Allyship in the Arts
A Beyond the Stage: PTAC Conversations event
During National Indigenous History Month & Pride Month
Palace Theatre Arts Commons
FREE | Open to the public
How do we build stronger, more inclusive creative spaces — on stage, backstage, and in our broader arts community?
Join us for Allyship in the Arts, a powerful community conversation presented as part of PTAC’s Beyond the Stage series. Together, we’ll explore what allyship really means in the context of arts and culture — from community engagement and representation to leadership and creative collaboration.
Led by Katie Wilhelm, an award-winning Indigenous designer and consultant, this panel will offer both inspiration and practical insight.
We are thrilled to introduce our full lineup of speakers:
Matt Butler — Accomplished actor, writer, director, lyricist, and active member of London’s community theatre scene. Matt brings both creative experience and lived perspective as someone who has been on the Autism spectrum for 31 years.
Jensen Caughlin — is an educator, advocate, artist and proud member of the 2SLGTBQIA+ community whose five-decade journey has spanned activism, leadership and creative expression. A former Provincial Chair of ETFO’s 2SLGTBQIA+ caucus and a Director with Alphabet Community Centre, Jensen has advanced inclusive education, trans healthcare access, and community support, while also helping drive policy change through the national TransPulse Project. After retiring from full-time teaching, Jensen discovered a love for theatre through Palace’s The Donnellys and now acts, builds sets and serves as Facilities Director for Musical Theatre Productions.
Melissa Parker — Executive Director of Palace Theatre Arts Commons, community builder and long-time advocate for equity and inclusion in the arts.
This event takes place during National Indigenous History Month (as well as Pride month), a time to honour and learn from the rich traditions, stories, and contributions of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples. We respectfully acknowledge that PTAC sits on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak and Chonnonton Nations, and we are committed to hosting this conversation through an Indigenous & 2SLGBTQIA+ lens. Come listen, learn, and engage — everyone is welcome as we continue to foster connection, understanding and allyship in the arts.
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