HISTORY
Eastern Front Theatre was founded by Gay Hauser, Wendy Lill, and Mary Vingoe in 1993 as a Dartmouth-based company supporting the work of Atlantic Canadian playwrights.
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​Over the past 30 years, EFT has championed and supported countless Atlantic Canadian artists through commissions, workshops, our annual STAGES and EARLY STAGES Theatre Festivals; and development efforts like our Design Mentorship Program, Playwrights Unit, Study Groups, MACRO/micro Creation Series and The Accessibility Project. EFT has produced or presented over 200 original Canadian plays, 32 of which were World Premieres, and has four Governor General Award nominations, one Nova Scotia Masterworks nomination, and 19 Robert Merritt Awards (out of 79 nominations).
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In 2021, EFT came back to its Dartmouth-based roots with Artistic Director Kat McCormack and General Manager Elsa Pihl at the helm, returning as the theatre company-in-residence at Alderney Landing.
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#DartmouthIsForTheatreLovers
FAT JULIET (2021)
OUR STAFF
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Kat McCormack (she/they)
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Kat is a theatre artist from Dartmouth/Punamu’kwati’jk with a passion for playful, devised work and collective creations. As the Artistic Director of Eastern Front Theatre, Kat aims to create a supportive and accessible environment for artists to push the boundaries of Atlantic Canadian storytelling, as well as their own artistic practice. As an artist, Kat has helped to create over fifteen new works with companies such as Zuppa Theatre, Shakespeare by the Sea, Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia, The Villains Theatre, Eastern Front Theatre and others. Kat has been named "Best Theatre Actor" in The Coast's Best of Halifax issue five times, and is a four-time nominee for the Theatre Nova Scotia Merritt Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor and Outstanding Direction.
Elsa Pihl (she/her)
GENERAL MANAGER
Growing up just outside of Stratford, Ontario, Elsa was exposed to theatre at a young age (Hamlet in Grade 5). It was no shock to her parents that she decided to pursue Theatre Studies for her post-secondary education, but choosing Acadia University was a bit of a surprise. After graduation, she moved to Toronto and began a career as a Stage Manager. Twelve years, four moves and two children later, the East Coast called her and her family back. Having spent a lot of time behind the scenes (four seasons at Carousel Players, four at Soulpepper, two at Stratford), Elsa is happy to be at Eastern Front Theatre and is excited to be back in the theatre industry in this new capacity.
OUR TEAM
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Brenda Duran (she/her)
PRODUCTION + DESIGN
Brenda Chicas-Duran is a talented and award-winning Costume and Set Designer living in Nova Scotia/Mi’kma’ki. After earning a BFA in Theatre Production and Design at York University, Brenda worked extensively in Ontario before moving to the East Coast in 2017.
Brenda's Nova Scotia theatre debut began with Eastern Front Theatre's premiere of FAT JULIET. Since then, she's been their trusted designer and technician, adding her fresh skills to every production and event. Flash forward to 2023, and she's proudly accepted the Wes Daniels Design Merritt Award. Through her artistic work, Brenda aims to inspire audiences and create innovative opportunities for underrepresented artists in the live entertainment industry.
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Jess Lewis (she/her)
PRODUCTION + DESIGN
Jessica has been working in Kjipuktuk/Halifax, NS as a Lighting Designer and Production Manager for over 15 years. She has taken productions across Canada, throughout the Southern States, Asia and the UK.
Selected works include: Eastern Front Theatre (Stages Theatre Festival, Early Stages Theatre Festival, FAT JULIET), Neptune Theatre (The Play That Goes Wrong, Billy Elliot, Ballad of the Motherland, Dickens' A Christmas Carol), ZUPPA (The Movements, Tiny, Slowly I Turn, How Far, How Far Away), Votive Dance (Strike Tone, WHODUNIT?), Live Art Dance (Coastal Currents).
