Writers — Kingston Theatre Alliance

Alyce Soulodre (she/her) is a queer, self-taught artist and occasional academic writer living in Katarokwi/Kingston. She earned her Ph.D. in English from Queen’s University, where she explored monstrosity from Victorian novels to 1980s horror films, and taught a course on Victorian ghost fiction. She has been published in Attack of the New B Movies: Essays on Syfy Original Films (2023), and London’s East End: A Short Encyclopedia (2023). In her art practice, she focuses on the weird and wonderful of the natural world and popular culture, and her work reflects her fascination with creatures and plants of all kinds. She also serves on the Board of Directors at Kingston Arts Council and Union Gallery. She enjoys cheesy horror flicks, quaint detective novels, and tries to keep Halloween in her heart all throughout the year. Photo by Talib Ali.

Amanda Lin (she/her) is an emerging Taiwanese-Canadian theatre artist who specializes in writing, directing, performance, and marketing/outreach. She currently works at Nightwood Theatre as the Marketing and Development Assistant and has previously worked with companies such as Cahoots Theatre, fu-GEN Asian Canadian Theatre Company, Single Thread Theatre Company, and Young People’s Theatre. Amanda has a BAH in Psychology, Theatre, and Business from Queen’s University, and is particularly interested in creating accessible and inclusive theatre, focused on providing a platform for underrepresented people and stories. Visit Amanda online at amandamlin.wordpress.com

B.C. Gorrie (he/him) is a playwright, director, and comedian with a deep love for immersive and interactive theatre. Since 2013, he has worked hard to help establish the performing arts in Kingston as a thriving, celebrated, and profitable industry. B.C. is a co-founder of 6 AM Productions and has written over a dozen productions that have been run over 400 times, as featured in The Globe and Mail and on CBC. He holds a degree in drama from Queen’s University and is currently working on several immersive experience projects. When not writing for the KTA Blog, he can be found championing local artists, playing Dungeons & Dragons, or convincing people that interactive theatre isn’t just fancy improv.

Ben Sterlin (he/him) is a theatre practitioner, with a focus on performance and direction. He recently obtained his BA in Stage and Screen Studies from Queen’s University, and is now a candidate for the MA in Arts Leadership at Queen’s University. During his undergraduate career, Ben had the opportunity to produce, direct and act in multiple plays of various styles. Ben likes to create theatre that is provocative to its audiences, and places a thematic focus on the exploration of otherness

Cindy Ci (she/they) is a Chinese-Canadian drama student in her 5th year at Queen’s University in Katarokwi/Kingston who has spent over ten years working in all aspects of theatre. Some of her theatrical experiences include working with Queen’s Players as an actor and stage manager and with Theatre Kingston as their summer marketing intern. Besides watching movies and staying up way too late, Cindy enjoys engaging in endless conversations about theories surrounding theatre and shows that challenge our notion of humanity. She hopes to use this position to continue her advocacy for Asian-Canadian artists in this discipline.

Freddy Van Camp (she/her) is currently pulling double duty as a Theatre Critic with the Kingston Theatre Alliance and acting as Assistant Designer of Sets and Props at the Stratford Theatre Festival! With a BFA in Performance Creation from Concordia University, Freddy is constantly testing the limits of what that degree can do! She is thrilled to be returning to the Kingston Theatre Alliance in 2023 and keeping tabs on the Kingston Theatre Community! Instagram: freddy.vancamp

Hamza Syed Ali (he/him) has served as both a Theatre Critic, and KTA’s Executive and Administrative Assistant. He lived in Kingston to attend Queen’s University, and received his bachelor's degree in 2021; majoring in Political Studies and minoring in Religious Studies. The bulk of his theatre experience flows from his time within the Queen’s theatre community, mostly as an actor. Hamza originally joined as a writing intern on the Blog team and has since become intrigued with the organization’s nature and mission of community-centric sector development. He is currently working on receiving a JD from the University of Windsor.

