Susannah Artists
Soloists
click on an image for the full biography
Dylan Wright
Olin Blitch
Alexander Cappellazzo*
Little Bat
![CLEMENGER, Joshua - General Auditions (Photo)[428].jpeg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cad2c4_d779f57323844b24ab0f5bc6aa86a051~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_195,h_197,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/CLEMENGER%2C%20Joshua%20-%20General%20Auditions%20(Photo)%5B428%5D.jpeg)
Joshua Clemenger
Sam Polk
Lauren Estey Jovanovic
Susannah Polk - Feb 22, 25
Christina Bell *
Susannah Polk - Feb 24
Austin Larusson *
Elder McLean
Mike Fan 范祖铭 *
Elder Gleaton
Alvaro Vasquez
Elder Hayes
Gabriel Sanchez Ortega *
Elder Ott
Maria Milenic *
Mrs. McLean
Alexandra Delle Donne *
Mrs. Gleaton
Alannah Beauparlant
Mrs. Hayes
Amanda Weatherall
Mrs. Ott
Creative Team
click on an image for the full biography
Melissa Morris
Stage Director
Jennifer Tung
Artistic Director
Conductor Feb 24, 25
Ivan Estey Jovanovic
Music Director
PIanist
Suzanne Yeo *
Assistant Conductor - Feb 22
Logan Raju Cracknell
Lighting Designer
Alexandra Cristofides
Costume Designer
Lin-Mei Lay
Stage Manager
Vojin Vasovic
Projection Designer
Ella Farlinger *
Assistant Director
Erin Woodward *
Assistant Stage Manager
Bethany McLarty *
Assistant Stage Manager
Gabriel Graziano
Production Manager
* Azrieli Mentoring program participant
This season, TCO deepens its commitment to championing the next generation. Thanks to the generosity of the Azrieli Foundation, we will welcome ten Emerging Opera Artists to each opera in our season as participants in our Opera Mentoring Program. Our artistic team will mentor singers, conductors, directors & stage managers at a career stage where we can achieve maximum impact on future success.
Biographies
Soloists
Alexander Cappellazzo - Little Bat *
Born on the auspicious Feast Day of Bach, Handel and Purcell, it was surely fated that Alexander Cappellazzo would immerse himself in music!
Singing with “clarity and richness of voice” (Opera Canada), "force and strength” (National Capital Opera Society) and “easy delivery and fearless command of his upper register” (Barcza Blog), his past roles include Tamino, Lensky, Acis, Don Ottavio, and Oronte to name a few. Alexander sings with companies across Canada including: VOICEBOX: Opera In Concert, Toronto City Opera, Toronto Operetta Theatre, Opera By Request, OperOttawa, the Ashkenaz Festival and choirs including the Trinity Bach Project, Oakville Choral Society, Jubilate Singers, Brott Music Festival, and Metropolitan United Church.
In 2022, Alexander founded Apocryphonia and the Diapente Renaissance Vocal Quintet, dedicated to live performances of rare and underperformed classical music such as Renaissance Mexican Christmas music, Azerbaijani opera arias, and Norfolk sailor songs. In under two years, Alexander has produced eight concerts, providing unpretentious and affordable cultural events across the GTA.
Alex holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Vocal Performance and Opera from Montreal’s McGill University and is a member of the Ralph Vaughan Williams Society. Alexander currently lives in Scarborough with his wife, and their cat Beatrice.
Joshua Clemenger - Sam Polk
Tenor Joshua Clemenger began his training in the Theatre Aquarius Performing Arts Programme in Hamilton, Ontario, where he studied with Tom Oliver. He then earned a bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance with Torin Chiles at the University of Western Ontario.
After a few years teaching abroad, he returned to earn a master’s degree in Opera at the University of Toronto, studying with Lorna Macdonald. Recent opera credits include Alfred in Die Fledermaus with Toronto City Opera, Jupiter in Orpheus in the Underworld and Luiz in Gondoliers (Toronto Operetta Theatre), Jo in Mother of Us All and L’abete in Adriana (Opera in Concert), Camille in Opera York’s The Merry Widow, Alfredo in Summer Opera Lyric Theatre’s La Traviata, Count Belfiore in La Finta Giardiniera with UofT Opera, and Ferrando in Cosi Fan Tutte at La Musica Lirica.
