Winnifred Blair (she/her) is a developing technical director and educator whose passion lies at the intersection of theatre and education. She has worked with the Palo Alto Children’s Theatre as a Teaching Artist and joined the Glimmerglass Festival as the Technical Direction Apprentice for their 2025 season. Winnifred graduated from Toronto Metropolitan University with a BFA in Performance Design and Production.

Through this internship, Winnifred will expand her technical direction skills through the world of theatre for young audiences.

For over a decade, Monica Bradford-Lea has led a successful administrative career alongside her thriving artistic career.

Monica (she/her) is a playwright, actor, producer, and co-Artistic Director of her theatre company, Spicy Day. With Spicy Day, she has created, performed, and toured award-winning original plays across Canada since 2016. The company is known for creating new, interactive work that unites audiences in laughter while opening honest and complex conversation on current social issues.

Monica is also an arts marketing specialist and project manager with 12 years of experience working for organizations including Canada’s National Arts Centre, Tarragon Theatre, SummerWorks, What the Festival, and Toronto Fringe.

Monica endeavors to be a part of innovating the arts sector to be more inclusive and liveable for the employees and artists who work within it.

Through this internship, Monica will develop her skills to work in senior leadership, learning how to lead teams and manage a large company effectively.

Quỳnh Diep (she/they) is a Vietnamese-Chinese, Toronto-based multidisciplinary artist. They graduated from Toronto Metropolitan University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performance Production, specializing in scenic design, props, paints, and carpentry.

Their favourite design credits include Lysistrata (Toronto Metropolitan University), Rooted: A New Musical (Toronto Fringe 2024), Hedwig and The Angry Inch (Bowtie Productions), The Calling (Makeshift Productions), Lucian, Plato, and the Secrets of the Pussy (Toronto Fringe 2025), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Brampton’s Own Shakespeare Show). Their passion lies in visual storytelling and pushing the boundaries of inclusivity, accessibility, and sustainability both on stage and behind the scenes.

Through their internship, Quỳnh will strengthen their craft as a visual artist, gain valuable insight into the production process of large-scale theatre in Toronto, and create meaningful connections with team members across various departments.

Madeline Disera (she/her) is a theatre creator from a small farm in Tiny, Ontario (yes, there really is a town called Tiny). From a young age, she has loved dance and theatre, and over the years, she has enjoyed taking on various roles both onstage and off. Madeline graduated from Queen’s University with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Drama and Music, and later completed a certificate in Arts Administration and Cultural Management at Humber College.

Madeline is passionate about shepherding productions from an idea to a finished work, and aims to centre joy, laughter, community, and connection in her process. She has had the privilege of collaborating with many wonderful companies, including Theatre By the Bay, Bad Hats Theatre, Bad New Days, WritersFest, Scapegoat Carnivale, Theatre Sheridan, and the Kick & Push Festival, and is grateful for the unique ways each has shaped her career.

Through this internship, Madeline will strengthen her artistic voice through the lens of producing, learn how to best support creative teams at every stage of new work development, and build confidence in her skills as an arts leader.

Kay Wong (he/him) is a Chinese-Canadian actor, producer, writer, and arts administrator, born and raised in Scarborough-Agincourt. A graduate of George Brown Theatre School’s acting conservatory, he got his start in production in Saskatchewan, working on wâhkôhtowin (SUM Theatre), where he was inspired by the unifying power of touring theatre. He has since produced shows across Ontario, including the Dora Award-winning Romeo and Juliet. And Action. (Shakespeare in Action), Living With Shakespeare (Driftwood Theatre), With Fervor Burning (Theatre of the Beat), and Hello, Dolly! (Scarborough Music Theatre).

Most recently, Kay began writing The K-Pop Play, an all-ages comedy that incorporates music, movement, and visual storytelling to transcend language and cultural barriers. He is passionate about creating more equitable workplaces for artists and making accessible, affordable theatre that tells universal stories centred on joy.

