BIOS - LATE COMPANY
Jordan Tannahill, PLAYWRIGHT
Jordan Tannahill is a Canadian writer and director. He has been described as being ‘widely celebrated as one of Canada’s most accomplished young playwrights, filmmakers and all-round multidisciplinary artists’ (Toronto Star), and ‘the enfant terrible of Canadian theatre’ (Libération). His plays have been translated into ten languages, and honoured with a number of prizes, including two Governor General's Awards. His books include the collection of essays, Theatre of the Unimpressed; Liminal, winner of France's 2021 Prix des Jeunes Libraires; and The Listeners, a finalist for the 2021 Giller Prize. In 2019, CBC Arts named Tannahill as one of sixty-nine LGBTQ Canadians, living or deceased, who has shaped the country's history.
Tanisha Taitt, PERFORMER “Tamara”
In addition to her role as Artistic Director of Cahoots Theatre, Tanisha is a Toronto-born, bred and based playwright, theatre & audiobook director, performer, educator, sometimes essayist, and accidental dramaturge. She is a two-time YWCA Woman of Distinction nominee for her commitment to artistic excellence and social justice, and a Dora Award nominee for Outstanding Direction. Her plays Keeper and Admissions are published by Scirocco Drama. A singer & songsmith since her teens, Tanisha is a recipient of the Canadian Music Publishers Association Songwriters Scholarship for exceptionality in songcraft. She is part-time faculty with Sheridan’s Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance program, where she teaches Acting Through Song, and George Brown Theatre School, where she teaches Contemporary Scene Study. Tanisha is the 2023 recipient of the Gina Wilkinson Prize, honouring female theatremakers recognized by their peers for their community-mindedness, dedicated leadership, and achievement in their craft. She is touched to be returning to the stage after many years in the director’s chair, and thrilled to do it with such beautiful humans.
Ryan Hollyman, PERFORMER “Michael”
Ryan is an award-winning actor, born and based in Toronto.
He was an ensemble member of the Actors Repertory Company for over 10 years and has worked with the NAC, Mirvish, Soulpepper, Canadian Stage, Factory, Passé Muraille, and many other companies throughout Canada. He has been fortunate enough to tour internationally with shows, bringing him to the West End, off-Broadway, and some of the world’s most renowned theatres.
Ryan is also known for his extensive work in film; Georgetown, Flowers of the Field, Shape of Rex and X-Men: Apocalypse and also on television, with guest spots on Hudson and Rex, Law and Order, Suits, The Detectives and recurring roles on The Strain, The Expanse and Murdoch Mysteries.
Carin Lowerison, PERFORMER “Debora”
Carin has been working in professional theatre for 20 years. She wears many hats and knows many tricks. For the past 10 years, she has been the Managing Director of Green Light Arts, which she co-founded with her partner, Matt White in 2014 when they moved their family from Toronto to Kitchener. She began her career as a performer and is elated to be returning to the main stage following a meaningful hiatus of building a career in arts leadership, administration, theatre producing, teaching, as well as the great privilege and honour of raising three kids.
A few favourite performing credits include: House of Fun (GLA), The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge (Theatre & Company), Raging Dreams: into the visceral (Theatre Gargantua), and SUDS the Musical (Brockville Arts Centre). Other: Carin is an occasional instructor for the Theatre & Performance Program at the University of Waterloo and teaches regularly at The Branches Yoga where she is also a member of the Teacher Training Faculty. She holds an Honours B.A. in Theatre & Drama Studies (University of Toronto/Sheridan College) as well as a Diploma in Opera Recital from Trinity College London.
Matt White, PERFORMER “Bill”
Matt has worked as a director, actor, dramaturg, educator and theatre producer for nearly 20 years. He is the Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Green Light Arts. Normally in the role of directing productions for Green Light Arts, he is elated to return to the role of performer for Late Company. Past favourite experiences as an Actor include working with Lost & Found Theatre (Pocket Rocket), 3 seasons with Theatre & Company (Mourning Dove, Metamorphosis, A Christmas Carol and The Boys Own Jedi Handbook I&II) and 4th Line Theatre (Cavan Blazers).
Matt is a regular sessional instructor for the University of Waterloo Speech Communications department and the National Theatre School of Canada. Matt holds a Masters in Theatre from the University of Toronto’s Graduate Centre for the Study of Drama and an Honours BA in Theatre & Drama Studies, a joint program between University of Toronto/Sheridan College. Other: He is the proud papa of 3 amazing kids.
