OUR STAFF

Erynn Nicole Lyster

Executive Director

  • Erynn leads a talented, diverse team of arts professionals dedicated to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for artists and patrons alike. Her work positions The GRAND as a dynamic gathering place where art is the catalyst for meaningful connection, innovative solutions, and challenging conversations.

    Erynn is an entrepreneur with a background in event planning and production, design, communications, and business development. She has spent time working internationally with non-profit organizations, guiding communication strategy and building brand awareness. The strength of her leadership is in bringing talent together to innovate, experiment, and problem solve. In 2016, Erynn was recognized as one of Calgary’s Top 40 under 40.

    She is at home in the mountains and has explored much of our country by bike! She loves animals, marvelling at art, and finding new ways of looking at and travelling through the world.

    Erynn’s favourite GRAND spaces: “This past year, the team found a room within a room. We were a bit scared to open it as it clearly hadn’t been discovered in decades … story TBC! There is also a mysterious door in the basement that leads somewhere, but no one has yet had the courage to explore!”

Anton deGroot

Technical Director

  • Anton is an award-winning scenic, lighting, and sound designer based here in Calgary, having worked on local, national, and international stages for the past 20 years including at Theatre Calgary, Ghost River Theatre, Vertigo Theatre, Arts Club (Vancouver), RMTC (Winnipeg), Soulpepper (Toronto), Persephone (Saskatoon), the Stratford Festival (Ontario), and the Birmingham Repertory Theatre (England). He works as an educator teaching scenography and design at the University of Calgary here at home, and internationally at the Prague Quadrennial of Performance Design and Space (Czech Republic).

    He is so grateful to be joining The Grand as Technical Director and getting to collaborate with this exiting team of passionate humans. This is an extraordinary theatre space to get to work in and grow with.

    Outside of theatre, Anton can often be found rolling 20-sideded dice and telling stories with friends about dragons and dungeons (though not always in that order). He holds a great love of that artform and will happily discuss how games are a catalyst for mental health, wellbeing, discussion of social equality, and emotional development. And fun.

    Anton’s favourite GRAND show: “In 2019 I was lucky enough to bring my lighting and sound design to the Flanagan Theatre’s stage as a part of Ghost River Theatre’s original production GIANT – a play about the remarkable life of André the Giant. We told this larger-than-life true story through puppets, high-choreographed onstage wrestling, epic sound and lights worthy of any WrestleMania, all told with the inherent theatricality of professional wrestling. The Grand was the perfect setting for this show, and we were so grateful to be hosted here.”

Nate Chiang

Arts and Community Engagement Coordinator

  • In his role, Nate is responsible for Leading Programming from The GRAND. His duties include liaising with artists and the community, helping to coordinate and execute presentations, coordinating artist residencies and visual arts in the space, and providing administrative support.

    Nate has a passion for the arts and is currently a busy performing jazz drummer, gigging with various bands around Calgary for the better part of the last decade. He is passionate about building relationships and capacity in the local arts community, and values the diversity and calibre of Calgary's artists.

    Nate’s favourite GRAND space: “My favourite place at the theatre is the Studio, which I consider the most calming and inspiring of all the spaces.”

Aoife Aherne

Front of House Manager

  • With a deep love for the arts and years of experience in hospitality, Aoife is passionate about creating exceptional guest experiences both on and off the stage. She holds a BA in Drama Performance from DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama in Dublin Ireland and her background in acting gives her a unique perspective on audience engagement and venue operations.

    Aoife is excited to bring her leadership skills and customer service expertise to the team. With over five years in hospitality and venue operations, she has a strong track record of team leadership, problem-solving, and ensuring every guest has a memorable experience. Whether in a theatre, bar, or any space, Aoife thrives in fast-paced environments where storytelling and service come together.

    Aoifes favourite space at The Grand... has to be The Flanagan Theatre. There's something about the red velvet seats, the exposed red brick walls, and the old-school charm that feels like home.

