KOMUNKA
way of living
SINCE 1917
THE PLAYERS
Meet the actors and creators of Komunka.
YURY RUZHYEV creator / actor / producer
I'm playing Max Arrogantov. Thirty something yo successfull business man, hip, witty, ruthelss, very charming but dangerous predator and a chamilion.
more on Yury
rushow.ru
RUZHYEV is an actor, performer, dancer, and director. Originally from Moscow, now living in Toronto. He studied theatre and acting in Moscow at Boris Shukin Theatre School. Yury does TV and Film work both in Toronto and New York. Yury’s one-man impersonations show - Viva Cabaret has been entertaining audiences on three continents, including cities likes Moscow, New York, Vancouver, Seattle, Toronto, and Las Vegas for the last ten years. Having MBA in marketing helps Yury with producing and promoting of his projects. He designs sets and costumes for all his productions. Yury has hosted and planned over 600 events and weddings all around the world. He is a one-man circus where he gets to be a ring master, a monkey, and a tent. :-)
What's next for Yury: VIVA CABARET. World Pride Show at The Rivoli June 25, 26
ANDREW PIMENTO actor / creator
I'm playing Alex (Alexei). I am gay and I am proud. It got me nowhere, but at least I am not a coward and ready to fight. The briuse is still sore, though.
more on Andrew
is a Toronto-born fourth-year acting student at Ryerson Theatre School. Has appeared in: The Misanthrope (Guild Festival), Stockboy (Solo Show), The Intuition of Iphigenia, Elektra in Bosnia, Ajax in Afghanistan (Women and War Project), Mariner (Risk The Void). For Ryerson: Cerulean Blue, Six Characters, Cinderella, The Book of Wiseman, Lion in the Streets, The Girl From Maxim’s, Clown, Antigone, Richard III.
JULIA PORTER actress / creator
I'm playing Masha who is from the Ukraine, and I am married to Sasha.
Am I happy? Well, I can answer as every other woman in Russia would, it could be worse.
more on Julia
Porter is a graduate of the Theatre Performance Program at Humber College and has received her Honours BA from The University of Guelph where she majored in Drama. During her theatre training, she had the opportunity to work with many inspiring artists such as Varrick Grimes, Diana Belshaw, Sky Gilbert, Fides Krucker, Dean Gilmour, Ravi Jain, and Steve Wilsher. Julia was nominated for the Hynatyshyn Developing Artist Grant for English theatre acting and was the recipient of the Edna Khubyar Theatre Award. She currently instructs Stage Combat at Humber College. Julia would like to thank her family and friends for their continued love and encouragement.
MATTHEW SAROOKANIAN actor / creator
I'm playing Aslan, an illigal immigrant from Kazhahstan and once in a whle I sleep in a box in a kitchen \ in the communal partment. I can't legally work in Moscow, but even though, I still make more money than back home. And yes, I am very happy.
more on Matt
Matthew is a dynamic actor living in Toronto. He has appeared in both theatre and film. Selected theatre credits: Then He Wakes Up (Toronto Fringe 2012/Joanne Williams); Mr. Marmalade (Fly by Night Theatre/Shannon Shura); Measure For Measure (Western Summer Shakespeare); Lilies (Fanshawe College/Gina Wilkinson). Select Film: We’re wolves (Animal Planet); The Museum (Ontario Fantasy Movies); Undead Boyfriend (Ontario Fantasy Movies). He is also a writer. His first show is Then He Wakes Up. He is very grateful to be a part of Komunka and to be included in this process of using art to open people's eyes and hearts. Upcoming for MATT: His next piece “Ghosts” will be at this year’s InspiraTO festival.
PEGGY MAHON actress / creator
I'm Olga Vladimirovna. This is my home and I have been in this Kommunal apartmen for centures :-). I have played every female part in Vakhtangov Theatre for the last. well , many many years.
more on Peggy
Graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada and the Girroir School of Music. Career spans 60 years, beginning on radio in Halifax, NS, playing leading roles in theatres in almost every city in Canada as well as several in the US. Has toured as performer/producer/director in shows all over the world. Continues to perform in theatre, cabaret, jazz festivals and clubs. Participated in "the golden age of CBC radio", many TV series: Wayne & Shuster, Wind at my Back, The Frankie Howerd Show, Once Upon A Hamster, Point of You, Rollin' On The River, and played guest roles on dozens of others, plus several films. Was the first female spokesperson for a financial institution, and also the first to be signed to a multi-year contract. Has recorded 3 CDs; two are jazz releases and the third is a children's album. Records "Talking Books" for the CNIB (Torgi Award). Most recently completed shooting for the feature film "Dr. Cabbie". Directed a show for the Edinburgh International Fringe Festival, and starred in "Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks" at both the Gravenhurst and Orillia Opera Houses, and in "Breathe For Me" for the 2012 Toronto Summerworks Theatre Festival (nominations for best acting ensemble, best production)
SEAN PRATT actor / creator
I'm playing Sasha. I drive taxi, you got ptoblem with that? Fuck. I don't care. Where is vodka?
