Our Team

Tamara Freeman (she/her)
Interim
executive director
I’m really excited to be a part of the Shakespeare in Action family as the Associate Managing Producer. I also have a few other theatre fams in Skipping Stones Theatre where I am a company member, and a Company of Fools, who have been my career long cheerleaders and mentors! As a graduate of the Acting for Film and Television program at Humber College, I’ve been super blessed with incredible experiences on-stage, on-set and in-recording studios as a LatinX actor and creative, both in Tkaronto and Ottawa, a name derived from the Algonquin word adawe, meaning “to trade”.
A few things you should know about me: I am absolutely in love with bats, dogs and elephants (in no particular order), I have a nickel allergy that haunts my very foodie soul, and if I wasn’t in the performing arts- I would definitely be a race car driver!

Rikki Katarina (she/her)
Graphic
Designer
I am very happy to be back working at SIA and am so thankful to be surrounded by such talented and compassionate people!
As a graduate of 3 post-secondary programs in the arts (you read that right – 3!! John Abbott/YorkU/Seneca), I couldn’t imagine myself working in any other field or doing anything else with my life.
Although my dream is to one day be able to support myself solely as an actor, I love that at SIA I get the chance to be included in the behind the scenes processes of marketing our programs and shows. I know how deeply I’ve been affected by theatre and the arts in general and I want to help give that experience to other people.
A few fun facts about me – I’m from Montreal, I have 6 siblings, I am absolutely obsessed with dogs and I accidentally stabbed myself in the eye with scissors when I was 13.

Malique Marcial
(he/him)
Volunteer
coordinator
I’m excited to be joining the Shakespeare in Action team as the Volunteer Coordinator! I have a strong passion for the dramatic arts and have studied various styles throughout the past 7 Years.
As a recent graduate in film studies at Seneca college I intend to develop and share relevant and exciting stories.

Keira Marie Forde
(she/her & they/them)
Community
Arts Coordinator
Keira Marie Forde is a multi-disciplinary physical performer and creator. Keira is passionate about creating cross-cultural physical work that explores her connection with the Caribbean Canadian community. As an artist existing in community settings, she focuses on making connections with youth through developing their personal physical literacy by way of summer camps, childcare, and teaching/coaching. Keira found a passion for dance and theatre later in life but was most definitely the kid who treated gym class like the Olympics in grade three.
Keira loves All things Sci-Fi and LEGO and will always find a way to bring some Sci-Fi, LEGO or both into her theatre.
When Keira isn’t working in theatre and dance, she enjoys making beats and being your local favourite west-end neighbourhood Nanny.

Lizzie
Moffatt
(she/her)
Education
Coordinator
Hi there! My name is Lizzie and I am SIA’s Education Coordinator. I am a theatre artist based in Tkaronto with a deep love for performing, directing, physical theatre & community storytelling! I’ve also had the pleasure of working with companies like Frog in Hand, performing at Toronto Fringe & Mainstage Theatre Company. I received my BAH in Drama from Queen’s University and have also trained at George Brown College’s Acting Conservatory.

Suchiththa
Wickremesooriya
(he/him)
Lead Ambassador,
Toronto Youth Vaccine
Engagement Strategy West
I am so pleased to be taking the lead of all our Educational Programming here at SIA! As a student who struggled in school, I’ve always appreciated high quality, engaging programming and know first-hand it’s transformative power. I hope to bring those experiences to students all over Tkaronto, but especially in and around SIA’s new home, Weston. I bring many years of tutoring and education experience, starting at the age of 15 in my own highschool and hope to continue growing in that area of my artistic practice. I hold a Masters in Musical Theatre, and specialise in teaching physical theatre, singing and voice for teens.
Much like Tamara, I am also very much a foodie, and I love cooking stuff from scratch, from rolling my own sushi to sourdough baking. If I wasn’t in the performing arts space, I might be a farmer, or a journalist, maybe even an engineer.

Andile Win
(he/him)
Backstage Centre
Technical Apprenticeship
Coordinator
Andile is re-joining Shakespeare In Action as the Backstage Centre Technical Apprenticeship Program coordinator. Originally from Zimbabwe, he trained at Concordia University, and has been involved in the Toronto arts scene since. He brings his passion for the arts and experience on and off stage to the role. He aims to expose local youths to the process of making art, broadening their horizons and hoping to inspire their creative journey.

