Our people

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Megan Piercey Monafu

Megan Piercey Monafu believes in radical hospitality as a personal, political, and artistic virtue. There is a reason why a theatre is also called a house; it can be a place where community comes together.

A playwright, director, producer and facilitator, Megan holds a BFA in Theatre and Development from Concordia University and an MFA in Creative Writing (playwriting focus) from the University of Guelph. Trained in Forum Theatre and community development, Megan specializes in drama work for sensitive populations and situations, and has facilitated for communities and organizations in Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, and the Maritimes.

Recent artistic work has included residencies at ArtEngine, the Great Canadian Theatre Company, and the Ottawa Fringe, and resulted in the Corel Endowment for the Arts Award in 2019 and presentation at the undercurrents festival in 2021. Recent audio work also includes a workshop series for youth at the GCTC and an audio doc series for CBC Halifax. Her current writing uses audio storytelling and play creation with integrated video to explore our personal relationship with the Internet.

Megan and her partner Dan have two young boys — that is, her “assistant directors” — who you may see hanging around the OST office.

MANAGING DIRECTOR
Sue Webb

Sue moved to Ottawa from England in 2008 where she studied and worked in a finance capacity for 20 years. Having been a parent of an OST student since 2013, Sue also started helping out in a volunteer capacity as our resident “Excel Wizard,” preparing the rehearsal schedules for our All Ages plays in Spring 2016. Sue is very excited to be a part of the OST family and truly believes that theatre offers huge benefits to all, in all aspects of life.

SENIOR TEACHER
Erin MacDonald

Erin is a versatile theatre artist with a rich history of sharing her craft with OST students since 2009. A graduate of the Theatre Arts program at Algonquin College, where she also served as Theatre Manager, Erin’s multi-disciplinary career spans roles as a stage manager, performer, administrator, and director. Her decade-long tenure as Front of House Manager for Rag and Bone Puppet Theatre further honed her leadership and organizational skills.

Erin’s contributions to the Ottawa theatre community earned her Prix Rideau Award nominations in 2013 and 2018, recognizing her artistic excellence. As an educator, she has taught in The Element High School’s drama program for four years and served as a guest instructor for Algonquin College’s Performing Arts program.

Currently, Erin focuses on her role at OST, where she continues to inspire students by creating and directing numerous plays for performers of all ages, nurturing both their artistic abilities and passion for theatre.

ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR FOR FRENCH PROGRAMMING
Flora Diabaté

Flora has been working in the OST office since 2020. In her earlier years, she has performed on many occasions with various art groups and programs and has experience in different forms of performing arts including; singing, dancing, and theater. She is now studying business management  in her post secondary studies. Flora is always very happy to be a part of the OST family as an administrative coordinator.

OPERATIONS MANAGER
Brittany Burden

Brittany is a dedicated communications professional with a strong background in political science and communication. She has 15 years of experience in association management in the adult beverage space. When she’s not at OST you can find her adventuring with her young family or volunteering in the community of Blackburn Hamlet and Ottawa’s Out of the Cold program.

Brittany is happy to be a new member of the passionate team at OST.

SPECIAL PROJECTS COORDINATOR
Cassandre Mentor

Cassandre Mentor is an Ottawa based actor, educator and illustrator. Passionate about the arts and education, she has a BFA in Theatre Performance from Concordia University and a B.Ed from the University of Ottawa. Locally, she has worked with the GCTC; Three Sisters Theatre Company; Horseshoes and Hand Grenades Theatre; Theatre La Catapulte; as well as on various film projects. She is very happy to be working with OST this year and grateful that she keeps getting to do what she loves the most.

MARKETING OFFICER
Olivia Kiryk-Clutterbuck

Olivia is a storyteller originally from central Alberta. Her life in the arts began with a passion for dance at age three and carried her into her twenties. Her interest in non-verbal communication led Olivia to hang up her dance shoes in 2018 to study American Sign Language and Deaf Cultural Studies at Lakeland College, before studying Scriptwriting at Algonquin College, graduating both programs with honors. She considers herself a multi-hyphenate focusing on nonverbal storytelling: writing, photography, and choreography/physical performance. Olivia has been working at Ottawa School of Theatre since September 2022.

