Pre-Professional Triple Threat Advanced Training Intensive

Disney Casting Director, Dave Bennett 

Dave Bennett became the Casting Director the Shanghai Disney Resort after a successful two-decade career as a talent agent. He represented actors for film, television and theatre, and directors, choreographers, music directors, writers, and composers for theatre. 

In 1999, he opened a Manhattan talent office for a Canadian agency where he represented not only American talent but was also known for bringing the best of Canada to Broadway. He placed clients in supporting roles in TV and Film, and in leading/supporting roles in over three dozen Broadway and National Touring Companies including Book of Mormon, Chicago, Jersey Boys, Les Miz, Lion King, Mamma Mia, Mary Poppins, Once, Phantom of the Opera, Rent, and Wicked.

Dave has a degree from Queen’s University and is a proud graduate of the Broadway Commercial Theatre Institute’s “Producing for the Commercial Theatre Intensive Program” (NYC).

Kerry Butler, who has appeared in twelve Broadway shows, is best known for originating the roles of Barbara Maitland in Beetlejuice, Penny Pingleton in Hairspray, and Clio/Kira in Xanadu, the latter of which earned her a Tony Award nomination for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical.

Butler also originated the role of Belle in the Toronto production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, which she later performed on Broadway. Other Broadway credits include Eponine in Les Misérables, Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, Penny Pingleton in Hairspray,  Sherrie in Rock of Ages, Marianne in Disaster! and Brenda in Catch Me If You Can. She is a mother of two, accomplished teacher, plant enthusiast, musical theatre geek, Disney nerd, and believer in the power of laughter and the magic of music to bring people together. Her solo album is entitled Faith, Trust & Pixie Dust. Insta @KerryBulterCoach

George Absi

George has been a professional dancer and choreographer for over 15 years. He was born and raised in Ottawa, ON where he trained in Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap and Contemporary including A.D.A.P.T and R.A.D. He has danced for PSY, Deborah Cox, Kreesha Turner, Fefe Dobson, Aleesia and Classified, to name a few. George has appeared on Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist and Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas, Once Upon A Time, Handmaid’s Tale, Shitt’s Creek, Breakfast Television, Threads, and most recently appeared on PBS Kids, “Let’s Go Luna” as “Hakim” a principal role. Theatre credits include: Beauty and the Beast, Neptune; Mamma Mia! (Dance Captain/ Asst Choreographer) Aquarius/ WCT; Priscilla, Queen of the Dessert (Canadian Premiere – Jimmy ), Sleeping Beauty, The Panto, Newsies (Buttons),  Kinky Boots (Canadian Premiere – Angel/ Dance Captain) Drayton Entertainment. George landed the role of assistant choreographer in the upcoming motion picture “Slumberland” starring Jason Mamoa and was assistant choreographer for the brand-new show “Ukulele U” on CBC focussing on children’s learning and diversity.

Rachel Fairbanks

Rachel Fairbanks was most recently seen on Broadway in Lincoln Center Theatre’s Revival of Camelot (Dance Captain/Female Swing). Other Favorites include: Hoagy Carmichael’s Stardust Road (Off-Broadway: York Theatre Company & World Premiere: Temple Theatre), Cinderella (U/S Ella/ Gabrielle – 1st National Tour), First Wives Club (Young Elise/Patton – Chicago Premiere) as well as many shows regionally with NSMT and PCLO. BFA Musical Theatre: Penn State University. Originally from Boston, Rachel lives in NYC with her husband where they run their small business: @sparkandedge. You can follow along for updates and upcoming projects @rachelgeorgea

Kae Kae Lee

Malyssa Kae Lee (better known as “Kae Kae” Lee) discovered her passion for dance at just 7 years old, eventually joining Performing Dance Arts in Vaughan, training extensively in Jazz, Musical Theatre, Ballet, Acrobatics, Contemporary, Tap and Hip Hop. 

Kae Kae’s talents began to take her across the world, taking on unique roles in various shows, such as Royal Caribbean’s Aqua production “The Fine Line”, Emmy award-winning Debra Brown’s “Brace Yourself” and Family channel’s “Big Ticket Summer Tour”. She has worked alongside artists such as Emeli Sande, Aloe Blacc, Natalie Imbruglia, Dave Stewart, and James Blunt, whilst touring with “Art on Ice” Switzerland, a show choreographed by Sean Cheesman.

