Artists

Joan Bailey tells folktales, legends, and myths from all around the world as well as her ‘Tales from a Lancashire Childhood’ about growing up in England. She has lived in many countries, including South Africa and Australia, and brought back a rich harvest of stories.

Peggy Baker, photo by Cylla von Tiedemann Peggy Baker is one of Canada’s most outstanding, influential and celebrated dance artists. A founding member of Dancemakers (1974), she toured internationally with Lar Lubovitch’s New York company throughout the 1980s, and joined Mikhail Baryshnikov and Mark Morris for the inuagural season of their White Oak Dance Project, subsequently forging important creative relationships with choreographers Paul-André Fortier and Doug Varone. Since 1990 she has created and commissioned dances through her Toronto based Peggy Baker Dance Projects. Ms Baker is the recipient of the 2010 Walter Carsen Prize and a 2009 Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement in dance.

Ann-Marie Bastien Anne-Marie Bastien is a multi-disciplinary dance artist born in Montreal. In her creative works she navigates between music and dance and combines different ways of using her voice through movement. For the last four years she has been performing in Toronto as a dance and vocal improviser and continues to make opportunities for exploring the merging of expressive movement and sound.

Erika Batdorf photo David Hawe Erika Batdorf has written, created, performed, directed and choreographed original movement theater since 1983. Her solo works have appeared in France, Hawaii, Mexico, Denmark, South Korea, Switzerland, Indonesia, and throughout Canada. She currently teaches at York University in Toronto and is an Associate Playwright at CanStage. She has received 4 Dora nominations since 2005 (two for new plays, one for performance and one for directing). She is bringing ‘kid’ to 2011 FOOL.

Kid is a fairytale without the darkness washed away. Meet shy Moleman, an old Frogman and a frightening Birdlady, imaginatively brought to life by a four-year-old coming to terms with a forgotten mystery. "...an affecting piece that works as both a quirky narrative and as an allegory of childhood trauma." - The Boston Phoenix

Mariella Bertelli A Storyteller and librarian, Mariella enjoys telling folk and fairy tales, literary, personal and original stories based on her background and life experience. Over the years Mariella has developed a unique repertoire and style often integrating English and Italian. She has performed at National and International Festivals and events in Canada, the US, South Africa and Italy for the last 29 years. Mariella will be performing Boccaccio in the Box, with co-creator Mary Anne Cree, at the 3rd International Storytelling Festival this fall in Rome, Italy.

Louis Bird credit Bruce Carmody Louis Bird (Pennishish) is an Omushkego storyteller and scholar. He has written two books: The Spirit Lives in the Mind, and Telling Our Stories: Omushkego Legends and Histories from Hudson Bay. A member of Winish First Nation, he lives in Peawanuck, on the west coast of Hudson Bay.

Pat Braden weaves story into song, song into story, sometimes spoken word resonating over a textural bed of music, a rolling chord pattern or a shimmering soundscape generated on The Chapman Stick. He has performed in storytelling and folk festivals across Canada, and has brought his stories and music to the National Arts Centre (Ottawa), Horizon Stage Theatre (Alberta), and St. John’s Arts and Cultural Centre (Newfoundland). A passionate Northerner, Pat ‘s stories bring to life the people and landscape of the Northwest Territories.

Eddy David. Eddy Da Original One is a Dynamic Storyteller, poet and beat-boxer; he is able to use his humour and insight forming a rhythmic tapestry of word play, while flirting with Caribbean Dialects when he so chooses. He has been known to create memorable stories of socio – political and romantic themes while merging vocal percussion sounds alongside his poetry in some of his Signature pieces. His writings can be read in T.dot Griots: a anthology of Toronto’s black storytellers, and he can be heard on various Spoken Word CD Albums with international dub poetry artiste D’bi Young and also 7 x poetry slam winner Jamaal St. John. This Trinidadian – Canadian performing Artist also teaches his craft through various Writer/Performance and beat boxing workshops.

Ron Evans is a Metis storyteller and oral historian who grew up in northern Alberta. He is a passionate keeper of his people's oral traditions. He has told stories, led ceremonies, and given workshops around the world, including England, Holland, Germany, the US, and throughout Canada.

