Working Artists Theatre Project is Co-Founders Angie Canuel* and Jessica Dermody. Artistic Director, Jessica Dermody and Board Members, John Alban Coughlan and Christy Witt Hoffman, Melanie J. Lisby, Company Memebers: Lil Malinich, Chad Luke Schiro. JESSICA DERMODY has been working professionally in the entertainment industry for most of her life. A true Jack-of-all-trades specializing in theatre,
Jessica holds experience in many mediums of the entertainment industry and can sing you a song as easily as she can operate a band saw or General Manage a show. Working professionally in theatre, live concert events, industrials, film, and television she spent a good portion of her life performing before shifting her focus to directing/producing. In 2005, Jessica co-founded the not-for-profit Working Artists Theatre Project, where she proudly serves as Artistic Director. During her time in New York Jessica has enjoyed working as part of the Broadway companies of Movin’ Out, The Producers, LoveMusik, Young Frankenstein, West Side Story, American Idiot, Lysistrata Jones, Catch Me If You Can, and Peter & The Starcatcher. She is also part of the producing team at the award winning production company, Awaken Entertainment. (chashama, NEA grant), Just Jump! (Ars Nova, ANT FEST), Rudolph Unplugged starring John Treacy Egan (Ars Nova), Clown (U.S Premiere, WAT Project), Tall Tales from the Little Black Book (U.S. Premiere, WAT Project), L.A., Pitching to the Star, Mercury (U.S. PRODUCING: Tony Award winning production of Green Day’s American Idiot and the critically acclaimed Broadway production of Tracy Lett’s Superior Donuts (Awaken Entertainment, Drama Desk and Tony Award nominations). The all star cast 9/11 benefit 110 Stories - www.110storiesplay.com (Live Style Entertainment, Awaken Entertainment). ROPE (WAT Project), Timberlake: American Pulp (World Premiere, WAT Project), The Golden Aurora (World Premiere, NYC Fringe, WAT Project). The independent feature film, Construction (Associate Producer, Vision Vehicle Productions). EDUCATION: Guest lecturer for Barnard College summer program. Broadway Class Room and Moveable Arts facilitator specializing in “backstage etiquette”. Private coaching for a roster of Broadway professionals. Proud graduate of the Florida State University, School of Theatre
LIL MALINICH is from London, Ontario and has been working as a professional in the entertainment industry for 15 years. She joined the WAT Project team in 2007 as a Company Member, Actress, and Producer. THEATRE: Lil's body of work highlights her chameleon-like quality and love of diversity. She was one the founders and Artistic Directors of Theatre Soup, an award winning company based in London, Ontario. She worked extensively as an Actress and Producer for shows including: The Miracle Worker, King Lear, The Cherry Orchard, I Am Yours, Lion in the Streets, and Unidentified Human Remains and the True Nature of Love. Other acting credits include leading roles in Run for Your Wife at Port Stanley Festival Theatre, Legitimate Cinema and The Deluxe Illustrated Body with Stars & Hearts, The Birthday Party for Rhino Productions Toronto, the 2006 USA Tour with Chamber Theatre Productions, Uncle Vanya with The Space Ensemble NYC, WAT Project's Timberlake: American Pulp, Rope, and Open Call! FILM: Vision Vehicle's Construction, directed by Malcolm Goodwin, and Marc Lafia’s Paradise. TELEVISION: "Red Hook High" for the New York Television Festival, and Lil was a recurring nurse on ABC’s "All My Children". COMMERCIAL: TD Bank Corporate Training video, and Bad Coffee PSA for "Breast Cancer Action." EDUCATION, TEACHING and DIRECTING: Lil has an Honors BA in English and Dramatic Arts, and a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Western Ontario. She was head of the Upper School English and Drama Departments at Weldon Park Academy from 2000-2005. Lil worked as a director for Original Kids Theatre Company from 1996-2000, directed for OK Summer Camp, and ran the Original Kids St. Thomas program. She has also worked with business professionals in developing effective communication skills through "Acting Management."
*ANGIE CANUEL stepped down as Artistic Director in 2012 but continues her support of WAT Project.
