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* Beginning its 21st year, OKTC, one of the first national theatres exclusively dedicated to young artists, remains the premier not-for-profit Canadian Youth Theatre Company.

* In 2010- 2011, Original Kids Theatre celebrated its 20th Anniversary.

* Original Kids Theatre Company was founded as a not-for-profit charitable youth organization by David Conron in 1991 with 12 members.

* The Main Company came first, then Summer Camp. David Conron has now left the Company (2004).

* First home- Alma College in St. Thomas.

* First production for the general public was at Summer Camp 1994. It was “Cats of Alma”, performed in the outdoor theatre at the College and directed by Art Fidler and Reed Needles. Georgina Smith’s daughter was in this show and it was here that Georgina’s connection with OKTC began. Georgina's connection with OKTC began. She retired from her position of Family Liaison & Co-Ordinator of Volunteers in June, 2011, that position being filled by Kerry Hishon.

* Same summer, OKTC moved to London and rented office, rehearsal and performance space in the basement of the London Regional Art and Historical Museum (now Museum London).

* Main Cast performances took place in the Museum Theatre. At this point, there were no stand- alone shows. OKTC did only short productions (About 45 minutes long) in a pair of two week Repertory Seasons (Dec. and Apr.)

* For two years, Summer Camp took place at Huron College, UWO, under the leadership of Mike and Tia Pearse.

* After two years using the Museum Theatre, OKTC built it’s own theatre in the Museum, and called it The Bull-Donaldson Theatre after two volunteers, Keith Bull and Joe Donaldson, who spearheaded its construction. Joe remains with the Company in General Maintenance and Head of House Management.

* In February 1996, Art Fidler retired from teaching and took over as Artistic Director of OKTC. That summer, Original Kids did its first big theatre production (“Annie Warbucks”) at UWO’s Talbot Theatre, directed by Fidler.

* We then tried our first full length productions as part of our season with “The Boy Friend “ directed by Tia Pearse and “Daisy Pulls It Off” directed by KC Cann, who was a director at the time of the founding of Original Kids.

* The next summer, a troupe from OKTC represented Canada at the World Youth Drama Festival in Lingen, Germany in an original work, The Dreamers under the direction of James Schaefer.

* In 1999, OKTC moved to our current home, the Spriet Family Theatre in the new Covent Garden Market. It has this name since we were enabled to build the theatre (designed by Peter Mennie and Art Fidler) through the generosity of Andy and Helen Spriet, prominent philanthropists in London.

* It was also at this point that our annual trips to New York City and Edinburgh began.

* Summer Camp moved to Spencer Lodge on Windermere Road, and now back to Huron University College at the University of Western Ontario

* In 2002, Art Fidler withdrew from the Artistic Directorship to take on Marketing and Special Projects and the position was ably filled by his Assistant Artistic Director, Dale Hirlehey who remains in position as Artistic Director. Our rehearsal space was given the name “The Art Fidler Rehearsal Hall” at this time.

* Now, in 2011-12, OKTC has a membership of 325 performers in the Main Company and a year-round theatre program for 5 to 8 year-olds called Original Kidlets. Summer Camp, now named Camp OK, has grown to a complete July/August event with 4 two - week sessions. The OKTC T.A.G. program (The Actor Grows) has been designed to offer training to Company beginners, offering a series of workshops by theatre professionals and a final gala showcase. The organization has participated in the London One-Act Festival, the London Fringe Festival, and has formed a strong alliance with the London Public Library, co-producing a stellar series of productions in the Library's Wolf Performance Hall as well as a yearly pay-what-you-can outdoor family musical in the Central Library's Rotary Reading Garden. The 2011 production, opening on July 29, is HONK!: The Ugly Duckling Musical by directed by Jeffrey Crane, a young director developed in our Company. The 2010 London Fringe Festival featured our first official OKTC Alumni production, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, which was one of the main hits of the Festival.In Fringe 2011, the OKTC Alumni & Staff production of Stephen Sondheim's Assassins won universal plaudits. Even though our most famous Original Kid is Rachel McAdams of Hollywood film fame, OK alumni are now appearing at the Stratford and Shaw Festivals, and all over the theatrical map. Our primary focus, though, is not fame and stardom, but the providing of an idealistic safe and creative haven for artistic youth.

