Who we are

  • Co-Founder

    Andreais an artist (CAEA, ACTRA), educator (OCT), performance coach and consultant with over a decade of experience in the arts, education, and facilitation. Her work is at the intersection of performance and education, as she currently teaches children and youth with the Ontario College of Teachers, performs regularly and is a Communication and Leadership Coach for adult professionals in a variety of industries through Practica Learning. Andrea specializes in trauma-informed pedagogy, artist wellbeing, and relational learning across artistic, academic, and professional contexts.

    Andrea is a professional actor, having played leading roles at theatres across Canada, including four seasons at The Stratford Festival. She is also a singer/songwriter and understands the complexities that artists face in theatre, film/tv and the music industries.

    Andrea holds a BFA in Acting Performance (UofA) and a Master of Teaching from the University of Toronto (OISE), where her research—Exploring the Impact of Trauma-Informed Practices in Drama Education—earned a full-tuition scholarship from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. She is also a graduate of the Birmingham Conservatory at the Stratford Festival and holds music performance credentials through the Royal Conservatory of Music. She has taught and directed programs for Bard on the Beach, the Stratford Festival, and Michigan State University, and delivered workshops for students, educators, and arts leaders across Canada and internationally. Combined with her education and extensive experience, Andrea understands and is uniquely positioned to help artists, educators and leaders in navigating these challenges.

    Andrea’s approach blends artistry and pedagogy through consent-forward, relationally safe practices that support confidence, expression, and wellbeing.

  • Co-Founder

    Maggie is a Child and Youth Counsellor and Advocate with 18 years of experience driving
    system change and working closely with diverse children and youth in complex and multifaceted environments. Currently, she leads research and knowledge mobilization at Boost Child & Youth Advocacy Centre in Toronto. She is also a skilled Trauma-Informed Consultant and co-founder of The Collaborative, a psychotherapy and consulting business based in Stratford, Ontario.

    Before embarking on her career with kids and youth, Maggie was a professional child actor,
    playing leading roles at theatres across Canada, as well as in film and television. This background provided her with a deep understanding of the unique pressures, anxieties, and
    complexities young performers face. Combined with her education and extensive experience, Maggie is uniquely positioned to support young actors in navigating these challenges. Clients include The Stratford Festival, Mirvish Productions, Sheridan Theatre School amongst others.

    Maggie holds an MA in Child & Youth Work and an MA in Theatre. She is an active member of both the Ontario Association of Child and Youth Care and the Ontario Association of
    Mental Health Practitioners, adhering to their ethical standards. She is known for her ability to make kids feel at ease, safe, and comfortable. Maggie meets kids and teenagers where they are at, providing support, interventions, and creating a safe space to explore their emotions,
    harness their strengths, and develop social and life skills.