Our Story: How It All Began

Passion. Collaboration. Theater

The idea for Naše Divadlo Calgary sparked in late March 2024, when two families came together with a shared dream: to bring Czech and Slovak stories to life on stage in Calgary and to bring the Czech and Slovak community together. By April 26th, 2024 Naše Divadlo was officially founded, and our first members joined by June and September. That September, rehearsals for our inaugural production began, and by January, our premiere was a huge success.

Since then, our ensemble has grown — we’ve welcomed new actors, expanded our crew, and taken on ambitious projects, each one building on the last. Every milestone reflects the creativity, dedication, and heart of the people who make Naše Divadlo possible.

Current Members of Naše Divadlo

At Naše Divadlo, every production is a team effort. Our talented cast, directors, technicians, designers, and production support work together to bring stories to life. Every contribution — whether on stage, behind the scenes, or supporting from off-stage — is valued and celebrated.

This section also highlights the individuals who continue to shape our theatre today, each bringing unique skills, energy, and passion to our growing ensemble.

Executive Producer, Board Member

Erika Holderer

Erika is a co-founder of Naše Divadlo and serves as Executive Producer, Treasurer, and a member of the Board of Directors. As part of the administrative team, she plays a key role in the organization’s leadership, operations, and long-term sustainability, helping guide Naše Divadlo from vision to reality.

Artistic Director, In-house Dramaturge, Stage Director, Actor

František Vaněček

František is the Artistic Director and in-house dramaturge of Naše Divadlo as well as one of its co-founders. With over 40 years of experience in theatre as an actor, dramaturge, and director, he leads the artistic vision and oversees all productions. He studied theatre in Bratislava and performed at the Slovak National Theatre (Národné divadlo v Bratislave) and the New Stage Theatre (Nová scéna). After a 20-year hiatus, František returned to the theatre world in Calgary, bringing with him a wealth of experience, artistic insight, and a deep passion for storytelling.

Technical Director, Actor, Board Member

Martin Lacko

Martin is a co-founder of Naše Divadlo and serves as Technical Director, Board Member, and actor. He leads the entire technical team, overseeing lighting, sound, special effects, and performance subtitles. A talented musician and singer, Martin brings both technical expertise and artistic sensibility to every production.

Producer, Actor, Board Member

Dagmar Rakušan

Dagmar “Dáša” is an actor, board member, and one of the first members of Naše Divadlo. Born and raised in the Czech Republic, she brings decades of theatre experience as an actor, cultural manager, and performer. After moving to Canada, Dáša returned to the stage in Alberta and has been a vital part of Naše Divadlo since 2024. Known for her energy, creativity, and signature Moravian spirit — not to mention her incredible heart— Dáša helps bring every production to life.

Actor, Chairman of the Board

Júlia Aleksandrov

Julia is the Chairman of the Board and a dedicated actor at Naše Divadlo. One of the first members to join the theatre, Julia has been with us from the very beginning, helping to build it from the ground up. She manages everything behind the scenes — from grant writing and HR to administration, operations, and even making sure the bar is stocked! Julia’s tireless energy and commitment keep the theatre running smoothly and the creative vision alive.

Assistant Director, In-house Dramaturge, Actor, Board Member

Natália Vaněčková

Natália is Assistant Director, In-house Dramaturge, Actor, and Board Member at Naše Divadlo. With theatre in her blood, Natália trained in musical theatre and performance from a young age. She co-founded Naše Divadlo in 2024 and has been instrumental in shaping its productions, taking on roles from assistant director and dramaturge to stage manager and costume designer. A versatile and dedicated artist, Natália brings creativity, leadership, and passion to every aspect of the theatre.

Actor

Peter Zizler

Peter is an actor and one of the first members recruited to Naše Divadlo. By day, he is a mathematics professor, and by night, he lights up the stage with his talent, creativity, and incredible improvisational skills. Always up for anything the theatre throws his way, Peter’s energy, dedication, and good humor make him a beloved member of our ensemble.

Actor, Production team

Ján Jelínek

Ján is an actor and production team member at Naše Divadlo, returning to the stage after many years. With theatre experience dating back to elementary school—from reciting and performing in the children’s theatre Iskrička, to Divadlo pod starou bránou, and the Malé divadelné štúdio in Košice, including international festivals—he brings experience, enthusiasm, and humor to every performance. As a dedicated and talented actor, Ján has quickly become a cherished member of our ensemble.

Actor, Technical crew

Ľubomír Plaskoň

Ľubomír joined Naše Divadlo in its second season and quickly became an essential part of our ensemble. With natural stage charisma and a love for performance, he brings energy and talent to every production. He is also a gifted musician, performing with the Slovak band Sem Tam, The Treblemakers, and the Slovak Folk and Cultural Center group. His creativity, skill, and passion make him a beloved member of our theatre family.

