Fond Farewell to Heidi & Daniel
In celebration and gratitude, we’d like to bid a fond farewell to CapU Theatre faculty members Heidi Wilkinson and Daniel Tessy. Through their years at CapU, both Heidi and Daniel taught classes in the Technical Theatre Program, helping students learn concepts and skills in design and stagecraft. They also contributed to the designs of multiple mainstage shows.
The set for Peter and the Starcather, which Heidi designed (2017).
Heidi Wilkinson has been with CapU Theatre since 2006. Teaching in the Technical Theatre Program, Heidi has helmed classes in prop design and construction, and set design. In her years here at CapU, Heidi has contributed to the design of many of our mainstage shows, including the set design for Peter and the Starcatcher (2017 pictured above), costumes for She Kills Monsters (2020) and puppets for Children of Eden and Arabian Nights.
In the professional world, Heidi has won awards for her design in both theatre and film. She’s been head of props at the Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival for 28 years and has worked in every major theatre company in Vancouver as either a head of props or set designer. In the film and tv world, Heidi has built props for commercials, tv and film, including for Riverdale, Resident Alien, Dead Boy Detectives, Schmigadoon, Dirk Gentley, and Man in the High Castle.
Over the last few years, Heidi has been developing her props-making business, the Flying Fox Props Shop, and recently has expanded, moving into a larger studio and hiring more staff. With her business doing so well, Heidi has decided to part ways with CapU to focus on Flying Fox.
Heidi has been a cornerstone of our department for so many years. We’re sorry to see her go—but thrilled for her and wish her all the best in her new adventures.
Daniel designed the sound & composed original music for Lost in Wonderland (2022.)
Daniel Tessy started at CapU Theatre in 2021 as our sound and audio teacher, also as part of the Technical Theatre Program. Daniel is a multidisciplinary artist who has worked a variety of roles in the theatre industry before finding his true niche as a sound designer and composer, delivering atmospheric and immersive soundscapes with background music.
Daniel is also a musician, performing and releasing music in projects such as Fuzzy P, Tesstopia and DELICATESSY. He conducts all of his composition and recording work from a home studio in the city.
Although Daniel was only at CapU Theatre for a relatively short time, they were very important years, as he helped us get through Covid and then worked with us as we transitioned into post-Covid recovery and teaching.
While at CapU, Daniel contributed to the design of multiple mainstage shows, including last year’s Lost in Wonderland (above) and Twelfth Night, leaving his mark in particular with original compositions that were part of those productions.
Daniel has moved to Calgary, where he’s now working as Junior Technical Director with the Alberta Ballet Company. Congratulations, Daniel!
Thank you, Daniel and Heidi, for all your work while you were here at CapU Theatre! You inspired our students and helped make CapU Theatre a great place to study and learn.
We wish you all the best in your future endeavours.