more on Sean
PRATT has a B.A. in Drama from the University of Guelph as well as a postgraduate certificate from Humber College’s Comedy Writing and Performance program, and recently completed the Independent Television Producer’s program at Centennial College. Past gigs include working as a Grip for The Today Show during the 2010 Olympics and as an actor in commercials, independent film, and television, including the CBC series Intelligence and the USA series The 4400. Sean’s original sitcom pilot recently placed in the Quarterfinals at the Austin Screenplay Competition. Sean is currently assistant to the Producers and Digital Marketing Coordinator for the hit Global/ABC Series Rookie Blue and CTV’s Saving Hope. He also likes cheese.
ANDREW CROMWELL actor
I'm playing Stas, the dentist. I share a room with Alex and I am just a rommate. I am not out, and that's the end of conversation.
more on Andrew
Andrew Cromwell is a Toronto-based voice artist, actor, and theatre producer. Acting credits include: Hamlet, Ubu Roi (University of Guelph) Happenstance (Humber College Productions), The Shakespeare Experiment (Buddies in Bad Times Theatre), The Inconsolable Blueness (Tottering Biped Theatre), LABOUR (Coyote Collective). As producer: Grey Ground (Beasts of the Theatre, Fringe '12) The History of The World (Topological Theatre). As producing apprentice: Fare Game: Life In Toronto Taxis, The 501: Toronto in Transit (Theatre Passe Muraille), Shakespeare's Nigga, and The Whipping Man (Obsidian Theatre Company). As voice artist: Fuzzy Tales (CBC Kids), Tall Dark and Handsy, and The Line (Mondo Media).
Original part of Stas was created by SCOTT FARLEY.
SKY GILBERT director
I'm directing this crazy play.
more on Sky
http://home.istar.ca/~anita/toronto2.html
Cabaret Company
https://www.facebook.com/groups/124741280891559/
GILBERT is a writer, director, teacher, and drag queen extraordinaire. He was co-founder and artistic director of Toronto’s Buddies in Bad Times Theatre for 17 years. He has had nearly 40 plays produced, and has written 6 critically acclaimed novels, and three award winning poetry collections. He has received three Dora Mavor Moore Awards (including one for his recent play THE SITUATIONISTS) and the Pauline McGibbon Award for theatre directing. He was also the recipient of The Margo Bindhardt Award (from the Toronto Arts Foundation), The Silver Ticket Award (from the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts), and the ReLit Award (for his fourth novel AN ENGLISH GENTLEMAN, 2004). Dr. Gilbert is an Associate Professor and holds a University Research Chair in Creative Writing and Theatre Studies at The School of English and Theatre Studies at the University of Guelph.
Upcoming for SKY: In 2014 Playwrights Canada Press will publish Sky’s play ST. FRANCIS OF MILLBROOK and The Cabaret Company will produce his play HACKERLOVE at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre.
BRYAN-CLIFFORD BATTY stage manager
I'm not playing anyone, for i am working.
more on BRYAN
Bryan-Clifford is a graduate of Humber College Theatre Production program, and has been a technician, stage manager, and designer of theatre for seven years. He focuses on working with new work that challenges our every day acceptance of the status quo. Selected work includes: Death Married My Daughter (Toronto/Hamilton Fringe 2013 / Michelle Smith and Dean Gilmour) The Last Dance (2013 / Sedina Fiati), Smother (2012 / Omar Hady), Zugzwang ( Summerworks 2011 / Frankie Hall), The Naked Ballerina (Toronto Fringe 2010 / Sarah Murphy-Dyson), and Barakat and Jacopo (2010 / Omar Hady). Bryan-Clifford is currently developing his first play, The Last Son of Windsor. He also is the Technical Manager of the Pia Bouman School for Ballet and Creative Movement, as well as a member of The Theatre Centre house crew.
He is excited and honoured to be working closely with such a talented group of artists and creators. Stay crazy and enjoy the show!