Emil Sher founded Breadbox Theatre to serve a small community with large needs: younger, school age children whose first taste of theatre deserves all the thought and care that goes into a big-scale production. Emil is a former playwright-in-residence at the Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People, where his adaptation of Hana's Suitcase premiered in March 2006. It has since toured Canada (Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Montreal), premiered in the U.S. (St. Louis) and will be produced in Milwaukee, Lexington, London (Ontario) and Chicago this season. Other works for young audiences include Bluenose, a tale of three colonizing, clumsy pirates that Carousel Theatre is touring in Southern Ontario in 2007-2008 and Beneath the Banyan Tree – commissioned by acclaimed choreographer Lata Pada – a play that chronicles a South Asian girl’s journey to Canada through dance, puppets and music. Also in the works is an adaptation of Edward the Crazy Man, a play about schizophrenia that Emil is developing with Workman Arts. When he’s not trying to entertain his two young daughters – who have heard his shtick far too often – Emil busies himself with other writing, including screenplays, stage plays, radio dramas and essays. To learn more about his work, visit his website at www.emilsher.com.

Christel Bartelse is the gifted performer who plays Gofo, the harried kitchen helper in School Bound. A graduate of the Second City Conservatory Program as well as the Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts, Christel has studied clown intensively with John Turner and Michael Kennard (better known as Mump and Smoot) and Sue Morrison. She has performed at the Chicago Improv Festival, the Toronto Improv Jamboree and the March of Dames. As co-creator of the Burnt Marshmallows, a physical comedy duo with Christina Sicoli, Christel has created, produced and performed several shows, including Burnt on a Stick and U-Haulywood (Canadian Comedy Award Nominee).

Nicole Grainger adds colour and charisma to Blue Moon, which she performs with equal parts zest and zaniness. Nicole originally hails from Alberta, where she studied Musical Theatre at Grant MacEwan College. Two of her favourite Theatre for Young Audiences experiences are when she toured with the French company L’Uni Theatre in their production of Barbapoisson and when she choreographed thirty-six children for Theatre Zocolo in the Edmonton Fringe Festival production of The Other Party. She moved to Toronto six years ago and has continued to enjoy a healthy career in film and theatre.

Amy Fournier is the most recent addition to the Breadbox Theatre creative team. In her role as Artistic Associate, she enthusiastically combines her organizational skills with her artistic passions. Amy is an administrative assistant for a non-profit organization and a committed volunteer at the Toronto Public Library. She earned an HBA in English and Political Science from the University of Toronto and is currently pursuing Editing at George Brown College.

Pat McCarthy designed the study guide for School Bound. A former Drama/Dance and Peace Education Coordinator with the Toronto Catholic School Board, Pat is presently Education Consultant for Theatre Direct Canada and a member of the Board of Directors of Prologue to the Performing Arts, serving on the English Programming Committee. Pat has developed teacher resource materials, study guides, and pre- and post- performance workshops for many of Canada’s leading Theatre for Young Audience companies, including Theatre Direct Canada (Andrew's Tree, I Met a Bully on the Hill, Petra); Roseneath Theatre (Danny King of the Basement, Head á Tęte, Dib and Dob and the Journey Home); Cascade Theatre (Doug and Al, Night Owls); Carousel Players (Shall We Call a Teacher?); and Dufflebag Theatre's complete repertoire.

Laila Moos helped develop the role of Gofo and has brought the character to life at workshops and showcases. She has performed the role of Ajji in Beneath the Banyan Tree in productions at the Mississauga Children’s Festival (2004) and at the Toronto Milk International Children's Festival of the Arts in 2005 (Theatre Direct Canada). Past credits include The Odyssey (Banff Fine Arts Centre), The Ice Cream Store and More (Carousel Players), Mrs. Brennan on 'Radio Free Roscoe'’and 'Crossing Gibraltar' with CBC Radio. Laila recently graduated from York University's Bachelor of Education in Fine Arts Integration.