Professional Experience
Managing Director
County Stage Company
Prince Edward County, Ontario | 2019-2023
Spearheaded all administrative functions for County Stage Company and oversaw renaming/rebranding of the company.
Managed season planning, budgeting, grant writing, staffing, marketing, outreach, development and production.
Led the company through the pandemic, overseeing the implementation of a new venue, website, and ticketing, volunteer, and patron management systems.
Positioned County Stage on a financially stable path with a focus on increased marketing, audience engagement, community involvement, and collaboration with diverse artists.
Artistic Director & Producer
Theatrefront, Inc.
Toronto, Ontario | 2013-2020
Oversaw the merging of DVxT Theatre and Theatrefront, subsequent rebranding of Theatrefront.
Shaped and led the artistic vision of Theatrefront as the Artistic Director and administrative head, overseeing programming for production, outreach, and playwright-in-residence program.
Mentored emerging artists and playwrights, and dramaturgy of new works.
Managed marketing, publicity, administration for production and outreach.
Managed project financing, including grant writing, fundraising and sales.
Secured and maintained corporate sponsorship and foundation support in collaboration with the Board.
During tenure, produced two World Premieres (Mules and The Orange Dot), commissioned five new scripts, initiated an emerging Playwright-in-Residence program, and facilitated community engagement with free annual workshops for Toronto theatre administrators and producers.
Artistic Director
DVxT Theatre
Toronto, Ontario | 1999-2013
Founded DVxT Theatre Company, inspired by the equation "Distance = Velocity x Time" wherein “time” was the most important variable funding lengthy rehearsal periods.
Shaped and led the artistic vision of DVxT, overseeing programming for production and outreach.
Managed project financing, including grant writing and fundraising events.
Secured and maintained corporate sponsorship in collaboration with the Board.
Directed and designed critically acclaimed shows, including The Doll House commissioned and adapted by John Murrell, Happy Days starring Martha Burns and a site-specific production of The Turn of the Screw at the Campbell House Museum.
Commissioned 4 new works, and produced 4 World Premieres.
DVxT received 19 Dora Nominations and 12 Dora Awards for outstanding work.
The Shape of Home: Songs in Search of Al Purdy. County Stage Company. Photo: Beau Dixon, Frank Cox-O’Connell, Hailey Gillis, Raha Javanfar & Andrew Penner. The Orange Dot. Theatrefront. Photo: Daniela Vlaskalic & Shawn Doyle. Happy Days. DVxT Theatre in association with Soulpepper. Photo: Michael Simpson & Martha Burns. Climbing Down, workshop at the Goodman Theatre, Chicago, a DVxT new play commission by John Murrell for Brian Dennehy and Daniela Vlaskalic. Photo: Brian & Daniela.
Selected Directing
Mules | Director
Theatrefront, 2019
The Orange Dot | Director
Theatrefront Commission, Premiere 2017
Top Girls | Director
The Shaw Festival, 2015
The Bull, The Moon & The Coronet of Stars | Director
The Theatre Department, 2014
Good People | Director
Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, 2014
Tainted | Director
Moyo Theatre, Premiere 2013
4.48 Psychosis | Director
Necessary Angel, 2013
The Provok'd Wife | Director
Theatre York, 2011
DVxT Commission, Premiere
The Misanthrope | Associate Director
Stratford Festival, 2011
The Mill Part 4: Ash | Director
Theatrefront & Young Centre, 2011
Theatrefront Commission, Premiere
5 Dora Nominations
Romeo & Juliet | Director
Canadian Stage Company, 2010
The Last Five Years | Director
The Grand Theatre, 2010
The Turn of the Screw | Director & Set Designer
DVxT Theatre Company, 2009
3 Dora Awards, 5 Nominations
Creon | Director
Theatreworks, Premiere 2007
St. Christopher | Director & Set Designer
DVxT Theatre & Theatre Passe Murailie, 2005 Premiere
Mosley and Me | Director & Set/Costume Designer
DVxT Theatre & Canadian Stage, 2003
DVxT Commission, Premiere
Happy Days | Director & Set/Costume Designer
Soulpepper Theatre & DVxT, 2003
1 Dora Nomination
The Doll House | Director & Set Designer
DVxT Theatre, 2001
DVxT Commission by John Murrell, Premiere
7 Dora Awards, 7 Nominations
Coyote Ugly | Director & Set Designer
DVxT Theatre, 1998
2 Dora Awards, 5 Nominations
Good People, Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre: Ari Cohen & Martha Burns. Top Girls, Shaw Festival: Claire Jullien. 4:48 Psychosis, Necessary Angel: Bruce Godfree, Laura Condlln, Raven Dauda.
