OUR TEAM
TAYLOR GREGORY (SHE/HER)
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 Productions 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 directed our production of “The Laramie Project” (May, 2018), co-directed our 2019 production and Manitoba premiere of “The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later” and co-wrote and co-produced “Quest” which was performed for the Winnipeg Fringe Festival (Kids Fringe) and then toured across dozens of Winnipeg schools for a Fall School Tour. She was born in Winnipeg (Treaty 1 Territory) and has been studying theatre formally and informally for over ten 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 had the opportunity to perform in Théâtre Cercle Molière’s french children’s theatre production of Expressions Vives which toured across Manitoba and she was recently selected by ATFC to take part in a French playwriting practicum at the Banff Centre for Arts in collaboration with National Theatre School. Taylor has also worked with many other organizations including Rainbow Stage (as their Education Developer), MTYP, and Théâtre Cercle Molière.
KENNEDY HUCKERBY (SHE/HER)
KENNEDY HUCKERBY
Associate Artistic Director & TEACHER
Kennedy Huckerby (she/her) is a Métis educator, creator, and writer living in Winnipeg, MB (Treaty 1 Territory). She is the Artistic Associate of Meraki Theatre and is also one of Meraki’s teachers, directors, and writers for both season 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. Alongside Meraki Theatre, Kennedy pursues her passion for mental health advocacy while working at Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba as their Youth Program Coordinator. She has also 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 several years of teaching experience, both inside and outside of the classroom, and has worked with several organizations and school divisions including BGC Winnipeg (as their Program Coordinator), Rainbow Stage (Camp Rainbow), Seven Oaks, Pembina Trails, and Winnipeg School Division.
TEACHERS
Current teaching staff with Meraki Theatre!
KYLE MROZ (HE/HIM)
KYLE MROZ
TEACHER (HE/HIM)
Kyle Mroz (he/him) is currently in the process of completing his Bachelor of Arts degree in Acting from the University of Winnipeg with a hope to continue his studies in Education. He has been been involved with musical theatre since he was 8 years old and has found a passion for teaching theatre more recently. Kyle has taught at Camp Rainbow at Rainbow Stage and is so excited and grateful to also be working alongside such wonderful people at Meraki. He is also currently an Assistant Director at Springfield Theatre Company in Oakbank, MB and is looking forward to many more opportunities that come his way!
KATRINA LENGSAVATH (SHE/HER)
KATRINA LENGSAVATH
TEACHER & Admin Assistant (SHe/her)
Katrina Lengsavath (she/her) is a fourth year Arts & Sciences student at Canadian Mennonite University (CMU). At thirteen years old she had her very first musical theatre lead as Cinderella in “Into The Woods Jr”. Her time with Meraki began when she volunteered as a Production Assistant for “Quest” during Winnipeg Fringe Festival in July 2019. Soon after, Katrina was invited to join Meraki's Team. She supported Meraki's socially-distanced, outdoor youth theatre camps during the pandemic-esque summers, and served as a Teaching Assistant for virtual playwriting classes. Katrina was also a part of the directing and choreography team for Meraki’s recent production of Mamma Mia (2023). Katrina currently sings with the CMU Singers ensemble and recently performed in Manitoba Opera's Li Keur as a chorus member in the full-scale, Indigenous-led opera. As she navigates the final chapters of her undergrad degree, Katrina strives to weave “meraki” (love, creativity, and soul) into her studies and leadership endeavours to give back to a community that has given her so much.
SHAULDON PAUL SANTOS (HE/HIM)
Shauldon Paul Santos
TEACHER (HE/HIM)
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 excited to be making his Rainbow Stage Debut this Summer in their production of Ma-Buhay. 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 (HE/HIM)
BEN TOWNSLEY
TEACHER (HE/HIM)
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.
SARAH LAMOUREUX (THEY/THEM)
SARAH LAMOUREUX
COMPANY STAGE MANAGER (THEY/THEM)
Sarah Lamoureux (they/them) is a music and theatre educator from Winnipeg, Manitoba. They enjoy engaging with youth, and helping them reach their full potential. They have had the pleasure of teaching with several theatre schools, studios, and summer camps, including Manitoba Theatre for Young People, Camp Rainbow Stage, Meraki Theatre Productions, and the Heidi Korte Music Studio. When not teaching, Sarah enjoys spending time with their cat Mabel.
TEACHER ASSISTANTS
ADDITIONAL POSITIONS
SESAME (SHE/HER)
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 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.