Some of Kae Kae’s TV and film roles include Disney’s “Zombies 3” and “Spin”. Fox’s “What We Do In The Shadows”, Lifetime’s “A Christmas Dance”, CBC’s “Frankie Drake Mysteries”, and Family Channel’s “The Next Step”, as well as the music videos for artists including Rupaul’s Drag Race star, Priyanka, Liz Lokre, and Jade Eagleson. Kae Kae branched out into musical theatre appearing in Rock of ages as Dance Captain at Toronto’s Elgin Theatre, and various roles for Drayton Entertainment

Hailey Lewis

Hailey Lewis (she/her) is an Afro-Canadian triple-threat artist and graduate of the Music Theatre degree program at Sheridan College. Select Theatre credits include: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Mirvish); Alice in Winterland Virtual Panto (Ross Petty Productions); Hairspray (Drayton Entertainment & Theatre Aquarius); Anne of Green Gables (Charlottetown Festival); Mary Poppins (YPT); Shrek: The Musical (Globe Theatre); Grease (Irregular Entertainment); Prom Queen (Segal Centre). Select TV/Film credits include: The Boys (Amazon); Zombies (Disney); American Gods (Freemantel). Hailey is currently a “Standby Slayer” and dance captain for Mirvish’s production of Six: The Musical, while also teaching the first- and second-year Music Theatre Styles dance course at Sheridan. When not performing, you can find Hailey cuddling her dog Rigley, getting lost in a good book, facetiming her friends, spending time with her family (especially her mama) and eating lots of chips! As always: many thanks to her agency, her friends and most importantly her family for their on-going support and love. @haileyalexislewis

Nestor Lozano Jr

Nestor Lozano Jr is appearing as Tink in Wendy and Peter Pan and appears in Salesman in China during his second season at the Stratford Festival. Last year, he appeared there as Angel Dumott Schunard in Rent and Mrs. Whatsit in A Wrinkle in Time. Elsewhere: The Wizard in The Wizard of Oz: The Panto (Drayton Entertainment); Miss Understanding in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (Stage West Calgary); Derrick in Peter Pan: The Panto (Neptune Theatre); Papa Ogre/Bear in Shrek The Musical (Globe Theatre). Training: Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance, Sheridan College; Wexford Performing Arts. Online: @nestorlozanojr. 

Julia McLellan

Julia McLellan is a Canadian theatre performer currently in SIX the musical at Mirvish productions, alternating the roles of Jane Seymour, Katherine Howard, and Anne Boleyn. She has performed on stages across North America, including three companies of the Tony award winning hit Kinky Boots- at Mirvish, on the 1st national tour, and on Broadway. She has lead companies on some of Canada’s most prestigious stages, starring as Val Clark in The Stratford Festival’s A Chorus Line, originating the role of Persephone in the North American premiere of Mythic, and alternating the role of Dorothy Gale in the North American premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Wizard of Oz. 

Her stage career intertwines with her climate activism, as she is the co-founder and Executive Director of the Canadian Green Alliance, the national not-for-profit dedicated to bridging the gap between theatre and sustainability. 

Vanessa Sears

Raised in Deep River, Ontario, Vanessa Sears is a Dora Award, Toronto Theatre Critics Award, BroadwayWorld Award and Critic’s Pick Award winning artist. She has starred on stages across Canada and recently made her Broadway debut as an original cast member of the new musical ‘New York, New York’ – working alongside legendary artists John Kander, Susan Stroman, and Lin-Manuel Miranda to name a few. During her time in NYC Vanessa performed on The Tony Awards, at 54 Below, The Green Room 42 and Classic Stage Company in addition to singing at many concerts and benefits. Currently, she is starring in the Stratford Festival’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ as Juliet, as well as playing Olivia in ‘Twelfth Night’. Vanessa’s previous acting credits include Mirvish, several seasons at the Shaw Festival, The Musical Stage Company, Soulpepper, Obsidian Theatre, Young People’s Theatre and more. Vanessa has also appeared in film and television on Suits, Sex/Life, Y The Last Man, and has starred in several movies like 14 Love Letters, Sappy Holiday and others. Next up, she will be making her Panto debut with Canadian Stage’s ‘Wizard of Oz’, causing chaos and mayhem as the Wicked Witch. Vanessa is also an emerging director, an educator, and serves on the board of the Canadian Green Alliance. Instagram @vanessa_sears

Anisa Tejpar

Anisa Tejpar (she/her), a Dora Mavor Moore Award winner, hails from Toronto and is a graduate of Canada’s National Ballet School. She has showcased her talent in performances of various choreographers including Guillaume Côté, Matjash Mrozewski, John Neumeier, Ginette Laurin, Mauro Astolfi, Peggy Baker, Robert Derosiers, Robert Glumbek, Roberto Campanella, D.A. Hoskins, James Kudelka, Christopher House, Hanna Kiel, and William Yong. Anisa has performed with esteemed dance companies such as Toronto Dance Theatre, Zata Omm, ProArteDanza, Against the Grain Theatre, and Human Body Expression.

Anisa is recognized as an Intimacy Coordinator and Director, with a particular focus on dance and dancers. She has collaborated with prestigious institutions such as The National Ballet of Canada, Ballet BC, and various film and television productions. Furthermore, Anisa serves on the Board of Directors for Canada’s National Ballet School as well as their Foundation Board. She has also made significant contributions to Dancing with Parkinson’s, where she has served as a choreographer and director for their Intergenerational Dance Project, which aims to connect youth and seniors through dance.