Angelina Wehbe

Angelina Wehbe is an actor, singer, dancer and theatre creator who is currently based in Ottawa. She began her artistic journey as a singer at the age of 4 years old and has continued to work towards a career in the arts ever since. She is a graduate from the University of Ottawa’s Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting Conservatory. Her most recent works include a 2022 Fringe production that she co-created called Hi, How Are You? where she played Gwen, the role of Chandra in a Bear and Co. Production of Mixed Doubles by Kate Jaimet (2022) and a Tactics Production of Exciting Cause by Laurie Fyffe where she played Nurse Emily as well as a member of the ensemble (2023). Apart from performing, she has worked administrative positions for local non-profit theatre companies such as Odyssey Theatre (2021 & 2022) and a Company of Fools. She is very excited to witness her students’ artistic discoveries and to be working alongside the wonderful staff at OST!

Anna Dale

An Ottawa native, Anna grew up doing community theatre and taking dance classes from the age of four. This passion for the arts continued well into her teen years and Anna went off to do a postsecondary theatre program in Toronto. Past shows in Ottawa  include Sister Act with Orpheus Theatre (2018), The Little Mermaid (2020) and Jekyll and Hyde (2023) with ASNY. While in Toronto Anna played Rose (Unity: 1918) dir. by Matthew Romantini, and was in the dancing ensemble (Guys and Dolls) dir. by David Ball. Excited to be back in her home town; Anna is eager to share the joy and community of theatre with the next generation.

Arthur Barison

Arthur Barison is a multi-disciplinary theatre artist whose career spans acting, directing, playwriting, and makeup artistry. Formally trained as an actor for both the stage and television, Arthur’s early career in Brazil included collaborating with some of the country’s most prestigious directors. Inspired by these foundational experiences, he earned a Postgraduate Degree in Body Expression: Theatre, Dance and Performance. During this time, he developed a unique method of body expression that draws direct inspiration from the personal lives of the performers to construct unique theatrical narratives and a tailored physical language. He then established his own theatre company in Brazil, where he was able to implement this method.

Arthur also holds a degree in Journalism and has an extensive background as an English teacher. These roles have immensely shaped his approach to text, greatly contributing to his writing skills, structural narrative mechanics, and worldly knowledge of storytelling. A prolific creator, he has written and directed over 20 plays in renowned Brazilian institutions. Driven by his skills as a makeup artist, his productions always carry a remarkably strong aesthetic appeal. Arthur is passionate about bringing this deep wealth of international experience, physical storytelling, and holistic theatrical vision to every project he touches.

Chelsey Prince

Chelsey started out in theatre classes at the Sudbury Theatre Centre when she was the same age as her youngest students are now. She continued her studies in drama while attending the Arts Canterbury program here in Ottawa, and went on to complete her BA in drama at the University of Guelph where she studied acting, theatre tech, design, and history. 

Chelsey performs as an actor on local stages and is currently working on her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults. She is happy to be at OST sharing her love of theatre with her students and creating a safe space to play, explore, and share stories.

Dallis Campbell

Dallis is excited to be returning to OST this year. Dallis is a singer, actress, director, dancer, and songwriter. She has worked as a stage manager, stagehand, lighting designer and lighting technician. She has been teaching private music lessons for nine years. She is an alumni of St. Lawrence College’s musical theatre performance program in Brockville. She is the Administrator / Coordinator for Youth Opportunities in the Arts in Brockville. Dallis has a true passion for theatre and the arts.

Daniella Bell

Daniella is a graduate of the University of Ottawa, and is thrilled to be taking her knowledge and love of performance and theatre into the Ottawa community. She has been an avid student of voice, movement, and acting, having studied at both uOttawa and LAMDA in the United Kingdom. Daniella is passionate about sharing her love of the arts with others, and believes in the importance of reminding ourselves why we love theatre and why we love the arts; if we connect to our passion for our craft, it makes learning, growing, and achieving our goals not only easier, but joyful! In addition to her love of theatre, she also enjoy spending time outdoors, whether she’s travelling to a new place, going on a hike, or just taking a walk to listen to a good playlist and enjoy the fresh air!

Deena Alsaweer

Deena Alsaweer is a Fulbright Scholar with an M.A. in Film/TV from the Savannah College of Art & Design. Deena started her artistic journey in videography for local artists, chefs and small businesses whereby she was the editor, writer, director, cinematographer, and producer. Deena quickly became a passionate champion for underrepresented voices. Since leaving her career in International Logistics, Deena has gone on to win a screenplay contest for her short film Agent Hala, and an award for her latest short film, Dead & Alive, at Ottawa’s Digi60 Filmmaker’s Festival. Deena has worked with a range of production companies on several TV and digital projects for broadcasters such as TVOKids, Unis TV, and Bell Fibe TV1.