Through this internship, Kay will expand his leadership, outreach, and technical skills to address structural barriers to arts access in Scarborough and launch sustainable models of touring theatre in his community. Partnering with local organizations and through conversation with underserved communities, he hopes to inspire the growth of newer, more diverse audiences that reflect Scarborough and its desire for shared experiences that welcome and connect everyone.

Peter Fernandes is a Bahrain-born, Ugandan-Filipino theatre artist whose work spans some of Canada’s largest stages. A multi-Dora Mavor Moore Award-winning performer, he has collaborated with companies such as the Shaw Festival, Soulpepper, Crow’s Theatre, and Obsidian Theatre. Recent credits include One Man, Two Guvnors (Shaw), The Bidding War (Crow’s), and Fat Ham (Canadian Stage). He is slated to be the host of the 45th Anniversary Dora Mavor Moore Awards.

As an emerging director and magic designer, Peter is currently an associate on A Strange Loop (Musical Stage, Soulpepper, Crow’s, TOLive) and has assisted on Wights (Crow’s), Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery of the Human Heart, and Witness for the Prosecution (Shaw), while contributing illusion work for Snow in Midsummer, Trident Moon, Fat Ham, and Bremen Town.

Through this internship, Peter will deepen his relationship with theatre by exploring the intersection of creative vision, artistic leadership, and organizational strategy. He aims to refine his ability to shape bold and inclusive productions by gaining hands-on experience in directing and artistic direction. Peter remains dedicated to championing new voices and stories that celebrate underrepresented communities.

Sierra Haynes (she/her), a proud graduate of Studio 58, is an emerging, multi-Dora Mavor Moore Award-winning multi-disciplinary artist from Treaty 4 (Regina, SK), now establishing herself in Toronto, ON, and working in theatres across the country.

She recently released a podcast commissioned by the Globe Theatre, Stage Write: The Playwrights’ Podcast, where she facilitated conversations between some of Canada’s most exciting playwrights about their craft. She was the Apprentice Dramaturg at the Banff Centre’s 2024 Playwrights Lab. Sierra is a series writer on AMI-tv network’s award-nominated scripted comedy series, The Squeaky Wheel: Canada.

Through this internship, Sierra will focus on the dramaturgy of new works with various development techniques as well as designing and producing extended workshop processes that incorporate artists from multiple disciplines.

Alexandre Ionescu is a technician with a growing career in live performance production. His passion for audio and live events began in 2011, when he completed the Audio Recording Technology program at Vanier College in Montreal. Although he initially pursued other paths, Alexandre returned to his love of live entertainment in 2022 after volunteering with Seaway Valley Theatre Company.

Since then, Alexandre has played a technical role in over 100 live events, developing skills in audio, lighting, and stage management through hands-on experience. Known for his initiative, adaptability, and drive to learn, he has recently begun expanding his focus to include technical leadership and production management.

Through this internship, Alexandre aims to build his capacity as a technical leader, gaining experience in managing production teams, overseeing venue operations, and contributing to the planning and execution of large-scale performances.

Keavy Lynch (she/her) is a prodigal theatre-maker. She founded an indie theatre company in 2009, where she directed 10 productions, including eco-feminist space opera Waiting for Alonzo (2015) and devised historical satire Votes for Women (and Other Lies) (2016). She considers theatre her home but has also worked as a television writer on series like Pretty Hard Cases, Shelved, Bria Mack Gets a Life, and the planned second season of CBC’s acclaimed drama, The Porter.

Through this internship, Keavy will build skills in leadership and artistic direction, with a special focus on fostering safe and supportive creative environments.

Yazan Maarouf (he/him) is a Syrian-born filmmaker and theatre artist who arrived in Canada as a refugee. His film journey began in Cairo in 2007, where he trained with esteemed filmmakers like Ali Badrakhan. In Lebanon, Yazan worked as a producer, actor, and production designer on projects such as Shuruq Sessions, a series of live music sessions showcasing Arab underground talent. He has contributed to feature films such as TV Society, as well as music videos and television commercials.

