Our tEaM
Dian Marie Bridge
Artistic Director
Dian Marie Bridge is an award-winning writer, director and creative producer who seeks to open spaces, provide platform, enrich community-bridge building, and to help others do the same.
She was previously Associate Artistic Director at Luminato Festival Toronto, Artistic Director intern at Obsidian Theatre, Artist-in-Residence at Necessary Angel Theatre, Founding Artistic Producer of Cric Crac Collective, and member of the Stratford Festival’s Michael Langham Workshop for Classical Direction.
Dian holds a degree in Theatre Arts and Dramatic Literature from Brock University and was enrolled in the University of Minnesota’s Theatre Arts and Dance program (Twin Cities).
Directing work includes Beloved: A Celebration of Toni Morrison and Black Women Writers (Luminato Festival Toronto), The Mountain Top (Persephone Theatre), Made In Congo (Theatre Row United Solo Festival), Aneemah’s Spot (Cric Crac Collective/Motion Live).
Adèle Benoit
Interim Managing Director
Adèle Benoit has always been a fan of the arts and of Montreal. Originally from Ottawa, she has an MBA specializing in Marketing and Not-for-Profit organizations from Concordia University’s John Molson School of Business and an undergraduate double major in Linguistics and German. In 2012 she was named Protégé by the Mallory Gilbert Award Winner Chuck Childs. She is a former member of the METAs Committee and has been on the Diversity Committee of the Conseil québécois du théâtre since 2016. She has been with BTW since February 2005, collaborating with three BTW Artistic Directors.
Sarah Labissière
Associate Program Director
With close to a decade of experience as a Marketing professional in the Commercial Real Estate industry, Sarah is excited to embrace a fresh challenge as the Associate Program Director while continuing to flourish in the realm of performing arts. As a songwriter, rapper, and spoken word artist herself, one of her greatest aspirations is to equip emerging artists with the necessary tools and resources, enabling them to access a plethora of opportunities and realize their full potential.
Laurie-Anne Jean-Baptiste
Marketing Manager
Laurie-Anne Jean-Baptiste is an experienced marketing professional with a demonstrated history in the telecommunications and IT industry. Her love for performing arts has kept her involved on the Montreal musical theatre scene for many years, as a performer and as the VP Promotion for The Lyric Theatre. Her studies in Cinema & Communications and Creative Writing only reinforced the creativity she discovered and fostered in her youth. Her career and creative projects have made her an inspired and passionate storyteller. Laurie-Anne is thrilled to join the BTW family and looks forward to contributing to its history and important mission.
Becks Lefranc
Associate Producer
Becks Lefranc has vast experience coordinating and supporting various programs in the non-profit and performing arts sectors. While attending the University of Toronto, Becks was involved with the Trinity College Dramatic Society as a director and producer, helping develop and stage several original works by emerging playwrights. Having worked with Black Theatre Workshop on its School Tour and other programs, they are excited for the opportunity to forward their career in the arts while supporting a new generation of Black artists.
Rachel Chin
Outreach Coordinator
Born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, Rachel Chin brings a diverse background in development to her role as Black Theatre Workshop’s new Outreach Coordinator. Between two history degrees from Columbia University and McGill University, she’s learned the value of applying an anti-colonial framework to her work and research. Her experience in non-profit arts administration and independent film inform a creative and determined approach to fundraising, networking, and audience engagement. She looks forward to the challenge of a new industry in the performing arts, as well as the opportunity to provide space for meaningful connections across Montreal’s disparate Black diaspora communities.
Huriell Jerome
Admin. Coordinator
Huriell Jerome is an emerging scriptwriter and content creator out of Montreal. He is currently doing a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature, reinforcing his passion for writing, filmmaking, and theatre. He wishes in becoming part of the Black Theatre Workshop family. He can become an active resource for the community and be available for all that feel unheard and unseen. Huriell desires to contribute to BTW’s grand history and important mission.
Board of directors
Andréa Springer
President
Andréa is a Public Relations professional with over 20 years experience in corporate communications, media and investor relations, as well as project and event management. She is currently the Programmes & Communications Director at the World Design Organization where she works directly with municipalities to develop strategies that communicate the value and impact of design on quality of life. As one of the newest members to join the Black Theatre Workshop in 2019, she hopes to contribute to the growth and appreciation of the performing arts within the local community.
Allison DaCosta
Board Member
Ms. DaCosta has a Master of Business Administration with concentration in Marketing and International Business as well as a B.Arch and a B.Sc.(Arch) from McGill University. She is currently a Co-op program coordinator at Concordia University and has career experience in business development support and marketing for leading Canadian and international professional service firms. Following her avid interest in the performing arts, Ms. DaCosta joined the Black Theatre Workshop Board of Directors in 2015.
Clarence Bayne
Board Member
Director of the Institute for Community Entrepreneurship and Development (ICED) at John Molson Business School at Concordia University. Dr. Bayne moved from the West Indies to study at the University of British Columbia, where he obtained a BA (1958) and MEcon (1960). He completed his PhD at McGill (1977) and taught at Concordia University (JMSB). Dr Bayne has made many contributions to the Black community in Quebec especially in the arts and his development work. He is best known as being one of the founding members of the Black Theatre Workshop and was the Vice-President from 1991 to 2019.
Danielle Fortas
Treasurer
Ms. Fortas has over 35 years of experience focused on technology implementations at BMO. With an emphasis on enterprise wide initiatives in Finance and Data Analytics, she has held multiple senior IT roles. Her latest management position has been in Back Office Operations where she has enabled process change within business units. Danielle immigrated from France to continue her university studies. She holds a degree in Economics from Paris X and a Bachelor of Commerce (Option MIS) from Concordia. She followed the University of Waterloo Program for BMO Technologists and the Project Management Program from York University. She is a member of the BMO Alliance for Women in Canada and the Black Professional Network. Danielle is passionate about arts, the development of black culture in Montreal and the sustainability of black community institutions within Quebec and Canada.
Yvonne Greer
Board Member
Ms. Greer has a B.A. in English and Psychology from Concordia and a M.Ed. (Counselling) from McGill. Currently retired after 30 years in Education as a teacher/Guidance Counsellor, she has worked just as long within the Black community with the Negro Community Centre (NCC) and the Black Community Central Administration of Quebec (BCCAQ). She has been on the Boards of Elizabeth House, Women on the Rise, the Black Community Resource Centre (BCRC) and is currently a member of the Rev. Dr. Charles Este Scholarship Committee. She has a strong interest in theatre going back to the Negro Theatre Arts Club and has been a long-time supporter of BTW. She has been a member of the Black Theatre Workshop Board of Directors since 2015.
Carolyn Griffith
Board Member
Carolyn Griffith Is the director of finance and operations for a Quebec organization committed to serving the needs of the legal community and has her CPA designation. Carolyn is native Montrealer. Carolyn has over 20 years of progressive experience as a compliance professional within the financial services industry. She is a believer in being proactive rather than reactive. Carolyn is a proud graduate of both Concordia University and McGill University. She brings to the board extensive experience in identifying, evaluating and mitigating risk in a heavily regulated industry. She comes with a proven track record within the compliance function in analysis, implementing and testing controls. Carolyn recently joined the board of directors of the Black Theatre Workshop in 2022. She is delighted to be part of the board and is excited to contribute to the living legacy of the Black Theatre Workshop.
Black Theatre Workshop is Canada’s longest running Black theatre company and is committed to reflecting Black culture and community by developing and providing visibility for Black Canadian artists. Black Theatre Workshop is an award-winning English-speaking theatre company based in Montreal, Quebec.
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