He can’t wait to return to Toronto City Opera in Susannah and continue to spread the joy of music every Sunday at Northlea United Church.
Lauren Estey Jovanovic - Susannah Polk Feb 22 , 25
From Quispamsis, New Brunswick, soprano Lauren Estey fell in love with opera as a young chorister with Opera New Brunswick’s productions of Tosca and La Traviata. The early development of her craft was nurtured through lessons with Dr. Kevin Langford, Inuk soprano Deantha Edmunds, and renowned technician Mabel Doak.
Lauren went on to obtain her BMus at Dalhousie University with Professor Marcia Swanston where she was featured as Lauretta in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi and Belinda and the Sorceress in Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas. During her studies on the East Coast, Lauren was recognized for her skillset with the Erik Perth Memorial Award in performance excellence.
Lauren continued her vocal studies receiving a MMus of Vocal Performance and Literature at the University of Western Ontario, studying with Professor Rachel Mallon. Under Mallon’s tutelage, Lauren joined the Halifax Summer Opera Festival as the title role in Floyd's Susannah. Lauren returned for the 2016 season as the lead role in Puccini’s Suor Angelica. Additional roles include Pamina from Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, Violetta Valéry from Verdi’s La Traviata, and Cleopatra in Handel’s Giulio Cesare in Egitto.
Lauren is presently completing her doctoral studies in Historical Voice Performance at the University of Toronto in the studio of Professor Monica Whicher. In 2020-2021, Lauren received the honourable mention in UofT’s annual DMA Recital Competition. Lauren was recently featured as Anna in Toronto City Opera’s production of Verdi’s Nabucco and as Donna Anna in Mozart’s Don Giovanni.
Dylan Wright - Olin Blitch
Bass-baritone Dylan Wright is an operatic, oratorio, art song, and drag performer who has been praised for “seducing the audience with his rich, sonorous voice” (Beat Magazine).
He recently created the titular role in Andrew Ager’s new opera ‘The Mummy’ with New Opera Lyra, covered König Marke in Powerhouse Opera’s ‘Tristan und Isolde’, and sang Sarastro in Opera York’s ‘Die Zauberflöte’, Basilio in the Mississauga Symphony Orchestra's ‘Il barbiere di Siviglia’, Elmiro in Opera By Request’s performance of Rossini’s ‘Otello,’ Scarpia in Toronto City Opera’s ‘Tosca’, and Ferrando in Opera Sustenida’s ‘Il Trovatore’.
Upcoming opera performances include Sparafucile in Opera York’s ‘Rigoletto’, and The Creature in ‘Frankenstein’ and The Old Man in ‘Aleko’ with New Opera Lyra.
Christina Bell - Susannah Polk Feb 24*
Soprano Christina Bell comes from Goderich, Ontario. Christina is frequently featured in Concert, Opera, and Oratorio across North America. Some performances include Paquette in Candide with North York Concert Orchestra as well as a recital tour across Southwestern Ontario in August of 2023.
A graduate from University of Toronto with a Diploma in Operatic Performance Christina sang the roles of Mrs. Baggett in Footsteps in Campbell House, Lady with a Cake Box in Dominick Argentos’ Postcard from Morocco, Lady Billows in Brittens’ Albert Herring, Donatella in Encouters, as well as being a part of Last Days, a new production with Tim Albery and David Fallis. Christina has attended the Mainstage/Ensemble Programs at Opera on the Avalon, The Centre for Opera Studies in Italy, Halifax Summer Opera Festival, and St. Andrews Summer Opera Workshop. Other operatic performances include Countess in Le nozze di Figaro, Vitellia in La Clemenza di Tito, Liliana in Miracle Flight 571 with the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, Portia in Le marchand de Venise, Mrs.Grose in The Turn of the Screw, Fiordiligi in Così fan tutte, Helena in Brittens’ A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Christina is thrilled to be making her Toronto City Opera debut as the title role in Floyds’ Susannah in February of 2024.
The participation of this Artist is arranged by permission of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association.
Austin Larusson - Elder McLean *
Praised for his "fine baritone voice" (The Brooklyn Eagle), "Austin Larusson sang beautifully", “offering us luxury vocals” (barczablog.com), “Austin Larusson’s Crespel was a very effective and even touching foil” John Gilks operarambling.blog), Austin most recently appeared in Tales of the Grotesque as Hugo with White Mills Theatre, Die Fledermaus as Frank, Don Giovanni as Masetto and Tosca as the Sacristan and covering Scarpia with Toronto City Opera.
