Editors

Megan Mooney - Editor-in-chief

Megan loves being in the thick of all things theatre, but her ultimate goal is to promote theatre to the world of non-theatre people. Whether it’s as the theatre writer for blogTO, the Fringe Correspondent for CBC Radio One‘s Here and Now, or as the editor of the publication Mooney on Theatre. Her basic belief is that there is theatre/performance out there for everyone to love, they just need to find it. This is not to be confused with the idea that everyone should love theatre for theatre’s sake, in fact, as obsessed as she is with theatre, even *she* doesn’t love all types of theatre.

Megan started writing about theatre for blogTO. She was in it for the free tickets. In the end she got way more than just the opportunity to see some free theatre, it reignited her passion for theatre. It’s really no surprise that passion returned eventually, her childhood was filled with performing plays for teddy bears and stuffed bunnies (these days she only does that on very rare occasions). After seeing theatre performed for an audience with a circulatory system she was hooked. When she grew up she headed to university to learn more about theatre. And now, after a hiatus to do mundane things like paying back student loans, she’s made her way back to theatre and carved herself out a little corner of the internet here.

Wayne Leung – Managing Editor

Wayne is a writer, editor and corporate communications professional who is thrilled to be a part of the Mooney on Theatre team. Wayne has loved theatre ever since his aunt brought him to a production of Les Misérables at the tender age of ten . . . despite the fact that, at that age, the show’s plot was practically indiscernible and the battle scenes scared the bejeezus out of him. Wayne’s current list of likes runs the gamut from opera, ballet and Shakespeare to Broadway musicals, circus and Fringe theatre. Outside of the theatre Wayne’s interests include travel, technology and food.

Sonia Borkar – Editor

Sonia is a communications professional learning the ropes of the editorial and theatre world. Her educational background is in the business end of the fashion industry with an emphasis on public relations and marketing. Sonia interned with a theatre company for youth in high school and that’s when her love for Toronto theatre began. Since then she has worked various positions within the entertainment industry to fuel her passion. In addition to Mooney on Theatre, she currently writes for interior design and fashion blogs.

Tiffany Budhyanto – Editor

Tiffany is a professional copywriter with a background in political science and web writing. She is relatively new to the world of theatre and is interested in learning more about the industry. In high school, she was a playwright for the drama club and was also voted “Most Likely to Write a Musical” in her senior yearbook.

Senior Writers

Dana Lacey
Dana is a freelance writer living in Toronto, meaning she’ll work for food or bike parts or theatre tickets. Working for Mooney on Theatre joins her two loves: writing and criticizing. Dana’s brain doesn’t carry an ounce of theatre theory: she exhausted her acting career in high school, where she spent many nights failing to memorize her lines before realizing she’d be better off on the other side of the stage, the side that just sits there and passes judgment. Journalism school was a natural extension of this. It equipped her with the ability to write about stuff she loves but knows nothing about.

Sam Mooney
Sam has just moved back to Canada after living in the south of France for 7 years. Everything she knows about theatre she learned from her amazing daughter Megan – the Mooney in Mooney on Theatre. She’s one of those people who used to find theatre intimidating. Not the big shows, but anything a little less than mainstream. When she isn’t visiting Toronto she lives in Priceville and makes web sites.
Her top two theatre memories:
- Taking a 7 year-old Megan to see Charlie’s Aunt at one of the lavish old rococo theatres in London. After looking around at the gilt, the ornate plaster, and the velvet Megan said “I didn’t know that ordinary people could come to a place like this.”
- Going to a matinee performance of Fences on Broadway in 1987 when at least half the audience was suburban Baptists. They talked to the characters, shouted encouragement, disapproval, and warnings. When the play ended and the audience was standing waiting to leave the woman in the next seat hugged her and said, “That was the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen. Wasn’t that the most amazing thing you’ve ever seen?“

Crystal Wood
Crystal loves to write; Crystal loves theatre. So, Crystal eventually put 2 + 2 together and got this sweet gig writing for Mooney on Theatre. She loves most kinds of indie theatre, but will always give bonus points for shows with spontaneous dance numbers. When she’s not checking out live shows, Crystal can be found writing cartoons for children (sometimes for money, even!), and scouring Toronto’s used bookstores and cupcake shops.

