Interim Artistic Producer

Ruth Howard is an interdisciplinary, theatre and community-engaged artist and founding Artistic Director of Jumblies. With Jumblies, from 2001 to 2022, she produced multi-year residencies in Toronto neighbourhoods, large-scale community-based productions, lasting offshoot organizations, cross-country tours, musical and dance works, festivals, films, books, and many other collaborative projects between artists, communities, cultures and generations. Ruth has worked across Canada and in the UK as a theatre designer, taught in many contexts, mentored many artists, projects and organizations, and won awards and recognition for her work. In 2023, Ruth stepped aside from the leadership of Jumblies, while continuing to work as an independent artist and consultant and mentor. in January 2026, Ruth stepped into the role of Interim Artistic Producer for the Community Arts Guild, to support a phase of leadership transition. 

Associate & Lead Artist

Jesse Wabegijig (they/them) is an Ojibway performer, community artist, facilitator, dramaturge, director and puppet maker. They are passionately involved in the preservation of Indigenous cultural heritage and maintain a practice as a firekeeper and storyteller. Jesse trained with the Centre for Indigenous Theatre, and has worked with companies including: Debajehmujig, Clay & Paper, Shadowland, the National Arts Centre, Paprika Festival, Arts4All, MABELLEarts. They undertook a a year-long Metcalf Foundation professional mentorship with Jumblies Theatre and the Community Arts Guild in 2024/25, and are currently (2026) serving as Assistant Artistic Director of Jumblies and Associate and Lead Artist for several Community Arts Guild projects.

Board Chair

Beth Helmers is an artist, producer and administrator in the field of community-engaged arts. She is founding Artistic Director of Community Arts Guild. Under Beth’s leadership, Community Arts Guild created and produced several large-scale community plays; two Nuit Blanche installations; a Signature Project for Toronto’s Cultural Hotspot; and was awarded numerous school, library, and park residencies. Beth has a BFA from Toronto Metropolitan University and was a recipient of a George Cedric Metcalf Foundation performing arts internship with Jumblies. She currently serves on the steering committee for East Scarborough Storefront, is a past board member of MABELLEarts, national committee member for Balancing Act: support for artist caregivers, and current Board Chair for the Community Arts Guild.

Board Member

Malika Daya is a Canadian artist-researcher-practitioner of South Asian and Tanzanian descent whose work explores the intersections of theatre, diaspora, and global development. Her practice lives in the hyphen—between identities, geographies, and generations. She has worked internationally with the Art and Global Health Centre Africa and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and locally with Soulpepper Theatre, Volcano Theatre, Community Arts Guild, and Arts4All. Malika is the co-founder of In Draft Collective and serves as Hub Coordinator for the Knowledge Equity Lab. When not working, she’s sipping chai, listening to Bollywood music, and lost in a good book.

Board Member

Connie Tong, a Program Officer with the City of Toronto Parks and Recreation Division, combines her municipal sector experience with her arts education to advocate for accessible opportunities for children and youth in underserved communities. Growing up in East Scarborough, she faced challenges  accessing local arts opportunities.  After graduating from OCAD University in Material Arts and Design, she was a visiting artist for Healthy Living through Arts, the Education Department Assistant at the Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art, and a Visual Arts Instructor at various Toronto community centres. She spearheaded a youth mentorship program in partnership with East Scarborough Storefront, collaborated with local artists on youth-based projects, and facilitates workshops that empower participants to discover their creative identities through tactile experiences and experimentation.