OUR STAFF

Erynn Nicole Lyster

Executive Director

  • Erynn leads a talented, diverse team of arts professionals dedicated to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for artists and patrons alike. Her work positions The GRAND as a dynamic gathering place where art is the catalyst for meaningful connection, innovative solutions, and challenging conversations.

    Erynn is an entrepreneur with a background in event planning and production, design, communications, and business development. She has spent time working internationally with non-profit organizations, guiding communication strategy and building brand awareness. The strength of her leadership is in bringing talent together to innovate, experiment, and problem solve. In 2016, Erynn was recognized as one of Calgary’s Top 40 under 40.

    She is at home in the mountains and has explored much of our country by bike! She loves animals, marvelling at art, and finding new ways of looking at and travelling through the world.

    Erynn’s favourite GRAND spaces: “This past year, the team found a room within a room. We were a bit scared to open it as it clearly hadn’t been discovered in decades … story TBC! There is also a mysterious door in the basement that leads somewhere, but no one has yet had the courage to explore!”

Meredith Blackburn

Director of Events & Marketing

  • Meredith is the Director of Events and Marketing at the GRAND, where she leads a dynamic team of creatives. With over eight years of experience and a background in event management from Mount Royal University, Meredith specializes in theater events within the nonprofit sector. She has continually honed her skills in marketing, design, and business development. Known for her creativity and keen eye for detail, she brings a unique flair to her work. In her free time, she enjoys photography, drawing, painting, and is an avid movie enthusiast.

    Mer’s favourite GRAND space: "My favourite space would have to be the Green Room. It's nestled in the basement and I love its privacy and dark green paint”

Nate Chiang

Head of Programming

  • In his role, Nate is responsible for Leading Programming from The GRAND. His duties include liaising with artists and the community, helping to coordinate and execute presentations, coordinating artist residencies and visual arts in the space, and providing administrative support.

    Nate has a passion for the arts and is currently a busy performing jazz drummer, gigging with various bands around Calgary for the better part of the last decade. He is passionate about building relationships and capacity in the local arts community, and values the diversity and calibre of Calgary's artists.

    Nate’s favourite GRAND space: “My favourite place at the theatre is the Studio, which I consider the most calming and inspiring of all the spaces.”

Autumn Sali

Head of Administration & Operations

  • As the Head of Administration & Operations at The GRAND, Autumn works closely with the Production, Facilities, and programming teams to keep the facility maintained and organized.

    She is a recent graduate of the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Fine Arts.

    Outside of the theatre, Autumn enjoys reading books and playing video games, especially the Dragon Age series.

    Autumn’s favourite GRAND space: “The theatre’s entrance foyer is my favourite place in the building because of the beautiful historic ornamentation that is still visible today.”

Nathan Thiessen

Technical Director

  • Nathan has worked with The GRAND since 2014, and became the Head Stage Carpenter in 2019. This is a diverse role that involves overhead rigging, assisting with audio, and often requires stage management during shows.

    His technical background includes a decade of working in live sound for the City of Calgary, festival high rigging, video and graphics operation, and some film work.

    Outside of the theatre, Nathan enjoys creating electronic music, running long distances, and mountain biking.

    Nathan’s favourite GRAND show: “I really enjoyed The Gold Rush Redux, presented during the High Performance Rodeo, because the team was so fun, genuine and encouraged others to be themselves.”

Aaric Innes

Head of Stage

  • Coming Soon!

Emily Fonda

Event Operations Coordinator

  • Emily Fonda (She/Her) is a Calgary-based arts professional and graduate of The School of Toronto Dance Theatre (now Dance Arts Institute). Emily was formerly a Youth Presenter and Educator with SQx Dance Company, focusing on community engagement, movement creation and social engagement workshopping with students from across Canada. As an Event Operations Coordinator at The Grand, Emily currently oversees front-of-house relations, bar operations, payroll and schedule coordination. Emily’s blend of operational experience, commitment to hospitality, and passion for fostering meaningful connections makes her a proud member of The Grand’s team.

