RAVI JAIN

Toronto-based stage director Ravi Jain is a multi-award winning artist known for making politically bold and accessible theatrical experiences in both small indie productions and large theatres. As the founding Artistic Director of Why Not Theatre, Ravi has established himself as an artistic leader for his inventive productions, international producing/collaborations, and innovative producing models which are aimed to better support emerging artists to make money from their art.

In 10 years Why Not has become synonymous with innovative theatrical experiences which have toured the world. In recent years their RISER project, a unique producing model, has had a significant impact on the Toronto independent community. Why Not has created over 20 collaborations performing on 5 continents, including the smash hit A Brimful of Asha, which stars Ravi and his real-life mother (a non-actor). Collaborations Ravi has fostered with Why Not Theatre include festivals such as Harbourfront Centre's World Stage Festival, Luminato Festival, and the Pan Am Games in Toronto (2015), and international theatre companies like The Tricycle Theatre (UK), Complicate (UK), and the SITI Company (USA).

Ravi was shortlisted for the 2016 Siminovitch Prize, and won the 2012 Pauline McGibbon Award for Emerging Director and the 2016 Canada Council John Hirsch Prize for direction. He is a graduate of the two-year program at Ecole Jacques Lecoq and he was the inaugural artistic-director-in-residence at The Theatre Centre.