Congratulations to Independent Theatre Creators International Training Scholarship Recipients

Theatre Ontario and Why Not Theatre congratulate Colin Bruce Anthes and Miriam Fernandes, who have been chosen as the recipients of the inaugural Independent Theatre Creators International Training Scholarship.  The Scholarship allows for two emerging artists to train with Anne Bogart and the SITI Company for one month in Suzuki, Viewpoints, and directing and devising new work.  The Scholarship is a partnership between Theatre Ontario and Why Not Theatre, sponsored by Nekison Engineering and Contractors Ltd. and funds have been matched by artsVest Toronto.  artsVest Toronto is run by Business For The Arts with the support of Canadian Heritage and the Toronto Arts Council..

Colin Bruce Anthes trained in the theatre performance program at Humber College, where he graduated (class of 2009) with the Humber Theatre Award for Outstanding Achievement, and played the title role in Pentheus to critical acclaim in the National Post. In 2009, along with composer Tom DiMartino, he formed Twitches & Itches Theatre: a multi-disciplinary emerging artist company creating original works that explore the art of storytelling through experimental methods. Twitches & Itches has subsequently produced annually, garnering critical acclaim and arts council funding along the way. Colin has played lead roles with a dozen theatre and film companies, including an intercultural Romeo in Mozambique with Shakespeare Link Canada, and Ed in Banquo’s Banquet’s fringe hit Trudeautopia (4 stars, EYE Weekly). This April, he will complete a combined honours degree in dramatic art/psychology with a minor in philosophy from Brock University, where he has received academic awards from all three concentrations. Colin is a proud member of the vibrant performing arts scene in St. Catharines, where, in addition to his work with Twitches & Itches, he is secretary of the board for the Essential Collective Theatre.

Miriam Fernandes is a Toronto-based actor, creator, and arts educator.  Acting credits include:  Hamlet (Shakespeare in Action), The Biographer (Tango Co.), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Speakeasy Productions), The Bundle (Edward Bond Festival), and Macbeth (The Classical Theatre Projects). Miriam has worked in various capacities with Soulpepper Theatre Company, Groundwater Productions, and Roseneath Theatre and served on the board of directors for Volcano Theatre.  She is currently an artist in residence at Theatre Passe Muraille where she is developing her first one-woman show, Cat and Mouse.  In September of 2011, Miriam co-founded The Pomegranate Project with Sarah Brose.  The Pomegranate Project is an arts education initiative that connects students in Toronto to students in Mumbai, India through dance, theatre, and filmmaking.  The Project focuses on the themes of peace, community, and connection.  Miriam is a graduate of York University’s Acting Conservatory program and has studied at Ecole Philipe Gaulier.

This Scholarship program is designed to address the need for theatre artists to access more contemporary artistic training opportunities and to encourage artists to set the stage for the future of theatre and performance creation in Ontario, by having the opportunity to experience high caliber international training.  The scholarship includes course training and application fees, accommodation for the training period, and a travel allowance.

SITI was founded in 1992 by Anne Bogart and Tadashi Suzuki to redefine and revitalize contemporary theatre in the United States through an emphasis on international cultural exchange and collaboration. For the past 22 years, their impact can be seen on theatre creators around the world.

Read more about Theatre Ontario and Why Not Theatre’s Independent Theatre Creators International Training Scholarship