Angelo Feliciano, ASSOCIATE PRODUCER
Angelo’s passion for the arts has allowed him to take on a number of roles, including arts administrator, producer, singer-songwriter, playwright, performer, and stage manager. He graduated from the University of Waterloo's Arts and Business program (BA), with a major in Legal Studies and a minor in Theatre and Performance in June 2023. Some highlights from his artistic journey include releasing his first EP, "IMAGES OF YOU," as a musical artist in October 2023, serving as Marketing Representative (2021-22) and Communications Coordinator (2022-23) for the UW Theatre Students Union, and being a part of In Full Colour, an a cappella group at the University of Waterloo from 2018-2022. Angelo also previously worked with GLA on the award-winning production WE COULD BE. He is thrilled to be returning to produce Late Company! He is grateful to his friends and family for their love and support. You can stay updated on his musical journey by following him on Instagram.
Kwaku Okyere, DIRECTOR
Kwaku Okyere is a first generation Ghanaian-Canadian director and actor born and raised in Toronto, Ontario where he’s also based. He is so excited and grateful to be directing Late Company for Green Light Arts, a company that he loves dearly, in a play featuring artists who have mentored him throughout his career. Directing this show is definitely a full-circle moment for him! Some of Kwaku’s directing credits include co-directing the western Canadian premiere of Jackie Sibblies Drury’s Pulitzer Prize winning play Fairview, which played at The Cultch in Vancouver; associate directing the Toronto and Montreal premieres of Omari Newton and Amy Lee Lavoie’s provocative and hilarious hit show Redbone Coonhound, for which Kwaku won a META Award for Outstanding Direction; and assisting Jillian Keiley on her hit production of Brad Fraser’s adaptation of Richard II this past season at the Stratford Festival.
Some of Kwaku’s favourite acting credits include playing Ali and Others this past summer in a brand new staging of Come From Away directed by Jillian Keiley, which played in Gander, Newfoundland where the story actually took place; Bobby in Canadian Stage’s acclaimed production of Tarell Alvin McCraney’s Choir Boy, which will make its way out west to the Arts Club in Vancouver in January 2024, and originating the role of Civil Rights activist Bayard Rustin in Steven Elliott Jackson’s The Seat Next to the King, which Tanisha Taitt, an actor in Late Company, directed to great acclaim, and Matt White and Carin Lowerison, also actors in Late Company and the Artistic and Managing Directors of GLA respectively, programmed in the company’s 2019 season. So as you can see, Late Company is truly a family affair! Kwaku is so grateful for the love and support of his family, blood and chosen, but he couldn’t do any of this without his incredible partner Cameron! I love you so much my darling, we did it!
Dieter Lische-Parkes, PERFORMER “Curtis”
Dieter Lische-Parkes is an up-and-coming biracial and bilingual actor, dancer, and singer in the Tronto area. Dieter is a part of the graduating class of George Brown Theatre School 2024 and has worked hard to hone his craft and refine his acting ability. He has performed on both stage and screen, and some select credits include Romeo and Juliet (YES Theatre/STC), The Wizard of Oz (YES Theatre/STC), Hockey Dreams (YES Theatre/STC), I’m Glad it’s Christmas (CTV), and Mistletoe Time Machine (Crave). Some notable people he has worked with include Mari Farsi in his most recent show, Jane Eyre, adapted by Erin Shields. Others include James Willis and Julia Nish-Lapidu the artistic directors of Shakespeare Bashed, and Alessandro Costantini the Artistic director of YES Theatre/STC. Virginia Abramovich and Ernie Barbarash. Dieter will also soon be playing the role of Elwood in Harvey by Mary Chase, directed by Peter Pasyk this February alongside featuring as Marvin in Dark of The Moon by Howard Richardson and William Berney and playing the roles of Duke Senior in As You Like It this coming April. Dieter cannot wait to share his art with the world and one day be a role model for kids who look just like him and who are also aspiring artists.
Tara Mohan, STAGE MANAGER
Tara Mohan is a Stage Manager who enjoys working on theatre, dance, musicals, and everything in between. She is thrilled to be working with Green Light Arts and this stellar team. Favourite credits include: Universal Child Care (Quote Unquote Collective/Canadian Stage), Championess (SaMel Tanz), YOU dance (The National Ballet of Canada), Toronto Festival (Just For Laughs), Outheis (Talk Is Free Theatre), Young, Gifted & Jazz (Dance Immersion), Loss (The Theatre Centre/Luminato), KickStart (CanAsian Dance), The Chemical Valley Project (Broadleaf Creative), YENSA Festival (Lua Shayenne Dance Company), The Red Priest (Guild Festival Theatre), inTO focus (dance: made in canada/fait au canada), Beats + Intentions (Expect Theatre), Brain Storm (Lucid Ludic Productions / Why Not Theatre), Here Are The Fragments (On ECT Collective/The Theatre Centre), The Seat Next To The King (Minmar Gaslight Productions / Green Light Arts), Million Dollar Quartet (The LOT), Now You See Her (Quote Unquote Collective), Cabaret (The LOT), Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Hart House Theatre), NOISY (Toronto Dance Theatre).