    Emily’s favourite space at The GRAND is the lounge outside the dressing rooms in the basement! Check out the fun photo op mirror and neon sign!

Georgia Jeffery

Head of Lighting

  • Coming Soon!

Mike Watson

Head of Sound

  • As Head of Sound, Mike’s job is to ensure that pristine levels of sound are reproduced throughout the entire building. Not only does he make it heard, but he strives to make it FELT.

    Prior to “stewarding the sonic vessel that is The GRAND,” Mike has held multiple audio engineering positions at various festivals across Canada.

    One of Mike’s favourite ways to spend his time is visiting Memphis, Tennessee to play blues music and sample the local BBQ.

    Mike's favourite GRAND show: “My favourite show to date is Fluid Festival because it enabled me to gain a new appreciation for modern dance.”

Vaishnavi Khullar

Venue Rentals Coordinator

  • As a venue rentals coordinator, Vaishnavi collaborates closely with clients to guarantee the flawless execution of their events. Drawing from a diverse background, she has a keen eye for detail. She completed her Fine Arts degree from Alberta University of the Arts, majoring in Media Arts. She is an artist working in video, sound, and installations. And she loves to read!

    Vaishnavi’s Favourite Space

    "My favorite place at the GRAND is the Mezzanine. The unique composition of the space and the oculus looking down onto the Lobby is my favorite part!"

Allison Weninger

Production Coordinator

  • Coming Soon!

Connor Williams

Ticketing Services Coordinator

  • Coming Soon!

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Devon LeClair

Chair

  • Devon is a born and raised Calgarian. After spending many years living in cities around the world, she came back to YYC with one goal: to help make Calgary more livable and lovable.

    With an extensive background in arts and culture, non-profit and government, Devon currently works as Chief of Staff for the Ward 9 City Councillor. She is a lifelong lover of theatre and has held several positions with different theatre companies.

    Why Devon volunteers with The GRAND: “I am particularly interested in helping to move The GRAND towards a more inclusive, intersectional and accessible space for all Calgarians.”

Patrick Moskwa

Vice Chair

  • Patrick Moskwa is an artist, entrepreneur, educator, and designer. He has spent the past 2 decades embedded in cultural production and education working with various clients, firms and institutions around Calgary and the throughout North America. As part of his design and art career he has participated in and developed exhibitions and publications around Canada and the United States. He sees The Grand as one of Calgary’s most unique and provocative culture hubs and is proud to lend his expertise to the board. As a queer artist, Patrick is particularly interested in bringing more diverse voices to Calgary’s cultural scene.

    Patrick is passionate about the diversity and strength of Calgary’s cultural scene. He has a Bachelor of Architecture from Carleton University and a Master of Fine Art in Craft Media from Alberta University of the Arts. Patrick has called Calgary home for the past 20 years and looks forward to seeing this wonderful city continue to blossom.

    Patrick’s favourite thing about The GRAND:

    “I am particularly proud of what The Grand has become over the past years since it’s redevelopment. The Grand is a space that promotes a diverse and explorative group of artists in many shapes of performance and visual art. It embraces and praises the emerging arts and culture community in Calgary and is poised to become a hub for the emerging arts landscape across Western Canada.”

Renee Matthews

Secretary

  • Renee’s current roles with The Grand are as a Director and the acting Secretary of the Board.

    Her day job as an energy lawyer, practicing at a boutique law firm in Calgary, coupled with her creative off-hours hobbies give her the perfect balance of left- and right-brain exercise! She has a LLB / MBA from the UBC, and prior to her role as a Director, she assisted a number of other Calgary arts and community organizations volunteering legal services on a pro bono basis.

    Renée’s favourite GRAND space: “The Mezzanine Lounge is an intimate space that’s perfect for grabbing a cocktail, mingling with other guests and capturing a bird’s eye view of the bustle in the lobby area below!”

