Emerge 2025: Directory

Tyler Herzberg is an actor based in Edmonton, Alberta. He is exciting to continue growing more and more in the craft of acting, whether on stage or in front of the camera, and getting to tell stories he is passionate about.

Tyler has training both through the Musical Theatre Performance Diploma program at MacEwan University and the BFA Acting at the University of Alberta. This training has allowed him to work with instructors such as Dawn Sadoway, David Ley, Jean-Pierre Fournier, and Mike Kennard as well as with guest directors like Jovanni Sy and David Horak. Selected credits include Leonardo Da Vinci in the University of Alberta’s ABBEDAM production of Bottecelli in The Fire by Jordan Tannehill and Collum in the University of Alberta’s 2024 main stage production of David Paquet’s play Wildfire directed by Jovanni Sy. Along with his theatrical training Tyler was able to do a film acting class under Chantal Perron which has become a medium he is very passionate about.

Tyler is also a confident mover having spent years working on both formal choreography as well as performer created movement and has had experience being fight captain for multiple shows in the past.

Email hidden; Javascript is required.

Kristin is honoured to perform for members of our theatre community as an emerging artist! She is a recent graduate from the Ambrose University Acting Diploma where she got the privilege to work with and learn from many working artists, instructors, directors, performers and more in the Calgary theatre community and is thrilled to be able to showcase what she has learned in her three years of studies. Kristin has been acting since she was young, and is a graduate from Central Memorial High School’s PVA: Theatre program. Select credits include: Silent Sky (Fire Exit Theatre) Twelfth Night, The Comedy of Errors (The Shakespeare Company) A Midsummer Night's Dream, Shakespeare's Dog (CMHS).

Email hidden; Javascript is required.

Alexandra Lepage (she/they) is a French-Canadian born and raised in Alberta. She has performed in both English and French throughout the years and is in her fourth year in the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting program at the University of Alberta. Her recent credits include Claudine and Caroline in Wildfire (University of Alberta), various roles in [BLANK] (University of Alberta), and her upcoming roles in The Laramie Project (University of Alberta). She looks forward to telling stories in English and/or in French after graduation.

Email hidden; Javascript is required.

Jessica Ramisch is a Chinese Canadian with mixed ancestry, born and raised in Edmonton, AB, and soon to be a graduate of Ambrose University. Through Ambrose, she has been trained in Meisner Acting, Stage Combat, Clown & Mask, Jazz dance, and Voice (Speech, Dialect & Singing). Outside of Ambrose has been trained in Musical theatre & Pop Style singing from 2015-2023. Her acting credits include Twelfth Night & The Comedy of Errors in Rep. with The Shakespeare Company, Silent Sky with Fire Exit Theatre, Cry Baby the Musical with Leduc Drama Society, Beauty and the Beast with Festival Players, and Triangle Fire Factory Play at the Walterdale theatre. Jessica is also an emerging playwright who is developing her craft and is eager to pursue directing. Jessica is passionate about presenting theatre that challenges audiences to think new ideas, grow in perspective, and feel through shared human experiences, using storytelling as the catalyst for connection.

Email hidden; Javascript is required.

Sam is an Edmonton based artist, and a recent graduate of the University of Alberta’s BA Honors program with a drama major and a minor in creative writing. He’s an actor, singer, director, and playwright with experience in physical comedy, clown, dialect work, vocal performance, Shakespeare, dance, devised, and scripted theatre and has performed internationally. Select acting credits include: One Man, Two Guvnors (ABBEDAM 2024), Train One to Coal Valley (Edmonton Fringe 2023/New Works Festival 2023), Way To Go Neil: A New Musical (Edmonton Fringe 2022), Romeo and/or Juliet (Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2018). Select directing credits include: Marat/Sade (University of Alberta 2024), I’ll Go With You (New Works Festival 2025), God of Carnage (University of Alberta 2023). He’s written several plays, musicals, and short films and was the Artistic Director of the New Works Festival 2024 season. He also won the New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest.

Email hidden; Javascript is required.

Jack Walker is preparing to receive his BFA in acting in 2025 from the University of Alberta, and has been acting professionally for over ten years in Amiskwacîwâskahikan (Edmonton) since his first appearance at the Edmonton Fringe Festival in 2013. From a young age, Jack has been drawn to the arts, as a way to mirror the world and reflect on tough questions and paradoxes that life contains. He has acted in several short films, one of which, "The Stonekiller" (2020), received an award of distinction at the Canada Shorts film festival in 2020. He has also enjoyed bringing new work to life as part of "Staged Theater Productions". Select theatre credits include: "Carter and the Train" (Staged Theater Productions), "The Frequency of Water" (Kaybridge Productions), "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" (UofA BFA Acting Program), and "Cloud Nine" (UofA BFA Acting Program).

