Staff

Whittyn Jason (they/them/theirs) is a queer, non-binary, mixed-race artist of South African and Ukrainian descent. They live and primarily create in amiskwacîwâskahikan (colonially known as Edmonton), where they work as a scenographer/lighting designer and Festival Director for Found Fest (Common Ground Arts Society). Whittyn is a member of the ADC, and holds a BFA in Theatre Design from the University of Alberta.
whittynjason@commongroundarts.ca

Mac Brock (he/him) is your friendly neighbourhood queer prairie playwright, performer, and producer. Basically, he’s a words guy. As the Managing Producer for Common Ground Arts Society, he oversees Found Festival and RISER Edmonton, CG’s other flagship program. He’s worked with Citadel Theatre, Edmonton Fringe Theatre, Globe Theatre, Edmonton Heritage Council, and more. His play Boy Trouble was nominated for Outstanding Fringe Production at the Sterling Awards, and he has written a bunch of other gay nonsense too.
macbrock@commongroundarts.ca

Frances Girard (they/them) is a settler and artist on Treaty Six in what is colonially known as Edmonton. As a full-time dabbler and part-time daydreamer, they are happiest when they get to make magic happen. I am honoured to be a part of the Found Festival team and can’t wait to see how it grows in the future. Stay safe and take care friends!

Shannon Lin (she/her/hers) holds a BFA in Dance and has been a dance teacher, performer, and choreographer for independent and interdisciplinary projects. She has taken on odd jobs in administration, events and production, and is passionate about moving to music and typing things.

Deviani Andrea is a dance artist based in Amiskwaciwâskahikan / Edmonton. Originally from Mexico City, she holds a BA in Literature by the University of Mexico and studied at the Mexico City’s Dance School and Ema Pulido’s Dance Studio. She has performed with SkirtsAfire, Mile Zero Dance, Fringe Festival, Found Festival and Orchesis Dance Society, and has choreographed for the Alberta Musical Theatre Company.

This summer she’s going to perform the final version of her solo ESPARTANAE, work as Artistic Liaison for Found Festival and collaborate with Shammy Belmore as part of the Creative Exchange Project by the CanDance Network. 

Saint Tawfik (they/them) is a Black queer Muslim multidisciplinary artist, producer, and community organizer living in Amiskwaciwaskahikan with their spouse and far too many cats. After learning under Timiro Mohamed’s Youth Poet Laureate Mentorship, Saint went on to be shortlisted for Edmonton’s 9th Poet Laureate. This summer they worked with Nextfest as an emerging producer and currently manage The Chatroom YEG, their BIPOC-centred virtual open mic night. Saint also runs a small business, In Loving Colour Studios, exploring metalsmithing, avant-garde jewelry-making, and a variety of other mediums of expression.

Jasmine Hopfe (she/her) is an emerging theatre artist, producer, and administrator based in amiskwacîwâskahikan (colonially known as Edmonton) and heading into her last year of the BA Honors Drama program at the University of Alberta. Coming from her last position with Common Ground Arts Society as Associate Producer for the RISER 2022 program, she is thrilled to take on the role of Box Office & Front-of-House Manager for what is sure to be a lively and fun Found Festival! 

Nelly (she/her) is an Arts Administrator from Ontario. She has worked as an Assistant Producer with the Nextfest Arts Company. She is thrilled to be part of her first Found Festival.

Ash Hicks (they/she) is an emerging playwright, performer, and dramaturg currently based in  amiskwaciwâskahikan (Edmonton, AB).  They hold a BA Honours Drama (First Class Standing) from the University of Alberta, and have trained in clown and neo-bouffon at the Manitoulin Conservatory for Creation & Performance, where they were a 2018 artist-in-residence.

Jennie is a graduate from the University of Alberta’s where she studied Tech Theatre specializing in Stage Management. She is City Manager for Fever Labs, managing their events that launched last summer at various venues; Candlelight Concert Series and Dining in the Dark. Jennie is looking forward to also joining the US team to launch Candlelight Concert Series in Portland, Oregon by the end of the year. Jennie also has a small studio of beginner to intermediate violin students.

Tynan (he/him) has worked with CGAS since its second Found Festival and loves doing “computer stuff” in the arts scene.