Hilary Jay (she/her) is a PhD student in the Screen Cultures and Curatorial Studies program. Prior to this, she completed her B.A. in Philosophy and Art History at McGill and her M.A. in SCCS at Queen’s in 2022. Her research is engaged with the contemporary relevance of archives, time-based media, and curation. Hilary is also currently a Research Assistant in the Vulnerable Media Lab.

James Hyett (he/him) is a producer, translator, and performer who loves reimagining classical works and bringing people together across languages. He is also one of the co-founders of the First Ditch Collective, which makes audio dramas about fantastical creatures set in and around Kingston.

Jeff McGilton (he/him) is a recent master’s graduate of applied theatre studies with a passion for collaboration and community-based arts initiatives. In addition to studying at Queen’s University, his theatrical experience in Kingston includes seasons spent at Theatre Kingston, SpiderWebShow, H’art Centre and Bottle Tree Productions. With a keen eye for contextualization and considering the full scope of a project, Jeff is thrilled to be writing for the Kingston Theatre Alliance and facilitating dialogue on what he considers to be a vital art form.

Jordan Pike (she/her) is a 4th Year Film and Media student at Queen’s University. Pike is passionate about all things film and theatre - both on and off-stage, issues surrounding representation, production and reception. Upon graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in Arts and Entertainment Journalism.

Kemi King (she/her) is a writer, director, performance artist, and divisor. She is the Artistic Director of YIKES Co. Working within her practice, theatre of critical care, Kemi emphasizes relation and exploration in her work. She believes there are better ways for arts institutions and artists to co-exist, allowing for the true liberation and the radicalization of community consciousness.

Lin Young (she/her) is a PhD candidate in the English Department at Queen’s University by day, and an insatiable theatre-goer by night. She’s seen plays in basements, gardens, bars, and in old dilapidated houses, to name a few. She has been published academically on subjects as diverse as 19th-Century children's fantasy, contemporary webcomics, and Victorian vampire fiction, and has worked as Editor and contributor to Mooney on Theatre in Toronto for over five years.

Noah Laprade (he/him) is a theatre enthusiast with a keen interest in classical theatre. He is currently attending secondary school at Holy Cross Catholic Secondary with hopes to pursue the performing arts in post secondary, having already attended various courses at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. Noah is excited to be writing for the KTA Performance Blog as a way to highlight the depth of talent in his hometown.

Stefan D'Ippolito (he/him) is a dynamic writer for the theatre critic blog, balancing a Major in Computer Science and a minor in Film and Media Studies. He is passionate about the arts and technology and how one can use both mediums to display creative narratives that captivate audiences. He has joined the blog this summer and is excited to see what Kingston performing arts has to offer.

Stephanie Fung (they/she) is an interdisciplinary artist and arts worker from Tkaronto/Toronto wondering why, how, and who it is that gets to contest culture. She is also a recent graduate of Queen's University with a BAH in Drama and Indigenous Studies. As Blog Editor, Stephanie is fascinated by the concept of convention and excited to bear witness to the individuals and innovation that will emerge.

Over the last twenty-five years, Will Britton (he/him) has been involved in well over a hundred theatrical productions as producer, director, designer, stage manager and/or performer - and has had the privilege to work with the vast majority of our local theatre groups in doing so. Now taking a break from theatrical production efforts, Will is excited to be engaged by both the Kingston Whig Standard and the KTA to contribute to the ongoing discussion of how to grow, unify and celebrate Kingston’s remarkable performing arts community.

William Bartley (he/him) is a theatre artist from Tkaronto/Toronto currently based in Katarokwi/Kingston. Having trained extensively in writing, acting, and directing at York University and the Toronto Theatre Academy, he is fascinated with how classical works can be meaningfully adapted for the modern stage and contemporary audiences. William staunchly believes that at the core of great art there is a call to action, a burning question, a notion to be challenged, and a conversation to be involved in.