Diane Flacks is an Emmy and Gemini nominated writer/performer living in Toronto. She is the author of "Bear With Me... What They Don’t Tell You about Pregnancy and New Motherhood," which she also adapted for a live solo performance, which has toured throughout Canada and to New York. Diane recently guest starred in Being Erica and The Ron James Show on CBC. She will be appearing in Sarah Polley's latest film, Take This Waltz, launching at TIFF this fall. She has created and toured three other hit solo shows: Myth Me, By A Thread, and Random Acts, produced by Nightwood Theatre, directed by Alisa Palmer. Random Acts was called "virtuosic" by the Star, Globe, and CBC. Diane has also co-written Sibs, and is the author of Care, Smudge, and Gravity Calling.

Jaron Freeman-Fox (www.jaronfreemanfox.com) is a Toronto-based violinist, composer, and all-round troublemaker hailing from the boonies of B.C. Fronting his own klez-grass-indo-funk band The Opposite Of Everything. Jaron released his debut album "Manic Almanac : Slow Möbius" in 2010 and has been making waves ever since. As an in-demand session player (heard on over 30 albums) and side-man for artists such as Delhi 2 Dublin, The David Woodhead Confabulation and many others, Jaron leads a busy life of touring, recording and hat-shopping.

Daniel Goldbloom is a law student with a love for telling and hearing people's life-stories. He has been a co-host of MothUP, a grassroots series of monthly storytelling concerts inspired by The Moth.

Sarah Granskou applies her Canadian sense of innovation to Scandinavian oral tradition and is known internationally for her intricate, yet accessible poetic recitations and lyrics. Integrating fiddle, song, flute, jaw harp and puppetry in a fluid narrative. She first developed her craft living amongst the Sami reindeer herders and Norwegian farmers, and has shared it with hundreds of community, school and festival audiences. Past venues include the Yukon International Storytelling Festival, the Toronto Storytelling Festival, Hillside Festival, Festival of Friends, the Oslo Poetry Festival and the Museum of Civilization.

Pasi Gunguwo Pasi and Mutamba are a storytelling and mbira-playing duo who keep alive musical, narrative, and dance traditions from Zimbabwe.

Lynda Howes works with newcomers to Canada, encouraging them to remember and to tell their stories. She teaches parents stories and rhymes and songs to use with their babies and very young children. As Co-Resident Teacher at Storytelling Toronto, she has helped to design the courses and the curriculum of the Storytellers School. And in 2003 she produced the 24 Books of Homer’s Odyssey with 24 storytellers over six performances

Brian Katz is an internationally acclaimed Canadian guitarist, pianist, composer, improviser, recording artist, Dalcroze Eurhythmics specialist (a method of music and movement education) and adjunct professor of performance and arts education currently teaching at the University of Toronto, York and Ryerson universities. As a performer and composer, he draws on jazz, classical, Jewish and various world music traditions to form his personal sound. Brian has worked with various storytellers over the years, providing sonic compliments and good road stories. His relationship with storyteller Dan Yashinsky goes back over three decades, when the two of them first jammed music and story at Gaffers Café in Kensington Market. More recently, Brian wrote music for Dan’s epic story, Talking You In. and the two of them have been travelling the highways and skyways with it.

Anna Kerz is a writer and storyteller who shares tales with people of all ages in schools, libraries, community centers and conferences. She has been a featured teller at festivals in Toronto, St. Marys and Ottawa. She is one of the coordinators at 1001 Friday Nights of storytelling and a founding member of the StoryJam program which helps children develop their oral language skills through storytelling. Anna crafts all her tales to touch the heart and tickle the funny bone.

Celia Lottridge was one of the founding members of the Storytellers School of Toronto. She has taught courses and taken part in countless storytelling events, large and small in Toronto and across Canada. She is also the author of many books, including her retellings of traditional stories and novels based on family stories. These include Ten Small Tales, The Name of the Tree, Ticket to Curlew and Home is Beyond the Mountains.

Ann McDougall (www.annmcdougall.ca) is a storyteller, writer and multidisciplinary artist. Her storytelling has been featured at FOOL, the Toronto Festival of Storytelling and on CBC Radio. Ann will be telling a story about science, discovery and desire.