Kay Wong
(he/him)
Executive
Assistant
Outside of theatre, my greatest loves are for pasta, video games, and a good book.
Summer Staff

Stéphane
Arcand
(They/He/She)
Summer Camp
Assistant
Director
Stéphane Arcand (They/He/She) is a 4th year undergraduate student at York University in the acting conservatory program. They value the art of play and the freedom of expression it allows to performers and storytellers alike. In school, Stéphane has been learning and analyzing Shakespeare’s work and applying it to performing various monologues and scenes. They are thrilled as one of the assistant directors to share their knowledge and to show others how to connect to the poetry and intentionality of Shakespearean text.

Celēs
Emmerson
(she/her)
Summer Camp
Stage
Manager
Celēs is a twenty-something multidisciplinary artist. She was drawn from a young age to performance as a lens through which to pursue her desire to go places she otherwise never could. Upon beginning theatre studies at Centennial College, Celēs discovered a deeper passion for storytelling through other means, too. During her first year she co-wrote a full length play and founded a theatre company. From there, she steadily began to sway her energy toward directing, producing, and other integral offstage roles. Celēs’ public debut as a creator was amidst the early pandemic, during which she wrote, directed, and produced a Zoom play about online culture titled WEBBED. Her recent acting credits include various roles in Love and information, Mrs Gibbs of Our Town, and original devised works CRUNCH and Beyond the Stars, inspired by The Little Prince in which she played the title role at Factory Theatre. Celēs’ desire to be a part of creating new things is what fuels her ambition the most, and she looks forward to pursuing any opportunity she can find to tell exciting stories to the world.

Rahaf
Fasheh
(She/Her)
Summer Camp
Assistant
Director
Rahaf Fasheh (She/her) is a multidisciplinary Palestinian director, production manager, and educator based in Toronto, Canada. She is passionate about collaborative and impactful work which gives voice and opportunity to marginalised and oppressed Arabic communities. Rahaf began her career at Soulpepper Theatre’s City Youth Academy program in 2015, and obtained a Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Toronto, specialising in Theatre by 2020. She was awarded the Pamela Terry Memorial Scholarship for demonstrating promise in the field of directing in 2018, and had her directorial debut in 2019 at Theatre Passe Muraille with a two-week independent run of the play Tales of a City by the Sea by Samah Sabawi. Rahaf then directed her first film exploration of a new work How We Fall in Love in 2021 through Paprika Festival’s Directors Lab program. She is currently Production Managing How We Fall in Love from a play into an Animation Film with an international team, after completing Nightwood Theatre’s Innovators Program this April. As an educator, Rahaf offers young Actors and emerging artists workshops for voice and movement, script analysis, dramaturgy, and character development through Tarragon Theatres Education Program, as well as working as their Patron Services Representative during their running season. She is excited to be sharing, as well as expanding, her knowledge as an Educator and Director through this year’s Shakespeare in Action’s Summer Camp!

Alexandra
Nicholson
(she/her)
Summer Camp
Designer
Alexandra is a first year University student. Currently, she attends the University of Toronto to pursue history. Alexandra has a deep love of theater stemming from grade seven when she first attended Shakespeare In Action. Since then, she has been involved in multiple plays as an actor, designer and working behind the stage. When attending Rosedale Heights, she took drama and designed/acted for the annual school play.
Alexandra’s interest in history goes back to grade three. Her main interests span the renaissance era. It was during this time that Shakespeare lived and wrote his plays. Through these plays Alexandra has studied the times in which Shakespeare lived. She is truly excited to work with SIA again!

Giovanni
Spina
Summer Camp
Director
Giovanni is honored to be directing the actors at Shakespeare in Action’s (SIA) summer camp. He has been involved with SIA for numerous years, teaching in the Performing Arts Network, performing in their “Shakespeare Meets Hip-Hop”, and even having the opportunity to perform at the opening ceremonies of the Artscape Weston Commons (SIA’s current home). He looks forward to sharing his knowledge and passion of performing with the actors and exploring new ideas through Shakespeare’s text.
Our Board of Directors
Shakespeare in Action is grateful for the support and guidance of our dedicated and experienced Board of Directors

Joanne Acri
CHAIR
Junction Collective
Member since 2019

Howard Goldby
ACTING TREASURER
President
Excellutions Ltd
Member since 2018

Sharlene Henry
Director
AutoWorker
FCA Canada
Member since 2021

Marilyn McCrea
Director
Member since 2022

Hawa Mire
Director
Consultant, HYMIRE Consulting
Member since 2021

Jeffrey Nguyen
Director
Contracts Lawyer, Telus
Member since 2021

Ayushi Patel
Director
Hawely and Company
Member since 2021

Zorana Sadiq
Director
Theatre Artist, Musician, Arts Educator
Member since 2021

Khlood Sheik
Director
Member since 2022