MADDY HOOSON-KIRSTEIN Artistic Producer
Maddy Kirstein (any/all) is a queer settler based on lək̓ʷəŋən territories (also known as the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations) and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples’ unceded and stolen land. As a self-proclaimed artistic goof of all trades specializing in community-centered stage management and immersive storytelling, they wish to create spaces that give artists the strength and support to share their art. When they’re not working on their next crazy experimental project, they spend most mornings hiking as a canine pack leader, and their evenings turning leftovers into new funky meals.
In 2018, they created the Alectoria School of Magic, an immersive live-action roleplaying camp that built a safe space and unleashed creativity in youth all across Vancouver Island. The camp focused on teaching youth that believing in magic frees your voice in carefree and unexpected ways.
Their theatre credits involve assistant stage managing GVSF’s 2023 All’s Well That Ends Well, working as the resident stage manager for iuvenis Production’s 2023 season, and stage managing Collectivus Theatre’s “Summer Bucket List”.
They are most excited to help support the Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival by facilitating theater spaces that grow radical community and bloom vibrant self expression.
CIARÁN VOLKE General Manager
Ciarán Volke (he/they) is a performing artist, director, writer, and producer based in unceded Lək̓ʷəŋən Territory. He is the co-founder of the award-winning comedy duo COWBOY, and the co-founder of the Three Cheese Institute, a theatre company based in Calgary.
Ciarán is the recipient of the 2021 OUTStages Residency in 2021, where he began creation on his solo-musical Saturn Return. He also participated in Downstage Theatre's StageIt Producing Mentorship in 2022, and Impulse Theatre's Admin Cohort in 2024. He has toured across much of Western Canada, and is excited to go beyond Manitoba… eventually.
Ciarán has worked with the Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival in a multitude of capacities, including performer, volunteer, and most recently as a staff member. He is beyond grateful for the opportunity to continue supporting this festival, and to bring it forward into a new radical future.
His favourite Shakespeare play is King Lear, which he would love to play literally any character in (it's that good).