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Lori Robinson Distel
Founder/Artistic Director | She/Her
Lori Distel has been active in the theatre community for many years. With her time as an instructor and youth coordinator for the Cambridge Community Players (CCP), she oversaw five youth-based programs, working with children aged 4-18, teaching everything from theatre basics to advanced musical theatre.
In 2004, Lori co-founded NovaStage, a semi-professional theatre company whose mandate was to produce original works from emerging playwrights.
An actor and director, Lori's resume consists of productions such as Sylvia (for which she won a CCP Special Adjudicator's Award), The Mousetrap, Bye Bye Birdie, Godspell and, most recently, she directed and performed in Doubt, A Parable with Cambridge Community Players, which earned five nominations and two awards from the Western Ontario Drama League. Lori was also the recipient of the 2013 Cambridge Cultural Award/Bernice Adams Memorial Award in the category of Performing Arts. Lori currently serves as the Day Program Supervisor and Choir Director at Grace Anglican Waterdown and is accredited with Hi-Five and St. John Ambulance certification. She worked professionally as a jazz singer for years, headlining bands such as 'The Lori Distel Trio' and 'Standard Time.' She's trained in vocal music for the past forty years.
Piper J. Distel
Associate Artistic Director | She/Her
Piper J. Distel is a queer, neurodivergent, femme theatre artist, educator and playwright hailing from Cambridge, Ontario. She has been actively involved in the South Western Ontario drama scene since 2007, acting both regionally and professionally. Piper is the recipient of the 2022 City of Cambridge Youth Appreciation Award for Artistic Development and the 2014 Bernice Adams Award for Outstanding Youth in the Arts. She has taught theatre arts at The Cambridge Centre for the Arts and Cambridge Community Players, respectively, since 2014, having earned her Hi-Five Teaching Certification in 2018. Currently, Piper serves as a Day Program Instructor at Graceful Abilities in Waterdown, working with adults with developmental disAbilities. Piper is the librettist behind the new Canadian musical, Curiouser, which tells of the early life of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland author, Lewis Carroll and celebrates neurodiversity in the arts and literature community.
Instagram: @piperjdistel
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jullie Stairs | President
Jullie (she/her) is a long-time fan of Penny & Pound Theatre Productions and the vibrant and enriching experiences they provide young people in Waterloo Region. Inspired by Penny & Pound’s commitment to developing young talent in a safe and welcoming environment, Jullie joined the Board in 2017 and moved into the role of President in 2019. She too is interested in seeing youth reach their full potential through education, athletics and the arts! Jullie is an active volunteer in the community and has supported local events, charities, school councils and minor sports. When Jullie is not working in interior design or fund-raising, she can be found exploring cycling and hiking trails or on the shores of Lake Huron,
relaxing on the beach and enjoying the glorious sunsets!
Rosalyn McKay | Director
I have worked in hospitality, healthcare and human resources in management positions for both public and private companies across several sectors with a focus on underserviced remote and rural areas as well as gerontology. Throughout my career I have been involved in many community and volunteer events, committees and boards, as well as founding elementary school nutrition programs.
Penny & Pound Theatre Productions drew my interest as they truly embody their mission to enrich the youth theatre experience, and daily open their arms and hearts to these youth via creating a sense of belonging and family and celebrating individualism.
Cameron Joyce | Director
Cameron Joyce has more than 35 years of experience in the Canadian logistics industry, business leadership and organizational development. He co-founded Associated Logistics Solutions (now Accuristix), a leading healthcare logistics solutions provider, in 1994. In 2004, the firm entered into a joint venture with McKesson Corp. and he was appointed President of the new entity from 2004-2009, when Associated Logistics aquired McKesson's equity stake in the Company and was rebranded. He then served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Accuristix from 2009-2015, and as Chairman of the Board of Directors from 2015 until his retirement in 2019. Other interests include entrepreneurial ventures in warehouse safety, music publishing and M&A consulting.
Cameron currently serves as a director of a few private companies, including Sheridan Nurseries and D.C. Ranking and Maintenance Inc., and sits on the board of the charity Kid's Health Links Foundation.
Jason Dmitruk | Treasurer
I have lived in Waterloo region for the last 30 years first in Cambridge and more recently in Kitchener. I have an accounting diploma from Conestoga College and a Bachelor of General Studies from Athabasca University. This led to my CPA designation in 2019. I have a strong background in day-to-day accounting as I was a bookkeeper for several years prior to becoming an accountant. I have been an accountant since 2016 and have been with Grant Thornton since 2021. I was promoted to manager at the beginning of 2022. I have a strong interest in the arts and not-for-profits so the treasurer role is a natural fit.