Writers

Michelle Barker
Michelle is currently studying theatre at Ryerson University in Toronto. As such, she has little or no concept of money or its value in life. She does, however, have a love for all things theatre and all things that force people to inadvertently pay attention to her. Having been raised in a small farming town largely populated by cows, Michelle is thrilled to live in downtown Toronto and to embrace all that the theatre community has to offer. Apart from theatre, Michelle loves sushi, long walks in the city, Daniel Day-Lewis, Redbull, Blackberrys, good grammar, the concept of shoe horns, and palpable sarcasm.

Heather Bellingham
Officially, Heather Bellingham studied film at Humber College and English and Theatre at UofT. She has worked in numerous creative fields, such as theatre, radio, and film. She has written for various websites since 2009. Unofficially, Heather began performing by dancing on tables at McDonalds as a two-year-old. At the age of 8 she declared she wanted to take acting lessons, and within 7 years she was teaching the acting classes she had started in. She’s performed in community theatre in the Durham Region, and worked backstage on a wide variety of shows. She’s just started jumping into directing (which she desperately wants to do more of) and playwrighting (which she’s just started, so she hasn’t really shown anyone what she’s written yet). She’s also a total nerd, with an obsession with Star Trek (look out for her at conventions), fantasy novels, Dungeons and Dragons and video games. Follow her on Twitter at @bluealbow4eva.

S. Bear Bergman
S. Bear Bergman has great faith n the power of theatre to make change, and has been putting his money where his mouth is on that one for some time. A writer, performer, and lecturer, Bear works full time as an artist and cultural worker and loves to see as much live perfomance as possible – making this a fantastic gig for him.

Adam Collier
Adam wants to learn as much about theatre as he can, to become a better playwright. Going to new works and having a chance to think over them again is essential. He doesn’t believe there’s such a thing as the perfect play, and isn’t particularly interested in judging work in relation any criteria. What interests him most is how a play explores the world – whatever the world of a particular play happens to be – how that world impacts on characters, and how characters impact one another. This is the art of theatre. It continuously fascinates Adam and is the reason he pursues this art as strongly as he can.

Tasha DiLorento
Tasha DiLoreto is a Public Historian and a Copywriter who recently moved to Toronto to get a taste of the big city. Loving every minute of it, she is excited to take a peek into Toronto’s vibrant arts community and learn more about theatre, something which she admittedly knows very little about. She loves to read, write and is hopelessly addicted to Mad Men. When she’s not blogging about her delicious food and cupcake creations, you can find her browsing through any of Toronto’s many museums or convincing people that vegetarian sushi still counts as sushi!

Dorianne Emmerton
Dorianne is a graduate of the Theatre and Drama Studies joint program between University of Toronto, Erindale campus and Sheridan College. She writes short stories, plays and screenplays and was delighted to be accepted into the 2010 Diaspora Dialogues program and also to have her short story accepted into the 2011 edition of *TOK: Writing The New Toronto* collection. She is also a regularly contributing writer on http://www.sexlifecanada.ca. You can follow her on twitter @headonist if you like tweets about cats, sex, food, queer stuff and lefty politics.

Lucy Eveleigh
Lucy has been living in Toronto and Montreal for the last 10 years although she is originally from England. Lucy has been an actor and improviser but these days she is more likely to be found behind the scenes, running theatres, creating festivals or teaching theatre to kids.

Adelina Fabiano
Adelina has been passionate about theatre from the time her grade 5 elementary teacher cast her as the female “Eboneezer Scrooge” in a school play. Originally from Calgary, Adelina completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Drama from the University of Calgary followed by a Bachelor of Education degree in hopes of sharing her passion for the arts with others. She has always been and continues to be an active member in community theatre while sharing her enthusiasm for theatre with her young students. As much as Adelina loves performing in plays, she continues to be inspired and motivated by the creative work of fellow performing artists she is so fortunate to see with Mooney on Theatre.

