Mainstage: Jane Eyre

Erin Shields, Feminist playwright and actor, trained at Rose Bruford College of Speech and Drama in London, England, and graduated from the University of Toronto with an Honours BA in English Literature.

Erin Shields adapted Jane Eyre for the 2020/21 season at the Citadel Theatre; the premiere was delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic to March 2022, and the play is now being produced by George Brown Theatre School’s 3rd-year performance program.

She was co-Artistic Director (with Andrea Donaldson) of Groundwater Productions through which she created, developed and produced much of her early work including If We Were Birds (SummerWorks 2008). In 2010, If We Were Birds was produced at Tarragon Theatre (dir. Alan Dilworth), and won a Governor General’s Award in 2011. Erin Shields' other works include: The Epic of Gilgamesh (Groundwater/SummerWorks), the Dora Mavor Moore Award-nominated The Unfortunate Misadventures of Masha Galinski (Groundwater/Canadian Tour), Dance of the Red Skirts (Theatre Columbus); Barrel Crank (Suitcase in Point company, SummerWorks, 2012); Soliciting Temptation (Tarragon Theatre, 2014); Beautiful Man (SummerWorks, 2015). Her faithful adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's The Lady from the Sea was produced at the Shaw Festival in 2015 (dir. Meg Roe), artfully balancing the themes of freedom and responsibility. The Millennial Malcontent (Tarragon 2017, dir. Peter Hinton);

In 2018, her irreverent interpretation of Milton's Paradise Lost opened at Stratford Festival (dir. Jackie Maxwell) and was nominated for a Governor General’s Award.

Her adaptation of the German musical Spatz und Engel by Daniel Grobe Boymann and Thomas Kahry as Piaf/Dietrich was produced at CAA Theatre (Toronto, 2019). Her prequel to King Lear, entitled Queen Goneril premiered at Soulpepper Theatre Company in September 2022.

Erin Shields is married to Gideon Arthurs, the Executive Director of Soulpepper Theatre Company and the Young Centre for the Performing Arts. They have two daughters.

Debbie is pleased to be returning to George Brown Theatre School once again. As one of the resident Stage Managers beginning in 2002, part of her job also includes teaching the students “How to be a Professional in the Business”.  Debbie has a varied background that includes opera, musicals, variety shows, school touring, summer stock and mainstage productions. She has stage managed for Toronto Operetta Theatre, Opera Hamilton, for Calgary’s Quest Theatre, Carousel Theatre in St. Catharines, The Grand (Kingston) and Nippising Theatre.  In Toronto, she has stage managed at The Tarragon, The Factory Studio, Theatre Passe Muraille and Buddies in Bad Times Theatre.  Debbie also works in Venue Operations for many Film Festivals including the Toronto International FF, the Inside Out Lesbian & Gay FF, the Worldwide Short FF, Sundance FF, Miami International FF and Provincetown IFF.

Brandon is a set and costume designer based in Toronto with work appearing on stages across Canada, most recently; RENT (Stratford Festival), The Sound of Music (Thousand Islands Playhouse), Mamma Mia (Drayton Entertainment), and Boy Falls from The Sky (Mirvish Productions). Up next, he’s designing the set for La Cage Aux Folles (Stratford Festival) and The Tempest (Theatre Rusticle / Buddies In Bad Times). Brandon is a multiple Dora award nominee and a two-time winner. He recently won a Merritt Award for his work bringing Viola Desmond to life in the world premiere of Controlled Damage at Neptune Theatre in Halifax. For more information and to see his portfolio, please visit 

Bella (she/her) is an emerging artist currently in her final year at the George Brown Theatre School. Growing up in Calgary, Bella found the beginning of a passion for the arts in music and dance classes, before moving to London and falling in love with theatre on the West End. Since then, she has cultivated her passion for acting through theatre workshops, school plays, singing and music training. Moving to Toronto to pursue acting has been a pivotal step in her journey, where she has had the privilege of training under several inspiring directors and mentors in the conservatory theatre training program, and made lifelong friends. Through acting, Bella has found a home, and is incredibly excited to share it with you. Thank you for all your continuous support; enjoy the show!

Gabrielle (she/her) was born and raised in St. John’s, Newfoundland and graduated from Memorial University with a Bachelor of Science in Pure Mathematics and a Bachelor of Education (Intermediate/Secondary). Some of her past stage appearances include: La Cage aux Folles as Colette/MC, Rent, We Will Rock You, Jesus Christ Superstar (TaDa! Ent.), 1984 as O’Brien (AOR Presents), Dracula (AOR Presents), The Vagina Monologues (V-Day: St. John's), Scrooge the Musical (Peter MacDonald Prod.), Shrek: The Musical, Godspell (Etcetera Prod.), Fame! The Musical (Theatre St. John’s), and The Curious Case in the Colony as Anne (Shakespeare by the Sea). Some of her favorite scene study roles at George Brown have included Berinthia in The Relapse (dir. Jeannette Lambermont-Morey) and Rosalind in As You Like It (dir. Jordan Pettle). Gabrielle also recently appeared in the feature film Massacre at Femur Creek as Jamie.

