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Annie Alexander (Clutter)

Annie Alexander was 11 years old when she was hospitalized at SickKids, where doctors and nurses literally saved her life. Always wanting to give back, Annie became a Therapeutic Clown Practitioner in October 2005. Annie has experience in natural health care, has been a yoga and RMT teacher for over 20 years, and has nurtured her love for theatre and dance since childhood, appearing in and winning awards in community theatre at home and abroad. Annie has studied clown with Michael Kennard and continues to be mentored as a therapeutic clown by Joan Barrington and her colleagues at The Therapeutic Clown Program at SickKids.

Karina Werneck Assis (dr Mamamia)

Born in Brazil, Karina has a teaching degree from the Federal University of Minas Gerais as well as a degree in theater from the Centre of Artistic Training (CEFAR) of the Arts Palace of Belo Horizonte. In 1997, she first discovered her clown and decided to dedicate herself to the difficult and rewarding art of clowning. She developed skills in commedia del arte and mime as well as physical prowess through Capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian martial art combining fighting and dance. Living in Quebec since 2000, she has perfected her clowning skills with Francine Cote (Quebec), Jean-Bernard Bonange (Bataclown, France), Michel Dallaire and Christine Rossignol (France) and Paul Vachon, (Theatre de l'Aubergine-Quebec). She also studied circus arts at l'Ecole de cirque de Quebec where she now works as a trainer. Since 1997 she has been working as a teaching artist in social programs for troubled youth. Upon her arrival in Quebec, she created the "Sous le Chapiteau" (Under the Big Top), clowning workshops aimed at the 18 months to four year-old age group in CPE (pre-school and daycare centers) in the Quebec City area. This project received tremendous success, which in turn brought about work as a consultant and trainer for Cirque du Soleil's "Art Nomade". She has been working since 2008 at Theatre de l'Aubergine with performances in Zoom at Place-Royale and in hosting the Cirque du Soleil show during the 400th Anniversary of Quebec and Les Dyades at the Lanaudiare Amphitheater.

Joan Barrington (Bunky)

Joan Barrington's love of and commitment to therapeutic clowning was kindled in the mid-1980's with a dream of a clown. Through mentoring with Karen Ridd, the first therapeutic clown in Canada, Bunky was born and through her fundraising proposal to Child Life, she successfully launched Ontario's first therapeutic clown program in 1993 at The Hospital for Sick Children.

Her ever evolving professional development has been enriched through management courses and creative workshops in voice and movement, improvisation and scene study with such teachers as Ron East, Tom Diamond, Debby Kimmett, Ain Soodor, Rose Dubin, Fools for Health, Galli Theatre Group, Edith Tankus, Rebecca Northan, Francine Cote;, Grindl Kuchirka and Michael Kennard.

In 1999 Joan was Co-Founder and Director of Therapeutic Clowns Canada Foundation a driving force behind start up programs in other healthcare facilities across Canada. As a lasting legacy for young patients and their families, The Therapeutic Clown Program at SickKids created the Bunky's FUNd to ensure the sustainability of this unique program. As a founding member of the Canadian Association of Therapeutic Clowns in 2005, Joan continues to consult and mentor therapeutic clowns and start up programs across the country.

Jamie Burnett (Ricky)

Jamie Burnett is a graduate of the renowned National Theatre School and has been a professional actor for many years. He performed at the Shaw Festival for two years and was a member of the Canopy Theatre Company for four years performing Shakespeare outdoors. His true passion is the art form of therapeutic clown. He is constantly looking for further ways to expand the program at Bloorview Kids Rehab, through education, integration and collaboration. Jamie is also the Program Developing Coordinator, clown and founding member of Dr. Clown Toronto.

Lucia Cino (Nuula)

After completing an MA in Comparative Literature, Lucia followed her interest in mask, physical theatre and clowning with such teachers as Bepi Monai, Philippe Gaulier, John Turner and Michael Kennard. Through their teachings, 'Nuula' was born and eventually adopted by The Therapeutic Clown Program at SickKids in 2000. Nuula has played on General Paediatrics, Infectious Diseases and the Multi-organ Transplant units. She became Manager of The Therapeutic Clown Program at SickKids in April 2008. While the costume has changed, her objective remains true: to offer a light heart and healing play for the benefit of patients, families and staff - or anyone who is willing!

