Amanda Lewis, Artistic Director
AMANDA LEWIS has combined careers as a writer, theatre director, calligrapher, book artist and instructor. For ten years, she was the Artistic Director of the Perth Arts Workshop, a summer arts training program for young people aged 10 - 18. Amanda has also directed Youth Theatre Workshops for the Upper Canada Playhouse (Morrisburg), and has taught various workshops for the National Arts Centre, The Ottawa School of Speech & Drama and The School of Dance. Originally trained at York University, Amanda 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.
Amanda is also a professional calligrapher, book artist and writer and has exhibited her artwork in numerous group and solo shows. She has taught workshops in theatre, visual arts and writing for students in schools and universities 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 OSSD 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 works for OSSD as our Director of Adult Programs/Summer Camp Director. We are thrilled that Bruce has taken on this position. Bruce oversees the Pre-Professional Program and helps to develop 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
Sheila Sturk-Green, General Manager
For the past 16 years, Sheila has been working as the Communications Manager for a national arts organization in Ottawa. Sheila has an Honours B.A. in Fine Arts from the University of Ottawa and has completed courses in Arts Administration. Sheila lives in Westboro with her husband and two daughters and is estatic about her new role as General Manager with The Ottawa School of Speech and Drama.
Phone: 613-567-6788 ext. 200
Email: ssturkgreen@ossd.com
Francesco Corsaro, Development Officer
Francesco Corsaro believes strongly in the positive role that arts and culture plays in the lives of children and adults. To this end, Francesco has taken the knowledge gained from a BA in Fine Arty History from the University of Toronto and has applied it to, and expanded it with, every job he’s held in the cultural sector since. After having completed work terms with places like The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery and Toronto Artscape, Francesco decided to focus his work in culture with further studies with the Cultural Career Council of Ontario’s Income Mangers Program. From there, Francesco built on his knowledge through rigorous course work and a placement at the National Art Centre Foundation. Now in Ottawa, Francesco comes to OSSD after having worked with The Ottawa School of Art as their Marketing & Development Officer. Francesco also keeps busy as the Director of IPO Gallery, a charitable gallery that supports emerging artists and arts education. Francesco is also a founding Co-Chair with X Ottawa Photography festival.
Phone: 613-567-6788 ext. 202
Email: development@ossd.com
Monica Sapiano, Registrar
Monica is a graduate of Carleton University and has worked in office administration and customer service in a variety of capacities over the years. Most recently she has been happily occupied at home raising four children and now is thrilled and proud to be working with the creative and committed team at OSSD.
Phone: 613-567-6788 ext. 100
Email: info@ossd.com
Kaitlin St-Jacques, Summer Camp Manager
Kaitlin is in the last semester of her Honours B.A. in Theatre at the University of Ottawa and plans to attend teacher’s college in the fall. Kaitlin enjoys directing, stage managing and acting and will be performing (on her stilts!) in the NAC’s Snow Show this February. In her spare time, Kaitlin is also learning to unicycle. She is excited to be back at OSSD this year as summer camp manager, after having worked with the summer camp for the past six years.
Phone: 613-567-6788 ext. 100
Email: info@ossd.com