Meagan O'Shea credit-Omer Yukseker Meagan O'Shea is a Toronto based dance artist who uses storytelling, clown, comedy and improvisation to create performance works. As well as solo work she is the driving force behind the outdoor group project dance like no one is watching. Her company, Stand Up Dance offers dance classes for kids and adults that incorporate creative movement, hip hop, body percussion, tap, break dance, contemporary. Her latest show The Atomic Weight of Happiness was nominated for 2 Dora Awards last season and is being presented by Theatre Direct in November 2011. www.standupdance.com

Ouanani Ouanani Jean Arsenault is a world traveler who crosses musical, dance, and storytelling cultures. He is the founder of the intercultural group Ouanani. Sadio Sissokho is a kora-player, percussionist, and storytelling griot from Senegal. Jean and Sadio tour as a duo and as part of the full Ouanani ensemble, bringing their story of friendship and discovery alive through music and storytelling.
Jean Arsenault, «le Passeur Terrestre»: voix, percussions, danse. Du Lac-Saint-Jean. Il a fondé la première troupe de danse Gumboot du Québec, La Famille Botte, qui a dansé avec Les Colocs, Lorraine Klassen, Michel Faubert et bien d’autres. Puis il trotte dans plus de 25 pays à la recherche du groove philosophal avant de revenir à Montréal fonder Ouanani. Sadio Sissokho, «le Griot d’Afrique»: voix, percussions, kora, danse du Sénégal. Dans sa famille, de la caste des griots, on joue la musique traditionnelle africaine de père en fils depuis 400 ans. Il a étudié au Conservatoire National de Musique et d’Arts Dramatiques de Dakar. Il est un des percussionnistes les plus en demande à Montréal.

Pasi and Mutamba Rainos Mutamba. Rainos Mutamba and Pasi Gunguwo are musicians-storytellers from Zimbabwe who draw insipiration from traditional music, poetry folklore. Most of the stories and music they share have been passed on from many many generations before through oral means. Stories are seamlessly merged with mbira music, dance, body movements, song, poetry, words, sounds and a combination of all. Mutamba and Pasi can be seen storytelling on the streets, community gatherings, parks, farmers’ markets, and storytelling festivals.

Luigi Rignanese photo-Michel Charles Luigi Rignanese (www.luigirignanese.com) is a musician and storyteller. He has performed and taught in Canada, Brazil, Italy and Senegal, and in festivals throughout France. He has developed a contemporary form of storytelling where music, text, voice, and performance style make a compelling new artform. Luigi Rignanese est conteur musicien. Il present ses spectacles de contes en musique dans tous les festivals francophones (France, Brazil, Belgique, Suisse, Québec) et autour du monde. Il intervient aussi dans les écoles pour initier les élèves aux joies de l’oralité Il anime régulièrement des ateliers de contes, théâtre, musique au Transfo, structure de jour de l'hôpital psy le Mas Careiron à Uzès. Comme musicien, il participe à plusieurs aventures artistiques: Le grand G.O.N (Généreux Orchestre de Niozelles), le Bal du Spaghetti, CD de jazz (Pierre-Jean Gaucher), CD de musiques trad (Le Cor de la Plana,Tara Banda), composition et enregistrement pour le Pince-Oreilles (France Culture). "Il distille la vigueur subversive d'histoires séculaires qu'il fait vibrer de musiques et de percussions. On y entend la sagesse, la révolte, le rire le feu..." Aden/Le Monde

Itah Sadu. Author and storyteller Itah Sadu shares the rich oral traditions of the Caribbean, Africa, and North America. Her best-selling children's books include Christopher Please Clean Up Your Room, Name Calling, How The Coconut Got Its Face, Christopher Changes His Name and A Touch of the Zebra. Itah’s downtown Toronto bookstore, A Different Booklist, features writers from the Caribbean and the African Diaspora.

Spirit Synott Dancer, actor, and visual artist Spirit Synott's extensive arts-training includes a diploma (with honors) from the Ontario College of Arts, and actor training with Actors Equity Showcase, Toronto Theatre Alliance, Actors Co-op, Sears & Switzer, and Debajehmujig Theatre. Spirit has performed in an impressive range of venues including: Nathan Philips Square, the Betty Oliphant Theatre, Roy Thompson Hall, and Harbourfront in Toronto; the Rose Theatre in Brampton, Ontario; City Hall in Burlington, Vermont; the NAC, Ottawa; the EPCOR Centre for Performing Arts in Calgary; The Round House in British Columbia; and The Millennium Centre, Winnipeg. Spirit's multidisciplinary, cross cultural creation work with Debajehmujig Theatre on Manitoulin Island expands the boundaries of inclusion, exploration and innovation.

Michael Wex Longtime storyteller, sometime author, smalltime crook, Michael Wex has written on subjects as varied as Judaism and Yiddish. His best-known book is Born to Kvetch; his most recent, The Frumkiss Family Business.

