Our Story
Vision, Mission, Value Driven Priorities
Evergreen proudly offers school curriculum-based musical theatre touring shows and artist-in-residency programs. We also offer custom workshops, presentations, and activities for conferences and organizations nation wide. Beyond that, we also provide commissioned works for zoos, science centres, museums, and corporations. Evergreen Theatre has been on the forefront of “green” programming for over 32 years!
Evergreen Theatre was established in 1991. Its founding members Scott Mair, Tara Ryan, Elinor Holt, Gerald Matthews, Don Enright and Monique Keiran were passionate about creating opportunities for a larger audience to access the excellent interpretative theatre programs they created and performed each summer in Kananaskis Provincial Park. Driven by this desire to expand their audience base, and a deep enthusiasm for science & environmental issues, they formed Evergreen Theatre: a touring educational, environmental, science based, theatre company for young audiences.
In the years since its inception, Evergreen has grown and expanded in diverse ways, without ever losing sight of its commitment to young audiences and the fine art of science. While touring shows and residency programs remain flagship endeavours, programming now includes home school programs, drama camps and a mobile travelling puppet theatre!
Staff
Meet the talented team of people that bring all of our amazing programs and spaces to life.
Sean Fraser
Executive Director
Move, shake, disrupt, repeat. Dreaming up new and improved ways of doing things.
Christina Chase Warrier
Program Director
The power of imagination unleashed. Giving voice to universal human emotions on a profound level.
Michelle Brandenburg
Development
Seeing beauty, creating beauty. Creating works that speak to others and inspire new ways of seeing the world.
Board
Vision
To advance Evergreen Theatre as an innovative arts organization that is recognized as a leader in science based education and community cultivation.
Mission
To create, facilitate and empower youth by fostering meaningful curriculum-based theatrical programming that explores and inspires; innovation, stewardship and sustainability through the intersection of education, art, science and community.
Value Driven Priorities
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Accessible Arts, Culture and Education
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Bridging and Connecting Community
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Environmental Stewardship and Social Responsibility
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Inclusion, Equity and Diversity
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Truth and Reconciliation
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Innovation and Resiliency
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Authenticity and Transparency
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Vibrant, Creative Team Culture
Valmai Goggin - President
Valmai is a Calgary-based director, education, producer, and Maritimer. She served as Evergreen Theatre's Artistic Producer 2013-2017. She holds a BA English and Drama (Mount Allison University) and an MFA Directing (University of Calgary). She was the 2014 Graduate-in-Residence at Mount Allison University, and is a founding member of Theatre Transit. Valmai has directed and taught at theatres and schools across Alberta and is currently the Development Associate at Lunchbox Theatre.
Kim McCann - Member
As passionate about people as she is about process, Kim is lifelong Calgarian and a Mount Royal educated HR Professional. With an extensive background in both social work and private aviation, she brings many worlds of experience to her current role with Avanti. In her downtime she enjoys coaching baton twirling and is very active in the baton community; mentoring young coaches, guest coaching in other clubs along with holding past roles within the Alberta Baton Twirling Association. In addition, she also spends time actively volunteering with various organizations, travelling and loves spending time with her friends and family.
Alec Reimer - Member
Alec is a lifelong Calgarian, environmentalist, and appreciator of local arts. He is thrilled to have the opportunity to support the development of arts and our community in Calgary as a board member for Evergreen. He holds a B.Sc. in Biological Science and Environmental Science from the University of Calgary, and has done work in community development, geospatial analysis, and environmental policy.
Teigan Blondin de Boer - Member
Teigan holds a BFA from the University of Calgary. After university Teigan pursued her Arts Career, at Evergreen Theatre and various other theatre companies around Calgary wearing multiple hats. Teigan has always had a love for science, technology and art. She is excited to be apart of the Evergreen Board to support the company as she transitions to a full time costumer in theatre and film.
