Rosebud School of the Arts > About Us

Instructors and Mentors

	Jeanette ‘Jette’ Brown B.A. (Open University), Teaching Certificate (University Newcastle-upon-Tyne) Instructor in Costuming, Production Advisor Jette is a passionate instructor of Theatre History (especially Shakespeare) and a lecturer on historical costumes. For over two decades, Jette lived, taught and was a school principal in Shakespeare’s birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon. Besides teaching in elementary, secondary and post-secondary settings, she also runs Renaissance Masque, a company through which she writes, directs and costumes for organizations such as The Red Deer Chamber Singers, the Red Deer Renaissance Feast, Christ the Redeemer School District, Canadian Badlands Passion Play, and the Canadian Badlands Summer School.	Bob Davis B.A. (University of Calgary), M.A. (University of Calgary) Executive Director, Instructor in Marketing Bob joined Rosebud School of the Arts in June 2003 having worked in community economic development and private business for over ten years. Bob draws on the internal marketing and development plans of Rosebud, along with external public and private methods used in social industries, to enable RSA students to grasp the complexities of making their artistic products as commercially viable as possible.

	Morris Ertman B.A.R. (North American Baptist College), B.A., M.F.A. (University of Alberta), CAEA Artistic Director of Rosebud Theatre, senior mentor in Design and Directing. As artistic director of Rosebud Theatre, Morris sits at the helm of Rosebud’s theatre department. His design and directing credits include the National Arts Centre, The Royal Alexandra Theatre, The Canadian Opera Company, The Vancouver Opera, Citadel Theatre, the Chemainus Theatre Festival, Pacific Theatre, and Rosebud Theatre, among many others.	Jerod Fahlman Theatre Studies Technology Diploma (Red Deer College) Instructor in Technical Theatre, Production Advisor This is Jerod’s first year as Rosebud Theatre’s Technical Director, although he has had the privilege to design several shows for Rosebud over the past ten years. He has been in charge of the technical aspects of the theatre in several spaces since beginning his career in 1995, including Inlet Theatre, Medicine Hat College Theatre, and Globe Theatre (the one in Regina, not the one in London), and has worked as a technician, builder and designer in many others.

	Brad G. Graham Junior Apprenticeship (Alberta Theatre Projects), Theatre Studies Technology Diploma (Red Deer College) Instructor in Technical Theatre, Production Advisor Brad has worked in technical theatre for more than fifteen years including working with Alberta Theatre Projects, The Shakespeare Company, Sage Theatre, and Coldwater Productions (all in Calgary), in addition to Rosebud Theatre and Rosebud Touring. He came to Rosebud through the Canadian Badlands Passion Play where he was technical director for seven years. Brad mentors technical theatre students in hands-on application of their skills.	Bill Hamm Diploma (Winkler Bible Institute), B.R.S. (Mennonite Brethren Bible College), B.A (University of Winnipeg), M.Mus. (University of Illinois), F.R.S.A (Rosebud School of the Arts -Honourary) Head of Music Programme, Instructor in Music Bill has served has head of music at Rosebud School of the Arts and Music Director at Rosebud Theatre since 1989. He has a wide range of musical and life interests which make him well-suited to the unique opportunities offered in Rosebud. As his degree is in choral conducting, he conducts our choirs and teaches voice and speech. As well, Bill is currently the composer and Music Director of the Canadian Badlands Passion Play, and is a member of the Canadian Chamber Choir.

