Bios
Jed Tomlinson - Spark
Over the past 15 years, Jed has been fortunate to work with theatre companies across the country. Working as an actor, drummer, designer, forum theatre facilitator and educator, Jed eventually fell deeply into a passionate relationship with clown. Jed’s clown credits include: The Sleep Over (Under Ground Cabaret) Ashes (Sage Theatre’s Ignite Festival), and Three Dates (The Golden Age Circus Cabaret). Jed was a co-founder of The Pie Factory Collective with whom he created and performed The Lost and Lost Department, which was presented at the 2012 Calgary International Children’s Festival. Jed has taught clown for Momo Dance, Bishop’s University and the University of Regina. Jed has spent the past 6 years training with and assisting John Turner at the Manitoulin Conservatory for Creation and Performance, where he is an artist in residency.
Jacqueline Russell - Sizzle
A Calgary based director, performer, playwright, producer and theatre educator, Jacqueline was the Artistic Producer of Urban Curvz Theatre from 2011-2015, the 2013-14 RBC Emerging Director at Lunchbox Theatre and the Artistic Producer for Evergreen Theatre from 2008-2013. Jacqueline’s clown performance credits include I’m So Happy For You (Girls Gone Wilde Cabaret), Going to the Chapel (The Golden Age Circus Cabaret), The Worry Wart (Edmonton Fringe) and Raunch (Western Canada Fringe Tour with co-creator Alice Nelson). She has directed many clown-inspired shows including Elephant in Zulu (Alice Nelson) and Belle Paris (Judith Mendelsohn). Jacqueline has taught mask, clown and physical theatre for Arts Commons, The Edge Academy and Pumphouse Theatre. A graduate of the BFA -Acting Program at the University of Alberta, she is thrilled to be an artist in residence at the Manitoulin Conservatory for Creation and Performance (MCCP). As a theatre instructor/facilitator she has worked in artist-in-residence programs province wide, as well as in many Aboriginal communities.
Michael Kennard- Director
For the past twenty-five years Michael has been a co-creator (with John Turner), performer and producer with internationally acclaimed clown duo Mump & Smoot. Michael is a graduate of the University Of Guelph Drama program and studied physical comedy, clown, mask, improv and movement with Richard Pochinko, Ian Wallace, Fiona Griffths, Philippe Gaulier and The Second City. He has taught at The Yale School of Drama, Tel Aviv University, California State University, University of Colorado, Guelph University, Bishops University, Equity Showcase, The SPACE, The Humber College Comedy program and currently is on Faculty at the University of Alberta. Michael’s directing credits include: The Christmas Carol, The Hobbit and The Wizard of Oz at The Globe Theatre in Regina, The Second City’s Family Circus Maximus and Insanity Fair in Toronto and co-directed Embryo’s on Ice in Chicago, Half a Sixpence and Alice Through the Looking Glass at Bishops’ University, The Hollow (independent) at Berkeley St Theatre and The Royal Pardon at The University of Alberta. Michael has been recognized for his work with a Dora award, two Canadian Comedy awards, a Boston Theatre award and a Drama Logue award (California) for his work.
