Arkady Spivak
Founder and Artistic Producer
Arkady graduated from York University, Glendon College in 2000 with a BA in Theatre and Business. That very summer he joined Barrie’s Gryphon Theatre as a summer student in publicity, but then stayed for two years to fulfill a wide range of tasks from marketing to fundraising, box office management and anything in between. While working at the Gryphon full time, Arkady has started Talk Is Free Theatre in Toronto, where the company produced three productions. Its first Toronto production was nominated for the prestigious Dora Mavor Award in Independent Theatre Category in 2002.
Also in 2002, at the invitation of Barrie’s business community and recognizing the incredible potential of Barrie’s growth as a municipality, Arkady had relocated Talk Is Free to Barrie. Since then the company has produced 41 productions.
While managing a very dynamic and rapidly growing arts organization, Arkady continues to be active in the community as a Member of the Kiwanis Club of Barriel. He has recently served as a Juror for the Theatre Projects Program of the Ontario Arts Council and as an adjudicator for Sears Drama Festival. Arkady continues to serve as a Jury member for the Theatre Ontario's Professional Theatre Training Program and also contributes monthly columns on arts topice in The Barrie Examiner.
Board of Directors
Joe Anderson
Chairman
Joe has been involved with TIFT since its inception (five years). He is the Vice President and Regional Publisher of Metroland North Media. His other volunteer experiences include, Past Chair Salvation Army Property Committee (Community Advisory Board), Past President Big Brothers of Oshawa Whitby, Past Board Member Greater Barrie Centre for the Performing Arts. According to Joe he became involved with TIFT because, “I met Arkady through his work at Gryphon Theatre and found we shared a vision to build a nationally significant theatre community in Barrie.” Joe enjoys all his time with Tift because of the talented and committed people he works with-on the board, in the casts and in the community that supports the company so well. His own acting experience is limited to high school musicals, where he quickly learned that he can offer more behind the scenes than in front…he thinks that audiences would agree.
Linda Babulic
Chair of Special Events
Mark Blake
Chair of Facilities
Robert Cathers
Treasurer
Chris Dalziel
Co-chair of Audience Development
Steve Farley
Co-chair of Audience Development, Finance Committee
Beth Foster
Chair of Education and Outreach
Beth has served on the TIFT Board of Directors for four years. In her life outside of TIFT, she is an Instructor of Drama in Education for Nipissing University and a Drama teacher at Bear Creek Secondary School. Her volunteer experiences include helping with Small Talk, TIFT’s youth programme, coaching a team for the Canadian Improv Games, directing plays for the Sears Drama Festival, and paddling a kayak in her spare time. According to Beth she became involved with TIFT because… “Arkady is a most persuasive person. He is the poster boy for innovative, neglected, authentic theatre, and I was thrilled to work with him.” Her most memorable theatre experience includes posing nude for TIFT’s fundraising calendar, which has made her re-consider auditioning for Hair, should TIFT consider a re-make. In addition, she loves every Opening Night, knowing that high quality theatrical productions are making it more fun to live in Barrie. Beth believes that, “this kind of grassroots, innovative theatre is provocative, original and important to Barrie’s development.” She is thrilled to help make that happen.
Katie James
Corporate Secretary and Special Events committee
Bernetta McLellan
Chair of Special Performances, Special Events Committee
Bernetta has been involved with TIFT for more than four years. In her life outside of TIFT she is the Marketing Director at the Bayfield Mall (one of TIFT’s sponsors). Her other volunteer experiences include Chair of Waterfront Festival representing the Town of Cobourg, Chair of Communities in Bloom (Cobourg), Board member for Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny (Port Hope), Chair of St Michael’s Cemetery (Cobourg), Board member for Christmas Magic (Cobourg), Board member with Civitan, retired (Barrie), Chair of Rick Hansen’s Wheels in Motion, retired (Barrie). According to Bernetta she became involved with TIFT because, “I was approached by Joe Anderson for Bayfield Mall to become a sponsor. We already were a big sponsor of the Barrie Colts and I wanted to balance it with the arts and liked the mandate of Talk Is Free Theatre. Following that, I was invited to TIFT’s AGM and put my name forward to stand for election to the board.” Bernetta’s favourite theatre experience involves the annual Chatterbox production. She is delighted by the look of magic in the eyes of members of the community as they get to be children all over again. She loved seeing bank managers standing in the wings giggling and serious business people hopping on their tiptoes in excitement. She also enjoyed her experience organizing the nude calendar shoot, as a fundraiser for TIFT. Bernetta loves the magic that theatre imparts. Even though she certainly enjoys the ostentatious pageantry of a Mirvish presentation, it’s the smaller theatres, the chances they are willing to take, the amazing stories they can tell, and the emotions they evoke that really catches her breath.
Alan Priest
Finance Committee
Pauline Stevenson
Communications Director
Pauline has served on TIFT’s Board of Directors for four years In addition to raising two small children, Pauline works full-time at the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board in Corporate Communications and Public Affairs. Previously, Pauline had her own Communications Consulting company and worked in Public Affairs at the City of Mississauga. She also worked for a couple of years as the Director of Communications for a Member of Parliament. Pauline has volunteered actively in both the cultural and political arenas. She has worked with the MacLaren Art Centre and sat on the Federal Liberal Riding Associations in Barrie and Mississauga. After working with the MacLaren Art Centre, Pauline was targeted by Joe Anderson to bring some communications expertise to the TIFT Board. Pauline says that, “I love being connected to the community and it is especially rewarding to be involved in the cultural sector…there is always something really innovative and unique going on and the people are a lot of fun and always interesting.” Pauline’s best theatre experience includes taking the lead role in a high school play, which was performed to elementary students. She also appreciates the innovative and high calibre performances that TIFT brings to this community – being involved with TIFT has renewed a childhood love of theatre. With a young and very active family and a demanding job, Pauline relishes the opportunity to sit down to read a good book.
Arlette Utton
Development Committee
Arlette has been involved with TIFT as a Board member for six months. She is the President and Broker of Record for Arlington Commercial Properties Inc. Arlette is also a busy volunteer…she is currently involved with Rotary Club of Barrie, RVH Foundation Board, RVH Simcoe Muskoka Regional Cancer Centre Campaign Cabinet, Chair Major Gifts. According to Arlette she became involved with TIFT because, “Joe tricked me and I am committed to building and expanding the cultural component of the City of Barrie and area. TIFT is the perfect vehicle due to its strong leadership both artistically and at the Board level. “ Arlette is still waiting for her favourite and memorable theatre experience…we are quite confident she will find them with TIFT!
Brenda Wauchope
Special Events
Brenda Wauchope was invited to join Talk Is Free Theatre’s board of directors in January 2008, and has enjoyed working with the dynamic personalities involved with TIFT. Brenda is a retired elementary schoolteacher who has always had a keen interest in the theatre and a passion for music. She is the co-ordinator of the Innisfil Studio Tour, an annual community event that takes place each fall, and is a participating artist in the tour. Brenda is a quilt-maker, and is the past president of both Kempenfelt Quilters’ Guild and Simcoe County Quilters’ Guild. She has spearheaded numerous group projects, creating and donating quilts to a variety of charities, such as THE QUILT, for breast cancer support. She has taught classes and workshops in her home studio, which is a century farmhouse in Innisfil. Brenda’s other passion is gardening. She has been a member of the Gilford & District Horticultural Society for many years, and her garden has been featured in a number of garden tours over the years. Brenda is currently on the Special Events team for TIFT, and enjoys being involved with this group of very creative individuals.
