Board of Directors
Grant Finnighan, President
The arts are a necessary part of any thinking, civilised society. They engage aspects of cognition not possible through linear dialogue, and bring us a wiser perspective. Fugue Theatre adds an important voice to the Lower Mainland by bringing diverse media and diverse perspectives to our diverse societies. With formal training in the arts, science and the social sciences, combined with fifteen years experience in technology management, I am able to support Fugue Theatre's broad-based thought and offer some practical leadership. Currently, I also serve as Director of Development for Moneris Solutions' gift and loyalty programs.
Nicki Decloux, Vice President
I have varied background including 15 years of sales and marketing experience in the BC High Tech industry -- punctuated briefly by a walk on the wilder side in the business of Fashion. Holding both a Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia and a diploma in Fashion Design, I now work as Vice President of Sales and Alliances for a Vancouver-based software company, but I keep my creative skills sharpened by teaching in the Fashion Arts program at Vancouver Community College. I believe our city and all who live here benefit as a result of a vibrant arts scene. I'm pleased to work with Fugue Theatre in its efforts to enhance that scene.
Winnie Siu, Treasurer
Winnie has a passion for the theatre and arts. Prior to Fugue Theatre, she was a founding member of another local theatre group, where she performed roles ranging from being the gopher to co-producing sold out performances for seven years. Winnie also occasionally dabbled into acting as a hobby as well. In her other life, Winnie is an investment and finance specialist with a Civil Engineering background and a MBA from the Ivey Business School. She looks forward to contributing and supporting Fugue Theatre.
Monique Simard, Secretary
Probably typical of Libras, the daughter of a photographer and an accountant, Monique thrives to keep a wide array of interests in balance. Equally attracted to technology, art, administration and social science, her professional formation is in architecture and, more recently, in project management. Monique is a very committed person who takes pride in contributing to society in various ways through employment as a federal public servant and in several volunteer capacities. She had the honour of serving as president of a YMCA, as a member of the executive of various sports club including the Pacific Road Runners, as a ski coach, successively as treasurer and president of her strata council, and now as member of the Board of Directors of Fugue Theatre. She hopes to bring her enthusiasm and sense of organization to the Board. In return, maybe she could be trained to sign Happy Birthday properly for her three grand-children!
Russell Busche
I am doubly surprised at my presence on the Fugue Theatre board -- surprised at having been asked and surprised at having accepted. My cultural qualifications are decidedly modest, unless a love of classic movies and cartoons counts significantly toward an arts CV. Perhaps, my Renaissance Man dabblings are just enough to be useful. Or, maybe my relative ignorance will provide a fresh perspective. Who knows? Nonetheless, it is a pleasure to be associated with this organization’s members and supporters. Witnessing just a single early reading of a production-in-progress convinced me that Fugue’s artistry has a particular substance, beauty and resonance. Professionally, I consult in the field of public transportation.
Johanna Mercer
I started at the piano and morphed into a professional theatre director with over 60 credits at theatres across the country, from The Shaw Festival to the Mulgrave Road Co-Op. I taught for several years at the National Theatre School of Canada and maintain a connection to the Wooster Group in New York. In recent years, I've been producing and directing films, backed up by training, was at the Canadian Film Center and did an MFA at UBC. I have a young son. He's the best creative project of all.
Susan Reynolds
I am a Senior Pension Analyst with a major international Benefits Consulting Company. I graduated from the University of Calgary in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science with a minor in Statistics. I am an Associate of the Society of Actuaries. I have lived in Vancouver since graduating in 1990 and would not live anywhere else. I am very active in the running and triathlon community and enjoy the cultural side of the city whenever I can. I am very honoured to be on the board of Fugue Theatre.
Management
Laura Di Cicco, Artistic Director and Producer
Laura’s career as an actor, singer, writer and producer has now spanned 20 years. She graduated from the University of British Columbia and has worked in Toronto and Ottawa and Vancouver. While in Ottawa, Laura worked with Odyssey Theatre’s mainstage and helped found Lazzi Lazzi, a touring wing of Odyssey. As well, Laura worked for the CBC as a freelancer for Radios One and Two. Some of her Ontario credits include Street Legal (tv), Friday the 13th (ff), Turandot (stage), Ondine (stage) and The Audition (stage). By mid-1996, Laura had moved back to Vancouver acting with theatre companies such as Green Thumb Theatre, Ruby Slippers, A Western Theatre Conspiracy and Axis Theatre. In 1998, Laura was a co-recipient of a Jessie Richardson Award for a tour with Axis Theatre. Vancouver film and television credits include Saving Milly, The League of Lefties, and Point Blank . Laura will soon be seen in the new television series, Noah’s Arc and Traveler. In addition to her work in film and television series, Laura has performed in several television commercials and was recently also seen in Gonzo at the Norman Rothstein Theatre. In 2004, Laura founded Fugue Theatre -- a theatre company dedicated to the production of imaginative theatrical works by incorporating newly-commissioned Canadian music in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.
