Arkady Spivak
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 (Toronto’s answer to Tony Awards) 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 has relocated Talk Is Free to Barrie. Some of the 27 productions in Barrie include: the environmental production of Oliver!, the World Premieres of Canadian Musicals such as Playground and Moving Day, and two productions of Canadian musical, Emily. TIFT’s 6th season, currently in progress, most recently featured the Canadian professional premiere of Stephen Sondheim’s musical Anyone Can Whistle.
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 Barrie and the Barrie and District Arts Council. 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.
Joe Anderson
Chairman of Board
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, which may be why he still hasn’t graced the stage as part of one of our Chatterbox productions.
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.
Stephen Sperling
Board Member
Stephen is a new member to TIFT’s Board. He is a developer in the Barrie area and the past chair of Gryphon Theatre, Vice Chair of Barrie Professional Theatre Development Committee, the Past President Am Shalom Synagogue and Past President of the Kiwanis Club. He became involved with TIFt because of his past relationship with Arkady Spivak at Gryphon Theatre. One of his most memorable theatre experiences is being put on the stage in the play Spam A Lot. Steve is really looking forward to the development of a theatre in downtown Barrie.
Aline Revoy
Recording Secretary (Ex-Officio)
Aline has served on TIFT’s Board of Directors since 2002 Although you wouldn’t know it, Aline is retired. She is most certainly the busiest retired person TIFT has ever seen. Prior to retirement Aline, was an Industrial Consultant for the federal government. She currently serves as a side board member on the Board of Referees for the Employment Insurance Commission. In addition to TIFT, she sits as the Past President of the Federal Superannuates National Association in Barrie with 2200 members. She served as its President for eight years (TIFT is hoping it can hold on to her for at least that long). According to Aline she became involved with TIFT because, “I love live theatre. I was a volunteer and former Board Member of the Gryphon Theatre Foundation and former President the Gryphon Theatre Guild. When Gryphon Theatre stopped producing live theatre, I became involved with Talk Is Free Theatre. As a Board member and volunteer, I have met some very interesting, creative, dedicated people.” Her best theatre experience includes being part of the phenomenal growth and success of TIFT. She also appreciates the trials and tribulations that the organization has experienced over the years. Outside of TIFt, Aline loves golf and family…bridge is also high on her list of loves.
Arlette Utton
Director – Sponsorship 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!
Bernetta McLellan
Chair of Special Performances
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.
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.
Mark Blake
Board Member
Mark is a newer member of the TIFT Board. As a retail manager of many years, he brings a wealth of experience to our table. He is dedicated to promoting a better community and as such works with many different community groups. According to Mark he became involved with TIFT when, “I was approached to join after Rona became a sponsor. I think that a vibrant cultural community is important to the wellbeing of the city because it promotes a balanced life. One his most memorable theatre experience was seeing the original cast (including Tim Curry) perform the Rocky Horror Picture Show in London. Mark says he was never so nervous in his life as when he played King Arthur in a world premier performance at St Mary’s Church, Warwickshire, England. It probably didn’t help that his costume was full chainmail armour, which was incredibly heavy. If he survived that he can survive anything TIFT throws his way!
