After the Trojan Women

Amena Shehab (she/her) is an Arab-Canadian actress, playwright, and producer with a passion for storytelling. After the Trojan Women is her debut production as a playwright. She’s made a real impact on Edmonton’s theatre scene since her debut in Nine Parts of Desire (Maggie Tree) in 2017 and has also performed in Souls, Medea, and The Amazonamachy, among others. Her performance as a mother trying to escape a war zone in the one-woman show Hagar (Edmonton Fringe 2023 and Edinburgh Fringe 2024, Scotland) was hailed as an ‘achingly emotional tour-de-force’ (Broadway Baby).

Amena’s migration experiences deeply inform her work, inspiring stories that explore resilience, identity, and belonging. As The Shoe Project coordinator (Workshop West and Skirts-A-Fire), she empowers newcomer women. Amena’s artistic achievements have been widely recognized. In 2023, she received the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Arts Awards: Creative Encouragement Award and was named a recipient of the Edmonton Artists’ Trust Fund (EATF).”

Joanna (she/her) is a British-Irish playwright and journalist. After the Trojan Woman is her debut production. Her first solo play Twice Born, about a woman living alone in the woods, was commended by the Verity Bargate Award jury in 2022 – one of the UK’s most prestigious new playwriting competitions. She produced Hagar: War Mother at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2024, supported by London’s Soho Theatre. She co-wrote No Woman’s Land with Amena Shehab, showcased in Workshop West’s Springboards festival in 2022. She worked for international news network Al Jazeera in the Gulf state of Qatar for eight years, covering the Syrian war, and continues to work in news media. She has a Classics BA from Durham University, Poetics of the Imagination MA from Dartington Arts School, and studied at The West Country School of Myth. Her ongoing artistic practice includes non-stylized movement responding to the natural world.

Liz Hobbs is a theatre director, multi-disciplinary performer, festival producer, and instructor based in Amiskwaciwâskahikan (Edmonton), Alberta on Treaty 6 territory. She holds an MFA in Directing from the University of Alberta. Selected directing credits include Fish at the Bottom of the Sea (Screaming Goats Collective), The Secret Garden, Romeo and Juliet (Shuswap Theatre), assistant directing 4000 Miles (Westport Country Playhouse in Connecticut), Everybody, Bug, Iphigenia 2.0, and The Secret in the Wings (University of Alberta), 13 Encounters at the Bottom of the Sea (Fringe Theatre Spotlight Series), Featuring Loretta, Criminal Genius, An Evening with Satan, Judith, The End of Civilization, Dirt (Punctuate! Theatre), Win the Warrior (Pandoric Productions), Encounters, assistant directing Venus in Fur (Citadel Theatre), Macbeth and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Theatre Prospero). She is currently the Director of Programming and Communications for the Edmonton International Street Performers Festival and is also directing/teaching University of Alberta’s Drama 457 production of Argonautika.

Marian Brant is an arts administrator, production manager, stage manager, stage technician and instructor, based in Amiskwaciwâskahikan (Edmonton). Administrative credits include; Edmonton International Street Performers Festival, Workshop West Playwrights’ Theatre and Concrete Theatre. Production Manager credits include; Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, River City Shakespeare Festival, Alberta Baroque Ensemble and Chamber Orchestra of Edmonton. Stage management credits include; Catalyst Theatre, Citadel Theatre, Theatre Network, L’UniThéâtre, and Edmonton Opera. From 1999 to 2013 Marian taught Stage and Production Management in the MacEwan University Theatre Production Program. Marian is grateful to have been invited to participate in the premiere production of After the Trojan Women.

Kristi Hansen (she/they) is a disabled Theatre Artist. Kristi has worked as an actor with Catalyst Theatre, the Confed Centre, Vertigo Theatre, Theatre Aquarius, NAC, Theatre Network, Edmonton Opera, Wildside Productions, Northern Light Theatre, L’Unithéâtre, Ghost River Theatre, Freewill Players, the Citadel Theatre, Teatro la Quindicina, Shadow Theatre, the Mayfield Dinner Theatre, Azimuth Theatre, the Alberta Workers’ Health Centre, Concrete Theatre, and Firefly Theatre. As a Director, their credits include Cycle (Thou Art Here), Confessions or a Sex Worker (Red Umbrella Productions), Shatter (The Maggie Tree), Fake ‘n Bake (Oh Hello! Productions), and Work Plays (AWHC). Hansen co-founded The Maggie Tree, whose mandate is to support the development and visibility of women and people of underrepresented genders in the arts. Kristi is the former co-Artistic Producer of Azimuth Theatre and Associate Artist at the Citadel Theatre. She is currently working with the Citadel Theatre as their Accessibility Coordinator for their 2024/25 season.