Keira Grant
Keira Grant has enjoyed a passion for music and drama her entire life. From her grass roots in school and church musicals she went on to a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music from York and a Master’s of Music from Western in Literature & Performance. Keira worked very hard to inject a radical, anti-oppressive perspective in discussions with class-mates and professors alike while learning to perform the works of countless dead, white men. Although she currently spends her days helping her employer constructively address the Nurse Jackies of the health care system she does so with a song in her heart. Keira is very exc ited and eager to share beautiful and challenging music with the smart and sexy people gathered here tonight.

Nadaa Hyder
Nadaa is an emerging artist in the Toronto art scene, specializing in Sculpture and Installation art. Although she really enjoys watching theatre, she doesn’t quite find the time to go to shows. Mooney on Theatre is a perfect way to get a chance to check out some good theatre, and also get involved in spreading the word about theatre.

George Perry
George has always been passionate about theatre, but didn’t know it. As a young boy he was mesmerized by professional wrestling. “Rowdy” Roddy Piper was an early role model. Shortly thereafter, the explosive histrionics of Pete Townshend would supersede this Canadian icon. George’s attention later turned to American theatre. Jello Biafra became a seminal influence. The “Do It Yourself” ethic was firmly embraced by Perry, and he ventured into the vast repetoire of artists like Paul Westerberg and Steve Albini. As a young adult, he was re-introduced to the works of Townshend. His then girlfriend, Michelle, was hugely impressed by the theatrical production of The Who’s “Tommy”. He meandered through factories, schools, border towns and Michigan for a very long time afterwards. He eventually landed in Toronto. All these influences were brought together in one kettle when George discovered Mooney on Theatre. He understands and personifies that theatre is indeed for everyone. To further this end goal, he contributes.

Jenna Rocca
Jenna has been reviewing theatre and film academically since 2001 and has been writing for her blog since 2004. She recently completed her Master’s degree in Communications and Culture Studies at Ryerson Universtiy producing a short documentary of interviews with theatre amateurs and professionals involved with the Arts and Letters Club of Toronto. She has also been a theatre practicitioner since birth, staging her first production at the age of 8. More recently, she directed fellow reviewer Ryan Kerr in a production of the off-Broadway classic Little Shop of Horrors at Hart House Theatre, in which she also voiced the Plant, Audrey II. She hopes to continue her life as an arbiter and architect of aesthetic ideals. She can be found on Twitter, tumbl.r, and Facebook. She is currently working on her memoirs.

Mira Saraf
Mira didn’t know a great deal about theatre until she met Megan. Schooled in number crunching and retail merchandising, she quit her full time corporate job to enter the world of writing and editing. Mooney on Theatre’s non-star-rated, demystification of theatre mandate appealed to her so she jumped on board. Theatre quickly became one of her favorite things to do, particularly because she could then combine it with one of her other favorite things to do: write.

Winston Soon
Winston knows a thing or two about theatre. A degree in English and Theatre from Queen’s University really helps, at times. Win has written for many magazines and blogs under various names including Chatelaine….welll, mostly just Chatelaine. The issue has soup on the cover. And whatever the review says she really, really wants you to know that she appreciates what you were trying to do on stage there. Please don’t blame her if it didn’t work.

Samantha Wu
Samantha is a recent journalism graduate and very avid blogger writing on varying topics from sex to spirituality to music and now theatre. If that says anything about her it’s that she’s not afraid to explore and be honest. She spent her high school years clinging to the theatre department like it was the best place on earth, and for those five years it was. Writing for Mooney on Theatre allows her to blissfully marry her two loves of theatre and blogging together and she couldn’t be more excited. When she’s not attached to her laptop, she likes to explore Toronto with her camera in tow, experience live music as much as live theatre, and share drinks with a rowdy crowd of creative types.

Previous Contributors

Ryan Kerr
Ryan is a Toronto-based freelance designer, videographer, and writer who is so grateful to be contributing to Mooney On Theatre whenever he can. He has also written for ION Magazine, and self-published his first book “On Growin’ Up” (ongrowinup.com) in May of 2010. In his spare time, Ryan also posts photos of delicious coffees to his tumblr: tojoe.tumblr.com.

