Artistic Team

Heather Dick, Artistic Director

Heather Dick is an accomplished performer, director and acting instructor who loves to bring humour into every aspect of her work. She has worked across Canada performing in, directing or producing more than 70 shows and is a highly sought-after acting coach. Working in both English and French, and in a variety of theatrical styles, she has been directing for over 24 years.

Heather graduated from Queen’s University (BA Hons. with majors in both Drama and French), and between performing commitments, followed up her formal studies by attending the summer Master Drama Program (acting) in Banff, Alberta and training under several master coaches in Toronto. She continues to study in order to keep on top of her field while performing, directing and teaching. In recent years, she has also branched out into writing plays and short stories.

Over the last 25 years, Heather has coached and taught acting workshops for several Toronto studios, Ryerson Polytechnic University (Dance Program), the Theatre Ontario Summer Courses Program, and many community theatres as well as for the Sirius Theatrical Company. Since 2004, she has been a drama and creative writing artist with the Learning Through The Arts and the Living Through The Arts programs of the Royal Conservatory of Music.

In 1989 Heather founded the SIRIUS THEATRICAL COMPANY in response to both her own need to explore new and diverse performance opportunities, and the need of emerging artists to work with, and be mentored by, established professionals in all theatre disciplines. For the Company and the Lakeshore community, Heather recently directed the highly successful production of MAIL-ORDER ANNIE which marked the Company's initiation into the world of school matinee performances. In December 2006, she directed TAPESTRY OF DREAMS, a multi-dimensional stage performance infused with dance, music, drama, photography and visual art. TAPESTRY OF DREAMS was the culminating event in DREAMWEAVERS, 6-month project produced by the Company and funded by the City of Toronto Culture Division - TO Live With Culture. And, in June 2006, Heather co-wrote, directed, performed in and produced the highly acclaimed STREETHEARTS, a new play developed by the Sirius Theatrical Company Collective and set in the heart of the South Etobicoke Lakeshore community.

Film and TV credits include roles in: RESIDENT EVIL: APOCALYPSE, PROM NIGHT III, FORBIDDEN FRUIT, TALK TO ME (MOW), and episodes of THE JUDGE (6), WILD CARD and SCALES OF JUSTICE (CBC). Favourite stage acting credits include: Marjorie in the one woman tour de force, JEWEL, Sally in TALLEY’S FOLLY, Poppy in NOISES OFF and Doris in SAME TIME NEXT YEAR. She has performed with Kawartha Summer Theatre, Lunchbox Theatre (Calgary), the Great Canadian Theatre Co. (Ottawa), Stage West, (Toronto), the Banff Festival, Sudbury Theatre Centre, Huron County Playhouse and the Sirius Theatrical Company, to name a few.

Marianne McIsaac

Marianne McIsaac has worked for over 30 years as a theatre professional. She graduated from the University of Windsor with a B.F.A. in performance and was very busy in the late 70’s and 80’s with acting roles in television and feature films. In 1996, Marianne was invited to guest lecture at The Ryerson University Theatre School and has continued to teach acting there part-time.

Marianne garnered a Genie nomination for Best Supporting Actress in Robin Spry’s SUZANNE and an ACTRA nomination for Best Actress in a Series for her role in Norman Lear’s THE BAXTERS with Megan Follows. She also landed the starring role in a U.S. soap opera called HIGH HOPES which aired across Canada. Guest appearances include ANOTHER WORLD, THE LITTLEST HOBO with Keenan Wynn, and SUE THOMAS F.B. EYE.

Favourite stage roles include Lenny in CRIMES OF THE HEART, Nina in THE SEAGULL and Helen in W.O. Mitchell’s THE KITE with David Fox. Marianne has performed with The Blyth Festival, Factory Theatre lab, The St. Lawrence Centre, Theatre New Brunswick, Magnus Theatre (Thunder Bay), The Gryphon Theatre (Barrie) and Theatre Plus, to name a few.

For the past 15 years, she has concentrated on directing for the stage and is particularly interested in the development of new Canadian scripts. For the Ryerson Theatre Company Marianne has directed THE LARAMIE PROJECT, THE HOUSE OF BERNARDA ALBA and all six of George F. Walker’s one-acts from SUBURBAN MOTEL. She has also consulted as both dramaturge and story editor on several projects.

Christie Heath

Christie Heath is a certified Laban Movement Analyst and Bartenieff Fundamentals Practitioner as well as a Dance Notator, Instructor and Stage Manager. She has taught ballet, jazz, tap, musical theatre, dance fitness and creative movement for the Swansea School of Dance, The City of Toronto, The Columbus Centre, DanceFit Studio, High Park Fitness, York University and George Brown Dance. She was the Artistic Coordinator of George Brown Dance for nine years where she also taught Dance History, Dance Studies, Production and Professional Development. Christie has taught workshops in Laban Movement Studies and Labanotation, as well as dance, for such organizations as Ballet Jorgen Canada, York University, The Randolph Academy, The Peel Board of Education, The Toronto District School Board and The Studio School of Dance. She has been a guest lecturer for York University and Ballet Jorgen Canada and, from 2004 through 2009, she was a rehearsal director of THE NUTCRACKER Youth Cast for Ballet Jorgen Canada. Currently, Christie is raising her two young children and also working as a Birth Doula and Childbirth Educator.