Theatre Services Staff

Ab O'Neil
Oli Siska
Miriam Fabijan

Ab O'Neil
Manager, Conservatory Support

How did you get interested in theatre? Toward the end of my University undergraduate career I started to take film courses. After graduating, I took more film and television production-related courses targeting a career in film or broadcast. At one of these in the summer of 1973, I made a short motion picture about the theatre production of "the Magic Flute" and participated in some taping sessions of the musical " Anne of Green Gables" at the Banff Centre. I would say that was a tipping point.

What has been the most fun moment of your theatre career? Over the years I have tried to encourage the broadening of horizons. One such experience that stands out for me is when I arranged a course with 7-time Emmy Award Winner Bill Klages and 3-time Emmy award winner George Riesenberger, lighting designers and accomplished professional engineers. We had support from the Canadian Institute of Theatre Technicians, the Canadian Society of Television Lighting Directors (I was a member of both), CFAC - TV and attendance from all of Western Canada. It was a great networking experience and a lot of knowledge was gained by all.

I have had the opportunity to offer my advice to the builders and visionaries of many venues across Western Canada and even into the US. It is rewarding to know that my experience in rigging, sound, lighting, staging, operations and production can help others in realizing their dreams and aspirations.

Oli Siska
Contracts and Scheduling Coordinator
403.440.6121

How did you get interested in theatre? I was one of those children who took the words “captive audience” to a whole new level, by forcing my grandparents to regularly attend puppet shows, and plays I made up. By middle school, I found enough peers that were as crazy in love with live performance as I was. I founded the first group of many to come, and the rest is history.

What do you enjoy about working at MRU venues? The most exciting part of working at Mount Royal Theatres is the widespread talent of all ages occupying such a small area. It is not just beautiful and exciting to watch, but also inspirational. We do not have jobs at the conservatory. We have vocations. Every instructor, support staff member, technician and manager has artistic leanings and is a practicing artist of some shape and form. It rubs off on everyone.

Why choose MRU? What sets us apart is the amazing level of service our technicians and front of house staff provide. From the time a client walks in, he or she is made welcome. Obstacles are positive challenges that help us grow, and these are the words the theatre staff members live by at MRU. Being lifelong learners, they are excellent at what they do. Being full of passion, they bring a sense of community to every event.

Miriam Fabijan
Administrative Assistant, Conservatory Support
Ticket & Box Office Administrator
403.440.7749

How did you get interested in theatre? My background is in visual arts, so when I was first looking for work I decided to try my hand at scenic painting and I loved it. Over the years I have had the pleasure of applying my creative skill at various institutions here in Calgary, across Canada (including Toronto, Montreal & Vancouver) and abroad (including London, UK & Ljubljana, Slovenia), creating works for professional theatres, concert performances, student productions, public displays, museums and art galleries. I find working in the arts and theatre creatively stimulating, challenging in its diversity, and the ‘team work’ atmosphere extremely rewarding.

What was the best show you ever saw and what made it the best? Recently MRU Theatres had the pleasure of housing O2 the Dance Company’s “IM the Seasons of Love”. O2 had an extremely successful, SOLD OUT 3-performance run, in our Wright Theatre. And ‘right’ it was! This pre-professional contemporary dance company had it together, so much so, that I just had to ‘work’ all three performances. One of the perks of being in the arts is you get to see great productions like this one.

Why would you recommend MRU ticketing services? Why worry about selling tickets to your event when we can do it for you! We provide a professional box office service with the ability to sell tickets online, by phone and in person.