Deanna Jones
Co-Founder + Artistic Director
Deanna Jones is co-founder and Artistic Director of Suitcase in Point with whom she has created and performed in over 15 original plays, including Barrel Crank, the Dora award nominated Keith Richards One Woman Show and Be Wearing Wolf. Other selected acting credits include: Silly Old Men Ought Not to Fall in Love (Theatre Beyond Words), Bluenose (Carousel Players), and Trout Stanley (Essential Collective Theatre). She is part of FIXT Point’s ensemble for the Tale of a Town Canada, directed Niagara Artists Centre’s STRUTT Wearable Art Runway Show (2011-2014), and is Artistic Director of In the Soil Arts Festival. Deanna has a B.A. in Theatre from Brock University, and has trained with One Yellow Rabbit, Philippe Gaulier, Upright Citizen’s Brigade and SITI Company. Deanna is currently working on a new show about the history of smoking cigarettes, des antécédents de tabagisme.
Tamara Jensen
Director of Marketing and Development
Having founded and worked with some of Niagara’s leading destination and event brands over the past decade, Tamara bring a wealth of hospitality, tourism, and event marketing expertise as the Director of Marketing and Development. As a practicing visual artist and board member with the Niagara Artists Centre, Tamara is passionate about creating and amplifying opportunities for artists to make a creative living in Niagara. Tamara is the recipient of the 2014 Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce Women In Business Outstanding New Business Award, and has been recognized as a Top 40 Under 40 Business Achievement Award recipient. Her fine dining restaurant, Dispatch, was named one of enRoute Magazine’s Top 10 Best New Restaurants in Canada. Tamara has a M.A. in Forensic Psychology from Carleton University and received a Professional Management certification from the Goodman School of Business at Brock University.
Marcel Stewart
Outreach Director
Marcel is a theatre artist whose performance practice is rooted in the research of what stories have been told, how they have been told and by whom. The freedom to ask questions and responsibility to propose change is what inspires Marcel. Through theatre Marcel holds a mirror up to the world and reflects on his position in it, offering the chance for all those who experience his craft to do the same. He is constantly exploring new ways of telling stories, currently on screen through film and television. Most recently he co-wrote the short film, Chance Encounter: https://vimeo.com/282092101.
Holly Keus
Production + Workshop Coordinator
Holly Keus is a recent graduate of Brock University’s Dramatic Arts Program. She has worked with many Niagara companies such as Twitches and Itches as and Essential Collective Theatre. Holly started with Suitcase in Point in 2018 part of their Arts Mentorship Program. She was theatre technical assistant for In the Soil Arts Festival and has stage managed 3 shows for the company. She also, somehow, finds time to plays 11 instruments. Holly was born and raised in the Niagara region and loves that she gets to continue working in the arts, and is thankful to be working alongside other incredibly talented artists every single day.
Board of Directors
Chair
Rebecca Cann
Director
Michelle Brisebois
Treasurer
Brian Gasbarini
Secretary
Kahlin Holmes
Director
Roselyn Kelada-Sedra
Director
Diana Myrie
Vice President
Nigel Scott
Associate Artists
We are proud to have worked with a wide range of incredible artists, stage managers and technicians since our inception in 2001. From creative collaborators to guest artists, the following folks have contributed to the past 15 years of Suitcase in Point programs.
Graham Shaw
Mike Wale
Heather Maxwell
Dawn Crysler
Andre du Toit
Lewis Melville
Dave Clark
Ernest Harris Jr.
Amy Nostbakken
Rose Plotek
Erin Birkenbergs
Muoi Nene
Stephen Remus
Jason Cadieux
Anrita Petraroia
Diane Konkin
Ker Wells
Clelia Scala
Amir Amiri
June Etta Chenard
Bruce McCulloch
Anah Shabbar
Kelli Sitarski
Lisa Brooke
Tyler Sainsbury
Joe Lapinski
Robert Feetham
Adam Buller
Trent Pardy
Adam Paolozza
Monica Dufault
Kate Leathers
Jessica Carmichael
Michael Greves
Katie Webb
Charles Ketchabaw
Peter Balkwill
Doug Ledingham
Terrance Cox
Daniele Bartolini
Alexa Fraser
Gupreet Chana
Dave Oxner
Thomas Colagna
Kris Demeanor
Rebecca Walsh
Lisa Marie Diliberto
Jacob Bergsma
Jacqueline Costa
Steve Watson
Brittany Brooks
Erin Shields
Geoff Brown
Kevin Richardson
Ethan Rising
Kimberly Purtell
Carla Ritchie
Melissa Convery
Stephanie Jones
Chris Penney
Danielle Wilson
Debbie Arruda
Kasia Smuga
Sascha Cole
Rob Robbins
Shary Boyle
Sam Kalilieh
Andrea Adcock
Johnny Cann