He was pleased to return to the stage this past season as Shem and Patho in Conan and the Stone of Kelior with Mightier Productions, John Sorel in the The Consul with Summer Opera Lyric Theatre, Portero / Sereno La Verbena de la Paloma, Montschi, A Waltz Dream and Mars, Orpheus in the Underworld with Toronto Operetta Theatre, and Fiorello, Il Barbiere DI Siviglia with Mississauga Symphony.
Previous engagements: Vicomte Cascada, The Merry Widow, Massakroff, The Chocolate Soldier, Sergeant of Police with Toronto Operetta Theatre, Johann, Werther, Lorenzo, I Capuleti I Montecchi, George Jones, Street Scene with Opera in Concert, Crespel, Les Contes D’Hoffmann with Toronto City Opera, and Bartolo/Antonio, Le Nozze di Figaro with Southern Ontario Lyric Opera.
Upcoming engagements: Conte Ceprano in Rigoletto with Opera York.
Mike Fan 范祖铭 - Elder Gleaton *
Operatic tenor Mike Fan | 范祖铭 (they), whose "dramatic side is remarkable” (Barcza Blog) has performed in 11 languages “sung extremely well and acted even better”(Opera Ramblings) across North America, Europe, Australia, and the UK. Recent performances include the season-opening, new production of Beethoven’s Fidelio at the Canadian Opera Company; world première of Chan’s Dragon’s Tale at the HarbourfrontCentre co-produced by Tapestry Opera, Soundstreams, and Luminato Festival; and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe’s Spotlight Canada in Scotland at the invitation of the High Commission of Canada in the United Kingdom and supported by Canada Council for the
Arts.
In addition to the Royal Conservatory of Music’s Gold Medal and Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyriques’ Prix Poulenc, Mike competed for the Gran Teatre del Liceu Barcelona’s Tenor Viñas Competition at the Metropolitan Opera and San Francisco Opera. Mike holds a Masters in Opera & Voice Performance on full scholarship as a SSHRC scholar (McGill University) and trained at Pacific Opera Victoria, Rossini Opera Festival (Italy), and Tampere Conservatoire (Finland). Passionately committed to social justice as a QTBIPOC multi-disciplinary artist, Mike is founding Artistic and Executive Director of Opéra Queens and thrilled to return to Toronto City Opera since covering Mozart’s Don Ottavio.
Alvaro Vasquez - Elder Hayes
Mexican Tenor Alvaro Vazquez graduated from the Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto obtaining a Voice performance diploma.
Alvaro performed the role of Ajax II from the opera La Belle Helene for the school’s annual spring opera conducted by Uri Mayer at Koerner Hall. He was cast as the Miller, the lead role in the opera El Gato con Botas by Xavier Monsalvatge for the Glenn Gould School Fall Opera conducted by Peter Tifenbach. He made his debut with Mississauga Symphony Orchestra and Opera York singing the role of El Remendado from the opera Carmen by Bizet conducted by Denis Mastromonaco.
Most recently he performed the role of Nemorino from the opera L’elisir d’amore and will be participating as a tenor soloist with York Symphony Orchestra for a night of Opera Arias in February 2024.
Gabriel Sanchez Ortega - Elder Ott *
Gabriel Sanchez-Ortega is a promising operatic bass praised for his “booming bass sound,” and his “surprising low and rich voice” (Schmopera).
Born in Montreal, he holds a performance diploma in voice from The Glenn Gould School of The Royal Conservatory of Music, studying primarily under Joel Katz. While studying at the GGS, he was the recipient of the Ihnatowycz Emerging Artist Scholarship. Gabriel has performed in a number of operas for The Glenn Gould School Opera, The Aspen Opera Centre, The Mississauga Symphony Orchestra, Opera York, and Toronto City Opera.
While at the Aspen Music Festival and School, Gabriel had the privilege of studying under W. Stephen Smith. Most recently, Gabriel made his debut singing the role of Il Commendatore in Toronto City Opera’s production of Don Giovanni.
Maria Milenic - Mrs. McLean *
Canadian mezzo-soprano Maria Milenic is an up-and-coming artist with “a uniquely beautiful voice and a lovely dark rich sound” (McHardy, 2022). Originally from Newmarket Ontario, Maria has established a strong musical presence in Toronto, Canada. She is a Serbian-Croatian heritage speaker and is fluent in French, following her language studies at the University of Toronto, where she majored in both voice performance and French language arts.
