The Team
The Bigger the Dream, the More Important the Team!
Kaden Hill
Founder & Director​
When Kaden was seven, watching his father perform in A Midsummer Night’s Dream ignited a lifelong love for theatre. Since then, he has spent 15 years honing his craft as an actor and director, training in the BFA-Acting program at the University of Windsor. His technique is rooted in the work of Michael Chekhov, Stanislavski, Uta Hagen, and Laban—along with a deep admiration for Christian Borle and Jordan Fisher (if you’re reading this, love you both). Kaden has worked as a teaching assistant for advanced acting, movement, and voice classes, as well as an assistant director on multiple productions alongside industry veterans like Yanna McIntosh and Jane Luk. As a member of the Inspired Acting Lab, he collaborated on new acting techniques designed to push the boundaries of performance. His acting credits include Twelfth Night (Sebastian), Almost, Maine (Principal Character), Tinkerbell (Smee), and Romeo & Juliet (Romeo). Now, as the director of The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, Kaden is thrilled to bring this story to life and can’t wait to share the magic of theatre with you.
Deanna Mann
Vocal Director​
Deanna is a multidisciplinary performer, music director, and teacher based in Toronto, though she proudly hails from the Maritimes. She studied music at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia, where she was a recipient of the Nova Scotia Talent Trust Awards, before continuing her training at Randolph College for the Performing Arts, graduating in 2021.With over a decade of experience in vocal performance, choral singing, and piano accompaniment, Deanna brings a deep understanding of musicality and storytelling to her work. She has played and music-directed across a wide range of styles, from jazz to musical theatre, and is skilled in multiple instruments, including piano, guitar, bass, and percussion. Her past credits include The Last Piece (Hart House), Freaky Friday and Catch Me If You Can (TMTC), Three Little Pigs (T.Y.T.), and Ride The Cyclone (The Playhouse Collective). She has a keen ear for ensemble blending and vocal precision, with a particular love for fine-tuning harmonies and helping actors discover storytelling moments through the score. As Vocal Director for The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, Deanna is excited to bring her expertise and passion to the cast, ensuring a powerful and dynamic sound that brings the world of the show to life.
Chris Cherry
Choreographer​
Chris is overjoyed to be joining CastBound Studios as the choreographer for The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical! With over five years of experience as a dance teacher, Chris has had the privilege of shaping and inspiring dancers of all ages and skill levels. They specialize in hip-hop, jazz, contemporary, ballet, acrobatics, lyrical, and—of course—musical theatre! Their decade-long journey in the world of dance has given them a strong technical foundation and a deep appreciation for storytelling through movement. As a choreographer, Chris is passionate about creating dynamic, engaging routines that not only showcase technique but also serve the emotional and narrative beats of a production.Beyond dance, Chris has always been deeply connected to the arts in many forms. They have experience as an actor, writer, director, and painter, bringing a well-rounded artistic perspective to their work. Outside of the arts, Chris is equally passionate about wildlife conservation and environmental justice. Their dedication to protecting the natural world is as strong as their love for the stage, making them a force for both creative and ecological impact. Whether teaching pirouettes or advocating for endangered species, Chris brings energy, passion, and a commitment to making a difference in every aspect of their work.
Justin Mendler
Fight Director​
Justin Mendler is thrilled to be joining CastBound Studios as the fight director for The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical! A graduate of the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting program at the University of Windsor, Justin brings a wealth of experience in both stage combat and acting technique to the production. With a third-dan black belt in taekwondo, extensive weapons training, and a deep understanding of fight choreography, Justin is passionate about crafting fight sequences that are both visually dynamic and safe for performers. He has served as fight captain for productions of Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth. Justin’s approach to fight direction focuses on integrating movement seamlessly into the narrative, ensuring that every battle serves the story while maintaining actor safety and performance authenticity. His ability to adapt real-world combat techniques for the stage allows him to bring thrilling, high-energy sequences to life while making them accessible to performers of all experience levels. As a lifelong fan of Percy Jackson, Justin is beyond excited to contribute to this production and help bring the epic, action-packed world of Camp Half-Blood to the stage. He can’t wait to work with the cast and creative team to craft electrifying fight sequences that capture the spirit of the story!
Lexine Calderon
Assistant Vocal Director
Lexine is overjoyed to be a part of CastBound Studios as the Assistant Vocal Director of The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical! She is an international student from Doha, Qatar pursuing an Honours Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance at Sheridan College. Growing up in the MENA region, Lexine has had a deep passion for the performing arts for as long as she can remember, performing internationally in festivals and workshops, in addition to shows such as Legally Blonde (Brooke Wyndham), Oliver! (Widow Corney), and funnily enough, The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical (Clarisse, Grover U/S, Standby Annabeth). A versatile musician, she plays several instruments including keyboard, guitar, and most importantly, the harmonica. Lexine is most experienced as a vocalist, holding a Grade 8 certificate in Musical Theatre Voice from the London College of Music. She also founded her pop cover band, took on leadership roles in both theatre and music, and was awarded for serious and comedic acting categories in the region. As a massive fan of the Riordan world with a passion for inspiring the next generation of performers, Lexine is excited to bring on the monsters of Rob Rokicki’s electrifying and lively score!
