Board Members
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Founders: Susan Bonnell; Alison Carr; Jenn Deon; Janet Edmonds; Natalie Falk; Jean Graham
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Staff
- Jenn Deon - Producing Artistic Director - [email protected]
- Hanna Furs - Production and Marketing Assistant - [email protected]
- Bailey Jackson - Working With Respect Project Coordinator - [email protected]
- Ruth Lawrence - Senior Playwright in Residence - [email protected]
- Lonni Patey - Artistic Associate - [email protected]
- Vidya Sambandamurthy - Office Manager - [email protected]
- Vanessa Wright - Strategy and Communications Consultant (remote) - [email protected]
- Jocelyn Young - Operations Assistant - [email protected]
- Luigi - Chief Napping Officer
Jenn Deon - Producing Artistic Director (She/Her)
A woman of French settler and British mixed heritage, Jenn is an artist, administrator and activist who has worked in St. John’s since the early 90’s. With PerSIStence, she has directed Robert Chafe's Isle of Demons (2017); Berni Stapleton's The Haunting of Margaret Duley (2019); Trudy Morgan-Cole's The Mirror (2021); and Lonni Patey's Today I (2024). As artistic director with the Shakespeare by the Sea Festival from 1995-2015, she directed many of its productions over the years, including a female-driven production of The Taming of the Shrew (2014) and an all-female production of Much Ado About Nothing (2008). In 2013, Jenn was a recipient of a Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal for her community involvement; in 2018, she received the Woman of Distinction Award for Arts & Culture from the YWCA St. John's; and in 2023, she was the Atlantic finalist for the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards in the category of Social Impact on a Regional Level. Jenn is also an accredited business communicator (ABC) and a CHRC-trained facilitator of Respectful Workplace workshops.
A woman of French settler and British mixed heritage, Jenn is an artist, administrator and activist who has worked in St. John’s since the early 90’s. With PerSIStence, she has directed Robert Chafe's Isle of Demons (2017); Berni Stapleton's The Haunting of Margaret Duley (2019); Trudy Morgan-Cole's The Mirror (2021); and Lonni Patey's Today I (2024). As artistic director with the Shakespeare by the Sea Festival from 1995-2015, she directed many of its productions over the years, including a female-driven production of The Taming of the Shrew (2014) and an all-female production of Much Ado About Nothing (2008). In 2013, Jenn was a recipient of a Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal for her community involvement; in 2018, she received the Woman of Distinction Award for Arts & Culture from the YWCA St. John's; and in 2023, she was the Atlantic finalist for the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards in the category of Social Impact on a Regional Level. Jenn is also an accredited business communicator (ABC) and a CHRC-trained facilitator of Respectful Workplace workshops.
Hanna Furs - Production & Marketing Assistant (She/Her)
Hanna Furs is a Master of Fine Arts, painter-monumentalist, and researcher. Art for her, is not only the embodiment of beauty that gives strength but also a way of knowing the inner world of a person, creating one's parallel world. Her wide range of skills covers different genres of art, graphic design, stage costumes, illustration, photography, media art, and more. Her artworks have become a means of exploring historical and contemporary themes, provoking thought and emotion in the audience. In 2012, she was recognized as a laureate of the prestigious Mykhailo Boychuk Prize in monumental art. In 2022, a significant turning point in the artist's life took place, due to the protracted war in Ukraine, she had to move to Newfoundland and Labrador. Embracing the new environment, she continues to live and work as an artist, breathing fresh life into her creative process and taking advantage of the opportunities that await her in the new cultural context. Also, Hanna Furs is a board member of the Ukrainian Cultural Organization in Newfoundland and Labrador and is one of the co-founders of Dolya Dance Company.
Hanna Furs is a Master of Fine Arts, painter-monumentalist, and researcher. Art for her, is not only the embodiment of beauty that gives strength but also a way of knowing the inner world of a person, creating one's parallel world. Her wide range of skills covers different genres of art, graphic design, stage costumes, illustration, photography, media art, and more. Her artworks have become a means of exploring historical and contemporary themes, provoking thought and emotion in the audience. In 2012, she was recognized as a laureate of the prestigious Mykhailo Boychuk Prize in monumental art. In 2022, a significant turning point in the artist's life took place, due to the protracted war in Ukraine, she had to move to Newfoundland and Labrador. Embracing the new environment, she continues to live and work as an artist, breathing fresh life into her creative process and taking advantage of the opportunities that await her in the new cultural context. Also, Hanna Furs is a board member of the Ukrainian Cultural Organization in Newfoundland and Labrador and is one of the co-founders of Dolya Dance Company.
