About Us

Our Story

Live Five is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing a home for local professional theatre artists to develop their careers in Saskatchewan.

To achieve this we:

present a series of high calibre productions that attract and excite an audience,
provide a support structure for artists to create their own work opportunities,
encourage collaboration between established and emerging artists, and
promote an environment of engagement and exploration between artists and audiences.

Since 2004, Live Five has been raising awareness of independent theatre productions and local professional artists in Saskatoon by combining multiple artistic visions from five local theatre companies into one powerful season. Run by an energetic board of directors, we do not produce the work, but rather invite artists to showcase their talent to our community while alleviating some of the stresses of producing, so they can remain focused on creating powerful pieces of theatre.

Our organization receives no operational funding of any kind. We survive on the sweat and dedication of our working board, and the generous support of Saskatoon's most wonderful, community-minded small business owners.

Live Five is seeking new Board Members

In addition to governance of the organization, the board is responsible for the administration and promotion of Live Five Independent Theatre and its programs.

What we're looking for:

Community members who are enthusiastic about engaging their peers in support of our mission to:
- Provide a support structure for artists to showcase their work
- Present a performance series of high quality productions
- Encourage collaboration between established & emerging artists
- Promote an environment of engagement and exploration between artists and audiences.
Individuals with experience serving on not-for-profit boards
Energetic professionals who have the time and dedication to devote to an active board, and who are eager to contribute their skills & expertise in one or more of the following areas:
- Law
- Finance/Accounting
- Resource Development
- Community Engagement

Board Terms and Meetings:

Board meetings are held monthly, with an Annual General Meeting in October. Dedicated Strategic Planning sessions occur every three years. Board Members serve two-year terms, eligible for renewal, with no term limits.

Expectations:

Attending and assisting with opening nights and other Live Five special events.
Assisting with fundraising opportunities, which may include grant writing or helping out with our annual fundraiser - the Chefs' Gala & Showcase.
Contributing and adding value to discussions.
Acting in the best interests of Live Five and helping to ensure that all legal and financial responsibilities are being met.
Actively serving on at least one board committee and taking on special assignments as able based on each board member’s skill set.
Developing relationships within the Saskatoon community and serving as an ambassador for Live Five at conferences, workplaces and events with the goal of growing our subscriber base and creating outreach opportunities.

How to apply:

Please fill out the Google Form linked here! Questions? E-mail us at infoREMOVE_THIS@livefiveREMOVE_THIS.ca.

Board of Directors

Jensine Emeline (they/them) - Chair & Secretary

Jensine is a theatre designer and stage manager from Saskatoon and an alumnus from the U of S drama department. Recent costume designs include: With Glowing Hearts (Dancing Sky), The Penelopiad (Ferre Play), and Girl in the Box (Scantily Glad/Live Five). They were awarded Saskatoon & Area Theatre Awards for Outstanding Costume Design for The Penelopiad, and Outstanding Emerging Artist in 2020. They are endlessly grateful to be able to work in and share their passion for the arts and community in and around Saskatoon.

Drew Mantyka (he/him) - President

Drew Mantyka (He/Him) is a Saskatoon based theatre artist. He is an emerging actor, director, playwright, physical theatre creator, the occasional stage manager and wearer of every other hat he can get his hands on. Drew is also the Co-founder of new Saskatoon theatre company Wonder City Collective which he runs with his fiancé Sammy. You can check out their current projects on Instagram @wondercitycollective. Drew is delighted to be doing anything related to theatre, working in the world that fills his soul. When not doing theatre Drew can be found learning to make fancy coffee, yelling about footballers an ocean away and admiring pictures of baby ducks on the internet. Drew would like to thank his family and his fiancé for supporting him in all he does.

