The Rishta, a Silk Road Theatre Production

Eman Ayaz is a Pakistani-Muslim actor and multi-disciplinary artist based in Toronto, Ontario. She has always enjoyed songwriting and recently released her first original EP. Her acting background began in the worlds of theatre and improv, and she has since worked in Toronto’s film industry for over 6 years. Most recently, she starred in CBC Gem’s dramedy Homeschooled as Farzanah Haqq. Now, she is ecstatic to once more revive her roots in theatre as Samah Siddiqui in The Rishta.

With a background in comparative literature and cinema studies from the University of Montreal, Nora graduated in 2013 from the École supérieure de Théâtre de l’UQAM, acting program. This performer of Moroccan origin began her career with a leading role with Le Groupe de la Veillée, at Théâtre Prospero in The ontological proof of my existence by Joyce Carol Oates. Followed rich theatre collaborations with Porte Parole, Theater INK, Volte 21 and Théâtre de l’Instant. Nora has also been perfecting her craft in front of a camera, and can be seen in Transplant (2022) and Chouchou (2022).

Born and raised in Nairobi, Sehar Manji is a Montreal-based actor, improviser, instructor, writer and sketch comedian. She began improvising with Montreal Improv in 2010 and continues to perform and teach there. She has appeared at various local festivals (MPROV, Montreal Sketchfest, Ladyfest, Montreal Fringe, OFF-JFL, POP Montreal) as well as festivals in Toronto, New York and Vancouver. In 2018, Sehar was part of CBC’s Kim’s Convenience Emerging Writers’ Room workshop, working alongside showrunners, Ins Choi and Kevin White. Her on-screen work includes guest roles on NBC’s Transplant and Pillow Talk (Crave), and commercials for Fizz Mobile, Beneva, and Lactantia.

Ivan Smith has appeared in numerous theatre shows across the country. He studied drama at McGill, and was awarded a full scholarship to Advanced Acting at The Banff Centre. At Centaur, he performed in Comedians and Sondhiem’sCompany. Rahul Varma’s L’AffaireFharadi, Truth and Treason, and Bhopal, for TeesriDuniya, and Guy Sprung’sFight On! for Infinitheatre. Television credits include Good Sam, -Netflix, Blood and Treason,- Paramount+,and The Phantom – Sy Fi,  Films include, Afterglow, The Day After Tomorrow,  Rollerballand Gabrielle. He has had the pleasure of working with directors Alan Rudolph, Denys Arcand, Louise Archambault, and Denis Villeneuve. He is represented by Glenntalent Management, and dedicates his performances to Susan Glenn.

Adolyn H. Dar is an actor and writer who is grateful to be making his Montreal debut with Silk Road Theatre. Select theatre credits includes Mahabharata (WNT, Shaw Festival), Brimful of Asha (Citadel), Disgraced (ATP). Select TV/Film includes The Expanse, Superman and Lois and currently starring in Desi Standard Time Travel – playing in Montreal at SAFF: April 27th to May 3rd. When not performing or writing, Adolyn can be found using his cognitive science degree in the mental health field building equitable programs as a DEI specialist.

Subhan Aref is a Pakistani and Canadian actor based in Montreal. He has spent much of his life involved in his studies and pursuing higher education, which led to him graduating from McGill University with an arts bachelor’s degree. He later discovered his love and passion for acting and decided to train at Montreal-based drama schools like I.O. Acting Studio and Straeon Studios for about two years. Having also attended several workshops at Total Casting and Mocap Vaults, he is incredibly passionate about and trained in voiceover and motion/performance capture. His body of work predominantly includes TV, film and commercial.

Uzma Jalaluddin is the author of MUCH ADO ABOUT NADA (2023), a second-chance romance inspired by Jane Austen’s Persuasion, and THREE HOLIDAYS AND A WEDDING (2023), a multi-faith holiday romcom co-written with Marissa Stapley. Her debut novel, AYESHA AT LAST (2019), was a Goodreads Choice Award Finalist, Cosmopolitan UK Book of the Year and Publisher’s Weekly Best Book of 2019. Her second novel, HANA KHAN CARRIES ON (2021) was an instant Canadian bestseller and named a Best Romance Novel by the Washington Post. It is currently in development for film by Amazon Studios and Mindy Kaling. Uzma is a former contributor to The Toronto Star, and has written for The Atlantic.

Masha Bashmakova is a director, performer, and theatre creator, navigating the ways in which creative expression serves as a deep and necessary language. A graduate of Concordia’s Performance Creation program, she has since been developing her performance practice, teaching, and working on independent creation projects through residencies with Batiment 7, Infinitheatre, and Maison de la Culture. Born in Russia, raised in the United Arab Emirates, and currently based in Tio’tia:ke (Montreal), Masha is curious about the ways in which language, place and worldview impact the ways in which we tell stories.

Nadine Jaafar is a set designer with Lebanese/Egyptian roots and a background in architecture. She has lived in Kuwait and Beirut and is currently based in Montreal where she is working on many exciting new projects in theatre, music and film. Among those are the JAMAIS LU’s 22nd festival, the French-Canadian band VALAIRE’s album launch concert as well as a few francophone theatre creations.

Georges Michael Fanfan is a costume designer and stylist of Haitian descent based in Montréal. Fanfan’s passion for storytelling and sharing compelling tales has steered him to use dress as a vehicle to encompass different messages. As a costume designer, he hopes to produce clothing that transcends the stage and the screen to connect the audience with the characters from a visual standpoint. His credits include Dixon Road directed by Ray Hogg and written by Fatuma Adara (THE MUSICAL STAGE COMPANY & OBSIDIAN THEATRE COMPANY), Cette Maison film directed by Miryam Charles and Fanm Rebel.

Darah Miah is an international designer and visual artist born on Treaty 1 Territory and based in Tiohti:áke. Their work revolves around collaborative experimentation prioritizing healthy environments, queerness, and joy. Their lighting and set design work have been seen across Canada and in London, UK.

Born in Mumbai and raised in Montreal, Rehan started to get into sound by volunteering at CKUT 90.3fm as a technician, editor and cohost. Since then he has been working onvaried projects as a composer and sound designer, ranging from theatre to dance and multimedia installations.

Georgia Holland is a young theatre professional currently working towards becoming an equity stage manager in Canada. In 2022 she graduated from Concordia University with a Bachelors in Fine Arts specializing in Performance Creation. Having worked in live performance since she was only two years old, Georgia hopes to use her past experiences and expertise to continue to make theatre a safe and fun environment for those who share her passion.

Miles (They/Them) is a British-Canadian that is confused about how they ended up living in this frozen land. They have designed lighting before moving into Technical Direction and have done everything in theatre from acting to writing.

A Stage and Production Manager based in Montréal, Québec who has also been a creator of contemporary performance with companies such as Public Recordings, XO Secret and surprise performance. Upcoming productions include BonnesBonnes at Aux Ecuries in April of this year.