Annette (she/her) is an actor, director, teacher, producer and writer working in theatre for over 35 years. She is the Former Artistic Director and 2012 co-founder of SkirtsAfire and co-founder and 25-year Artistic Associate of Freewill Shakespeare Festival (FWP), both beloved Edmonton festivals. As an actor, some favorite roles/productions include Beatrice in “Much Ado About Nothing” (Sterling Nomination), Elizabeth in “Richard III” (Both FWP), “Fly Me To The Moon”, Shadow Theatre, “Rabbit Hole” ATP Calgary, “It’s a Wonderful Life”, WCT Kamloops, “Strike The Musical”, Workshop West, “A Christmas Carol”, The Citadel Theatre, and “Little Women the Broadway Musical”, Rosebud Theatre. She has 2 Sterling Awards, is a top 3 finalist for a Christopher Plummer Award of Excellence in Shakespeare, a 2019 Global Woman of Vision Award and a 2022 Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal. She is thrilled to be performing in her first Greek Tragedy with Amena and Joanna’s inspired new play.

Michelle Todd (she/her) is so honoured to be working with this beautiful cast of amazing people! I fell in love with this amazing story by our playwrights when we started workshopping it in 2019 and is thrilled to be bringing it to the stage!
An Edmonton native, Michelle has been active in the arts community for over 25 years as an actor, writer, choreographer, director, facilitator, and producer. A graduate of MacEwan’s Theatre Arts program, Michelle recently performed in Tiny Beautiful Things, Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike (Shadow Theatre), Black Widow Gun Club, Lady Porn, Destination Wedding, Destination Vegas (Whizgiggling Productions), Mass Debating (100% More Girls), Snow White (Edmonton Repertory Theatre) Skylar (Theatre Network), until the next breath (Catalyst), Open Invitation (Saint Maggie Productions), and SLUT (Northern Light Theatre). Her latest piece Hoodies was written for Concrete Theatre’s Anti-Racism and Change project for Theatre for Young Audiences.

Jasmine Hopfe (she/they) is a queer, Egyptian/European, multidisciplinary theatre artist, producer, and arts administrator from the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations (specifically Vancouver, British Columbia), currently living and working in amiswaciwâskahikan (Edmonton, Alberta). They graduated from the University of Alberta with a BA in Drama (Honours) in 2023, and their theatrical practice is currently focused on performance, dramaturgy, and playwriting. Recent theatre credits include: Rosie in Brick Shithouse (Found Festival), Assistant Production Dramaturg on among men (Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre), Ann in All My Sons (Walterdale Theatre), and Cassandra in Stir Crazy (Edmonton Fringe Festival). She is so grateful to be a part of telling this story, and grateful for everyone who has come to listen.

Steph (she/they) is an emerging artist born and raised in Calgary, and is proud to call Mohkintsis her home. She graduated with a BFA in Drama from the University of Calgary, and is so grateful to have the chance to work in Edmonton with this amazing team on an equally amazing show! When not in rehearsal, driving to rehearsal, or buying gas to keep driving to rehearsal, they enjoy spending time with their bunny Lugh, whose name isn’t pronounced the way you probably just read it. Recent credits include Argonautika (UCalgary SCPA), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Theatre Calgary), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (again) (Shakespeare Company YYC).

Julia van Dam (she/her) is a Dutch/Canadian actor, singer and producer. She holds a BFA in acting from the University of Alberta, a Theatre Performance and Creation diploma from Red Deer College, and Meisner training from the William Esper Studio in NYC.
Select credits include: THE MAIDS (Putrid Brat), MONSTRESS, A PHOENIX TOO FREQUENT (Northern Light Theatre), LITTLE WOMEN (Opera Nuova), DRACULA, DON JUAN COMES BACK FROM THE WAR (Studio Theatre), SOME GIRLS (Central Alberta Theatre), and a 250 show run on a 6 month tour in Italy with Teatrino.
Big love and thanks to her family, friends and Joel, and to YOU for being here and supporting live theatre.

