Meet Our Team

Anissah is a queer emerging actress and playwright, and a recent graduate of McGill University’s Faculty of Education Regarding theatre, Anissah has dabbled in almost everything under the sun.

From directing and acting in school productions to stage managing for Fringe festivals, Anissah is now sharing her love of theatre with the young artists of tomorrow. As a Montreal Children’s Theatre instructor, Anissah strives to nurture emotional, physical, and creative growth through sustainable practices and critical, inclusive pedagogy.

Ashleigh  is a drama teacher originally from London, England, with over 19 years of training in the theatre industry. Her passion for the performing arts began at age four, attending Stagecoach Academy for 12 years. During this time, she performed in a variety of roles, including as a chimney sweep in Mary Poppins at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London. She is also a member of the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain.

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Over the past 10 years, Ashleigh has worked with numerous charitable organizations, including St. Luke’s Hospice and the Princess Diana Awards. She collaborated with Dementia UK to raise awareness and funds for those affected by dementia, supporting the vital work of Admiral Nurses on the front lines. Ashleigh has also partnered with youth-focused organizations such as Beatfreeks, St John’s Ambulance – Young Responders, and Metroland Young Associates in the UK. Her commitment to advocacy and youth empowerment continues to shape her work as a theatre instructor.

Ben Renert is a passionate musician, composer, and performer. He regularly performs bass with bands around the city. His past projects include composing the soundtrack for the play Pindorama (2024 Montreal Fringe), and serving as assistant musical director for the McGill Savoy Society’s production of Iolanthe. More recently, he was a singer and performer in Queer Magique's production of Queer Yiddish.

Ben is excited to return as musical director for Musical Theatre Senior. He had an amazing experience coaching his students to perform Once Upon a Mattress Jr. last year. He is thrilled to be able to come back and continue developing his singers!

Emily is an actor, dancer, playwright, and educator based in Montreal. A graduate of Concordia University’s Acting for the Theatre program, they are the co-founder of It’s Not Television, an independent theatre collective,and often produces and performs in the local anglophone theatre community.

More than anything else, Emily loves to share their passion for theatre with others through education. You can find Emily directing children's theatre, teaching youth, and leading workshops here in Montréal. This is Emily’s second year with Montreal Children's theatre, and they are thrilled to be returning to work with Musical Theatre Senior and Starlight classes!

Hannah Surette is a queer dance artist and educator based in Tiohtià:ke/Mooniyang/Montreal. Alongside Clara Chemtov, she is the co-artistic director of Projet Ambidanse, a contemporary dance collective whose debut full-length work, Everything But the Kitchen Sink, was awarded the Juror’s Choice Award at the 2023 ON THE EDGE Fringe Festival.

Hannah’s practice emphasizes collaboration, bodily trust, and somatic approaches to movement. As an educator, she explores ideas of collective listening and has taught dancers aged 2–16, offering inclusive and diverse instruction in ballet, jazz, and contemporary dance. A graduate of UQAM’s contemporary dance program (BFA), Hannah brings a thoughtful, community-rooted approach to her work with Montreal Children’s Theatre students.

Kyera is a dynamic and innovative choreographer with over 13 years of training in a wide range of dance styles, including contemporary, lyrical, acro, jazz, tap, hip-hop, and ballet. They also teach Broadway Tap, bringing a rhythm-driven and theatrical element to their classes. Kyera began their journey with Montreal Children’s Theatre during the 2023 school year, debuting their choreography in the student production of Legally Blonde. Since then, they have gone on to choreograph community productions and the MCT’s Musical Theatre Advanced class, with credits including, Beauty and the Beast, Frozen and Mean Girls.

Known for their unique blend of dance styles and compelling storytelling through movement, Kyera brings a fresh and expressive approach to the stage. They are passionate about fostering a collaborative and supportive environment for young performers, empowering students to grow both artistically and personally through dance.

Mariana is a dramatherapist, dancer, and circus artist with a strong commitment to working with vulnerable populations. A graduate of Concordia University, she has spent the last four years supporting individuals with special needs through creative and therapeutic movement.

She is a mover and seeker, eager to improve self awareness, self growth and creativity in clients. She is passionate about instilling love of life and movement, as well as ego strengthening for long-term benefits. She believes everyone deserves to make art.

Serena is an emerging theatre artist and dancer who teaches French Through Theatre, assists with the Young Drama Program, choreographs and teaches dance for MCT’s summer camps.

She is a graduate of John Abbott College’s Professional Theatre Acting program and is currently pursuing a BFA in Performance Creation at Concordia University. Serena has also trained in multiple dance styles for nearly a decade at Studio 95 Dance Complex and brings her multi-disciplinary experience to her work with young performers.

Zoe is a versatile pianist, singer, conductor, and composer based in Montreal. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance and a Master’s in Conducting from McGill University. As a singer, she was a member of the McGill Opera and the Université de Montréal Musical Theater Company. From 2013 to 2017, she served as the musical and artistic director of the Phoenix Musical Company and currently conducts the South Shore Children's Chorus and is the music director at Kensington Presbyterian Church.

Her extensive piano and music directing credits include Wicked, Once Upon a Mattress, Beauty and the Beast, The Wedding Singer, Next to Normal, Shrek, the Wizard of Oz, Rent, Beautiful: The Carol King Musical, The Little Mermaid, Mamma Mia, Mean Girls, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Tuck Everlasting, The Drowsy Chaperone, and The Pirates of Penzance. She has co-written several children’s musicals and is passionate about nurturing the next generation of performers through her work in youth theatre.