The Canadian College of Performing Arts was founded in 1998 as a private, post-secondary training institution. Created by co-founders Jacques Lemay and Janis Dunning, the College was born out of their highly regarded summer training and performance program, Spirit of a Nation, which originated at the Confederation Centre for the Arts in Charlottetown, and toured nationally.
The College was established as a multidisciplinary training institution, with an equal focus on acting, voice, dance, and career management training. From its initial offering of a one-year Performing Arts training program, the College quickly grew to offer an optional second continuing year in 1999. In 2005, a third program, the ‘Company C’ Studio Ensemble, was created as a practical four-month program for graduates of the second year program to work as an arts collective, producing three productions in a professional working environment under the direction of nationally acclaimed Canadian directors.
Lemay and Dunning were the College Directors for twelve years, until their retirement in 2010. The College was then managed by Ron Schuster as College Director and Darold Roles as Artistic and Education Director until 2017. Under their leadership, the two one-year programs were amalgamated to create a two-year Enriched Performing Arts Diploma, and a one-year Certificate in Performing Arts program. The Certificate program was created for professional artists and graduates of a degree program who wanted a year of intensive practical training. The “Company C” Studio Ensemble was expanded to its current length of twenty-one weeks, allowing for continued training, workshops, and mentorships, in addition to its core curriculum of three productions. The College also solidified an accreditation process, creating a path to university transferability for graduates of the Performing Arts Diploma and the “Company C” Studio Ensemble programs to obtain a Bachelor of Performing Arts degree.
Managing Artistic Director Caleb Marshall joined the College in 2018 and worked alongside several Directors of Education during his 6-year tenure. Heather Burns served as Director of Education and Programming from 2017 to 2021, esteemed alumna Alana Hibbert supported the transition as Interim Director of Education for six months following Heather’s departure, with Danielle Meunier formally stepping into the position of Director of Education at the conclusion of the transition period in 2021. Together, they implemented a renewed focus on Canadian playwrights; ensured creative teams included a wealth of different cultural perspectives, as well as gender parity across the season; spearheaded new access initiatives such as Relaxed Performances; and strengthened partnerships with artistic leaders in Victoria and across the country.
Danielle was joined by the current Managing Director, Erin Gavaghan, in autumn 2024. Embracing a collaborative and agile approach, they will continue to uphold the rigour and excellence of the college’s teaching and productions while adapting to the needs of students, artists and audiences.
Studio Ensemble
The Weight of Ants directed by Jovanni Sy
Lenin’s Embalmers directed by Joel Bernbaum
The Drowsy Chaperone directed and choreographed by Dayna Tekatch
Year II
Peter and the Starcatcher directed by Evan Frayne
Year-End
Anne of Green Gables directed by Jessica Hickman
Partnerships
A Concert of Remembrance with the Band of the 5th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery, and the District of Oak Bay
Showtune Piano Bar Cabaret with the Fernwood Inn
25th Anniversary Co-Presentations
Besse’s Will written and performed by Christina Penhale (Alum) and Jeffrey Renn (Faculty)
Who Has Seen the Wind – A Musical by Bryan Myskiw (Alum) and Christopher Weddell (Faculty)
Year II
Pride and Prejudice directed and adapted by Janet Munsil
Year-End
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat directed by Caleb Marshall
Partnerships
A Concert of Remembrance with the Band of the 5th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery, and the District of Oak Bay