Dan Yashinsky photo Errol Young Dan Yashinsky Co-founder, with Lisa Pijuan-Nomura, of FOOL - festival of oral literatures, and Artistic Director of the 2011 edition, Dan is the author of Suddenly They Heard Footsteps - Storytelling for the Twenty-first Century. He is currently the storyteller-in-residence at The Stop Community Food Centre.


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	Artists Joan Bailey tells folktales, legends, and myths from all around the world as well as her ‘Tales from a Lancashire Childhood’ about growing up in England. She has lived in many countries, including South Africa and Australia, and brought back a rich harvest of stories. Peggy Baker is one of Canada’s most outstanding, influential and celebrated dance artists. A founding member of Dancemakers (1974), she toured internationally with Lar Lubovitch’s New York company throughout the 1980s, and joined Mikhail Baryshnikov and Mark Morris for the inuagural season of their White Oak Dance Project, subsequently forging important creative relationships with choreographers Paul-André Fortier and Doug Varone. Since 1990 she has created and commissioned dances through her Toronto based Peggy Baker Dance Projects. Ms Baker is the recipient of the 2010 Walter Carsen Prize and a 2009 Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement in dance. Anne-Marie Bastien is a multi-disciplinary dance artist born in Montreal. In her creative works she navigates between music and dance and combines different ways of using her voice through movement. For the last four years she has been performing in Toronto as a dance and vocal improviser and continues to make opportunities for exploring the merging of expressive movement and sound. Erika Batdorf has written, created, performed, directed and choreographed original movement theater since 1983. Her solo works have appeared in France, Hawaii, Mexico, Denmark, South Korea, Switzerland, Indonesia, and throughout Canada. She currently teaches at York University in Toronto and is an Associate Playwright at CanStage. She has received 4 Dora nominations since 2005 (two for new plays, one for performance and one for directing). She is bringing ‘kid’ to 2011 FOOL. Kid is a fairytale without the darkness washed away. Meet shy Moleman, an old Frogman and a frightening Birdlady, imaginatively brought to life by a four-year-old coming to terms with a forgotten mystery. "...an affecting piece that works as both a quirky narrative and as an allegory of childhood trauma." - The Boston Phoenix Mariella Bertelli A Storyteller and librarian, Mariella enjoys telling folk and fairy tales, literary, personal and original stories based on her background and life experience. Over the years Mariella has developed a unique repertoire and style often integrating English and Italian. She has performed at National and International Festivals and events in Canada, the US, South Africa and Italy for the last 29 years. Mariella will be performing Boccaccio in the Box, with co-creator Mary Anne Cree, at the 3rd International Storytelling Festival this fall in Rome, Italy. Louis Bird (Pennishish) is an Omushkego storyteller and scholar. He has written two books: The Spirit Lives in the Mind, and Telling Our Stories: Omushkego Legends and Histories from Hudson Bay. A member of Winish First Nation, he lives in Peawanuck, on the west coast of Hudson Bay. Pat Braden weaves story into song, song into story, sometimes spoken word resonating over a textural bed of music, a rolling chord pattern or a shimmering soundscape generated on The Chapman Stick. He has performed in storytelling and folk festivals across Canada, and has brought his stories and music to the National Arts Centre (Ottawa), Horizon Stage Theatre (Alberta), and St. John’s Arts and Cultural Centre (Newfoundland). A passionate Northerner, Pat ‘s stories bring to life the people and landscape of the Northwest Territories. Eddy David. Eddy Da Original One is a Dynamic Storyteller, poet and beat-boxer; he is able to use his humour and insight forming a rhythmic tapestry of word play, while flirting with Caribbean Dialects when he so chooses. He has been known to create memorable stories of socio – political and romantic themes while merging vocal percussion sounds alongside his poetry in some of his Signature pieces. His writings can be read in T.dot Griots: a anthology of Toronto’s black storytellers, and he can be heard on various Spoken Word CD Albums with international dub poetry artiste D’bi Young and also 7 x poetry slam winner Jamaal St. John. This Trinidadian – Canadian performing Artist also teaches his craft through various Writer/Performance and beat boxing workshops. Ron Evans is a Metis storyteller and oral historian who grew up in northern Alberta. He is a passionate keeper of his people's oral traditions. He has told stories, led ceremonies, and given workshops around the world, including England, Holland, Germany, the