Monica (she/her) (@monicaagate) is an Italian/Mi’kmaw actor, producer, dramaturg, and playwright based in amiskwaciwâskahikan. When she’s not onstage, Monica can be found dreading having to write a bio, or producing cool art with Theatre Yes, and teaching performing arts courses with Workshop West Playwrights’ Theatre and the Film and Video Arts Society of Alberta (FAVA). She has worked with a variety of theatres across Canada on new productions such as Thou Art Here Theatre, Theatre By The Bay, and Shadow Theatre. Monica is very passionate about using theatre as a socio-political tool, and is very honoured to be a part of such a moving, impactful, and needed story. She’d like to thank Amena and Joanna for their compassion and bravery, Common Ground Arts for making things possible, and Duolingo for helping out with her Arabic.

Tatiana Duque (She/her) is an actor-creator and theater artist from Colombia, currently based in Edmonton – Amiskwaciwâskahikan. Tatiana has great interest in actor training, ensemble work, collaborative creation, and Latin American theatre and has trained in Collective Creation with Teatro la Candelaria (Colombia) and Theatre Anthropology with Eugenio Barba and Odin Teatret (Denmark).

Some of her work credits include being co-founder and actor of ten years ensemble Teatro de la Ciudad from Cali-Colombia, with whom she produced, performed and toured with Cuarto Frio and Salon Unisex; and co-produced Oc Ye Nechca with an Iberescena Grant for International Co-production between Mexico-Chile-Colombia. Her credits in Edmonton include Medea (Studio Theatre), Voy Soñando, Voy Caminando (Memoria Viva Society), Ms Kowalchuk Walking Tour (Kaleido Festival); The Popol Vuh Project (Popol Vuh Collective), and most recently, El Funeral (Diaspora Diaries Collective).

Tatiana feels delighted and grateful to be a part of After the Trojan Women and this talented ensemble!

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Autumn Strom (she/they) is a transfem theatre artist based in amiskwaciwâskahikan. She is a graduate of the University of Alberta’s BFA in Acting program. Select theatre credits include: Acting in Bull (Fringe 2024), The Immaculate Perfection […] (BodyCube Arts Collective/HPR), The Comedy of Errors (Theatre Calgary), Love, Kurt (MAA & PAA Theatre), and The Game of Love and Chance (Primestock Theatre), Sound Design for MINE (Common Ground Arts Society/RISER), Kneeture’s Gift (Mile Zero Dance), OWEaDEBT and @interWEBBED (HEYwire Theatre), and Directing The S.P.O.T.T. (Squawk Theatre), and Pressure (GemmaTone Productions).
You can also catch Autumn performing nearly every weekend at Rapid Fire Theatre, or see her debut work as a playwright this May as part of The Doorstep Plays by Theatre YES. Autumn sends big love to the whole cast and crew of After the Trojan Women, and to her wonderful partner Sophie.

Chris Kavanagh (he/him) has been working as a skilled technician in the entertainment industry for 20 years and started volunteering at a local theatre when he was 14. Years of working with some of the best in the industry have taught him so much and given Chris the chance to keep on learning, growing and improving. He has dedicated the last few years of his work to large-scale festivals and live events, with 15 years at the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festivals under his belt starting in 2009. Chris is currently the Director of Operations at the Arts Barns.

