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Meet the Board

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FOUNDER

Tracy Smith

Tracy Smith brings nearly two decades of experience in community theatre to the helm of Chai Life Productions. A highly accomplished performer with a dynamic range of theatre roles to her credit
– from Into the Woods to Steel Magnolias – Tracy also possesses a deep commitment to mentorship and technical excellence. Her extensive vocal training, combined with experience working with both children and adults ensures that she is well-positioned to lead an organization that is ambitious, inclusive and of high calibre.

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FOUNDER

Ari Cohen

Ari discovered his passion for theatre at an early age. From the age of nine through university, he trained in speech arts and drama through the Mount Royal Conservatory, progressing through all performance grades and much of the teaching diploma program. Alongside his formal training, he gained experience in both professional and amateur theatre.

 

Twenty-five years later, Ari enthusiastically answered the call to help resurrect Calgary’s Jewish theatre tradition and co-founded Chai Life Productions. He is excited to be part of a new chapter that honours the past while building something vibrant for the future.

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FOUNDER

Laura Shuler

Spanning a lifetime in musical/dramatic immersion, Laura has explored musical theatre (acting, directing, producing, play writing) and has taught/led adult/children’s’ choirs numerous facets of vocal/dramatic production, as well as musical instrumentation in public and charter schools in the Calgary area, and served on many boards for the Arts for over 37 years. By recently reprising her cherished roots in community theatre as Yente in ‘Fiddler on the Roof’, Laura returns full circle to where she began 48 years ago with ‘The Beth Israel Players’, and now she brings all of her lived experience to Chai Life Productions.

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Member at Large
Dorothy Hanson​

Dorothy Hanson is recognized in the Calgary community for her charitable leadership, dedication to Jewish cultural and historical organizations, and volunteer service supporting both local and international causes.

Dorothy starred in I Never Saw Another Butterfly and played Dulcie in The Boy Friend, both with Beth Israel Players. She studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in California. During her years in Vancouver, she worked in theatre administration and as a talent agent. Most recently, in 2025, she performed the role of Golde in Fiddler on the Roof, produced by Painted Fish.

Dorothy is thrilled to be part of Calgary’s newest Jewish theatre initiative, Chai Life Productions, where she serves on the board and as a co-producer of The Last Yiddish Speaker. Being involved in building a vibrant space for Jewish storytelling and community connection is deeply meaningful to her, combining her passion for theatre with her commitment to celebrating culture, creativity, and community. 

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Member at Large
Scott Ellsworth

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Member at Large
Jeff Kerr

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Member at Large
Daniel Hershcovis

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