Original Kids Show History & Directors
1991 – 2011

Playbill 91/92

War on Tatem: Reg Malik
Seesaw Tree: Dave Conron
Tom Sawyer: Reg Malik
Junkyard War: Dave Conron
Upside Down of Down: KC Cann

Playbill 92/93

Death: Reg Malik
Cagebirds: Dave Conron
When the Hippos Crashed the Dance: KC Cann
Baby: Reg Malik
Princess:
Juvie: Erin Sherritt
Teen: KC Cann
Guys and Dolls: Art Fidler

Playbill 93/94

Runaways:
Stuart Little: Dave Conron
I Love Christmas: Reg Malik
Bite of the Big Apple: KC Cann
Rock and Roll Revival:
Striking Out:
Oklahoma: Art Fidler & KC Cann

Summer 94

Cats of Alma: Art Fidler

Fall 94

And You Thought Your Family Was Strange: Glenn Bennett
Midsummer Night’s Dream: Reg Malik
Smile: Michelle Tiller
Vaudeville: Gaetan Labelle
Grease: KC Cann & Tia Pearse

Spring 95

Ready Steady Go: Dave Conron
Everybody is a Star: Art Fidler
Suffering Fools:
Golden Apples: KC Cann
Bugsy Malone: Don Fleckser

Summer 95

The Famous Pirates of Penzance: Don Fleckser
Food Glorious Food: Art Fidler

Fall 95

Macbeth: Reg Malik
The Dangerous Christmas of Red Riding Hood: KC Cann
The Tree Fort Gang: Dave Conron
Our Town: Jim Schaefer
Girls to Women - Born in the 80’s: Art Fidler

Spring 96

The Turtle Who Wanted to Fly:
Live to Dance: Lara Wirick
Lady Dracula: Reg Malik
Prayers from the Ark: Don Fleckser
Rotten Apples: KC Cann
Romeo and Juliet X 7: Jim Schaefer
The Beatles in Revue: Joan Hay

Summer 96

Annie Warbucks: Art

Fall 96

I’m Sorry the Bridge is Out You’ll Have to Spend the Night! Reg Malik
Lost and Found Christmas:
OPOO!: Dave Conron
How to Eat Like A Child: Louise Fagan
Seasons in the Sun: Debbi Abbott
Off the Top: Dave Semple
The Lion Who Wouldn’t: Donna Schulz
Many Moons:
Our Time: Lil Malinich & Sookie Mei
A Christmas Carol: Jim Schaefer

Spring 97

Godspell Unplugged: Angela Southern
An Evening with Mark Twain: Jim Schaefer
Casey!: Dave Conron
Everything About Camp (Almost): Jeff Holbrough
Pinocchio and the Young Offenders: Dan Ebbs
The Paper Bag Princess and Other Stories: Kathy Gerber
Treasure Island: Ron Bryan
Warp 17: KC Cann
Winnie the Pooh: Reg Malik

Fall 97

Lucky Stiff : Art Fidler
A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Beth Gurney
Schemers and Dreamers on Broadway: Dave Conron
Lollipops! Norman Corbeil and Lisa Hull
Revenge of the Space Pandas: Jim Schaefer
Juvie: Kathy Gerber
Flies in the Soup: KC Cann
Women at Work: Debbi Abbott
The Velveteen Rabbit : Reg Malik
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: Gary Lundrigan

Spring 98

Schoolhouse Rock - Live! : Angela Southern
The Dreamers: Jim Schaefer. This original play represented Canada at The World Youth Drama Festival in Germany
The Tales of Beatrix Potter: Reg Malik
Flicker Follies: KC Cann
Snoopy!: Debbie Park
Sleepover: Debbi Abbott
Chez Michel : KC Cann
Whose Side Are You On?: Beth Gurney
Goldilocks in Court: Lisa Hull & Norman Corbeil
Season in the Sun - The Second Tribute: Debbi Abbott
Aspects of Andrew: Dale Hirlehey

Summer 98

Somewhere in the World: Debbi Abbott

Fall 98

Monster Madness: Dave Conron
Teenage Night of Living Horror: Dale Hirlehey
Free to be You and Me: Debbie Kapp
Rememberin’ Stuff: Georgina Smith
Homeroom: Kerri Dixon
Daisy Pull it Off : KC Cann
The Boyfriend : Tia Pearse
The Original Kids Frosty Follies: Art Fidler
O Happy Day: Jamie Quigley