Elizabeth Emond-Stevenson

Photo by Curtis Perry

Gabriella Gadsby

Gabriella Gadsby is a versatile and award-winning (BBC & Prix Rideau Awards) theatre creator based in Ottawa, Canada. Originally from the U.K, there, Gabriella spent her youth dancing, acting and working on her L.A.M.D.A. Speaking of Verse & Prose medals. She was a member of the Livingston Academy of Dance and Drama, Stage Coach and taught youth performance at the Bethel Lighthouse Community Centre. She later went on to receive an Honours BA degree in Acting & Physical Theatre from East 15 Acting School.

In Canada she has Directed, Performed and/or Designed for; Three Sisters Theatre Company, Plosive Productions, 9th Hour Theatre, Bear & Co, Paper Picture Productions, Leaping Mammal and Dangerous Dames Theatre, at various locations including; The Gladstone Theatre, NAC, Theatre Wakefield, Pirate Life Boat, Ottawa Fringe Festival, Shenkman Arts Centre and Meridian Theatre at Centrepointe.

Gabriella is a thoughtful teacher who creates safe spaces for people to explore new skills in a playful and expansive manner. She hopes her diverse, eclectic and enriching skills are a valuable asset to the Ottawa School of Theatre in creating confident performers.

She is also the co-owner of I Love MusicTime, a social recreational program for adults with an intellectual and developmental disability. In her sessions they explore songs, sounds and percussive instruments in a fun, engaging, person-centred program, under the structure of a weekly theme. 

Jordan Roussel

Jordan started at OST as a student when she was six years old. She took classes for several years, which allowed her to develop her passion for theatre and being on stage. For the past few years she has been involved with OST as a volunteer, camp counsellor, class and office assistant, and now as a teacher. Through her years at OST and several opportunities in high school and university, she has gained experience in performance, set and costume design, directing, playwriting and choreography. She is thrilled to be teaching this year and is looking forward to helping her students expand their theatre skills and knowledge.

Julia Zuppa

Julia practically grew up at the Ottawa School of Theatre. She began classes at six, volunteered as a young teen, worked as an office and class assistant, and spent summers and March Breaks as a camp counsellor. She is thrilled to continue her journey at OST, now as a teacher. A firm believer that the arts should be accessible to everyone, Julia founded the Kids in the Spotlight grant program at OST to help kids experience the joy, creativity, and transformative power of theatre. She is currently in her first year at the University of Ottawa, where she is completing her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre. Her recent performances include Clue, where she played Ms. Scarlett, and Alice by Heart where she played Dodgy/ Duchess. Julia also has a passion for singing and music and is a two time winner of the Ottawa Kiwanis Music Festival for musical theatre duets. Beyond performing, Julia has written and directed two original plays for the Grade 7 and 8 students at her high school.

Julia brings bright energy and a huge heart to all that she does. She can’t wait to share the joy of theatre with her students and watch them showcase their talents with confidence.

Katelyn Luoma

Katelyn Luoma is a theatre maker, educator and administrator currently based in Ottawa. Originally from Thunder Bay, Katelyn grew up as a performer before stepping into a teaching role more than ten years ago. Since 2014, she has worked as an educator in collaboration with theatre organizations across Ontario. Katelyn is a graduate of Queen’s University’s Drama program and, in her own artistic practice, is a producer, production manager, director, technician, and playwright. Katelyn is delighted to be joining OST’s teaching team to share her deep love of theatre with the community!

Kenzie Barrera

Kenzie Barrera is a theatre artist and teacher in the Ottawa area. She completed her undergraduate degree in theatre at McMaster University and moved to Ottawa for teachers college where she is graduating as a drama teacher. Kenzie was a dancer most of her life and got involved in theatre in high school. She has been a performer, stage manager, producer, choreographer and director between Hamilton to Ottawa. She has worked with production companies such as Elevator Theatre Company, Lost Baggage Musical Theatre, Suzart Productions, UOTC, CMTS and PaperMoon Theatre. Kenzie also wrote, directed and produced a play at Fringe in 2025 with her own company, Lavender Productions. She is very excited to be apart of Ottawa School of Theatre and to help build up the next generation of performers.