US, and throughout Canada. Diane Flacks is an Emmy and Gemini nominated writer/performer living in Toronto. She is the author of "Bear With Me... What They Don’t Tell You about Pregnancy and New Motherhood," which she also adapted for a live solo performance, which has toured throughout Canada and to New York. Diane recently guest starred in Being Erica and The Ron James Show on CBC. She will be appearing in Sarah Polley's latest film, Take This Waltz, launching at TIFF this fall. She has created and toured three other hit solo shows: Myth Me, By A Thread, and Random Acts, produced by Nightwood Theatre, directed by Alisa Palmer. Random Acts was called "virtuosic" by the Star, Globe, and CBC. Diane has also co-written Sibs, and is the author of Care, Smudge, and Gravity Calling. Jaron Freeman-Fox (www.jaronfreemanfox.com) is a Toronto-based violinist, composer, and all-round troublemaker hailing from the boonies of B.C. Fronting his own klez-grass-indo-funk band The Opposite Of Everything. Jaron released his debut album "Manic Almanac : Slow Möbius" in 2010 and has been making waves ever since. As an in-demand session player (heard on over 30 albums) and side-man for artists such as Delhi 2 Dublin, The David Woodhead Confabulation and many others, Jaron leads a busy life of touring, recording and hat-shopping. Daniel Goldbloom is a law student with a love for telling and hearing people's life-stories. He has been a co-host of MothUP, a grassroots series of monthly storytelling concerts inspired by The Moth. Sarah Granskou applies her Canadian sense of innovation to Scandinavian oral tradition and is known internationally for her intricate, yet accessible poetic recitations and lyrics. Integrating fiddle, song, flute, jaw harp and puppetry in a fluid narrative. She first developed her craft living amongst the Sami reindeer herders and Norwegian farmers, and has shared it with hundreds of community, school and festival audiences. Past venues include the Yukon International Storytelling Festival, the Toronto Storytelling Festival, Hillside Festival, Festival of Friends, the Oslo Poetry Festival and the Museum of Civilization. Pasi Gunguwo Pasi and Mutamba are a storytelling and mbira-playing duo who keep alive musical, narrative, and dance traditions from Zimbabwe. Lynda Howes works with newcomers to Canada, encouraging them to remember and to tell their stories. She teaches parents stories and rhymes and songs to use with their babies and very young children. As Co-Resident Teacher at Storytelling Toronto, she has helped to design the courses and the curriculum of the Storytellers School. And in 2003 she produced the 24 Books of Homer’s Odyssey with 24 storytellers over six performances Brian Katz is an internationally acclaimed Canadian guitarist, pianist, composer, improviser, recording artist, Dalcroze Eurhythmics specialist (a method of music and movement education) and adjunct professor of performance and arts education currently teaching at the University of Toronto, York and Ryerson universities. As a performer and composer, he draws on jazz, classical, Jewish and various world music traditions to form his personal sound. Brian has worked with various storytellers over the years, providing sonic compliments and good road stories. His relationship with storyteller Dan Yashinsky goes back over three decades, when the two of them first jammed music and story at Gaffers Café in Kensington Market. More recently, Brian wrote music for Dan’s epic story, Talking You In. and the two of them have been travelling the highways and skyways with it. Anna Kerz is a writer and storyteller who shares tales with people of all ages in schools, libraries, community centers and conferences. She has been a featured teller at festivals in Toronto, St. Marys and Ottawa. She is one of the coordinators at 1001 Friday Nights of storytelling and a founding member of the StoryJam program which helps children develop their oral language skills through storytelling. Anna crafts all her tales to touch the heart and tickle the funny bone. Celia Lottridge was one of the founding members of the Storytellers School of Toronto. She has taught courses and taken part in countless storytelling events, large and small in Toronto and across Canada. She is also the author of many books, including her retellings of traditional stories and novels based on family stories. These include Ten Small Tales, The Name of the Tree, Ticket to Curlew and Home is Beyond the Mountains. Ann McDougall (www.annmcdougall.ca) is a storyteller, writer and multidisciplinary artist. Her storytelling has been featured at FOOL, the Toronto Festival of Storytelling and on CBC Radio. Ann will be telling a story about science, discovery and desire. Meagan O'Shea is a Toronto based dance artist who uses storytelling, clown, comedy and improvisation to create performance works. As well as solo work she is the driving force behind the