Noah Rudder
Assistant Stage Manager
Noah Rudder (he/him) is a recent graduate from the Centre for Drama, Theatre, and Performance Studies at the University of Toronto, specializing in acting. Having grown up in Ajax, Noah is extremely excited to be a part of the CastBound team and provide young artists from the Durham Region and beyond with the chance to develop their crafts and do what they love in a creative, supportive environment. Some of his acting credits include Legally Blonde The Musical (Hart House Theatre), Murder on the Orient Express (Hart House Theatre), Company (Isabel Bader Theatre), and Bus Stop (Toronto Fringe Festival). He’s also worked behind the scenes as a rehearsal assistant and production collaborator, gaining valuable experience in stage management, directing, and youth mentorship. As a life-long lover of Rick Riordan's stories, he is elated to be making his crew debut as an assistant stage manager for The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical! Noah can't wait to welcome all campers to Camp Half-Blood... let's get electric!
Colin Crawford
Assistant Fight Director​
Colin Crawford is a dynamic theatre artist with a diverse background in acting, directing, and fight direction. With a passion for storytelling through movement, Colin has worked extensively in stage combat, crafting dynamic, high-energy fight sequences that enhance both the drama and spectacle of a production.
His experience as a fight director includes Romeo & Juliet, Twelfth Night and Macbeth, where he designed engaging and realistic fight sequences that brought intensity and authenticity to the stage. As a director, Colin helmed She Kills Monsters, a production that heavily incorporated stage combat, showcasing his ability to blend physical storytelling with emotional depth. Colin has an extensive acting resume, bringing a strong performer’s perspective to his fight direction. His roles include Edgar in King Lear, Don John in Much Ado About Nothing, Mercutio in Romeo & Juliet, Macduff in Macbeth, and Billy Flynn in Chicago, among many others. This wealth of performance experience allows him to create fights that not only look impressive but also serve the character’s motivations and the overall storytelling. With a deep appreciation for the physicality of theatre, Colin is excited to bring his expertise to The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, he is looking forward to working with the cast to create thrilling, character-driven fight sequences that bring the epic battles of the Percy Jackson universe to life!
​
Lianne Henry
Consultant: Prop & Costume Designer ​
Lianne Hill is a dedicated theatre artist with over 40 years of experience in community, professional, and educational theatre. Throughout her career, she has taken on a wide range of roles, including acting, directing, and designing props and costumes, bringing a wealth of knowledge and creativity to every production she touches. For over a decade, Lianne has co-directed highly successful theatre camps alongside her creative partner, Stephen Hill, inspiring and mentoring young performers. As a seasoned educator with a Drama specialization in the Toronto District School Board, she has spent 30 years shaping the next generation of artists, instilling a deep appreciation for theatre and storytelling. With her extensive experience and passion for the craft, Lianne is thrilled to contribute her expertise to Castbound Studios' inaugural production. Her keen eye for design, innovative problem-solving, and boundless enthusiasm will help bring The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical to life in spectacular fashion.
Stephen Hill
Consultant: Scenic & Lighting Designer​
Stephen (the one on the right) graduated from the University of Windsor Acting program far longer ago than he would care to mention. Since then, he has built a dynamic career in theatre, working as an actor, director, scenic designer, and lighting designer for companies such as Stage West, Theatre Aquarius, and The St. Lawrence Stage Company. Understanding early on that versatility is key in the industry, Stephen expanded his expertise beyond performance, developing a keen eye for set and lighting design. However, he has wisely avoided the wardrobe department ever since an unfortunate incident involving a staple gun and an actor’s costume. Some of his most rewarding theatrical experiences came during the 12+ years he spent co-directing summer youth programs in Brockville, Markham, and Richmond Hill alongside his exceptional creative partner, Lianne Henry. Now, he is thrilled to bring his wealth of experience to CastBound Studios as a consultant, helping shape the visual world of The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical through innovative set and lighting design.
Taylor Hill
Consultant​
Taylor Hill is thrilled to be part of the exciting journey at CastBound Studios. A graduate of Queen’s University’s Stage and Screen program, Taylor specialized in stage management while gaining experience across multiple areas of technical theatre, film, and television. She currently works in the wardrobe department at Drayton Entertainment, bringing her expertise to large-scale productions. With extensive camp experience as a longtime counselor, Taylor understands the importance of fostering a creative and supportive environment. She has been involved with CastBound Studios since its inception, contributing behind the scenes in countless ways. Select credits include Balloon Trees & The Seven Seas (5th Co.), DSS: Play (Dan Studio Series), Alice: A Clockwork Nightmare (Studio 013), as well as Jersey Boys and White Christmas (Drayton Entertainment). Taylor is excited to support CastBound as a consultant and help bring this inaugural production to the stage.