Maya (she/her) is an actor born and raised in the west end of Toronto. She found her passion for acting through her love of dance. She trained in classical ballet for most her life and soon realized what she loved most about dance was telling a story. After attending both an arts middle school and high school, where she focused on acting, she decided to continue her theatre education at George Brown Theatre School. She is grateful for the personal and professional growth this program has provided and can't wait to take the next steps in her career. Thank you for coming to see the George Brown Theatre Company crush it on stage. 

Dieter (he/him) is super excited for this year's season at George Brown, some select credits include YES/STC production of Romeo and Juliet where he had the pleasure of playing Paris and others this past summer, YES/STC production of Hockey Dreams, YES/STC’s The Wizard of Oz, The Rover (Belvile), Alice in Wonderland (The White Rabbit), The Theory of relativity (Mike) and various other YES Cabarets and more. Dieter has also had the opportunity to venture into film in 2022 where he completed two movies, Mistletoe Time Machine (Crave), I’m Glad it’s Christmas (CTV). Alongside Acting Dieter dances having choreographed over 30 pieces! When he’s not on stage you can catch him crocheting and running his small business. He cannot wait to perform and hopes you all enjoy the show.

Michael (he/him) is a Toronto based actor, director, choreographer, and writer who is incredibly excited to present this season of plays with his fellow actors in the third year George Brown ensemble. Prior to George Brown, Michael attended the University of Toronto, contributed to multiple award-winning student productions, and was a recipient of the 2017/2018 Dr. David E. Gardener Apprentice Director Program.  Select Credits Include, Acting Stage: A Line in the Sand (Mercer, George Brown Theatre School) Venice Preserv'd (Jaffier, George Brown Theatre School), Statistics (Dr. Wilkins, Toronto Fringe) and Sweeney Todd (Beadle Bamford, Ember Island Players). Production Stage: The Last Piece (Director, MD Productions), Of a Blank Canvas... (Writer, Toronto Fringe), Us Against Everyone (Assistant Director, Toronto Fringe) and Beauty and The Beast (Choreographer, St. Michael's College Troubadours).

Julia (she/her) is an Edmonton and Toronto based artist and actor. This being her final year of theatre school at George Brown she is so excited for the opportunity to share this season. She is hopes to create and participate in work for and about women once her time at George Brown has commenced. Her selected credits include: Amanda in The Relapse (George Brown Theatre School), Lisa in The Wonderful World of Dissocia, Faith in Columbinus, (Citadel Theatre), and Hermia in A Midsummers Night Dream (Thou Art Here theatre co.) 

Micaela (she/her) was born and raised in Toronto, ON. She holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Toronto, and is currently studying Theatre Performance at George Brown Theatre School. She is a professional actor, singer, musician, and theatre creator, and is currently the Co-Artistic Director of Pirate Life Theatre Toronto and Hamilton. She is thrilled to be diving into this exciting season of plays! Notable credits include: Acting Stage: Character 2 in Of A Blank Canvas…(Toronto Fringe), Belvidera in Venice Preserved, Lory in The Relapse, Mayor Troubleweather in Munsch Garden (George Brown Theatre School), Helen in Bye Bye Birdie (O’Neill CVI Performing Arts Program), Annie Sullivan in The Miracle Worker (Athabasca Theatre Troupe), Robin/Fairy in The Merry Wives of Windsor (DareDen Theatre Inc). Film/TV: Alice in Catastrophe (Short Film, Blue Shift). Other: Magpie (Director, The Music Gallery), Pygmalion (Musical Director, The Guild Festival Theatre). 

Sophie (she/her) is a Toronto based artist who focuses her energy on Acting, Dancing, Photography and Music. She has called Toronto home for the last couple of years since attending George Brown Theatre School, but before then she spent her formative years in Houston, Texas. Sophie is thrilled to be a part of the show and working beside her talented ensemble of peers, whom she admires and looks forward to this season with!

Vica (she/her) is a Toronto based actor from Croatia. She has been training and working as an actor for last ten years. Some of her mentors include the pioneers of Croatian theatre, actresses Kostadinka Velkovska and Ksenija Prohaska. Vica wanted to be an actress since small age ever since she stepped on the stage, first as a ballet dancer. Her most recent work includes the role of Lord Foppington in The Relapse by John Vanbrugh and the role of Bearnice in The Gravitational Pull of Bernice Trimble by Beth Graham. In her spare time, she works as a specialty coffee manager, she makes an amazing cup of coffee when she is not busy walking and petting her two dogs Frida and Shadow.