Selected Design
City of Wine Cycle | Production Designer
Nightswimming, 2009 Dir: Brian Quirt
Des fraises en janvier | Set Designer
Theatre français de Toronto, 2008 Dir: Jean-Stephane Roy
Therac 25 | Set & Costume Designer
Factory Theatre, 2002 Dir: Jordan Pettle
Alphonse | Set & Costume Designer
Theatre Direct, 2002 Dir: Lynda Hill
Patience | Set Designer
GCTC, Ottawa, 2001 Dir: Stewart Arnott
Midnight Sun | Set & Costume Designer
Tarragon Theatre/NAC, 2001 Dir: Patricia Vanstone & Andy McKim
Trousseau, True Nature | Set Designer
The Urge Collective, 2000 Dir: Joanna McIntyre
Shaking the Foundations | Set & Costume Designer
Buddies in Bad Times, 2000 Dir: Bryden MacDonald
The Yoko Ono Project | Set Designer
Theatre Passe Muraille, 2000 Dir: Marion de Vries & Jean Yoon
Cheri | Set Designer
Tarragon Theatre, 1999 Dir: Paul Bettis
Howl | Set & Costume Designer
Buddies in Bad Times, 1999 Dir: Mark Cassidy
Hello... Hello | Set & Costume Designer
Pochsy Productions, 1999 Dir: Chris Earle
Live With It | Costume Designer
Buddies in Bad Times, 1999 Dir: Edward Roy
The Juniper Tree | Set & Costume Designer
Red House, 1999 Dir: Josephine LeGrice
Medea | Set & Costume Designer | Dora Nomination
Golden Fleece Productions, 1998 Dir: Josephine LeGrice
Martin Yesterday | Costume Designer
Buddies in Bad Times, 1998 Dir: Brad Fraser
Down Here on Earth | Set & Costume Designer
Autumn Leaf Performance, 1998 Dir: Thom Sokoloski
Random Acts | Set & Costume Designer
Nightwood Theatre, 1997 Dir: Alisa Palmer
Sam’s Last Dance | Set & Costume Designer
Theatre Smith-Gilmour, 1997 Dir: Jim Warren
L'histoire du soldat | Set Designer
I Fiamminghi, Belgium, 1996 Dir: Thom Sokoloski
Born in the Grave | Set & Costume Designer
Crow’s Theatre, 1995 Dir: Jim Millan
Hole in My Heart | Set & Costume Designer
Crow’s Theatre, 1993 Dir: Jim Millan
St. Christopher, Set maquette and photo of Philip Riccio & Ashley Wright.
Teaching Experience
Guest Director & Educator
University of Waterloo, Concord Floral, 2017
Toronto Film School, Six Characters in Search of an Author, 2014
National Theatre School, Three Sisters, 2012
York University, The Provok’d Wife (new adaptation by Rick Roberts, commissioned by DVxT), 2011
York University, Not Wanted on the Voyage, 2006
University of Toronto, The Rimers of Eldritch, 1994
Awards
2000 | 3 Dora Mavor Moore Awards for Outstanding Production, Direction and Set Design (The Doll House)
2005 | Nominated for the John Hirsh Director's Award
2007 | Harold Award, House of Darren O’Donnell
2009 | Voted "Best Director Who's Also a Designer" by NOW Magazine
2010 | Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Direction (Turn of the Screw)
Three Sisters, National Theatre School. The Provok’d Wife, York University. Concord Floral, University of Waterloo.
Education
University of Calgary, 1993 | Bachelor of Fine Arts, Drama
Dean’s List
University of Victoria, 1987-89 | Theatre (Major) & Anthropology (Minor)
Dean’s List