November 19-30, 2025/*Studio Theatre
New Ideas Festival
Proudly entering its 37th year, the New Ideas Festival is Alumnae’s annual showcase of new and experimental one-act plays. Witness theatrical history in the making with bold premieres from both emerging and established theatre artists.
*Please note that the Studio Theatre is not wheelchair accesssible.
This production is generously supported by
The Production Team
ALEKSANDRA MASLENNIKOVA/PRODUCER
This is Aleksandra’s second venture into producing (last one was Fireworks 2025)! She is excited to help bring these eight captivating stories to life. With a deep passion for the performing arts and long-standing involvement in theatre, Aleksandra has been a dedicated Alumnae member for many years – continuing the support from her new home in Montréal. Some of her recent credits: Shadows in the Nooks (Alumnae); Back Mirror in New Ideas/Alumnae; and No Exit (Aurora Theatre). By day, Aleksandra works at a dance company, and you’ll often find her outdoors playing/battling with her furry demonoodle. IG: @imagerytales
ANNA JOSE/PRODUCTION MANAGER, WEEK 1
Anna Jose is an engineer and data analyst who lives by her motto: “I breathe creativity.” This dynamic creator is a seasoned model, dancer, and a Royal Conservatory of Music pianist. Her love for film has secured her prominent roles at the Toronto International Film Festival since 2016, plus acting in shorts and music videos. Her recent background role in the Disney movie Spin was an inspiring glimpse into large-scale production. Anna is electrified to bring her technical and artistic talents to the New Ideas Festival (NIF) as a production manager. She is also the stage manager for the play Dirt and Oranges at NIF. She eagerly anticipates future Alumnae Theatre roles as an actor, director, and playwright, proudly supporting its vital platform for women.
LAMESHA RUDDOCK/PRODUCTION MANAGER, WEEK 2
Lamesha Ruddock is a cultural producer, performance artist, and historian specialising in 20th-century Black British feminist history. Based between the UK and Canada, Lamesha has held roles with Hamilton (West End), the Royal Court Theatre, and as Co-Executive Director of Boundless Theatre. She has produced with Luminato Festival, Pleasance Theatre, Shadowland Theatre, and Theatre Royal Stratford East and programmed at BAND Gallery and is currently an Access Support Worker for Arts Council England. A Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, her leadership extends across multiple boards, including Alumnae Theatre and Paprika Festival.
ANDREA STEWART/SOUND DESIGNER
Andrea is excited to once again be working with Alumnae Theatre! She is an audio engineer and musician with a BAH in Drama Studies and Film + Media from Queen’s University (2014). She loves to combine her passion for sound with her passion for theatre with 20+ design credits across southwestern Ontario, most recently for Thaumathrope Theatre’s The Glass Menagerie (2024) and Alumnae Theatre’s Other Desert Cities (2024). Check out her two EPs under the artist name Bobbi Redd on your streaming platform of choice! Much love to her fabulous family. Enjoy Dirt and Oranges and the rest of the festival!
CONNOR PRICE-KELLEHER/LIGHTING DESIGNER
Connor is a technical director, photographer, and clown with a decade of experience in the theatrical industry across Ontario. He is beyond excited to be working at Alumnae Theatre as the TD for the current season and hopes to see you at a show! As a professional, he gets way too excited about breakfast for dinner and believes if everyone learned to juggle the world would be the best place.
MELANIE STEVENSON/LIGHTING OPERATOR
As a festival lighting operator, Melanie is delighted to help “shine a light” on new work being developed at NIF. A former stage manager, she now spends most of her time writing and acting but is happy to support fellow playwrights by dusting off her production skills from time to time.
SHAY SHARMA/LIGHTING OPERATOR
Shay Sharma is an actor and comedian native to the GTA. He has had extensive training and experience over the past decade, both as an actor and as a stand-up comedian. He has played a diversity of roles, ranging from Shakespeare to various theatre and media projects. In 2021, he had the opportunity to study at the prestigious Stella Adler Summer Acting Conservatory in New York City. He hopes to be able to expand his repertoire across different media and genres, while continuing to polish his skills as a dynamic and versatile actor.
ELLEN GREEN/PROPS MANAGER
Ellen graduated from York University in English and Dramatic Arts. As a high school head of drama, Ellen absolutely loved directing talented young people in her favourite shows, including Little Shop of Horrors, Anything Goes, Into the Woods, Noises Off, and Brighton Beach Memoirs. Upon retirement, Ellen joined Alumnae to continue feeding her appetite for theatre. Ellen thanks Alumnae for the varied opportunities she’s been offered: as director, assistant director, assistant stage manager, acting coach and now to join the team as props manager. In her favourite role as grandmother of five girls and twin boys four years old, there is always exciting drama in her personal life as well.
LESLIE RENNIE/WARDROBE MANAGER
Leslie has been the wardrobe manager at Alumnae Theatre since 2018. She continues to rely on the advice and counsel of her wonderful mentor, Margaret Spence. She considers it delightful to help directors and actors find and/or create costumes to suit their needs.
RHEIMA ROBINSON/STAGEHAND
Rheima Robinson is a cultural project manager and event professional with over a decade of experience producing live events across arts, media, and civic sectors in Canada and the UK. She has worked with organizations such as TIFF, BAFTA, and the British Film Institute. Rheima brings a passion for collaboration, creativity, and storytelling to every production she supports.
Accessibility
Alumnae Theatre’s Berkeley Street entrance and the Mainstage Theatre are wheelchair accessible. There is a wheelchair accessible restroom on the ground floor.
