CreateTruth Productions was founded by playwright Lorene Stanwick and Doug Hennessy. Their mandate is to develop plays that dig below the surface of mental health and addiction issues, explore root causes, and tell stories that reflect the creative and varied ways that people survive trauma. They believe theatre is a vital force for creating social awareness and driving social change. Broken Branches is their inaugural production.
Meet the team that decided to CreateTruth with their artistic visions
Playwright, Producer, Co-Founder of CreateTruth Productions
Playwright Lorene Stanwick is also a counsellor, actor, educator – and now, theatre producer and assistant director. A member, instructor, and the 2017-18 Theatre Artist-in-Residence of Workman Arts, Lorene has a B.A. in Drama-in-Education, a B.Ed. in English and Drama, and an M.Ed. in Counselling Psychology. Acting, ongoing training, developing drama programs are her roots; counselling training and experience, and continued trauma research offer insight and understanding. Together, they provide a unique perspective into the transformative potential of theatre and storytelling.
Producer, Co-Founder of CreateTruth Productions
Doug is an accomplished HR executive with over 25 years of business experience gained in both senior corporate human resources leadership roles and as a senior consultant/advisor. He retired from TMX Group in 2014 and founded CreateTruth Productions with Lorene Stanwick. A musician and creative problem-solver, he understands the power of connection and art. Broken Branches is their inaugural production.
Website Creator
Natalka Duncan is an Arts Management student at Humber College, and a recent graduate of Huron University College. While her BA was focused on English, Music, and Art History, she took a special interest in Computer Science courses, focusing on web design. She has a passion for theatre, music, art, and dance, and is always eager to contribute to the arts any way she can.
Artist and Graphic Designer
Liliana Vera is a visual artist and lover of words. She was born in northern Mexico surrounded by cacti, high temperatures and spicy food. With a Bachelor Degree in Graphic Design from the Center of Superior Design Studies of Monterrey (CEDIM) and a diploma in Fine Arts from Centennial College, she works as a Graphic Designer, art instructor, commercial illustrator and Art Director for Film. She is a proud member of Akin Collective where she devotes time to her art practice. She resides in Toronto where she goes for daily walks in search of photographs for her Instagram feed.
Videographer
Nicholas is a filmmaker based in Toronto, Canada. He has a diverse background spanning theatre and film, and is currently focused on shooting comedic shorts, video podcasts, and live performances. He particularly enjoys being involved in the post production process.
Photographer
Sean Patenaude is a photographer, writer and educator. Sean works in the fields of portrait, wedding and industrial photography for clients as diverse as the Bronfman family, the Anne Murray Museum and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, where he also facilitates the popular “PhotoVoice” documentary photography group. Working in a mixture of chemical and digital media, Sean’s unique images have been reproduced in books, magazines and online. Sean currently photographs people, places and things, many of them in Toronto, Canada.
Communications Outreach Coordinator
Irene is an artist, arts facilitator, and communications specialist. She has a Masters of Fine Arts from OTIS College of Arts and Design in Los Angeles and completed the Arts Education and Community Engagement post graduate program at Centennial College in Toronto. As a conceptual and photographic artist, Irene has created various collaborative, solo and curatorial projects. Coming from a development studies background, she is passionate about grassroots and local/situational approaches to artistic practices and storytelling.
Charitable donations are made to Workman Arts through CanadaHelps, and will directly support the production of Broken Branches. You can make a donation at the following link; you will automatically receive a charitable tax receipt via email.