Hope MacPherson (she/they)
THEATRE CAMPS + FRONT OF HOUSE
Hope MacPherson (she/they) is an artist and childcare professional from Grand Desert, Nova Scotia. She has worked with various youth programming and arts organizations around the Regional Municipality, providing care and educational services to children and youth of all ages. In the past two years, Hope has had the pleasure of working with not only Eastern Front Theatre, but Shakespeare by the Sea, Page1 Theatre, StageCoach Performing Arts, Canadian Improv Games, Halifax Fringe Festival, 2b Theatre Company, and Think of the Worst Theatre, all in various capacities. Hope has recently entered the world of Stage Management working with The Villains Theatre and House of Eights Dance Studio. She is thrilled to work with Eastern Front Theatre, bringing lots of fun to both March Break and Summer Camps!
Emma James (they/she)
COMMUNICATIONS + SOCIAL MEDIA
Emma James (they/she) is an emerging queer, neurodivergent theatre artist from St. Stephen, NB, based in K’jipuktuk/Halifax, NS. Emma moved to Nova Scotia in 2017 to attend Dalhousie University, and in 2021 graduated with their BA (Hons.) in Theatre (Acting) and Certificate in Dance & Movement. At Dalhousie, Emma was the recipient of several awards and scholarships, including the Stephen Graham Bird Award from Theatre New Brunswick and the AFBS / Ferne Downey Scholarship in Acting from the ACTRA Fraternal Benefits Society.
Since graduation, Emma has worked professionally as an independent performer, director, writer, producer, and arts administrator, receiving their Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership from NSCC and winning silver for Best Theatre Actor in The Coast’s Best of Halifax in 2023.
Rebecca Wolfe (she/her)
SPONSORSHIPS + PARTNERSHIPS
Rebecca Wolfe (she/her) is an emerging theatre-maker in Kjipuktuk. She is an actor, choreographer, freelance producer, and director. Specializing in physical and devised theatre, she is a graduate of Humber College’s Theatre Performance Program. You can find her teaching across the HRM at places such as the MacPhee Centre for Learning, Leica Hardy School of Dance and Halifax Regional Arts. Rebecca has worked as a Producer and Administrator at Shakespeare by the Sea, The Villains Theatre, Eastern Front Theatre, Kinetic, HomeFirst Theatre, Kick at the Dark Theatre and Live Art Dance. She has received the NSTT Lieutenant Governor Award, Theatre Nova Scotia Award and won Eastern Front Theatre’s Ten-Minute Play Writing Contest (2013).​
Acting: The Movements (Zuppa); Macro Digitals (Eastern Front Theatre); 4.48 Psychosis (Caravan Theatre); Young Company 2020 (Theatre New Brunswick); Penny (Alinea Theatre); PEACE Project (Transitus); The Nutcracker (9 seasons, Symphony Nova Scotia). Film: Diggstown, Trailer Park Boys, Mr. D. Direction & Choreography: Birds of a Feather (Director, Neptune Theatre Young Company) Elf The Musical (Chrysalis Choreo, Neptune Theatre) The Movements (Asst. Director & Choreo, Zuppa), Shakespeare’s Time Machine (Co-Director, The Villains Theatre), Observatory Mansions & Zomblet (Asst. Director & Movement, The Villains Theatre), High School Musical on Stage & Elf The Musical Jr. (Director & Choreographer, Halifax Regional Arts).
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Kimberley Cody (she/her)
BOARD CHAIR
Kimberley Cody/Fougere is the Director of Offerings and Marketing for a global Healthcare technology and Data company called IQVIA. She holds a Master's degree in both Neuroscience and Business and is an advocate for the arts, having completed her Theatre Degree from Dalhousie University in 2009; she was a part of Shakespeare by the Sea for two seasons prior to diverging into the healthcare sector. Kimberley was born in Dartmouth and has always found a space for creativity and positive energy; she believes in the mission and vision of what Eastern Front Theatre is trying to accomplish and wants to leverage her skills to help them achieve it.
Owen Keeve (he/him)
TREASURER
Owen acts as the Treasurer for the Eastern Front Theatre. He is a Business Law lawyer with local law firm BoyneClarke LLP.
Owen is originally from South Africa and has called Dartmouth home for the past few years.
Having worked in the legal industry for roughly 10 years, both locally and abroad, Owen believes his experience in corporate governance can add value to the Board of EFT.
