Angela Konrad

Angela (she/her) is a director, teacher, producer, and dramaturg, who has been working in theatre for more than 30 years. As an aspiring pacifist, she founded Dark Glass Theatre to tell stories that expand our perspective and deepen our understanding of others.

In addition to directing Dark Glass Theatre's productions of No Mama No Cry, The Amish Project, disPLACE, and Ruined, she has had the privilege of directing several productions at Pacifc Theatre, including The Cake; Outside Mullingar; Wit; Mourning Dove; Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train; Grace; Last Train to Nibroc; and Traveler in the Dark. Angela has been nominated for several Jessie Awards, winning once for Outstanding Direction and three times for Outstanding Production. She also directed a production of The Amish Project for Rosebud Theatre in Alberta.

Selected dramaturgy projects include Black & Rural, AWAKE, Bride on Credit, and The Ristretto Proposal. Angela also teaches workshops in Acting Skills for Life for community and corporate clients.

Karyn Guenther

Karyn has a BFA in Acting from Trinity Western University, where she first met and worked with Angela. She has since worked as a playwright, dramaturg, actor, producer, as well as several roles in the hospitality industry in Vancouver and Toronto.

Most recently, she developed her project management and administrative skills as the Director of Hospitality for a brewery in Toronto, overseeing two restaurant spaces as well as a music venue. After 12 years in Toronto, Karyn has recently relocated back to the West Coast.

Equipped with a unique skillset, she is excited about Dark Glass and working to continue to tell stories that create more compassion and kindness in the world.

Shayna Jones

Shayna (she/her) is an award winning actor, a playwright, a folklorist, and a multi-disciplinary spoken word artist specializing in performance poetry and traditional oral storytelling.

Shayna's play Black Skin Deep was commissioned by Dark Glass Theatre and dramaturged by Angela Konrad. It received a staged reading as part of Ruby Slipper's Advance Theatre Festival in 2022. Shayna also won a Jessie Award for her performance in DGT's production of Ruined by Lynn Nottage.

As a folklorist and oral storyteller, Shayna combines her passion for life, theatrical performance with the study of traditional African and Afro-diasporic folklore and contemporary narrative. She has performed her one woman shows for theatres, schools, and festivals across Canada.

Presently, she is the founder and leader of a federally funded project called Black and Rural, a multi-year artistic investigation into the hearts and minds of black folks tucked away on the Canadian countryside. Partnering with both arts and heritage organizations, her vision is to gather, honour, and showcase black and rural Canadian life through a nationally touring performance series. Her original play Black & Rural was dramaturged by Angela Konrad, produced by Pi Theatre, and received its world premiere at Pacific Theatre in Spring 2023. It continues to tour.

Learn more about Shayna and her work at www.wearestoryfolk.com