WELCOME TO
THE HIGHLAND ARTS THEATRE

ARTISTIC & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
(they/them)

Wesley J. Colford is a Dora and Merritt Nominated playwright and theatre artist from Cape Breton who currently resides in Sydney, NS where they operate as the inaugural Artistic & Executive Director of the Highland Arts Theatre (or HAT). They studied theatre performance at Sheridan and George Brown College and spent eight years working in Toronto’s independent theatre scene, working as a writer, director, actor, and producer for multiple companies, as well as box office manager for Tarragon Theatre. Their plays have been produced in three provinces and have won national awards, been published, and adapted for film. Under their leadership, the Highland Arts Theatre has produced more than 100 mainstage theatrical productions in the past ten years and been nominated for Dora, Merritt, Excellence in Business, and Nova Scotia Music Industry Awards. They are a recipient of a 2015 Vital Award, the 2016 Jack Yazer Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, The Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Medal, and have been nominated for “Business Person of the Year” from the Sydney and Area Chamber of Commerce Excellence in Business Awards. They were recently honoured as one of the Globe & Mail’s “Canadian Arts Heroes of 2020” for their work developing the HAT’s bold new funding model, Radical Access.

GENERAL MANAGER
(she/her)

Adriana is the General Manager of the HAT. She spends most of her time making sure the theatre is running smoothly and finding ways to improve our processes and systems. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts, with honors in Production from York University and has worked in theatre across Canada and abroad at companies such as The Canadian Opera Company, Mirvish Productions, The Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the Centre for Opera studies in Italy. She is passionate about exploring alternate ways of working and different ways of leading, having worked for global companies in Defence and in the professional service industry. When she is not at the theatre, you can find her cuddling her two kitties, Burke and Arlo.

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
(she/her)

Kayla is the Technical Director and Resident Designer at the Highland Arts Theatre. She has designed and constructed the set, costume, and/or props for over 50 productions e.g. She Loves Me (Set), Mary’s Wedding (Set and Costume), West Moon (Set and Costume), and Little Shop of Horrors (Set). Kayla received a Vital Award (2020) for her work at the Highland Arts Theatre and was the recipient of a Robert Merritt Award (2023) for outstanding costume design for the HAT's production of The Happy Prince.

PATRON SERVICES MANAGER
(she/her)

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
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Tom has been informally involved with the Highland Arts Theatre since it began in 2014, as a frequent consultant. Over the years he has performed, directed, choreographed, written, filmed and produced at the HAT (not to mention painted hallways, moved pianos, been a bouncer and pulled all nighters setting lights with Ken). At the end of 2019 Tom took over as social media manager at the HAT and in 2021 expanded that role to Communications Director for the organization. The HAT is near and dear to his heart, as the place he wished he had downtown when he was growing up in Cape Breton.

INTERIM EDUCATION DIRECTOR
(she/her)

Anju has had a passion for teaching forever, forcing her 3 siblings to play school from an early age. Was she always the teacher? Yes. She’d say it was because it was her calling. They’d say it’s because she was bossy. Of course she’s right. After having 2 amazing kids Anju completed her Bachelor of Community Studies and then her Bachelor of Education at Cape Breton University. She spent 10 years in elementary classrooms learning how to build relationships, develop meaningful curriculum and learning experiences, and helping students find their own passions. During a particularly bleak winter she stumbled into a Resident Company class at the HAT Academy and finally claimed her Leo birthright and fell in love with showing off. This led to an unlikely mid-life stage turn with Tell your Story, Comedy of Errors, Christmas Carol and Cheers to 10 Years. These wonderful stage experiences were underpinned by further HAT Academy classes, including Creative Writing, where she wrote her own play which will debut in October 2024. And now, with this new position as Interim Education Director of the HAT Academy, her twin passions of education and showing off have merged perfectly. Anju must stress that her family, Randy, Ivy and Wyatt, have never wavered in their love and support of every adventure she has dragged them on and everyone deserves a team like this in their corner.

PROMOTIONS & GRAPHIC DESIGNER
(she/her)

Hilary is a co-founder of the Highland Arts Theatre, and served as Assistant Artistic Director from 2014 to 2017. She continues of be a close collaborator at the HAT. A graduate of George Brown’s Theatre Conservatory Program, and a Certificate Holder in Art & Design Studio Skills from OCAD U. She has worn nearly every hat at the HAT, onstage and off; from season programming, patron services, and 4 AM set painting, to lighting, directing, and performing. Currently she operates out of Toronto as the HAT's Lead Graphic Designer. The posters you see pouring up the stairwells are nearly all her designs! You can find Hilary’s artwork for the HAT as well as other personal works/commissions on Instagram @hilhob !

HEAD ELECTRICS
(he/him)

Ken Heaton (Lighting Designer, Theatre Electrician and Technician) has been actively involved in theatre for over 45 years.  Ken has designed the lighting for almost every show and event at the Cape Breton University's Boardmore Playhouse for more than 25 years, working and collaborating with a range of groups from student productions to professional touring groups. 

