Shining Star

Hilary Irvine

Hilary Irvine grew up with Theatre Ancaster. The talented vocalist, performer, and educator began her arts training as a youngster in our Jitterbugs program. That was nearly 17 years ago. Today, the student has become the teacher. Hilary now shares her expertise with Theatre Ancaster performers of all levels, helping to cultivate the kind of quality community arts programming that has been so vital to her own life and livelihood.

“From a young age I knew I wanted to be on stage performing. My parents put me into the Jitterbugs program, and I was hooked,” says Hilary. From there, Hilary continued to move through Theatre Ancaster’s youth programming offerings. She also performed in a number of our Mainstage productions, including Beauty and the Beast (2008), The Wizard of Oz (2010), Aida (2011), Jesus Christ Superstar (2014), Back to the 80s Concert (2014), The Producers (2015), One Hit Wonders – The Concert (2015), and Shrek The Musical (2016).

In tandem with her role as a performer, Hilary has been part of Theatre Ancaster’s teaching teams for nearly a decade. This includes both our year-round programming and summer camps. “Hilary is an example of one of the kids who came up through our programs before coming back to work in them,” says Director of Programming, Sam Frisk. “I couldn’t be more excited to see staff members who used to be students taking leadership over our programs because they know how much they mean to the students in them. Having seen Hilary teaching vocals to students young and old now, I am so excited to see what she takes on next!”

Currently, Hilary is the Head of Music for Theatre Ancaster’s Stage 2: Skill Builders, a learning and performance program designed for students in grades 2-8. It’s a job she’s passionate about: “The arts are so important in the development of young people. Kids need creative outlets to express themselves and, for many of them, this is where they excel and fit in. For some kids, this is the one place they can be free to be themselves. As Head of Music, I hope the kids feel the joy of making music together.”

Hilary plans to continue spreading the joy full-time as a music teacher. After majoring in Vocal Performance at Western University, Hilary decided to pursue a career in education. It’s an undertaking her Theatre Ancaster colleagues wholeheartedly support. Skill Builders Director, Sam Heath, has witnessed firsthand Hilary’s gifts as a teacher: “I have watched Hilary work unbelievably hard and be incredible at what she does in teaching at Theatre Ancaster. She can take a group of kids who are too shy to even speak on the first day and then they sing beautifully on the final performance, loud and proud.”

This past summer, in addition to her role as Music Head for camp, Hilary was tapped to be Assistant Vocal Director for our Conservatory Company’s production of Spring Awakening. It was another formative Theatre Ancaster experience for her. “I got to work with and learn from some wonderful fellow teachers in the community,” says Hilary. “It’s safe to say that Theatre Ancaster has provided me with countless opportunities for my growth as a future music teacher and I am so thankful to be able to follow a career path that I’m so passionate about. Catch me teaching at a school near you soon!”

No matter what her bright future holds, Theatre Ancaster will always be a special place for Hilary: “The part of Theatre Ancaster that keeps me coming back continually are the people. I have teachers, mentors, friends, co-workers and peers that have been part of almost my whole life. I have been part of this community organization for so long and I feel privileged to have grown up and grown with such a vibrant place that truly feels like my second home.”