Kat Evans (she/her) is a freelance professional Artist, Designer, Creator, Producer, PM/TD, Technician and Stage Manager based in Amiskwaciy-Wâskahikan (Edmonton, Alberta) on Treaty 6 Territory, Metis Regional Council 4. She holds a BFA in Theatre Design from the University of Alberta, and is the Co-Founder of The October People Productions. She specializes in practical SFX and immersive design for theatre, film, and escape room experiences. Since 2011, Kat has also been a core creative team member of the Dead Centre of Town Collective, with Catch the Keys Productions.
In addition to stand-alone productions, Kat is involved in several festivals and presentation series throughout the year, including The Edmonton International Fringe Festival, RISER Edmonton, and Play the Fool Festival. She is honored to have multiple Sterling Awards nominations for her Design work and in the category of Outstanding Individual Achievement in Production (Production Manager).
Recent credits include: PM/TD and SM for The Spinsters (Small Matters Productions – Touring Production 2023-25), PM/TD & Mentor for RISER (Common Ground Arts Society), PM/TD and Lighting Designer for Freaky Green Eyes (Screaming Mantis in assoc. with Punctuate! Theatre and Fringe Theatre 2023), Costume and Props Associate for Nevermore (Catalyst Theatre, Vertigo Theatre 2023), PM/TD and Stage Manager Anahita’s Republic (Au Tash Productions 2023), PM/TD & Lighting/Costume/Makeup/Set/Props/SFX Design for Dead Centre of Town (Catch the Keys Productions 2011-present), Costume Designer/Production Design Associate for Ren and the Wake (Catch the Keys Productions 2022)

Rebecca (she/her) is a theatre artist living and working in Amiskwascîwâskahikan. She works mainly in the areas of costume, set, and lighting design. She is excited to be back working with Common Ground, having previously worked on The Debut (2024) and MINE (2023). Select credits include The Two Battles of Francis Pegahmagabow (Shadow Theatre), Frankenstein (Victoria School of the Arts) Mermaid legs (Skirts a Fire Festival)

Ashley Weckesser is a composer and interdisciplinary artist based in Edmonton, Alberta, working in music, sound, visual art, and theatre. An emerging voice in the creative arts, her instrumental and graphic score works have premiered at the University of Alberta’s Convocation Hall with ensembles such as the Experimental Improvisation Ensemble (“XiMe”), Contemporary Music Ensemble, and Edmonton’s Ultraviolet Ensemble. Her artistic pursuits include music design for video games and film, creating animated graphic scores, experimenting with advanced music software like Max/MSP, and exploring the visual arts.

Ashley’s works have been recognized with awards for best video game audio design and numerous university scholarships. Notably, her animated graphic score A Composer’s Nightmare was featured in the Toronto 4th Multicultural Film Festival in 2021.

At the core of Ashley’s artistic practice is a dedication to emotional storytelling that sparks passion and connection. She believes music is most impactful when it conveys both narrative and emotion. Recently, she has focused on creating compositions that examine how music influences conscious and subconscious emotional responses in performers and audiences. Ashley aspires to craft music for film, video games, and live performances that engage audiences as active participants, encouraging them to create their own personal narratives and experience emotions on a profound, transcendent level.

Sarah (she/her) is an emerging theatre artist based in the Edmonton area. A recent graduate from Victoria School of the arts, she is very proud to be making her theatrical debut in the production of ‘After the Trojan Women’. She has recently been working with DARK at Fort Edmonton Park and the Edmonton Fringe Festival on their site crews, along with being the Festival Site Operations Assistant at the International Street Performers Festival. Sarah intends on furthering her technical theatre education at the University of Alberta in the fall of 2025.

Rahaf Fasheh (she/her) is a Palestinian director, performer, and educator based in Toronto. With a B.A. in Theatre from the University of Toronto, she trained at Paprika Directors Lab, Nightwood Theatre Innovators Program, and Factory Theatre’s TEP for Directing. Her debut, Tales of a City by the Sea, saw a sold-out run at Theatre Passe Muraille (2019). Since then, she has directed numerous staged readings and children’s productions. Rahaf teaches improvisation, text-analysis, and devised-theatre at Young People’s Theatre, Stagecoach, and Tarragon Theatre. She is awaiting the release of the short animation film How We Fall in Love whch she’s production managing with an international Palestinian team. Rahaf is a recipient of the OAC Career Development grant, allowing her to assistant direct at Tarragon Theatre in Toronto, and Common Ground Arts for After the Trojan Women in Edmonton in 2025. She is grateful to be part of this powerful production and its talented team!

Cliff Kelly (he/him) is a fight choreographer and performer based in Edmonton. Cliff holds a BFA from the University of Lethbridge and is an Intermediate Actor Combatant with Fight Director’s Canada. Cliff has choreographed for many companies in town including Prospero Theatre, Punctuate Theatre, Theatre Yes, and the Accidental Humour Company. Cliff was thrilled to be part of this creative team and hopes you enjoy the show.