Erin Downey, Interim Artistic Director
Phone: 613-567-6788 ext. 201
Email: edowneysilcoff@ossd.com
Amanda Lewis, Executive Director
AMANDA LEWIS has combined careers as a writer, theatre director, calligrapher, book artist and instructor. Currently the Executive Director at the Ottawa School of Speech & Drama, Amanda has spent her career working in the arts and arts education. In her theatre career, Amanda has taught various workshops for the National Arts Centre, the Upper Canada Playhouse (Morrisburg), The Perth Arts Workshop, The School of Dance and various schools and universities throughout Ontario. Originally trained at York University, she has worked in a number of theatres including Factory Theatre Lab; Tarragon Theatre; the Blyth Festival; the NAC; the Perth Summer; and the Perth Theatre Project.
As a professional calligrapher and book artist, Amanda has exhibited her artwork in numerous group and solo shows. She has taught workshops in visual arts and writing for students throughout Ontario. Amanda is the author of 5 books for young people: WRITING, A Fact and Fun Book; LETTERING; MAKING MEMORY BOOKS; THE JUMBO BOOK OF PAPER CRAFTS; and ROSIE BACKSTAGE (co-written with Tim Wynne-Jones). All are published by Kids Can Press.
When she is not at The Ottawa School of Speech and Drama, Amanda lives in the woods outside of Perth, Ontario, with her husband, writer Tim Wynne-Jones, and their family.
Phone: 613-567-6788 ext. 201
Email: alewis@ossd.com
Bruce Bissonnette, Director of Adult Programs
Bruce is a Professional Actor, Director, and Teacher in the Performing Arts. He is the Artistic Director of The Ottawa Theatre School as well the Director of Adult Programs for the Ottawa School of Speech & Drama where he develops the curriculum and course content for all adult courses. He started his career in 1986 studying Acting at George Brown Theatre School and Directing at The Canadian Film Institute. His selected Directing credits include: Spider Juice, Work! Jobs in Progress, Our Town, The Duplex, 7 Stories, Blade and An Acre Of Time. His selected Acting credits include: Bordertown Cafe (Gryphon Theatre), Transit of Venus (Magnus Theatre), East of Elvis (Sudbury Theatre), The Mousetrap (Showboat Festival), Aladdin (Limelight Theatre), The Best Present (Carousel Players), Patria 1 (Canadian Opera Company). Bruce's Film and Television credits include: Jake and Phyllis (Canadian Film Centre), Street Legal (CBC), Kids in the Hall (Broadway Video), and Family Passions (CBC).
Phone: 613-567-6788 ext. 203
Email: bbissonnette@ossd.com
Ellen Wightman, Financial Director
Ellen Wightman was born and raised in England where she earned a B.A. in Business Management and Administration. Ellen has gained a variety of professional experience having worked in Oman as a Controller for a national manufacturing company, a Statistician for the German Civil Service, and a Banker with HSBC UK. For the past 8 year she has worked in Ottawa in the non-profit sector. She brings to OSSD over 25 years of experience in accounting, finance and business administration. She is thrilled to be part of the committed team at The Ottawa school of Speech and Drama and Ottawa Theatre School.
Phone: 613-567-6788 ext. 200
Email: ewightman@ossd.com
Kelly Schinzel, Office Administration
Phone: 613-567-6788 ext. 100
Email: info@ossd.com
Aja Butler George , Office Administration
Phone: 613-567-6788 ext. 100
Email: info@ossd.com