Email hidden; Javascript is required.

Kevin Thomas is a new graduate of MacEwan University's BFA program majoring in Music Theatre Performance. He is also a graduate of Nuova Vocal Arts 2024 where he performed as Thomas Andrews in Titanic and Carl Magnus in A Little Night Music. His MacEwan credits include Tom Hawkins in The Prom, Louis in Sunday in the Park with George, Kurt's Dad in Heathers, Aaron Schultz in Legally Blonde, Herr Sonnenstich in Spring Awakening, and Larry in Company. He is inspired by productions filled with comedy, passion, and moving social commentary. He cannot wait to get started within the thriving theatre scene here in Alberta!

Email hidden; Javascript is required.

Matthew Gregg is a new graduate of MacEwan University's BFA program majoring in Music Theatre Performance. His credits include: Pierre in Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812, Hunter in [title of show], Boatman in Sunday in the Park with George, Ram's Dad in Heathers, Georg in Spring Awakening, and David in Company. He has always had a love for comedic theatre and wants to continue fun and heartfelt storytelling. He is inspired by many Albertan artists and is so excited to start his acting career!

Email hidden; Javascript is required.

Emma Rielle is a queer and autistic writer and theatre maker from Canmore, and a recent graduate of the University of Alberta’s Bachelor of Arts program with a double major in Drama and English. Having gotten their start performing in various Shakespeare and TYA productions in their hometown, Emma’s time at university was spent writing, devising, and learning numerous acting and performance creation techniques, while simultaneously coming to terms with her autism diagnosis (and battling an unexpected bout of stage fright). Having come out the other side both stronger and happier, Emma’s artistic practice centers the queer and neurodiverse experience, often exploring concepts like overstimulation, social stigma, self-regulation and community building, both onstage and on the page. Recent acting credits include Esther in Act of Contrition (New Works 2025), Anne and Thomas in Sense & Sensibility (Canmore Summer Theatre Festival 2023), Ariadne in Minotaur, and Sebastian in Twelfth Night (CSTF 2021).

Email hidden; Javascript is required.

Chassidy Andrews is an emerging artist from Sherwood Park currently based in Edmonton. She is a recent graduate of MacEwan University’s Musical Theatre Performance BFA. Chassidy has a long time passion for comedic theatre and making people laugh, as well as creating a space where strong, loud and humorous artists can feel free to take up space and feel safe making bold choices. She also has a deep love for Spider-man and the colour orange. Credits include Dee Dee Allen in The Prom, Mrs. in Sunday in the Park with George, Fabian in Twelfth Night, Chutney in Legally Blonde and Jenny in Company (MacEwan University)

Email hidden; Javascript is required.

Andréus is an Edmonton-based actor who is super excited to take part in this year's Emerge. His theatre career began in Calgary, where he took part in his high school's musicals. After high school, Andréus moved to Edmonton where he would go through the Citadel Theatre's Young Musical Theatre Company and receive a BFA in Acting from The University of Alberta. From these programs, he was able to learn acting, singing, clown, dance, movement and stage combat from elite instructors. Now, with an eager spirit, Andréus is excited to spread his creativity as he engages in the world ahead as a professional actor. As he moves forward, his goal is to never stop exploring and go deeper into the art.
Selected theatre credits include Wildfire, [BLANK], and The Laramie Project (University of Alberta), Sheep Play (The Legion of Evil), and The Noteworthy Life of Howard Barnes: The Musical (Light In The Dark Theatre).

Email hidden; Javascript is required.

Karyssa is a bilingual theatre artist from Calgary. She studied acting at Rosebud School of the Arts, where she learned the importance of community, cooperation and story. She’s looking forward to joining the Alberta theatre community. Select theatre credits: Little Women The Broadway Musical, The Sound of Music (Rosebud Theatre). The Glass Menagerie, Almost, Maine (Rosebud School of the Arts). This summer you can find her onstage in Rosebud Theatre’s production of the world premier of Dream by Terry Bachynski. In her spare time she writes music, paints, and reads plays. Check her out on: https://karyssakomar.com/

Email hidden; Javascript is required.