	Renita Hamm B.R.S. (Mennonite Brethren Bible College) Student Life Advisor and Chapel Coordinator Renita loves well-told stories and finds people fascinating. So she looks forward to the challenge of connecting RSA students with their stories, with the bigger human story, with the story of a present creative God. During the twenty years she’s lived in this Rosebud valley, she’s been involved in a number of capacities; as resource coordinator, education assistant, and actor (Quilters, Diary of Anne Frank, Foxfire).	Leah T. Hearne F.R.S.A. in Acting & Tour Administration (Rosebud School of the Arts) Resource Centre Coordinator, Instructor in Acting Leah has been a resident of Rosebud since January 1995. In 1998 she graduated from RSA with a double major in Acting and Tour Administration. Leah is a member of the Company of Artists with Rosebud Theatre and serves as the Theatre Department Assistant. Her current acting credits include: The Good Doctor, St. Nick’s Magical Mystical Mystery Tour (which she also co-wrote), Village of Idiots, The Diviners and The Foreigner. Selected directing credits include: Woza Albert!, The Long Christmas Dinner, The Crucible, The Comedy of Errors, and Pith!

	Mark Lewandowski A.A.R. (North American Baptist College), F.R.S.A. in Tour Administration & Acting (Rosebud School of the Arts) Head of Technical Theatre Programme, Instructor in Directing, Supervisor of Final Projects Mark moved to Rosebud nineteen years ago to attend theatre school and upon graduation came on staff as the tour administrator. Now Rosebud Theatre’s production manager, Mark also keeps busy with acting, directing, and music ensembles. He is a resident company member with Rosebud Theatre and credits include The Foreigner, Arms & the Man, Cotton Patch Gospel and The Diary of Anne Frank. Directing credits include The Curious Savage, Frank Dickens’ Christmas Carol, Footprints of a Pilgrim, Billy Bishop Goes to War, Furniture of Heaven, The Rich Man, The Last Five Years and Craving. Mark teaches directing, supervises student final projects, and serves as general inspiration for Rosebud's swing dancers.	Paul F. Muir B.A. w/ Specialization (University of Alberta), Musical Theatre (Banff Centre), CAEA, ACTRA Education Director, Instructor in Acting On leave in 2010 - 2011 Paul is thrilled to return to RSA after his studies in Directing at York University and looks forward to sharing new ideas and perspectives. In addition to his training at U of A and York, Paul studied acting at the Royal National Theatre in London, Film & Video Documentary at King Alfred's College in Winchester, England, and the Canadian National Voice Intensive at UBC in Vancouver. Paul worked as a professional actor and director for various theatre companies across Canada, before joining the staff at Rosebud School of the Arts. Paul has been the creative force behind the Mentorship Programme. He is a resident company member with Rosebud Theatre and has been seen in many Opera House productions.

	Norma Roth F.R.S.A. in Acting and Costuming (Rosebud School of the Arts), B.F.A. in Theatre Design (University of Alberta) Instructor in Design, Recruitment Officer It was a secret dream to act that brought Norma to Rosebud School of the Arts and to Rosebud Theatre. Dreams continue to shape and grow but this one never went away. Acting credits include The Diviners, Footprints of a Pilgrim, Caribou Magi, Chickens, Christmas in the Country, The Curious Savage and Steel Magnolias for Rosebud Theatre and Quilters for Pacific Theatre in Vancouver. Design credits include Oliver!, We Won’t Pay!We Won’t Pay!and Mary’s Wedding for Rosebud Theatre.	Nathan Schmidt F.R.S.A. in Acting (Rosebud School of the Arts), Young Company Apprenticeship (Chemainus Theatre) Head of Acting Programme, Instructor in Acting Nathan has been a part of the Rosebud community of artists for thirteen years. Upon graduating from RSA, Nathan completed the Young Company Apprenticeship program with Chemainus Theatre where he played Rolph in The Sound of Music and Lysander in A Midsummer Night's Dream. As a resident company member with Rosebud Theatre, Nathan has been in many productions including Chekhov in The Good Doctor, Daddy Sherry in The Kite, Leon Schwab in The Voice of the Prairie, Schmendrick in Village of Idiots and Morgan in The Drawer Boy. As a musician Nathan plays fiddle on stage as well as with Rosebud's own bluegrass band, The Rosebud River Valley Boys and the folk duo Lewis & Royal. Nathan instructs in acting, stage combat and Shakespeare.

