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ABOUT US
est. 2018
Founded in 2018 by Kirk Elsmore and Dennen Phillips, Starcatcher Productions began as a bunch of "theatre nerds" from the Kahnawà:ke and Châteauguay communities, united by a shared passion for the performing arts.
Following the temporary closure of Kahnawà:ke’s Turtle Island Theatre Company in 2013, there was a growing need for accessible community theatre, as well as a desire to establish English-language theatre programming in Châteauguay, where such opportunities were limited. Starcatcher Productions was born from that vision: to bring people together through the magic of live performance and create opportunities for local artists to share their talents.
What began as a basement passion project to produce a summer musical has since grown into an established and evolving non-profit theatre company. While we continue to grow, our mission remains at the heart of everything we do: to inspire creativity, foster community, celebrate local talent, and keep the magic of theatre alive. Because, at the end of the day, we’re here to do what we love most: THEATRE!
our work
The cast of Curtains (2023).
Starcatcher Productions is a non-profit community theatre company aimed at promoting English dramatic arts within the Kahnawá:ke, Chateauguay and Montréal communities. We ensure that our productions, volunteer work, and outreach events can be accessed by everyone regardless of artistic experience, training, or background.
our mandate
Our objective is to build and present accessible and collaborative artistic works with members across communities and cultures by exploring the virtues, connections, and spirit of the performing arts.
Urinetown: the Musical (2022) rehearsal.
our vision
We are committed to inspire a new generation of artists who will take the virtues of performing arts and apply them to everyday life. We believe live theatre develops artistic awareness and exchange, learning and social skills, and a sense of respect for oneself, the environment, and others.
Into the Woods (2024) first read-through with cast & crew.
our values
Working with Starcatcher Productions means being a part of a collaborative atmosphere. We foster high degrees of trust, honesty, patience, communication, and acceptance to fulfill our mandate to make performing arts accessible for all.
Curtains (2023) rehearsal.
we value...
We strive to be sincere, respectful and playful in our relationships and working environments.
RESPECT
APPRECIATION
We like to encourage, support and empower our friends in all endeavors.
ideas
We are eager to share, explore and stimulate new ideas with the others around us.
We strive to be helpful colleagues and good people within our field and in our communities beyond.
responsibility
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Our Board of Directors is filled with passionate, hard-working and theatre-loving artists from our communities.
= Favorite Musical
Kirk Elsmore
President / Artistic Director
Kirk is a full-time music teacher as well as an award-winning director and musical director. In 2018, he founded Starcatcher Productions out of his deep love for musical theatre—a passion that began when he was cast in a community theatre production of Les Misérables in 2013. He hopes to continue inspiring current and future generations to explore theatre in all its forms, believing that it is truly a life-changing experience and a powerful way of life.
Into the Woods
Ainsley Tsokwenion
Vice-President
For over 15 years Ainsley has been part of the musical theatre communities in Kahnawà:ke and Tiohtià:ke. Having grown up both onstage and behind the scenes, she’s found endless joy in the magic of performance and storytelling. Theatre has always been her home and she’s passionate about helping others find their own voice and confidence under the spotlight
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Brandi Jacobs
Community Engagement Coordinator
Brandi Kahnekanoron Jacobs is a Kanienʼkehá:ka artist. She is a BroadwayWorld nominated actor for her work as Collette Lamarre in Turtle Island Theatre's production of Murder Afoot (2025). She has been performing with both Turtle Island and Starcatcher Productions since 2022 and has sat on the Starcatcher Board of Directors since 2023. Brandi worked in the radio industry as a news reporter, commercial voice actor and radio host for nearly a decade. Now she works as an administrative assistant at Step by Step Child and Family Center in Kahnawake. As a hard working mother, actor, singer & songwriter, Brandi is proud to help the local theatre community thrive through her work as Starcatcher Productions’ Community Outreach Coordinator.
The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals
Gio
Associate Artist / Treasurer
Gio is an actor, writer and theatre-maker. He is a graduate of JAC’s Professional Theatre Acting Program and holds a BFA in Performance Creation from Concordia University. Since graduating, he has lent his passion and skills to the Geordie Theatre Company, Montreal Fringe Festival and many fellow emerging artists creating new works in development. He carries a childhood fascination for storytelling with him in all of his work and aspires to create collaborative, community spaces that value camaraderie, empathy and wonder.
Ride the Cyclone
This could be you!
2026 - 2027 Season