Actor

Gvendolína Goluška

Gvendolína is one of the youngest members of Naše Divadlo, yet she has been with the theatre since its very beginning. She brings energy, creativity, and curiosity to every production, growing as a performer with each new role. Born in Canada, Czech is her second language, but she performs with impressive skill and confidence. Off-stage, Gvendolína is a competitive water sprite on kayak, showing the same determination and spirit she brings to the stage — a truly remarkable young talent.

Actor

Marcela Mitrengová

Marcela joined Naše Divadlo in its second season and quickly became a cherished member of the ensemble. Though new to theatre, she embraced the ochotnícky spirit wholeheartedly, diving into every rehearsal and performance with energy, enthusiasm, and dedication. Her readiness, creativity, and positive attitude make her a joy to work with, and she has quickly found her place on stage. We absolutely love having Marcela as part of our theatre family.

Actor

Alena Slačková

Alenka joined Naše Divadlo as an understudy in the first season and became a full member in the second. Born and raised in Liptovské Sliace, Slovakia, she grew up immersed in folklore and traditional culture, performing with local folk ensembles from a young age. Alenka brings her passion, talent, and heart to every production, and we absolutely love having her as part of our theatre family.

Actor

Monika Kadlček

Monika joined Naše Divadlo in its second season and quickly became a cherished member of the ensemble. Though new to theatre, she showed natural talent and stage presence from the start, embracing every role with joy and dedication. For Monika, performing is the fulfillment of a long-held dream — stepping into different characters, sharing laughter during rehearsals, and bringing Czech-Slovak theatre to life in Calgary. Her passion, energy, and commitment make her a beloved part of our theatre family.

Actor

Jonathan Matey

Jonathan is one of the youngest members of Naše Divadlo, joining in the second season. He quickly demonstrated natural stage presence and a keen understanding of performance. Jonathan loves exploring the nuances of each scene, delighting in how every glance and gesture tells a story. His energy, curiosity, and dedication make him a valued and cherished member of our theatre family.

Actor

Jaroslav Matey

Jaroslav joined Naše Divadlo also in its second season, stepping onto the stage for the first time with curiosity and courage. Initially hesitant about acting, he quickly embraced the experience, bringing humor, energy, and a fresh perspective to every rehearsal. Jaro delights in every moment on stage, turning unexpected slip-ups into laughter, and his enthusiasm makes him a cherished member of our theatre family.

Actor, Production team

Martina Vaněčková

Martina is an actor, co-founder, and valued member of the production team at Naše Divadlo. Growing up in a family where art was a way of life, she began her theatre journey with the youth theatres as a child and then later the troupe A Dosť in Púchov, performing in productions such as Full Pockets of Money and the original Hamlet V or what's new at Elsinore. Martina brings sensitivity, insight, and emotional depth to every role, and her experiences studying psychology enrich her understanding of character and human connection. Off-stage, she contributes to production efforts while exploring the world, bringing new perspectives and inspiration back to our theatre family.

Actor

Pavel Zizler

Our Pavlík joined Naše Divadlo in its second season, eager to try out theatre and embrace every opportunity on stage. With enthusiasm, dedication, and a growing talent for performance, Pavel has quickly become a valued member of our ensemble. We are so happy to have him as part of our theatre family.

Actor

Zdeňka Machutová

Zdenka joined Naše Divadlo in its second season, approaching every rehearsal with focus, care, and a determination to shine. She quickly revealed a natural stage presence and has become an absolute delight on stage. Zdenka’s talent, commitment, and cheerful energy make her a beloved member of our theatre family.

Stage Design & Wardrobe Team

Marianna Kilo-Zezulka

Marianna joined Naše Divadlo in its second season and has been an invaluable member ever since. As part of our set design and wardrobe team, she brings incredible attention to detail and creativity, crafting some of the most memorable pieces for our productions. Marianna’s talent, dedication, and heart make her a beloved member of our theatre family.

Technical crew

Ján Špak

Ján Špak joined Naše Divadlo in its second season as part of the technical crew. He contributed to creating English subtitles for performances and also helped document rehearsals through photography, supporting the theatre both on stage and behind the scenes.

Hair & Makeup, Production crew

Daniela Vacková

Daniela joined Naše Divadlo in its second season and contributes to the production team, including hair, makeup, and other behind-the-scenes tasks. Her energy, dedication, and attention to detail make her a valued part of our theatre family.

