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OUR TEAM
Gate House Community Association is founded on hundreds of hours of volunteer work. Our unsung heroes have given their time, energy, resources, and talents to make it what it is today.
Below are the people behind Gate House Community Association for the 2023 season!
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Gord Oppen
President
Cheryl Hamilton
Vice-President
Cheryl Hamilton moved to Port McNeill with her family in 1990. She has been involved with the Gate House Theatre since 2013 doing administration, costumes, props for plays, and organizing fundraisers. The Gate House Community Association and bringing the arts to the North Island is a passion of hers.
She is grateful for the community of volunteers that is such an integral part of the association.
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Gord is our Gate House Theatre’s current president. Gord is a long-time supporter of all forms of artistic expression, with a focus on live music. Gord brings to the theatre a lifelong interest in sound and lighting technology, as well as audio and video recording. Gord has established McNeill Media locally to provide audio and video recording services. He and his family also operate a Bed and Breakfast in Hyde Creek. Gord is committed to local volunteerism having served time with the Rotary Club, North Island Music Festival, A-Frame Church, and Hyde Creek Fire Department.
When not at the theatre, or driving the Zamboni, Gord spends his time attempting to fish every Trout Lake on the North Island.
Sequoia Coe
Board Member
Sequoia Coe (she/her) is a lifelong theatre lover. When the Gate House Theatre first started back in 2011, she instantly became involved as an actor. Over the years being an actor and director of plays she found herself on the board. Sequoia is now the coordinator for both after-school drama programs and is the instructor of the Gate house's Senior Drama program. In addition to that, she is also the chair of the education and theatrical selection committee. She is thrilled to live in a community that also has an appreciation for live theatre and can't wait to see what is in store for the arts and the North Island.
Dave Ripka
Board Member
Dave has lived in port McNeill many years. He is a fan of live performances. His skill set includes maintenance of the facility.
Kris Jorgenson
Board Member
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Kat Hunt
Board Member
Kat Hunt joined the Gate House Community Association Board and the Marketing Committee in 2021. Born in Alert Bay; Kat is a member of the Kwakwakaʼwakw; 'Na̱mg̱is First Nation.
Kat has lived on the North Island most of her life except for when she attended Capilano University and the Justice Institute bringing her to the lower mainland.
Arts & Culture have always been of interest to and appreciated by Kat. Performing and volunteering in school and community shows and fundraisers instilled a sense of service and belonging in Kat from a young age.
Now; residing in the small oceanside community of Port McNeill; Kat looks forward to being of service through volunteering with the Gate House Community Association.
Sandra Wilson/Digital Markateer
Board Member
Sandra is a new board member as of 2023. She started doing website updates and then social media marketing for the Gate House Theatre. She is a long-time resident of the North Island and does Digital Marketing freelance work called "Digital Markateer." She loves doing website design and many different aspects of Digital Marketing. The Gate House Theatre has inspired her to get involved with local activities that gets the community out and entertained.
Bill McQuarrie
Board Member
Bill’s interest in live theatre began in the ‘80s when he accepted a board position with North Vancouver’s Presentation House Theatre. While there, Bill worked with the other directors to grow the theatre’s reach while continuing to develop his own private-sector business interests in the travel sector, media, and technology.Later, at the request of the BC Innovation Council, Bill Chaired the BC Regional Science & Technology Network where he taught, mentored, and coached high tech entrepreneurs in the fields of marketing and communications.
With over 50 years of experience in both traditional and digital media, Bill is now recognized for his innovative communications skills and approach to digital content creation and management. He is also an award-winning photo/journalist and continues volunteering to help non-profits develop engaging communication strategies. With his joining the Gate House Board, brings him full circle and back into the field of arts and entertainment.
Hannah Bennett
Board Member
Hannah immigrated to BC from England where she was raised playing both classical violin and piano, often performing publicly until leaving the UK in the early 2000s. Raised with a love of both the visual and performing arts, she feels that communities benefit from live music and theatre. It's this reason that she gladly offers her support and time to the Gate House as it continues to grow and brings in a variety of artists to perform for the residents of the North Island.