CAST filled a niche within a segment of the teen population that needed a creative outlet to show not only what their talents had to offer, but create within a critical mass that transcended what mere talent could achieve. The productions quickly gained a reputation for staging high-quality and highly entertaining shows, selling out many performances. One of the highlights of any production is the sitzprobe rehearsal where the cast gets to literally “sit and rehearse” with the orchestra for the first time. Impressions run both ways – the cast is always delighted with the first sounds of the orchestra, and players equally impressed with the talents of the cast.

Chuck teaches at Woodstock Collegiate, where the RedPlayers programme has been staging musicals every year since 2002. He has also continued with TW STAGES company, which follows in the traditions established by the Paquettes.

His favourite CAST memory is inventing ‘Pie Pants’, a camp game where you threw some pie into some pants!

Zach has since earned a diploma in Comedy: Writing and Performance at Humber College, and is now living in Toronto, regularly writing and performing comedy around the city.

It would be impossible to choose one favourite memory, but the moments that stand out were when kids conquered things they didn’t think they could do!

Christina is the owner and artistic director of Artistic Movement (est. 2010) where she continues to teach dance and tell stories. She also continues her work as a freelance choreographer, teacher, and director! Sincerest thanks to Jen for always believing in people more than they believe in themselves.

CAST came at a very important time in Mike’s life. And not only once! In high school, CAST gave him the opportunity to be a part of a very loving and welcoming community. It helped him gain the confidence he needed to let his true self shine.

It’s impossible for Mike to share just one memory of CAST because it’s a series of moments that create a whole experience — all the laughter, collaborating, facing challenges, celebrating success, fitting in and sticking out, all happen at the same time to create life changing experiences.

Mike is now working at United Way Oxford, fundraising to better his community. Something he truly has come to appreciate through lessons he’s learned being a part of CAST. He is also VP of Theatre Woodstock — working to offer the same experience and opportunities that he has been so lucky to have himself.

Memories of years working with amazing young artists and incredible staff will always remind her of how teamwork produces the best results, on and off stage. 

Her favourite CAST memory will always be working with J and John, creating and laughing, and loving every minute of it. She also cherishes the time she got to teach her own song, “Music for Everyone”, as a summer camp song.

CAST taught Betty that there is nothing on earth more gratifying than working with kids of all ages, while encouraging them to be themselves and learn the courage it takes to do so, onstage and off.  Betty has CAST to thank for the many, many opportunities to watch people grow not only as singers, dancers, and actors, but also into fine human beings — she is grateful to have played a small part of that process.

Sue’s favourite CAST memories were helping actors having shining little moments that they didn’t know they were capable of.

Today, Sue is living in London, Ont, involved in community and indie theatre there. She still spends time with young people by teaching business at Fanshawe College.

Don believes that CAST had a very real sense of community and family. Watching the young people grow up through the ranks was an amazing experience. Seeing that many are married with children of their own makes him feel very old!

Don cites the opening night of Pippin — a technically complicated show that wowed the audience as a real highlight for him. You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown is a close second.

Don is retired now, but still enjoys watching from the audience!

Kayla says, “CAST meant so much to me as a performer and as an artist. I was put on the path that I am still exploring — where would I be without it? Maybe in a completely different field. Being given the space and the tools to explore my creativity and artistry was the real gift.”

A favourite CAST memory was working with her best friend, Emily, during summer camp, and getting to play Wendy to Em’s Peter Pan.

Kayla is currently a professional music theatre performer, teacher, and choreographer, and has worked in some of Canada’s most acclaimed houses, including The Stratford Festival, Drayton Entertainment and the Charlottetown Festival. She will be seen next at the Shaw Festival in late 2019.

Her favourite CAST moments were always 9:30 on Saturday mornings when everyone would head into the auditorium buzzing with excitement about what they’d learned that weekend.

Maddy is currently completing a Bachelor’s of Arts in History at the University of Guelph. 

CAST was where Lori learned how to empower and share the gift of creativity through theatre. Lori has many happy memories creating with her CAST family, but her favourite memory was when her daughter Maddie and her friend Betty’s daughter, Desiree shared a special moment on stage that Jen created. 

Lori has taken the gifts she was given from her time with CAST and now owns/operates Maloney’s Musical Theatre and Our Studio — where people of all abilities have space to create and perform.  Lori would like to thank Jen for believing in her and giving her the opportunity to learn and share.

Taylor can’t count the number of ways that CAST has helped to shape her into the person she is today; from confidence building, to learning time and stress management, to public speaking, to leadership skills. Taylor quoted Jen Paquette at work recently, when she ran a meeting and explained “pace vs. speed” in the context of sales.