Francine Cote (artistic clown trainer)

Francine has been in show business as an artist and a trainer for over 25 years. She received a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts and studied in Paris for two years with Philippe Gaulier and Monica Pagneux, with training in clowning, acting, masks, movement, etc. Over the years, she has developed an impressive training program for clowns. She was happy to take on the role as Dr Clown's Artistic Director because the future of clowns in our society is one of her main areas of interest.

Ruth Cull (Molly Penny)

Ruth Cull is the Therapeutic Clown at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Ottawa since 2001. Two days a week, she worked as a Registered Practical Nurse in the Operating Room for the last 35 years and as clown 3 days/week since 2001.

She been to some wonderful conferences and met great people over the years. She has trained with Susie Kleinwatcher, Cheryl Oberg, and Leon McBride and has presented at numerous conferences and education settings to raise awareness of this work. She has appeared in various media and offers clown workshops for children during their hospital stay.

The rewards are not only the smiles but also the privilege of being part of the lives of family and kids who display extraordinary courage and inspiration. Throughout my journey I have come to learn that "It is not a matter of being funny, but rather of having fun."

Isabelle Di Palma (Dr Ti-Boutte)

Certified in massage therapy with specialized training in the treatment of grief and illness through massage, Isabelle was first exposed to working in a medical environment in 2000 while participating in a Leucan work-study program. She holds a certificate in Early Childhood Education, a DEC in Music, and worked as an educator for over 9 years at a daycare for children from 0 to 5 years old. Her journey as a clown began in 2004 in workshops with Francine Côté, and she joined the Dr Clown team in September 2005. Mother of two adorable little girls who are a constant source of inspiration, she is delighted to share her joy of children, playing, meeting people, and life with the Dr Clown team.

Helen Donnelly (Dr Flap)

Helen has been a therapeutic clown artist in Toronto since 2004 (SickKids, Bloorview Kids Rehab, Dr Clown) and is a founding member of the Canadian Association of Therapeutic Clowns. An honours graduate of the University College Drama Program at University of Toronto, her subsequent training includes dance, mask, movement, music, and clown. She has studied clown with David Shiner (Cirque du Soleil, Fool Moon), Roch Jutras (Cirque du Soleil, Cirque Eloise), Michael Kennard (Mump and Smoot), Grindl Kuchirka, Michelle Smith and Dean Gilmour, Sue Morrison and Francine Cote. Helen has worked in clown for special events, festivals and events for the past 10 years and as a theatrical clown for 16 years. She toured with Cirque du Soleil in 2001 and since then continues to work for local circuses including Cirque Sublime, Zero Gravity Circus and Circus Orange. She teaches clown technique in Ontario several times a year. Helen is honoured to continue her work in clown in health care settings, where humour and relational clowning have such an integral part in the healing journey. Helen is also the Training Development Coordinator and Assistant to the GM of the Dr Clown Toronto Division. She is a founding member of CATC/ACCT.

Anik Farley (Dr Picadille)

As a young child, Anik started out as a gymnast and switched to modern dance in her teens. During this time, her sense of service compelled her to work as a volunteer helping young adults re-integrate into society. A multifaceted artist, Anik dabbled in painting, jewelry, social intervention theatre, and danced with a professional company, etc. Certified with a diploma in Social Services, she worked as a case worker with troubled youth using a variety of artistic mediums such as improvisation to encourage self-expression. Drawn in by the positive impact of art on human emotion, she became more and more attracted to clowning as a means of helping others. She trained with Francine Cote (Quebec) as well as with Bataclown in France. Today, Anik feels privileged to touch and be touched by the hearts of the people she visits.

Fif Fernandes (Jumpa)

Fif Fernandes is a Certified Laughter Yoga
Leader and Teacher; trained and certified by
Dr. Madan Kataria, founder of Laughter
Yoga. She has also trained with Allan
O’Meara. Fif has her BFA(Drama) and is a
Certified Virtues Project Leader. She is on
staff with the Calgary Health Region as a
Therapeutic Clown at the Alberta Children’s
Hospital and the Peter Lougheed Centre. Fif
has received national and international
awards as a producer, director, writer, and
performer for television and stage. Currently,
as well as presenting laughter workshops for
schools, teacher’s conventions, seniors
facilities, non-profit organizations and
government; Fif presents anti-bullying shows
with Puppets for Peace. Along with Carolyn
Pogue, she co-founded StoryJam, a theatre
company all about peace, and The Art of
Peace Camp, a summer camp for children.