Maria’s singing career began at the age of five, belting Canadian pop icon, Avril Lavigne’s hits in her bedroom. She has now progressed to the Koerner Hall stage, moving audience members to tears with her most recent performance of the role Minskwoman in Jonathan Dove’s Flight. Maria made her international debut at the Berlin Opera Academy as Hänsel in Hänsel und Gretel. Other stage highlights include Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro, Ljubica in Ana Sokolovic’s Svadba, Ada in Ivan Caryll’s The Shop Girl, Mrs. Hildebrand in Kurt Weil’s Street Scene, and Javotte in Massenet’s Manon, among others.
Maria has been a featured soloist with the York Symphony Orchestra, the Arcady Ensemble, and has performed with the Dior Quartet. She is so excited to make her Toronto City Opera debut as Mrs. McLean in Floyd’s Susannah.
Alexandra Delle Donne - Mrs. Gleaton *
This season, Canadian-Italian soprano Alexandra Delle Donne performs with the Edison Singers as a soloist in their upcoming season: Royal Splendours, Handel's Messiah, Christmas Carols, and Folk and Spiritual concert series. She was a soloist with them for their 2022/2023 season, which included Handel's Messiah, Faure's/Durufle's Requiem, and Rachmaninoff's Vespers. She had the pleasure of performing with Toronto City Opera at their recent 2023 Viva Voce Gala as the soprano soloist. She also sang with them in Don Giovanni as Elvira's Maid/Chorus in February 2023, and had a thrill performing the role of Frosch in their production of Die Fledermaus, June 2023.
Alexandra holds a Master's Degree in Historical Voice Performance from the University of Toronto under direction of the esteemed Daniel Taylor.
During her 2021/2022 season she joined COSA where she premiered as Cosmetician #2 in Palej’s The Art of Love. Alexandra also made her debut as a lead in Vera Causa Opera’s (now known as Fuse) film production of Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel, as Gretel in 2020. The performance is still on YouTube for all to enjoy!
Alexandra has also worked Amplified Opera, Toronto Operetta Theatre, Opera in Concert, and performed in numerous festivals such as the Guelph Multicultural Festival
Alannah Beauparlant - Mrs.Hayes
Alannah Beauparlant is a Toronto-based soprano currently pursuing her Bachelor of Music in Performance at the University of Toronto under the tutelage of Jean MacPhail. Alannah is a graduate of the Royal Conservatory of Music’s Phil and Eli Taylor Performance Academy (2020). She has appeared on stage at Carnegie Hall as a part of the Distinguished Concerts International New York (2019), with repertoire composed and conducted by Eric Whitacre. Alannah is consistently part of the noon-hour concert series at U of T and was selected for a Latin American Art song masterclass with Patricia Caicedo. Recently Alannah was part of Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas singing the role of Second Woman with the Theatre of Early Music in collaboration with Schola Cantorum, as well as singing Penelope (in First Person) by Gavin Fraser with BCSC Chamber Orchestra. She was a finalist in (2023) and has recently been recognized in the Contemporary Showcase Toronto Festival (2023). Alannah is part of U of T’s Opera Il Cappello di Paglia di Firenze by Rota and in the winter, Massenet’s Cendrillon. This is Alannah’s second time performing with TCO the first being Die Fledermaus!
Amanda Weatherall - Mrs. Ott
Mezzo Soprano Amanda Weatherall holds her MMus of vocal literature and performance from Western University. She is from Cranbrook, British Columbia, where she had her first taste of the stage. The highlight of her Cranbrook performances was performing with Fort Steele Heritage Town as various historical residents.
Amanda was thrilled to take part in the Yulanda M Faris Young Artist Program with Vancouver Opera, and performed as the Wife in the Music Shop, a Canadian Premier, and as Carmen in Carmen: Up Close and Personal, a new adaptation of the classic work by Bizet, during her time there. Her other operatic credits include the title role in Bizet’s Carmen (Western), the chorus in Verdi’s Otello (Canadian Opera Company), Romeo in Bellini’s i Capuleti e i Montecchi (Opera NUOVA), Fox in Janáček’s Cunning Little Vixen (NUOVA), Olga in Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin (NUOVA), Meg Page in Verdi’s Falstaff (Western), and Third Lady in Mozart’s Magic Flute (Western). She has performed with Tapestry Opera in their Songbook XI and with the Symphony of the Kootenays on multiple concerts. Most recently she sang Filippyevna in Highlands Opera Studio’s production of Eugene Onegin. She is excited to sing Mrs. Ott with TCO this winter.
