Our Valuable Team Members
Erica came to us at Theatre Collingwood in 2013 as Executive Director. Prior to working for Theatre Collingwood, Erica was the Associate Producer for Theatre by the Bay in Barrie. Erica brings with her a wealth of experience in the arts and culture sector. She was a board member for Tourism Barrie for 6 years, with a special focus on marketing and collaborating with hoteliers, restaurants and the arts community, to attract tourists. Erica was a founding member of Barrie’s “Lawn Chair Luminata” (arts festival) and was on the Downtown Community Theatre Advisory Group where she played a key role in the development of The Mady Center for the Performing Arts. She coordinated a highly successful program that toured the region to over 25 schools each year, teaching students about the works of William Shakespeare. Erica is thrilled to be on the Theatre Collingwood “team” and invites everyone to come visit her at the company’s new offices at 104-115 Hurontario Street, where her goal is to help everyone in Collingwood to Put More PLAY in Their Life!
Anne Raciunas has been a part of the Theatre Collingwood team since July of 2014. A graduate of the University of Guelph, Anne has previously worked in hospitality, tourism, children’s programming and balloon twisting. Anne spent the summer of 2007 as Theatre Collingwood’s summer student employee. She has always looked back at her time spent in the railcar box office with great fondness, and is grateful to be an established part of the current Theatre Collingwood family.
Anne spends her free time involved in community theatre as well as independent theatre projects. This has offered her the opportunity to engage in acting, directing, producing and marketing roles. Her other interests include travelling, reading, and sleeping.
Mary Beth has managed her own bookkeeping business for over eighteen years, representing a variety of clients in Toronto. Having spent many years as “weekenders”, Mary Beth and her husband Peter left their sons in Toronto to retire and become full time residents of the Town of the Blue Mountains in May 2006. Both Mary Beth and Peter now give so much back to their new community by volunteering for Theatre Collingwood, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Meals on Wheels and several social clubs. We thank Mary Beth for her expertise and commitment to TC!
Monica Wilson is a former CCI English teacher and Library Department Head, who has been working & volunteering for Theatre Collingwood, since retirement in 2008. Her passion for theatre has been satisfied through drama training courses & play-writing workshops. She has performed in 3 Gaslight Tours, as well as other amateur stage productions, including Collingwood’s “Vagina Monologues” (2014). Past community involvement includes: Cub Leader, Public Library trustee, Western Line Dance instructor, and administrator of Chow Rescue Ontario.
Jennifer, her husband Eugene, son Jonathan and their 2 dogs moved to Collingwood 4 years ago, and like all other residents, they love it here! Jennifer has a Bachelor of Social Work from Ryerson University and worked with the elderly, emotionally disturbed adolescents, & inmates families. She then took a sharp right, and began a 25 year career in IT specializing in network Security in a leadership role as Director of Sales for Canada. She is on the Board of Directors for the Collingwood Minor Hockey Association, is active in the South Georgian Bay Rotary Club, and is a strong believer in making a positive difference while contributing to the community. She is thrilled to be part of the Theatre Collingwood family and really enjoying working with such an amazing group of people.
As a child Ursula hopped across the Atlantic from Munich to Toronto, in both cities, as well as later in Collingwood, Victoria and Vancouver, the Arts played a great role in her life. Theatre, symphony and visual arts were anchors; very important first explorations of her new homes and frequent stops if she felt homesick. Her grandfather was a violinist and sang in the Munich Philharmonic Choir; together they used to sit on the floor of his study, locked in with favourites like Beethoven’s 3rd, Die Zauberflöte and Carmen, dissecting and explaining the pieces for her. He introduced her to Shakespeare with his own antique collection (which she has proudly moved with her from city to city) and took her to her first play, The Speckled Band. Ursula joined the Theatre Collingwood family in July of 2014, a happy accident, and it has been and continues to be a wonderful way to connect with the artistic community and community in general.
Cam Oates has been a Drama teacher since 2008. He has built his career working with youth in the dramatic community for over 10 years, as well as working as a youth facilitator and mentor for close to 15 years. Cam has embraced his new hometown, and since relocating to Collingwood has choreographed and assistant directed Collingwood Collegiate Institute’s production of Annie: The Musical. Cam is deeply passionate about the Performance Arts and believes they are wonderful outlet for expression and personal growth.
Carol moved to Collingwood in 2012 after raising her family in Durham Region. Her parents had a cottage on Georgian Bay near Meaford when she was young, so moving back to the area seemed natural. Carol worked in the guest services industry most of her career, working for Bell Canada in the offices as well as in their phone stores in Toronto and Durham. She has always been fascinated by the variety of people she has been able to meet along her way. Carol has continued to work in guest services part time at Blue Mountain. She enjoys gardening, biking, hiking – and feels “just being outside is great!” Shortly after moving to Collingwood Carol was invited by a friend to help out at Theatre Collingwood.
“What an amazing experience this has been and will continue to be. I had not been involved in live theatre prior to this opportunity and find myself surrounded by so much talent and enthusiasm. I am delighted to be a part of this theatre company and look forward to seeing our guests during the upcoming season.
Let the summer begin!”
Special Thanks to our Theatre Advocates!
Katherine Huycke immigrated from Northern Ireland in 1950. Educated and married in Toronto, she moved to Collingwood in 1970 to raise her family in a healthy rural setting. Katherine operated The Cloth Shop of Collingwood for 20 years, Katsue, and Katherine Huycke Int. She is an amazing volunteer for such organizations as: Simcoe Mental Health, YMCA, Trillium Foundation, Theatre Collingwood and Gaslight. Special installations by Katherine include The Hummingbird Center, the King Edward Hotel, Woman’s College Hospital and the refurbishing of the MS Chi Cheemaun. Today she continues to create and divides her time between Collingwood and the south of France.
Bio Coming…