Cancel Culture
BY CAROLYN BENNETT 

GIVING BACK HAS NEVER BEEN SO QUEASY

When community workers face the reality of a frayed social support system,
​will (artificial) intelligence save the day?

Join us in the Mainstage Theatre ​

CAROLYN BENNETT/
PLAYWRIGHT

Writer, comedian, and woodworking assistant, Carolyn Bennett has written for television, film, radio, theatre, web, and inanimate objects in her office. She had a brief stint as a senior writer with the Ontario Public Service. Eventually, she will receive a small pension, which amazes her. Carolyn’s debut novel, Please Stand By, was released in October 2019. She is at work on a collection of short stories, for which she received a 2021 writing grant from the City of Toronto. Carolyn freelances for the Toronto Star and Canadian Immigrant Magazine. She hasn't had COVID yet. JINX.

ETHAN JOSHUA (PERSYKO)/
DIRECTOR

Ethan (they/them) is an emerging, multi-disciplinary director in their third year at the University of Toronto. They hold a double major in Drama/Theatre and Law and a minor in Equity. The goal, post-university, is to develop their career as a queer, radical theatre educator. Theatre-wise, their interests mainly involve the intersection of bioethics and performance. Directing credits include Student #10 (recipient of Hart House Theatre Drama Festival’s “Outstanding Achievement in Community Building”) and a sapphic adaptation of Constellations by Nick Payne. They hope you enjoy Cancel Culture and are honoured to direct for Alumnae Theatre’s NIF 2022! 

THE CAST

LESLIE RENNIE/
​CARMAN

Leslie is very pleased to be playing Carman in Cancel Culture in this year’s New Ideas Festival. She most recently performed as Albertine at 60 in Albertine in Five Times at the Alumnae Theatre (November 2021). Leslie has been the Alumnae Theatre Wardrobe Manager since 2018 and throughout the pandemic was an enthusiastic participant in over 14 CyberReads.  She has close ties to the NagsPlayers (Tranzac Club) where she has performed in many pantomimes and other comedic roles. Leslie extends hearty thanks to family, friends, and fellow actors for their ongoing and enthusiastic support.

JOSHUA MORRIS/
​DAVE

Josh Morris has returned to his first love, theatre, in recent years after working many years behind the scenes in the arts. He has appeared at the Fringe Festival (Dead Talks and The Inch Trilogy) and in the InspiraTO Festival (Brenda and the Bull and Old Age and Treachery), where he also produced and wrote The Butcher of Buchenwald and numerous New Ideas Festival plays, including (En)lightning and War and Peace (A Family Story). He is thrilled to be back to live theatre in front of breathing audiences once again!

CHRISTINE MOYNIHAN/
​JODY

Christine Moynihan has spent the past 45 years working in the performing arts as an actor, producer, technician, administrator, and executive director. From 1976-1988, she performed in theatres across Canada. She was the Artistic Producer of Equity Showcase Theatre from 1988-2002 and the Executive Director of the Dance Umbrella of Ontario from 2002-2012. She has received both the Brenda Donohue Award and a Harold Award, both for outstanding service to the theatre and dance communities. In 2019, she returned to performing with her one-woman clown show, Outside Ethel: Inside and will present the sequel, Inside Ethel: Outside, at the 2022 Fringe.

TANIA D'AMICO/
​TAYLOR

​Tania D’Amico (they/them) is an actor, singer, dancer, writer, director, set designer, prop specialist, costume designer, stagehand, makeup specialist, creator, dreamer, athlete, crew member, musician, academic, and more. From and currently living in Toronto, they have worked with companies such as Soulpepper Theatre, Ismailova Theatre of Dance, Scarborough Theatre Players, Scarborough Theatre Guild, Hart House Theatre, Mosaic Institute, National Ballet of Canada, Nightwood Theatre, and now Alumnae Theatre. Tania loves the arts and is trying to find their place in the industry and the world in general.

THE PRODUCTION TEAM

BRENDA TOTMAN/
​STAGE MANAGER

Brenda has been doing community theatre for about five years, both on stage and behind the scenes for various theatre companies. This includes Fringe shows in both Hamilton and Toronto. As a member of Alumnae, she is thrilled to make her debut as SM for the NIF production of Cancel Culture!