Bailey Jackson - Working With Respect Project Coordinator (She/Her)
Bailey Jackson (she/her) is a theatre artist based in St. John’s. She has worked professionally as an actor, director, producer, writer, and theatre educator. She has acted across the island with companies like Stephenville Theatre Festival and Rising Tide Theatre. Bailey serves on the board of directors for both NL Comedy Initiative Inc. and St. John’s Shorts Inc., working to bring local and international talent to the stage in the city. She loves laughing with her pals at Güd Productions and writing silly sketches. While pursuing her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre from Grenfell Campus, Bailey worked with Shakespeare Simplified to implement theatre creation workshops in elementary schools around the Corner Brook region, sparking her love for teaching. She continues to teach with ActIV Shakespeare, instructing high school students in interactive Shakespeare workshops. She looks forward to working with Persistence to facilitate the Working with Respect workshop provincewide.
Bailey Jackson (she/her) is a theatre artist based in St. John’s. She has worked professionally as an actor, director, producer, writer, and theatre educator. She has acted across the island with companies like Stephenville Theatre Festival and Rising Tide Theatre. Bailey serves on the board of directors for both NL Comedy Initiative Inc. and St. John’s Shorts Inc., working to bring local and international talent to the stage in the city. She loves laughing with her pals at Güd Productions and writing silly sketches. While pursuing her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre from Grenfell Campus, Bailey worked with Shakespeare Simplified to implement theatre creation workshops in elementary schools around the Corner Brook region, sparking her love for teaching. She continues to teach with ActIV Shakespeare, instructing high school students in interactive Shakespeare workshops. She looks forward to working with Persistence to facilitate the Working with Respect workshop provincewide.
Ruth Lawrence - Senior Playwright in Residence
RUTH LAWRENCE is an actor/writer/director/producer of film and theatre, based in St. John’s, NL. As a filmmaker, Ruth’s feature films include Little Orphans (Best Canadian Feature, Whistler Film Festival 2020), Hopeless Romantic (2018), and the comedy feature, Party Pirate, sold-out its opening Gala overnight at the St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival in October 2023. Her documentaries A Lot of Love in the Room (2021) and Circus by Komatik (2019) have been featured on CBC Gem. She has directed, written, and/or produced on over 70 short films and webisodes.
She co-founded White Rooster Theatre with Sherry White in 2001 and was its Artistic Director until 2023, producing plays written by women and other marginalized genders. The company expanded its mandate to provide opportunities in the areas of design and production, keeping space for racialized creators. For the company, she has produced over 30 shows, directed Happy Anniversary (co-produced with TODOS Productions) Remnants, and created Other Women Walk. Most recently, she co-wrote and performed in Song Seekers: The Story of Elisabeth Greenleaf and Grace Mansfield. For Persistence Theatre, she directed an acclaimed production of Berni Stapleton’s Offensive to Some. For Opera on the Avalon, she directed Three Decembers and the 2023 premiere of February, based on Lisa Moore’s remarkable novel.
Ruth’s honours include the Joan Orenstein Best Actress Award, the RBC Michelle Jackson Award for Emerging Filmmaker, the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council’s Artist of the Year, the Queen’s Jubilee Medal, the YWCA Woman of Distinction, a WIFT-AT WAVE Award, the national Leslie Yeo Award for Volunteerism, and the inaugural Ross Leslie Award for her contributions to film and theatre.
RUTH LAWRENCE is an actor/writer/director/producer of film and theatre, based in St. John’s, NL. As a filmmaker, Ruth’s feature films include Little Orphans (Best Canadian Feature, Whistler Film Festival 2020), Hopeless Romantic (2018), and the comedy feature, Party Pirate, sold-out its opening Gala overnight at the St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival in October 2023. Her documentaries A Lot of Love in the Room (2021) and Circus by Komatik (2019) have been featured on CBC Gem. She has directed, written, and/or produced on over 70 short films and webisodes.