Julie Koebel (They/Them) has recently graduated from the BFA in Acting at the University of Alberta. They come from the traditional unceded territories of the Katzie, Kwantlen, Matsqui and Seyome First Nations where they received a Diploma in Theatre for the Stage at Douglas College. Julie is now thrilled to live and work in Amiskwacîwâskahikan (Edmonton). Julie is inspired by nature, their community and taking joy in the small things. Selected theatre credits include: Orlando (Studio Theatre), Titanic: The Musical and A Little Night Music (Nuova Vocal Arts), A Midsummer Night's Dream, Cold, Hard, Panic! A Night of Clown, Cloud 9 (University of Alberta), The Ash Girl, Love/Sick (Douglas College), How to Survive the Apocalypse Without Really Trying, Once Upon a Fairytale (Capricorn Theatre Productions).

Email hidden; Javascript is required.

Rebecca Hanson is a proud African Canadian performer passionate about on and behind-the-scenes experiences for theatre and film. She began her artistic journey at an early age, starring as The Queen Mother in Cinderella and The Tsarina in Anastasia. Rebecca continued her training in Ambrose University’s Acting Diploma program, developing skills in stage combat, voice, acting, movement, and clown/mask. She also performed in two productions, in rep, including The Comedy of Errors (as The Duke of Ephesus, Dr. Pinch, and Officer) and Twelfth Night (as Feste, Antonio, and The Priest).
As an emerging artist, Rebecca is also passionate about choreographing, sound design, costume design, and hair and makeup styling. She is committed to expanding her versatility as an actor and creator, always eager to explore new aspects of the arts. With a drive to expand her skill repertoire, Rebecca is dedicated to growing both on stage and behind the scenes.

Email hidden; Javascript is required.

Ryan Leenheer is a passionate and charismatic emerging actor from Edmonton, currently completing the Mentorship Program in Theatre Arts at Rosebud School of the Arts. He is dedicated to telling stories of hope, especially in challenging times, and thrives on bringing characters to life with authenticity and heart. Recent performances include Edward in 'The Match Girl's Gift" at Rosebud School of the Arts, and John in "The Canadian Badlands Passion Play." This season, he is excited to return to the Passion Play as James, and to take on the role of Glen in "The Life History of the African Elephant" (self produced). Ryan’s training includes acting, singing, improv, and movement, and he enjoys exploring the intersection of theatre and storytelling that inspires audiences. He looks forward to future opportunities that allow him to create meaningful connections through performance.

Email hidden; Javascript is required.

Chris is a fourth year student in the Theatre Arts Program. Previous credits include Christmas Tide and Anatomy of Gray and Voice of the prairie (Rosebud School of the arts) The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe and The Trip To Bountiful (Rosebud Theatre), and the Canadian Badlands Passion Play. He would like to thank his friends and family for their support for his love for Storytelling.

Email hidden; Javascript is required.

Colby Kinsey is just finishing his 4th year in the BFA in Music Theatre Performance program at MacEwan University. Credits with MacEwan are Robert in "Company", Moritz in "Spring Awakening", Warner in "Legally Blonde", Andrew and Intimacy Captain in Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night", ensemble and Fight Captain in "Heathers: The Musical", and Trent Oliver in "The Prom". He has had training in multiple different dance genres, including hip hip, pop and lock, ballet, tap, jazz, and contemporary. He has a background in gymnastics and martial arts. He is very much looking forward to the opportunity of performing at RBC Emerge.

Email hidden; Javascript is required.

Nathaniel is a graduate of MacEwan University's BFA program with a major in Music Theatre Performance. Select MacEwan credits include Emmett Forrest in Legally Blonde: The Musical, Old Prince Bolkonsky in Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812, Soldier in Sunday In The Park With George and Ezekiel Cheever in The Crucible. Nathaniel has been surrounded by the arts his whole life participating in choirs, singing in quartets and acting in shows. Nathaniel enjoys working on shows with tight harmonies and complex music as these are areas he feels comfortable in and he enjoys the sound when it all comes together.

Email hidden; Javascript is required.

Jack Valentine is an actor, writer, and improviser graduating from the BFA Acting program at the University of Alberta. Throughout his time at the U of A he's performed in plays such as Sarah Ruhl’s Orlando, Moisés Kaufman's The Laramie Project, Alice Birch’s [BLANK], William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night's Dream and Caryl Churchill’s Cloud Nine. Outside of school he performs improv theatre as a member of Mean Streets Improv. He also wrote a science fantasy novel called Zero Point, which is set to be published and available for online order later this year. It will be the first of a planned series of six called The Saga of the Spirits, and he has already begun working on its sequel, The Carpedia Plummet. He is very excited to get his Emerge on with other brilliant young performers from across the province.