Spring 99

Curse of the Cobra’s Kiss: Dale Hirlehey
Starmites: Angela Southern
Dancin’: Mel Kern
Into the Woods: KC Cann
The Castle Rocks: Dave Conron
Wannabes!: Sue Mei, Lil Malinich
Red Hot and Cole: Debbie Park
We Need a Vacation! : Debbie Kapp
100 Years of Broadway: Jamie Quigley
The Ragged Child: Art Fidler

Fall 99

Pom-Pom Zombies: Dale Hirlehey
OZ! : Debbi Kapp
And Flights of Angels: KC Cann
Voices 2000: Bronwyn Powell Wasse
Fame! Be Your Own Hero: Debbi Abbott
Groovy! : Kim Spriet
Guys and Dolls Jr.: Dave Conron
‘Twas One Wacky Night Before Christmas: Chris Wood
The Little Snowgirl: Don Fleckser

Spring 2000

Quilters: Art Fidler
You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown: Angela Southern
You Don’t Know Me But I’m Famous: Jamie Quigley
John Lennon and Me: Kim Ange
Secrets Every Smart Traveler Should Know: Debbie Park
Once Upon a Summer: Angela Krohe
Canada 128: Debbi Abbott
First in Line (And Other Traumatic Life Experiences): Mel Kern
Once on this Island: KC Cann
Titanic: Tragedy and Trial: Dale Hirlehey
Bugsy Malone Jr.: Dave Conron
Grease: Angela Southern
Steamer Atlantic: Don Fleckser
Bang Bang You’re Dead: Monique Moses

Fall 2000

Once Upon a Midnight Dreary: KC Cann
Terror at Nightmare High: Dale Hirlehey
Fiddler on the Roof: Debbie Kapp
Divas: Debbi Abbott
The Pirates of Penzance: George Jolink
The No Frills Revue: Mel Kern
Bite of the Big Apple KC Cann
Dragons Live Forever: Anna Spada McInerney
Scrooge: Don Fleckser
The Seesaw Tree & War on Tatem : Dave Conron, Jessie Cann, Andrew Dick
Sweetheart: Barry O’Donnell

Spring 2001

Peter Pan in Neverland: Vanda Ferraro
The Arabian Nights: Kelly Martin
Peanuts and Crackerjack: The Baseball Revue: Dale Hirlehey
Working: Debbie Park
The Great Hollywood Disaster Musical : Debbi Abbott
Inspector Incognito: Art Fidler
Who’s Dying to be a Millionaire?: Bill Hill
Broadway’s Golden Apples: KC Cann
Annie Jr.: Jim Noonan
Anne of Green Gables: Art Fidler and Dale Hirlehey
Little Shop of Horrors: Angela Southern

Fall 2001

Texas Chainsaw Musical: Angela Southern
It’s a Howl: Dale Hirlehey
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Debbi Kapp
Alice’s Adventures: Greta Fairhead
Fortress/Seth’s Anxiety: Debbi Abbott
Rotten Apples: KC Cann
A . . . My Name is Alice: Julie Seip
A Wonderful Life: Jim Noonan
Narnia: Sharyn Bell
A Chorus Line: Dale Hirlehey

Spring 2002

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: Laurel Brown
Enchanted Sleeping Beauty: Kelly Martin
Utter Glory of Morrissey Hall: Debbie Park
Lost in Space and the Mortgage Due: Jim Noonan
Beyond the Footlights: Debbi Abbott
The Little Prince: Sharyn Bell
The Shakespeare Revue: KC Cann
Hollywood Pinafore: George Jolink
Return to the Forbidden Planet: Angela Southern
The Wizard of Oz: Dale Hirlehey

Fall 2002

Bye Bye Birdie: Angela Southern
Sleepy Hollow: Jayson MacDonald
Murder at the House of Horrors: Travis Bailie
Don’t Rock the Boat: Kim Spriet
Cinderella: Dale Hirlehey
Dangerous Christmas of Little Red Riding Hood: KC Cann
Babes in Toyland: Debbi Abbott
Phantom of the Op’ry: Sharyn Bell

Spring 2003

School House Rock: Travis Bailie
Music Man Jr.: KC Cann
Anything Goes: Nicole Cranston
Smokey Joe’s Café: Dale Hirlehey
Way Out West in a Dress: Debbi Abbott
Mid Summer Night’s Midterm: George Jolink
Hell Hath No Fury: Angela Southern
Les Miserables: Jim Schaefer