Torien Cafferata (he/they) - Member at Large

Torien Cafferata graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a B.F.A in Drama and is a SATA-winning producer, playwright, actor, director, dramaturge. His professional work is primarily in digital immersive theatre as co-Artistic Director of It’s Not A Box Theatre which he co-helms with designer and fellow graduate Amberlin Hsu. He has also served as President of the Saskatchewan Playwrights Centre and as head dramaturge of the Sask Writers Workshop, a free and open writers’ collective. As an artist, Torien believes in the power of devised performance, interdisciplinary collaboration, and audience interactivity – and as a board member he brings these values with him to Live Five. For him this means making space for various perspectives, lateral thinking in programming and policy, and finding creative new ways to engage with the needs of the community. Since joining the board in 2018, he was been working to make Live Five Independent Theatre a more innovative, equitable, and dynamic platform for local performance.

Insta: @itsnotaboxtheatre

Christopher Krug-Iron (he/him) - Member at Large

Chris (he/him) is a current 4 th year Acting student at the University of Saskatchewan, and has just completed his 4-year Bachelor of Education through the ITEP program. Coming from the Canoe Lake Cree First Nation in Treaty 10 territory, he feels honoured to get the opportunity to work in theatre as a Cree artist. Chris has been fortunate to work with many different theatre professionals and people from all walks of life and feels diversity is a strength and abundant source of inspiration. He has performed in Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan’s Macbeth, Greystone Theatre’s Arcadia, Henry V, The Cripple of Inishmaan, Machinal, Frankenstein, Gordon Winter, and Unity (1918) as well as DSA Productions’ Rooftops. Chris has also had the distinct pleasure of working with GTNT’s Circle of Voices several times.

Philippa Williams (they/she) - Member at Large

Philippa (they/she) is a regular old theatre rat from England. She's best known for diving headfirst into every opportunity, signing up for more work than there are hours in the day, and failing to own a decent winter coat. Phil is the Community Relations Manager for 25th Street Theatre where she helps to produce new Canadian theatre and the Saskatoon Fringe Festival. They also recently did a surprise 8-month stint at the helm of Saskatoon Summer Players. Above all else, Phil is passionate about building better theatre practices, where the workers are valued as much as their work.

Katie Blackburn-Dust (she/her) - Member at Large

Katie Blackburn-Dust (she/her) is an emerging theatre artist living and working in Treaty 6 Territory. She has just finished up her BFA at the University of Saskatchewan and is thrilled to come on board (hehe) with the wonderful folks at Live Five. Recent credits include Jonas and Barry in the Home (Stage Manager - Dancing Sky Theatre), Unity 1918 (Actor - Greystone Theatre), and The Wolves (Assistant Stage Manager - littleBIG/EvilStick). Katie is passionate about building strong communities and connections through art and looks forward to a fantastic season.

Jimmy Mayo - Member at Large

Jimmy Mayo is an actor, director, playwright, and producer with a BFA Honours degree in Drama from the University of Saskatchewan. His recent shows include: "A Parfi(c)tt Evening" (producer/director) and "All According to Plan: A D&D Story" (actor/director/producer) for his company, James Prime Productions, at the Saskatoon Fringe Festival. Jimmy is proud to sit on the board at Live Five and is excited to be able to be back creating theatre in Saskatoon.

Grahame Kent - Member at Large

A neurodivergent Treaty 6 based theatre artist, Grahame can be found in many places in and around theatre; working as a performer, writer, producer, designer, voice artist, editor, dramaturg, foley artist, director and stage manager. Grahame is a graduate of the University of Saskatchewan with a BFA in Acting and a graduate of the Globe Theatre Conservatory. He is a two time SATAward winning Foley Artist for Dr. Frightful Present: Dead Air (Buttered Ghost Theatre) and It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play (Persephone Theatre). Grahame has been seen on stages across Canada and you may have seen his work at Live Five, Persephone Theatre, The Globe Theatre, Wide Open, Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan and many more indie venues.

Grahame is the Artistic Producer of Buttered Ghost Theatre, a Treaty 6 based company that produces new and exciting work. Grahame is an active member with The Sketchy Bandits sketch comedy group. If you like podcasts, check out Dr. Frightful Presents: A Podcast which is created, produced and curated by Grahame and created with a bundle of incredible talent. Available wherever you listen to podcasts. Find out more at grahamekent.com