Meet the Company
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Thom Currie
Thom Currie is a director, playwright, dramaturg, actor and producer, and he has been a storyteller, puppeteer, composer and lyricist. Thom has worked in theatres across North America and Europe and is very proud to Magnus Theatre's seventh Artistic Director. His directing credits include over 90 productions, as well as over 50 productions for young audiences. Prior to joining the Magnus Theatre team, Thom served as Artistic Director at several professional theatres across Canada, including Stephenville Theatre Festival, Showboat Festival Theatre In The Round, Georgian Theatre Festival, and ReallyLittleTheatre, where he was Founding Artistic Director. Thom has lectured at University of Toronto, Seneca College and Ryerson University, and has worked as an adjudicator and theatre educator across Canada.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Alexis Rowlinson
Alexis is an experienced arts administrator and theatre-enthusiast who has worked at some of Canada’s most celebrated theatre companies, including the Stratford Festival, Shaw Festival, and the Grand Theatre. Born and raised in Thunder Bay, Alexis attended Sir Winston Churchill C.&V.I. before going on to earn an Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Literature (with a minor in Leadership) from Western University. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Arts Leadership from Queen’s University. Alexis is thrilled at the opportunity to return home to serve as Executive Director of the theatre that helped ignite her passion for the arts.
EDUCATION DIRECTOR
Jordan Blaxill
Jordan is an arts educator with over a decade of experience both here in Ontario as well as in the United Kingdom. Since moving to Thunder Bay he has been a fixture of the local arts community, acting, directing, and facilitating for Cambrian Players and 10x10, among others. As a professional educator and actor in the UK he has completed training and residencies with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Frantic Assembly and the National Theatre. He is excited to begin this journey at Magnus as the Theatre in Education Director.
INTERIM PRODUCTION MANAGER
Rebecca Miller
Rebecca has worked across the country over the past 33 years with the National Arts Centre English Theatre, Citadel Theatre Edmonton, Shaw Festival Niagara-on-the-Lake, Stratford Festival, Mirvish Productions, and Great Canadian Theatre. Company Ottawa. Her productions with Magnus Theatre include Of Human Bondage, We Will Rock You, and Elf the Musical. At Third Wall Theatre Ottawa, she designed "Top Girls" (Best Design LX Rideau Awards) and "Henry V" (nominated Best LX Design Rideau Awards). Her teaching credits include Grentell Campus at Memorial University of Newfoundland, University of Toronto, National Theatre School of Canada, and University of Lethbridge.
HEAD CARPENTER
David A. Brown
Dave joined Magnus six seasons ago as the head carpenter after working as the canoe builder /shipwright at Old Fort William for 40 years. Canoe and boat building were his main jobs but Dave wore many hats while at the Fort and has been involved in many movie and television productions. From an “I- Max” production in the early 1980’s to many commercials and print productions. Appearing in National Geographic and the National Enquirer in the same year. He was heavily involved in “Haunted Fort” building many props, animatronic effects and enjoys lighting things up as a “licensed pyrotechnician.” Dave enjoys the new challenges at Magnus and is getting used to building square and level, he would still like everything to be curved like a canoe or boat.
HEAD OF PROPERTIES
Nadia Cheechoo
Nadia Cheechoo is an indigenous woman from Wikwemikong, Ontario. She is back at Magnus Theatre, adding yet another position to her repertoire. She has had previous props experience working in film, but this is her first time in this position at Magnus. With carpentry and wardrobe already under her belt, she’s ready to continue honing old and new skills. Then she plans to carry those skills into future shows, theatres, and film projects. Magnus Theatre has been a major stepping stone in her career as an artist, and she hopes to continue to share her skills with them and others.
HEAD OF WARDROBE
Lisa Macchione
Lisa is a passionate devotee of the performing arts and all things adornment. In 1999 she graduated from Seneca College’s Fashion Arts program and has had the opportunity to use her skills in costuming to work onset of local films, historical reenactments as well as her own performance art. Researching characters, creating one of kind pieces, and the spark of a thrift store treasure hunt are what she enjoys most. She is thrilled to join the team of creative crew and cast at Magnus Theatre.
MARKETING & PUBLICITY COORDINATOR
Robyn Saxberg
Robyn brings more than a decade of multimedia marketing expertise to Magnus Theatre, where she channels her passion for bold storytelling and community impact into every campaign. As a Thunder Bay-based creative professional and college professor, Robyn seemlessly integrates her formal training in art, design, and project management with hands-on experience in web design, marketing, and community engagement. Her work with Elizabeth Fry Society of Northwestern Ontario and mission-driven commitment to non-profit work, reflects her belief that art transforms and connects audiences to the heart and soul of our community.
BOX OFFICE / OFFICE ADMIN
Jessica Legros
Jessica is a local artist who was born and raised in Thunder Bay. A graduate of Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts she’s a performer and crafter at heart, but for the past several years has worked in Arts Administration. Most notably as the Talent Manager with the 10x10 Showcase and the Outreach Manager with Superior Theatre Festival. She is thrilled to be working as the Box Office Coordinator/Office Admin at Magnus Theatre alongside people who share the love of theatre. In her spare time, she teaches singing, owns a small crafting business and puzzles with her husband and two dogs.
PATRONS SERVICES MANAGER
Kait Blake
Kait is an arts administrator, disability advocate, peer support worker and life-long theatre lover who was born & raised in Thunder Bay. After 2 decades living on both coasts (Wolfville, NS then Vancouver, BC), Kait is thrilled to return to her hometown and be living her childhood dream of working with Magnus Theatre! Much of her youth was devoted to participation in every theatre endeavour available to her, whether it be performing, working backstage or attending productions. When she wasn’t doing that, she was performing original plays for her family, friends & stuffed animals, creating artistic “masterpieces” (and messes), singing in choirs (or anywhere she was allowed to sing) and writing short stories & angsty teen poetry. These days she is an avid crafter, DIYer, home chef and disability & access advocate. Her greatest artistic achievement in recent years was singing in the chorus of Requiem for A Lost Girl, a partnership project with Vancouver Opera & The Kettle Society in 2018. Prior to joining Magnus, she was the Administrative Director of Kickstart Disability Arts & Culture. Kait holds a diploma in Tourism & Travel from Confederation College and a Bachelor of Recreation Management from Acadia University, where she specialized in Community Development & Tourism. She is thrilled to be a part of Magnus theatre as the Patron Services Manager as she is extremely passionate about relationship building, access & inclusion and ensuring the arts are accessible for all!
BOX OFFICE REP
Sandra Snider
After 36 years with several Ministries of the Government of Ontario Sandra considers Magnus her fun part-time position, where she gets to meet people in there happy place. She loves live theatre and has been a subscriber to Magnus for several decades. Special vacations include live theatre, in New York, Toronto and Stratford.
Board of Directors
Executive
Nadia La Russa - President
Cathy Ridley - Vice President
Scott Hobbs - Second Vice President
Meagan Ellis - Treasurer
Neil McCartney - Secretary
Directors
Greg Alexander
Susan Aris
Elliott Cromarty
Tammy D’Amours
Ernie Epp
Trish Glena
Rob Magnusson