Contributing Artists

Performance Caleigh Adams Aimee - Part 2

Born and raised in the GTA, Caleigh is a queer actor, writer, and theatre creator, proud to be graduating from the Theatre Performance Program in 2021. Trained in devised and physical theatre, she is drawn to socially engaged projects prioritizing historically underrepresented voices. After spending two years in York University's Film Production BFA, she’s happy to combine her film production knowledge and enthusiasm with her love of theatre. Caleigh has a myriad of interests including expanding her movement horizons, language, and the outdoors. She is thrilled to be working alongside her Humber ensemble and director Christopher Stanton in The Humans.

Guest Artist Maddie Bautista Sound Designer

Maddie Bautista is a Bi, Saudi Arabia-born Filipinx sound designer and composer. Maddie has been nominated for a Dora Award for her music in Eraser at RISER 2019, and also nominated for the 2020 Pauline McGibbon Award. Selected sound credits: OIL (ARC), bug (Theatre Passe Muraille), Wah Wah Wah (Wildside 2020), Private Eyes (lemonTree creations), Our Fathers, Sons, Lovers, and Little Brothers (b current). She is Co-Artistic Producer of Bad Muse Collective with Korean-Canadian sound designer Deanna H. Choi. Bad Muse is currently in residence with fu-GEN Theatre to create Love You Wrong Time. www.maddiebautista.com

Production Ethan Belaisis Paint

Hello! My name is Ethan Belaisis, I am a 2nd year in the Theatre Technical Production Course. I enjoy classes such as Props, Scenic Painting, Carpentry as well as Computer Applications. This year has been very different compared to my first year due to the Pandemic and I’ll admit it has been quite the ride. I am currently placed in the Scenic Paint department and I find the work to be quite enjoyable and relaxing most of the time, although some days can prove to be more challenging than others, we will try our best to make sure that we get the work done because the show must go on! There are constant changes because of Covid-19 and we always make sure that we work in a safe sanitized environment and manner as I get to learn how to manage myself in the Paint shop and get the experience that I seek in order to achieve my goals.

Production Eugene Braganza Lighting

Eugene Braganza began learning music at the age of four and as a teenager performed in multiple school productions. As an adult he taught music and theatre to children, assisting with school productions of Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, The Lion King, Aladdin and Matilda – The Musical. At Humber he has worked on the production of Pandora in Bluejeans and The Humans. Eugene wishes to pursue a professional career in the theatre industry as a Technical Director.

Production Samanatha Bruce Stage Management

Samantha is thankful to be back at Humber College creating theatre productions. Previous backstage credits include: PM, Christmas in the Air Tour; PM/SM, The Songs of Anne & Gilbert; ASM/PA/Dresser/Props/Wig Lead, Anne & Gilbert; SM, How to Be a Lady; SM, Charlottetown’s Canada Day Concert; Rehearsal SM, Young at Heart Tour; SM, Wake in the West; SM, Rob’s 4 One-Acts; Sub SM, Atlantic Blue-Tara MacLean; ASM, Confederations Centre’s Holiday Show. Samantha is a Theatre Production Student at Humber College planning to specialize in Production Stage Management. Thank-you for supporting theatre!

Guest Artist Jordan M. Burns Assistant Director

Jordan M. Burns (he/him) is a disabled, Indigenous, multidisciplinary artist based in Tkaronto. Working on The Humans as the assistant director, Jordan returns to Humber's Theatre Performance program from where he is a proud honours graduate. Jordan serves as a co-founding artistic director with Third Wheel Theatre Co.. Favourite credits include: The Cat in the Hat (dir. S. Prelletz), The Echoes II: Pigeon Pie (dir. M. Wodzinska), Vermilion (dir. G. Kosmidis), not_ALL.? (dir. S. Robinson), and Infinity Machine (dir. S. Moore). Committed to a comprehensive artistic practice, Jordan is currently pursuing an MFA in devised theatre at York University.

Production Harper Charlton Lighting

Harper Charlton is an aspiring theatre technician based in Toronto ON, and is currently completing the technical production program at Humber college. He is focused currently on developing a broad skill set in both lights and sound for the theatre, film, and television industries. He has some background in live sound and would like to continue incorporating a love of music and passion for the recording arts into future projects.

