Heidi Stepanek – Owner/Artistic Director
(they/them)
Heidi is a professional and experienced musician, stage director, and drama educator, who has built a career out of their love of working with children, and passion for musical theatre.
Heidi’s career began with a Bachelor of Music degree at Queen’s University with piano as their major instrument and ethnomusicology as their subject major. While at Queen’s, Heidi also completed a year abroad at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow, Scotland, where their studies continued in both music and theatre. Heidi then went on to post-graduate study at Memorial University in St. John’s, Newfoundland, where they received a Master of Arts degree in Folklore and Folk Music. Heidi spent two years in a PhD program in Ethnomusicology and Musicology at York University in Toronto, before deciding to pursue a career in business full-time.
Heidi has worked in various capacities both in amateur and professional theatre with their most prominent position as stage manager with the Canadian Opera Company at the Banff Centre for the Arts. Heidi has also worked with numerous theatre companies and musical groups across Canada and in Scotland, including Newfoundland Musical Theatre, the Royal Scottish Academy Opera Company, Queen’s Wind and Choral Ensembles, The Kingston Symphony Orchestra, Vanier College Players at York University, and the Perth Community Choir. Heidi’s capacities in these groups have ranged between artistic and management, including roles as an actor, director, conductor, musician, technician, stage manager, and producer, intimately familiar with virtually all aspects of musical and theatrical production, which they have put to use in the companies that they have founded: the “Fountain of Youth Troupe,” a traveling theatre performance group for school-age children, the “Perth Academy of Musical Theatre,” a training centre for youths, and “Orion Theatre Company” (co-founded with their partner, Peter Dixon), an amateur adult performance company.
Heidi is also a registered music teacher with ORMTA.
Wren Puckett – Co-Director
(she/her)
Wren is returning for her 10th summer as an Academy staff member! Over the years, Wren has worn many hats at the Academy. She started her journey as the Choreographer, utilizing her training from Arts in Motion Perth School of Dance and the McMaster Dance Team, to bring exciting dances to life on our academy stage. Later, when The Academy workshops moved online, Wren took on a Technical Director role in which she oversaw the filming and recording of our Zoom and mini group Gladstone performances and was responsible for editing and publishing our final videos for families to enjoy. More recently, Wren has taken on an Assistant Director role, and is involved in many elements of our workshops and productions from choreography, scene blocking, teen circle chats, and more!
When Wren is not at The Academy, you can find her working in the Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit at CHEO as a Child Life Specialist! Wren loves bringing the vibrant, fun spirit of The Academy to her work with hospitalized children and their families!
Wren is very excited to return to The Academy this summer and can’t wait to see what magic we can create together!
Evan Stepanek – Co-Director
(he/him)
This is Evan’s fourth summer as an official staff member for the Academy, but he has been attending camp since the age of two and has assisted in many ways with different productions.
Evan has always loved the theatre and enjoys every aspect of it. He has been taking dance lessons for twelve years from multiple companies such as Arts in Motion, Miss Rosemary Breman’s School of Dance, and Shaw’s Dance and is currently enrolled in the Venture Dance program at Canterbury High School. He also takes piano, voice, and music theory lessons from Academy director, Heidi Stepanek. Evan loves to dance, sing, and act, and encourages others to do so.
Lauren Osterhout – Choreographer
(she/her)
Lauren began dance lessons at the age of six and hasn’t stood still since. Having received training in styles such as ballet, pointe, modern, jazz and highland, Lauren decided to focus her passion into a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Contemporary Dance at Concordia University. It was there where she learned to tap into her own creative process and develop her skills as a choreographer. After completing her degree, she began working with the Academy for Musical Theatre. No work has brought Lauren more joy than sharing her love of dance and musical theatre with youth. This is why, after spending eight years practising as a Registered Massage Therapist, Lauren decided to circle back to her work as a choreographer. She truly believes life is too short and should be spent exploring things that bring you joy.
Rebecca Taylor – Assistant Musical Director & Costumer
(she/her)
Part of the AMT for 10 years, Becca is thrilled to be spending another summer with her chosen family. She is currently getting her undergraduate degree in biomedical sciences at the University of Ottawa, and hopes to pursue a career in pediatric and maternal healthcare. Despite being STEM inclined Becca is a passionate performer who hopes to help inspire creativity and confidence in every child and youth at the Academy.
Donna Bourgeault – Costumer
(she/her)
Donna is an Enthusiastic, Energetic, Engaging, and Excited Entertainer, Educator, Manager, Leader, and Artist. She runs a company called Sunny Shenanigans which entertains and educates children and adults through variety shows and different styles of workshops using puppets and masks. She has worked with a variety of theatre companies doing costumes, props, stage management and acting. She loves to teach and create new things and enjoys opportunities to enhance and improve her skills and share her knowledge with others.
Peter Dixon – Producer
(I contain multitudes)
Peter is an accomplished and enthusiastic thespian and teacher, and has been a permanent fixture at the Academy since its inception. Taking on various roles both behind the scenes and on stage, the Academy would not function without Peter as its backbone.
Peter holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education degree, as well as a Masters in English Literature. Although once a middle school teacher on reserve in Moose Factory, he currently works as a consultant, assisting primarily Indigenous communities in tourism and community development. However, his other passion lies in all things musical and theatrical – Peter is an accomplished musician, having performed professionally as a guitarist and singer in various venues across Canada. Peter has also been involved in almost all aspects of theatrical production, as an actor, director, producer, technician and designer, in various theatre companies across Ontario. His banner roles include Jean Valjean in Les Miserables, Che in Evita, KoKo in the Mikado and Albin in La Cage aux Folles, among others. Peter is also a published author, and is currently collaborating with Joseph Boyden on his new novel.
Peter has wonderful energy and loves working with our students – he is always a crowd favourite, and looks forward to many more exciting productions at the Academy!