She co-founded White Rooster Theatre with Sherry White in 2001 and was its Artistic Director until 2023, producing plays written by women and other marginalized genders. The company expanded its mandate to provide opportunities in the areas of design and production, keeping space for racialized creators. For the company, she has produced over 30 shows, directed Happy Anniversary (co-produced with TODOS Productions) Remnants, and created Other Women Walk. Most recently, she co-wrote and performed in Song Seekers: The Story of Elisabeth Greenleaf and Grace Mansfield. For Persistence Theatre, she directed an acclaimed production of Berni Stapleton’s Offensive to Some. For Opera on the Avalon, she directed Three Decembers and the 2023 premiere of February, based on Lisa Moore’s remarkable novel.
Ruth’s honours include the Joan Orenstein Best Actress Award, the RBC Michelle Jackson Award for Emerging Filmmaker, the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council’s Artist of the Year, the Queen’s Jubilee Medal, the YWCA Woman of Distinction, a WIFT-AT WAVE Award, the national Leslie Yeo Award for Volunteerism, and the inaugural Ross Leslie Award for her contributions to film and theatre.
Lonni Patey - Artistic Associate (She/They)
Lonni Patey (she/they) is an artist currently based in St. John’s. She holds a BFA in Theatre Arts, and has worked professionally as an actor in theatre and film with select credits including; Lara on Surrealestate (film), and Pantaloona in One Servant Two Masters (Theatre). She has since emerged as a playwright and has written and produced her own work since 2021. Lonni hopes to continue bringing joy to people through her work.
Lonni Patey (she/they) is an artist currently based in St. John’s. She holds a BFA in Theatre Arts, and has worked professionally as an actor in theatre and film with select credits including; Lara on Surrealestate (film), and Pantaloona in One Servant Two Masters (Theatre). She has since emerged as a playwright and has written and produced her own work since 2021. Lonni hopes to continue bringing joy to people through her work.
Vidya Sambandamurthy – Officer Manager (She/Her)
Vidya Sambandamurthy is a dedicated and detail-oriented professional with a diverse educational background and a passion for continuous learning and growth. A Certified Cyber Technician (CCT) currently pursuing further education at Keyin College in Newfoundland & Labrador, focusing on expanding expertise in Cybersecurity. Hold a Master’s in Business Administration (Human Resources) from the University of Madras, Chennai, India. During this time, developed a strong foundation in business management, with a specialization in human resources, preparing to excel in dynamic organizational environments. Prior to that, completed a Bachelor of Science in Statistics at Justice Basheer Ahmed College for Women in Chennai, India. This academic background provided a solid understanding of statistical principles and analytical skills, contributing to a well-rounded approach to problem-solving and decision-making. Throughout Vidya's career, she has demonstrated exceptional dedication and performance, earning accolades such as the "Best Performer Award" for her outstanding contributions. She has received numerous appreciation emails from customers and sales teams alike, recognizing her accuracy and timely responses in addressing their needs. Vidya's commitment to continuous improvement is evident in her role as a co-developer of an on-the-job training program that significantly reduced training time from eight weeks to five, demonstrating her proactive approach to enhancing team efficiency and effectiveness. Furthermore, Vidya has showcased her exceptional advocacy skills by successfully representing the company and winning Small Claims cases at Queens Bench court, highlighting her ability to navigate complex situations with professionalism and expertise. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Vidya is passionate about gender equality and empowerment, aligning with the values of the company.
Vidya Sambandamurthy is a dedicated and detail-oriented professional with a diverse educational background and a passion for continuous learning and growth. A Certified Cyber Technician (CCT) currently pursuing further education at Keyin College in Newfoundland & Labrador, focusing on expanding expertise in Cybersecurity. Hold a Master’s in Business Administration (Human Resources) from the University of Madras, Chennai, India. During this time, developed a strong foundation in business management, with a specialization in human resources, preparing to excel in dynamic organizational environments. Prior to that, completed a Bachelor of Science in Statistics at Justice Basheer Ahmed College for Women in Chennai, India. This academic background provided a solid understanding of statistical principles and analytical skills, contributing to a well-rounded approach to problem-solving and decision-making. Throughout Vidya's career, she has demonstrated exceptional dedication and performance, earning accolades such as the "Best Performer Award" for her outstanding contributions. She has received numerous appreciation emails from customers and sales teams alike, recognizing her accuracy and timely responses in addressing their needs. Vidya's commitment to continuous improvement is evident in her role as a co-developer of an on-the-job training program that significantly reduced training time from eight weeks to five, demonstrating her proactive approach to enhancing team efficiency and effectiveness. Furthermore, Vidya has showcased her exceptional advocacy skills by successfully representing the company and winning Small Claims cases at Queens Bench court, highlighting her ability to navigate complex situations with professionalism and expertise. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Vidya is passionate about gender equality and empowerment, aligning with the values of the company.