Laura Baird

Laura is an Ottawa born performer, where she grew up taking classes and lessons at Allegro music school and OST. She found her true passion for theatre in high school and later on went to study musical theatre post secondary. She attended the American musical and dramatic academy in the heart of New York City where she received her conservatory certificate in musical theatre. She has now moved back to Ottawa where she continues to audition for community production and professional productions alike. 

She is super excited to be on with OST, and instill the same dream and love into the new generation that she had received as a student.

Magdalena Szymanska

Meg Barbeau

Meg is an Ottawa-based performer and creative with a passion for deciphering stories and bringing them to life. 

She has completed her post-secondary education, earning an Ontario Advanced Diploma for Musical Theatre Performance at St. Lawrence College. She has travelled around the world as a Youth Activities Counsellor aboard Disney Cruise Lines. With experience acting, choreographing, and music directing, she is eager to use her skillset to aid in fostering a passion for theatre with the OST students. 

When she is not teaching at OST, you can find her teaching vocal lessons with Rockstar Music, or Music Theory and Junior Choir at Académie Westboro Academy. She has also co-founded “Yet Another Theatre Collective” (YATC), and hopes to further develop an educational avenue for art and theatre in the Ottawa area. 

Michael Kosowan

Born and raised in Ottawa, Mike Kosowan is a highly accomplished and versatile performer. Mike has a long history of improv in Ottawa. He has been performing both weekly and monthly since 2007, was a co-founder of the University of Ottawa Improv Club (2007), and a co-founding member of the first Ottawa Improv Festival (2009). He currently works as professional actor, entertainer, magician, clown and performs regularly with both GRIMprov and Crystal Basement improv troupes.

He has performed in multiple Fringe Festivals in Ottawa, Saskatoon, Winnipeg and Edmonton as well as the Magnetic North Festival, Montreal and Ottawa Improv Festivals.

Michelle Gendron

Michelle is an award-winning vocalist and performer based in Ottawa, Canada. After performing for the first time in her grade 2 talent show, she knew singing and music were her passions. Since then, she has trained in many vocal styles, including pop, musical theatre, and classical, and performed in multiple productions, including Heathers: The Musical, The Last Five Years, and Spring Awakening.

With over 2 decades of performing experience, Michelle understands that every voice and performer is unique and has something special to offer, and there is nothing she loves more than helping a new or experienced artist along in their musical and theatrical journey. When she is not teaching, she is busy running her other business Breakfast In Bed, an acoustic duo specializing in weddings and private events with her husband Massil, and performing at the award winning dinner musical Oh Canada Eh?!

Steeven Sampassa

Steeven K. Sampassa, who also professionally goes by Steeven K., is multifaceted artist with a focus on Filmmaking and Screenwriting. Coming to Canada(Ottawa) from the Democratic Republic of Congo at a early age, Steeven has put forward great strides as a Filmmaker and was a recent recipient of the Telus/Storyhive grant, with which he produced his first pilot; Tommy and King which is currently streaming on OptikTv. Besides the countless narrative projects and festival selections, he’s also shown a great ability to translate his skills to various formats, helping to structure and develop shows for production companies and smaller content creators.

When it comes to acting Steeven is also a working actor with credits on multiple projects and commercials, receiving his training in Vancouver.
Steeven has always had a sensitivity and respect for the craft of actors. Being known as a “Actors Director” believing that the greatest special effect is a great performance. He’s built a reputation for his ability to create a safe environment for talent at any level and bring the best performance out of them. He currently runs Waterfront Studios, a monthly acting workshop in Ottawa. Focusing on building a healthy environment where actors can challenge and prepare themselves with the toolkit to not only survive in the industry but really maximise and grow their unique talent. He focuses on actors finding the authenticity within themselves and trusting their instincts, while also understanding how to work with their collaborators and explore the nuances in a scene.

Teri Loretto

Teri holds a BA and MA from the University of Ottawa and has more than 25 years of teaching experience at the elementary, secondary and post-secondary levels. She was Program Coordinator for Performing Arts and the Graduate Certificate in Scriptwriting at Algonquin College until both programs were suspended in late 2025.

An interdisciplinary arts professional, Teri has produced more than 30 live theatre and radio plays and has worked as a writer, producer, weather presenter and host for CBC Radio and Television. She has also appeared in numerous film and television productions. Her screen credits can be found on IMDb.