Showtune Piano Bar Cabaret with the Fernwood Inn
Studio Ensemble
Secret Love in Peach Blossom Land directed by Derek Chan
The Last Days of Judas Iscariot directed by Cherissa Richards
The Quest directed by Stephanie Graham
Year II
Love and Information directed by Christopher Weddell
Year-End
Shrek directed by Naomi Costain
Partnerships
A Concert of Remembrance with the Band of the 5th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery, and the District of Oak Bay
Alumni Company produced by Salty Broad Productions
Wretched Woman written by Sarah Anne Murphy, directed by Julie McIsaac
Studio Ensemble
Yerma directed by Mercedes Bátiz-Benét
Paradise Lost directed by Yvette Nolan
If/Then directed by Sara-Jeanne Hosie
Year II
Falsework directed by Christopher Weddell
I Hope My Heart Burns First directed by Jessica Van der Veen
Year-End
Urinetown directed by Naomi Costain, Michael Doherty, & Caleb Marshall
Studio Ensemble
The Birds directed by Keith Barker
Unity (1918) directed by Glynis Leyshon
The Light in the Piazza directed by Roy Surette
Year II
Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet) directed by Janet Munsil
The Crucible directed by Caleb Marshall
Year-End Project directed by Jessica Hickman
Partnerships
A Concert of Remembrance with the Band of the 5th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery, and the District of Oak Bay
Showtune Cabaret Bar with the Veneto Bar Ristorante at Hotel Rialto
Alumni Company produced by the Canadian Heritage Arts Society
in co-production with Sturrock Studios & Sociable Films
Dreamers & Dissenters conceived and directed by Joel Sturrock
Studio Ensemble
Twelve Angry Jurors directed by James Fagan Tait
The Penelopiad directed by Ron Jenkins
Sweet Charity directed by Barbara Tomasic
Year II
Middletown directed by Stuart Aikins
Stage Door directed by Jim Leard
Year-End
West Side Story directed by Matthew Howe
Partnerships
A Concert of Remembrance with the Band of the 5th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery, and the District of Oak Bay
Alumni Company produced by the Canadian Heritage Arts Society
Kitsune Project conceived and directed by Ryan Nelson Reid
Studio Ensemble
The Old Curiosity Shop directed by Sarah Rodgers
Wintertime directed by Sara-Jeanne Hosie
Cabaret directed by Ron Jenkins
Year II
A Midsummer Night’s Dream directed by Barbara Poggemiller
Year-End
Working directed by Matthew Howe
Partnerships
Broadway Lights with the Victoria Symphony | directed by Janis Dunning and Jaques Lemay
Alumni Company produced by the Canadian Heritage Arts Society
Avenue Q directed by R.J. Peters
Studio Ensemble
Our Town directed by James Fagan Tait
This Little Light directed by Jane Johanson | in partnership with the Belfry Theatre
Ruddigore directed by Glynis Leyshon
Year II
The Triangle Factory Fire Project directed by Jessica van der Veen
Under Milk Wood directed by Alison Greene
Year-End
Beauty and the Beast directed by Darold Roles
Partnerships
All That Jazz with the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy | directed by Darold Roles
Alumni Company produced by the Canadian Heritage Arts Society
Get Happy: A Hollywood Musical Revue directed by Avery Jean Brennan
The Pitch: Doc Nostrum and his Caravan of Cure-Alls directed by R.J. Peters
Studio Ensemble
Marat/Sade directed by James Fagan Tait
The Great Gatsby directed by Ron Jenkins
Into the Woods directed by Sara-Jeanne Hosie
Year II
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie directed by Jim Leard
Two Gentlemen of Verona directed by Christopher Weddell
Year-End
Mary Poppins directed by Darold Roles
Alumni Company produced by the Canadian Heritage Arts Society
Art Isn’t Easy: A Musical Revue directed by Avery Jean Brennan
The Blind Pig directed by R.J. Peters
Studio Ensemble
Spring Awakening directed by Michael Shamata | with the support of the Belfry Theatre
Sense and Sensibility directed by Glynis Leyshon
Six Characters in Search of an Author directed by James Fagan Tait
Year II
Cities and Girls directed by Christine Willes
Year-End
Smokey Joe’s Cafe directed by Darold Roles
Partnerships
