Welcome to our 2024 Adjudicators!

Deborah McGladdery!!

Deborah has been involved in Speech Arts since the age of seven, when she began “elocution” lessons in Victoria, BC with Wilfrid Ord at the “Victoria School of Expression”.   She has an Education certificate from UVIC, an associate’s diploma in Speech and Drama from Mount Royal College, Calgary, and has been designated a Speech and Drama Specialist by Royal Conservatory at the elementary, intermediate and advanced levels.

Deborah taught public school for more than ten years before turning her attention to speech arts and drama as a private teacher.  For 25 years, she ran a speech and drama studio, Rainbow Kids’ Theatre in Prince George, BC coaching up to 100 students a year in private and small group situations. She also enjoyed running a ‘Production Camp’ every summer where students presented fairy tale and Shakespeare plays to enthusiastic audiences. 

Since relocating to Penticton, she has stayed active, working for local and provincial festival organizations.  Ms. McGladdery has adjudicated for many festivals in Canada, is a member of the Canadian Music Festival Adjudicators' Association, and works as a Speech Arts examiner for Royal Conservatory. She also examines for the International Schools Association, assessing students’ English speech in Argentina and Uruguay.

Mrs. McGladdery is a member of the faculty at The Penticton Academy of Music  and Dramatic Arts.

Introducing Elizabeth Klassen!

Elizabeth Klassen is excited to be part of this year’s Speech Arts and Drama Festival. She grew up in this Festival, and you will find her name on trophies.

Elizabeth first started speech arts when she was 9 years old. Her teacher, Debbie McGladdery, introduced a love of poetry, prose and scenes that she still has to this day. She won many awards over the years and was a participant at the BC Provincials two years in a row. In 2013 she completed her Level 7 RCM with Honors Plus Distinction.

She had great fun performing in multiple Shooting Stars theatre productions, most notably playing Katerina in The Taming of the Shrew, and was the assistant director for A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She loves the Arts, and enjoys opportunities to participate in group performances.

Combining her love of drama and music, Elizabeth especially enjoys being part of musicals. She has played piano as part of the cast with UNBC Musical Productions “The Marvelous Wonderettes”, Theatre North West’s “The Last Five Years”, and most recently as part of the ensemble for Cedar Christian School’s Christmas musical.

Elizabeth is currently a member of the faculty at the Prince George Conservatory of Music where she enjoys teaching piano.

Elizabeth wishes each participant an encouraging and fun festival!