(she/her)

Rachael currently serves as our Broadway Roulette instructor. She is lucky to be able to offer the kind of programming and classes that weren't available when she was young, and is excited every day to watch the youth (and adults!!) in our community grow in skills and confidence.

CLASSES:
Broadway Roulette, The Shakespearience, JR Resident Company (I have taught almost all the youth classes that we currently offer, and I often cover classes)

(they/them)

Mark Delaney is an award-winning Cape Breton actor. Though trained in Montreal at Concordia University, Mark owes much of his love of theatre for the vibrant scene right here in his native home. Mark has performed in over 50 productions and is a regular figure on Cape Breton stages.

HAT patrons may recognize him from shows like Billy Bishop Goes To War, Every Brilliant Thing, She Loves Me, Glace Bay Miner’s Museum, and many more. He’s also directed mainstage shows like The Glass Menagerie and Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors.

CLASSES:
Stage Acting For Adults

(she/her)

Suzanne Doane currently teaches the music/singing skills component of the Jr. Resident Company, as well as Music Directing with various HAT mainstage projects from time to time. Apart from holding a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Dalhousie University, she has been teaching vocal music, playing and teaching many instruments, writing musicals, and arranging/writing songs for over 40 years (all of which she enjoys very much). Working with the staff at the HAT Academy and with so many students interested in music and musical theatre is very rewarding, and an exciting part of her week. She also has three amazing children and two wonderful cats.

CLASSES:
JR. Resident Company, Reading Music For Beginners, Ukulele For Kids, Ukulele For Adults

(he/him)

Alex studied Comedy Writing and Performance at the Humber School of Creative and Performing Arts in Toronto, Ontario, earning an Excellence Award from the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation in recognition of "outstanding academic achievement, service to the community, and interest in innovation." He has been teaching both young and old alike at the HAT since 2019, with a focus on acting and improvisation, though his favourite class to teach is Scriptwriting and the Fundamentals of Storytelling — part writing workshop, part media studies, covering films, TV, comic books, and video games. The most rewarding part of his work at the HAT Academy has always been showing the ropes to those who might never have set foot on stage or had a script produced, but who have a passion and an interest and the courage to show up and play.

CLASSES:
Improv For Adults, Teen Resident Company, Adult Resident Company, The Fundamentals Of Scriptwriting

(she/her)

Andrea began her dance training at Cape Breton School of the Arts under the direction of Susan Gallop, where she was fortunate to continue teaching styles such as tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, hip hop. Her teaching expanded to then include classes with the HAT Academy and various independent opportunities with other local studios. Andrea is certified through the Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers (ADAPT) syllabus. This program enables its teachers to master fundamentals and the technical side of dance instruction. Andrea’s number one focus when teaching is to ensure that everyone feels comfortable expressing themselves through movement and has FUN! The HAT and specifically the Academy holds a special place in her heart, as it is a space where people can discover new skills, gain confidence and build lasting memories and friendships. Whether you are a familiar face or new to the HAT Academy, Andrea loves learning about every student who passes through the door. Continuing to spread the joy of dance is what she plans to do for many years to come!

CLASSES:
Teen Resident Company, Adult Resident Company, Beginner Tap For Adults

(she/her)

Ashley Buckingham is a Voice and Musical Theatre Instructor with over 20 years experience as a professional performer in Cape Breton. In 2020 she joined the HAT Academy faculty as a music instructor, leading a variety of vocal skill based classes and workshops, as well as providing musical direction for several JR Productions. Most recently, she has added Private Vocal Lessons to her repertoire, offered exclusively through the HAT Academy.

CLASSES:
Private Vocal Instruction, JR Sings, Adult Sings, “JR” JR Resident Company, Teen Resident Company, Adult Resident Company

(she/her)

Hey dancers! My name is Sasha, and I am a dance instructor at the academy. I have been teaching dance at different studios for 5 years now, and have a plethora of experience in different styles of dance. I am so lucky to have a spot at the academy, and cannot wait to see you in class.

CLASSES:
"JR" JR Resident Company, JR Resident Company, Early Teen Resident Company

(he/him)

Hello! Coming up through the classes of the HAT Academy, I was in awe of the talent and dedication of each of the teachers that guided my theatrical education. Now, I’m honoured to get the chance to help foster the same love of art and performance I developed years ago, within the next generation of young performers. My classes are focused in acting and performance, using those skills as a way to express yourself. Within those classes we explore play and creation - with a strong emphasis on allowing yourself to be silly and impulsive in the name of fun and creativity!

CLASSES:
”JR” JR Resident Company, Let’s Play! JR

(she/her)

Hello! I am Sarah Helle and I have been very passionate about the Highland Arts Theatre for some time now. I first became passionate about theatre when I was about 6, doing small shows with my mom, and then moving on to do theatre myself. I am also very passionate about teaching. Cadets gave me this passion and it’s been a huge part of my life. It is so exciting to get to mix my two passions together at the HAT Academy. I teach the Let’s Play! classes this upcoming semester., and it is so fulfilling seeing young students get excited about theatre! I look forward to keep this passion alive and hope to make other people passionate about it too!

CLASSES:
Let’s Play!