Farren Timoteo
Artistic Director
Having made his directing debut with a fringe production of Songs for a New World in 2004, Farren became the Artistic Director of Alberta Opera in 2005 and subsequently directed The Frog Prince, Puss in Boots, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel and Jack and the Beanstalk (The latter three of which he also served as co-author). Other directing credits include Be Arthurs: Reunion Tour (Fringe ’08), Buddy! The Buddy Holly Story, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Mayfield Dinner Theatre), Everybody Goes to Mitzi’s, The Infinite Shiver (Teatro La Quindicina) and, most recently, Pippin with the Young Musical Theatre Company at the Citadel Theatre. Last season Farren, alongside composer extraordinaire Ryan Sigurdson, received a Sterling Award for Outstanding Score of a Play or Musical for Everybody Goes to Mitzi’s, to which he contributed the lyrics. In addition, his direction for Hansel and Gretel was nominated for Outstanding Artistic Achievement in Theatre for Young Audiences
Jeff Unger
Artistic Director
This season mark’s Jeff’s 18th consecutive year as musical director for Alberta Opera. During this time he has watched the company grow into a major force in Alberta touring and one of Edmonton’s important theatrical voices. Past productions include: Cinderella, The Frog Prince, Rapunzel, Puss in Boots, The Red Shoes, Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel and Jack and the Beanstalk. Along with collaborators Garner Butler and Farren Timoteo, Jeff has co-authored and composed music for twelve fairy tale “pocket musicals.” Jeff’s work has been recognized by the Elizabeth Sterling Awards on many occasions, acquiring nominations for Outstanding Musical Director for The Frog Prince, Outstanding Artistic Achievement in Theatre for Young Audiences for the Composition of Hansel and Gretel and collected several in Outstanding Production for Young Audiences for his collaborations.
Leslea Kroll
Interim Tour Coordinator
Alberta Opera is pleased to welcome Leslea Kroll to our staff. Leslea has worked with various arts organizations in Edmonton including Metro Cinema and FAVA. In addition to arts administration, Leslea is a playwright whose works include Domesticatrix, Swallow and Auksenberg: Trial by Fury. She is delighted to be joining the Alberta Opera team as Interim Tour Coordinator.
Adrienne Luong
Tour Coordinator (Currently on Maternity Leave)
Adrienne began working with Alberta Opera in July of 2009 as Tour Coordinator, and has enjoyed being back in the arts scene after two years away. She will spend another year away from the company caring for her third baby, but will continue to keep in touch with the exciting season ahead for Alberta Opera.
Flo Schultz
Bookkeeper
Flo answered an ad in August 1981 for a part time receptionist position answering telephones for Workshop West Theatre. Within a couple of months, she was asked to work full time and to take on the duties of bookkeeper and to help with other financial paper work. She continued to work for 14 years at Workshop West Theatre as Assistant General Manager and Bookkeeper. In 1995, she left her position and started her own bookkeeping business. Various Organizations in Edmonton have and continue to benefit from her knowledge of Accounting and Theatre Finance some of which include Catalyst Theatre, Northern Light Theatre, Alberta Arts Touring Alliance, Prime Stock Theatre (Red Deer), FAVA, Leave It to Jane Theatre, First Night Festival, Concrete Theatre and Theatre Network. Flo has been working in the Arts now for 27 years. Alberta Opera hired Flo in 2003 to establish efficient accounting systems and has continued to help with the bookkeeping and many other financial duties. Flo received the Margaret Mooney Award for Outstanding Achievement in Administration in 2005.
Larry Payne President Ryan Parker Secretary / Treasurer Amanda Neufeld Director Arlene Woo Director