Vanessa Wright - Strategy and Communications Consultant (She/Her)
Over the past decade, my career has taken me from the boardrooms of Calgary to the tech hubs of Buenos Aires and the vibrant cultural scenes of Hong Kong and Vancouver. I've worked with organizations like the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association, McGill University’s Goodman Cancer Research Institute, and tech startups like Wideo, each chapter refining my ability to drive change through strategic communication and community engagement. At the heart of my professional journey is a passion for making a difference. From leading national conferences to crafting donor campaigns that resonate, I’ve always sought to create lasting impact. My work with not-for-profits and international trade organizations has allowed me to see firsthand how strategic initiatives can elevate a community or cause, sparking my commitment to using my skills for good. My recent dive into creative writing has become an outlet for my desire to challenge the status quo and inspire others to rethink what’s possible. Whether I'm strategizing for a community-led program or exploring the rugged beauty of the Pacific Northwest, I bring the same commitment to growth, connection, and positive change. For me, every project is an opportunity to ask "Why the heck not?" and push the boundaries of what can be achieved.
Over the past decade, my career has taken me from the boardrooms of Calgary to the tech hubs of Buenos Aires and the vibrant cultural scenes of Hong Kong and Vancouver. I've worked with organizations like the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association, McGill University’s Goodman Cancer Research Institute, and tech startups like Wideo, each chapter refining my ability to drive change through strategic communication and community engagement. At the heart of my professional journey is a passion for making a difference. From leading national conferences to crafting donor campaigns that resonate, I’ve always sought to create lasting impact. My work with not-for-profits and international trade organizations has allowed me to see firsthand how strategic initiatives can elevate a community or cause, sparking my commitment to using my skills for good. My recent dive into creative writing has become an outlet for my desire to challenge the status quo and inspire others to rethink what’s possible. Whether I'm strategizing for a community-led program or exploring the rugged beauty of the Pacific Northwest, I bring the same commitment to growth, connection, and positive change. For me, every project is an opportunity to ask "Why the heck not?" and push the boundaries of what can be achieved.
Jocelyn Young - Operations Assistant (She/Her)
Jocelyn Young is passionate about supporting women’s voices and stories. Currently in her work term with Digital Office Administration, she is excited to be joining the team as Operations Assistant for this years’ 8th Annual Pink Tie Gala. With experience as an Independent Distributor, Jocelyn loves finding ways to bring organization and clarity to every project she’s involved in.
Outside of work, Jocelyn loves spending time with her spouse, Boyd, and their dog, Paul. She is also a big fan of kickboxing and strength training which keep her active as well as fuel her determination and resilience. Jocelyn is excited to support the important work of PerSIStence Theatre and to be part of a community that uplifts and empowers women.
Jocelyn Young is passionate about supporting women’s voices and stories. Currently in her work term with Digital Office Administration, she is excited to be joining the team as Operations Assistant for this years’ 8th Annual Pink Tie Gala. With experience as an Independent Distributor, Jocelyn loves finding ways to bring organization and clarity to every project she’s involved in.
Outside of work, Jocelyn loves spending time with her spouse, Boyd, and their dog, Paul. She is also a big fan of kickboxing and strength training which keep her active as well as fuel her determination and resilience. Jocelyn is excited to support the important work of PerSIStence Theatre and to be part of a community that uplifts and empowers women.
Luigi - Chief Napping Officer (He/Him/Sir)
Luigi (He/Him/Sir) is a two year old pug that looks forward to coming into the office each and every day - and certainly has no tolerance for working overtime. In his role he performs a variety of tasks including napping, chewing, snuggling and chair stealing. As the only male in the office Luigi is proud to demonstrate that feminism is for everyone regardless of gender, breed, or species.
Luigi (He/Him/Sir) is a two year old pug that looks forward to coming into the office each and every day - and certainly has no tolerance for working overtime. In his role he performs a variety of tasks including napping, chewing, snuggling and chair stealing. As the only male in the office Luigi is proud to demonstrate that feminism is for everyone regardless of gender, breed, or species.