Jason McKay

Director

  • VICE PRESIDENT Modern Rentals

    With a career spanning over two decades in the Events and Food & Beverage Hospitality industry, Jason has had the opportunity to work with every kind of client from celebrity athletes to corporate businesses. His passion and creative thinking ensure that every client and their guests have an experience like no other. He has worked with brands, clients, and companies from across the globe and has been committed to showcasing Canadian talent and all it offers through notable programs, including World Cup Snowboard, Freestyle, Bobsled, Alpine Canada, and the Hockey Canada Gala.

    Through his dedication to giving back, Jason was the founder and producer of the Legacy Gala (2014 – 2018) which supported Canadian Olympic Athletes. And he has been an instrumental part of fundraising for a number of not-for-profit sports and charities over the years.

Akashdeep Gill

Treasurer

  • Akash Gill is a Treasurer at The GRAND with over 5 years of experience working in public practice. He currently works as an Assistant Controller at Hexagon's Autonomy & Positioning division. He graduated from Mount Royal University with a degree in Business Administration, Accounting, and holds a CPA designation. Akash uses his knowledge and skills to support The GRAND's accounting department and provides financial insight to the Board for decision making.

Jermyn Voon

Director

  • Jermyn K.Y. Voon is a young professional and community leader deeply committed to enhancing accessibility, fostering the arts, promoting inclusivity, and engaging in civic and political activities. His diverse background includes valuable experience across multiple sectors, including federal and provincial government, as well as the private and non-profit realms, where he has contributed in roles spanning accounting, administration, communications, and marketing.

    As a highly engaged community volunteer, Mr. Voon currently serves on the boards of The GRAND Theatre & the CPA Calgary Chapter (Alternate Secretary). He is also a member of the Calgary Foundation’s Arts & Heritage Grant Advisory Committee & SAMRU Advisory Committee (Chair). Jermyn has also served on the boards and committees of Arts Commons, Downstage Performance Society (Vice Chair & Interim Treasurer), Calgary Justice Film Festival, Federation of Calgary Communities (Board Secretary, Nominations Committee Chair, Acting Treasurer & Finance Committee Chair), Canadian Club of Calgary (Board President & Nominations Committee Chair), among other community-focused organizations. In addition to his community service, he is also deeply involved in municipal and federal politics.

    Mr. Voon holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Management, Marketing & Accounting and a Business Administration Diploma, both from Mount Royal University (Bissett School of Business), a Governance Essentials Certificate from the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD-Rotman), an onBoard Canada Board Governance Fundamentals Certificate from Toronto Metropolitan University & is Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certified. Currently, he is pursuing his Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation. He was awarded the 2021 United Way Culbert Family Award for Philanthropy for his outstanding philanthropy & community work and named a 2022 Shaw Charity Classic Community Champion. Jermyn has served as a The Grand Theatre Board member since 2024.

Gurjit Toor

Director

  • Gurjit is co-owner of PnG Builders and Closet Art Studio. She brings 20+ years of technology, management and entrepreneurial experience to the Board. Her diverse industry knowledge has evolved from working directly in Oil & Gas, Construction, Fitness, IT Consulting and Fine Art.

    With a strategic and governance-focused approach, Gurjit excels at defining direction that aligns corporate vision with well articulated end-user impacts, via actionable roadmaps.

    She prioritizes stakeholder engagement, maintaining clear communication to facilitate swift and sound decision-making. She brings valuable insights and leadership to guide organizational growth with strategic initiatives.

    Gurjit holds a BSc Computer Science and a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. She has served as an Independent Director on a variety of Boards since 2018.

Emily Gryba

Director

  • Emily Gryba brings over a decade of diverse experience in the music industry across Canada and the United States. She began her career as a gigging musician in her early teens and later earned a Bachelor of Music with a specialization in Music Management from MacEwan University in 2019. During her studies, Emily worked with the university's record label, Bent River Records, and managed logistics for the Edmonton International Jazz Festival, further solidifying her passion for music and music industry work.