Creative Team
Melissa Morris - Stage Director
Melissa Morris is a director, actor, singer, musician, musical director, playwright, composer, and educator. She is a double graduate of Queen’s University in Kingston, with a bachelor’s in music and drama, and a master’s in cultural studies where she researched verbatim musical theatre. Melissa’s career as a performer has taken her across North America and the Caribbean, where she has had the pleasure of working at Chemainus Theatre, Drayton Festival, Theatre Orangeville, Port Hope Festival, Thousand Islands Playhouse, Stirling Theatre, Upper Canada Playhouse, Orillia Opera House, Gravenhurst Opera House, Theatre Collingwood, Theatre Kingston, and even on a cruise ship. She was Resident Musical Director/Composer at St Lawrence Shakespeare Festival for 10 seasons and has musical directed at different companies in Canada.
Melissa composed music for the Off-Broadway hit Evil Dead the Musical, which has had productions all over the globe. She is a proud faculty member at both Queen’s University and Sheridan College where she teaches voice, acting, musical theatre courses and music theory, and teaches singers and actors privately. Melissa is thrilled to be directing Susannah at TCO, after directing the film noir-inspired Don Giovanni last season; thank you for inviting me back to play!
Jennifer Tung - Artistic Director / Conductor Feb 24, 25
A Dora nominated conductor (Gould's Wall), Chinese-Canadian Jennifer Tung is the artistic director of Toronto City Opera and assistant conductor of the Mississauga Symphony Orchestra. She leads a uniquely versatile career as music director, collaborative pianist and soprano. In 2020/21, she joined Tapestry Opera as a conducting fellow in the inaugural year of the Women in Musical Leadership program, in partnership with Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Pacific Opera Victoria.
Jennifer debuted with the Hawaii Performing Arts Festival conducting The Mikado in 2017 and has returned to conduct Sweeney Todd and Tragedy of Carmen. In 2019, she debuted with Opera York in La Traviata and assisted Tapestry Opera and Opera on the Avalon’s joint production of the Dora Award winning opera Shanawdithit by Dean Burry and Yvette Nolan. Recently, she conducted the world premiere of Gould’s Wall by Brian Current and Liza Balken, a joint production with the Royal Conservatory of Music and Tapestry Opera.
For the 2022/23 season, she has debuted as guest conductor with Opera McGill's production of Plaything (Anna Pigorna/Maria Reva - Canadian premiere), Okanagan Symphony Orchestra, Calgary Philharmonic and Kamloops Symphony. In March of 2023, Jennifer conducted the world premieres of Continuum's production of the opera Show Room (Rodney Sharman/Atom Egoyan) as well as Tapestry Opera/Obsidian Theatre's co-production of Of the Sea (Ian Cusson/Kanika Ambrose). Upcoming engagements include concerts with Kamloops symphony, Symphony Nova Scotia and Vancouver Opera.
Jennifer is on faculty at Toronto’s Glenn Gould School, and is a sought-after faculty member for summer programs internationally. She holds degrees in vocal performance and collaborative piano from the Eastman School of Music and has studied conducting with Maestro Denis Mastromonaco.
Ivan Estey Jovanovic - Music Director / Pianist
Ivan Estey Jovanovic is a sought-after collaborative pianist and vocal coach recognized for his rich understanding of the classical canon and Slavic opera repertoire. Jovanovic’s music education began in Serbia at the Belgrade University of Arts, Faculty of Music where he completed his BMus and MMus in piano performance. During his studies in Belgrade, Jovanovic was recognized for his solo piano performances, claiming prestigious awards at state competitions. In 2004, he joined Belgrade Opera Orchestra as a répétiteur and concert pianist, firstly at the Young Artist Program (Operatic Studio). In 2005 he joined the staff as a principal vocal coach, mastering an enormous opera repertoire under the baton of the chief conductor Dejan Savic. While working with Maestro Savic, Jovanovic honed his skills both at the piano and harpsichord for productions of Orfeo ed Euridice (Gluck), Le nozze di Figaro (Mozart), Don Giovanni (Mozart), Il matrimonio segreto (Cimarosa), L'Italiana in Algeri (Rossini), Hassan-Aga’s Wife (Kambasković), and L'amour des trois oranges (Prokofiev).