Sadaf Ganji-Aslamzada

Head of Facility/Admin

  • Sadaf (she/her) is a graduate of the University of Calgary's BFA Drama program. She has spent time working as a stage manager, event coordinator, scenic painter, but most recently was the Assistant Producer at The Shakespeare Company. She has a love for music, long summer walks in the park and a good cup of coffee. Her favorite place at The Grand is in the main lobby; as the space in which we can gather, find connection and reflect

John Fournier

Head of Stage

Alicia Mercado

Marketing & Communications
Coordinator

  • Alicia Mercado (She/Her) is a visual communicator, graphic designer, and marketing coordinator with a deep love for the local talent of Calgary.

    Originally from Winnipeg, she moved to Calgary to study at the Alberta University of the Arts, and has since worked on projects to do with graphic design, motion graphics, and advertising.

    Alicia is excited to see The GRAND’s Flanagan Theatre be home to all sorts of performances, such as dance, stand up comedy, music, and film.

Xavier Michaud

Head of Lighting

  • As the Head of Lighting Xavier is responsible for creating a vibrant atmosphere within the Flanagan Theatre for every event we host.

    He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Lethbridge in Theatre Design and Technology. Having worked in a variety of venues in and around Calgary as a technician including; Vertigo Theatre, Calgary Opera and the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, as well as having served as the Assistant Technical Director of the Calgary Stampede Grandstand Show. For him the most exciting part of his role at the Grand is the opportunity to be a part of bringing a huge variety of events to life.

    When he’s not at The Grand he can most often be found rock climbing, working away in an engine bay or chilling out and playing some video games with friends.

    Xavier’s Favourite Space:

    “My Favourite space would have to be the secret loft above the technical booth. It’s such a cool perspective to look at the space from and is a great place to take a quiet break or put your head down and get some work done.

Mike Watson

Head of Sound

  • As Head of Sound, Mike’s job is to ensure that pristine levels of sound are reproduced throughout the entire building. Not only does he make it heard, but he strives to make it FELT.

    Prior to “stewarding the sonic vessel that is The GRAND,” Mike has held multiple audio engineering positions at various festivals across Canada.

    One of Mike’s favourite ways to spend his time is visiting Memphis, Tennessee to play blues music and sample the local BBQ.

    Mike's favourite GRAND show: “My favourite show to date is Fluid Festival because it enabled me to gain a new appreciation for modern dance.”

Vaishnavi Khullar

Venue Rentals Coordinator

  • As a venue rentals coordinator, Vaishnavi collaborates closely with clients to guarantee the flawless execution of their events. Drawing from a diverse background, she has a keen eye for detail. She completed her Fine Arts degree from Alberta University of the Arts, majoring in Media Arts. She is an artist working in video, sound, and installations. And she loves to read!

    Vaishnavi’s Favourite Space

    "My favorite place at the GRAND is the Mezzanine. The unique composition of the space and the oculus looking down onto the Lobby is my favorite part!"

Sue-Shane Tsomondo

Administrative Coordinator

  • Sue-Shane Tsomondo is a writer and arts administrator based in Calgary. She is also a recipient of the Rozsa Foundation Emerging Arts Manager Award, and the founder of a literary arts platform, Sue's Stokvel. Sue-Shane is passionate about third-space activation and building organizational resilience through meaningful process improvement. 

Emily Fonda

Event Operations Coordinator

  • Emily Fonda (She/Her) is a Calgary-based arts professional and graduate of The School of Toronto Dance Theatre (now Dance Arts Institute). Emily was formerly a Youth Presenter and Educator with SQx Dance Company, focusing on community engagement, movement creation and social engagement workshopping with students from across Canada. As an Event Operations Coordinator at The Grand, Emily currently oversees front-of-house relations, bar operations, payroll and schedule coordination. Emily’s blend of operational experience, commitment to hospitality, and passion for fostering meaningful connections makes her a proud member of The Grand’s team.

    Emily’s favourite space at The GRAND is the lounge outside the dressing rooms in the basement! Check out the fun photo op mirror and neon sign!