Board of Directors
President, Hanna Gillis – is very excited to be on the Board of Directors for The Queensville Players.
Through a fortunate stroke of serendipity, Hanna Gillis was introduced to The Queensville Players through Karin Simpson when they first came together in 2016 to put on the now annual, fundraising talent showcase QP FACTOR. They both knew an additional platform for the diverse and amazing talent in this community was needed and at the same time they could help raise money and awareness to an essential organization right here in our community, Sandgate Women’s Shelter. This organization is very near and dear to both Hanna and Karin.
When asked if she wanted to become more involved with The Queensville Players, it was a no-brainer…an honour.
This community theatre group has been around for many, many years and put on hundreds of shows. It has so many people behind the scenes who put so much love and passion into each and every performance. Some new and exciting changes are happening within the Queensville family and Hanna is truly honoured to be a part of it.
A resident of Georgina since 2007, Hanna is also a local Realtor with Royal LePage Your Community Realty. She is a proud supporter of the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation, always donating a portion of her commission through this charity to Sandgate Women’s Shelter.
Hanna is very grateful to The Queensville Players for allowing her to be a part of this wonderful theatre family and to witness the magic they create with each and every show.
She is a graduate of the Arts York program at Unionville high school where she was a vocal major. She has her grade 10 equivalency in both voice and piano through the Royal Conservatory of music.
After leaving high school, Karin went in a completely different direction joining the Canadian Armed Forces where she was a member of the Regular force Navy for three years. During that time she was part of the very first Haiti brigade, and did two six month tours back to back with the United Nations in the former Yugoslavia. She holds the Canadian peacekeeping medal as well as the UN medal for her service.
After releasing from the military, Karin attended university where she received an Honours Degree in English and a Certificate de Francais Practique. She later attended Teacher’s College where she became qualified to teach English and French at the Intermediate and Senior level. She has been an employee of the York Region District School Board for the last 15 years and is currently the Subject Head of English at Keswick High School, and is the Vocal teacher there as well.
Karin and her husband of 20 years have two beautiful children. Together they enjoy traveling, playing on sports teams and participating in community theatre. Karin and her family have been active members of the Queensville Players for number of years and have participated in their productions together as a family. Karin recently was nominated by ACTCO for a THEA award in the category of “best female supporting actor in a musical” for her role as the “Baker’s wife” in “Into the Woods”. While at a Disney vacation with her family, she won an American Idol contest at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. She has won several karaoke contests over the years, and enjoys singing whenever she can.
Aside from musical theatre and vocal performances, Karin enjoys running and kickboxing. She has completed an Ironman triathlon, a full marathon, 6 half marathons, and several 10km races.
Engaged as a Creative Production Co-ordinator, his responsibilities spanned Art Direction, Production Management, and Cost Control. Leaving this high-pressure environment behind at retirement, Alf joined the volunteer segment in his community. After spending fifteen years guiding the operations of our local Food Pantry – he moved onto one of his passions – theatre and music. Having minimal skills as a singer and actor – he has dedicated himself to set-building the visions and dreams of our directors, and inspiring our actors. Equally important, is his creative skill in keeping our not-for-profit organization afloat and financially viable. This, is a valuable skill acquired in the competitive world of industry.
Alf has been a member of Queensville Players since 2008. He looks forward to the fulfillment of their future plans.
He is a graduate from Markham District High School where he was a clarinet & bass clarinet major and vocal major. He also has his grade 8 in piano through the Royal Conservatory of Music.
After leaving high school, Thanasaki attended the Univeristy of Toronto Faculty of Music, where he studied Music Education, earning his Bachlor of Music. There he continued to major on the clarinet under the direction of world renowned clarintist Peter Stoll, and was part of the Wind Symphony under the direction of Jeffery Reynolds. He also holds a minor in World History. Thanasaki then went on to attend Teachers College at OISE where he earned his Masters of Teaching.
After finishing all his schooling, Thanasaki moved to London, England where he had the pleasure of teaching for one year, and emersed himself in many of the musical theatre shows that played the West End in London. He is now a teacher with the Durham District School Board.
Thanasaki has been exposed to theatre practically all his life, his first musical was The Phantom of the Opera at the then Pantages Theatre (now Ed Mirvish) with his parents at the age of five! This musical created the passion and love he now has for musicals, having seen Phantom another 12 times and counting (including a backstage tour in NYC), he has seen numerous productions from A-Z in Toronto, Stratford, NYC, and London.
Thanasaki first appeared in a musical in grade 7 where he played Mr. Daddy Warbucks in Annie Jr. He has also directed a small scale production of Les Miserables at his former elementary school in Markham, during his second year of university.
Thanasaki has also been an artistic director, and choreographer at Camp Walden producing numerous shows there as well. He has also had the pleasure to work with Karin Simpson and local resident musician Glenn Marais at YRDSB Arts Camp where he himself attended as a Camper, CIT, & Counselor. He has also worked as a counselor and music specialist at Camp Robin Hood for over 7 summers.
In his spare time Thanasaki runs his own small haircare buisness, and loves to travel all over the world. His most insteresting place to visit was Egypt, but always loves returning to his families homeland of Greece.
Thanasaki thanks Queensville Players for giving him the opportunity to be part of this amazing theatre community and is excited to help it grow into something incredible!
Harry has over thirty years experience in theatre as an actor and director and believes in order to grow as a person as well as a company, you can not be afraid to take risks. Harry looks forward to this journey with Queensville and knows there are great things coming in the near future.
As a 20 year veteran as a Constable with the Toronto Police Service as well as being a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty Centres in Georgina, Tanya has always found a way to be actively involved in the community. Since 2003, Tanya has been a part of a number of boards and committees, currently serving on the Board of Directors for Jericho Youth Services, Parent council member for Keswick Public School and Parent Council Co-Chair for Newmarket High School and is a member of Sutton Legion. Tanya has previously been a member of the Town of Georgina Safe Streets Committee, an Executive member of Udora-Leaskdale Lions Club and was Past Chair for the Sutton and District Lions Club.
With two children active in the community and theatre arts, being a part of this Theatre Company just makes perfect sense! A bargain hunter by nature, and a DIY’er at heart, Tanya brings a wide range of skill sets to the table and is excited to be a member.