Headshot of Derek Kwan. He is an East Asian man in his 40s, with a shaved head and stubble moustache and beard. He wears a white shirt, a dark green corduroy vest, and a dark grey suit jacket adorned with a needle-felted pin of a fox head.

Derek Kwan

Artistic Director (he/him)

Derek Kwan is a theatre creator working at the intersection of theatre, music and movement in a number of forms including opera, clown, and puppetry. His performing career has taken him across Canada and the globe, from London, England, to performances in Czech Republic, Mexico, Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, and China. In addition to performing, he has previously held administrative and producing positions at fu-GEN Asian Canadian Theatre, Cahoots Theatre Company, Tapestry Opera, and Butterfly Effect Theatre in Taipei, Taiwan. Derek has a particular interest in celebrating intersectional identities, telling stories from different perspectives, and creating theatre for more audiences. Derek is also a therapeutic clown, serving paediatric clients as well as Elders, and he maintains an active career as a performer, director, dramaturg, and teacher.

For more information about Derek, visit www.derekkwan.net

Kesta Graham

Managing Producer (she/her)

Kesta Graham is an arts manager and voice over artist. After graduating from Ryerson Theatre School she spent nearly a decade as an actor touring with companies which included Manitoba Theatre for Young People, Carousel Players, Theatre Direct, and Meta Physical Theatre. She also appeared in numerous short films, web series, tv shows and has performed voices for television and radio. Between tours, Kesta began working as a producer for indie projects and for the last 15+ years, while she continues to work in voice over, arts management has become her focus. She is the former Business Manager at the Tarragon Theatre and past General Manager of Studio 180 Theatre.

Suchiththa Wickremesooriya

Associate Artistic Producer (he/him)

Suchiththa Wickremesooriya is a theatre-maker and performer who is known for work that is physical, grounded, and for theatre that includes the Deaf and Disabled communities. He is also a twice-Dora nominated producer and Broadway World Award nominated actor. His producing work has included theatre for young audiences, a feminist play festival, new works, adaptations and outdoor theatre. Suchiththa’s goal as an artist is to tell stories that others aren’t considering, and to shed light in dark places so that we can bring things out into the open. He believes that peace can only be found in the light and facing the uncomfortable realities that we all live in. Sometimes, he does this through humour! Outside of the arts, he enjoys raising his son alongside his wife, growing as many fruits and vegetables as he can manage, and volunteering with charities that support vulnerable populations.

Patricia Allison

Communications Manager (she/her)

Patricia is a multidisciplinary artist and marketing manager. She comes from a dance/physical theatre background and is passionate about building community through online platforms. She loves emojis and .gifs (pronounced like jiffy peanut butter–yes, she’s one of those.). She’s a member of the Shakespeare in the Ruff Leadership Collective and is the Communications and ArtistProducerResource.com Producer for Generator. She can’t recommend the artistproducerresource.com enough! Run, don’t walk to check it out. She has an MFA in Dance, she co-won a Dora once AND she adores cheesy jokes so she fits in with Kesta and Derek quite well!

Board of Directors

Ryan Singh – Board President
Norm Seli – Treasurer
Chandler Buchanan
Michele Chan
Richard Chan
Mitzi Jasmin
Melissa Shaddick