In the Belgrade National Theatre, Jovanovic had the extraordinary opportunity to work closely with internationally celebrated conductors, such as Dorian Wilson, Mladen Jagust, Jon Janku, Ilmar Lapins, Simone Fermani, Srboljub Dinic, Marco Berdondini and David Porcelijn. During composer/conductor Johannes Harneit’s residency in Belgrade, Jovanovic was the main répétiteur for the productions of Salome (Strauss) and Carmen (Bizet).
After a recital series in Toronto, Jovanovic fell in love with Canada. He returned to Toronto to complete his MMus. in Collaborative Piano from the University of Toronto under the professorship of Steven Philcox, to further his knowledge of opera, art song, and oratorio. After winning the 2013 prestigious Gwendolyn Williams Koldofsky Prize in Accompanying, he joined the UofT Opera Division as a vocal coach and pianist. Presently, he is a regular vocal coach and harpsichordist in UofT’s Early Music Department and Schola Cantorum. In 2018, Jovanovic began his collaboration with Toronto Lyric Opera as the primary vocal coach/harpsichordist. From 2014 to present, Jovanovic has been the accompanist at Toronto City Opera and in 2017 extended his role to Music Director. Jovanovic loves how his work with TCO brings him even closer to the Toronto music community and audience.
Suzanne Yeo - Assistant Conductor Feb 23
Suzanne Yeo is a Toronto-based conductor, pianist and vocal coach known for the intensity and sensitivity of her interpretations. Having graduated from the University of Toronto with an M.Mus. in piano performance (after a stint as a doctoral candidate in the German department at Princeton University), she gravitated towards collaborative piano and conducting, in large part due to a long-standing affinity for opera and Lieder.
She is a co-founder and music director of Opera Sustenida (one of whose productions was recently selected as a finalist in the 2023 OPERA America Excellence in Digital Opera Awards), where she serves variously as pianist or conductor, depending on the needs of the production, and has been assistant conductor at Toronto City Opera since 2021, conducting a performance each of Nabucco, Cavalleria rusticana, Don Giovanni and Die Fledermaus in the last 2 seasons. She is also one of the conductors of the recently-formed Rosedale Symphony Orchestra and will be leading their Mozart and Mahler concert in March 2024.
Logan Raju Cracknell - Lighting Designer
Logan Raju Cracknell is a Toronto based theatre artist specializing in theatrical design and live stream creation. Their work has taken them across the country and they are excited to see what journeys lie ahead.
Select works include: Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill (Theatre Calgary), Fairview (Canadian Stage/Obsidian Theatre Company), Heroes of the Fourth Turning (Howland/Crow's), The Extinction Therapist (Theatre Aquarius), Sweeney Todd (Theatre Sheridan), Alice in Wonderland (Bad Hats Theatre), Dixon Road (The Musical Stage Company/Obsidian Theatre Company), As You Like It /
Dream In High Park (Canadian Stage Company), William Shakespeare’s As You Like It: A Radical Retelling by Cliff Cardinaland Orphans for the Czar(Crow’s Theatre).
Alexandra Christofides - Costume Designer
Alexandra has been doing Fashion & Costume Design, for over 30 years & loves this Creative outlet with a diverse portfolio in Fashion Designs, Musicals, Plays, Ballets, Theatre & Opera.
Alexandra owned “Studio 7” on Avenue Road, Toronto, for 8 years, with
many fun memories teaching fashion design, pattern drafting, sewing classes to children, teens, adults, seniors. Alexandra has recently been making needed props for productions and is often called upon for challenging pieces.
Alexandra’s most recent & current works include working on costume design & wardrobe for Mother of the Maid Theatre Aurora, Surrender Dorothy Curtain Club Theatre Richmond Hill and Magic Flute Opera York, Die Fledermaus Toronto City Opera, Die Fledermaus Opera York, Rigoletto, Opera York.
Alexandra is looking forward to bringing her creativity into the costume design for Susannah to help bring this Story to Life on stage. Alexandra will also be working on design and making of some challenging prop piece items for this production. Alexandra is excited to be working in collaboration with a wonderful creative production team, talented performers & chorus with Toronto City Opera for Susannah and is looking forward to a fantabulous successful production!
