Larissah
next in Robot Girls in Shadow Theatre’s 2023/2024 season. Selected credits include Leonard
Bernstein’s New York (Opera NUOVA), What Was Is All (Edmonton Intl. Fringe Festival), What
Was Is All (Nextfest Arts Festival), Host Town (Nextfest Arts Festival), Macbeth (University of
Alberta), and Our Town (University of Alberta).
LIAM AKEHURST
Liam Akehurst is a performer, theater creator and theater artist based in Mohkinstsis
(Calgary). Liam began performing, writing and directing plays in high school, but from a
very young age, Liam has been passionate about art and creation. From the minute he
could pick up a pencil, Liam began drawing, writing, and plagiarizing stories (don’t
worry: he doesn’t do that last one anymore!). Liam’s earliest memories performing was
with a theatre company called “Act Out”, where he learned about the theatre’s capacity
to bring all kinds of children together and offer them a safe space to tell stories and
express themselves. This was the first time Liam felt fully seen and understood by his
classmates and peers, and he hopes to offer and help facilitate that type of experience
for the children today, in any way he can. It doesn’t matter what socks you wear, all kids
have the right to express their special socks. Along with numerous performances and
professional credits at the University of Calgary School of Creative and Performing Arts,
the Fringe Festival, and Quest Theatre, Liam is also a performance creator and director.
LUCIE JURATIC
I have been acting, and working with kids for over 15 years now. I am really artistic, and love creating new things in collaboration with the creativity of kids. Putting up new shows with schools, is always a fun, and nice rewards.
MACKENZIE MCDONALD
Mackenzie McDonald is a Mohkinstsis (Calgary) based performance artist with a love of acting, writing, and making a fool of himself. During his time at the University of Calgary, Mackenzie had acted in such shows as Crave, Circle Mirror Transformation, Metamorphoses, Machinal & Rhinoceros. Other shows during and after graduation include Riverona (Full Circle Theatre), We Had a River (Stage One Festival), The Merchant of Venice (The Shakespeare Company), and Brotherhood for Wolves & Anonymous (IGNITE! Festival). Though acting remains his bread & butter, Mackenzie enjoys writing poetry, playing D&D, and attempting to go through several hilariously incomplete scripts that he’ll surely get to one of these days. It’s through the collaborative process of theatre that Mackenzie hopes to learn more about himself and this wonderful world we live in, so Mackenzie is supremely excited to share in that exploration with Trickster Theatre.
MACKENZIE SUTTON
Mackenzie Sutton (she/her) is an actor who lives and works on Treaty 7 territory, Mohkinstsis (Calgary). Mackenzie is a graduate of the BFA Acting conservatory at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. Mackenzie grew up in Okotoks, AB and is passionate about creating and telling stories that entertain, engage and challenge her audiences. Mackenzie is thrilled to be in her first year with Trickster Theatre and is excited to share her love of storytelling with students! Some of her most recent theater credits include; The Devils (Studio Theatre) Way to Go Neil; A New Musical (Edmonton International Fringe Festival), Rhinoceros (Studio Theatre), and Like Yesterday (University of Alberta), Macbeth (University of Alberta), and Weasel (Studio Theatre).
MARIE-JOANNE FOGUE MAKOU
Marie Joanne Fogue Makou is a Franco-Albertan originally from Cameroon. She found her passion for the fine arts in Canada. She is a versatile artist; actress, comedienne, dancer and singer. If she’s not on stage, you’ll find her backstage as a stage manager, director, sound and light technician. She’s also been a theater animator for the past 3 years. Because of her well-diversified knowledge of theater, she won the Director of the Year award in 2019. She took the Theatre IB program in high school, and this experience proved how much she wanted theater to be part of her life. Marie-Joanne has been part of an advanced training and intensive pre-professional theater program in “Young Acting Company” a Citadel Theatre for the 2020/2021 season. Some of her credits include the role of Goneril, in an adaptation of King Lear, Vladimir, in Waiting for Godot and Terisias in Antigone.’
MATT DALE
Matt Dale is a creative writer and performer who has worked and adventured all around Canada. As a
graduate of both the Red Deer College Theatre Performance and Humber College’s Comedy Writing
and Performance programs, he has had the pleasure of developing a fun and fruitful creative
practice that only continues to grow. Matt is thrilled to be working with Trickster Theatre and
looks forward to creating stories that can spark a lifelong passion for the arts.
OLIVER DELGADILLO
Oliver Delgadillo is a Mexican actor and singer who studied
performing arts for theatrical expression. He has performed
multiple musical theater works, is a film actor and also a
television actor. He has experience teaching expression and
musical theater workshops for children of all ages.
ROGAN COFFEY
Rogan Coffey (He/Him) is an Edmonton based actor from rural Alberta. He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from the University of Alberta. As an actor, his interested lie in both theatre and film. He especially enjoys creating and performing new work – as well as incorporating his strengths in improv and stage combat. Past Acting credits include: The Legacy (IA Studios), Macbeth, and The Devils (University of Alberta)
TRUUS VERKLEY
Truus Verkley is an artist and educator who has been working with children for more than 17 years. She has had the pleasure of working with students of all ages! Truus has created and implemented arts education programs in schools in both Calgary and Edmonton and often works as an artist in residence with students.
Truus is a graduate of the Canadian College of Performing Arts and the Decidedly Jazz Danceworks Professional training program and she has also performed all over Canada and abroad with shows such as Planet of the Senses (Bahrain, UAE) many seasons with the Edmonton based company Vinok Worldance, 9 seasons of work performing, choreographing and artistic directing with the Fort Steele Follies, and large scale productions such as The Wizard of Oz with Kimberley Summer Theatre.
VERONIKA FODOR
Veronika Fodor is a Canadian-Hungarian actress from Calgary, Alberta, with a multifaceted career spanning film, theatre, and voice acting. Her passion for the arts, which began in childhood, was nurtured at Saint Mary’s High School, where she explored writing and directing.
She graduated from Red Deer College in 2019 with degrees in Theatre Performance & Creation and Motion Picture Arts.
Since then she has directed the LGBTQ feature film Worth and lent her voice to Summer on the comedic dating series Still Single. Her work often delves into themes of identity and freedom of self-expression.
In January 2020, Veronika co-founded Elephant Room Entertainment with fellow RDC graduates Ronnie McLean and Sara Fowlis. The production company is known for its innovative short films, skits, and art installations.
Dedicated to fostering artistic growth, Veronika takes great pleasure in working with children and helping young talents uncover their creative potential. Her enthusiasm for indie film, arts and crafts, and photography keeps her actively involved in the creative community year round.