Fall 2003

I’m Sorry the Bridge is Out, You’ll Have to Spend the Night: Dave Conron
Once Upon a Broomstick / Welcome to My Nightmare: Reg Malik
M*A*S*H*: Travis Bailie
WARP X: KC Cann
All that Glitters: Debbi Abbott
Hidden Heroes: Jayson MacDonald
Disney Spectacular : Dale Hirlehey
Feet on the Street: Richelle Brown and Nicole Harper
Jr. T.A.G.: Michael Teixeira
Mid T.A.G.: Sam Shoebottom
Sr. T.AG.: Reg Malik
A.C.T.: Reg Malik
Top Hat: Michael Teixeira

Spring 2004

Clowns: Reg Malik
Lagooned: Kim Spriet
Kindreds: Debbie Abbott
You Can’t Take It With You: Don Fleckser
Honk Jr.: KC Cann
Footloose: Dale Hirlehey
Jekyll and Hyde: Dale Hirlehey
Crazy for You: Sam Shoebottom

Fall 2004

Teenage Night of Living Horror: Dale Hirlehey
The Dracula Spectacula!: Reg Malik
Overnight Express: Jayson MacDonald
Stuart Little: Kim Spriet
The Vaudeville Rag: KC Cann
Anne Frank and Me: Sam Shoebottom
Kindreds: Debbi Abbott
Seussical: Dale Hirlehey
Scrooge! The Musical: Don Fleckser
Hang Ten: Richelle Brown and Nicole Harper

Spring 2005

Winnie the Pooh: Reg Malik
Chelsea and Boggs: Rod Keith
A Night in Motown: Debbi Abbott
The Magician’s Nephew: Sharyn Bell
Twist of the Tongue: Sam Shoebottom
Friday Knight Fever: Kim Spriet
Fame: Richelle Brown
Godspell: Justin Quesnelle
12 Angry Women: Dale Hirlehey
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: KC Cann
A Year with Frog and Toad: Don Fleckser

Fall 2005

Voices in the Attic: Justin Quesnelle
Dracula the Musical: Reg Malik
Twelve Dancing Princesses: Richelle Brown
Dear Edwina Jr.: Sam Shoebottom
Money, Murder and Marvellous Clothes: Kim Spriet
Romeo and Juliet: Neil Silcox
Elton John’s Aida: Dale Hirlehey
Best Christmas Pageant Ever: Martha Zimmerman
One Wacky Night Before Christmas: John Pacheco
Holly Jolly Folly: Debbi Abbott

Spring 2006

Disney’s Aladdin Jr.: Reg Malik
Backpack: Richelle Brown Hirlehey
Rememberin’ Stuff: Georgina Smith
All that Glitters II: Debbi Abbott
Magic in Me: Karen Hamilton McDonald
As You Like It: Simon Goodwin
Swing!: Sam Shoebottom
Putting it Together: Justin Quesnelle
Inuk and the Sun: John Pacheco
Jesus Christ Superstar: Dale Hirlehey
Wind in the Willows: The Crazy Adventures of Mr. Toad : Dale Hirlehey

Fall 2006

Blue Suede Paws: Claire Porter-Martin
Witches: Reg Malik
of mortal terror: Justin Quesnelle
The Girl in the Mirror: Sam Shoebottom
Working: Debbi Abbott
Moby Dick: KC Cann
Cabaret: Dale Hirlehey
Finding Christmas: Kate Fitzgerald & Lesley Bramhill
Bah Humbug!: George Jolink
Christmas in Oz: Martha Zimmerman
Junior TAG: Karen Hamilton MacDonald
Mid TAG: Sam Shoebottom
Sr. TAG: Reg Malik

Spring 2007

Through the Looking Glass: Michael Paylor
Krazy Kamp: Morgan Hillier and Lauren Acton
Juvie: Georgina Smith
Charlotte’s Web: Reg Malik
Names and Nicknames: Vaughn Davis
Seasons in the Sun: Debbi Abbott
The Mikado: KC Cann
Once on this Island: Sam Shoebottom
Laramie Project: Justin Quesnelle
Wizard of Oz: Dale Hirlehey
The Wiz: Art Fidler

Fall 2007

Pom Pom Zombies: Debbi Abbott
The Scream Machine: Justin Quesnelle
James and the Giant Peach: Reg Malik
Brush Up Your Broadway: Dale Hirlehey
Lyfe-Tyme Classics Presents “Jukebox Classics”: Sam Shoebottom
The Pajama Game: Dale Hirlehey
The Shakespeare Revue: KC Cann
Babes in Toyland: Kim Spriet
O Holy Knight: Michael Paylor
Hockey, Eh!: Richelle Brown Hirlehey and Nicole Harper
Junior TAG: Karen Hamilton MacDonald
Mid TAG: Sam Shoebottom
Sr. TAG: Reg Malik

