Lynda Hill, Artistic Director
Lynda has lead the company since 2001, developing and directing award-winning productions for young people, such as: Alphonse by Wajdi Mouawad; Andrew’s Tree by Martha Brooks; The Phoenix Rides a Skateboard by Kate Rigg; and Beneath the Banyan Tree by Emil Sher, which recently toured throughout Canada and England. Lynda’s dream to establish a year-round home and community for Theatre Direct so that the company could expand its commitment to engaging young people in theatre and arts education came true in 2009!
Lynda is enjoying developing the company’s growing Drama School where she is initiating new programs for children in their early years and expanding the company’s commitment to inclusiveness and accessibility!
Lynda and her husband James have two children: Tessa (10) and Quinn (12).
Beth Brown, General Manager
Beth joined Theatre Direct in 2002 as the company’s Production Manager. Since then, she has overseen a multitude of productions and tours and more recently, Theatre Direct’s creation of a fully equipped theatre and education space in the Artscape Wychwood Barns. Beth is the mother of two boys - Ethan, 5 and Cameron, 2. Her partner Chris is the Technical Director for Canadian Stage.
Kristin Rodgerson, Education Services Coordinator
Tom Carson, Associate Artistic Director | Company Manager
Tom Carson is an active professional theatre practitioner who works as a director, teacher, administrator and creator. Tom’s directorial work has appeared on stages from Montréal to Vancouver to critical acclaim, and has been nominated three times for “Outstanding Production, Theatre for Young Audiences” at Toronto’s Dora Awards. Tom is an educator of learners of all ages – ranging from teaching drama to senior citizens, acting and production courses for university students, designing and running programs for inner-city schools, to imagining stories with pre-school kids. Tom served for five years as the Artistic and General Manager of Smile Theatre in Toronto, during which time the company was awarded the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for the Arts. Tom is also a performance poet for children, and his verses have thrilled audiences in gyms, classrooms and festival across Canada.
Tom lives in Milton, Ontario where he is active in the arts community as the President of Arts Milton. He is married to wife, Stephanie, and has a son, Jonah and two daughters, Samantha and Isabella.
Megan Paquette, Production & Facilities Coordinator
Naz Afsahi, Audience & Education Services Coordinator
Naz Afsahi is excited to be joining the Theatre Direct team for the 2011-2012 season. She has previously worked with Theatre Direct as a counsellor for the Spring Wee Drama Camp and as a member of the Front of House team. Some of Naz’s arts-related experiences include competing in and volunteering with the Kingston Regional Improv Games (in association with the Canadian Improv Games); appearing as Estelle Rigault in the LCVI production of “No Exit”; and directing productions of “The Importance of Being Earnest”, and “The Role of Ella” during high school. In her spare time, Naz blogs for Shameless Magazine, and enjoys updating her Tumblr page. Naz holds a Master’s in Media Studies from the University of Western Ontario, and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from Queen’s University.
Dan Daley, Associate Producer
Anahita Azrahimi, Marketing|Communications|Development
Gregory Edwards, Photography