President
Krista Chiponski
Krista is new to the Edmonton theatre community—but don’t let that fool you! Living and working in Amiskwaciwâskahikan (Edmonton), on Treaty 6 territory, she is a proud Métis woman and acknowledges her ancestors Indigenous and settler backgrounds. Krista is a graduate of the University of Alberta obtaining a degree in Sociology with a minor in Native Studies. She also received a certificate in Aboriginal Governance and Partnership certificate from the Faculty of Native Studies. Krista works directly with Indigenous communities and organizations to improve health and socio-economic outcomes. Krista is committed and excited to sit on the Board of Directors for Azimuth theatre.
Her mission in changing Edmonton’s theatre community involves social action theatre that involves Indigenous voices, stories, laws and perspectives. Krista is passionate about theatre being equitable, accessible and inclusive for marginalized communities.
Vice-President
Soni Dasmohapatra
Soni Dasmohapatra, has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Alberta, and her Masters in Public Administration from the University of Victoria. She has a certificate in gender studies and human rights from Oxford University.
When in Toronto, Soni was involved in supporting arts and culture, social innovation, and philanthropy work at the community level with organizations such as the City of Toronto, United Way Toronto, Harboufront Centre, Laidlaw, and Maytree Foundations. For over a decade, Soni was a senior project manager with the Government of Ontario. She has been a consultant with the United Nations.
Over the past four years, since returning to Edmonton she has worked with the Government of Alberta, is core team member at the Edmonton ShiftLab 1.0, was grants coordinator at the Edmonton Heritage Council, and is currently a management consultant.
Soni is keen to map Alberta’s ecosystems to find, contribute and create spaces of social innovation through creative expression. She is an avid yogini, loves to sing and dance. Her current exploration is to share and learn about The Decolonization of the South Asian practices of yoga, dance and music.
Secretary
Julie Murphy
Julie (she/her) is a performer, educator, and creator. She is a director in movement and theatrical unarmed combat, violence, and intimacy and an award-winning dancer and choreographer who works as a professional movement specialist in universities, schools, and studios. She is a graduate of the University of Alberta’s Education and Drama degree programs; is an Associate of the Royal Academy of Dance; and is a certified Intermediate actor combatant with the Academy of Fight Directors Canada. Julie performs with the award-wining sketch
comedy troupe Don’t Not Talk to Strangers; performs contemporary dance professionally with Viva Dance; and is the creative director/producer of the devised theatre collective The Vulnerable Cult. She’s grateful to be on the Board of Directors with Azimuth Theatre!”
Treasurer
Connor Pylypa
Directors
Samantha Blakney
Samantha Blakney currently calls Amiskwaciwâskahikan (colonially called Edmonton) her home base. She humbly acknowledges that she lives, works, and plays on Treaty 6 territory. Samantha currently works as an Interactions teacher. The Interactions program helps students with Austism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) learn, flourish, and grow in an adapted school environment. Samantha graduated from the University of Lethbridge with a Bachelor of Arts focusing on History, Psychology, and Women and Gender studies in 2020. And from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Education, specializing in elementary education. Samantha is passionate about the arts, theatre in particular, and incorporates dramatic play and instruction into her classrooms as much as possible. While attending the U of L she volunteered with New West Theatre. She is enthusiastic about her local community and aims to leave every place she leaves a little brighter. Samantha hopes to bring her dedication, enthusiasm and empathy to Azimuth’s board of directors and to help contribute to Azimuth Theatre’s already vibrant and thriving trajectory.
Jeannine Kroening
Hello, I’m Jeannine Kroening! I am a Filipino-Canadian artist and eggs benny lover. I am a graduate from MacEwan’s Theatre Arts program, and I will be in the process to finish my BFA in drama at the UofA. I am currently a member, dancer and choreographer for a non-profit organization called the Karilagan Dance Society, which promotes and educates the youth of Filipino culture through Filipino cultural dance. After taking a little theatre hiatus, applying and accepting a position of a board member was a great step to be involved again. So excited for what’s to come!
Daniel Graham
Daniel Graham is a licensed professional Realtor in the Edmonton area, an adventurer at heart, and an avid patron of the Edmonton arts community. In his career, Daniel is committed to providing his clients with an exceptional low-stress experience while guiding them through their next real estate transaction in a competitive and fast paced market. As a lifelong Edmontonian, Daniel has always enjoyed the vibrant, diverse and ever-changing arts scene that oru city has to offer. He is a University of Alberta alumni, graduating form his Bachelor of Arts program with distinction in 2014 with a major in English and minor in Latin American Studies. His key areas of focus included gender studies, colonialism, Asian-Canadian literature, Canadian and Japanese theatre, and travel narratives. While Daniel has supported Azimuth as an audience member in the past, he is proud and humbled to now support Azimuth Theatre from within the organization and advocate for inclusive representation in the Arts.
Adam Biddulph
Suparna Gupta
Board Mentee
Open for applications for the 2024-25 Season!
To enquire about joining our board or one of our committees, contact Sue