Tessa (they/them) is a non-binary musician and actor from Sudbury Ontario, currently based in Toronto. Tessa is finishing up their third year at George Brown Theatre School and is excited to begin this new season of plays. You can look forward to seeing their upcoming music releasing in the new year. Selected credits include, Theatre: Ned Blunt in The Rover, Buckle/Captain Firebrand in The Basset Table, Lavinia Penniman in The Heiress (George Brown Theatre School), Alice in Alice in Wonderland (Sudbury Secondary). Vocal Directing: The Last Piece (Musical Direct Productions). Stage Managing: [In-] (One Night Only Festival, Space Space Revolution). Follow Tessa on Instagram @tessa.daniellee 

Misha (he/him) is a queer Toronto-based artist and producer with a passion for creating theatre that drives a change in the heart. He holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Guelph, where he was published for his research on drug addiction. In the future, Misha is looking to explore the art of directing and playwriting. Misha would like to thank his friends, family, and the entire Third Year ensemble for their continued love and support. Notable credits, Stage: Character Three in Of A Blank Canvas… (TO Fringe 2023), David in The Beloved (Highland Arts Theatre), Willmore in The Rover, Sir James in The Basset Table, and Dr. Sprout in Munsch Garden (George Brown Theatre School). Musicals: William Barfée in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Curtain Call Productions) and David XLII/Duke Enoch in The Forgotten Baroness (Workshop Reading). Instagram: @msharivk

Aisha (she/her) is an Egyptian-Canadian actor and visual artist trained at George Brown Theatre School. She is originally from Ottawa, where she was raised amongst the Muslim community. She holds a Bachelor of Architectural studies from the Azrieli School of Architecture, where she also discovered a passion for acting. Aisha is committed to exploring untold stories and the deeply human truths they reveal. She was recently nominated for the 2023 Hnatyshyn Emerging Artist Award.

Notable theatre credits include: Venice Preserved as Pierre (dir. Jordan Pettle), The Relapse (dir. Jeannette-Lambermont Morey), Munsch Garden (dir. Christopher Stanton), and Anjou as Margaret of Anjou in the Ottawa Fringe Festival

Notable film credits include: I Need A Christmas Vacation as Patty (prod. Songwind Studios), The Gift (prod. Moonrise Productions), and We Are The Missing (dir. Andrew JD Robinson).

Ganesh (he/him) is a Toronto-based actor, writer, director and producer from Sri Lanka. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing from Ryerson University and is studying Theatre Performance at George Brown Theatre School. He directed the award-winning Toronto Fringe show My Korean Canadian Friend. His debut short, The Orchid & The Tree, screened in Canada, the US, India, Indonesia and South Korea. Ganesh is proud to launch into the industry with an exciting season alongside an incredible ensemble. Notable credits include: Acting Stage: Robert in The Beloved (Highland Arts Theatre), Loveless in The Relapse, Priuli in Venice Preserv’d, Dr. Austin Sloper in The Heiress, Narrator in Munsch Garden (George Brown Theatre School), Russ in The Bad Play (Artist in Residence), Detective Lawson in The Incident (Oakham Theatre Company). Film/TV: AJ in Bark (Panoptic Pictures), Luke in The Most Dangerous Game (CBS Studios), Cook in Spin (Disney Studios).

Trinity (she/her) is an artist from Sudbury Ontario and is super excited to be working alongside her beautiful class of 3rd years! Some selected credits outside of theatre school include Ride The Cyclone (Ocean), Romeo and Juliet (Benvolio) at Yes theatre. Trinity enjoys anything musical theatre, cooking good meals and laughing very loud with her friends. She is so thankful for the people who are here to listen, support and watch us play.

Emmanuela (she-her) is a Sudbury-born and raised artist who found her passion for performing at a young age. She is passionate about theatre that moves people, Shakespeare, musical theatre, classical and contemporary works. Emmanuela still cannot believe she is in her final year of Theatre School! Select theatre credits include Romeo And Juliet (Lady Capulet), The Wizard of Oz at YES Theatre/Sudbury Theatre Centre, The Rover (Hellena), Munsch Garden (Millicent) at GBTS, Godspell (Gilmer), and Alice In Wonderland (Alice). When she’s not performing, you can find her roaming art galleries, listening to Elton John, reading, or talking about beluga whales to anyone who will listen. Emmanuela thanks anyone who has supported her in her theatre school journey. Much love to her class! Enjoy the show.