Lin-Mei Lay - Stage Manager
Lin-Mei is a multidiscipline theatre practitioner. She has taken various theatre production roles from technician to designer to props builder before settling into stage management. This is Lin’s 4th production with TCO.
She is the winner of the inaugural MyTheatre Award for Outstanding Stage Management (2015). Prior to this career change, Lin has worked in the IT industry for 15+ years. (www.linkedin.com/in/lilay)
Select SM Credits: The Chasse-Galerie , 2015, 2016 Dora Winner (Red One: PSM; Kabin / Storefront / Soulpepper: Apprentice SM); Die Fledermaus, Don Giovanni, Cavalleria Rusticana, (TCO); Eugene Onegin (HOS); La Traviata (Opera York; MSO: ASM); The Merry Widow (Opera York); Retreat (Hart House); The Chance (Leroy Street); Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (Red One); Divine (Red One / Summerworks 2017); Othello (Ale House: PSM).
Other Credits: Die Fledermaus (Opera York: SM / Production Design); The Story (Common Boots: Head of Props); The Good Doctor Holmes (Tanagra Collective: LD); A Drop of Water (Slice of Pi / FringeTO 2015: LD); We Walk Among You (Artichoke Heart: Head Puppet Builder)
Upcoming: Rigoletto (Opera York, Richmond Hill) March 3 & 5; Angel’s Bone (Loose Tea / Sound the Alarm / Arraymusic ) March 22–24.
Vojin Vasovic - Projection Designer
Vojin Vasovic is a film director and producer. He finished Master of Arts studies at Centre of Theatre, Drama and Performance Studies at the University of Toronto and bachelor studies in Film Directing at the Academy of Arts in Belgrade.
He is the recipient of many awards for directing, writing and animation. His films Twice Upon a Time, Just For The Record, etc. were selected at more than 150 film festivals winning more than eighty international awards and distribution by HBO channel.
He is a producer and director at To Blink Animation studio, and creative director of Animond - private investment fund for animation. He is teaching film directing and animation at the Academy of Arts in Belgrade
Ella Farlinger - Assistant Director *
Born in Toronto and raised by two filmmaker parents, Ella Jonas Farlinger has been immersed in the Canadian creative industries her whole life. As a film and television actress, Ella’s projects have aired on networks like CBC, Netflix, Family Channel and Disney Channel, and her film projects have premiered at international festivals like TIFF, Cannes, and Sundance.
As a Classical singer, Ella participated in two European tours, sung with the Canadian Opera Company, and performed multiple solo recitals. Ella’s pre-college training was at the Phil and Eli Taylor Academy for Young Artists and she completed her Bachelor of Music at the Glenn Gould School. Ella has been involved in the production side of several personal film and stage projects. The Glenn Gould School’s 2022 production of Flight was her first official assistant director position with Anna Theodosakis. Ella is delighted to be working with Toronto City Opera for the first time on Susannah.
Erin Woodward - Assistant Stage Manager *
Erin Woodward (she/her) is currently a student at Sheridan College. She has worked on small-scale productions in the past such as Charlie Brown in A Charlie Brown Christmas, and some school productions but she is super excited to be a part of Susannah as the Assistant Stage Manager.
When she is not making costumes and props or being around the theatre scene, she can be found curled up with a good book and a cup of tea.
Bethany McLarty- Assistant Stage Manager *
Bethany McLarty is a student at Sheridan College with a background in theatre and film. She was Amy in Storybook Theatre’s The Theory of Relativity, Peter Quince in Croxford High School's A Midsummer Night’s Dream and has done a number of background roles in shows such as The Last of Us, High School and My Life with the Walter Boys.
Though she is primarily an actress, she is elated to be helping out backstage and learning all that she can about the behind the scenes aspects of performing. In her free time she can be found scavenging through the woods, being alone in the dark or trying to befriend local raccoons.
Gabriel Graziano - Production Manager
Gabriel Graziano is pleased to return as Production Manager for Toronto City Opera. This year marks the 40th year Gabriel has been associated with Toronto Opera Repertoire / Toronto City Opera.
He has been involved in many different areas, including lighting designer, stage manager and was the first stage director, other than his mentor Giuseppe Macina, for Toronto Opera Repertoire.