Marie-France Gravel (Dr Queen)

A circus performer for many years, Marie-France followed various trainings in circus techniques. She performs at various festivals and events as well as in schools throughout Québec. She teaches circus techniques to children and adolescents. She has gained experience with handicapped children through her own daughter who has cerebral palsy. This has led her to develop various means to approach and stimulate children, with an emphasis on clowning. Through Dr. Clown, she can now share the pleasure she takes in clowning by helping hospitalized children and adults.

Camilla Gryski (Flora)

Camilla Gryski has worked and played with children for over thirty years, as a teacher, librarian, storyteller and writer, and therapeutic clown. She holds masters degrees in library science and holistic and aesthetic education, and a certificate in the Foundations of Expressive Arts. Her particular area of expertise is the therapeutic value of play and humour. For nine years, she worked as Posy, the therapeutic clown for the Haematology/Oncology program, at SickKids in Toronto Camilla, and her clown Flora, are currently contracted by the Palliative and Bereavement Care Service at SickKids. In 2004, her clown Posy received the Today's Parent magazine For Kids' Sake Award.

Melissa Holland (Dr Fifi Se Pense Bien)

Melissa has a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts with a specialization in Drama in Education from Concordia University, and a degree in Education from McGill University. She has taught theatre and English to children, teenagers, and adults in Montreal, Madrid, Edinburgh, and Chibougamau. In Scotland, she trained and worked as a clown doctor for the charitable organization Hearts & Minds. She also carried out a two-month pilot project in Windsor, Ontario that led to the establishment of a program called "Fools for Health" Melissa is also the Program Director of Dr Clown.

Rosalie Hudon (Dr Gadelle)

A native of Rimouski, Rosalie begins her practice of professional comedienne to the adolescence with the Theater of Rimouski, Le Théâtre les gens d’en bas, et l’Auberge du Mange Grenouille. She first studied clown with Veronica O’leary. After completing a Bachelor's degree in dramatic arts from the UQÀM, Rosalie works in television, voiceovers, and works as comedienne at the Haunted House where she animates dinner theater and evenings at Murders and Mysteries. Simultaneously, she takes courses of mime with the troope Omnibus, practices martial arts, dance and trains in clown with Daniele Finzi Pasca. Due to her great interest in clown generally and Dr Clown in particular, she decided to be involved more deeply in the work of clown with Francine Cote. In 2007, she began the fascinating trade of therapeutic clown. In the summer 2008, in Lyon, she participated in an intensive training on the culture of those with a disability in order to round out her knowledge in this area.

Teegan Jones (Rose)

Teegan began her theatre training at Young People's Theatre, continued at Toronto's Humber College, and then earned a Certificate of Physical Theatre Arts from Vancouver's Tooba Physical Theatre Centre, where she was first introduced to clowning by teacher David MacMurray-Smith. Following Tooba, she has furthered her clown training with John Turner, Mike Kennard, Grindl Kuchirka, and Francine Cote. In addition to therapeutic clowning, Teegan's other interests include theatrical clowning, physical theatre creation, circus and aerial arts. She discovered the Therapeutic Clown Program at SickKids while finishing her theatre training, and felt immediately that it was the ideal opportunity to employ the magic of clown in a necessary, beneficial and rewarding way, and gratefully, began her employment as a Therapeutic Clown Practitioner at SickKids.

Cathy Kincaide (Mary Sunshine)

Cathy Kincaide has worked for several years in the paediatric nursing profession. Her past experience has included working in the community as an Early Interventionist supporting families who have children with special needs. She has participated in community theatre and numerous clown workshops. She has mentored with Joan Barrington and studied clown with Michael Kennard and John Turner. Cathy is thrilled to be able to share the incredible power of humour, laughter and play as the therapeutic clown, Mary Sunshine, at SickKids.

David Langdon (Onri and Hubert)

David has been a child life specialist and a therapeutic clown at Winnipeg Children's Hospital since 1989. He has a background in theatre, child life and music. He is a founding member of CATC or ACCT and served as the association's first steering committee chair. David has written articles on therapeutic clowning and has presented at numerous conferences. His work has been featured in the Red Letter Films documentary "I Clown For You-hoo!"

