Meet the 2024 Festival Team
Tova Arbus Head of Marketing & CommunicationsAn active practitioner and voice within the Northern Ontario theatre/arts communities, Tova is committed to the vibrant creativity that is developed when engaging with diverse performers, practitioners, and audiences. Completing both a BFA cum laude (Laurentian University), and post-graduate studies in Public Relations and Event Management (Sault College), Tova has successfully merged her passions for creating amazing theatre & building community-engaged arts and culture events. She continues to be heavily involved in many local/regional productions and events. Tova is committed to prioritizing justice, equity, equality, diversity and inclusion in any and all work that she does. She believes in doing the necessary work to centre diverse voices, hold space for those who are fighting for equity and equality, and stand in solidarity with folks who are marginalized, criminalized and othered. A co-founder of Fringe North, Tova has held both Artistic Director (2016-2018), and Artistic Producer (2021) positions.
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Garrett AbramsHe/Him Garrett Abrams is a theatre maker and facilitator hailing from Northeastern Ontario. As a theatre maker, his works have been produced in Canada, the United States, and Singapore. In August 2022 he completed his Master's Degree in Theatre & Performance Studies at York University in Toronto, where he researched the application of theatre practices for aiding the development of youth in rural Northern Ontarian communities. As the Artistic Director at Fringe North, he continues to work towards sustaining / expanding the vibrant performing arts community in Northern Ontario.
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Katelyn TownsendKatelyn joined the Fringe North team back in fall 2020. In her early years she helped organized several music and mixed arts events from back yard talent shows in elementary school to raise money for the local soup kitchen and hospital to touring to Elliott Lake with her band as a teenager. Katelyn also works as a Life Coach Practitioner and sees arts and culture as a vessel of healing for those who want to rebuild in life. You can visit her company websites here: www.abrahamsfortune.com Her greatest goal in working with Fringe North is to help artists soar to new heights in both their creativity and inner growth.
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Marc LaporteTourism & Sponsorship Marketing Lead | Digital TechnicianMarc Laporte is an experienced and creative Graphic Designer with a proven track record in graphic design and visual arts. Proficient in generating impactful graphics for apparel decoration, signage, and promotional materials, Marc is skilled in operating and maintaining production equipment, ensuring high-quality standards. He provides technical and artistic support to teams and clients and has a strong print and multimedia background.
As an advocate for inclusive arts education from Sault Ste, Marie, Ontario, Marc enjoys exploring diverse artistic mediums like animation, music, and theatre. He has extensive experience in liaising with community organizations in Sault Ste Marie and a deep commitment to putting inclusion in the arts at the forefront in the Northern Ontario Communities. Marc is excited to bring his creative vision and expertise to Fringe North, driving the success of its tourism and sponsorship efforts and ensuring that sponsors' contributions are prominently featured. Thrilled to join the Fringe North team, Marc is eager to help create an outstanding 2024 festival. |
Avery McMillanThey/ThemAvery McMillan is a theatre artist studying Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, and Dramaturgy and Drama Studies at the University of Toronto Mississauga. They enjoy writing, tea. and cacti.
Emelie RobetsonArtist RelationsShe/her |
Celeste Bond (She/Her)Fringe North Outreach OfficerCeleste (She/Her) was born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie. She is Métis of the Sayer family line from the Historical Sault Ste. Marie Métis Community. Celeste is currently in her fourth year at Wilfrid Laurier University studying in the Community Music (BMus) program with a French minor. Celeste is the region four representative of the Métis Nation of Ontario Youth Council, and is the Waterloo campus undergraduate representative for Laurier's Indigenous Education Council. Celeste has always been involved in music including lessons, dance, theatre, and live performances, and continues to practice her passion and share her joy of the arts.
Evan Eakett (Any)Digital Event PlannerLocally grown and proud to call this place home, Evan is a self-proclaimed broadcast wizard. We can't prove he has any magical powers, but we like to think he can turn a static-filled screen into a standing ovation with just a wave of his remote!
Katie Lariviere She/TheyTourism Development Officer - Toursim and Outreach LeadAaniin Boozhoo Kinaa Wiiyaa. My name is Katie Lariviere. I am an Anishinaabe kwe from baawaating (Sault Ste Marie) and I am working as a tourism specialist for this year's festival! I am hoping to reach people across Ontario to bring more awareness to our wonderful artists and the natural beauties that our city has to offer. I would like to accomplish this in an equitable way, ensuring people of all walks of life feel welcome and wanted in our spaces. If you're interested in collaborating on tourism efforts please feel free to reach out to me at [email protected]
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I feel very lucky to be a part of the Fringe North team this year, in my position as artist relations. I love getting to know artists and talking with them about their work and inspirations, as well as learning about what makes the Algoma art community unique! Prior to this, I worked in arts programming at a non-profit museum in the Northwest Territories, and worked a number of years as a forest firefighter. When I'm not working this day job, I'm working on my paintings, or spending time outside!
Brooke CheesemanSpecial Event Coordinator - Busker Stay n Play LeadShe/Her
Hello my name is Brooke and this is my first year working with Fringe North as a special event coordinator (busker lead/stay n play lead). In my free time I can be found enjoying nature or making stained glass piece
Cassandra Carlson (she/her)Financial Development Officer. Cassandra Carlson (she/her) is this year's Festival Financial Development Officer. Cassandra is Anishinaabe-kwe from Wauzhusk Onigum Nation. Growing up in the Sault, she engaged in many sports and extracurricular activities. She holds a BSc in Biology and Psychology from Brock University. Cassandra loves to bead in her free time and explore nature. Being a part of the Fringe North Festival since 2021, Cassandra is excited for what this year will bring!
Kasten MarshallVolunteer Coordinator and Festival TechnicianShe/TheyHey there! I'm Kasten, diving headfirst into my role as the volunteer coordinator and festival technician lead at this year's Fringe North! Despite it being my inaugural year with this festival, my background in programming, gaming, and communication has propelled me into this pivotal position. I'm absolutely thrilled to dedicate my summer to shaping this incredible festival, and I'm eagerly anticipating the moment when we can all come together, attendees and organizers alike, to experience its magic firsthand.
Green has always held a special place in my heart (as you can see form the background of this page) much like my journey through the arts—from drawing and writing to painting and singing, with so much more waiting to be explored. Alongside my artistic pursuits, I have a profound love for understanding the complexity of the human mind and its behavior. Mental health awareness and creating safe spaces are deeply important to me, and I'm committed to ensuring that Fringe North is a welcoming environment for all, where creativity can thrive without boundaries. While I aspire to showcase my own artistry one day, for now, I'm focused on immersing myself in the intricate workings behind the scenes of Sault's arts and culture scene. It's a journey I can't wait to embark on, uncovering layers of creativity and community spirit along the way. |