Misha Sharivker, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Misha Sharivker (he/they) is a Queer Jewish-Canadian actor, singer, producer, director and daydreamer whose artistic work and practice revolves around telling stories that ultimately mold the heart and the mind to a place of love. Misha is a member of the graduating class of George Brown Theatre School where he had the opportunity to work with some of Canada's top theatre practitioners including Marie Farsi, Peter Pasyk, Kwaku Okyere, Tanisha Taitt, Sue Miner and Jeannette Lambermont-Morey. He is looking forward to expanding into the realm of direction with Green Light Arts’ Late Company. Selected acting credits: David in The Beloved (Highland Arts Theatre), The Inner Child in Of A Black Canvas (TO Fringe 2023), Touchstone in As You Like It, St. John in Jane Eyre, Wilson in Harvey, and Dr. Sprout in Munsch Garden (George Brown Theatre School). Misha would like to thank his friends and family for their continued love and support.
Jung A Im, SET & PROPS DESIGNER
Jung A Im is a set and costume designer based in Stratford, Canada. Jung A grew up and worked professionally in Seoul, Korea, and entered the National Theatre School of Canada in 2018. Before coming to Canada, she graduated from Hongik University in Seoul in 2007 and majored in fashion industry communication at Yonsei University's Graduate School of Human Environmental Sciences from 2011 to 2014. From 2007 to 2018, she worked for DOOTA, a fashion specialty shopping center in Seoul, as a Chief visual merchandiser. However, her desire for theatre led her to leave her stable life in 2018 and come to Canada with her family.
She has been working for Stratford Festival as an assistant designer for 2 years. As a set and costume designer, she participated in The Langham Directors' Workshop at Stratford Festival in 2023 and designed the set for Shakespeare's Nigga and the costumes for Macbeth and The Fall of the House of Atreus. Also, she designed a set and costumes for Harabogee (할아버지) and Me at Shakespeare in Action in 2022. She worked on Indecent by Paula Vogel with director Mike Payette in December 2020 as a set and props designer, and I Got My Life Back! by Sarah Currie in April 2021 as a costume designer.
Jung A can reinterpret the inspiration of stories from her perspective, communicate with the audience based on an original artistic sense, see the essence of the play, and understand the story with her heart and assimilate it deeply every time she meets each play. The fully digested stories in her meet the audience in a new form of art through space and clothing, and she feels the greatest happiness throughout the process.
Nicole Del Cul, COSTUME DESIGNER
Nicole is excited to be working with Green Light Arts for the first time. Nicole is currently in her 17th season at Drayton Entertainment; Wardrobe credits: Asst. Head of Wardrobe; Costume Designer, Costume Co-Ordinator, Stitcher; Dresser and Wardrobe Maintenance. Drayton design credits: Buying the Farm 2022; Sorry, I’m Canadian 2022; Sheer Madness 2019/18; Run for your Wife 2014; Weekend Comedy 2013; Big Band Legends 2013/12; Bedtime Stories 2012; Italian Funerals and other Festivities 2011; Dance Legends 2011/10.
Nicole is in her first year at Wilfrid Laurier University, in the Opera program as their Wardrobe Co-Ordinator. WLU design credit: Into The Woods 2024.
Nicole has a BFA from Toronto Metropolitan University, in Technical Theatre Production (2007). She has owned her tailoring business, Loose Threads, since 2017. Nicole would like to thank her partner Alex and their two daughters Stella and Adalynn, for all their love and support.
Cameron Slipp, PRODUCTION MANAGER
Cameron Slipp is a stage manager, production manager, and composer based in Kitchener, ON. Stage Manager: Suitcase, The Bell, I Don’t Know, The Last 15 Seconds. Production Manager: Inter Arts Matrix COVOX, The Elora Festival ‘22, Tottering Biped, IMPACT '23. Composer/Arranger: 20 Grains of Rice, Here/There: a delicate balance, DiSCoVeR. Co-technical director at The Registry Theatre in Kitchener.
Andrei Mamal, LIGHTING DESIGNER
Andrei Ivan Mamal, is an award-winning theatre creator based in Toronto, with a focus on technology design for live performances. At the heart of his work lies a fervent passion for the collaborative dynamics inherent in theatre-making, as well as a curious spirit for integrating interdisciplinary approaches with new media and technologies. His creative vision extends towards harnessing the dramaturgical possibilities offered by New Media technologies, aiming to redefine the landscape of new media performance design.
