Category Archives: Spotlight on Alumni

Alumni (BA/BFA 2012) Susannah Mackay, Eric Welch, Blue Bigwood-Mallin and Max Tepper formed the Coyote Collective in 2012, after graduating from the Creative Ensemble and, for Tepper, the Acting Program. They catch up to tell us about the making of their company, their time at York, and their next production, Labour .

Claire Armstrong graduated from the Devised Theatre program eight years ago, and has been working successfully as an actor and producer. Her recent project, After Miss Julie played to rave reviews from critics and audiences alike. She has much to say about her experience at York, and the artists’ life beyond York.

Actor, Director, Producer Bryan Demore (BFA 2009) is back in Toronto working on Enda Walsh’s Disco Pigs this month. He talks with us out his experiences since leaving York, and about how to hustle in order to make your own opportunities.

Owais Lightwala (BFA Theatre 2012) is Artistic Producer at Why Not Theatre, and has also worked as a technician, lighting designer, graphic designer, and sometimes as a Dora-nominated actor. He’s done a lot and achieved a lot in his first year out of the program! He shares his point of view on opportunities for recent grads, and for new students to York, too.

Actor Jillian Niedoba (BFA Acting 2006) looks back to her time at York, and how the culture here set her up for the working world of the professional actor’s life.

Creative Director Matt Marshall (BA Theatre 2010) works in Digital Media and game design. He fills us in on what he’s been up to since graduating, and shares with us his insights on the York Theatre student experience.

Jack Grinhaus (BA Hons Theatre – 1994-96,2005-06 / MFA Acting – 2007-09) took a long time to complete his first degree at York, and then returned and completed his MFA 15 years later. He’s now Artistic Director of Bound to Create Theatre, as well as working successfully as an actor. He tells us about his York journey, and the sights he saw along the way.

Performer, playwright and 2012 Bryden Award Winner (“Redefine the Possible”) Nina Arsenault speaks candidly about her experience at York, pre- and post- her gender transition, and some of the people from York who’ve had the strongest impact on her life as an artist.

Dramaturge Mel Hague (BA Theatre 2009, MFA Playwriting and New Play Dramaturgy 2011) works with established and emerging playwrights for companies such as Obsidian, fu-Gen, and The Shaw Festival. She shares how making connections in the theatre community while a student had a profound effect on her ability to get work, and how her elective classes outside theatre have had a big impact.