Email hidden; Javascript is required.

Sam Bronson is a actor and recent graduate from the BFA in Acting at the University of Alberta. He is based in Edmonton on Treaty 6 territory. He was most recently seen in "The Laramie Project" in Studio Theatre. Sam is passionate in particular about classical theatre and about new plays. Last year he helped create and performed in "638 Ways to Kill Castro" at the Edmonton Fringe, and he very excited to return to the festival this year in another new play, "Cadaver Synod".

Email hidden; Javascript is required.

Lisa Kotelniski (she/her) is a Ukrainian-Lebanese emerging artist born and raised in amiskwaciwâskahikan (Edmonton). Through storytelling, Lisa aims to foster connection, spark dialogue, and build community. At MacEwan, you may have seen her as Natasha in Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, Ensemble in Heathers, Viola in Twelfth Night, Brooke Wyndham in Legally Blonde, Wendla in Spring Awakening, and Marta in Company. She is also passionate about choreography, having served as the Associate Choreographer for Heathers and Assistant Choreographer for Legally Blonde. Dedicated to fostering community through the arts, Lisa organized the Better Together Benefit Concert at the Triffo Theatre last September, bringing together local artists and raising over $5,000 for Youth Empowerment and Support Services (YESS). Lisa was recently awarded MacEwan University’s President’s Medal for Academic Excellence and Leadership, recognizing her outstanding achievements in academics, the arts, and community engagement. Whether onstage or behind the scenes, Lisa strives to use art as a catalyst for empathy, advocacy, and change.

Email hidden; Javascript is required.

Jarin Ten Hove is an emerging artist based in Edmonton, Alberta (Amiskwaciwâskahikan). Jarin is passionate about new and emerging work having served for the University of Alberta’s New Works Festival, as well as Edmonton’s Grindstone Theatre for the past few years. A talented comic actor, Jarin excels at physical comedy with Clown credits such as The 39 Steps, and puppetry having just directed a new work entitled Arthur & Titi focusing on the disfunctional relationship between a man and his puppet beau. Jarin does not shy away from dramatic work focused on giving pathos to the human condition such as Marat/Sade playing Jacques Roux, a complex and troubled revolutionary jailed and beaten for his views. Jarin also has a hunger for film work, having done some independent short films within the city.

Email hidden; Javascript is required.

Nicole Maloney is a director, performer, clown and educator currently working on Treaty 6 territory. She recently graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Drama) and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta. Nicole's theatre practice is rooted in collaboration and the creation of spaces where discovery and risk-taking is encouraged; her focus in theatre currently lies in the development and creation of new works of theatre. Additionally, her experience working in theatre administration, with companies such as New Works Festival, ABBEDAM Productions, and the Jabulani Festival have given her an appreciation for the culmination of work that goes into a production. Recent credits include: I'll go with you (New Works Festival 2025), One Man Two Guvnors (ABBEDAM 2024), Let’s Not Turn on Each Other (Fringe 2024, Fringe Holdover Series 2024), OWEaDEBT (Fringe 2024, Fringe Holdover Series 2024), Lola (New Works Festival 2024), What Was Is All (Fringe 2023), A Flea in Her Ear (University of Alberta). Upcoming credits include: Televangelists (Nextfest 2025) and Reign Check (Skirtsafire, Found Fest 2025)

Email hidden; Javascript is required.

Amber is an emerging artist from Edmonton, Alberta, and is in her final year of the Music Theatre Performance BFA Program at MacEwan University. Amber is devoted to cultivating empathy through their work and sharing their love for art. Credits include Emma in The Prom, Heidi in [title of show], Martha/Ulbrecht in Spring Awakening, and Joanne in Company. Before her musical theatre journey began, she completed a year of study in the BA program in Contemporary Popular Music and Jazz (also at MacEwan University). She is passionate about jazz and theatre and strives to merge her love of both in everything she does. When she is not rehearsing, she can be found crafting new recipes in the kitchen, writing, or embarking on an outdoor adventure.

Email hidden; Javascript is required.

Luke has been attending Company of Rogues's Master Class program for the last 2 years. He is also a graduate of Sydney Film School, where he won a best supporting actor award for his role in the short film "Monarch". He has appeared in productions of Flowers for Algernon, Comedy of Errors and The Garden and has done voice over work for clients across North America.
As an aspiring actor, Luke enjoys challenging roles that allow him to continue to learn and grow in his craft. He also works as a video editor, enjoys playing and writing music, and is a professional artist.

Email hidden; Javascript is required.