Meet the Team
Aubrey Dan, President
Aubrey Dan is a Canadian businessman, producer, impresario and philanthropist. He is Founder and President of the following Canadian companies: Dancap Private Equity Inc., Dancap Global Asset Management, Dancap Productions Inc. and Dancap Catering Inc..
Born in Toronto, Ontario, Dan graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a degree in Administrative and Commercial studies in 1985. Soon after, he joined his father's company, Novopharm as a sales representative, and was promoted to Director of Sales. In 1995, his father appointed him to run the Novopharm subsidiary, Wampole, Canada Inc. an herbal supplement and vitamin manufacturer.
In 2002, Dan founded Dancap Private Equity, a private firm that invests its own funds from a $50 million investment base in mid-market Canadian businesses and as co-investment partners for medium to large sized international businesses.
Dan also founded Dancap Global Asset Management, a company with a singular mandate to build wealth over the long term by providing best practices in asset allocation, portfolio construction, investment due diligence and investment management. The company's investment focus includes alternative assets, such as private equity, private debt, infrastructure, commodities and hedge funds, as well as traditional assets, including public equities, fixed income and real estate.
In 2007, Dan launched Dancap Productions with an inaugural season that included sold-out presentations of THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, 3 MO DIVAS, successful revivals of beloved shows like MY FAIR LADY as well as summer presentations of AVENUE Q and the Tony Award®-winning JERSEY BOYS, still playing at the Toronto Centre for the Arts with a Canadian production. For 2009, Dancap co-produced the Toronto return of the beloved Canadian musical ANNE OF GREEN GABLES, presented HAPPY DAYS, A NEW MUSICAL and co-produced a Canadian production of THE TOXIC AVENGER MUSICAL. Co-producing and investments credits are: THE ADDAMS FAMILY, MEMPHIS, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC and CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF. Past Broadway and international credits include: DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! THE MUSICAL, Broadway and Tour, THE FARNSWORTH INVENTION, WICKED, Tom Stoppard's ROCK ‘N’ ROLL, [TITLE OF SHOW], THE WEDDING SINGER, THE PIRATE QUEEN, as well as the Tony Award® winners IN THE HEIGHTS and JERSEY BOYS on Broadway, Las Vegas, London, UK, the First National Tour and Toronto.
In 2008, Dan founded Dancap Catering Inc. to provide his family and employees with healthy and delicious meals. He believed that keeping his family around the dinner table and his employees in the lunchroom to communicate and socialize at mealtime was sure to result in happy and productive home and working environments. The company now offers prix fixe meals before shows at the Toronto Centre of the Arts.
Above and beyond his businesses, Aubrey Dan is a philanthropist, donating millions of dollars to primarily health, education charities, and other worthy causes. He and his wife Marla have made more than $20 million in donations to organizations that include: $8 million to Sunnybrook Foundation for their women and babies program, now called the Aubrey & Marla Dan Program for High Risk Mothers & Babies; $5 million to the University of Western Ontario's Social Science department resulting in the program being named the Aubrey Dan Program in Management and Organizational Studies; $5 million to the Baycrest Centre Foundation in honour of his father-in-law Reuben Cipin: Reuben Cipin Healthy Living Community in Toronto; in excess of $700,000.00 to the Judy Dan Wound Care Centre to prevent unnecessary amputations and reduce patient suffering by treating diabetic wounds with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (named in memory of his mother who passed away in 1995 due to Diabetic complications); $2.0 million towards the University of Toronto Leslie Dan Facility of Pharmacy in honour of his father.
He received an honorary Doctorate of Laws Degree (honoris causa) from Assumption University in 2008. He is a member of the Young President's Association (YPO) Ontario Chapter, Baycrest, and Institute of Private Investors (IPI).
aubreydan@dancap.ca
Elias Toby, CA, Chief Operating Officer & Chief Financial Officer
for the Dancap Group of Companies
Elias Toby is a result-oriented, entrepreneurial leader with a proven investment record of success in start-up, turnaround and growth situations. His major strengths include strategic planning, implementation and development of growth strategies.
As a senior member of the Dancap team, Elias provides specific expertise in investment diligence, corporate planning, reorganization, financing, structuring for new and ongoing businesses, asset and share purchases, mergers, acquisitions, and divestiture.
Elias brings 20 years of financial expertise to Dancap. Most recently, he was the principal of his own consulting firm, where he advised a diverse group of businesses. Prior to this, Elias was with Deloitte & Touche, where he specialized in taxation and assurance services.
