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about RISER

Founded in 2013, RISER was developed by Why Not Theatre to help address the challenges of producing independent theatre in Toronto. RISER brings together senior leadership from the theatre community with emerging artists in order to maximize existing infrastructure, share resources and risk, and support a commitment to create and innovate. Since its inception, RISER has supported the development of 41 new Canadian works and nurtured over 300 artists, with audience numbers reaching over 25,000 across RISER shows. These works have garnered 50+ awards and nominations, and have secured more than 100 post-RISER engagements and six publications. RISER has also begun a national expansion, with iterations in both Edmonton and Regina this year.

RISER is made possible thanks to the generous support of RBC Foundation, the Government of Canada, and a network of Senior Partners.

The Senior Partners for RISERx 2023 include Aluna Theatre, bluemouth inc., Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, Factory Theatre, fu-GEN Theatre, Luminato Festival Toronto, Necessary Angel Theatre Company, Nightwood Theatre, Roseneath Theatre, Shaw Festival, Theatre Passe Muraille, and The Theatre Centre. These partners all contribute resources, as well as mentorship, in support of RISER productions.

 

 

Special thanks to Peter Fleming, Caroline Rodway, Ellie Kaufmann, Soulpepper Theatre, and Alex Gilbert.

About Why Not Theatre:

“Good” isn’t good enough. At Why Not Theatre, we’re out for better. We shake up the status quo to make the world we want to see. A world where everyone can achieve their full potential. We question everything. Rethink how stories are told and who gets to tell them. We believe in art. It’s how we make change. We push boundaries, build community, and find new ways. We represent Toronto, at home and on the world stage. Founded in 2007, we are led by a core team of Ravi Jain, Miriam Fernandes, and Karen Tisch.

Click here to learn more about Why Not Theatre.

 

About Toronto Metropolitan University School of Performance:

Performance at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) empowers and transforms through bold creative expression. With a BFA offered in three disciplines—Acting, Dance, and Production + Design—we provide the highest standard of arts education for exceptionally talented performers and practitioners who go on to become world-class artists, leaders, and global citizens. We raise the standard of professional practice in performance disciplines, pursuing excellence to provoke curiosity and risk-taking in changing political and social world contexts.

Click here to learn more about TMU School of Performance.

Why Not Theatre

RISERx Project Coordinator – Kelly Read
Founder and Co-Artistic Director – Ravi Jain
Co-Artistic Director – Miriam Fernandes
Executive Director – Karen Tisch
Finance Director – Sarah Newkirk
Senior Producer –  Kevin Matthew Wong
Senior Producer – Michelle Yagi
Associate Producer – Fatima Adam
Associate Producer – Matt Eger
Production & Technical Manager – Crystal Lee
Operations and Development Manager – Katy Mountain
Interim Marketing and Communications Manager – Mary Anderson
Marketing Specialist – Yvonne Lu Trinh

Toronto Metropolitan University

Faculty for Performance

Professor and Associate Dean, Scholarly Research, and Creative Activities – Dr. Natalie Alvarez
Assistant Professor, Co-Director of Production + Design – Michael Bergmann
Assistant Professor – Lisa Cox
Assistant Professor, Co-Director of Dance – Louis Laberge-Côté
Assistant Professor – Owais Lightwala
Associate Professor, Chair, School of Performance – Dr. Caroline O’Brien
Associate Professor – Vicki St. Denys (on sabbatical)
Professor – Dr. Cynthia Ashberger
Associate Professor, Co-Director of Production + Design – Pavlo Bosyy
Associate Professor, Co-Director of Dance – Tanya Evidente
Associate Professor, Director of Acting – Cole Lewis
Assistant Professor – Dr. Cheryl Thompson
Assistant Professor – Debashis Sinha

Staff

Production & Operations Manager – Peter Fleming
Associate Technical Director – Kaya Northway
Wardrobe Supervisor – Bronwyn Pel
Production Intern – Betty Fan (范 敏 清)
Academic Coordinator – Sunny Fernandez
Communications & Reception Coordinator – Caroline Rodway
Technical Director – Scott Martin
Scenery Shop Supervisor – Will Sutton
Technical Supervisor – Red Hauser
Production Intern – Sooji Kim (김수지)
Manager of Administration – James McCrorie

Learn more about RISER

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