Her stage credits include performances at the GCTC, The Gladstone, Arts Court Theatre and Ontario Place, as well as touring with the Franklin the Turtle Show.

Teri’s love of comedy began with improv in high school and continued with work as a sketch comedy actor and writer for Skit Row. She has spent much of her career encouraging the next generation of performers, writers and comedians—and, in the process, encouraging a healthy amount of shenanigans.

Her most demanding role to date, however, may be being a goalie mom to her teenager hockey kid.

Timm Holmes

Timm Holmes is an author who creates authors. He develops interactive experiences to excite, inspire and celebrate the creativity of storytellers from ages 5 to 95. Providing multiple tools, accessible activities and an adaptable recipe to follow, he aims to instill the confidence in storytellers young and old, to tell their stories, their way.

Discover his books, workshops, activities, storywalks, stage show, mobile app, card game and more at timmholmes.com!

Valérie Barnes

Valérie started at OST as a camper and later became a volunteer, office assistant, and camp counsellor. She is delighted to be returning to the OST family, this time as a teacher. For more than a decade, Valérie has thrived on stage as an actress, a singer, and a dancer. She could also be found backstage as a director, choreographer, and stage manager. Valérie is currently in her fourth year at the University of Ottawa, where she is completing her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Theatre. Valérie is excited to help her students express themselves on stage and to share the magic of theatre.

Victor De Coninck (he/him)

Victor De Coninck – like all of us – is many things, but on paper, he is a Franco-Ontarian from Ottawa, a classically trained violist with degrees and diplomas from McGill University and l’Université de Montréal, as well as a classically trained corporeal mime with diplomas and certificates from l’École Omnibus and l’École Internationale de Mime Corporel Dramatique à Paris. He has performed over 100 world premieres, collaborated with dozens of jazz artists, pop artists, visual artists, circus artists, dancers, actors, etc., in over 10 different countries across North America and Europe.

The first decade of his professional career began with chamber music which quickly shifted towards a focus on contemporary music, but it was 8 fateful years ago that his research into extended technique notation led him to encounter corporeal mime, thus forever changing his life! Victor now specializes in performance art and does research that aims to develop a method for composers/writers and/or performers to write and/or perform, for and/or with the body.

Virginie Thouroude

Born in France to a family of artists – her mother and grandmother were dance teachers and her aunt a choreographer for musicals – Virginie found herself on the theatre boards at the age of three. At 10, she studied at the Conservatory of Theatre in her hometown, directed by José Lemius. In 1992, she earned her diploma of Fine Arts degree with a specialization in Art and Shows. Three years later she moved to Canada and studied television at the Cité Collégiale, and has subsequently worked on various television shows. Virginie is entering her 10th year of teaching at the OST. It is always a great pleasure to meet all those fantastic and talented students and she cannot wait to start the year with them.

Annabelle Therrein

Chloé Lacroix

Chloé has always loved putting on performances since she was little. After joining OST in 2024, she has finally found a place that allows her to express her silly personality, and her passion for theatre. Chloé hopes to improve upon her skills as a team member and performer and to one day find herself working in the film/theatre industry as an adult.

Desirée Kohlman

Jasmine Diab

Juliette Ruel

Maria O’Reilly

Max Turriff

Max joined the Ottawa School of Theatre community back in 2022 to help pursue his passion for theatre. Through attending classes and volunteering with camps, Max has found a welcoming community filled with many wonderful people. He is now proud to be an Office Assistant, supporting the program from behind the scenes. This role has given him the chance to give back to the community that has inspired him so much.

Nina Hayek

Ophélia Serson-Laveaux

Rachel Lamb

Rachel has been with OST since she was eight years old. Starting in summer camps, she then took classes throughout the year and developed a passion for theatre. It is this passion that brought her back as a volunteer and now as an office assistant. She hopes to continue being involved in theatre and the arts.

Robyn Morin

Suriya Lachance

Suriya has been part of the Ottawa School of Theatre family since she was 7 years old, when she first moved to Canada. Quickly discovering her love for theatre and the OST community, she got involved with the school in many different ways. Over the years, she has taken part in countless plays, classes, and camps—sometimes onstage, sometimes backstage, sometimes as a camp counsellor, and now as one of OST’s Office Assistants. Theatre has always been a huge part of her life, and she’s excited to keep growing with the Ottawa School of Theatre community.