Guest Artist Jackie Chau Costume Designer

Jackie has been designing sets and costumes in over 150 productions. Her work can be seen across Canada and has toured internationally. She is also a production designer and art director for film and television. Some of the companies she has designed for include Fu-Gen, ARC Theatre, One Little Goat, Expect Theatre, Nightswimming, Factory Theatre, Second City, Native Earth Performing Arts, Watermark Theatre, Prairie Theatre Exchange, Manitoba Theatre for Young People, CanStage, Soulpepper, Stratford and the CBC. Jackie was named in NOW magazine's Top 10 Theatre Artists of 2009, nominated for the Virginia and Myrtle Cooper Award in Costume Design, nominated for a Saskatoon Area Theatre (SAT) award, 2 Broadway World awards and has received 8 Dora nominations for outstanding set and costume design.

Performance Taija Shonée Chung Brigid - Part 2

TAIJA SHONÉE CHUNG is a Jamaican-Chinese multidisciplinary artist, based in Toronto. A passionate actor, mover and creator, she's enthusiastic about exploring the intersection of theatre and film to highlight the talent and voices of her community. Her theatre credits include The Green Bird (Humber Theatre), 100 Years of Solitude (Humber Theatre), We Are humans, Aren’t We? (Act Fast Theatre Festival), and A Family Affair (Georgetown Little Theatre). When not on stage, she has extended her talents to TV, commercial work and short films. She is looking forward to amplifying her voice as an artist both on stage and on screen.

Guest Artist Janelle Cooper Vocal Coach

Janelle Cooper is an award-winning Actor, Director, Writer and Educator. She is a founder and the Artistic Director of Ellipsis Tree Collective (ETC) – an Afrocentric performance society dedicated to the professional development and production of works by IBPOC Artists in Calgary. Her passion for storytelling, connection and community has shifted her career from acting to directing in recent years, and in 2019 she was shortlisted as a finalist for The Gina Wilkinson Emerging Director's prize. In 2020, Janelle won both the Merritt and Sterling awards for Outstanding Actor in a Supporting Role for her portrayal of Sofia in the Canadian premiere of The Colour Purple the musical.

Production Rhett Costin Carpentry

Rhett Costin is a second year Theatre Production student who has been involved in various aspects of theatre both on and off stage from the age of 9. They have a focus in carpentry and lighting, with hopes of working towards a career in stage carpentry and technical direction after graduation.

Performance Aaron Crose Erik - Part 2 / Momo - Part 3

AARON CROSE (He/Him) is a Canadian actor and multidisciplinary performer based in Toronto. He is in his final year of Humber’s Theatre Performance program and holds a degree in Psychology from the University of Waterloo. Aaron is passionate about voice acting, directing, and stage combat, combining his interest in human behavior with his love of storytelling. Recent credits include The Humans (dir. Christopher Stanton), The Green Bird (dir. Adam Paolozza), and One Hundred Years of Solitude (dir. Tatiana Jennings). He would like to give special thanks to Professor and Vocal Coach Heather Hill, for encouraging him to pursue formal training.

Production Giulia D'amanzo Stage Management

Born in Italy, Giulia trained in classical theatre in London, UK, while there she helped as a stagehand and operator for the school’s shows. In Toronto she worked with independent theatre companies like Good Old Neon, for their 2018 Toronto Fringe show: “The Life and Death of Danill Kharms”, other credits include Stage Manager for “The Session” with Things Falling Apart Theatre at the Red Sandcastle Theatre and “From the Water” with Seven Siblings Theatre at the Tarragon Extraspace. Giulia is very excited to be part of the awesome Stage Management Team for this show and looks forward to a career in Stage Management and to collaborate with other creatives.

Production Alannah Dzijacky Properties

Alannah Dzijacky has emerged from the behind-the-scenes and bonus feature footage rabbit holes she lived her teenage years in to finally realize her props building dreams. Having first followed her Mythbusters’ heroes into mechanical engineering at the University of Toronto, Alannah is excited to have redirected her love of creating magic to the Humber Theatre Production program. She looks to spend her career working hard so that this production and others can reach audiences in the most immersive way possible. Enjoy the show!  

