Board of Directors
President, John DuSomme
John started his theatrical career in public school and never looked back, being on stage in a number of school and community productions.
John was part of the Queensville Players 30 years ago. He was involved in several shows shouldering many responsibilities both on and off stage. In his role as producer, director and musical director over the years, he has brought to the QP stage such productions as Gilbert and Sullivan’s Princess Ida, the Broadway sensation Man of La Mancha and most recently Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.
Theater and technical production is a passion for John. His goal, along with the rest of the team, is to bring Queensville Players together as the premier theatre company in the region.
He has worked closely with the previous board and is excited to take the helm with co-president Tanya Gripich to guide QP into an exciting new chapter.
Vice President, Stacey Brown
Treasurer, Cindy Leitch
Cindy began her formative years in East Gwillimbury, with her first theatre experience being at Sharon Public School, where she played a sailor in H. M. S. Pinafore. Life events moved her to eastern Ontario where she lived on the shores of the St. Lawrence River, a stone’s throw from the Thousand Islands. In her career as an educator, she had the opportunity to direct and produce a wide variety of plays and musicals.
More recently she has moved westward across the province working in environmental restoration. Cindy has had the pleasure to be a member of various community theatre groups and found that collaborative, community art brings much satisfaction. She has developed programming for a summer theatre camp and is not afraid to tackle procedural guides and policy documents. One of her mantras is “We have to build capacity.” To that end Cindy would like to encourage workshops and information sharing through the newsletter. She is currently working with her Board colleagues to update the by-laws and develop a production procedural manual for Queensville Players.
Secretary, Beth Jones
When not on or around the stage, Beth works as a medical receptionist at a family doctor’s office. This has allowed her the flexibility to be more involved with theatre.
Beth is excited for this coming year and is ready for all the challenges and opportunities it has in store.
Artistic Director, Alyse Squirrell
Alyse is thrilled to be a part of The Queensville Players family! Living in Barrie but originally from Keswick, Alyse has been an avid part of the GTA’s performing arts community for over 20 years, both as artist, educator and leader. As an educator she has had the pleasure of working with amazing companies such as Ovation Performing Arts for many years, Judy and David’s various shows with Education Arts Canada, The Queensville Players, Dance Express Art Academy and a few other schools across the GTA and Simcoe County as a Dance and Musical Theatre Teacher. Alyse specializes in creating strong characterization in her students/ cast, helping them to tell the story of their piece, instilling them with proper technique/training, helping them to understand the “big picture” is and what a performance should look and (most importantly) feel like at the end. She has a deep understanding of what it takes to bring a show to a stage; from backstage to onstage, production team to seamstress, she has done it all. Alyse has very strong beliefs when it comes to the importance of team work, organization and full commitment in everything she does. Alyse‘s most recent credits include: Producer for Jesus Christ Superstar (MAT) Co-Director/ Choreographer/ Costume Designer for Mary Poppins (QP), June in Gypsy The Musical Fable(MAT), Choreographer/Costume Designer for Anastasia (QP), Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors(QP), Babette and the Dance Captain in Beauty and the Beast (QP), Columbia in The Rocky Horror Picture Show (MAT), Jetsam in The Little Mermaid (SCS Musicals), Thelonius in Shrek the Musical (Marquee), Margot and Assistant Choreographer in Legally Blonde the Musical (ASTC) and Sharpay Evans in High School Musical (QP2010). There isn’t a day that goes by where she doesn’t have some sort of Musical playing in her brain! Alyse is so excited to bring her skills and love of the arts to The Queensville Players as Artistic Director.
Marketing & Publicity, Emily Fahlgren
Emily brings a wealth of enthusiasm and excitement in joining the Queensville Players as a new member! She currently works in the drinking water and wastewater compliance field. Throughout her early years, she developed a passion for theatre and performed in a variety of plays throughout her school years. After taking a brief pause, she is ready to make her theatrical debut in the Queensville Player’s production of Narnia: the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe!
Outside of the theatre, she can be found singing, reading a book, exploring nature, and cuddling with her cat, Mr. Jinx. Emily is excited to collaborate with fellow actors, directors, and crew members to create memorable and inspiring performances that resonate with our community and learn more about the team work involved in theatrical productions.
Grants and Fundraising, Doug Hammond
Membership Director, Nicole Hill – has lived in Georgina since 2002 and has been involved with The Queensville Players since her ensemble role with QP in The Sound of Music.
Nicole is a Programmer in her day job and has combined her skills and her passion for community by donating time to maintaining websites for the community, including this QP website, Georgina Cares, and Georgina Historical Society.
Nicole has several hobbies and passions including reading, working out, travel, gardening, knitting, and oil painting.
Ex-Officio, Tanya Gripich
After living in various areas across the GTA and beyond while growing up. Tanya eventually moved to the Georgina area to establish roots and raise a family in 2003.
After a 23 year career as a Police Officer in the City of Toronto, Tanya turned in her badge and is now an active, full-time local Real Estate Agent. Tanya was previously on the Board as Costume Manager for the Queensville Players, and has been a part of a number of other boards and committees including, Peaceful Hearts, Jericho Youth Services, Parent Council for Keswick Public School and Newmarket High School, Town of Georgina Safe Streets Committee, Executive member of Udora-Leaskdale Lions Club and Past Chair for the Sutton and District Lions Club. Tanya is also currently a member of the Chamber of Commerce in the Town of Georgina.
A former competitive track and field sprint athlete throughout high school as well with Ontario Master’s in previous years, Tanya is a bargain hunter by nature, a DIY’er at heart as well as a movie enthusiast. She currently resides in Jackson’s Point with her husband and two children.
Tanya became involved with Queensville Players several years ago when attending the production of “The Sound of Music” both of her children then became involved in theatre productions (Wizard of Oz, Honk Jr, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Elf Jr, High School Musical, and Beauty and the Beast.
Starting off as a parent behind the scenes, and helping to coordinate front of house before moving onto the Board of Directors as Costume Manager, outfitting for the productions of “That Summer” and “High School Musical” before taking on the role of Stage Manager for “Beauty and the Beast” and “Little Shop of Horrors”.
Tanya looks forward to continuing to represent Queensville Players in the light it deserves to maintain the reputation of being the best Community Theatre
Family that people wish to belong and move forward with for years to come.