Ken is presently the Resident Theatre Lighting Designer and Head of Electrics for both the Savoy Theatre in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, and at the Highland Arts Theatre in Sydney, Nova Scotia, responsible for much of the hands-on technical work (hanging instruments, programming the light board, etc.) that would be the work of the lighting crew in a larger theatre. 

Ken has created lighting for various productions at many other venues throughout the Maritimes, small and large, with many diverse theatre groups including Made With Purpose, the St Anne’s Bay Players, New York’s Yara Arts Group, Acadia Drama Group, Musicadians, Bells of Baddeck, and the Zuppa Theatre Co. 

Ken's lighting designs have toured with productions internationally, reaching at times as far as New Zealand. Recent lighting designs include pretty much everything produced at the HAT since 2014, including the recent productions of 'Cabaret', and 'Samqwan' (for which Ken was nominated for a 'Robert Merritt Award' for Lighting Design).

If you don't find Ken in a theatre, try looking on a sailboat somewhere out on the Bras d'Or Lakes.  He'll probably be there... 

RESIDENT STAGE MANAGER
(she/her)

After seeing the HAT's incredible production of Cabaret in early 2022, Deepti was inspired to dive into local theatre. Three years, four HAT Academy classes, and several productions later, she is thrilled to join the HAT as its resident stage manager, a role that perfectly combines her passion for theatre with her knack for organization! Deepti comes to the HAT with a diverse background that spans mechanical engineering, classical music, and French-English translation, all of which are sure to give her a unique perspective on stage management.

PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
(he/him)

Robbie is a musician, singer/songwriter, actor and artist from North Sydney and has been involved with Cape Breton theatre since 2018. Since that time, he has been featured in HAT productions including: “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”, “Matilda: The Musical”, “Little Shop Of Horrors” (as the voice of Audrey II) and in adaptations of William Shakespeare’s

“As You Like”, and Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” (as Bob Cratchit).

Robbie was also the puppeteer and voice of Glen the Giant in the HAT original “Jack & The Beanstalk: A Musical Comedy Pantomime” and most recently, starred as BB Wolf in “Blow Me: A Big Bad Musical Comedy”.

In November of 2024, he produced and and served as lead vocalist and guitarist in “Where Did You Sleep Last Night? A 30th anniversary tribute to Nirvana: Unplugged In New York” to a sold out audience.

Robbie’s theatre credits also include Savoy Theatre productions of “The Rocky Horror Show”, “Grease”, and will soon play the part of Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks in “Annie”.

Robbie is thrilled to join the HAT staff by taking on the role of production assistant and is looking forward to a very creative and exciting future with the theatre from both sides of the curtain.

SOUND
(he/him)

Jonathan Kanary is a seasoned audio engineer with a skill for conjuring art from the very essence of sound. Jonathan is product of Nova Scotia Community College, Berklee School of Music, and the Nashville Audio Engineering Society with formal training in Applied Communication Arts, Sound Design/Engineering, Live Audio & Recording Engineering, and Broadcast Engineering. For over a decade, Jonathan has been weaving sonic magic in broadcasting and live event production, both on the road and at home. His journey has taken him through the bustling corridors of concert arenas, through intricate and dynamic broadcast studios, to the unique and creative concepts of live theatre design. Jonathan's eclectic experience and unwavering passion for audio excellence make him a true asset in any collaboration. His creative and intuitive approach brings a unique touch to every project. That along with an undeniable dedication to his craft, positive attitude, consummate professionalism, and ability to blend technical precision with creativity is why we keep him around!

BOARD PRESIDENT
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Board Member since 2021. He served for 22 years as an officer in the United States Marine Corps, then enjoyed a second career as a university and not-for-profit strategic planner.

BOARD VICE PRESIDENT
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Board Member since 2024. Heather brings over 20 years of sales experience, she is a Realestate Agent for Remax Park Place.

BOARD SECRETARY
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Board Member since 2019. Erika is the CEO/President of New Dawn Enterprises.

BOARD TREASURER
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Board Member since 2024. Shauna recently started working for the Centre for Education but spent over 15 years in the financial industry.

BOARD MEMBER
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Board Member since 2021.

BOARD MEMBER
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Board Member since 2021. Works as Manager of Financial Compliance and Special Projects at Cape Breton University.

BOARD MEMBER
(she/her)

Board Member since 2021. Anju comes from the world of Education and was recently appointed the Interim Education Director at the HAT Academy.

BOARD MEMBER
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Board Member since 2021.

BOARD MEMBER
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Board Member since 2024. Aaron is graduate of Dalhousie's Bachelor of Science (Neuroscience) program, Aaron currently works as the Indigenous Health Consultant for Nova Scotia Health. Aaron is also a member of the multimedia band Alan Sylliboy and the Thundermakers, and the Eastern Eagle Singers.

BOARD MEMBER
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Board Member since 2020. Peter is a visual artist based in the CBRM.

BOARD MEMBER

Board Member since 2019. Past president (2021-2023). Legal industry. Principal lawyer at Manley Law Inc. Founder and CEO of Advocate Cognitive Technologies.