One of Taylor’s favourite CAST memories was leading the summer camp dance from the auditorium aisle after looking up to her own choreographer in the same spot when she was young. It meant so much to her that she danced down the same aisle on her wedding day, years later.

Since CAST, Taylor has obtained a BFA in Dance from York University, and currently teaches, and trains other teachers while managing one of Canada’s top Arthur Murray dance studios in Toronto. She still sees fellow CAST kids on a regular basis —  they are some of the most sunshine-filled humans she knows. Once a CAST kid, always a CAST kid.

Her very favourite CAST memory is that moment each year when the camp dance became the camp dance-off: Staff vs. Kids!

Since CAST, Hayley has received a diploma in Music Theatre (Randolph Academy) and is now completing her degree in Creative Industries (Ryerson University). Hayley has CAST to thank for helping her realize her greatest wish: to make art accessible and sustainable for people of all kinds and abilities.

Teale was fortunate enough to wear many hats at CAST, from counsellor to head counsellor, from running sound to working as a choreographer and then music director — but her most favourite hat was the one she got to wear through it all  — being a CAST kid.

There are too many favourite memories to count, filled with laughter and silliness, but the ones she holds most dear are the quiet, breakdown moments. The life events and heartbreak that would otherwise have left her lost, gave her inspiration and strength because of the incredible community that held her up and held her close.

Teale’s love for Music Theatre has never wavered, and after obtaining her Degree in Music Theatre Performance at Sheridan, she is currently on the path to one day teach in that very same program. It’s thanks to the opportunities CAST gave Teale to explore teaching and leading that she has found a life long passion that weaves so intimately with her love for performing. Once a CAST kid, always a CAST kid.

He also provided backstage and tech support, including lighting design, for many other productions.  

CAST was always a place which allowed Kevin to discover and develop himself, with the constant support of this wonderful family.  There are too many fond CAST memories to pick a favourite, however closing night of Beauty and the Beast, Kevin’s last regular season CAST show, was certainly both memorable and emotional! 

Presently working as a flight attendant based in Ottawa, Kevin is pursuing his passion for travel and transportation. He keeps his hand in theatre by co-ordinating the front of house team at Ottawa Little Theatre.

CAST was a wonderful opportunity for local Woodstock and area kids to participate in an incredibly welcoming and safe artistic environment. It was a pleasure to be a part of the artistic and personal growth of so many young artists!

Her favourite memory is actually the entire production run of “Bridge“! Those stories are still told to this day, and it was a fabulous combination of kids and parents/adults learning and working together.

Vicki is now Associate Professor of Voice at Mount Allison University, got her Doctorate of Musical Arts in 2014, continues to sing, conduct, and teach professionally, and still works with talented artists every day!

Jeff was also the president of TW/CAST for many of the CAST years. During his presidency he worked side by side with Jen and the theatre board of directors to promote and grow this portion of the business. It was much more than a business though — it was an opportunity to offer high quality theatre to the community and the children who were looking for an outlet for their creativity. 

Jeff still has fond memories of his time being part of CAST and the friendships he made along the way. Particularly his time with Jennifer and Jason and, of course, his talented wife Joanna.

One of Victoria’s favourite CAST memories was the first day of each session, when returning CAST kids would not only greet each other with hugs and cheers, but welcome all new CAST kids with the same amount of excitement and enthusiasm.

Since CAST, Victoria has continued her job in education as a teacher with the London District Catholic School Board, while raising two beautiful girls with her amazing husband. Victoria’s life, both personally and professionally, has been profoundly affected by CAST and all that it stands for — she is where and who she is today because of her time with CAST.

When asked about favourite CAST moments, Pete said “There was something about watching Shannon (his daughter) dance in Godspell. She would raise her arm, push out her hip and flip her raised wrist…the combinations of expressions made me cry every time and I still get teary recalling it. If I could capture a moment in a snow globe, that would be it.”

Pete is currently President of Theatre Woodstock and continues working his magic at STAGES, their youth program. “I’m still waiting for the big, red curtain to open”, he says.

Devan’s favourite CAST memory was when she noticed a song J was playing during rehearsal had a questionable word in the chorus…so for the rest of the song, for the rest of the session, J and Devan would shout “YAY!” over said word!

After working in concerts and theatre for the better part of a decade, and doing lights on the high seas through the Caribbean and parts of Asia, Devan is now working her biggest gig yet – being a mama bear to her beautiful son, Mylo.