International Market Development Committee

Gillian Reid (She/Her/Elle) – Chairperson

CAPACOA Board Member

Agent and Producer, Felix Productions

Gillian brings over a decade of project management and special events production experience to her role as an Agent and Producer. Wearing different hats for different clients on a variety of projects, she aims to support the artists she works with in their quest to connect with audiences.

Gillian’s professional background includes over a decade with a corporate performance marketing firm in Toronto where she designed and produced incentive programs for the likes of GM Canada, VW Canada, and BP Oil. She has executed programs throughout North America and Europe. Gillian garnered experience as assistant producer with ShoCorp International on projects like The Cancun Jazz Festival, Volkswagen Trade Show and the EuroVan Launch. 

Gillian is an active member of her local community in Nova Scotia and has held volunteer positions as a board member of the Chester Playhouse from 2006-2012 and Vice Commodore of the Chester Yacht Club from 2014 to 2015. FELIX Productions won a Merritt Award for Outstanding Production by a New or Emerging Company in 2018.

Natalie Lue

Emeritus Board Chair – CAPACOA

Director, Vancouver Civic Theatre (BC)

Natalie Lue is the Director of the Vancouver Civic Theatres (the Orpheum, a 2,672 seat historic concert hall, Canada’s largest stage, the 2,765 seat Queen Elizabeth Theatre, the 668 seat Vancouver Playhouse, and the flexible 191 seat black box Annex Theatre) in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.  Until June 2019, she was the CEO of the Living Arts Centre (LAC), a multi-arts presentation centre in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Prior to the LAC, Natalie was the Vice President, Production and Visitor Experience for the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) responsible for producing twelve of the annual September Festival.  She was also on the build team responsible for the construction, opening and operating of TIFF Bell Lightbox.  Prior to joining TIFF in 2005, Natalie held several senior positions at Harbourfront Centre, a ten acre performing arts complex in Toronto on the shores of Lake Ontario.

Margaret Grenier

Dance Artist and Presenter

Executive and Artistic Director, Dancers of Damelahamid

and Coastal First Nations Dance Festival

Margaret Grenier is of Gitxsan and Cree ancestry. She is the Executive and Artistic Director for the Dancers of Damelahamid. She has produced the Coastal Dance Festival since 2008. Margaret’s multimedia choreographic works bridge Gitxsan and Cree dance forms with current expressions. Her works have toured internationally and include Setting the Path (2004) and Spirit and Tradition (2007), and Visitors Who Never Left (2009), Luu hlotitxw (2012), Flicker (2016), and Mînowin (2019). Mînowin premiered at the Mòshkamo Festival, National Arts Centre, Ottawa (2019) and at the Festival Internacional Cervantino in Guanajuato, Mexico. Margaret holds a M.A. from Simon Fraser University and a B.Sc. from McGill University. She was a sessional instructor for Simon Fraser (2007) and faculty at the Banff Centre (2013). She received the Reveal Award (2017) and the Walter Carsen Prize for Excellence in the Performing Arts (2020).

Ravi Jain

Theatre Artist

Artistic Director, Why Not Theatre

Ravi Jain is a highly acclaimed theatremaker known for making politically bold, accessible, and thought-provoking theatrical experiences that are changing the face of Canadian theatre. A visionary artistic director, versatile director, astute producer, and playful actor, he has spent his career reimagining what theatre can be, impacting the lives of both audiences and artists alike.

In 2007, Mr. Jain founded Why Not Theatre, which has become synonymous with innovative theatrical experiences that push boundaries. With Why Not Theatre, Mr. Jain has created over forty collaborations and performed over five continents, from small, intimate shows with non-actors to big, bold productions. His different forms of storytelling brings underrepresented stories and storytellers to the forefront, and invite audiences to reimagine stories. Off stage, he works to better the lives of artists and arts workers, spearheading innovative producing models for emerging artists, creating training programs for marginalized voices, and proposing bold policy ideas to activate civic spaces with art and rethink access through more affordable payment models.  

Select credits include: With Why Not: I’m So Close,Spent,A Brimful of Asha, Nicolas Billon’s Fault Lines which won the Governor General’s Award for Drama, Prince Hamlet, Like Mother Like Daughter (Complicite/Why Not Theatre), What you won’t do for love, with acclaimed environmentalists David Suzuki and Tara Cullis, Mahabharata (Shaw/Barbican). With Soulpepper: Accidental Death of an Anarchist, The 39 Steps, Animal Farm. With Theatre Centre: Alanna Mitchell’s Sea Sick (co-directed with Franco Boni), We are Proud to Present…With Shaw Festival: Lisa Codrington’s The Adventures of a Black Girl in Search of God and Sarena Parmar’s The Orchard After Chekhov. With Factory Theatre: Salt-Water Moon. With Stratford Festival: Shakespeare’s R + J.