Production Aisha Gelb Sound

Aisha Gelb was born and raised in South Africa and moved to Toronto in mid-2016. After studying Cinema Studies at the University of Toronto, Aisha joined the Theatre Production program at Humber College in the hopes of developing her practical skills and interests. She is passionate about a wide range of fields – particularly set design, but also costuming and sound – in theatre and beyond, to industries like film, television, live music and fashion.

Guest Artist Samira Bani Hashemi Assistant Set Designer

Samira Bani Hashemi is a former Chemical Engineer, and a current aspiring Set and Lighting Designer. She graduated from the Humber College Theatre Production program in April 2020 with an Academic Award of Excellence. Samira is continuing her professional development in lighting design through the Design Incubator Pilot Project, where she was chosen as the alternate candidate. Samira is honoured to be part of the production of The Humans as Assistant Set Designer.

Performance Silvana Herrera Cespedes Momo - Part 2 / Brigid - Part 3

Silvana Sofia Herrera Cespedes is a queer singer, dancer and actor born and raised in Santiago, Chile. Currently, in her final year in the Humber College Theatre Performance program, Silvana is thrilled to be launching her career in Toronto. She studied Musical Theatre at Luis Jara Academy of the Performing Arts in 2015 and 2016 where she performed in several theatres across Santiago. Silvana is a passionate street-jazz, contemporary and Chilean folklore dancer. Recent credits include: A Hundred Years of Solitude (dir. Tatiana Jennings), The Green Bird (dir. Adam Paolozza), and The Humans (dir. Christopher Stanton).

Performance Ashante Hussey Deidre - Part 1

Ashante Hussey is talented writer, performer, and singer. She currently attends a Theatre Performance program at Humber College. She is also a graduate of George Brown’s Theatre Preparation program. She is excited to perform Deidre Blake a character from the play, the Humans. Select credits include 100 years of Solitude (Pilar Ternera) and Green Bird (Renzo).

Performance Josiah Jones Richard - Part 2 & 3

Hailing from Carleton Place, Josiah has spent the last decade in Toronto refining his theatrical skill set. Being at Humber for a number of those years, Joisah has been a part of a numerous shows including: The Tin Drum (directed by Tatiana Jennings), Fuente Ovejuna (directed by Diana Belshaw), Six Characters (directed by Tatiana Jennings and Diana Belshaw), Women Beware Women (directed by Tatiana Jennings), Rochdale (directed by Nina Lee Aquino), The Playground (directed by Marie Beath Badian) and The Green Bird (directed by Adam Palazzo). 

Production Eli Jorgensen Wardrobe

Performance Octavia Kaliszak Deirdre - Part 2

Octavia Kaliszak is a Polish-Canadian theatre artist in her final year at the Humber Theatre Arts Performance Program. Forever commuting between her two countries, she is natively fluent in Polish and English and feels fortunate to be able to draw on both traditions in her professional practice. Octavia’s creative passion extends through performance into directing, and design, but alights especially on bringing new works to vivid life with like-minded collaborators. For Humber: The Humans (dir. Christopher Stanton); The Green Bird (dir. Adam Paolozza); One Hundred Years of Solitude (dir. Tatiana Jennings). Upcoming credits include: Burned (dir. Katherine Hope Basile) and Take Me To Your Garden (dir. Jordan M. Burns).

Performance Fides Krucker Vocal Research

Fides Krucker has sung and created award-winning work internationally for thirty-five years. In 1991 she founded the music-driven, interdisciplinary ensemble URGE. Producing highlights include Girl With No Door On Her Mouth, an electroacoustic monodrama; CP Salon, an R&B disability love cabaret/NFB film; Julie Sits Waiting, a sexual catastrophe opera (five Dora nominations); and In This Body, a song cycle with dance (Baker/Lemieux/Strauss) for Canadian Stage. In 2018 she released three critically acclaimed CDs. “Krucker’s voice is less an instrument than a force of nature.” She has written a book on women, culture and voice.