Technical crew

Tomáš Rakušan

Tomáš joined Naše Divadlo later in its second season as part of the technical crew. He played an important role in preparing English subtitles for productions, helping make performances accessible to a wider audience.

Photography

Daša Ozaniaková

Daša joined Naše Divadlo in its second season and has been capturing the magic of our theatre ever since. She photographs rehearsals, performances, and the actors, helping preserve memories and share the story of our productions. Daša’s creativity, dedication, and eye for detail make her an essential part of our theatre family.

Production crew, Technical crew, Actor

Veronika Nováková

Veronika recently joined Naše Divadlo, and we’re excited to welcome her to our theatre family. She’s already bringing enthusiasm and a fresh perspective to our team, and we look forward to creating amazing productions together.

Honorary Members

Honorary Members are a vital part of the Naše Divadlo Calgary family. They include actors, crew, and supporters — past and present — who continue to contribute to the theatre in meaningful ways. Whether through technical support, creative guidance, or ongoing involvement in our productions, these members help keep the spirit, energy, and heart of Naše Divadlo alive both on stage and behind the scenes.

Production crew

Eva Golušková

Eva has been with Naše Divadlo Calgary since the very beginning. Always ready to help with anything that’s needed, her energy, dedication, and positivity make her an invaluable member of the team. We love having Eva as part of our theatre family.

Production crew & Theatre mum

Marika Vaněčková

Marika is our designated theatre mum and a founding member of Naše Divadlo Calgary. She provides vital production support, guidance, and care for the company, ensuring everything runs smoothly. Her presence, wisdom, and warmth make her a cornerstone of our theatre family.

Technical crew, Production crew

Lenka Plaskoňová

Lenka joined us in our second season and she has been a blessing to the team ever since. Her technical skills with lighting are remarkable, and she even created what we fondly call the most beautiful ghost in all of Denmark. Lenka’s creativity and dedication make her an essential part of our theatre family.

Production crew

Renáta Jelínková

Renáta joined Naše Divadlo in its second season and quickly became an incredible support to the production crew. Her dedication, versatility, and willingness to step in wherever needed make her an invaluable member of our theatre family.

Actor, production support

Katarína Ubarová

Katarína is a former actor and a forever fan of Naše Divadlo Calgary. Alongside her husband Michal, she continues to support the theatre with enthusiasm and dedication, helping keep the spirit and energy of our productions alive. We love having this incredible duo as part of our theatre family.

Actor, production support

Michal Ubar

Michal is a former actor and steadfast supporter of Naše Divadlo Calgary. Together with his wife Katarína, he contributes to the life of the theatre with unwavering support and encouragement. Their presence, energy, and passion make them an absolute joy to have in our theatre family.

Technical crew

Viktor Kuľha

Viktor has been part of Naše Divadlo since the very beginning and has been a deeply loved member of our theatre family. As our head technician, he played a crucial role in bringing every production to life, guiding the technical side of our shows with skill, calm, and care. His dedication, generosity, and quiet strength shaped not only our performances but also the spirit of our team. While Viktor is stepping back from active participation, his impact remains woven into Naše Divadlo, and he will always be part of our family as an Honorary Member.

Prompter

Janka Špiláková

Janka joined Naše Divadlo in its second season and has been an indispensable part of our team ever since. As our prompter, she ensured every performance ran smoothly and supported the cast in countless ways behind the scenes. Janka loves watching performers grow, push past their limits, and discover new dimensions of themselves on stage. While she has chosen not to participate in the upcoming season, her dedication, care, and love for theatre remain a cherished part of Naše Divadlo, and we’re happy to recognize her as an Honorary Member of our theatre family.

Actor, production support

Dominik Špilák

Dominik joined Naše Divadlo in its second season and became a key part of our technical crew. From opening the curtain to recording performances and managing essential behind-the-scenes tasks, his reliability and energy helped every show run smoothly. Although he won’t be joining us next season, we’re thankful for all he’s brought to the team and are glad to welcome him as an Honorary Member of the Naše Divadlo family.

Every Role Matters — Join the Fun!

Are you ready to be part of something creative, fun, and full of heart? At Naše Divadlo Calgary, there’s a place for everyone — whether you want to act, sing, play music, help with technical crew, lighting, sound, or subtitles, manage costumes, hair, and makeup, support the set design, work on administration, stock the bar, cater events, or assist behind the scenes in any way.

Bring your talents, energy, and enthusiasm, and join us in creating unforgettable performances, lively community events, and a theatre family that celebrates Czech and Slovak culture. We can’t wait to welcome you!

Email us at info@nasedivadlocalgary.com to get involved and be part of our Czech and Slovak theatre family.