	David Snider B.A. (University of Oregon, magna cum laude), M.F.A. (University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign) Head of Certificate Programme, Instructor in Acting and Faith and Art David joined RSA and Rosebud Theatre in the Fall of 2006. For 8 years previous he worked for Chemainus Theatre Festival on Vancouver Island as education director and artistic associate. Past acting credits include Cervantes/Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha, Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, the title role in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor® Dreamcoat, Jesus in Godspell, Eric Birling in An Inspector Calls, Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Valentine in Shaw’s You Never Can Tell. David teaches acting principles, Shakespeare, audition techniques, musical theatre, and Christianity and the Arts. He is also a director, sound designer and composer.	Margaret ‘Maki’ Van Dyke B.A. (Redeemer College), M.A. (University of Alberta) Education Director, Registrar, Instructor in Theatre History and Script Analysis Maki finds history fascinating, administration challenging, while acting keeps her connected! Selected credits include The Homecoming, The Miracle Worker, The Diary of Anne Frank (Rosebud Theatre), Precious Bane (RSA), and Footprints of a Pilgrim (Rosebud Touring). Maki serves as Rosebud’s registrar and director of the education department in addition to teaching many of the theoretical-based courses. Special interests include playwrights of ancient Greece, medieval theatre, and ethnic drama.




Contract Instructors
	Deanne Bertsch B.F.A in Acting and Theatre Management (University of Victoria), B.Ed. (University of Lethbridge) Instructor in Dance Deanne has lived in the Rosebud area since 1994 when she played Butterball in Rosebud’s first production of Chickens. Since then she has choreographed several shows in Rosebud, most recently Godspell, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor® Dreamcoat, and Fiddler on the Roof. Deanne has been actively involved with Kaleidoscope Theatre in Drumheller and presently teaches drama and dance at Strathmore High School. Deanne is thrilled to be teaching dance in Rosebud and can’t wait until her two adorable daughters sign up to be in her class.	Lucia Frangione F.R.S.A. (Rosebud School of the Arts), CAEA, PGC Instructor in Playwriting Lucia is an award winning actor and writer. She has had twenty plays produced including Paradise Garden for The Arts Club and Leave Of Absence for Pacific Theatre in 2010. Espresso toured Western Canada and was translated into Polish and performed at Teatr Jeleniogorski. She’s been produced by The Belfry, ATP, Ruby Slippers, Solo Collective, Station Arts, Chemainus, Prairie Theatre Exchange, Lambs Players and Rosebud. Her works include: Holy Mo, Cariboo Magi, Chickens, Wobbling Madonna and Christmas On The Air. Lucia is published by Talon books and sits on the Playwrights Guild Of Canada’s national council. Her short film, Pop Switch, is currently screening at festivals internationally. Lucia is a Rosebud graduate and also trained at Studio 58.

	Shauna Murphy Diploma in Music (Grant MacEwan), Diploma in TV and Radio Arts (NAIT) A.R.C.T. in Performance (Royal Conservatory) Instructor in Piano, Accompanist Shauna studied classical piano with Lillian Upright in Edmonton. After working as a news reporter for 10 years, Shauna moved to Rosebud where she was rapidly invited to accompany the choris and play on stage with Rosebud Theatre. Credits include: Amahl and the night Visitors, Godspell, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Fiddler on the Roof, and The Secret Garden. A highlight is playing for Songs for a New World, a recent student final project that brought together a dream team of performers and musicians. Shauna supplements her playing career with teaching, where RSA's variety of talented students continue to stimulate, challenge, and delight her.	Karl Sine F.R.S.A. in Acting (Rosebud School of the Arts), Advanced Certification FDC Instructor in Acting, Stage Combat, and Career Management Karl is an actor, fight director, and teacher. He has performed with numerous theatre companies across Alberta including Alberta Theatre Projects, Citadel Theatre, The Shakespeare Company, Rosebud Theatre, and The Canadian Badlands Passion Play as well as many other smaller independent companies. Karl has taught acting and stage combat classes at Rosebud School of the Arts, Rocky Mountain College, and numerous high school workshops.