Production Ben LeBlanc Sound

Ben’s passion for theatre began in high school as running crew on his first musical, Legally Blond. From this point on there was no escape, Ben was trapped in an endless world of evenings after school and weekends given up for whatever the current show happened to be. After high school he didn’t want to leave the theatre behind and so continued volunteering in his town’s community theatre group The KVPlayers. Ben has worked on a total of 15 productions to date (12 being musicals) and has acted as head or co-head of sound on 8 of those productions.

Production Isabelle Lepiez Lighting

Isabelle Lepiez is a second year production student. She is excited to be back and working with the rest of her lighting crew to create a show. She has a main focus in lighting and lighting design. She has experience as a lighting and sound technician as well as some experience in stage management. She’s excited to show the tech elements and glad that we were able to do something for the fall semester.

Production Cheska Libao Stage Management

Cheska Libao is a student in her second year at Humber College and feels fortunate to work on this show with the humans in the Theatre Production program. This is her first time being a stage manager and she’s enjoying the learning process while having fun. She thanks her family, friends, and everyone for all their hard work.

Production Reva Lokhande Stage Management

An arts manager, artist, arts advocator and an actor studying at Humber College in the Theatre Production course as she aspires to be a stage manager in the future. She has earned a Bachelor’s in arts management at Lasalle College of The Arts in Singapore where she gained experience and knowledge on gallery managing, exhibitions and art fairs while pursuing her passion for theatre. She worked as a stagehand, backstage crew and was part of the build crew for shows like Shakespeare’s Romeo Juliet and a graduating play called Last Act. Currently she is working on the stage management crew as an assistant stage manager for ‘The Humans 1.0’ directed by Christopher Stanton (2020) and ‘The Humans 2.0’ directed by Richard Lee (2020). She is excited for what’s to come after she graduates and works towards doing more in theatre, film and the visual arts.

Production Sophia Malbarosa Carpentry

Sophia is a Filipina-Canadian artist who explores movement and design to curate stories and to cultivate community in every space she steps foot in. Her works include collaborating with live musicians and spoken word artists in raising awareness about mental health to creating an interactive gallery that challenges her school’s perspective on the immigrant experience. Sophia is currently immersed in the world of technical production for theatre but, she still finds a way to sprinkle in her classical ballet background in everything she does. She is always near a plate of garlic fried rice and considers every floor a ‘dance floor.’

Production Rodney McCallum Wardrobe

Production Aya Mikami Properties

Aya Mikami was born in Japan and currently studies theatre production at Humber College. She learned drawing and watercolour techniques under Masanori Kikuchi. After working as a nursery teacher and a salesperson in Ginza Itoya, she decided to come to study theatre production in Toronto.

Guest Artist Sarah Miller Rehearsal Stage Manager

Sarah Miller is a Toronto-based freelance stage manager for live theatre and events. She’s worked with arts organizations across the country including the City of Toronto Arts and Culture Services, Factory Theatre, Opera Atelier, Shaw Festival, Soulpepper Theatre, Stratford Shakespeare Festival, Tarragon Theatre, Toronto International Film Festival and others. Sarah is a part time lecturer at Ryerson University and a mentor for theatre production students at Humber College.

Performance Sharon B. Moore Movement Director

Sharon creates as a dancer, choreographer, director and writer for dance, theatre, film and circus. She is a graduate of the School of Toronto Dance Theatre and a former company member of Contemporary Dancers of Canada. She held the position of Atelier Artist in residence and International scholar at the Lewis Centre for the Performing Arts, Princeton University. A recipient of the Kathryn Ash choreographic commission award, she is the first Canadian honoured with a Bessie Schonberg Choreographic Residency at The Yard on Martha's Vineyard. With a body of work housing over 125 original creations, her fantastical, often multi-disciplinary worlds, seek to foster sublime emotional story through kinetic, musical, scenic and virtuosic design.

Production Henry Mills Lighting

Performance Spencer Mullins Erik - Part 1

Born in the bustling Ontario metropolis of Grimsby, Spencer Mullins is a theatre performer and creator currently completing his professional studies at Humber College’s Theatre Arts Performance Program. His passion and practice in the performing arts includes writing and creation, dance, movement, and clown. Always learning and moving, recent workshops with Compagnie Marie Chouinard and Newton Moraes Dance Theatre, and clown intensives with John Beale have further expanded Spencer’s professional base as a physical performer. Spencer holds certification in Basic Stage Combat, was a competitive rower, and is currently a proud member of Humber’s 2021 Theatre Ensemble. Spencer has recently appeared in the ActFast Theatre Festival and on the Racoon Nation podcast.