Alex Rayment
Alex got involved in theatre during his early years of high school. The productions were always enjoyable to put on but mostly Alex just liked making people laugh. Since then, his career taken him away from performing and into everything from architecture and visual arts to now film production and writing. Alex has kept a distant hand on theatre via amateur improv and small local plays, deciding that a behind the scenes role was more suited to his tastes. Now given the opportunity to write about his once mistress his infatuation returns. Alex writes solely for personal fame and fortune at the expense of anything and anyone that gets in his way. He is also coming to the realization that he is therefore in the wrong business.

Leanne Milech
Leanne was the Associate Editor of Mooney on Theatre, but has moved on to peruse her children’s books. She is a lawyer turned writer, or a writer turned lawyer turned writer. She is obsessed with all things artsy and literary – even copy editing (if copy editing can be called literary)! Her first loves as a child were writing and acting. If you look back in time, through a peephole, you can see her in her room, seven years old, with a sprinkle of freckles across her nose, writing her own plays and acting them out. She played all of the parts, but she most enjoyed playing identical twins. Now she plays herself and writes and edits for Mooney on Theatre, blogs for Precedent Magazine as a cultural critic and runs her own children’s book publishing company.

Darryl D’Souza
Darryl was the Assistant Editor at Mooney on Theatre from October 2009 to February 2010. His main experience with theatre has been through opera and classical theatre but joining MoT has expanded his repertoire to include more contemporary work.

Erin Klee
Erin began her career in the performing arts in 2000 when she quietly slipped into the construction shop of Madison’s University Theatre. She approached the person who seemed to be in charge and confessed her love of performance – and her sincere interest in (and total ignorance of) technical theatre. She offered to sweep floors, make coffee, or do any other menial tasks that would allow her to be immersed in the arts. He laughed – and immediately hired her as a spotlight operator. Here it is, 2008, that love of performing arts hasn’t faded, Mooney on Theatre presents yet another avenue to explore that.

John Bourke
John’s been a theatre junkie since he was a kid. He was well ensconced in theatre in high school, enough that he immediately headed out to work for a theatre lighting company so he could ‘stay in the biz’. He soon learned that he wanted to learn more about the why behind theatre, not just the ‘what’, so he headed off to get a degree in theatre. He has a 9-5 job, but still likes to keep himself involved in theatre when he’s not at work. He may or may not be writing for this publication just to see shows for free…

Henry Smith
Henry is not an actor or writer. He is a musician who for years also wrote a popular blog (under a pseudonym), which is how he met Megan. Surrounded by his more-artistic friends has given Henry an appreciation for theatre, while being too uninformed to become a snob. If Henry took up a career treading the boards, he would be best suited following a broom. The man-on-the-street opinion, if you will.

Kathy Morgan
Kathy’s crazy busy as an actor, singer and waitress extraordinaire.

Lucy Allen
Lucy’s just gotten back into the theatre world, one of those ways is by writing for Mooney on Theatre.

Olya Ryabets
Olya is completing her Masters in theatre.

Ryan Oakley
Ryan has no career in theater, no love of it and no particular interest in it. He does, however, love getting dressed up and looking at things. He has been called “shallow,” “cold,” “misanthropic” and “Satan” by people who like him and unprintable things by those who don’t. He waits tables, tends bar and washes dishes for money, writes ultra-violent science fiction for fun and keeps a blog, The Grumpy Owl, for no reason at all.

Trent Scherer
Holding a B.A. from UBC and a M.A. from University of Toronto in Theatre , Trent was a co-Artistic Director for 3 Men of Sin Theatre Productions producing over forty plays within its eight year lifespan. Trent has taught Acting at the University College of the Cariboo, History of Costume and History of Canadian Theatre at George Brown, Theatre courses at the secondary level as well as coordinated and created children’s theatre for The ’Loopy Players. Trent is a member of C.A.E.A. and has stage managed for theatres in BC and Ontario. He also has a small photography business doing headshots and portraiture.