    After graduating, Emily joined the team at Watchdog Management in Vancouver, BC, where she spent five years specializing in artist development, sync, and new business initiatives. During this time, she worked with acclaimed artists such as Mother Mother, Corb Lund, Peach Pit, and emerging talents like Jade LeMac and LA-based Winnetka Bowling League, fronted by Matthew Koma.

    Now based in Calgary, Emily is part of the development team at the National Music Centre, where she contributes to advancing its mission of connecting people to music. She also runs Busy Kid Entertainment, a company dedicated to supporting independent artists with career development and strategic guidance.

Morgan Johnson

Director

  • Morgan has worked in the energy sector for 15 years. She currently works for a global oil and gas company, overseeing the communications and community investment functions for the organization’s North America region. She also has extensive experience planning corporate events including town halls, conferences, and celebrations.

    The GRAND holds a special place in Morgan’s heart. She has been attending events at the theatre for nearly two decades. She also has a soft spot for historic theatres, and is passionate about preserving them for future generations.

    Morgan has volunteered at The GRAND since 2020. Initially, she managed the theatre’s social media accounts during the pandemic. She currently interviews local artists and shares their stories and art on The GRAND’s channels, and also co-leads historical tours of the theatre. She is excited to take on this role as a Board member at The GRAND!

    You will most likely find Morgan catching a show, photographing buildings, day-tripping to small towns with her husband and pup, or getting lost in a museum. She’s also on a mission to see every Vincent van Gogh painting in the world!

Wakefield Brewster

Director

  • In January 1999, Wakefield Brewster stepped onto his first stage as a Poet and Spoken Word Artist. Today, he is known as one of Canada’s most powerful Professional Performance Poets.

    A BlackMan raised in Toronto by parents from Barbados, he has resided in Calgary since 2006, and it is in the New West where Wakefield has been able to truly flourish as a Poet and as a Person.

    Throughout his career, Wakefield has been published in several Anthologies: 

    • T-Dot Griots, Trafford on Demand Publishing, 2004

    • The Great Black North, Frontenac House, 2013

    • The Calgary Project, Frontenac House, 2014

    • The Black Prairie Archives: An Anthology, Wilfred Laurier University Press, 2019

    Since moving to Calgary, he has produced two Professional Recordings to his credit:

    • Wakefield Brewster, da lyrical pitbull

    Produced by Kill Whitey Records, 2007

    • east2west

    Produced by Spanish Fly Music, 2008

    Here is a list of roles he is currently enlisted in:

    • Professional Poet & Spoken Word Artist

    • Professional Poetic Interpreter™

    • Calgary’s 1st City Slam Poetry Champion, 2006

    • Calgary’s only 3-Time Calgary Poetry Slam Champion & Team Captain; 2006, 2008, 2009

    • Inaugural Poet Of Honour, People’s Poetry Festival, 2011

    • Calgary Poet Laureate Official Shortlist/Finalist 2012, 2020

    • Calgary Poet Laureate Unofficial Shortlist/Finalist 2014, 2016, 2018

    • Inaugural Resident Poet & Spoken Word Artist of The Grand Theatre 2019 – 2022

    • Inaugural TD ARTIST INCUBATOR at Arts Commons, Poet-In-Residence, 2021-2022

    • Canadian League Of Poets Member

    • Former Elephant Artist’s Relief Society Board Member

    • Peter Gzowski Foundation For Literacy Calgary Poet Laureate, 2021

    • Registered Massage Therapist and owner of WakeFull Wellness Registered Massage Therapy & HealingSpace

    • Community Builder by engaging in Volunteering, Leadership and Mentorship for Youth and through The Arts

    • Advocate for Literacy and The Humanities; Healing Arts & Alternative Medicine; Alcoholism & Addictions; Mental Wellness & Recovery

    • In 2019, he was appointed as The Resident Poet & Spoken Word Artist of The Grand Theatre House in Calgary, Alberta. 

    • In 2021, Wakefield joined The League Of Canadian Poets in order to become a more integral part of Canada’s Literary scene, while representing the standards of Diversity and Representation.