Performance Christopher Nesbitt Richard - Part 1 & 3

Christopher Nesbitt is a Toronto based artist hailing from Guelph, Ontario. Discovering his love of arts in High School, he’s dived in and hasn’t looked back! A graduate of Humber College’s Theatre Performance Program, Christopher has expanded into movement, singing, and writing as further paths for his craft. Recent credits for KW Youth Theatre; Macbeth (Macbeth), Benedick (Much Ado About Nothing) and Jacques (As You Like It). For Humber Theatre: Jose Arcadio Buendia (100 Years of Solitude) and Truffaldino (The Green Bird).

Production Hunter Oatley Paint

Hunter is a second year theatre production student. She is passionate about scenic paint and is excited that she was able to apply her skills to ‘The Humans’. Hunter has a background of performance and is glad she has the ability to apply both her performance and production passions to this show. She looks forward to extending her knowledge in her final semester in scenic paint and lighting in hopes to one day travel the world with theatre.

Performance Brookyln Olinyk Aimee - Part 1

Brantford-born Brooklyn Dakota Olinyk is a multi-disciplinary artist and performer set to graduate from Humber Theatre Arts Performance Program in 2021. Brooklyn’s passion for performance earned her an outstanding performance award at the 2018 Ontario Acting Festival. Her credits include, The Human (Dir. Chris Stanton) The Green Bird (Dir. Adam Paolozza) One Hundred Years of Solitude (Dir. Tatiana Jennings) Macbeth (Dir. Trever Copp) S.S Edelweiss (Dir. Holly Morrison) Cinderella (Dir. Peter Muir)

Performance Qwynne Palladine Momo - Part 1 / Erik - Part 3

Born in Oakville, Ontario, Qwynne Palladine is a multifaceted LGBTQ+ artist, and a 2021 Graduate of Humber College’s Theatre Arts Performance Program. Recent Humber theatre credits include: Momo and Erik (The Humans); Smeraldina (The Green Bird); monologue intensives The Crackwalker (Judith Thompson) and White Biting Dog. Prior to Humber, she was the recipient of the District Award of Excellence from the National Theatre School Drama Festival in assistant directing, acting, writing, lighting, sound design, choreography, and original music. Ready for any performance eventuality, Qwynne comes equipped with a decade of guitar work, and is conversant in American Sign Language.

Production Fran Perrone Lighting

Production Alysia Piatkowski Paint

Aly Piatkowski (she/her) is proudly third generation Polish-Canadian, with a love for creativity.Anything she can make and build with her hands is what makes her heart sing. She has toured with Spiegelworld and worked with Cirque du Soleil, and that is where her passion in theatre/the arts started. She currently is in her final year at Humber College, and wanting to focus and hone in her Wardrobe, Paint and Carpentry skills. She is excited to continue learning, and can’t wait to get out into the “real world” and make a name for herself.

Production Alyssa Proctor Carpentry

Alyssa is spending her second year in the Theatre Production program learning as much as she can from the four shops. Having explored the arts in her prior education, she loves the challenge of applying her skills to the production world. Alyssa is primarily focused on props and set carpentry, and hopes to pursue a career in either (or both?) of these avenues upon graduation. While on Carpentry Crew, Alyssa was the co-builder of the double-sided wall units for this production of The Humans, as well as a number of other set pieces. 

Guest Artist Sonja Rainey Set and Prop Designer

Sonja Rainey is an inter-disciplinary designer and facilitator. She designs for theatre, dance and opera, concerts, film and exhibitions. She is a curious tinkerer and interested in all the ways we can connect, collaborate and engaging with with one another during this unprecedented time. Past collaborations include the Vancouver Art Gallery, the Art Gallery of Mississauga, PAMA, the Canadian Opera Company, The Canadian Children’s Opera Company, Sistema, the Prague Quadrennial, urbanvessel, Ahuri Theatre, Thin Edge New Music Collective, the Bicycle Opera Project, Humber College, Manitoulin Conservatory of Creation & Performance and Jumblies Theatre.