Sherrie Johnson

Presenter and Producer

Executive Director, Crow’s Theatre

Sherrie Johnson began her tenure as Executive Director of Crow’s Theatre in February 2019, becoming Crow’s first Executive Director.
Sherrie brings a wide range of experience as an arts leader to her role at Crow’s Theatre. She was a member of the leadership team at Canadian Stage in Toronto from 2013 – 2019. Prior to joining Canadian Stage, Johnson’s artistic career included: serving as founding Artistic Director of Outside The Box in Boston, MA, Senior Curator at the highly esteemed PuSh International Performing Arts Festival in Vancouver, B.C., and Co-Founder/Artistic Director of the Six Stages Festival in Toronto, Prague, Berlin and Glasgow.

An active producer and agent, she’s worked with Germany’s internationally renowned triumvirate Rimini Protokoll, Antwerp based artists Bart Baele and Yves Degryse of Berlin, filmmaker and installation artist Srinivas Krishna and visual artist Stan Douglas.
Sherrie successfully led the indie company da da kamera with Daniel MacIvor from 1993 – 2007. Sherrie was the inaugural recipient of the John Hobday Award for outstanding achievement in arts management from the Canada Council and the recipient of the 2019 Leonard McHardy and John Harvey Award.

Heather Redfern

Presenter and Producer

Executive Director, The Cultch

Ms. Redfern, is the Executive Director of The Vancouver East Cultural Centre (The Cultch) where she curates a program of live and digital presentations and an extensive community engagement program. Using the stage as a tool for challenging assumptions, creating dialogue, and making change, the performances at The Cultch, celebrate the rich and diverse communities that populate this country and the world. Heather has dedicated her career to serving a diverse group of artists and audiences, she is particularly interested in the creation of new forms and in putting creative teams together that are working outside of their comfort zones.

In 2023 she was awarded the Gascon-Thomas Award for Innovation in Theatre. Additionally, she has been honoured with the City of Edmonton, Business and the Arts Award for Excellence in Arts Management and the Mallory Gilbert Leadership Award for sustained, inspired, and creative leadership in Canadian Theatre. 

She previously worked as the Executive Director of the Greater Vancouver Alliance for Arts and Culture, the Artistic Producer for Catalyst Theatre in Edmonton and as a freelance theatre designer. 

Ms. Redfern has recently joined the Board of Directors of The National Theatre School of Canada.

Charlie Wu (He/Him/Il)

Presenter

Managing Director, Asian-Canadian Special Events Association

and General Manager of the Society of We Are Canadians Too (VC)

Charlie Wu is a dedicated community builder in the arts and culture sector, bringing over 25 years of experience to his work. Currently, he holds key roles as the Managing Director of the Asian-Canadian Special Events Association and the General Manager of the Society of We Are Canadians Too in Vancouver. In these capacities, he oversees events including TAIWANfest and LunarFest in BC and ON, as well as the launch of the Jade Music Festival in 2022, with the aim of establishing Vancouver as the North American hub for Chinese-language music.

Charlie is recognized for his ability to foster partnerships between arts organizations and cultural communities, collaborating with institutions such as Harbourfront Centre in Toronto, the PuSh Festival, and the Museum of Vancouver. As a presenter, he advocates for underrepresented artists locally and internationally. Thanks to his extensive connections in Taiwan and other Asian countries, Charlie facilitates meaningful exchanges and partnerships between Canada and Asia, enhancing cultural connections and diversity in the arts and culture sector.

Raeesa Lalani (She/Her/Elle)

Presenter

Artistic Director, Prismatic Arts Festival

Raeesa Lalani is an arts professional and trailblazing female leader who has made a significant impact in the world of creativity and culture in her region. With a deep passion for the arts from a young age, Raeesa’s journey has been defined by her unwavering dedication to fostering artistic expression and empowering artists.

She is currently the Artistic Director of the Prismatic Arts Festival, a nationally recognized organization with an innovative approach that, since inception, has mandated and prioritized supporting and showcasing Indigenous artists and artists of color. 

As a leader, Raeesa recognizes the transformative power of the arts. She has spearheaded initiatives that foster social change and promote diversity and inclusion within the arts to further her commitment in creating a more equitable sector. 

Beyond her professional achievements, Raeesa remains deeply engaged in philanthropy, supporting various cultural initiatives and using her platform to advocate for the transformative power of art in education and community development. She currently sits on the Downtown Halifax Business Commission Board of Directors as well as the Atlantic Presenters Association as Vice-President. Along with her work in arts administration, she has a knack for the stage!

