Leadership
Kelly Thornton is an award-winning director and dramaturg. Since 2001, she has been the Artistic Director of Nightwood Theatre, Canada’s national women’s theatre. Prior to this she worked in new play development at the Canadian Stage Company, Factory Theatre and Buddies in Bad Times Theatre (Rhubarb Festival Director 2001 & 02). She has been directing for the stage for over fifteen years. Selected credits include So Many Doors (Yukon Arts Centre/Sour Brides/Magnetic North Theatre Festival), Veronique Olmi’s Mathilde, translated by Morwyn Brebner (Nightwood), The Comedy of Errors (Canstage’s Dream in High Park), The Danish Play (Nightwood, Aveny-Teatret, Denmark, Edmonton’s Magnetic North and National Arts Centre, Ottawa) and This Hotel (Theatre Passe Muraille/Planet 88- six Dora Mavor Moore Award nominations including Outstanding Direction). Other credits include the world premiere of China Doll (Nightwood, Governor General’s Award Finalist), Peep Show (Buddies in Bad Times Theatre), Finding Regina (Nightwood/Theatre Passe Muraille /Globe Theatre), Bear With Me (Nightwood), The Dumb Waiter (SummerWorks), Friedrich Durrenmatt’s The Visit (Alumnae Director’s Award). Kelly teaches at the National Theatre School of Canada. In 2003, she was honoured with the prestigious Pauline McGibbon Award for her outstanding work as a Director and most recently, Kelly was recognized for her commitment to training and mentorship of young women in the performing arts by being named a 2008 YWCA Woman of Distinction.
Monica Esteves joined Nightwood Theatre in 2006 as Producer and General Manager. Originally a stage and production manager, Monica established herself as an independent theatre producer and arts manager. She was the Artistic Producer and Co-Founder of The Company Theatre whose inaugural production of A Whistle in the Dark earned critical acclaim and numerous Dora Mavor Moore nominations. Monica also produced BirdLand Theatre’s acclaimed production of The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (Winner of 5 Dora Mavor Moore Awards). Simultaneous to those endeavours, Monica was the Company Manager and Assistant Artistic Producer at the Canadian Stage Company). As a professional stage manager, Monica’s credits include multiple productions at the Canadian Stage Company, Tarragon Theatre, Theatre Passe Muraille, Videocabaret, Theatrefront, Nightwood Theatre, The Saidye Bronfman Centre, Resurgence Theatre, Mirvish Productions, The Stratford Festival and various independent productions. She was the Production Manager for the inaugural season of The Montreal Young Company. Monica is a graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada. She sits on the Board of Directors for the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres.