Guest Artist Michelle Ramsay Lighting Designer

Michelle is a lighting designer who works with dance, theatre, and opera companies across Canada. Selected designs include: acts of faith (Factory Theatre); Lady Sunrise (Factory Theatre); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Theatre Rusticle); The Jungle (Tarragon Theatre); trace (Factory Theatre); Broken Tailbone (Nightswimming); The Russian Play (Shaw Festival); Shanawdihit (Tapestry Opera); Through the Bamboo (Uwi Collective); Lilies(lemonTree Creations/Why Not); Under the Stairs (YPT); School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play (Obsidian/Nightwood); The Royale (Soulpepper); To Kill A Mockingbird (Stratford Festival); Daughter (Quiptake/Pandemic). She has received eight Dora Awards, a SATAward, and the 2008 Pauline McGibbon Award. She is on the board of the Associated Designers of Canada.

Performance Jona Sagadraca Deirdre - Part 3

JONA SAGADRACA (she/her) is a proud Filipina-Canadian actor, singer and creator based in Toronto. An upcoming 2021 graduate of Humber College’s Theatre Performance Program, Jona is drawn to stories centered on the lived experiences of people of colour. She is passionate about telling stories that are truthful, human, challenging, and joyous. Recent Humber credits include The Humans, The Green Bird and 100 Years of Solitude. Jona is looking forward to joining the canon of Film and Theatre performers breaking barriers, challenging the “normal” and creating work that will leave a long-lasting impact.

Production Elliot Schepis Carpentry

Elliot Schepis is first-generation Italian-Canadian and second year Theatre-Production student specializing in carpentry. He has a background in custom home renovations, in addition to talent management, representing both union and non-union actors. He is hoping his experience at Humber will allow him to effectively transition into the world of set building for both theatre and film alike.

Production Emily Standish Props

Emily is a second year student in the Theatre Production program. Her disabilities have not stopped her from pursuing her love of theatre. With a focus in Props/Special Effects/Pyrotechnics, she hopes to one day work for one of the Disney parks doing the fireworks there.

Guest Artist Christopher Stanton Director

Christopher Stanton is a performer, director, writer, sound designer, and composer. His stage work has taken him across Canada to Toronto, Edmonton, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Vancouver, Montreal – and internationally to New York, Bogotà, Munich, Brisbane, Dublin, and Vienna. He has been nominated for 14 Dora Mavor Moore Awards (Toronto) across disciplines, winning in 2017 for his direction of Pomona (ARC), and in 2011 for his performance in New Electric Ballroom (MacKenzie Ro). Chris was the Artistic Producer of Toronto-based indie performance company ARC from 2014-20. He is currently based in Hamilton, ON, where he is the Festival Director of the Hamilton Fringe.

Performance Madeleine Szlafarski Brigid - Part 1

Madeleine Szlafarski is a multifaceted artist and performer. She is in her final year of Humber’s Theatre Performance Program, and graduated from McMaster University with a B.A. in Theatre and Film Studies. Maddy’s thesis performance “Last Call” which she collaboratively created, directed and designed was chosen for remount at The 2017 Hamilton Fringe Festival. Her recent acting credits include The Green Bird, 100 Years of Solitude (Humber Theatre), All’s Well That Ends Well, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Notapom Productions). Maddy’s love of theatre comes from its ability to shift perspectives, and she hopes to engage in creation that inspires open-mindedness and compassion. 

Production Nushin Tasnim Lighting

Performance Alexis Wilson Aimee - Part 3

Alexis Wilson is a woman of colour and a multidisciplinary theatre creator, with a background in dance and certified in stage combat . Graduating from Humber’s Theatre Arts - Performance program, class of 2021, her current theatre credits include the role of Aimee in The Humans, directed by Christopher Stanton, as well as appearances in The Green Bird directed by Adam Paolozza and One Hundred Years of Solitude directed by Tatiana Jennings. After graduating she hopes to keep pursuing her education in theatre as well as continue acting, as well as opening her own theatre company for diverse artists , creating devise theatre and write and direct her own plays.