Amanda Lewis, Artistic Director
AMANDA LEWIS has combined careers as a writer, theatre director, calligrapher, book artist and instructor. Currently the Artistic 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 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 Ottawa Theatre School 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
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