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About Us

We strive to provide a Total Theatre Experience in a safe, inclusive, and fun environment. 

Established in 1988, by Richard O'Brien, at the Red Deer College, Tree House Youth Theatre has been providing extraordinary theatrical experiences for youth in central Alberta for the past 35 years. We do this by utilizing a Total Theatre Experience approach by allowing for multiple opportunities for youth to try out everything that theatre has to offer, including:

  • Acting, Design (Costumes/Lights/Props/Set/Sound), Directing, Stage Management, and Backstage Crew

Total Theatre Experience. Modern theatre requires a team of people, and the theatre industry rewards those with a diverse set of theatre skills. This program will teach industry standards in theatre creation, which includes acting, writing, directing, stage management, design, and running crew.

Each January and June we present works that have been created by our participants and alumni. These larger scale productions will be staged on the Red Deer Memorial Centre Main Stage and various other venues around central Alberta. Each production will be written, performed, directed, stage managed, and designed by our participants. Work created by our Theatre Program goes through a process of workshops called dramaturgy. 

We perform our plays in Treaty 6 and Treaty 7, where First Nations, Metis, and Inuit have been sharing their stories for generations. We are primarily located in Wawaskeso Sipi (Red Deer).

We are a safe and supportive space for all individuals. THYT celebrates Pride Month every June to show our support for the LGBTQ+ community, especially those that participate, volunteer, and/or work with THYT.

Our Artistic Team

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Albertus Koett (He/Him)

Artistic Director
2018-Present

Oversees overall artistic direction of THYT, leads Theatre and Film Program (Ages 13-17)

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Aaron Vanderweg (He/Him)

Program Leader
2023-Present

Oversees the overall direction of the Theatre Program (Ages 9-12)

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Braden Guido (He/Him)

Technical Director
2021-Present

Oversees all technical aspects of THYT including stage management and design.

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Gwendolyn McCagg (She/Her)

Costume Design
2008-Present

Gwendolyn maintains all of the THYT costumes, and oversees the costumes design of our programs.

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Vahn-James McCagg
(They/Them)

Fight Director/THYT Assistant
2022-Present

As an FDC Certified Fight Choreographer, Vahn joins THYT as a professional mentor this season. In addition to ensuring all of our stage combat is done to industry standards, they will also be leading a stage combat workshop twice in the season, and it will be open to all THYT 2022/23 participants at no additional cost. 

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Cassandra Klaudt
(She/Her)

THYT Assistant
2022-Present

As a teacher, Cassandra has experience working with children and youth of all ages. She is a graduate of the Bachelor of Education Middle Years Collaborative Program with Red Deer Polytechnic and the University of Alberta, and is looking forward to applying her knowledge of designing for learning in a theatre setting

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Nicole Leal
(She/Her)

Associate Artistic Director
2022-Present

Nicole oversees the overall direction of the Theatre Program (Ages 9-12). Nicole will be taking a break from THYT for the 2023/24 season as she and her family welcome a new baby in 2023!

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