Many past participants have gone on to take part in professional playwrighting labs, produce Fringe and SummerWorks productions, perform professionally on Canadian stages and work in film and television. Paprika alumni can be found in the best training institutions across the country, with numerous participants attending the National Theatre School, as well as continuing their theatrical education around the world. The Paprika Festival is shaping the future artistic community of this country and empowering emerging artists to pursue all aspects of the profession.

Paprika Festival alumni include a number of theatre artists who continue to create for the stage: including Briana Brown (Director of Artistic Programs), Sarah Miller Garvin (Alumni Coordinator), Charlotte Corbeil-Coleman, Emily Sugerman, Johnnie Walker, Frank Cox O’Connell, Mitchell Cushman, Bethany Jillard, David Rendall, Daniel Karasik, Naomi Skwarna, Jayne Collins, Mitchell Marcus, Anthony Furey (Festival Founder), and Natasha Mytnowych (Past Artistic Producer).

Fast Facts:

  • There have been over 350 participants in the Paprika Festival since its inception.
  • 7 different independent theatre companies formed through the Paprika Festival have gone on to do shows in the Fringe Festival, Summerworks, New Ideas Festival, and the Rhubarb Festival
  • Festival Alumni have been involved in theatre around the city: Theatre Revolve, Diaspora Dialogues, Tarragon Theatre, Factory Theatre, Obsidian Theatre, Bad Dog Theatre, Second City, The Canadian Stage Company, Theatre Passe Muraille, Clay and Paper Theatre, Toronto Fringe Festival, Luminato, Nuit Blanche
  • Many of our playwrights have gone on to write for different publications such as: Shameless Magazine, Broken Pencil Magazine, The Varsity, Spin Magazine, Now Toronto Magazine, Eye Weekly, Toronto Star Junior Journalist, Torontoist, Steel Bananas
  • Two Alumni are even Dora Award-winning Producers



"It opened doors to connections between me and other young, talented artists and the great and varied kind of theatre that exists."
– Sara Farb

" The Paprika Festival has given me unbelievable opportunities to write and produce my own work.  I met and worked with fellow artists who are amazing and I have made long term connections.  I also got the opportunity to work with professionals and I am forever grateful!"
  – Aracely Reyes