Viviane Paradis

Presenter

Head of Programming, Theatre Le Diamant

For over twenty years, Viviane Paradis works in the arts fields as cultural manager, artistic director, programmer or writer for various organizations in Quebec City (Canada). From 2011 to 2015, she was artistic director of the Mois Multi, a international festival dedicated to digital and interdisciplinary arts. Since 2015, she is production manager for Ex Machina, the company of stage director Robert Lepage. In 2019, she joined the team of Theatre Le Diamant, a new venue in Quebec City founded by Robert Lepage where she is head of programming since 2021. Le Diamant is dedicated to performing arts – mainly theatre and circus – with a six hundred seats venue and present local, national and international works.

Lesandra Dodson

Presenter

Programs Manager, Fredericton Playhouse, Fredericton, NB

Lesandra Dodson is the Programs Manager at the Playhouse, a multi-disciplinary performance venue in the east coast of Canada – Fredericton, New Brunswick. She oversees six different education, residency, and outreach programs including the flagship multi-disciplinary Spotlight presenting series, curating international & national artists each season.

A former professional dancer from Vancouver, Lesandra is an independent contemporary choreographer/director with over 25 years of experience in arts administration – before the Playhouse she was Executive Director of the Charlotte Street Arts Centre, an educator in the Fine Arts Department at Saint Thomas University, and co-artistic director of the coop. Throughout her cross-country career she has been committed to creating key initiatives and opportunities that support, and mentor emerging artists.

Glenn Brown – Ex Officio

CAPACOA Board Chair

Theatre Manager, Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts (ON)

Glenn has been manager of the Sanderson Centre since 2006. His responsibilities include presenting a multi-disciplinary series for the historic century old vaudeville theatre as well as balancing an active rental demand of the theatre by amateur community users and professional promoters. Glenn is responsible for operating and capital budgets for the venue in addition to collective bargaining. Prior to becoming manager Glenn was the Technical Director of the Sanderson Centre with more than 15 years of experience in production. Glenn has served on the Board of Ontario Presents including as Treasurer (2017-2020, 2023) and President (2020-2023).

Pam Patel

Presenter & CAPACOA Board Member

Artistic Director, MT Space / IMPACT Festival (ON)

Pam Patel performs with numerous Canadian companies, touring nationally and internationally. A graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University’s music program, Pam specialized in new music and improvisation, establishing a career as a multidisciplinary artist.

Pam is currently the Artistic Director of MT Space where she pursues her passion for centralizing racialized voices through theatre. Pam was formerly the President of local new music organization, NUMUS, and is currently the Chair of Arts Awards Waterloo Region. In line with efforts to advocate for the arts on a local level, Pam also sat on the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee for the City of Kitchener where she played an active role in voicing concerns on behalf of the larger arts community. In 2018, Pam was a recipient of Rotary International’s Paul Harris Fellowship for Service Above Self in Arts and Culture, which was given at the Mayor of Waterloo’s State of the City Address. Most recently, Pam received the Emerging Leader in Performing Arts Award from CAPACOA, and is a recipient of Zonta’s 2021 Women of Achievement Award.

David Warburton

Presenter & CAPACOA Board Member

Artistic Executive Director, The Port Theatre Nanaimo, Nanaimo, BC

David Warburton (김모세) is the Artistic Executive Director of the Port Theatre, and the President of the Canadian Dance Assembly, a national arts service organization that provides a strong voice for Canadian dance and the development of resources for the dance sector.

He is the former Company Managing Director of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB) joining the organisation in 2013 first as Company Manager and before stepping into the role as the Director of Touring and Business Development and then Managing Director. He served an integral role in reshaping and rebuilding the ballet company.

Warburton co-created the national award-winning play SANGJA, that premiered in Seoul and toured multiple times throughout Korea and Canada. He has been invited to guest speak about his work in advocacy in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, and Seoul. He was selected as one of nine emerging leaders for Dance/USA’s Institute for Leadership Training, a program supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, that focuses on shifting patterns of inequity in dance. He was an organizing member of the Korean Society of Manitoba from 2016 to 2022. His work in government advocacy and cultural diplomacy has meaningfully contributed to federal support for the arts and cultural sector during the COVID-19 pandemic. This has included crucial direct consultations with Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland and the Prime Minister’s Office.

Mickaël Spinnhirny

Dance Label

Co-General and Artistic Director, CAPAS, Montréal (Québec)

Dancer, cultural entrepreneur, and audience development specialist, Mickaël Spinnhirny navigates the intersection of artistic creation and organizational strategy. With an international career as a performer, he co-founded CAPAS, Canada’s first dance label, where he supports both artists and cultural organizations in their production, marketing, and distribution challenges. His work is guided by a desire to build bridges between artistic worlds and the concrete needs of field teams. He is keenly interested in tools that simplify processes, improve communications, and strengthen the impact of cultural organizations, particularly through new technologies.