	Krista Nielsen B.A. (University of Calgary), M.A. (Lesley University) Instructor in Movement After a BA in Dance from the University of Calgary, Krista achieved an MA in Dance Therapy at Lesley University in Boston, MA. Krista has applied her movement training in a variety of ways, from teaching children at an after school program to facilitating movement groups for people with Alzheimer’s disease. 2010 marks the third year that Krista teaches Movement at Rosebud School of the Arts.	Royal Sproule F.R.S.A. (Rosebud School of the Arts) Instructor in Acting Royal is versatile actor, director, and musician, and visual artist who for the past four years has directed The Canadian Badlands Passion Play, in Drumheller, Alberta. Royal began his career at Rosebud Theatre, and has performed across western Canada in theatre, film, and member of folk duo Lewis & Royal. He has two Outstanding Director Awards at the Christian One-Act Festival in Calgary for Babel Rap, and The Bone Violin. Some acting credits include: Dora Award Nominated Tent Meeting (Blinding Light Productions); The Miser (Chemainus Theatre); Furniture of Heaven, (Pacific Theatre); Ten Little Indians (Vertigo Theatre). And in Film: Steven Spielberg’s Into the West, Michael Winterbottom’s The Claim, Anne Wheeler’s The Investigation. He is an acting coach with a passion for training actors, and directors. He is presently opening an art gallery in Rosebud which will showcase local artists, as well as his own pen & ink drawings.

	Sarah Penner B.A. (Bethany College) A.R.C.T. (Royal Conservatory) Instuctor in Music Theory Sarah first came to Rosebud as a Music Intern in 2005 and returned to play piano in Oliver! (Summer 2010) and Gifts of the Magi (Christmas 2011). When not in Rosebud, Sarah makes her home in Grande Prairie where she works as an accounting technicain and music theory teacher. Among other things, Sarah treasures her times in Rosebud as a chance to work with great artists and to explore God's gift of music.	Jeany Van Meltebeke B.A. (Trinity Western University), M.F.A. (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) Instructor in Acting and Drama Ministry Jeany received her BA from Trinity Western University with minors in drama and Biblical studies and her MFA in acting from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is a regular acting coach, drama ministries teacher and part time instructor in advanced acting classes. Jeany also enjoys directing, choreography, and performing. Adapting and directing The Way of the Wolf for THR 359 remains one of her most cherished RSA experiences. Jeany has been fortunate to act on the Opera House as a resident company member in Godspell, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor® Dreamcoat, On Golden Pond, The Homecoming, and Fiddler on the Roof.

	Randall Wiebe Diploma (Gardner Bible College), Diploma in Visual Art (Alberta College of Art and Design), B.C.T.A., F.R.S.A. (Rosebud School of the Arts) Instructor in Visual Art Randall has been actively involved in a variety of roles with the Canadian Badlands Passion Play in Drumheller, Alberta since its inception, and is currently its Artistic Director. He also wrote Thomas: Confessions of a Doubter, which he tours across the world whenever the opportunity arises. He operates Sandalstrap Ministries and is currently involved in producing large-scale painting for churches. Randall teaches visual art at Rosebud School of the Arts.	Paul Zacharias Assistant Instructor in Drama Ministry Paul Zacharias is the former band leader of Swingset Shampion, with whom he recorded four CDs and complete two cross-Canada tours. He desires to be a worship director and plans to continue his education with Briercrest College. While in Rosebud, Paul has worked as the youth leader at Rosebud Church, performed seven shows of dinner music at the Rosebud Mercantile, recorded & produced albums for other musicains, and composed and performed sound design for The Giant's Heart, The Diary of Adam and Eve and Jake and The Kid: Prairie Seasons. He has also served as a coach/teacher in the areas of music and voice for Strathmore High School and Rosebud School of the Arts.