Fall Registration for our Drama School open
Our Story
Nanaimo Young People's Theatre began with a homecoming.
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After spending more than 25 years in Toronto as a theatre educator, playwright, and arts professional,
our founder, Zoe Henderson, returned to Nanaimo with a vision: to build a vibrant Theatre for Young Audiences company supported by high-quality drama education for children and youth.
The journey began in the summer of 2023 with a touring one-person show for young audiences, written by Zoe and performed locally. From there, the focus turned to laying a strong foundation through a mobile drama school, bringing theatre education directly to young people throughout the community.
Over the past three years, hundreds of children and youth have participated in NYPT classes, camps,
and performance opportunities, Alongside this educational work, NYPT has steadily expanded its artistic programming, including two annual Mummers' Parades and Plays at Bowen Park that brought young performers, families, and community members in celebration of theatre.
In 2025, NYPT took a significant step forward in its production work with an intergenerational production of the ensemble play Small Bots, by Canadian playwright, Julia Lederer, bringing together youth and adult performers in a shared theatrical experience.
Today, NYPT continues to grow toward its original vision: creating exceptional theatrical experiences for young audiences while nurturing future artists and audiences through youth theatre and drama training.
We are proud of our beginnings, grateful for our communities support, and excited abput the next chapter of bringing Theatre for Young Audiences to Nanaimo.
NYPT does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, martial status, national origin (ancestry), disability, or sexual orientation in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, the appointment to and termination from its Board of Directors, hiring and firing of staff or contractors, selection of volunteers, and providing of services.
The Heart of Our Organization
We are a dedicated team of directors and drama instructors committed to nurturing the next generation of storytellers.
Zoe Henderson
Artistic Director
Studio 8 Instructor
Studio 11 Instructor
Summer Youth Theatre Director
Daleal Monjazeb
Studio 15 Instructor
Amanda Cutting
NextGen Ensemble Theatre
Board of Directors
Kirsty MacDonald
President
Tracy Simonar
Secretary/Treasurer
Member at Large
Daniel Mulligan
As an arts organization, we acknowledge, respect and honour the traditional territory of the Snuneymuxw, Snaw-naw-as, and Stzuminus people, upon whose ancestral lands we live, gather, and create.