In his spare time, Owen enjoys reading, golfing and hiking. As a Board member of EFT, he hopes to spend more time in the theatre over the coming years.
Zach Faye (he/him)
SECRETARY
Zach is a performer, designer, and maker based in Dartmouth, NS. Over the years, he has worked with many Nova Scotian theatre companies such as Neptune Theatre, Eastern Front, Zuppa Theatre, Festival Antigonish, Ships Company, Forerunner Playwrights’ Theatre, and DaPoPo Theatre. Zach is thrilled to have a seat on the board of EFT, alongside so many talented and hard working people. He's particularly excited to see Kat in the Artistic Director position, and can't wait to assist this organization in amplifying the voices of our region.
Bill Toulany (he/him)
BOARD MEMBER + LEGAL ADVISOR
Bill is an Associate and member of the Real Estate and Commercial Real Estate & Development teams at Boyne Clarke.
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Born and raised in Dartmouth, Bill strives to develop personal, long-lasting relationships both with his clients and in the local community, where he has plenty of experience working in various family businesses. He prides himself on being accessible and readily available to answer questions and meet his clients’ needs.
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In addition to his history of Pro Bono work, Bill exercises his passion for advocacy and the accessibility of legal services through the firm’s Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Reconciliation Committee, where he advocates for a diverse range of minorities and other marginalized groups.
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A proud supporter of all things local, in his spare time Bill enjoys exploring the community of Dartmouth, reading, golfing, and travelling.
Laura Caswell (she/her)
BOARD MEMBER
Laura Caswell (she/her) is a producer, performer and educator currently based of Kjipuktuk (Halifax). Laura was the Director of Education at Neptune many years and is currently the Artistic Director of the Stephenville Theatre Festival in Newfoundland. Caswell is a passionate musical theatre and cabaret performer who is a huge advocate of accessibility in theatre. Laura has called the east coast home since 2017 and can often be found at a local craft brewery or patio with her dog-panion Bella. @belladaballdog @thelauracaswell
Diego Cavedon Dias (he/they)
BOARD MEMBER
Diego is a fashion, costume and graphic designer based in Dartmouth/ Punamu’kwati’jk, NS. They have worked with many theatre companies in the Maritimes such as Festival Antigonish, Neptune Theatre, Two Planks and a Passion, Halifax Theatre for Young People, Ships Company Theatre, Eastern Front Theatre and Confederation Centre. Diego is excited and grateful to be part of the board of EFT, and to support a community that welcomed them so warmily during their first years in Nova Scotia.
Mary Fay Coady (she/her)
BOARD MEMBER
Mary Fay Coady is an award winning actor, theatre creator and part-time academic. She has watched the incredible work EFT has done over the past 4 years, and is enthusiastic about joining the team!
Diego Guerrero Betancourt (he/him)
BOARD MEMBER
Diego is a seasoned actor with over 20 years of experience in film, theatre, and the creative arts. He holds a degree in Mass Media and Communications from UCAB in Caracas and trained at Estudio Corazza in Madrid. In addition to his theatre work, Diego has contributed to the film industry as an Assistant Director and producer on feature films in Venezuela, Peru, Spain, and Mexico. Currently based in Halifax, he continues to explore his artistic practice through acting and multimedia projects (Nocturne - Noisemakers 2024), including self-publishing a Halifax-inspired coloring book.
Jordan Parker (he/him)
BOARD MEMBER
I'm an experienced worker in communications and PR. I began my career in journalism, and have dovetailed into fundraising and events. I currently work as the Fund Development & Events Coordinator for the AIDS Coalition of NS. I also run my own firm, Parker PR, work on the side as a journalist, and try to ensure that the events and arts & culture communities here are well-represented and that shows have packed crowds. I would love to do the exact same for Eastern Front Theatre.
Marcus Wong (he/him)
BOARD MEMBER
Marcus Wong is the administrator for Theatre Nova Scotia. He has worked as a director, actor, and producer in both Hong Kong and Canada. He also worked as an educator, musician, and researcher throughout the years and is very excited to help the theatre scene thrive in Nova Scotia.