Merlene Samuel-Cephas and Instructors from past and current seasons

Merlene was the owner and director of The Newmarket School of Dance and Theatre Arts from 1985 to 2000. In July of 2000 she began Spotlight Theatre School and the Non Profit group: The Voice Impact Project.

Merlene has had the opportunity to study with some of Canada's leading choreographers, directors and playwrights including Mavor Moore, Greg Peterson, Michael Montennaro in the areas of Musical Theatre, Modern dance, Jazz, Ballet, Fine Arts/Cultural Studies and Script writing. Merlene has choreographed for; pageants, fund raisers, musical theatres, children of all ages teens and adults.

She is on the Boards of Operation Sparrow and Shadowpath Theatre. Merlene has written original plays for Toronto and London Fringe Theatre Festivals. Her play about the Life of Abolitionist Sojourner Truth has been performed for students at York Region Schools and an awareness play about the A.I.D.S epedemic in Subsaharra Africa is being performed by 2 York Region Schools in 2009. Merlene's students have competed in Ontario, New York, California, Ohio, Boston, Myrtle Beach and Pennsylvania in the categories of Speech Arts, Stage, Modern, Jazz, Lyrical and Musical Theatre. Merlene is thrilled to be surrounded by postitive and enthusiastic students and teachers of Spotlight Theatre