Team

Artistic Producer

Keshia Palm (she/they) is a Toronto-based Filipinx-Canadian settler from Treaty 6 Territory who seeks to expose, challenge and dismantle systems of oppression by creating thoughtful and inclusive art/spaces. Their creative practice includes dramaturgy, direction, performance, writing and producing. Keshia has developed and performed new works with theatre companies across Canada and is the dramaturge for a number of works in development by IBPOC, queer, women and trans artists. Her digital community arts project Make Me An Alleycat (created with wheels from Claren Grosz) invites people to connect over stories and destinations while social distancing by going for a bike ride. Keshia is a playwright in the 20/21 Hot House Lab at Cahoots Theatre, and a former Factory Foreman. They have been the Online Content Producer for ArtistProducerResource.com at Generator since 2018. Keshia is honoured to be the Artistic Producer of the Paprika Festival, celebrating the work of young and emerging artists across Turtle Island.

General Manager

Julia Dickson (she/her) is an arts manager, educator, and producer currently based in Toronto. She currently works with Young People’s Theatre as an Artist Educator and with Single Thread Theatre Company as their Artistic Producer. Previously, Julia worked with Studio 180 Theatre, Theatre Passe Muraille, and the Festival Players of Prince Edward County. Julia has a post-graduate certificate in Arts Administration and Cultural Management from Humber College, and a Bachelor of Education with a focus on Arts in the Community Education from Queen’s University.

Artistic Programs Manager

daniel jelani ellis (he/him) is a Toronto-based artist raised in Jamaica by a village of theatre artists, poets, and educators. His art practice is driven by his commitment to celebrate those of us who live within the margins. ellis is grateful for this opportunity to carry forward Paprika Festival's outstanding legacy of support for young and emerging artists.

Indigenous Arts Program Producer

Jay Northcott (they/them) is a multidisciplinary artist; director, playwright, burlesque dancer, and producer. Jay works to decolonize their art and practice with storytelling, movement, and gesture to create a foundation for their work.
They continue to grow and make it their mission to unlift projects that put BIPOC Queer artists in the spotlight. They create and develop communities that are run by and for racialized and queer artist. 
Their goals: to make you cry and piss yourself at the same time, they want to bleed, break, grind, make money, fuck, fight and blow some shit up. With their Post-Britney2007/Hyperpop Aesthetic, Jay develops techniques and experiences that questions: Why theatre is still relevant.
Credits include: The Parasite (Rhubarb Festival), Premium Content (Major Matt Mason, High Performance Rodeo), Blacktop Sky (Obsidian Thearte), Passover (Obsidian Theatre, AD), Scarlet Letter (Theatre Calgary, AD), Iphigenia and theFuries (Saga Collectif, AD), Cows (Theatre Junction).

Production Manager

Taylor Young (they/them) is a Toronto-based Stage Manager and Production Manager, originally from Calgary, AB. They hold a BFA from X University in Performance Production with a minor in Curatorial Studies. Some of their favourite past projects include: Production Coordinator & Assistant Stage Manager, Toronto Dance Theatre 2020/2021 Season; Stage Manager, hollow mountain, Rock Bottom Movement (Wildside 2020); Assistant Stage Manager, RING, Toronto Dance Theatre (2019); Assistant Stage Manager, Fall for Dance North, X University Theatre (2019); Apprentice Stage Manager, Hand to God, Coal Mine Theatre (2019); Assistant Production Manager, Mary’s Wedding, Solo Productions (2019).

Communications Manager

Cindy Phung (She/Her) is a freelance designer based in Toronto, skilled in communications, graphic design and production management. Specializing in theatre and design. a freelance designer skilled in communications, graphic design and production management.  While working she is also currently working on her studies at X University (formerly known as Ryerson), where she is studying Performance Production specializing in Design and Management. In hopes of creating a unique space for POC creatives, Cindy strives to create work and space for marginalized voices.

Lighting Designer

Theo Belc (they/them) is a designer and production freelancer based in Toronto. They graduated from the Performance Production Program at X University (formerly known as Ryerson), where they focused their studies in lighting design and scenic arts. While working from home during the pandemic, Theo has rekindled their passion in creating narrative-focused illustrations. Their motivation lies in using their multi-disciplinary interests to engage, support, and create meaningful stories that contribute to the Toronto arts scene.

Credits at a glance: Set Designer - Killing Time, Mixtape Productions (2022); Lighting Coordinator and Volunteer Lighting Designer - Choreographic Works, X University, 2020; Paints crew and designer - PYC Musical Theatre Program (2019); Assistant Festival Lighting Designer and Lighting Designer for the Indigenous Arts Program, Paprika Festival (2019).