Elias serves on the boards of several community and government associations.
elias@dancap.ca
Peter W. Lamb, Producer, Executive Vice President
Peter has been working professionally in the theatre for more than 30 years. His early career as a stage technician at The National Arts Centre in Ottawa led to numerous freelance assignments as a technical director. After five seasons at The Stratford Festival, he moved to Livent Inc. where he was production manager and senior technical director for productions including THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (Toronto, Touring); JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT (Toronto, Touring); SHOW BOAT (Toronto, Broadway, Chicago, Touring); SUNSET BOULEVARD (Toronto, Vancouver) and RAGTIME (Toronto, Los Angeles, Broadway, Chicago, Touring). While at Livent, Mr. Lamb served as the technical consultant on several theatre renovation and construction projects, including The Pantages (Canon) in Toronto, The Ford Centre for the Performing Arts in Vancouver, The Ford Center (Hilton) in New York, and The Oriental in Chicago.
As vice-president and principal consultant of New York-based Artec Consultants Inc., Mr. Lamb worked on a number of international performing arts building projects, including: The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Philadelphia; Orange County Performing Arts Center, Costa Mesa; National Concert Hall, Budapest; Jazz at Lincoln Center, New York; Salle Pleyel, Paris (renovation); Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto (renovation), and the Accolade Project at York University, Toronto (Fine Arts buildings).
In 2000, he established PWL ASSOCIATES a theatrical production consulting firm whose clients include Follies for Roundabout Theatre Company (Broadway), The Overcoat for CanStage (London, Adelaide, Wellington), Pélagie for CanStage/National Arts Centre (Toronto, Ottawa), Blue Man Group (Panasonic Theatre, Toronto, Venetian Resort, Las Vegas) and The Pirate Queen for River Productions (Chicago, Broadway).
pwl@dancapproductions.com
Iris Nemani, Director, Operations
Iris has made a career in theatre administration and independent producing for the past 15 years. Prior to arriving at Dancap, Iris spent over two years as the General Manager of the Young Centre for the Performing Arts located in the Distillery District. She was responsible for overseeing the final construction and the set up of the newest and one of the most architecturally beautiful performing arts facilities in Toronto. Iris has worked in both not-for-profit and commercial theatre, as General Manager of Nightwood Theatre and as a Company Manager for Livent on the commercial productions of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, SHOW BOAT and RAGTIME.
In addition, she has served as the Chair of Nightwood Theatre and volunteered for many charitable organizations including Davenport Perth Neighbourhood Centre and People for Education. For the past four years, she has had the priviledge of working with Judith Thompson and Palmerston Public School’s grade 4, 5 and 6’s bringing Shakespeare to children.
iris@dancapproductions.com
Judi Pressman, Director of Sales and Business Development CAP
Judi has had the theatre bug from a very young age. She began her career in the financial sector, where she worked for ten years before moving into the hospitality industry. She spent three years at The Holiday Inn on King as the Assistant to the General Manager and the Tour and Travel Sales Manager. During this time she met other individuals who worked with different theatre companies and decided to start her journey in the theatrical industry. Judi started at Leah Poslems theatre as the Box Office and Subscription Manager. In 1992, she worked for LIVENT Inc. in the Group Sales Department on PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, SHOW BOAT, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, and RAGTIME. She spent 14 years with Mirvish Productions as the Director of Subscriptions and Group Sales working on MISS SAIGON, CRAZY FOR YOU, THE LION KING, MAMMA MIA!, CHICAGO, CABARET, and THE LORD OF THE RINGS. Judi is very excited to be part of this ground-breaking company and looks forward to working with this team to bring CAPtivating Broadway theatre to Toronto!
jpressman@dancapproductions.com
Sandra Iacobelli, Director of Marketing and Communications
Sandra has more than 13 years experience working with high profile entertainment properties and leading corporate clients. She specializes in marketing strategy and planning. Prior to joining Dancap, Sandra was Marketing Consultant for the Toronto engagements of Blue Man Group and MAMMA MIA!, and had worked in collaboration with agency Allied Live on the launch of Dancap Productions Inc. As Senior Director of Marketing Programs for five years with Wakeham & Associates Marketing Inc., Sandra's corporate and property client roster included sponsorship marketing consulting, negotiation and management for a number of top brands including Cirque du Soleil, CIBC, Hydro One, Investor's Group and Nokia. The scope of her work included designing and implementing marketing programs with properties ranging from entertainment venues, theatre and concerts, to live and televised sporting events. Sandra also held the position of Director of Sponsorship and Promotions with Livent Inc., working on the North American productions of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (Toronto), RAGTIME, SHOW BOAT, FOSSE, SUNSET BOULEVARD, and KAREN KAIN-THE FAREWELL TOUR.
sandra@dancapproductions.com
Young In Turner, Manager, Advertising
Young In was fortunate to begin her theatre career on a high-note working as the assistant to the esteemed Martha Henry at London’s Grand Theatre during her tenure as Artistic Director. At The Grand Theatre, Young In worked with a number of Canadian acting personalities like William Hutt, Kate Trotter, David Fox, Rod Beattie and Sandra Oh.