Originating from Chisinau, Moldova, Andrei embarked on his artistic journey by co-founding "Etajul 5," a dynamic theatre collective. This initiative was born out of a desire to forge a nurturing environment for independent theatre artists. By focusing on the exploration of dramatic texts, documentary theatre, and site-specific performances, "Etajul 5" stands as a testament to Andrei's commitment to pushing the boundaries of traditional theatre and fostering innovative artistic expressions.
Janice Jo Lee, SOUND DESIGNER & COMPOSER
Janice Jo Lee (she/they) 이승혜 is an award-winning queer multidisciplinary artist based in Tkaronto, Ontario. She is a second generation Canadian settler and twenty-seventh generation Korean. She is a contemporary folk-jazz singer, songwriter, composer, sound designer, spoken word poet, actor, clown, satirist, educator and equity consultant. She is a nationally-touring independent musician and bandleader. Her latest album Ancestor Song is a testament to healing and remembering your roots.
In the first ten years of her career in Kitchener-Waterloo she steered the emergence of its next generation of spoken word poets as the director of the KW Poetry Slam. As a folk music producer, she cultivated the local scene as a series curator and programmer. As an outspoken activist and organizer she brought forward uncomfortable conversations around racism and white supremacy in the local social justice culture and queer community. Readers of The Community Edition voted her Voted Best Performance Artist Waterloo Region 5 times from 2016-2020.
Currently she tours with her band, continues to compose for stage and film, is recording her next album titled Lullabyes for End Times, and directs a weekly physical theatre workshop at Sweet Action Theatre called Play Play. As an educator, she conducts workshops on anti-oppression, performance, and poetry. Janice is a member of the League of Canadian Poets, Associated Designers of Canada and ACTRA.
Sound/Music Credits: Three Fingers Back by Donna-Michelle St Bernard (Tarragon 2024), Forge Futures animations produced by lemonTree Creations (2023), This Is How We Got Here by Keith Barker (Green Light Arts 2022), Shaded by Nada Abousaleh (Cosmic Fishing Theatre 2021), I Don’t Know by Ahmad Meree (MT Space 2021), Suitcase by Ahmad Meree (Theatre Passe Muraille 2020), Will You Be My Friend by Janice Jo Lee (Green Light Arts, 2018).
Follow her work at janicejolee.ca | @janjolee.
Steven Elliot Jackson, COORDINATOR & FRONT OF HOUSE MANAGER
In addition to his work as a front of house manager, Steven is a Dora-nominated award-winning playwright hailing now from Kitchener, ON. His play, “The Seat Next To The King”, won Best New Play at The Toronto Fringe in 2017 and was published by Scirocco Drama in April 2018. In 2020, “Three Ordinary Men” earned him Best New Play at the Hamilton Fringe Festival and was a finalist in the ScreenCraft Stage Play contest. It also garnered five Dora nominations in 2022, including Best New Play. That same year, Steven premiered the historical audio play, “Sarah/Frank”, and the video drama, “The Cage”, at the Toronto Fringe Digital Collective.
In 2021, “The Kindness Of Murder“ debuted at Next Stage Community Booster, followed by the premiere of “The Laughter”, a filmed play, at Hamilton Fringe in July. His drama, “The Garden Of Alla”, and the family musical, “The Prince’s Big Adventurer”, took the stage at The Toronto Fringe Festival in 2022. In 2023, “A Stage Of Her Own”, a play about Nellie McClung and E. Pauline Johnson, premiered in Brandon, Manitoba. Additionally, “The Funeral To End All Funerals” premiered at KWLT, and his first immersive show, “The Will Of A Woman”, premiered at the Toronto Fringe Festival.
Steven is currently developing “Poppies For Bukkan” for Green Light Arts in Kitchener and is developing two other shows, “The Walls We Build” and “Imitation Pearl” for workshopping in 2024 while premiering “Butterflies” in Buffalo, NY this September.
Samareh Jones, PRODUCER
Samareh has been working in Arts Administration for over 20 years, and began her career as a Stage Manager in Toronto after studying Theatre and English at the University of Guelph. She’s passionate about bringing the arts to new audiences and has worked worked in Media, Marketing, Audience Development, Fundraising, Community Engagement and Sponsorship for organizations such as Stratford Festival, Drayton Entertainment, Factory Theatre, THEMUSEUM and Toronto International Film Festival. Samareh is also a Reiki Therapist based in Cambridge, ON with her two daughters and German Shepherd pup. You can usually find her volunteering on weekends for various local events like Grand River Pride and music festivals!