David can be contacted at: dlangdon@hsc.mb.ca

Kathleen Le Roux
(Dr Dizzy Do-Right)

Kathleen has been a therapeutic clown artist in Toronto since 2001 (Sick Kids, Bloorview Kids Rehab, Dr Clown) and is a founding member of the Canadian Association of Therapeutic Clowns. She is a graduate of Queen's University Drama, the National Theatre School of Canada's Directing Program and The Loose Moose International Improvisation School in Calgary and she has studied clown technique with world-renowned trainers John Turner and Michael Kennard (Mump&Smoot), Philippe Gaulier, Karen Hines, Grindl Kuchirka, and Francine Cote. Kathleen worked for 15 yrs as a producer, director, teacher and performer in theatre, improvisational comedy and children's television before discovering that her true passion lay within the heart of a red nose in service. Kathleen is thrilled to be building her life's work around her red nose, contributing to health and healing through empowering play, compassionate care and life-enhancing humour. She is both a senior artist with Dr Clown and the General Manager of Dr Clown's Toronto Division.

Nancy McCready (Dr Quenouille)

Nancy is a graduate of the theatre program at the CEGEP de Saint-Hyacinthe and has also studied singing and music. She is particularly interested in physical theatre, masks, and clowning, and she has held acting roles in Quebec and Belgium. She was involved in founding the interdisciplinary theatre company La Compagnie du Pont-fleurs. She has also trained and worked as a family aide for home care. Dr Clown allows her to do two of her favourite things: bringing people joy and taking care of others. She has a son named Loic.

Guillaume Paquet (Dr Spring)

Guillaume's artistic training hails from many sources. He trained as a stage actor at Cagep Lionel-Groulx and in Danielle Fichaud's workshops, as a mime with the Compagnie Omnibus, and as a clown in Francine Cote's workshops. He taught stage acting at Loisir-Soleil, a day camp, and now performs at La Maison hante, a dinner-theatre establishment. In 2004, along with three other actors, he founded FACTEUR THeaTRE, a street theatre company that performs at various festivals (Just for Laughs Festival, Festival de Shawinigan, etc.), which provide appropriate venues for this emerging art. The new-kid-on-the-block has now been with Dr. Clown for a little over a year.

Sue Proctor

Sue has clowned at many festivals as mime Pierrot, goofy Marmalade, Aunt Agnes or Gramma Goose and has created interactive story theatre performances. She has developed, managed and taught numerous programs in the arts for people with disabilities. Recently, Sue has founded a senior's theatre company, the Drama Divas who create shows to support immigrants in learning English with humour. She was involved in developing and managing the Linking Generations through the Arts project with Creative Retirement Manitoba, which involves archiving oral history, creating art, puppets and drama with students and seniors, and presenting community performances. She won a competition for the "Puss in Cahoots" musical comedy that she co-wrote and directed at Manitoba Theatre for Young People (MTYP) in 2008. She presently teaches at MTYP, YW/YMCA, with Manitoba Artists in the Schools, and clowns at St. Boniface Hospital.

Melanie Rosen (Lubee)

Melanie Rosen is a dynamic and creative child specialist who brings her inter-disciplinary perspective to the therapeutic clown team at Sick Children's Hospital. She has over twenty years of experience working with children, adolescents and parents with a range of complex needs and in various environments. She studied in Switzerland where she received her Masters degree in Expressive Arts Therapy, specializing in the mind-body relationship. She is currently finishing her training with the Toronto Child Psychoanalytic Program. Melanie runs her own buisness, Creative Roots teaching expressive arts educational programs and workshops that integrate movement, puppetry, storytelling and world-beat music with a focus in creating spaces for expression, developing emotional intelligence and promoting wellness. She is continually developing her lifework as a therapist, educator and performing artist. Melanie is delighted to have found a natural home in Lubee, her therapeutic clown persona, for both her thinking and practice.

Alexis Roy (Dr Frogge)

Alexis has a degree in Psychology from the University of Sherbrooke. He taught Psychology at the CAGEP Beauce-Appalaches, and he worked as a counsellor, especially with teenagers and young adults, for more than 15 years. He is also an actor, a storyteller, and a lecturer. He has worked with the Ottawa theatre company La vieille 17 and with Le theatre de l'Aile in Hull, among others. In Montreal, he has acted with the Groupe de la Veille and Les Creations Diving Horse. His storytelling has taken him around Quebec, and to France and the Canadian West.

Jamie Sneddon (A. Leboo)

Jamie became a therapeutic clown at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children in 2007 after a 10 year journalism career. A television news story opened his eyes to the possibility of a career in the field of therapeutic clowning, and he immediately knew it was something he was meant to do. Jamie has since trained in the art of clown with the likes of Joan Barrington, Michael Kennard, Jan Henderson and Grindl Kuchirka, and has taken improv classes with Keith Johnstone, Second City and the Bad Dog Theatre Company. Jamie also works with children in daycares across Toronto through the Child Development Institute.

