Melanie Miles
Creative Director & Head Instructor
We are pleased to present Melanie Miles, our illustrious and effervescent creative director. Melanie delights in awakening the creative gifts of the young and the young at heart.
Backed by 20 years combined of performing, directing, producing, coaching, stage management; as a Vancouver Film School graduate and a Mayfield Dramatic Arts Major; Melanie brings a wealth of experience to each session. You can be sure that you will get the coaching, support, direction and encouragement needed to develop creatively while thoroughly enjoying the journey.
Melanie auditioned for and was accepted into the internationally acclaimed Vancouver Film School- Foundation Film Program. Melanie furthered her experience through in-depth directing and working with actors, as well as producing short films.
2010- Current
Chricha Orphanage, Port au Prince, Haiti
Melanie’s heart is in Port-au-Prince, Haiti where she first met 53 Orphans in August last year. Since then she has visited in January and again this past June. Melanie is committed to helping with the tools she carries, helping kids to explore theatre through fun and improv games, dance and mask making. She has woven her love for these precious kids into awareness to her students and fundraising at performances.
Drama Instructor, 2007
Johannesburg, South Africa, Klopperpark Public School
Melanie saw a need for one on one attention at this school. She used her giftings in drama and relating to children to tutor those struggling to read & write in English as well as teaching drama classes from grades 4-7. “Melanie made a significant impact on the students and staff,” says Prinicpal Ceilan Naidoo. “Melanie has given something to these students that they never would have received.” After her classes performed various short plays for the school, the graduating class performed a play & musical theatre piece for the graduation and end of year awards ceremony.
Lauren Shepherd
Director | Vocal Coach
Lauren joins the Liberty Junction team with a Master of Fine Arts in Staging Shakespeare from the University of Exeter. While abroad Lauren furthered her vocal training under the guidance of Master of Voice, Stewart Pearce, at Shakespeare’s Globe in Bankside London. She was awarded a scholarship to attend Award Winning Playwright, Howard Barker’s Summer Intensive Workshop with his acting troupe, The Wrestling School in 2009. While training with The Wrestling School Lauren focussed on expanding her vocal potential and freeing her breath through the use of language and sound.
Lauren has worked extensively in Text Analysis, Dramatic Language and Shakespearean Speech workshops, with a strong foundation in the usage of Elements and Archetypes. Lauren’s approach to voice work through the use of the Elements, and their inherent vocal qualities, provides an energetic and rewarding experience for all those involved in the process.
Recently, Lauren presented a paper at The University of Guelph which explored her MFA thesis research concerning the use of popular music in Shakespeare. Her talk evaluated the importance of sound, movement and text, particularly in Shakespeare. Lauren’s research recognizes the benefits of combining German Tanztheater, popular music and Shakespeare’s words to create a contemporary production that serves to effect societal change. Lauren also works with Brock University as a Teaching Assistant in the Department of Dramatic Arts. Here she has given a lecture on Canadian Re-Productions of Shakespeare, as well as taught foundation labs/seminars in Performance under the guidance of Dr. David Fancy.
In addition Lauren works part-time as a children’s entertainer at birthday parties across the GTA and Golden Horseshoe. She performs with Fairy Fun Parties, and is committed to bringing magical moments to children’s lives through the use of storytelling and song. Her passion for theatre and performance has lead her to Liberty Junction where she is excited to provide guidance for her new students as her mentors have done for her.
Candice Austin
Theatre Director | Producer
Candice brings a wealth of knowledge to Liberty Junction Theatre. She is passionate about helping children to develop their skills in the theatre which they will carry with them throughout their lives.
Candice’s passion for the stage began in her childhood years. This passion was fuelled by the opportunity to act, sing, dance, assist with costumes and props and build sets in her high school’s productions of “Guys & Dolls”, “Little Shop of Horrors”, “Grease”, and “Footloose” for which she won two performing awards. She was also a student mentor and coach for her fellow cast mates. Candice participated in the Sears Drama Festival and gained experience in competing as well.
Candice’s vast knowledge and skills working with children are mainly accredited to her experience working in various camp settings. She developed and facilitated games, theme nights, skits and singing for children which included dressing up and performing for fellow campers and staff.
Candice went on to McMaster University to complete a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Film Studies. Her university career helped her to gain valuable skills and understanding for the performing arts including character development, critical film analysis and script analysis.
Suzanne Paquin
Improv Instructor
Suzanne comes to Liberty Junction by way of Vancouver where she has studied, performed and taught improv for the past 14yrs. Suzanne spent 12 years with Vancouver Theatresports as a mainstage player. She was invited to be a performer for the ‘Green Eggs and Hamlet’ national school tour, where she entertained kids of all ages. Along with being an improviser, Suzanne has been a professional stand up comic for the past 13yrs and has performed across Canada including at the prestigious Just for Laughs festival in Montreal.
Her experience as an improv instructor includes working with teens in specialty art programs, to nine years working with Science World, Vancouver, where she performed science demos and taught school programs. The adult programs that she has organized in the past have included students with no previous acting or performance experience to professional actors. Suzanne gives a unique perspective on improvisation through her acting and stand up experience. She has also worked with Keith Johnstone from the Loose Moose Theatre and at the Chicago Improv Festival.
Suzanne recently filmed and produced her own DVD called Improv for Actors. She has had a passion for performing from and early age. She has been described as an excellent and caring teacher, ensuring that each student learns about improv while having fun. Suzanne says to anyone that is interested in a class, “Just say YES to an idea, it’s easier than you think and you never know where it will take you!”
David Reale
Film & Television Workshop Instructor
David Reale has been acting in theatre, film and television for over a decade. An entertainment industry renaissance man, David has done everything from hosting on THE X (CBC) to hunting werewolves in Red: Werewolf Hunter (SyFy). He has been in countless television commercials and has even been the voice of a number of animated characters in Beyblade and Bakugan. David works as a reader with casting directors Lewis Kay and Tina Gerusi. Reale is also a member of The Red One Theatre Collective and the sketch comedy troupe Elephant Empire.