Staff

ted witzel

ted witzel (he/him) is a queer theatre-maker and artistic leader from toronto / tkaròn:to. primarily a director, ted is also variously a dramaturg, curator, teacher, writer, translator, designer, and performer. he has worked with theatres and cultural organizations across canada, the uk, germany, and italy.

fusing high-octane performance, rigorous dramaturgy, digital aesthetics, and poetic text, ted’s directing is located at the intersection between the personal and the political, and the (visceral, emotional, intellectual) frictions between them. 

ted was a guest curator for the 2023 edition of the summerworks festival and is a member of the theatre committee at the toronto arts council. he recently completed a four-year tenure as artistic associate and laboratory director at the stratford festival, where he oversaw the company’s research and development programs. these included a broad portfolio of new works in development, equity-focused systems change, artist residencies, and a collection of artistic explorations and programs that aim to help imagine the future orientation of the company.

ted holds a masters of arts management from SDA bocconi and an MFA in directing from york university and canadian stage. in 2018, he was selected as an artistic leadership resident at the national theatre school, and was a member of the banff centre’s 2019 cultural leadership cohort. he has been artist-in-residence at harbourfront centre, buddies in bad times (toronto) and institut für alles mögliche (berlin). ted also runs a project-based theatre company called the red light district. 

Kristina Lemieux

Kristina Lemieux (she/her) is a contemporary dancer and accomplished arts manager with more than 20 years of professional experience across Canada. In all that she does, Kristina works to support independent artists across performing disciplines in finding ways to make art outside of the currently prescribed modes.

Raised in Treaty 6 territory (rural Alberta), Kristina graduated from the University of Alberta and has lived, worked, and played across Canada from Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto, and most recently, Saint John. Her passion for the arts has driven collaboration, creation, and innovation in the national arts scene for over a decade. In 2016, Kristina made a move to Toronto to take on the role of Lead Producer of Generator. In her five years in this leadership role, Kristina coached over 100 artist-producers to strengthen their producing and financial acumen.

She is now based out of Saint John, New Brunswick, on the unceded traditional territory of Wolastogiyik, Mi’Kmaq, and Peskotomuhkati.

Ludmylla Reis

Ludmylla Reis ( they/them ) is a cultural leader, a theatre director, a filmmaker, a curator, and a producer with a BFA in acting and an MFA in directing, as well as an independent career in project management and cultural studies.

In Leadership, they have completed their Metcalf Foundation Internship with GCTC, NAC, and Black Theatre Workshop; they have been the Co-Artistic Producer at TACTICS and the Member & Organizations Liaison at DARC – Ottawa’s Media Arts Center. Currently, they are the Artistic Associate at Ottawa’s experimental lab, Theatre 4.669 and now the Festival Director at Buddies’ Rhubarb!

In Theatre, they are a Director, a Stratford’s Langham Workshop Alumni, a Cultural Dramaturg, a Deviser, and a Professor, having taught at uOttawa’s BFA for Acting and Scene Study classes.

Twice nominated for the Pauline McGibbons award as an Emerging Director, and Best Emerging BIPOC artist for the Ottawa Arts Council, they have received Awards from Ottawa Fringe for New Works and Prix Rideau for Best Directing.

In film, their first short film, Away, is currently being distributed at CFMDC and has been screened in Canada and abroad, receiving awards such as Best Cinematography. Ludmylla has also worked with the Mirror Mountain Film Festival as a jury member and is an alumnus of the WIFT-TO Mentorship program.

From Pindorama to Turtle Island, they are grateful to work in collective arts, as one can only see a corner of life alone.

Aidan Morishita-Miki

Aidan (he/him) is an arts administrator, stage manager, and plant dad. He’s worked in various capacities with companies including Red Dress Productions, Boys in Chairs Collective, Re:Current Theatre, Ars Mechanica, Hart House Theatre, and SummerWorks. Recently he also worked as a managing producer for FIXT POINT Arts and Media, coordinating various aspects of the company’s The Tale of a Town project. He started volunteering at Buddies in 2012 and has stuck around since.

What’s your favourite spot in the city?
There are lots but one is the east side of Riverdale Park up on Broadview. It’s been the site of first dates, a last date, and I also got baptized on the church at the top of the hill. Riverdale’s where my dad’s family first lived when they moved to Toronto, so it’s got a special place in my heart. It’s also one of the best views of the city skyline. Honourable mentions go to the capybara pen at High Park Zoo and Nirvana (RIP) at College and Bathurst.

What’s your earliest memory of Buddies
I think the first time I came to Buddies was at a club night as a hardly-out gay in my undergrads, with a couple of girls I was in a musical with. Mostly what I remember is that partway through the night, they asked me to point out “the type of guy I was into”. I pointed out a tall, handsome guy, and before I knew it they had brought him over to me. I was mortified. I don’t think I went back to Buddies as a club until after I started working here.

Paul Therrien

Paul is a freelance musician, playing drums and percussion as an accompanist. With the advent of MP3’s, file sharing and the demise of CDs, he continues to play part time, but has shifted into work in building renovations, expanded into building technologies via George Brown College training and then into property management. He has spent the last fifteen years at Artscape supporting over a thousand artists by providing them with safe and affordable housing and creative spaces. Paul does volunteer work for some local Tenant Advocacy groups and, as a hobby, does tropical plant maintenance for himself and friends.

Katie Saunoris | KSPR

Katie Saunoris (she/her) is an arts publicist based in Toronto / Tkaròn:to. She works with theatres, festivals, artists, and cultural organizations across Canada.

Mason McDonald

Mason McDonald (they/them) is a multidisciplinary Métis artist from Treaty 6 Territory, Saskatchewan, now based in Tkaronto. As an actor, choreographer, writer, and poet, Mason’s work is deeply rooted in ensuring trans and queer people are portrayed as multifaceted individuals with rich inner worlds. They challenge reductive stereotypes by celebrating the depth, humanity, and unique experiences within these communities. Drawing from their Indigenous heritage and prairie upbringing, Mason’s creative practice weaves a strong connection to land, identity, and cultural expression. Their performances and written works often explore themes of resilience, belonging, and the intersections of community and self, offering a distinct voice in Canada’s artistic landscape. Mason has received over two dozen awards and recognitions from around the globe for their independent and commissioned choreographic works. They hold a BFA in Acting from Toronto Metropolitan University, are a proud member of ACTRA Toronto, and are represented by Play Management.
Mason is thrilled to work and play at Buddies among some of the most incredible and inspiring humans this earth has ever known! @itsmasonmcdonald

Sue Balint

Sue Balint (she/her) is a producer, curator and facilitator. She has collaborated with a number of companies including Modern Times Stage Company, Aluna Theatre, SummerWorks, Native Earth Performing Arts, The Theatre Centre, and Luminato, and has also toured several projects abroad. Previous projects with buddies include two years as part of the Rhubarb! Festival team. Sue also currently serves as Executive Director of the Bonavista Biennale, a contemporary art exhibition presented on the Bonavista Peninsula of Newfoundland every two years.

Anasimone George

Anasimone’s screen time is abysmal. With over ten years of experience spanning performance, live events, and community building. Rooted in stand-up comedy, her work focuses on sharp storytelling, audience connection, and creating spaces where laughter brings people together.

As Communications Strategist at Buddies, Anasimone helps to connect various audiences across platforms and amplify queer artists. When not looping the same sound over and over again to make the “perfect post”, she’s “analyzing data” (spiralling about why the image that took her ten years to photoshop isn’t viral).

Rae Abunahla