OUR TEAM

TAYLOR GREGORY
MERAKI THEATRE’s FOUNDER

Artistic Director & TEACHER

Our founder, Taylor Gregory (She/Her), created Meraki Theatre Productions in January of 2018. Meraki Theatre was born after Taylor had the opportunity to teach IB Theatre at ACS Athens International School in Greece and the word "meraki" is a Greek word which means to put love, creativity and your soul into what you do. Taylor has directed dozens of productions with Meraki Theatre over the years, including “Quest” which she co-wrote and co-produced in 2019 which premiered at the Winnipeg Fringe Festival (Kids Fringe) and visited dozens of Winnipeg schools during a Fall School Tour later that year. She was born in Winnipeg (Treaty 1 Territory) and has been studying theatre formally and informally for over fifteen years. She graduated from the Faculty of Education at the University of Winnipeg with her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre and she loves sharing her passion for theatre and her love of learning with her students. In recent years, Taylor has graced the stage in Théâtre Cercle Molière’s production of “Avec ou sans filtre” (2021/2022 Season) and “Expressions Vives” (French School Tour) which toured bilingual elementary schools across the province. She was selected by ATFC to take part in a French playwriting practicum geared towards young audiences at the Banff Centre for Arts in collaboration with National Theatre School. Taylor has also worked with many other organizations including MTYP, Théâtre Cercle Molière and Rainbow Stage (as their Education Developer).

KENNEDY HUCKERBY
ASSOCIATE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR & TEACHER

Kennedy Huckerby (She/Her) is a Métis educator, performer, and writer living in Winnipeg, MB (Treaty 1 Territory). She is the Associate Artistic Director of Meraki Theatre and is also one of Meraki’s teachers, directors, and writers for both seasonal productions and the Winnipeg Fringe Festival in the summer months. Kennedy is a graduate from the University of Winnipeg (2022) obtaining her Bachelor of Education degree while simultaneously completing her B.A. in Theatre and Film specializing in Drama in Education. Alongside Meraki Theatre, Kennedy pursues her passion for mental health advocacy as she believes in the strong connection and impact Theatre has to mental health. To further this, she has founded B12 Theatre Productions: a local Theatre company that is dedicated to creating art through mental health awareness. Her debut play was “A is for Anxiety Apples” in which she wrote, directed, performed, and produced at The Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival (2023). Kennedy has recently been accepted into Creative Manitoba’s Professional Mentorship Program where she will be focused on playwriting under the guidance of Cory Wojcik. Kennedy has a decade of teaching experience, both inside and outside of the classroom, and has worked with several organizations and school divisions including Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba (Youth Program Coordinator),  BGC Winnipeg (as their Program Coordinator),  Rainbow Stage (Camp Rainbow), Seven Oaks, Pembina Trails, and Winnipeg School Division.

DANE bjornson
TEACHER

Dane Bjornson (He/Him) is a singer/songwriter, performer, producer and arranger from Winnipeg MB. He's performed and produced theatre on stages around Canada for 10+ years, including tick, tick... BOOM! (Forte), Strike: The Musical (Rainbow Stage) and most recently came off of arranging and producing the music for the professional debut of Ma-Buhay on Rainbow Stage in June, 2024. As a singer/songwriter, he's released 2 EPs and countless singles as a solo artist and collaborator. He’s graduated from MacEwan University with a Bachelor of Jazz and Contemporary Popular Music, where he majored in recording and production. Currently, Dane is focussed on completing the After Degree Education program at the University of Winnipeg, as well as writing and producing his own music and that of other artists around the country.

VICTORIA EXCONDE
TEACHER

Victoria Exconde (She/Her) is a Canadian-Filipino theatre artist, choreographer, and dance educator. As a graduate of the Senior Professional Program at the School of Contemporary Dancers, she began her professional career as a company dancer with Nafro Dance Productions, later performing with BOSS Dance Team and the Winnipeg Blue Bomber Cheer and Dance Team. Victoria has since shifted her focus to musical theatre, where she continues to thrive both as a performer and educator. Performance credits include: Waitress (MTC), Rock of Ages, Frozen, Ma-Buhay!, Mary Poppins (Rainbow Stage), Fame (Winnipeg Studio Theatre), Saplings (One Trunk Theatre), Yofanana, Mapiko (Nafro Dance Productions), Maria and the Mennos (Ode Productions). She continues to inspire and uplift her community through her work both on stage and in the studio. 

