about grt air

Ghost River Theatre’s Artists-in-Residence (GRT AiR) program (GRT AiR) is designed to support, foster, and develop theatre creators within the Calgary performing arts community. It’s an opportunity for Ghost River Theatre to exchange practices and share resources with artists, ad-hoc groups, and independent companies that are exploring and experimenting with new approaches to creating live performance.

You can find out more about the program, as well as our in company-in-residence this year Ellipsis Tree Collective, by following the button below.

Christopher Clare is an actor and dancer from Calgary, Alberta. A B-Boy by trade since 1996, he helped found one of the oldest break crews in Calgary. By chance Chris found himself doing a stage read of a play in 2010. From then, it’s been these two passions driving him forward. As a mostly self taught student, Chris has done a lot of on the job training. So through the support of local theater organizations, he continues to develop and enjoy this art life.

Janelle Cooper is an award-winning Actor, Director, Writer and Educator. She is a founder and the Artistic Director of Ellipsis Tree Collective. Janelle's passion for storytelling, connection and community has shifted her career from acting to directing in recent years, and in 2019 she was shortlisted as a finalist for The Gina Wilkinson Emerging Director's prize. Janelle is the creator of the web series “The Call Out" – a show that discusses various forms and instances of racism and this system's effect on the racially marginalized. Janelle is currently working on a Supernatural YA novel about a Black teen named Xandra Curtis who uncovers a family secret that changes everything she thought she knew about the Womxn who came before her... and herself.

Luis Fernandes is an actor/writer/producer of theatre and co-founder of the Unit 102 Actors Company in Toronto. A  graduate of York University's Creative Ensemble Program, Luis has long championed the creation of new work whether through the creation of affordable theatrical spaces such as The Assembly Theatre in Parkdale (a 60 seat black box in Toronto's West End) or his own original work which includes the popular P-Dale comedy series,  2015's Comedy/Horror Mash-up THE HUNGRY and 2020's Sci-Fi comedy Epic THE IMAGINATION CRYSTAL.  Luis is gratetful to be part of this creative team and have the opportunity to come out West and humbly learn from these amazing artists.

Adora Nwofor aka Statuesse is your typical everyday awkward Amazon Goddess next door. She leads with grace and humor even when not intended. Comedian and host, she is well rounded and a 2020 Calgary Herald Compelling Calgarian making an impact on Turtle Island. From co-producing and styling community content with Shaw Cable, hosting events like Folkfest, Cariwest and Reggaefest, to making folx jaws drop with comedy at Nubian Disciples, your local Comedy club or Gogo Battles, she isn’t afraid to tell THE edgy story you needed. A people lover, getting a look into new communities is her newest adventure. “Living a Creative Life on YouTube” explores how people have continued to express themselves despite a pandemic. That’s not all; there’s also public speaking (at U of C, Mount Royal and Capilano university in the past year), activism (you saw 2020 but she has been on it), wardrobe styling and modeling in the YYC, all like she’s having a party. Maybe she IS the party!

Danielle Simon is thrilled to be working with Ghost River Theatre and Ellipsis Tree Collective for the first time. You may have seen her in previous Calgary Young People’s Theatre productions such as RUNS IN THE FAMILY, SNOW WHITE or FOMO (Or What Shakespeare Did During The Plague). Most recently, Danielle wrote and directed a show called ‘The Waiting Room’ for the 2021 CYPT Cannonball Festival. Danielle would like to thank Jamie Dunsdon, Kristin Eveleigh and Violet Griffiths. @daniellexsimon