Meet the 2025 Soulpepper Academy

Soulpepper is pleased to introduce the five promising artists that will be a part of this year's Academy: Andrew Iles, Thomas Mitchell Barnet, Ineza Mugisha, Chelsea Preston, and Baraka Rahmani.

Thomas Mitchell Barnet

Andrew Iles

Ineza Mugisha

Chelsea Preston

Baraka Rahmani

ABOUT the academy

The Soulpepper Academy aims to develop highly skilled theatre artists who are equipped to make significant contributions in rehearsal halls and to the cultural landscape of Canada. Under Artistic Director Weyni Mengesha’s leadership, the Academy has focused on an inclusive and care-based approach to artistic training.

In a recent external assessment prepared for Canadian Heritage, the Academy is described as a “revolutionary forward thinking program that stands out as unique and groundbreaking within Canada”, with a model of instruction that “rates highly in comparison to other programs offered internationally”. The report also describes Soulpepper as “an agent for change through performance, community engagement, forging with new people and new voices”. Past faculty members have included some of Canada's leading artists: d’bi.young anitafrika, Ins Choi, Ravi Jain, Kim Collier, Gregory Prest, Guillermo Verdecchia, and Artistic Director Weyni Mengesha, who have helped Academy artists develop their artistic voice with original creations throughout the 26-week paid training program.

This year’s Academy is focused on musical storytelling and creation. Academy members were chosen for their unique musical talent and their skills as collaborators in musical creation and performance. The Academy curriculum will be taught through rehearsals, classes, studio intensives, and workshops, led by renowned artists such as d’bi.young anitafrika, Frank Cox-O'Connell, and Beau Dixon.

The cohort will also headline Soulpepper’s mainstage holiday concert, 'Twas on a Night Like This. Featuring songs from Joni Mitchell to Julie Andrews, Simon and Garfunkel to Stevie Wonder, this theatrical concert filled with songs, stories, and stunning visuals will introduce audiences to some non-traditional songs that embody not just the spirit, but the soul of the season. The return of this beloved holiday show will feature new contributions from Academy artists.