Nancy Keys
Artistic Director

Nancy Keys has been working professionally in theatre for over 20 years. A member of the Canadian Actor’s Equity Association and a graduate of Laurentian University’s Theatre Program, Nancy has worked in many capacities in theatre including as an actor, director, playwright, teacher, and behind the scenes in management and administration. 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 true passion has always been children’s theatre, and she was the founder and director of the Victoria Playhouse Young Company for seven years. Some of the plays she has written for younger audiences include: “THE PHOENIX EGG,” “ALICE IN OIL TOWN,” “DON’T TOUCH THAT DIAL,” and “THE LAST ENCHANTED FOREST.” For television, she was the writer and director of “REVENGE OF THE WOODLAND AND WATER PEOPLE” (Silver Canpro Award), and “THE NATURE TRIP” (both for MCTV).

Nancy is delighted to work with the so many talented and dedicated individuals (young and old!) who are the Lambton Young Theatre Players.

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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.

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Anna MacAlpine
Artistic Associate / 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.

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