Through drama young people are able to express themselves more fully, gain confidence, learn teamwork and become more familiar with famous literature. At Dragontrails there is room for the student who takes drama for fun and the student with serious career aspirations.
Over the last 40 years, artistic director Jill Frappier, actor, storyteller, drama teacher "extraordinaire" and founder of Dragontrails Drama School, has performed in well over 85 plays at major theatres in Toronto and across Canada, including the Shaw and Stratford Festivals. She has appeared in over 15 TV series, including ANNE OF GREEN GABLES 3, TEKWARS, BEYOND REALITY, TRADERS, STREET LEGAL, NIGHT HEAT, FRIDAY'S CURSE, and the miniseries' CHASING RAINBOWS and SPEARFILED'S DAUGHTER (as Christopher Plummer's wife)
Recently she has appeared in THE CRUCIBLE, OFFICE HOURS and NOISES OFF at Theatre Aquarius and played opposite Quebecois star Jacques Godin ina TV miniseries for Radio Canada called SAMUEL ET LA MER. She recently directed the Theatre Orangeville Young Company in LOVE IN SHAKESPEARE and THE CRUCIBLE.
Jill's voice is frequently heard in CBC radio dramas and cartoon series. Her most notable cartoon roles include, Luna in SAILOR MOON, Mrs Prysellius in PIPPILONGSTOCKING, Doucette in ANATOLLE, the wicked Sherry in TOTALLY SPIEZ, Little Mutt in ANIMAL SHELF, Auntie Yorkshire in PECOLA, and the Lady in Waiting (Jane's Mom) in JANE AND THE DRAGON. Jill plays Countess Paulina in the film STRAUSS; MASTER OF 3/4 TIME which has been on Family Channel and is shown frequently in schools.
Jill writes stories and performs them in schools, libraries and at theatres such as the Blyth Festival Theatre and the Huron County Playhouse. She has written 8 plays for young audiences. The creation she is most proud of, however, is Dragontrails Drama School which is now in its 17th year.
Local filmmaker and actor Stefan Kuchar has been making films and performing for over 15 years. With his first television experience at age 12, lasting three seasons on YTV’s SYSTEM CRASH, Stefan has gone on to achieve an honours degree in film studies from Brock University and has completed the advanced directing and cinematography program at Sheridan College.
Stefan has taught improv at Brock University, directed two plays, and has performed in several theatrical shows including, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, TOMMY, ROCKY HORROR, GENERAL OF HOT DESIRE, and FLOP COP. Stefan has also had several onscreen appearances including feature films, TRIGGER and IODINE, and short films, DEATH NOTE and HUNGER CITY. Stefan has received training from THEATRE AQUARIUS, HIGH FIVE, SECOND CITY and Tedde Moore’s UNDERSTADING THE ACTOR.
Currently Stefan works both behind and in front of camera in Toronto’s film and television industry. With five shorts in post production and a documentary in production Stefan will be returning to Dragontrails for his third year.
