The Board

Mission Statement

Flatlands theatre company desires to create a safe environment for all ages to use their gifts, talents, and imagination. The company desires to inspire individuals to develop their skills through classes as well as productions led by local theatre professionals

Member Organizations

Past Board Members

Matthew Wall
Darren Klassen
Bud Kehler
Tina Fehr-Kehler
Sherie Swaan
Rhonda Friesen
Nathan Peters
Betty Hoeppner
Melissa Grenier
Joel Swaan
Scott Derksen
Bethany Bunko

Board Members

Jeanette Hoeppner
founding member

Rosebud Theatre - FRSA

It all goes back to a young 7 year old Goldlilocks afraid to sit in the chair she knew would have to fall apart. Once she got over her fear of stage falls, Jeanette moved on to act and direct at Garden Valley Collegiate, tour North America with Covenant Players, and eventually land at Rosebud School of the Arts, Alberta. Three years later as a fresh new face in the graduate scene, she took on work with Badlands Passion Play, Mennonite Collegiate Institute, Candlewick Productions and Solejourn Productions. Theatre highlights include: Opal, The Curious Savage, Footprints of a Pilgrim, Les Miserables, Anne & Gilbert, Little Women and Dancing Backwards. Film highlights include On a Sunday and Retired with 40 Below Films. You never know where you might find Jeanette at work or what she might be doing! She is based in Winkler and happy to be working with flatland's as artistic director and class instructor.

Janice Dyck Epp
Joined 2017

Janice along with her family became involved with flatlands theatre company during its first season. Over the years she has helped out in various roles like painting, props, costumes and supporting her family. Janice can most often be found downstairs supporting the cast in several ways or at the front of house. Janice has had a few opportunities to be on stage with Cottonwood Theatre but prefers and enjoys the off stage roles. Janice believes that flatlands theatre company provides a great opportunity for families to get involved together. Working together in an inter-generational setting has been a wonderful outlet for our family.

Keith Friesen
Joined 2017

Keith has been a fan of live theatre since he was young; having season tickets to Manitoba Theatre Centre back in high school. Having been an audience member for most of his life, Keith finally tried his hand at being on stage for the first time with Flatlands Theatre Company in 2016 – and we haven’t been able to get him off stage since! Comedy appears to be his forte, as Keith enjoys doing whatever it takes to get people to laugh; whether it is on stage, or during a board meeting. Keith also enjoys having fun coming up with different voices and accents for characters, regardless of if the script calls for it or not. Some of Keith’s more memorable characters include Boris from Mission: Possible, Cant Soold from Star Stars, Detective Lestrade from Sherlock Holmes, and Tim Conway’s roles in The Carol Burnett Show.

Krista Wiebe
Joined 2018

Krista’s love of drama started in High School. She did a little of everything from acting to set design to props. After High School, Krista moved on to Bible School, and during one very unforgettable performance, she realized that acting was not where she wanted to be at all, matter of fact- She’d rather not even be on the stage! Krista’s director didn’t want her to stop with the drama, and put her in charge of props which made Krista fall in love with the drama productions all over again. Once she moved to Winkler, Krista got involved with her Church’s
drama team, helping back stage with props, and some stage design. It was only in 2016 that someone suggested she get involved with flatlands, and has not regretted a single moment. It’s been a wonderful experience working with a great set of cast members.

Darlene Derksen
Joined 2018

As a young teen I had always been interested in acting but was always too apprehensive to try it out. After high school that interest if being on stage vanished. It was when I reached my early 50s while sitting in the theatre during one performance that spark to act again was reignited. I have been in 5 major productions since then and have been involved in many Something in the Park radio dramas.
I finally joined the Flatlands Board where I’m serving my second term.
I love being a part of an organization that brings the richness of theatre to the community.

Bruce Fehr
Joined 2019

Bruce was first introduced to theatre at the age of 12 when he was in a Youth production for his Church. After participating in a couple more shows he had taken a hiatus during his High School years. After High School he once again found the opportunity to participate in theatre when Oak Valley Productions started their Passion Play. He then went on to be involved with Candlewick Productions and then in 2016 participated in his first show with flatlands theatre company in 2016. Since then he has been busy acting with both theatre groups. Bruce lives in Winkler with his wife and 5 children which also keeps him busy outside of theatre.

Mallory Enns
Joined 2019

Mallory joined ftc in the 13th season for the production of Star Stars: The Franchise Awakens. As a fan of creative arts, fantasy and sci-fi, it was a great opportunity to segue into the theatre world. Having done a few shows now with Flatlands, Mallory is finding that she really enjoys being part of a production. Whether it's acting in a scene or helping as part of an ensemble, being a part of a theatre show is fun and rewarding. "The best part is when everything comes together for the performances, and you can hear the audience enjoying all of our hard work!"
Mallory joined the ftc board in 2019, and has been enjoying working with ftc's social media and website.

Patrick Derksen
Joined 2020

Patrick Derksen has been writing plays since he was in the 7th grade; he and a friend wrote a play that was nominated for best original script at the Festival Theatre Jeunesse in Winnipeg. It would be 20 years before he picked up the playwriting feather pen again – this time as a teacher himself. After writing several plays for his students at Border Valley School, he decided to see if others would like to perform them as well. To his great delight, his plays have been performed all over Canada and the U.S.A, as well as Australia, Africa, and Europe. He still writes first and foremost for his own students, but is thrilled that so many other kids can also experience the magic of theatre through his plays. Patrick lives in Morden with his wife, two children, and their menagerie of tiny pets.