TENT Program

Natasha “Courage” Bacchus is a very active multidisciplinary artist, former three times gold medallist Deaf Olympian Sprinter. Her theatre /TV and Film performances include Shaw Host Talk (2014), ‘The Black Drum’ with Soulpepper Theatre (2019) in Toronto and France, ‘The Two Natasha’s’ (2020) comedy performed in art festivals, ‘21 Black Futures’ produced by Obsidian Theatre and CBC Arts, (2021), mini-TV series ‘The Coroner’ season four on Netflix (2022). She has participated in cabaret events including the 2019/2024 ASL Deaf Drag Performance, Rainbow Senior Showcase, and  Criptonite at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre in Toronto, Ontario.

Her areas of expertise include interdisciplinary visual artist, art accessibility consultant Deaf LGBTQ/racialized marginalized Indigenous, Black, People of colour, Sign Language Translation for theatre, Interpretation and Promotional vlogs, Panellist and presenter for workshops, emerging art curator, and activist for Indigenous and Black Deaf art community to expand Indigenous and Black Deaf artists representation.

Priscila Gonzalez (she/her) is a queer Colombian-Canadian theatre artist based in Toronto. She recently graduated from York University with a BFA, specializing in Performance Creation. Priscila loves working both backstage and onstage as long as she is a part of telling amazing stories. She is an experienced actor, director, stage manager, and sound designer. In her personal work, she strives to create multilingual pieces that explore what it means to be a first generation immigrant.
Past credits include: She Kills Monsters (Assistant Director) in Theatre@York 2024, Snacey! (Playwright, Performer, Producer) in Toronto Fringe Festival 2024, Radium Girls (Production Manager) for Theatre at York 2023.

(She/her) I am  a spoken word artist, a writer, actor, and I have been involved in a collective that ran African/Black theatre productions. I am working on a documentary project, children's social justice theatre initiative and a one-woman show. I have been living with a visual disability since age 19. I am a mother of two amazing children and belong to many Villages (communities). I am also an art-based educator, expressive arts psychotherapist, and public health professor.

Sofia Habib (she/her) is an actor and arts administrator with a background in art history and cultural management. She has worked with not-for-profit organizations across marketing, cultural programming, and event coordination. She is the Founder and Director of the Peaks Central Asian Film Festival, a platform celebrating underrepresented voices through film. Sofia is passionate about inclusive storytelling, community engagement, and supporting artists.

KATE McARTHUR (she/they) is a Mad (Bipolar 1/Agoraphobia)/ Queer actor and theatre artist. She is a Co-Artistic Leader of Skipping Stones Theatre, a Toronto based company whose mandate is to tell stories through the lens of mental illness, mental health, and neurodiversity.  She is working on creating a one person show, BONKERS, based off of her lived experience with Bipolar disorder. She constantly seeks to grow as an artist and is dedicated to the creation of important work in brave, supportive spaces with professional standards. She's so grateful to be part of the TENT program this year.

Will Parry (they/he) is a Queer Actor-Singer-Content Creator-Puppeteer-Cabaret Artist-Educator. Selected performance credits: Milky White & Others in INTO THE WOODS (Koerner Hall), Hare in HARE & TORTOISE (Carousel Players), Seán/Donald The Leprechaun in THE WILD ROVERS (Smile Theatre), and Toto in WIZARD OF OZ: THE PANTO (Drayton Entertainment). As a cabaret artist they have performed with Theatre Gargantua, Icarus Theatre, and self-produced their cabaret, Here I Am, during isolation! As an educator, they teach classes at Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy including Puppetry, Improv, Acting, Audition Technique, and Show Tunes Wellness. Will actively mentors with Next Generation Showcase having hosted their Coffee House, Monologue Slam, and moderated numerous industry-focused panels. Lastly, they are a social media content creator and manager. As a creator, Will has collaborated with brands including Fabricland, White Claw, and Freshii with management clients including CBC Kids' Ukulele U, Koerner Hall, Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy, CGDC, and more!

Ava Rain Patterson (she/they) is a playwright, educator, theatremaker and actor creating and loving in Tkaronto. Her work prioritizes accessibility, community, and often explores her identity as a mixed, Queer, Disabled artist navigating the world. Ava is a recent graduate of the joint University of Toronto (Mississauga) and Sheridan College Specialist Theatre program. Ava is currently working with First Born Theatre as the assistant dramaturge for this year's writers' round table and is excited to be a part of this year's Toronto Fringe Emerging Producers Program (TENT). Ava loves growing heirloom tomatoes in the summer and doing crafts, and is looking forward to longer days filled with the beauty of it all.

Kelly (she/her) is a Toronto based actor, writer, and director with experience in acting in film/TV, theatre, and commercials. She is a graduate of York University's theatre program. Seo's experience as an actor include playing leads in productions including Kim's Convenience, Twelfth Night, and Hana Hashimoto the Sixth Violin. Her passion in storytelling is seen in her works in directing, working as an AD in Andrew Seok's upcoming Fringe show, Almost Ever After, and her upcoming short film, About 3 Days. Movement and music is a huge part of what currently inspires her works. Seo is experienced in the front end of storytelling whether it's performing, writing, or creating to realizing the vision and she hopes to earn valuable logistical production knowledge from her time at TENT this year and from learning from her peers and fellow artists. 

Miriam Sossin (she/her) is an emerging playwright, director, and producer. She hopes to create work that brings together heart and humour, silliness and sadness. After graduating from The University of Toronto’s Drama program, Miriam created her production company Crybaby Theatre in the summer of 2024 and produced a workshop reading for her debut play Days Since Bo’s Been Gone in the fall. This past may, the play was produced by Alumnae Theatre for Fireworks Festival 2025 with a record audience turnout. She looks forward to continuing her collaboration with fellow emerging theatre artists in Toronto and is so excited to be a part of TENT. Miriam is obsessed with the colour blue and loves all things mint.