Board of Directors
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.
Charlee is a graduate of the Sheridan College performing arts program and has been singing and dancing for as long as she can remember. She was a competitive dancer for years and has performed in many musical theatre productions such as the Wizard of Oz as Dorothy (Queensville players) the hunchback of Notre Dame as gypsy/dance captain (Brampton Musical Theatre), the rocky horror show as Dr. Frank n Furter (Sheridan College) and many many more. Her most recent work with theatre has been choreographing High School Musical On stage with the Queensville players. Charlee loves theatre with all of her heart and cannot wait to take on the role of Vice President with this incredible theatre company and family.
Secretary, Thanasaki Chionidis – was born in Toronto and raised in Markham.
After leaving high school, Thanasaki attended the University of Toronto Faculty of Music, where he studied Music Education, earning his Bachelor of Music. There he continued to major on the clarinet under the direction of world-renowned clarinetist 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 Master of Teaching.
After finishing his schooling, Thanasaki moved to London, England where he had the pleasure of teaching for one year, and immersed himself in many of the musical theatre shows that played the West End in London. He is now a Long-term Occasional 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 14 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 at 12 years old when he played Mr. Daddy Warbucks in Annie Jr. He has also directed a small-scale production of Les Misérables at his former elementary school in Markham, during his second year of university.
Thanasaki has 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 served as a music specialist at Camp Robin Hood, a day camp based in Markham.
In his spare time Thanasaki runs his own online business, and loves to travel.
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!
Ryan is beyond excited to be taking on the position of Artist Director for The Queensville Players!
Ryan has spent almost a decade of his life learning and studying theatre from every angle. He started when he was 14 auditioning for his first show – “Grease”. Since then, he has gone on to portray many roles such as Gaston in “Beauty and The Beast” (Vocally Inspired Performers), Robert Martin in The Drowsy Chaperone (Sheridan Collage), and most recently playing Morris Delancey in Brampton Music Theatre’s production of “Newsies” at the Rose Theatre.
His love of theatre is not only exclusive to the stage. Ryan loves to step back, and inspire other actors to take their moment in the lime light.
He is eager to take his knowledge to create opportunities for both actors and performers alike in productions he knows our community will love!
His goal within QP is to get people excited about what’s to come by working alongside the production teams to reestablish and rethink the way we line up our season, so we can open doors to shows we have yet to explore.
Treasurer, Jeffrey Simpson – has been associated with The Queensville Players Theatre Company for more than a decade supporting his wife’s passion for theatre.
Over the past five years he selectively sought roles in two productions to share the stage with his family, one as the Wizard in the The Wizard of Oz! and an upcoming performance of High School Musical as Coach Bolton. Recently he has joined the QP Board of Directors as Treasurer.
Off stage and out of the Boardroom Jeffrey is a High School History teacher who has a passion for learning. He also tries to be physically active for his own heart health cycling and playing tennis with friends.
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.