About Us
We are a local organisation that offers young people a chance to become involved in theatre productions. We believe that theatre encourages creativity and imagination. It also builds self-esteem, teamwork, and a sense of responsibility. And above all, it’s fun!
We offer sessions targeted to specific age groups. Our activities have one aim: to give young people experience in different aspects of theatre. The skills we hope to build include performance, playwriting, technical skills, stage management and design.
To learn about enrolling your child with the Players, please visit our Join the Players! page. You can read about our upcoming Events and browse through our Past Events on our website. And you can read about our Mission, Values, and Objectives.
Lambton Young Theatre Players is a registered charity with the Canada Revenue Agency.
We offer sessions targeted to specific age groups. Our activities have one aim: to give young people experience in different aspects of theatre. The skills we hope to build include performance, playwriting, technical skills, stage management and design.
To learn about enrolling your child with the Players, please visit our Join the Players! page. You can read about our upcoming Events and browse through our Past Events on our website. And you can read about our Mission, Values, and Objectives.
Lambton Young Theatre Players is a registered charity with the Canada Revenue Agency.
Nancy Keys
Founder and Artistic Director
Nancy Keys is the founder and artistic director of the Lambton Young Theatre Players, and her passion lies in children’s theatre. Before LYTP, she founded the Victoria Playhouse Young Company, which she directed for seven years. Nancy is also an accomplished playwright, and under her direction, her youth companies have produced the five children's plays she has written. Nancy is delighted to work with the so many talented and dedicated individuals (young and old!) who are the Lambton Young Theatre Players.
Nancy has been working professionally in theatre for over 25 years as an actor, director, playwright, teacher, and behind the scenes in management and administration. She is a member of the Canadian Actor’s Equity Association and a graduate of Laurentian University’s Theatre Program. Theatres she has been associated with include Sudbury Theatre Centre, Kids Up North (a touring theatre company), Lighthouse Festival Theatre, Blyth Festival, St. Lawrence Stage Company, and Victoria Playhouse Petrolia. |
Nancy's children's plays are available for licensing: |
Bethany Lawrence
Associate Artistic Director
Bethany Lawrence (nee Redick) has been living her love of theatre for six years now, first finding her talent and spark in 2005 as a member of the VPP Young Company. Over the next several years she worked there as an actor, stage manager, and later as an assistant director. In keeping with her other hobbies, including her love for writing and kids, she began establishing a name for herself as director of the Jr. Company where she both wrote and directed with great success "SILLY SUMMER ADVENTURES" (2007), "HAPPILY EVER AFTER"(2008), "MIXED UP MOTHER GOOSE"(2009), and "FLY MY WAY HOME" (2010) among others.
When she wasn't teaching in the summer, Bethany pursued her education academically at Brock University studying Drama in Education and Society as well as Stagecraft. With one year remaining in her degree she has gained ample experience and praise throughout her school experience, including her lead performance in BHOPAL (2009) as well as a props designer and crew member of "A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC" (2009).
Bethany’s love for theatre has brought her continually back to the VPP's summer seasons where she works to achieve her professional stage management status. She is very excited to be collaborating her talents with Artistic Director Nancy Keys in establishing the newly created Lambton Young Theatre Players and hopes to bring a little more magic to the stage once again, continuing to do exactly what she loves – theatre.
When she wasn't teaching in the summer, Bethany pursued her education academically at Brock University studying Drama in Education and Society as well as Stagecraft. With one year remaining in her degree she has gained ample experience and praise throughout her school experience, including her lead performance in BHOPAL (2009) as well as a props designer and crew member of "A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC" (2009).
Bethany’s love for theatre has brought her continually back to the VPP's summer seasons where she works to achieve her professional stage management status. She is very excited to be collaborating her talents with Artistic Director Nancy Keys in establishing the newly created Lambton Young Theatre Players and hopes to bring a little more magic to the stage once again, continuing to do exactly what she loves – theatre.
Anna MacAlpine
Artistic Associate and Instructor
Anna MacAlpine grew up with a love for music, writing, and theatre. A recent graduate of Brock University (BA Honours in Dramatic Arts with a Minor in Music), Anna has trained in all aspects of theatre including performance (Brock University and Stratford Festival), critical theoretical writing, directing and scriptwriting.
While at Brock, she appeared in BHOPAL (2009), SHATTER (2011), ORPHEUS DESCENDING (2011), and played the lead in a female version she co-created of Shakespeare’s HAMLET. A member of the Niagara Youth Orchestra and the Brock University Wind Ensemble, Anna has competed in many music festivals including the Lambton County Music Festival where she received a top award for Outstanding Promise, Instrumental (clarinet).
Anna's previous experience with children includes working as an instructor at Brock University Spring Camp (grades 6/7/8), Easter Seals Ontario Camp Woodeden, and volunteer work with Pathways Health Centre for Children Daycare, and Girl Guides of Canada. Anna is thrilled to be working with the Lambton Young Theatre Players, and her old friend, Bethany Lawrence, and looks forward to spreading the joy of theatre with many new younger friends, and the LYTP Junior Players.
While at Brock, she appeared in BHOPAL (2009), SHATTER (2011), ORPHEUS DESCENDING (2011), and played the lead in a female version she co-created of Shakespeare’s HAMLET. A member of the Niagara Youth Orchestra and the Brock University Wind Ensemble, Anna has competed in many music festivals including the Lambton County Music Festival where she received a top award for Outstanding Promise, Instrumental (clarinet).
Anna's previous experience with children includes working as an instructor at Brock University Spring Camp (grades 6/7/8), Easter Seals Ontario Camp Woodeden, and volunteer work with Pathways Health Centre for Children Daycare, and Girl Guides of Canada. Anna is thrilled to be working with the Lambton Young Theatre Players, and her old friend, Bethany Lawrence, and looks forward to spreading the joy of theatre with many new younger friends, and the LYTP Junior Players.
Emily Arts
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Emily is ecstatic to join the LYTP team. Emily is a resident of Sarnia and fellow alumnus of the Lambton Young Theatre Players. Past performances include The Phoenix Egg (2007) and Alice in Oil Town (2008). Emily studied at the University of Guelph for a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Studies, where she sparked interest in multiple paths including stage management, costume design and children's theatre. Emily has designed for shows such as Hamlet (University of Guelph 2009), Love and Anger (UoG 2010), and [Title of Show] (UoG 2011), and stage managed [Title of Show] (UoG 2011).
Since 2011, Emily has worked as a drama instructor for First Light Theatre (Guelph), specializing in teaching children ages 6 to 12 the wonderful world of drama after school. Emily is excited to have the chance to give back to the company that ignited her love of theatre. She would like to thank her soon-to-be husband Devin for his endless support, and to Nancy, who has made this all possible for Emily.
Since 2011, Emily has worked as a drama instructor for First Light Theatre (Guelph), specializing in teaching children ages 6 to 12 the wonderful world of drama after school. Emily is excited to have the chance to give back to the company that ignited her love of theatre. She would like to thank her soon-to-be husband Devin for his endless support, and to Nancy, who has made this all possible for Emily.