Her career has continued on this upward trajectory working with Mirvish Productions for almost ten years. In her capacity as Senior Marketing Manager with Mirvish, Young In developed and directed implementation of its marketing plans for a number of shows. Memorable shows she worked on included Disney’s THE LION KING, MAMMA MIA! THE WHO’S TOMMY, CHICAGO, CABARET, RENT, HAIRSPRAY, THE PRODUCERS, and LES MISERABLES with Colm Wilkinson.
Young In is excited to join the Dancap team to help create a more “Rewarding Broadway Experience” in Toronto.
young@dancapproductions.com
Joycelyn Williams, Controller
Joycelyn has more than 15 years experience in the entertainment sector. Before joining Dancap Productions Inc. she worked at Live Nation Inc. for seven and a half years. She spent five years in the touring division, The Next Adventure (TNA), as the Accounting Manager working on tours for U2, Madonna, Sting, Rush and the Rolling Stones. Next she worked as the Regional Accounting Manager overseeing the accounting for the theatrical venue side of operations for the Panasonic and Canon Theatres. Other employers include Mirvish Productions as the Show Accountant for productions such as THE WHO’S TOMMY (Canadian Tour), JANE EYRE, LES MISERABLES, and RENT.
Joycelyn still remembers going to her first show with her sister, THE KING AND I, starring Yul Brynner at the O'Keefe Centre (now known as the Sony Centre) and purchasing tickets three times to see The Phantom of the Opera at The Pantages Theatre. She continues to feel the thrill and excitement to be part of the theatrical world, part of the production on stage, not just the person that pays the bill. Joycelyn is excited about the years to come and working with the team at Dancap Productions Inc. to create more treasured memories of great Broadway plays for all Canadians and visitors.
jwilliams@dancapproductions.com
Frank P. Scardino, Consulting Executive Producer
Currently the General Manager of MEMPHIS on Broadway, in the past Frank has served as Executive Producer or G.M. for the following shows: FOLLIES (Broadway), RAGTIME (Broadway, LA, Toronto and Tour), THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (Toronto and International Tour), SUNSET BOULEVARD (Toronto), TO GRANDMOTHER’S HOUSE WE GO (Broadway), JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT (Chicago, Toronto and Tour), ASPECTS OF LOVE (Tour), KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN (Broadway and Tour), SHOW BOAT (Broadway, Toronto, Chicago and Tour), BARRYMORE (Broadway), CANDIDE (Broadway) and MUSIC OF THE NIGHT (Tour). Other Broadway credits: GUYS AND DOLLS, THE PIRATE QUEEN, THE 1940’S RADIO HOUR, ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY, PIPPEN, THE MIKADO, and CHICAGO (original company). Other productions include LAUGHING ROOM ONLY, WILL ROGERS FOLLIES (Tour), IMMIGRANT, THE MUSICAL, and JACKIE MASON: FRESHLY SQUEEZED.
Martyn Hayes, Consulting Executive Producer
Currently an Independent Producer, Martyn was most recently Director of European Operations for The Jacobsen Entertainment Group in London and Executive Producer of the musical DIRTY DANCING. Previously to this, Martyn served as Managing Director of Stage Entertainment U.K. Ltd (London); International Associate Producer of Stage Entertainment BV (Amsterdam); Manager of International Productions at Walt Disney Theatrical Productions (Los Angeles); Managing Director of Martyn Hayes Associates working on numerous productions including THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (Tokyo, Toronto, Vienna, Stockholm, Hamburg), ASPECTS OF LOVE (London, Canada), CATS (Switzerland), ANYTHING GOES (London), A CLOCKWORK ORANGE (London), and the UK and European tour of SONG AND DANCE; and Head of International Production for the Really Useful Theatre Company (London). Martyn began his professional career in 1975 working backstage in various West End Theatres. His career has seen him work in Stage Management with The Nuffield Theatre Southampton and The Prospect Theatre Company; as a Production Carpenter for Kent Opera; a Production Electrician for The English Music Theatre; and as a Production Manager for The Tricycle Theatre, The National Theatre, Triumph Apollo Theatre Productions, and The English National Opera. He has Production Managed numerous West End and touring productions, including the original West End productions of LES MISÉRABLES in 1985 and THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA in 1986.
