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
Keith Friesen
Bruce Fehr
Darlene Derksen
Krista Wiebe
Patrick Derksen

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.

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.

Denice Pauls
Joined 2021

Denice has been a creative being from day one, writing and illustrating books for her younger sister, and being, generally speaking, a life-long ham. Her first brush with theatre was in Junior High where she participated in HMS Pinafore and had a role in a staged episode of Charles in Charge. Acting was not to be Denice's focus, however, and her interests turned to singing and writing. She performed regularly at Back 40 Folk Festival coffee houses and festivals until the arrival of her children. At that point she found creative outlet in drawing, painting, and a multitude of other creative projects and courses, finding her truest joy in learning something new to try. Denice has appeared on the flatlands stage in Star Stars, Sherlock Holmes: A Christmas Carol, and The Carol Burnett Show.

Alex Klages
Joined 2022

Alex first started with theatre in high school in Southern Ontario, where he got to be the voice of Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors. Then life happened, and it would be 2017, nearly 15 years after moving to Manitoba, and the ftc production of Anne of Avonlea that reawakened his joy of acting. He has taken part in a number of local productions by both Flatlands and Candlewick since, including a number of Somethin' in the Park performances, Star Stars, and Murder on the Orient Express. Alex also enjoys songwriting and performing music. He wrote the jangly guitar-based Flatlands jingle which you might have heard in the past couple years at Flatlands shows. Alex's wife, Kelly, and children also are involved in the local theatre community.

Greg Young
Joined 2022