We are excited to announce four wonderful additions to the TheatreOne team!
Cathy Dyck
Cathy was born and raised in Nanaimo. She completed the business program at VIU and has worked in the field of Sales & Marketing for most of her career. She has been involved in many boards and committees in Nanaimo and believes in giving back to the community that she lives in.“I look forward to assisting in fundraising and being part of this great organization.” – Cathy Dyck
Heather Pastro
Heather has been a professor of Art Education in the Faculty of Education at Vancouver Island University for over 30 years. She holds an MA in Administration and Curriculum Development from San Diego State University and a B.Ed. in Art History and Art Education from the University of British Columbia. She serves on the British Columbia Art Teacher’s Association Executive and is an active member of numerous national and international Art Education Associations. Highlights in Heather’s 40+ year career include teaching art in rural Uganda at an HIV/AIDS orphans school, a secondment with Crayola writing art curriculum, and initiating global art exchanges in Italy, Turkey, and Egypt. Her studio practice incorporates textile design, painting, and ceramics, and her recent research is visual literacy, looking at Indigenous imagery in children’s literature, to promote deep learning and understanding. Heather has had a lifelong passion for the arts and has been fortunate enough to support live theatre both locally and abroad.
“As a TheatreoOne board member, I would like to promote the theatre to those who experience disadvantages or have not yet had the opportunity to enjoy live theatre or participate in discourse around film.” – Heather Pastro
Cindy Shantz
“Before I retired, I was a high school English teacher and always took my students to at least one professional theatre production. I loved seeing how theatre could “move hearts and minds.” For the past ten years I have been a professional storyteller and recently taught a group of high school students to write a personal story and tell it to a live audience. Now I would like to inspire students to attend TheatreOne productions.” – Cindy Shantz
Ross MacKay
“As Dean of Arts and Humanities, I had the opportunity to liaise with many arts organizations (including serving on Nanaimo’s Culture and Heritage Committee). My current administrative role does not afford me as many such opportunities, and volunteering with TheatreOne is an ideal chance for me to (re)connect with an arts-based community. I have worked in theatre and have always appreciated the communal ethos it fosters in all of its components – from the boards to the boardroom. Theatre also promotes dialogue, education, and tolerance – and many other qualities and values that I espouse. As a new board member, my immediate goal is to listen and learn, collaborate with like-minded people, and find ways of using my skills to enhance TheatreOne’s outreach.” – Ross MacKay