Shining Stars
Each month, we are excited to shine a spotlight on a remarkable member of our Theatre Ancaster family!
Whether they are volunteers, cast members, production crew, or staff, these individuals play a vital role in our success. Join us in celebrating their contributions and check out our previous Shining Stars below!

Tina Rath
Choreographers have the vital and formidable task of bringing a show to life with movement. Great choreography can be the beating heart of a musical, adding energy, emotion and the requisite razzle dazzle. In the world of community theatre, dance skills are often varied. This makes delivering polished and cohesive choreography all the more demanding. Since Theatre Ancaster’s inception, Tina Rath has risen to the challenge. In fact, Tina has choreographed every single one of our big fall Mainstage shows (and more) for over 25 years.
“I have no idea how many shows I have choreographed,” admits Tina. “I have many favourite shows that I have worked on, for different reasons. I danced in the shows for many years, and loved it, but now prefer the role of proud choreographer who gets to watch what I have helped create onstage.” Theatre Ancaster Co-Founder Gord Conroy recalls his first experience working with Tina: “She choreographed her first show for me back in 1984 as a student at Ancaster High, she must have been all of 16 teaching a cast of 40 plus fellow students. Fabulous. And, she’s created magic ever since.”

Tina’s legacy at Theatre Ancaster runs through countless successful productions, including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Chicago, Aida, The Music Man, Shrek, The Producers and Legally Blonde. “These shows were highlights because I had some talented dancers to work with which allowed me to choreograph some more intricate dances and allowed me to really push my choreography,” explains Tina.
Company member, Theatre Ancaster Board Director, and one of those talented dancers Tina mentioned, Jen Cooper, has danced in many of Tina’s shows. “Tina is a truly gifted artist whose innovative choreography leaves audiences mesmerized,” says Jen. “Each year, she helps the cast of the fall show to shine by delivering creative choreography tailored to a variety of skill levels. Tina puts her heart into everything she does, and genuinely cares about each cast and crew member.” Director Bob Carle shares this sentiment: “Tina has made TA’s musical numbers look ultra professional for a very long time. She is highly-skilled, caring, collaborative and a great partner to work with. Theatre Ancaster is very lucky to have her.”

For Tina, volunteering her time with Theatre Ancaster is about so much more than dance alone. “The thing I enjoy most about being a part of Theatre Ancaster is the feeling of great friends and family,” says Tina. “I am welcomed back each time with so much love and support. Community theatre is so important because it gives those of us who have a love for the arts a chance to sing and dance and perform together,” says Tina. “It is also a wonderful way to open this world up to children.”
Tina has been part of the very first theatre experience for many Theatre Ancaster youths, like Sofie Greenspoon and Noah Pace. “The very first show I ever did was Oliver, with Tina as the choreographer,” recalls Sofie. “Tina made me feel confident and comfortable with the choreography. She was somehow able to whip a large cast of kids into their proper lines and made the choreography both simple and highly professional at the same time. Tina is always in the back of the theatre cheering on the cast and fine-tuning our choreo. She has become a dance mentor and part of my Theatre Ancaster family.” Noah also got his musical theatre start learning Tina’s choreography in Oliver: “Working with Tina was a gentle welcome into the world of theatre dance. As a first time dancer, I didn’t know what to expect, but Tina made everything fun and easy, creating a positive environment for everyone involved. Tina helped me realize that I can be confident in my dancing skills.”
Tina’s contribution to the arts in Ancaster goes beyond our theatre. She is also the owner and director of Pure Rhythm Dance Company, which has been operating for over 30 years.
January 2025 – Janet Delsey
December 2024 – Laura Fitpatrick
November 2024 – Joanne Languay
October 2024 – Hilary Irvine
September 2024 – Jodie Wilkinson
August 2024 – Bobbie Bryant
July 2024 – Lindsay Jones
June 2024 – Gord Conroy and Al Croxall
May 2024 – David Reed
April 2024 – Martin Suichies
March 2024 – Dianne Collinson and Emma Tiede
February 2024 – Angela Broadley
January 2024 – Megan Anderson and Rylie Santo
December 2023 – Sam Heath
November 2023 – Lois Gordon
October 2021 – Ellie (Ketsetzis) Miller
March 2020 – Bob Carle
February 2020 – Owen Lapsley
January 2020 – Doug Holder
December 2019 – Tiffany Wice
November 2019 – Harvey Elms
October 2019 – Allison Osterman
September 2019 – Ben Kersey
August 2019 – Erin Bree Pierce and Danielle Desjardins
July 2019 – Lindsay Jones