SPARX TEAM
Pleasure to meet you!
Alana Schober
Alana Schober is the Owner and Founder of Sparx Studio. She is also an Actor and Experienced Certified School Teacher from Vancouver, British Columbia. Alana’s love for teaching led her to the the University of Victoria, where she completed her Bachelor of Education. She has taught both public and private school students in Vancouver, Victoria, Toronto and northern Quebec.
Alana began acting at the age of eight and has performed in many plays, films, commercials, corporate videos, music videos and television shows. Her teaching philosophy is to inspire and enhance her students’ creativity, confidence and unique personal selves. Alana is very delighted combining her two passions – teaching and acting – into one position at Sparx Studio!
Jackie Marson
She is a firm believer that finding what you are passionate about will bring you joy, but notes that you have to believe in yourself first. She owes everything to her lead roles in theatre opportunities growing up which gave her the confidence that made her the woman she is today. She trusts that Sparx Studio does the same for families and inspires children to learn through play, teaching them to creatively express themselves, and ultimately find what it is that ignites their Sparx! The potential is limitless and that’s what makes it even more exciting!
ALL of our Sparx Studio instructors are over 18 years old, have prior child leadership experience, an updated police screening and are certified with Standard First Aid Level C including Child & Infant AED/CPR.
MARTINA
Martina Castillo is an Early Childhood Educator with an Honours Diploma in Acting from Seneca College. Martina has over 7 years of experience as an Actress on stage, on camera and voice-over. She is grateful for her role at Sparx Studio as an Educational Acting Teacher where she connects with students to support their social- emotional, mental and physical development. Martina believes that socio-dramatic play fosters valuable skills for children. At Sparx Studio, she guides children’s self-esteem, communication, leadership and problem solving skills. Through play, children learn how to manage different situations that they will face in real life. From positive experiences like building friendships, co-operating and feeling empathy; to negative situations like anxiety, stress, and bullying. Martina’s goal is to help children grow as unique and independent individuals!
DOMINIC
Dominic is a Child and Youth Worker with a degree in Drama Studies. With experience from both sides of the curtain, a focus on mental & emotional health, and the well-being of the youth he works with, Dominic believes that theatre offers opportunities for children to explore their worlds both internally and externally without judgement. While practicing the skills to build confidence on stage, he believes that children also build resilience and emotional skills for their environment offstage. Creating an environment to foster this growth is so important for wellness in all areas, and is something that Dominic hopes to bring to the students of Sparx, all while having fun!
JENNY
Jenny is the administrative assistant for Sparx Studio. She is also a film, television and voiceover actress, having graduated from Humber College’s Acting for Film & TV program in 2013, after spending her middle school and high school years in a medley of theatre productions.
Jenny believes strongly in the power of play and creative expression to help children grow beyond their anxiety and shyness and to develop important emotional skills to manage their feelings. After dealing with depression and
anxiety herself for a number of years, she has found acting to be one of the most beneficial outlets for her stress and mental health – plus, it’s so much fun!
She is very excited to be a part of the Sparx team, where she is able to offer support to a business that not only provides life-changing social and emotional skills to children of all ages and personality types, but also the opportunity to build long-lasting friendships and have fun!
ALICE
Alice is an Irish born theatre maker. She holds an M.A. in playwriting and dramaturgy, alongside a diploma in speech and communication. Alice has been teaching drama for 8 years in Ireland, America and Canada. Her favourite part of teaching is seeing how children learn and grow in confidence every single week, and loves being part of such a formative process! Alice is delighted to be a part of the Sparx team!
GRACE
Grace is a Toronto based arts educator, playwright and actor. Grace is incredibly passionate about working with kids having taught drama classes and workshops in schools for the past ten years. She has written several plays including a solo show that toured across Canada. She is passionate about fostering creative minds and creating inclusive spaces. She currently teaches public speaking, writing and drama to kids aged 4-14.
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