Spring 2008

Disney’s Mulan Jr.: Michael Paylor
Animal Farm: Reg Malik
Push Me: Georgina Smith
High School Musical: Debbi Abbott
A Thousand Cranes: Vaughn Davis
Pirates of Penzance: Simon Goodwin
The Good Doctor: Justin Quesnelle
Kiss Me Kate!: KC Cann
Return to the Forbidden Planet: Sam Shoebottom
Footloose: Dale Hirlehey
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory: Dale Hirlehey

Fall 2008

Big Top Terror: Reg Malik
Terror at Nightmare High: John Pacheco
All You Need is Love: Sam Shoebottom
On Broadway: Dale Hirlehey
OKTC at the Bat: Harry Edison
Ring of Fire: Dale Hirlehey
The Who’s Tommy: Michael Paylor
Rock ‘N’ Roll Santa: Debbi Abbott
Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus: Martha Zimmerman
Joy: The Musical: Art Fidler
Colours in the Dark: Justin Quesnelle
Jr. TAG: Karen Hamilton MacDonald
Mid TAG: Sam Shoebottom
Sr. TAG: Georgina Smith

Spring 2009

Beauty and the Beast: Reg Malik
Thomas and the Princess: Martha Zimmerman
Godspell: Ruth Yateman
Stone Soup: Travis Baillie
Yearbook: Georgina Smith
High School Musical 2: George Jolink
Comedy of Errors: Jason Rip
Evita: Dale Hirlehey
Fame Forever: Sam Shoebottom
Rent: Michael Paylor
Disney’s Alice in Wonderland: Jeff Crane

Fall 2009

Scarecrows: Harry Edison
Monster Madness: Reg Malik
Poe’s Midnight Dreary: KC Cann
Snoopy!: Debbie Park
Thoroughly Modern Millie Jr.: Debbie Abbott
Cyber-Mare: Luke Leasure
I Remember Mama: Martha Zimmerman
Shout! The Mod Musical: Dale Hirlehey
Meredith Wilson’s It’s Beginning it Look a Lot like Christmas: Dale Hirlehey
Velveteen Rabbit: Jeff Crane
Ms. Scrooge: Dan Roberson

Spring 2010

Disney’s Sleeping Beauty: Reg Malik
Bridge to Terabithia: Georgina Smith
Midsummer Night’s Dream: Jason Rip
The Selfish Giant: Dale Hirlehey
Spring Mystery Madness: Harry Edison
Jerry’s Girls: Debbi Abbott
Anne of Green Gable: Dale Hirlehey and Jeff Crane
30 Reasons Not to be in a Play: The Comedy KC Cann
Bugsy Malone Jr: The Musical Comedy Jessica Isard
Wonderful Town: George Jolink
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Alumni): Dale Hirlehey
Disney’s Geppetto and Son: Jeff Crane

Fall 2010

Teenage Night of Living Horror: Dale Hirlehey
The Headless Horseman: The Musical: Vicki Nicholls
Meet the Creeps: Anne Marie Caicco
Lord of the Flies: Jim Schaefer
Stuart Little: The Musical Fantasy: Jessica Isard
Lies and Legends: The Stories of Harry Chapin: Debbi Abbott
Nine: The Musical: Dale Hirlehey
Disney’s Aladdin: The Junior Musical Jeff Crane
Annie: Sam Shoebottom
Annie Warbucks: Kerry Hishon
TAG: Sam Shoebottom

Spring/Summer 2011

John Lennon and Me: Anne Marie Caicco
Disney’s Jungle Book: Ceris Thomas
Disney’s Camp Rock: Jeffery Crane
Jolly Roger and the Pirate Queen: Kerry Hishon
The Drowsy Chaperone: Dale Hirlehey
Back to the 80’s! Debbi Abbott
School House Rock-Live!: Dale Hirlehey
Romeo & Juliet: Martha Zimmerman
13: Andrew Tribe, Lauren Vandervoort
Guys and Dolls Jr.: KC Cann
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer: Kerry Hishon
I Love a Piano: Sam Shoebottom
Assassins (Alumni): Dale Hirlehey
Summer Dreams: Jim Schaefer
Honk!: Jeffery Crane