About Nakai Theatre

Nakai Theatre Ensemble produces and presents high quality, uncommon theatre for Yukon audiences and develops local artists and their work.

Founded in 1979, Nakai has a rich history of theatre making in Whitehorse and beyond.

Current Team

Jacob Zimmer
Artistic Director
jacob@nakaitheatre.com

Born in Cape Breton, raised in Halifax, and trained in Vancouver, Jacob now lives in Whitehorse after 15 years in Toronto. Along with being the new Artistic Director of Nakai Theatre, he’s the founding director of Small Wooden Shoe Planning and Performance, a designer at Intervene Design and a past faculty member in Leadership Development at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. He also collaborates with Public Recordings, Dancemakers, Secret Theatre, and others. Jacob studied theatre at Simon Fraser University’s School for the Contemporary Arts. He trained in Viewpoints and composition with Anne Bogart and SITI Company, interned with The Wooster Group, participated in creation workshops with Jonathan Burrows, and participated in many more curious activities.

Norah Paton
Managing Producer
norah@nakaitheatre.com

Norah is a theatre maker and producer from Ottawa, Canada. She has worked professionally in many fields: as an actor, director, playwright, sound designer, lighting designer, stage manager and production manager. 

She is passionate about telling stories, and especially interested in those rooted in the real world.  She often works outside or in found spaces, and in direct reaction to current events. She believes in the power of stories to build communities, start conversations and create connections.  She recently completed a master’s degree in Collaborative Theatre Production and Design at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. 

Board of Directors

President Jessica Westman
Directors Lyndsay Amato, Joan Stanton, Shayna Hammer, Kelly Lu, Sean Ridder, James Howell

Canadian Revenue Agency
Charitable Number: 133955039RR0001