With a background in architecture, Yazan excels in art direction and set design. In Canada, he worked as an Associate Producer at MT Space and contributed to the IMPACT23 International Theatre Festival, gaining valuable experience in organizing large-scale theatrical events.

Through this internship, Yazan will deepen his skills in artistic leadership, direction, dramaturgy, and producing. He seeks to gain experience in developing productions from concept to touring, budget creation, contract negotiation, and relationship-building with funders, ultimately preparing him to lead as an artistic producer or director.

Coleen Shirin MacPherson (she/her) is a theatre artist and an award-winning director, playwright, actor, and professor. She trained at École Jacques Lecoq in Paris and is the artistic director of Open Heart Surgery Theatre, a female-led physical theatre company creating original and devised work that is poetic and experimental. Selected directing credits include: This Is Why We Live, which premiered at La MaMa’s 58^th season in New York City, and Erased, which premiered at Theatre Passe Muraille and was named one of the best theatre productions of 2024 by the Toronto Star.

Coleen has worked with a variety of theatre companies in Canada and internationally, and has toured productions to France, Poland, the UK, China, Egypt, and the US.  She is Creator-in-Residence with Cahoots Theatre and part of Modern Times Theatre’s experimental theatre troupe. Coleen seeks new forms and puts collaboration at the heart of her creative process.

Through this internship, Coleen will strengthen her practice as a director and artistic leader while broadening her focus to include large-scale classical work.

Casey McDowell (she/her) is a scenic carpenter dedicated to honing her craft and establishing herself as a skilled builder. She discovered her passion for scenic construction at Queen’s University, where she worked on various productions. She graduated in 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Drama and continued her education at Sheridan College, specializing in Carpentry and Props within the Technical Production for Performing Arts Industry program. After graduating, she worked as a Production Associate at Theatre Orangeville for two years, contributing to numerous productions.

Through her internship, Casey will continue developing her skills as a strong scenic carpenter and gain experience in technical management. She aims to deepen her understanding of scenic design and construction while building meaningful connections within the industry.

Paula Sofía Morales is a Guatemalan singer-songwriter and arts administrator based in Canada. She studied performing arts and arts administration.

As a singer-songwriter, Paula is known for her playful and inviting presence, where her songs, performed entirely in Spanish, foster heartfelt storytelling and authentic connection with her audience. She has graced the stages of festivals like Hillside, Folk Music Ontario, and Sunfest, and collaborated with notable organizations, including the Aga Khan Museum, Small World Music, RBC Foundation, FabCollab, and Jamii Esplanade.

Paula’s administrative career began as the Program and Outreach Coordinator at MUSE Arts, a community-driven organization supporting immigrant, refugee, and newcomer artists. Her involvement with MUSE Arts also enabled her to participate in international community arts residencies in Colombia (2022) and Zimbabwe (2023), deepening her global perspective on community arts.

Through this internship, Paula will strengthen her leadership and mentorship skills while fostering spaces where musicians can thrive both artistically and professionally.

Ethan Rotenberg is a Toronto-based music director, conductor, and collaborative pianist. He is passionate about using music as a vehicle for telling bold and thought-provoking stories, along with creating spaces for performers to grow their craft. An active member of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) theatre scene, he regularly music-directs musical productions, concerts, and cabarets, including recent successes Falsettos (Bowtie Productions), Jekyll and Hyde (Doctor Bird Productions), and Merrily We Roll Along (Shifting Ground Collective).

In 2019, he co-founded the Impromptu Concert Series, a platform dedicated to featuring Toronto’s top emerging talent and brought the series outdoors during the COVID-19 pandemic as The Front-Lawn Series. In 2023, he co-founded Doctor Bird Productions as the resident music director, now in its second season with expanded programming.

Through this internship, Ethan will gain deeper insights into adapting to existing music teams, maintaining musical quality in long-running productions, and refining his conducting techniques to maximize clarity of expression and intent.