Imperial Theatre - Board of Directors

Board of Directors of Theatre Sarnia

The Board is comprised of thirteen Directors from within the membership of Theatre Sarnia chosen by a Nominating Committee to provide the skill sets required to implement the Strategic Plan. The term of office for a Director is usually 3 years and a Director may sit for a maximum of two terms.

To apply for a Board Position, a prospective candidate must fill out an application form that is available under the Theatre Sarnia tab. Directors are presented to the membership for ratification at the Annual General Meeting held each September.

The following comprise the Board of Directors of Theatre Sarnia for 2011 - 2012 :

Scott Palko - President
Frank Canino
Anna Cantalini
Andrew Hadley
Carol Kennedy
Jake Kloet
John L'Heureux
Jennifer Murray
Jay Peckham
Ron Prior
Dan Tidball
Joan Walker
Dan White

Theatre Sarnia Board of Directors

Scott Palko, President - Born and raised in Sarnia, Scott is a 2003 graduate of the University of NotreDame with a dual degree in Business and Theology. Scott is the Owner and President of CCI Studios– a Marketing firm that has a strong presence in Sarnia, Toronto and Indiana. In addition to CCI, Scott co-founded Sarnia Connects, a local networking group that links 18-35 year old career-driven professionals and Scott's volunteer service includes serving as Vice-President of both the Big Sisters of Sarnia-Lambton Board of Directors and the Vice President of The WorkPlace Group Board of Directors.Additionally, he co-founded and is the Chair of the Board of Directors of Sarnia Gives – an online volunteer centre and he co-founded Get The Ball Rolling - a Testicular Cancer Awareness Event. Scott also sits on the Board of Directors of Bluewater Health and the Sarnia Police Services. Personally, Scott enjoys coaching S.M.A.A. football, working out and running.

Frank Canino - After working for a major oil company for 38 years in the marketing and management end of the business, Frank found a home with Theatre Sarnia. He has been involved with the theatre since 2002 in a number of different capacities primarily behind the scenes in set construction, décor, sound design and operation. He is grateful for the opportunity to serve on the board which he has admired over the years for its dedicated volunteers and their varied skills and passion for bringing community theatre to life. He hopes you do not hesitate to get to know him.

Anna Cantalini - Anna was born and raised in Sarnia. She attended York University in Toronto where she was accepted into the Acting Conservatory and obtained her Honours Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre. She remained in Toronto for 10 years after graduating, and worked in the theatre and film industry appearing in theatre productions, (Game Show, Threepenny Opera, King Lear, Trojan Women...to name a few) short films and a few commercials too! She has also worked behind the scenes in theatre as a director for small workshop productions and has been an active leader in fundraising campaigns for independent not-for-profit theatre productions in Toronto. After 5 years of working professionally in the industry, she changed gears and went back to school to become a Registered Massage Therapist. She attended Sutherland-Chan School and Teaching Clinic and graduated with honours and was also elected Valedictorian of her graduating class. She had a successful practice in a rehabilitation clinic in Toronto and also went on to teach Anatomy and Orthopaedic Assessment at Sutherland-Chan School. She was also a member of the Core Faculty at Sutherland-Chan and thereby involved in creating course content and reviewing curriculum standards. In April 2010 she and her husband returned to Sarnia. She set up her massage therapy practice at Sarnia Community Care Physiotherapy, but is currently on Maternity Leave. Her most recent accomplishment is the birth of her beautiful daughter Sofia who was born in February 2011.

Andrew Hadley - Andrew is currently a Manager at Scotiabank, here in Sarnia. He currently serves the community on Boards such as the Local Immigration Partnership, Chamber of Commerce Economic Development and as a Committee Member for Big Brothers and Big Sisters.

Carol Kennedy - Carol has served on the Board of Directors for a number of years and has participated on many committees, including co-chairing the 2006 Theatre Ontario Festival. She served as President for 2 years and is currently past President. Carol is the Chair of the Production Committee and enjoys her involvement with Theatre Sarnia shows. Carol retired in 2008 after a 35-year career as an elementary teacher. Theatre Sarnia has provided her with a challenging outlet for her free time. Now there is travelling in the future with her husband Bob. Carol and Bob have 4 grown children and Carol has a new role...she is Ben's Grandma.

Jake Kloet - Originally from Edmonton, Jacob Kloet took a vacation to visit family in Sarnia and fell in love with the city immediately. Soon after Jacob left Edmonton to begin his life in Sarnia and he hasn’t looked back. Jacob quickly immersed himself into the community volunteering for a number of different events and organizations. Jacob brings to the Theatre Sarnia a background in Business having completed his Bachelor of Management Degree in 2008 and working as an Insurance Broker for just over a year. Jacob looks forward to working together with Theatre Sarnia Members and fellow Board Members to help propel forward the one of the most distinguished live theatre organizations in Ontario’s history.

John L’Heureux - John has been with Theatre Sarnia for over 25 year, and is presently a life member of the group. He has been involved in various capacities with theatre productions in the role as director, producer, stage manager, set construction, to name a few. John was also a past Board member in the late 80’s. John is a retiree from Imperial Oil after 39 yrs of service. He and his wife owned Small Corners Gift Shop in the 80’s and 90’s. John worked along with Peter Henderson in a number of theatre productions for Polysar Glee Club and Bluewater Musical Productions.

Jennifer Murray - Jennifer is an active member of Theatre Sarnia and has been involved in many shows since 2010. Some of her past Board experience includes the Lambton College Alumni association and the Physician's Recruitment Task Force.

Jay Peckham - Jay has been an active member of Theatre Sarnia for close to ten years, having been involved in 14 productions and number of other creative ventures. Most notably, he starred in Theatre Sarnia’s production of Neil Simon’s “Jake’s Women”, a play that went on to win the WODL Festival and finish well at Theatre Ontario. He has also recently directed the farcical “Don’t Dress for Dinner”. Originally from Niagara Falls, he has been involved in theatre since he was very young, including the Mariposa Arts Theatre in Orillia and the Goderich Little Theatre, where he was also a Board member. He has now lived in Sarnia for almost 20 years and is the proud husband of Catherine, and father to Emily, Jack, and Nic. Jay is currently a student at Lambton College, completing the post-graduate Human Resource Management course on his way towards the CHRP designation. His most recent employment includes over ten years with the St. Clair Catholic District School Board in their central administrative offices in Wallaceburg. A graduate of both Business and Information Technology, he found himself in many challenging roles there and in his previous experience with retail and restaurant management. He has been a volunteer in the community for many years with TVCogeco, and was also instrumental in the development and fundraising efforts for “Amanda’s Challenge”. Jay looks forward to contributing greatly to the theatre community in the years to come in both administrative and creative roles.

Ron Prior - Ron is a Sarnia resident, who is recently retired after 17 years of running his own business. He has also finished his tenure as Chair of the Board of Directors for the Physician's Recruitment Task Force and is past President of Seawy Kiwanis and past Chair of the Children's Animal Farm Foundation.

Dan Tidball -

Joan Walker - Joan resides in Point Edward and had a very successful 30 year career as a Real Estate Broker and Home Builder. Currently, she volunteers as a front-of-house staff for Theatre Sarnia.

Dan White - Dan is a resident of Sarnia and teacher at SCITS secondary school. He has been an active member of Theatre Sarnia for over 15 years - being involved both on and off stage. He is currently a Member of both the Theatre Sarnia Production and Governance Committees