xtreme staff.
Linnea began her career in the arts over twenty years ago. She has been trained in musical theatre, voice, and various styles of dance. At the age of fifteen, Linnea started her twelve year teaching career, working for theatre companies around the Lower Mainland. Her teaching highlight was in 2008 when she spent six months in Oaxaca, Mexico teaching musical theatre and ballroom dancing.
In 2004, Linnea won the BCCA Ray McAuley Horizon Award for the Best Upcoming Star with the country trio, Saving Grace. She also spent six years as the lead vocalist for the swing/jazz orchestra, The Bruce James Orchestra.
In 2016, Linnea decided it was time to move on from performing and teaching, working instead as Xtreme Theatre's Administrator and Stage Manager. Linnea has been Executive Director of Xtreme Theatre since 2018
Executive Director
LINNEA KEY NEJAD
Lalainia, our Director, has been working in the Performing Arts industry professionally since the age of 8. She joined the professional film, television, and voice over union (ACTRA) and at 13 years of age joined the professional theatre union (Equity). At 16, she began teaching both dance and acting and at 19, she began teaching musical theatre full time while continuing to pursue her professional performing career. She is Cofounder of Lindbjerg Academy of Performing Arts where she worked until 2002, to switch her focus onto directing and choreography for large scale musicals.
She has been seen on many professional stages across Canada, US and internationally. Favorites include: The Arts Club Theatre, The Charlottetown Festival, The Grande Theatre, Touring Japan twice, Theatre Under the Stars, Richmond Gateway & The Massey. Favourite roles include: Peter (Peter Pan), Polly (Crazy for You), Anne (Anne of Green Gables), Rose (Bye Bye Birdie), Mrs. Banks (Mary Poppins), Venus (Red Rock Diner)
Artistic Director / Director / Choreographer
LALAINIA LINDBJERG
Rachel is a recent graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, having received her Master of Arts Degree in Musical Theatre Performance in October 2015. She also holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Manitoba. Rachel currently works in the Fraser Valley as a musical theatre instructor and in-demand vocal coach. Favorite past roles include Esmeralda in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Theatre in the Country) and Ophelia in the original workshop of The Women Of William (Thurston/Saringer, RCS).
Musical Director / Assistant Director
RACHEL STEPHENS
Riley has been an avid dancer her entire life. She has trained in ballet all through her
elementary and high school years, as well as sporadic endeavors in jazz and hip hop. Post
graduation, she continued that education at Dance Barn Studios, in a pre-professional dance program, where she gladly welcomed tap and contemporary to her repertoire. Riley has been involved in Musical Theatre since elementary school, including three years with Xtreme Theatre. She has choreographed a multitude of pieces, ranging in all genres and across all age groups. Riley lives with her husband Mark, son, Raphael and another baby on the way.
Choreographer (Seniors)
RILEY DIPRATA
Wendy Holm is the original founder of Xtreme Theatre. She was homeschooling her 3 young children (who were involved in other theatre groups) when she realized that there were very few musical theatre experiences out there for those in the homeschooling community and those who were living out the Christian faith. Wendy approached Elaine Lindbjerg (who was the co-founder of The Lindbjerg Academy) with the idea of starting a new theatre group that met during the day and introduced homeschooled students to the art form of Musical Theatre. Elaine accepted the challenge and Xtreme Theatre was born with Wendy and Elaine at the helm! Originally called Home's Cool Theatre, it was later redubbed 'Xtreme Theatre' when the founders held a contest to rename the group.
Founder & Teacher at Xtreme for 17 years
WENDY HOLM
Elaine met Wendy Holms while teaching her oldest daughter, Linnea (now Executive Director of Xtreme), musical theatre at The Lindbjerg Academy. Wendy approached Elaine with her idea to create a Christian Musical Theatre group for homeschoolers and she was intrigued. A life-long educator in the arts both through her personal in-home business Elaine Lindbjerg's Music Studio, the Lindbjerg Academy, as well as many other teaching jobs, Elaine loved the idea of offering her passion for musical theatre and her teaching experience in the industry to the homeschool group, and Xtreme Theatre was born (originally called Home's Cool).
Professionally, Elaine has directed/music directed for the Lindbjerg Academy for 15 years and has taught private voice, piano and guitar for 20 years in the Tri-Cities. Her private students excel at Music Festivals, and many have been chosen to compete in the Provincial Music Festival Finals. A composer, singer, a voice teacher, a classically trained pianist, and a musical theatre performer, she teaches voice (specializing in children to age 18), piano, and beginner guitar.
Founder & Teacher at Xtreme for 10 years
ELAINE LINDBJERG
Chairperson Wendy Holm
Vice-Chairperson Johanna Reed
Treasurer Linnea Holm
Secretary Suzy Haynes
Board Member John Bradbury
Oversee All Financial Decisions
