Born and raised in Whitechurch, Bruce County, Ryan has always been interested in technology, and creative ways to use it. He has spent the last decade working at theatres across Ontario, and has had the privilege of working with notable artists from across the country. He is excited to begin his time in Blyth!

Nathanya returned to the Festival full time in 2022, first as the Box Office Manager and now as Producer & Company Manager.

She is deeply grateful for all the opportunities she has been afforded through the Festival, particularly the breadth of knowledge and training she has received.

Nathanya is passionate about Canadian art & artists, and cannot express how happy she is to be in the best place for it.

Gil Garratt is a director, playwright, dramaturge, Dora Award-winning actor, and theatre administrator who has worked across Canada and internationally. With a career that has been dedicated primarily to the development of new Canadian plays, Gil has been with the Blyth Festival since 1999.

Gil’s varied and eclectic career as a creator has seen him collaborate with such radical play creation companies as DNA theatre and The Cabaret Company, to such mainstream institutions as The Stratford Festival and The Grand Theatre.

As a performer Gil has literally worked all over the country, including: Theatre NorthWest in Prince George, BC, Centaur Theatre in Montreal, Canadian Stage’s St. Lawrence Centre in Toronto, Shakespeare in High Park, Neptune Theatre in Halifax, the Festival Players of Prince Edward County, Buddies in Bad Times in Toronto, the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre in Winnipeg, and the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, to name a few.

Gil is also a member of the Playwrights’ Guild of Canada, several of Gil’s plays have received multiple productions, toured internationally, and been translated into French.

Gil graduated from the National Theatre School’s Playwriting Program in 1998, holds an Honours BA from the University of Waterloo, and an MA from the University of Guelph.

“After thousands of hours, walking thousands of kilometres across and back and across our stage, in the singular Blyth Memorial Hall, this is what I have learned: The work we do is the best, and the reasons we do it are pure.

My time at Blyth has become definitive; both in terms of my perception of my vocation and the reputation that precedes and proceeds the work that I do. I am a Blyth artist regardless of where I work, it has become central to who I am.”

Keith Tomasek brings a wealth of experience in marketing, digital engagement and journalism to the Blyth Festival. An award winning leader in arts marketing, Tomasek’s career combines a deep passion for the performing arts with cutting-edge strategies to amplify the reach and impact of cultural organizations.

Tomasek studied theatre at John Abbott College and earned a Bachelor of Arts at Carleton University and a Master of Arts in Mass Communications from the University of Leicester.

For 10 years Tomasek was a full time lecturer with the Faculty of Information & Media Studies at Western University. In 2013, he launched “The Performers Podcast,” which won the Best Cultural Series award at the Canadian Podcasting Awards.

A lifelong lover of theatre, art, and music…Lindsay is excited to be part of the Blyth Festival and contribute to the celebration of Canadian theatre.

Born and raised in Toronto, Lindsay earned a degree in Fashion Design from Toronto Metropolitan University. After a decade designing bras, she traded city life for Goderich, Ontario, where she found herself experiencing rural living for the first time. Through her work with Eat Local Huron, she became connected to the region’s agricultural roots, and deepened her love of community. Her new circle of friends and farmers introduced her to a variety of fascinating experiences, including (but not limited to) butchering, birdwatching, operating a backhoe, harvesting crops, using a crossbow, catching chickens, and much more. Blyth is unique in bringing stories from rural Canada to the forefront – stories that are essential to share. Lindsay is thrilled to be part of it all.

Joanne fell in love with the Blyth Festival the minute she walked into the theatre and felt she’d found her tribe. A copywriter, fundraiser and storyteller, she’s spent the last five years writing Curtain Call, hosting the Blyth Festival Podcast, and having the pleasure of interviewing dozens of Blyth’s amazing donors and supporters. Joanne holds a BA in history from the University of Victoria, an advanced degree in raising teenagers, and an abiding love for the magic that is Blyth.

Born, raised and now living in Goderich, ON, Lisa is overwhelmed with gratitude to be returning home to the Blyth Festival. Approximately 24 years ago, Lisa was first welcomed into the Blyth family as a member of the Young Company performing, Funny Faced Ogre. And now, almost a quarter of a century later, she is able to return the gift, welcoming the next generation of theatre geniuses to this amazing family as the Director of Youth Engagement.

The return trip to Blyth enjoyed some informative stops along the way, including 9 years as a highschool Drama and English teacher for the Avon Maitland District School Board, General Manager of the Livery Theatre, and Tourism Events & Marketing Coordinator for the Town of Goderich. Lisa continues to be a very active member of the Livery Theatre and is one of the founding members of the First Time For Everything Theatre Festival (FTFE).

Lisa graduated from the Performance Program at Sheridan College in 2009 and holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Performance Studies from the University of Toronto Mississauga, a Bachelor of Education from Western University, as well as a Master of Arts from the University of Guelph. She is certified with the Ontario College of Teachers and has been a member in good standing since 2016.

Erika is a Francophone non-profit leader, improviser, and passionate advocate for the arts and culture in Canada. She recently served as Executive Director of ACFA Centralta in Edmonton, Alberta for two years, where she drove organizational growth through French-language events, managing a community centre, cultivating cross-sector partnerships and programming high-impact Francophone youth initiatives.

A French Canadian who has called several parts of the country home, Erika is now settling into life as a proud Franco-Ontarian. She’s especially passionate about grant writing, administration, and finance in art and cultural spaces, bringing both heart and rigour to her work.

Outside of her daily dedication, Erika is a performer with a background in theatre, particular for improv and onstage improv competition. When she’s not on stage, she can be found at the local bowling league, playing guitar, tending to her garden, or rolling dice at the D&D table. She’s happiest near nature and spending time with her wife, family, and beloved furry companions.

Josie is very excited to be back at the Blyth Festival, working alongside the Volunteers as the Front of House Manager this season. When there isn’t a show on stage, Josie assists in the administration office and box office.

Severn is a director, dramaturge, actor, theatre creator and teacher who spent many formative summers in the Belgrave/Blyth area as a member of the Blyth Young Company.

As an actor, she’s performed in theatres across the country including the Blyth Festival, Shaw Festival, Stratford Festival, Theatre Passe Muraille, Tarragon, Theatre Calgary, Vancouver’s Firehall Arts Centre, Montreal’s Segal Centre and the National Arts Centre. A Dora award-winning director, Severn has directed a number of plays for Blyth as well as for Canadian Stage, SummerWorks, Bad Hats, Soulpepper and the National Arts Centre.

Severn is a graduate of the National Theatre School, Stratford Festival’s Birmingham Conservatory and holds an MFA in stage direction from York University in collaboration with Canadian Stage.

As Associate AD, Severn leads the Festival’s New Play Development while working closely with Gil on programming and outreach. She’s truly honoured to be part of the Blyth Festival team and its greater community.