CHRIS FRIESEN
TEACHER

Chris Friesen (He/Him) Chris Friesen studied acting at Rosebud School of the Arts, and moved to Winnipeg in 2022.  He has appeared in productions with Winnipeg Studio Theatre (FAME: The Musical), and Looking Glass Theatre (Treasure Island, Mr. and Mrs. Nobody).  

Chris has also been educating youth for over ten years. He’s taught acting lessons in schools as well as with Manitoba Theatre for Young People, Rainbow Stage, the Manitoba Youth Drama Festival, Theatre Unlabeled, and he was the Manitoba Producer for the Canadian Improv Games from 2023-2025.  Chris specializes in teaching through games that give the student a direct experience of acting and improvisation, and connect them with their intuition.  He believes that anyone can act or improvise, and that true learning comes through play.

In addition to acting, Chris is also an accomplished musician and songwriter, and offers private instruction in guitar, bass, banjo, and ukulele. 

DAVID LANGE
TEACHER

David Lange (He/Him) is an actor and director based in Winnipeg. He graduated from the University of Winnipeg in 2022 with a BA in Theatre and Film, and Classics, with a minor in English. Since graduating, David has focused on Shakespeare, performing in Romeo & Juliet, The Tempest, and Much Ado About Nothing. He recently made his directing debut at the 2024 Winnipeg Fringe Festival with The Two Gentlemen of Verona, in collaboration with Indifferently Reformed. He also has two years of teaching experience working as a teaching assistant at the University of Winnipeg. David was thrilled to have been able to assist with Meraki’s student-led production of Twelfth Night and is very excited to be back for Much Ado About Nothing.

Elena Modrzejewski
TEACHER

Elena Florence Modrzejewski (She/Her) is a Queer performing artist, writer, and Arts Educator from Selkirk, MB. Elena aims to use her art to create and strengthen community, promote mental health awareness, and stretch other’s and her own capacity for joy. Elena is devoted to creating diversified safe spaces in her creative endeavours and is serious about the role that silliness plays in all art and vulnerability. She loves words, flowers, nerds, sugary coffee, and supportive footwear. Elena is currently working towards a BA in Theatre and Film with a minor in Creative Writing at the University of Winnipeg.

Shauldon Paul Santos
TEACHER

Shauldon Paul Santos (He/Him) Shauldon is an Early Childhood Educator II and a Winnipeg-Based performer. He began his Musical journey back in 2017 with Recycled Talent Productions (RTP) and is thrilled to have made his Rainbow Stage debut in their recent production of Ma-Buhay (2024). Shauldon has worked vigorously in the arts, taking workshops, learning from The Village Conservatory, and participating in the Winnipeg Fringe Festival while sharing his new found skills with the youth surrounding him

BEN TOWNSLEY
TEACHER

Ben Townsley (He/Him) is a Winnipeg-based playwright and performer with a love of language, music and the absurd. He has studied at the University of Winnipeg, earning a Bachelor of Arts in English while also immersing himself in theatre. In 2016, Ben founded Walk&Talk Theatre Company with his friends and collaborators Duncan Cox and Tanner Manson, and he’s been creating ever since. He has also been working with youth for nearly a decade. He started working with Rainbow Stage’s musical theatre summer camp program, Camp Rainbow, in 2016 and is thrilled to be working with Meraki. 

SESAME SEED
ASSISTANT TO THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Sesame (She/Her) is a key member Meraki Theatre’s success and plays a vital role in assisting Taylor Gregory, our Artistic Director. She loves playing ball and is very good at catching. She recently graced the stage playing the role of “Nana” in Neverland during our 2024/2025 season. She sometimes likes to dress up, but mostly leaves the costumes to the students. Her hobbies include chasing crickets, running, eating treats, playing with her soccer ball, jumping on ants, giving kisses, puppacinos from Starbucks, and really anything that will result in positive attention.