    • In 2023, he became the TD INCUBATOR Fellow for the 2023-2024 Season, Mentoring over 30 Up-And-Coming Calgary Artists from all disciplines.

    •Also in 2023, Frontenac House Publishing House signed Wakefield on to release his very first full-length Poetry Manuscript. To be release in April 2024 during National Poetry Month: WakeWord

    After all that the stage has given Wakefield, he has discovered other ways that he may repay his beloved Poetry and Arts Communities, by performing silently, backstage for them, providing productions.

    He accomplishes this mission as a Connector, Creator, Curator, and Collaborator.

    Wakefield finds that underneath the many hats and the many hoodies he wears, resides a most wonderful life. 

    He would like to sincerely Thank You All, for being a part of it.

Neil Fleming

Director

  • Originally from the Anishinaabe territory Bawating (Sault Ste. Marie, ON), Neil is a settler playwright, designer and producer now based in Mohkinstsis (Calgary, AB) in Treaty 7 territory. Often described as quirky, comical, and absurd, his plays include: Outside, Anomaly, Security, Last Christmas, The After Party and He Said, She Said (Lunchbox Theatre), John Doe/Jack Rabbit (Ground Zero & FireBelly Theatre). He has been a contributor on devised works with Downstage Arms Length Embrace, and Making Treaty 7, O’Kosi and Indians & Cowboys. Neil has also been: Board President of Alberta Playwrights Network, Executive Director at Making Treaty 7 Cultural Society and Regional Council Representative for Alberta with the Playwrights Guild of Canada. He has recently joined the board of The Grand, one of the oldest theatres in Western Canada.

Kate Ritchie

Director

  • Kate Ritchie is a Calgary-based textile artist originally from Toronto, Ontario. With a rich academic foundation and a deep passion for craft, Ritchie brings a unique, thoughtful perspective to her work and to her role as a board member in the theatre community.

    She received her BFA in Material Art and Design from OCAD University (2020) and recently completed her MFA in Craft Media at the Alberta University of the Arts (2023).

    Ritchie’s artistic practice is deeply rooted in the transformative power of materials and their ability to foster connection. Her work is an exploration of the infinite potential for objects and people to come apart and come together again, weaving together concepts of emotional and physical care, and celebrating the beauty in seams, hems, and other overlooked details. Through a combination of weaving, unweaving, and reweaving domestic objects, she explores the tactile and emotional resonance of materials, focusing on the layers of meaning embedded in the act of making and the relationships that form between artist, object, and viewer.

    Ritchie’s commitment to craft is underscored by her dedication to the process and the systems of work that support it. She thrives on the small but significant details—efficiency, attention, and respect for the materials and processes that underpin her practice. Her work is driven by radical care, emphasizing the potential for objects to be both functional and meaningful.

    Over the course of her career, Ritchie has honed her practice through residencies, including at the Contemporary Textile Co-op (Toronto), Artscape Gibraltar (Toronto), Calgary Allied Arts Foundation (Calgary), and the Banff Centre (Banff). These experiences have expanded her artistic vision and deepened her commitment to the power of craft as a form of storytelling and community-building.

    In addition to her artistic practice, Ritchie is an active advocate for the arts community.

    Her experience in both the academic and creative spheres brings a unique perspective to her role at The Grand. She is dedicated to fostering inclusive, dynamic environments where creativity, collaboration, and care can thrive. Whether through her work as an artist or involvement in arts organizations, Ritchie is committed to the transformative potential of the arts to foster connection and build meaningful relationships.

Phillip Armstrong

Director

  • With oversight over development and operation of assets at a national level, Phillip  has a strong eye for strategic business planning and asset management. He has spent over 15  years in commercial/residential real estate development, construction, adaptive reuse and asset management. Phillip is a graduate of Queen’s University. More importantly, he firmly believes in the Grand’s vision to support the grass roots arts and culture ecosystem in Calgary and across Canada.

November 2024
Newly appointed Directors
(bios coming soon):

Ali McKay

Ishita Singla

Tony Ovechkin