Suzanne Exkstadt - Member
Suzanne is a born and raised Calgarian and mother of 3 grown children who has held various positions over the last 30 years, including 13 years with a large non-profit Arts organization in Calgary. She has been a Volunteer Manager, Production Manager, Touring Manager and Marketing & Special Events Manager as well as done contract work and LOTS of volunteering at home and around the world. Most recently her life long love of coffee has led her to become a Starbucks Store Manager where she is enjoying being surrounded by the sight and smell of espresso all day long! Suzanne firmly believes that volunteering has provided her with a rich, meaningful and engaged life that goes well beyond job titles and salaries, and will continue to explore opportunities to be an involved and contributing member of the community.
Kelly Malcolm - Secretary
Kelly Malcolm is a Calgary based theatre actor, instructor, and arts administrator. A graduate from the University of Lethbridge, Kelly has a passion for the art of physical theatre, and is part of the award winning clown duo The Tighty Whities. Kelly has worked along side Evergreen Theatre as an artist in residency, and as an actor in “Invasion of the Pine Beetles” and “The Legend of Four”.
Jamie Matchullis - Member
Jamie is a Calgary based actor, singer and arts enthusiast. She has had the privilege of working with Evergreen theatre in many different capacities as an actor, puppeteer and instructor and is now excited to serve as a board member. Jamie holds a Diploma in Theatre Arts from Playhouse North School of Theatre as well as a BA in Social and Cultural Anthropology from the University of Calgary.
Nick Driscoll - Member
Nick Driscoll (he/him) is a Calgary-based musician, actor, and music producer. He holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Missouri State University, and first joined Evergreen as an actor in the 2019 touring production of ‘The Three Little Pigs & B.B. Wolfe’. Nick works in corporate education for a major tech company, and is passionate about merging the arts with technology.
Nina Warrier - Member
Nina Warrier is a Calgary based science educator, who has taught secondary science in Alberta for 17 yrs. She is an advocate for STEAM (science,technology.engineering, arts and mathematics) education in both primary and secondary schools. Her children have participated in Evergreen Theatre programming as well as used the Evergreen Spaces for community art programs. She holds a BSc in Zoology, a BSc in Cellular, Microbial and Molecular Biology and a BEd.
Join Us! - New Member
We are always looking for creative, innovative and dedicated individuals to join our board. Reach out to our main office at info@evergreentheatre.com if you are interested in joining and growing our organization.
Help Evergreen GROW!
Awards & Achievements
2023
WINNER
Alberta Emerald Award
for Environmental Education
2019
Alberta Emerald Award for Environmental Education - Finalist
2017
Alberta Business Award of Distinction/Arts & Culture - Finalist
2011
Alberta Emerald Award for Environmental Education - Finalist
2004
WINNER
Global, Environment & Outdoor Education Award of Merit
2000
WINNER
Interpretation Canada Bronze Award
2022
WINNER
Better Business Bureau
Torch Award for Ethics
2018
Alberta Emerald Award for Environmental Education - Finalist
2015
Evergreen Community SPACES launches in Mayland Heights
2009
Alberta Emerald Award for Environmental Education - Finalist
2003
WINNER
Recycling Council of Alberta's 3R's of Excellence Award
1999
WINNER
Interpretation Canada Gold Award
2022
Alberta Emerald Award for Environmental Education - Finalist
2018
WINNER: Leader Legacy Creative Placemakers Award - Sean Fraser - Executive Director
2013
Puppet Bus WINS First Place in Okotoks Annual Parade
2006
Reached our one-millionth audience member
2002
WINNER
NSERC Michael Smith Award of Outstanding Educational Merit
1999
WINNER
Calgary Mayor's Environmental Excellence Award
2021
Alberta Emerald Award for Environmental Education - Finalist
2018
WINNER
Alberta Business Award of Distinction/Arts and Culture
2013
Evergreen Theatre Executive Director Finalist in Rosza Foundation Arts Award
2004
WINNER: Global Woman of Vision Award for Tara Ryan, Artistic Director
2002
WINNER
Global, Environment & Outdoor Education Award of Merit
1998
WINNER
Alberta Emerald Award for Communication, Media & Arts