Jonathan is a multifaceted artist and educator currently based out of Toronto, Canada. Since graduating from Sheridan College’s prestigious Bachelor of Musical Theatre program in 2016 he has performed professionally across Canada and the world.
Jonathan grew up on a chicken farm just north of London, Ontario. It was in London he attended L. B. Pearson School for the Arts and sang with the internationally acclaimed Amabile Boys Choir. Jonathan sang with Amabile for 10 years and toured Europe twice. It was during his secondary education at H. B. Beal and the Grand Theatre's Highschool Project that he honed in on Musical Theatre.
In 2011 Jonathan was accepted into Sheridan College’s prestigious Musical Theatre Program where he honed his skills and voice as an artist, earning his Bachelor of Musical Theatre. At Sheridan he played lead roles in Chess, Legally Blonde and Sunday in the Park with George. It was also while at Sheridan he made his professional theatre debut at the Victoria Playhouse Petrolia, playing Matt in The Fantasticks.
Since graduating Sheridan Jonathan has worked at the Victoria Playhouse Petrolia, Port Hope Theatre, Magnus Theatre in Thunder Bay, The Guild in Charlottetown PEI and Stage West Calgary. He most recently opened the newest company of the Broadway musical Jersey Boys as Bob Gaudio on board NCL’s newest ship and played Bob Gaudio in the Canadian Regional Premier of the show.
Other favourite roles include: Gilbert Blythe in Anne & Gilbert, Baloo in The Jungle Book, Sky in Mamma Mia! and Billy in Crazy For You.
As a singer Jonathan has shared the stage with Broadway legend Ben Vereen, internationally acclaimed recording stars Josh Groban, Sarah Brightman and Frankie Valli.
Jonathan is currently at Queens University working towards his Bachelor of Education, specializing in the Artist in Community Education program.
As an educator it is my mission to help students find their voice and honour their stories through theatre and music. My true passion lies with helping empower minority voices in the same way my teachers helped me. We are living through complicated political times and the need for encouraging developing adults to remain curious and critical of the world we live in has never been greater. I believe the ability to explore oneself through self expression and the skill of learning to listen to others is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself. Finding the arts as a child saved my life; pursuing a career in the arts has helped me fall in love with life over and over again. It would be an immense privilege to inspire joy by assisting this same discovery in my students. John Steinbeck said that 'teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit.’
Quotes about Jonathan...'Jonathan has a smile warmer than melted caramel.' - Linda Maehans, The Thunder Bay Source 'Gysbers radiates the perfect boyish innocence and wonder.' - JD Booth, The Lambton Sheild 'Jonathan Gysbers is amazing for his skill ... he demonstrates a phenomenal grace and agility that is comparable to Charlie Chaplin’s.' - Kenneth Chisholm |
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