Broadway Lights with the Victoria Symphony | directed by Darold Roles
Studio Ensemble
Lend Me A Tenor directed by Julie McIsaac
Twelfth Night directed by Darcy Evans
Zorba directed by James Fagan Tait
Year II
Great Expectations directed by Roderick Glanville
Metamorphoses directed by Barbara Poggemiller
Year-End
Young Frankenstein directed by Darold Roles
Studio Ensemble
The Misanthrope directed by Richard Lucas
Les liaisons dangereuses directed by Glynis Leyshon
Bat Boy directed by Shane Snow
Year II
The Grapes of Wrath directed by Darcy Evans
Year-End
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying directed by Darold Roles
Year II
Ten Lost Years directed by Stuart Aikins
Village of Idiots directed by Darcy Evans
Year-End
Footloose directed by Darold Roles
Partnerships
Broadway Spectacular with the Victoria Symphony | directed by Darold Roles
Studio Ensemble
Lord of the Flies directed by Darcy Evans
Blood Brothers directed by Shane Snow
The Comedy of Errors directed by Kate Twa
Year II
The Penelopiad / The Odyssey directed by Barbara Poggemiller
Year-End
Crazy For You directed by Darold Roles
Studio Ensemble
As Bees in Honey Drown directed by Darcy Evans
Rabbit Hole directed by Matthew Howe
Little Shop of Horrors directed by Liza Balkan
Year II
The Winter’s Tale directed by Barbara Poggemiller
Year-End
Kiss Me Kate directed by Janis Dunning & Jacques Lemay and Barbara Poggemiller
Partnerships
Broadway Brilliance with the Victoria Symphony | directed by Janis Dunning & Jacques Lemay
Studio Ensemble
Rumours directed by Dan Costain
A Class Act directed by Matthew Howe
7 Stories directed by Liza Balkan
Year II
A Midsummer Night’s Dream directed by Barbara Poggemiller
Year-End
42nd Street directed by Janis Dunning & Jacques Lemay
Studio Ensemble
As You Like It directed by Fran Gebhard
City of Angels directed by Jeff Hyslop
Laughter on the 23rd Floor directed by Matthew Howe
Year II
The Greeks directed by Barbara Poggemiller
Year-End
The Boyfriend directed by Janis Dunning & Jacques Lemay
Partnerships
Pops Series #5 with the Victoria Symphony | directed by Janis Dunning & Jacques Lemay and Matthew Howe
Year II
Caucasian Chalk Circle directed by Libby Mason
Year-End
On Broadway directed by Janis Dunning & Jacques Lemay
Suites:
Dream Weavers
A Pirate’s Quest
Studio Ensemble
A Midsummer Night’s Dream directed by Kate Twa
Speak Office directed by Dr. Iris MacGrgor-Bannerman
Into the Woods directed by Gerald Isaac
Year II
Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet) directed by Barbara Poggemiller
Year-End
On Broadway directed by Janis Dunning & Jacques Lemay
Suites:
The ’20s
The ’30s
Partnerships
Blue Skies with the Victoria Symphony | directed by Janis Dunning & Jacques Lemay
Year II
La Ronde directed by Christopher Weddell
Year-End
On Broadway directed by Janis Dunning & Jacques Lemay
Suites:
West Side Story
The Magic Garden
Les Misérables
Partnerships
Broadway suites with the Victoria Symphony | directed by Janis Dunning & Jacques Lemay
Year II
The Rimers of Eldritch directed by Christopher Weddell
Year-End
On Broadway directed by Janis Dunning & Jacques Lemay
Suites:
On Broadway
Annie
Working
Ain’t Misbehavin’
Man of La Mancha
Swing
Year-End
Starting Here directed by Janis Dunning & Jacques Lemay
Suites:
I Want To Be A Producer
The Love Divas
Wedding Party
Kiss Me Kate
Year-End
Starting Here directed by Janis Dunning & Jacques Lemay
Suites:
The Seven Ages of Man
Jardin de Rêve
Sea of Destiny
Let’s Go to the Movies
Big News
Year-End
Starting Here directed by Janis Dunning & Jacques Lemay
Suites:
Masquerade
The Audition
A Moment in the Woods
The Party
War
Year-End
Starting Here directed by Janis Dunning & Jacques Lemay
Suites:
Putting It Together
Rise Again
Ragtime
Echoes of Harlem
Love Bites
Les Misérables
Year-End
Starting Here directed by Janis Dunning & Jacques Lemay
Suites:
Ancient Voices
Relationships
Pearls
Cell Block “D”
The Singer and the Song
Swing
Revolutions
All morning classes cancelled. Production roles will continue as permitted and safe to do so. We will advise on afternoon/evening classes and auditions around noon today.
