Ingrid Bilton
Upon graduation from the University of Winnipeg Theatre Arts Program, Ingrid received her teaching degree at the University of Alberta. In Edmonton Ingrid enjoyed a long career teaching Drama and English in the public school system to students with a wide variety of ages and ability levels. More than anything, Ingrid believes in the transformative power of drama education in the life of a child. “What subject,” she reflects, “is better suited to explore the human condition, to promote compassion, and to foster mental discipline.” Ingrid is delighted to remain in touch with dozens of former students, many of whom have gone on to distinguish themselves in theatre and film careers.
Since arriving on the coast in 2007, Ingrid has been actively involved with the Driftwood Players as actor, director, stage manager and assistant producer. She is a co-founder and instructor with DTS, and has directed many of our productions, including “The Glass Slipper”, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”, “Alice in Wonderland”, “All the World’s a Stage”, “The (Almost) Totally True Story of Hansel and Gretel”, and “Mother Goose is Eaten By Werewolves”.
Sandi McGinnis
After studying 3 years with the renowned instructors from the Pasadena Playhouse in Los Angeles, Sandi graduated her double major in English and Theatre Arts Intensive with Honors and a Theatre Award. Since her return to Canada in 1976 she has worked in the professional Vancouver Theatre scene off and on over the years.
For more than 30 years her major projects have been focused in our local Theatre Community. She has collaborated with various groups and individuals on a variety of theatre, dance and music adventures. In 1983 she became a Director on the Board of the Sunshine Coast Arts Council and in 1989 she co-produced a 10 day Arts Festival. She continued producing travelling artists’ productions and creating original local performance events at the Arts Council for next 12 years.
In 2001 she became a technician at Heritage Playhouse. Currently she is President of Driftwood Players and was a founding member of the Driftwood Theatre School. 2015 marked the beginning of her work as a Coordinator for Speech and Dramatic Arts on the Board of the Sunshine Coast Festival of the Performing Arts with a view to rebuilding a forum for the talents of young and mature orators and actors.
As well as producing and technical theatre, Sandi has designed and painted sets, created costumes, acted, directed, adapted prose for performance and written a one woman play.
“It is a wonderful honour to witness the personal growth of our students as they develop into skilled thespians and expand their horizons in the world at large. The magic of theatre is truly a transformative experience for everyone involved.”
Gabriel Leonard Ditmars
Gabriel Leonard Ditmars is a locally raised actor, dancer, writer, general arts enthusiast, childcare worker, farm worker and camp leader. He is celebrating his 12th year being involved with Driftwood Theatre School – he received regular training and performance opportunities from D.T.S. for over half of his life and this upcoming fall/spring semester will be his fourth semester as an instructor for D.T.S. Other theatrical acting training of interest includes regular Young Shakespearians workshops at Bard On The Beach and a fascinating “Introduction to Meisner Technique” workshop with Evan Schulte. Gabriel loves the performing arts and teaches tap dance and acting classes with passion and care. He also has helped create LAMBS games (the brand new, local, live action, medieval battle society), which incorporates foam swords and lots of acting! He hopes to make this semester a transformative and encouraging experience for all who take his acting classes and he appreciates the countless ways that theatre training has changed his life for the better.
Sally Williams
Sally’s formal training began at The Ryerson Theatre School, Acting Division. In the 1980’s her attention turned to somatic inquiry and dance. Sally holds a BA in Dance from Simon Fraser University. Her five-year collaboration with writer Valen Watson began in 1990.
Kokol from Massett (Raven Winter) was performed at the Vancouver Fringe Festival, the Hollywood Court Theatre, LA and The Theatre for Young Spectators, Kirov, Russia.
Sally taught for the Developmental Drama program at Edmonton’s Citadel Theatre and for the Alberta Department of Culture in performing arts outreach initiatives. In Vancouver, Sally initiated study and performance opportunities generously supported by the North Shore Unitarian Church. She taught Dramatic Art at Vancouver Waldorf High School while studying at the Steiner Collage in Sacramento, California.
Since 2008, Sally has performed and taught with Driftwood Players, iSaW Theatre, Off the Page, and other initiatives on the Sunshine Coast.
Evan Schulte
Evan has been engaged in the art and craft of acting for over twenty-five years. A former graduate of SchoolCreative and The True Acting Institute, he is an insightful and passionate teacher of the Meisner Technique since 2014 which he learned under the instruction and guidance of renowned teacher, Larry Silverberg. He has appeared in numerous commercials, theatrical productions, and film and television roles, including a recurring role in Smallville for 3 seasons.
His Heart of Meisner class was voted as one of the best in Vancouver by local actors in 2020. He is also a self-published author and co-host of the Way of the Artist podcast.
Tara Blasco
This is Tara’s second year teaching with the Driftwood Theatre school. She has had a life long relationship with theatre and loves to share her enthusiasm and skills with kids of all ages. A professional actor for 30 years, Tara is also an Early Childhood Educator with drama teaching experience for children Ages 3 to 18 years old.
Tara Blasco is a multi-hyphenate creative and community engagement artist, often seen performing in out of the ordinary performance spaces (think forests, parks, warehouses, libraries and big box stores). She is passionate about the healing, transformative power of theatre for all audiences in all places and spaces.
This year Tara will be offering a playful, fun filled class for kids and their caregivers. Come prepared to move, sing, tell jokes and stories and just clown around in the spirit of joyful communication and connection!
Michael Gurney
Michael Gurney is a new addition to the Driftwood Theatre School team, with diverse experience in the world of media and performance. Michael has produced and broadcast events for many types of audiences — corporate networks, community groups, and theatrical audiences. He is a graduate of the University of King’s College journalism program; he was news director at CiTR-FM during his years at the University of British Columbia. He has produced, directed and appeared in theatre productions throughout his life, and spent two years as general manager of the Lester Centre of the Arts in Prince Rupert. Michael is also an exuberant newspaper arts and culture writer, communications consultant and application developer who loves fusing different disciplines in search of artistic integrity.
