core artists
artistic director
robert morrison
Hi! I’m Robert Morrison (he/they), a theatre-maker and artistic leader originally from Alberta’s foothills, now based in Toronto. I’m a director, writer, actor, photographer, painter, party curator and artistic director of A Front Company, a company dedicated to bold, youthful, and experimental theatre-making. My work spans theatre, film, dance and interdisciplinary collaboration, driven by a commitment to creating accessible, electrifying spaces where young people feel invited, represented, and challenged.
I fuse rigorous dramaturgy, dynamic design, high-energy performance, and raw, intimate storytelling to explore the intersections of the personal and political. My directing ranges from new Canadian works to classics reimagined for contemporary audiences. Recent credits include ECHO, which I developed and directed from inception to its premiere at The Theatre Centre’s Incubator before touring to Edmonton Fringe and Toronto’s Next Stage Festival, and SKYSCRAPER, which first appeared at the Paprika Festival and it now headed to the Aki Studio this December for a week-long tech residency.
In film, I co-directed Hatch, which won First Prize at the Utah Dance Film Festival, and helmed the short documentary How to Be Not Alone, nominated for Best Documentary at QUIFF. I’m also the creator and co-curator of POOL PARTY, an interdisciplinary gathering for young artists across Toronto to connect and create across disciplines like music, dance, and visual art.
I’m deeply committed to fostering spaces for young and emerging artists to thrive. I focus on dismantling barriers to create community-led, vital, and responsive art. My work is about questioning systems, embracing liveness, and imagining theatre as a space for cultural dialogue and radical change.
kole durnford
My name is Kole Durnford (he/him), and I’m a Metis actor, playwright and creator originally from Stony Plain, Alberta. A graduate of the acting program at Toronto Metropolitan University, I’m a two time Dora nominated actor, including a 2023 nomination for Best Ensemble as part of Niizh (Native Earth Performing Arts). Beyond acting, this will be the third production of my first play ECHO. My follow up, SKYSCRAPER, is currently in development with support from Native Earth Performing Arts. Thank you for coming to see ECHO!!!! Recent credits include: Insert Clown Here (Parlous Theatre), Killing Time: A Game Show Musica (Mixtape Projects), SKYSCRAPER (Paprika Festival), Niizh (Native Earth Performing Arts. @koledurnford
mathilda kane
Mathilda (she/they) is a Tkaronto based Lighting Designer, Theatre Maker, and member of A Front Company. She is a Queer second generation Canadian of Scottish, Indian, German, and Guyanese descent. Mathilda is fascinated by the boundaries of ‘designable space’ in theatre. They take a collaborative approach to creation and care greatly for fostering long term creative relationships. And always aims to centre accessibility and sustainability in her work. mathildakane.com
Select credits Include: Killing Time: A Game Show Musical (Mixtape Projects), ECHO (A Front Company), A Perfect Bowl of Pho (Send Noods Productions), Morning After (A Front Company), Ursa: A Folk Musical (Uncommon Folk Collective)
want to work with us?
we encourage artists from any discipline and background to share their ideas with us. we are constantly searching for new ways of working and new ways of telling stories. click here to get in touch.
PAST MEMBERS
olivia seward
I am a Producer, Stage Manager, and avid book reader who grew up, and continues to live and create work within Tkaronto.
I am the Executive Producer at A Front Company and the Assistant Producer and Community Engagement Coordinator at Tarragon Theatre! I also have a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performance Production, with a double minor in Performance Studies and Marketing, from The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University.
Within the past year I founded and produced the Terra Firma Festival, a week-long curated festival of six new student works at The Theatre Centre, was a participant in Toronto Fringe's 2022 TENT Program, Production Managed and Associate Produced Collections, a dance festival showcasing the work of Toronto Metropolitan University’s graduating dance class, Stage Managed Erin Brandenberg's Knives in Hen's by David Harrower, and was Owais Lightwala's Research Assistant for the National Arts Centre.
My goal is to make accessible and expansive theatre for young adults, while prioritising care with the creation process. With my passion for spreadsheets, problem solving, and care driven communication I believe there is no dream that's too big.
katarina fiallos
Katarina is a storyteller based in Toronto and is a graduate from TMU's School of Performance. Since graduating she has had the opportunity to pursue different ventures in acting, writing and directing for theatre and film.
Her most recent acting credits include Lisa in Wakey Wakey (County Stage/Stratford Festival), Dorine in La Bête (TIFT), Chloe in Hookman (School of Performance/Soulpepper); and Bianca in Untamed (School of Performance/Tarragon). This past year she brought to life her first original piece, Morning After, at the Toronto Fringe Festival.
Katarina has a passion for developing new work. She is so inspired by all the emerging artists around her and hopes to help bring their stories to life. She looks forward to developing her next project this fall and remounting La Bête for its Toronto run next March.