About Neptune Theatre School

Neptune Theatre School has delivered theatre education for over 40 years. Learning from practicing theatre artists and arts educators in Nova Scotia, students will obtain excellent theatre training through our diverse range of programming.

Throughout the year, we offer Weekend Classes for students ages 18 months to 18 years old, Adult Workshops for students ages 18+, Summer Camps, March Break Camps, and PD Day Camps. We offer a variety of pre-professional training opportunities for teens: Neptune Academy, PREP, and our Youth Performance Company which produces two professionally directed and designed productions as a part of Neptune’s theatrical season. Our reach expands beyond our stages each Spring when TOURCo brings professional Theatre for Young Audience productions into schools across Nova Scotia.

There is something for everyone at Neptune Theatre School, and we cannot wait to welcome you to your next program.

Mission Statement

Neptune Theatre School puts children and youth at the heart of what we do. We create meaningful, playful, collaborative learning experiences where students can grow as both artists and individuals. Our mission is to positively impact the emotional, social, and intellectual development of young people through arts education. Our classes ignite students’ empathy, sense of play, confidence, community, and artistry.

Vision

Neptune Theatre School strives to empower students to be their fullest selves and positively impact their communities.

How we ACT

The lives, wellbeing, and growth of our students are at the heart of all programming and organizational decisions, guided by the way we ACT.

We ACT with Empathy: We will teach and empower students to understand and care for the feelings of others. We will use storytelling and theatre as tools to explore different perspectives, emotions, recognize commonalities, and reflect on our own behaviours.

We ACT in Play: We will let children be children and help artists of all ages find their inner child full of creativity, imagination, and playful impulses.

We ACT with Confidence: We will create brave spaces in which students feel supported to try new things, challenge themselves, and grow as artists and individuals.

We ACT in Community: We will create meaningful connections and collaboration amongst students in all classrooms and programs to foster a profound sense of belonging, support, and friendship.

We ACT with Artistic Excellence: We will equip students with strong foundational skills and instill appreciation for creative artistry and meaningful storytelling.

Meet our team!

The team at Neptune Theatre School is made of professional artists and leaders in Halifax's artistic community. From our management staff to summer camp instructors, we are proud to highlight the stellar folks that make Neptune Theatre School a leading instituation for emerging and established performers of all ages.

Leadership & Management

SHARISSE LEBRUN - Director of Education & Outreach

Sharisse LeBrun (she/her) is from Eqpahak/Fredericton, New Brunswick where she has worked in arts education for ten years. She has been Theatre New Brunswick's Theatre School & Young Company Director since 2018. She is thrilled to be joining the team at Neptune Theatre and can’t wait to get to know the students and artists that make it what it is. Education: MA in Theatre (UofT) and BA in English (STU). Recent Directing: Beneath Springhill, Sidewalk Chalk, S.T.O.P, Altar (YOCO) and The Spongebob Musical, Romeo & Juliet, Rose (Theatre School). Recent Performance: Bluebirds (TNB) and The Company Store (Theatre Baddeck).

MADDIE MAITZEN – Theatre School Manager

Maddie Maitzen (she/her) has been involved with Neptune Theatre School for 5 years, starting as a student and YPCo member before becoming an instructor. She later joined the Theatre School Administration team as a Content Creator, Administrative Assistant, Songs for Seniors Program Coordinator, and Stage Manager. Maddie couldn’t have been more thrilled to take on the role of Theatre School Manager in January 2024! She recently made her Neptune Theatre mainstage debut in the Canadian Regional Premiere of Disney's Frozen. Maddie graduated from the Fountain School of Performing Arts with a Bachelor’s in Music - concentration in vocal performance. She loves performing opera, musical theatre, pop music and has a special interest in songwriting and post-production editing.

Theatre School Administrators

LUCAS ARAB – Education Content Creator

Lucas Arab (he/him) considers himself to be a "Professional Make-Believer" with the goal of creating immersive and visually intriguing storytelling spaces for all. He is a scenic designer who is passionate about theatre education for students of all ages. Lucas has designed the sets of many YPCo and professional productions at Neptune Theatre such as The New Canadian Curling Club, Crypthand, Heathers the Musical, Dear Rita, The SpongeBob Musical, Little Women, as worked as an assistant designer on Disney's Frozen and Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead. When Lucas isn’t designing for the stage, he usually taking audiences behind the scenes on social media or creating new didgital content and exciting programs for Neptune Theatre School.

SARA COURTNEY - Curriculum Coordinator

Sara Courtney (she/they) is a multidisciplinary performer from Ponamogoatitjg (Dartmouth), where she works primarily in childcare. Sara is a former student of Neptune’s Theatre School and now works as an instructor (and loves it!). Sara has been working in children's theatre for over five years, directing, choreographing and stage managing youth productions around the HRM. In their spare time she loves painting, baking and doing fun crafts!

SOPHIE WILCOTT - Theatre School Adminstrator

Sophie Wilcott (they/she) is a Maritime-based, multidisciplinary theatre artist with a dedication to theatre for young audiences. They have collaborated with Neptune Theatre, Theatre Nova Scotia, Prismatic Arts Festival, Atlantic Repertory Company, Theatre New Brunswick, Playwrights Atlantic Resource Centre, The Unnatural Disaster Theatre Company, The Voice Factory, Symphony New Brunswick, Connection Dance Works, and InterAction School of Performing Arts. In spring of 2023, they received a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Theatre (Acting) and a certificate in Dance & Movement Composition from Dalhousie Fountain School of Performing Arts. Sophie is a recipient of the prestigious Dalhousie Chancellor’s Scholarship (2019-2023), the Fountain School of Performing Arts Undergraduate Scholarship (2019-2023), the Christine Zinck (Theatre) Scholarship (2022), and the Arts New Brunswick Scholarship in (2019 and 2022).