outdoor group project dance like no one is watching. Her company, Stand Up Dance offers dance classes for kids and adults that incorporate creative movement, hip hop, body percussion, tap, break dance, contemporary. Her latest show The Atomic Weight of Happiness was nominated for 2 Dora Awards last season and is being presented by Theatre Direct in November 2011. www.standupdance.com Ouanani Jean Arsenault is a world traveler who crosses musical, dance, and storytelling cultures. He is the founder of the intercultural group Ouanani. Sadio Sissokho is a kora-player, percussionist, and storytelling griot from Senegal. Jean and Sadio tour as a duo and as part of the full Ouanani ensemble, bringing their story of friendship and discovery alive through music and storytelling. Jean Arsenault, «le Passeur Terrestre»: voix, percussions, danse. Du Lac-Saint-Jean. Il a fondé la première troupe de danse Gumboot du Québec, La Famille Botte, qui a dansé avec Les Colocs, Lorraine Klassen, Michel Faubert et bien d’autres. Puis il trotte dans plus de 25 pays à la recherche du groove philosophal avant de revenir à Montréal fonder Ouanani. Sadio Sissokho, «le Griot d’Afrique»: voix, percussions, kora, danse du Sénégal. Dans sa famille, de la caste des griots, on joue la musique traditionnelle africaine de père en fils depuis 400 ans. Il a étudié au Conservatoire National de Musique et d’Arts Dramatiques de Dakar. Il est un des percussionnistes les plus en demande à Montréal. Rainos Mutamba. Rainos Mutamba and Pasi Gunguwo are musicians-storytellers from Zimbabwe who draw insipiration from traditional music, poetry folklore. Most of the stories and music they share have been passed on from many many generations before through oral means. Stories are seamlessly merged with mbira music, dance, body movements, song, poetry, words, sounds and a combination of all. Mutamba and Pasi can be seen storytelling on the streets, community gatherings, parks, farmers’ markets, and storytelling festivals. Luigi Rignanese (www.luigirignanese.com) is a musician and storyteller. He has performed and taught in Canada, Brazil, Italy and Senegal, and in festivals throughout France. He has developed a contemporary form of storytelling where music, text, voice, and performance style make a compelling new artform. Luigi Rignanese est conteur musicien. Il present ses spectacles de contes en musique dans tous les festivals francophones (France, Brazil, Belgique, Suisse, Québec) et autour du monde. Il intervient aussi dans les écoles pour initier les élèves aux joies de l’oralité Il anime régulièrement des ateliers de contes, théâtre, musique au Transfo, structure de jour de l'hôpital psy le Mas Careiron à Uzès. Comme musicien, il participe à plusieurs aventures artistiques: Le grand G.O.N (Généreux Orchestre de Niozelles), le Bal du Spaghetti, CD de jazz (Pierre-Jean Gaucher), CD de musiques trad (Le Cor de la Plana,Tara Banda), composition et enregistrement pour le Pince-Oreilles (France Culture). "Il distille la vigueur subversive d'histoires séculaires qu'il fait vibrer de musiques et de percussions. On y entend la sagesse, la révolte, le rire le feu..." Aden/Le Monde Itah Sadu. Author and storyteller Itah Sadu shares the rich oral traditions of the Caribbean, Africa, and North America. Her best-selling children's books include Christopher Please Clean Up Your Room, Name Calling, How The Coconut Got Its Face, Christopher Changes His Name and A Touch of the Zebra. Itah’s downtown Toronto bookstore, A Different Booklist, features writers from the Caribbean and the African Diaspora. Spirit Synott Dancer, actor, and visual artist Spirit Synott's extensive arts-training includes a diploma (with honors) from the Ontario College of Arts, and actor training with Actors Equity Showcase, Toronto Theatre Alliance, Actors Co-op, Sears & Switzer, and Debajehmujig Theatre. Spirit has performed in an impressive range of venues including: Nathan Philips Square, the Betty Oliphant Theatre, Roy Thompson Hall, and Harbourfront in Toronto; the Rose Theatre in Brampton, Ontario; City Hall in Burlington, Vermont; the NAC, Ottawa; the EPCOR Centre for Performing Arts in Calgary; The Round House in British Columbia; and The Millennium Centre, Winnipeg. Spirit's multidisciplinary, cross cultural creation work with Debajehmujig Theatre on Manitoulin Island expands the boundaries of inclusion, exploration and innovation. Michael Wex Longtime storyteller, sometime author, smalltime crook, Michael Wex has written on subjects as varied as Judaism and Yiddish. His best-known book is Born to Kvetch; his most recent, The Frumkiss Family Business. Dan Yashinsky Co-founder, with Lisa Pijuan-Nomura, of FOOL - festival of oral literatures, and Artistic Director of the 2011 edition, Dan is the author of Suddenly They Heard Footsteps - Storytelling for the Twenty-first Century. He is currently the storyteller-in-residence at The Stop Community Food Centre.