Paprika Alumni
Paprika’s list of alumni is extensive and wide-reaching. Here are some former Paprika participants who continue to create for the stage:
Rob Kempson
staff / playwright / educator
Rosamund Small
staff / playwright
Bilal Baig
staff / program facilitator / playwrights unit participant / playwright
Owais Lightwala
productions participant / arts manager
Theresa Cutknife
indigenous arts program participant / actor / playwright
Ali Joy Richardson
staff / facilitator / directors lab participant / playwright / director
Cole Forrest
productions participant / filmmaker / staff / arts manager
Hana El Niwairi
staff / facilitator / arts administrator
Testimonials
I can’t imagine that much of my work would have seen the light of day without this festival. I can draw a direct line from my experience with Paprika and my work being heard and produced.
Rosamund Small, Dora award-winning playwright and Paprika alumni
Paprika offers a nurturing and expansive entry point for young artists into the Toronto theatre scene and the Festival contributes significantly to our cultural fabric by growing the artists of tomorrow.
Mitchell Marcus, Artistic + Managing Director, The Musical Stage Company
The Paprika Festival gave us the space to take risks and be fearless. We were given the support of wonderful artists who all helped in some way to shape our show. I feel validated as a young artist because Paprika takes my work seriously and their support has made me the artist I am today.
Bilal Baig, Paprika alumni and returning participant
Paprika was one of the first experiences where I remember getting taken seriously as a young person with something to say, I will never forget getting feedback on our tiny little collective’s tiny little show from people like Daniel MacIvor and Matthew Jocelyn that Paprika gave us access to. It was so validating and motivating to have those leaders with all their experience take the time to talk to this nobody from Scarborough. It was my invitation into a community I now call home.
Owais Lightwala, Paprika alumni