Kristina was born in Scotland, grew up in Colombia & Canada. She was awarded an international scholarship to spend most of her artistic training and early career in the United States & England. She relocated to Canada in 2004, and continues to work as an actor, theatre creator, instructor and leader of 100 Watt Productions.
Acting projects include The Anniversary (Theatre 4.669), Holding Mercury (Undercurrents Festival), Up to Low and A Christmas Carol (NAC), PARTICLE (Undercurrents), Angel Square (GCTC), Generous (GCTC), Up to Low, and God of Carnage, Woyzeck’s Head, The Tempest (St. Lawrence Shakespeare Company), look away from me (Tarragon Theatre) and Subdevision–(oh dear oh dear). Other acting projects include Love’s Labours Lost (National Arts Centre), The Optimists (GCTC), Medea (Magnetic North Festival), Blackbird and Top Girls (Third Wall). She has received three Prix Rideau Awards for Outstanding Performance and three nominations, including for Best Direction of 12.
As a growing director, recent projects include Irresistible Neighbourhoods V1 at the National Arts Centre, STUFF (a 100 Watt Production), and The Supine Cobbler (assisting director Emily Pearlman as Artistic Associate) both at the GCTC.
Since the Ottawa launch of 100 Watt Productions in 2009, she creates original theatre inspired by a love/concern for the planet such as “12”, WILD LIFE (Ottawa International Children’s Festival), STUFF (GCTC), and 12 Drops and 1 Moon (Museum of Nature). In 2015 she founded the 100 Watt Youth Ensemble, a young company of artists ages 15 – 20, who create professional theatre in collaboration with established theatre artists while growing as young artists and citizens. The 100 Watt Youth Ensemble were Resident Artists at the GCTC 2022-24. Learn more about the 100 Watt Youth Ensemble here.
For the National Arts Centre, she co-developed THE THREE MINUTE PLAY FESTIVAL with school-children, was co-creator and Artistic Director of the Third Wall Academy, has served as the Ottawa Artist & Facilitator of Uth Ink (Playwright’s Guild of Canada), and for six years worked on Our Stories—a project that allows immigrant children and youth bring their life-stories to the stage.
Kristina created the 100 Watt Earth Stage at the Ottawa International Children’s Festival: an annual showcase of performing arts by children and youth for audiences of all ages, linked thematically by a love & curiosity for nature. Learn more about it here.
As a teacher artist and coach: University of Ottawa’s BFA in program, the Ottawa Children’s Theatre, professional and emerging performance artists; Performance Coach for Josh Allen, a young figure skater ranked in the top 10 nationally; with Sarah Garton Stanley at the National Arts Centre, she collaborated on an innovative theatre & technology project called the SpiderWebShow, in which her students at the University of Ottawa contribute to the national ‘virtual theatre space.’ She coaches lawyers in communication skills and the art of “empathetic persuasion”. For more about her coaching & instruction, click: Instruction & Coaching
She has served on the Board of Directors at the Great Canadian Theatre Co and Horseshoes & Hand Grenades Theatre. She served as Part-time Professor Union Rep at the University of Ottawa for over 5 years.
She loves to draw and dance. See her cards here.
Banner Image Photo credit: Brigitte Pellerin
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