Olivier-Hugues Terreault (Dr L'Air de Rien)

Olivier-Hugues Terreault (Dr Air of Nothing) Professional artist, with a training in theatre, storytelling and in clown, Olivier-Hugues is a graduate in contemporary dance at UQAM. He founded and directed The Company of the Bridge Flowers for 7 years, a group of interdisciplinary artists. He became a therapeutic clown and co-founder of Dr Clown with the intention of joining his art to a social practice. Since 1999, he participated in various workshops of social clowns with Dr Patch Adams, and various Canadian therapeutic artists. He has visited the hospitals in Quebec since March 2000. His clown is called Dr Air of Nothing (Dr L'Air de Rien).

Michaela Washburn

Michaela Washburn is proud to be of English, Irish, French and Cree descent. Born in Edmonton, this M�tis artist grew up in the small town of Leduc. Her background includes: counseling, workshop facilitation, theatre, film, stand up, hosting, writing, clown and improvisation. Michaela began her professional career as a performance artist with De-ba-jeh-mu-jig Theatre Group based out of Wikwemikong, Ontario. She played in their production of Daniel David Moses� The Dreaming Beauty and then joined the company as one of their first Guest Artists in Residence. Michaela traveled throughout Canada and the United States with De-ba-jeh-mu-jig�s Best Medicine Troupe, facilitating workshops and performing custom created shows. Now based in Toronto, Michaela is a graduate on Scholarship from The Second City Training Centre�s Conservatory Program. She is also delighted to be working with the multi-talented Gabriella Caruso and Andy Moro of Red Pepper Spectacle Arts (a community based arts organization situated in Toronto's Kensington Market). Having studied Pochinko style clown with John Turner of the world-renowned clown duo Mump and Smoot, Michaela is also honored to have been a Therapeutic Clown Practitioner at Toronto�s Hospital for Sick Children. A member of the all-Native improvisational troupe Tonto's Nephews, Michaela has been a guest on such television shows as Contact and Bingo and a Movie. She made her national television debut as host and stand up comedian for Rez Blues TV, (APTN and Bravo!), and was co-host for the West in CBC's Hockeyville. Other hosting experience includes: the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation's Blueprint For The Future in Yellowknife, and George Brown College�s Aboriginal Youth Forum among others. Some of her international stagework includes: Blandy in the premiere of Judith Thompson's newest piece Such Creatures atTheatre Pass� Muraille, the role of Jesse in Roseneath Theatre�s international tour of Spirit Horse, Peter Quince in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night�s Dream performed at the Living Willow Theatre in Wales, UK and Caska/Octavius in Native Earth's Death of a Chief; an adaptation of Shakespeare�s Julius Caesar which opened at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. Michaela is also always pursuing ways to give back to the youth who continue to be her inspiration. She recently joined forces with Children�s Peace Theatre as an Artist Guide. In their production of �In Shadows� (a culmination of a 3 week Peace Camp for youth ranging in age from 7-19), Michaela participated as a mentor and fellow performer alongside over 45 youth. Also a stand up comedian, Michaela has worked with such comedy greats as Charlie Hill, Winston Wuttunee and Don Burnstick. Currently, Michaela can be seen in Season Two of Rez Bluez TV on APTN and Sun TV. Upcoming, she is very excited to be co-writing her first play for young audiences with Carrie Costello, as well as collaborating with Shakespeare Link Canada in their adaptation of Romeo and Juliet for hearing and deaf audiences

Florence Vinit, PhD (Directrice psychosociale/ Dr Amandine)

All through her university years, Florence Vinit's interests focused on quality of life as the underpinning of care for hospital patients. After receiving a Social Science diploma in clinical psychology and a Phd. in sociology with an emphasis on the role of touch in the field of modern care, she developed a particular interest in the notion of therapeutic presence, as well as the power of humour and play in the field of health.

Florence is a founding member of Dr Clown, along with Olivier-Hugues Terreault and Melissa Holland. After a long career in dance (ballet, freestyle etc.) and theatre work in Strasbourg and Quebec City, she discovered, thanks to the training of Francine Cote, the incredible richness of the clown. Her character, Dr. Amandine, loves the heart-warming effect brought about by a red nose, the self-effacing awkwardness of the clown and the tenderness shared with the young and the elderly. Her additional training in affective communication through touch (affective preparation for childbirth derived from Haptonomy ), helps inspire her clown.

Florence is the author of Le Toucher qui guerit, entre soins et communications, published by Editions Belin.

Florence is also the Psychosocial Director of Dr. Clown.